Stealing the Preacher's Heart by Mildred Colvin

Author:Mildred Colvin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: love story, family secrets, hidden identity, clean and wholesome romance, historical preacher hero, horses and western 1890s kansas, mailorder bride romance opposite attraction, outlaws and preachers wife heroine, second wife stepmother, seeking truth peace love faith god
Publisher: Mildred Colvin

Chapter 10

Several weeks later, Elliott looked up from his Bible when the back door closed. Lily had been washing clothes in the anti-room and must have gone outdoors to hang them on the line without telling him. He understood she thought he was overreacting, but he couldn’t help it. Losing either of his girls was not an option, if he could help it. Grace was at the Langdon’s spending the afternoon with Bethany, putting her out of harm’s way, although Lily had told him twice now the man he’d seen was not a threat to them. He didn’t know what to believe. She said she hadn’t seen him since they’d cleaned the chicken house, and he was glad, but that didn’t stop him from being watchful.

He went to the back door and peered out the window then jerked back to grab his coat. Lily stood by the clothesline, visiting with the same man as if they were old friends. Just when he’d believed the fellow had given up, there he was. Before he got the door open, Lily shook her head and laughed as if he’d said something funny. Or was she flirting with him? His blood ran cold as he jerked the door open and charged out. Before he’d gone one step, the fellow turned and sprinted away. Fear, not for her life this time, but that he would lose her to another, ripped through his chest.

As he crossed the yard, Lily watched the other man until he was out of sight, then bent to pick up one of Grace’s dresses and hung it on the line as if nothing had happened.

Jealousy brought physical pain. When she continued to hang the clothing as if she didn’t know he was there, he stopped and watched, knowing he’d slammed the door loud enough she’d heard. He thought of calling out to her, or approaching and questioning again about her friend. He loved her dearly. Didn’t she care for him in the same way? Fearing what he might say if he confronted her, he turned and went back inside.

The fellow wouldn’t return now, anyway, and he didn’t want to get into a fight with his wife. Obviously, she enjoyed the man’s visits and wouldn’t appreciate his interference. Knowing that didn’t help his mood. He let the door shut on its own; the bang giving him a sense of satisfaction. He needed to finish his sermon for Sunday evening. Preparing two each week took time, but if Lily didn’t come in soon, he’d go out and help. Maybe by then he’d be calm enough to talk without driving her away into another man’s arms.

Stomping across the floor into the living room, he sat in his chair, letting his heart and mind calm. Tonight should have been a special time, since Grace would stay the night with her friend and come to church with their family in the morning. He and Lily would have uninterrupted time together. Precious time that didn’t need the memory of her laughing with another man standing between them.

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