Angel Unaware?

Chapter Twenty-four

On Sunday morning, Ryan sat down on the pew beside Goldie as the organ played “Close to Thee.” Sticking his sunglasses into his shirt pocket, he glanced around the crowded sanctuary. Every spot was taken.

         He leaned toward Goldie. “It’s really packed in here today.”

         She turned her pretty blue eyes up to his, and for a moment, Ryan felt a current of electricity flow between them. “Close to Thee” indeed!

         “The pastor wants to build a new building,” she whispered. “But the committee can’t agree on an architect.” She paused. “Would you design our building, Ryan? The church would give you 7% of the entire cost.”

         Folding his arms, Ryan sat back. Seven? He wanted a higher percentage than that for his labor. The church would probably cut corners, building the cheapest way they could. Having grown up as a poor missionary kid, he knew how Christian building committees operated. He was through with those cheap methods. He wanted to make money, lots of money.

         The service began, and Ryan enjoyed singing the hymns with Goldie by his side. He even put his tithe in the offering, thankful he had a salary—even though it was from cooking food, not designing buildings.

         After the offering, Pastor Thomas stood behind the pulpit. “We have a surprise visitor this morning—a young lady who’s going to Africa as a missionary. She arrived two nights ago, and she’s staying at the Knotty Pine Motel. If anyone can put her up until Wednesday morning, it would help her save money.”

         Ryan puffed out a breath. Just like a missionary, trying to live on the cheap.

         “She called me this morning,” the pastor continued. “And I invited her to tell us about her mission work.” He motioned to the front row. “This is Miss Elisa Hartwell.”

Ryan’s jaw dropped. Elisa?

Sure enough, his ex-fiancée—in the flesh—ascended the platform. She smiled her thanks to the pastor before turning to the pulpit.

Ryan slid down in the pew, then donned his sunglasses for good measure. If only he had a disguise.

Goldie glanced at him and frowned.

“It’s a privilege to share my ministry with you today.” Elisa smiled, looking as pretty as Ryan remembered. Her brown hair was cut short, but besides that, it seemed like she had just broken up with him yesterday instead of eight months ago.

Her brown eyes scanned the congregation. “I’m planning to go to Tanzania in East Africa to work with Spenser and Mary Jane Collins, whom this church supports.”

What? Ryan slid down further.

“Brother and Mrs. Collins have been in Tanzania for almost thirty years, and I feel honored to work with them.”

Ryan sighed. Of all the people for Elisa to work with, why did it have to be his parents? He could just picture his mom and Elisa scheming together to get Ryan down the matrimonial aisle with her. Before he knew it, he’d be living in a mud hut on the other side of the world.

Elisa talked about ten minutes before the pastor began his sermon. Ryan sat up, stuck his sunglasses back in his pocket, and endured another frowning look from Goldie.

He would definitely stay away from Miss Elisa Hartwell. Maybe he could sneak out the side door when church ended.

After the service, Goldie turned to him. “I’m going to talk to that missionary. What was her name?”

“Elisa.”

“Such a pretty name. And can you imagine being a missionary? What a heavenly calling! It’s like being an angel.”

Ryan almost rolled his eyes.

Goldie smiled. “She needs a place to stay, and I’ve decided to offer her my second bedroom.”

Inwardly, Ryan groaned. Could it get any worse?

Goldie glanced around the sanctuary, then grabbed Ryan’s arm. “Look! There she is. Let’s go talk to her.”

“Um, sorry.” He pulled his arm away. “I have…somewhere to go.”

“Are you working at the Blue Haven today?”

“Uh…” Actually, he had planned to take Goldie out for dinner. But not now. Not if Elisa would be in the picture. “I’ll see you later.”

He walked toward the door and slipped outside. He would see Goldie much later—like Wednesday, after Elisa left town.

* * *

Hopefully YOU will be here on Wednesday to find out what happens.

Until then, God bless!