“Stop. I’m going to pee on myself if you don’t.” It took several minutes for Rachel to get herself back under control. “You actually grabbed Shade by the balls?”

Lily nodded her head.

“Why?”

“Because he made me angry with the way he treated Kaley.” Rachel gave her a wry glance before she began to fold the clothes from the bag.

“Are you sure that’s all there was to it? You weren’t just a little bit jealous?” Rachel probed.

“No, I wasn’t. Shade’s just Beth and Razer’s friend, that’s all.”

“Um, hm… I think the lady protests too much.”

Lily tossed one of the t-shirts at her and Rachel laughed, dodging her.

The door opening had both women turning to see who had entered.

“Hi, girls.”

“Hi, Willa.” Willa Weeks was in her early thirties. She was a caterer who specialized in cakes. Her creations had even made a few food magazines. Her cupcakes were also just as delicious-looking, more like little creations of art that didn’t deserve to be eaten.

“I have several bags of old clothes to donate if you can use them. I also updated my kitchen if you need any kitchen appliances. I have the clothes in the car, but the appliances are in my garage at home. I couldn’t move them by myself, so if you can get them picked up, the church can have them.”

“That’s great. The church could give them to someone who really needs them,” Rachel said.

“I thought of a couple of families who I know are cooking on hot plates because they couldn’t afford a new stove,” Willa said.

“I’ll tell Pastor Dean and he can get some volunteers to pick them up,” Lily said.

“Okay. I’m usually home unless I’m making a delivery so anytime is convenient,” Willa responded. “I’ll get the clothes out of my car.”

“I’ll help,” Lily offered.

“Let me,” Rachel said. “I need to work off my dinner from last night.”

Rachel followed Willa out the door. Lily continued to sort clothes while they packed in several more bags.

“That’s a lot of clothes,” Lily commented.

“I cleaned out my closets. I’m afraid my baking isn’t helping my figure any.” Willa was a pretty brunette who both Lily and Rachel had to glance down at because of her barely five-foot frame. “I keep telling myself they’ll invent a diet that will make cupcakes an option.”

“When you find one, let me know.” Rachel laughed.

“There’s one more bag. I’ll get it,” Willa said, going back out the door.

Lily put the bags of clothes to the side for them to work on next. The way everyone was donating, it was going to take several weeks for both her and Rachel to get everything organized.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Rachel asked.

“I’m afraid so,” Lily answered. “If we’re going to get this shop opened anytime soon, then we need another volunteer or we have to work days during the week.”

Willa walked back into the store carrying another bag of clothes and a small box.

“We appreciate the donations.” Rachel smiled at Willa who laid the clothes on the counter and then the small box, which she pushed toward Lily and Rachel.

Lily opened the box to see two cupcakes, which looked like little clouds of perfection. The pink frosting with chocolate chips was immediately grabbed by the women.

“I thought you two deserved a treat for the time you are donating,” Willa said, watching the two women eat her cupcakes.

“None for me?” Pastor Dean said, coming into the room from the church entrance.

Lily watched Willa’s face flame red in embarrassment.

“I’m sorry, Pastor Dean. I didn’t think you would be in the store.”

Pastor Dean eyed them enviously eating the remains of the cupcakes.

“It was delicious,” Lily complimented.

“I wouldn’t know,” Pastor Dean said woefully.

Lily and Rachel laughed while Willa looked embarrassed.

“I better go. I have an order I need to get started.” Willa edged closer to the door.

“Wait a minute, Willa,” Rachel forestalled the woman. “Pastor Dean, Willa has some appliances to donate, but she needs some help getting them here.”

“I’ll take care of it. When would be a good time?”

“Anytime would be fine. I’m usually home,” Willa told him.

“This evening around five sound good? I should be able to round up a couple of men to stop by and pick them up.”

“That’s fine.”

“I appreciate the donations to the church.”

“You’re welcome. Well, I better go. See you tomorrow, Rachel and Lily. Pastor Dean.”

Willa left and Lily looked at Pastor Dean.

“I think she thought you would break into a spontaneous sermon the way she took off from here,” Rachel said.

“She always acts like that. I don’t know why. Am I one of those preachers who puts the fear of God into you by being in the room?” he asked with a frown. “None of the other women in the church act like that. They like to make desserts for me, but she has a kitchen full of baked goods and never brings me anything.” If Lily didn’t know better, she would have thought the Pastor was pouting.

“Those women bring you food trying to catch you. They want to impress you with their cooking skills,” Lily told him.

It was no secret that Pastor Dean was the most eligible bachelor in town. Ever since he had taken over the church after her father’s death, the single women in the congregation had been vying for his attention.

“Willa doesn’t need to worry that she’ll give me that impression. She doesn’t give me the time of day if she can help it. I think if there was another Baptist church in town, she would have left ours already,” Pastor Dean said.

Lily could hear the concern in his voice. “I don’t think that’s true at all. She was probably in a rush.”

“Could be,” Pastor Dean said, yet he didn’t sound like he believed his own words.

Rachel and Lily shared a glance. It was unusual to see Pastor Dean unsure of himself. He was loved and respected by the whole congregation. Lily was sure he had over-thought Willa’s reaction to his presence.

“How soon do you think we’ll be able to open the store for the community?” Pastor Dean asked, changing the conversation.

“We were just talking about that,” Lily answered. “We think we need another helper or we need to do an extra night.”

“I don’t want to impose on your time, but I’ve already asked several to help out and been given every excuse they can come up with.”

“I don’t mind. How about Wednesday, Rachel? We could do it after service.”

“I think that will be fine. I have the time.”

“If you’re both sure?” Pastor Dean asked.

“We’re sure,” Lily answered. It would give her a few extra hours away from the club a week.

“I’ll see you both in the morning then,” Pastor Dean excused himself.

Lily and Rachel spent the rest of the day making headway with the large job ahead of them.