Arizona Pastor by Jennifer Collins Johnson

and blinked several times to keep tears from streaming down her cheeks.
    â€œI know,” Mel mumbled.
    â€œCome on. Let’s go call Grandma and Grandpa and tell them. Then we’ll Skype Kaitlyn in Japan.” Carrie wrapped her arm around Mel’s shoulder. “No one is going to be as hard on you as me.”
    Mel huffed. “That’s for sure.”
    â€œJust promise me you’ll pray about the marriage and college.”
    â€œFine. I promise.”
    Kristy closed her eyes, lifting a silent prayer to God that her sister had got enough through that Mel would consider He might have a different plan. A sudden thought occurred to her. Maybe God had a different plan for the rest of Kristy’s life, too. And could it possibly include a handsome single pastor?

Chapter 11
    K risty sat behind the large wooden desk at the community college, opened her laptop and logged on to the class. She clicked on the electronic Dropbox storage and checked that everyone had submitted the latest writing assignment. She frowned when she saw neither Hannah nor Curt had submitted their papers.
    Curt’s first assignment had been poorly done, and she wasn’t overly surprised he might be late with the next one. But Hannah had done an exceptional job. Her paper had been well researched and insightful. Opening a new tab, she logged on to the class rosters. She noted that Curt was no longer listed and must have dropped the class. Not a shock. But Hannah was still there.
    Kristy jotted a reminder on a Post-it note to speak with Hannah, and then she uploaded the presentation for the day. While she straightened the handouts, students filed into the classroom. She greeted them with a nod, then realized she’d forgotten to silence her smartphone.
    Pulling it out of her purse, she saw a text message with only one word from Mel. Thanks. Kristy’s heart swelled with gratitude. After Wade, Carrie and Noah had left, Mel had opened up about her fears concerning being a wife and mother. Despite Carrie’s rebuke, Mel remained adamant in her decisions. After really listening to her daughter and praying over her own heart, Kristy wasn’t sure what the best decisions were for Mel. Thankfully, Mel was open to heeding God’s instruction, which meant Kristy needed to have faith and get out of the way.
    â€œGood morning, Professor Phillips,” Hannah mumbled.
    Kristy took in the young woman’s messy ponytail, dark bags under her eyes and disheveled clothes. “Rough morning?”
    â€œJonah has the chicken pox. He’s been running a fever and whining and trying to scratch at the sores. I finally got him to sleep at eleven last night. By the time I posted my assignment, he was up crying again.”
    â€œYou posted your assignment?” Kristy cocked her head. “For this class?”
    Hannah nodded. “Yes, ma’am. It was eleven-thirty or later, but I got it in before midnight.”
    â€œYour assignment isn’t showing up.” She took the sticky note off her desk. “I’d even made myself a note to ask you about it.”
    Tears welled in Hannah’s eyes as she shook her head. “I know I sent it. I’ve been busy and tired, but I know—”
    Kristy placed her hand on Hannah’s forearm. “Don’t worry. Just resubmit it after class.”
    The young woman dug through her oversize blue-and-green tote bag. “I’ve got my flash drive right here. It’s saved on it. I can do it right now.” Her voice cracked. “I don’t want you to think I’m slacking.”
    Hannah’s fatigue was getting the best of her emotions.Kristy understood. She’d been there a few times herself. “It’s okay, Hannah. I believe you.”
    â€œI’d still feel better if I submitted it right now. Is the computer lab open?”
    Kristy pinched her lips together. The lab probably wasn’t open yet, especially since most of the