Bonnie lifted her shoulders and swept her fingertips across the Bible, a milestone, for she hadn’t been able to complete that small gesture of respect since before Ben died. Her other hand grasped the wine bottle, and she set it by the chamber pot.
I’ll drink tea to help me sleep. I’ll listen in church this week, and I’ll try very hard to take Mama’s advice. She nodded to punctuate her thoughts. The reverend planned to retire soon. Perhaps she’d garner the strength to ask for advice before he did so.
With more determination than she’d felt in months, Bonnie dressed and descended the stairs to begin her duties for the day. She heard Juanita humming a Spanish tune in the kitchen and smelled the nutty aroma of coffee.
“Buenos dias, Miss Bonnie.” Juanita clasped her small hands together and smiled broadly. “Another beautiful day, I think. Sí?” She poured Bonnie coffee and added a brilliant smile.
“Thank you.” Bonnie wrapped her fingers around the cup. She envied Juanita’s iridescence—always happy, beautiful, passionate about her faith. “I think the day is as beautiful as you and I choose.”
“Then we choose the best.”
Forcing a smile, Bonnie told herself that soon she’d not force joy. It would return. Life was about to change. It had to. A rap on the door indicated Thomas had arrived to discuss ranch business, and today Bonnie planned to listen.
*****
Travis Whitworth didn’t believe in luck or coincidence, but he did believe in a nudging of the Spirit. And right this very minute, he felt a wagonload of apprehension. Standing at the Kahlerville train station with bag in hand, he glanced around for someone to direct him to the parsonage. There he’d meet the retiring Reverend John Rainer and begin to learn his duties as the new preacher. Excitement should have taken over his senses, but instead, he questioned his calling. Had he misunderstood God’s direction? Or did the quivering in his bones come from what had happened at his last church?
Nonsense. No one here knew his past, and he doubted if anyone would. Even his own mother wouldn’t recognize him. Maybe the wild hair, baggy clothes, and spectacles weren’t necessary. But looking pleasing to women had disrupted his ministry before, and he intended for it never to happen again. The train slowly chugged away while smoke curled up and disappeared, reminding him of how God had forgiven him. The matter had been settled. Here he’d make a difference in God’s kingdom.
Travis made his way down the street, noting the warm weather that felt more like summer back home in Tennessee. He’d miss the hills and the change of seasons. Right now the leaves painted the hills in scarlet, gold, and orange. Geese migrated south, and a touch of cool air paved the way for winter. More than home, he’d miss his family, but they were glad he’d left. Sadness settled on him, and he shook his head. God had given him a second chance.
An older couple made their way toward him. “Excuse me. Can you direct me to the parsonage?”
The man nodded while the woman patted his arm.
“Turn around and head down the street. Go past the train station and around the bend. It’ll be on your left beside the church. The schoolhouse is across the road.”
“Are you the new preacher?” The woman bent over slightly, but her voice sounded strong.
“Yes, ma’am. My name is Travis Whitworth.”
The matchstick thin man reached out to shake his hand. “Eli and Nellie Parker.”
“It’s a pleasure. You have a pretty town.”
“Hmm.” The woman studied him, then frowned. “No man alive can take Reverend Rainer’s place.”
Travis expected this, especially since the man had been at Piney Woods Church for forty years. “I don’t intend to take his place, ma’am. I only want to shepherd the church with God’s help. I pray you’ll have patience with me until I learn more about the congregation.”
“Where’s your wife?” the woman said, the wrinkles in her face intensifying.
“I don’t have one.”
“Who’ll lead the women and make sure the poor and needy folks are taken care of? I don’t understand how you can do your job without a wife to help you.”
Travis hadn’t anticipated the firing of questions so soon. “I believe this gives the women an opportunity to serve the church and community. But I promise I’ll do my best.” He tipped his hat to the couple. “Good day, Mr. and Mrs. Parker. Thank you for the directions.”
He turned toward the road and saw where it curved and