California Romance

by Colleen L. Reece

  The song ended. Luther offered a long prayer before directing the congregation to be seated. He returned to his chair and Josh relaxed. Having Luther behind him was a blessing, considering what “Reverend Joshua Stanhope” was going to do.

  Blood pounding in his ears until it threatened to deafen him, Josh walked to the front of the platform but didn’t step behind the pulpit. “I’m glad to be here with you.” He took a deep breath. “Will the children please come forward?”

  Eyebrows rose. A gasp from Luther echoed through the church. It did not deter Josh. In all the time he’d been preaching, he’d never been more sure of himself.

  At first, no one moved. Josh saw Caleb look at Matt for permission before heading toward the front of the church. Gideon followed; then a whole flock of children surged forward. Josh seated himself on the shallow steps leading up to the platform and motioned for the children to join him. “I have a story for you. Your mothers and fathers are welcome to listen, too.”

  Luther’s chair tipped over with a bang. “Really, Reverend, I must protest.”

  Josh turned. “Please be seated, Mr. Talbot.” Their gazes clashed and held. Then to Josh’s relief, Luther gave a loud harrumph and resumed his place.

  Third round. Stanhope, 1. Talbot, 0.

  Josh swallowed a chuckle and turned back to the children. “How many of you live on cattle ranches?” he inquired. Several hands shot up.

  “How many of you go riding in the hills with your daddies?” Other hands raised.

  Josh leaned forward and said in his most mysterious voice, “Do you know that God is a cattle rancher?” He thrilled at the interest in the children’s eyes. “God says in the Bible that he owns the cattle upon a thousand hills. I saw a lot of cattle yesterday but not that many!” He kept his attention on the children. “Even though God owns all those cattle, His Son, Jesus, is called the Good Shepherd. That’s funny, isn’t it?”

  The children nodded, but Luther mercifully kept still. Josh went on. “A long time ago Jesus told a story that shows how much God loves everyone. We call it the story of the lost sheep.” Josh glanced at the congregation. A small group sitting near the back wore broad smiles; Josh suspected they were the sheep owners. Others in the congregation scowled. Even Tim looked doubtful, but Ellie’s blue eyes sparkled.

  “A certain man had a hundred sheep. One day when he counted them, one was missing. The man left the other ninety-nine and went to find the sheep that had wandered away from the flock. The story says the shepherd was really happy when he found his sheep and brought it back where it belonged.”

  “I bet the sheep was happy, too,” Caleb piped up.

  Josh laughed and rejoiced when the congregation joined in. “I’m sure you’re right, Caleb. You may all go back to your parents now.” He stood, waited until they scrambled back to their places, then crossed to the pulpit and opened his Bible.

  “Isaiah 53:6 says, ‘All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.’ ” Josh closed his Bible and leaned forward. “You probably wonder why I chose to preach about sheep here in cattle country.” He waited for a murmur to die. “I don’t know much about cattle and sheep, but I know one important thing: You can herd cattle. Sometimes the ornery critters object and sometimes the herd stampedes, but cattle can still be driven.”

  Josh leaned forward, aware of quickening interest in the congregation. “Sheep can’t be driven. They have to be led by someone who understands them and cares about them. Someone who is willing to give his life to save the flock.” He paused. “The biblical account of the lost sheep doesn’t list details, but the fact that the shepherd left the ninety and nine in the wilderness shows us the search couldn’t have been easy.

  “I’ve asked Miss Sterling to sing a song that tells what the search may have been like. In 1874 a man named Ira Sankey was on an evangelism tour in Scotland with Dwight Moody. Sankey tore a poem from a British newspaper, put it in his pocket, and forgot about it. At a service later that day, Moody asked Sankey for a closing song.

  “It caught Ira by surprise, but the Holy Spirit reminded him of the poem. He took it out, said a prayer, and composed the tune as he sang. ‘The Ninety and Nine’ was Sankey’s first attempt at writing a hymn tune.” Josh nodded to Ellie. “Miss Sterling.” He went back to his chair.

  Ellie stepped to the front of the church. Abby played a few notes. Ellie began singing. The first clear note laid a hush over even the smallest child. Josh sat spellbound. Where had this rancher’s daughter learned to sing like this? Ellie’s voice surpassed the finest soloists who held highly paid positions at Bayview Christian. The words filled the sanctuary:

  “There were ninety and nine that safely lay

  In the shelter of the fold.

  But one was out on the hills away,

  Far off from the gates of gold.

  Away on the mountains wild and bare.

  Away from the tender Shepherd’s care. ”

  The song continued, painting unforgettable pictures of the obstacles the shepherd encountered in his quest to find the lost sheep. The congregation sat transfixed. When Ellie reached the final stanza, her voice swelled with joy:

  “And the angels echoed around the throne,

  ‘Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!

  Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!’”

  Ellie took her seat. Tears crowded behind Josh’s eyelids. He rose and slowly walked to the pulpit. He struggled for words to match the triumphant ones lingering in the sunlit air. Finding none, Josh bowed his head and said, “Let us pray.”

  Chapter 9

  When Joshua Stanhope called the children to the front of the church and courteously but firmly squashed Luther Talbot’s attempt to interfere, Ellie Sterling wanted to stand up and cheer. Tim’s wide grin showed he felt the same way.

  The children crowded close to Josh. A sunbeam from the window behind the pulpit bathed the little group with golden light and glorified the young minister’s face as he began the story of the lost sheep. Ellie clasped lace-mitted hands and glanced around her. Josh’s rich, deep voice and simple retelling of the timeless parable held the congregation spellbound…except for Amy Talbot. Face lifted toward Josh, her fingers toyed with the ruffles on her white dress. She coughed behind a dainty handkerchief, then dropped it and made a show of picking it up.

  Ellie raged at the disrespectful, obvious attempt to attract the young minister’s attention. Relief surged through her when Josh paid Amy no more heed than if she were a bug on the wall. He finished his story, sent the children back to their parents, and continued with the service.

  Ellie drank in every word, finding new meaning in the familiar Bible story. Then Josh nodded to her. She slowly walked to the front of the church. Lord, let me sing to Your glory. Abby struck the opening chords. Ellie’s earlier apprehension vanished. She opened her mouth and poured her heart into the song. Her heart thrilled at the look of understanding she saw in the faces turned toward her. Cattlemen and sheepmen alike knew every obstacle the Good Shepherd had encountered when He searched for His lost sheep. They, too, battled the elements of an often harsh land. Wild, bare mountains shaken by thunder. Steep and rocky trails and canyons. The desert. Flood-swollen rivers. Starless nights so black they hid dangers that threatened them. Thornbushes that tore into man and beast.

  The expressions on the girls’ and women’s faces reflected their knowledge, as well. In spite of stern warnings, children sometimes wandered away from home. What agony mothers and sisters experienced until they heard the glad cry that showed a child—a lost lamb—had been found.

  Never had Ellie felt the effects of a song so strongly. She closed her eyes and sang the final stanza with a power far beyond her own ability:

  “There arose a glad cry to the gate of Heaven,

  ‘Rejoice! I have found My sheep!’

  And the angels echoed around the throne,

  ‘Rejoice
, for the Lord brings back His own!

  Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!’”

  The triumphant proclamation lingered in the sunlit air. Ellie returned to her seat, as exhausted as if she’d traveled every foot of the way with the Good Shepherd. Memory of the faces turned toward her and the glistening tear tracks on work-worn faces filled her with humility. Her heart swelled, and she silently thanked God.

  Tim patted Ellie’s hand, as if aware of her feelings.

  Then Josh said, “Let us pray.” Heads bowed. “Father, we thank Thee for this day and these, Thy beloved children. May the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.” Josh smiled at the congregation. “Now if you’ll give me time to get outside, I’d like to meet you all.”

  Luther Talbot pushed forward, protest written all over his disapproving face. “Our minister always greets people inside the church, not out,” he announced.

  Josh’s easy laugh stretched Ellie’s lips into a smile. She poked Tim when he showed evidence of wanting to let out a yippee-ki-ay after Josh replied, “God has given us such a beautiful day, I’m sure He won’t mind if we step outside to enjoy it.” He strode down the aisle, leaving Luther huffing behind him in hot pursuit, with Amy at their heels.

  Before they reached the door, her clear treble floated back. “Oh Reverend, your sermon was wonderful ! I don’t know when I’ve been so touched.” She giggled. “Please forgive me. Father said you don’t like being called Reverend, but it doesn’t seem fitting to call you Josh. How about Preacher Josh?”

  Although Ellie couldn’t see Amy’s face, she could visualize the fluttering eyelashes and trademark innocence that were the finest weapons in the tiny blond’s arsenal of charm. How would Josh respond? The first pang of jealousy Ellie had ever known attacked her. Don’t be foolish, she told her wildly beating heart. Josh is nothing to you.

  Is that so? a second voice whispered. You’ve cared for him from the moment you met.

  Josh’s amused voice broke into Ellie’s turbulent thoughts and silenced the nagging voice. “I was called Pastor in San Francisco, but Preacher Josh will do. Now if you’ll excuse me, we need to make way for others coming out.”

  “Bravo!” Tim whispered in Ellie’s ear. “The Royal Canadian Mounties may always get their man, but I bet Amy Talbot won’t. She seems to have met her match.”

  Ellie stifled a laugh. Yet as she and Tim followed the crowd surging outside to greet Josh, she wondered why Tim’s comment should fill her with glee. Was it Christian to be glad Amy was getting the comeuppance she deserved? Besides, what was Joshua Stanhope to Ellie Sterling, or she to him?

  She and Tim reached the doorway and stepped out into the sunshine. Sarah’s laughing remark about the female population trying to attract Joshua Stanhope’s attention had already come to pass. Girls and women in billowing summer dresses encircled him. High-pitched voices praised the sermon, the story, and Josh.

  Don’t set your cap for him, Ellie told herself. Josh showed a clear preference for you at the fiesta, but look at him now. Sarah’s reminder that she had a running start didn’t silence Ellie’s doubts. She turned her attention to a group near her and concentrated on their comments.

  “He’s a likely young feller. Lookit the way he put ol’ man Talbot in his place.”

  “Yeah, but he didn’t preach much. Just told stories.”

  “That’s the way I like it,” someone approved. “Short ’n’ sweet. Preachers that rattle on and on usually just keep repeatin’ themselves.”

  “Wonder what the church board will do? Talbot looks mad enough to send Stanhope packin’.” A laugh followed.

  “I don’t take much stock in what the Talbot girl says, but I kinda like the name Preacher Josh. It’s friendly sounding.”

  “Pree-cisely,” another drawled. “I figured he might be uppity, being from a big city and all. He ain’t a bit like that.” The speaker lowered his voice, and Ellie had to strain her ears to hear. “I hear tell his folks live in a swell mansion. Funny he’d leave all that an’ some big church to come to Madera.”

  “Not funny at all,” a crisp voice argued. “I wouldn’t live in San Francisco if they gave me the place. Madera’s good enough for me.”

  A murmur of agreement rose before the first speaker commented, “I shore vote for this new man. I aim to tell Talbot right now.” He broke away and headed for Luther.

  “Hey, wait for us!” A general exodus in Luther’s direction followed. A moment later, Ellie saw the group of men surround the dour chairman. Her heart skipped a beat when they maneuvered him away from the crowd and under a large oak tree. Ellie couldn’t hear what they said, but their jutting chins showed they’d met with strong opposition. What if Luther convinced them Josh wasn’t worthy to be hired?

  Ellie felt perspiration spring to her forehead. Dread tightened her fingers into fists. She clutched her arms around herself to suppress pain. The thought of never seeing Josh again was unbearable. How could he have staked a claim on her heart in such a short time? She held her breath and watched Matt, Seth, Red Fallon, and the four board members join the group under the tree. Now what?

  It felt like an eternity to Ellie before Luther raised his hands with a disgusted look. He walked at a snail’s pace toward Josh, dragging his feet all the way. “Reverend Stanhope, it has been decided to hire you, contingent upon—”

  Loud cheers erupted, but Luther scowled. “As I was saying, the offer is contingent upon your performing acceptably for the next six months.”

  For the first time in their acquaintance, Ellie saw Josh’s jaw tighten. His gray eyes darkened with anger, and his voice rang. “Mr. Talbot, I will be happy to serve Christ the Way, but I do not perform. Any minister who does isn’t worth his calling.”

  Red Fallon stepped to Josh’s side and glared at Luther. “We’re hirin’ a preacher, Talbot, not an actor. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!”

  “ Yippee-ki-ay!” Tim bounded over to Josh. “I’m gonna be the first one to shake our new preacher’s hand.”

  The excitement on top of the reaction Ellie had experienced from singing proved too much for her. One hand over her rapidly beating heart, she slipped back into the empty church. She sank into a pew, trying to shut out the look Josh had given her just before she fled. And trying in vain to remember that anyone who walked so close to God could never be yoked with a girl who had never stopped hating her father.

  Tim found her there a long time later. “C’mon, Ellie. Matt and Sarah invited Josh to the ranch for dinner. He’s going with you in the buggy as soon as the rest of the folks here clear out.” Tim sighed and rubbed his stomach. “Hope it’s soon. Amy’s hanging on till the last dog’s hung, but I think Luther’s about ready to drag her home.”

  It took a moment for his news to sink in. “Josh? Ride with me? What about you?”

  “I already got a horse from the livery stable. Josh has to have a way to get back.” Tim flashed a mischievous smile. “Now’s your chance, sister dear. He’s already interested.”

  Ellie didn’t pretend to misunderstand. “Some chance.” She couldn’t keep bitterness from her voice. Bitterness and longing. “Can you imagine Gus Stoddard’s daughter married to someone like Josh?”

  Tim’s smile disappeared. “You’re Ellie Sterling now, not Ellie Stoddard.” His loyalty brought tears. “What if Gus…?”

  Tim patted her hand. “Forget about him, Ellie. He was glad enough to get shut of us. Most likely, we’ll never see him again. Peter or Ian either.”

  “Do you ever think about them?” Ellie turned her hand over and clung to Tim’s. It suddenly seemed terribly important to hear his answer.

  He shrugged. “Not much. They were mean. All three of them.”

  “Do you hate them?”

  “Naw.” Tim’s brown eyes took on a poignant light. “I used to, but Seth says we gotta love God more than we hate people. We gotta forgive them, too, even when it ain’t easy.” His
sigh sounded like it came up from the toes of his boots.

  “If only I could find a way to be worthy of someone like Josh,” Ellie whispered.

  Tim cleared his throat and gave her fingers a squeeze. “You already are.”

  “Just ride close to the buggy,” she pleaded.

  “Sure. Can’t let you and our new preacher go buggy riding without a chaperone.”

  Ellie smiled. Tim had returned to his usual impish self, but she’d caught a glimpse of the man he was well on his way to becoming.

  To Ellie’s dismay, Luther and Amy still had Josh buttonholed, even though the others had gone. Josh finally said to the Talbots, “If you’ll excuse me, it’s quite a ride out to the Diamond S, and they’re waiting dinner for us. Miss Sterling, are you ready to go?” He nodded toward the buggy.

  “You don’t mean to say you and Ellie are riding ten miles unchaperoned!” Luther burst out. Disapproval oozed from every word, and Amy’s smile changed to a pout.

  Tim drew himself up into a picture of outrage. “Of course not. It wouldn’t be proper.” He pointed to a saddled horse. “I’ll be riding alongside the buggy. We’d best be going. Solita doesn’t like us to be late for meals.”

  “Harrumph. We will continue our conversation at another time, Reverend. Come, Amy.” Luther strode off, but Amy sent a venomous glance toward Ellie before she tripped away and called, “Remember, Preacher Josh. You’re to have dinner with us next Sunday.”

  Ellie could barely control herself at the look on Josh’s face. It clearly said he did not enjoy the prospect of dinner at the Talbots.

  He helped her into the buggy and asked, “Shall I drive?”

  “Please.” Self-conscious, she wondered what to say next. She needn’t have worried. Josh began to ask about the country, the people, and Christ the Way Church. The trip to the Diamond S had never seemed shorter. By the time they arrived, Ellie knew Tim was right. Incredible as it seemed, “Preacher Josh” was definitely interested in her.