*****
They ended up pushing through instead of stopping, and it was after eleven that night when they pulled into Paradise. She’d slept on and off with her head on his shoulder throughout the journey, wishing she was better company, but she knew she wasn’t right then.
He pulled up in front of the parsonage and patted her. “We’re here.”
She sat up and blinked, looking around her. It was hard to make anything out in the dark, but she could just barely see the house. He helped her down and she walked straight to the house, carrying just her carpet bag inside. There was no need to unload the trunks yet. Besides, he’d need another man to help him lift them down.
She stepped into the house and went straight toward the small kitchen area, thankful there was a stove and she wouldn’t have to try to learn to cook over a fireplace. There wasn’t much else to recommend it, though. There was a basin obviously used for washing dishes. There was no pump, so she’d have to carry water in from outside for cooking and cleaning. She put her hand to the small of her back, already imagining how hard it would be.
She put on a brave smile and looked through the kitchen, trying to see what foods he had available for her to cook for a late meal for them. They were both hungry, and she wasn’t about to serve sandwiches again. They’d had enough of those on their long trip. She spotted a note on top of the stove. “Casserole is in the oven. Welcome home Pastor and Mrs. Benner.” Kristen stared at the words. She hadn’t thought of herself as Mrs. Benner. How odd.
She wasn’t sure if she was pleased or disappointed that she wouldn’t be able to cook the first meal in her new house that night. She wanted to cook for her husband, but they were both so tired, it was probably best that someone had left a casserole.
She opened the oven and pulled it out, noting that it was still warm. She found the plates and served them each a plate full of the casserole, which consisted of some kind of meat she wasn’t sure which, potatoes, carrots and a heavy sauce. She poured them each a glass of water from the pitcher someone had kindly left on the work table.
When he walked into the house from putting the horses in their stable for the night, she had his plate ready for him. He took the seat across from her, reaching out to grip her hand as they prayed together. “Thank you, Lord, for watching over us on our long journey. Please help us to do everything we can to glorify your name. Thank you for the food. We pray this is Christ’s name. Amen.”
He lifted his head and stared down at the food. “Mrs. Simmons must have cooked.” His eyes were weary after their long journey.
“Do you know what that meat is?” she asked moving it around on her plate with a fork.
“Rabbit? I think? I don’t know. It tastes good.” He forked up a bite and chewed it slowly. “I’m just thankful there was a meal waiting for us, and you don’t have to spend hours cooking before we finally go to bed.”
She nodded, taking a small bite of the food. She was surprised that the flavor was so good, and happily ate a bigger bite. She had a huge appetite that night, because they’d grown tired of the sandwiches and she wasn’t able to choke more than half a sandwich down at dinner time. “It is good.” She just wished she knew how it had been cooked. She stopped after a few bites, unable to force herself to eat more.
They ate the rest of the meal in silence. As soon as they were done, she stood up and started to wash the plates. He stopped her with a hand on her back. “Just soak them in the basin with water tonight. I know that’s not something you’d usually do, but we’re both too tired. Let’s just go to bed.”
She nodded tiredly. “Where’s the outhouse?” she asked.
He pointed out the back window. “I’ll bring your things in tomorrow if that’s okay. Do you have what you need for tonight?”
“Yes. I put a couple days change of clothes in my carpet bag.” She went to the outhouse before returning to put her nightgown on before joining him. The house was so small. There were really only two rooms. She had no idea where she was going to be able to put all her things. She yawned as she crawled into bed. She’d figure it all out tomorrow.
Chapter Five
Bride of Paradise: Book 1 in Mail Order Ministers Page 16
