Love Finds a Home (Anthologies) (6 page)

“A close friend of mine is a minister. He lives in Granger, Wyoming, so we can get married when the trains stops there.”

The mention of Granger caused Glenna’s heart to ache. Daddy had a friend living there, too. That’s why he’d purchased their tickets to Granger.
How ironic
, she thought.
Soon I’ll be leaving Nebraska far behind and marrying a man I’ve only just met. Then we’ll be going to Idaho City, where I’ll begin a whole new life as a pastor’s wife
. Glenna sucked in her breath and pressed her nose against the dust-covered window. It wasn’t as if she had many other choices right now. Daddy wouldn’t be going to Granger or meeting up with his friend. Daddy was dead—probably crushed under the iron wheels of the train. Glenna had to think about her own needs now, and Reverend David Green was willing to take care of her. Getting married may not be the perfect situation, but at least she had somewhere to go and someone to look out for her.

Daddy cared more about himself than he did me, so now I’ll do what I think is best
, Glenna fumed. She bit back the bile of bitterness threatening to strip away her newfound faith. She was no longer Daddy’s girl, and she never would be again.

David and Glenna spent the next few days learning a bit more about one another. He shared a seat with her during the day and slept beside his chum, Alexander, at night.

The eccentric poet often complained about the feeble illumination of the small oil lamps, glimmering at intervals along the walls of their car. At least there was enough light for David to keep an eye on Glenna. Once they were married, he would worry a whole lot less about her safety. That wouldn’t stop him from worrying about his new ministry, however. Was he really ready to take on the responsibility of full-time pastoring? From what he’d learned so far, Glenna had experienced a lot of pain and emotional trauma in her past. Her newfound faith was weak yet, although she did seem eager to learn. While David felt it was God’s leading that caused him to propose marriage, he could only hope and pray that she would be an asset and not a hindrance to his calling.

David glanced over at Glenna, sitting beside him now. It was another warm day, and she was fanning herself with one hand as she stared down at his Bible, lying in her lap. He was pleased that she’d asked to read the scriptures. As a new Christian, she needed to be fed with the bread of life.

“Would you care for a paper, sir?” the freckle-faced news butcher asked as he sauntered up the aisle, peddling his wares.

“I believe I will take one,” David answered with a friendly smile. “I can catch up on the local news and help my lady friend to cool off at the same time.”

The young boy wrinkled his forehead, but agreeably he gave David a newspaper.

As soon as he’d paid the lad, David got right down to business. He glanced quickly through the paper and found the page full of advertisements. He ripped it out, then began folding the sheet, accordion-style, until he’d made a suitable fan. When he finished, he handed it to Glenna with a smile. “Here, this might work better than your hand.”

Glenna reached for the handmade contraption and immediately began to fan her face. “Ah, much better. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he said with a wink.
I wonder if she’ll always be so easy to please. It gives me pleasure to make her happy. Maybe my worries about our future are totally unfounded
.

The conductor moved swiftly down the aisle, calling, “Next stop … Granger, Wyoming!”

As the train slowed, then jerked to an abrupt halt, Glenna felt her whole body begin to tremble. This was where she and Daddy were supposed to be getting off. This was where they would have begun a new life, in a new town, with new people—and the same old problems of Daddy’s gambling and erratic drinking.

That wasn’t going to happen though. Instead of searching for a suitable boardinghouse, Glenna and David would be seeking out a preacher. From the moment Glenna said “I do,” her life would never be the same. Could she really go through with this crazy plan to marry a man she barely knew? But what other choice did she have? She had no money, no job, and no place to go. David offered security and a home. He was a good-looking man, not to mention pleasant and easygoing. He’d shown no signs of a temper or even any bad habits.
David would be easy to love
, she thought wistfully.
But can he ever love me? I’m a gambler’s daughter, and I’ve only recently found forgiveness for my sins. What if I do or say something to embarrass David in front of his new congregation? What if I don’t measure up?

David grabbed his suitcase, and Glenna carried hers. He reached for Glenna’s free hand, and the two of them picked their way down the narrow aisle toward the door. “Everything will be fine. You’ll see,” he whispered.

When they stepped inside the church, a middle-aged man with bright-red hair and a mustache to match greeted David with a warm smile and a hearty handshake. “My friend, it’s so good to see you.” His gaze lit on Glenna. “And who is this lovely creature?”

David slipped an arm around Glenna’s waist, and her face turned crimson. “Pastor Jim Hunter, this is Glenna Moore. We plan to get married and want you to perform the ceremony.” He grinned sheepishly. “That is, if you’re willing and have the time.”

Jim slapped David on the back. “For you, I always have time.” He glanced at Glenna again but spoke to David. “I’m surprised to see you. I thought you were on the way to your new pastorate.”

David knew his old friend well. The look on Jim’s face said volumes. He was a lot more curious about the sudden appearance of David’s fiancée than he was about his whereabouts. He knew, too, that Jim wasn’t about to perform any marriage ceremony until he’d heard the details of this unplanned stop in Granger.

“If Alice is at home, maybe Glenna could go next door and freshen up a bit,” David suggested.

Jim nodded. “She’s home, and I’m sure my dear wife would be most happy to meet Glenna. She’ll no doubt offer us all some refreshments. Then Glenna can bathe and rest awhile.” He began moving toward the church’s front door. “I’ll walk the two of you over there, we’ll say howdy to Alice, then David and I can come back here for a little chat while you get ready for the wedding. How’s that sound?”

Glenna smiled and tipped her head. “I’m coated with dust from head to toe, so a bath sounds absolutely wonderful.”

A short time later, they were all at the parsonage, sitting around a huge wooden table. A slightly plump, middle-aged Alice was happily playing hostess. After a cup of hot coffee and a slice of gingerbread, the men excused themselves to go back over to the church.

David wasted no time telling his friend the story that led up to his betrothal, and soon the two men found themselves on their knees in front of the altar. While Pastor Jim hadn’t actually condoned David’s unconventional behavior, he didn’t lecture him either. Prayers went up on David’s behalf, and both men beseeched the Lord for young Glenna and her new role as a minister’s wife. David felt certain that Alice was probably giving his wife-to-be a few pointers as well.

Glenna felt her eyelids flutter as she forced a mind full of doubts to concentrate fully on the words Pastor Hunter was saying. She glanced nervously at her groom and sucked in her breath while he offered a reassuring smile. David had shaved off his beard and bathed before the wedding. His dark hair was still slightly damp, and as he stepped closer, the clean, fresh smell of soap assaulted her senses. This man she was about to marry was a handsome one indeed! But was she worthy of such a man? Her past life had been full of sin and lies—being forced to move from one town to another, watching Daddy drink and gamble, then making excuses for his disgusting behavior.

Glenna glanced down at the pale yellow gown she’d changed into after her bath. Made of pure silk, with a touch of lace at the neck and sleeves, it was the only nice thing she owned anymore. When she looked to her left, Alice Hunter, who stood as her witness, smiled sweetly. To David’s right was Richard Hunter, the pastor’s sixteen-year-old son, who was acting as David’s attester. There were no flowers or music, and no one else was in the audience to share in this unusual yet auspicious occasion. Pastor Hunter stood before them, holding a Bible in his hands and wearing a solemn expression on his rotund face. As he shared several scriptures and some insights on marriage, it was obvious to Glenna that he took his job quite seriously.

A surge of panic rushed through her veins, and she nibbled on the inside of her cheek, wondering if she could really go through with this wedding. It was too late for second thoughts, though, so she forced herself to concentrate on the remainder of the ceremony.

“And now, whom God has joined together as one, let no man put asunder. I do here and now pronounce them to be man and wife,” the minister said in a booming voice. “David, you may kiss your bride.”