The Parson's Daughters Boxed Set: Sweet and Clean Christian Romance - 4 Book Bundle

by Annie Boone

  Charity had an amused look on her face and she finally laughed out loud at his discomfort. “I knew what you meant, Eli.”

  He smiled back at her and took a bite of the piece of cake on his plate, “So, have you tried the cake? It’s absolutely fantastic!”

  Charity smiled as she watched him take another big bite of the cake she’d made for Hope and Andrew. She didn’t want to say that she agreed with him because that would seem like she was bragging when he found out she’d made it. So, she just continued to smile. She felt like an idiot who couldn’t do anything but smile. She had conversational skills, they were just in hiding at the moment.

  “I wonder who made it. They sure did a remarkable job with it.”

  Charity saw Hope out of the corner of her eye. She looked over at her sister expecting to see her fawning over her new husband. Instead, she saw Hope staring at her and Eli. She raised both eyebrows and her eyes got big as she smiled. Then she started walking over to them.

  Hope reached them and hugged Charity warmly, and a little boisterously. Charity was startled by her sister’s bold behavior.

  “Charity! Your cake is such a hit! Thank you for such a lovely and generous wedding gift. Everyone has been asking me who made it!” she exclaimed.

  Eli nodded his head and grinned. “Delicious, indeed. I’d been wondering who made such a perfect cake. Now I know.” He looked at Charity appreciatively.

  “Um, Hope, this is Eli Smallwood. Parson’s son. And Eli, this is my sister, Hope. The bride.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Eli. I’m glad you could be here today. Oh, well, I’d better get back to my husband,” Hope said as she whisked herself away.

  “So you made the cake. Why didn’t you tell me?” Eli asked.

  “I didn’t want to brag,” she smiled back at him.

  “I think this cake is worth bragging about. In fact, I think I’m going to brag that I know the lady who made it. That may just get me accepted into San Jose society.”

  Again, Charity blushed. She was used to compliments about her baking, but not from such a handsome man.

  “Oh, I don’t know about that, but I’m really glad you like it.”

  The two stood talking until the crowd had thinned. Finally, Charity looked around the room and realized that almost everyone was gone. Hope and Andrew had left a while ago. Now it was time to clean up the hall to get it ready for services the next day.

  “Eli, it was ever so nice to meet you. It’s time for me to handle the next part of my family obligation and help clean this room up.”

  Charity smiled her sweetest smile and started to back away. Eli reached out and took her hand and squeezed lightly. His dark blue eyes looked into her lighter blue eyes. The spark was undeniable.

  Then he walked away. Charity’s heart fluttered. She didn’t recall ever feeling this way before. She liked it.

  “You know what I’d rather be doing, but it can’t happen. I know that, so I’m finding a way to be content,” said Charity.

  Her lighthearted reply was her way of letting her sister know that she was happy. Charity had always been the most tenderhearted of the three Barnesdale sisters. Faith looked at her and smiled warmly.

  “I wouldn’t expect any other response from you,” replied Faith. “I know you’d like to lead a congregation like Daddy did. It’s a shame women aren’t viewed as leaders in this way. Maybe one day that will change.”

  “Maybe. Until then, I’ll do what I’m doing. You know I love to bake. I think I’m pretty good at it. Aaron and Andrew sure can’t seem to pass my desserts up,” she laughed.

  “That’s most definitely true. Neither can I!”

  The sisters laughed together at Faith’s admission. “I know. We all like a good piece of cake, don’t we?”

  Faith nodded. “Well, you get fulfillment out of guiding the women’s Bible study group, don’t you? I know it’s not the same as being the parson, but at least you get to teach God’s Word.”

  “Yes, I do love it. And you’re right, there’s great satisfaction in that. I’m happy for now, Faith. Who knows what will happen in the future. I’m patient.”

  “Who has cake?” a voice drifted in from the hallway.

  “Well, well. Looks like our sister is here and as usual, she’s only gotten part of the story,” said Faith.

  “Hey, Hope! We’re in the kitchen!” yelled Charity.

  “Well, how are things with my lovely sisters?” asked Hope as she entered the room with a flourish. She was loaded down with packages that she placed on the countertop and stepped back with a contented smile.

  “What’s all this?” asked Charity.

  “Just a few things I thought you girls might like. I found a hat for Mama and some blouses for you two. Andrew got them as samples. I can’t really put them in the store since they’re samples, so here you go.”

  “These are wonderful!” exclaimed Charity as she tore open the packages. “I love these big sleeves that are coming into fashion.”

  “You have to be careful or they’ll swallow someone as little as you up,” laughed Faith. “I don’t understand how someone who does all this baking can stay so thin. Every baker I’ve ever known gained weight from tasting their own pastries. Except for Charity.”

  “I taste, I just don’t eat the whole thing,” chuckled Charity.

  “I think the other thing that helps you out is that you’re always busy. Doing all the things you do at church keeps you moving,” added Hope.

  “Probably. There’s much that needs to be done,” replied Charity. “And I want to do as much as I can. I love what I do there.”

  “What about Eli Smallwood? Do you love him, too?” teased Hope.

  “Hope! I don’t even know him! What a thing to say!” Charity blushed. She’d been doing that quite often since she’d met Eli.

  “He’d surely be enamored with your pastries and treats if he’d come to the bakery to see you. Not that you’re not enough on your own, but your baking is amazing. I’m certain I like you better because of your baking!” giggled Hope. Then she sobered. “Does he come into the bakery every day?”

  “No, he doesn’t. He hasn’t been in there at all. In fact, I haven’t seen him since your wedding,” Charity said lifting her chin.

  “Don’t be so defensive. We’re just teasing you,” said Faith. She reached out to pat her baby sister’s hand. “With all the love and care you put into your work, Eli’s the loser if he doesn’t seek you out at the bakery or somewhere very soon. You’ve really helped build up the business at the bakery.”

  “True. The Bergmans should be glad they have you,” said Hope.

  “They are. They’re wonderful to me,” said Charity.

  Faith and Hope started talking about The Gilded Goose and all the goings-on there. Charity’s mind drifted back to when she’d met Eli. This scene kept playing over in her mind. She got a flip-floppy stomach every time she thought of him.

  She knew it probably wasn’t practical to think about him, though. She’d overheard Parson Smallwood telling someone that his son was going to be there for a short time. He said that he was going to help him get a first-hand feel for caring for the flock and that this would help him lead his own church when that time came in a few months.

  A few months. Charity was disappointed to learn that Eli wouldn’t be staying in San Jose. She was trying desperately not to remember that dazzling smile of his because she went all gooey inside when she did. That wasn’t smart. Going all gooey inside over a man who wasn’t going to stick around wasn’t what she needed to be doing.

  She tried to join the conversation with her sisters, but she’d totally lost track of what they were discussing. She smiled and waved to them as she left the kitchen of the main house to go back to the cottage.

  “Bye. See y’all later,” she said.

  “Yes, Mrs. Potter. I have your cake right here. It’s all ready to go,” Charity said as she ran quickly into the back so that she could find the cake she’d mad
e that morning. She found it quickly and took it to the waiting Mrs. Potter.

  The apple cider cake had a rich and sugary caramel icing. The layers were moist and fluffy. This cake was Charity’s specialty. It was a recipe she had perfected and it had become a favorite of the bakery’s customers.

  “Thank you so much, Charity,” said Alice Potter. “Hubert loves this cake! It’s his favorite. I think he’d die of disappointment if he didn’t get it for his birthday.”

  Charity laughed and showed her customer the cake. “Is this what you wanted, Mrs. Potter?”

  “Oh, it’s gorgeous, Charity. It smells wonderful, too. Hubert and I have been married for twenty-five years and he’s never enjoyed one thing I’ve baked! I’ve finally decided to let you do the baking in our family,” she exclaimed, pressing her hand to her heart in earnest. She shook her head and added enthusiastically, “There really is no better baker in these parts. And I have tasted my share of cake, let me tell you.”

  The older woman smiled at her and carefully took the box after she had paid Charity.

  “Can I help you to your carriage, Mrs. Potter?”

  “Thank you so much, Charity dear, but I think I can make it.”

  Charity smiled, content with the job that she had done and the excited reaction of the woman she’d met soon after she moved to San Jose. Mrs. Potter was in the Bible study class she taught. She got friendlier when she found out what Charity could do.

  “You’re welcome,” Charity beamed. “And please tell Mr. Potter I wish him a happy birthday.”

  “Thank you, dear. I will,” she replied backing out the door since her hands were full. “See you on Sunday!”

  Charity’s grin widened. She loved to see people from church in town. However, it wasn’t because she felt a need to be seen or recognized. She liked that she found common ground with others about the faith and commitment that meant so much to her.

  After Mrs. Potter left, Charity decided that she should begin the cleanup process for the day. It was almost time for the bakery to close. She was happy to be leaving after a busy day on her feet.

  She often performed the same duties day after day as she closed up the shop. She knew each task so well that she could do all of the work without thinking about it. As she often did recently, she allowed her mind to wander back to the parson’s son. A pastor, himself. Eli.

  It was such a beautiful wedding, Charity thought. The wedding really had nothing to do with why she was thinking about that day right now. She wondered if he’d felt the same spark she’d felt when they locked eyes for the first time. She wondered if he’d felt the same connection with her that she felt with him.

  He’d said he was there to help his father out at the church. Before he went to lead his own church, she reminded herself. No matter what, he wouldn’t be staying in San Jose. But why hadn’t she seen him at church if he was there helping out?

  She knew if she saw him again, she would be just as taken by him as she had been the day she met him. He was handsome, for sure. But in a wholesome and almost innocent sort of way. Charity couldn’t describe it exactly, outside the details of his very distinctive blue eyes and dark blond hair, but she knew she liked how he looked. Very much.

  The bell to the door tinkled. Who could that be? she thought. Nobody ever comes in this late. It’s time to close.

  She heard footsteps come in and stop.

  “Just a minute!” Charity called, unable to see who it was from where she was standing in the back.

  “All right, Charity! Take your time!” A man’s voice answered.

  She’d know that voice anywhere. Though they’d only had one short conversation, his smooth timbre was etched in her mind. Her hand went immediately to her hair. How did it look? Her face. Did she have flour or icing on her cheek?

  She did her best to smooth her hair. She took off her apron and dabbed it on her face to make sure she took anything off that might be there. She put a big smile on her face, pushed the curtain aside that separated the back from the front of the store, and walked out to greet him.

  “Eli. Hello. What can I get for you tonight?” Charity asked as casually as possible. She wondered if she looked funny, staring at him like she was. To try to cover her nervousness, she added after only a brief pause, “The blackberry tarts are fresh.”

  He smiled sheepishly and tapped his foot on the wood floor. Then he stepped towards the counter and Charity. “Well, blackberry tarts sound good, but I was just hoping to see you.”

  Charity chuckled, “Me? Why?”

  “I, um, didn’t take the chance to ask you out for supper when we met at your sister’s wedding. I have regretted it ever since,” he replied. He looked at the floor, then raised his head to look into her eyes. “At the risk of being terribly forward, would you like to have supper with me on Friday?”

  Charity was mesmerized once again by his intense blue eyes. She found that she was staring into his eyes and she didn’t realize he’d asked her to have supper with him.

  “Oh, excuse me. I didn’t quite catch what you said. You owe me a dance?”

  He laughed out loud and again she was taken in by his jovial nature. The richness of his voice, even in laughter, made her heart beat just a little faster.

  “Well, if you want to go dancing, I suppose we could do that. I’m not sure how the church members would react if they found out that a parson was in the dance hall, though. It does sound like fun, but I was more thinking we could start off with dinner? Maybe we could try the new restaurant next door to the bank?” He raised his eyebrows in question and he seemed earnest with his invitation.

  Charity smiled sweetly, but was struck with a doubt that she didn’t expect. Even though part of her wanted to tell him that she would love to go with him, there was another part that was unsure. She always seemed to shy away in social situations. She preferred to remain in the shadows, romantically unnoticed.

  “Oh, however did I get dance out of supper?” Charity asked, laughing politely. Trying to make light of her gaffe, her hand flew to her open mouth. “I must not be thinking straight. We were quite busy today, after all. The shop is always busy, but today seemed hectic. I apologize.”

  Charity was thrilled at the thought of spending time with Eli. The sad fact that hit her squarely in her heart was that he wouldn’t be here long. Or at least that’s what she’d heard, um overheard. Come to think of it, he had mentioned that he’d be here a short time when she met him at the wedding. He was only here to help out then he’d move on to his own church.

  Even though there were many reasons that came to mind to court him, she also realized that she probably shouldn’t. Charity had never done well with distance. When Faith moved away to be with Aaron, she missed her desperately for that short few months before they all moved here to be with her. She knew that she wouldn’t do well in any situation that would bring an elongated separation.

  “Going to supper with you would be nice, but my family and work responsibilities leave me little time for courting.” Charity cast her eyes down. She knew she would give her feelings of sadness away if he looked into her eyes.

  “Oh, um, excuse me?”

  Charity felt terrible about turning him down. She didn’t want to upset or embarrass him. Choosing safety was her comfort zone, though, and for now she decided it was best to stay in it. She recognized his disappointment and felt her heart sink deeper. She was aware more than ever before of how inexperienced she was with matters of the heart.

  “Well, all right then,” Eli answered politely. He seemed like he was trying to keep his composure and the look in his eyes showed sincere disappointment. “Your family is certainly important. I saw you with the children at your sister’s wedding and I’m sure they’re a handful.”

  She knew how he felt because she quickly found that she was disappointed in her answer, too. Instead of trying to mend her breaking heart, she just nodded and replied softly, “Thank you for asking, Eli.”

  She wanted to chang
e her answer and say that she would definitely go out with him for supper, but she felt it may be too late. So she didn’t say anything else.

  Eli nodded. “You know, Charity, I think I’ll pass on the blackberry tart. Wouldn’t want to ruin my supper tonight. I’ll see you around.” Then he turned and walked out of the bakery.

  Charity stood there and watched him walk out. Her heart was still beating too fast and she needed a sip of water. What have I just done? she thought.

  “You did what?” Hope exclaimed, laughing when Charity told her what had happened with Eli the previous day.

  “I know,” Charity winced, “I just couldn’t do it. What’s wrong with me?”

  “What do you mean? You couldn’t do it. What does that even mean?” Hope demanded, almost forcefully. After the humor passed, it felt like Hope was angry at her.

  Charity shrugged defensively and replied in a small voice, “Oh, I don’t know. I just kept thinking about how he’s only here for a short time. I couldn’t think about how it would work when he left. If it could work that way.”

  “Long distance?” Hope cut her off. “Oh, come on. You don’t know for sure how long he’ll be here. What if he falls in love with you and decides to stay? What does that do to your long distance theory?” She chuckled as she continued to mend her husband’s socks.

  But what if he falls in love with me and leaves, anyway? Charity thought. Admitting this question would only hurt her cause. Hope would jump on her and give other theories that are just as plausible. So she stayed quiet.

  “And most importantly,” Hope continued, without missing a beat, “You two don’t even know if you like one another. How could you be so worried about the distance when you don’t even know if you like him? It’s possible that after you spend a little time with him some distance might be a blessing.”

  Charity smiled, but resisted the urge to contest. She knew in her heart that she and Eli shared a special bond. She knew that his departure, when it came, would make her sad even if she wasn’t spending time with him. Getting to know him and courting him would only make matters worse.