Child of Promise (8 page)

Noah dropped Beth off at the rectory, put up the horse and buggy, then headed straight for his office in the church basement. He checked his desk for any messages and found none. A letter, however, had been propped up in the most conspicuous place possible, against his worn Bible.

Briefly, Noah noted the return address was from his old seminary, then shoved the letter into his jacket pocket. He’d read it later. Right now, he had more pressing matters to attend to. He needed to spend some time with the Lord.

As soon as Noah walked upstairs and entered the church, a familiar sense of holiness, of entering a sacred space, engulfed him. No matter how dark his thoughts, how tormented his heart, he realized with the deepest gratitude that God never left him.

He made his way to the altar and knelt before it. Gazing up at the cross, he clasped his hands before him and prayed.

“It hasn’t gotten any better, Lord,” Noah whispered, his low voice echoing softly in the empty church. “I’d thought it had. I’d thought I’d gained mastery of it, but today . . . today when I held her hands and we spoke of friendship . . . well, You know as well as I my feelings quickly transformed to those of lust.”

His mouth curved at one corner. “It was You, wasn’t it, who spooked the horse? I felt Your hand in that, and I thank You. Still, we both know I can’t expect You to rescue me each and every time my mind takes such carnal turns. This is my battle. Trouble is, the more I get to know Beth, the more time I spend with her, the more I want her.”

He bowed his head, resting it against his clenched hands. No, God wouldn’t continue to rescue him. God expected him to work this problem—this heart-wrenching temptation—out himself. And the best, well, the easiest, tactic was to turn one’s back on it and walk away.

Walk away from Beth . . . Send her away . . .

Noah shook his head. “And how am I to do that, Lord? How would I explain that to Beth, to Millie, to Conor and Abby? After what Beth and I shared today, how could I continue to call myself her friend and do such a thing? It would hurt her, Lord. Surely that’s not what You want?”

But if not that, then what did God want him to do?

As if to free the answer from the depths of his brain, Noah pounded his clasped hands against his forehead. No answer came, however. He still faced the same frustrating dilemma: harbor temptation in his own house or risk wounding an innocent woman by sending her away for something she hadn’t willingly or knowingly caused.

No matter how he looked at it, Noah could see no solution. Even worse, though, he was beginning to wonder what kind of man he was becoming.

“So,” Millie said as she stirred the mashed sweet potatoes, then poured the mixture into a baking pan, “you
are
going to the Fall Social tomorrow evening, aren’t you?”

Beth looked up from the pork roast she had just finished sliding onto a platter. It smelled heavenly, seasoned as it was with bread crumbs, rosemary, and garlic. “To tell you the truth, I decided to pass on the social. My newest medical journal just arrived, and I thought I’d spend the next couple of evenings reading it.”

“Pshaw!” Millie paused to spoon brown sugar over the sweet potatoes, then shoved the pan into the oven to brown for a few minutes. “It’s not healthy to hole up in your room every night after supper and study. Why, at the very least, you’ll get eyestrain and need spectacles.”

“I read by the oil lamp. The light’s very good. I won’t get eyestrain.”

“Well, then,” Millie said, “have you given any thought to the fact that as a doctor in this town, you’ve a duty to get out in public on a social as well as professional basis? The more folk see you out and about, the more they get to know you as a fine human being as well as an excellent doctor, and the better it’ll be for your practice.”

Beth scowled. Had Millie been talking to Doc Childress? It sure sounded as if she had. Still, she had a valid point. But a valid point, Beth amended swiftly, if and only if one was inclined to go along with Doc’s view anyway.

“I don’t know, Millie.” She shook her head. “I’ve never been the sort to line up with all the other single ladies on one side of the hall, bat my eyes, and hope some brave man will saunter over to ask me to dance. And since I’m not even in the market for a husband, it wouldn’t be fair—”

“Noah can escort you!” As if a flash of inspiration had struck her, Millie grinned and nodded vigorously. “That way you can stick with him all evening, not look as if you’re there to meet other men, and still get out and show your face in public. Everyone will see your efforts to mingle socially, you’ll make new friends and acquaintances, and all at no cost or embarrassment to yourself. It’s a brilliant plan, if I do say so myself!”

Just then Noah walked in. Closing the front door behind him, he doffed his hat and coat, then made his way into the kitchen. At the sight of his aunt’s beaming face and Beth’s skeptically arched brow, he halted.

“And what have you two ladies been up to here?” He smiled in mild anticipation. “Anything I can assist you in?”

“As a matter of fact, nephew dear, you most certainly can.” Millie marched over and, taking him by the arm, turned him to face Beth. “Tomorrow’s the Fall Social. You were planning on attending as usual, weren’t you?”

Noah eyed his aunt, a puzzled furrow forming between his brows. “Well, yes. You know I try to go. It’s good for folk to see me in other places than just church.”

“And that’s exactly why Beth should be there, too, wouldn’t you say? To demonstrate some community involvement?”

“Yes,” he agreed cautiously, meeting Beth’s gaze, “I suppose so.”

“Then it’s settled,” Millie proclaimed, victory ringing in her voice. “You’ll escort Beth to the Fall Social!”

8

Ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

John 16:20

As soon as Beth headed off to bed, Noah guided his suddenly energetic aunt back to her chair at the kitchen table. “Folding the laundry can wait,” he said gently but firmly. “We need to talk.”

“Really?” Millie slipped from his grasp. “And, even so, what precludes me from folding laundry as we talk? A woman, you know, can do more than one thing at a time.”

“Especially,” Noah agreed, sending her a wry look as she dragged the basket of clean shirts, socks, and petticoats over to the table, “when one of those things is talking.”

She plopped back down in her chair, extracted an armful of clothes, and deposited them on the table. “Well, you’re the one so all-fired intent on having a talk, not me.”

Noah sighed in exasperation. “And that’s only because you’re so all-fired intent on suddenly playing match–maker.”Millie feigned a look of shock. “Me? Just because I thought you wouldn’t mind helping Beth a little in learning how to fit in better in town? It’s not as if you don’t always attend the Fall Social at any rate.”

“So that’s all it was? You using me to ease Beth’s way with the town folk?”

“What other motive could I possibly have?” She paused to arch a brow. “You’re not sweet on Beth are you? I can’t think of any other reason you’d have turned so nervous and jumpy, not to mention downright suspicious.”

Noah scowled. His aunt had the most unsettling talent for turning the tables on anyone who dared accuse her of meddling. And this was one topic he didn’t want Millie to examine too closely.

“That’s not the point, and you know it!” To distract her, he pulled out a letter from his pocket. “Just got this today. From my old seminary.”

Millie laid aside a pair of folded socks and took up two others. “And what do they have to say?”

Noah shrugged. “Don’t know. Haven’t opened it yet.” That said, he slit the envelope, extracted the letter, and read it.

An opening—a position teaching sacred theology—had occurred, and the dean was offering him the position. Excitement filled Noah. He had always dreamed of returning to teach at the New York City seminary. He had the qualifications, thanks to his advanced degrees and stellar seminary performance, especially in theological studies. And each time he had gone home to New York on his rare vacations, he had always visited his old school and renewed acquaintances with his former professors. In his dreams, however, he had always seen himself as a lot older, grayer, and more experienced.

“Well, spit it out. What does the letter say?”

The tone of impatience in his aunt’s voice wrenched Noah back to the present. He lifted his gaze.

“They want me. The General Theological Seminary has offered me a teaching position.”

Millie stared at him for a long moment.

“I didn’t know you’d ever written them asking to be hired. I thought you were content with this ministry, with Grand View and its people.”

“I am content, and I didn’t write them,” Noah said. “But the more I think about the offer, the more promising it sounds.”

“Promising? How?”

“There’d be no routinely long hours. I’d have a regular schedule. I could do so much more for you and Emily with a job like that.” Noah leaned on the table. “Let’s face it. I neglect you and Emily something terrible. You can’t depend on me. The needs of the congregation always come first.”

“And what’s so bad about that? Isn’t that why you became a priest? To see to the needs of your congregation? And I married a priest, too. I knew what the life was like, what I was in for.”

“Still, it’s not fair to you. And it’ll become increasingly unfair to Emily, too, as she gets older. She has . . . special needs. She always will.”

“And the Lord will provide, just as He always has.” Millie reached over and took Noah’s hand. “First and foremost, honey, you’re called to do the Lord’s will and serve His people. You must never forget that.”

Frustration filled Noah again. “But you’re one of the Lord’s people, and so is Emily. And you’re family, too. I owe you—”

“Land sakes, Noah Starr!” Millie slapped his hand for emphasis. “Have I ever once complained about how you treat me? I just worry about you and your health, that’s all. I’m happy here. Happy to do my part for the Lord in assisting you in any way I can. But if you’re unhappy here or feel called to take this new job, then you go right ahead and do it. Just don’t do it for me.”

A deep affection welled in Noah. His aunt had always been there for him as his confidante and mentor, a wise woman filled with the knowledge and love of God. But it seemed as if he was always the one doing the taking, and she the giving. Just once, he wanted to give to her.

But if this call to teach at the seminary wasn’t a call from the Lord, then accepting the position would be wrong. And Millie would never let him do such a thing, just to give back to her.

“Okay,” Noah said with a sigh of resignation. “I’ll think on it. I’ll give it some prayer.”

Millie nodded. “Yes, you do that, honey. And make sure, when it’s all done and thought through, that it’s the Lord’s voice you’re hearing, and not just your own.”

Her nervousness rising with each passing second, Beth fastened the last button on the gathered, elbow-length sleeve of her princess-style, brocaded silk dress. The color suited her well, a deep crimson trimmed with a darker crimson beaded silk ribbon at the modest V neckline and at her shoulders down over her bust to the hem of her skirt. The five-gore skirt ended in the back with a slight train and rustled deliciously when she moved.

She pulled a few additional tendrils from her full, upswept hair and curled them briefly with the heated curling iron. At the very least, they’d help soften what she had always considered her strong-jawed face. As if it mattered anyway, Beth thought, making a face at her reflection in the dresser mirror. Who was she trying to impress, after all?

Certainly not any of the local bachelors. But there were always the town ladies, she supposed. If a wife happened to think well of her, it wouldn’t be long before the woman would have her entire family in to see the new lady doctor.

“Yes,” Beth muttered, nodding with firm resolve. “I definitely need to impress the ladies of Grand View.”

With that conviction to bolster her, she turned from the mirror, picked up her handbag, and strode from the room. Noah, Millie, and Emily, already dressed in a bonnet and warm coat, awaited her in the kitchen. At the sight of them, Beth’s steps faltered.

“Oh,” she said, “I didn’t realize I was keeping you all waiting. I’m sorry.”

“Land sakes, honey,” Millie replied, a note of awe in her voice, “but aren’t you a wondrous sight?” She turned to her nephew. “Isn’t Beth absolutely breathtaking? Isn’t she?”

Noah’s mouth quirked, and Beth noticed he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“Yes, Millie. Beth’s absolutely breathtaking.” He walked over and offered his arm. “I may not get through the night alive, what with the most beautiful woman in these parts on my arm, but I’m honored to be your escort, m’lady.”

Beth blushed—she couldn’t help it. “And I’m honored in turn, kind knight, to be with you.” She leaned close. “Just promise not to leave me alone tonight. That’s all I ask.”

Noah arched a brow. “Even if you’re besieged with hordes of men begging for a dance?”

Beth rolled her eyes. “Especially if hordes of men besiege me. Not that I’m expecting that to happen, of course.”

Millie laughed. “Mark my words, missy. You’re going to be in for a big surprise tonight. You are indeed.”

“Well, in that case,” Beth said, eyeing Noah with rising dismay, “maybe I’ll just stay home and—”

“You’ll do no such thing!” All but dragging Beth across the kitchen to the entry, Noah paused only long enough to grab her cloak and toss it haphazardly over her shoulders. “Millie’s right, and you know it. You can’t hide from Grand View’s social life forever.”

With that, he opened the door and pulled her outside. “Stay there and don’t move. That’s an order, Doctor.”

Her mouth agape at Noah’s take-charge attitude, Beth watched him head back inside, grasp Emily’s wheelchair, and guide it through the door. Millie followed, closing the door behind them.

“Go on ahead, m’lady,” he ordered. “Millie, why don’t you come around and join Beth? I can follow with Emily. That way I can also more easily head off any sudden bolts for freedom.”

As Millie joined her and they set out, Beth laughed and shook her head. “You’re incorrigible, you know? You’re acting as if I’m some wild filly about ready to hightail it out of here.”

“And aren’t you?” the priest asked, bringing up the rear. “Thing is, as fine a filly as you are, I’m not of a mind to let you go. Not every night a man like me gets a chance to escort a fine filly like you to a dance.”

“As if I believe that. You could have your pick of any single lady in Grand View.”

Noah’s glance swung to Millie. “See? What did I tell you?” he demanded of his aunt with a grin. “We’re not even halfway to the town hall, and already Beth’s trying to cut me loose.”

“That’s not true!” Beth protested, laughing. Thanks to Noah’s teasing banter as they walked along, she was finally beginning to enjoy herself. “If it wasn’t for you, Noah Starr, I would’ve never agreed to going in the first place.”

He pretended disbelief. “Well, we’ll see then, won’t we?”

As they crossed Main Street, the music started up, floating to them on a sharp, chill breeze. Beth could make out a piano, an accordion, two fiddles, a banjo, and a harmonica. The sound of feet pounding rhythmically on the hall’s hardwood floors rose to mingle with the music.

Beth smiled. As a girl at Culdee Creek, she had loved the periodic socials held in Grand View. They had been a welcome respite from school and what seemed to be endless ranch work. She would come with her parents, then immediately flee to join the other girls, giggling and casting come-hither looks at the boys across the room. Those nights had always ended far too soon.

This time, however, she came to the town social as a grown woman, a doctor with a changed outlook. Gone were romantic hopes and dreams. Tonight Beth came only for professional reasons.

She paused on the boardwalk fronting the town hall to await Noah and Emily. Then, pushing open the door, she motioned for all of them to go inside. No sooner had Millie walked in and Noah had shoved Emily’s wheelchair in after her, than he turned and walked back out.

“M’lady?” he said, once more offering Beth his arm. “Best not waste the power of first impressions, since you seem so set on having me appear as your escort this evening.”

Beth grabbed Noah’s arm and clung to it tightly. “First impressions are indeed powerful, but just don’t forget about me the rest of the night, will you?”

His smile faded. “It’s your call, Beth. I’ll stay with you for as long as you need me.”

Her heart gave a lurch, then commenced a rapid pounding.
For as long as you need me.
 
.
 
.
 
.
She dragged in an unsteady breath. And what if I’ll always need you, Noah? What then?

“Fair enough.” Beth forced a wobbly smile. “For as long as I need you, then.”

With that, they entered the town hall. It was bright inside, full of people. The din of pounding feet, music, talk, and laughter engulfed Beth in a wild riot of sound. She must have clutched Noah’s arm even tighter, because he glanced down at her and smiled reassuringly.

“It really hasn’t changed much, the Fall Social, I mean,” he said, “save that a lot more people attend now.”

As he guided her to the donation table, Beth scanned the room. Orange, yellow, and brown streamers festooned the corners, then all came together to join in the center of the room. Shocks of wheat, adorned at their bases with pumpkins, gourds, and dried flowers, were stacked about the room. A long table, loaded with food, stood beneath a bank of windows. And on a small, raised platform across from the door sat the band, industriously playing their music.

Mary Sue Edgerton—Beth quickly corrected herself— Mary Sue Peterson, sat at the donation table with a man Beth didn’t know. He was older than Mary Sue, easily twenty years older if Beth didn’t miss her guess, with steel-gray hair and a rather hard-eyed, calculating look. He was a heavyset man, and his nose was large, somewhat bulbous, and red like that of a drinker. He wore a finely tailored suit, high-buttoned waistcoat, and snow white, high-wing collar and black bow tie.

Noah guided her to the table. “How are things going tonight, Harlow?”

“Brought in fifty dollars for the kitty so far,” the man said, his voice deep and raspy. With an arched brow, his gaze swung to Beth. “And who is this lovely lady you’re escorting, Father?” He shoved back his chair and stood. “I don’t believe I’ve made her acquaintance.”

“That’s Dr. MacKay, Harlow,” Mary Sue was quick to offer. “Don’t you remember? I told you—”

The man grabbed Mary Sue’s hand. “Is it really, my dear? Well, proper manners being what they are, I’d still appreciate a formal introduction.”