by Ford, Linda;
Levi could see her lips moving but couldn’t hear what she said to the horse. No doubt secrets she didn’t share with others. He leaned toward the door, hoping to discover what they were.
“How old are you?” Toby asked.
Holding back his frustration, knowing Toby deserved his full attention, he answered. “Twenty-six. How about you?”
“I’m eighteen.” He hung his head and mumbled. “Almost.”
“I expect your folks are worried about you.”
Toby bristled. “I can take care of myself.”
“Don’t stop your parents from wondering if you’re okay. That’s what folks do when they care about each other.”
Glory suddenly stood in the doorway. “I suppose you know all about it? Folks caring and all.”
He hadn’t noticed her approach and startled, faced her. Their gazes met and held. And he saw one of her secrets. Though he already knew it. She had been disappointed by events in her life—likely her pa’s regular disappearance and her mother’s death. “My folks died when I was thirteen. My brother and I went to live with my grandparents. They cared for us in their own way.” Trouble was, Matt didn’t accept their way.
“What’s that mean, ‘their own way’?”
“They were strict but only because they feared we might get into trouble if we were allowed to follow our own inclination.” They proved to be correct.
“So you think everyone should obey rules.”
He hadn’t meant for her to apply his words in such a fashion. “I only meant they showed their caring that way. The only way they knew how.”
Her eyes blared like the sun had peeked around the corner and pooled in her irises. “Seems to me a man who calls himself a preacher would know love has certain requirements laid out in the scriptures. Perhaps you recall First Corinthians chapter thirteen, where it describes love as charity. Says it is long-suffering, kind, and never fails.” Her words came fast and furious.
“Strange you pick those virtues when it also says charity vaunteth not itself, rejoiceth in the truth, and hopes all things.” Stranger still she knew the passage. Yet perhaps not. Joanna made certain grace was offered at each meal, so the girls had been exposed to godly teaching at some point in their lives.
She tried to stare him down, but he wasn’t backing up, physically or mentally. When she realized he wouldn’t budge, she made a noise of exasperation, grabbed the saddle and saddle blanket, and stomped outside. A few minutes later she rode down the trail at a gallop.
“She shouldn’t ride so fast through town,” Toby observed quietly. “Joanna is always telling her. But Glory doesn’t listen.”
No, Glory doesn’t listen. That about summed it up.
Sunday dawned clear and promising. Thank You, Lord, for a nice day.
One thing Levi had no control over was the weather, and meeting outdoors required good weather. He’d scoured the town looking for a suitable building to rent and had come up empty. All the buildings were in use.
He’d posted notices about town that he would hold services on the hillside south of the ferry. He’d announced it again at the supper table. Still he wondered how many would show up. Would Glory?
He took extra time with his grooming, aware of young Toby watching him.
“You really gonna have church outside?”
“Yup. Jesus held open-air services, you know.” Levi finished his shave and wiped his face on the towel. As he finished and hung the towel, he caught a glimpse of Glory as she passed the open dining room door. “Are you coming?” He directed the question to Toby but hoped Glory heard it as well.
“Guess so. Glory says it might do me some good.” The younger man hung his head and scuffled his feet. “She says maybe it will help me quit drinking.” Suddenly he gave Levi a hard, demanding look. “You think it would?”
Levi gave the man his undivided attention. “Toby, going to church won’t help you so much as listening to God will. God can give your life new purpose. He will forgive your sins and let you start over. Come to the service and hear what I have to say, and if you have other questions, I’m always willing to talk.”
Toby brightened. “I’ll be there.”
Levi caught up his black suit jacket and donned it over his vest. Some might think it was an odd combination, but he didn’t mind. Maybe they needed to see the preacher was more than a suit jacket. He was also a man. Did Glory see it?
Why did his thoughts always circle back to Miss Glory? Even at night, he recalled images of her—racing through town, scolding the man with horses, glaring at him across the table. Whether she smiled or glared, he derived a great deal of enjoyment out of picturing her.
He pushed the thought away. Today was not about him. Or her.
He picked up his Bible and headed for the field where the service was to be held. No one was there when he arrived. Nor did he expect it. It was a full hour before time to start. He’d come to pray and mentally prepare and welcome any early arrivals.
Half an hour later, people started to trickle in. Levi greeted each one. Claud Wagoner, whom he met the first day. Mr. Murray, the lawyer, and his wife. Widow Kish leaning on Mr. Phelps’s arm.
Levi strode over and shook Mr. Phelps’s hand and squeezed the widow’s shoulder. “Glad to see you both. You’re looking much better,” he said to Mr. Phelps.
“Doing much better, thanks to you.” He squeezed Levi’s hand hard then released it and found a place for them to sit.
Others arrived. People he’d not yet met. A dozen people from the stopping house who decided to delay further travel until after the service. It was almost time to start. He swallowed back his disappointment. He’d hoped Glory and her sisters would come.
He took his place at the front and prepared to start the service.
At that moment, the three sisters strode down the path. Each wore her usual outfit—Mandy in loose pants and baggy shirt, Joanna in a split skirt and dark brown blouse, and Glory in tight britches, form-fitting shirt, and worn brown vest. But he had never seen anything he thought looked finer.
He smiled at them, his gaze skimming the older and younger sister and resting on Glory.
But she didn’t return his smile. She scowled.
He turned away to face the gathered people, his smile widening. Her frown perhaps said more than a smile. It revealed the same uncertainty about her feelings for him as he had for her. He let the satisfaction of such knowledge fill his heart. Better to be frowned at than to be ignored.
“Welcome. We’ll begin with a song.” He didn’t have hymnals but chose hymns familiar to most and led them in singing, pleased to hear some strong voices from the congregation. Mr. Phelps had a deep voice that carried the others along.
Then Levi began his sermon. He’d wanted to preach on rebellion being as the sin of witchcraft, or whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. But he had no peace about such passages and instead chose others.
“Today, I want to remind each of you about God’s everlasting love. In Jeremiah thirty-one, verse three, God says, ‘I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.’” He went on to give illustrations from the scripture of God loving people even when they failed and sinned.
He tried not to speak directly to Glory though his heart strayed there on its own. She watched steadily. But her expression revealed nothing, giving him no idea whether the words spoke to her or not. But that was not his responsibility. God would use His Word in His way. Levi’s task was to speak it.
Toward the end of the service, a large man sauntered to the edge of the clearing and leaned against a tree, his arms crossed over his chest. He plainly, silently said he wasn’t there to hear from God.
Levi continued. “I want to remind you of the assurance in Numbers chapter twenty-three, verse nineteen. ‘God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it?’ and again in Joshua twenty-three, verse fourteen, ‘Not one
thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you… not one thing hath failed therof.’ God keeps His promises. I challenge you, read your Bible, find God’s promises, trust them. ‘O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.’ Psalm thirty-four, verse eight.”
He closed in prayer then moved to join the others, thanking them for attending and letting them know he was available for spiritual counsel or whatever they might need from him.
Many thanked him.
He sought Glory’s eyes, wondering what she thought. More than once he felt he spoke directly to her, praying God would use his words to heal her hurt and disappointment. But she scrambled to her feet and seemed in a great hurry to get Joanna and Mandy to leave. However, they seemed more interested in speaking to their neighbors.
The late arrival still leaned against the nearby tree, a mocking expression on his face.
Levi strode over and introduced himself.
The man didn’t unbend an inch. “I’m Bull Johnson.”
“The saloon owner. I’ve been hoping to talk to you. I need a building for church services and thought you might be willing to let me use the saloon on Sunday.”
Bull pushed away from the tree. He was big and brawny and used his body in a way meant to intimidate Levi.
Levi didn’t budge an inch nor did he flinch. He’d met bigger, meaner men in his day. They didn’t scare him. Big didn’t make right.
Bull pushed his face to within an inch of Levi’s. “Preacher, you stay away from my saloon on Sunday and every other day of the week. I won’t have you interferring with my business.”
Levi felt the silent watchfulness of his congregation. They waited to see how he’d react to this bully. He slowly drew himself to his full height, holding the Bible at chest level like a shield or perhaps a sword. “I will go where the Lord directs, when the Lord directs, and to whom the Lord directs. I will not fear any man when it comes to serving my Lord.”
Bull edged closer, but Levi refused to move, forcing the man to teeter on the balls of his feet. He stepped back, a nasty look on his face. “Stay away from the saloon.” He strode off, thunder in every footstep.
Levi turned away. Caught Glory’s watchful look but could not read her expression. Admiration? He welcomed such. But perhaps it was only warning. Did she think him foolish for standing up to Bull? Or perhaps he only wanted to see something he could rejoice in. Could be she was only curious as any observer.
Glory tried to hurry Joanna and Mandy away from the church service. Levi tangled her thoughts with his words and actions. She’d come to the meeting fully expecting a fire-and-brimstone sermon. Warning about repentance and sackcloth. Instead, he preached love and trust. Neither of which she had any faith in.
Who was this Levi Powers? Seeing him help Mr. Phelps and Widow Kish, observing his fatherly way with Toby, and now hearing his words of welcome… well, it left her struggling for balance. Who was he?
Who was she? Did God really love her? She’d once believed. When Ma was alive. But it was so long ago she could barely recall, and she was but a child then, trusting her parents to take care of her.
That had changed, and she was no longer a child.
“I’m ready to go,” Joanna said.
“Finally.” Glory didn’t bother to disguise her impatience.
Mandy nudged Glory in the ribs. “Still think he’s too good-looking to be a preacher?”
Joanna shot them a startled look. “What’s looks got to do with whether or not he’s a preacher?”
Glory pinched Mandy’s elbow, warning her not to josh with Joanna about it. Glory didn’t much care to have another sister mocking her.
Mandy gave a naughty grin but said no more about the subject. She fell in on one side of Joanna and Glory on the other as they trooped toward home. The stopping house served only two meals a day—breakfast and supper—so the girls had the rest of the afternoon to themselves. No need to hurry back to the kitchen.
As they walked, Glory mulled over Levi’s words. “Read your Bible. Find God’s promises.” Her voice careless, she asked, “Didn’t Ma used to have a Bible? I wonder what happened to it.”
“I’ve got it,” Joanna said. “I think it’s time I put it out so we can read it. I know Ma would have wanted us to.” She sighed like she carried a heavy pack on her back. “Ma would be disappointed with me for not living up to her expectations.”
“No, she wouldn’t,” Mandy and Glory said at once. Glory fell back half a step and cast a protesting look at Mandy. They’d seen Joanna get all worried and overly caring about how her younger sisters were turning out. She knew from Mandy’s expression she didn’t welcome such a mood any more than Glory did.
“We’re grown-up now,” Glory said. “You don’t have to worry about us so much.” She vowed she would be more careful about how she acted and—she knew Joanna hated her going in the saloon even if it was to get Toby—where she went.
Joanna shrugged. “I will always feel responsible as the oldest.”
“You’ve been the best big sister we could ask for. Isn’t that right, Mandy?”
“Sure is.” Both girls hugged Joanna, who started to laugh.
“Still. I don’t think it would hurt us any to read the Bible just as Levi said. Ma would want us to.”
Glory didn’t need to promise Joanna she would. Something deep in her soul wanted to know more about God’s promises. Could He be trusted wholly and completely as Levi said? She sure hadn’t found it easy to trust people. But then God was God. A different matter.
As soon as they got home, Joanna went to their room and lifted a box from the top shelf of the wardrobe. She opened it to reveal an old photo album and a tiny bonnet. “It was Mandy’s. I’ve never been able to give it away.” She set the album and bonnet aside. “Here’s the Bible.” Joanna stroked the worn leather cover gently. “Do either of you remember Ma reading to us from it?”
Glory nodded. “I remember her sitting in a rocking chair while we sprawled on the floor at her feet.”
“I don’t remember clearly,” Mandy said. “I can never seem to remember Ma.” She looked longingly at the photo album. Glory figured with Ma being sick so much when Mandy was little, her sister had learned to depend on Joanna for much of her care, and Ma kind of faded into the background for her.
Joanna sat on the edge of the bed, took the album on her lap, and patted the covers on either side of her. Glory and Mandy crowded close. It had been some time since they had shared a moment like this.
Glory knew what the pictures were. Grandparents she’d never met. Aunts and uncles she couldn’t remember. Cousins no one could remember the names of. And Ma with Joanna as a toddler. Then Pa and Ma and the three girls, Mandy just a baby.
Joanna lingered over that page. “We were a good family.”
Glory bristled. “We’re still a good family. Just the three of us.”
“What about Pa?” Mandy sounded mournful.
Glory didn’t wait for Joanna to answer. She knew her sister would say Pa missed Ma. Never got over her dying. They had to understand that. But they had lost their ma, too. “We don’t need Pa. Let him chase after his dreams. We manage just fine without him, don’t we?”
Joanna stared into the distance as if seeing and wanting things she couldn’t have.
Mandy sighed—a sound as sad as the wind off the river on a dark night.
Glory sprang to her feet. “I’m going to check on my horses.” She sped from the house as fast as she could. But she couldn’t outrun her thoughts. Pa would show up someday with the same empty promise of staying and providing a home for the girls. But they no longer needed him. Or wanted him and his promises—forgotten as quickly as they were given.
Promises. The word made her think of Powers’s sermon. Maybe she needed to consider God’s promises. Might be something there.
She spent the rest of the day with her horses, pleased at how well Blue Boy and Pal worked together.
Later that evening, she sneaked into the bedroom, lifted Ma’s Bible from the dresser where it now held center stage, ducked out the back door, avoiding her sisters and Powers, and found a secluded spot to read from its pages. There were promises galore. Surprised her some to see all the good things God promised to give. And it seemed they were meant for her, too.
Her back to a tree, the setting sun painting the river water violet, she tried to sort out her feelings. What if Powers was only a confidence man, with enough skill to convince them all he was a preacher?
Would that change God’s promises?
No, it wouldn’t. But it would change how she looked at the scriptures. Because, she reluctantly admitted, she heard the words in Levi’s voice. And if he proved false, that wouldn’t work.
Her instinct, her experience warned her to be cautious.
Her heart, her longing wished he could be all he said he was.
She closed the Bible and returned it to the dresser.
Two days later, she left the horses early and headed back to town to get Toby and attend to their chores. She strode boldly into the saloon and looked about. No Toby. For the second day in a row. Yesterday she’d found him already at his chores, no smell of liquor on his breath. He explained he’d been too busy with other things to go to the saloon. But he refused to say what the other things were.
She rode slowly down the street, checking each corner and alley for a glimpse of Toby, fearing he had passed out somewhere. Not a sign of him. She neared the stopping house and saw nothing of him scurrying about the yard or perched under the overhang peeling vegetables.
It was early yet. Perhaps she’d missed him. She reined about and made another pass through town. Still not a sign of him. She rode on.
She neared Mr. Phelps’s place and saw Levi’s horse in front of the house and turned in there. Perhaps he’d seen Toby. She dismounted and led Pal toward the hitching post.
That was when she heard the murmur of voices and thought she recognized one as Toby’s.