“I suppose,” Pete reluctantly agreed. “The truth is, I don’t know why I’m still single. I’ve had plenty of opportunity to date, but I’ve yet to find that special someone.”
“I bet Gracie has something to say about that,” Hank commented. Hank and Pete’s sister had been at odds for years, always rubbing each other the wrong way. God save him from opinionated women. She was a spitfire, that’s for sure. Frankly, Hank couldn’t imagine how Pete worked with Gracie as his church secretary. She didn’t have the personality for it, as far as he could figure.
“Gracie is Gracie,” Pete said. “She’s as righteous as ever. Stubborn as a mule and loyal as a dog.”
“That sounds about right,” Hank said with a snort. He smiled just thinking about her. She had her nose in the air and a holier-than-thou attitude. It was no surprise she hadn’t married, either. Pete was nothing like his sister. His personality was perfect for his life’s work. He was a caring, thoughtful man. Wise. Full of faith. Not that Hank lacked faith. He was square with God. But being a Christian didn’t require him to show up for church every Sunday.
“You should know my job isn’t all that wonderful, Hank. I have my own set of problems,” Pete said.
“Sure you do,” he said offhandedly. He didn’t mean to sound condescending, but Pete had no concept of the demands on Hank’s time and finances.
“It’s Christmas in less than a week,” Pete continued. “I’m running ragged getting everything organized. You, on the other hand…”
“What about me?”
“You party every night—”
“It’s not a party,” Hank interrupted. “I work hard to create a fun atmosphere but trust me it isn’t always a party.”
“So you say. You may work a lot of hours, which I don’t discount, but you can sleep in each morning.”
“Dream on,” Hank said and rolled his eyes.
“And while you claim you don’t have any time to date, which I have trouble believing, you have a chance every night to meet women.”
“You have no idea what being a tavern owner means!”
“And you have no idea what the life of a pastor is like.”
Hank laughed. “You couldn’t do my job for a week.”
Pete snickered. “You couldn’t do my job for a week.”
“Give me a break. You’re living the easy life.”
Pete set his fork down and leaned forward, his eyes intense. “You ready to find out?”
“What do you mean?”
“Fine, since you think I’ve got it so easy, let’s trade places. I’ll work at the bar and you fill in for me at the church.”
Hank didn’t hesitate. This was like taking candy from a baby. “You’re on.” He thrust his hand across the table. Pete extended his own hand and the two shook.
“Starting when?” Hank asked.
Pete’s smile was wide. “No time like the present.”
Oh, this was going to be good, Hank mused. Monday night. He was going to put his feet up and watch Monday Night Football, and for the first time in longer than he could remember. Better yet, he’d be able to pay attention to what was happening on the field.
Life didn’t get any sweeter than this, and his friend was about to learn the biggest lesson of his life.
CHAPTER TWO
Grace Ann Armstrong glanced up from the typewriter when her brother returned from his lunch with Hank Colfax. Personally, she didn’t know what it was about the tavern owner that appealed to Peter. Hank was the one who first shortened her brother’s name to Pete, and soon all his friends followed, much to her consternation. As far as she could see, the two men had nothing in common, nothing that should bond their friendship, other than the fact that years ago they’d once played on the same football team and ran cross-country together.
Bottom line—Grace Ann didn’t trust Hank. He was a tease and a flirt, and she wanted nothing to do with him when she was in high school, and even less so now. She did her best to hide her prejudice, although it was difficult not to share her opinion of her brother’s best friend. The one time she couldn’t help herself hadn’t gone well. Grace Ann hadn’t brought up Hank’s name again.
“How was your lunch?” she asked, as Peter headed for his desk in the church office.
“Fabulous,” he mumbled, sounding distracted. “What’s my schedule like for the rest of the week?”
Grace Ann reached for the appointment book and reviewed Peter’s commitments. “You’re scheduled to pick up the mule from the Martin residence for the live Nativity scene. The Carney family is lending you their horse trailer.”
“Why so early?”
“The Martins are leaving to visit their children. You promised to take Hortense for the week in exchange for her being part of the live Nativity on Christmas Eve.”
Peter smiled, his eyes sparkling like he couldn’t wait to pick up Hortense. “Wonderful.”
That was an odd response. All those extra hours were sure to drain Peter’s energy. “And of course, this is the week to deliver the charity food baskets, and then there’s your regular visitation. Mrs. Millstone especially asked to see you this week. I set that up for tomorrow.” That old battle-ax was a piece of work. How Peter maintained his patience with the woman was beyond Grace Ann. It was important that they pander to the former schoolteacher, as she had promised a hefty donation toward replacing the church roof, which was badly in need of it.
He arched his brows. “Right on.” His smile grew even bigger before he slapped his knee and chuckled. “This should be good.”
Grace Ann frowned and asked, “What’s going on?”
“Nothing”—he hesitated—“of importance. I’ll explain in a moment. Continue.” He waved his hand, encouraging her to finish reviewing his calendar.
With each appointment she mentioned, her brother seemed to find nothing but delight. He couldn’t seem to stop smiling and chuckling to himself.
“Anything else?”
“Well, yes, there’s the possibility of a finance committee meeting. It was delayed last week because of the snowstorm. The last time I talked to Leonard, he insinuated it could wait until after Christmas.”
For the first time since his return from lunch, Peter frowned. “Yes, make sure to delay that meeting until after Christmas.”
“Okay, if Leonard phones, I’ll let him know you want to put it off.” Church finances were always a worry for her brother. She personally knew of twice in the last year when he’d taken less of a salary in order to meet the church budget. Grace Ann had offered to do without herself, but Peter wouldn’t hear of it.