“That’s wonderful, Andrew,” Sandra said. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”
“I wanted to surprise you. And there’s more to the surprise. They want to interview both of us.”
“Both of us?” she exclaimed.
“Of course,” he said. “What’s a pastor without his First Lady?”
“You’ve got that right,” Jackie Thomas said.
Andrew looked back at the group. “For now, Sandra and I will be the face of the church, but I don’t want any of you to think that means your contribution is less valuable. It doesn’t. We all have different roles to play and it takes all of us doing our part to make this work. Agreed?” Again, he waited for everybody’s nod. “Then that’s it for today. Thanks for all your hard work. I’ll see you all on Tuesday.”
Andrew and Sandra stayed in the conference room while the others filed out. “We’ve had some day, Pastor Gooden.”
“Yes, we have, First Lady Gooden. And this is only the beginning. The sky is the limit for us and for this ministry. God has opened the windows of heaven so He can rain down blessings on us. He started with the lottery and He has no plans to close it.”
“Excuse us.”
They both turned at the sound of Sandra’s father’s voice. He and her mother stood in the entrance to the conference room. “Come on in, Dad, Mom,” Andrew said. “Have a seat and join us. We’re just winding down.”
“Where are the kids?” Sandra asked after her parents had seated themselves at the conference table.
“They’re with the Salley kids. Pastor Salley had some last-minute something to do in his office. Mrs. Salley is watching them.”
Sandra nodded. “Thanks, Mom.”
Her father cleared his throat. “I want you both to know how proud I am of you and what you’re doing here in this church. It was something to see you help those people with their mortgages and rent. So many churches want to pray and do nothing else. I’m glad Showers of Blessings is different.”
Sandra shot a quick glance at her mother, but the older woman’s face told her nothing.
“Your blessing means a lot, Dad,” Andrew said. “It always has.”
“It’s no secret that I didn’t approve of you in the beginning, Andrew,” he said. “I thought I saw too much of myself in you, too much recklessness. I’m happy to say I was wrong. You’ve been a good husband to my girl and a good father to my grandchildren. And now you’re going to be a great pastor to the congregation God gives you.”
Andrew reached for Sandra’s hand and squeezed it. “I couldn’t do it without your daughter by my side. I’m a better man with her. I’ve always known that.”
Grady winked. “We’re both lucky when it comes to wives,” he said, smiling at his wife. “I got myself a winner, too.”
Sandra’s mother waved off the compliment.
“It’s true,” Grady said to Ida. “I just wish I had been as good a husband to you as the boy here has been to our girl. I’m sorry for the years I wasted.”
Ida blinked back tears. “A marriage is for better or worse,” she said. “We’ve had our share of worse but we’ve had more than our share of better. I’m happy with the deal.”
“So am I,” Grady said.
“We should celebrate,” Sandra said.
“Celebrate what?” Ida asked.
“Our happy marriages. We don’t ever want to take them for granted.”
“Sounds like a good idea to me,” Andrew said, standing. “Why don’t we go out for dinner? Those refreshments didn’t do the job for me.”
“Me either,” Grady said, standing as well.
“I could eat a little something,” Ida said. “And those kids are probably hungry from all that running around.”
“They aren’t the only ones,” Sandra said. “Let’s get them so we can head out.”
“I’ll round up the kids,” Sandra’s father said.
“I need to stop by my office for a quick minute,” Andrew said. “I’ll meet you all at the entrance.”
With that, Andrew left for his office and Sandra’s dad headed off in search of his grandkids. Sandra was left with her mother.
“Dad said he was proud of us, Mom,” she said, “but you haven’t said anything.”
“I’ve said what I need to say, Sandra. Nothing has changed.”
“But can’t you see what we’re doing here?”
Her mother shook her head. “What I see is a church built on a rocky foundation. I just hope you don’t face a strong wind.”
Chapter 13
“Are you sure I look okay?” Sandra asked her husband when they stepped off the elevator on the fourth floor of the WTAL building that housed the studio for the local CBS affiliate. She wore a cap sleeve cornflower blue Maria Pinto dress identical to the one Michelle Obama had worn to the third presidential debate. In fact, the closet of their new house would be filled with Michelle originals. Clothes were top among the things she’d splurged on since they’d gotten their windfall.
Andrew brushed a kiss against her cheek. “When it comes to First Ladies, Michelle Obama’s got nothing on you.”
Sandra frowned. “Be serious, Andrew,” she said.
“I am serious,” he said. “You look wonderful. That color is going to show up well on television.”
Sandra wanted to believe her husband’s words but she began to second-guess herself and him. Had her arms been in better condition, she could have worn that sleeveless navy blue and white polka-dotted Lanvin Resort dress identical to the one Michelle had worn to that D. C. elementary school the other day. She’d start working out with a personal trainer as soon as they moved into the new house. She already had him lined up. She’d have her Michelle Obama arms in no time.
She and Andrew followed the long hallway to the receptionist’s desk. “We’re the Goodens,” he told the young woman sitting behind the desk.
“Good morning,” she said, standing. “We were expecting you. I’ll take you to the green room where the other guests are waiting.”
Sandra caught her husband’s eye, mouthed “green room,” and shook her head. He grinned at her.
They followed the receptionist through a set of glass double doors, down another hallway that opened to a lounge where a continental breakfast had been prepared. Sandra’s eyed roamed from the delicious-looking pastries to the other couple in the room. She swallowed hard. It was Pastor McCorry and Vickie. Before she could say anything, the young receptionist was making introductions.
“We already know each other,” Pastor McCorry said, cutting the young girl off. “In fact, we’re old friends.”
The young girl smiled. “Well, it shouldn’t be long before they call you in for makeup. Enjoy the breakfast and let me know if I can get you anything else.”
“Everything’s