Hearts Rekindled by Patty Smith Hall

Author:Patty Smith Hall
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2013-10-15T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

What in the world was wrong with her this morning?

Merrilee closed the pages of her Bible and tried to concentrate on Pastor Williams’s sermon. Maybe John hadn’t noticed she’d held the hymn upside down, but his rich baritone, so lovely and unguarded, had caught her unawares, so much so that she’d stopped singing midway through the first verse. She’d also fumbled to the wrong chapter in the Bible, so touched was she by the reverence with which he turned the pages for Claire, then Billy.

So she’d decided to just listen to the sermon rather than follow along in her Bible, only concentrating proved almost impossible when she could look over to see Claire resting against John’s solid shoulder, her arm threaded through his, as if she could think of no place better to be.

Claire had called him family. What was that old saying? Out of the mouths of babes. John had been thrilled, though he’d tried to hide it. Still, she’d known. His eyes had gone that stunning shade of blue that sent her pulse tripping and made her hands go moist under her gloves. A look he used to wear every time she’d whisper “I love you,” as if he couldn’t quite believe his good fortune.

Well, now that Claire had adopted him into their family, there’d be no getting rid of him. Merrilee waited for the disappointment, but only felt relief filter through her. She didn’t want to be rid of him—not now, not ever. But how much easier things would be if she could truly believe that he was here for good!

John may have bought a farm, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t just pick up and leave again. He’d said as much. When he went away, she’d be left to pick up the pieces of their daughter’s broken heart...and maybe a little bit of her own heart, too. The knot in her chest tightened.

Why did the man have to be so handsome? She’d almost fallen out of her high heels when she’d seen him this morning, the light gray, double-breasted suit fitting him to perfection. His skin had turned even more golden brown from the many hours in the field, the earthy smell of sunshine and freshly turned soil reminding her of happier times firmly planted in her memories.

“Are you okay?”

Merrilee blinked at Maggie’s soft whisper beside her. Heat traveled up her neck and burst into flames in her cheeks. She tugged on her veil as she nodded, her eyes never straying from the pulpit. Maybe the little scrap of lace would hide her heated cheeks.

The soft thumping of Bibles closing summoned her out of her thoughts. She’d missed the whole service, wasn’t even sure what the pastor had preached on. People rose to their feet around her, and she followed suit, bowing her head as Preacher Williams started to pray. Oh, Lord, I’m so sorry. I came here intending to worship, to listen to Your word, but I couldn’t get John out of my thoughts.

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