Free Pastor's Assignment by Kim O'Brien

with effort the urge to protest she was neither cold nor embarrassed and that Tilly could speak directly to her.
    Tilly opened her purse and pulled out a large black velvet jewelry case. Laney couldn’t explain the sudden dread that shot through her at the sight of the velvet case.
    â€œIt’s the Weyeth lavaliere,” Tilly said lovingly, handing the box to Rock. “Every bride in the Weyeth family wears the necklace at her wedding.” Her fingers touched the gold chain as if remembering long ago wearing the lavaliere at her own wedding.
    Rock lifted the necklace from the box reverently. He let it dangle from his fingers. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
    Beautiful wasn’t the word that came to mind. Tacky, gaudy, and downright ugly described it better. Embedded in a patchwork of semiprecious stones was a series of small diamond chips that formed the letter W. It was the size of a silver dollar, and more than anything it looked to Laney like an oversized dog tag.
    â€œI’m speechless,” Laney said at last.
    Rock and Tilly let out their breath simultaneously and exchanged looks. “Put it on now,” Rock said. “I’ve been looking forward to seeing this on you all day.” He smiled with boyish excitement. “You can’t imagine how hard it’s been keeping it a secret from you.”
    Laney swallowed. “I imagine it was.” And then because Rock was looking at her as if he had found pirate gold to lay at her feet, she added, “It really is incredible.”
    Rock raised the necklace. Tilly’s hand slapped it down immediately. “She shouldn’t put it on with wet hair.” Her lips puckered. “And it would go better with a”—she paused—“a different outfit.”
    Laney sighed with relief, despite the insult to her choice of clothing. Rock frowned thoughtfully. “You’re quite right, Mother.” His moustache drooped to reflect his disappointment.
    â€œI’m sure Laney has lots of suitable outfits in her closet,” Mother Tilly continued. “We’ll just go and pick one out right now. How’s that, Rock?”
    â€œGreat idea,” Rock said, brightening immediately.
    â€œNo, really,” Laney said. “The necklace deserves nicer than what I have. Plus my hair is wet. Another time probably would be better.”
    â€œNo, no, no,” Mother Tilly said. She turned in the direction of Laney’s bedroom. “Nothing like the present for our present.” She smiled at her words. “Come on, dear,” she directed to Laney’s left ear.
    As Tilly marched off to the bedroom, Laney tried to remind herself that, as Pastor Bruce said, some people were like heavenly sandpaper. She wondered what lesson Mother Tilly had to offer and what rough edges of her personality would be made smooth by her future mother-in-law. Ordering herself to hold on to her temper, Laney stepped inside her bedroom.

Twelve
    Mother Tilly headed straight for Laney’s closet. Pulling the sliding door open, she gasped. “Is there any order to this closet at all?” She clucked her tongue as she sorted through the skirts and tops. “I group by designer,” she explained. “It’s a real time-saver. When Rock runs for mayor, you’ll see how this helps.”
    Laney nodded, although she thought the day she alphabetized her clothes would be the day she checked herself into a mental hospital. Still she didn’t protest as Tilly plowed steadily through her closet.
    The room, small to begin with, felt even tinier with Mother Tilly in it. Feeling as if she couldn’t breath, Laney swung open the sliding glass doors and stepped outside to the deck. The night air, though nearly the same temperature as inside, immediately seemed fresher, and she felt some of the tightness in her chest ease. How would she tell Rock the secrets of her heart with his mother there?
    â€œDon’t you