Marrying the Preacher's Daughter by Cheryl St.John

Author:Cheryl St.John [St.John, Cheryl]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2011-07-27T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

“I don’t know how.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “You’ve never played checkers?”

“Nope.”

“I can teach you.”

If this was what civilized people did after dinner, he guessed he might as well learn. “Okay.” And realizing polite conversation was expected, he came up with a question. “Do you…are you involved in any studies?”

“Studies. Like school? No, I graduated two years ago. I now work for Opal Zimmerman, the dressmaker.”

“Oh. Do a lot of women need dresses?”

“All women need dresses. Some more than others. Coats, too. I only just made my first coat. It’s in the window at the shop if you should walk past.”

“I’ll have a look.”

“Appears you’re healing,” Chess said then, taking the seat beside him. “Feeling better, are you?”

“Much better,” Gabe replied, relieved to have another person join the conversation. “I’ve been riding, and it’s getting easier.”

“I broke ribs once, and you couldn’t have made me get on a horse,” Chess told him.

“He didn’t have any trouble coming to the dinner table, though,” his wife remarked, eliciting a laugh from those nearby.

“Well, this one’s cracked, so it’s probably not as painful,” Gabe said in the man’s defense.

Chess gestured to Gabe and tilted his head at his wife. “You see?” He grinned. “At any rate it’s good to see you doing well. Last Sunday you were still lying abed, but I reckon we’ll see you at church day after next.”

“Church?” Gabe glanced from the man to his hosts, who were smiling encouragement. He’d been taken in by the minister’s family. Of course they’d expect him to come to church. “Well, I—”

“We’re looking forward to services,” Irene said. “If we ever attended church together before, I was too young to remember. I can’t wait to meet more residents of Jackson Springs, especially if they’re all as nice as those I’ve met so far.” She gave Gil another meaningful glance.

Elisabeth entered the room in time to pick up on the topic. “Father is an inspiring preacher. He plans his sermons for days, sometimes weeks in advance, and delivers them with conviction and compassion.”

Sam caught her hand. “Elisabeth is my right hand. She sees to all the tasks that would keep my attention from preparing lessons or seeing to the spiritual needs of the congregation.”

“Don’t glorify straightening hymnals and baking communion bread.”

Sam looked straight at Gabe. “She’s humble. She does a great deal of research for me, finding scriptures I need and locating details of history and Bible interpretation in my library. She used to do all the cleaning and preparing of communion, too, but now she delegates those jobs. She even counts the tithes and offerings and makes the bank deposit each week. And she often accompanies me to visit the sick and elderly.”

Gabe had never even thought about all the work that went into being a preacher. He’d seen how much Elisabeth did in this home, what with sharing meal preparations and changing bedding. In addition she managed to fit in her notary duties.

She was of an age to marry. Considering all her attributes, it was a wonder no man had offered for her yet.

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