The experiences take them out of their comfort zones and (of course) lead to love.
Enjoy the first chapter fromThe Christmas Spirit.
He was running on less than five hours sleep, and his day was only getting started.
Did I keep you waiting long?
No, I was late myself.
Pete had always been the responsible, prompt one.
It surprised Hank to learn his pastor friend could be late for anything.
The waitress came with a coffeepot, and both men turned over the beige mugs to be filled.
Pete smiled at her as she handed them menus and then swiftly left.
His eyes burned, and he couldnt remember the last time hed had a decent meal.
Hank was the owner, manager, bartender, and chief bottle washer for the tavern The Last Call.
I didnt get away from the tavern until after two this morning.
Some days I swear I get less than three or four hours sleep a night.
This jobs a killer.
Pete glanced up from the menu.
I thought you loved the tavern.
I always knew Id be taking Dads place one day.
I looked forward to it.
The regulars are great and keep me in the black, but I have no life.
I havent been on a date in six months.
Id think youd meet women left and right, Pete said, before taking a sip of his coffee.
Lots of great women.
I thought Id be married and have a couple kids by the time I hit thirty.
Clearly, Hanks lifelong friend had no understanding of what managing a tavern entailed.
Theres a big difference between meeting lots of women and having time to actually date.
I work fourteen hours a day and sometimes longer.
Pete made it sound easy.
Do you have any idea how hard it is to find good help these days?
I tried taking on a part-time bartender, and he drank all my profits.
Its a slim enough profit margin as it is.
At the rate he was drinking, I was about to go out of business.
After a brief hesitation, Pete acknowledged Hanks dilemma: Gotcha.
Having my own business takes every spare minute I have.
If Im not at the bar serving drinks, then Im in the office doing paperwork.
Keeping up on the orders or dealing with the taxes.
I swear its one headache after another.
Do you have any idea how much effort goes into the accounting aspect of being a business owner?
Oh, come on.
Hank gave a short laugh.
The church doesnt pay taxes or struggle with money hassles.
Pete nearly spewed the coffee out of his mouth.
You have no idea!
Pastoring a church is no walk in the park.
Hank was about to say more when they were interrupted by the waitress.
He swallowed his argument and turned his attention back to deciding what he wanted for lunch.
Pad in hand, the young woman asked, What can I get you gentlemen?
Without looking up from the plastic-coated menu, Hank said, Ill take the soup-and-sandwich special.
On wheat, hold the tomato.
The waitress wrote it down, and he handed her the menu.
Next, she looked to Pete.
Id like the chef salad, he said, with Thousand Island dressing.
Ill get that order in right away, she said, as she turned toward the kitchen.
Shes cute, Pete said, watching the young woman in the pink uniform with the white apron.
Hank frowned, his thoughts still on all he was missing in life.
He caught his friends interest in the young waitress, though, and played along.
It isnt any wonder you dont date.
You arent paying attention.
That woman is beautiful, and I noticed there wasnt a ring on her finger, either.
Pete was paying attention.
Still, Hank let the comment pass.
Pete should be the one married by now.
He lived the good life and had none of the worries that hounded Hank from day to day.
Hank envied him in that way.
Are you kidding me?
Come on, Pete.
You work your own hours .
Thats not exactly true.
Hank dismissed his objection with a wave of his hand.
You get a steady paycheck every month.
Plus, the church provides you with your own house.
No mortgage payments, no worries about making ends meet.
And to top it off, you only need to make an appearance once a week.
Youre living the life, man.
Pete simply shook his head.
It looked as if he was about to argue when the waitress returned with their lunch.
Again, Hank noticed the way his friend watched the young woman.
It left him to wonder aloud, Why is it youve never married?
Pete asked, as he mixed the salad and the dressing together.
Not so easy to find the right one, is it?
Hank said, understanding all too well.
Church has gotta be full of upright, single, Christian women.
You could have your pick of any one of them.
I suppose, Pete reluctantly agreed.
The truth is, I dont know why Im still single.
Ive had plenty of opportunity to date, but Ive yet to find that special someone.
I bet Gracie has something to say about that, Hank commented.
Hank and Petes sister had been at odds for years, always rubbing each other the wrong way.
God save him from opinionated women.
She was a spitfire, thats for sure.
Frankly, Hank couldnt imagine how Pete worked with Gracie as his church secretary.
She didnt have the personality for it, as far as he could figure.
Gracie is Gracie, Pete said.
Shes as righteous as ever.
Stubborn as a mule and loyal as a dog.
That sounds about right, Hank said with a snort.
He smiled just thinking about her.
She had her nose in the air and a holier-than-thou attitude.
It was no surprise she hadnt married, either.
Pete was nothing like his sister.
His personality was perfect for his lifes work.
He was a caring, thoughtful man.
Not that Hank lacked faith.
He was square with God.
But being a Christian didnt require him to show up for church every Sunday.
You should know my job isnt all that wonderful, Hank.
I have my own set of problems, Pete said.
Sure you do, he said offhandedly.
Its Christmas in less than a week, Pete continued.
Im running ragged getting everything organized.
You, on the other hand .
You party every night
Its not a party, Hank interrupted.
I work hard to create a fun atmosphere but trust me it isnt always a party.
Dream on, Hank said and rolled his eyes.
You have no idea what being a tavern owner means!
And you have no idea what the life of a pastor is like.
You couldnt do my job for a week.
You couldnt do my job for a week.
Give me a break.
Youre living the easy life.
Pete set his fork down and leaned forward, his eyes intense.
You ready to find out?
What do you mean?
Fine, since you think Ive got it so easy, lets trade places.
Ill work at the bar and you fill in for me at the church.
This was like taking candy from a baby.
He thrust his hand across the table.
Pete extended his own hand and the two shook.
Petes smile was wide.
No time like the present.
Oh, this was going to be good, Hank mused.
Better yet, hed be able to pay attention to what was happening on the field.
Excerpted fromThe Christmas Spirit.
Copyright 2022 by Debbie Macomber.
No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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