Chapter Seventeen, Without A Doubt

Every few steps, Adam and Beth were stopped with a greeting. Everyone seemed eager to introduce themselves to "Adam's new lady friend." It might have been tolerable except for the horde of single women who seemed to come out of the woodwork. Some were friendly enough, but others…

"Adam! I'm so glad you're back! What kept you away so long? You know we always miss you when you're gone. Things just aren't the same around here without you. And who might this be?" The tall, slender Hollywood look-alike sized Beth up in one scathing look.

"This is a friend of mine, Beth Gallagher. Beth, this is an old schoolmate, Melanie Post."

"Nice to meet you." Beth held out a hand that Melanie ignored.

She flipped her platinum hair over her shoulder and threw a hurt look Adam's way. "Old? Oh, Adam…you're too funny. I guess we have known each other practically forever, though." Resting her hand on Adam's arm, she batted her eyes and added a little pout to her lips. "I'll forgive you for the 'old' comment if you come to lunch with me today?"

"No, thank you. Beth and I have plans. Have you seen Mom?"

"Your mom?" She appeared befuddled for a moment with her sculpted eyebrows puckered. "Oh…yes. She's sitting in her regular pew."

"Thanks, Mel. We'd better catch up to her. Later."

Wrapping his arm around Beth's waist, Adam pulled her along beside him and beat a hasty retreat. Well, as hasty as one could maneuver through this mob. One glance at Melanie and Beth knew she just made the girl's "most hated" list.

With Adam's mother several pews away, it took forever to reach her. Not that Pigeon Forge Community Church was a colossal building with hundreds of members. But, the old, white clapboard building whose steeple rose among the treetops was bursting at the seams with what must be the entire town.

"Good morning, Adam. Glad to see you're back." A shy, raven-haired beauty stopped them just before reaching his mother.

"Morning, Simone. How are you today?"

Adam seemed a little warmer toward this tiny, unassuming woman with eyes of coal. A sudden sense of loss washed over Beth that she didn't understand. Squashing the confusing feelings, she studied Simone and concluded that there was no way Adam could overlook such a beautiful, sweet spirited girl. He'd have to be blind. She seemed so different from all the other girls she met this morning. It wouldn't be long before Adam discovered it, as well…if he hadn't already.

It doesn't matter. I'm here to clear my head and decide what to do about Kyle…not to find a replacement for him. Shaking off the sudden melancholy, she focused on the conversation.

"Well, I need to go. It was nice meeting you, Beth." Simone studied Beth for a moment. Giving her head a decided nod, she said, "I like you. I'm glad Adam finally found you and I hope to see you around. You two enjoy the day. Bye." And with that she was gone.

Beth turned to Adam and searched his face for answers to her confusion. "Did I miss something? What did she mean?"

Adam grinned like a schoolboy and shrugged. "Let's join Mom before we're over-run again." Cupping her elbow, he guided her to a petite woman with chestnut hair and a radiant smile.

"Adam…you made it. And you must be Beth that I've heard so much about." She opened her arms and engulfed Beth in a motherly hug. "I'm Silvia Blythe and it's about time I get to meet you. I told Adam that he needed to bring you by the house, but he thought you might be skittish about coming since you don't know us that well. Now that we've met, I hope you'll join us for lunch."

Beth nodded. "Yes…that's the plan. Thank you for the invitation."

"I'm only too glad to have you. Come…sit between us and we'll protect you from the vultures."

"Vultures?" Confused, Beth looked to Adam for clarification.

Laughing, he shook his head. "I'll explain later…unless you figure it out on your own."

"Which she's very likely to do. Thankfully, service is about to start. The hunt won't begin until afterward, now." Silvia chuckled.

For the life of her, Beth couldn't figure out what Silvia meant. Thinking back over their arrival at church, expressions of surprise, curiosity, and even animosity flitted through her mind. What? Has Adam never shown up at church with a girl before?

She looked around and saw glances of anticipation, intrigue, and hostility darting her way from every direction in the sanctuary. That must be it. They all think he found a girlfriend while he was away and he's bringing her home for the first time. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth at the thought. If they only knew the truth--

"You mean you guessed already?"

Her heart skipped at the sound of Adam's voice rumbling low in her ear. Surprised to find him watching her, she tried to keep the flush from suffusing her face. Shrugging, she lifted her face to his ear and whispered. "I have an idea. But, I still want to hear your explanation."

Nodding, he grabbed the hymn book, opening it as the pastor gave the call to worship and announced the first hymn.

The pastor's message captivated Beth from the start. "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

"In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies…let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." (Ephesians 5: 25-33 ESV)

"Last week I spoke to the men about the subject of loving their wives and wives respecting their husbands. Today's message is for the unmarried women. Young girls, you listen, too. Store this information away for a day when you'll need it.

"Now, how do you go about finding a mate? How will you recognize the right man when he comes along? How do you know if your boyfriend is the right one for you?"

Riveted, Beth absorbed every word the minister spoke for the next half hour.

"Ladies, it's vital that you find a man whom you respect. If you do not respect a man outside of marriage, you certainly won't respect him within the marriage. And let me tell you, relationships don't grow easier once you've said the 'I do's.' Just ask my wife," he grinned as the congregation chuckled. "No. It gets tougher. So, start out on the right track. Ask yourself, 'Is this a man I respect?'

"Secondly…examine the situation. Is he a God-fearing man? Does his Christian walk encourage you in your own walk with Christ? Or, do you find that your relationship with him stifles your spiritual life?

"Also, consider how he treats his mother? More than likely, he'll treat you much the same way, though probably not as well. And, remember…once you're married, it is God's will for you to submit to his authority as the head of the home. Is the man you're dating a man you would want to submit to…one you can trust enough to be vulnerable with and place yourself under his authority?

"Think about these things…pray about them…and don't allow yourself to become involved with a man you cannot respect and obey. It doesn't matter how gushy and giddy he makes you feel. If you can't respect him, those feelings will vanish like the morning dew once you become his Mrs.

"If you're already engaged or perhaps you've even already given yourself to him physically, I want you to know that it's still not too late to break it off…"

A sense of peace washed over Beth. I don't know what you have planned for me, Lord, but I know now without a doubt that Kyle was a mistake all along. Thank you for bringing me to this place and showing me the right decision to make. Now, give me strength and wisdom to follow through with your leading…