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"Yes, indeed. I'm sure you're aware of the arrests from last night."
"I am." He nods. "It's a terrible shame about your Associate Priest and Director of Ministry Outreach. I'm not too familiar with Dennis, but Mrs. Templeton has been a staple in this community for longer than I can remember."
"Yes, Saint Alban's is suffering too many devastating losses."
"Speaking of losses. Have you narrowed down what they took out of here?" His eyes scan the room, probably trying to imagine what it looked like before Harper and I cleaned it up last night.
I pull out my packet of files and put it on the desk. "These are reports showing the fraud and embezzlement of church funds by Dennis and Mrs. Templeton. It's only for the past two years, but I'm sure there's more evidence in the archive room files. What's going to happen to them?"
"If they're found guilty, then they'll do their time and be suspended from the church. However, if they're not, we'll simply move them to a different parish if they want to continue their service to our Lord. I understand a young church member was here as well. Is she alright?"
"Harper is doing well for now. I'm going to keep an eye on her to be on the safe side. About Miss Haven, Monsignor. I have to tellyou that I'm rethinking my duties as a priest for this parish or any for that matter. I plan on marrying her."
"That's wonderful, Father Hudgens. Happiness at home leads to happiness from the parishioners."
"Being that I've sinned with Harper, is there a need for me to step down?"
"No, but I understand if you want to, Hunter. I am not God. I cannot forgive your sins, but I commend your confession. Talk to God, my son, and seek your forgiveness with him. I am but a man, a mere vessel of the ministry, and it's not up to me to determine the best way for you to worship."
"Thank you, Monsignor."
"You have my blessing, and the choice to continue as a member of the clergy lies between you and the Lord. Send your documents and reports to my office along with your decision. I'll begin a search to replace the servants lost to the temptations of the devil."
I thank him again, and our discussion continues into the early afternoon when volunteers come in for the lunch service. The Archbishop is like a celebrity while the members fawn all over him, but that gives me hope of staying right here. I'll have to talk this through with Harper.
My mind reels from what she's going to say. I don't want to pressure her into becoming the wife of a priest, but she must know that it's a possibility. If there's a way for me to find comfort in serving the people of this parish while loving Harper out loud, I'm going to do it.
The heavy thud of three sturdy knocks on my office door brings me out of my musings. My eyes look up to see three intimidating men stepping inside and closing the door behind them.
The Haven brothers, although frightening from the tales I hear from gossiping church members, don't give me that kind of energy as they each take a seat around the office. I know them individually, but this is the first time they're in my office as a unit.
"Good afternoon, fellas. How can I help you?"
Hayden grumbles and leans forward. "What are your plans with our sister?"
"I plan on marrying her, with your blessing of course."
"Does she know that?" Hudson asks.
"Of course, she does. I'm not insane. My love for her is undeniable and unstoppable. I was ready to take a bullet for her last night."
"Told you," Hendrix says to them. "Harper's not stupid and doesn't make stupid choices. Let it go, guys."
"No, it's perfectly okay to not let it go. Harper is a special young woman. She deserves protection and safety, and while I plan to give her that, I also plan on giving her the world. I don't expect anything less from her family. I plan on speaking to your father as well."
"No need," Hayden says. "You have the blessing of the Haven men to marry our Harper. Besides, he's on the road doing some ranch consultations."
The three Haven boys stand, with Hayden extending his hand out to me. We shake and he gives me a nod of approval. Hudson shakes my hand next, and when Hendrix rises to do the same, he says, "Thank you for keeping her safe and we look forward to having you in the family, Father."
The three Haven brothers leave my office a few minutes later, and it gives me ideas about what to do next. While getting the blessing from them means the world to me, I still find the contact information for their parents in the church listing.
It doesn't take long to get Hank and Honour Haven on a video conference call. The conversation is just as short as the one with Harper’s brothers. They're ecstatic to have me in the family. At least, Mrs. Haven is. She gushes over the prestige of having a priest they can have on speed dial. They give me nothing but hope in building our relationship.
The anticipation of our future together is too distracting to keep me at work. Harper's family giving me their blessing is all I need to leave work early and do some shopping. By the time I get back to my place later that evening, Harper's still slaving over the church's documents. However, the minute I walk in, she leaves the work to leap into my arms.
My god this is perfect. Her legs wrap around my waist, and our kiss is electric. I set her down, and she's already off to the races, talking a mile a minute about everything she's looked at throughout the day.
"If we have an afternoon program, similar to Sunday school but with older young volunteers teaching and helping some of the younger ones, that can inspire more volunteers. We can offer them letters of reference for their academic careers, and it alsoshows them that working with the church is more than being a priest or a nun."
