by Peterson, Tracie; Davis, Mary; Hake, Kelly Eileen; Stengl, Jill; Warren, Susan May
The fact was, Amy didn’t know what to say or think. After all, Tyler Andrews was the new minister, and Amy was nothing more than one of his flock. Or was she?
When Amy finally came downstairs, she could tell by the way people were gathering up their breakfast dishes that the hour was late. Angie had long since departed, anxious to find Tyler and see how he’d fared the night before. Amy was glad she’d chosen to linger upstairs. She felt apprehensive, almost fearful of facing Tyler. What must he think of her after she had wantonly allowed him to kiss her, and not once but twice?
Amy didn’t think she could sit in the congregation with family and friends, listening to Tyler Andrews preach, while all the while she was thinking of his kiss. Somehow, she must have led him on; after all, he was a man of God, and surely he had better self-control than she did. Tyler would have no way of knowing how grieved she was by her actions the night before, and Amy longed to apologize.
Amy purposefully avoided the busy kitchen and chose instead the quietness of the back sitting room. Dear God, she prayed silently, I don’t understand what happened last night and I don’t understand the way I feel. I’m truly humiliated at the way I acted and I ask You to forgive me. I asked You long ago to send a strong Christian man into my life, a husband I could love for a lifetime. And—she felt tears form in her eyes— if Tyler Andrews is the man You have in mind—please show me. I don’t mean to be a naive and foolish child, Lord—but like Pa sometimes says, “I need a good strong sign—one I can’t miss.” Please God, please don’t let me feel this way towards Tyler if he’s not the one. Amen.
Someone began ringing the dinner bell, signaling the time to gather for the services. Amy made her way out the back door of the house and around to where the residents of Deer Ridge were congregating.
She spied Tyler in the crowd, shaking hands and sharing conversation with just about everyone. She also noticed Angie standing to one side of him, her eyes eating up the sight of him in his Sunday best. Amy could almost hear Angie’s thoughts as she eyed the cut of his stylish black suit. The string tie he wore at the neck was secured with a tiny silver cross, and beneath the creased edge of his pant legs, his black boots were polished to a bright shine. All in all, the massive man was a fine sight.
Amy tried to slip past Tyler and Angie without having to speak, but Angie didn’t let her. “I saved you a seat, sleepy head,” Angie said, taking hold of Amy’s arm.
Tyler turned to Amy. Her long brown hair was neatly pinned up, and the wispy strands that fell in ringlets worked with the high-necked collar of her blouse to form a frame for her face. He looked at her for several moments before she allowed herself to meet his eyes.
“I thought you’d sleep right through breakfast!” Angie said. “And you tossed and turned so much last night, I thought I was going to have to kick you out of bed to get any sleep.”
Amy turned crimson as she caught sight of Tyler’s grin. She wanted to run to the safety of the house, but Angie’s grip on her arm was firm, and her twin was already rambling on. “I never knew you to get so worked up over a get-together. I swear you mumbled all night long and fairly thrashed me to death.”
Amy could no longer stand it. She turned to Angie and with very little charity, flashed her a look that produced instantaneous silence from her twin. Tyler wanted to laugh out loud, but didn’t want to add to Amy’s embarrassment. He loved the innocence in her eyes, and the knowledge that she’d spent as restless a night as he had gave him even more confidence that she was the woman to end his searching. Confident that God would show him in time, Tyler knew he could wait. After all, he’d waited this long.
“Ladies, if you’ll take your seats, I’ll start the service,” he said with a tender glance at Amy.
Amy immediately relaxed. His look was almost apologetic. She couldn’t figure out if the apology was for her sister’s comments or for his actions the night before, but either way, he was kind to care. Amy had never known a man to be so considerate of her feelings.
The congregation fell silent when Tyler stepped forward. He’d refused to stand in the back of a wagon, as one person had suggested, for he knew he needed no extra height while he preached. Instead, he’d asked only for a small table upon which he could place his Bible.
Amy couldn’t help but notice the way he cradled the beloved book. She could tell by the way he caressed the cover with his large calloused hands that this Bible meant the world to him. It was clearly his life’s blood, and confirmation came in the powerful words that followed.
“People without God are nothing,” he began. “They have no purpose, no destiny—no life. They are useless in matters of importance and worthless tasks are all they know.” The words rang out loud and clear, and no one, not even the children, said a word.
“People without God don’t know which way to walk, or where they’re bound. They don’t have even the slightest solid path to follow and they are lost from the one road that matters.” Tyler’s intense stare moved from person to person. As he made eye contact with the community people, he could see whose life was saved and whose wasn’t, by the looks on their faces. Some met his stare with a confident nod; those were souls who’d clearly accepted the truth of the Word. Other’s seemed to squirm uncomfortably at the contact he made; these knew the truth of the words but weren’t following them. One or two stared in disinterest and seemed preoccupied with other things; these souls were not yet open to the urging of God’s Spirit or they’d chosen to ignore Him altogether.
When Tyler’s eyes fell upon Angie, she straightened up in her seat and gave him a sweet smile. And then his eyes moved on to Amy. She was fairly on the edge of her seat, so hungry to hear the Word preached that she was oblivious to the fact that this was the same man who’d held her so intimately the night before. When Tyler’s gaze met her eyes, he saw the need there. A need for God’s Word—a need to hear the truth reconfirmed, over and over. A woman after the heart of God.
Tyler pulled his eyes from her face before continuing. “Jesus said, in John 14:6, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me,” Tyler paused to let the words sink in.
“Think about it, folks. Jesus made it real plain to the people of His time. But not only that; He made it simple and clear for the people of our time and for those whose time has not yet come. He’s the only way. He’s the only truth. He’s the only life!”
The richness of his booming voice seemed to penetrate Amy, and she began to tremble from the very power of the hand of God upon this man. Tyler Andrews was clearly God’s chosen servant. Several people around Amy murmured an “Amen,” or “Hallelujah,” but Amy remained fixed and silent. At that moment, she longed only to be nourished upon the Word.
“You all have a purpose in life,” Tyler was saying, “and if you aren’t living that purpose, you’re missing a very special pleasure that God has reserved just for you. Some of you know that purpose, others don’t. Some of you share a common purpose, and others of you are fixed upon a solitary path. But that purpose, that way God has established for you, leads everyone in the same direction. It leads to His arms and to His very heart. It leads you home.”
The silence that fell was nearly deafening. Amy felt a warmth spread through her body as she thought of walking home to God. Yes, that’s exactly how it was to be a Christian. You had a definite direction and a path that was sure. Then at the end of your way, you got to go home to the Father—your very own Father.
“Do you know the way home?” Tyler asked the congregation. “Is your path clearly marked? It’s a simple step to the right path and your heavenly Father is waiting at the other end of the road. He’s waiting for you to come home.”
Tyler offered salvation through Jesus to the residents of Deer Ridge, and Amy was deeply moved by the sight of grown men weeping in their acceptance. Women who’d struggled under the heavy burden of the loneliness and tension of prairie life gave up their loads and placed them at the feet of God.
&nb
sp; After Tyler closed, the congregation lingered to sing and praise God. People gave their testimonies, stories Amy had never heard, stories that blessed her heart and gave her hope and reason to also praise God. This was why the calling of the faithful was so important. This was the fellowship of God’s people that she had so sorely missed. These were her brothers and sisters, and how dear they were to her, how rich the love she felt for each one.
The gathering turned into a celebration again. After the services, leftovers from the night before were joined with a few new foods, and lunch was served. While they ate, the residents of Deer Ridge urged Tyler to return to their community as soon as possible.
“We’ve missed having a man of God in our town,” the town’s schoolmaster, Marvin Williams, said, shaking Tyler’s hand. “When you come back, we’ll use the schoolhouse for the services.” There was a hearty confirmation from the crowd that had gathered around Tyler.
Tyler took out a small black book and pencil. “I can be here in three weeks on a Saturday. That’s when I’ll be back in this part of the district again.”
“Then it’s settled,” someone called out from the group. The murmured affirmation was enough to confirm the entire matter.
As families began to pick up their belongings and wagons were repacked, Amy couldn’t help but feel a sadness to see them go. Sometimes the isolation of the prairie wore heavy on her soul.
Rebuking herself for her attitude, Amy realized that she’d have little time to feel sorry for herself with all the work left to do to get ready for winter. Mentally, she began a list.
November was always butchering month. The men would be getting together to butcher the hogs. This was planned for the first true cold spell, and Amy knew that wouldn’t be far off. Then there was the matter of the apple preserves, jellies, and butters that she still needed to put up before the apples went bad. Then they’d can some of the meat, smoke the rest, and make soap with the fat.
Amy moved around, picking up messes whereever they caught her eye, and continued to think of the things she needed to take care of in the weeks to come. She was so lost in thought that she hadn’t been aware of Tyler’s watchful eye.
When she looked up, though, her eyes immediately met his. He stood casually against a cottonwood tree, arms folded across his chest, a gleam in his eye. Amy glanced around, wondering where Angie was and why she wasn’t captivating Tyler’s attention.
A smile spread across Tyler’s face, as if he could read her thoughts. She blushed and quickly lowered her eyes to the work at hand. Tyler, however, wouldn’t allow her to get away that easy.
“I’d like to have a minute or two alone with you,” he said, taking the dirty plates from her hand. He placed them back on the table and turned to her. “That is, if you don’t object.”
Amy felt her pulse quicken. “Of course I don’t object,” she answered. Her hands were trembling as she wiped them on her apron and allowed Tyler to direct her away from the crowded farmyard.
“I suppose you’ll be leaving soon.” She hated to say good-bye, but she knew it was inevitable.
“Yes,” Tyler answered.
They walked past the new barn, and Amy realized that Tyler was leading her back to the orchard. As soon as they were well away from the noisy neighbors, he slipped his hand from Amy’s arm and into her hand. They continued to walk in silence for several moments until they came to the spot where they’d kissed the night before.
“Amy.” Tyler paused to look down into her face. “I have to say something to you before I go.”
Amy felt her stomach tighten and her legs began to tremble. “All right.”
He abruptly dropped his hand and turned away from her, as if he had something to say that was painful and distasteful. Amy twisted her hands together, burdened by the thought that perhaps he wanted to reprimand her for the night before. She waited, head bowed and hands clenched, while Tyler seemed to contemplate something of extreme importance. When he finally turned back to her, Amy couldn’t bring herself to face him. She kept her head lowered.
He reached out and gently lifted her face. When he did, he saw her cheeks were damp with tears. “What’s this all about?” he whispered softly.
Amy choked back a sob, certain that God was going to tell her Tyler Andrews was not the man for her. “I, uh…, I’m sorry,” was all she could manage to say.
“Sorry? For what?”
Amy began to wring her hands, but Tyler took one of her small hands in each of his larger ones. “Have I offended you?” he questioned gently.
“Never!” Amy dared to look up into his compassionate eyes. The worried expression she saw there touched her heart, and silently she wished there was an easy way to apologize.
“Then what’s the trouble?” Tyler asked.
“I was just afraid that I’d offended you,” Amy finally managed to say.
Tyler chuckled softly. “And how, my dear Amy, do you imagine you might have accomplished this offense?”
Amy swallowed hard, unable to concentrate on anything but the touch of his hands on hers. “I thought maybe you brought me out here to talk about last night.”
“I did.”
“Then I was right. I’m really sorry about acting so loose with you.” Amy licked her lips nervously. “I’m really not generally so forward. In fact, Mother worried that I’d never take an interest in anyone. Honestly, that was my first kiss.” Amy’s honesty was telling Tyler a great deal more than she’d expected.
She continued to try to make amends. “Just please forgive me. I know you’re a minister and all, but I guess I was just, well…” Her words drifted into silence. She really had no excuse for what she’d done.
“You think I brought you out here for a comeuppance? Is that it?” Tyler asked in a serious tone.
“Yes.” Amy hung her head.
Tyler gently brushed his finger against her closed lips. “I’m responsible for what happened last night,” he whispered. “Yes, it was a bit forward and I, not you, am the one who should apologize.” He broke into a broad smile. “But I am glad that I was the first one to kiss you and,” he added with a certainty that caused Amy to tremble anew, “I intend to be the only one who has that privilege.”
Amy stared openmouthed for a moment, but then the real meaning of Tyler’s words sank in. She smiled, realizing Tyler wasn’t upset with her at all.
“You look so charming when you smile,” he whispered, tracing the line of her jaw with his finger. “Then again, you look wonderful even when you aren’t smiling.”
Amy cocked her head slightly to one side and put her hands on her hips. “Just what are you up to, Tyler Andrews?”
“I just wanted a chance to tell you a proper good-bye.” He grinned.
“Good-bye, then,” Amy said with a hint of laughter in her voice. She started to walk away, but Tyler reached out and pulled her back. Amy couldn’t suppress a giggle. Her heart was suddenly light; Tyler was obviously as interested in her as she was in him.
“Oh no, you don’t,” he said. “You must be a more mischievous person than I thought. I thought Angie was the manipulative one, always teasing with people’s feelings and such.”
Amy stiffened and felt her muscles go rigid. Her smile was replaced with a look of serious intent. “I wasn’t teasing with your feelings, Tyler.”
“I know,” he replied soberly and added, “and neither am I.”
“Three weeks is a long time,” Amy murmured.
Tyler took her face in his weathered hands and looked deeply into her eyes for what seemed an eternity. “Three weeks is just a heartbeat, Amy. Just a heartbeat.”
Chapter 5
By the end of the first week, Amy had put up seven quarts of applesauce, fifteen quarts of apple preserves, and twenty-four pints of apple butter. She also helped her father and mother with the butchered hogs. She stuffed sausage casings until she thought she’d drop, and she helped her mother hang so much meat in the smokehouse that not a spot was left to put even on
e more ham. When all that was done, she and her mother canned enough meat and vegetables to bulge the pantry shelves.
The second week she missed Tyler more than she had the first, but Amy plunged into anything that kept her mind occupied and her hands busy. She ripped rags into strips and braided them into rugs, then worked in a fury through her mother’s great pile of mending, much to the amazement of everyone. She counted the days down and then dissected the days into hours and counted those, too.
Taking advantage of a clear but cold day, Amy was boiling a kettle of lye for soap, when Angie came sashaying through the yard.
“Ma wants me to see if you need any help.” Angie pushed out her lips in a pout.
Amy knew better than to solicit Angie’s help. Angie was hopelessly clumsy at most every household task. Ma had said on more than one occasion that they’d all be lucky if Angie did move back east to a big city with servants.
“No, Angie. I was about to add the grease and you know how careful I have to be with the amount. I’d rather just work alone.”
“Good,” Angie said with a sudden smile. “Do you realize that Tyler will be returning in little more than a week? I’ve asked Ma to help me make a new skirt. I needed one anyway, but I think it will be glorious to wear it for Tyler the first time.”
Amy bit back a angry retort and poured grease into the cauldron. She couldn’t stand the way her sister was acting these days. Most all their lives the twins had been comfortably close—not like people thought twins ought to be, but close enough. They really had very little in common, but still a bond had tied them together. Now, though, that bond seemed to be fraying.
“And Betsey said she heard him telling Randy that he was quite taken with me,” Angie said, dancing around the cauldron to keep warm.
Amy’s head snapped up. “What did you say?”
“I said, Tyler told Randy that he was quite taken with me,” Angie repeated.
“He said that?” Amy nearly forgot to stir the soap.