An Undaunted Faith

by Andrea Boeshaar

  “Is that right? I dabble in a bit of politics myself.”

  “The town board?”

  He nodded.

  “The same one that wanted a male doctor.”

  “Now, don’t hold that against us. You’re doing as fine a job as any man.”

  She smiled and brushed the dirt from Jake’s hair.

  “I got a head full of it after my hat flew off.” He sounded apologetic.

  “I don’t mind…” His hair felt thick and soft between her fingers, and she took her time ridding it of debris. Then she dusted off his shoulder, and her knuckles grazed his stubbly jaw. He turned slightly and Annetta gazed into his eyes. Would he kiss her?

  Yearning melted her insides. Yes. For the first time since Gregory died, she wanted a man to kiss her. She inched toward him, her lips poised and ready to greet his unabashed. Her hand slid along his neck. Yes. She wanted Jake McCabe…

  Then suddenly he stood with an abruptness that sent her reeling backward. She landed hard on her backside, and a startled gasp escaped her.

  “Pardon me, but I’d best check the horses.”

  Wide-eyed, Annetta didn’t know what to think. He’d rejected her—except hadn’t she glimpsed the longing in his eyes? Hadn’t it matched hers?

  Wrapping her arms around her knees, Annetta sat quietly and watched Jake unsaddle Cannonball and Buckshot. He took his sweet time removing their bridles and saddles. Tears stung, but Annetta refused to give into them. She’d never had a man reject her before. In fact, she was usually the one thwarting their advances. On the other hand, Gregory had always enjoyed stealing a kiss when heads were turned.

  Annetta’s gaze remained on Jake. He intrigued her. Could it be the good reverend actually practiced what he preached?

  Shame gave her heart a yank. How could she have behaved so brazenly? And yet, she wished with all her soul that Jake had kissed her.

  The wind silenced. Jake strode to the barn’s doorway and leaned against the frame. Beyond him Annetta could see the dusk of evening and more dark clouds. Pushing to her feet, she walked over to where he stood. A flash of lightning suddenly split the sky, and Annetta jumped back.

  Jake glanced over his shoulder and grinned. “God’s fireworks on display.” He hesitated then held out his hand. “Come and see.”

  Drawn to him in an instant, Annetta reached for his outstretched fingers, and he pulled her up next to him. Another fork of lightning cracked down, and she tensed.

  “Jake, I must apologize for my behavior…”

  “No need.”

  “I’ve never been so forward with a man.”

  “I figured.” He continued to gaze off in the distance. “And don’t think for one second that I wasn’t tempted.”

  “Which is why I’m all the more sorry.”

  “Well,” he drawled, “you were frightened, and I have to admit I enjoyed comforting you.” He faced her. “Annetta, you’re a beautiful woman.”

  Pleasure warmed her face. “But…?” She sensed the word was forthcoming.

  And then it hit her.

  Pulling her hand from his, she jutted out her chin. “But I’m not good enough for a reverend such as yourself.” It was her worst fears realized. The man she loved knew of her past and deemed her unfit for his wife. And perhaps she didn’t actually love Jake McCabe. Not yet. But she’d certainly fallen for him in an inexplicable way.

  “Don’t go putting words in my mouth, Annetta.”

  She folded her arms and glared at him.

  Jake grinned. “I was going to add that I felt a certain spark between us on the first day we met.” He grunted out a chuckle. “I suppose you don’t remember that day.”

  She searched her memory and came up blank. “I’ve kept to myself…up until a few days ago.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “Do you?” She didn’t think he had a clue. “Are you aware of the risk I took, opening myself up to you?”

  “I think I’m very much aware. And God help me if I would ever shatter that fragile trust you’ve given me.”

  Her defenses crumbled. “Is that why you didn’t kiss me?”

  “That…and I have my own personal reason.”

  “Will you tell me?”

  “Promise not to laugh?”

  “I promise.”

  He inhaled deeply. “I vowed that the first time I ever kiss a woman would follow the words ‘I do.’”

  “You mean…?”

  “That’s right. I’m saving that first kiss for my bride.”

  She tried to conceal her grin, although it wasn’t a result of amusement. “I think that’s very noble and sweet.” Annetta’s respect for this man increased twofold.

  Another searing white bolt shot across the darkening sky. Thunder rumbled in the distance.

  Annetta took his arm. “Would it be all right if I just hold onto your elbow?” His nearness distracted her from the danger surrounding them.

  “Reckon I’d enjoy it.”

  She smiled, and they stood there for quite some time. Darkness enveloped them until Jake found a lantern and lit it.

  When the storm grew less violent, Annetta approached him again. “Should we saddle up and get back to town?”

  “Not in this lightning. That’s why we’ve been sitting here.”

  Annetta felt a blush heat her cheeks. “And all along I thought you just enjoyed my company.”

  Jake chuckled. “Well, that too.”

  Her blush intensified.

  “Besides, right now we couldn’t outride the driving rainstorm that’s approaching. It’s safer if we stay here till it’s over.”

  “I trust your judgment.” And I trust you, she added silently.

  Several moments of silence went by, then Jake gently shook off her hold and strolled to the center of the barn. He stared straight up before looking her way. “I think we should try to build a fire before the temperatures drop. I don’t think there’s a risk of burning this place down. Place is empty. Rafters are high enough.”

  “Good idea. What should I do?”

  “Want to scout around and see if there’s anything worth burning? But don’t venture outside because the wind has stirred up more than just sand.”

  Annetta understood. The threat of snakes, scorpions, and other deadly creatures was great, and she might not see them in the gathering darkness.

  “I’ll get the flint and matchsticks from my saddlebags,” Jake said, “and—”

  A sudden fluttering of feathers near Annetta’s skirt gave her a start. She yelped and jumped sideways. To her relief it was nothing more than a rather confused-looking chicken.

  “Well, lookie here.” Jake grinned and set his hands on his hips. “The Lord not only kept us safe, he’s provided us with supper too.”

  TWENTY

  BETHANY ROCKED THE SLEEPING BABY IN HER ARMS. Ralph Jonas hadn’t made it back to the boardinghouse to pick up Michael, most likely because of the terrible dust storm this afternoon.

  “Luke?” She turned to him. He sat beside her on the settee. “I hope the Jonas children are all right. It’ll be a miracle if that hut of theirs survived the storm.”

  “Here’s hoping they all took cover in the barn.”

  Bethany gave a nod. She prayed they had.

  “Ralph is no stranger to this land. He’s lived through his share of dust storms. He knows what to do to protect himself and his family.”

  “I hope so.”

  Luke smiled and stretched his arm out along the back of the settee, causing a pleasant burst of warmth to push into her cheeks. Still very respectable, but his action made Bethany feel special.

  “I’m sure they’re all fine, Beth.”

  She put a lot of stock in anything Luke said, so his reply eased her mind.

  “It came on so fast.” Bethany had never witnessed anything like it—like a wall of dirt and debris converging on the entire town. Then the wind had beat against the boardinghouse’s exterior walls in the most frightful way.
/>   “I’m glad we were safely back from the Raddisons’ when it hit.”

  “Indeed.”

  With his free hand, Luke kneaded his jaw. “You know, Beth, your hair looks real pretty.”

  “Thank you.” She looked at the sleeping baby in her arms as she replied, except she savored Luke’s compliment. She’d wondered all day what he thought of her haircut.

  “You look older…like a refined schoolteacher.”

  “Well, that’s good.” Bethany smiled. “Because that’s the very reason you brought me to Silverstone—to be a refined schoolteacher.” She chanced a glance at him.

  “I reckon that’s true enough.” Luke sent her an affectionate wink.

  Bethany’s smile grew, but before she could reply, a flash of lightning lit the room. In fact, it seemed to blaze straight through the parlor.

  “Luke?”

  “Not to worry. Just a little lightning.” He drew in a breath. “Usually means some rain is on the way.”

  “It seemed so close.”

  “Around here a man could catch a lightning bolt in his fist if he was fast enough.”

  Bethany rolled her eyes. “Do you really expect me to believe such a thing?”

  “Might be in one of them dime novels you read.”

  “Oh, stop it, Luke.” Unfortunately, Bethany couldn’t conceal her laugh.

  Then a second later another flash of lightning caused her to cringe.

  “Whoo-whee! God’s puttin’ on a show tonight.” Luke stood and ambled to the front windows.

  “Be careful now, Reverend Luke. Don’t stand too close.”

  Bethany looked toward the door in time to see Mrs. Winters enter. Trudy bounded in moments later.

  “The lightning’s a fright!” Trudy flounced into Luke’s vacated seat.

  “Shh, Trudy,” Bethany whispered, “Michael’s finally asleep.”

  “Would you like me to take him upstairs for you, dear?” Mrs. Winters came over and collected Michael before Bethany could reply.

  “Certainly, that would be fine. I made a makeshift cradle from one of my dresser drawers. I hope you won’t mind my using it that way. But Michael fits in it so nicely, and it seems safer than allowing him to sleep on my bed. He’s just beginning to roll over by himself.”

  “I think that’s just fine.”

  Carrying the infant in her arms, Mrs. Winters left the parlor and headed upstairs.

  Bethany stood, smoothed down the skirt of her dress, then walked to where Luke still stood, gazing outside. Just as she reached him, a lightning bolt zigzagged across the sky accompanied by an explosive boom.

  Bethany jumped backward. “Sounds like it struck a tree.”

  “Sounds like.” Luke reached for her hand. “But no need to be afraid.”

  The warmth of his palm surrounding hers felt comforting, and Bethany marveled once more at Luke’s ability to quell her fears.

  Moments later the flicker of flames could be seen shooting up from behind the saloon and brothel across the street.

  Luke spotted it just as Bethany did. He turned from the window and dropped her hand. “Trudy, is your father nearby?”

  “He went out back to make sure the animals were in the stable.” The girl came forward and then screamed when she spied the growing blaze across the street. “The saloon’s on fire!”

  “All right, now, stay calm, ladies.” Luke headed for the parlor’s doorway. “Stay inside. I’m going to see what I can do to help.” He disappeared through the entryway.

  “I don’t know why Reverend Luke is even bothering.” Trudy rolled a shoulder. “Let it burn to the ground.”

  Bethany had to admit she shared the sentiment. However, there were souls inside the building…

  Angie’s in there!

  The thought of her new friend coming to any harm momentarily stunned Bethany. She turned back to the window. Already people had left the building and stood in the middle of Main Street. Bethany strained to see if Angie was one of them, but she couldn’t find her.

  Men were shouting and forming a bucket brigade. But it looked like a futile attempt.

  Then Mr. Winters ran through the boardinghouse, calling to his wife and Trudy. “We need to get up on the roof and keep it wet so the fire won’t spread to our building.”

  “Can I help?” Bethany caught Mrs. Winters by the elbow as she headed for the back.

  “No, dear. I’d prefer you stay downstairs. I’ll send Trudy for you if we need you.”

  “All right.”

  Feeling useless, Bethany ambled back to the parlor. Again, she gazed out the front windows. By now flames danced out the first-floor windows. The wood-framed saloon and its second-floor brothel were aflame like a tinderbox, and her thoughts turned to Luke and her friend Angie. Anxious flutters filled her insides. Small explosions caused her to start until she realized they most likely came from the alcohol the saloon served.

  Lord, what about Angie? Is she safe? Is Luke safe?

  Suddenly Bethany couldn’t stay still a moment more. She needed answers—now.

  Leaving the parlor, she ventured outside the boardinghouse. A throng of humanity filled the walk and street. Bethany pushed through them, searching for either Luke or Angie. Thunder rumbled.

  Then suddenly Bethany glimpsed Angie’s blonde head. She moved in her direction, squeezing between men and women who stared, almost fixedly, at the blaze.

  “Angie!”

  She turned, and Bethany saw her face was streaked with ash. Her faded coral-colored dress had been blackened down one arm.

  “Are you all right?”

  “I barely made it out alive.” Angie choked on a sob.

  Bethany embraced her.

  “It’s a miracle that I survived. I was trapped in my room. I had to run through flames, but I didn’t suffer a single burn.”

  “God protected you through the fire.”

  Angie paused, her blue eyes wide. “He did. It had to be God.”

  With tears rimming her eyes, Bethany locked arms with Angie. The rain began to fall. Together they ran for the overhang in front of the boardinghouse and watched as the saloon burned.

  Suddenly someone began hollering that Chicago Joe was trapped in her quarters. Murmurs spread through the crowd.

  “It’s her foot,” Angie told Bethany. “Chicago Joe can’t walk on it.”

  Bethany barely took in Angie’s explanation when she saw Luke and Sheriff Montaño climbing the outer stairway, two by two.

  “Why on earth would the reverend go in after a woman like Chicago Joe?” Mr. Winters asked the onlookers. Then he hollered to Luke and the sheriff, “Just leave her up there, men. Save yourselves!”

  Another man concurred. “The woman ain’t worth killing yerselves over!”

  “No, Luke!” Bethany screamed. She moved to run after him, but Angie held her back.

  “If God would protect a woman like me, he can take care of your man and the sheriff.”

  Bethany couldn’t argue. In horror she watched as Luke kicked in the door. Then, getting down on his knees, he crawled into the burning building. The sheriff followed. Bethany held her breath. Oh, Father God, please protect them!

  As if sensing her anguish, Angie gave her arm an affectionate squeeze.

  Grumblings made their way through the crowd.

  Bethany’s heart crimped. I love him, Lord. Please don’t take Luke from me now.

  The prayer had just taken flight when suddenly Luke appeared. He and Sheriff Montaño pulled Chicago Joe through the door of her quarters. Coughing uncontrollably, they managed to stumble to their feet. Seconds later, each took one of Chicago Joe’s arms and legs and carried her down the steps and into the street to safety. Bethany heaved a sigh of relief. Luke was all right. Thank You, Lord.

  “I’ve only seen Chicago Joe’s face in the window,” Bethany remarked. “I didn’t know she was such a large woman.”

  “She doesn’t go out much because of that bad foot of hers.” Angie nodded. “But, yes,
that’s her, all right.”

  Bethany moved forward and saw Luke on his knees, still coughing. “Go to your man,” Angie said. “Go on.”

  With a nod, Bethany pushed her way through the throng and finally reached the other side of the street. She could feel the heat from the burning saloon. A safe distance away, men stood around Luke and the sheriff, offering them water and slapping them between the shoulder blades as they coughed the smoke from their lungs. She didn’t know what she could do for Luke at the moment. To their right, women surrounded Chicago Joe. She choked and sputtered, but otherwise appeared unharmed.

  And then it dawned on Bethany. With all the commotion, this might be the perfect time for Angie to slip away unnoticed.

  In a heartbeat, she knew what she had to do. Luke didn’t need her at the moment. Angie did.

  Making her way back through the crowd, Bethany reached the overhang and took Angie’s hand. “Come with me.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “God’s made a way for your escape. Come on!”

  Bethany led Angie up the boardwalk and then around the gathering townsfolk who didn’t seem to notice them between the excitement of the rescue and the fire. Then suddenly the remainder of the saloon and brothel crumbled beneath the flames in a loud whoosh. Men shouted. Women screamed, creating even more of a distraction.

  And then it began to rain harder. A veritable deluge fell from the sky, and the temperature plummeted.

  Bethany and Angie quickened their pace until they reached the back door of the boardinghouse. Once inside, Bethany turned the lock to deter anyone who might have followed them.

  “My room’s upstairs. This way.”

  Up the back stairwell, Bethany led Angie to her room. Reaching it, she unlocked the door and let herself and Angie inside. Hot, still air greeted her, but Bethany saw that Michael still slept soundly in his makeshift cradle. Meanwhile, she and Angie were soaked to the skin from the downpour.

  “Perhaps one of my dresses will fit you.” Bethany opened the front window to allow some air inside. Although damp, it felt cooler than the air in her room.

  “I’m grateful for anything right now.” Angie peeled off her torn and soiled dress. “I lost everything in the fire,” she whispered. “Even your books.”