The Maverick Preacher (8 page)

“It’s a fine day.”

Caroline beamed. “‘This is the day the Lord hath made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.’”

Adie didn’t need Caroline to quote Bible verses. Neither, apparently, did Josh. He looked uncomfortable.

Caroline gave a too-cheerful smile. “Would you like breakfast, Reverend? I’d be happy to fry some eggs.”

“I’m doing it,” Adie said.

“You have Stephen.” Caroline lifted a fry pan from the rack on the wall. “He’s hungry, plus he’ll need a fresh nappy.”

Josh gave Adie a look she could read like her own thoughts. He had no interest in Caroline and her fried eggs. Neither would he be the rope in a tug-of-war. “Milk and bread would be fine.”

With Stephen on her hip, Adie set the bucket on the counter, then poured a glass of milk for Josh from the pitcher. The baby smelled food and cooed. She would have treasured the moment, except Caroline was buttering bread for Josh. She also had to tell her friend about the garden.

She looked over her shoulder at Caroline. “I have some bad news.”

“What happened?”

Adie told her about the vegetables and how Josh chased off the vandal. When she finished the story, Caroline looked at Josh as if he could walk on water. “You’re a brave man, Reverend. You could have been hurt.”

He looked more annoyed than before. “It was nothing.”

“
I
don’t think so!” She set a plate of bread in front of him. “Whoever did it could have turned on you.”

Mary walked into the kitchen. “What happened?”

Caroline faced her. “Someone trampled the garden. The reverend chased him off.” She turned to Adie. “We have to go to the sheriff.”

Mary huffed. “It won’t help.”

“It might,” Caroline insisted.

Adie felt Josh’s gaze on her cheek. She couldn’t protest without sounding desperate. She looked to Mary for help, but Mary shrugged. “I guess it’s worth a try.”

“I’ll go this morning,” Josh said.

He looked to Adie for approval. She didn’t want to give it, but how could she say no? She thought of using Pearl but felt terrible for the thought. Deep down, she knew Dean had to be stopped and Pearl couldn’t do it alone. If Adie didn’t step up, who would? As much as she wanted to go to the law, the thought terrified her. What if a Pinkerton’s detective had visited the sheriff with questions about Maggie Butler? For all Adie knew, Maggie’s brother could have distributed posters with his sister’s likeness. Adie held Stephen tighter. With a little luck, nothing in the sheriff’s office would link Maggie Butler and Emily Blue. If it did, she might have to flee Denver.

Barely breathing, she watched as Caroline poured coffee for Josh and then herself. She loved her house and her friends, but she loved her son more.

Shortly after breakfast, Josh changed into his black coat and left Swan’s Nest. The milk and toast had settled nicely, but he regretted the coffee. His stomach burned as he walked into the flat-front building that housed the Denver sheriff’s office.

A man in a leather vest with a badge stood up behind the desk. “Good morning, Reverend. Can I help you?”

“I hope so.” Josh introduced himself. “Someone vandalized Swan’s Nest last night.”

“The boardinghouse on Seventeenth?”

“That’s it.”

The deputy offered his hand. “I’m Beau Morgan.” He indicated a battered chair. “Have a seat.”

Josh sat on the wood, then told the story. “I’m worried, Deputy. Someone wants to harm Miss Clarke.”

“Any thoughts on who?”

“Franklin Dean paid a call recently. To put it mildly, he forgot his manners.”

Morgan’s brow furrowed. “He owns the bank.”

As if that mattered, Josh thought. Evil men came in all shapes and sizes. Some had money. Others didn’t. “He also trespassed on Miss Clarke’s property. I saw it.” Josh left Pearl out of the conversation. He wanted to see Dean punished, but he didn’t have the right to tell her story.

The deputy wrinkled his brow. “Anyone could have vandalized the garden, but I could have a chat with Mr. Dean.”

“I don’t think that’s wise,” Josh answered. “If he’s pressured, he might do something even worse.”

“Personally, I don’t care for the man.” Morgan looked as if he’d gotten a whiff of bad meat. “Rumor has it Dean roughed up one of Miss Elsa’s girls. I’ll ask around town, quietly of course. Can you describe the man you saw?”

“Average height. Stocky build.” Josh thought of the chase down the street. “He’s fast on his feet.”

“Anything else?”

Josh had two missions today. He’d done his best for Adie. Now he could focus on Emily. “It’s unrelated, but I’m looking for my sister.” He described her and mentioned she had a baby. For the hundredth time, he wished he had the oval tintype.

“I can see why you went to Swan’s Nest,” Morgan said. “Miss Clarke’s new in town, but she’s got a reputation.”

“For what?”

“Helping women in trouble.” The deputy chuckled. “I’m surprised she gave you a room.”

“Why?”

“She chased Clint Hughes off with a shotgun. He had it coming, though. The drunken fool nearly busted down her door.”

Josh was glad he’d faced Mary’s pistol instead of Adie and two barrels of buckshot. He focused back on Emily. “If you see anyone resembling my sister, I’d like to know.”

“Sure.”

The men shook hands and Josh went back to the street. He climbed on his horse and rode to Fourteenth Street where he hoped to find a quality jewelry shop. Emily’s jewels were worth a fortune but only if someone had the money to buy them. If she’d come to Denver, she’d been wise. What with mining interests, the railroad, commerce and cattle, the city had men who’d want fancy jewels for their wives.

As Josh approached the corner of Broadway and Colfax Avenue, he saw the steeple of Colfax Avenue Church. On a whim, he turned and rode past the magnificent building. He wanted to go inside, but today the doors looked intimidating. Entering the church would send him back to Boston. He’d recall the crowds and the rapture of the choir. He’d also hear the ring of his own voice.

Josh was certain he’d been born to preach. He’d felt the call at a young age and had flourished under his grandfather’s mentoring. The question had never been
should
he preach, but where? Not in a church like this. Not anymore. Feeling bittersweet, he clicked to his horse and headed for a row of shops. He spotted a jewelry store and went inside. A balding man came out from behind a black curtain.

“Good morning,” he said in a German accent.

Josh glanced around the spartan room with a sinking heart.
He saw gold, silver and turquoise but nothing like Emily’s pearls or other pieces.

“I’m looking for fine jewels,” he said.

“A diamond, perhaps?”

“Possibly. May I see what you have?”

The man came out with a tray of rings on black velvet. Josh didn’t recognize a single one, but he felt the heartache shining in the stones. What made a woman sell a precious ring? Need and desperation…His heart pounded for Emily’s suffering.

“Thank you, sir.” Josh wrote his name on a card. “I’m staying at Swan’s Nest. If something new comes in, would you contact me?”

“My pleasure.”

Josh left the store and headed into the heart of Denver where he visited three pawnbrokers but saw nothing of interest. The next stop tore him up inside, but it had to be made. He walked into an establishment called Brick’s Saloon where a burly man was sweeping the floor. Judging by his size and red hair, he had to be Brick.

The man looked Josh up and down. “Kind of early for preaching, ain’t it, Reverend?”

“I’m not here to preach,” Josh said. “I’m looking for a woman.”

Brick kept sweeping.

“She’s got dark hair, the same as mine.”

As Josh had hoped, Brick looked him in the eye. “Why do you want her?”

“She’s my sister.”

The man set the broom against the wall, stepped behind the counter and poured Josh a glass of water. “Here.”

Josh took a sip and waited. He’d learned to let people tell their stories in their own time. The barkeep busied his hands by wiping the counter, but his mind seemed to be a hundred
miles away. When he’d wiped the last inch of the wood, he looked at Josh. “I have a sister, too.”

“What’s her name?”

“Jenny.”

“Is she in Denver?”

“Nope. Don’t know where she went.” The man looked as broken as Josh felt. “She ran off with a two-timing rat. My little sister—” The man cursed.

“I’m sorry.”

“Me, too.” Brick looked at Josh. “You gotta picture of your sister?”

“Not anymore.” Josh gave Emily’s description.

Brick kept wiping the counter. “Miss Elsa’s Social Club is on Walnut, just past Fifteenth Street. If your sister’s gone down that road, that’s the place to look.”

Josh headed for the door.

The barkeep called after him, “Come back again, Reverend. Coffee’s on the house.”

“I’ll do that,” Josh replied.

He felt at home with men like Brick. On a whim, he looked back and saw the barkeep neatly folding the towel. “Are you open on Sunday morning?” he asked.

“No, sir.”

“Mind if I hold a church service here?”

Brick scowled. “I don’t see why. There’s lots of churches in Denver.”

“And lots of people,” Josh added. “Not everyone’s comfortable in the same place.”

The barkeeper grunted. “I know how it is.”

Unfortunately, so did Josh. His Boston congregation had been well heeled and as proud as he’d been. Josh no longer saw “church” as four walls and twenty rows of mahogany pews. Now he held services anywhere, anytime.

Brick shrugged. “I guess there’s no harm.”

“Then spread the word,” he said. “I’ll be here on Sunday. The service starts at ten.”

Brick grinned. “I’ll do that.”

Josh left the saloon, climbed on his horse and headed to Walnut. His spirits sank as he neared a mansion built in the style of the South. White and proud, Miss Elsa’s Social Club had tall columns, long windows and a veranda where he saw four women sipping tea. He spoke from atop his horse. “Good morning, ladies.”

Another woman came through the door. Tall and slender, almost emaciated in Josh’s opinion, she wore a gold silk gown. In spite of her rouged cheeks and dyed hair, she looked several years older than the girls on the veranda.

“Good morning, Reverend. I’m Miss Elsa.”

He tipped his hat. “I’m Joshua Blue, out of Boston.”

“What can I do for you?”

The invitation in her voice was unmistakable. Before he left, Josh vowed to make an invitation of his own. “I’m looking for someone.”

The girls on the veranda stared with desperation, as if they were hoping he’d come for them. In a way, he had. Every time he reached out for Emily, he prayed for women in her predicament.

“My sister’s name is Emily,” he said to the girls. “Maybe you’ve seen her.” For the third time that day, he described her dark hair and eyes.

Miss Elsa’s expression revealed nothing. “I can’t help you, Reverend. We keep secrets here.”

She paused to let her meaning sink in. If Emily had been inside, the madam wouldn’t tell him. She’d also implied that she’d keep secrets for Josh. If Miss Elsa thought she could tempt him, she was flat-out wrong. He didn’t see pleasure
sitting on her porch. He saw four Mary Magdalenes in need of rescue. Josh focused on the girls. They ranged in age from young to bitter. He didn’t know which broke his heart more.

He looked each one in the eye, then said, “I’m starting a church. You’re all invited to Brick’s Saloon on Sunday at ten.”

Two of the women sneered. One stared at her toes. He looked at the fourth girl and saw hope.

He focused on the girl with the hopeful eyes. “I hope to see you there.”

After a nod to Miss Elsa, he turned his horse down the road and headed back to Swan’s Nest. He had a sermon to write. He also needed someone who could carry a tune. He’d sing if he had to, but it wasn’t pretty. As he neared Swan’s Nest, he thought about refreshments. He wouldn’t ask Caroline to bake cookies, but she’d probably think of it herself.

Would Adie come? He hoped so, but he didn’t think she would. Last night at supper, Caroline and Pearl had asked him to lead a Bible Study. Josh had agreed and they’d made plans for Thursday. Bessie liked the idea and even Mary said she’d attend. Adie hadn’t said a word. She’d made it clear that she didn’t think much of churches and the men who ran them. Josh wanted to know why. When the time was right, he’d ask.

A
lone in the kitchen with Stephen on her hip, Adie tapped her toe as she waited for his milk to warm. Laughter filtered down the hallway from the parlor where her boarders had gathered for Josh’s Bible study. He’d stepped outside and would be back any minute. Adie wanted to be upstairs before he came through the door.

As she tested the milk, Mary walked into the kitchen. “You’re not going to hide in your room, are you?”

“I’m not
hiding,
” Adie replied. “I’m going to feed Stephen and put him to bed.”

“Feed him downstairs.”

“He’ll make too much noise.”

“Nonsense!”

“No, it’s not,” Adie insisted.

Mary’s eyes twinkled. “You know what I think?”

“No, but you’re going to tell me.”

“I think you like the reverend…a lot.”

“Mary!”

“See?” The saloon girl sounded wise. “Women only avoid men they care about. It can be love, hate or fear. No one hates
Josh. He’s a gentleman. Even
I
like him. There’s no reason to fear him. That leaves—”

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

The back door opened in the middle of her protest. Smiling, Josh looked from Mary to Adie. “What’s ridiculous?”

Adie turned to the stove to hide the pink stain on her cheeks.

Mary nudged her elbow as if they’d been sharing a joke. “It’s girl talk, Reverend. I’m trying to get Adie to stay for the Bible study.”

Of all the confounded choices…If she said no, Mary would think she had feelings for Josh. If she said yes, she’d have to sit through a harangue with Stephen in her lap. Adie had heard enough scripture from Old Man Long to last a lifetime. At night the family would sit in a circle while he read. Sometimes he thundered just at her.

Adie couldn’t see Josh thundering at anyone. On the other hand, she could imagine Mary teasing her for days. She needed a way out.

She looked to Josh for an excuse. “What if Stephen cries?”

“So what?”

“Babies fuss. Back in Kansas—” Adie sealed her lips. She’d slipped, badly. Emily had been in Kansas.

Mentioning it had to rouse his curiosity, but he looked disinterested. “This isn’t Kansas.”

Without a bit of hesitation, he walked out of the kitchen, leaving her alone with Mary. Without an excuse, Adie shrugged. “I’ll go, but I warned you about Stephen.”

Mary’s eyes twinkled with mischief, but she kept silent.

Adie lifted the bottle from the pot of water and followed her to the parlor. She saw Caroline and Bessie on the divan and Pearl on a hard chair from the dining room. She preferred it for her back. Josh was sitting in the armchair. Mary gave Adie the rocker next to him and squeezed onto the divan.

When the women were settled, he opened his Bible. “Ladies, shall we pray?”

Adie thought of Old Man Long. She wished she hadn’t come, but she couldn’t leave now.

The women bowed their heads. Adie followed their lead, but her neck ached with old resentments. In the Long home, she’d worked from dawn to dusk. Once she’d fallen asleep during the Bible reading and Old Man Long had slapped her for showing disrespect. As Josh asked the Lord to open their hearts, Adie’s chest ached. She’d been eight when her father went to pan gold and never returned. She’d been twelve when her mother died and sixteen when Timothy Long had trapped her in the attic. Where was God on that miserable night?

“Amen.” Josh’s voice rang with a joy Adie didn’t feel. He looked at her, then scanned the other faces. “Before we start, I have an announcement. This Sunday at ten o’clock, I’m holding a church service.”

Pearl looked pleased. “Where?”

“At Brick’s Saloon.”

“A saloon!” said Caroline.

Mary raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong with that?”

“I’m just surprised,” Caroline answered.

So was Adie.

Bessie smiled. “It sounds like you’re putting down roots, Reverend.”

“No,” he said. “I’m just planting seeds. Someone else will tend them when I’m gone.” He scanned their faces, stopping when he reached Adie. “You’re all invited. In fact, I’m hoping for a little help.”

“What do you need?” Caroline asked.

“Cookies would be nice.”

“I’ll make macaroons.”

“Can anyone sing?” Josh asked.

Mary’s face lit up with interest, but just as quickly her smile sagged. “I used to.”

“Then you still can,” he said. “Any hymn would do.”

“Can I think about it?” she asked.

“Sure.”

He looked at Adie but said nothing. She hid her eyes by staring at Stephen’s nose.

Josh went back to business. “I thought we’d talk about a Psalm tonight. Any suggestions?”

Caroline, seated on Josh’s left, looked poised in a blue dress with a lace scarf draped around her neck. She’d washed her face and repinned her hair. Across from her, Adie felt like an out-of-place sparrow. Her brown dress had a spot on the bodice, and her hair had become untidy.

Caroline smiled demurely. “You pick, Reverend. I’m sure you have a favorite.”

“I do.”

Josh closed the Bible and recited words that Adie had never heard.

His voice went deep and low, slowing as the psalmist described his inability to hide himself from God, then soaring with the awareness of God’s infinite presence. He spoke about darkness and light being alike to God, how the writer had been fearfully and wonderfully made in his mother’s womb. How many times had Adie marveled at Stephen’s toes? She had no trouble believing in God, but she didn’t believe He loved His children like an earthly father. She’d lived through too much heartache.

Josh, though, spoke with power and compassion. Adie imagined him in a Boston cathedral and felt both awed and afraid. With the next verse, he focused on her.

Adie didn’t want anyone to know her thoughts. She feared being found by Maggie’s brother and dreaded losing Stephen. Still focused on her face, Josh’s eyes filled with compassion, as if he were confessing his own anxious thoughts, his own worries. His voice gentled to a plea.

Still holding her gaze, he whispered, “Amen.”

Adie didn’t want to hurt anyone, especially not Josh. Sometimes he reminded her so much of Maggie that her stomach knotted. Other times she felt certain that this good man couldn’t possibly be the ogre who’d driven Maggie from her home. The trunk held the answer, but she couldn’t bear the thought of opening it and losing her son.

Mary looked thoughtful. “Tell us, Reverend. Why is this Psalm your favorite?”

“It keeps me humble.”

Maggie’s brother didn’t know the meaning of the word. Feeling safer, Adie dared to look at his face.

His eyes glistened with the lamplight. “Back in Boston, I was an arrogant know-it-all. Deep down, I’m still that man.”

“No, you’re not!” Caroline insisted.

When Josh gave her a firm look, Adie felt oddly pleased.

“No, Caroline,” he said gently. “I
am
that man. Left to
myself, I’m as prideful as ever. This Psalm reminds me that God knows me inside and out. He’s with me, even when I stumble. He’s with each of you.”

Bessie looked wise and Mary seemed hopeful. Pearl was rubbing her belly as if to caress the baby, and Caroline had a worshipful expression Adie found irritating. As for herself, she didn’t believe a word Josh had said. Where was God when her mother died in the middle of the night? Adie had been alone at her bedside. She’d tried to dig the grave herself, but the task had been too great. She’d gone to Reverend Honeycutt for help and her life had turned wretched. And what about Maggie? She’d endured a hard labor and then died for her effort. Adie looked down at Stephen. She hadn’t been paying attention and he’d chugged half his bottle. He needed to be burped, so she raised him to her shoulder.

Josh watched the baby with stark longing. “God loves my sister, too.”

Adie wondered.

“Have you heard anything?” Bessie asked.

“No, but I’ve been asking around town.” He told them about his trip to the saloon and vaguely mentioned Miss Elsa’s Social Club. “At least I know where she’s
not.
”

“That’s a help,” Mary said.

Caroline looked concerned. “Did she have money when she left?”

“Her jewelry.”

Adie’s hand froze on Stephen’s back.

“Did you check the pawnbrokers?” Mary asked. “That’s what I do. I’d sell it and start over.”

“I hope she did,” Josh answered. “I left word around town that I’m looking for certain items.”

“Like what?” Caroline said.

Before Josh could answer, Stephen let out an angry cry. As
Adie shifted him to her other shoulder, he lost the contents of his tummy. Sour milk dripped down the front of her dress.

“Ick,” said Mary.

Pearl turned green.

Bessie headed for the kitchen. “I’ll get a towel.”

Caroline stood to help her, but Josh stepped in front of her. “I’ll hold him. You go change.”

Before Adie could protest, he lifted the stinky, crying baby into his arms and held him as if he’d been given a precious gift. Still in the chair, Adie looked up at Josh, watching as he focused on Stephen and crooned. Would he see Maggie’s nose? Her heart-shaped face? Breathless, she waited for a glimmer of recognition. Instead she saw the most generous kind of love. There was Stephen, reeking of spit-up, kicking and crying. Yet in Josh’s eyes she saw nothing but joy. Compassion, too. The man knew about stomach trouble. Standing tall, he swayed with the baby in his arms, making silly talk until Stephen quieted.

He looked down at Adie. “He’s beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

“He has your eyes.”

Icy tingles ripped down her spine, leaving her numb with fear. Her boarders knew she’d adopted Stephen. Once, during a thunderstorm, they’d each shared a secret. Stephen’s adoption had been hers. She’d never described Maggie or told her friend’s story, but they knew Stephen’s eyes would never match hers.

Mary and Pearl didn’t react, but Caroline stared at her.

“Go change,” Josh repeated. “We’ll wait for you.”

Adie wanted to grab her son and run. Instead she calmly walked to her room, where moonlight poured through the window. When she reached the trunk, she fell to her knees and wept. “Help me, Maggie. I don’t know what to do.”

She’d spoken to her friend’s memory, but Adie felt the presence of the God in Josh’s Psalm. He could see her now, on her knees and torn to pieces. Adie didn’t feel fearfully and wonderfully made. She felt wicked and deceitful for what she’d done.

She touched the lock with her fingertips, pressing until the brass felt warm. If she stood, she could fetch the key from the drawer. With a turn of her wrist, she could be free of her guilt. She’d show Josh the picture, he’d shake his head no and her worries would end. But the risk…If Maggie Butler and Emily Blue were the same woman, Josh would take his nephew home to Boston. Adie would lose her son. She’d purchased Swan’s Nest with Maggie’s money. He’d have the right to take her home. Where would Pearl go? What would happen to her friends? To her?

Her fingers slid away from the lock. The risk was too great. Determined to compose herself, she stumbled to her feet and put on fresh clothes, dawdling with the hope that Josh would give up and go to his room. She’d heard enough Bible reading for tonight…enough for the rest of her life. After several minutes, she went downstairs to fetch Stephen.

“Adie’s taking her sweet time,” Caroline said irritably.

Josh barely heard her. He was holding Stephen and couldn’t take his eyes off the boy’s face. In Boston, he’d christened babies in front of huge crowds. He’d enjoyed the moment, but his heart hadn’t stirred the way it did for Adie’s son.

Earlier Bessie had cleaned the child up. She’d wiped his face with a damp rag, then changed him into a baby gown she’d fetched from the laundry room. She’d offered to hold him, but Josh had said no. He hadn’t felt this peaceful in months, maybe never. He thought of Adie alone in her room. The Psalm had touched her, he felt sure of it. He hoped it
touched everyone. Of the five women at Swan’s Nest, Bessie had the calmest disposition, but she also had an air of sorrow. Pearl was the most anxious. Caroline desperately needed someone to love and Mary needed someone to fight. That left Adie. What did
she
need?

A husband.

A friend.

Someone who’d protect her from Franklin Dean and pay the mortgage, a man who’d teach Stephen to fish and to read, to respect all men and fight for the people he’d come to love. Not once in Josh’s life had he wanted to be a father, but he did now. Looking at Adie’s son, he felt a connection that defied logic. The feeling stretched to Adie, too.