The Preacher Takes a Husband: Those Gals From Minter, WI, #6

By Sherry Derr-Wille

Jayne Algrim is about to start her life as a pastor. When the call comes from Minter, she is on her way to a new start in a new town.

Jim Preston has mourned the loss of his late wife, Meg. When he decides to live again, he runs into Jayne, a woman who is about to change his life forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9781597052634

Book preview

Prologue

Y ou have been doing God’s work for a long time, Jayne. The time has come for you to take the next step. You know I’m always with you and I am so proud of you as well as the children.

Jayne reached out her hand and touched her husband’s face. At least in her dreams he was never more than thirty years old, the age he had been when he had been taken from her so many years earlier. Did he realize how much she’d changed with the years? He said he did, but did he see her as a fifty something grandmother who was considering attending seminary or was she still the young girl he had left behind?

Oh, Andy, I miss you so much. I don’t understand why God took you from me and then led me on this path.

Andy laughed and the sound of it reminded her of when they were dating and first married. He’d laughed a lot then. When he was killed it had been amazing just how quiet the house had become.

I cannot say that I miss you, my dear, for I remain beside you. It is a gift that God has given me, just as he has given you the gift to preach the word to the children and now to everyone. This path will take you on an adventure that will bring you great happiness. There are some special people coming into your life. You will bring them to see God’s love and they will give you their love in return. Be receptive to these people, for they are sent from God for a very special reason.

THE ALARM WENT OFF causing the dream to fade from her subconscious but not from her memory. Reluctantly, she got out of bed. This was to be her first day of school at Wartburg and it wouldn’t be proper if she were late.

Over the years she had taken courses here and there until she at last had her bachelor’s degree. Those classes had been at the two-year extension of the university as well as at one of the four-year campuses that was only twenty miles from her home. She’d been the oldest member of most of her classes, but had found that she could wear blue jeans or slacks and be able to fit in with her younger classmates.

These classes would be entirely different. This wasn’t the laid back campus of the university. This was a post-graduate school. If she made it through the courses she would be able to be a minister and preach the word of God to a congregation that would call her Pastor Jayne.

She searched frantically through her closet for just the right blouse to wear with her navy suit for the first day of school. Over the summer, she had scoured the thrift shops for dark colored suits that would be appropriate for the seminary. Her more flamboyant wardrobe had been weeded out and sent to Goodwill, the Salvation Army and the thrift shops that had become her favorite stores. Her only concession to her love of bright colors came in the blouses that hung next to the suits in her closet.

One

Jayne Algrim paced the living room of her apartment. On Sunday she would be graduating from seminary and as of yet she had not been accepted by any of the three churches where she’d been interviewed.

She glanced at the phone for the hundredth time in the past hour. As she did, she thought of the three interviews she’d been on. At each one, the members of the call committee had been polite and completely impossible to read.

Face it, no one wants a fifty something lady minister. She hated the voice of reason that sounded in her head. At first she’d been able to ignore it, but now it hit too close to the truth for her comfort.

The thought no more than crossed her mind than the phone began to ring. She took a deep breath before she answered and still picked it up before the second ring. Hello, she said, hoping she didn’t sound overly anxious.

Jaynie, is that you? Why are you out of breath?

She immediately recognized the voice of her friend, Claire Lowe. Yes, it’s me and no, I’m not out of breath. I just thought you were...

You thought I was from one of the call committees. I wish I were, but you need to get out of that apartment and quit worrying about it. You know what they say about a watched pot. I’m pulling up in front of your place. Get down here and we’ll go to lunch.

Jayne smiled when she looked out the window and saw Claire parking in front of the house. She quickly put on her jacket and grabbed her purse before heading toward the stairs to join her friend.

She’d met Claire on the first day she was in Dubuque. While she was going to be studying at Wartburg, Claire was witnessing at the casino. They’d both stopped at McDonalds for a burger and met while standing in line. They’d formed an instant and lasting friendship over the past four years and talked daily, even when Jayne did her internship in a large church in Davenport last year.

They certainly made a strange pair. Jayne was a grandmother who had been widowed for thirty years and was embarking on yet another change of careers in her already full life. In contrast, Claire was flamboyant in not only her personality but also her wardrobe. Even though she admitted to being thirty-five, Jayne knew her friend’s true age was forty-six.

After locking the door, Jayne hurried down the stairs. As usual, Claire was dressed to the nines and had the top of her convertible down, even though the May weather was still well below the acceptable temperature to do so.

Just where is your coat? Jayne demanded.

Coat? Claire repeated the word in the form of a question. Coats in May are for wimps.

Then call me a wimp, Jayne replied, as she pulled her spring jacket tighter around her neck. So, where are we going for lunch?

I was thinking about that little tearoom you like so well.

Jayne raised her eyebrows, even though Claire couldn’t see her do it. The tearoom was one of the most expensive places for lunch in town and Jayne went there only when she scrimped and saved for a special occasion.

What did you do, hit the jackpot at the casino last night?

Almost. One of my customers hit it big and tipped me well. Of course I would have taken you to the tearoom today even if he hadn’t. I’ve been planning this for several weeks. I wanted you and me to have a private pre-graduation celebration.

Some celebration, Jayne lamented. I’ll be the only member of my graduating class to have their degree with no church to go to.

Claire didn’t reply. Instead, she swung the car into the parking lot of the tearoom. When she made sudden turns like that, Jayne held on for dear life.

Once they were seated at one of the secluded tables, Claire reached into her purse and pulled out a perfectly wrapped box. I wanted to give you this before all the hoopla of graduation starts.

Jayne took the small box from her friend and ran her fingers over the foil wrapping. It was no secret that the box contained jewelry, since nothing else came in such a small package. As she looked at the gift, she understood that this could, indeed, be the last quiet moment they might have until after graduation when Jayne’s family went back to their normal lives.

Her fingers trembled as she opened the wrapping. Once she flipped open the lid of the velvet covered box, she gasped as she saw the black hills gold cross with matching earrings nestled in the white satin of the interior.

Oh Claire, they’re beautiful, but you can’t afford...

I didn’t buy them, Mom did. She made me take her shopping on one of her good days. She’d had them on layaway with her favorite jeweler. She said that she had seen them right after she first met you and decided they would make the perfect graduation present for you.

Jayne lifted the necklace, dangling the delicate cross from its fine chain. It was one she remembered seeing in the window of the jewelry store downtown. It had broken her heart to leave it at the store, but she knew it was certainly nothing that her budget would allow.

It’s absolutely perfect. Your mom was so special to me. Now she’ll always be with me.

She looked up to see that Claire had one of those ‘I’ve got a secret and you don’t know what it is,’ looks on her face. She knew her friend had a secret she was dying to share. So what’s the look for?

That’s my present to you. I’ll be with you as well.

What do you mean? Jayne asked, completely bewildered by her friend’s statement.

The only reason I came to Dubuque was because of Mom. The only reason I stayed was because you have become my very dear friend. When you find out where you’re going, I’m going with you. I’ll have less trouble finding a new job than I will a new best friend. I checked out the places where you’ve interviewed. As soon as the ink is dry on the proposal, I’m ready to start sending out résumés. I have a list of the top restaurants in each town.

Tears stopped any words that may have come from her lips. You’d do that for me? she asked when she again regained her composure.

Claire nodded. I have to admit, that when I first moved here, I would never have said this, but God sent me here. At first I thought I came for Mom, but then I met you. I didn’t think much about it until Mom was so sick. She told me that God had sent me to comfort her, but I would soon find that I needed to be here in order to support you in your studies and your new career.

She was right, Jayne agreed, even though Claire’s declaration came as a surprise. God sends angels to do his work. I always thought he sent me to be with you and your mother when she was so sick. When she went home, we became closer than when we first met. I thought it was you who needed me, but now I realize it is definitely the other way around.

Claire smiled at Jayne’s comment, but said nothing since their waitress had brought their soup and sandwiches. Her silence gave Jayne a chance to think about the prospect of Claire coming with her to wherever God saw fit to send her. Life with Claire wouldn’t be dull, but would a church council frown on someone like her flamboyant friend sharing her home?

THE ANSWERING MACHINE blinked merrily when Jayne entered the apartment. Her stomach did a somersault that would have scored a perfect ten in the summer Olympics.

Aren’t you going to listen to it? Claire asked.

With shaking hands, Jayne pressed the play button. The first message began and Jayne recognized her daughter’s voice. Hi, Mom. Just wanted to let you know that Jeremy and I’ll be arriving with the kids on Friday night. We got rooms at the Holiday Inn. Why don’t you meet us there for breakfast on Saturday morning?

Even though Jayne was pleased that her daughter and her family would be coming for graduation, she was disappointed that the first message wasn’t an offer of a job. With her daughter and husband living in Fort Wayne, Indiana, it was quite a trip. Even the boys would have a long drive to get here from the Chicago area.

The machine beeped signaling the end of Annie’s message. There was a brief silence before the second message began.

I’m calling for Jayne Algrim. This is Ellie Preston from Minter, Wisconsin. Could you please call me back at 608-555-4723? I’m the chairperson of Hope’s call committee. I’d like to talk to you about becoming our pastor. I do hope you haven’t accepted another position.

Again the machine beeped signaling the end of the message. Rather than reaching for the phone to return the call, she stared at it as though it was a poisonous snake.

Woo hoo! Claire shouted. Her voice was loud enough that Jayne was certain that the people in the downstairs apartment had heard her. They want you. I was praying for you to get a call from Minter. Aren’t you going to call her back?

C—call? Jayne stammered. I—I don’t have a number for her.

Claire laughed. It’s a good thing I was with you. I copied down the number on the pad you keep by the phone. I’m not leaving until you make that call.

Jayne continued to stare at the phone. The call she’d been waiting for had come when she wasn’t at home. She took a deep breath to compose herself before she reached for the portable phone.

Oh, for goodness sake, you’re shaking so badly I don’t trust you to dial the number correctly, Claire said as she took the phone from Jayne’s hand.

Once the number was dialed, Jayne put the receiver to her ear and listened as the line on the other end rang twice.

Hello, the voice of the woman who answered matched the one on the answering machine.

Hello, Jayne responded, surprised at how calm her voice sounded. This is Jayne Algrim. I just returned home and heard your message.

Oh Pastor Algrim, I’m so pleased that you returned my call. Does this mean you haven’t accepted another position?

I guess it does. I would be very interested in considering your proposal, but I’m in the midst of graduation preparations. We wouldn’t be able to meet in person until after the first of the week.

There was silence on the other end of the line, as though the woman was trying to decide what to do considering the circumstances.

I’ll be honest, we checked all your references, including the parishioners at the church where you did your internship. We even talked to the bishop. You come highly recommended. It sounds like we’re pushing you but we’ve been without a minister for over a year and we’re anxious to find a perfect match.

Without hesitation, Jayne gave the woman her email address before they ended their conversation.

So, what did she say? Claire asked while Jayne still held the phone in her hand.

Jayne stared at the phone in hardly able to believe the conversation she’d just engaged in. She’s sending me a proposal via email.

Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s go in and turn on your computer. If they’re so anxious that they’re sending the proposal by email, we should be there when it comes through.

Don’t you have to go to work or something?

Claire laughed. Not today. This is my day to be with you. That proposal is as important to me as it is to you. I’m glad that your son-in-law is coming this weekend. Since he’s a lawyer, he can go over the proposal and counsel you.

Jayne agreed with Claire. At this point she was too excited about a chance to make her dream of becoming a pastor come true to look at any proposal objectively.

As soon as she booted up the computer the message flashed on the screen that she had mail. After signing in, she opened her mail program. The top message came from Ellen Preston and carried an attachment.

IT LOOKS GOOD, MOM, Jeremy said Saturday morning at breakfast, They must be very impressed with you. For an untried minister, the offer is excellent.

Just where is Minter, Mom? Anne asked.

It’s just over the Illinois border in Wisconsin. I guess you would call it a mid-sized town. Hope is a relatively new church. When I interviewed there, they told me it was the first solar church in the state and I would be only their fourth pastor.

Jeremy nodded. I remember when all that solar stuff was big. My folks even looked into building an earth home at one point.

Jeremy’s memory triggered one of Jayne’s own recollections. She and her husband, Andy, were ready to sign the papers on an earth home when he was killed.

It had been a cold Illinois day. Andy had gone to work as usual. He worked for the Illinois State Patrol on the second shift. Within three hours of him leaving the house, she received a phone call saying he’d been making a routine traffic stop when the driver pulled a gun and shot him point blank.

The insurance money and social security had helped, but it didn’t give her a husband to help raise her three small children. Once the kids were in school, she’d taken a job as a church secretary. From there it had been an exciting twenty-five years. She’d first become an assisting minister, then a youth minister and now within a few hours she would be graduating seminary.

Weren’t you and Daddy looking at a solar home when he was killed?

Anne’s question brought Jayne out of her memories and back to the conversation at the table. After describing the house that thirty years ago sounded perfect for a growing family, they were all laughing. The very thought of living in the side of a hill like some sort of burrowing animal seemed too funny for words in the twenty-first century.

Where will you live, Grandma? eight-year-old Tina questioned.

Jayne hadn’t given living quarters much thought. I’ll probably get an apartment. Did I mention that Claire is moving to Minter as well?

Claire? Anne questioned, her voice filled with surprise. Why?

We’ve become good friends. When I leave here, she’ll be alone. She only moved here to be with her mom. Now that she’s gone, it makes sense for Claire to move on. We talked about it and moving together seemed like the perfect solution for both of us. We’re each making a fresh start. To begin with, we’ll share an apartment. Of course, once she gets settled, she’ll be getting a place of her own.

I can’t believe she’d give up a good job to move with you, Jeremy declared.

Well, I can, Anne said, coming to Claire’s defense. I’ve met Claire and I think she’s just what Mom needs. At least she’ll have a friend in that town. As for the job, a good waitress is worth her weight in gold in upscale restaurants.

If you’re sure, then I think you should consider this proposal, Jeremy conceded. The way I read this thing, they’re offering you a generous housing allowance, a cell phone, a car allowance, insurance and pension along with your salary, vacation and further education retreats. What you need to think about is that you will be the only pastor for a large congregation.

Is this what you want, Mom? Anne asked.

Jayne thought for only a moment before answering. Yes, it’s exactly what I want.

THE FOLLOWING DAY WAS almost a blur. Along with Jayne’s daughter and son-in-law, her two sons and their families came to the graduation. It surprised her when several members of the church in Davenport, where she’d interned, were also there to give their support.

After the actual ceremony, her friends and family, including Claire, all went on one of the dinner cruises. Claire had used her pull to get them a discounted rate and in all there were over thirty people in attendance.

Everyone had been pleased with Jayne’s news, especially when she told them she’d accepted the position the day before and was planning a trip to Minter on Saturday to sign the papers and hopefully find a place to live.

In the back of her mind she could hear Andy voicing the same congratulations and best wishes. He had been her silent supporter through all of this. She now knew that everything that had happened in the past thirty years had been part of God’s plan. Andy’s life had been cut short, but if it had not been by the gunman’s bullet, it would have happened in some other way. Andy’s presence in her dream had told her that he had not been destined to live a long life. His death had been the catalyst to send her on the journey that would soon end in Minter.

Two

I t’s been well over a year since Meg died, Jim. Don’t you think it’s time to do more than go to the cemetery on a daily basis and lock yourself away in this house?

Jim Preston listened as his brother, George, read him the same riot act he’d been preaching ever since the one year anniversary of Meg’s death. It was all fine and good that his family and friends were urging him to start living again, but they weren’t in his shoes. Meg had been his wife and lover for over thirty-five years. He’d been out of college for three months when they said I do. That had been over thirty-seven years ago. Thirty-six of those years had been spent with Meg. The last year and a half of his life had been so lonely he could hardly stand it. He’d even decided to put the house they worked