Blanche’s smile widened. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. We don’t get much preaching around here.” With a nod in Rachel’s direction, she swept past into the crowded room.
Rachel hardly recognized her school room. More benches had been added and arranged in two rows with a wide aisle between them. Most of the women and small children occupied them with the men and larger boys standing in back. Children and older girls sat on the floor.
Tommy kept Rachel’s hand in his as he stepped over and around children on his way to the front, leaving her no choice but to follow. She noticed Daniel standing in back with Jacob Gibson. Ma, sitting on the end of a bench with Susanna in her lap, smiled as Rachel passed. For a fleeting moment Rachel envied Suzy the security of her youth. What did Tommy have in mind? Was he going to force her to lead singing after all?
When they stepped over the last child, Tommy squeezed her hand and released it. He bent toward her so she could hear over the company-starved pioneers visiting with each other. “This is our work. Together we can do things for God. You don’t mind sitting near the front in case I need you, do you?”
Rachel saw uncertainty in his eyes as she shook her head. “I’ll sit with the Bartlett girls.”
He nodded. “Good. It’s time to begin.”
Rachel squeezed in beside Ellen on the floor while Tommy stood in front and held up his hand for silence. Wonder that this tall, handsome man was really hers filled her heart. Why couldn’t she do what he needed, but she’d never been able to sing or play a musical instrument.
After leading the song service and prayer, Tommy picked up his Bible. “If you will, please turn to Luke 16:19-21.”
The sound of rustling pages filled the room while Tommy waited. “There was a certain rich man . . . and a certain beggar named Lazarus.”
After reading the passage, he prayed, then lifted his eyes. “A rich man who had more than he needed gave scraps to a beggar who sat outside his gate.” His voice rose and fell as he talked. He seemed to warm to his subject and started to pace then stopped when there was no floor space. “How often are we content with crumbs when we could have the riches from the Master’s table?”
He took a step back. “There’s a crumb Jesus called ‘a form of godliness’ many are so often content to accept. Let’s think about the word form. What does it mean? Shape, outline, something that looks like the real thing? Outward appearance?” He looked from one side of the room to the other as shuffling and whispers ceased. Then, his soft voice spoke loud to Rachel’s conscience. “Do you want only a crumb of godliness? A form without substance? Appearance, if you will. Or do you want to eat with the Master and partake of His riches?”
Rachel stared at her hands clasped in her lap. Was she giving all she could to God? Was she living her spiritual life to the fullest? Tommy’s questions pricked at her conscience. She listened spellbound as he compared the crumbs of godliness to true worship and service to the King.
He closed his sermon by saying, “God never gives us crumbs. We need more than make-believe religion to survive. His grace is sufficient. He gave everything to us when He gave His only Son, Christ Jesus. Can’t we give more than crumbs to Him?”
He raised his hands toward the crowd. “Kneel where you are or make your way to the front if you have a special need you’d like prayer for. Find a place of prayer before you go.”
Soon, voices lifted in petition and praises were heard coming from all over the room. Rachel, too, knelt where she sat on the floor and prayed that God would help her live her Christian life the way He intended.
She felt a touch on her shoulder and looked up into Tommy’s bright blue eyes. “Some are beginning to leave. Are you ready to go with me to the door?”
He helped her stand, and they picked their way to the back. One after another, men and women stopped and shook first Tommy’s hand then Rachel’s before going outside. Neil grasped Tommy’s hand. Natasha, asleep on his shoulder, bounced as they shook. Norman and Nancy stood close to his side. Neil’s grin lit his face. “That’s the kind of preaching we need around here.”
Tommy smiled. “Thank you.”
Neil took Rachel’s hand and she felt Tommy’s arm slip around her waist. Was he still jealous? Even with the beautiful Amorita Preston waiting for him in town? Rachel smiled at Neil. “I see Natasha has found another pillow to sleep on.”
He looked blank for a moment before laughing. “You mean the other night when we walked you home. Maybe my shoulder is more comfortable.”
As Tommy’s arm stiffened, Rachel felt a reprimand from her conscience. Had she said that to make him jealous? Lord, forgive me. I didn’t think.
“Neil Douglas. So you came out tonight, too.”
Neil turned toward Blanche Smith. Her black waist-length hair, done up in a braid, was wrapped into a becoming coil at the back of her head. Her dark eyes sparkled. Neil grinned like a child with a stick of candy. Why were men so impressed with outward beauty? All that talk of not wanting a woman who wore pants meant nothing.
Blanche slipped her hand through Neil’s elbow. “You haven’t seen Tyrone around, have you?”
Neil shook his head. “Sure haven’t. Most of the boys are outside.”
Their voices drifted back as Blanche pulled Neil through the door. “That’s probably where he is, then. You don’t mind walking me out to find him, do you?”
Tommy leaned close and whispered. “I see your neighbor has a lady friend. They make a good-looking couple.”
“Yes, they do.” Rachel sighed. Even Tommy was impressed by Blanche’s beauty.
Jed Spencer grabbed Tommy’s hand and shook it. “I sure did enjoy that sermon. That’s what I call preachin’. Why don’t you move into our neck of the woods and keep on feeding us what we need?”
Tommy smiled. “Maybe I’ll be able to someday.”
“Sure hope so.” Jed scratched the back of his head. “Guess I’d better be getting on home much as I’d like to stay and gab. The Mrs. isn’t feeling well, and she’s home by herself. Better be roundin’ up Wesley and Angel.”
Rachel shook his hand. “I hope Wesley is feeling better.”
“Feelin’ better? Why? Did he get sick today at school?” Jed pulled on his beard.
Rachel glanced at Angel standing to the side. “Mr. Spencer, didn’t Wesley stay home from school today?”
“No, he went to school this morning just like always. Angel came home without him, telling us about this here meetin’. Said he wanted to stay at your place with Daniel ’til church time.”
Rachel shared a look with Tommy before he spoke. “Mr. Spencer, your son didn’t stay with Daniel.”
Angel’s face had gone white.
Rachel’s heart sank as she turned back to Mr. Spencer. “He wasn’t at school today. Angel said he wasn’t feeling well.”
Jed grabbed his daughter as she started out the door. “What’d you mean lyin’ to your teacher? You tell me what’s going on here.”
Angel looked small and frightened in the clutches of her angry father. She looked from one face to another and slowly the look of fear changed to that of defiance. A smile of triumph spread across her lips. “Wesley's gone.”
Her father shook her. “Where’s your brother? We done figured out he’s gone.”
“He’s clear up in Washington territory by now. He’s getting’ a job and he’s gonna send for me so I can go, too.”
“Washington?” Jed stared at Angel. “Why? Girl, tell me why he did such a thing. Why’d he want to run off? Especially now with his ma sick.”
Angel’s dark brown eyes blazed as she stomped her foot. “Ma? Our ma’s dead. That girl you got ain’t our ma. Wesley says she’s too young, and he hates her and you, too, for marrying her. He says he’s tired of being blamed for everything that goes wrong. He hates everybody.”
Her face crumpled and two big tears filled her eyes. “You made him leave. I hate you, too, Pa. I didn’t want him to go, but you made him.”
/> Jed looked old and tired as his hands relaxed from Angle’s arms. He pulled her into a close embrace and she threw her arms around his waist, sobbing against his jacket.
“I’m sorry.” He said to Tommy. “This ain’t a fittin’ scene after your fine message.” He continued to pat Angel’s back. “I did wrong by my boy. He ain’t been the same since his mother died, and I blamed him for runnin’ off to play ’stead of helping her. It was just my grief speakin’. It really weren’t his fault she got killed. ’Twas purely an accident. I begged him forgiveness for the things I said, but ya can’t always call back ill-spoken words.” He shrugged his shoulders helplessly.
Tears blurred Rachel’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Mr. Spencer.”
“We all are.” Tommy indicated the Morgans and the Bartletts, the only others still inside. “If there’s anything we can do . . .”
“No.” Jed shook his head. “Don’t suppose there’s anything any of us can do, but pray. He’s a big boy—sixteen now. Always could take care of hisself.”
Tommy motioned to the others. “Let’s join hands and pray for Wesley. We know he’s away from home tonight and even though he may be alone, God knows where he is and can watch over him. Maybe God will speak to his heart and bring him back home where he belongs.”
Rachel slipped her hand in Tommy’s and reached toward her father. She hurt for Wesley. She hadn’t known him long, yet he’d touched her life. She’d never forget him and vowed to continue praying for him. No wonder he acted the way he did. He carried such a load of guilt. Only God could turn this tragedy into triumph.
That night Rachel lay awake long after Susanna’s breathing indicated she slept. It was hard to relax knowing only a thin wall separated her from Tommy, sleeping in Daniel’s room. As she lay staring at the darkness, her mind played back the events of the evening. Angel had still been sniffling as she and her father went home. Mr. Spencer appeared to have aged ten years and surely Mrs. Spencer would share her husband’s pain. Yet for all their suffering, Wesley must hurt the most. Tommy was probably right. If Wesley had lived in town, Amorita could have helped him.
Amorita Preston. Even her name was pretty. It was unusual, just as Tommy said she was unusual—and perfect. He said she was friendly to everyone. But of course she would be friendly to Tommy. What girl wouldn’t be? He was a wonderful man and so handsome.
Rachel allowed her imagination to supply her curiosity about this girl. Tommy admired her and seemed to know her very well. Her mind filled with pictures of Amorita and Tommy together, sitting in church. Of Tommy leading the song service with Amorita playing the organ. She thought of Tommy helping Amorita with her young people’s class. His dark hair contrasted nicely with her blond tresses while he bent toward her smiling upturned face.
Silent tears slid from her eyes, as she shoved the images away. Tommy had held her hand all the way home tonight. Before going inside, he’d pulled her into the shadow of the house for a kiss. He loved her. She knew he did. He was jealous of Neil, after all. A fact that brought no comfort with the threat of Amorita Preston hovering in the background.
Chapter 15
Tommy reached for a second helping of mashed potatoes. “You sure can cook, Katie. Keep practicing and you’ll get as good as Mama.”
“You keep eating like that and I won’t have anything to practice on.” Katie’s smile let him know she was teasing.
“Maybe you should put in a garden.”
“In November?”
Tommy grinned. “It is pretty late, isn’t it?”
Jason laid his fork on his plate and leaned back. “Just six weeks until Christmas.”
“Yes, and the program at church.” Katie shuddered. “Amorita keeps telling me I’ll have to play the organ because she’ll be too busy directing.”
Jason picked up his glass. “You can’t expect her to do it all alone.”
Tommy chuckled. “Maybe not, but if anyone could, she would be the one. Did you know she even wrote the program? She’s gone back into the Old Testament and picked out prophecies concerning Christ’s birth. The story will progress scene by scene until the final one with Joseph and Mary in the stable with the Christ child.”
“She organized a choir, too, and expects me to play for them.” Katie made a face. “It was bad enough when she talked me into playing the organ with the church empty. I don’t remember ever being so scared. I don’t want to go through that again.”
Tommy’s eyes narrowed as he looked across the table at his sister. “Aren’t you going to play at all?”
Katie shoved her chair back and started gathering dishes. “Oh, I don’t know. I’ve prayed about this a lot, but it isn’t easy. I don’t even know what’s wrong with me, except . . .” Her voice grew soft. “Except I miss Mama so much. The organ seems to be part of her, and when I see it I feel like she’s leaving me all over again.”
“She didn’t choose to go.” Tommy’s voice was rough with emotion. He looked at his plate.
Jason touched Katie’s arm as she stood near him. “Sometimes the hurt takes a while to heal. Amorita lost both her parents this past year, too. Why don’t you talk with her? If anyone could understand and help, she should be able to.”
Katie carried the dishes to the worktable and stacked them beside the wash pan. She turned and looked from Jason to Tommy. “You’re probably right. I’ll see if she has time to talk with me.”
Tommy nodded. Mama’s death had hit Katie hard. He needed to pray for her more. He’d start by praying this talk with Amorita would help. “I’ve been telling Rachel about her. If they ever meet, she’ll love Amorita as much as we all do. I told her Amorita is the life of every gathering.”
Katie laughed. “That’s for sure. I doubt she’s ever seen a stranger or had an enemy in her life. How could anyone help but love Amorita? Did you know her name even means beloved? She told me that the other day.”
A soft baby cry came from the other room. Jason stood and stretched. “Sounds like Davy’s having a bad dream. You two go ahead and visit. I’ll check on him. If you don’t see me before morning, Tommy, you’ll know I fell asleep.”
As Jason closed the bedroom door behind him, Katie turned back to Tommy. “I couldn’t have married a better father for Davy. He adores that little guy. Davy’s newest accomplishment is rolling over, so Jason gets down on the floor with him and makes him roll clear across the room.” Katie laughed. “He thinks Davy’s smart.”
Tommy grinned. “Davy is smart.”
She shook her head. “At least he’s healthy. Most babies roll before they crawl.”
Tommy searched her face. “How about you? How do you feel about Davy?”
Katie sat at the table. Her finger traced the grain of the wood. “I don’t know. Am I supposed to be his mother or his sister?” Her finger stilled as she looked up. “It’s strange. I don’t feel like either, yet I feel like both. When he was born, I was there. I caught him in my hands. I was the first to hold him, and Mama even let me name him. I’ve taken care of him until I sometimes forget he isn’t my own child.”
“Maybe when you have children of your own, you’ll feel differently about him.”
Katie stood and went back to the dishes. She smiled over her shoulder. “I don’t think so.”
Tommy walked across the room and picked up the dish towel. “I’ll dry.”
Katie’s eyes widened, and her mouth opened. “Is this really my brother?”
Tommy flipped the towel at her. “I’m only trying to get you out of here so I can go to bed. I have to get up early in the morning to be at the Indian reservation before noon.”
Katie turned away. “I suppose, if you really have to go.”
“I don’t have to go, Katie. No one has a gun to my head.” Tommy softened his voice. “You’d understand if you saw the changes that have taken place in some of the people there.”
“People? There are plenty of white people around here that would welcome your preaching.”
Tommy sighed.
“I know. We had a really good service in Rachel’s school house and several asked me back. I’m looking forward to building a church out there.”
“Good. That’s where you should be.”
Tommy didn’t bother answering. Maybe she was right. Sometimes even he wondered what he was doing.
~*~
Tommy relaxed in the saddle as Midnight walked away from the Indian village. He’d prayed, sang, and talked until he almost lost his voice. It’d been a long day, and he was tired. Home was a welcome thought. Home. He sighed. There would be no real home until he and Rachel made one together. Home is where the heart is. How many times had he heard that? Mama had said it enough times back in Kentucky when Dad dragged them around from one tenement farm to another. Still, it would be good to lay his head down and rest on the bed waiting for him in the little room the Blackstones provided in payment for his work in the church.
The western sky glowed white as the setting sun made a last feeble effort to penetrate the thick curtain of clouds. A drizzling rain dampened his jacket, and Tommy nudged Midnight into a run. He didn’t want to be soaked to the skin by the time he got home, but it looked like he stood a good chance of it.
In spite of the rain and his fatigue, exhilaration of the race gave Tommy new purpose. Midnight’s muscles rippled beneath him as he stretched to cover the ground, but darkness still crept upon them before they were half-way home.
“Slow, boy.” He brought Midnight to a safer gait, again relaxing in the saddle even as the rain increased. He couldn’t get much wetter now, so what did it matter?
In the dusk of evening, a dark streak tore from the underbrush. The hair on the back of Tommy’s neck stood on end.
A snarling growl and snapping teeth materialized into a huge, gray wolf that lunged at Midnight.
The horse’s scream filled the night air.
Tommy clung to the reins, fighting to control his horse. “Steady, boy, steady.”
His soothing words were lost between vicious growling and Midnight’s screams. With a twist and lunge, Midnight reared into the air.
Home's Promise (Oregon Trail) Page 13