The boys kept a constant chatter going, telling her about all the children—all five of them—that would likely be there. The children closest to Tommy’s age were sisters who lived on the other side of the Scotts’ homestead.
“Why couldn’t God give us some boy neighbors? All we got around here are a bunch of girls! Uck!”
“Hey, mister, I’m a girl, too,” Abby teased.
“Yeah, but you’re a nice girl. Not like them. They think that catching frogs and diggin’ for worms is gross,” he reasoned with her. Abby felt humbled by his admiration even as she shuddered at the idea of actually handling frogs. Mr. Hopkins grinned at her as if he could read her thoughts. In the last week, they had grown comfortable with each other. Abby felt as if she had a good friend in her employer.
Willy told her about the other children who lived farther away. Jake hesitantly filled her in on details when the boys’ explanations were confusing. By the time she saw the small chapel in the distance, she was sure she would recognized each of the thirty or so members of the area who frequented the church.
As soon as the wagon stopped, they were surrounded by people. The boys scrambled down the back of the wagon and ran off before Mr. Hopkins could loop the reins around the brake and hop down. He turned and helped her down in a movement as natural as breathing. Mrs. Scotts was the first to introduce herself and expressed her disappointment at arriving at home to the report of having missed her newest neighbor’s visit.
Before Mr. Hopkins could introduce her to everyone who gathered, someone started to clang the bell. As one, the group turned and swarmed in through the doors. Before long, they all found seats in the twelve rows of long wooden pews of the quaint church. Abby found herself pulled along with the flow, all the way down to the third pew, and seated between the two boys with Mr. Hopkins on one side and Jake on the other. The tall, young circuit preacher greeted everyone at the door.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Stewart.” The preacher gently pressed her hand with both of his as she entered the doorway on Mr. Hopkins’s arm. “Will’s shared all of your letters and I’m sure he and the boys are enjoying your cooking since anything has to be better than his.”
“Except, of course, yours.” Mr. Hopkins surprised Abby by being so informal with the young preacher, but the others around them just laughed.
“I confess, Miss Stewart, that my cooking is not much to write home about.” Pastor MacKinnon’s green eyes danced with merriment and Abby felt at ease. He couldn’t be any older than she was, but he made her feel at home.
Abby enjoyed the service. Pastor MacKinnon possessed a gift for making connections to the Bible and everyday life. Surely God had placed her where she was for a purpose. Just like Ruth, the foreigner in an unknown land, God would use her to minister to others. She already saw some of her work paying off just seeing the boys looking so civilized in their dress shirts—until Willy used the back of his sleeve to wipe his nose. She consoled herself with the thought that she had just begun.
When the service finished, Abby was surrounded by the women of the area, and Mrs. Scotts began introducing everyone. Some of the women were openly friendly, while others seemed to hold back a little. All the apprehension she had felt when they had headed out that morning seemed silly now. Her new neighbors seemed to be completely taken with her dress. In fact, her dress was by far the fanciest and newest of all the women’s.
Since the area was populated by more single men than families, there were only eleven women over the age of thirteen and all of them were married.
“Now, Miss Stewart, you must try and join us for our monthly quilting bee. We all meet here the last Friday of each month,” Mrs. Ryerson suggested. Abby longed to participate and be part of the women’s group but what would Mr. Hopkins think about the idea? Would he let her come on her own for a few hours as long as she got all her cooking and cleaning out of the way before she left the farm? Would he let her take the boys? Would he teach her how to drive the wagon?
Just as she was pondering the idea, she noticed that Herbert Scotts had arrived with his brother and was speaking with the preacher toward the front of the church in hushed tones. About to turn back to what the women were saying, she noticed the younger of the brothers gesture toward her, his eyes straying to areas of her body that made her cheeks flame. The women around her seemed to notice the men’s presence, and Mrs. Scotts looked surprised to see her sons. Remembering how uncomfortable she had been under the stare of the man on their brief encounter at the Scotts’ home the first day Mr. Hopkins had brought her from Twin Oaks, she forced herself to pay attention to what Mrs. Phelps said as she tried to calm her racing heart. The tingling sensation that crept up her neck and left her ice-cold didn’t go away. Why was the preacher talking with them about her?
When she glanced back, Pastor MacKinnon had left the Scotts in one corner and retreated with Mr. Hopkins to the other side of the room, where they talked with their heads bent together. Abby couldn’t see the look on the pastor’s face, but Mr. Hopkins turned shades of red she’d never seen. His anger was almost palpable. What must have been said? He sent the Scotts boys a look that would have cowed lesser men, but they just smirked back at him and then turned their unashamed gazes back on her.
Abby chanced another glance at Mr. Hopkins and Pastor MacKinnon, only to see that they were headed her way. Mr. Hopkins looked like a thundercloud about to burst.
“Excuse me, ladies,” Pastor MacKinnon’s greeted them all in a congenial voice. He smiled at everyone. “I would like to speak with our newest neighbor for a few minutes alone, if that’s all right with you all. Could I ask you to take your visiting outdoors and enjoy the beautiful fresh air and slight breeze God gave us this fine day?” As the woman all gathered their reticules and began to leave, he asked Mrs. Phelps, Mrs. Scotts and Mrs. Ryerson to wait outside because he wanted to discuss something with them, as well.
He extended his right hand out to Abby and once she had placed her own hand in his, he clasped it. “Would you allow me to pray for you and your future?” he asked, waiting for her nod.
“Father God, You know the plans You have for our newest member to this congregation. Plans You promise will build her up and not destroy her. I pray You guide her and be with her as we discuss Your will in her life. Grant us wisdom, understanding and peace. In Your name, I pray, Amen.”
The pastor dropped her hand but continued to stand close. Strangely, Abby was more aware of Mr. Hopkins’s presence, standing stiffly next to the pastor, only a step away, anger rolling off him in waves like the ripples of water in a river.
“Thank you, Pastor MacKinnon,” she murmured. It was reassuring he had asked for wisdom, but she wondered what he was talking about. Surely they had had new people join the community before. Why had his prayer seemed so cryptic and serious? What had happened to the light jesting before the service? Why was Mr. Hopkins still looking like a bull about to charge, his nostrils still flaring?
“It’s truly a pleasure to meet you, Miss Stewart. Although it seems that your arrival here has been a series of surprises. I hope we can work some of them out now.”
She sent a questioning look at Mr. Hopkins. It was a brief contact, but she saw his look soften slightly and wondered again what was going on. Her mind whirled as she tried to remember anything she could have done that would have provoked his anger, but she came up empty.
“I have known Will since I started preaching in the community about, what, seven years ago, right, Will?” Mr. Hopkins acknowledged him with a nod but didn’t comment.
“Will is a man who always looks to God for guidance. One who tries to do the right thing no matter the cost to him.” The pastor’s words seemed strange and pointed.
“In fact, when he shared the idea of hiring a housekeeper, I encouraged him to follow God’s lead. I even carried a few letters back and forth from Twin
Oaks. Will tells me there’s been some confusion because you are not the grandmotherly woman he expected. He said you expected to find a widow woman, not a young widower at the train stop. Both of those errors may have been completely innocent, but they have caused a bit of a problem. I know God has a purpose in all of this and I suspect I know what that purpose is.”
Abby wondered about God’s purposes, too. It was such a relief that she had found a safe home with a family who loved God and made her feel useful and appreciated. But the temporary nature of the situation still worried her. She spent a lot of time in prayer about her future.
“However, there is a small complication,” Pastor MacKinnon continued with a glance at the young men still smirking in the front of the chapel. “Herbert and Elvin Scotts have come and presented their concerns.” He took a breath, as if wondering how to word his thoughts. “They came to inform the congregation that your reputation is at risk because you’ve been living on a farm with no chaperone and two men. Now—”
“You know I’d do nothing to harm Miss Stewart’s reputation,” Mr. Hopkins said with a glower.
“I know you fear God and would never intentionally compromise Miss Stewart, but owing to circumstances, I am afraid not everyone in the community will see it that way. The Scotts have come and said that either one of them would be willing to marry Miss Stewart so she can save face and have a secure future.”
Abby gasped and felt as if the world were spinning. What had the preacher said? The Scotts had offered to marry her to protect her from Mr. Hopkins? Mr. Hopkins had been a perfect gentleman the entire time, treating her respectfully and sleeping out in the barn. The glances and outright stares the two brothers didn’t bother to hide were scandalous. How could they think she would ever agree to marry either one of them? They would be no better than Palmer. The thought made her shudder.
“Miss Stewart, I imagine this must be a shock to you but we need to discuss your options. Are you all right or do you need to sit down a minute?” The pastor’s words sounded tinny and far away, but their meaning finally penetrated her foggy mind.
She wet her lips, cleared her voice, testing to see if it was going to fail her, as well. “I would like to sit for a minute,” she agreed, unsure if her legs were still under her. She felt numb all over.
Warm, solid arms came to support her right arm and around her waist. Surprised, Abby felt Mr. Hopkins infuse a sense of peace through his gentle grip as he aided her to the nearest pew. Both men hovered near her as she sat, closing her eyes, praying this was just a bad dream. She had finally started to feel safe and at home in Nebraska and now this….
“Miss Stewart. Can you answer a few questions for me?” Pastor MacKinnon asked in a gentle voice, his concern evident in his tone. She couldn’t speak past the boulder lodged in her throat, so she nodded.
“Has Will done anything untold or inappropriate to you?”
“No!” The accusation was so ridiculous she lost no time in answering. “He’s been a complete gentleman. He and Jake sleep in the barn every night. They have been very kind.”
“Good.” The young preacher grinned at Will. “I didn’t want to have to beat him up. It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten into a fistfight and I’m not completely sure I could take him, but I’d try.”
The pastor was trying to make a difficult time a little lighter. She appreciated his efforts, but she doubted Mr. Hopkins did. His expression didn’t change.
“The only reason the Scotts knew she was here was that I thought she would be able to stay with Mrs. Scotts,” he said, his tone making it clear he blamed himself for this problem. “Now I’m glad I didn’t leave her there. I doubt she would have been safe.”
Mr. Hopkins glared at the young men. They reminded Abby of vultures waiting for a wounded animal to die before swooping and picking it apart.
“Unfortunately, I suspect you’re right. I doubt the Scotts boys would have been as respectful. But they are determined that something be done to ‘restore Miss Stewart to her place of respect in our society’ and they feel the only way to do that would be to have someone marry her. Since it is widely known you don’t want to marry again, Will, they are offering to let her choose between them for the one to take the responsibility from you and provide for her.”
“Since when have they cared about anyone’s respect?” Mr. Hopkins roared.
“Since she came wrapped in such a nice package with nobody to defend her.” The pastor looked pointedly at Mr. Hopkins again.
“I was the one who got her all mixed up in this mess—I’ll be responsible for my actions. But I did not, in any way, compromise Miss Stewart.”
“I know that. But it’s not enough just convincing me. If she doesn’t marry today, they are threatening to ask the church to vote to excommunicate you both from among us. I don’t think they will get enough to vote in their favor, but it will still be humiliating for all of us and leave a shadow of doubt in some people’s minds.”
“And her having to marry today won’t leave the same doubts?” Even with Mr. Hopkins’s voice pitched low, his fury was still evident.
“I can’t say there won’t be those who will see her as having been forced to marry and think the worst, but many will be more open-minded. They’ll probably assume that marriage was always your intention, and that this Sunday was your first opportunity. Most of the people around here know you, Will, and they’ll take your word that nothing happened between you two.”
“So, what are you suggesting?” Will looked pointedly at the pastor, but Abby groaned as she put the pieces together.
“That you marry Miss Stewart today,” Pastor MacKinnon answered in a matter-of-fact tone.
“You want me to marry her? Today!” Mr. Hopkins tried to keep his voice low, but Abby was sure that he could have been heard in the next state.
By the time she had applied to work for the Hopkins, she had already given up on marriage. No man had ever come courting. She never believed she was overly beautiful or graceful, but when she was younger she had harbored dreams that someday she would find a man who would love her for the woman she was...maybe not a priceless jewel but a woman who could care for him and his home and make his life comfortable and fulfilled. After seeing all her friends, even some of the more homely ones, marry and start families, she resigned herself to the fact that she was not marriage material. She repelled eligible men. Certainly Mr. Hopkins had no interest in marrying her. She remembered little things he had said since she had arrived. That he hadn’t wanted to have a young housekeeper because it would complicate matters. A man who didn’t wish to marry at all would never want to marry her.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Hopkins. You can just take me to the train and I’ll head back somewhere. Maybe there’s work I can do in Chicago,” she reassured him. “I was hysterical the day I arrived. I didn’t think about what I was asking of you or your family.”
Both men turned to stare at her as if just remembering that she had been listening to the conversation.
“No, Miss Stewart. The blame lies at my door. I was the one who should have made other arrangements for your housing. Or maybe I could have looked for a companion for you. I sent for you and made the decision to bring you to my home. I will fix this somehow.”
Pastor MacKinnon stepped in closer, speaking directly to Will. “I don’t think you understand the seriousness of the accusation. If Miss Stewart refuses their option, the Scotts boys are ready to take this to the church elders and demand a vote on whether either of you can be allowed to stay in the church. Even if Miss Stewart were to leave the area, you would still be held responsible, Will.”
“But, Colin, you know that’s blackmail,” Mr. Hopkins rasped.
“I know. And I’d like nothing better than to be able to give you a different answer, but I would hate to see you turned away from the gathering of the brethren and Miss Stew
art turned out of a safe home. I know you will be a good provider. I know you love God and would provide a godly lifestyle, bringing her with your family to church on a regular basis and leading the family in Bible study. I can’t say the same for either Elvin or Herbert.” Having mentioned their names, the pastor glanced at the duo and shook his head.
Turning back to Mr. Hopkins, he hesitated a moment before he started the conversation again. “As for Miss Stewart, you know her better than anyone else here. Is she a believer?”
“Yes, Colin. Her faith is real. I shared the letter she wrote about her conversion with you.”
“Then on the basis of that, I would encourage you to consider this as God’s opening a door for you. Your boys need a woman’s touch in their lives. So do you.” Pastor MacKinnon said the last part in a quiet voice, holding Mr. Hopkins’s gaze.
“But we both know how that worked out last time,” Mr. Hopkins muttered, his hand brushing though his already messy hair, standing the sandy-brown strands straight up in the back.
“You don’t have to sacrifice your freedom for me, Mr. Hopkins. I have caused you enough discomfort and irritation as it is. If you could just find a way to get me to Twin Oaks—” she tried to appeal to him once again.
“That is out of the question, Ab...Miss Stewart,” Mr. Hopkins interrupted, tripping over her name. For some reason, to hear her given name on his lips, even if unconsciously stated, made her feel a second of peace and belonging. “You don’t know anyone in Chicago.”
“But I didn’t know anyone here before I came. If God brought me here for a purpose, then why is it causing all this trouble? If it weren’t for my insistence, you would have sent me back East as soon as I arrived and you wouldn’t be having this problem now. If you won’t take me, maybe Pastor MacKinnon could see his way to getting me to the train station. Surely he has a wagon, as well.”
Instant Prairie Family (Love Inspired Historical) Page 10
