Young Bloods Series: A Pastor's Promise

By Mary Bennett

Helen is falling in love with the new Pastor at her church. They have more in common than they thought. Tom was a widower, Helen was a widow. Helen and Tom have an amazing date, and a hot Rendezvous, changing their plans and jump starting their future. However, Tom is counseling a young divorced woman with real issues. She believes Tom is hers. After a frightening abduction, Tom knows where he needs to be. Helen has to deal with a new change in her lifestyle and they both meet new people along the way. A Pastor's Promise is what Tom has for Helen. Find out what new changes Tom and Helen have coming.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: May 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781365936623

Mary Bennett

Mary Bennett is an author, editor, translator, and former executive for several major brand corporations, including Les Must de Cartier and l’Oreal subsidiary Artcurial. Gifted with psychic abilities, she began scientifically investigating crop glyphs in 1989. The coeditor of Aulis Online, she is the coauthor of Dark Moon: Apollo and the Whistle-Blowers. She lives in Wiltshire, UK.

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Young Bloods Series: A Pastor's Promise

A Pastors Promise

Young Bloods Series: Book Two

Mary Bennett

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

This book is dedicated to my loving Family, Don, K, Ethan and Ellie. You guys bring me the earth, moon, stars, and make me believe that I can accomplish the impossible. I love you all so very much. ~M

This book is an original publication of Mary Bennett.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and d incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The Publisher does not assume any responsibility for third-party websites or their content.

Copyright © 2017 by Mary Bennett

Cover design by Canva

Publisher lulu.com

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic format without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

First printing 2017

ISBN 978-1-365-93662-3

MAB Publishing

77 A Hwy 285

Toston, MT 59643

[e-mail]

Chapter One

Helen was so excited she was going to be the Matron of Honor in her best friend’s wedding. Even though Stacy hadn’t known Sam all that long, they were truly in love with one another. Stacy was older than Sam, but they were a perfect fit. They were expecting their first child in March and Stacy was excited about it. Helen being friends with Stacy so long knew Stacy’s past and about her failed marriage and how her horrible ex husband Brad had cheated on her and made her miserable. Sam was full of life and love to give to her friend. Helen was happy that finally they had been honest with each other and decided to get married. Helen was humming as she walked through the store.

Tom was new to this town and parish. He had been working so long in every city and all over the world that this permanent position seemed like heaven to him. Tom had been a missionary before and it was amazing being able to help all of the people he had helped over the years. Tom was fortunate enough to help build churches, schools and clinics all over in third world countries. Tom had been married to a wonderful woman for two short years and then lost her in the Tsunami in Shri Lanka in 2004. Tom was almost killed himself. Tom was washed into a building and if it hadn’t been for a fast thinking man, Tom would have drowned like his young wife Kellie. Tom mourned her for years, and still felt the pain from that day. No one was able to replace the love and feelings Tom had for her.

Tom walked down the aisles and placed simple necessities into his cart, like sugar, flour, spices, along with the fruits and veggies, and meats he already had in there. Tom could cook for himself; he just didn’t need many things in order to do that. He learned from traveling that he could live nutritiously and not have to spend a ton of money doing it. Tom ate a lot of beans, rice, legumes with fresh fruits, and veggies, and little meat. Tom had tried fast food a few times and it was ok, but it lacked what he was used to eating and drinking, so he usually ate at home. There was one major upside to moving to a new town though. Most of the ladies cooked big casseroles, and dishes that could be frozen and Tom didn’t have to cook a lot. At his last perish, he had enough foods in the freezer to last him a full month. Tom loved being able to have a congregation that worked together. Pastor Frank had told him that his parish was one of the best ever. Tom couldn’t wait to meet everyone; He was invited to a wedding that Pastor Frank was officiating this week. Tom smiled and walked down the cereal aisle.

Helen looked at her list again; she needed rice krispies, frosted flakes and oatmeal. She reached for the oatmeal, and grabbed a hand. Helen gasped and let go of the hand immediately. Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry. Helen said to the person she just grabbed, and continued to say I get so caught up in my lists that I don’t pay attention. It surprised Helen by feeling a rushing current pulsing through her hand. Helen stood up and turned around to make eye contact with the person she grabbed by mistake she was pleasantly surprised to see a very handsome man with the deepest brown eyes, and nice sandy blonde hair, and a mustache. The man laughed and said in a deep raspy voice that made goose bumps rise on Helen’s body Well, I don’t mind you picking me over the oats, but I don’t think I will fit in your cart though. Helen laughed and said. Well you are a tall bag of oats aren’t you? Tom said I guess I am. Helen looked at Tom a moment longer and said, I’m sorry I must be in a daze because of my friend’s wedding, I’m grabbing folks and then staring at them. Please forgive me and my rudeness. Tom stepped back and said No harm done, I think everyone has off days. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Helen smiled and said a pleasant Thank you I appreciate that. And walked over to the next aisle and started getting her noodles and rice. Tom turned the corner and was walking down the aisle towards Helen. They both reached for the same cans of tomatoes, and again on the peanut butter and jelly aisle, for the strawberry jelly. Helen was chuckling to herself away from Tom when he said We should just shop together, that way we can double our efforts in less time.

Helen turned and looked at the man and said We don’t even know one another. Tom smiled and walked up to her and held out his hand and said casually. Hi I’m Tom Hallstead; I am the local Pastor here in town. It’s nice to meet you? Helen extended her hand and said with mirth in her voice, Hi Tom, my name is Helen Martin it’s nice to meet you. Helen shook his hand, feeling the light electric current; she had to suppress the urge to close her eyes and relish the feeling, and said to Tom with a big smile on her face. You should use another line though Tom, I actually go to the church here and Pastor Frank would be shocked to know he has been replaced. Tom’s smile widened and he replied, I actually am taking over for Pastor Frank and his wife Beverly. They said they told everyone last Sunday in church. Helens smile faded and she put her hand to her mouth in shock. Tom stepped forward and asked worriedly Are you ok Helen? I’m sorry I thought everyone knew.

Helen looked at Tom and said as she recovered from the shock. Oh no, it’s not your fault. I was out of town last weekend, and with the wedding coming up and oh my goodness all of the other things I’m afraid I have been living under a rock lately. Tom laughed and said Well if you aren’t done shopping I can fill you in on the details and then you will know it all, deal? Helen laughed and replied As a matter of fact I’m not done shopping, and I need to get a farewell card now too. Helen and Tom walked together talking and laughing as they shopped.

Helen took her groceries home and put them away, she made sure all of the snack stuff was where the kids could find it. Rachel the neighbor’s daughter had always watched the kids when Helen needed a sitter, now Rachel watched them when they got home from school until Helen got home from work; Rachel was in college and needed a flexible part- time job, which worked out for both of them. Helen finished up with her house chores, and put all of her laundry away and remembered that she had to swing by the church to give Pastor Frank and his wife the gift basket she bought and the farewell card.

Helen got everything into her car and she left. At the church Helen walked into the office and was instantly greeted by Tom, who said in a teasing voice. We really need to stop meeting like this Helen, people are going to talk. Helen blushed and laughed uncomfortably. Helen straightened herself and said in a shy voice, I didn’t realize that you were going to be here Tom. Tom touched Helen’s shoulder, sending little electric impulses down to her breasts and most intimate parts she smiled casually at him as he said I like it that you are here, I had a lot of fun grocery shopping with you earlier, even if it wasn’t planned. Helen relaxed and talked with Tom and Pastor Frank and his wife Beverly. Tom had walked Helen out to her car and asked Would you like to have lunch with me sometime Helen? Helen turned and smiled and said enthusiastically Tom I would love to. She was surprised at how easy he was to talk to, and how much she was looking forward to having lunch with him and talking with him again. Tom gave her his personal business card with all of his information on it, home phone, cell phone, and email address and his instant messenger address too. Helen wrote all of her information down for Tom to have.

Tom couldn’t believe his luck. Here was a beautiful woman already in his new congregation who was friendly, nice and was involved with the community. He was smiling at himself thinking about that silky dark brown hair and those beautiful blue grey eyes she had an elfish face, soft pale skin, full lips of a light rose color. She was trim, but she had a nice generous bust, and a curvy bottom she was average height around five foot six or maybe seven. Tom was sure that Helen wasn’t aware of how very beautiful she is, or how many men admired her because of it. Tom was very attracted to her and had felt a current jolt through him when Helen touched him. He smiled again and thought what a woman.

Helen drove to Stacy’s house humming and laughing at all of the things she and Tom had talked about. She was interested in how he came to be the pick for their parish, and what all he had done in his past. Helen would have to get together with him and find out all of questions, after Stacy’s wedding. She was more concerned with Stacy and this wedding right now to have any other distractions. Helen blushed, Tom was definitely a distraction my what a handsome man he was, and with that voice. Helen knew she could very well be in some trouble there he was a very charismatic person and had a very sharp mind too. Helen was very attracted to Tom she liked the way he laughed and had a great temperament too. She was mortified all over again thinking of how she had grabbed his hand instead of the oatmeal. She shook her head as if trying to shake the whole incident away, Helen pulled into Stacy’s driveway.

Stacy met Helen out at the gate. Helen was still giddy from her shopping trip, and running into Tom at the church. Helen was excited to tell Stacy about him. Helen got out of the car and said Can you believe that your wedding is in 2 days? And it is the week before Christmas. It is cold and freezing out and it will be beautiful. Stacy I just came from the church Maureen is an angel; she has pulled off an amazing showcase at the church that has even the new pastor in awe. Helen laughed as she came in the gate. Stacy stared at Helen and said, You are in a great mood my dear friend, what has you in this fabulous mood, the week before Christmas? Helen blushed and said Just some innocent flirtation at the store, and then at the church. Stacy was hot on her heels into the house to find out more about Helen’s day, Stacy’s mouth fell open she was speechless for a moment then followed her friend into the house and said, Well, come on you can’t leave it at that. Who was it? What was the flirter’s name? Do you know him? Do I know him? Is he someone new in town? Stacy was looking like a kid asking 20 questions, with hope in her eyes that she had pegged something worthwhile. Helen turned slightly and said in a mysterious voice He is new in town; he was at the grocery store picking up household supplies, and groceries. I ran into him again at the church, because he is going to be the new Pastor there. Stacy stood there for a moment wide eyed and asked The new Pastor? When did that happen? Who, wait! Where are Pastor Frank and his wife going?

Helen walked into the kitchen and got some tea from the tea pot on the warmer on the counter, and then sat down at the table Stacy grabbed her cup and filled it and sat down like an eager child. Helen explained. Pastor Frank and Beverly are retiring, they have a house in Pensacola, Florida and they will be gone after the Holidays. Stacy couldn’t believe it. Pastor Frank is staying to train the new Pastor then? Stacy asked. Helen replied calmly. No, Pastor Tom has been doing this for a few years, he was tickled that he was going to be able to finally have a church of his own, here. Stacy couldn’t believe that Helen was this happy over a Pastor who flirted with her. Helen said with a smile Wait until you meet him tomorrow at the rehearsal dinner. You are going to be very surprised. Stacy’s eyebrows rose up and she asked Tom, will be there at the rehearsal dinner? Helen nodded and then said in a giddy voice He doesn’t look like a pastor either; he looks like a model out of a magazine with a deep voice and the most beautiful brown eyes. Looking at Helen in her state, Stacy was sure her friend was kidding. When Chad died, Helen had become anti flirting, anti looking at the opposite sex, now she was practically like a teenage girl with a crush on the new kid. Stacy said Oh you can introduce Sam and me to him then. Helen nodded and then changed the subject.

Stacy’s wedding was wonderful. Maureen had done a magnificent job at the decorating, and catering of it. Stacy’s dress was beautiful; Helen did Stacy’s hair and makeup over at her house and then they both drove over to the church for the wedding, Stacy had told Helen about her rough morning with her mother Louise. Stacy was a little nervous and was trying to relax. Helen kept teasing her and trying to keep it all mellow, and fun. After they were at the church and Stacy had her dress on, she was a calmer. Helen suspected Maureen’s calmness had a lot o do with Stacy’s mood change. The ceremony was short and beautiful, and the reception was fun too. Helen danced with Pastor Tom and agreed to have lunch with him on Monday.

Helen walked to the Danish and Deli and saw Tom setting at a table waiting for her. She walked in and said apologetically. Hi Tom, sorry I’m late I had a new patient that was admitted today and full of questions. Tom stood up and smiled he said casually I haven’t been here all that long myself, are you ready to order? Helen took her coat off and hung it over the back of her chair, she turned and smiled and said, I sure am. I think I’ll have the tomato soup and ½ turkey avocado sandwich special. What are you going to get Tom? Tom laughed and said You just took the words out of my mouth Helen. She smiled and Tom said to the cashier, I will have the ½ turkey avocado sub with provolone and a cup of potato soup, also please. Helen sat down at the table and Tom came over a minute later with 2 cups of coffee. Oh thank you Tom, I didn’t think to get something to drink. Tom said, It’s the complementary coffee over in the corner. Helen took a sip and said excitedly Someone must have just made it, because it tastes fresh and delicious. Tom laughed and said after his sip you’re right it is fresh tasting. Helen waited for the waitress to leave before she asked, How are things going at the church Tom, did you get settled in ok? Tom chuckled and answered You know, I have been doing this for the past 10 years so, it always seems to get easier, but I do like Pastor Frank’s way of doing things, he is really efficient."

Helen nodded and took a bite of her sandwich. Then said after she finished chewing Tell me about yourself Tom, where all have you been? What all have you been doing? Tom ate some soup and said I‘ve been almost everywhere, I started out as a missionary when I was 16, my mother died young and my father drank himself into an early grave, so I decided to join a family at the church that went to Africa, they were missionaries. I met my wife when I was 22 and we were married in Guatemala, we had 2 beautiful years together and then in Shri Lanka in 2004, she was gone. The Tsunami was there so quickly, and I barely made it myself. That tested my faith right there, why would God need his angel back so soon? Helen stopped eating and said Oh Tom I’m so sorry for your loss. That is a feeling that never goes away. Helen looked down at the table and remembered the day Chad was killed. She said quietly I lost my Husband Chad when James was just 4 months old, it’s hard to believe that was over twelve years ago. Tom looked at Helen and said emphatically. The pain lessens but it doesn’t fully go away does it. That statement alone was so true that Helen could only nod in agreement.

Tom and Helen talked casually throughout their lunch, but just knowing they shared that loss made their lunch meeting more intimate Tom opened the door for Helen and they both walked down the street. They reached the parking lot where they both parked and Tom said Thank you Helen I really enjoyed myself today. Helen smiled and said, Tom you are very welcome, I haven’t had a talk like that since I talked to my Grandmother about surviving a spouse. She has been gone for five years now. Tom stopped and said, It is hard, but having support helps with Kellie being gone over nine years now I think I am more equipped to talk to others with fresh losses then I ever was before. Helen nodded and agreed by saying. Absolutely, in your profession that really comes with the territory. Tom opened Helen’s door for her and she got in Tom thank you again for a lovely afternoon. Tom smiled a bright smile and said You are welcome; I’ll see you on Sunday then? Helen nodded and drove off humming a tune to herself. Tom got into his car feeling as if a weight had been lifted from his soul. He had never met a woman with as much heart as Helen had; she was strong and had a ton of personality.

The next two weeks were a blur. Stacy got married; Helen went to lunch with Tom, Helen had to work, and Stacy had run into Holly and needed advice about what to do. Helen was going out to dinner with Stacy and Holly to see if Holly was just trying to get at Stacy. Helen got genuinely angry just thinking about Holly. She remembered the day that Stacy came to her house after catching her husband cheating on her with Holly. Stacy had since moved on in her life and found Sam. Sam was an amazing man and he and Stacy have had their share of ups and downs, and unfortunately Holly was a part of those ups and downs until a little over 2 months ago when Sam and Stacy finally talked about the whole incident. Helen couldn’t believe her friend could be so forgiving. Holly had been pregnant with Stacy’s ex-husbands baby. Brad Stacy’s ex-husband had kicked Holly out of the house when she refused to have an abortion. Holly was in a car accident and broke her leg and went into labor with Isabelle. Stacy didn’t want Holly to be alone like that so she made some phone calls and found Holly’s family and they had come to help Holly. Stacy had never told Holly about what she did.

One of their co-workers had spilled the beans to Holly just a few weeks ago and Holly went to the hospital and talked with Stacy about how thankful and grateful she was that Stacy had done that for her and her daughter Isabelle. In the conversation Holly had suggested that it was too bad that she and Stacy couldn’t be friends, and Stacy God bless her big heart Helen thought actually wondered why they couldn’t be friends. Helen was invited because she was a great judge of character and could see if Holly was out to be vindictive, so they were all going to meet for dinner in a public place and Helen was going to see how that went. Helen wasn’t against this totally, it was just the thought of someone wanting to hurt her friend on purpose that effected Helen.

Rachel had shown up right on time and reminded Helen of this dinner out with Stacy. She had to rush to get ready and rush to get to the restaurant. Helen saw that Stacy was already there and rushed in. She started off by saying. . Sorry, I am so sorry I am late. I actually had the babysitter remind me that I had a ladies evening out. Can you believe it? Rachel the next door neighbor, she’s about 22 now, came to the door all prepared and I wasn’t, so I rushed to get ready and here I am. She turned to Holly and said in a very apologetic tone, Holly, sorry, I’m Helen and I am going to be you lovely ladies dinner date. Helen shook hands with Holly and sat down in the middle of the two.

Stacy was laughing and Holly wore a huge smile. She said casually, Thank you for being so outgoing and outrageous; I was sitting here worried that I was going to be under interrogation. Helen looked at her and asked in a mock Russian accent. And where were you on the night of December 28th at 5:00? Holly laughed genuinely and Stacy had to wipe her eyes. Helen said in her normal voice, I guess we should order now? Stacy is still eating for two. Holly already ordered an appetizer plate so we could get something to drink and peruse the menu for dinner? Stacy said when she caught her breath. Helen said, Does everyone like iced tea? Both Holly and Stacy nodded and Helen called the waiter over. She ordered the iced tea and they all started to talk about their day. Stacy talked about how the hospital seemed more busy the past couple of days, and she was kept on her feet and pretty busy all day long. Helen commented on that You should transfer to another ward, so you can rest in between patients. Hey, you know what? I’ll bet Teresa could use you on the Pediatric floor.Helen suggested. Stacy shook her head and said. It really wouldn’t matter since I’m going to have to pack and unpack this next week. Sam and I need to get the new house ready for Sammy.  Helen talked about Pastor Tom and the fact that he was a widower, and they had a very nice lunch 2 days ago. She said that Allie and Nicole were always together it was like they were Siamese twins lately, and that James was playing with Cody and Rey on a regular basis too. "You know what? We should have Melanie out on our girl’s night too, she has been working her tail off and hanging out with kids a lot