Brides of Idaho (6 page)

Besides, who wanted to dress frilly and silly? Pretend to be weak and helpless so a man could run to her rescue? Not Glory Hamilton, that’s for sure. She needed no man to rescue her or take care of her.

Somewhere in the back of her mind she remembered how Ma had tried to maintain a real home wherever they went. Joanna had taken over after Ma’s death and did a fine job of being a mother. If she and Toby didn’t get home and attend to their share of the chores mighty quick, Glory would be reminded in a very firm way that Joanna could reduce her to feeling like a child. “Hurry up, Toby. We’re late.”

He sucked in air. It seemed to clear his head or perhaps made him burn off some of the alcohol.

They reached the stopping house. Because they were late, Glory helped Toby carry in firewood. She intended to fill the box and get back outdoors before her sister could comment, but Joanna stopped her before she made her escape. “Glory, I need your help to run this place. But you know that.”

“I’m sorry. I got busy with the horses.”

Joanna sighed. “I figured as much, but it’s a lot of work cleaning the place and cooking for a crew.”

Glory nodded. “I’m sorry. I’ll not do it again.” She really didn’t mean to leave Joanna with her share of the work, and she regretted she had. Life could be so complicated, and all because she’d taken time to do what she enjoyed most.

She grabbed up the ash bucket and dashed back outside. Joanna had set a sack of potatoes outside with knives and a big pot. Glory sat down on a rough stool, Toby at her side, and they quickly began to peel the potatoes.

“I saw you talking to Powers last night. You learn anything about the Rawhide Preacher?”

“Rawhide Kid,” he corrected then paused and chortled, his foggy brain connecting his thoughts. “Oh, I get it. You mean because… Rawhide Preacher. I like it.”

Glory guided his brain back to her question. “Did you learn anything?”

“He said he worked in a few towns as a preacher.” He named them.

Glory had never heard of them, but that didn’t mean anything. Towns sprang up in a matter of days where there had once been nothing but grass and trees. And she had no way of keeping up. Never had time to read a newspaper. And even if she had, the ones they got were old news.

Toby stopped peeling to explore his thoughts. “Course he could be lying. I’ve met many a good liar in my time.”

“Me, too. Doesn’t pay to believe everything a person says.”

“Ain’t that a fact?”

“What makes him think he can boss people around when you can’t even trust what he says?” She whacked off a slice of potato and then, feeling guilty at the waste, popped it into her mouth.

“Uh-huh.” Toby looked uncertain, as if not knowing what he had agreed to. “Course he did pray with some folk. Said grace real nice, too.” Toby nodded vigorously. “And I heard him reading the Bible to some man.”

Glory stifled an urge to roll her eyes. Toby made no sense, but then what did she expect from someone she’d dragged from the saloon less than an hour ago?

But her own thoughts echoed Toby’s arguments. She’d watched him care for Mr. Phelps, seen him washing out soiled laundry, spied on him taking things to Widow Kish. Glory had secreted away a few things each week for the woman, but it wasn’t enough. Maybe with Powers helping, the woman would do better. Nice to know she had an ally in helping the widow. “Well, shoot!” She threw the peeled potato into the pot so hard she splashed Toby.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing.” How could she explain that one minute she tried to believe Powers was a fraud and the next rejoiced he was a saint? Her mind must be affected by hanging upside down as she practiced her trick riding. But her horses were the safest company she could find right now, and she’d be spending a lot more time there and a lot less around town.

Except she needed to help Joanna. When did life get so complicated?

When the Rawhide Preacher rode into town. That’s when. What would it take to get him to ride back out?

L
evi would have thought it impossible for Glory to avoid him, but she’d certainly done her best. Although they shared the same table, so did twenty others, making it out of the question to have a private conversation with her.

He wasn’t sure what he’d say if he had the chance. He thought of apologizing for suggesting she was disappointed with life. Except he was almost certain it was the truth. The outward signs might be different from Matt’s—though not all that different—but he suspected they both felt the same way. Glory’s mother had died. Her father left them to fend on their own. It was almost as bad as losing both parents. Perhaps even worse.

He’d watched for an opportunity to speak to her, prayed for one, knowing without a shadow of doubt she was one reason he was in Bonners Ferry. He’d even hung about the farrier shop waiting for a chance, but she dragged young Toby with her. He liked to think it was to keep Toby out of the saloon, but deep down he suspected it was to make sure she wasn’t alone with Levi.

In a way, he didn’t mind. Toby was welcoming enough, and he liked the younger man. Right now they played a game of checkers, which seemed to be one of Toby’s favorite pastimes.

Levi’s gaze wandered back and forth to the open door, which gave him a good view of the little pen and Glory trimming hooves on the two horses brought to her.

“Now do a good job,” the impatient man ordered. “I’m off to the gold fields and can’t afford a lame horse.”

Glory didn’t even glance up from her task. “Most foot problems can be prevented. You might try cleaning their hooves at night. They deserve that much after toting you around all day.”

Levi held a bubble of amusement in his chest. Trust Glory to tell a man exactly what she thought.

Toby jumped Levi’s kings. “I won.”

Levi brought his attention back to the game. “So you did. You’re pretty sharp for a young fella.”

The boy bristled. “I’m not that young.”

“Didn’t mean to suggest you were.”

Glory finished the horses and pocketed the money she’d earned. She let the man and his animals out the gate and then turned and began grooming her palomino.

Levi could see her lips moving but couldn’t hear what she said to the horse. No doubt secrets she didn’t share with others. He leaned toward the door, hoping to discover what they were.

“How old are you?” Toby asked.

Holding back his frustration, knowing Toby deserved his full attention, he answered. “Twenty-six. How about you?”

“I’m eighteen.” He hung his head and mumbled. “Almost.”

“I expect your folks are worried about you.”

Toby bristled. “I can take care of myself.”

“Don’t stop your parents from wondering if you’re okay. That’s what folks do when they care about each other.”

Glory suddenly stood in the doorway. “I suppose you know all about it? Folks caring and all.”

He hadn’t noticed her approach and startled, faced her. Their gazes met and held. And he saw one of her secrets. Though he already knew it. She had been disappointed by events in her life—likely her pa’s regular disappearance and her mother’s death. “My folks died when I was thirteen. My brother and I went to live with my grandparents. They cared for us in their own way.” Trouble was, Matt didn’t accept their way.

“What’s that mean, ‘their own way’?”

“They were strict but only because they feared we might get into trouble if we were allowed to follow our own inclination.” They proved to be correct.

“So you think everyone should obey rules.”

He hadn’t meant for her to apply his words in such a fashion. “I only meant they showed their caring that way. The only way they knew how.”

Her eyes blared like the sun had peeked around the corner and pooled in her irises. “Seems to me a man who calls himself a preacher would know love has certain requirements laid out in the scriptures. Perhaps you recall First Corinthians chapter thirteen, where it describes love as charity. Says it is long-suffering, kind, and never fails.” Her words came fast and furious.

“Strange you pick those virtues when it also says charity vaunteth not itself, rejoiceth in the truth, and hopes all things.” Stranger still she knew the passage. Yet perhaps not. Joanna made certain grace was offered at each meal, so the girls had been exposed to godly teaching at some point in their lives.

She tried to stare him down, but he wasn’t backing up, physically or mentally. When she realized he wouldn’t budge, she made a noise of exasperation, grabbed the saddle and saddle blanket, and stomped outside. A few minutes later she rode down the trail at a gallop.

“She shouldn’t ride so fast through town,” Toby observed quietly. “Joanna is always telling her. But Glory doesn’t listen.”

No, Glory doesn’t listen.
That about summed it up.

Sunday dawned clear and promising.
Thank You, Lord, for a nice day.

One thing Levi had no control over was the weather, and meeting outdoors required good weather. He’d scoured the town looking for a suitable building to rent and had come up empty. All the buildings were in use.

He’d posted notices about town that he would hold services on the hillside south of the ferry. He’d announced it again at the supper table. Still he wondered how many would show up. Would Glory?

He took extra time with his grooming, aware of young Toby watching him.

“You really gonna have church outside?”

“Yup. Jesus held open-air services, you know.” Levi finished his shave and wiped his face on the towel. As he finished and hung the towel, he caught a glimpse of Glory as she passed the open dining room door. “Are you coming?” He directed the question to Toby but hoped Glory heard it as well.

“Guess so. Glory says it might do me some good.” The younger man hung his head and scuffled his feet. “She says maybe it will help me quit drinking.” Suddenly he gave Levi a hard, demanding look. “You think it would?”

Levi gave the man his undivided attention. “Toby, going to church won’t help you so much as listening to God will. God can give your life new purpose. He will forgive your sins and let you start over. Come to the service and hear what I have to say, and if you have other questions, I’m always willing to talk.”

Toby brightened. “I’ll be there.”

Levi caught up his black suit jacket and donned it over his vest. Some might think it was an odd combination, but he didn’t mind. Maybe they needed to see the preacher was more than a suit jacket. He was also a man. Did Glory see it?

Why did his thoughts always circle back to Miss Glory? Even at night, he recalled images of her—racing through town, scolding the man with horses, glaring at him across the table. Whether she smiled or glared, he derived a great deal of enjoyment out of picturing her.

He pushed the thought away. Today was not about him. Or her.

He picked up his Bible and headed for the field where the service was to be held. No one was there when he arrived. Nor did he expect it. It was a full hour before time to start. He’d come to pray and mentally prepare and welcome any early arrivals.

Half an hour later, people started to trickle in. Levi greeted each one. Claud Wagoner, whom he met the first day. Mr. Murray, the lawyer, and his wife. Widow Kish leaning on Mr. Phelps’s arm.

Levi strode over and shook Mr. Phelps’s hand and squeezed the widow’s shoulder. “Glad to see you both. You’re looking much better,” he said to Mr. Phelps.

“Doing much better, thanks to you.” He squeezed Levi’s hand hard then released it and found a place for them to sit.

Others arrived. People he’d not yet met. A dozen people from the stopping house who decided to delay further travel until after the service. It was almost time to start. He swallowed back his disappointment. He’d hoped Glory and her sisters would come.

He took his place at the front and prepared to start the service.

At that moment, the three sisters strode down the path. Each wore her usual outfit—Mandy in loose pants and baggy shirt, Joanna in a split skirt and dark brown blouse, and Glory in tight britches, form-fitting shirt, and worn brown vest. But he had never seen anything he thought looked finer.

He smiled at them, his gaze skimming the older and younger sister and resting on Glory.

But she didn’t return his smile. She scowled.

He turned away to face the gathered people, his smile widening. Her frown perhaps said more than a smile. It revealed the same uncertainty about her feelings for him as he had for her. He let the satisfaction of such knowledge fill his heart. Better to be frowned at than to be ignored.

“Welcome. We’ll begin with a song.” He didn’t have hymnals but chose hymns familiar to most and led them in singing, pleased to hear some strong voices from the congregation. Mr. Phelps had a deep voice that carried the others along.

Then Levi began his sermon. He’d wanted to preach on rebellion being as the sin of witchcraft, or whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. But he had no peace about such passages and instead chose others.

“Today, I want to remind each of you about God’s everlasting love. In Jeremiah thirty-one, verse three, God says, ‘I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.’” He went on to give illustrations from the scripture of God loving people even when they failed and sinned.