“Do?” JD looked as lost as she felt. “I might join a gang, but I haven’t decided yet. Don’t worry about me. I’ll make it fine.”
She wasn’t so sure. “Look what stealing did to Pa. Why don’t you quit now? You could find a good job somewhere and work for a living. Maybe work with horses on a ranch. Do something you know. Something honest.”
“Outlawing is all I know.” He shrugged. “It’s gotten us by for a lot of years. I’ll uphold Pa’s code of honor same as always. Why stop now?”
She swung toward him, wishing she could beat some sense into his thick head. “Because if you don’t, you’ll end up in the ground like Pa. That’s why. And because I want you where I won’t have to worry about you all the time. Isn’t that enough reason? If you join a gang, they won’t let you keep Pa’s code.”
“Aw, don’t get in a stew. I’m okay. It’s you we need to take care of.” JD gave her a teasing grin. “We gotta get you married.”
Married. She couldn’t break the deathbed promise she’d made to her pa, but she’d only promised to try. If the preacher didn’t like her, she’d come back home. She didn’t relish the idea of living alone, but she figured it would be better than being with the wrong person.
“Guess you aren’t looking forward to being a bride.” He must have read her expression. “But a promise is a promise, and once you’re settled with the preacher, I won’t have to worry about you anymore. Sounds fair, doesn’t it?”
Without waiting for her answer, he turned away. “Come on, we’ve got to go shopping. Sooner we get this done, the better. Put on your best dress so the store clerk doesn’t look down her nose when we ask for some of their fancy duds.”
She hurried after him. “Maybe we’d better get something settled first. If I marry that preacher, you’re going to have to either go straight or stay away from me. I won’t have you messing up what might be the best chance I ever had to be respectable.”
He stopped and faced her, his teasing grin back in place. “I know we aren’t blood kin, Lily, but we were raised together since we were little, and you’re still my sister no matter what. You can’t stop me from caring about my little sister. I’ll be checking up on you to make sure you’re treated right. That’s what being an older brother’s all about. So get over your highfalutin ways and play nice.”
JD was clever, too clever sometimes, and she wasn’t sure of his sincerity. If he meant what he said, that was one thing, but if he planned to come around expecting handouts, that was another. She trudged to the house with him and remained silent. For now, she’d go along with Pa’s wishes and marry the preacher if he’d have her. But it was probably the worst scheme they’d ever come up with. A preacher wouldn’t want an outlaw’s daughter. She’d never stole a single thing in her entire life, but she came from those who did, and that’s how he’d judge her. Seemed one trouble after another had followed her all her life.
When they got to the house, JD handed her paper and pencil. “This isn’t as fancy as the letter Rebecca Stevens wrote, but it’ll have to do. He’s already expecting her, so he’ll be glad to get it telling when you’ll be arriving. Tell him you already left New York and will be there in three days. That should give us plenty of time.”
“Where am I going?” She sat at the table with the letter so she could match the other woman’s handwriting. But he held the envelope.
“I don’t know. I forgot.” He turned it over and read the address. “It’s addressed to Elliott Cooper at General Delivery, Sweet Water, Kansas.” He looked up with a grin. “That isn’t too far. Less than a hundred miles from here.”
“Remember what I said about staying away or turning honest.” She sent her best frown. “I mean it, JD.”
“Yeah, sure, but I gotta make a living too.” He brushed away her words as if they meant nothing.
“Fine, make a living, but do it honestly. That’s all I’m asking.” She looked into his eyes. “I don’t want to bury you beside Pa.”
He motioned to the paper in front of her. “Make it look as much like her writing as you can.”
From the hard look on his face, their discussion was over. She bent her head to hide her disappointment and began, looking each time to make sure her handwriting compared with the other woman’s as close as she could get it.
As she wrote about leaving New York, a place she’d never been, and that she would arrive in three days, she felt as low and disgusting as a mouse scurrying around picking up crumbs where he could. That’s what she was doing. Taking what wasn’t hers. It was as bad as stealing, which was exactly what she abhorred and wanted JD to stop. But what could she do? She’d promised Pa.
“It looks good.” JD’s praise fell flat under the pressure of her conscience, telling her what she was doing was wrong. She shoved the tiny voice in her mind aside and listened to his plans to get up early in the morning and head to town. Using the same envelope with the stamp postmarked in New York, they exchanged the letters and kept the money for the things she’d need.
Before she was ready, she’d be arriving in Sweet Water to present herself to the man who thought he was getting a refined, Christian woman from New York, rather than a back-in-the-sticks woman from Missouri, less than seventy miles away. How could she live with herself, but how could she live at all if JD joined another gang? If he did, she wouldn’t be able to stay in the only home she’d ever known. Not with a gang of outlaws coming and going through her house, messing up everything she cared about and doing who knows what. No wonder Pa made her promise to get married. Her life might depend on the protection and distance from her former life.
~*~
On Thursday morning, Elliott’s eyes popped open, interrupting a dream that hovered just out of reach. Still, it must have been a pleasant one, based on his light-hearted mood. He remembered only that a woman stood beside him, but she’d faded away as soon as he woke, and he couldn’t remember what she looked like. Or had he woken because she faded from his dream? He wasn’t sure, but he refused to waste time with it. Today he’d marry Rebecca Lily Stevens, the woman of his daydreams, or of the image he’d pictured in his mind after writing to her over the last few months. That was true, honest, and just. He was certain she was pure, lovely, and everything she’d written had been of good report and certainly worth thinking about. Springing from bed, he released a chuckle when he realized what he’d done. He’d practically quoted Philippians 4:8 word for word, but it seemed to apply to this day and the woman he’d soon make his wife.
He was getting married. The thought repeated itself in his mind, as if he had to remind himself. He pulled on the pants and shirt he’d laid out the night before. He’d soon be a married man. His hands shook as he buttoned his shirt, taking extra time with each, as he couldn’t get his fingers to cooperate. He wanted to meet the stage as soon as it arrived. It was usually late, but today they might be on time. Or early.
Rebecca Lily. She’d always signed her name Lily, the same as she had in the last letter saying she’d arrive today. He went into the kitchen and set up his shaving mirror, mug and brush with the bar of soap he used, then sharpened his straight razor on the razor strop. Satisfied it was sharp enough, he sat down, lathered his face and neck, then scraped the blade up his neck before moving to his cheeks. The chin was always the hardest for him, and today was no exception. He’d tried to not think about why he wanted a close shave, but his mind wouldn’t stay away from Lily. Would she want him once she saw him? He’d hate for her to regret making such a long journey across the country.
He shoved his thought aside and concentrated on the final sharp contours of his face. So far, so good. He thought he had it made when, “Ouch!”
“Oh, Daddy, did you cut yourself?” Grace came up behind him.
He turned toward her. “Just a nick.” More of a scrape that burned like fire and would stand out like a red flag waving on his face. Of all days, why today? “It’ll be fine.”
“I know, but it’s bleeding. I’ll get a c
old, damp cloth.” She rushed to the pail by the dry sink and dipped in a corner of the cloth she’d snatched up. “This should help.”
When he pressed the cloth against his chin, it felt better. Ice water from the pond in winter would work best, but this would do. In August, almost any water against the skin seemed colder than it was. He looked at the concern in Grace’s eyes. “I guess I’m a little nervous.”
“I know.” Her lips curved the slightest bit. “I think I am too. Do you think she’ll like me?”
He chuckled because he’d wondered the same thing about himself from the moment she’d agreed to marry him. “She’ll love you. It’s me I’m worried about.”
“Oh, Daddy, how could you think anyone wouldn’t love you right off? I know she will. Do you want me to fix breakfast? How about oatmeal?”
Since they ate oatmeal three fourths of the time, he nodded. “Sounds great. I’ll help.”
A few minutes later, he regretted offering when he poured scalding hot water down the front of his shirt. He didn’t even know how it happened. All he knew was, one minute he had the teakettle in his hand and the next, he jumped back from a splash of water that burned worse than his cut chin stung. He plopped the kettle back on the stove and pulled his shirt away from his skin in one swift movement. “Wow! That hurts. Can you take over while I change?”
“Yes, I think you need to leave everything alone today and let me do this.” Grace lifted the teakettle as if it hadn’t just attacked her father and skillfully poured some in a small pan for the oats. She wiped a hand across her brow. “It’s really getting hot today. Or maybe it’s just the stove putting out so much heat. Makes me ready for winter.”
“Remember what Paul said, ‘I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.’ The first blizzard we have, we’ll be wishing for some of this heat.” He turned toward his bedroom, loosening buttons as he went, thankful the shirt had already cooled. If only his skin would.
He came out of his bedroom, clean shirt on and a tie hanging down either side of his neck. He lifted one end. “Do you know how to tie this thing? I can’t seem to get it right.”
“Probably because your hands are shaking.” She set two bowls of oatmeal on the table and crossed the room to him. “Let me try.”
He dropped his tie and clasped his hands behind his back. Had they been trembling so badly? A little, yes, but he couldn’t seem to do anything right. He needed to get his nerves under control. If he couldn’t, he’d make a complete fool of himself when he met her. He took a deep breath and let it out as Grace stepped back.
“There you go. Why don’t we eat now?”
He chuckled. She was treating him like a child, and he didn’t blame her. He sat down and prayed without sounding inane, but after asking the blessing, he added, “And, Lord, please help me calm my nerves. If this is in Your will, it shouldn’t be so frightening. Continue to be with Lily as she may have a hard time of it, too. Thank You for this opportunity You’ve given us to bring more love into our family. Amen.”
His gaze met Grace’s as she smiled, letting him know she approved.
After breakfast, he went outside to hitch up the buggy, but realized it was far too early. Instead, he veered across the yard to the church. It wouldn’t hurt to make sure everything was in order for services tomorrow. Maybe the familiarity of the task and spending a few minutes in God’s house would calm him.
The floor looked fine, but he got out a broom and swept from one end to the other, talking to the Lord, praising and worshiping. As he worked, peace stole in slowly and spread until he stopped and lifted one hand with his face toward Heaven in an attitude of thankfulness. While God’s Spirit ministered to him, lifting him above the cares of the world, he knew all was well and would work out in the way it should. All he had to do was trust his Savior.
“Just believe. Exercise your faith.” He whispered the words, relishing the meaning, and knowing how true they were.
Eva had passed away six years ago. He wasn’t sure he knew how to speak to a lady anymore. Oh, he could talk to the women in his congregation, but gaining a wife he’d never met was very different. With God’s help, he could do anything, and soon, as they got acquainted, everything would be fine. He resumed sweeping as he thought of her, trying to imagine what she would look like. They hadn’t exchanged photographs, but he hadn’t cared about that. If she was the woman God had chosen for him, her inner beauty was more important than what he could see. All would be well. He felt the assurance deep within his soul. Even if he tangled his tongue in his teeth when he tried to talk to her, it would be fine. He chuckled at the thought, but knew the truth. All he had to do was trust God.
He swept the dirt out the front door, then put the broom away. Time to hitch up the horse to the buggy, then they’d head in to town.
As they rolled down Main Street, he recognized the stagecoach sitting in front of the station next to the mercantile. They were late, and he didn’t see any lady standing nearby. “She’s left. Or found someone better.”
“Oh, Daddy!” Grace laughed. “How can you think such a thing? There’s a lady standing off to the side. Don’t you imagine that’s her?”
“I hope so.” Had he already failed the test of his faith? Remorse swept through his soul. “Forgive me, Lord.”
He turned to Grace as they stopped nearby. “Would you mind tying Danny Boy while I go see if it’s her?”
“I’d be glad to.” Her smile dazzled before she hopped down from the buggy and took the reins.
He walked with his eyes trained on the woman that had to be her. She stood with her back to him, but he thought she was young. Maybe too young for him? He hoped not. No, she’d said she was twenty-nine. He was barely thirty-five, which was only a few years’ difference, but would be fine.
As he got closer, she turned and looked full into his face. He stumbled over his own feet, but quickly straightened, all without looking away from the prettiest woman he’d ever seen. No, pretty didn’t do her justice. She was beautiful in face and form. Surely this wasn’t his Lily.
He looked to either side, but no one else waited. It had to be her. “Oh, Lord, why? She’ll never want me. I’m just an ordinary man.” His whispered prayer didn’t stop the insecurity from threatening to drive his faith right back into the whirlwind he’d suffered through earlier that morning.
Then she stepped toward him, a hesitant smile on her face. “Reverend Cooper? I’m Lily.”
Chapter 3
When Elliott hesitated, she spoke again. “Reverend Cooper?”
Her voice had a mellow quality he could listen to all day. She was perfect, but he wasn’t. Then, when he still hesitated, her smile trembled and fear flashed through her eyes.
Her show of fear calmed him quicker than anything else she could have done. Immediately finding his voice, he said, “Yes, I’m Everett Cooper, and I’m so glad to meet you, Lily.” Gaining confidence, he said what was in his heart. “I never expected to marry such a beautiful woman, but you won’t hear a complaint from me.”
Her lashes lowered as if he’d embarrassed her. Warmth filled his heart, binding him to her in a way he hadn’t expected so soon. He glanced over his shoulder. “Well, Rebecca Lily, I see my daughter is coming along now. She tied the horse so I could meet you first. As soon as you meet her, we need to take care of your luggage and go to the church. The minister here in town has agreed to perform the ceremony for us.”
“Oh!” Her eyes widened as she looked up at him. “There’s something I need to tell you before we can marry.”
Unease clutched at his heart. Would she back out? A half hour ago, he would have welcomed the relief, but not now that he’d met her. He took a faltering step back. “If there’s a problem, we can work it out.”
“Oh, no. Not so much a problem, I don’t think.” The hesitancy in her gaze both scared and emboldened him. A feeling he’d never had before filled his chest, and he wasn’t sure it was good. Only the protective surge gave hi
m confidence to handle anything.
He waited as she took a breath and looked into his eyes. “It’s my name.” She glanced to the side then back, over his shoulder where Grace had stopped, waiting. “I feel silly saying this, but one can never be too careful. I didn’t know what kind of man you were. Papa wanted me to be careful, especially until I got to know you. We decided using a false name in my letters would give protection.”
He nodded encouragement and waited. He understood how a woman alone might feel. But she’d mentioned a Papa, and he was sure she’d written that her father had passed away. Which was why she’d gone to see the matchmaker.
“My name isn’t Rebecca Stephens, but it is Lily and that’s what most folks call me.”
“Oh, I see.” Her explanation made sense in a way. And who was he to judge? “I’m glad you said something, because we need to have our names correct for the marriage license. What is your full name, Lily?”
She looked into his eyes and smiled. “Thank you for understanding and calling me by my rightful name. I was afraid you’d be angry. My name is Lily Rose Malone. I hope you’ll always call me Lily, if you don’t mind.”
Her smile was bright and covered every part of her face, bringing it to life in an appealing, magnetic way. Surely when Lily smiled, everyone in sight could do no less, especially when that cute dimple he’d just noticed popped into her left cheek. He surely couldn’t keep his lips from turning up of their own accord. “Please call me Elliott. And this is my daughter.” He turned to include Grace.
“Grace.” Lily breathed the word. “I can’t tell you how much I’ve looked forward to meeting you. And your name…” She placed her hand over her heart while her eyes widened. “It’s so beautiful, just as you are. Doesn’t it mean forgiveness?”
When Grace didn’t immediately answer, as she seemed spellbound by the enchanting woman, Lily looked to him as if he should know.
He would if he could remember what she’d asked. Something about Grace’s name, wasn’t it? Already this woman had him tongue-tied and his brain useless.
Stealing the Preacher's Heart Page 2
