Love Finds a Home (Anthologies)

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  Glenna shuddered as she thought about the scene he’d made, yelling and cursing at poor Prudence for not keeping his supper warm. When he’d finally ambled off to bed, Prudence had turned on Glenna. “Gambling is evil—spawned by the devil himself.” She sniffed deeply and lifted her chin. “If you don’t watch yourself, young lady, you’ll grow up to be just like your drunken daddy. Like father, like daughter, that’s what I have to say!”

  Maybe it’s true, Glenna thought ruefully. Maybe I’ll never be anything more than a gambler’s daughter.

  “Excuse me, miss, but I was wondering if you might like to borrow a pillow.”

  A melodic, deep voice drew Glenna back to the present, and the distinct fragrance of bay rum cologne tickled her nose. She jerked her head and looked up at a pleasant face with a pair of soft-green eyes. Her heart jumped into her throat when he sent her a melting glance.

  “A pillow?” she squeaked.

  “For your companion.”

  Glenna swiveled back toward her sleeping father, whose head drooped heavily against her shoulder. Daddy would probably be more comfortable with a pillow, and so would she. Should she accept anything from a complete stranger though? Despite his present condition, Daddy was well learned, and among other things, he’d taught her to be wary of outsiders—especially men.

  As if the young man could read her mind, he extended a hand. “I’m Reverend David Green.” He motioned toward his seat companion. “Between the two of us, my sleeping chum and I possess three straw-filled pillows, so we can certainly spare one.”

  Glenna shook the offered hand, though somewhat hesitantly. Even if he was a man of the cloth, she was still a bit uncertain about speaking to Reverend Green. “My name’s Glenna Moore, and this is my father, Garret.” She tilted her head in Daddy’s direction. His mouth was hanging slightly open, and she felt the heat of embarrassment creep up the back of her neck, then spread quickly to her face.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Glenna. May I use your given name?”

  She smiled shyly and nodded. “Yes, Reverend Green.”

  “Then please be so kind as to call me David.”

  Glenna had only met a few ministers, and those had all been “fire-and-brimstone” parsons who stood on the street corners shouting out warnings of doom and gloom. As she looked into David’s kind eyes, she decided there would be nothing wrong with calling him by his first name. After all, he had asked her to, and what could it possibly hurt?

  She lifted her chin and smiled. “David, then.”

  David’s throat constricted, and he drew in a deep, unsteady breath. He hoped Glenna didn’t realize how nervous he was. He’d met lots of attractive women in his life, but none had held the appeal this young woman did. He’d noticed how breathtakingly beautiful she was from the moment she had boarded the train. Was it her long, curly, dark hair or those penetrating mahogany eyes? Maybe it was her soft, full lips that made his palms begin to sweat. Perhaps it was her forlorn expression that drew him like a moth charging toward a dancing fire. He imagined how she might feel held securely in his arms. What would it be like to bury his face in her deep-brown hair? How would her ivory skin feel beneath his fingers?

  David shook his head, trying to clear away such errant thoughts. He shouldn’t be thinking this way. What had come over him all of a sudden? Maybe he was merely in need of more pleasant company than Alexander—the poet with itchy wrists, stories about ill health, and tales of lengthy journeys.

  The train made a sudden, unexpected lurch, and David grasped the back of Glenna’s seat to steady himself. His ears burned at the thought of being pitched into her lap. As it was, the disconcerting jolt had brought his face mere inches from hers.

  Garret Moore’s eyes popped open before David had a chance to right himself and gain his composure. “I say there,” the man sputtered. “And who might you be?”

  “Daddy, this is Reverend David Green,” Glenna answered, before David could even open his mouth. “He’s seated across the aisle.”

  David extended one hand, while hanging onto the seat back with the other. “Nice to meet you, sir.”

  Garret wrinkled his bulbous, crimson nose and made no effort to shake hands. “What’s your business, son?”

  “I–I’m a minister of the Gospel.”

  “Not your profession, you idiot!” Garret bellowed. “What business do you have with my daughter?”

  Taken aback, David began to stutter—something he hadn’t done since he was a young boy. “I—I—w–was—just—”

  Obviously aware of his distress, Glenna came quickly to the rescue. “David was kind enough to offer me one of his pillows, Daddy.”

  One dark eyebrow shot up as Garret tipped his head, apparently sizing David up. “Is that so?”

  David nodded. “The pillow was actually for you, sir. I thought it might be more comfortable than your daughter’s shoulder.” Feeling a bit more sure of himself now, he smiled. At least he was no longer stuttering like an addle-brained child.

  “Just what do you know about Glenna’s shoulder?” Garret shouted at the top of his lungs.

  David dipped his head. “N–nothing at all.”

  Glenna’s father squinted his glassy-blue eyes and waved a husky hand toward David. “We’re not some kind of charity case, you know. If either Glenna or I have need of a sleeping board or pillow, I’ll hail the news butcher and purchase one.”

  Glenna offered David an apologetic smile. “Thank you for the kind offer, but we’ll manage just fine.”

  David felt sure this was her way of asking him to return to his seat. From the irritated look on her father’s face, he was also quite certain the unpleasant man would probably create a nasty scene if he didn’t leave soon. He nodded slightly, looking only at Glenna. “If you need anything, you know where to find me.”

  She smiled. “Thank you. I’ll remember that.”

  David shuffled back to his seat, feeling much like a whipped pup coming home with its tail between its legs. Groveling went against his nature, yet he knew it would be wrong to create a scene. You’re a new man in Christ now, a small voice whispered. Let Me fight your battles.

  Glenna glanced at her father, hoping he wouldn’t say anything about her making conversation with a complete stranger. Surely he must realize that David, being a man of God and all, wouldn’t cause me any harm.

  Daddy gave her a grim frown, followed by a raucous yawn. “I can’t believe you, Glenna. I lay my head down to take a little catnap, and what do you go and do behind my back?” Before she could reply, he continued his tirade. “You started getting all cozylike with some man, that’s what you did. And a black-suited, Bible-thumpin’ preacher at that!” He shook one finger in her face. “What’s gotten into you, girl? Have you no more brains than a turnip?”

  Glenna cringed. Daddy’s deep voice had raised at least an octave, and the last thing she wanted was for David Green to overhear this ridiculous tongue-lashing.

  “I wasn’t getting cozy with the preacher,” she defended. “I was merely being polite after he so kindly offered us one of his pillows.”

  “Humph! That man has designs on you,” her father snapped. “I know the look of a man on the prowl. Why, I oughta speak with the conductor and have the cad thrown off this train!”

  Glenna grabbed her father’s coat sleeve. “Please, don’t. David … I mean, Reverend Green has taken his seat. I’m sure he won’t bother us again.”

  Her father gave the end of his scraggly goatee a few sharp pulls, then he shrugged. “I’ll let it go for now, but if that scoundrel bothers you again, I’m going to report him immediately. Is that clear?”

  Glenna nodded solemnly. She knew Daddy meant what he said. He was not a man given to idle threats. If he said he would do something, he most certainly would. She scowled. Of course, that doesn’t include winning big. Sometimes, when the cards are in his favor, he makes a real killing. Other times, like last night, Daddy gets caught cheating, and then …

  Glenna c
lamped her teeth tightly together. She wouldn’t dwell on last night’s happenings. Daddy had been cornered by those professional gamblers, threatened with his life, then run out of town. Their brief time in Central City, Nebraska, had come to an end, and that was that. It wasn’t the first time something like this had happened, and it probably wouldn’t be the last. Glenna knew she should learn to accept things as they were and quit wishing for a miracle which would probably never happen. She closed her eyes and tried to relax. She wouldn’t think about that good-looking man across the aisle, and she wouldn’t keep hoping for Daddy to change!

  CHAPTER 3

  David had just closed his eyes and was about to doze off when his chum spoke up.

  “Would you like to hear one of my poems?”

  The last thing on David’s mind was poetry, but he nodded agreeably. “Sure, why not?”

  Whipping a crumpled piece of paper from his coat pocket, Alexander opened it with a flourish. There was obvious pride on his face as he began reading. When he finished, the poet turned to face David, a questioning look in his eyes.

  Never having cared much for poetic rhyme, David offered a forced smile. “That was … unique.” It was the kindest thing he could think of to say.

  Alexander’s face broke into a smile. “You really think so?”

  David nodded, feeling much like a rabbit caught in a trap. “Unique … yes, very.”

  Alexander refolded the piece of paper, this time being careful not to rumple it. David’s encouraging words must have bolstered his confidence, for the twinkle in his eyes gave indication that he was a man with a mission. Alexander placed the poem back into his pocket. “I’ve written an essay, too. It’s entitled ‘Travels in the Mountains on Foot.’”

  David raised his eyebrows. “A rather unusual title, isn’t it?”

  Alexander nodded. “Perhaps, but it’s an account of a journey I made about a year ago. It took me through the mountains in southern France.”

  I can’t imagine this sickly little man making such a trip, David mused. There must be more to him than meets the eye.

  “The adventures from this train trip will also become an essay,” Alexander continued. “I believe I shall call it ‘Across the Plains.’”

  David smiled. “An appropriate title for now, but once we leave Nebraska, our journey will take us through some rugged mountain ranges.”

  Alexander frowned. “At least I won’t be overtaking it on foot.”

  “The train is much better transportation,” David agreed.

  “Even with all its irritating stops and starts. I couldn’t believe it when the train was held up for nearly an hour because a silly cow was standing stubbornly on the tracks.” Alexander squirmed uneasily. “And these uncomfortable benches are far too short for anyone but a child!”

  David chuckled. “You must have a powerful good reason for going all the way to California in an overcrowded, unsanitary emigrants’ car.”

  Alexander’s eyes opened wide. “Did I not tell you my mission?”

  “I don’t believe so.” The truth was, ever since Glenna Moore and her disagreeable father had boarded the train, David’s thoughts had been detoured. Often while Alexander was talking to him, he’d been watching the lovely young woman across the aisle instead of listening.

  He glanced her way again, but she seemed to be engrossed with the passing scenery out her window. Her father, on the other hand, was holding a deck of cards. Every few seconds he would shuffle them with bravado, using his battered suitcase as a kind of table balanced on his knees.

  “So, in a few weeks, I hope to be married.”

  Alexander’s last words brought David’s attention back into focus. “Married? You’re getting married soon?”

  “Yes, to Annie Osgood. I just told you, she lives in California and hasn’t been well. I’m hoping my presence will bring her around. As soon as she’s on the mend, we plan to be wed.”

  David clamped his mouth shut, afraid he might burst out laughing. A sickly man, traveling all the way to California, on a train he detested, in order to marry a frail woman? What sense did that make?

  “I love Annie very much,” Alexander said, as though he had some insight as to the questions swirling around in David’s muddled brain.

  David smiled. “I wish you all the best.”

  A cloud of black smoke curled past the window as the train moved steadily down the tracks. Glenna leaned close to the glass, studying the passing scenery with interest. Here and there, scattered buildings dotted the land, but mostly there was just prairie … miles and miles of dusty earth reaching up to the blistering sun high overhead.

  Glenna repositioned herself against the stiff, unyielding wooden bench, cutting into her backside. Feeling the need for a walk, she stood up and stretched her arms over her head, hoping to dislodge a few of the kinks. Maybe a stroll to the front of the narrow, box-shaped car would help. Daddy was engaged in a game of poker with a group of rowdy men near the back of the coach where the water closet was located. She craned her neck and noticed he was engrossed in his work, as usual. He’d never even know she’d left her seat.

  Glenna glanced candidly at the two distinguished-looking men who shared the seat across from her. They both appeared to be sleeping. She wished she could speak to Reverend Green again … maybe offer some kind of apology for her father’s earlier rude behavior. She rotated her shoulders a few times, then started up the aisle. It soon became apparent that she would need to grab the back of each seat as she proceeded up the aisle. She could only hope the train wouldn’t jerk suddenly, sending her toppling to the floor. Glenna would be so relieved when the train made its next stop. It was hot enough to pop corn inside this stuffy car! Some fresh air and a chance to walk on solid ground would be a most welcome relief, not to mention an opportunity for a quick bite to eat.

  By the time she made it to the front of the coach, Glenna’s legs felt like rubber, and rivulets of perspiration ran down her forehead. She stepped through the door and onto the small platform which separated their car from the one ahead. Gulping in the only fresh air available, she steadied herself against the metal railing. In spite of the day’s heat, the continual breeze from the moving train seemed cool and inviting.

  Glenna licked her dry lips and swallowed hard. Her throat felt parched, and she wished she’d had the good sense to bring along a canteen filled with water. What had she been thinking of? She’d ridden the train before. She knew there were times when endless stretches of uninhabited land meant no stops at all.

  She moistened her lips again. At this very moment, she’d have gladly given away what few possessions she owned in order to have something to quench her thirst. To make matters worse, she’d forgotten to pack a linen duster to wear over her traveling dress. She knew how dust could filter through the open windows, sifting, penetrating, and finally pervading everything in sight. No amount of brushing or shaking would ever remove it all either. After a few days on the train, Glenna would probably hate herself, as well as the cursed dust.

  “Are you all right, Miss Moore?” A deep, male voice, whose words were spoken loud enough to be heard over the noisy clickety-clack of the train’s steel wheels, caused Glenna to jump. David Green stood a few feet away, a look of concern etched on his handsome face.

  “I saw you come out here,” he explained. “When you tarried, I became concerned.”

  Glenna’s stomach reeled with nervousness. “It’s kind of you to worry about me, Reverend Green, but—”

  “David. Please, call me David.”

  “I needed some fresh air, and I’m thirsty as a hound dog.” She moistened her lips one more time. “Other than that, I’m perfectly fine.”

  He chuckled, and there was a distinctive twinkle in his emerald eyes. He really is a charming man. Why would Daddy object to me speaking with someone as kind as David?

  “Have you anything to drink?”

  Glenna shook her head. “Daddy and I were in such a hurry to leave Central City,
neither of us thought to fill a canteen.” She sighed deeply. “I don’t think clearly when I’m under pressure, and Daddy wasn’t in any condition to think at all.”

  David’s twinkle was gone now. In its place was obvious compassion. “I have a listening ear, if you’d care to talk about anything.”

  She swallowed hard and sucked in her lower lip to keep from blurting out her frustrations. This man seemed honest and genuinely concerned for her welfare. Maybe she should swallow her pride and open up to him about some of her troubles. He might even be able to help somehow. After all, he is a preacher, and men of God are supposed to have words of wisdom to offer, aren’t they?