~ The Preacher Takes A Husband ~

by

Sherry Derr~Wille

“How can you get lost in a town this size?” Claire teased as they drove down a residential street that looked no more familiar than the last street Jayne had been on.

Before she could answer her friend’s question she saw a sign for the business district. “I guess I zigged when I should have zagged. At least I know where I am now. All I have to do is turn right at the stop sign. That will take us through the business district and I know how to get to the church from there.”

At the stop sign, she turned onto the street that ran past the historic storefronts. This was to be her home. These stores were where she would be doing her shopping and interacting with the people of this town.

“Look out!” Claire shouted.

Out of instinct, Jayne slammed on her brakes. Years of being a mother kicked in as she immediately held out her right arm to keep Claire from going through the windshield even though she wore a seat belt.

The sound of metal against metal jarred Jayne’s senses before the jolt of impact sent her forward and into the air bag that immediately deployed.

“Are you all right?” Clair’s question echoed off the silent interior of the car.

It took Jayne a moment to get her bearings and come to grips with what had just happened. With great effort, she loosened her grip on the steering wheel, even though she couldn’t see beyond the air bag.

“I--I think so. What happened?”

“That idiot backed out without looking and smashed into your front fender.”

Jayne looked toward the car that was butted up against her fender. The man who was getting out of the car was tall with an unruly shock of gray hair.

“Is anyone hurt?” he asked when he came up to the driver’s side.

She knew if she hadn’t had the window down, she wouldn’t have heard what he was saying. “I don’t think so. What happened?”

Before he could answer her question, sirens screamed and a police car along with an ambulance arrived at the scene. Just the sight of the officer as well as the paramedics made her sigh in exasperation. Even with getting lost on the streets of Minter, she should have arrived at the church early for her appointment. Now the delay would make her hopelessly late.

Someone pulled open the door and helped her get out from behind the air bag.

“May I see some identification, Ma’am?”

Jayne looked up at the officer who towered over her. He had to be well over six foot tall, making her five foot five inch frame feel almost like she was a child.

“Of--of course. I just have to get my purse from the car.”

“Here it is, Jaynie,” Claire said as she came around to join her.

Jayne took her purse and searched for her wallet. Her hands were shaking so badly that she could hardly get her wallet open to say nothing of retrieving her driver’s license.

“Let me do that,” Claire suggested. “I think you should sit down. You’re white as a sheet.”

One of the paramedics guided Jayne to the ambulance. While they took her vitals, she listened to the conversation between the officer and the man who hit her car.

“Can you tell me what happened, Jim?”

Oh, this is just great. He’s on a first name basis with the cop. Something tells me that I’ll end up being at fault in this accident.

“I was backing out of the parking place and I didn’t see her coming. You know how it is with all these SUV’s and big trucks. You can’t see around them. Look, Tom, this was my fault. I’m just happy no one was injured.”

Jayne could hardly believe her ears. Instead of pleading innocence, this man was actually stepping up to take the blame.

“We’re going to take you and your friend to the hospital to be checked out, Ms. Algrim,” the paramedic said, breaking into not only her thoughts but also what the man named Jim was saying.

“Hospital?” Jayne questioned. “I can’t go to the hospital. I’m already late for my meeting.”

“You really don’t have much choice. Your blood pressure is elevated and your breathing is very ragged. It’s possible that you merely bruised your chest, but it’s best if you’re checked out.”

“Look, why don’t you just let me untangle my car and get to my meeting. I promise I’ll go to the hospital as soon as I’m done.”

“Why don’t you tell me where your meeting is?” the officer suggested, when he joined them. “I can call and let them know what happened. I agree with Pete. You need to go and get checked out. You were hit pretty hard. It’s a good thing you slammed on your brakes. If you hadn’t your friend could have been badly injured. It looks like God was riding with you today.”

The officer’s logic, as well as the pain in Jayne’s chest, made her sigh in defeat. “I have a meeting with the call committee at Hope.”

The man’s face lit up. “I didn’t put two and two together. You’re Pastor Algrim. I’ve heard talk about you around church, but I thought you’d be a man. I’ll call over to the church and let them know what happened. As for your car, I don’t think you’ll be driving it anytime soon. The fender is rubbing against the front tire and it’s hard telling what damage was done underneath.”

She closed her eyes. This wasn’t a good sign. Not only was she going to miss her meeting, but she was also faced with a large repair bill and perhaps even the cost of replacing her car.

Someone helped Claire into the ambulance. To Jayne it looked like she was suffering no injuries, but the paramedics checked her as carefully as they had Jayne.

Since she had no say in the matter, Jayne relaxed. No matter what she said, she was going to miss the meeting that meant so much to her. What a first impression she was making on the members of her new congregation.