Arizona Pastor by Jennifer Collins Johnson Page B

changing,” said Greg.
    Ron furrowed his brows at the younger man and humphed as he plopped down in a chair.
    â€œHow’s Wilma tonight?” asked Chad. He winked, and Wade had a feeling the music minister had just averted an argument between the two men.
    â€œShe and Dortha went to dinner together, since Freddy and I are here.” He looked around the restaurant. “Where is Freddy?”
    â€œI’m here, old man.” Freddy patted Ron’s back. “Just had to use the men’s room.” He plopped down beside his friend.
    Wade glanced at the time on his smartphone. Fifteen minutes past the agreed-upon time. “Looks as if this is all of us.”
    Greg nodded. “A lot of people go on vacation in June.”
    â€œUsually twenty or so men show up,” added Chad.
    â€œMichael Preston was parking when I pulled up,” said Ron. “Poor guy looks exhausted.”
    Chad wrinkled his nose. “I’ve heard Noah’s not sleeping well.” Michael walked in, and Chad motioned him to the table.
    â€œMel said she and Kristy kept him, and he cried most of the night,” responded Greg.
    â€œThat was really nice of them to keep the baby,” said Wade.
    â€œCarrie only allowed it because Kristy’s her sister,” said Michael. He nodded to each of them, then sat across from Ron. “It was the best sleep ever.”
    Wade sat beside Michael. “I didn’t know they were sisters.”
    â€œYep. Another sister is stationed in Japan. And her parents are missionaries in Brazil. With my family living in Kentucky, Kristy is all the family we have.”
    The waitress arrived for their drink orders, and since each of them knew what he wanted, she wrote down their meals, as well. Wade wondered if Michael and Carrie knew about Mel’s pregnancy and upcoming wedding. He imagined that while taking care of her fussy nephew, Kristy had worried about how Mel would handle the same situation. He itched to call and check up on her, but his attraction for her made him hesitant.
    â€œNow, you know Wilma and I would watch your little guy anytime you needed us,” said Ron.
    â€œThat’s very kind of you,” said Michael. He turned to Chad. “I meant to mention it on Sunday and forgot. That new song you presented during worship was awesome.”
    â€œIt’s one of my favorites, too,” added Greg. “The students begged to sing it at youth group.”
    Freddy shifted in his seat. “It was a bit too upbeat to me.”
    â€œAnd too loud,” added Ron. “And I’m hard of hearing.”
    â€œI don’t have a problem with clapping and raising your hands at the service,” said Freddy, “but there was a girl a few rows in front of us actually shaking her rear end.”
    Ron shook his head. “Not appropriate.”
    â€œI agree we don’t want people dancing provocatively,” said Chad, “but even David danced before the Lord when the Ark of the Covenant was brought back to Jerusalem.”
    â€œI bet he wasn’t shaking his rear end,” snorted Ron.
    â€œI want to hold the hymnal in my hands,” said Freddy. He turned to Wade. His expression implored Wade to agree. “What’s wrong with the old hymns?”
    â€œNothing,” said Greg. “But there isn’t anything wrong with the contemporary songs today, either.”
    â€œIt’s like the different translations,” said Ron. “I finally get used to the NIV, and now the reverend is reading from the ESV.”
    â€œWade,” Greg responded.
    Ron narrowed his gaze at the youth minister, and Wade cleared his throat. He looked at Ron. “Yes, please call me Wade.” He opened his hands. “I’m sure we can come to some compromises.”
    Freddy leaned back in his chair. “The older generation doesn’t like all these changes, especially when they’re not brought before the church