Molly Noble Bull

by The Winter Pearl

  “Why were you trying so hard to find us?” Mr. Carr asked.

  “My niece is missing,” Lucas replied. “That’s why. My wife and I think she might have took the stage to Pine Falls. The same one you folks rode on the day it was robbed. You were on that stage, weren’t ya?”

  “What business is it of yours?” Simon Carr asked. “We don’t even know you.”

  “I reckon it’s my business ’cause I need to find my niece. Honor has reddish hair and brown eyes, and she’s nineteen years old. Did you see her?”

  “Maybe. Maybe not. We ain’t saying.”

  “If it’s money you want,” Lucas began, “I don’t have much.” He pulled his money clip from the pocket of his trousers and offered it to Simon Carr. “But I’m willing to give you what little I got.”

  Simon shook his head, looking irritated. “Put your money away. We don’t want it. And we ain’t got nothing to tell you about nobody.”

  “At least tell me if’n or not she was on the stage. I reckon you owe me that much.”

  “We don’t owe you nothing, mister. And stop trying to find out where we live.” Simon Carr stood and motioned for his wife to do the same. “If you keep on as you have been, we’ll call the sheriff and have you arrested.”

  Lucas rose from his chair as well. The Carrs started walking toward the door.

  “Wait!” Lucas said.

  Mr. and Mrs. Carr stopped and looked back at him.

  Lucas pulled out his Bible and held it out to them. “I have this here Bible. It’s a real nice one, too. Genuine leather cover and all. I need to sell it. Would you good folks like to buy it? I’ll sure make you a good price.”

  Annie Carr glowered at him. “What you need to do, sir, is read that Bible from cover to cover. Not sell it.” Then she turned sharply and walked out the door with her husband.

  After church, Jeth shook hands with Mr. and Mrs. Joe Miller, giving Violet Miller an extra pat on the shoulder. She was expecting a baby soon, and from the looks of the woman, the infant could arrive at any time.

  Mr. and Mrs. Rivers stood directly behind them. But where was their son Timmy? Jeth could guess that the boy was playing with the other children and probably getting into mischief.

  Jeth had noticed Willie Sharp and his mother when they came into the chapel. They’d arrived after the service had begun and left before it ended, but at least they’d made an appearance. Still, he wished he could have talked to them.

  Glancing at the line of parishioners waiting to shake his hand, Jeth saw Lucy Jordan and her mother near the end. He wanted to get this handshaking business over with quickly so that he could leave with Honor and his mother. Although he liked Lucy, she wasn’t easily discouraged, and would no doubt try to detain him.

  “Please excuse me, Mrs. Jordan, Miss Jordan,” Jeth said after he shook their hands at the door of the church. “I have things I need to do before I leave today.”

  “Of course.”

  It wasn’t a lie. All Jeth’s notes were kept in his desk, and he always had projects that needed to be completed before the evening service. Turning, he walked down a short hall. Three little boys stood in front of the door next to his office. Timmy Rivers, the smallest of the three children, pushed a strand of dark hair from his eyes and grinned at Jeth sheepishly.

  In the instant before he’d seen Jeth, Timmy’s hand had been reaching out, as if he’d been about to open the door to the bell closet.

  “Timmy!” Jeth scolded. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  Timmy gazed up at Jeth with a look of remorse. Whether or not it was genuine, Jeth might never know.

  “We wanted to see the rope that rings the church bell,” Timmy said. “That’s all.”

  “Were you planning to pull it?”

  Timmy glanced down. “Yes, sir.” He rubbed the toe of one shoe across the floor in front of him. “We’re sorry.”

  Jeth smiled. “I appreciate your honesty. But I can’t let you boys ring that bell. Do you know why?”

  “No, sir.”

  “The church bell is only to be rung at certain times and only with my permission. Here at our church we ring it to call people to worship. We also ring the bell on special occasions—like anniversary parties and weddings. So I can’t let you ring the bell now. It’s not the time for it. But I will let you see the rope. Would you boys like to see it?”

  “Yes, sir!” the boys said together.

  Jeth opened the door to the windowless, little room where the rope was kept. The pale rope, hanging through a hole in the ceiling, looked almost white in the darkened bell closet.

  “It takes a lot of strength to pull the rope enough to ring the bell,” Jeth explained. “I usually have a grown man do it.”

  “What if two of us boys pulled together?” Timmy suggested. “Or three? Would three be enough to ring the bell?”

  “It might.” Jeth grinned again, amused at Timmy’s determination and creative mind. “Two or three boys about your sizes just might be able to do it. Nevertheless, it’s just not the right time.”

  Jeth closed the door and locked it with a key from his key ring. “Now run along, boys. Your parents are probably looking for you.”

  When the boys disappeared around the corner and into the sanctuary, Jeth walked next door to his office. A pile of papers lay on his desk. He pulled out his Sunday night sermon, but he didn’t read it. Instead, he reached for his personal calendar and looked back over the week.

  His visit to the Sharp Ranch had brought Willie and his mother to church that morning. Perhaps he would visit them again.

  His glance fell on what was written on his calendar for the day he visited the sheriff’s office. Buy supplies. Buy Honor a coat. Memories of Honor and his visit with Sheriff Green returned to his mind.

  The sheriff wanted him to serve as a special deputy once all the clues to the stage robbery were in. At first, he’d disregarded the entire idea, but lately, he wondered. Should he consider doing it? Somebody had to help the sheriff out.

  And if Honor was in danger—

  He worried about her more than he should. Despite what happened at Falling Rock, she was so sweet and innocent, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. On the other hand, maybe he should wash all thoughts of her from his mind—concentrate on a more appropriate young woman, like Lucy Jordan. At least he knew Lucy was a Christian.

  Jeth liked Lucy Jordan, but he wasn’t attracted to her as a man to a woman. Unfortunately, his interest in Honor went beyond friendship into uncharted waters he wasn’t willing to name yet.

  Honor probably wasn’t a true Christian, and she might never be. He put the calendar back on his desk and hurried out the door. Surely by now, Lucy would have gone home.

  Mrs. Jordan sat in the buggy out front. But Lucy and two other young, single women stood at the door—waiting for Jeth.

  “Did you finish whatever it was you had to do?” Lucy asked.

  “Yes. Yes, I did.” Jeth shifted from one leg to the other, wondering how to leave her company without being rude. “So, how are your reading lessons working out?”

  “Miss McCall and I are just getting started—but we’re doing fine. And I’ve already learned a lot.”

  “Good.” He paused, searching for something else to say. “And how is your sewing coming along? I’ve heard glowing reports about the dresses you make.”

  “Really? Well, thank you very much. But lately, I’ve been getting behind. What I really need is a good seamstress to help me catch up with my sewing. But they are hard to find in a place like Hearten.”

  On impulse, Jeth suggested Honor for the job. Then wished he hadn’t. He needed to talk to Honor as soon as possible.

  Lucas had considered dropping the Bible in the nearest trash can, but thought again. Someone in Pine Falls was sure to buy it. He stuck the Bible in the inside pocket of the borrowed suit and hurried down the street toward his rented room above the store.

  Ten minutes later, he tossed the suit and tie onto hi
s bed with the rest of his belongings and changed into the clothes he’d worn when he left Ruby’s farm. They were dusty and wrinkled. The entire room reeked of spoiled food and dirty laundry. Lucas didn’t care.

  Guilt flooded him every time he stopped to think about Ruby. The same thing happened when he thought of Harriet and Honor. Whiskey erased those unhappy memories.

  Lucas got down on his hands and knees, peering under his bed. A cockroach crawled near his hand, but he took little notice. He pulled out two bottles of whiskey and put one beside the only chair in the room. Then he opened the other bottle and started drinking.

  He gulped down half the bottle in one swallow. Then he wiped his wet mouth with the back of his hand. Maybe he should sit down before drinking the rest.

  Soiled clothes were draped all over the chair. Lucas threw them on the floor and sat down. As he lifted the bottle to his mouth again, he realized he felt dizzy. He was also sick to his stomach.

  Honor slipped out the back door of the church to avoid seeing Jeth and Lucy together. Then she walked around the building to join Jeth’s mother in the buggy, which was parked in front.

  Jeth usually drove the wagon into town, but they’d come to church in the black buggy. Apparently, the buggy was used on Sundays and special occasions.

  Jeth’s mother sat in the front seat, talking to Dr. Harris, who stood beside the buggy. However, the doctor turned and headed for his covered wagon before Honor reached them. Honor took the wooden bench behind Jeth’s mother and settled herself to wait.

  She gazed at the little white church with its painted wood siding, stained-glass windows and bell tower. Jeth stood just below the front steps, talking to Lucy Jordan and two other young women.

  Honor refused to watch them. Strong emotions she couldn’t name churned inside her, heating her cheeks.

  “Jethro so loves to fellowship with the members of his congregation,” Mrs. Peters said. “But he should be along shortly.”

  You mean he enjoys visiting with Lucy, Honor thought.

  She’d hoped to get answers to her Bible questions. Now all she could think about was Lucy Jordan and her blue coat.

  Why should Honor care if Jeth talked to Lucy or anybody else, for that matter? He had a perfect right to have a conversation with anyone he liked. After his mother returned from Pine Falls, Honor would be leaving Hearten. Still, seeing Jeth surrounded by young women upset her.

  At the crunch of Jeth’s boots on the gravel path, Honor looked up. He nodded to Honor, then climbed into the buggy beside his mother.

  Honor nodded back halfheartedly.

  “I saw Willie Sharp and his mother in church this morning,” Mrs. Peters said to her son. “Did you?”

  “Yes.” Jeth untied the reins. “But I didn’t get to talk to them.”

  “Don’t be discouraged, son. There’s always next Sunday.”

  “I know.” Turning around in his seat, Jeth smiled at Honor. “Mama and I have been meaning to pay you the wages you’ve earned so far, Miss McCall. And now seems like a good time.”

  “Pay me?”

  “Yes.” Pulling bills and a few coins from his pocket, he handed them to Honor. “You’ve been doing a good job, too.”

  “Thank you.” Honor was about to put the bills in the new drawstring purse she’d made, when she remembered the coat Jeth had purchased for her. “And here’s a dollar back to pay on the coat. I’ll have more to give you later.”

  “I like the way you do business.”

  The warmth in his blue eyes excited her.

  “But one whole dollar is a lot to pay,” he added. “You only made three. I’m willing to take less.”

  “That’s very kind of you. But I want to pay one dollar toward my debt today.”

  “All right.” He paused for a moment, then said, “Miss Jordan was impressed with the way you altered Mama’s clothes, Miss McCall, and she wants to offer you a job, if you’re interested.”

  “What kind of job?”

  “She not only sews clothes for people, she alters them, and she’s gotten behind. Miss Jordan said that if you would work for her at night doing alterations at the boardinghouse, she would pay you half the money she gets for each job.”

  Half? If Honor was going to be doing the alterations, why wouldn’t she get all the money? Still, she supposed half was better than nothing, and she needed to increase her income if she hoped to save enough to pay her debt by Christmas.

  “All right. Tell Miss Jordan I’ll be happy to accept.”

  That night, Honor sat beside Jeth’s mother in the back row for the evening service. They huddled as close to the woodstove as they could get. Still, Honor felt cold and uncomfortable. Little wonder. It had started snowing soon after the morning service, and still the soft white flakes drifted down.

  Honor prayed daily now. She also knew one of the hymns they sang in church by heart, and most of her questions about the Bible were being answered from reading the Scripture. Yet the true meaning of what Jeth called “salvation” escaped her. A common thief could never be worthy of eternal life, she was sure, no matter what Jeth said to the contrary.

  Honor glanced at Jeth, standing behind the podium, and realized she hadn’t been paying attention. She sat up straighter. For the rest of the service, she planned to listen to every word Jeth spoke.

  “A long time ago,” he said, “Christians greeted each other in a special way.” He smiled. “One would say, ‘Jesus is Lord.’ And the other would say, ‘He is Lord, indeed.’

  “Many, if not most people know who Jesus is,” Jeth went on. “But you can know Jesus personally, and when you do, you will call Him Lord. Then, you won’t have to wonder if you’re saved. You’ll know—for sure.”

  Of course, Jesus is the Lord. Everybody knows that, Honor thought, shaking her head. She assumed what Jeth had said was important, but had no idea what his sermon meant.

  Honor tapped her fingers on her knees. Soon, the service would end, but not before Jeth gave an altar call. She’d told Jeth’s mother she would step forward and join the church that night. Now, she regretted her promise.

  She worshiped God and loved Him, and she was learning about Jesus from reading the Bible. But she couldn’t forgive Lucas or feel worthy enough to become a born-again believer. And she still felt guilty for stealing money from the church in Falling Rock. None of that was likely to change.

  All at once, Timmy walked toward her from a bench near the front of the church. Beaming, the little boy stood in the aisle beside Honor’s pew. He looked adorable in his blue sailor suit, and his infectious grin melted her heart. She supposed he wanted her to make room for him. Honor inched over and Timmy sat down.

  “I’m coming back to the boardinghouse, Miss McCall, so I can visit you again. Mama said I could.”

  Honor pressed her forefinger to her lips in a shushing gesture. The fact that Timmy wanted to sit beside her in church touched her deeply, but she wouldn’t allow him to misbehave.

  “Don’t talk during the service, Timmy,” Honor whispered. “We can talk later.”

  The child nodded and looked down at his hands folded in his lap.

  Mrs. Peters leaned toward her. “Are you going to join the church tonight?” she whispered. “You’ll feel better if you do.”

  Honor leaned closer to Jeth’s mother and whispered in the older woman’s ear, “Mrs. Peters, now what did you say I was supposed to do?”

  “Walk to the front of the church at the proper time and tell Jethro you want to join this church.”

  “Just go forward?”

  “Yes. You’ll do it tonight, won’t you?”

  “Of course.” A lump in her throat made swallowing difficult. “I said I would and I will.”

  Honor hated the thought of walking to the front of the church. Everyone would be watching her. What if she stumbled and fell? Or made some other mistake?

  Why had she said she would do this? She glanced toward the entry door, wishing she could walk outside and wait in the
buggy.

  Jeth stood behind the podium, looking as handsome as ever. He’d said a lot of things about salvation and being born again. Now he was talking about joining the church. Apparently, salvation and joining the church were different, but Honor didn’t understand what that difference might be. Jeth continued talking, but Honor couldn’t focus on anything he was saying.

  Mrs. Peters elbowed Honor in the ribs. “It’s time to go forward.”

  Frowning doubtfully, Honor glanced at Jeth’s mother.

  “Go on,” Regina Peters whispered. “It’s time.”

  Honor rose from the pew. Stepping in front of Timmy, she stood in the aisle, hesitating a moment. As her aunt would have said, she needed time to gather her wits about her.

  She felt everyone watching as she trudged toward the podium. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Lucy Jordan and her mother sitting near the front of the chapel. Now was not the time to fall on her face.

  Chapter Eleven

  Honor crept down the center aisle of the church while the organist played “Onward Christian Soldiers.” Jeth waited behind the podium. He grinned as she moved toward him, but she felt too unsure and shaky to smile back.

  She’d never liked being the center of attention. Stepping forward to join the church made her feel more like an actress on a very big stage than a maid working at a boardinghouse.

  Jeth was framed on both sides by large, bronzed vases filled with evergreen branches and pinecones. Woodsy aromas floating out from the arrangements did little to calm her nerves.

  Jeth’s commanding presence behind the podium made Honor think of a general about to send his troops to war. But she wasn’t a Christian soldier. Nor was she prepared for battle.

  Still smiling, Jeth stepped down from the platform. “What is your desire tonight, Miss McCall?” He took her trembling hands in his and held them. “Salvation?”