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The men stood at the back of the mission, shaking hands with those who had gathered. Lachlan stepped closer to Josiah, touching his elbow as he indicated that he would like to speak to him to the side for a moment.
Slipping Josiah his debit credit card, he lowered his voice, "The flight leaves at 9:35."
Josiah glanced at the clock as he placed his bank card backhe men stood at the back of the mission, shaking hands with those who had gathered. Lachlan stepped closer to Josiah, touching his elbow as he indicated that he would like to speak to him to the side for a moment.
Slipping Josiah his debit credit card, he lowered his voice, "The flight leaves at 9:35."
Josiah glanced at the clock as he placed his bank card back into his wallet.
Lachlan turned to his friend and employer, "It came to fifty-eight thousand dollars. Round trip, but still."
It was an astronomical amount of money yet Josiah didn't show any concern, not even as much as a blink.
"I'll pay you back for my fare. I'm actually not sure why you want me to come after..."
"We must leave soon," was Josiah's only comment. He stepped away, then turned and called over his shoulder, "I have an assignment for you in Israel."
Their voices were low, but not low enough for Sheila to miss. She hurried over to where her husband stood speaking with Pastor Hexley.
"I used to pass out these Gospel Tracts. They said, 'If you were to die today, are you 100% sure you'd go to Heaven?' I had a map and I'd do one street at a time passing them out then mark the street as done," Mark looked at the wall, the days of his evangelizing a fond memory. “Hearing the speaker tonight, I know I have to get back to spreading the Gospel. I have more time now that I'm not working. If I had time back then, I can find time now," he shared his conviction with the pastor, once great friends.
Sheila tugged on her husband's sleeve, "We need to talk."
Mark huffed but walked away, Sheila leading him by her grip on his arm.
"Josiah paid for all of us to go to Israel...I heard Lachlan say it came to fifty-eight thousand dollars. Do you know what that means Mark?"
Her eyes were shining but she emphasized each word, "He's loaded! Filthy rich! I think we should forget about pushing Lachlan and Arlana together. Our ministry needs Josiah's money."
Mark looked over at the young man. Sheila was right. He'd have to be a bit more careful, at least until Josiah helped fund his fledgling church. Mark had great plans for his ministry and if he had access to Josiah's money, the sky was the limit. Arlana had done well, snagging a Mr. Money Bags.
Time to play nice.
***
MARK SOUGHT OUT JOSIAH as they packed up, ready to leave.
"I've always thought of going to Israel and seeing where Jesus lived would be quite the experience but there is no way..."
Mark had too much pride to admit it was financially impossible for him, let alone the entire family.
"I can't possibly accept this."
"Don't worry. Consider it my wedding gift to your family," Josiah set him at ease without injuring his pride. "I want my bride's family to be there for our wedding, as my family will be."
It made sense, but Mark still couldn't wrap his mind around the amount of money Josiah had just paid for the trip. He hoped Josiah didn't expect him to pay for the wedding.
Was he a big spender or was there more where that came from? He had better ideas on how to spend that kind of money.
***
"DO YOU THINK MOM CAN make the trip?" Sheila asked her sister.
Debbie raked her fingers through her freshly cropped hair.
"She's never flown before, but as Mom will only be sitting and can rest...Oh, we just love Israel and this will be the opportunity of a lifetime! How could we say no?" Her eyes sparkled.
Sheila looked at Mark. With her mother going on the trip, that changed things.
Mark nodded. The turn of events was incredible and he was still letting it sink in that one of his life-long dreams was now almost a reality.
"When do we leave?" He accepted Josiah's offer.
They'd need time to prepare. Their luggage was already in the trunk as they'd intended to head home after the service.
"I just need to make a few calls..."
Debbie reached for her cell phone as they stepped out of the mission.
"It is still early - I can grab a few things for Mom and I at a store." She turned to Adelaide, "What do they have for clothing stores around here?
Sheila looked up at her youngest children who towered over her, looking first at Jared, then Isaac.
"I'd love to go," Isaac answered first, "I'll just have to call my boss," he dug into his pants pocket for his new cell phone.
Jared scowled, "I'm not going. It's not even Israel. Rockefeller gave it to the Turks who call themselves Jews."
Josiah frowned at Jared's barbed words but didn't answer, refusing to add fuel to his fire. A soft answer turns away wrath...how much better silence?
Arlana slipped her arm inside Josiah's, offering silent support.
"You're going," Mark decided for his prized son, "Call your boss."
"I don't like the idea of going to Israel, but..."
Gavin filled Adelaide in on what all the buzz was about as she stood outside their car watching the children play.
"We should be there for the wedding," Adelaide nodded, "Show my sister support."
She was no fan of the Jews but to be able to walk where Jesus walked, well, that was the opportunity of a lifetime.
"But we can't possibly afford it," her smile disappeared.
Adelaide was in charge of the family's finances and instantly gave up.
"Arlana's fiance is paying for everyone - Jaira too - and our accommodations are taken care of. We just need to pack."
***
TERRELL REACHED FOR Jaira's hand, "I'm guessing you are heading back to your place?"
He was just a little curious about why she hadn't introduced him to her brother-in-law yet.
"I was hoping to take you out for a coffee," he grinned, "Don't worry, I'll have you home before the clock strikes twelve."
Gavin overheard their conversation, "We aren't going home."
He couldn't believe he was saying this, "We are leaving for Israel tonight. Adelaide will explain later."
"What do you mean 'We?'"
Jaira reached for Terrell's hand.
"All of us. Our family. Apparently, we are going to Arlana's wedding or something like that. I don't know all the details yet, but we leave tonight."
Terrell couldn't just invite himself and it was likely too late to purchase a plane ticket. He squeezed Jaira's fingers.
They walked toward Josiah who was still speaking to a handful of those who had come out to the service. The crowd had thinned considerably so he shouldn't be much longer now.
Lachlan held upon the main door, "Let's head out. Josiah should be ready in the next ten minutes or so."
***
"I WISH YOU WEREN'T going..."
Terrell also wished they were married and he had more say in the decision making. He hadn't worked up the courage to tell her how he felt and now, well, he honestly hadn't seen this coming.
Terrell echoed Jaira's heart.
"I wouldn't go if I had a choice," her brow furrowed in an all-too-familiar pout. "I honestly don't even really see how this has much to do with me. It's not like Arlana and I are even close anymore, but apparently, Josiah went ahead and bought the tickets without asking anyone first. I think that's pretty rude if you ask me. It's not like we don't have our own lives. I met him last year when I came down to Ontario. Trust me, he is actually a real jerk."
Terrell raised an eyebrow, glancing over at the man in question. He hadn't gotten that vibe but he barely knew the guy. Can't judge a book by their cover, they say.
Jaira turned her attention back to Terrell, "I have some pretty big decisions to make."
Terrell pulled her into his arms, "Then let me help you make the right decision."
His mouth covered hers in a deep, passionate kiss as he took her to heaven and back.
Jaira's knees buckled as she wrapped her arms around his neck, standing on her toes even though his head was lowered. He kissed her for the first time, giving her a taste of his pent up desire. Jaira forgot where she was as time and space swirled past her.
Terrell finally released her, his eyes blazing with something she had never seen before but it made her tremble. Jaira
unconsciously touched her bottom lip he had just nibbled. Never had she been kissed like that...
"Stay with me," he winked.
Jaira grinned, "I'll be counting down the minutes 'till I can be back here."
She said it lightheartedly, but she meant every word.
"I'm sorry," Arlana lowered her voice when Jaira turned around, "I didn't realize you were...um...I had no idea."
Arlana had only wanted to ask her sister where the washroom was located, never expecting to see her making out with Terrell of all people. They went way back.
Jaira scowled, "You're in no position to judge me."
Her words stung, hitting Arlana's heart.
"I wasn't judging," she quickly explained, "I was just going to ask where the washroom is."
It was Terrell who answered her question, his eyes still hazy with passion.
"Hey Arlana. You're looking good. The washroom is just past the exit sign. If you go down that hallway and turn left, you can't miss it."
Arlana smiled her appreciation, then followed his instructions.
"Where were we?"
Terrell grinned, lowering his head once more, kissing away Jaira's scowl.