Stealing the Preacher's Heart

by Mildred Colvin

  As that truth settled in her heart, she pushed the food before her to the center of the table and thought of all the things in her life she’d done against God’s laws. One Wednesday evening they’d talked about the Ten Commandments, and Elliott had challenged them all to memorize them in order. Wanting to please him, she did just that. As she thought about these things, she realized she had placed Elliott above God. Her church attendance, Bible reading, and memorizing had all been to please her husband and him alone. Before meeting him, when she read her Bible and tried to understand the words, she did it to feel closer to her mother. Never had she read or studied God’s word to draw close to Him.

  Conviction filled her heart as God spoke to her through her thoughts and memories. When she remembered what Elliott had said about the ninth commandment, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor, her heart constricted within her chest. False witness was the same as lying, and from the time she boarded the stagecoach for Sweet Water, she’d been doing nothing but lying. By pretending to be someone else, she’d deceived Elliott and Grace into thinking she was something she was not. And not just them, but the people at church. The women who had become her friends but would likely never speak to her again once they knew the truth. How could she have been so evil? Her shoulders sagged under the weight of sin, and tears ran down her cheeks as she cried out from the burden of her heart. “Lord, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Please, forgive me!”

  Finally, Lily’s tears slowed when peace such as she had never experienced filled and surrounded her as if the Father above had wrapped her within His arms and held her close to His heart. She lifted her face toward the ceiling, and a smile spread from her lips throughout her entire body. Laughing with joy, she wondered how she could feel so light and happy even knowing she’d lost the family she loved. As truth settled in her heart, she realized she had at last put her Heavenly Father first, and He had given her this wonderful peace and love beyond her understanding. At that moment, she couldn’t imagine anything that would make her feel bad.

  “Thank You, Jesus, for saving me from the heavy weight of sin. I know that’s what happened because it’s like what Elliott said. When he asked people to go forward for prayer, he said if they gave up their sins and asked You to forgive them, the burden they’d been carrying would lift. And it has. I understand what he meant now. Thank You!”

  A horse’s whinny outside startled her, although she was more curious than afraid. As she looked toward the window, she saw the sun had already set, leaving darkness outside of the cabin. She had lit only one lantern on the table, and she quickly dimmed it. Moving swiftly and carefully through the darkened room, she reached the front window and peered around the curtains. Three horses stood outside with men beside them. She’d been so involved in praying and worshiping the Lord, she hadn’t heard them ride in.

  Her heart rate picked up, but she still felt no fear. “Lord, please protect me.” She whispered the prayer as she looked closer and recognized the shape of one man. It was her brother, JD, and the other two men moved to each side of him, helping him to the house. She hurried to the door and jerked it open.

  “What’s happened?”

  They stopped, and both jerked out their guns, pointing them directly at her.

  “Don’t!” One word came from JD before he slumped, causing the men to turn to him, grabbing him up. Together, they carried him to the house.

  “Put your guns away. I’m his sister.” She moved outside and held the door open. “What’s happened to him?”

  They brushed past her and carried him to the bed against the wall. Either they knew it was his or just picked the closest one. Dread filled her as she watched them gently lay him down. If only he’d gotten out of the business when Papa died as she’d begged him to. “Has he been shot?”

  “Yeah.” One man finally spoke. He turned to look at her. “You’re his sister?”

  “I am.” She pushed past him and hurried to the table, turning up the lamp. Then she went to her brother and touched his arm in a gentle caress. His shirt was torn, and she could see a white cloth compress on his chest where they’d tried to care for him. “How bad is it?”

  The one who’d spoken before shrugged. “He needs a doctor but wouldn’t let us take him.”

  “Maybe you should have, anyway.” She didn’t know what to do for him. He might die if they tried to take him to the doctor now.

  “You may be right, but what good would it have done? Dying this way is better than hanging.” The man shifted, never quite meeting her eyes as if nervous.

  The second man had moved to the door and spoke for the first time. “We better go.”

  The first one nodded, but turned and finally looked into her eyes. “Take care of him. He was a good friend.”

  Was? He would walk away expecting his good friend to die? She shifted her gaze back to JD, and she knew. He couldn’t live long without a doctor. And maybe not then. He couldn’t survive the fifteen-mile trip to the doctor, and she couldn’t leave him to get the doctor as he’d done for their father. She didn’t trust his so-called friends to help. She bowed her head and whispered as a tear rolled down her cheek. “Lord Jesus, You are the Great Physician. Heal him, please.”

  Even as she spoke the words, she realized physical healing might not be what her brother needed most. She had received spiritual healing tonight that had soothed her heartache and set her free in a way she hadn’t expected. How she wished Elliott would walk through that door. She turned and realized she was alone with JD. The men who’d brought him had slipped away as if they’d never been there. She didn’t know what to do. He lay so still and quiet. His face blended with the sheets. It was so pale.

  “Please, Lord, send someone to help. If possible, send Elliott. He’d know how to talk to JD and pray with him. He’d know what to do.” She should never have walked away and left him. He’d probably never speak to her again. Tears of regret for what she’d given up and pain for her brother flowed as she bowed her head and prayed fervently for help.

  Chapter 15

  Elliott awoke early and rode hard on what he figured was the last day of his trip. Most of the night he'd prayed and was so tired now he flinched with each movement. But he never stopped praying for Lily, or watching the wayside as if he might see her. He longed for the moment he’d know she was safe, for that’s what he was counting on. He missed her with an ache that wouldn’t let up. She was the wife of his heart, the love of his life. Beyond the shadow of a doubt, he loved her every bit as much as he’d loved Eva. Maybe more. Certainly, their love was different. More vibrant and passionate. Everything about Lily was intense. When she walked into a room, everyone noticed and smiled. At least, that’s the way he felt about her, and he could scarcely wait to see her again.

  He should near the Missouri line soon, but his horse needed a rest, and so did he. Reluctantly, he stopped and dropped the reins near a small creek, then allowed Danny Boy to drink and graze. Elliott sat on the ground to rest and ate the last biscuit he’d brought. His stomach growled for more, but that was it. Soon he should find Lily. Until then, he could live without food. While they rested, he checked the crudely drawn map she had left. Surely she wanted him to find her, or she wouldn’t have made it this easy. Not that riding horseback for three days was easy. But he’d been able to follow her directions with no trouble. His heart ached for his beautiful, vivacious Lily. How could she think he’d prefer a woman he’d never met over her? He bowed his head and thanked God for keeping him safe. Then he prayed for Lily that God would be with her wherever she was and keep her from harm. “May she know You, Lord Jesus.”

  Later, he rose and mounted his horse. “Not much farther, old boy. We’re almost there.”

  He rode through the sleepy little town of Coalsburg, then set off to the south. Lily’s map said she lived fifteen miles from town, but there were two turns before he’d reach the house. “Show me the way, Lord. Help me find Lily. Even if she doesn’t know it, she needs me as muc
h as I need her. I believe with all my heart, You sent her to me. Help me find her now.”

  Still following the map, he rode through a dense thicket of trees, praying each step of the way for Lily and that she’d be waiting for him. Finally, Danny Boy stepped past the last tree into a clearing with a few more trees scattered around. An old hound dog climbed out from under the porch of a cabin standing in the clearing and set up a racket of barking and howling. Unsure if he should dismount and make friends with the beast, he paused to see what would happen.

  The dog didn’t look unfriendly, so he slid his foot from the stirrup, again stopping when the door of the house opened.

  Lily stepped out onto the porch with a shotgun pointed at him.

  This wasn’t the welcome he’d prayed for. He froze in place and stared into the beautiful face of his wife.

  When the gun slowly lowered, he saw a light of gladness in her eyes. She pointed the shotgun toward the porch floor and nodded to the side. “Take your horse out to the barn then come in the back door for dinner. I’ve got it ready and waiting for you.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Is your dog vicious?” He watched her turn to the dog standing between them and wanted to take her into his arms and tell her how much he loved her. Maybe she already knew now that he’d come. But that wasn’t enough. He needed to hear of her love for him, and he needed to tell her of his for her.

  She shook her head. “I don’t think so. He isn’t actually ours. Just comes and goes. He showed up this morning, hoping for some food, but we have little to share so he had to settle for half a biscuit.”

  Did that mean she had only half a biscuit so the dog could eat? He didn’t doubt it for a minute. “Since he’s eaten, maybe he’ll be nice.” Elliott rode to the barn and watched for the dog, but he didn’t follow.

  He found the barn with no problem and quickly took care of his horse then let him out into the attached corral. He deserved a rest after their long journey.

  Turning, Elliott searched the grounds for the dog and didn’t see him. He looked around as he walked back to the house. It appeared unkempt as if no one had lived in it for years, except he didn’t think that was true. Even now, with winter fast approaching, the grass lay over in thick clumps with paths worn through it. Lily was so clean and neat in her appearance and care of the house. Seeing this side of her was hard and confusing. Unsure of his welcome, he tapped lightly on the doorframe, then opened the door and peered into the kitchen.

  Lily turned from the table, where she’d placed a pan of perfectly browned biscuits. Although cold biscuits were all he had to eat the last three days, his stomach rumbled as he remembered the tasty food she’d prepared for him before and smelled the warm yeasty aroma now. She motioned him in, but stepped to the other side of the table when he came close. “Please, sit down and eat. Then I’ll introduce you to my brother. He’s injured. When he first arrived, I feared for his death, then I changed the bandage and could find only a surface wound. Still, he needs care. Would you mind praying for him?”

  He looked around but didn’t see anyone. “No, of course not. I could do that now.”

  “No, it’s all right He’s sleeping right now, and I need to go for the doctor.” She kept her voice soft. “Eat first.”

  He looked into the light in her eyes and wondered. She appeared different. Not in appearance, but within her eyes. Something had happened. She’d changed, and he thought he knew the reason. He nodded. “All right, but I’ll go for the doctor. Just tell me how to get there.”

  “Please, eat now.” She turned away toward the other end of the room and sat beside a bed in the far corner. That’s when he noticed the form in the bed that must be her brother. Her smile was sweet as she whispered to him.

  He’d thought she was as near perfect as a woman could be, and maybe now she was. His heart swelled with love for her, so great he could scarcely remain seated. But he had to. He couldn’t expect her to run into his arms with so much standing between them. Some things needed to be said first. He didn’t fully understand her feelings, but sensed she needed the reassurance of his love. There would be time for that later.

  As he ate his last bite, she appeared beside him. “I’m sure you’ve already figured out someone shot my brother. There’s no fever, and he’s alert. But he has questions. Last night when he came home barely able to stand, we both thought he would die like our pa.” Tears gathered in her eyes. “I prayed for God to send help and wanted you to come. I’m glad you did, because his greatest concern now is not for physical healing, but for the soul. We don’t deserve to ask your help, but I believe God has sent you, and even though I think his injury will heal, I’m afraid to leave him alone.”

  “Of course, but you need to tell me where the doctor lives.” He moved to rise, but she held him with a gentle hand on his shoulder.

  “No, I’ll go. What I’d like is for you to stay with JD. He has questions I can’t answer, and he needs prayers I’m not yet strong enough to pray. I can get back with the doctor quicker than you can because I know the way.” Her eyes implored as she waited.

  “But I don’t want you going alone.”

  “Please, it’s the best way.”

  He wanted to argue, to tell her she couldn’t leave the safety of her house, but looking into the strength of her gaze and sensing she would not be alone now, he held his tongue. After all, she’d just made a long trip on horseback alone. “You’ll take a gun?” He saw the surprise in her eyes. “I mean something better than your little derringer.”

  She smiled and nodded. “I’ll take one of JD’s with me. I don’t think there’ll be any trouble, though. It isn’t far, just on the far side of town.”

  “That’s over fifteen miles.” Again, he thought of insisting to go instead.

  “Yes, it is at least that far.” Her smile had widened. “Did anyone ever tell you, Elliott, that you worry too much?”

  He ignored her question. “If you aren’t back in an hour, I’ll come looking for you regardless of your brother.”

  “Sissy has had a rest. She’s the fastest horse we have. I’ll be back.” She leaned toward him and touched her lips to his.

  He didn’t hesitate, but pulled her closer and absorbed the love he felt within her caress. Never losing contact, he slowly stood, shoving the chair back with his legs, and wrapped her close in his arms. When they finally broke apart, he murmured. “Oh, Lily, I love you. Hold my love close as you ride and return to me.”

  Her smile disappeared, but a light shone in her eyes as she looked into his. “We’ll talk when we know JD is all right. I must go now.”

  Reluctantly, he let her go and watched as she picked up a gun he hadn’t noticed lying on a small table close by. She opened the cylinder, then snapped it closed as if she knew what she was doing. Then she donned her coat and disappeared out the back door, closing it softly behind her.

  She hadn’t introduced her brother to him. He waited until horse and rider galloped past the window, then prayed a brief prayer for her safety before turning to the living room.

  He sat in the chair Lily had used and looked into staring blue eyes in a face almost devoid of color. He recognized him as the same man who had seemed a threat to him before. Would he live long enough for the doctor to arrive? Lily hadn’t seemed overly concerned. Forcing a smile, he nodded. “Lily says you’re her brother. I believe she forgot to introduce us, but I’m her husband.”

  “She told me who you are. I’ve seen you at your house.” JD’s eyes seemed to pierce into him. “Do you love her?”

  Just the thought of his love for Lily brought a gentle smile to his face. He met her brother’s eyes with a direct gaze. “I love her more than I ever thought possible for a man to love a woman.”

  A smile flicked across the other man’s face. “Do you know God?”

  “I know of God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. His love is without bounds and is pure and not self-serving. He doesn’t need us, but we need Him. God is a spirit, and we can only
know Him through faith and as He deals with us as individuals. I have felt God’s love, and would not trade the experience for a thousand other loves. Man’s love is far inferior to God’s.”

  “Lily said she felt God’s love today.” JD frowned, as if he didn’t know what to think.

  Elliott understood. There’d been a time he would have agreed with him, but now his heart sang as his words could only mean one thing. “Lily met the Lord today.”

  “Yeah, so she said.” The frown on JD’s face increased. “I listened to you preach from outside the church. I don’t understand everything, but I need something.”

  “We are spiritual beings, living in the flesh, but longing for fellowship with our Heavenly Father. Although, we are born as innocent babies, we travel through life and make choices, many of them wrong, even evil. We hurt others, and do things we aren’t proud of. Mostly, we reject the gentle call of the Holy Spirit. Many times we’re too busy going about our own way to listen. But when we finally hear, all we need to do is ask with true repentance for the Lord to forgive and accept us back into the Family of God.” Elliott talked with JD for several minutes, answering his questions about life and death in the simplest terms he knew. Finally, he touched his shoulder. Would you like to pray now?”

  “I don’t know how.” Tears formed in his eyes and his voice broke.

  “Would you mind if I pray first, then?” Elliott waited as the other man nodded.

  “Please.”

  Elliott bowed his head. Our Father in Heaven, we come now in the name of Jesus to ask for your grace and mercy upon this man who wants to make things right. Touch his heart with your love. Give him strength and courage as he comes before your throne to ask forgiveness. Welcome him into the family of God. Touch his body and give him healing so he can live a life of service to You. Thank You for Your mercies to us and the work You’ve done in this family, and now in JD.”