The Preacher's Bride: A Golden Valley Story (Brides of Birch Creek Book 6)

by Laura D. Bastian

  With her working beside him in the kitchen, listening to her hum as she kept busy with the meal preparation, Benjamin knew he had a lot to be grateful for. Once he’d finished with the potatoes, and she no longer needed his help, he still didn’t want to leave.

  After a quick trip into his study, Benjamin brought back out his paper and his Bible so he could continue working on his sermon and still be in the same room with her.

  She didn’t question him, but her quiet study of him for a moment soon gave way to an acceptance of his presence. She worked almost non-stop. Dinner no longer needed constant preparation so she picked up some mending and worked on stitching up some holes in his stockings.

  After a few minutes of working on that, she checked the food, then spoke. “It is almost ready.”

  “I’ll finish this last little part then move my books off the table so we can eat.”

  Amelia smiled and looked relieved. He hoped it hadn’t bothered her that he was here in the kitchen working. He thought only of himself when he’d chosen to come work in here. Maybe she actually preferred to have the kitchen all to herself.

  He’d be sure to ask her if she’d mind him in there the next time since dinner was done now and he couldn’t change the fact he’d already done it. She was so polite and accommodating, he wondered if she would answer him truthfully if it did bother her.

  By the time he returned to the kitchen after putting his papers away, he found his plate already dished up and her sitting at the table with all the food on the plates ready for them to give thanks and begin eating.

  “This is delicious,” Benjamin said after the first bite. “You have a gift.”

  “Thank you.” Amelia’s face lit up with pleasure at his words. “I learned it all from my mother.”

  “She taught you well. And some day, our daughters will learn from you.”

  Amelia’s face changed. She blushed a little and he wondered if he had been a little too forward.

  “I hope I can teach them as well as my mother taught me. She was so patient with me as I learned.”

  “Seeing you with everyone’s children tonight, I think you have gained her same teaching ability. I have no doubt you’ll do just fine.”

  They finished the meal in silence. Benjamin didn’t want to worry her that he expected anything immediate in regards to children. And once they finished eating, Amelia hurried to clean up. Benjamin stood to help her and she took his plate.

  “I know you still have a lot to work on with your preparation for tomorrow,” Amelia said. “Don’t worry about helping me with the dishes.”

  “Are you sure?” Benjamin asked. “I don’t mind.”

  “I appreciate that.” Amelia met his gaze for only a moment. “I’ll be all right. It won’t take long to do this, then I’ll finish the mending before I go to bed. You go ahead and work on your message.”

  “All right.” Benjamin wasn’t sure where the impulse came from, but he acted on it before he could change his mind and leaned in to kiss her cheek. She froze for a moment, then when he pulled back and gave her a parting smile, she relaxed and returned his smile.

  “Thank you again for dinner.”

  Amelia nodded. “Oh, before I forget to ask. What time does church start tomorrow?”

  “Ten,” Benjamin said. “Gives everyone time to get morning chores done and into town if they are out in the valley a ways.”

  “Thanks,” Amelia said as she turned around and began washing the dishes.

  Benjamin slipped away quickly since he felt a stronger impulse to kiss her again, though not on the cheek. He wanted to hold her in his arms and thank her for being brave enough to come into his life without knowing what to expect when she got here.

  He would take care of his congregation tonight, work on the message he felt he needed to deliver. Then for the upcoming week, he would make sure he let his wife know that she was quickly becoming the most important thing in his life.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Never in his life had he given a sermon quite like the one he did today. The folks in the congregation kept looking at each other and smiling as they looked up at him, then to where Amelia sat on the front bench.

  She was sitting next to Mr. and Mrs. Howard on one side, and the widow Elizabeth and her family on the other side. Amelia held Lucy on her lap and kept whispering into her ear. Somehow this managed to keep the girl quieter than she’d been during any of the other Sunday meetings she’d been to in her short life.

  He knew he kept looking at his wife, which in turn caused the congregation to smile again and nod knowingly. As if they knew anything. The completely respectable relationship between himself and his new wife was none of their concern.

  Benjamin did his best to keep the focus on his message, but there were times he slowed down when he caught himself looking at the little girl on Amelia’s lap then looking into Amelia’s bright eyes. She kept looking at him as if the message he was giving was exactly what she wanted to hear. She nodded in all the right places, and as he allowed himself to focus on the connection between the two of them and the word of the Lord he was delivering, the more he forgot about all the folks in the building watching them.

  For a while, he managed to deliver most of what he had wanted to say. Of course, the smile on her face, and the agreement in her eyes as he spoke started to throw him off again because all he could think of was that the woman was his wife and companion, and not just one of the members of his congregation.

  Finally, knowing he would be better off cutting church just a little short than trying to fill the remaining time with his usual thoughts that came to him as he presented each week, he ended his sermon with an admonition to be each other’s keepers. To do right in the sight of God and man and help out their neighbors.

  The final amen was followed by a musical selection played on their old piano and as Amelia’s crystal-clear voice rang out in joyous praise, he knew that she was delivering a much better sermon in her words of the song than he had done with his long, written out message.

  ***

  As soon as the music ended, most of the children rushed out the doors of the church while their parents began to visit quietly. A few of the little ones Amelia had played with yesterday either waved at her or came over to give her little hugs before rushing outside to join their friends. Everyone nearby Amelia complimented her singing and as they started to move toward the door to leave, others would come closer to talk.

  “Thank you for singing so powerfully,” one woman said. “I have always loved the messages the music brings.”

  “I agree,” another woman said. “Reverend Morrison gives wonderful sermons, of course, but listening to you sing just added a perfect finishing touch to the meeting.”

  “Thank you,” Amelia said. “I learned to sing from my mother.”

  “She taught you well. Do you play the piano as well?”

  Amelia shook her head. “No, unfortunately we didn’t have an instrument to practice on. We just sang at church or at home on our own.”

  “You did sound lovely,” Mrs. Howard said. “I believe we ought to look at getting a church choir started up.”

  Amelia smiled. “I would love to have a choir.”

  Elizabeth shifted her toddler on her hip. “That would be wonderful. And since you’re the reverend’s wife, it makes sense that you would lead it.”

  “Or he could lead it, and that would free up Amelia to sing.”

  “What a good idea,” someone said.

  “Here’s the reverend now, let’s tell him,” someone said.

  Amelia smiled at Benjamin as he approached. He met her eyes only briefly before focusing his attention on all the women gathered around her.

  “How are you ladies this fine day? Benjamin asked.

  “Doing well, Reverend,” Mrs. Howard said. “We’ve just had a wonderful idea. The thing that’s been missing in our congregation is a choir. So we thought it would be good if you would lead a choir when we get one start
ed. Now that we have a voice like Amelia’s, it would be a shame not to take advantage of it. Besides, that would mean less work you’d have to do to fill up the full meeting.”

  Benjamin smiled, but it didn’t seem to reach his eyes. She still didn’t know him well enough to decide if he seemed pleased or not at the idea.

  “Of course,” he said. “A choir would be a great addition to our Sunday services.”

  “Exactly,” Mrs. Howard said. “We could meet during the week to practice. If you want to let me know who you want in the choir, I’ll be happy to help you talk to them.”

  “We could just mention it next Sunday,” Benjamin said. “I’ll ask for volunteers at the end of the meeting to sing with us. It will allow us time to come up with the best time to meet.”

  “We should start right away,” Mrs. Howard said, looking at Amelia then back to Benjamin. “If you are not able to be here, we could just have Amelia here to start us.”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Amelia said, but another woman interrupted her.

  “We could meet in the middle of the week. That will give us time to spread the news.”

  “You know,” Amelia said, looking at the women around her. “The reverend and I were talking yesterday about the possibility of holding a children’s class. We might be able to do a little of that and also work on choir practice at the same time. Then the women could leave the children here for a short break after we sang. I’m sure there would be a few things most everyone wishes they had some free hands for.”

  “What a great idea,” Elizabeth said. “My mother loves to sing, and if she knew there would be a place for Peter to play while she was here, she’d come join us.”

  “I’ll be in touch,” Mrs. Howard said as she caught sight of her husband by the door waving to her. The other woman also left with her and Amelia remained standing next to Benjamin.

  “Well, that took off rather quickly,” Benjamin said after a moment.

  Amelia nodded. “Yes, quite. What do you think?”

  “I think my life is getting more and more interesting with you in it.”

  Before Amelia could ask him what he meant by that, he was called away to talk with a man whose name she couldn’t remember. Amelia walked toward the front doors and talked quietly with a few of the families that lingered in the building

  ***

  Benjamin waved to the folks still standing and visiting at the bottom of the stairs and in the shade trees that surrounded the church. Amelia stood by his side at the doorway and they watched the folks slowly work their way to their wagons or begin walking toward their homes.

  “How can I help you with any cleanup?” Amelia asked.

  “I usually make sure the benches and things are straight after the Sunday meeting is over. I wait until Monday or Tuesday to do any sweeping or dusting.” He turned to go back inside and Amelia followed him.

  It didn’t take them long to tidy things up and before he knew it, they were on their way back toward the brick house. She hadn’t done too much to change things. On the surface, it looked mostly the same, but it still felt different.

  Sure, he could tell there had been some changes to the front yard. She’d gotten right to work on pulling weeds and cleaning out some of the overgrowth of bushes. In a day or two, there would be some starts from someone’s plants.

  As they reached the door of the house, Benjamin paused. It was true that it felt different, but it was a good difference. Not just the outward appearance or the different smells or rearrangements of items.

  It was a home now. Not just a house. Benjamin held the door open for her and allowed her to walk in.

  “Thank you, Benjamin,” Amelia said sweetly. “I’ll get right to work on lunch.”

  “I’ll be there in a few minutes. I have some notes I need to make before I forget them.”

  He took the easy way out and headed directly into his study with his unnecessary and self-imposed assignment while she went into the kitchen. He watched from the doorway to see her put an apron on over the top of her dress and she got right to work on making them food.

  Benjamin closed the door and leaned against it. He was a coward, and he knew it. They’d been married four days now, and he’d done nothing but hide in his office and behind his work as the preacher here in town. He’d done nothing that would count as being a husband or companion to her.

  But what on earth should a man do to woo his wife? He thought her beautiful. No doubt about that. He didn’t want her to think that his interest in her was all about her physical appearance.

  It would take some study and thought to solve and Benjamin knew he had a lot of work ahead of him.

  ***

  Amelia knocked on Benjamin’s office door when she had finished making lunch. If only he would have joined her in the kitchen after the Sunday services like he had yesterday. She had always loved talking with her family and listening to her parents give their insight into what they’d learned each time they went to meetings.

  Of course, Benjamin had been the one to present the message. He likely didn’t feel like he should talk more about it. If she asked him more questions, would he think she either hadn’t listened to what he’d said before, or would he think she was digging too deep? If only they could be as comfortable today as they had been at dinner last night.

  Hopefully, they’d be able to eat together and talk of things. Unless of course he preferred more quiet reflection. She’d take his lead at the table.

  “Come in,” Benjamin said, from inside the room.

  She opened the door and gave him a smile. “Lunch is ready. Will you join me?”

  “I’d like that,” Benjamin said, standing from where he’d been sitting at his desk.

  She didn’t wait for him, but walked into the kitchen to make sure everything was set out, then placed the skillet onto a wooden block on the table. She dished him up the food and poured a drink of cool water, fresh from the pump.

  “Thank you for the meal,” Benjamin said. “I truly appreciate you taking care of everything like this so I can focus on my writing and my messages.”

  “What do you write?” Amelia asked. At least he’d given her a topic she could converse with him about.

  “I have written a few articles about some of the gospels. I find that putting my thoughts down on paper helps to sort things out. The Bible is full of wonderful messages, yet there are times when I find it helpful to have a collection of scriptural passages for a particular topic. For example, I’ve recently been referencing the different times when we’ve been commanded to care for our neighbors.”

  Amelia nodded. “Your message today in your sermon was very well thought out.”

  “Thank you,” Benjamin said. He looked pleased at her compliment and Amelia smiled. “Of course, everyone has a different way of serving their neighbors. Take our situation for example. Everyone in town was so kind and generous to celebrate with us, and many gave personal items to help us with things we might be missing.”

  Amelia nodded. “I still can’t believe how fast it all came together.”

  “Taking care of your neighbor has also been shown by you during our visits to families here. I don’t know how you do it, but you effortlessly spread messages of hope. Even your invitation to young Lucy to join us in our garden. It was a different way than I would have thought to do, but was obviously something that made Lucy happy to consider.”

  “I was worried you were upset about what I did.” Amelia met his eyes and found only kindness in them.

  Benjamin shrugged then took a bite of his food. “If I’m being honest, I was concerned about your reasons at first. I didn’t understand what you were trying to do. Then I stopped by and talked with Mrs. White not long after and she told me how nice it was to not worry about little Lucy while she took care of Peter. Then seeing you with Lucy working in the garden was nothing short of lovely.”

  “I didn’t know you had seen her here,” Amelia said. She hadn’t tried to hide it from him, b
ut had honestly been relieved when he wasn’t home when Lucy had shown up.

  “I listened for a few minutes as you explained how to tell the differences in the plants. She was so focused on what you had to teach her. It made me wonder how I had learned the different things in my life. I know much of it was directly from my mother and father. I know someday when we have children, you’ll do incredible work teaching them.”

  The kind smile on Benjamin’s lips warmed her heart more than the comment that they would someday have children.

  “She was a lot of fun to work with,” Amelia said taking a bite of her lunch to help ease her nerves.

  “She is a sweet young girl. Seeing her on your lap today during the services was quite endearing.” Benjamin met her eyes. “You have a way with children. That is obvious. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her be as reverent and subdued as she was today.”

  Amelia smiled. “She kept wanting to talk, and I had to promise her an extra tomato the next time she came by. I hope that wasn’t wrong of me to try to bribe her like that, but it seemed to help.”

  Benjamin laughed, which helped Amelia relax. She didn’t know why she felt so nervous right now, but having him at the table with her, and talking so comfortably was both a blessing and a worry. She hoped she wouldn’t do anything to disappoint him. Not that she was worried he’d do anything unkind to her; she just hated to think that she would cause him discomfort or any trouble as her husband.

  They ate quietly for a few minutes then Benjamin said, “You are a very talented young woman in many ways. I appreciate your cooking skills immensely. I’m sorry I’ve been so preoccupied lately and spent so much time locked away in my study.”