The Maverick Preacher (11 page)

Mary lifted the basket and the baby, then shot Adie a look. “The reverend might enjoy the bread you baked.”

Adie wanted Josh to finish his soup and leave, not linger over bread and butter. She frowned but went to the bread box and removed the fresh loaf. As Mary left the kitchen, Adie sliced the bread, put it on a plate and fetched the butter crock. She set everything on the table. Before she could turn, Josh caught her eye.

“I’d like to speak to you,” he said quietly.

“What is it?”

“I have something to give you.” He stood and indicated Mary’s chair. “Please, sit down.”

His Boston manners made her nervous, but she couldn’t avoid him. She sat and folded her hands. Josh reached into his coat pocket and extracted a handful of coins. As they plinked on the table, she spotted two silver dollars and a golden half eagle. As she looked up with shock, Josh sat back on the chair.

“I know money’s tight.” He slid the pile in her direction. “You have a need and I believe God wants to meet it. This is for you. It’s today’s offering from church.”

She desperately needed the money, but she felt dishonest taking it from Josh. His generosity would protect her secret. The irony shamed her. “I can’t accept.”

“Sure you can.”

She looked at her lap.

Josh made his voice light. “Don’t be shy, Adie. I know your secret.”

Startled, she raised her head. “What secret?”

“You’re as prideful as I am.”

She couldn’t swallow. “Is that all?”

“I don’t know. Is there more?” He touched her hand.
“Whatever’s in your heart, it’s between you and God. When I look at you, I see an honest, hardworking woman. I’m proud to know you.”

Could she feel any lower than she did right now? Adie didn’t think so.

Still holding her hand, he kept his voice low. “This gift is between you and God, too. You can toss it in the air if you want, but I hope you’ll use it for the mortgage.”

He released her hand and picked up his spoon. Unable to speak, she watched as he finished his soup, savoring every bite as if it were worth more than the pile of coins. When he finished, he carried the bowl to the counter, lifted his hat from the hook and went to his room without another word.

Adie looked at his retreating back, then touched the coins with a single thought. Joshua Blue was the kindest, most honorable man she’d ever know. She pushed to her feet and called down the hall. “Josh?”

He stopped but didn’t turn. “Yes?”

“Thank you.”

As if he wasn’t sure he should look, he faced her. As a cloud passed away from the sun, light shot through the window, warming her face and making her squint. Josh faded to a shadow, but she heard his voice.

“You’re welcome,” he said. “But it’s not from me.”

The door to his room closed with a soft click. Adie should have been relieved, but she wanted to run down the hall and pound on the wood. Her heart ached with the need to confess.

I had a friend named Maggie Butler. Stephen could be your nephew.

The thought choked her. She simply couldn’t do it.

She wouldn’t.

She swept the coins into her palm and added them to the sugar bowl. On Tuesday she’d make the payment, but using
Josh’s money—or God’s money—left her bitter. Her soul, already ragged, raveled to a frayed edge. Even worse, her heart ached for Josh. She wanted to ease his burden almost as much as she wanted to protect Stephen from Maggie’s brother.

Shaking inside, she closed the cupboard and turned back to the soup. As she gave it a stir, steam dampened her face. She heard footsteps in the hall, looked up and saw Caroline still wearing her Sunday best. The woman said hello, then helped herself to a glass of water. “Church was wonderful.”

Adie didn’t want to hear it.

“Josh is the best preacher I’ve ever heard.”

When had
Josh
invited Caroline to use his given name? Adie used it, but they’d become friends. Her conscience lurched with another half-truth. Her feelings for Josh ran far deeper than friendship. The admission made her head spin. She didn’t want to love Josh or any man. She couldn’t. Not with a life built on secrets, half-truths and bald-faced lies.

Caroline headed for the pantry. “Seven people came to Brick’s.”

Adie thought of the offering. Someone had given generously, a sign that Josh’s words had mattered.

“That’s nice,” she replied.

“I bet more people come next week.”

Adie’s felt a stab of fear. He’d asked Mary to sing. Adie had heard her friend’s soprano and knew she’d attract visitors. Josh’s preaching had filled a Boston cathedral. What if his little church grew each week? If he stayed in Denver, Adie would be afraid forever.

Caroline opened the pantry and removed the pie she’d baked for dessert. Adie had had enough. Looking over her shoulder, she frowned. “We don’t need dessert
every
night.”

“Josh likes apple pie.”

“He’s being polite.” Adie knew for a fact he preferred pound cake with strawberries. She thought of the squashed berry plants and felt angry all over again.

Caroline eyed her thoughtfully. “You like him, don’t you?”

“Of course not!”

She’d answered too quickly. A smile curved on Caroline’s lips. “That’s what I thought.”

“I like him,” Adie admitted. “But not in that way.”

“I like him, too.” Caroline’s eyes turned wistful. “I was married once, you know.”

To a man of color in the South…Caroline had seen him lynched. Adie felt stricken. Who was she to criticize Caroline’s feelings for Josh? Or his feelings for Caroline? If he’d invited her to use his given name, perhaps he had an interest in her. Why not? Caroline had wavy dark hair, green eyes and a bow-shaped mouth. Any man would find her pretty and she had a sharp mind.

Caroline set the pie on the counter. “I know I’ve overdone it with the baking, but it feels good to
want
to do it.”

Adie stirred the soup. “I wouldn’t know.”

“You’ve never been in love?”

“No.”

Caroline made a humming sound. “It’s the best feeling in the world. I remember how it was with Samuel. It was dangerous, but I don’t regret a minute.”

Adie didn’t know what to think. All her life she’d been afraid. She’d worried that her father wouldn’t come home and one day he hadn’t. She’d fretted over her mother’s health and she’d died. She’d feared Timothy Long and Reverend Honeycutt and they’d both harmed her. She understood fear far better than love, yet with Josh she wondered…What would it be like to live with confidence? To feel safe and be free of secrets?

She put the lid on the soup. It would simmer until supper. So would her problems and there was nothing she could do. Until Josh left Denver, she’d be a nervous wreck. Seeing no escape, she went upstairs to hold her son.

A
s he neared Colfax Avenue Church, Josh thought about what to say to Reverend Tobias Oliver. With the success of the little church in Brick’s Saloon, he felt compelled to pay a call on local clergy to introduce himself. He’d preached two Sundays and attendance had increased to twelve. Not everyone approved of a church in a saloon, but he’d learned in his travels that a Harvard degree silenced his critics. Like Paul, Josh didn’t mind revealing his credentials for the cause of Christ.

He also wanted to speak to the man about Pearl. Of the two missions, the second would be the most difficult. Josh had no business raising such a personal matter, but how could he keep silent? If someone had taken him to task for his hypocrisy, Emily would be safe in Boston and he’d be…Josh didn’t know where he’d be. He rued the reason for his travels, but the past year had made him a better man. If Emily hadn’t left, he’d have missed the biggest challenges—the biggest blessings—of his life.

Those blessings included Adie. Josh had never been on such a twisting road. He cared for her. Every day his feelings deepened. She also exasperated him with her silence. She
hadn’t spoken to him in days, but he knew her habits. She hadn’t been sleeping well. At night she wandered in the flower garden behind the wounded vegetables. He prayed constantly for her. When he left Denver, it would be with the regret that he’d failed yet another woman.

Today, though, he could help Pearl. He expected to find Reverend Oliver in the church office, but before he reached the main building, he saw a house set back from the street. A wide porch surrounded a stone cottage with a gabled roof. Ivy climbed up the sides and lilacs bloomed at the base of the steps. On the porch sat a man in a black coat, sipping tea as he read a book.

Josh strode down the brick path to the porch. “Reverend Oliver?”

“That’s correct.”

“I’m Joshua Blue.”

“Ah,” he said. “The minister from Boston. I’ve heard of you.”

“That’s why I’ve come,” Josh said. “I’d prefer to meet face-to-face than listen to talk.”

“My feelings exactly.”

The older man waved Josh up the steps. After they shook hands, he indicated a chair. As Josh sat, Reverend Oliver went into the cottage. He returned a few minutes later with a refreshment tray. He set it on the table, sat and lifted a flowered teapot with a gnarled hand. He looked at Josh with stark apology. “If my daughter were here, she’d serve cake. All I can manage is tea.”

“Tea is fine, sir. Thank you.”

In the time between Emily’s departure and his own, Josh had been in this man’s position. He’d fumbled with teapots and served stale baked goods. Few men appreciated a woman’s touch until they had to manage on their own.

The reverend filled Josh’s cup and handed it to him. “I understand you’re living at Swan’s Nest. How’s my Pearl?”

His openness took Josh by surprise. “She’s fine.”

“And the baby? It’s not here yet, is it?”

“No.”

The man sipped his tea. “It’s a tragedy.”

Josh saw an opening and took it. “It depends, sir.”

He frowned. “On what?”

“What Pearl does next.”

Reverend Oliver set down his cup and crossed his arms. “You seem rather sure of yourself.”

“I am.” Josh settled back in his chair. “I didn’t come to speak of Pearl, sir. I came to tell you about myself. I have a sister. About a year ago, she left Boston under circumstances similar to your daughter’s situation.”

The reverend huffed. “She did you a favor.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Come now, Reverend. You know how people talk.”

“I do,” Josh said. “I also know that I called my sister an unspeakable name and she left in the middle of the night. She took a westbound train and never wrote. For all I know, she could be dead. The baby—” Josh sealed his lips. “I can’t stand the thought of what might have become of the child. Sir, you don’t want to know what that’s like.”

Reverend Oliver stared hard at Josh. “My daughter sinned.”

“Do you know that for a fact?”

“It’s obvious!”

“Not to me,” Josh said quietly. “I don’t know who fathered my sister’s baby. I don’t know if she was seduced or raped. All I know is that she needed help and I threw stones at her.”

The old man’s eyes narrowed. “It’s no mystery what happened to Pearl. I’ll be candid with you, Reverend Blue—”

“Please, call me Josh.”

“Then I’m Tobias.” The old man cleared his throat. “I’m not naive. I know that men and women stumble, even good
Christians like my daughter. I’ve sinned. You’ve sinned. Frank wants to make things right. I don’t understand why Pearl won’t let him.”

Josh knew, but he couldn’t break Adie’s confidence. “Ask your daughter.”

“I’ve spoken with Frank,” he said confidently. “He came to me after the buggy ride that led to this mess. I blame myself for letting them go alone, but they’d been courting for months. I trusted him.”

A wolf in sheep’s clothing, Josh thought.

“He confessed their mistake and asked for permission to marry Pearl immediately. Of course I granted it.”

“Did you speak to Pearl?”

“Her feelings were evident.” Tobias frowned. “If they’d married right away, there wouldn’t have been any talk at all.”

Tobias wanted to spare himself the embarrassment, but Josh didn’t doubt his desire to protect Pearl. Josh had been misguided about Emily in the same way. He’d honestly thought giving up the baby was for the best.

He had another question for Tobias. “Are you aware of Mr. Dean’s visits to Swan’s Nest?”

“Only vaguely.”

“He’s been forceful.”

Tobias wrinkled his brow. “He loves Pearl. He’s concerned for his child.”

Josh tried again. “Mr. Dean has proposed marriage. Is that right?”

“It is.”

“And Pearl said no.” Josh lowered his voice. “Haven’t you wondered why?”

Tobias said nothing.

Josh reached for his tea, took a long sip and made a decision. He couldn’t break Adie’s confidence, but Reverend
Oliver had to know the truth. “Sir, do you recall the story of Amnon and Tamar?”

His eyes narrowed. “Of course, it’s in Second Samuel. Amnon was a son of David. He took Tamar against her will and died at Absalom’s orders.”

“That’s right.”

“What are you implying?”

Josh raised his chin. “Amnon was the son of king, a trusted member of the household. Tamar was innocent.”

Reverend Oliver’s cheeks flamed. “Are you saying this happened to Pearl?”

“I’m telling a Bible story.”

“Don’t beat around the bush, Reverend. How do you know?”

Josh prayed to do the right thing. “I can’t say, sir. But you need to speak with your daughter. Don’t lose her the way I lost Emily.”

Tobias’s face turned red. “I just assumed…Pearl’s mother is gone. I couldn’t speak with her about something so—so private.”

Josh understood. “It’s a taboo subject, but the sin is very real.”

The old man shot to his feet. “He deserves to hang for what he did!”

“It’s an allegation, sir. Pearl might not want to speak up.”

Tobias sat back down. “I’ll do anything for my daughter. She talked about leaving Denver, but I said no. My church is here. My congregation needs me.”

“May I offer a suggestion?”

The old man looked as if he’d been punched. “Please.”

“Speak with Pearl.”

“I will.”

“Let her decide what’s best.”

Tobias looked across the yard to the stone church. Josh followed his gaze and saw a row of stained glass windows. The first depicted a shepherd and five sheep. Josh thought of
the women at Swan’s Nest. The second showed Christ with children in his lap. The third displayed an empty cross and a rising sun. Red and purple made up the cross. The sun, a yellow circle, gleamed against a royal-blue sky. The fourth window showed the woman at the well. Jesus had personally told her to go in peace, that her sins were forgiven.

Pearl’s father looked back at Josh. “Do you think Pearl will see me?”

“I hope so.”

He raked his hand through his iron-gray hair. “I’d go tonight, but the elders are meeting. Frank’s on the board. If what you’re saying is true—and I believe it is—I have to address it.”

Josh knew all about church politics. Women got blamed for gossiping, but men were just as prone to talk too much. He didn’t miss the chatter at all. “A suggestion, sir?”

“Of course.”

“Speak to Pearl first.”

“I will.” Looking haggard, Tobias took a drag of tea and grunted. “It’s not strong enough, is it?”

“No.”

He sighed. “Pearl makes perfect tea.”

“Come tomorrow,” Josh said.

His eyes turned shiny. “I’ve missed her.”

Silence settled between them. Tobias finished his tea, then straightened his back and crossed his arms. “So, I hear you’ve started a church. Do you intend to stay in Denver?”

“Only as long as I have to,” Josh answered. “Unfortunately, there’s more to the story about Mr. Dean.”

His eyes narrowed. “Tell me.”

Josh told him about the garden and Horace’s visit to Brick’s Saloon. “Miss Clarke believes—and I agree—that Dean wants her house.”

“Why?”

“Land values are increasing almost daily. She’s also giving sanctuary to Pearl. Until we know who’s behind the vandalism, I intend to stay at Swan’s Nest.”

“A wise call.”

“And necessary.”

“Then what?” Tobias gave him an assessing look.

“I’ll resume searching for Emily.”

“And starting churches in saloons?”

“Sure,” Josh replied. “Not everyone’s comfortable behind stained glass.” He wasn’t, not anymore.

Tobias looked hard into Josh’s eyes. “You’ve suffered, haven’t you?”

His chest felt heavy; then his body lightened with joy. He recalled Gerard Richards telling him he’d be a better preacher after he suffered. How true those words had been…. Without the struggle of the past year, he’d still be an arrogant know-it-all parading in his black robe, speaking in high-minded tones and hiding his bottle of laudanum. Gratitude washed over him. If his story would help Tobias, he had to tell it.

He looked the older man in the eye. “I failed my sister, sir. I prayed every night and memorized scripture. I claimed to love God more than myself, but when my position was on the line, I treated Emily like a leper.”

“You succumbed to pride,” Tobias said. “I know the temptation.”

“It’s ugly.”

“And unavoidable. Don’t despair, Josh. We worship a God of mercy.”

“That we do.”

Being of one mind, the men stood at the same time. Tobias held out his hand and they shook. “Come some evening for a visit. It’s lonely without Pearl.”

“I’ll do that.”

As Josh turned to leave, his gaze landed on the window showing the shepherd and five sheep. He thought of his “sheep” at Swan’s Nest and felt a tug he’d never experienced before. He didn’t want to leave them, especially not Adie, but he had to go. Somewhere, Emily and her child needed him. Maybe more, he needed them.

Josh walked back to Colfax Avenue and headed for the part of town where pawnbrokers ran shops. He hoped someone had heard of Emily or seen her jewelry, but more likely, he was grasping at straws. The thought filled him with despair. Instead of visiting the stores, he headed for the café where Mary worked. He needed a strong cup of tea, one that didn’t remind him of Pearl and Adie, broken lives and people who threw stones.

With the mortgage receipt tucked in her reticule, Adie left the bank and headed for the café to say hello to Mary. She’d avoided Franklin Dean, but a knot had formed in her belly the instant she entered the building. A cup of tea would settle her nerves, plus she had promised Mary that she’d stop by the café.

Ever since the vandalism, Mary had been extra vigilant. She’d told Adie to ask Josh to accompany her to the bank, but Adie had refused. Josh would visit pawnbrokers and she didn’t want to go with him. She’d see the hope in his eyes, then the disappointment. All the time, she’d feel guilty.

She turned on to Grant Avenue. At the sight of Franklin Dean’s carriage, she paled. She would have turned around, but his driver spotted her. With a cold smile, he tipped his hat. Adie looked away without acknowledging him and found herself looking at Dean himself. He’d just come out of a fancy barbershop. Even three feet away, she smelled his cologne.

“Good afternoon, Miss Clarke.”

“Mr. Dean.”

He smiled. “May I offer you a ride to Swan’s Nest?”

“No, thank you.”

As she tried to pass, he blocked her steps. “It’s not the least bit out of my way.”

He’d told a flat-out lie. Swan’s Nest sat on the outskirts of town. No one traveled in that direction unless they lived in the neighborhood. Taunting the banker would fan his temper, so she tried to sound pleasant. “If you’ll excuse me—”