The Preacher's Lady

by Lori Copeland

  “ ‘Our Bo’ was a bad boy, Ma, and the lifestyle suited him fine. He forgot all about his family, me, Berrytop, and the Lord. He was too busy looking for a good time.”

  Ma wiped at a clean plate. “Many folks fall away from God for a season and then return with even greater love for the Lord. Sometimes folks have to taste what the world has to offer to choose the Lord’s love and reconciliation. They come back full force, like Bo.”

  “Oh, Bo’s back full force. He even preaches a decent sermon.” Decent was hardly a fair description of his messages. When he preached, folks sat up and took notice. She could admit that he now served the Lord as ardently as he had at one time served the devil. Perhaps Ma was right—for some it took a lost person’s perspective to gain life-saving wisdom.

  Irene scrubbed a skillet hard. “Having said all that, I can’t help feeling for Faye. She must be fit to be tied. She raised her son in the church, taught him at her knee to love God and man.”

  “Church doesn’t help a man if his heart isn’t present.” Elly knew all about missing hearts. Hers had been absent until Bo returned. And the deacon who preached the following Sunday followed Bo’s lead. There was no shouting or pulpit pounding, only plain talk about God’s goodness. Nothing quickened her faith more than Richardson taking to his sickbed. Folks even dared to speculate the Garrett boy might be persuaded to serve his home church and let Reverend Richardson take his long overdue retirement. The idea made Elly smile.

  Turning from the sink, Irene took her daughter’s hands in hers. “Darling, I love you with all my might. Whom you marry is one of the most important choices you’ll ever make.”

  Elly dropped Ma’s hands and returned to washing cups. “You’re underestimating me. I’ve thought long and hard about what I’m doing.”

  “And you believe Gideon will be the man to love you when you’re unlovable?”

  Elly turned away. “No one person could be everything to a woman. Sometimes a person has to take happiness where they find it. Like you said, Ma, Gideon is a fine man. Please don’t worry about me.”

  “Oh, honey.” Irene reached out to draw her close. She held Elly tightly for a moment. Her words warmed her daughter’s heart. “The day I stop worrying about you will be the day they lower me into the ground.”

  Chapter 15

  Clouds parted to reveal a dazzling blue sky. Although cold, the day proved perfect for reconnecting with friends and neighbors before the winter cocooned the community.

  Elly and Irene packed muffins in a basket and walked door to door to share the delicious treats. Elly could barely speak for the joy of hearing her mother laugh, pray, and recount memories with her long-time friends.

  Late afternoon, the pair took notice of the fading light and, reluctantly, thoughts returned to home and chores. Elly suggested a quick stop at the mercantile for a couple staples before ending the outing.

  Sitting on the outside bench, a woman wearing a cloak and bonnet sat motionless with a little girl whose cheeks blazed from the cold. Elly made note to check on the pair when they left the shop. They were new to town and could probably use a few directions.

  Inside, they found the doctor purchasing pipe tobacco. Adele came through the door shortly afterward, and another round of welcomes enveloped Irene. Ma clearly enjoyed the attention.

  Doc made Adele stand up front while he casually walked around her, assessing the baby’s progress. “Dad gum if I don’t think you’ll be havin’ that young’un early.”

  The expectant mother’s face lit. “Honest?”

  “Never know about these things.” He winked. “He’ll come when he takes a notion.”

  The hands of the clock inched toward five. Mr. Stack discreetly cleared his throat and the women broke apart. All knew Mr. Stack demanded a timely supper. They hurriedly made their purchases and stepped outside the store to say their goodbyes. Adele excused herself to clean the church before the evening meal.

  “Aren’t you too far along to be doing such work?” Irene asked.

  “I go plum crazy if I sit around too much. I’ll be a happier mama if I feel useful. Besides, I’ve cleaned the church forever and I want to pay the Reverend a short visit. The poor man seems to be going downhill.”

  With that, she pulled her cloak tighter and waddled off toward the parsonage.

  The woman and child still sat on the bench. The woman gave Elly a hopeful glance when she exited the store. Were the two lost? Night would be here soon and cold was settling in. Elly bent to speak into her mother’s ear. “Who is that?”

  Irene glanced at the couple and whispered. “I don’t know, but the woman and the child were on the train with me. I was so weary from all the delays I didn’t try to make conversation.”

  The two women paused before the strangers. The woman raised her chin, a show of haughtiness. But the child leaned forward, eager for anything Elly could offer.

  “Can we help you? Do you have someplace to stay?”

  The woman sat up even straighter. “No, we’re waiting for someone. I knocked on the door, but nobody answered. I also left a note saying I would be sitting on the bench in front of the mercantile. So far, nobody has bothered to come.”

  Elly followed the woman’s gaze across the road. “Someone will surely respond. The people of Berrytop are kindhearted. No one would willingly leave you out here in the cold. There must be some misunderstanding.”

  The little girl rubbed her arms and shivered, studying Elly with serious sky-blue eyes. Elly’s heart went out to the child. Kneeling, she smiled. “I’ll bet a hot meal and a crackling fire sound awfully good right now. Am I correct?”

  The child glanced at the woman. The austere looking lady nodded sharply.

  “Have supper with us,” Irene invited. “We have plenty, and our house is nearby. We’ll help find your friend tomorrow. Everyone knows everyone in Berrytop.”

  Indecision crossed the stranger’s face. “We shouldn’t move from where I promised we would wait. I’m sure our party will be along any moment.” The little girl turned hopeful eyes back to Elly.

  “Well then, who are you looking for?”

  “Mr. Bo Garrett. Pastor Garrett.”

  Her answer was so shocking, Elly reached for the post to steady her legs. “Bo?”

  The woman’s features brightened. “Bo Garrett. Do you know him? Can you take me to him?”

  Elly had heard gunshots in the woods earlier. Likely, Bo had taken the afternoon to hunt, since Milt’s penchant for fried squirrel and biscuits still thrived. She glanced toward the Garretts’ house where a light shone in the kitchen window. “We visited with Faye this morning. She didn’t mention any plans. It’s curious no one answered when you knocked. We can take you there on our way home.”

  “Thank goodness.” The woman stood and reached for a small reticule.

  As they walked through the crisply falling snow, Elly couldn’t help but wonder about the woman. But more interestingly, who was the child? She lagged behind with noticeable weariness. “Walk with me.” Elly extended a hand to the child. If needed she would carry the little tyke. “I’ll take you to see Pastor Garrett.” The woman stood straight as a picket, lugging a small bag and the reticule. Elly doubted she cared one lick about the child by her manner.

  Approaching their back door, Elly shooed Ma and the little girl to the front of the line.

  Pausing, the stranger noted, “Why, this is the house where I left the note.” She eyed Elly suspiciously.

  Elly frowned. “This is our house. We’re the Sullivans. I’m Elly and this is my mother, Irene.”

  “I’m looking for Bo Garrett.”

  “Then you got the wrong house.” Elly turned. “The Garretts live across the road. Come with me. Mother, you go in and get warm.”

  As the small party approached the Garretts, Elly detected the heavenly scent of pot roast in the air. Faye could make a roast that melted in one’s mouth, served with rich dark gravy. Elly’s stomach rumbled.

  The threes
ome stepped onto the front porch and Elly knocked. Within seconds Milt answered the summons, his smile widening into a pleased welcome. “Elly. Come in, honey.” His gaze swept the two strangers. “Who do you have with you? Come in, come in. It’s cold as a well digger’s boots out there. You look close to frozen.”

  The woman pulled the child by her coat lapel into the house. “Mr. Garrett? Bo Garrett?”

  Milt’s smile remained in place. “Bo’s my boy. He’s out back cleaning squirrel. Is there a problem?”

  “My business is with him. If you would kindly retrieve your son, I would like to speak to him.”

  Milt glanced at Elly with a lifted brow. “Step in, ladies. I’ll get him.” He turned and left the room.

  The little girl sidled closer to the stranger, almost burying her head in the lady’s skirt. On closer inspection Elly saw the woman was not much older than she. She looked hard, like she’d lived a rigorous life.

  Faye entered the parlor. “Oh good gracious, Elly. Take your things off and get closer to the fire. I fear it’s going to be a bear of a winter.”

  The stranger restrained the child from eagerly accepting the offer. “Thank you, but I’ll not be staying long.”

  Why this woman needed Bo so urgently was none of Elly’s business, and yet the woman and the little girl fascinated her. Nobody came to Berrytop this time of year. Elly knew she should excuse herself and go home, but curiosity got the best of good manners. She wanted to know what that barely civil sourpuss was doing here. And a child that size should be home, eating a warm dinner and snuggling up with her favorite toy in front of a fire.

  Faye gently eased the child from the woman’s grip and settled her in front of the fire with a mug of hot cider. She spoke to the stranger as she unbuttoned the girl’s coat. “Can I get you a cup of coffee, Miss?”

  Judging by the mantle clock less than five minutes had passed, but time crawled. Why didn’t Bo come? Surely Milt told him a strange woman and a little girl waited for him in the parlor.

  Finally, the hinges squeaked on the back door and Bo’s voice reached Elly’s ear. He appeared in the doorway, drying his hands. “Someone need a pastor?” His attention focused on Elly. “Miss Elly.” His gaze then pivoted to the woman. “Is there something I can do for you?”

  The woman stepped to where the child sat and pulled her up to stand before Bo. “I’m delivering Willow, and then I’ll be on my way.”

  Bo studied the woman and looked back to the little girl. “Willow? What in the world are you doing here, darlin’? You’re a long way from Parsons.”

  The child broke loose and ran to grab him around the legs. He bent and picked her up. Elly watched dumbstruck as a series of loud smacks exchanged. Bo knew this child. Knew her well.

  “I brought her here on Jenna’s orders.”

  “Jenna?” He frowned. “What’s wrong with her?”

  “She encountered an unfortunate… customer. She died during the skirmish. Her last words were, ‘Take Willow to Bo.’ It’s been no small effort or expense to follow her wishes.”

  Bo’s expression turned grave. “Jenna’s dead?”

  “Yes sir. Buried her two weeks ago.” The woman reached into her pocket and then handed him a tiny silver locket. “She said someone else might enjoy this; the trinket had been the most special thing in her life.” The women’s lips drew tight. “She assured me you would reimburse me.”

  “Was she still working at The Soiled Dove?”

  The lady found the grace to blush. “A woman’s got to make a living, preacher.”

  Milt sank into his rocker, holding both hands to his head.

  Bo studied the locket and then gently sat the child on the floor and placed it around her neck. “Of course. I’ll get money for you.” He turned, picked up Willow, and left the room.

  Elly stifled a gasp. Her eyes flew to the child, comparing her features to Bo’s. She didn’t look a thing like him. His hair was dark, hers was blonde. In profile, the little girl’s nose turned up. Her blue eyes were wide-set. The child’s likeness must come from her mother.

  Bo returned. Shaking his head, he spoke softly. “I’m much obliged to you for bringing Willow to me. I’m real sorry to hear Jenna is no longer with us.”

  “She’s very shy,” the woman said.

  The child clung to Bo like a peach to a vine.

  “Well, Willow girl.” He looked at Faye. “Do you mind another mouth at the table?”

  Faye’s eyes glistened. “Not a bit.” Mother Garrett’s eyes held as many questions as Elly’s.

  “This young’un looks a mite hungry. Do you like pot roast, Willow Leah?”

  The little girl nodded.

  Elly lost all hope. He even knew the child’s middle name.

  “There’s roast and potatoes. As soon as the biscuits come out of the oven, we’ll sit down at the table.” Faye smiled. She looked at the woman. “You’ll be joining us, I hope?”

  The lady shook her head. “My job is finished. I have a room in Madison. I’ll be taking the train back to Dodge City in the morning.”

  “My sympathies.” Faye smiled. “Bo, you ought to give her a little more money. The trains are a nightmare.”

  Elly stood mute as the scene played out before her. Bo had fathered a child.

  Of the endless promises he’d made and broken, this one hurt the most. She found her senses to follow the woman out the door. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

  Milt caught her by the elbow and whispered in her ear. “I’m deeply sorry you had to witness this, sweetheart.” His kindness tore at her shredded heartstrings.

  The revelation came at the worst possible moment. She had truly been starting to forgive Bo, to accept that mistakes were a part of life, and that he’d become a better man.

  Now, the folly of her wayward thoughts made her cry harder.

  Once again, Bo Garrett had played her for a fool.

  Chapter 16

  Oh, Adele!”

  The young woman jerked upright from polishing a pew when Elly burst into the church unannounced.

  “What?” The cleaning rag dropped from her friend’s hand onto the pew. Winter’s fading light gave the church a sacred glow.

  “He did it again!”

  Adele moved faster than a woman heavy with child ought, her arms stretched out to embrace Elly. She pulled her into a pew to sit. “Quiet yourself. Who has done this terrible thing? Gideon? What’s he done now? A pig? He’s sent you a pig, hasn’t he? I warned him to be more creative with gifts—perfumes, lotions… ”

  “Not Gideon, Bo!”

  “Bo?” She frowned. “Bo’s given you a pig? That doesn’t seem like him, Elly. You’re a promised woman.”

  Elly shook her head wildly. “He didn’t give me a pig. It’s what he’s done, Adele.”

  “Oh my, what’s he done now?”

  “He sired a baby out of wedlock. A little girl.”

  Adele’s jaw gaped. “That’s not funny, Elly. We’re in the house of God.”

  “It’s true.”

  “Did Bo tell you this?”

  “Of course not. He wouldn’t tell me something like that.” He’d know without a doubt the confession would hurl her to the edge of sanity. He’d disappointed her plenty already. And now this.

  “Where is this child?”

  Elly found it hard to breathe. “Here. Right here in Berrytop. At your house.”

  “A child just showed up? How did she get here?”

  “Train.”

  Adele huffed. “Listen to me; I’m perfectly aware a child came by train. Tell me who brought her.”

  “A woman. A real grump. Not at all friendly, or the least bit tender with the child. She handed the little girl off to Bo and immediately left.”

  “And Bo accepted the girl?”

  Elly’s chin quivered. “Like a neighbor brought him a sack of fresh turnips. Just took the child and thanked the lady.” She started to weep openly. “He even knew the little girl’s middle name. Leah. Will
ow Leah. How many times can that man rip my heart out of my chest and stomp on it?”

  Adele stood and paced. “Do you or do you not love Gideon?”

  “I do love him!” She was sobbing now, sniffing and digging in her coat pocket for a hanky. “I just don’t want to marry him.”

  There. She’d finally gotten the truth out. She breathed in and out slowly, trying but failing to regain composure. “I love Gideon but not the way I should.”

  The emotional dam finally shored up, and she drew a deep, hiccupping breath and waited until her heart slowed down. “I thought you’d want to know,” she said.

  Sinking to the pew, Adele sighed. “You aren’t making a lick of sense. If you came here to tell me you don’t love Gideon enough to marry him, I think I already knew that.”

  “No, I came to tell you that Bo… ” The dam burst and hot tears spurted fresh from her eyes. “Some other woman bore Bo’s child. I would have doubted the truth if I hadn’t seen him accept the little girl with my own eyes. His actions left no room for doubt.”

  Shaking her head, Adele scooted closer. She must have felt her own sense of disappointment with her brother, but she didn’t show it. She pulled a handkerchief from her apron and traded out the one Elly had saturated. “Here. Try and settle down. Now, calmly, let’s hear it all.”

  Drawing a deep breath, Elly clung to Adele’s hands, willing the tears to stop. “Mother and I were coming out of the mercantile when we spotted a woman and child sitting on the bench. It was obvious they were waiting on someone or something, so we asked if we could help. At first the lady declined our offer, but then she asked if we knew Bo Garrett. We said we did and she said… ”

  Overcome, Elly buried her face in Adele’s shoulder.

  “Stay with me. What did the woman say?”

  “That she was looking for Bo,” Elly managed between sobs. “So we led her and the little girl to your house, and, lo and behold, it became clear the woman was delivering the child to him.”

  Slumping against the pew, Adele shook her head. “I feel sick.” She covered her face with both hands. “How could he?” she whispered. “I cannot believe my brother would do that—especially to you, to my family. To God.”