Molly Noble Bull (22 page)

She noted his serious, unyielding gaze. Did he know that she’d stolen money from this church? Had he always known?

“Guess you’re wondering what I’m doing here,” he said.

“That question crossed my mind.”

“Why don’t we sit down?” He gestured toward one of the pews. “This could take time.”

“I have something I need to do first.”

Honor went to the collection plate, opened her purse and placed all the money on top of her letter.
Merry Christmas, Lord.
A good feeling swept over her. Honor turned. As she started back up the center aisle, Jeth seated himself.

“I prayed you would give the money to the Lord,” he said. “I’m so proud of you.”

Honor stood in the aisle next to Jeth’s pew, resting her hand on the carved arm of the wooden bench. For a long time, she’d thought Jeth had seen her take the money. Now she had to know for sure.

“You were the man standing in the foyer the morning of the first stage robbery, weren’t you, Jeth?”

“Yes.”

“And you’ve known I stole from this church all along, haven’t you?”

He nodded.

“Then why didn’t you tell me sooner? Why did you leave me dangling all this time? I kept wondering what you would do when you found out.”

“I was waiting for you to tell me about it, and now you have.”

“So, what will you do now?” she asked.

“You may recall that I have a question to ask you.” He smiled. “The question I was about to ask you before
Mrs. Grant rushed in the kitchen and told us about the stage robbery.”

“What question is left to ask?”

He moved over, making room for her beside him. “First, will you please sit down?”

Honor did as he requested.

“Now,” he went on. “I want to explain why I was late getting back to the boardinghouse after the stage robbery. Remember? I’d promised to go back and help you care for your uncle.”

“Why didn’t you?”

He told her about becoming a deputy, catching the robbers, worrying that he might have been the one who shot the wounded outlaw. Everything else that had happened after he left the boardinghouse tumbled out as well.

“I questioned whether or not I should continue as a pastor. But I’ve prayed a lot since then.” He gazed down at his hands, folded loosely between his knees. “I think the Lord has given me some answers.”

“What answers?”

Turning toward her, he put his arm on the back of the pew. “I’m to continue as a pastor.”

“That’s no surprise.”

His arm curled around her. In his embrace, she felt safe and loved for the first time in ages. But it couldn’t last. Why didn’t Jeth know that?

“I’ve also done some thinking,” he added. “And I want you to tell me about your uncle.” He gently pressed his hand on her upper arm. “Will you please do that now?”

Honor’s lips turned down. Tears gathered. She cleared her throat. “If I hadn’t left when I did, he would have forced me to marry him. Or worse.”

“Oh, my sweet darling.” He kissed her eyes, her cheeks, her forehead.

He still held her close, and she thought she could hear his beating heart. She knew she felt hers.

“I love you, Honor. And I want you to be my wife.”

A rush of joy filled her heart. But it was soon drowned beneath a flood of guilt and despair.

She could never be Jeth’s wife. He was a minister of the Lord, an upright man, and she was a common thief. Why, she was no better than the gang of outlaws whom Jeth had brought to justice.

Honor had loved Jeth almost from the moment they met, and she had secretly hoped he felt the same way. Yet, even after she had revealed everything, she felt unworthy of his love.

“I have to get out of here.” She broke free of his embrace and raced outside, into the cold night.

“Honor, wait!”

Everything that had happened since the day of her aunt’s burial flashed before her. Even as she ran blindly through the darkness, she knew Jeth was right behind her.

His arms circled her. She felt his breath on the back of her neck.

“I’m not worthy to be a pastor’s wife!”

“I’m not worthy to be a pastor. Nobody is. I’m not worthy to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but the Lord called me to do it.”

“It’s not the same.”

“Yes, it is.” His soft breath tickled her ear. “A person’s sins can be forgiven, Honor, every single one of them. But only if that person truly repents and believes in the Lord.

“Jesus paid for your sins on the cross, and He paid for mine. Believe it. In fact, Jesus paid for the sins of everybody who truly turns to Him.” Jeth turned her body around, forcing her to face him. “Honor, I’m asking you to be my wife.”

“I…I can’t.”

“Yes, you can.”

His mouth found hers. Her pulse quickened, and her heart hammered inside her chest. A wonderful joy and sense of fulfillment swept over her.

She responded willingly, openly, lovingly. Even if he decided to walk away, she would have this moment to remember and cherish forever.

At last, he pulled his mouth from hers. “You said you wouldn’t marry me,” he said tenderly. “But your lips say that you will. Who am I to believe?”

Honor couldn’t come up with an answer because she couldn’t speak. Instead, she reached up on tiptoes and kissed him again.

He grinned. “I like the way you answer questions. And I take it that your answer is yes. Am I right?”

“Yes,” she said breathlessly. “Yes, yes. yes.”

Down the street, the church bells rang out seven times.

“If that’s not a confirmation of our decision, I don’t know what is,” Jeth said.

Riding double, Jeth and Honor went back to Hearten, arriving before daylight on Christmas morning. In the darkened parlor of the boardinghouse, Jeth lit candles and started a fire in the hearth. Honor saw gifts under the tree.

He picked up a small wrapped package and handed it to her. “This is for you.”

“Me?” Honor touched the soft material of a bow with a pink, silk rose in the center. “How beautiful.”

“It’s the Rose of Sharon.”

“What a lovely thought.” She studied the flower for a moment longer, then she turned back to Jeth. “I have a present for you, too.” She handed him a package. “Please, open mine first. It’s not much, but a lot of love went into making it.”

Jeth sat down on the rag rug, pulled back the green bow, and ripped open his gift. Honor knelt beside him. In the glow of candlelight, Jeth’s eyes shimmered with happiness. Lifting the blue socks from the box, he studied them closely.

“Thank you, Honor. You couldn’t have given me anything I wanted or needed more.”

Honor sat back on her heels and smiled. She knew she should open her gift slowly, carefully and soberly, the way her aunt had taught her. She took the pink rose and tucked the stem in the buttonhole of her brown coat. Then she tore into the tiny package with the same gusto that Jeth had shown, leaving white paper and pink ribbons in a pile on the floor.

An even smaller box waited inside the first one. She opened the lid, and a pearl ring stared back at her. The gold
setting had been fashioned with gold filigree. The one pearl was large and white, gleaming against the red velvet lining of the box.

“Oh, how beautiful!”

“It’s an engagement ring. And I bought it weeks ago.”

“Weeks ago? Why didn’t you tell me what you were feeling? I thought you liked Lucy Jordan.”

“I do like Lucy Jordan, but I’m in love with you.”

He leaned over and kissed her again. Gladness, as sparkling and glowing as a hundred flickering candles, filled her heart.

Her pearl necklace was hidden inside her clothes for safekeeping. She reached inside her collar and pulled out the pearls for Jeth to see. Lifting her pearl engagement ring to her throat, she placed the ring next to the necklace.

“See? They are a perfect match.”

“Just like we are,” he said.

“Yes, just like we are.” Honor offered him her hand. “Put my ring on my finger for me, please.”

“With pleasure.”

In spite of the joy she felt, she still hadn’t forgiven Lucas. As a Christian, she needed to. It wouldn’t be easy, but if Jeth could take her into his home and heart, knowing what she’d done, could she do any less for Lucas?

Now she had another gift to give Jesus. “I’ve decided to forgive Lucas. It’s time. As soon as it’s light, I’ll go and tell him, face-to-face.”

Honor rose from the floor, walked to the east window and looked out. Beyond the hills, the sun was emerging over the horizon, bathing the entire valley in a golden
glow. Jeth came up beside her and put his arm around her. Filled with contentment, Honor watched a glorious sunrise, safe in Jeth’s warm embrace.

Later he gave her a tender squeeze. “I guess we should go on in and see our uncle now.”

She nodded. “Yes.”

Hand and hand, Honor and Jeth walked through the arched doorway and into the entry hall.

Forgive Lucas, Lord,
she prayed silently.
He knew not what he did.

Tears stung the edges of her eyes. For the first time since she’d arrived in Hearten, Honor thought she knew the Lord and His blessings in a personal way.

In one of his Sunday night sermons Jeth had said that a long time ago, Christians greeted each other by saying “Jesus is Lord.” And others replied by saying, “He is Lord, indeed.” Jeth had also said that only true believers called Jesus “Lord.” She’d never understood the sermon’s meaning—until now. Jeth had also preached that it was wrong to keep one’s faith hidden from the world, that Christians should wear their faith proudly for everyone to see.

Now Honor turned to Jeth and smiled. “Jesus is Lord.”

He nodded. “He is Lord, indeed.”

Their gazes met, and she saw tears in his eyes. In that glorious moment, she finally knew what it meant to be loved.

Jeth’s mother stood just outside Lucas’s room, arm-in-arm with Dr. Harris.

“Merry Christmas,” Mrs. Peters and the doctor whispered together.

“Merry Christmas to you.”

“Did Mrs. Miller have her baby?” Honor asked the doctor.

“Yes, she had a boy. A big one, too, almost eight pounds. And mother and child are both doing well.”

“What a blessing.” Honor gazed at Regina Peters and motioned toward her uncle’s bed. “How is he?”

Jeth’s mother glanced up at the doctor and smiled as if she expected him to answer.

“He’s doing amazingly well,” Dr. Harris said. “I didn’t give Regina’s brother much of a chance when I first examined him, but he is already on the road to recovery.”

“May I see him?” Honor asked. “There’s something I must tell him.”

Regina frowned. “He’s sleeping right now.”

“I won’t wake him. I promise. But I must see him at once. It’s important.”

“Very well, then.” She nodded. “Go on in. But don’t stay too long.”

Honor tiptoed to the foot of his bed. Looking down at the man who had hurt her for so long, she confronted the painful memories, every mean and hurtful thing he’d ever said to her, every beating, every insulting look. A deep sadness swept over her. Quivering, she had an urgent desire to turn and run, but she stayed and told herself: I will not give in to fear. Not now. Not ever again.

Wrenching all negative thoughts from her mind in the name of Jesus, she straightened her back. Once she’d thought Lucas was a monster, but he said he’d changed. In peaceful sleep, he didn’t look like a monster.

All at once, she remembered something else that Jeth had said. Forgiveness didn’t depend on what others did. Whether our enemies changed or whether they didn’t wasn’t important: “The Lord expects us to forgive others regardless.”

“Lucas,” Honor whispered.

He snored and turned his face away.

Honor stepped around the bed to look directly into his face. “Lucas, I forgive you for everything you’ve ever done to me. And when you wake up, I promise to say this again and loud enough for you to hear me.”

Hate and resentment poured out of her. She
knew
she felt free, at last.

She watched Lucas for a moment longer. Then she glanced toward the ceiling as if heaven was only a few feet above her.

With forgiveness in her heart, Honor stepped joyfully from the room—and into Jeth’s waiting arms, knowing that she loved Jeth and would walk with the Lord forever as a member of the family of God.

O
n her wedding day, Honor had gotten up early. She had helped Regina and Belinda prepare breakfast for the guests at the boardinghouse and then she had made final arrangements for the reception after the triple ceremonies. She didn’t know what had become of Jeth, Dr. Harris and Lucas. Apparently, they had left the boardinghouse on the previous night and hadn’t returned.

A washtub filled with cold water waited for Honor in her bedroom. At last, she carried a teakettle of hot water up the stairs to warm her bath. Then she would dress.

Her white, lace wedding gown, of the latest fashion, hung on a special hanger. Her lace veil had been draped across the back of the chair, and her white, satin shoes, her white stockings and her undergarments were spread out on her bed. She’d sprinkled rosewater on everything she would be wearing that day and also planned to dab a little more behind her ears before leaving for the church.

Honor poured hot water into the tub and put another log
in the woodstove. It wouldn’t make the water as warm as she would have liked, but she didn’t have time to go downstairs and heat up the kettle again.

She removed her blue, wool work dress and everything underneath it, and stepped into the water. Shivering, she sat down. This would be a short bath.

As she rubbed lye soap on the white cloth, she thought about all that would happen that morning. Blushing, she also wondered what might happen in the bedroom that night with Jeth. Regina and Belinda had told her a few things, but not much.

Three weddings in one day. It seemed impossible. Yet that was exactly what was going to take place.

A knock sounded at her door.

“Are you ready yet?” Regina asked from the hallway.

“No, not yet.”

“You better hurry. We wouldn’t want to be late for our own weddings.”

Jeth and his uncle had spent the night in the spare bedrooms at the two-story house owned by Dr. Harris. It wouldn’t do for the grooms to see their brides before the ceremonies.

Besides, practically everybody in the town of Hearten, the Klines, the Carrs, Margaret and Dan Starling, and their families had arrived to attend the weddings. Even John Crammer and his wife had ridden over from Falling Rock to be at the big event.

Later, Mrs. Baker from the general store and her friend, Miss Bennett, would serve the big, three-layer, white wed
ding cake. Lucy Jordan would serve the coffee and punch, and Mrs. Clark and her sister, Mrs. Davis, would sit with Lucy’s mother and keep her company during the wedding reception after the ceremonies. Elmer and Belinda Grant planned to deliver Honor, Jeth’s mother and Ruby Jones to the church in the buggy.

In a navy-blue wool suit and royal-blue tie, Jeth rode his horse down the icy road. The country air felt cool and nippy on his skin, and a thin layer of snow covered the ground. The mountains that edged Hearten wore their whitest and tallest hats that morning, perhaps to celebrate this special day.

Jeth had expected to be the first to arrive at the church, but Timmy Rivers, Willie Sharp and the two Baker boys waited for him on the front steps.

“My,” Jeth said with a grin, “the ‘fun night boys’ are up early. Are you ready to help ring the church bell this morning?”

“Yes, sir,” the boys said in unison.

“You wouldn’t happen to have none of that candy, would you?” Willie glanced at George Baker. “The kind what they sell over at his papa’s store.”

Jeth laughed. “I left candy I bought at Baker’s in a sack in the bell closet. You boys can have it when you’ve finished your bell-ringing job.”

“Thank ya kindly, sir.” Willie smiled broadly. “We’re much obliged to ya.”

“We sure are, sir,” Timmy said. “Can we ring the bell now?”

“Not yet. I’ll let you know when it’s time.” Jeth started to walk inside the church building.

“Where do you want us to wait, Reverend?” Timmy asked.

Jeth stopped and looked back. “You might be in the way if you wait in the foyer. Why don’t you all wait outside the door of the bell closet? But keep watching so you’ll hear when I tell you to ring the bell.”

“Yes, sir.” Timmy gave a military salute.

The other boys mimicked him.

Jeth returned their salutes. “All right, then. I’ll see you soldiers later.”

The boys marched down the hall to the bell closet.

Jeth went into the sanctuary of the church. He’d only taken a few steps when he remembered that he’d left the Bible he planned to use during the service back at his office. Turning, he backtracked. He was about to go inside when four young boys stepped forward.

“Is it time?” Timmy asked excitedly.

“Not yet, but soon. I’ll let you know.”

Jeth had almost reached the pastor’s chair to the right of the pulpit when he remembered that he’d also left his notes for the ceremonies on his desk. Where was his mind today? He was more of a forgetful groom-to-be than some of the young men in his congregation had been on the days of their weddings!

He retraced his steps and hadn’t even reached the door to his office when the boys bumped into each other and surrounded him.

“Now, Preacher?” Timmy asked.

“No, but it won’t be much longer.”

They looked disappointed.

Jeth got his notes and stood in the center of his office for a moment, thinking. He didn’t want to come back a third time.

Honor, in her white wedding dress, held a bouquet of pink silk roses and paraded down the aisle in front of Regina and Ruby. She would first serve as a bridesmaid in the double wedding that Jeth was about to perform, joining Regina and the doctor, and Ruby and Lucas in marriage.

At first, she’d thought she would resent Ruby for stealing Harriet’s husband. Certainly, Lucas and Ruby had been wrong to betray Harriet and the Lord by sinning in that way. Nevertheless, to Honor’s surprise, she liked Ruby instantly, and she knew they were going to become good friends.

A groom wasn’t supposed to see his bride before the wedding. Yet, as soon as she reached the front of the church, Honor felt Jeth’s eyes on her above the white book he held. At last, he looked down at the book and began reading.

Jeth smiled at the two couples standing before him. “We are gathered here today to…”

Honor thought Jeth looked dashing in his new, navy-blue suit and hardly heard the rest of what he had to say. Ruby wore a light pink gown, and Regina wore a lovely silk dress in a darker shade of pink. Both brides carried bouquets of white silk flowers. Dr. Harris and Lucas also wore dark blue suits and looked almost as handsome as Jeth.

The double wedding ceremony ended, and the two couples moved to one side. Regina took Honor’s pink bouquet
of roses from her and handed her a bouquet of white silk roses that smelled like rosewater. Jeth stepped down from the podium, and his former father-in-law, Reverend Fields from Falling Rock, replaced Jeth at the pulpit.

“We are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony,” Reverend Fields finally said. “If anyone has just cause why these two should not be joined together, let him speak now or forever hold his piece.”

When no one spoke, Honor smiled. How could anyone object when God had so obviously placed them together?

The town of Hearten knew who Honor was now—and who she’d been. Yet they had accepted her with open arms and showered her with kindness. She would work to be the best pastor’s wife it was possible to be and the perfect mate for her husband.

Jeth took Honor’s hand and squeezed. Then the minister began speaking once more. Again, Honor was too excited and filled with joy to hear much.

At last, she said, “I do.”

And when the pastor asked Jeth if he would take Honor Rose McCall to be his lawful wedded wife, he also said, “I do.”

Thank you, Lord,
she prayed,
for giving me Jeth as a husband—for as long as we both shall live.

Suddenly, they were man and wife and running together down the center aisle of the church, followed by Ruby and Lucas, and Regina and the doctor. When Honor stepped onto the wooden floor of the foyer, she heard shuffling feet and children laughing. She glanced toward the sounds.

“Now, Preacher?” Timmy asked, peeking around the corner leading to the hall.

“Yes.” Jeth laughed. “Now!”

The bell in the tower above their heads pealed loudly. For an instant, Honor remembered the day that she’d hidden in the church in Falling Rock and heard a bell ringing above her. Then those thoughts vanished, and joy filled her heart.

Timmy and the others were continuing to pull the rope. The bell clanged thunderously, again and again. Honor held her ears and counted the bongs. She glanced through the open doorway of the church and saw a cold mixture of rain and snow floating from the sky.

Jeth grabbed her hand. “Hurry! This sprinkle could become a downpour.”

They raced to the black buggy. All around them, the others were rushing to their carriages, too.

Jeth frowned as he helped Honor up onto the wooden bench. “I told those boys to stop after seven pulls. But they’re still ringing.”

Gazing down at Jeth, Honor smiled. “I don’t mind. Really. I love the sound of bells now, because from this day forward, church bells will always remind me of you, Jeth—the man I love.”

His smile held a world of love and joy as he climbed in beside her. “I love you, too, Honor Rose Peters.”

His tender kiss only proved what Honor already knew: The Rose of Sharon had finally come home.