Stealing the Preacher's Heart

by Mildred Colvin

  Music swelling from the instrument at the touch of Grace’s fingers on the keys captivated Lily. She sauntered toward the rising melody. By the time it ended, she stood near the organ. “Oh, Grace, that was beautiful. I didn’t… I mean I didn’t realize how well you can play. Is it hard to learn?”

  “Mrs. Tucker has been teaching a few of us girls and it’s taken me almost two years to get this far. She plays beautifully. You’ll hear her today because she always plays for church. I like to practice a little while we wait for the people to come.”

  “Oh, well, please play some more. I can’t imagine you need any more lessons though.” Lily stepped back. ”Um, where should I sit? I don’t want to take anyone else’s usual place.”

  “Oh, we sit on the right side, on the front pew by the wall. Sometimes, my friend, Bethany sits with me. I hope that’s all right with you.” Grace looked at her with questioning eyes.

  Feeling that she was overstepping her bounds, Lily almost tripped over her tongue. She knew nothing about children, but Grace was more like a young lady than a child. Yet she seemed to ask permission. “Oh, yes, I mean, no, I don’t mind at all. I saw you with a girl last night. It’ll be nice meeting her this morning. I’ll just get out of your way and see if your father needs anything.”

  Lily hurried away as beautiful music again filled the sanctuary. She found Elliott shaking hands with a couple by the back door. “Oh, I’m sorry I wasn’t here. Grace plays so beautifully, I just had to tell her.”

  The woman smiled and shook hands with Lily. “I know you met many of the people last night, and it’s hard to keep faces and names straight, but I’m Danya Tucker.”

  “Yes, I remember.” Lily gave her a warm smile as they stepped to the side. “Didn’t you tell me you were the first bride to come from the Parker Matrimonial Service?”

  Her heart was beating so hard she could feel it pounding her ribs. She’d scarcely read three letters last night, but had memorized the name of the agency that sent the brides. Tonight, she needed to read more, as there was little information in the ones she’d already seen. In fact, they’d been so boring, she’d scarcely been able to keep her eyes open long enough to finish the third one. Surely, she’d find more information in some of the others.

  “Yes, I believe I was. To our community, I mean.” Danya held the hand of a cute little boy who kept tugging as if to move forward. She paid him little mind as she held on. “Just a minute, Levi. So you’re from New York, too. Where in the city did you live?”

  In the city? How could she answer that? She had to say something. Could a heart beat itself to death against a person’s ribs? She pressed her hand against the vibration and said the first thing that came to her mind. “Oh, no, I lived outside the city.”

  As soon as the words left, she knew they were wrong. Those letters had a street address. Would country folks in New York live on a street? Somehow, she doubted it.

  “Mama, let’s go.” Levi leaned to the side as he pulled on her hand.

  Danya laughed. “I need to go. I must deliver my son to his father, then prepare to play the organ. And you have more hands to shake.”

  Lily turned to see others entering. As Danya stepped away, she went to her husband’s side and greeted them as warmly as she knew how. After that, one and then another came through the door, keeping them busy until finally the church looked as if it would hold no more. Were there always so many? No wonder the attendance at the party last night had been so large, especially with another church joining them.

  She took her place in front, feeling as if every eye in the place was piercing the back of her head. For distraction, she thought of Sissy and rejoiced that her horse was with her again. Now she wouldn’t be so lonely. But even as the thought entered her mind, she realized she hadn’t missed her old home even for a moment since she’d come here. Elliott and Grace had both already found a place in her heart, and she would miss them if she had to go away. A small part of her wished she could leave to ease the tension and fear of discovery, but even more, she wanted to stay and learn what going to church was all about. Why had so many come this morning? Surely not to see the pastor’s new wife. Of course, she assumed many would keep a close watch on her this morning. Some from simple curiosity, but others came to judge her worthiness as their pastor’s wife. With her stomach twisting, and her heart pounding, she breathed in and out slowly, willing herself to relax.

  She, too, could observe, and that’s what she intended to do. This morning she’d learn everything she could about her role in the Sweet Water community. She hadn’t been at the top of her class in school without reason. She had a sharp mind, and she knew how to use it. Surely, she could act the part Papa had asked her to play, and if she tried hard enough, she’d be the best pastor’s wife ever.

  As organ music swelled, filling the church, Lily slowly relaxed. Surely no one would require anything of her until the service ended. She stood with the others as they sang and sat down when everyone else did. When the singing ended, Elliott stood behind the pulpit in front and asked someone to pray. Then he opened his Bible and looked out over the congregation. When his eyes met hers, a slight smile brightened his face, bringing an answering one from her. It was as if they’d spoken in a brief, silent moment. Never had that happened to her before, and a feeling of belonging to this wonderful man filled her.

  Oh, my! He made it very hard to keep the barriers to her heart in place. She’d married him, and she’d do everything she could to take care of him and Grace, but love was out of the question. If she wasn’t careful, someone would get hurt. Probably her. If he found out who she was, he’d lose any affection he might’ve had for her. But she would never forget him or the time she’d spent as his wife.

  As Elliott began speaking, her heart swelled with pride for his authority and expertise in drawing the people’s attention and keeping them attentive with only words and a few gestures. Then, gradually, his message penetrated her consciousness, and she listened.

  “For God is not willing for any to perish, but wants all to repent.” Elliott looked toward the other side of the church. “In John 3:16, we find a passage most of you here this morning know by heart. ‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ Let’s go further. Do you know the next verse? ‘For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.’”

  He turned toward the pew where Lily and Grace sat. “How then are we saved? It’s very clear in this passage that we are not saved by being good and doing that which is right. For God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, and only through Him can we be saved. Later, John records Jesus’ own words when he said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man can come to the Father, except through me.’”

  He paused, letting his gaze rove over the congregation, and Lily held her breath, waiting for his next words. Finally, he said, “We are saved, not by what we do, but by what we believe. On the other side of the coin, we are condemned if we do not believe on the only begotten Son of God. Please stand while the organ plays softly. If anyone here today has not opened their heart to believe in Christ Jesus, I want you to come forward for prayer.”

  As Danya’s music again filled the building, Lily stood with the others. She bowed her head, afraid to look into her husband’s eyes. Surely he would see the truth. She’d prayed for her father, and encouraged him to pray, and she truly believed he was in heaven now with her mother and with Jesus, but she hadn’t really known what to do. And she’d never prayed for herself. Surely she was one of those who were condemned already. The nudge in her soul urged her to go forward with those who were kneeling at the bench in the church’s front. She knew they called it an altar, but she hadn’t known what they used it for. Now she knew, and she wanted to join them, but couldn’t. Not if she wanted to stay married to Elliott.

  Surely he was about as perfect as any man could be. Ove
rcome by her feelings, she peeked to the side, out the window, and wished she could suddenly scoot out from under the pressure she felt now. Heat radiated from her face as if she had a fever, and she wanted to dissolve into tears, but couldn’t. As she longed for the outdoors, movement caught her attention, and she latched on to it as a distraction. While Elliott talked, with the song playing in the background, she watched a figure emerge from behind a nearby tree. It was a man. Her heart lurched when she recognized her brother as he slipped away out of sight. What had JD been doing skulking around outside the church during service? Had anyone else seen him?

  ~*~

  Finally, the service ended, and Elliott called on a man to dismiss in prayer. Lily closed her eyes for the prayer when Grace nudged her and whispered, “Daddy wants you to stand at the back with him.”

  Oh, how could she have forgotten! “Thank you.” She mouthed the words, picked up her Bible, and hurried toward the back. Once there, Elliott took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze while his eyes sought hers and his lips tilted up in a warm smile.

  As she returned his smile, a flush filled her body. She thought of her concern that the church would be cold today. Elliott had been right. She’d been overly warm most of the time. Even now, guilt such as she’d never felt before weighed on her heart. She tried to ignore it as she shook hands, but the temptation to dart out the door and run far from the emotional upheaval she’d experienced that morning was strong. But then, she’d have to leave Elliott and Grace, and already she knew she couldn’t run away from them. They were her family, something she’d craved for longer than she’d realized.

  After shaking more hands than she’d ever touched in her lifetime while holding a smile and trying to say all the right things, Lily followed Grace to the house while Elliott closed up the church.

  She went in through the kitchen door, then hurried to the bedroom she’d slept in the night before and put her mama’s Bible on the bedside table. As she passed the door to Elliott’s room, a wistful longing surprised her. She’d agreed to sleep apart for a while until they had time to get acquainted. Why then did the thought of lying in his arms through the night sound so comforting? But she didn’t deserve his comfort after deceiving him.

  Shoving the unrest in her soul aside, she headed toward the kitchen. Here, she could do something right because a kitchen was one place she felt at home. She’d started cooking for her papa before he’d married JD’s mother, and her stepmother had encouraged her to help. They’d worked well together until her stepmother’s death. Then the kitchen had been hers. Just as this one would be. But when she entered the kitchen, Grace was already peeling potatoes.

  She stopped in the doorway. “What’d you have planned to fix?”

  Grace looked up with a sweet little laugh. “I was hoping you’d know. I’m just peeling these because almost anything goes with potatoes, doesn’t it?”

  Lily welcomed the smile that spread across her face. “I believe you’re right. What do you usually have on Sunday?”

  “You mean when we don’t mooch off someone from the church?” Mischief danced in Grace’s eyes.

  Lily’s eyes widened. “Ah, now I understand. Yes, that’s what I meant.”

  Grace looked around the kitchen as if the answer would present itself. “I don’t know. Sometimes, Papa butchers a chicken for a special dinner, and I think he said something about doing that today.”

  “Fried chicken.” Lily’s mouth watered at the idea. “Well, now. That should be a real treat. I’ll step outside and see if that’s what’s keeping him.”

  When she went around the back corner of the house, she looked around. Sunshine warmed her, and the earthy, spice-flavored fragrance of chrysanthemums filled her senses. She quickly located the source in an expansive bed of mums blooming a few feet away against the south kitchen wall. The kaleidoscope of yellow, red, white, and orange colors thrilled her with their beauty. She had noticed Elliott kept his yard neat and well trimmed, and colored with many flowers, but hadn’t taken time to look until now. Roses in red and yellow climbed the white picket fence that surrounded the yard. Someone had planted other smaller flowers here and there around the perimeter. Who was the gardener? Elliott? The preacher who’d spoken with such authority that morning was amazing. But thinking about him kneeling on the ground, digging into the earth to bring forth such beauty as this tugged on her heartstrings.

  She released a sigh and followed a well-trodden path toward what looked like a chicken house just outside the fence. As she drew nearer, she saw it had its own wire fence, but she didn’t see Elliott. Maybe he was in the little whitewashed house that looked neater than any chicken house she’d ever seen. And he’d thought she would want to change things. Not likely. Already she loved her new home, inside and out.

  After slipping through the fence and hooking the gate, she peeked in the little house. He wasn’t there. She started around the corner of the little building and stopped short of running smack into him. “Oh!”

  He reared back and held a plucked chicken to the side by the feet. “Sorry, I hope you like fried chicken for Sunday dinner.”

  She giggled from nerves and from the uncertain look on his face. “I’ve never turned down fried chicken. When Grace suggested that’s what we’d have, I wondered if you might be fetching one.”

  “You came looking for me?” His eyes shone as if he were pleased.

  “I did.” She should look away, but he had the prettiest eyes of any man she’d ever seen. They were a clear blue and seemed so intense sometimes. Like now, when they looked into hers, then traveled over her face until her cheeks warmed. She looked away. “Well, I guess we need to get that one in a frying pan.”

  “Are you familiar with cutting chicken up and frying it?”

  Oh, dear! Was she? Of course she was, but what had Rebecca Lily told him? She looked back at him and saw his smile. “I’m just joshing. You already told me you’re an excellent cook.”

  “Well, that sounds a little like bragging, doesn’t it?” The words popped out before she’d thought, and she covered them with a laugh, thankful when he laughed with her. “I think I can handle a chicken, though.”

  By now, he’d hooked the chicken pen’s gate, and they crossed the yard. She swept out her hand, including the surrounding beauty. “I love this yard. Did you plant these gorgeous flowers?”

  “Most of them.” A hint of sadness touched his eyes. “My first wife Eva started the climbing roses from cuttings. That was several years ago when we first came here. I enjoy gardening.”

  She remained quiet when he said no more, yet her heart went out to him. She knew what it was like to lose a loved one. Plenty of heartbreak had passed through her life, too. Understanding his loss made her feel even worse about what she’d done, even to the point she wished she could confess everything.

  He was a good man. He’d shown character and kindness in every action since their first meeting. How could she ever become truly his wife with her deception standing between them? If she wasn’t careful, she’d be confessing everything to a man with a personal relationship with the Lord God above. Of course, they’d forget her as if she’d never come. But she could never forget either of them. Sadness settled over her heart as if it had already happened.

  Chapter 6

  Lily woke on Monday morning with grit scraping her eyes when she opened them. Were they as bloodshot as they felt? She climbed from bed and looked in the mirror over her dresser, confirming her suspicions. She’d stayed up too late last night reading the rest of the letters from Rebecca Lily. How odd. Nothing of interest, to her at least, or of help, was in any of those letters. Only the facts she’d already pieced together. The other Lily lived in the city of New York. As an only child, she’d lost her mother first and more recently her father. In her own words, she was privileged and raised to be a lady. She’d attended church her entire life and looked forward to being a pastor’s wife. And she was an excellent cook.

  Ha! Maybe she was, to
o. Elliott and Grace both had said her fried chicken was some of the best they’d ever tasted. A dreamy smile touched her face until she thought of the letters again, and the woman she replaced.

  Why would anyone back out of marrying Elliott? Lily shook her head as she dressed in one of her old dresses. Some people were hard to understand, but the woman hadn’t met him yet. Maybe she’d been afraid he wasn’t the man she’d hoped.

  She picked up her brush and released a long sigh. Well, he was everything this Lily could ever hope for, and more. But that opinion came after only two days. What would it be like a year from now, if she could last that long? She smoothed her long dark hair back and wound it into a bun at the nape, then pinned it into place as she imagined being with Elliott an entire year.

  She smiled at her reflection and whispered. “You don’t deserve him, but at least you aren’t boring.” As if proving the point, she slipped the little derringer Papa had given her on her sixteenth birthday, just in case she needed it, into her dress pocket, then tied an apron on.

  With that declaration hanging in the air, she turned to see what the rest of her first week as Elliott’s wife would bring. She’d survived her first Sunday’s church services and enjoyed meeting and talking to the women. Her father’s choices had forced her into isolation other than her schooling when she’d seldom missed a day, and easily made friends. But she’d left those friends behind after her education ended, because she couldn’t bring them home with her or even let them know where she lived. Papa had discouraged outside acquaintances, saying it was better no one knew too much about them. Even though their jobs were miles from home, they needed to be careful. Only the doctor came into their house, and then only when needed.

  Shoving her thoughts to the back of her mind, she hurried to get breakfast on the table before the others appeared. She was frying bacon when she sensed a presence behind her. Turning quickly, she encountered Elliott’s smiling face so close she could reach out and touch his check. Her heart leapt, but certainly not from fear. Placing her hand over her chest, she laughed. “Oh, you startled me.”