Pastor Elle in Wedding Stilettos

To one of my biggest fans, my mother, Ruth Thackery Aldrich. She quietly reminded me she was proud of me. Although she never got to read one of my books, I am sure she and my dad would have appreciated seeing their family names in print through Pastor Elle. Her quiet, unassuming nature influenced me greatly throughout my life. Her beauty inside and out left a legacy for her family, for which I will be eternally grateful.

Pastor Elle in Wedding Stilettos

The Reverend Ellen Thackery, known to her family, friends, and parishioners as Elle or Pastor Elle, put on jeans and a sweater for comfort. She stood in her closet perusing her rows and rows of colorful shoes. She chose a pair of red high heels, just for fun.

John, her fiancé, had invited Elle and Lucy to dinner for his special tuna noodle casserole, and her shoes had to match the magnificence of the main course. There are tuna noodle casseroles, and then there are tuna noodle casseroles. John’s casserole was among the best, as far as he was concerned. He had told her so.

The young, vibrant pastor scurried to arrive on time. John heard Lucy barking at his front door and rushed to open it. Elle handed him the container of chocolate cake after he kissed her. “Lynnie sent it for our dessert. She said to tell you she knew you would enjoy it.” “This looks good, as usual. It will taste great with the chocolate swirl ice cream. The casserole needs another ten minutes in the oven. Finish setting the table while I pour the iced tea, okay?

“Sure.”

“My prize-winning tuna noodle casserole and Lynnie’s chocolate cake combo is getting to be one of my favorite meals to prepare.”

Elle washed her hands and set the table. “Who prepared the dessert?”

“Okay, it wasn’t me.” He laughed and kissed her cheek.

The oven timer buzzed, and he slid the casserole dish onto the hot pad in the middle of the table as Elle set out the salad and dressings. They’d settled into a comfortable rhythm of working together at mealtime. After all, they had been dating for more than eight years. They sat, and John prayed. They began John’s favorite meal to prepare, which happened to be the only meal he ever prepared.

“Mmm, this is so good, John. Are you going to share this recipe with me ever?”

“When we are married and you can’t testify against me, I’ll share everything with you, including my prize recipes.” He winked at her, and she scrunched up her nose. After a few bites, John put his fork down and looked at Elle. She noticed the wrinkles between his eyebrows as he scowled. “The chair of the pastor-staff relations committee called to report that the Browns are still complaining. I don’t think we need to be too concerned. The committee and the church continue to support me.” The Browns had been stirring up trouble for a few years because they wanted a married pastor with two and a half children and a stay-at-home wife instead of the bachelor they now had. She patted his hand. “We just have to continue to pray. I know! Let’s buy the Browns a one-way ticket to someplace nice--say Florida. They might like it so much they won’t come home.” They grinned at one another.

“Wonderful idea, cupcake, but I wouldn’t share that thought with anyone else, if I were you.” Following dinner and the cleanup, they sat in the living room where Lucy, the beloved Doberman, slept in her bed beside John’s couch. They sat down to watch a movie, and Elle snuggled when John pulled her closer. Lucy awoke, came over to them, and laid her big head on Elle’s lap. “Okay, girl, we haven’t forgotten you.” She scratched the Doberman’s ear. John followed suit, and Lucy went back to her bed.

The movie was not keeping Elle’s attention. She looked up into John’s face and thought, how handsome he is. She loved to see him duck his head when given a compliment. He had a certain shyness that warmed her heart. She smiled at him. He smiled back with his crooked smile, which she found so charming. One side of his mouth came up higher than the other side which caused a dimple in his cheek.

“What? What is it?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about…your dimple. Wondering if our children will have a dimple or two.”

“Hon, I hope our children look like you. Our little girls should have your beauty.”

“Oh, John, you say the sweetest things.” She kissed him on the chin. She turned her attention back to the movie.

This had been such a long friendship, courtship, and engagement. Elle and John had met during seminary, and he had eventually asked her out for dinner. She’d suspected rather quickly that she might want to spend the rest of her life with him. What a relief it had been when, following graduation, they’d received church appointments fifteen miles apart. She remembered when John had first told her how happy he was that they would be able to see one another often. At last, he had made a positive comment about their future, perhaps. Elle couldn’t suppress a giggle when she thought yet again that for such a smart man, he certainly was slow to speak. “What?” John asked

“Oh, nothing.”

The boring movie finally ended. John always finished what he started, whether it was a book, movie, or plate of food. Elle allowed herself the luxury of not finishing a book or movie if it didn’t hold her interest. She knew life was too short for such nonsense as plowing through boredom, especially if it wasn’t a class assignment.

Elle stood up to head for home. She stretched her arms up, and John put his arms around her waist. Her arms came down around his neck, and they kissed goodnight. Lucy got up and stretched with her doggie behind in the air and chin on the floor. She trotted to the front door and patiently waited for her mistress.

“Take care of your momma, Lucy. Bye, Elle. Honey, be careful. Call me when you get home.” Lucy looked back at John as if to say, “You can trust me to keep her safe.” Lucy was a beautiful dog Elle had adopted for her safety and peace of mind. After surviving a kidnapping, Elle felt the need for a watchdog and faithful companion. Lucy had proven herself to be all of that for her mistress who lived alone in the church parsonage near the edge of town. Elle felt comfortable in her home again, and her family relaxed.