Elliot lifted his head. “Would you like to pray now? God is here, and he’s waiting, eager to except you into his family.”
Without answering, JD closed his eyes. “God, I don’t know how to talk to You, but I hope You’ll listen, anyway. I’m sorry I’ve stayed away from You so much. My mom knew You, and I think Lily does. I thought being a Christian was just for women. But I don’t think that anymore. Last night when I thought I was going to die, I knew I needed You. I saw Pop change right here in this room, and I figure he’s in Heaven with my ma and Lily’s ma. He wasn’t afraid when he died, and that’s what I want. I want what he got, and what I think Lily has. I’m sorry for the things I’ve done. For taking things that don’t belong to me. For carrying a gun to force people to give me what ain’t mine at all. I don’t wanna do that anymore. I want to be honest like Lily’s been after me to be. Please, Jesus, forgive me!”
Tears rolled down his eyes into the pillow. He tried to speak again but couldn’t as a sob took over. The more he tried to control his emotions, the less he could until he finally gave in and let his tears fall.
Elliott rejoiced as he watched the tough outlaw yield as the Spirit of God worked in his soul. He’d seen powerful men cry before, and he knew it didn’t make them any weaker. On the contrary, they came through stronger than before. He wiped at his own tears.
After a while, JD’s tears slowed, and a smile broke across his face. He looked at Elliott, his eyes shining. “I feel different. What just happened to me?”
Elliot grinned. “I’d say you just got born again. We must be born of water and of the spirit. Water for the first time. This is your second birth. Birth of the spirit. And I believe as God has healed your soul, he will also heal your body.”
“Right now, I don’t care which way that goes. I’m ready for Jesus now.” A laugh of pure joy came from JD’s heart, and then he winced. “But maybe I shouldn’t laugh so hard. That hurt. Funny how clean I feel, and I don’t think I’ve had a bath in a week.”
Elliott’s laughter rang out. “You’ve been washed clean with something stronger than soap and water. God’s grace combined with Christ Jesus’ blood has taken the filth of sin away. Rejoice in your new life, but seek to replace the old with new habits so no temptation to go back into the old life can get a toehold.”
He reached for Lily’s Bible lying on a nearby table. “Start with this. Begin anywhere, but I’d recommend the Gospel of John. When you’re up and around, I’d like to see you inside the church rather than listening through the windows. It’s getting too cold for that now, anyway.”
JD grinned. “I didn’t think you saw me. Why didn’t you run me off?”
Elliott shrugged. “I’d never run off a soul hungry for the Word of God. I decided you had some connection to Lily, so I prayed for you instead, hoping the truth would come out soon enough. You didn’t really sell her the horse, either, did you?”
“Couldn’t.” JD’s grin widened. “Sissy was always hers.”
“Yeah, I thought they had a special bond from the first. An unusually close bond.” He chuckled and rose. “I’m glad the truth’s out now, and all’s forgiven. I’m going to let you get some rest. Have a peaceful sleep.”
“I think I will, maybe for the first time in my life.” JD seemed to visibly relax as his hand rested on Lily’s Bible lying on the bed beside him. With his eyes closed, he made one last request. “Preacher, say a prayer that Lily makes it back safe.”
“Yes.” Elliott looked out the window and wished she’d appear before him. “I will just as I’ve been doing.”
Chapter 16
Lily rode in ahead of the doctor, tired to the bone and worried about her brother. He’d seemed fine, but was he hiding the pain from her so she wouldn’t worry? Was she wrong in thinking the bullet had touched nothing vital? She wasn’t a doctor and didn’t know, but she thought she’d seen four wounds across his arm and chest. Well, they’d soon know. So he either took four bullets, or one bullet caused all the damage.
She reached for the doctor’s reins. “If you want to go on in, I’ll give your horse water and let him graze. My husband is inside and will let you in.”
“All right. Thanks.” The doctor, a man in his early forties, dismounted and handed the reins to her. “I’ll see what I can do. From what you’ve told me, it won’t be like my last visit here.”
She gave him a brief smile. “I hope not.” She went on to the barn without waiting to see Elliott. His presence had unnerved her as much as her brother’s injury. Between the two of them, she didn’t know what to think or how to behave.
After taking care of Sissy and the doctor’s horse, she strolled back to the house while she thought about the future, hers and her brother’s. What would they do now? Surely he would see how dangerous outlawing was. Even if he couldn’t understand how wrong it was, he should be afraid of death now. Pa’s death had been enough for her, but she’d been against their chosen profession from the beginning.
She stopped outside the kitchen door and lifted her face to the heavens. “Lord God over all, Your majesty is beyond my understanding, but I know You see our doings right and wrong. JD did wrong when he went back to robbing innocent folks, and I’m asking You to help him find a new way of living. I did wrong when I deceived Elliott and married him. I love him so much! It hurts to turn from him, but I have to if I’m going to make things right. All I’m asking is that you turn things around from the mixed up mess we’ve made of them and sort all things out for Your glory and for what is right. I’m going to trust You from now on. Thank You. And amen.”
She wiped a drop of moisture from her face before opening the door and stepping inside. The warmth of the kitchen burned her face but felt good, too. She took off her coat and hung it on a peg by the door then looked beyond the kitchen into the living room.
JD still lay in bed with the doctor and Elliott standing next to him. Both had their hands on him and it sounded like Elliott was praying.
Her heart jerked with fear as she whispered, “Oh, Lord, no! Please don’t let him die. I didn’t think it was that bad. I thought he’d get all right. He’s all the family I have left. Lord. Please, don’t take him too.”
“Lily, come on in.” Elliott stepped away and walked toward her, his hand outstretched. “Your brother has a lot to tell you.”
“To tell me?” She stared at the smile on her husband’s face. “He’s still able to talk?”
“Of course he is.” Elliott chuckled. “A lot has happened since you rode off for the doctor.”
She couldn’t seem to move, but Elliott wrapped his arm around her and urged her forward. Within moments, she stood beside the bed, looking down into the smiling face of her brother. “Are you all right?”
His grin seemed more lop-sided than usual. “I will be.”
“What’s wrong with him?” She looked from Elliott to the doctor.
He grinned. “I gave him some laudanum to help him sleep and take away some of the pain. Your assessment of his condition wasn’t far off. The bullet must have barely entered his upper arm then traveled into the chest, again barely entering, before exiting. While he’s had some extreme pain, and was initially knocked off his feet, the prognosis is good. He lost some blood, which accounts for his weakness. Let him get a few days of bed rest, and in time, he should be as good as new. I’d like for you to be sure to keep the areas clean to keep down infection, but I think nothing remained within the wounds as the bullet probably carried any cloth remnants on through.” He turned back toward JD, who still wore a loopy grin, although his eyes were drooping. “He tells me this is the first time he’s been shot. Let’s hope it’s the last. Next time, he might not be so lucky.”
“Or so protected.” She barely breathed the correction, but she believed it with all her heart. “JD, God loves you. He’s giving you a chance to make some changes. I hope you’ll listen this time.”
“Yeah, sis. I listen.” He didn’t bother opening his eyes, and the smile re
laxed as he did. He’d obviously gone to sleep.
The doctor grinned. “He’ll sleep an hour or two. Maybe longer if his body needs it. I can’t emphasize enough the need to care for his wounds. If you have some honey, a drop or two on each will help keep infection away so they can heal quickly.”
“Ok, I can do that.” She promised, but wondered what JD had meant when he said he listened. Or had she heard him right?”
“Well, I’ll get out of your way.” The doctor moved to leave.
“Could I get you something to drink? Or eat?” She was at a loss for what to do. They had little to spare, but maybe there was coffee.
“I’d appreciate a glass of water, but I ate not that long ago, and my wife will have supper ready for me when I get home. Thank you.”
“Thank you so much for coming. We’ll pay as soon as we can.” She hated to hold him off, but didn’t know what else to do. They’d paid from the mailbag when he’d come for Poppa. She never wanted to use stolen money again.
“It’s already taken care of.” He accepted the water, then smiled at her and glanced toward Elliott.
She’d have to pay Elliott back and thank him later. She kept thinking of him as her husband, but he wouldn’t be long. The thought left a heavy knot in her chest.
After the doctor finished his drink, they walked him to the door, again telling him thanks and watching as he rode off with a friendly wave. Then they turned back to the house and went in where it was warm.
Elliott took her hand and held her close when she would have walked away. “Can we talk here in the kitchen? We’ll be close enough to listen for JD in case he needs anything.”
She hesitated. “I don’t know what there is to talk about. You got my note or you wouldn’t be here. And you read the letter from…” She couldn’t force the other woman’s name past her lips.
He chuckled. “No, I didn’t read that letter. It’s still lying in the corner of our kitchen on the floor where I threw it when I realized where it came from.”
“What?” She stared at him, disbelieving he would do such a thing.
He grinned and nodded. “I was so angry with her for interfering and causing you to run away. Later, we’ll write a letter together to let her know she needs to find her own husband, because I’m already married to the only woman I want.”
“I don’t understand. I lied to you.” Had he said what she thought?
“I love you, Lily. You are my wife, and the only one I want.” He looked into her eyes. “I want you to come home with me and be Grace’s mother. I want you to be the mother of all our children.”
She instinctively touched her stomach at his words. But he continued.
“Grace was in tears when I told her you’d left. She wanted to come with me, but finally agreed to go to school. Sweetheart, a mother should never run away from her child.” He pulled her close when tears rolled from her eyes. His voice rumbled in her ear, pressed against his chest. “A wife should never run away from her husband, either. It hurts more than you may realize.”
She tried to stop her tears, but couldn’t. “I didn’t think you would want me if you knew the truth.”
His arms tightened around her as he kissed the top of her head. “But the truth shall set you free. I’m glad you confessed to me what really happened, because now I can love you with nothing standing between us. And I hope you will love me too.”
“Oh, I already do!” She pulled away and looked into his face, which blurred as fresh tears sprang to her eyes. “I love you more than I ever knew I could love a man. You’re all I want, but I don’t deserve your love.”
He took her hands in his, a soft smile on his lips and the light of love in his eyes. “The moment I first saw you, I knew I was unworthy. You are perfect in face and form. I’ve never seen a lovelier woman physically or spiritually. Your sweet spirit has brightened my home and my life. You’re the example Grace has needed to follow, especially now. Since you’ve committed your life to the Lord, Lily, you will grow daily in His love as long as you seek His face and will. Serve Him with your whole heart, not as a downtrodden slave the way some may think, but as a beloved child and blessed servant. He is love, and His love will fill your heart and life if you let it.”
“I’m unworthy even to be a slave.” She looked at him with a troubled frown.
He nodded. “Yes, you’re right. None of us are worthy. Our thoughts and actions are continually beneath His love, yet He gives freely to all who come in humble submission. All He asks is our love in return.”
“I do love Him. I want to do what’s right and help others.”
“Yes.” He looked into her eyes. “Despite your background, you are a refined lady, gentle and loving. A person should never be held in contempt for their past, but always be admired for their willingness to rise above it and show to others God’s goodness.” His voice choked for a moment as he held her close. “You are God’s creation. I don’t deserve you, Lily, but I’m so thankful God gave you to me, anyway. If you really want me, I’m yours. If you tell me to go, I will, and I’ll never bother you again. But you may as well know, I would go with a broken heart, and I will never take another wife because I could never forget you.”
Tears ran down her cheeks, but she ignored them as she lifted her arms to circle his neck. “If you left me, my heart would break. I’m so sorry I didn’t come to you with that letter. We could have worked things out and none of this would have happened.”
Elliott glanced toward JD’s sleeping form, then back into her eyes. “No, don’t be sorry. All things work together for the glory of God. You ran to forgiveness. You were here when JD’s friends left him to die. And he might have without help. Even though the bullet left only superficial wounds, infection could have killed him. He has a chance now.”
“And he wouldn’t have found the answer to his questions if you hadn’t been here. He thought he was going to die and wanted to make things right.” She looked at her brother. “I hope he doesn’t go back to his old ways after he gets on his feet.”
“I don’t think he will.” The corners of Elliott’s eyes crinkled with his smile. “God has done a work in all our lives. How soon can we go home? I left John Langdon in charge of services tonight, but I need to preach Sunday morning. The people will wonder about our unexpected trip away.”
“What did you tell the Langdons?” She took in a deep breath, thinking about the scandal she’d caused when all she’d wanted was to make everything right.
“Only that you’d gone to your home for a few days, and I was going after you.” He dropped a kiss on her lips. “It sure feels good to hold you in my arms.”
“For me too.” She lowered her head. “But I have to stay with JD. You’ll need to leave in the morning to make it to church by Sunday.”
“I think it would be better to send a telegram to John and let him decide if they should dismiss church for one Sunday. I’m guessing we’ll have a record crowd when we get back.” He chuckled. “Everyone will want to know what’s going on.”
“We should tell them everything.” She pulled away and added a stick to the fire, hiding her face so he couldn’t see how much the thought troubled her. When the people heard, they would hate her. Some might even leave the church because of her. More than anything, she wished they could keep her past silent. She would love to forget all the bad. Only then would the shame leave and allow her to move forward in a new relationship with the Lord.
Elliott pulled a chair out and sat. “I don’t know if telling would accomplish anything. In fact, it might stir up more trouble than we’d want. You’ve confessed to God, and you’ve told me you’re sorry. God has forgiven you, and so have I. I don’t see where you wronged anyone else. You’ve already done more for the church than many who’ve been coming for years.”
Hope sprang to life within Lily’s breast as she turned to face her husband. “Are you sure it would be all right to withhold my past?”
“In this case, yes.” Elliott gave her
a serious look. “I don’t see where your father’s or brother’s actions are your past. Was it your choice for them to rob others?”
“No, I hated it and begged them to stop. I raised a garden and chickens so I wouldn’t have to use their ill-gotten money more than necessary.” She whispered from her heart, again, feeling the shame and fear of her past life.
“That is as I suspected.” His smile encouraged. “I’ll telegraph John and let him know we are staying another week to care for your ill brother who lives in Missouri. Even Grace doesn’t need to know everything.”
“Then I don’t have to confess before the church?” She searched his face for the truth.
“The only reason I remember from the scriptures when confession before the church is mentioned is to bring one who has strayed to repentance.” He caught her hand and pulled her to his side. “You, my darling, have repented, so what benefit would you receive in airing dirty laundry, so to speak?”
“I don’t know.”
“I don’t believe I’m taking this out of context, but Paul said in Philippians, ‘This one thing I do, forgetting those things that are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God, in Christ Jesus.’ He had just admitted he was not perfect, but he intended to strive to attain perfection as we all should do.” He slipped his arm around her waist as she stood by his chair. “I fear an open confession in your case might give room for dissention in the church.”
“Oh, Elliott, I am so sorry I deceived you.” She covered her face with her hands. “I don’t know how you can forgive me, but I’m so glad you have.”
He pulled her into his lap and held her close. “Forgive? I thank you for offering yourself as my bride. I thank God every day for you. You saved me from marrying the wrong Lily.” He faked a shudder. “Saved from a fate worse than death!”
Her giggle filled the kitchen as her arms surrounded his neck. “I love you so much, Pastor Cooper. You inspire me to reach toward perfection, and you fill my heart with singing. You are my spiritual leader, but you are also my friend, and my lover. I have never loved another person as much as I love you.”
Stealing the Preacher's Heart Page 14
