by Annie Boone
Everlasting Hope
Inspirational Christian Historical Western
Annie Boone
Contents
Copyright
About Hero Hearts
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Epilogue
It’s not quite the end!
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Copyright
Copyright 2018, Annie Boone and Sweet River Publishing
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, electronic or mechanical, without written approval by the author, except for short excerpts used in a book review.
All characters, places, events, businesses, or references to historical facts are fictitious and products of the author’s imagination. Any references to actual people, places, or events are purely incidental.
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About Hero Hearts
Welcome to Hero Hearts, a historical and contemporary Christian romance series.
Join Annie Boone, Hayley Wescott and Kate Cambridge in a world unlike any other; a world where Heroes are honored with unforgettable characters and beautiful, Christian love stories.
The authors of this series are committed to writing stories of faith, hope and love centered in fictional heroes who sacrifice daily to protect and save. A mix of historical and modern-day. We hope you enjoy the Hero Hearts Christian romance series!
~Annie Boone, Hayley Wescott and Kate Cambridge
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Chapter One
Springville, Texas; 1866
The little ones looked so sweet when they were crowded around her this way. Ellie beamed at them and opened her Bible. “I thought we’d read about Daniel, today,” she said. The children clapped their hands excitedly. It didn’t seem to matter how many times she told them the story of Daniel in the lion’s den, they were always eager to hear it again.
She read the first few verses leading up to the main part of the story and the enthusiastic children were listening to every word.
It had surprised Ellie to find how much she enjoyed teaching Sunday School. She went with her daddy every week as he preached the gospel to the congregations in their area. They had a regular circuit, and she’d grown to love each child and their hunger to learn more about God.
She was, in a few cases, the only schooling the children received, and because of that she was determined to make her classes as beneficial as she could. In a many of the outposts that seemed to be building up in this part of Texas, people were thrilled to have someone willing to teach them.
“So, Billy Eldon, will you come and help me to read today?” she said, giving the boy an encouraging look. He stood up and came to sit beside her, his face flushed bright pink.
“Ma’am, I can’t,” he whispered.
“You can,” Ellie said, putting her slender finger under the words so he might follow along. “I’ll do one sentence, and you can do the next.”
The boy gulped, and smoothed his hair back, scuffing his feet against the floor nervously. He looked at Ellie and she smiled to lift his confidence.
“I’ll start.” She looked down at her Bible and continued. “Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions.”
The children were rapt. Some gasped and others widened their eyes.
She looked at Billy and nodded. Finally he began to speak, hesitantly. “Now the king spa—” He looked up at Ellie for help.
“Spake,” she prompted. “That means he said something.”
“Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou—um whom though ser… um, servest cont—"
“Continually,” Ellie said softly.
“Continually, he will deliver thee.” Billy finished and his voice became stronger and his posture more confident with each word he uttered.
Ellie was proud of him. He’d barely been able to spell his own name just a few months before. She’d helped as best she could after church on Sunday afternoons. His mother could read enough to help during the week after supper.
Despite the long hours he had to put in on his family’s farm, he was doing beautifully. He was a smart boy, and she knew few people who would have learned so much under the same circumstances. His tenacity was more than admirable, especially for a child.
The Bible story over, it was time to take them into the makeshift church to join their parents for the service. The congregation of Springville, Texas met in the back room of the Longhorn Saloon. Her father would prefer to hold the services in another place, but Mr. Langdon was the only one to have a place big enough to hold the usual crowd. He’d graciously offered it when the Wingate blacksmith’s office became too small.
The logic made sense. The Longhorn Saloon had no reason to be open to paying customers on Sunday mornings since most of their regular patrons were sleeping off their Saturday nights. Mr. Langdon offered the place to the church free of charge, so it was hard to refuse such a generous suggestion. Ellie wondered if his offer was meant to appease some of the wives of the community, but decided God could use all situations for His good any time He pleased.
Her father preached here every other Sunday while other settlements heard the Word the other weeks. Springville was the largest town in the area and still a few hours away from Fort Worth.
She escorted them from the grassy area on the side of the building, and as the others began to take their places with their parents, she took Billy aside. “You’re reading is coming along wonderfully well, Billy. I’ll be sure to tell your mama how well you’re doing.” He nodded, his blue eyes wide.
“I like learning. I wish I could go to school more,” Billy said eagerly.
“So do I. Maybe it will work out one day soon.”
Chapter Two
Billy smiled, and she watched as he hurried off to sit with his family. Ellie meant what she’d said. She did wish Billy could attend school more often, and she hoped there would be a better option for the children in the community one day. Most of the children in Springville attended school, but they often had to miss when they were needed for chores at home. And the school moved from home to home as there wasn’t a school house in town.
If there was a regular school in Springville, all the children could benefit. It was even possible some of the smaller outlying communities could send their children to Springville to school. Ellie wondered if the parents would value education for their children more if school was organized.
If only there was a chance for them to attend for just a few hours each day, here in town, far more of them could gain the benefits of an education. She vowed to speak to her father. He was trying to raise the funds needed to build a church and maybe they could add a schoolhouse to the plan. Surely there would be interest in such a thing, wouldn’t there?
>
Springville was growing and new people were arriving all the time. There had even been rumors that the railway had their eye on the town. The Houston and Texas Central Railroad already ran close, but not close enough to affect the area.
But if it were true, that Springville might become a stop on a new line, the town would need a permanent church building, a school and other facilities. The travelers and workers would need services, but also those who came to make the area their home would help them grow.
Taking a seat in the back row of the congregation, Ellie listened proudly as her father spoke passionately at the front of the large room that Kingsley Langdon let them use for free at the Longhorn Saloon. He truly was an emotional and faithful preacher, and she knew that everyone present left feeling uplifted by the Spirit and touched by God’s eternal love. Finally the service was over and Papa dismissed them all with a parting prayer giving them the assurance that God would be with them through the coming days and weeks.
William Langdon, the saloon owner’s youngest son approached her as she waited for her father to finish speaking with the townsfolk after the service. They always wished to thank him, or ask his advice on all manner of matters. Fellowship together was a big deal in a country church.
“May I read next time?” the boy asked her shyly. He was an earnest lad.
“Well, of course, you may, William,” Ellie said. “You go to a school in Fort Worth, don’t you?”
He nodded. “Papa says I will need to be able to read and write and do sums, or I’ll be no use to him when I get big.”
She cleared her throat and bit her bottom lip trying to think of how to respond. “Running a business needs all of those skills, I’m sure.” Ellie smiled and patted his arm gently.
She had no idea what it took to run a saloon and did not want to know. A young woman like her would not normally ever be seen near such a place, but sometimes she had no choice. Few of the little towns where her father preached had church buildings so the congregations would meet in whatever available space they could find.
“William, your mother wants you to come and help with your little brother,” Kingsley Langdon said as he approached them. “Miss Ellie, I do hope that William is not any trouble to you.” William nodded to his father, then scurried away.
“Mr. Langdon, he is a credit to you. He was just asking if he might be the one to read in Sunday School next week,” Ellie said.
“He is by far the cleverest of my boys. The others will be lucky if they find work in the fields or herding cattle, but William could easily take over the Longhorn when I’m too old.”
“I am sure he could,” Ellie said, then suddenly realized that Mr. Langdon would be one of the most influential people she might find to help her to convince the town that a school would be of benefit to Springville. “Um, sir, I know you send William to the school in Fort Worth.”
“I do. He’s getting good grades, He stays with my parents the days he attends. But truth be told, it’s hard work getting him there and back safely so often. I may have to take him out of school soon since I’m not willing to let him live with my parents permanently.”
“If there was a school nearby, would you let him continue to attend?” she asked.
“I would, but sadly we don’t have such a thing.”
“I think that it would make an ideal addition, and we could maybe have it adjoining the new church building. Well, when we get it funded and built, of course.” Ellie said. “I believe we can apply to the government for help with school funding.”
Mr. Langdon removed his Stetson and scratched at the faint indentation on his brow, then replaced his hat firmly on his head. “That’s a mighty fine idea,” he said. “But, there’s been no decision about whether the church will be built here or in Byron Creek.”
“I think Springville is the better location,” Ellie’s father said, joining them.
“Elias, I agree,” Mr. Langdon said, “but we are not the only people making that decision.”
“Daddy, did you hear my idea?” Ellie asked. She didn’t worry about anyone else’s opinion, even though she knew she’d eventually have to get the support of many in the area for her idea to stand a chance. Her father was her moon and skies, especially since she’d lost her mother from diphtheria three years ago. It was his approval she sought above all others.
“A school?” Daddy said, pausing to think for a few moments. Ellie held her breath waiting for his response. Her father gave a little frown, and she wondered what was passing through his mind.
Finally he spoke again. “I think it could work. If we attract the right kind of schoolmaster, one that can teach not just academic knowledge, but the practical skills that life in places like Springville requires.”
“Then we must put it to everyone, as soon as we can,” Ellie said eagerly. She had to hold herself back from embracing Daddy and Mr. Langdon in her joy, she was so pleased that her father approved of her idea.
“Hold your horses, my dear daughter,” her father said giving her an indulgent smile. “We have to find out how much more it would add to the cost of the church, how much it might cost to employ a good teacher, and if we’d be bound to pay any costs for him to move to Springville. There is much to find out before we put it to a vote of the town councils.”
Ellie knew he was right, but she was so excited to get her plan in motion. She’d almost forgotten about all the practicalities. This was the main reason she was a dreamer, and not the person to carry her idea through. She knew her daddy would be true to his word, and he’d do the best he could to make the case for it to those who would ultimately make the final decisions.
“Thank you, Daddy,” she said. “I trust you. Oh, I know I usually don’t know about such things, but I do believe some sort of money is available from the government for education. Perhaps you can see if it would be available to Springville.”
She left the two men chuckling as she walked away. She knew they both cared for her and were simply amused by her tenacity when she found something that mattered to her. But, how could she be any other way?
Mama and Daddy had always encouraged her to think of the needs of others, and to fight for them to the best of her ability. She intended to do nothing short of that for the rest of her days.
Chapter Three
Ellie made her way towards the smart gig Daddy had purchased for their Sunday travels. It was painted white and had a tasseled trim that seemed somehow decadent—especially for the transport of a preacher. She loved it, and she loved their pony, Jocko, even more. She pulled a couple of apples and a carrot from the bag beneath the seat and fed them to him. Jocko was compact but very strong. His chestnut coat gleamed in the sunlight, despite a light coating of dust he had gained on their journey from Fort Worth. She scratched his nose, and he butted his head gently up against her hip.
“That’s all there is for you, for now,” Ellie said knowing he was going in search of more treats. She slapped his neck and quickly checked his harness.
“He’s a fine animal,” a deep, almost sinfully rich sounding voice said behind her.
Ellie turned. She didn’t know what she had been expecting, but it wasn’t the man stood before her. He was tall, over six feet, and he made her feel tiny, almost helpless even. His eyes were gray, and his brow furrowed, and though he couldn’t have been much older than she was herself, he seemed somehow world-weary. She couldn’t help but follow the strong lines of his jaw, noticing the faint stubble that made shadows on his handsome face.
He tipped his hat and gave a little bow. “Ma’am,” he said, very polite, though his face was grim.
Ellie was used to meeting new people, but there was something about this man that made her feel quite peculiar. She didn’t feel unsafe in his presence, despite his dour countenance and the pistol on his hip. In truth, she actually felt that he would protect her and anyone else in need.
Yet he was utterly dangerous to her sanity, in spite of feeling physically secure. It was di
scomfiting, and though a part of her wished to lean towards him, she moved closer to the pony. She feared this stranger might hear the pounding of her heart and notice how fast her breath was coming just being near him.
“His name is Jocko,” she said, leaning against the pony’s neck to give her something solid to grasp hold of, as she felt as though she might float away if this man kept looking at her that way, with his penetrating gaze. She felt as if he could see right through her.
“And mine is Jude, Jude Rigsby,” he said, only the tiniest hint of a smile curving the very corner of his lips. “Of course, everyone knows who you are. Ellie Fletcher, daughter of the much-loved preacher, Elias Fletcher.”
“I’ve not seen you in church,” Ellie said nervously wringing her hands, butterflies busying themselves inside her belly, making her speech a little ragged. “Are… are you new to town?”
“I’ve been here a couple of months. I’m not much of a believer,” Jude admitted. “I guess I saw too many things in the war that just took my faith clear out from under me.”
Ellie could almost feel the bitterness in his tone, it was so tangible and alive. She didn’t know what to say to try to make things better for him. It was at times like this that she wished she was more like her father. He always seemed to know the right thing to say. “I’m sure it must have been terrible,” she managed finally.