Page 2 of A Cowboy's Convenient Marriage

He knew that there were many people who hated the Lord and did not want to see anything good happen in any church, who would jump on this and ride it hard, criticizing anyone who dared defend a man who would take advantage of a young girl. He would be tarred and feathered and strung up metaphorically before the first newscast was over.

John was right. The only way to save the church and the work he had carried out for the Lord for the last decade or so was for him to immediately remove himself from any association with it.

The thought hurt, but it was the only course of action that could potentially not just save the church but help it to grow. People would know that this church, while holding onto biblical principles, also kept those in the ministry accountable and protected the young and innocent. It was possible that people would actually be drawn to the church instead of leaving it in droves like John had just been talking about.

Maybe if they hadn’t just borrowed four million dollars and were almost finished with the construction of a brand-new sanctuary and activity center, which would be big enough to hold two thousand people in the sanctuary and five thousand people in the bleachers of the activity center, maybe he would try to hang on. But if the church defaulted on that loan, they would lose the building and their congregation.

Chapter 2

John shifted, almostas though he wanted to step closer, but he held his ground. “I’m sorry. I really am. You have no idea how terrible I felt when I heard this. How much I knew that you had to be innocent. But how much I also knew what had to be done.”

He was looking for sympathy. John. Who was firing Cash, kicking him out of the pastorate of the church he started, with no care for the fact that his wedding was just two weeks away, and he was going to be starting out his married life with no job, no income, no way to support the family he had hoped to start immediately.

A feeling of compassion welled up inside of him which could only have come from the Lord. John really had a hard job. He’d had to tell his best friend and pastor, a man he respected and loved, that he no longer had a church or job. That must have been really difficult.

“I’m sorry. I can’t imagine having to do this.” The next words were a little harder but no less heartfelt. “I value your friendship. Feel free to reach out to me if you need anything.”

Then, with a heart that felt like it had shattered into a million pieces and a confidence level that seemed to have found a hole to bury itself in, he took a breath. “I’ll leave everything in my office for the next man. I hope and pray you find a good one.”

Then, with that, he turned toward the door.

“Cash?”

He stopped but didn’t turn back around.

“The board specifically asked me to make sure you turned your phone in. It’s...church property.”

Really? They were going to take his phone from him as well?

But Cash couldn’t question it. The church had purchased the phone and paid his bill. After all, ninety-five percent of the business he did on his phone was church related. Calling shut-ins, setting up meetings, discussing everything from the color of the carpet to what hymnbooks they were purchasing for the new building, and all the stuff in between. So much of that business to be done on his phone.

And there was nothing inappropriate on it. He reached into his pocket and pulled it out.

“Grab a pen. I’ll tell you my password.” He had face ID enabled, but he also had the password backup set up as well.

John’s lips tightened, but he dutifully got a pen and notebook and waited while Cash rambled off the numbers.

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