The Tender Flame

by Al Lacy

  “I won’t take the time to change clothes, but I would like to wash the dust off my face. I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

  Jessica poured water into the bowl on the washstand. As she pressed a towel to her face, she stepped toward the dresser. She looked into the gold-framed mirror and saw a tired girl with happy eyes. She patted and tidied her hair with damp hands and then began brushing the dust and wrinkles from her dress as best she could. Her eyes trailed to the overstuffed chair. She walked over to it and slowly lowered herself into its cushiony depths.

  Almost instantly her head drooped and her eyes closed. She jerked upright and reluctantly left the plush chair, promising herself to come back to it as soon as possible. Moving back to the mirror, she gave her cheeks a good pinch to bring some color into them, then left the room.

  Madeline was placing a steaming bowl of gravy on the table when Jessica entered the dining room.

  “You can go into the parlor, honey,” Madeline said. “Mary Ann’s in there. Martha and I have it just about ready.”

  “If there’s anything I can do?”

  “It’s all right, dear, thank you. You go ahead and join the others.”

  When Jessica entered the parlor, Josh went to her. “Honey, are you all right? You look a little peaked.”

  “I’m just a bit tired. Other than that, I’m fine.”

  “Dinner is served, folks!” Madeline announced by the parlor door.

  A bouquet of summer flowers and tall, flickering candles graced the center of the dining room table. Madeline loved to cook and had outdone herself for this occasion. While the meal progressed, the Cornells asked about Jessica’s family.

  “Daniel is planning on going to college to prepare for a business career. David has his heart set on a military career and, like my father did, he’s making plans to go to West Point.”

  “Commendable for both of them,” Brett said.

  “They’re fine boys, Mr. Cornell. I’m very proud of them.”

  Jessica explained to the Farringtons that her father had been a major when she and her family were at Fort Union, and that at the Battle of Glorieta Pass, he was hit with shrapnel in his left leg which forced him to retire from military service. He was now a banker.

  Her lips began to tremble when she explained her mother’s situation and what the doctor in Denver was doing to help her. “Dr. Stafford spoke optimistically when he examined Mama recently. I appreciate his attempt to keep her hopes up, as well as the rest of the family’s, but I’m … I’m really afraid Mama is not going to live a lot longer.”

  Josh slipped an arm around her shoulders.

  “Jessica,” Pastor Farrington said, “I’ll put your mother on the prayer list at church, and on Sunday, I’ll tell our people about her. I’m sure you agree there are no limitations on the Lord. If He wants to heal your mother of this disease, He can do it.”

  “Thank you, Pastor. Yes, I believe He can, and I appreciate your concern very much.”

  Farrington then said, “Josh, you and Jessica need to set your wedding date sometime soon. It would be good if the two of you were married for at least several months before you become pastor. This sweet girl needs some time to adjust to married life before she makes the big adjustment to being a pastor’s wife.”

  “I understand, Pastor,” Josh said.

  “What I am about to say has to remain between us at this point,” Farrington said as he ran his gaze over the faces at the table, “but I feel you should know. As Maddie and I have prayed about when to step aside, we feel the Lord is telling us to do it early next spring. We’ve come up with an exact date—the first Sunday of April. Both of us have peace from God that my last Sunday as pastor will be April 7.”

  Josh looked at Jessica. “We’ll discuss it right away, Pastor, and come up with the wedding date.”

  “I’m ready,” Jessica said with a smile.

  When the meal was over, the men retired to the parlor, and the women cleared the table and washed dishes in the kitchen. Later, in order to give Josh and Jessica a few minutes alone, everyone but the young couple returned to the dining room. Josh and Jessica held hands as they sat on a love seat in the parlor.

  “How about I take you to one of our fine eating establishments tomorrow evening?” Josh said. “I’ll bring a calendar, and we can talk about the wedding date then.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Jessica’s eyes began to droop.

  Josh touched her cheek. “You need to get to bed, sweet lady. I don’t want to leave you, but I can tell you’re completely worn out.”

  When the door closed behind the Cornell family, Jessica thanked the Farringtons once again for letting her stay in their home, then went to her room. She leaned against her closed door for a moment and whispered, “Thank You, Lord! Thank You for all Your blessings!”

  She moved from the door and looked askance at her luggage, knowing she should unpack. Her jaded body rebelled at the idea. She gave in to her fatigue, opened her overnight bag, took out a clean nightgown, and moments later was dressed for bed. She unpinned her hair, gave it a quick brushing, then picked up her Bible and climbed into bed, propping pillows behind her.

  She turned to Proverbs 31, and after a few minutes she closed the Bible and laid it on the nightstand. “That’s what I want Josh to feel about me, dear Lord. Far above rubies.”

  Jessica snuggled into the feather tick. She felt a momentary wave of loneliness wash over her at the thought of her family, then prayed for God’s blessing on them and gave thanks for the Master’s tender care. Soon she was sleeping soundly as silver moonlight bathed her in its soft glow.

  When Jessica awakened, she could tell by the sun’s position in the sky that she had slept quite late. Madeline was in the kitchen when Jessica appeared.

  “Good morning, dear,” Madeline said. “I was just having my second cup of coffee. Come, sit down. I’ve got your breakfast simmering here on the stove.”

  “It’s almost ‘good afternoon,’ Mrs. Farrington. I’m sorry. I never oversleep. I don’t know what—”

  “Honey, you were a very tired young lady last night. I didn’t waken you because I knew you needed some extra sleep.”

  Jessica ate breakfast then wrote to her parents, letting them know she had arrived safely in Oregon City and had been warmly received by everyone. Madeline walked to the post office with her, and on the way, told her they would start “Pastor’s Wife’s School” when they returned home. For the entire afternoon, the two women sat in the parlor as Madeline began preparing Jessica for the responsibilities and sacrifices that lay ahead in her role as a pastor’s wife.

  That evening, Josh took Jessica to the Meadowlark Café for dinner and to discuss wedding plans.

  “Is there a particular day of the week you’d like to get married?” he asked.

  “I like Sunday afternoon weddings.”

  “Well, guess what? So do I.”

  “Then let’s make it on a Sunday afternoon.”

  “We want to be proper in the length of our courtship, of course. Seems most folks think an engagement should last about six months. But since we have known each other for twelve years, I figure we don’t have to wait that long. What do you think?”

  “I was thinking the same thing.”

  “And you heard Pastor Farrington say we should be married for several months before I become pastor of the church.” Josh handed her a small calendar he had taken from his pocket. “I figure a two-month courtship would be sufficient. We could get married, say, Sunday, August 27. That would be a little over two months from now. From the first of September to the seventh of April comes out to a few days over seven months. In my estimation, anything less than seven months wouldn’t be ‘several.’ What do you think?”

  Jessica studied the calendar for a moment, turning it over to look at the year 1873. She smiled and said, “Oh, I agree a thousand percent. Anything less than seven months wouldn’t be several months. You are so right, darling.” Her eyes were sparkling. />
  Josh reached across the table and took her hand. “Then we’ll tell Pastor that we want our wedding on Sunday, August 27.”

  They left the café and took a moonlight walk outside of town.

  “Mrs. Farrington and I started what she calls ‘Pastor’s Wife’s School’ today.”

  “So soon?”

  “There’s more to learn than I ever imagined. She’s such a precious lady, Josh. I know what she teaches me will be invaluable.”

  “God bless her. I’m sure thankful for Pastor Farrington, too. They’re both wonderful people. So when is your next session?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “Morning or afternoon?”

  “Afternoon. Why?”

  “Well, I haven’t told you about my Saturday morning job.”

  “You mean on top of working three days for your father and three days for the church, plus Sundays at the camp, you have a job on Saturday mornings?”

  Josh’s eyes widened, and he snapped his fingers. “Oh, Jessica. There’s something I meant to tell you in one of my letters, but I forgot. Remember I told you about Casey Harmon?”

  “Mm-hmm. I’ve prayed for his salvation, as you asked.”

  “Well, he did get saved!”

  “Praise the Lord!”

  “You know how some people get saved, and some people really get saved? Casey really got saved. I’ve already had him preach at the camp. He’s doing great. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”

  “I’ll look forward to it.”

  “And something else. Since Casey got saved, he and Mary Ann have struck up a romance. It wouldn’t surprise me if things worked out between them and they end up married. I think the Lord may call Casey to preach.”

  “Wouldn’t that be something! Josh, you were going to tell me about your Saturday morning job.”

  “Well, yes, but it’s not exactly a job. I’m working off a debt I owe.”

  “What kind of debt, darling?”

  “A debt to a man who’s in heaven, and to his widow, who lives here in town. Her name is Lydia Price. Her husband was the town’s physician until he died quite suddenly last August.”

  “Oh, that’s too bad. And the debt?”

  Josh explained how loving and generous the Prices had been to him, then said, “The debt is a debt of love. I work at paying this debt by doing yard work and odd jobs for Lydia on Saturday mornings.”

  “Josh, you’re so wonderful,” Jessica said, reaching up to caress his cheek. “The Bible speaks about caring for widows. I’m glad you’re willing to take care of Mrs. Price.”

  “I’d like you to go with me in the morning to meet her.”

  “Oh, I’d love to.”

  It was just after eight o’clock Saturday morning when Josh and Jessica stood before Lydia Price’s home. Jessica marveled at the beauty of the huge two-story house, with its corner turret, lace curtains in each window, the wide wraparound porch, and a yard full of trees, well-trimmed bushes, and flower gardens.

  “What a massive house, Josh! Is Mrs. Price going to keep living in it? I’d think she’d want something smaller.”

  “I don’t know if she’s planning to sell it. She’s never said anything about moving.”

  Jessica looked around the yard as they approached the front porch. “You’ve done a great job on the shrubbery. Did you plant the flowers?”

  “Lydia helped me. She pretty well takes care of the flowers.”

  They moved onto the porch and found the door open. “Hello, Lydia!” Josh called through the screen door. “It’s Josh! I’ve got her with me!”

  Jessica looked at him. “She knows about us?”

  “Mm-hmm.”

  They heard footsteps, and when Lydia opened the screen door, her smile was lustrous. “Oh, Josh! She’s just as beautiful as you said she was. Hello, Jessica. Come in.”

  Jessica could hardly take her eyes off Lydia as she passed through the door. She was a beautiful woman. Her emerald green eyes were soft and warm, and she had styled her light brown hair in an upsweep that brought out her femininity. There was a slight hint of gray at her temples.

  “Jessica … Lydia,” Josh said, “you both know about each other; now meet each other.”

  Lydia embraced the younger woman, saying, “I’m so happy for you and Josh. He told me how you first met at Fort Union when you were children. I think it’s wonderful how the Lord planned your lives and brought you together after all this time.”

  Josh excused himself, saying he would get to work on the yard. Lydia took Jessica into the kitchen and poured them both a cup of coffee. While they sat at the table, she asked about the Smith family.

  Jessica told Lydia about Daniel and David and their plans for the future. She explained that her father had been a major in the army until he was seriously wounded in the Civil War and had to retire from the military. He was now a loan officer in a Denver bank. And Jessica told Lydia about her mother’s consumption, and of how she prayed for her healing several times a day.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry to hear about your mother. I’ll put her on my prayer list. What’s her name?”

  “Carrie. She’s a wonderful lady, Mrs. Price. It means a lot to me that you will pray for her. I know the Lord can heal her.”

  “I’ll join you in praying for her healing. Jesus is the Great Physician, and He can do it. Carrie Smith will be lifted to the throne of grace every day, I promise.”

  “Thank you so much. Mrs. Price, Josh told me about your husband being taken last August. I’m so sorry.”

  Lydia’s eyes turned misty. “I miss him terribly. But the Lord never makes mistakes. He had His reasons for taking Clay to be with Him.”

  “Of course. But I’m sure you’re lonely.”

  “At times. I stay as busy as I can so I don’t have a lot of time to think about being alone. I teach a girls’ Sunday school class, and I teach children’s Bible clubs in various homes as a ministry of our church, year-round.” Lydia saw Jessica’s eyes light up, and she smiled. “You seem very interested in what I’m talking about.”

  “Oh, I am! I taught a Sunday school class at my church in Denver. I loved it.”

  “Oh, Jessica, I need an assistant to help me with my Sunday school class and with the Bible clubs. Would you consider being that person?”

  “I sure will! Josh and I are going to meet with Pastor Farrington at the church this afternoon—to set our wedding date and talk about my joining the church tomorrow.”

  “Good! Then I’ll talk to pastor after the service about you helping me. I know he’ll be very happy about this.”

  “Me, too!” Jessica rubbed her palms together with excitement. “I’ll still help you when I’m the pastor’s wife, too.”

  “Oh, praise the Lord for answered prayer! So what date are you and Josh planning for the wedding?”

  “The afternoon of Sunday, August 27.”

  “Marvelous! You two look so good together.”

  Jessica giggled. “That’s because the Lord made us for each other.”

  On Saturday afternoon, the happy couple met with Pastor Farrington, and they set the date for the wedding. They discussed Jessica’s joining the church, and Farrington told her how glad he was to have her become a member.

  The next day, the people of the church welcomed Jessica to the services, and when she joined the church, they welcomed her again. She was especially happy to meet Casey Harmon, who was now assisting a teacher in a boys’ class … and had Mary Ann Cornell at his side.

  In the afternoon, Jessica went to the lumber camp with Josh, Casey, and the musicians. The lumbermen and their wives, who had a great love for Josh, gave her a royal welcome.

  As the weeks passed, Madeline Farrington continued to give Jessica all the help she could to prepare her for the role of pastor’s wife. She warned Jessica that her youth would be a problem at times, but laughed as she said the only way to get over being young was to live to get older. Madeline had insisted that Jessica address her as Maddie. The
two were becoming close friends.

  Another relationship was growing strong—the relationship between Jessica and Lydia. Jessica dearly loved working with Lydia in both the Sunday school class and the Bible clubs. The more time they spent together, the more they loved each other and the stronger the bond became between them. Jessica was now addressing Lydia by her first name, as Lydia had requested.

  They made Saturday mornings their lesson preparation time, and then both Josh and Jessica ate lunch with Lydia when the work was done.

  One Saturday morning in late July, the two women were sitting at the kitchen table, Bibles open in front of them. They were teaching a series on the Ten Commandments to the girls’ Sunday school class, and the coming Sunday would be on the Fifth Commandment.

  Lydia read the verse aloud, and when she looked up, she saw tears in Jessica’s eyes. “Honey, what’s the matter?”

  “I miss those two people I’m supposed to honor.”

  Lydia left her chair and hugged Jessica. “I know it’s hard to be away from them, especially with your dear mother so ill.”

  “I know I’m supposed to be here. The Lord has His hand on Josh and me, but I sure do miss Mama and Daddy.”

  “Sure you do, honey.” Lydia kissed her cheek. “Believe me, I’ll do everything I can to make up for the mother side.”

  “Oh, Lydia, that means more than I can tell you.” Jessica sniffed. “You are so much like a mother to me.”

  Lydia pulled back so she could look at Jessica through her own tear-filled eyes. “I learned early in my marriage that I would never be able to bear children. I’ve never had the joy of being a mother. Could … could I— Well, I would never presume to take your mother’s place, but since she’s in Colorado and I’m here, could I be your Oregon mother?”

  Jessica hugged her. “Oh yes! I’d love that!” She eased back in the chair. “I call my mother Mama. Could I call you Mom?”

  “You sure can, honey! You sure can!”

  When the tears were dried and the two women were ready to continue working on the lesson, Jessica looked across the table at Lydia and said, “Mom?”