Pastor Elle in Wedding Stilettos

By Doris Aldrich Smith

Pastor Elle is finally planning her wedding to the man of her dreamswho has been in her life for eight years; he finally popped the question. Her wedding is fraught with blunders and calamities as are many well-planned weddings. Life normalizes until she becomes pregnant and has their son. Post-partum depression interferes with her ministry, which up to this point has been an over-achieving success. In the midst of life and ministry, she fights to defend the rights of the abused women she meets. A major tragedy occurs which changes her life forever. How will she maneuver through life and service? Find out as you laugh and cry along with Pastor Elle.

Another story of Pastor Elle encountering the challenges of balancing life in the world of multiple needs both personally and professionally. She experiences life where she helps others as she accepts help from others. It is a fictional story that holds valuable truths about living for all of us. You will enjoy reading about Elles adventures and you will find yourself wondering about your own life experiences.

Rev. Dr. Cindy Reynolds, Assistant to the Bishop of Indiana United Methodist Conference

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 3, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490870144

Doris Aldrich Smith

Doris Aldrich (Hyland) Smith is a United Methodist clergywoman serving two small churches in Indiana in retirement. She and her husband Roy have a home in Ontario on Georgian Bay which they enjoy when she is not working. This is Doris’ third book and second in the Pastor Elle series.

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Pastor Elle

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Wedding Stilettos

DORIS ALDRICH SMITH

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Copyright © 2015 Doris Aldrich Smith.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

All scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4908-7015-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-7016-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-7014-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015902536

WestBow Press rev. date: 3/3/2015

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

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

Dedication

To one of my biggest fans, my mother, Ruth Thackery Aldrich. She quietly reminded me she was proud of me. Although she never got to read one of my books, I am sure she and my dad would have appreciated seeing their family names in print through Pastor Elle. Her quiet, unassuming nature influenced me greatly throughout my life. Her beauty inside and out left a legacy for her family, for which I will be eternally grateful.

Acknowledgments

The author gratefully acknowledges those who have shared to help Pastor Elle come alive again. There is a little bit of Pastor Elle in all clergywomen and a little bit of my clergywomen colleagues in Pastor Elle. Thanks to my family for the encouragement they give.

Thanks to Dr. Dennis (Doc) Hensley for the hours of editing. Special thanks to my best friend, Annette May, for scouring through the manuscript with me before it went to print. Thanks to Rev. Dr. Cindy Reynolds for reading another Pastor Elle book and giving her endorsement.

Thanks to the staff at WestBow Press for their kindness, patience, and encouragement throughout the production of this book.

Thanks to my family and friends for their encouragement and support. Above all, thanks to God for giving me whatever talent I have in this endeavor.

Chapter 1

T HE REVEREND ELLEN THACKERY, KNOWN to her family, friends, and parishioners as Elle or Pastor Elle, put on jeans and a sweater for comfort. She stood in her closet perusing her rows and rows of colorful shoes. She chose a pair of red high heels, just for fun.

John, her fiancé, had invited Elle and Lucy to dinner for his special tuna noodle casserole, and her shoes had to match the magnificence of the main course. There are tuna noodle casseroles, and then there are tuna noodle casseroles. John’s casserole was among the best, as far as he was concerned. He had told her so.

The young, vibrant pastor scurried to arrive on time. John heard Lucy barking at his front door and rushed to open it. Elle handed him the container of chocolate cake after he kissed her.

Lynnie sent it for our dessert. She said to tell you she knew you would enjoy it.

"This looks good, as usual. It will taste great with the chocolate swirl ice cream. The casserole needs another ten minutes in the oven. Finish setting the table while I pour the iced tea, okay?

Sure.

My prize-winning tuna noodle casserole and Lynnie’s chocolate cake combo is getting to be one of my favorite meals to prepare.

Elle washed her hands and set the table. Who prepared the dessert?

Okay, it wasn’t me. He laughed and kissed her cheek.

The oven timer buzzed, and he slid the casserole dish onto the hot pad in the middle of the table as Elle set out the salad and dressings. They’d settled into a comfortable rhythm of working together at mealtime. After all, they had been dating for more than eight years. They sat, and John prayed. They began John’s favorite meal to prepare, which happened to be the only meal he ever prepared.

Mmm, this is so good, John. Are you going to share this recipe with me ever?

When we are married and you can’t testify against me, I’ll share everything with you, including my prize recipes. He winked at her, and she scrunched up her nose.

After a few bites, John put his fork down and looked at Elle. She noticed the wrinkles between his eyebrows as he scowled. The chair of the pastor-staff relations committee called to report that the Browns are still complaining. I don’t think we need to be too concerned. The committee and the church continue to support me.

The Browns had been stirring up trouble for a few years because they wanted a married pastor with two and a half children and a stay-at-home wife instead of the bachelor they now had.

She patted his hand. We just have to continue to pray. I know! Let’s buy the Browns a one-way ticket to someplace nice—say Florida. They might like it so much they won’t come home. They grinned at one another.

Wonderful idea, cupcake, but I wouldn’t share that thought with anyone else, if I were you.

Following dinner and the cleanup, they sat in the living room where Lucy, the beloved Doberman, slept in her bed beside John’s couch. They sat down to watch a movie, and Elle snuggled when John pulled her closer. Lucy awoke, came over to them, and laid her big head on Elle’s lap.

Okay, girl, we haven’t forgotten you. She scratched the Doberman’s ear. John followed suit, and Lucy went back to her bed.

The movie was not keeping Elle’s attention. She looked up into John’s face and thought, how handsome he is. She loved to see him duck his head when given a compliment. He had a certain shyness that warmed her heart. She smiled at him. He smiled back with his crooked smile, which she found so charming. One side of his mouth came up higher than the other side which caused a dimple in his cheek.

What? What is it? He raised an eyebrow.

Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about…your dimple. Wondering if our children will have a dimple or two.

Hon, I hope our children look like you. Our little girls should have your beauty.

Oh, John, you say the sweetest things. She kissed him on the chin. She turned her attention back to the movie.

This had been such a long friendship, courtship, and engagement. Elle and John had met during seminary, and he had eventually asked her out for dinner. She’d suspected rather quickly that she might want to spend the rest of her life with him. What a relief it had been when, following graduation, they’d received church appointments fifteen miles apart. She remembered when John had first told her how happy he was that they would be able to see one another often. At last, he had made a positive comment about their future, perhaps. Elle couldn’t suppress a giggle when she thought yet again that for such a smart man, he certainly was slow to speak.

What? John asked

Oh, nothing.

The boring movie finally ended. John always finished what he started, whether it was a book, movie, or plate of food. Elle allowed herself the luxury of not finishing a book or movie if it didn’t hold her interest. She knew life was too short for such nonsense as plowing through boredom, especially if it wasn’t a class assignment.

Elle stood up to head for home. She stretched her arms up, and John put his arms around her waist. Her arms came down around his neck, and they kissed goodnight. Lucy got up and stretched with her doggie behind in the air and chin on the floor. She trotted to the front door and patiently waited for her mistress.

Take care of your momma, Lucy. Bye, Elle. Honey, be careful. Call me when you get home.

Lucy looked back at John as if to say, You can trust me to keep her safe. Lucy was a beautiful dog Elle had adopted for her safety and peace of mind. After surviving a kidnapping, Elle felt the need for a watchdog and faithful companion. Lucy had proven herself to be all of that for her mistress who lived alone in the church parsonage near the edge of town. Elle felt comfortable in her home again, and her family relaxed.

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Elle had been asleep for about two hours, when her phone rang. She reached across her bed, yawned, and answered.

A crying woman on the other end called her name.

Yes. Who is this?

Oh, Pastor Elle, this is Liz. We called the police. I found a note in Ivan’s room. He and Alice have run away to go find their mother. I knew we should have taken them to see Peggy. I don’t know how they will get there. The hospital is sixty-five miles away. They know the name of the hospital, but how would they get there?

Elle sat up in bed, startled by the news. Liz, the police will find them. I will be over shortly. Keep as calm as you can. I’ll pray on my way. She jumped out of bed, pulled on a pair of jeans and a sweater, put a couple of barrettes in her hair to hold it back, and slipped her feet into a pair of flats. She decided to take Lucy with her for safety. She grabbed a heavy jacket before she and Lucy jumped in the car.

As she drove, she re-lived her life as it crossed the lives of Ivan, Poinsetta Alice, and Seraphina Bricker. The children and their mother Peggy attended Elle’s Brookside Church and managed to disrupt most services and potlucks with their hyperactive antics.

Their father Sammy, along with his brother, had kidnapped Elle last year. After the brothers had been arrested, Peggy had intimidated Pastor Elle by breaking into her home, being destructive, and making threatening phone calls. Sammy and his brother were now in prison, and Peggy was in a facility following a major mental breakdown. The courts had removed the children from foster care and put them into the care of their maternal grandparents. Life has been better for the youngsters.

Alice had recently changed her name from Poinsetta—using her middle name. Peggy had told Elle when they’d first met that she had chosen the girls’ names to be unique in their classrooms when they went to school. They were certainly the only girls named Poinsetta and Seraphina in their classes. In fact, in the entire school system.

When Elle arrived at Liz’s house, she noticed that every light in the house shone brightly. Pastor Elle and Lucy quickly walked to the front door, skirting a state police car in the driveway. Liz let Elle in, also welcoming Lucy.

Elle did not recognize the officer, so she introduced herself and asked, What do you know so far?

He said it was too early to put out a bulletin on them. We are calling the bus stations along the way to Fort Wayne.

Liz, did they have money?

Yes, we have been giving them an allowance. We wanted to train them to be responsible with money, which their parents are not. Elle noticed Liz gritting her teeth. Why does everything backfire?

Grandma, quiet down. We’ll find them, her husband said calmly.

You quiet down. You’re just as upset as I am.

The officer’s phone rang, and he stepped into the kitchen to answer. Soon, he came back to report that they were not on the late bus out of town. Elle went into the kitchen, put on the teakettle, and spied the freshly made coffee.

Liz walked into the kitchen and said, If they didn’t take a bus, how did they get out of town? Pastor Elle, I am so worried.

I hate to ask, but do they have any contact with Sammy’s family?

Oh, no. I mean yes. Liz clapped her hand over her mouth. Sammy’s mom called here last week, and I let her talk to the kids. They didn’t do much talking, but they listened a lot. I would be willing to bet that woman and her husband are involved in this. The Brickers have been nothing but a pain in our backsides since that…that Sammy walked up our front steps to take our daughter out on her first date.

Elle could tell that Liz wanted to spout some expletives but was holding back. She almost wished Liz would let it fly so that some of the fear and anger could escape. Elle thought it was best, however, that Liz had controlled her tongue.

Henry asked the officer if he would go look for them at the Brickers’ house. The officer called the local deputy marshal Matt, who happened to be Henry’s nephew. He had a special interest in getting the kids back home. Matt had been more like a brother than a cousin to Peggy.

The four adults sat down at the dining room table and had a hot drink. Liz told them how much better the kids were doing in school and at home. All three grandchildren were in special classes, but the teachers reported behavioral improvement. That was great progress over previous years, when all three children spent a quarter of their school day standing in the hall or in the principal’s office. This behavior had continued while they’d been in foster care. However, living with their grandparents had made a difference. There was something to say for a calm home life.

We told the kids that when their mom could have visitors, we’d take them to the hospital to see her, Liz said.

I figured somethin’ was up when Ivan got mouthy with me this afternoon.

He was belligerent with Henry. He skipped dinner, went to his room, and slammed the door. We let him be.

The officer’s phone rang again. Yeah. Okay, I’ll be there soon. He hung up, then turned to the grandparents and Pastor Elle.

They saw the Brickers’ car in their driveway. Lance knocked on the front door, and old man Bricker came to the door in his long underwear. What a sight that must have been.

Ole man Bricker is a sight with his clothes on, let alone in his underwear, said Henry with a snicker.

No doubt. Matt reported that the old man said Eddie, one of Sammy’s brothers, could not come to the door, and they had not seen the grandkids for weeks because their other grandparents were too—excuse me, ma’am. He looked at Pastor Elle sheepishly. She nodded that it was okay.

He had some strong expletives to describe you folks because you would not let them. However, Matt saw a pink jacket with a game beside it on the floor. He asked Bricker if the jacket belonged to his wife or a granddaughter. Bricker said to mind his own business since he didn’t have a search warrant.

The kids are there, Henry said. I’m going to go get them. They aren’t safe out there.

The officer said, Matt told me to tell his Uncle Henry to let us take care of this. I will go out and meet Matt and his partner at the end of the driveway, and we will go in and peaceably try to get them to let the kids come out. You stay here. You hear me? He went out the front door.

I want to go out and be there when the kids get out of the house. They will need to see us. They have seen the police come for them often enough. Henry, you can drive, or I am going alone.

I’ll drive you. I don’t want you gettin’ in the way. Let me get my keys and jacket. Get your jacket, Grandma. Let’s go. But, we ain’t going up to the house. Did you hear me, Liz?

Liz rolled her eyes at her husband.

Pastor Elle decided she needed to go along. They could take Lucy for some protection. She grabbed her purse and called Lucy from under the dining room table. Girl, we are going for a ride, and you are our protector. Lucy looked proud to have another job delegated to her. Liz carried her smallest granddaughter Seraphina out to the van, put her in her car seat, and fastened the seat belt around her waist. She continued to sleep while hugging her orange, tattered teddy bear.

Henry drove the van to the end of the Brickers’ muddy lane. They saw one police car parked along the road. The other sat in front of the house with the car doors open and the interior light shining. Henry parked on the road, and Liz jumped out of the car. Henry whispered, Liz, get back here. I told you we are not goin’ to the front door. Liz stopped at the rear of their car and gave Henry an angry look. Henry got out slowly and grabbed his cane. He had a bad knee, so he certainly could not chase his wife.

Pastor Elle and Lucy got out of the middle seat of the van. Elle kept her dog under control on a leash. This was not the time for her to wander off. They stood near a couple of old trees near the mangled mailbox. The front door gaped open. Old man Bricker still sported his old grey long johns. He stood in the light with his baggy long underwear unbuttoned halfway down his belly. Elle could see the hairy chest and scraggly beard. He scratched his armpit with something. What a sight. Elle looked again and couldn’t believe what she saw. In Bricker’s left hand was a bow and arrow. Was he threatening to impale someone?

His wife clasped her robe closed at the neck. Elle remembered her as the fearful, depressed woman from court when her sons had been tried for kidnapping her.

Elle could tell that the officers were trying to get the Brickers to release the children. Mr. Bricker shook his head vehemently as he aimed the bow toward the patrol car.

Elle saw a small figure bent over running around the side of the house and recognized Poinsetta—Alice.

Alice had apparently escaped out the back door and ran to get away from the house. Elle told Liz and Henry to stay where they were. She took Lucy and tried to stay in the shadows of front porch, a dark shadow came up behind Alice and grabbed her. She began to scream and kick. Let me go! Uncle Eddie, let me go.

Elle whispered, Lucy, go help her. She took the leash off Lucy’s collar. The Doberman took off like a greyhound on the racetrack. When Lucy got to Alice and Eddie, she grabbed Eddie by the pant leg. Eddie shouted some expletives and let go of Alice. Lucy must have gotten a bite of leg with the pants. Alice got up from the ground where she had fallen.

Alice, come here. Alice recognized her pastor’s voice and ran toward the shadow by the tree.

Matt heard the skirmish and went around the side of the house with his gun raised. Down on your knees, Eddie. Hey, call your dog. Elle whistled, and Lucy obeyed. The dog ran to catch up with Alice and proudly led her to Elle. Liz stood beside Elle, and Henry hobbled up behind them both. Liz grabbed Alice and hugged her. They both cried.

Mrs. Bricker brought Ivan to the front door and told her husband to let the boy go. He stood back against the door and as Ivan walked out, the old man put his foot on the seat of Ivan’s pants and roughly kicked him. Ivan went down on his knees, then stood and looked at his paternal grandfather.

I thought I could trust you. You are a mean liar! Ivan stepped back into the room and picked up his sister’s jacket and game. When he got to the door, he moved quickly around his grandfather. He ran out across the barren yard toward Alice and his grandparents. Pastor Elle had tears in her eyes. Who could treat their own grandchild that way? Who could treat any child that way?

Matt came out to where the family stood with their pastor. He asked the kids to get in the back of his car, and he sat with them to hear their story. Alice said Grandma Bricker told her on the phone that if the kids wanted to see their mom, she and Grandpa Bricker would take them.

Ivan said, Grandma Bricker told us Grandpa would pick us up at nine o’clock down the street from Grandma Liz’s house and take us to the hospital to see mom. They promised to have us back before we were missed.

We didn’t bring Seraphina, because she fell asleep before we sneaked out the window, and if we woke her up, she would make too much noise, Alice added.

Uncle Eddie picked us up in Grandpa’s car and brought us out here. Then they told us that we were not going to the hospital for a few days. When I said that Alice and me needed to go back home, they said no. They said that we are their—uh, can’t say that word—grandchildren, too.

Good job, Ivan. Don’t repeat that word, or you will get in trouble.

Anyway, I began to think that maybe they weren’t telling the truth. I thought that this felt like the pastor deal all over again.

Yeah. Kidnapping. They weren’t gonna take us to see mommy, and they weren’t gonna take us home. They said we could miss a few days of school—we didn’t need school anyways. I’m glad you rescued us. Alice flopped against the backseat with her arms folded. Tears ran down her dirty little cheeks.

Matt said to Liz and Henry, You can take them home now. All three of these characters are going to the station, and we will decide what to do with them. For tonight, we are taking them in. We will talk to you tomorrow. Eddie has been out on probation, so he probably will lose that freedom.

The children hugged Grandma Liz and Grandpa Henry. I got so scared when the policemen came to the door. Where’s Phina? said Alice.

Seraphina is asleep in the van. Let’s go home, said Liz. Alice stepped over and hugged Pastor Elle and then Lucy. Alice hugged the big dog around the neck and said, Thanks for rescuing me, Lucy, and thanks for biting Uncle Eddie.

That was priceless, the pastor whispered to Liz. Do you think he will sue me for the dog bite? She chuckled. They walked to the car together, each holding a child’s hand.

Henry unlocked the doors, and they all scrambled in. When they got to the house, Elle carried Seraphina and tucked her in bed. The little girl still held onto her teddy bear but never woke up.

Wish I could sleep that soundly once in a while said Elle. Liz and Henry thanked her for helping them get through another Bricker episode. They hugged, and Elle headed home with Lucy.

The next morning, when Elle’s alarm clock buzzed, she rolled over and hit the snooze