His low chuckle did nothing to settle her heart, and neither did his step forward. His hands lightly touched her upper arms as his gaze skimmed over her lips. “That wasn’t my intention.”
The pounding in her chest was a sure sign her heart could read his mind. She let her gaze drop to his lips, but at that moment, the bacon popped, bringing her to her senses, and she jerked away. “Oh! I need to turn this before it burns.”
Her face felt singed from the heat of the stove, but more from his nearness. The gentle pressure of his hand at her waist confirmed he hadn’t backed away as she’d expected. Without thinking, she shifted slightly closer to his warmth. Not that she needed heat. But there was something nice about being so close to him, feeling as if she belonged with him.
“Something sure smells good in here.” Grace’s voice was as a dash of cold water, arriving just in time to cool their mounting emotions.
Elliott stepped away, taking his warmth. “You look chipper this morning.”
“It’s Monday, and you know how much I enjoy doing the laundry.” Grace laughed as if she was joking.
Lily turned to face her family. “Grace, you don’t have to do the laundry now I’m here. That was always one of my jobs after my ste… my mother died.”
She couldn’t let down her guard or she’d say something wrong, and they’d know. One of Rebecca Lily’s letters said her father had never remarried. She couldn’t become too comfortable, no matter how much she longed to.
“Maybe we could do it together?” Her wide-eyed look suggested she really wanted to help.
“Don’t you need to be in school? I’d hate to make you miss out. An education is important.” Lily firmly believed this, maybe even more so because her home life had been so uncertain.
“Yes, it is.” Elliott spoke before Grace could. “But Grace is ahead in her work, and I’ve given her a vacation today so the two of you can become better acquainted. I believe that’s important, too.”
She couldn’t argue with them. In fact, she welcomed the time with Grace. “I understand, and I’m glad. Yes, I’d love for us to work together today. Maybe we should move laundry day to Saturday while you’re in school.” She scooped up the cooked bacon while she talked and set it on the table. “Breakfast is ready. There’s oatmeal and eggs already on the table. Eat up. You’ll need your strength for scrubbing clothes.”
Elliott and Grace shared a smile that gave Lily hope they were happy. That’s what she wanted, to make her new family happy, so they’d let her stay, because her heart would break if she ever had to leave either of them.
As soon as they finished eating, Elliott helped by carrying in water to heat on the stove. Grace brought all the soiled clothing she could find to the small addition just off the kitchen where they kept tubs and a scrub board. After Lily finished the dishes, she joined her husband. “This is nice to have a room just for washing.”
Elliott grinned. “I’ll get out of your way. I need to check on Mrs. Greathouse. She and the family weren’t at church yesterday. She seemed much better after we prayed for her. I’m hoping she didn’t have a relapse.”
“Do you know what the problem was?” Lily had wondered about the woman. She’d seemed to make such a remarkable improvement that night.
“I’m afraid she has a cancer.” Elliott’s eyes carried concern, making Lily admire him even more. He really cared about the people in his church. If some of his goodness rubbed off on her, she wouldn’t mind at all. “The doctor doesn’t think she’ll be with us much longer.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Lily spoke without thinking, then added. “But doesn’t the Bible say something about being present with the Lord? I assumed that meant after death. At the very end of the Bible, there’s a description of Heaven. It sounds wonderful. If God is truly love, maybe dying isn’t so bad.”
His smile was gentle, and an inner light shone through his eyes. “I’m glad you know your Bible. Everything you’ve said is true. But the family is hurting because they don’t want to let her go. I don’t believe those who pass into God’s presence are the ones we should be sorry for, but their loved ones who stay behind.”
He leaned forward and dropped a kiss on her forehead. “You are a blessing, Lily. I’m glad you came. I’ll be home before noon.”
She stared speechlessly as he turned and walked away. She was still staring at the empty doorway when Grace came in with another load of pants and shirts Elliott had laid out to be washed. “I think this is the last.”
“Oh! Great, we should get started then.”
Before long, she discovered Grace knew as much about washing clothes as she did. They kept up a steady chatter and before long had their first load ready to hang on the line. Before taking it outdoors, Lily realized she hadn’t even thought of getting anything ready for their lunch. “Grace, what do you think about us fixing a pot of soup to simmer on the stove while we work? If we get to it now, it should be ready for our noon meal.”
“That sounds great.” Grace hurried to the kitchen, calling over her shoulder. “I’ve got a jar of canned soup we could use so it won’t take much time. Do you want me to get it?”
“Yes, that sounds wonderful.” Lily loaded the basket with the damp clothing. “I’ll hang these out while you get it started.” She found the clothespins in a cloth bag hanging on the wall and laid them on top, then went outdoors.
Fresh air and sunshine, with the aroma of flowers, welcomed her. She breathed deeply as she crossed the lawn to the clothesline at the side. She’d never done laundry so easily. Grace’s help was part of the reason, but the clothing was barely soiled. She was used to her father’s and JD’s heavy jeans that looked as if they’d scooted across a mud field and ground the dirt in. Elliott’s pants hadn’t needed more than a gentle scrub across the board. And Grace’s dresses didn’t look dirty at all. They should finish them by noon.
While she moved down the line, hanging out the clothes, Elliott rode in and waved. She lifted her hand in greeting as he went on to the barn. She’d checked on Sissy last night and again this morning, but had spent little time with her. Maybe she and Elliott could go riding sometime together. She’d like that. Sissy was probably feeling neglected.
“How are you doing with the wash? Finding everything you need?” Elliott slipped up behind her and gave her a quick squeeze.
She turned, finding herself inches from him. His nearness set her pulse racing, and she almost forgot what he’d asked. “Oh, yes, Grace is a wonderful help. How is Mrs. Greathouse?”
“Good. At least she seemed fine today. They say she has good and bad days, and yesterday was one of the bad ones.” He dropped a kiss on the point of her nose. “I’m going over to the church for a while. If you need me, just yell.” He grinned. “I’ll probably hear you.”
She smiled, taking in his boyish good looks as a shiver raced down her back from his nearness. She felt dampness on her back from the hanging clothes. If he didn’t leave soon…
Before she could complete her thought, he took a step backward, then turned with a wave and left. Relief and disappointment warred within as she watched him go.
She lifted another pair of his pants and clipped it to the line when, out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement in the grass between her and the house. As she focused on a prairie rattler sliding lazily along, the back door slammed, and Grace came out.
“You’re almost done.” The girl didn’t look down and obviously didn’t know the snake was directly in her path.
Lily reached for her derringer with her right hand while she held up her left. “Snake! Please, stop there, Grace.”
As soon as the wide-eyed girl froze in place, Lily crept as close to the snake as she dared, her gun steady in her hand. By the time she was close enough to assure her bullet wouldn’t go wild, the snake had coiled, its tail shaking back and forth in a deadly rattle, while its head lifted and swayed slightly with two beady eyes trained on her. Good, that’s exactly how she wanted it.
�
��Lily, what are you doing. That’s a rattler.” Fear made Grace’s voice waver.
She couldn’t afford to take her gaze from the snake’s. “It’s all right, Grace. I know. Just step back more, and do it slowly.”
One more step and she’d be close enough to shoot but far enough to avoid snakebite. She pulled the trigger, and Grace screamed.
Another shot through the reptile’s head to make sure, and Lily straightened, then ran to the girl she cared about more than she’d ever expected possible. She enclosed her trembling shoulders in her arms. “Are you all right, sweetheart? He won’t hurt us now.”
“What’s going on? What happened?” Elliott ran at full speed toward them.
Lily watched as he reached the gate to their yard, and remorse for her deception swept through her. She slipped her gun back into her pocket and smoothed the apron over it, hoping he wouldn’t notice. Then reality hit her with enough force to bring tremors to her muscles, making her want to crumple before him and beg to be allowed to stay. What would he do if she did? Even as she questioned, common sense returned. Of course, she wouldn’t beg because she didn’t deserve forgiveness. This was the encounter she’d dreaded from the moment Papa said she should marry a preacher. He’d said a preacher would be a good man and take care of her. But even a good man had limits.
And right now, she didn’t know what he would say. Or how she would answer.
~*~
“Lily! Grace! What happened? Are you all right?” Elliott couldn’t keep his voice from trembling any more than he could his hands, which he stuffed in his pockets to hide. And still they shook even though he saw Grace chattering nonstop and Lily listening with a smile on her face. If anything was wrong, they’d be screaming or fainting. But someone had screamed. He stopped short of running into them. “What has happened? I heard shooting and a scream.”
Before either could answer, he pulled them into his arms, reassuring himself they were still alive. Just as quickly, he pulled back and took a second look. There was no blood, only two bewildered faces looking at him as if he’d gone crazy. “Well, did you see who shot the gun?”
Grace laughed hysterically, gasping for breath when she tried to talk, until finally she pointed toward Lily.
He frowned, puzzled by her behavior. Then he turned to Lily. “Please, can you tell me?”
She shrugged, then pulled a tiny gun that barely covered her palm from behind her back. “All I did was shoot a rattler.”
He opened his mouth to demand a better explanation when Grace sucked in a noisy gulp of air and sputtered, “All you did?” She looked from Lily to Elliott. “What she did was save my life, and I’m so glad she’s here to stay.”
Elliott stared at the gun while his heart stopped for a moment before jumping to life in a wild race. He squeezed his eyes shut, pinched the bridge of his nose, and shook his head. Finally, he looked up. The gun had disappeared. Only he didn’t think he’d dreamed it. Just to make sure, he asked, “You have a gun?”
Lily’s eyes widened, and she stepped back as if he’d slapped her. “I’m sorry. Grace didn’t see the snake. I had to do something before she stepped on it.”
“Sure. Yeah, I understand, but a gun?” He stumbled over his tongue, trying to make sense of his wife holding a gun. And shooting a poisonous snake? How had she killed it with only two shots from that tiny thing? He held his emotions in check by taking long, calming breaths to keep from searching her for the offending gun and throwing it away. “Of course, thank you, Lily, but where’d you get that thing?”
“Papa gave it to me and taught me to shoot it.” She shrank from him, lowering her head like she was afraid. “We lived in the… I mean he wasn’t always home, and he said I needed protection from snakes. Maybe even some with legs.” Then she lifted her gaze to his, as if imploring him to understand. “I’ve never shot a person. I don’t think I could.”
“Papa, the snake would have killed me if she hadn’t shot it.” Grace looked with luminous eyes at his new wife. “I’m glad you’re here, Lily. I’m glad you shot that thing.” A tear rolled down her cheek, and another followed. She was more shaken from it than he’d thought.
Elliott moved to console his daughter who surely now felt the effects of the danger she’d gone through. But as he reached for her, Lily was already there, taking her into her arms and holding her while sobs released the lingering fear. Lily’s gentle voice soothed. “It’s all right now, darling girl. I’m here, and I hope to always be as long as you need me. I will let nothing hurt you if there’s anything I can do to stop it.”
Her declaration couldn’t have been more motherly, but her attention brought another round of weeping. Elliott glimpsed Lily’s face as moisture pooled in her eyes and gathered on her lashes.
How could he complain about her having a gun now? She’d saved his daughter’s life and then held her as if she was her mother. He turned toward the garden toolshed for a shovel, knowing they didn’t need him now. Maybe later Grace would come to him. He glanced back at them. He wouldn’t mind a little of the comfort Lily was so good at giving out.
He shook his head at his wayward thoughts. He had nothing to complain about. The shots had taken him by surprise, but wasn’t this why he’d wanted a wife? To be a mother to Grace. Lily was the best thing that’d happened to Grace in more years than he wanted to think of. Gun or no gun, God couldn’t have sent anyone better for her. Or for him. He could be patient because he was sure his turn would come.
As he buried the snake, he watched Lily lead Grace to the house. They’d been working together all morning, doing the laundry and fixing lunch. Soup simmered on the stove earlier when he’d slipped over for his notes on redemption. After jotting them down the night before, when he couldn’t sleep for thinking of Lily sleeping in his old study, he’d forgotten them this morning. He could do without a study in the house, but he’d be glad when his wife felt comfortable enough to sleep in his bed. He wanted their marriage to be everything God intended, and he believed that meant they should be one in purpose both physically and spiritually.
He finished with the snake then carried the shovel back to the shed. How had she killed a snake with such a small gun and only two shots? He’d heard the first pop and immediately recognized the sound, but hadn’t realized it was his wife doing the shooting. She must have killed a lot of snakes in New York to become that accurate with a derringer. Maybe it was a good thing. No doubt she had saved Grace’s life, and for that he was more than merely thankful. He couldn’t bear it if anything happened to his little girl. He had enough loses in his life.
He gave a harsh laugh. One bullet had snuffed out his mother’s life, but another saved his daughter. He’d have to change his beliefs about guns and allow Lily to keep hers. Strange, she hadn’t mentioned in her letters that she was good with a gun. But maybe she didn’t want to brag about such a thing. After all, she’d sounded so proper on paper. The perfect preacher’s wife, he’d thought. In person, she was a beautiful, warm, generous, and caring woman, even better than he’d expected to find.
Chapter 7
By evening, Lily and Grace had all the clothing clean and ready to iron the next day. Since they had soup for dinner, Lily decided to fix something different for their evening meal, but she wasn’t sure what. While Grace spent time in her room writing an essay for school, she headed toward the cellar to see what she could find. Elliott’s cellar sat a few yards from the house to one side. It looked like a small hill growing from the flat lawn around it with steps leading down to the only door.
Before she started down the steps, Elliott rode his horse into the yard and, if she wasn’t mistaken, he had a fishing pole with him. Curiosity took her to the barn where she found him unsaddling Danny Boy.
“I thought you were at the church.” She spoke without thinking and hoped he didn’t think she was criticizing.
A guilty flush crossed his face seconds before a grin, reminding her of a little boy caught in mischief, crossed his face. “I was
until the urge to sink a worm came over me. I haven’t had fish for a while, but we can tonight if you don’t mind.”
He held up a stringer of fresh trout, and her mouth watered. “I don’t mind at all. Do you want me to clean them?”
When she reached toward them, he pulled back, his eyes narrowing. “Are you serious? You would clean these fish? I don’t think Grace will help.”
She laughed aloud at the thought of Grace being squeamish, but couldn’t blame her too much. It wasn’t her favorite job either, but for a tasty fish dinner, she’d do it. “I have cleaned fish before.”
“And cooked it?” He still looked skeptical.
“Didn’t I tell you I was an excellent cook?” She countered, then wished she hadn’t. Living someone else’s life wasn’t the adventure she’d tried to convince herself it would be. Instead, her stomach tied into knots while her conscience prodded her to tell the truth. If only she could. “Really, I don’t mind cleaning them.”
His gaze softened as a smile sat on his lips. “No, I’ll do it.”
Before she could agree, a whinny interrupted, and her spirits lifted. “Sissy!” “Hold on, I’ll be right there.” She called to her horse before turning back to him. “Sissy wants you to clean the fish so I can give her some attention. I hope you don’t mind.”
He chuckled. “As long as you cook them, I don’t mind at all. But what would you think about a quick ride after we eat? You haven’t had a chance for a real ride yet. Around the barn lot doesn’t count.”
“Oh, yes, I’d love that, and so will Sissy.” She started away. “I’ll go tell her now.”
As she walked away, his laughter followed, warming her heart. He wasn’t what she’d expected, being a preacher and all. She’d expected a bookish sort of man, maybe wearing glasses and never wanting to have fun. Instead, he laughed often and loved to tease Grace. Now he wanted to spend special time with her and give her a chance to ride her horse. A horse he didn’t know she’d raised from a young filly. Guilt again pricked her conscience, but she shoved it aside, slipped through the gate into the pasture, and greeted her waiting horse.
Stealing the Preacher's Heart Page 6