by Sue Lyndon
“Wonderful. Thank you, Mrs. Bentley. You have been most kind to me, despite… well, you know.”
“Child, it doesn’t matter to me where you came from. You might have been a gem once, but that doesn’t mean you won’t make an outstanding preacher’s wife. I believe in you, and I believe in Pastor Black.”
Callie and Mildred Bentley moved to the front porch with glasses of lemonade while awaiting Lawrence’s return. All the muscles in her body ached from sitting on the wagon during their six-hour trip to town, and she was thankful for the chance to rest, especially in the company of a woman as broadminded as Mrs. Bentley.
Lawrence returned just before supper time, bearing news that several of the townspeople had taken it upon themselves to open up the church to air it out and make sure it was clean for the first Sunday service to ever be held in Culpepper. After supper, Mrs. Bentley knocked on their door and gave Callie a dress to wear tomorrow.
“It fit me once upon a time,” the kind woman said with a smile. “I hope it will do.”
“It’s beautiful, Mrs. Bentley. Thank you so much.” Callie kissed her cheek. “Thank you for everything.”
“Think nothing of it, child.” Mrs. Bentley glanced at Lawrence, who was seated by the window, his nose in a bible. “Is he working on his sermon?”
Callie nodded.
“Well, I’ll leave you both alone to prepare for tomorrow.”
*
The sun peeked through the curtains on Sunday morning, rousing Callie and Lawrence. Birds chirped in a tree outside the window as they readied themselves for church. After a quick breakfast, they walked hand in hand down the street. It was just before nine, the time Lawrence had promised the mayor and a few others in town the service would begin.
Men, women, and children headed down the street wearing their Sunday best. It appeared as if everyone in Culpepper was headed to the church, even a few gems and others from the saloon, including Nettie. As they passed the parsonage, someone started ringing the church bell. The clanging reverberated through town.
Lawrence and Callie greeted those who were gathered near the front of the church. Though nerves flitted through Callie’s stomach, she still felt hopeful that this was the right course of action. Culpepper had needed a preacher since its founding, and the townspeople standing near the front of the church seemed eager and receptive to accept Lawrence. Callie hoped that acceptance would extend to her.
The moment the bell ceased clanging, a woman called out from the crowd. Callie’s stomach flipped when Mrs. Gerrard approached her. Was she here to cause trouble? Was she here to speak out against Lawrence or Callie?
All the murmuring voices around them quieted. The only sounds came from the birds chirping and the clopping of horses being ridden down the main street. Lawrence put an arm around Callie, and she felt him stiffen beside her.
Mrs. Gerrard pointed at Callie. “This woman,” she yelled, “has been greatly wronged.”
Gasps went up in the crowd.
“Mrs. Callie Black is a good, kind woman. I want all of you to know that,” she continued, gazing around the townspeople. Several men and woman who’d already been inside the church moved to linger in the doorway and watch the scene unfold.
Tears burned in Callie’s eyes and her throat burned. The nerves that had been flitting around in her stomach started to calm. She couldn’t believe Mrs. Gerrard had come to make some sort of confession this morning, for all the town to hear.
“I spread a vicious rumor that Callie tried to seduce my husband, but it was a lie.” More gasps. “The truth is that my husband tried to hurt her, and when I caught him in the act, I didn’t want to believe he would… that he would do such a thing.” Mrs. Gerrard moved closer to Callie. “I’m here to set the record straight and tell the truth today, and I’m here to beg your forgiveness.”
“Mrs. Gerrard, are you well? Has something happened?” Callie asked, keeping her voice low so the entire town didn’t hear. Perhaps the rest of this conversation should be held in private.
“When I went to visit Thom at his claim…” Her voice trailed off and her lip quivered. “I caught him. Again. The miners in his employ have two women living with them.”
“Mrs. Gerrard, of course I forgive you.” Callie put an arm around the old woman and guided her through the crowd and into the church. She could only imagine what Mrs. Gerrard had walked in on when she showed up to surprise her husband. “You needn’t say anything else. Just come sit with me in church.”
Mrs. Gerrard smiled through her tears. “Thank you, Callie. I would like that very much.”
Once the congregation was seated, Lawrence moved to the front of the church. You could have heard a pin drop, it was that quiet. He was visibly nervous, and when he caught Callie’s eye, she smiled at him encouragingly. I believe in you. You are called to do this.
He stood taller and seemed more confident in the next moment, and she breathed a sigh of relief, though she wished she could take all his jitters away. It had been over two years since he’d led a congregation, and she didn’t fault him for his nerves.
“Ladies and gentlemen of Culpepper, I want to thank you for joining me today for what I hope is the first of many Sunday services. This church will be a place where everyone is welcome…”
Mrs. Gerrard put a hand on Callie’s shoulder and whispered, “I suppose this means you’ll be moving into the parsonage and staying in town.”
“I suppose so,” Callie whispered with a smile. “I suppose so.”
She gazed at her handsome husband, admiring how perfectly suited he was to preaching as he continued the service. When his eyes caught hers, a moment of understanding passed between them. They not only belonged together as husband and wife, but they both belonged in Culpepper Cove.
The End
Sue Lyndon
Sue Lyndon is the author of dozens of naughty spanking romances in a variety of genres, from contemporary to historical to fantasy. She’s a #1 Amazon bestseller in multiple categories, including BDSM Erotica and Sci-Fi Erotica. She also writes non-bdsm sci-fi romance under the name Sue Mercury. When she’s not busy working on her next book, you’ll find her hanging out with her family, watching sci-fi movies, reading, or sneaking chocolate. Please feel free to connect with Sue on Twitter, Goodreads, or Facebook.
Visit her website here:
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