by Chuck Buda
Carson shook his head emphatically. He clutched James’ hand, pulling him away from the ministry door.
“I’m ascared of him.” Carson whispered the words.
“He ain’t nothing but a preacher man, Carson. Besides, would I let anyone hurt you?” James bent over to lower his gaze, level with Carson.
Carson shook his head then smiled.
James mussed Carson’s hair. “Let’s get some rest. We have another long day ahead of us tomorrow. And I’m sure you’ll see Preacher is just fine in the morning.”
James waited while Carson gathered the cards and his jacket. He thought Carson’s story was far-fetched. Yet, there was something about the Preacher that didn’t set right with James. He couldn’t put his finger on it. Was it the constant do-gooding? His eagerness to have everyone stay in the ministry? James definitely didn’t like the looks his mother had given Preacher. But that was something different.
They entered the ministry to find Eleanor and Sarah already tucked in their beds. Sarah was asleep. Eleanor rolled over to look at James as he made his way to the cot. She smiled at him and he returned the expression. He suddenly warmed as he stared at Eleanor. James thought he had lost her when they decided to leave Wichita. But she had followed him. It made him happy to have her close by.
He swallowed a lump in his throat. Realizing Eleanor had followed him to another town, James broke into a cold sweat. This relationship must be serious, he thought.
James tucked himself under his blanket and closed his eyes tight. The idea of a serious relationship scared him.
Chapter 10
Preacher set up a small tray with bread and fruit in the chapel. He typically ate breakfast alone in his room but decided to host a more formal meal since he had guests. Yesterday morning James and Carson awoke before him so he hadn’t the chance to surprise them with breakfast.
The sound of boots coming down the hall from the ministry alerted Preacher to their arrival. He turned to face James and Carson as they approached. He noticed a strange expression on Carson’s face. The boy seemed to be hiding himself behind James which he thought was odd. Usually Carson was the chatty one with him.
“Good morning, young men. I took the liberty of preparing a modest feast for you. Long days at work require a hardy breakfast, right?” He smiled at them.
“Oh, thank you, Preacher.” James dove right in, snatching a hunk of bread. “I’m hungry today and this will hit the spot.”
“How about you, Carson?” Preacher crouched to get to eye level with Carson.
Carson tucked himself behind James without answering.
“He’s, uh, not himself today.”
Preacher shrugged. “That’s okay. Even I have bad days. It’s normal.”
“Fire’s not normal.” Carson’s voice was muffled by the back of James’ shirt.
Preacher stiffened. Did the boy just say fire? What does he mean? “What did you say, Carson?”
James reached behind to pat Carson’s arm. “Oh, he didn’t say nothing.”
“Yes, he did. I heard him. Did he say fire’s not normal?” Preacher felt his face flush with anger. He tried to maintain a calm tone.
James chuckled. “It’s nothing. He has an overactive imagination is all. Carson thought he saw you on fire last night. But clearly, you are standing here now. Not burned, so...” James trailed off, fidgeting with unease.
Preacher was concerned. How did Carson know about the flames? James said he saw the fire, but he was alone. In his room. “And where would Carson have gotten that idea from?”
Carson shoved James, obviously upset that his brother had revealed what he had said.
“He said he saw you through the window. He was outside last night and happened past the window. Even though he knows it ain’t right looking in people’s windows.” James’ tone indicated he was upset with Carson for doing something he wasn’t supposed to.
Preacher just grinned. He took his time responding because he wanted to control his aggression. It angered him that Carson had peeked in his window. Although he was more upset with himself for being so careless. He would have to do something about covering that window.
“As you can see, Carson, I am fine. I wasn’t on fire. I’m sure if there had been fire in the church last night, everyone would have heard me screaming, right?” He stared at Carson who was half hidden behind James.
“I sawed you.” Carson shouted and pointed at Preacher.
“Keep it down, you don’t want to wake everyone up.” James turned to scold Carson. “Now let’s get to work before we get in trouble.” James faced Preacher. “Sorry for the misunderstanding, Preacher. I’ll deal with this later.”
James tugged Carson out the door without another word. Preacher glared at Carson who cowered from his gaze. The door closed and Preacher took a deep breath to steady his nerves.
He understood this plan was going to require more delicate handling. It wouldn’t be enough to divide and conquer each of his guests. He smiled to himself as he recalled how he figured Carson would be easy pickings. Apparently, that wouldn’t be the case. His misjudgment had backfired. At least the slower child could be easily dismissed because of his disability. But he could still talk. And that meant trouble.
Preacher felt the tingling flames receding from his limbs. The possibility of a flare up dissipated as he reminded himself he still had a chance. James didn’t think Carson’s claim was true. Plus, the women were still asleep. So maybe he could get ahead of the accusations. Maybe there would be a way to win the ladies over without coming across as too... desperate. He thought to himself while he rearranged the tray of food.
Of course. The idea came to him suddenly.
He knew the family was interested in finding a place to stay. And they had all mentioned at least once how guilty they felt for accepting his hospitality. The women would be less inclined to mistrust him if her were to offer them a chance to earn their keep. Providing them with jobs, shelter and food would certainly go a long way toward painting him in a generous light. How could they possibly believe Carson’s wild claims when all he did was help them out in so many ways? He smiled to himself, happy that he quickly recovered from a potential mishap.
When the women awoke he would talk to them about staying on as employees. Eleanor had been a teacher. She could help him spread the word of the Lord. He could set up a ministry school. And that would provide him an early chance at molding the minds for his purposes. From an early age. A susceptible, impressionable age. He wasn’t sure what skills Sarah had. A brief conversation would reveal all that. Then his plan would be back on track.
And the feeding.
A shiver coursed its way down his back. The Lord definitely worked in mysterious ways. But not the Lord everyone else worshipped.
The Dark One.
Preacher felt better. More sure of his purpose. He had saved himself from the jaws of defeat. Now he had to execute flawlessly. Once he developed his minions, things would get easier. He just had to get the wheels rolling.
His thoughts shifted to his mother. She was so beautiful. Her strawberry blond hair trailing behind her in the wind as she chased him through the fields. Her loving smile glistened in the sunshine. The sound of her laughter inspired him to run on, ensuring her playful happiness.
It was all gone.
Preacher felt the warm sting of tears filling his eyes. He dabbed at them before they could overflow. The past was done and nothing could change that now.
He had made a deal. And he had to see it through. Even though he lost at every angle. Sucker’s bet. He knew the saying. And he knew he was living proof.
Chapter 11
James mopped sweat from his brow. His hands hurt from cranking the grinder and mashing up the meat. As he cleaned some excess flesh from under his fingernails, it dawned on James that he wasn’t exactly living the life he had dreamed about. All the talk about fighting evil and going in adventures seemed like just a memory. Today he was entrenched in hard wo
rk. Tomorrow would most likely be more of the same. Where had all the good times gone?
Being an adult wasn’t all he had imagined it would be. Notions of freedom and travel turned into work and responsibility.
Carson followed James’ lead. He dug some bloody fibers from under his fingernails while James paused. Carson hadn’t uttered a word all morning. At least, not since they left the chapel. James could tell that Carson was upset with him for telling Preacher about his wild story. James felt bad for betraying Carson’s confidence. But Carson didn’t help himself by openly accusing the man of being on fire. Anybody in their right mind would require an explanation of such an outrageous claim.
“You gonna ignore me all day?”
Carson stopped digging under his nails. He stared at James with sullen eyes. Then returned to digging.
“You can’t be mad at me, you know. You pointed at Preacher and said it yourself.”
“He’s a monster.” Carson muttered under his breath.
“He ain’t a monster. He’s a man. And a holy man, too. So calling him a monster like that is probably sinning.” James tried to brow-beat Carson into letting it go.
“Not holy. Monster.”
James sighed and wiped some scraps from the table back into the bin. “Let’s get back to work then. No sense arguing. Might as well work.”
Gunderson brushed past James. “What’s all this about arguing?” James thought the man’s body odor was extra strong today.
“Nothing, Gunderson.” James shot a look at Carson. “Just brotherly junk.”
“Uh-huh.” Gunderson flicked something he found in his stubble. “Me and my brother had our share of tussles. The old man learned to steer clear once we was old enough to create a stir.”
“We’d never hit each other though.” James wanted to make sure Gunderson knew he wouldn’t lay a finger on Carson.
“I reckon you wouldn’t. Cause you know Carson would whoop yer ass.”
James stopped grinding. He saw Carson grinning sheepishly. James didn’t know if Carson liked the cuss word or the fact that Gunderson said he could beat up James. Carson noticed James looking at him. Then he laughed out loud.
Gunderson smiled. “So what’s the dust up about anyhows?”
“Preacher is a monster.” Carson blurted it out and James reddened immediately.
“You don’t say? And what kind of monster do you see in him?”
“He burned himself fire.” Carson shouted.
“Carson!” James yelled at him. “It ain’t right spreading falsehoods about folks. Especially folks who have welcomed us into their home.” He tilted his head at Carson as if to tell him to keep his mouth shut.
“Fire, huh? That’s a neat trick. He doing some magic show to get you to join his church?” Gunderson wiggled his fingers like he was performing tricks. He laughed out loud and slapped the counter with a meaty palm.
“I think Carson just had a bad dream or something. We saw Preacher this morning and he was fine.”
Gunderson looked to be processing James’ words. “Still, I would watch that man. He ain’t a monster but he is an odd creature.”
“Odd? What do you mean?” James stopped grinding to pay attention.
“Folks mostly keep away from him. The man has a strange...something about him that folks can’t put a finger on.”
James nodded. He had felt something was slightly off about Preacher. Now he really wanted to know more. “Don’t people go to his church?”
“Some.” Gunderson picked at something in his nose. He looked it over and then flung whatever it was on the floor. “Most people walked away from his services. Claiming it was too weird. Almost, un-Christian-like. But he keeps working on you every chance he gets. ‘Come to services.’ ‘We’re having a get-together.’ Always selling folks on joining up.” Gunderson swished his arm in the air, dismissing the need to join.
Carson seemed to be soaking in the information. James watched him, worried that he would use Gunderson’s stories against Preacher. That would make things even more awkward, James reasoned.
“Ain’t it strange how he ain’t got no name? Just Preacher.”
“I did find that odd but his reasoning seemed to make sense.” James admitted he could live with the oddity.
“Know what’s even odder? No one knows where he came from. Nor nothin’ else about him. Anytime someone asks him where he grew up or where his family is, the man brushes it aside like he ain’t heard the question. Or he goes on about how the past is meaningless, it’s all about what we are doing today and how we can change for tomorrow. Weird. Every man has a past. And when a man don’t want nobody knowing about his past, then I get to thinking there’s something he’s hiding.” Gunderson nodded to put an exclamation point on his feelings.
James found the tale interesting. He knew Gunderson was right about men with a past. They tried to pretend that nothing else mattered. It caused some concern in the back of his mind. He might have led Carson and his mother and Eleanor into a place of danger. And that didn’t set right with James. But hadn’t the man taken them in? Didn’t he look for rooms for them while they worked? Even if the man had a sordid past, he seemed to be a decent person right now.
The strange feelings were still there though.
“Well, enough cluckin’ like hens in the yard. I ain’t paying you both to gawk and gander. Let’s get the wursts up front. Chop, chop.” Gunderson clapped his hands signaling the break was over. He made his way toward the counter. Before he went out front, he spun around and wiggled his fingers at them. “Beware the Preacherman.” He cackled in laughter and left the back room.
James shook his head. Gunderson was a tough boss but he liked the man. He wished Gunderson had better hygiene habits though. James looked at Carson who still looked shocked at Gunderson’s creepy warning.
“He was teasing us.”
Carson suddenly looked relieved. He wrapped his small hands around the sausage casing and nodded to James to get cranking. James smiled and turned the handle. It was time to make the sausage again.
Chapter 12
Preacher polished the candelabras on the altar. The door to the ministry opened and he listened to the pair of footsteps coming his way. Preacher grinned for a moment and then deadened his expression to hide his excitement.
He turned to gaze upon the women as they rounded the corner. Preacher beamed and opened his arms wide. “Good morning, young ladies. I hope you rested well.” He noticed Sarah blush when he referred to them both as young. He hoped to use her feelings to his advantage. “I took the liberty of preparing a light fare for you.”
Both ladies smiled at the breakfast offer and rushed to the tray. Sarah took a bite of a freshly diced apple. Eleanor piled cheese on a slab of bread. Preacher enjoyed the zeal with which the women attacked the food.
“I am so hungry today.” Eleanor gushed through a mouthful of food. She placed a hand in front of her lips to protect the others from seeing her food as she spoke.
“That seems to be the consensus this morning. James and Carson ate heartily as well. Do you like it?”
Sarah nodded emphatically. “This apple is like heaven. So juicy.” She dabbed at some juice that leaked from her mouth.
“I assure you these apples are no better than any found in town. Perhaps they are more heavenly tasting because of the dining environment.” He indicated the chapel around them and the ladies giggled at the witty comment.
Preacher bit his lower lip. He wanted to take Sarah into his room and consume her immediately. His desires for her overwhelmed his senses, especially her crystal blue eyes and the smell of her perfume. He held his breath in order to slow his heart rate.
“So, what do you ladies have on the agenda for today?” Preacher busied himself with polishing to help curb his urges.
Sarah moaned as she swallowed the last bit of her apple slice. “I think we need to find a place to stay. And jobs. We must finds jobs today or we will truly be permanent members of your c
harity.” She smiled at Preacher.
“Is there a schoolhouse in town or is it on the outskirts?” Eleanor inquired while grabbing some more bread and cheese.
“Oh, I’m afraid I have bad news for both of you.” He watched their expressions falter. “The town is still fully rented. I have checked every morning since James and Carson arrived. It’s cattle season so the town swells this time of year.”
“What’s the bad news for me? You said you had bad news for both of us.” Eleanor spoke through a hunk of bread lodged in her cheek.
Preacher grimaced. “There is a schoolhouse on the edge of town. But...the schoolmaster is an old codger named Fergie. He’s been teaching the children of Dodge City for a century it seems, and not showing signs of giving up the ghost anytime soon.” He grinned and the ladies smiled at his mischievous joke.
“Oh, what are we going to do? We came all this way with hopes of settling.” Sarah brushed her hands together to rid them of apple juice.
Preacher spun to wipe down the tops of the pews with his rag. “I have been thinking, and praying, since you have arrived. And I believe the Lord has provided me with a solution for you.” He paused and watched the women. They stared at him with their eyes wide and mouths open, expectant of an answer. He decided the hesitation was long enough to maximize the suspense.
“I can use some help here in the church. Of course, I can’t offer any wages per se, but I think you will find the room and board ample to get you through until something opens up in town.”
Before he could continue, both women rushed him and hugged him tight. He felt the air shoot out of his lungs. A stirring occurred below as he focused on their breasts pressed into his body. Both women were blessed with ample bosoms and it titillated his senses. Preacher pried himself away before his thoughts continued.
“Now, now. This is temporary. I can’t let it be known that I am running an inn for free in town or I’m likely to never hold services again.”
