Stepping Down Read Online Free Page A

but her body, the way she sat was unforgettable.
    He
forced his eyes to travel in another direction. “Here at New Vision, we have
something for everyone. If you’re into traditional ministries, we’ve got a
choir, a lovely hospitality team.” Mark extended an arm toward Miss April, the
head of that ministry.
    She
gave a toothy smile and a humble bow, appearing almost giddy with the
recognition.
    Mark
continued. “If you’re the more contemporary type, we have ministries for
artists, dancers, rappers; you name it we’ve got it. And if we don’t have it, maybe you can start it. We believe God is calling everyone to service
in these last days.”
    A
soft “amen” trickled from the small crowd.
    “So
on behalf of my pastoral staff, my wife in her absence—she’s serious
about getting home and making sure that meat turns out just right, you know?”
    The
visitors laughed at his half-truth. Sharla was probably on her way home, but
since she was in one of her moods, she certainly wasn’t at home slaving over a
stove in their kitchen. Mark hoped the Lord would charge that lie to his wife’s
account. If she’d been there, like a First Lady was supposed to be, he wouldn’t
have felt the need to make up stories about what might otherwise appear as his
wife’s lack of concern.
    “And
on behalf of the entire New Vision body, we welcome you with open arms and hope
that you will be back again. I leave you in the hands of the membership team.”
    With
that, Mark waved and left the room. Jonathan trailed slightly behind, but
slipped ahead of Mark when he entered the pastor’s suite so that he could
unlock the door for them both.
    “Pastor,
the pastoral advisory meeting will convene in thirty minutes. Rev. Marshall has already printed the spreadsheets
and placed them at your seat in the conference room.”
    “Great,”
Mark said.
    “Can
I get you anything? A bite to eat before we start?” Jonathan offered, following
Mark into the inner office and laying the Pastor’s belongings on his desk.
    “Yeah.
A two-piece from Popeye’s. With fries and a Sprite, if you think you can make
it back in time.”
    “I’m
on it.” Jonathan scurried out of the office.
    That
boy certainly was an eager beaver. For what, Mark wasn’t quite sure. Maybe a
shot at the podium? A chance to lead something? No matter, Jonathan would get
nothing but high praise from Mark if he kept up this pace.
    He
was a good assistant. Not as good as Sharla had been, though. She used to ask
him on Saturday nights what he wanted to eat Sunday, if he had a meeting
planned. Then she’d pack the meal in his lunch bag. She used neat plastic
containers and wrapped all necessary plastic ware in a napkin. She might throw
in a piece of candy for dessert. Often, she would stick a little note inside: I
love you! or Got a surprise for you when you get home . He’d almost
gotten to the point where he looked forward to the notes more than the food.
    Those
were the good old days.
    “Excuse
me,” a woman’s voice called from the reception area.
    “Yes?”
    And
there she was again, standing at his private doorway. Mark pieced it all
together and realized that in his rush, Jonathan must have left the suite door
unlocked.
    Mark
stood and walked toward her. He opened the door wider and ushered her right
back toward the hallway where he knew a fair amount of after-church traffic
would keep them both in plain sight.
    Problem
was, in his effort to keep this woman in front of him, he got a good look at
her behind. Mark was just about ready to question the Lord as to why on earth
He would give one woman all that to work with.
    Granted,
she wasn’t the first beautiful woman to come on to him. But something about this woman, this time…Mark empathized with David, Solomon, Sampson and every
other man of God in the Bible who had a weakness for women. He knew he didn’t
need to be within ten feet of her without a flock of witnesses.
    He
played with the change in his pockets.