This blog post is a continuation of last month’s post. Here’s a quick review of my story: While in Orlando on vacation, I visited with a mission’s pastor to learn how he’d proposed to a woman he hadn’t seen in twelve years. In Part Two, Pastor Ben Peterson updates us on the woman’s initial response to his odd request.
Pastor Ben contacted me the day after our visit to ask for advice. He thought, because I write Christian romance, I might offer him a few suggestions on how he should proceed with the woman he felt God called him to marry. I didn’t have the heart to tell him to give up on the idea, so my husband and I agreed to meet him at a coffee shop near his church.
When we arrived, we placed our orders and joined Pastor Ben at his table. He brought us up to date.
“I sent her another message.” He leaned forward. “She hadn’t read the letter yet. She thought I wrote to request money for a mission’s trip. Then, when she read it, she messaged me back and accused me of picking out my wife from a harem like King Xerxes did in the Bible.” He sat back in his chair and crossed his arms.
“I love the story of Queen Esther.”
He ignored my comment. “She said she answered me in a letter and planned to send it by snail mail, which tells me that her answer is no.” He raised his palms. “What should I do now?”
Kenn raised his eyebrows and shook his head. I was on my own.
My heart rate quickened. “I suggest you call her. Let her hear your voice. Maybe that will bring back fond memories for her.”
Pastor Ben rested his elbow on the table and waved his hand around as he spoke. “But that gives her the opportunity to tell me that I’m crazy.” He rubbed his chin. “What if I record a video and send it to her? That way, she won’t only hear my voice, but she’ll see me, too, and know I’m sincere.”
“That might work.” Although I doubted it would. “But if she doesn’t get back with you, give her at least a day or two to think and pray about this before you follow up with a phone call.”
He took a long sip of his drink and placed his cup on the table. “I’m not sure I have her phone number. Perhaps it’s time to visit her in Pleasant Springs.”
Kenn agreed.
I eyed Kenn and grimaced. “No, wait.” I focused on Pastor Ben. “If she’s not open to your idea, she may assume you’re stalking her if you show up unannounced.” I lowered my voice. “Be careful. Those small-town sheriffs don’t take to strangers well.”
“You might be right.” He stared over the top of my head. “Annie may have kept Becca’s phone number. I’ll check around the house.”
“Becca? The woman you want to marry?”
He smiled. “Yes. She and her husband Michael were very special to my wife Annie and me. He died a few years before Annie.”
I asked him to keep me posted as to Becca’s response to his video. “If she’s favorable, I’d like to write your love story. Many people will find your romance worthy of their time.”
“Well.” He paused. “Ours won’t be a love story.”
I opened my eyes wide. “What?”
“I’m not in love with her. Our marriage will be an arrangement. I explained that to Becca in my letter.”
“A marriage of convenience?”
He nodded.
“I hope you’re right that God called you to marry her, and I hope He tells her the same thing, because most women want and need love from their husbands.” I hesitated to say more, but I forged ahead. “Psalm 37:4 says, ‘Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.’ But when your desires and hers are opposite one another, you’re asking for trouble.”
To read Ben and Becca’s happily ever after, check out An Odd Request on Amazon.
Full disclosure again this month: This blog post is a work of fiction. Pastor Ben Peterson, Becca, Michael, Annie, and Pleasant Springs are fictional people and places.
Photo by Tyler Nix - Unsplash