by Linda Wisdom
Tim patted her back awkwardly, not knowing what else to do. “Now you are getting all female on me,” he accused. “Look, I’m not even sixteen yet, and you’re already throwing me out of the house.” He grinned, in hopes of teasing her out of her mood. “Maybe you should take up with the preacher. If nothing else, it would give the town something to talk about. Mom?” He wondered what made her turn pale. “Hey, I was only kidding. And it’s not as if he sees you the way others do. He thinks you’re really nice.”
Sara turned away, resisting the urge to clench her fists at her sides. “I think he’s a nice man, too,” she said in a low voice. “And I’m sure he’ll eventually find a nice woman to help him with his work.” She forced herself to smile. “Now just because you helped me doesn’t mean you get out of doing your homework. I want you to get to work in the next five minutes.”
Tim nodded, but he still puzzled over her sudden mood twist as he went to his room to do his homework.
JESS WAS GLAD for a quiet evening at home. Too many evenings were spent visiting members of his congregation or preparing for one of the three Bible study meetings he presided over or other various duties of a pastor. He decided it was the perfect time to catch up on some pleasure reading and had just settled down with a book when someone knocked on his door. Hoping it was Sara, he was surprised to find Cora Masterson on his doorstep.
“Mrs. Masterson, this is a surprise. Won’t you come in?” He stood back so she could enter. “Would you care for some coffee?”
She walked stiff-backed into the living room and sat down, her back as properly aligned as it was when she walked. “This is not a social call, Reverend.” Her voice was cool as ice.
Jess took a chair, feeling as if he were the visitor in his own home. “Oh?” He sat back, waiting for her to come to her reason. He doubted he would have to wait long. He was right.
“I understand there aren’t a great many eligible women in Henderson, Reverend,” Mrs. Masterson said. “And while that Murdock woman isn’t married, she still isn’t a proper companion for someone of your status.”
His stomach muscles clenched. “My status?”
She nodded imperiously. “Of course, you have an impeccable reputation to maintain and being seen with a woman like her doesn’t enhance it.”
Jess’s eyes darkened to a frosty shade. “What exactly do you mean by a woman like her?”
“After all, she does have a son and no husband.” Mrs. Masterson talked as if she expected him to listen to her word as if it were law. “And if a woman has fallen once, it is expected she would fall again and this time drag an innocent man down with her.” Her smile was cold. “It hasn’t escaped some people’s notice that your car is seen near the lake a great deal. And that her car has been seen driving in that direction at the same time.”
“Really?” He glanced down at the carpet for a moment so he could compose his thoughts. When he did speak, his voice was so cold it should have frozen the woman sitting across from him, but he had a feeling her blood was already well below the freezing point. “Mrs. Masterson, from what I’ve heard, Sara had fallen in love with a man years ago, bore his child with no help from anyone save two old men who took her in and cared for her. When she inherited property many of the so-called good people of this town did nothing but malign her. In spite of it she raised her son, ran her business and did nothing to antagonize anyone, yet you persist in calling her names she doesn’t deserve. Why?”
The older woman straightened up even more than usual before she stood up. “There is nothing personal in our feelings about the woman. But she is a bad example to our own young girls.”
“Do you know how many girls have become pregnant in the past fifteen years?” he asked slyly.
Mrs. Masterson looked as if she couldn’t believe he would dare question her judgment. “How many? I have no idea.”
“I do.” He smiled, pleased he had thought enough ahead to gather information he thought he might eventually need. “Four girls in fifteen years, and considering today’s morals, that is a very low number.”
“Those four wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for her.” Her composure began to weaken.
“They had nothing to do with Sara.” His voice hardened. “Two of them got pregnant because they hadn’t been told the proper facts about birth control. One because she was looking for the love and affection she couldn’t get at home. The other because she wanted to marry her boyfriend and figured getting pregnant would snare him. Don’t you realize most people could care less that Sara is an unwed mother? They have more important things to worry about than one person. As I said before, I wish I knew why you disliked her so much, because I think if you got to know her, you’d soon learn that she is a very lovely lady with a warm and generous personality.”
Mrs. Masterson stood up. “I can see you don’t care to look at the proper side to this situation, Reverend. Perhaps if you started thinking about getting married, your mind wouldn’t be taken up with a woman who could do nothing but drag you down in the mud with her. I’d honestly hate to see that happen, because we have enjoyed your preaching. But…” She left the obvious unsaid.
“Yes, perhaps I should think more seriously about marriage and settling down.” There was a mocking lilt to his voice, but she didn’t notice it. “I also suggest you do some reading. Especially the story about the woman at the well.”
Mrs. Masterson knew exactly what he was talking about. “Good night, Reverend.” Her tone was as frosty as her eyes. “Think over what I’ve said. It would be to your best interests. Don’t bother, I’ll see myself out.”
By MORNING SARA HAD MADE her decision and was determined to speak with Jackson before she lost her nerve. “Jackson, I’ve finally decided to sell the station and the house,” she announced during breakfast after Tim had left for school.
The old man looked up at her. “‘Cause of the preacher?”
She nodded. “There’s more going on than I can handle, so I think the best thing I can do is go away.”
Jackson mumbled under his breath. “Just give me enough time to pack my stuff is all I ask.”
Her face revealed surprise. “You’d come with us?”
“Hell, yes,” he said gruffly. “Someone’s got to watch after you, Woman, if you thought you were gonna get rid of me, you’re wrong.”
Sara jumped up and hugged him. “You know, I don’t feel so alone now.” She glanced at the clock. “Time for work. I’ll make my calls from the station. Oh, let’s not tell Tim just yet. He’s doing well, and I don’t want him upset until it’s necessary.”
“You better talk to that judge, too,” Jackson advised. She grimaced. “I forgot about him,” she confessed. She only hoped he wouldn’t create a problem she couldn’t solve.
Luckily the first part of the morning kept them both busy so Sara didn’t have very much time to worry about what she was going to do. As soon as things slowed she called a realtor and arranged to have the house and station listed. She was told she might not have long to wait for a sale, since there had been several people looking for a local business to invest in. With that done Sara then called Judge Carmody’s office and set up an appointment to see the man the next week. It wasn’t a visit she was looking forward to. When she finished her calls, she noticed Jackson watching her from the garage area and that the man’s face looked sad.
“Jackson, you don’t have to go,” she said quietly. “After all, this town has been your home all your life. I could arrange that you be kept on at the station.”
He shook his head. “No sirree, I go where you go,” he said firmly. “But if I were you, I’d have a long talk with the preacher.”
Sara smiled wearily. “If you were me, you’d understand why I can’t do that.”
JESS PARKED HIS TRUCK in front of the drugstore and nodded to several people he knew as he entered the building, which still boasted an old-fashioned soda fountain. As he perused the various brands of shave foam his ears pricked up whe
n he heard Sara’s name spoken with an air of disgust.
“I still can’t believe she was brazen enough to show up at the Marcys’ party. If it hadn’t been for the minister, I just know Geraldine wouldn’t have allowed her inside.” A woman Jess silently identified as Marge Wardlow, the dentist’s wife, spoke in too loud a voice. “I just wonder what she did to charm the minister into taking her. Such a nice man he is, too. If only he knew what kind of woman she really is. It just isn’t right, Sharon. Look how she’s tried to seduce your own husband.”
If he hadn’t felt so angry, Jess would have laughed at the woman’s righteous indignation. Sharon Patterson was Albert’s long-suffering wife. He remained in that one spot, not caring if anyone noticed him. He intended to hear this conversation to the end.
“There was a time when women like her were run out of town.” Sharon’s strident voice carried through the store. “It’s disgusting. I’m surprised Cora Masterson hasn’t done something by now.”
“There isn’t much we can do, but I do know I’ll travel the extra miles to get my gas, and I’m telling my Tom he isn’t to keep her as a patient,” Marge went on. “I’ll tell you something. We can make it very difficult for that woman to live here, and maybe she’ll get the right idea and move. And as far as I’m concerned it can’t be any too soon.”
Jess spun on his heel. Part of him wanted to storm over to the other aisle and confront the women with their vicious tongues. He wanted nothing more than to blast them with good old-fashioned fire and brimstone, but he knew with his anger so strong at the moment he would undoubtedly say things he would later regret. He left the store without picking up what he needed. He got into his truck and roared down the street faster than usual. It wasn’t until he was a good distance out of town that he slowed and eventually pulled over to the side of the road. He sat there pounding his steering wheel again and again while damning women like Marge and Sharon who had nothing better to do than slander someone who had never done a thing to harm them. When he felt more in control, he breathed deeply to contain his temper. He wondered if all this would have happened if he hadn’t arrived here. And if he left Henderson for good, sought another church, would they continue persecuting her or leave her alone? He wished he knew the answer. As he sat there thinking over the alternatives he could only come to one conclusion, and he was determined not to waste any time.
Chapter Fourteen
Sara took the afternoon off to catch up on her housekeeping chores. She was in the midst of her vacuuming, completely engrossed with her work when a tap on her shoulder sent her whirling around, her mouth open to scream.
“Hey, it’s only me.” Jess took hold of her shoulders. “Jackson told me you were here.”
She shut off the vacuum cleaner and stood still for a moment to control her racing heartbeat. “Why didn’t you call out?” she demanded. “You scared me half to death.”
“I did. You must not have heard me.”
Sara looked at Jess’s face, noting the cold anger in his eyes even though he had a smile on his face. She immediately feared the worst. “What happened?”
“Nothing for you to worry about,” he replied, turning away. “Sara, we need to have a serious talk,”
“About us,” she guessed, walking over to an easy chair and sitting down. What had stirred him up so?
He remained standing. “I know it hasn’t been all that long, but time doesn’t count where intense feelings like ours are involved.” He walked over to her and hunkered down in front of the chair, taking her hands in his. “Sara, I love you a great deal, and I don’t want to go through the rest of my life without you. I want to help you with Tim and be there whenever you need me. And I want to be there as your husband, not your minister.”
Her mouth went dry. “Oh, Jess, do you realize what you’re saying?”
He grinned. “I can imagine it’s not the most romantic proposal in the world, but I was never one for hearts and flowers, I’m afraid. Besides, I was afraid if I showed up with a dozen red roses and a box of candy, you’d think I was crazy.”
“Yes, I probably would question your sanity.” She blinked rapidly to stem the tears. “I do love you, Jess, and being your wife would be the most wonderful thing in the world, but what about any obstacles you could run up against?”
He thought about Cora Masterson, Marge Wardlow and Sharon Patterson, and they were only a few. “I have faith,” he said simply. “While there are people who will say vicious things about you, there will be even more who will support you, and I will always be there. Do you realize how many people truly like and respect you? And one loves you so much it overflows.” He raised her hands to his lips. “Are you willing to take that chance?”
Sara sat there taking in each word. “So many nights I would lie awake wondering if we could have a second chance,” she whispered. “I also want Tim to know you as his father, not as our minister. But it won’t be easy. He still feels troubled about the world in general, and I don’t know how he would take the news all at once.”
“We wouldn’t do it that way,” he assured her. “We would get married first and tell him the rest later.” He drew a deep breath. “I don’t want us to waste any more time. Too much has passed by for us already.”
She nodded in agreement. “Ah, when?”
“Now.”
Sara’s eyes widened. “Now? Jess, it isn’t done that way.”
“It can be if we fly to Nevada,” he explained. He knew there were other reasons why he wanted them to marry quickly, reasons he would have to keep from Sara. He had a feeling that if they waited some of the so-called good ladies of the town would intervene and prey on whatever insecurities Sara might have left. He hoped if she carried his name, Cora and her group would back off. She shook her head.
“Jess, if we marry quickly people will assume the worst. You know that.”
“Then we make sure our first child doesn’t arrive for at least eighteen months,” he quipped.
Sara’s face lit up. Many times she had wished for more children, but she had refused to marry just for that one reason. “You want more children?”
“I wouldn’t mind. Would you?”
“No.” Sara framed his face with her hands, looked deep into his eyes and saw the love he felt for her. “I feel overflowing with that same love,” she murmured. “And I want to see it grow with the years. I want us to grow old together and argue over who spoils our grandchildren the most. Yes, I want to be selfish and have it all.” She smiled brightly. “I’m worried about the consequences, I won’t deny that. But not as worried as I would be if I denied us.”
He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. They kneeled on the carpet hugging each other and laughing and talking all at the same time.
“I suppose you already have this planned?” Sara finally caught her breath.
“Yes. I’m going to tell Mrs. Harris I’ll be out of town for a day or so. We’ll make the necessary announcements when we return,” he informed her.
Sara smiled at his admission that he wasn’t as sure of her as he’d like to be. “I can leave anytime you want me to,” she told him.
He nodded. “I’ll make the arrangements and call you. But be prepared to leave this afternoon.”
“All right.” She leaned forward, kissing him deeply. They were lost in each other for a while before Jess pulled away, breathing deeply.
“We’ve got to get this wedding on the road.” He exhaled a deep breath, standing up and pulling Sara to her feet.
She looked over his shoulder and caught sight of her reflection in the mirror hanging over the mantel. “Jess, you proposed to me looking like this!” she wailed, noticing her hair was tied back in an untidy ponytail, her face was smudged with dust, and her cotton work shirt looked as if it were ready for the ragbag.
He was confused by her agitation. “You look beautiful.”
“Beautiful? By all rights you should have taken one look and run screaming the other way.”
&nb
sp; He kissed her lightly on her lips. “But I didn’t. Look at it this way, if I could look at you when your nose is dirty and tell you how much I love you, then it has to be true. Now, lady, get ready for your wedding. I’ll call you within the hour and give you the details.”
Sara watched him leave, still unable to believe this was all happening to her. She had to talk to Jackson and at the same time figure out how to keep the news from Tim until she and Jess could sit down and talk to him together. And she felt it would work out better if they did it after they came back from Nevada. She knew either way there would be problems, but she still preferred to wait. As for the present, she knew she would have to hurry to get everything done. Knowing Jess, she wouldn’t have a lot of time to prepare for the trip, and her first priority was definitely a shower.
THE HOTEL SUITE WAS MORE THAN Sara visualized, but all she was aware of was the king-size bed she and Jess lay in. She looked at her hand resting on his bare shoulder, the scrolled gold band he had slipped on her finger earlier winking in the soft lamplight and knew it matched Jess’s ring. While their wedding ceremony wasn’t held in a church, it was still beautiful, and they promised one another to repeat their vows in a church as soon as possible. She would have luxuriated more in the idea of being Mrs. Jess Larkin, but the feel of his hands stroking her from shoulders to hips sent all sane thoughts out of her head.
“Do you realize how beautiful you are’?” he murmured, as his lips traced the nipple that peaked under his touch. He wanted nothing more than to bury himself within her, but he intended this to be a proper wedding night for them.
Sara gasped when his mouth fully covered the nipple and suckled, drawing sensations from her womb. She clutched his shoulders, feeling as if she were falling into a dark pit, but she wasn’t frightened because she knew Jess was with her.
“Touch me, Sara,” he ordered hoarsely, transferring his attention to her other breast, intensifying the fire racing through her body while his hands explored downward until he found her moist nest of blond curls, his fingers delving inside.