Arizona Pastor by Jennifer Collins Johnson Page A

tighter.
    Wilma continued, “You read from Mark that if a man is praying and has anything against a brother, then the man needs to forgive the brother so God can forgive him.” She chuckled as she clapped her hands together. “For some reason, it just hit me. I had a sister I needed to forgive. Myself.” She patted Wade’s arm again. “And you know what, I went home, got myself down on these old knees, and I did. I prayed to God, and I forgave myself.”
    She leaned over and scratched behind Bo’s ears. “I’m like a new woman.” She stood and lifted her fist toward the sky. “Free at last.”
    Wade wiped the mounting perspiration from his brow. His stomach churned, but he wrapped the older woman in a side hug. “That’s great to hear.”
    â€œI’ll be praying for you as you ponder the message for tomorrow. God’s got great things in store for our church.”
    Wade watched as Wilma continued her trek down the Waddell Trail. She had a spring in her step that spoke of more than just regular exercise. Wade knew the Lord. It was no coincidence that he’d run into Wilma today and that she’d shared her experience the very afternoon he was wrestling with God over the division and loneliness he felt in his heart.
    He needed to forgive himself for Zella’s death. Her parents had been able to forgive him, but he’d never even tried. Didn’t feel worthy. He simply didn’t know how.
    * * *
    â€œWhen is the big day?” The petite and peppy sales associate guided Mel toward a wall of wedding gowns.
    Kristy suppressed the urge to inform the woman that the real big day was January 13. She wanted to tell her that she’d tried to listen to her daughter’s ideas about marriage, the baby and her future, but that Mel’s rose-tinted glasses were going to land her in a heap of disappointment.
    Instead, Kristy sneaked a peek at the price tag of one of the gowns on a mannequin. She gasped and looked at another tag. Just as bad.
    â€œWe have six weeks from today,” Leah announced.
    â€œOh, my.” The sales associate—her silver-plated badge read Jess—gasped. “We’ll have to find something that either fits or needs only minor alterations that can be done here in the shop.” She wrinkled her nose. “That might limit us.”
    â€œI’m not worried.” Mel beamed. “We’re going to find the right dress today. I can feel it.”
    Kristy sighed at her daughter’s overenthusiastic attitude. The child was not living in reality. But then, her fiancé had practically been handed a business, and her stepmother’s parents were all but giving her a house. All good things, and she didn’t want Mel to have a hard start, but why wasn’t Mel interested in seeking something for herself, especially after all her years excelling in school? Higher education. A trade. No matter how in love the two of them were, many marriages didn’t last, and she and Joel were starting theirs under very stressful circumstances.
    She sat on a padded bench in front of a dressing room, with mirrors surrounding her from every angle. Remembering the argument at their committee meeting, she determined not to fight with Mel anymore about it. She prayed when the baby came, Mel would find the desire to attend college. Her daughter was too smart not to.
    â€œWhat style are we looking for?” asked Jess.
    â€œI like the long straight gowns with thin straps and a plunging neckline,” said Mel.
    â€œNo strapless?” asked Kristy.
    â€œI’m not opposed to strapless.” Mel worried the inside of her lip.
    â€œI love pearls and lace.” Leah brushed the back of herhand against Mel’s cheek. “They would look beautiful against her perfect skin tone.”
    Jealousy swelled within Kristy. She wanted to smack Leah’s hand off her daughter’s face. That skin tone came from