Page 47 of Between Two Shores

“There are things I need to know, like what’s our financial situation?” She leaned back. “How are we covering our costs in Jerusalem?” She had some savings, but after paying for her flight, and losing pay to the Exmouth trip, her bank balance had plummeted. She also needed to pay half the rent until Melissa found a replacement tenant. How long would that take?

“I have savings from my Navy service. It’ll cover our flights and about two months’ living expenses, but after that, I’ll need to get work if we don’t get investors. I’ll be asking a charity organization here if they’ll sponsor us.”

“Okay. I thought you’d have a plan.” She smiled. “I just didn’t know any of it yet.”

“The last two months have flown by in a blur.” He collected some of her hair and whipped it playfully. “But you trust me, right?”

“I trust you enough to follow you to America.”

Chapter Eighteen

NICK

L.A. didn’t require a thirty-day wait for a marriage license. After collecting the hard-earned paper, they headed to a church downtown to find a minister. He enjoyed Beth’s jaw-dropped expression as she took in the historical theatre building.

“This place is beautiful.” Awe filled Beth’s voice.

He looked at her. “Very beautiful.” He took her hand in his, and they crossed the street. The Tuscany-colored building towered above them, covered with intricate lacework and stained-glass windows.

Inside the grand entrance, rows of padded seating circled the main auditorium. A well-lit stage at the far end had two cameras on tripods and thick theatre curtains on either side.

“So, this is what they call a Megachurch?” Her voice sounded hollow in the large space. Beth lifted her head and made a slow turn as she took in the amphitheater. “I’ve never been anywhere like this before.”

“The world awaits you, dear Beth.” He winked. “Let’s find a pastor to conduct the ceremony. There’s eight of them on full-time staff.”

Her eyes lit up. “Would we have the service here?”

He cringed. “I’d love to, but we’d need to book months in advance. Maybe a year. And there are costs involved. I thought a minister could come to the marriage registry or an outdoor wedding. But with the video conferencing for your family, it’s better indoors.”

Beth’s face fell.

It would be a very grand wedding, if held in the theater. But he didn’t have many friends or family to validate such a huge venue. And he didn’t want to linger in L.A. any longer than necessary. He had things to accomplish.

“The offices are this way.” He gently tugged on her hand, and they walked down the dimmed corridor.

A modern-styled foyer came into view with a receptionist behind a plexiglass barrier. A mini bee-hive bun topped her head. It wobbled a bit as she tapped away and squinted at her computer screen, oblivious to their arrival. Nick cleared his throat.

“Oh, hello. Welcome to Oasis Church. How can I help you?” she said in a singsong tone.

“We’d like to meet with one of the pastors about booking a marriage ceremony.”

She peered down her nose over her glasses. “Are you a member of this church?”

“No.” He switched his weight from one foot to the other. “I’ve been away with the Navy for six months, and I travel a lot.”

“Which pastor would you like to see?”

“Any should do.”

“Okay. I’ll see if Pastor Jeremiah is free to chat with you now. Please, take a seat.” She gestured to a white leather sofa next to a water dispenser.

“Thank you,” Beth said.

Ten minutes later, they sat in a small office with a world map mural on one wall. Pastor Jeremiah wore a dark blue knitted sweater with black-ribbed jeans and boots. He’d seen the brochure and all the pastors were super trendy here. A few of them had the same haircut, a slicked wave at the front, and a fade up the sides.

Pastor Jeremiah gestured to the two armchairs. He rolled his from behind the desk and positioned himself in front of them. “How can I help you?”

Nick touched Beth’s knee. “We obtained our marriage license today, and we’d like a minister to marry us. Beth is from Australia, where we met, but the license didn’t come in time before I had to leave. Unfortunately, her father was unable to give her away, but her family will watch on video. We’d like to get married as soon as possible, as we have plans to travel to the Middle East.”

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