But today he was riding out to the Daniels’ farm to pray over a sick man. How could he say no to that?
“Of course,” Grace said in that elegant way of hers. “I’ll hitch up the wagon.”
Ian stepped forward. “Allow me.”
A stricken look crossed her face, but it vanished almost as fast as it had appeared. She nodded. “Let me get my Bible, and I’ll meet you out front.”
The last thing—the very last thing—she wanted was to be riding out to the Daniels’ farm with Ian McGruer. But there she was, sitting next to him, doing her best not to let their shoulders accidently touch as they swayed along.
He felt the same. She could tell. He was leaning so far left he was almost falling out of the wagon as they ambled down the country lane.
So much for wedding bouquets determining who was getting married next. Just another fantasy built to break girls’ hearts when it didn’t come true. Thank heavens she didn’t let her hopes get too high. Still. . .
The bouquet of wildflowers Ian had presented her worked its way into her thoughts. So sweet and beautiful. Yet, she had dropped them when her father had fallen. It was for the best. That was one less thing she needed: another bouquet with too much meaning behind it and a dead end ahead.
And the flower her father had given Prissy. They might be all God’s children, but where could a romance between the preacher and his dark-skinned housekeeper lead?
They were almost to the farm when Ian cleared his throat, rupturing the silence and breaching her thoughts. “Your father is acting sort of strangely, yes?”
“You mean with Prissy?”
He shook his head, and Grace immediately regretted letting her thoughts go so easily. “His ankle.”
“It’s very unfortunate,” she said. “I’m glad he didn’t get hurt before the wedding. Maddie would have been crushed if he couldn’t have stood up long enough to marry them.”
Ian cleared his throat again. “So you don’t think he’s faking?” His voice dipped on the last word, so low she almost didn’t hear it.
“No.” She shook her head, pushing away any doubts that had been creeping in. “He can’t be faking. My father is a good Christian man. Why would he lie about something like hurting his ankle? Unless. . .” She turned to look at Ian. Was her father trying to push her toward Ian? Pa had certainly managed to get them together in the wagon fast enough. Why would her father want to do that? So she would fall completely in love with the young preacher and move away and be heartbroken for having to leave her family? She could barely stand it now that Maddie was gone. Is that what her father wanted?
The look in Ian’s eyes said he understood and was thinking the same thing as she.
But it was just as likely they could both be wrong about her father’s injury. It was a small hope, but one she would cling to all the same.
Chapter 4
The Daniels’ farm was in worse shape than Grace had imagined. Weeds grew in the garden among the ripening fruits and vegetables, and she could see as soon as they pulled up that the barn needed tending.
Ian set the brake and jumped to the ground. He came round to her side and lifted her down before she could protest. His touch on her waist as he guided her was chaste and necessary, but it still made her wonder about things that could never be.
She pushed those thoughts aside and concentrated on the farm.
“Looks pretty run down,” he commented. “How long has Daniels been sick?”
“A couple of weeks.” She thought back. “Maybe more.” How had they slipped through their thoughts? Her father was dutiful about keeping up with his parishioners.
The wedding, Grace realized, and said a quick prayer of forgiveness for letting her personal life get in the way of her duty to church and community.
“Looks like there’s a good bit more to do here than pray.”
The door to the house swung open, and a young boy stepped out into the yard. He shifted the slop bucket to one hand and tried to shut the door behind him. But his efforts stilled when he saw them standing there.
“Ma? There’s people out here.”
Grace searched her brain to remember the boy’s name. “Hi, Gordon. Do you remember me? I’m Grace, the preacher’s daughter.”
His eyes lit with recognition then settled warily on Ian.
“This is my friend,” she said. “His name is Mr. McGruer, and he’s a preacher, too.”
“Gordon, why are you standing here with the door op—” The lady of the house came to a quick stop when she caught sight of her guests. She flung the dishtowel she had been using to dry her hands across one shoulder, her fingers immediately flying to her hair.
Frazzled. That was the best word Grace could think of to describe the woman. Her shoulders slumped, her dress was dirtied, and dark circles lined her weary eyes. Tired, worn, and on her last leg. It seemed Grace had another request for forgiveness to make.
“Mrs. Daniels, I’m so sorry it’s taken me so long to come check on you. We missed you at church yesterday.”
The woman flashed a quick smile toward them and urged Gordon toward the pig pen. “Go on now, son. The beasts are waiting.”
The boy did as he was told, leaving the adults standing at the door.
“This is my friend, Ian McGruer,” Grace continued, all too aware of the hand Ian had placed at the small of her back. Was he even aware that he was touching her?
“It’s nice to meet you,” he said.
Mrs. Daniels stood a little straighter then dipped in a small curtsey toward the man. Her smile was wide and a few of the lines left her face. Grace knew all too well the smile he had bestowed on the lady. “Won’t you come in?” She stood to the side to allow them entrance into the cluttered house. “I apologize for the mess. Tom has been sick a while and well, it’s hard for me and Gordon to keep up with everything ourselves. Can I make you some coffee or tea?”
Grace shook her head. “Thank you, though. The pastor fell yesterday and is laid up with a twisted ankle.” At least that’s what she thought was wrong. “He asked us to come out and pray over Mr. Daniels.”
But it was obvious more than prayer was needed to help this household. Dishes were stacked near the washtub. The floor needed a good sweeping and, for the most part, the little house sagged under the weeks of neglect.
Tears welled in Mrs. Daniels’s eyes, but she blinked them back, managing to hold on to what was left of her dignity and pride. “Please, sit for a spell.” She collapsed into one of the wobbly chairs surrounding the small wooden table and gestured for them to do the same.
Grace eased into a chair and laid her hand on top of one of Mrs. Daniels’s. Vaguely aware of Ian sitting across from her, she focused her attention on the weary lady in front of her. “Would you like for us to pray for you as well, Mrs. Daniels?”
“Esther,” she corrected with a weak smile.
Grace returned the smile and reached for Ian’s hand. Together the three of them prayed for health, strength, and healing.
For the remainder of the afternoon, Ian and Grace worked beside Gordon and Esther doing more than just praying. He mucked stalls, cleaned stables, weeded the garden, and groomed horses until he was certain he wouldn’t be able to move come the morning.
But he had never spent a more satisfying day. He had prayed, worked the land, and prayed some more. And all with the most beautiful woman he had ever known.
He had watched Grace with Esther and Gordon Daniels. She had laughed with them, empathized with them, and then helped them get back on their feet.
She had prayed with Tom Daniels, swept floors, and didn’t think twice about washing clothes in what had to be one of her best Sunday dresses. Never before had he met a woman like her. She was all he could hope for in a life partner, but she was not for him. The longer he watched her, the more apparent it became that she belonged here with this country church and the people who needed their pastor in so many different ways than those who lived in the big cities.
Suddenly he wanted to be a part of that life, to muck stalls and milk cows and pray for the infirm, and the healthy who were affected by a loved one’s illness, all in the same day. But he had made his promise to the First Church of Albany.
Just because he wanted it to be so didn’t mean it could truly be that way. God had plans for them both; despite the overwhelming feelings he had for Grace Sinclair.
He helped her into the wagon and after waving good-bye to the very grateful Esther and Gordon, the two of them set off for home.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
“For what?”
“Helping the Daniels.”
“I’m a pastor. It’s my job to help those in need.”
“Praying and counseling. But you didn’t have to do all the farm work. I could tell that you aren’t used to such chores.”
He chuckled. “That’s true. I haven’t worked on a farm in many years. Since my family came over to America.”
“How old were you then?”
“Eight.”
She tried to imagine him then, scrawny and gangly, rusty hair a bit shaggy around the ears, blue eyes with the innocent light only the youth can hold. “But you did before that?”
“Yes. In Scotland; my family had a small farm, sheep and such.”
“I bet that was beautiful.”
“It was very beautiful. In fact, Arkansas reminds me a lot of East Lothian. Oh, not the weather. But the fields and the hills, the green grass.”
Grace tried to imagine, but Scotland seemed so exotic compared to workaday Arkansas. She couldn’t imagine anything the two places had in common, save the man who sat next to her. “Do you still have family there? In East Lothian?”
“My grandparents stayed. As did most of the family. I’ve got a herd of aunts and uncles still living there, scores of cousins.”
“Do you miss them?”
He shrugged. “It’s been almost twenty years. I’m from New York now.”
Grace fell quiet, allowing his words to wash over her. His life was in New York as much as hers was in Calico Falls, but what she wouldn’t give for a common place for the two of them, somewhere in between where they could be together and let their love grow.
“Maddie!” Grace rushed down the steps and greeted her sister with open arms. She may have only been gone for a couple of days, but it had been a very eventful weekend and she needed to connect with her sister again.
Maddie returned her hug, her smile wide and eyes sparkling.
That was what love did to a woman, made her confident and beautiful. Suddenly Grace was more envious of Maddie than she had been their entire lives.
“Come in, come in,” Prissy called from the door, waving the returning couple inside. “Supper’s almost on the table.”
They all washed up and gathered round. Even Pa managed to hobble his way to the table. His limp looked a little different, though Grace couldn’t tell if it was better or worse. But, she decided, if he wasn’t back to himself in the morning, she would go fetch the doctor.
Their meal was a bright affair. Grace loved listening to Maddie talk about their time in the city, staying in the hotel, and having people bring them food to their room. The thought of lounging about and enjoying the company of the one she loved sounded so sweet; it almost brought tears to her eyes. She had never really thought about it before, that she would have such a relationship with another. Oh, maybe when she had been a young girl, but as an adult, the thought was never allowed to cross her mind. But now that it had. . .
She cast a look at Ian. He was seated next to her, listening as quietly and intently as she had been. But when her gaze fell upon him, he turned as if the touch had been physical. His eyes met hers and she knew their thoughts were the same.
She gave him a sad smile then looked away.
“So,” Maddie started, her bright green gaze darting from Grace to Ian then back again. “Anything interesting happen while we were away?” Maddie’s eyes settled on Grace, and suddenly she felt like a beetle pinned to a board in a little boy’s bug collection.
“Pa fell and twisted his ankle.” What else could she say?
“Uh-huh.” Maddie’s attention was unwavering.
“Oh, I’m fine,” he started, then quickly followed it with, “Or I will be. In a day or two. . .maybe a week. But it’s okay since I have Ian here to help with the duties.”
“Duties?” Harlan looked from Ian to Pa, then he too turned his attention to Grace.
She squirmed in her seat. “Ian and I went out to visit the Daniels’ farm. Tom has been sick. His poor wife and son have been working their fingers to the bone trying to keep up.”
Maddie smiled as if Grace had confessed that Ian had taken her out in the wagon and kissed her silly. “Really? That is interesting.”
Grace frowned. “It is nothing of the sort. It’s downright sad.”
Maddie forked up a large bite of mashed potatoes. “Mmm-hmmm,” she said, the food keeping her from any further answer.
“So as long as Ian stays here until I get back on my feet.” Her father chuckled. “Both of them,” he clarified, “I think everything will be just fine.”
“I thought you were leaving tomorrow.” Harlan raised his brows at his friend.
Ian shrugged. “I can’t really leave his church in need.”
“What about your church?” Harlan asked.
“I’m just one of three pastors. They’ll get along fine without me for a day or two.”
“Maybe a week,” her pa interjected.
“Or a week,” Ian conceded.
Grace wasn’t sure if she should be happy Ian was staying a few more days or feeling sorry for herself, that she would have more days to fight these feelings she carried for him.
She caught Ian’s gaze. Filled with remorse, it brought a lump to her throat. “I’m sorry,” she mouthed to him.
He pressed his lips together and gave a small nod. For a moment she was lost in the bottomless blue of his eyes.
Then a nudge under the table.
Maddie grinned at her in a knowing way that sent alarm bells clanging in her head.
Harlan frowned, but Grace couldn’t tell if he was upset or concerned.
At the head of the table, Pa’s grin was wider than Maddie’s. Grace knew then, if the two of them had anything to say about it, Ian would never make it back to New York. The thought was thrilling and infuriating all at the same time.
Chapter 5
After supper, Maddie and Harlan decided to walk over to the house and look around before it got dark.
They invited Grace and Ian, but they turned them down so quickly the couple looked as if they had been slapped.
Pa limped his way to the parlor and set himself up with his pipe while Prissy took care of the supper dishes.
“Do you want to go for a walk?” Ian asked, as Grace tried to decide what to do with the rest of her evening.
“I didn’t think you wanted to go for a walk.” He had told Harlan no quickly enough.
“It’s not that I don’t want to walk.”
“You’re not tired after all that work you did today?” she asked.
“Not that tired.”
Grace gave a small nod. “Do you think it’s a good idea? I mean, I thought we weren’t going to spend any more time alone.”
“We were alone all afternoon, and we managed to get through that just fine.”
True, but it had taken all of her self-discipline to endure, and she just didn’t have much left where he was concerned. Plus, she wanted to walk with him. If only for one last time. “All right, then. Yes, I’ll walk with you.”
They headed down the road toward town. Grace was sure Ian started in that direction to keep them well away from Maddie and Harlan’s blatant meddling.
She wanted him to reach out and hold her hand, make some sort of contact, but they merely ambled along, side by side, neither one touching.
It’s better this way. She knew that in her head, but h
er heart had started wanting more than her brain knew was right. Could two people in love with each other remain friends? It was the question of the ages.
“Is it mad?” she finally asked. “These feelings we have for each other?”
He shook his head. “I’ve asked myself that same thing a hundred times since I met you.”
“And have you answered yourself, yet?” Grace tried to make light, but her voice held a weary edge.
“I just know what I know.” His cryptic words fell between them, confusing her all the more.
“And what is that?”
“My grandmother always said that God made someone special for each of us. When we meet that person we’ll know it. My someone is you. Every day I spend with you confirms it time and again.”
Grace stopped, shaking her head as she tried to make sense of a love that was beyond reason. “It can’t be. I can’t leave here.”
“I know.” He took her hands into his own and squeezed her fingers. His touch was like a piece of heaven on earth, the home she had always dreamed of, the one true love she had always wanted. “That’s what makes this so confusing.”
“I’ve spent my entire life trying to live by what God wants from me. All this time I thought I knew what that was.”
He nodded and she knew she didn’t have to continue. He felt the same as she. Why now, Lord? Why now?
“I think your father is trying to get us together.”
“But that would mean I’d have to leave.” A wife’s place was with her husband. It would be her responsibility to follow Ian. Who would help her father? Is that what he wanted for her?
“And that would make you unhappy.”
She nodded. Being married to Ian would be the most wonderful thing in the world, but being away from her family just didn’t seem right. Was she looking at this all wrong? Was she being unreasonable? She couldn’t imagine life outside of Calico Falls. If that’s what God intended for her, shouldn’t she at least be able to picture it in her head?
But if Ian wasn’t the one God intended for her, why did she feel the way she did?
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