“Speaking of plates,” Dolly said, sliding a sandwich in front of me. “Eat. You look like you’re about to fall over.”
I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until that moment. “I should get back?—”
“Eat first,” she insisted. “Can’t help nobody if you’re runnin’ on empty.”
As I ate, I watched the activity in the diner. People were exhausted but working together. A pair of firefighters were comparing notes on structural damage. Marcus was at a corner table, radio crackling as he coordinated with neighboring counties.
My eyes lingered on him for a moment. I’d met the sheriff and couple of times since landing in Sagebrush. From the first moment I laid eyes on him, I knew he was a man dedicated to his community. But he had a secret, one he was terrified of sharing. Until the tornado this morning.
I was fairly certain the entire town saw him kissing Xavier at the shelter.
Dolly followed my gaze. “Marcus nearly killed himself saving a couple of cats,” she said quietly. “Now he’s runnin’ himself ragged making sure everyone’s safe.”
“He’s a good man,” I replied.
“One of the best,” Dolly agreed. “This town wouldn’t be the same without him.” She hesitated, then added, “Though some folks don’t appreciate him like they should.”
Before I could ask what she meant, the door jingled again. Xavier stepped in, looking completely out of place in his designer clothes, now covered in dust and debris. He spotted me and headed over.
“Pastor Mike,” he nodded. “Marcus asked me to let you know we’ve got three more families heading to the church. Their homes are completely gone.”
“Thank you, Xavier. That’s very kind of you to relay the message. Maggy’s there, so she’ll get them taken care of.”
He shrugged. “Not like I have anything else to do. Lucas and Beau’s wedding is still happening tomorrow, but all my perfect decorations are ruined.” He sighed dramatically, but I could tell his heart wasn’t in the complaint. His eyes kept drifting to where Marcus sat.
“Sometimes the most beautiful weddings are the simplest ones,” I offered.
“I suppose.” Xavier fidgeted with his sleeve. “Anyway, I should get back. I told Marcus I’d help him coordinate the volunteer cleanup crews.”
After he left, Dolly leaned in. “Now I would’ve told you that boy was no damn good,” she grinned. “But he’s proved me wrong.”
I smiled slightly. “Sometimes it takes a stranger to teach us the most valuable lessons.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Dolly added with a nod. “Serves me right for judgin’.” She gave him a wink. “I’ll make sure to include that in my prayers tonight, pastor.”
“It’s always nice to acknowledge the Good Lord’s work even if we don’t want to admit it sometimes.”
Her grin widened. “You can say that again.”
I finished my sandwich, thanked Dolly profusely for her help, and headed back out into the chaos of the street. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the debris. Tonight I had a community to look out for. And tomorrow morning there was a wedding to attend between Beau Turner and Lucas Greene. It was a beautiful reminder that even in destruction, life and love continued.
As I walked back to the church, I couldn’t help but wonder if God had sent me here for this specific moment. Was I supposed to be a light in this darkness, to help rebuild not just buildings but spirits?
Or maybe it was just another test. Another chance to face my own demons while helping others face theirs. Either way, I had work to do. And for the first time in a long while, I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be.
But even with all that on my mind, I couldn’t help feeling a little jealous of the love between Beau and Lucas. And the same about the flame between Marcus and Xavier. They, despite this turn of events, were happy and committed to one another in a way I’d never experienced.
I’d tasted love once, and I’d paid the price. But I couldn’t help wondering when God would give me a second chance. Was there someone on his way to me now? In such a small town, it seemed terribly unlikely. And there was the fact that while I might preach love and acceptance in my own church, the people of Sagebrush might not take kindly to their new pastor being… well…untraditional, some might say.
For now, I supposed, it was probably best to focus on the community. Love took many forms. And in my life, it seemed, love was for me to provide to my community. Not the other way around.
It was a good thought, but even so, I knew it wouldn’t make my nights any less lonely.
Chapter 4
Cash
It was gone. Every. Last. Piece.
