A warning bell rang in Josh’s brain. “No.”
Amy’s eyes gleamed. “I want to ask you a question. If a girl—a young woman—wants a certain man, is it unmaidenly for her to ask him to marry her?”
Josh gaped like a fish out of water.
“Well?”
Josh found his voice and got to his feet at the same time. He purposely raised his voice, loud enough for Abby to hear. “Miss Talbot, I hope you are jesting. It would not only be unmaidenly, but improper for a young woman to ask a man to marry her.”
It didn’t seem to faze the bold girl. “Even when marrying her means saving the man she wants from being fired?”
Josh could barely conceal his dislike. “Absolutely. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to speak with Abby.” He stepped back into the aisle, but her shrill voice followed him.
“You’ll rue this day!” She elbowed her way past him and ran out of the church, banging the door behind her.
Josh walked to the front of the church and stared at Abby.
“What’s Amy up to now?” she asked.
“That spoiled young lady thinks she can have everything she wants, including me.”
Abby’s giggle brought a reluctant grin. “I probably shouldn’t have told you,” Josh apologized.
Abby sobered, and a worried look came into her dark eyes. “I’m glad you did. Knowing Amy, you may need a witness.” She rested her hands on the keyboard. “Don’t forget that a woman scorned, especially one like Amy, is big trouble.”
“Let’s forget her and talk about the hymns for Sunday,” Josh suggested. “A much more pleasant subject.”
Abby nodded, but before they finished deciding on what songs best fit Josh’s subject, the door slammed open. Luther Talbot stormed in with Amy right behind him.
“Reverend Stanhope, what’s this I hear about you insulting my daughter?” he bellowed. “She came home in tears and refused to repeat whatever it is you said to her. You may do things differently in San Francisco, but we don’t stand for such here.”
Josh felt anger begin at his toes and crawl its way up. “Keep your voice down. This is the house of God.” He ignored Luther’s gasp and fixed his gaze on Amy’s smirking face. “Tell your father the truth, or I shall.”
Amy’s eyes widened, and she put on an aggrieved air. “Why, Preacher Josh, whatever do you mean?”
Sickened by her pretense, Josh turned to Luther. “Mr. Talbot, is your daughter in the habit of asking men to marry her?”
Luther’s jaw dropped. “What are you talking about?”
Josh didn’t give an inch. “I’d hoped never to repeat our little conversation, but since Amy chooses to play innocent, you need to know what happened. I did not insult her. I did tell her it’s unmaidenly and improper for a young woman to ask a man to marry her—and only after she asked. Mrs. Fallon heard what I said.”
Luther grabbed his daughter by the shoulders and shook her. “Is that true?”
“I was only teasing the preacher,” she whimpered. “He took it all wrong.”
Josh’s temper boiled over. “Was it also teasing when you asked if it would still be inappropriate if marrying her meant saving the man she wanted from being fired?”
Amy burst into sobs, freed herself, and stumbled out the open door.
Josh watched Luther’s prominent Adam’s apple go up and down before the gaunt man said, “I may have been a bit hasty.” He turned on his heel and marched out, his spine stiffer than a hickory walking stick.
Abby’s laughter released some of Josh’s fury. She rocked back and forth on the organ bench, then wiped away tears. Mirth, however, soon gave way to concern. “This isn’t going to endear you to either Luther or Amy.”
Josh stared at her. “It also won’t improve my chances of staying on at Christ the Way.” He walked out and headed for the livery stable. The best medicine for getting the Talbots and their doings out of his system was a long, hard gallop on Sultan.
Chapter 23
Joshua Stanhope stared at the red-circled date on his calendar. Tomorrow, November 30, ended his six-month trial period at Christ the Way. And tomorrow he’d board the train to San Francisco.
Would he be back? The grim-faced church board had silently listened when Josh laid down his conditions for further service: freedom to serve outside the church as well as inside. But Luther Talbot’s noncommittal “We’ll let you know” indicated that unless God intervened, Josh would be out of a job.
A pang shot through him. “Lord, I’ve come to love the church and most of the people. Glad I’m getting away though. I can hardly wait to see my family and Ellie.”
Fear nibbled at his anticipation. What would he find? The girl he loved or a changed young woman?
Josh brushed the disloyal thought aside but fought depression all the way to San Francisco. Mother had been friendly when she and Edward came to kidnap Ellie, but how did she feel now that she’d gotten what she wanted?
When the carriage reached the mansion on Nob Hill at dusk, Josh paid the driver and strode up the walk and onto the porch. He thought of the lost son who came home to his father’s house from a far country, sick and uncertain of his welcome. Although Josh’s circumstances differed, new understanding of the young man’s feelings filled him. Why didn’t I tell my family I was coming? Father would have rushed out to greet me, just like the lost son’s father, he reflected. Josh raised and dropped the heavy knocker. The door opened.
“Senor Joshua,” Maria gasped. “You are home?”
“Yes, Maria.” He stepped into the brightly lit hall. “Where is the family?”
“In the drawing room.” She scuttled ahead of him, talking all the way. “I do not think they are expecting you. Senorita Ellie would have told me.”
Josh thanked her and pushed open the heavy drawing room doors. Heart beating like a bass drum, he stepped inside, leaving the doors open. “Howdy, folks.” What a dunce. I haven’t been home in months, and I say howdy?
Three shocked faces turned toward him. Mother’s hand flew to her throat. Edward and Father leaped up and met him halfway across the room. Father gripped Josh’s hand. “Welcome home, Son.”
Edward pounded on his shoulder. “Great to see you, old man. Why didn’t you tell us you were coming?”
“I wanted to surprise you.”
Mother’s chin wobbled. “You certainly have, Joshua. I—we’ve missed you.”
Relief threatened to buckle Josh’s knees. He hurried across the costly rug and knelt beside her chair. “I’ve missed you too, Mother. All of you.” He looked around the lavishly furnished room. “Where’s Ellie—Miss Sterling?”
A rustle behind him whipped Josh around. A soft voice said, “I’m here.”
Josh stared. The white-robed girl in the doorway looked like she’d stepped out of a painting. “Ellie?”
“Don’t you know me?” She glided to him and held out her hand.
Josh folded it in his. “I’m not sure,” he told her. “You look different—”
“Of course she looks different,” his mother interrupted. “Surely you didn’t expect her to look the same as when she lived on a ranch. Not that there’s anything wrong with ranches,” she hastily added. Her unaccustomed tact surprised Josh. Evidently Ellie wasn’t the only person who had changed.
“I’m glad you’ve come,” Ellie said.
The feel of her soft hand in his and the expression in her eyes made Josh feel better.
In the days that followed, however, he realized how much Ellie had changed. Not only in dress, but in the confident way she carried herself…and how she fit into city life. Josh searched in vain for the Ellie he’d fallen in love with: the girl in the yellow calico gown that made her look like a western meadowlark. Did she still exist? Or was San Francisco changing the Sierra Songbird into a society peacock?
Early one chilly morning, Josh climbed high atop a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. “Lord, it seems everyone at Bayview Christian expects me to come back, exc
ept Reverend Michael Yates. I no longer belong in San Francisco. I can’t stay, even if it means losing Ellie—and it may. She seems so thrilled with her success here.”
Josh stared unseeingly at the rolling waves breaking against the shore far below. “I feel like a man without a country. I want to go back to Madera, but surely I’d have heard if they plan to keep me.” He groaned. “If they don’t, how can I ask Ellie to give up all this for a preacher without a church?”
Hours later, the cold drove Josh back to the mansion on Nob Hill. Strange. After only six months, he felt more at home in the Madera parsonage than in the home where he’d been born. He raised his head and clenched his jaw, determined to corral Ellie.
So far, trying to get her alone had been futile. His opportunity came that afternoon. Edward was out and about; Father at his shipping office. After lunch, Mother retired to her room for a nap. Josh told Ellie, “We need to talk.”
Her eyes darkened. “I know.” She led him to the library and motioned him to a chair, as if she were the daughter of the house and he a mere guest. “How’s everyone on the Diamond S?”
“Fine, but I don’t want to talk about them. When are you coming back to Madera where you belong?” Josh saw her stiffen at his blunt question.
“I belong here.” Ellie leaned forward. “I’m doing a great deal of good with my singing. Everyone says so.”
“More than in Madera? Is singing to throngs of people more important than seeing lives changed at the hand-hewn altar in Christ the Way?”
Every trace of color fled from her face. She stared at if seeing Josh for the first time.
“Tim thinks you’re settling for fool’s gold instead of real gold. Has all this glitter spoiled you?” He waved at the luxury surrounding them.
The harsh words hung in the air. Ellie’s eyes looked enormous. “Do you think so?”
“I don’t know. I—”
A tap on the door cut into Josh’s reply. He got to his feet. “Yes?”
Maria entered, holding a letter. “For you, Senor. It came this morning, but you were not here.” She handed it to Josh and scurried out.
Josh glanced at the envelope. His world turned black.
Ellie slipped from her chair and came to his side. “Is it from the church board?”
“No. From Tim.” He tossed her the unopened message. “He’s probably blasting Luther and his buddies for getting rid of me. Here, you read it.” He watched Ellie slit the envelope and unfold the single page. Tears sparkled on her lashes. She glanced down and began to laugh. “If this isn’t just like Tim! No greeting, just this:
“Luther called a secret meeting of those who don’t want you here. Red got wind of it. He rounded up members and a bunch of cowhands and sheepherders who like you.
“They busted into the meeting. Red up and told the board Jesus came to save folks with the gumption to admit they’re sinners. He said God’s love ain’t s’posed to be kept locked up inside the church. You shoulda heard folks cheer!
“It shook the board up (specially when Red hinted a new board could get picked). Anyhow, they voted to let you run things your way. Hurry home before they change their minds.”
Josh gave a great shout. “Well, God bless Red Fallon!” He gently grasped Ellie’s shoulders. “Now that I have a job again, will you marry me, Ellie? Right away?”
Ellie clasped her hands around his arm and gazed into his face. She looked stricken. “I want to marry you, but until God lets me know my work here is done, I can’t.”
Josh stared down into her troubled face. The sincerity in her voice could not be ignored. “I can’t argue with what you feel God is telling you to do, Ellie. Just make sure you’re hearing Him right.” Josh bent and kissed her upturned lips, then released her and left the room.
Ellie watched Josh go. She longed to rush after him and erase the bitter disappointment in his eyes. She could not, so she flew to her room for refuge. Her respite, however, was short lived. Just before dinner, Maria appeared.
“The senor from the newspaper is waiting to see you.”
Ellie rebelled. “Tell him I can’t see him.”
Maria shook her head. “He said it is muy important.”
“All right.” Ellie smoothed her hair and went back to the library.
The reporter’s sober countenance frightened her. “Miss Sterling, the Chronicle received an anonymous message today. I regret bringing it to you, but others may have also received it.” He handed her a sheet of paper.
Bold black words stared up at her: “Ask the Sierra Songbird about her real father and jailbird brothers.” The page slipped to the floor. Ellie wanted to flee. Just when she thought herself over the past, a dozen malicious words had brought it all back.
“What do you want me to do with this?” the reporter asked.
An old saying came to mind. Tell the truth and shame the devil. “You need to hear and write the truth.” Ellie saw admiration sneak into his watching eyes. “Come back this evening after I have time to talk with the Stanhopes.”
He nodded and left. Ellie sank to the settee. “Lord, I dread telling them, especially Mrs. Stanhope. Well, whatever happens, I’ll be free from the fear of discovery. I just hope it doesn’t cause more trouble for Joshua.” She went to her room and donned her prettiest dress. Somewhat calmed by the knowledge that God was still in control, she went down to dinner. When the meal ended, she quietly said, “I have something to tell you. May we go into the library, please?”
Mrs. Stanhope looked startled. “Of course.” She rose and led the way. With a silent prayer for help, Ellie waited until everyone was seated in the restful room.
“The Chronicle received an anonymous message today,” she began. “It said to ask me about my real father and brothers.” She fixed her gaze on Mrs. Stanhope and told the story of Ellie Stoddard who became Ellie Sterling. She spared none of the details, even though they seemed more sordid than ever when related in this luxurious setting. Ellie watched Mrs. Stanhope’s face grow mottled with rage, change to disbelief, soften with compassion, and grow tight-lipped, but the older woman didn’t interrupt.
Ellie ended with, “I’m sorry for the embarrassment this will cause you, but I intend to give the reporter the full story. He’s coming back tonight.” Her self-control broke. Tears dripped. “I wish I’d told you everything before I agreed to come here.”
Mrs. Stanhope turned to Joshua and glared. “Did you know about Ellie’s past?”
A steely look came into his gray eyes. “Yes, but not how bad it really was.”
“And you didn’t see fit to tell me.”
Ellie cringed. Would this cause another rift between mother and son?
Josh’s lips curved into a smile of incredible sweetness. “Stoddard or Sterling, Ellie is the most wonderful girl in the world.”
“Amen,” Edward put in.
“Do be quiet, Edward. This doesn’t concern you.”
To Ellie’s dismay, he began to laugh. “Wake up, Mother. The truth is written all over Josh’s face. Ellie’s going to be my sister, and I couldn’t be happier!”
Mrs. Stanhope pinned Ellie with a stare. “Do you love my son? Has he told your father—Mr. Sterling—that he wants to marry you?”
“Y–yes, but I haven’t said I’d—”
Mrs. Stanhope went into her take-charge mode. “Then I suggest you do so at once. No one will dare cast aspersions on a future Stanhope.” She stood and started toward the door. “Charles, tell the reporter to drop a hint about Joshua and Ellie in his story.” To Ellie’s utter amazement Mrs. Stanhope’s eyes twinkled. Genuine affection lurked in their depths. “This has been a most surprising evening, but I always wanted a daughter. With a little more training, you’ll do nicely, my dear.”
She swept out, leaving Edward cackling like a laying hen and Ellie in a state of shock.
Mr. Stanhope quietly said, “I couldn’t be more pleased, Joshua. Edward, stop laughing and come with me. Your brother and Ellie need to be alone.
”
The door closed behind them. Through blinding tears, Ellie saw Joshua coming toward her. The next moment she was safe in his arms.
The next issue of the Chronicle carried a story that Ellie considered a masterpiece:
SCURRILOUS ATTEMPT TO CLIP
SIERRA SONGBIRD’S WINGS FAILS
A vicious effort to discredit Miss Ellianna Sterling has come to naught. An anonymous message, “Ask the Sierra Songbird about her real father and jail- bird brothers,” aroused the ire of this justice-loving reporter. In an exclusive interview, Miss Sterling frankly stated she was born in St. Louis, Missouri, as Ellianna Stoddard and was raised in poverty. At age eleven, she and her younger brother came to live with their stepbrother and stepsister in Madera.
Matthew Sterling—owner of the largest cattle ranch in the San Joaquin Valley and married to Miss Sterling’s stepsister—legally adopted Ellianna and Timothy.
While it’s true that Miss Sterling’s older brothers were jailed, they were soon cleared and released from the trumped-up charge.
Cowards who refuse to sign messages need not send them to the Chronicle—especially to this reporter. Nay, go ahead and send them. They make a perfect lining for the bottom of birdcages.
On a happier note, tittle-tattle has it that wedding bells may someday ring for Joshua Stanhope and the Sierra Songbird. When asked about the rumor, the elder Stanhopes and their son Edward simply smiled and looked pleased.
Chapter 24
San Francisco took up arms in Ellie’s defense after the scorching Chronicle article appeared. Letters to the editor poured in. Then the enterprising reporter tracked down the envelope that brought the anonymous letter.
It was postmarked Madera.
“Amy Talbot probably wrote it,” Josh said. “The Fresno Expositor and the Madera Tribune both ran the article and mentioned the postmark. Eventually the culprit will be exposed, punishment enough.”
Ellie agreed. She knew only too well how it felt to be the subject of gossip.
The next day, she hid tears and told Josh good-bye. “Your visit was too short.”
California Romance Page 45
