Pastor's Prize (Culpepper Cowboys Book 15) Read online

  Rikki frowned. “Did you just con me into helping you with this thing?”

  “Con you? How can I con someone who volunteered?”

  “Pastors always know the right way to ask for something without ever asking. Yeah, I can be there. I think. What time?”

  “Auditions start at seven.”

  She nodded slowly. “I get out of here at six, so I can be there by six thirty or so. If I don’t eat first.”

  “I’ll get something from Bob’s Burger Barn and meet you at the church. Will that work?”

  “Are we allowed to eat in the church?” she asked, feeling very skeptical. How could he even suggest eating in the church, when Brother Anthony and Lovie would probably be livid?

  He shrugged. “No one told me I couldn’t, and it’s the only way you’ll be able to eat tonight. We’ll spread a table cloth under our chairs.”

  Rikki reached out and covered his hand with hers, still amazed at the size difference. He made her feel puny…and protected. “I’ll be there.”

  Ben grinned at her, his face lighting up. “Thank you so much! I’m sure it’ll be the best pageant this town has ever seen!”

  She sighed as she took a bite of her beans. “I sure hope so. I’m a little worried that people will expect more from us than we can possibly deliver.”

  “Rising up to other’s expectations can show us how strong we really are.”

  “I used to be strong.” Her voice was soft, barely a whisper, but he heard it.

  “You’re stronger than you think you are. Think about it, Rikki. We were alone in my car last night for twenty minutes. You didn’t once start screaming and begging me to let you out.”

  She chuckled. “I bet that’s something you’ve never said to another woman after a first date.” And the fact that he’d considered he might have to say it to her showed just how messed up in the head she really was.

  “I’ve never known another woman who’s had to be as strong as you have. You amaze me. You went through something very few people could have survived with their spirit intact, and now you’re dealing with the aftermath. A lot of people would have just refused to go on. You’re not only going on, you’re building a new life for yourself!”

  She nodded. “I’m surprised you haven’t asked more about what happened. Did you read all the online stuff about it?”

  “I did read a lot of it. Not all. I know you were taken from your hometown and driven from Iowa to Texas where you were held in exchange for your sister.”

  She took a sip of her water, watching him. “The articles don’t tell you that he took me from my job. I was just getting off work at the only grocery store in town. I went out to my car, and Curtis was standing there, leaning against the hood. He told me how upset he was that my sister had broken up with him, and he asked me to go for a cup of coffee with him, so we could talk. I felt so bad for him, because he and Valerie had been together for eight years, and the very day they broke up, she married Jesse.” She shook her head. “I really can’t believe how stupid I was.”

  “That sounds like you were caring. Not stupid. How long did it take you to realize he was keeping you hostage?”

  “He drove me straight out of town. As soon as we hit the countryside, I told him to pull over. I knew I could walk back to town, and all would be fine. Instead he used some duct tape, and he ‘tied’ my hands together, and he put a piece over my mouth, so I couldn’t talk. He kept me like that except for letting me out to use the bathroom every few hours for two days. I didn’t get any food. He’d give me a sip of water, and then re-tape my mouth.”

  “How’d you get away?” He’d read about her sister taking her place, but he knew she needed to talk about it.

  “He didn’t want me. He only wanted Valerie. They were so awful together, but all he could see was that the woman he loved was married to another man. So, he did whatever it took to get her back. When we got to Wiggieville, where the set is, he called her from my phone. He told her where we were and to come with no help. So, she did. She came right there to take my place with no questions asked. Do you have any idea how guilty that made me feel? I’ve always been so jealous of her. It annoyed me when people compared us, and there she was willing to put her life on the line for mine.”

  “You didn’t know she’d do that.”

  “Of course I did! She’s always been my protector. The person who loved me even when I didn’t deserve it. I wasn’t always kind to her either. I’d yell at her and tell her she was ruining my life by being famous.” Rikki shook her head, ashamed to admit what a brat she’d been. “I was even mad at her for marrying Jesse. I had a crush on him from the very first episode of Lazy Love.”

  “It sounds like you don’t feel that way anymore,” he said. It was hard for him to find the line between friend and counselor as she talked to him about what had happened, but he knew she needed to tell him everything. She couldn’t just let him believe what he’d read online.

  “I don’t feel that way anymore. I watched my sister put her life on the line for me. She walked to me, whispered to me where to find Jesse who would help me, and then she watched me leave. She became his prisoner for me.”

  “How did she get away? None of the articles mentioned that part.”

  “They knew I was missing, so she insisted Jesse teach her to shoot. The gun was still in the car. She and Jesse were having dinner in town, and she went to the car, got the gun, and ran to the hotel where Curtis was keeping me. As soon as I left, she threatened him with the gun, but he didn’t listen. He told her she’d never be able to shoot him. He didn’t know how much stronger she was with Jesse.” She shook her head. “That’s when I found out Curtis had been beating her for years. He’d always been verbally abusive, but when she started working with Jesse he became physically abusive as well. So, she not only saved me, she did so by putting herself in the hands of a man who she knew would hurt her.”

  “Wow.”

  “Yeah. She shot him in the shoulder. I found Jesse and told him everything, and he rushed to save her. She was waiting for him calmly. My sister is something else.”

  Ben couldn’t help but agree with her. “I’ve only met her once or twice, but she doesn’t seem like someone who could shoot anyone.”

  Rikki nodded, swiping at a tear. She’d thought she was out of tears about that particular situation, but here they were all over again. “And then when I was messed up in the head, and I didn’t want to go on anti-depressants, she offered me a place to live here. She said I could be her nanny the one week out of the month she lives here instead of in Texas.” She shook her head. “She won’t use a nanny. I knew it at the time. It’s not who she is. She’ll have one while she’s on the set, but here in Wyoming, that baby will be with her all the time.”

  “So, why’d you come? Did you know that when you agreed?”

  “Yeah, but I needed to get out of town. Everywhere I looked I was reminded of what happened. In my house, with my mom, all I could think about was what a brat I’d been, putting myself in danger that way. I’d been warned he might be after us! Do you want to know what I was thinking when I got into that van with Curtis?”

  Ben wasn’t sure he did want to know, but he nodded. “Sure.”

  “I thought if I could work with Curtis to split them up, maybe I’d have a chance with Jesse after all. Can you believe that?”

  “That doesn’t make the kidnapping your fault. And I think you’ve grown from it.”

  She laughed derisively. “Yeah. I’ve grown into a phobic nincompoop.”

  “I wouldn’t say that at all.”

  “Wait ’til you get to know me a little better. Then you’ll agree wholeheartedly.”

  4

  Rikki got to the church just on time. She’d hurried home to change, and had worried she wouldn’t make it. As soon as she walked into the church, she found a small crowd of people, and she felt her heart leap into her throat. She took deep breaths, trying to fend off the panic attack. There was nothing
worrisome about these people. She knew all of them individually, but the crowd made her nervous.

  She wasn’t certain why she was afraid of crowds. It didn’t make sense to her, but every time she was in one, she started to freak out the same way she did when she got out of her car, and the same way she did in an enclosed space.

  Her eyes searched through the people, and she found Ben, standing amidst them all. He held a hand out in her direction, and she hurried toward him, taking it and holding on tight. Immediately her breathing calmed. She said nothing, but she tilted her head a tiny bit, resting it against his shoulder. She needed him.

  He looked down at her with a smile, answering a question from Mrs. Pfaffenbach, who was trying to make sure no peanut butter would be served in the building while her son, allergic to peanuts, was there. When he assured her they would be careful of peanuts, which were banned from the church due to her son’s allergies, she smiled and nodded. “I’ll be back in an hour. You did say that we should plan on leaving them an hour.”

  “At least an hour. I’m not sure how long the auditions will take. Rikki Dobson is going to help me with them, but there are a lot of kids and a lot of parts.”

  Mrs. Pfaffenbach frowned. “I’ll be back for little Timmy soon. Try to have the boys audition first, so he’s not late going to bed.”

  Rikki smiled sweetly. “Mrs. Pfaffenbach, every one of these children will need to go to bed at a decent hour. We’ll do our best to get them all out on time, but the sooner we get started, the sooner we’ll be done. Thank you for letting Timmy audition.”

  Ben bit his lip. Rikki wasn’t an employee of the church, so she could more easily say what was on her mind. He had to constantly worry that he would lose his job if he was too direct.

  “I’ll be back!” Mrs. Pfaffenbach spun on her heel and hurried toward the door. She was obviously annoyed, but no one ever spoke up against Rikki. They were all worried she was too fragile.

  Rikki stood on tiptoe to whisper, “You’re welcome!”

  Ben fought back a laugh. She really had helped him with her comments to the silly woman. He understood the food allergy, but if Timmy was going to be part of the pageant, there would be some nights where he would stay up past eight. It was just going to happen.

  He looked around, raising his voice to be heard. “I want all the boys on the right side of the sanctuary, and all the girls on the left. We’re going to have you sing a little song and read some lines.”

  As the children filed to sit where they’d been told, he took Rikki’s hand. “I’ve got burgers under the seat in third row center. There’s a root beer for you there too.”

  She frowned at him. “There’s nothing online that talks about my obsession with root beer. How’d you know?”

  He grinned. “Grace tells lots of stuff.”

  Rikki shook her head. “That Grace…”

  “But I knew your favorite drink. That’s a good thing, right?”

  “Just so she’s not telling all my deepest darkest secrets…” She’d told him them all herself that day. She hadn’t once mentioned her guilt in the kidnapping to anyone but him. She couldn’t help but wonder if it had been wise to be so honest about it.

  As soon as they were sitting, she divvied up the burgers, carefully peeling the pickle off hers. “I hate pickles,” she whispered.

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know! They’re just gross, and their juice gets all over everything.” She took a big bite of the burger, trying not to grimace at the pickle juice on her bun. “Thanks for getting dinner for us.”

  He popped a fry into his mouth. “Thanks for helping me with this pageant. I’m more than a little overwhelmed. Does it bother you?”

  She shrugged. “When I first walked into the church and saw everyone here, I started to panic, but when you held your hand out for me, it helped. You’re going to be my port in the storm.”

  “I’d be happy to be your port in the storm. I’d be happy to be yours. Period.”

  Rikki looked at him questioningly. “What are you trying to say, Pastor Benjamin?”

  “I’m trying to say that I think you’re pretty terrific, and I want to be your steady Eddie.”

  “My steady Eddie? Really?”

  “Sure. What do you say, Betty?”

  “Do we have to call each other Eddie and Betty?”

  He shrugged. “I guess you could call me Freddy!”

  She shook her head. “I guess you can’t be my steady Eddie then.”

  “Fine. You can call me Ben, and I’ll call you Veronica.”

  “Try again! No one calls me Veronica except my doctor.”

  “Rikki then. You sure you aren’t willing to have fun with names?” Ben asked.

  She nodded. “Positive. Ben and Rikki works for me.”

  “So, you’ll let me be your steady Ben?” He’d made a joke of it, but he wanted to make sure she saw no other men, and wasn’t sure how to phrase it otherwise.

  “Yeah.” She couldn’t look at him as she said it, way too embarrassed. And there was no way she could see herself with anyone else.

  He stood up and asked a couple of the children to go on stage and sing a song of their choice. Once he was seated again, he looked at her. “You said earlier you had a crush on your sister’s husband, Jesse. Do you still?”

  She shook her head, hiding her laughter. “Absolutely not! The first time I sat down with him and talked to him, I knew he belonged with Valerie. He’s had feelings for her since the moment they met.”

  “And that stopped your feelings?”

  “He’s not the person he is on TV. I think I was in love with Dr. Dylan, not with Jesse Savoy. He and Valerie really are a perfect fit. I’m glad he’s making my sister happy, but I wouldn’t have him on a bet.”

  “I’m glad to hear that. And you’re not in love with any other big stars right? Your heart is wide open for me?”

  “I don’t know about that. I’m not in love with anyone else, but my heart has felt a bit closed off lately.”

  “I’ll help you fix that!”

  Two children, a boy and a girl stepped onto the stage, singing together. “Those two are Noah and Hailey. They’re brother and sister,” he whispered. “They always get the leads.”

  “Why do they always get the leads?” she asked, surprised that the same kids got it year after year.

  “They have the best voices I hear.” He sighed. “I want to give new kids a chance to do it.”

  The pair on the stage broke into a slightly off-key rendition of Away in a Manger. It wasn’t bad, but it certainly wasn’t wonderful. Ben made a note on his clipboard as they left the stage.

  “There has to be someone better than those two,” Rikki whispered.

  “We’ll do our best.”

  The next child to go up on stage was Corinne, Patience’s new step-daughter, whom Rikki knew well. She sang Jingle Bells complete with her own dance that was beautifully choreographed. “Is there a dance part?” Rikki asked.

  “There is now,” he responded. “There’s no way we can let that child’s talent go to waste.” He grinned as she danced around the stage to her own terrible rendition of the song. “Remind me not to let her sing, though.”

  Two hours later, they’d seen everyone, and brought a couple of the children onto the stage a second time. Ben stood. “Thanks, we’ll start rehearsals on Friday night. I’ll send an email out on Thursday with everyone’s part.” They already knew everyone would have to have a part, and they were simply figuring out which roles they would each have.

  The children hurried to their mothers, and Rikki waved at Patience, who picked up a sleepy Corinne.

  When the church was empty except for the two of them, Rikki sagged in her chair. “That was a lot more work than I thought it would be.”

  “And there were two of us! Imagine how bad it would have been with only one person.”

  “I don’t even want to think about it.” Rikki stifled a yawn. “Do we hash out their parts ton
ight? Or work on that tomorrow?”

  “Why don’t I come to your place tomorrow. We can work on it there.”

  “Sure,” Rikki responded. “Linda won’t mind. I’ll even cook dinner.”

  “You’re going to feed me? May I get down on my knees and kiss your feet now, or should I wait until tomorrow?”

  Rikki laughed. “Maybe you should wait and see if the cooking is worth the foot kissing. I’ve cooked some, but I’m not a gourmet by any means.”

  “I have been cooking for myself and eating out since I got to Culpepper. Occasionally Lovie and Brother Anthony will have me over for a meal, but usually I’m on my own. I’m looking forward to eating something different.”

  “I’m just going to make a casserole.” She’d already thought about something she could make quickly. “Why don’t you come by around seven or seven fifteen? I can have it ready by then.”

  He nodded. “Sounds good. I made notes on all the kids, so we should be able to remember who did what.”

  “Promise we’ll find a way for Corinne to dance?”

  “How could we not? She was made to dance!”

  Rikki got to her feet. “I need to get home if I’m going to get enough sleep to make it through tomorrow. I enjoy being with you, but you’re sure cutting down on my sleep time.”

  He stood, walking with her toward the door. “I’m going to walk you to your car.”

  “I appreciate it.”

  “I’m not doing it for you. I think we need to have a goodnight kiss as close to saying goodbye for the night as possible. It’s essential to our moving forward as a couple.”

  “Are we a couple?” she asked, surprised at how much she liked the idea.

  “Yup. If I’m going to be your steady Eddie, then we’re a couple. It’s just how it works.”

  “I thought we decided on steady Ben?”

  “Fine, steady Ben. Do you know how much less fun that sounds?”

  He stopped to lock the church building and walked her to her car, waiting while she unlocked the door. “I should have picked you up.”