Arizona Pastor by Jennifer Collins Johnson Read Free Book Online

wedding is about us.”
    A wave of nausea swept through Kristy. What had happened to the daughter she was so proud of? She sounded like a spoiled brat and not the way Kristy had raised her. She was still waiting to awaken from this nightmare or for someone to jump out from behind a wall and shout that the whole thing was some kind of prank.
    â€œThat date should be fine,” responded Wade.
    Guess not, Kristy inwardly retorted. For years, Mel had been her whole world. Now Kristy watched as her life was about to crash and burn before her eyes.
    * * *
    Wade opened the day on his smartphone’s calendar. “What time were you thinking?”
    â€œIt’ll be super hot,” said Mel, “so I’m thinking in the evening.”
    â€œWe have to do it on the half hour so the time is going up when you say your vows,” said Leah.
    Kristy rolled her eyes, and Wade cleared his throat. “So six-thirty or seven-thirty?”
    â€œSeven-thirty is probably better.” Mel looked at Joel. “I know we’ll need to get up early the next morning for the cruise—”
    Kristy lifted her hand. “Wait a minute. What? You’re already going on a cruise?”
    â€œYes.” Mel clapped her hands.
    â€œThat’s why we were hoping the twenty-seventh worked for Pastor Wade,” added Joel.
    Mel glanced over at her future in-laws with adoration gleaming in her eyes. “Chuck and Mary surprised us last night. Said they wanted to be sure we had a honeymoon.”
    Chuck put his arm around Mary. “We married pretty young. Never had a chance to get away.”
    Mary shrugged. “We figured since we have the means, we ought to make sure the kids get some time together before the baby comes.”
    Kristy’s face paled as her gaze went from one couple to the other. Wade knew she felt like an outsider, with Joel and Mel, Chuck and Mary and Tim and Leah all holding hands or leaning into each other. He felt a bit awkward himself.
    Kristy grinned, but the tightness in her jaw belied the effort. “That’s terrific.”
    To change the subject, Wade said, “We’ll need to set up the four marriage-counseling sessions.” His gut twisted at the idea.
    â€œLet’s set up one a week, starting this week. That will leave the last couple weeks open for wedding errands,” said Joel.
    Mel leaned over and kissed his cheek. “My fiancé is so sensitive. You’re going to be the best husband ever.”
    Kristy stiffened. As a reflex, Wade patted her arm. She looked at him, her gaze imploring him to see her side. He did understand, and at that moment, he wanted to wrap his arms around her and comfort her.
    They settled on the dates for the counseling sessions. Then Leah showed a picture of a dish in one of the magazines. “This potato casserole looks delicious. Maybe we could serve it at the reception.”
    â€œI was thinking more along the lines of finger foods,” said Kristy. “Or maybe even just cake and punch.”
    â€œCake and punch? Mom, really?” Mel grunted. “Nobody does that anymore.”
    Kristy’s face blazed red. “I’m just thinking we should be economical about this. We don’t have much time, and—”
    â€œDon’t worry about money at all,” Leah chimed in as she squeezed her husband’s arm. “Tim and I are going to pay for the wedding.”
    Kristy shook her head. “No.”
    â€œWe insist. We already discussed it last night. She’s our only girl…”
    Kristy’s body went ramrod straight, and Wade watched her suck in her breath and ball her fists. This planning session needed to end, and fast.
    She slammed her palms on the table. “Sounds as though you all have everything planned. I wonder why you bothered to invite me.”
    Leah placed her palm on her chest. “Well, of course Mel wants her mother to be here.” She glanced at Tim, her