The Preacher's Daughter

By Kierra Turner

Kimberly Woods is the twenty-three-year-old daughter of Pastor Gerald Woods and an only child. Being the only daughter and a pastor’s daughter is the reason why she’s spoiled and of course, her father has money. Pastor Woods is the head of City Hope Church located in Los Angeles, California. Kimberly feels that she’s at the age in which it’s time for her to settle down with a man who she can see herself with for the rest of her life—her husband. She’s been involved with plenty of men, but they were only interested in her because of her title and wealth.

One day, she comes across a man named Shea who is the complete opposite of what she’s used to. He doesn’t go to church and isn’t a fan of her nor her father. He actually thinks that people who go to church are hypocrites. Kimberly truly believes that Shea is “the one,” simply because he’s not like the men in her past. He’s a challenge, which is one of the many reasons why she’s attracted to him.

Will Pastor Woods get in the middle of Kim and Shea’s relationship? Will their relationship succeed or will it fail due to both of their different lifestyles? Does the preacher’s daughter have another side of her that she doesn’t want anyone to know about?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781662447167

Book preview

Chapter One

Y ou looked real beautiful today in church, Kimberly, Minister Mitchell complimented her after service was over.

Thanks, Minister Mitchell. Service was amazing as always. You guys showed out, Kim thanked her while smoothing out her fifteen-hundred-dollar dress made by Tom Ford.

Pastor Woods! Wonderful message you presented. Looking forward to next Sunday’s preaching, one of the church members said.

My pleasure. Are you still interested in the fundraiser that the church is hosting? he asked with his Bible in hand.

The food and clothes drive? Yes, sir, I am definitely interested.

Kim smiled.

Hi, Kimberly. You’re looking fabulous, as always.

Thanks.

Well, I don’t want to keep you two any longer because I know that you have a family to go home to.

My mom is cooking Sunday dinner. Kim chuckled.

Sunday dinner? What is she cooking?

Collard greens, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, cabbage, green beans, and corn bread, Pastor Woods answered.

Save me a plate, will ya? she joked but was still serious.

Will do. Thank you for coming out to hear my father’s sermon, Kim said.

It was no problem at all. This is an amazing church, and this is what I’ve been missing all of my life, a church home.

Pastor Woods gave her shoulder a soft pat. You’re more than welcomed to make this church your home. I would love to baptize you as well, but that’s only until you’re ready.

I want to get baptized, Pastor, but…I just feel like now isn’t the right time, she said with her head down.

That’s okay, I understand. You’ll know when you’re ready and God will give you a sign to let you know when He’s ready for you to give yourself back to Him.

Thank you so much, Pastor Woods, you are incredible. Thank you.

I’m always here if you ever need someone to talk to.

One of the ushers escorted Pastor Woods and Kim to his Rolls-Royce Phantom that’s currently parked in the reserved parking spot that’s for the pastor only.

Thank you, Kim politely said as he helped her into the backseat.

Have a wonderful day, Pastor and Kim.

Same to you. Pastor Woods waved him off before putting his Phantom in reverse.

Their home is in Beverly Hills. Pastor Woods unlocked the front door of his mansion and was greeted by his wife, the first lady, Violet Woods.

How was church today, honey?

You missed a great service, Violet. I wish you were there. He kissed her.

Well, someone had to cook Sunday dinner.

You could have hired a professional cook.

Eh, no thanks. I only want to eat mom’s cooking, Kim butted in their conversation.

Kimberly, don’t forget about Bible study this Wednesday, Pastor Woods reminded her.

Oh, Dad, how can I forget? You stay on my tail when it comes to Bible study.

That’s right. This is a Christian house and a Christian family. Answer me, what does it take to go to heaven? he quizzed her.

One faith. One Lord. One baptism, she answered with full confidence.

Perfect. He smiled, proud of his only daughter.

My daughter is going to be an evangelist soon, Violet spoke.

Don’t think too far, Mom. Kim laughed.

So dinner is almost ready. In the meantime… Her mom trailed off.

Kim ended up in her bedroom and removed her Tom Ford dress as well as her Chanel high-inch heels.

She has two Bibles. One stays in her room next to her bed and one stays in her purse. Pastor Woods takes Christianity and learning about God very serious. Kim has been a member of City Hope Church since she was a baby and she used to sing in the choir, until she decided that she didn’t want to sing anymore.

Kimberly is what you call a preacher’s daughter. She is the proud daughter of Pastor Gerald Woods. It’s bittersweet being the Preacher’s daughter. There are pros as well as cons that comes with it. Of course, her father is hard on her and demands her to stay in church until the day Jesus calls her home. It’s not easy being the preacher’s daughter.

Chapter Two

T his is my last time coming here, Shea muttered after taking a shot of his liquor.

He and a couple of friends are currently at Traditions, a bar located in Los Angeles.

Why? What’s wrong? Do you not like the bar we brought you to? one named Rashad questioned.

I hate the vibe. I feel like there’s no one here and the bartender had to remake my drink because she messed it up the first time, Shea spat.

Shea isn’t the one to smile. He’s well-known in his neighborhood and everyone that knows him or knows of him can all agree that he always seems angry for no apparent reason.

Rashad chuckled after swallowing his liquor. This is your first time at this place.

Yeah, and it’s going to be my last time at this place, Shea replied.

Tony, another close friend of Shea, spoke, You’re just used to that boring sports bar that you visit every Friday.

Yeah, that’s my comfort zone, Shea responded, and they always give me a discount. I’m sorry, but this bar is dead and so are the people here, Shea spat with an angry expression on his face.

Honey, cheer up. Why are you so angry over something that isn’t serious? the bartender asked after fixing someone else a drink.

Shea glanced up at her. I don’t believe that I was talking to you. To be real, I don’t want you saying anything to me considering the fact that you messed my drink up. He then stares at the bottom of his cup that’s still full of liquor. And I wouldn’t be surprised if you spiked it with some type of poison.

Calm down. Tony laughed before shaking his head.

Listen, mistakes are meant to be made. I apologize for messing up your drink but didn’t I make it up to you by taking ten percent off of your total?

Don’t mind him. Shea is always like this, Rashad said.

I have a reason to be. I’m stuck at a dead-end job and it feels like I’m in prison. I hate working for someone else. I’ve been saving up to invest in my own landscaping company but it seems as if running my own business is a bit farfetched for me, Shea responded angrily.

Sweetheart, you need to let that anger go. God woke you up this morning, the bartender told him.

I understand that, however, I simply mentioned that I’m tired of working for someone else and that I’m trying to invest in my own landscaping company. I’m very thankful that God woke me up this morning. But I’d be lying to you if I was to tell you that I’m the churchgoing type. I haven’t been to church in years, Shea mentioned.

Same here, said Tony.

You boys don’t go to church? Why not? Church is amazing and you get to build your relationship with God. Church is home to me. She smiled.

Shea shrugged before drinking more of his liquor. I used to go to church every Sunday with my parents when I was a kid.

Sucks to be you because I can’t picture my life without a relationship with God and a church that I can call home.

Well, that’s you. Last time that I checked, we’re two different people, Shea said in a smart tone. My full name is Shea Donovan and your name is…whatever your name is. I don’t care.

There’s no need to be rude, honey. I was just stating facts, she said, getting an attitude back.

No, you were stating your opinion. You’re making it seem as if I’m a dead beat and that I have to go to church every Sunday.

I never said that. I’m not judging you. If you don’t want to go to church and learn about God and how good He is, then suit yourself, the bartender said.

Listen, I’m not ignorant, he said. I know that God is good. My parents raised me to realize how good He is, I just prefer not to go to church.

Why not? She furrowed her brows.

Because in my opinion, church is full of hypocrites. People that sin on Monday through Saturday but will be in church on Sunday morning acting like they saints or whatever.

Well, you’re no better than they are, Tony interrupted.

Okay? I’m not trying to portray myself as if I’m better than them.

Enjoy your night and your drink, the bartender walked away, realizing that there’s no need to continue arguing with this man.

I’m sorry if I came off as rude but I’m just being honest and I say what’s on my mind. I don’t want to be around hypocrites and fake people who tries so hard to be holy and Christianlike.

You have a point, Rashad agreed, I can’t argue with that.

After tonight, I won’t show my face at this lame bar anymore, Shea added.

Shea finished the rest of his drink and left the bartender a tip, only because he truly feels that he came at her a little too hard and this is his way of apologizing.

He checked his phone, expecting an unread text message from his girlfriend, Angela. They’ve been together for about nine months. He was happy with her in the beginning of their relationship, but now it seems like they’re drifting away from each other. Sometimes talking to her is like talking to a brick wall. The love that they once felt for each other is no longer there. Maybe he just needs a break from the love life. He is only twenty-seven years old, so he still has his whole life ahead of him. Right now, his main focus is business and making more money. He’s not happy at his current job. In fact, it’s not what he wants to do with his life. He wants to become an entrepreneur. He wants to run his own business, a landscaping company to be exact. He has a separate savings account with roughly three hundred dollars saved. The money in this savings account will be used to invest in his future landscaping company. He thought about the conversation he and the bartender had. She tried to convince him to go back to church. Church is beautiful, but it’s just not for him.

The Bible does say come as you are, but should a thug attend church every Sunday morning?

Chapter Three

Bible study at City Hope Church is every Wednesday night from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Kimberly as well as her parents attend every Wednesday and has yet to miss a session.

Thanks for another wonderful Bible study session. You guys rock. Michelle, a friend of Kim, smiled.

No, thank you for coming, Pastor Woods thanked her. He’s dressed casual today since it’s Wednesday instead of Sunday. No tailored suit and loafers; he’s wearing a plain pair of jeans and a black collared shirt with white tennis shoes.

I guess this is my cue to let you know that I’ll call you when I get home, Kim told Michelle.

Michelle and Kimberly are both from Beverly Hills and they grew up together. Michelle isn’t a preacher’s daughter, but her father has money as well and she was also raised in a Christian home. Michelle also isn’t ashamed of her racial background. She has a Black mother and a White father.

Yes. Call me as soon as you get home, said Michelle.

Kim extends her arms out, asking for a hug and Michelle happily hugged her.

Have a good night, Michelle spoke.

Yeah, you too, Kim replied.

Kim’s family rode back home to Beverly Hills in her father’s Rolls-Royce.

Kim was greeted at the door by her teacup yorkie, Sophie.

I missed you too! she squealed before giving her puppy kisses.

Kimberly, I want you to go over what we’ve studied this evening, said Pastor Woods.

Yes, sir. I will, Kim said, still playing with Sophie. Good night, Mom. Good night, Dad, she added.

Good night, her father said before kissing her forehead.

Good night, sweetie, Violet said with a smile.

Come on, Sophie. Let’s go study this Bible before my dad kills me, Kim joked.

The next morning, Kim woke up and headed straight toward the bathroom in order to brush her teeth and take a shower. She spent roughly an hour cleaning herself up then met up with her parents in the kitchen.

Breakfast has been catered and served, Violet said.

Kim couldn’t believe that her parents had breakfast catered. She prefers a home-cooked meal made by her mother and father.

Yummy. Looks delicious.

And expensive, Pastor Woods mentioned.

Gerald, please don’t, Violet said.

I’m just saying, he chuckled.

Kim took a seat at the table, ready to dig in because everything looks so good.

What do you have planned? Violet asked Kim while cutting into her bacon.

Kim shrugged. I don’t know. Probably going to study my Bible and then do something with Michelle.

Why is my daughter single? Violet joked.

Because she’s waiting for the right man to come into her life. I want God to send my soul mate and when he comes into my life, I’m gonna know it.

Amen, Gerald smiled. I’m so proud of you, Kimberly. We’ve raised you right.

Thanks, Dad, and yes, I have the best parents in the world.

A good church boy, a young man who loves God just as much as you. A gentleman who has his life together, Pastor Woods continued.

This is one of the