by Danni Roan
A large pot of oatmeal sat on the stove and each member of the place filled a bowl adding cream, sugar, or butter to their breakfast before grabbing their coffee and finding a seat.
The Hampton House was closed to outside customers until lunchtime on Sundays, and the quieter atmosphere gave everyone a chance to get ready for church as they reflected on their week.
“You look kinda tired preacher,” Jubal Hampton teased taking a seat next to the thin man in the dark suit.
“I’ll be alright,” Brandon said lifting his coffee and taking a sip as his eyes closed in delight. “I’m afraid I was up a bit later than usual,” he continued. “I just hope it was worth it.”
“Why were you up so late?” Olive asked making her way to the table. “Workin’ on your sermon for today or such?”
Brandon Tippert shook his head. “No, I was playing the piano over at the saloon,” he said yawning on the last word.
“I’m not sure that’s a fittin’ pass time for a preacher,” Orville said. “Least none I ever knew. Besides, I didn’t even know you could play the piano.”
Brandon sat his cup down on the table and grinned. “It might be a bit irregular,” he said, his dark eyes shining, “but it got Mr. Alder to agree to close the place for the day and attend services.”
“You’re joking!” Olive gasped. “I don’t believe it.”
“He’ll probably back out of it,” Orville agreed walking over and taking a seat next to his wife. “I can’t see him losing a dollar on your account.”
Brandon shrugged digging into his meal. “I guess we’ll know soon enough. It seems to me that having a preacher play the piano at your bar is a curiosity. I know several folks stopped by last night just to see if it were true.”
Beth studied the preacher skeptically. It didn’t seem fitting that a man of God would go into a saloon and play music. Did anyone even know he played the piano?
She remembered all too well the days and hours of worry her mother had suffered when her father had been away. No matter how much the man had loved her; he still never seemed able to break the hold gambling had on him.
In the end ,the draw of smoke-filled rooms, clattering chips, and easy money had cost her father his life, leaving her alone in a world that seemed too often unkind.
“I’d better get over to the church,” Brandon smiled, pushing himself from his seat and grabbing his smart gray bowler hat. “I’ll see you all shortly,” he added turning and offering Beth a bright smile that transformed his craggy face into something handsome and becoming.
Beth nodded absently as Mr. Tippert headed for the door and then took a seat with her hosts. This would be her first full day in Needful, Texas, and she hoped she wouldn’t let anyone down.
***
The little church at the edge of town still smelled of fresh hewn wood with a hint of chalk from the black board that sat in one corner of the space. Beth smiled realizing that the relatively new building served double-duty as both place of worship and education. She wondered who the schoolteacher was, but for now simply trailed along with Olive and the Hamptons quietly observing everything around her.
The people of Needful seemed friendly, and she smiled at Rosa who hurried to a seat with her little daughter. The dark haired Mexican woman who lived and worked at the Hampton House, seemed rather reserved, but Beth hoped that in time they could be friends.
“I don’t believe it,” Olive said leaning toward Orville, their white hair almost touching as she continued to whisper. “He’s actually here,” the older woman pointed to a plump balding man in the front row.
“And look at that,” Orville said shaking his head. “Where’d that piano come from?”
Beth turned noting the battered dark wood upright at the front of the church.
“You don’t suppose they brought it from the Saloon do you?” Olive gasped as they made their way to a hard bench.
Orville shook his head counting the number of cowboys who sat bleary eyed along the back row of benches in the church.
“Maybe the preacher’s on to something,” the older man mused with a shake of his head. “Seems like a full house today,” he finished nodding to neighbors and friends.
As Beth took a seat behind the Hamptons, watching Mr. Tippert take a seat at the piano, she couldn’t help but feel the excitement that filled the church. Something new was happening and the tension was palpable.
“I’d like to welcome everyone to the service this morning,” the young man with the mop of brown curls grinned. “Today we have a special treat in store as Mr. Alder has been kind enough to loan us his piano. I hope you all know this old favorite,” he added stretching his fingers and placing his hands on the keys.
A moment later, the strains of To God be the Glory echoed through the room, and the congregation stood singing with one voice.
Beth rose joining in the singing with a smile. Everyone was obviously delighted with the music that tinkled from the piano as beautifully as it might have from a grand instrument in a fancy hall.
As they continued to sing, the young woman looked around taking in the various families assembled. She smiled at a dark haired woman standing next to a man in a black suit. Beside them an older woman swayed to the music humming happily as she clung to the arm of another young woman holding hands with a tall bearded man.
Needful seemed to be an interesting town if nothing else, and Beth found herself smiling as the dark thoughts of the night before vanished in the light of a new day, and the soft notes of a battered piano.
A bright spark of hope seemed to blossom within her even as the last chill of morning evaporated in the bright sunshine pouring through the windows of the church.
Spring was in the air here in Texas, and a warm comfort filled Beth’s heart as she determined to put the pain and sorrow of the past behind her and work toward a new and brighter future in this tiny town.
***
“Now wasn’t that a fine sermon?” Olive asked as she hurried to pull an apron over her head. “Folks seemed right happy with the playing and singing too,” she grinned.
Beth hurried to follow Olive’s example and pulled an apron over her best dress before grabbed the coffee pot. It seemed that half of Needful was determined to eat at the Hampton House, and an almost festive atmosphere bubbled in the hall. Families, friends, and coworkers settled at tables and the entire Hampton family began to serve coffee, biscuits and stew.
“I thought the message was very good as well,” Beth mused. “The preacher had a lot to say about not being unequally yoked,” she nodded. “I hope you don’t mind if I take that to heart and wait a while before we decide on a potential match?”
Olive smiled at the pretty blonde woman beside her handing her a tray of cups. “I think that is a mighty fine plan,” she agreed as Beth moved into the dining hall serving coffee and greeting the members of her new home.
“You must be the new girl,” the dark haired woman from church greeted as Beth poured coffee for the table. “I’m Prim,” she smiled. “This is my husband Anderson, my sister Peri, and her husband Bear, and our mother Mercy.”
“I’m pleased to meet you all,” Beth smiled as the older woman swayed in her seat humming something softly before the girl called Peri pressed a cup into her hand.
“Mother can’t speak,” the lighter of the two girls, Peri, said. “But I can tell she likes you.”
Beth smiled at the woman whose dark eyes twinkled up at her. Yes, Needful was going to be an interesting town.
Chapter 8
Brandon nursed his coffee watching as the new girl, Beth, hurried to fill coffee cups and carry biscuits to various tables.
The service had gone better than he had expected, and Mr. Alder the saloon owner had not only lived up to his side of the bargain, but had provided the piano for the morning service.
Smiling, Brandon wondered what would happen next week, and if he could keep up with the late Saturday nights and deliver his Sunday service as well. He wa
s tired, but it felt like something important had happened in Needful, and in his heart, he knew it was worth the lack of sleep if the saloon could be closed for even one day per week.
Too many of the local cowboys, diggers, and sawyers frequented the saloon out of boredom and a few too many beers often led to reckless and rowdy behavior. He agreed with Olive in the thought that Needful needed respectability.
“Would you like some more coffee,” the pretty blonde asked moving to his table and offering a smile.
Brandon nodded, wondering if she had heard the fuss and commotion the night before when Darwin had come to call. Brandon himself had only just arrived home in the wee hours of the morning and had made his way through the damp drizzle to the back of the place to help the man find his way home.
“Thank you,” Brandon nodded. “I feel the need for coffee today,” he grinned.
“I understand you were up rather late last night,” Beth said, lips twitching, as she wondered if the preacher would admit it.
“I was,” he agreed, “but it’s a peaceful Sunday for the first time here in Needful.”
Beth tipped her head curiously, wondering why the preacher’s late night would make for a peaceful Sunday.
“The saloon,” Brandon said taking the cup from her hand. “It will be closed for the whole day.”
Beth nodded, understanding why the man was so pleased. If the cowboys, miners, farmers, and other men of the town weren’t cutting it up in the Saloon, the families of the area would truly have a peaceful and reverent day.
“You were willing to lose sleep to have the saloon closed for a single day?” Beth asked. “That is dedication.”
Brandon laughed, enjoying the approval of the pretty woman. He couldn’t help but wonder about her story, and why she had come to Needful. It seemed like a good number of people were joining the little town, each with their own reasons and story.
“I hope you enjoyed the message,” Brandon spoke once more somehow reluctant to let the woman leave. There was something about her that appealed to him. “Would you be interested in taking a walk after lunch?” he asked impulsively. “I could show you around town.”
Beth looked back toward where Olive was chatting with Prim and her family but nodded. “If Olive can spare me I think I’d like that,” she agreed. “This is the first bright day I’ve seen in a long time,” she added, biting her bottom lip.
Brandon nodded, appreciating her dedication to doing her job, but whispering a silent prayer to heaven that the girl might have a few minutes for him as the day went on. He wanted to spend more time with her, get to know her, and understand why she had come to Needful.
As Beth walked away from Brandon, he finished his meal then made his way around the room chatting and visiting with his neighbors, parishioners, and friends.
Needful, still had a great many issues to address. The town was small, rough, and in need of many services. He only hoped that being the pastor of the tiny Texas town wouldn’t prove a bigger job than he was able to handle.
His past had done little to prepare him for service to a community like Needful. The son of a wealthy shop owner in a large Northern city, Brandon had lived a life of genteel ease, but had grown bored with the sitting room concerts, classical education, and simple expectation on his time.
Taking his musical ability with him, Brandon had entered the seedier side of honky-tonks, saloons, and drinking houses, he had started playing the piano on a dare.
The excitement, revelry, and hint of danger in the gambling houses beckoned and soon Brandon found himself playing, gambling, and fighting his way through saloons along the Mississippi and further west.
Watching the lovely young woman moving among the patrons of the Hampton House, introducing herself, or offering coffee, the preacher absently scratched the scar on his right wrist thinking back to the night that all the fun had ended in a puff of smoke, and ashes.
“Mr. Tippert,” the voice of Peri Perkins-Cassidy, a young woman he had met on the riverboat that had ferried them all toward Needful, pulled him from his thoughts, and he smiled up at the young woman and her burly husband, Bear.
“Mrs. Cassidy,” Brandon said rising and reaching for Bear Cassidy’s hand. “It’s nice to see you here today.”
“We wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed your piano playing today,” Peri said her blue eyes sparkling. “Mama’s humming louder than ever,” she said, indicating her mother who was being led outside by her older sister Prim and her husband, Anderson Bowlings.
“How is your mother?” Brandon asked. “She seems to have settled well at your sister’s home.”
“She’s doing very well,” Peri grinned. “She’s even doing a bit more for herself, and Prim says she’s walking more and rocking less.”
“That’s good news,” Brandon said. “It seems that Needful is agreeing with her then.”
“I think she knows her daughters are loved and cared for,” the man everyone called Bear said, wrapping an arm around his wife. “That would make any parent happy,” he finished, his white teeth flashing from within his neatly trimmed brown beard.
“I think you’re right Bear,” Brandon agreed. “I think I’ll take some time and go visit Mrs. Perkins later this week,” he added his eyes finding Beth where she stood talking politely to a miner in what passed as a clean shirt.
Chapter 9
“I’m glad you’re taking Beth out for a walk,” Olive said stepping up to Brandon after the Cassidys and Bowlings had gone. “She’s new here, and I know she can use a friend,” the older woman smiled. She had already tried to convince Dan Gaines to take the young woman for a walk, but he was content to sit with his brother discussing town business instead. “Beth was worried we needed her here to help redd up, but I’m happy for her to take a stroll with our preacher instead.”
“I remember what it was like to be new here in Needful,” Brandon said, taking his jacket from the back of the chair. “I’m curious to see how the town deals with a quiet day,” he added with a chuckle.
“Well this is the first nice day we’ve had in weeks, and with those blue skies above, I’m sure you’ll have a nice stroll,” Olive grinned.
“Oh, Olive did you need me for something?” Beth asked, walking toward Brandon and her employer, as she wrapped a heavy shawl around her shoulders. “If you need me, I can stay.”
“No, no, dear,” Olive shook her head. “You two young people go on and enjoy this nice weather. Between Rosa, me and the girls we have everything well in hand.”
Beth nodded. The Hampton House had largely emptied now, and only a few men sat sipping coffee and shooting hard glances at the preacher, as they headed out the door and into a cool early spring day.
“I’m afraid I didn’t see much of the town when I arrived last night,” Beth admitted peering down the street and wondering what the town had to offer. She had caught glimpses of the general store, jail, and a few houses on her way to church that morning, but still felt as if she didn’t know her way around the place.
“Would you like to see the saw mill?” Brandon asked. “It’s along the stream and when it isn’t running, it is a peaceful place,” he teased.
Beth felt a laugh bubble from her lips and nodded, taking the man’s arm as he stepped down from the board walk and started along the far side of town.
A warm sun battled with the cool air to warm the town and the bright light brushed her golden hair with pale highlights.
“How old is the town?” Beth asked thinking of home and the many shops and businesses in her hometown.
“From what I understand the town started growing shortly after Dan Gaines started rounding up wild cattle in the area almost three years ago. He brought a crew along with him, men disenfranchised by the war and the devastation caused by it. Several cooks turned up offering hot meals, and a trader set up a post to sell goods and trade with riders.”
“So it’s very new?”
“Yes, but growing fast. When Dan asked his bro
ther to join him, and he brought a small wagon train, things changed dramatically and the town even gained a name.”
Beth smiled finding the name of Needful odd at best. “How did it get its name?”
“Apparently Olive Hampton made a comment about the town being in need of many things and being needful. It just stuck.”
“Were you here then?” Beth asked as they took a turn around a small bend and stopped by a rolling stream.
“No, I only arrived this fall when Miss Peri and her mother joined Prim. We traveled on the river boat together,” he finished.
“They seem like a lovely family,” Beth mused, “and very happy.”
“They are,” Brandon agreed walking toward a willow tree, its long branches only beginning to bud. “And what about you?” the preacher asked sensing a sadness in the young woman that belied her youth.
“My mother thought that I should make a change,” she admitted, a soft blush tingeing her cheeks. “Mama had been unwell for some time and determined that when she was gone, I should find a new place and start fresh.”
“Are you glad you came?”
Beth turned her deep, green eyes on the man, studying his sharp features for a moment before she replied. “I think I am,” she said, feeling a connection with the thin man developing. “I think that sometimes people need a complete change so that they can start again.”
Brandon smiled nodding. “That’s very true. I think I’ve reinvented myself a time or two, and by the grace of God, I’m happy with this rendition for the first time.”
Beth tipped her head, peering at the dark haired man as a soft breeze ruffled his curls. He wasn’t what most women would consider handsome, his face was narrow and angular, but his eyes were so full of hope, light, and kindness that they seemed to pull her in.
“Like a new man?” she whispered reverently.
Brandon nodded, smiling at her as he turned down the stream a few steps. “Every day is a new beginning,” he nodded; his warm voice soft and full of emotions that seemed to tingle over her skin.