Congratulations echoed in Mike’s ears as he locked up the church. He’d wanted to announce the news of the baby from the pulpit on Sunday before the entire congregation, but it was necessary to knock the Miller case off the minds of the elders. Nothing worked better than the announcement of a long-awaited baby.
Six
MIKE STIRRED THE CUP OF COFFEE PEG PLACED ON THE BREAKFAST table in front of him, took a sip, and nibbled a toasted English muffin covered in melted butter and homemade jam given to them by a woman in the church.
“Mrs. Ayers gave us this jam,” he said.
“I know,” Peg answered as she joined him at the table.
“So someone from the church helped us a few months ago.”
Peg smiled. “I think the jury has already left the courtroom following yesterday’s closing arguments at the church office.”
Mike took another bite of muffin. “And you won, but when I tried to enforce the judgment with the session, I didn’t do very well. I could have used a co-counsel.”
Peg sipped her coffee. “I’m supporting you from here.”
“Which I appreciate,” Mike answered truthfully. “And you don’t have to get up and fix breakfast to prove it. You need more rest, not less.”
Peg reached across the table and tapped his wedding ring with her index finger.
“I want us to practice being a family. For years we’ve been passing each other in the process of living separate lives.”
“That’s an extreme way of putting it.”
“It started when you went to work at the law office, and since then we’ve never placed a high priority on being together. I had my friends and painting; you had your career and golf. It was easier for both of us not to interact. Am I right?”
“Yes,” Mike admitted.
“Do you want to change or keep the status quo?”
“Change sounds good, but what does it mean to you?”
Peg removed her hand from his. “Didn’t you take a counseling course in seminary? What do most women want from their husbands?”
“Quality time.”
“To do what?”
“Talk.”
“Correct.”
Mike looked at his watch. “I need to get going in a minute. When do you want to start having quality time?”
“While you eat your muffin. Ask me a question.”
“What kind of question?”
Peg smiled. “You’re so smart. That’s the perfect question because it lets me tell you what’s on my heart. While you were at the session meeting last night, I sat in my reading chair in the bedroom and prayed in a way I’ve never done before. I put my hand on my stomach and talked to God about our baby, about me, about us. Then I tried to listen. One of the things I realized is that if I want a family in nine months, I’d better start acting like I have one now. And that means being serious about my faith and more committed to loving you.”
Mike was speechless. Peg continued.
“I know you’ve got a soft spot deep down inside, and I promise not to tell anyone about it. You’ve put up walls of protection because I’ve been so prickly, but I want to love you enough to convince you to tear down the barriers between us.”
“That’s great.”
“Any other response?”
“I’m not sure what to say.”
Peg stood up. “Don’t try. An admission of inadequacy is nice from a self-confident male who is always trying to fix everything.”
She walked over to the kitchen sink.
“I do have another question,” Mike added.
“Go ahead.”
“What prompted you to pray last night?”
“Muriel Miller encouraged me to do it. She even wrote some Bible verses on a sheet of paper and suggested I read them. Will you see Sam today?”
“Yes, I’ll go to the jail, file a notice of representation at the courthouse, and try to talk to someone at the district attorney’s office.”
“Is Ken West still the DA?”
“He is, but he’s probably assigned something like this to an assistant.”
“Who will do your typing?”
“I’ll swing by the old office and get Juanita to do it. It won’t take her five minutes.”
“And don’t forget to call Muriel Miller and apologize.”
MIKE PHONED THE CHURCH AS HE DROVE DOWN THE HILL TOWARD Shelton. The familiar raspy voice answered the phone.
“Good morning, Delores,” Mike said. “I won’t be coming in this morning. I have several things to do in town.”
“Like buying a baby bed?”
“News travels fast.”
“There were twelve messages on the answering machine when I arrived this morning, and someone phoned me before I woke up to make sure it wasn’t a false rumor.”