Preacher's Wife (Sweet Town Clean Historical Western Romance Book 5) by Christian Sarah

Author:Christian, Sarah [Christian, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Salt of the Earth Press
Published: 2016-08-14T04:00:00+00:00

As Bridget O'Cuinn retook her seat beside her husband, Matthieu looked out over the congregation. Beulah's captivating brown eyes weren't out there watching him in return and relief and disappointment swirled within him. Most likely she had chosen to remain in the parsonage, where it was safe and the man who'd harmed her and nearly killed Jonah couldn't find them. He prayed it was so, at least.

Toward the front of the room were all people he was familiar with. The Prices, the O'Cuinns, Hunter Franklin's spinster aunt Ida. Emma Leonetti sat between her mother and Lucy Price, her husband currently gone. He saw the Bjugstads who, despite their self-righteous judgment of others in town, never failed to make a Sunday service or put something into the collection plate. Therese Nováková and her father were there, though he knew Mr. Novákov spoke very little English. His wife must still be feeling poorly to have not made it, Matt noted. Beyond those he knew well were the newer folks to come to Sweet Town. Some would stay and become part of the community, others would move on. There was little telling which would be which ahead of time.

Many of the townspeople had supported Beulah and Jonah, while others had not. Many had shown charity to those less fortune, but he knew also that many had not. There was great goodness in the town, but it was filled with flawed people all the same. He felt the weight of it in that moment, the responsibility not just to do well for himself but also to help lead others into the light.

"Today I would speak to you of our spiritual family. If God is our father, then we are all brothers and sisters," he began. It was a familiar metaphor and he could see the recognition on the faces of his flock. "Rich and poor, young and old, man and woman, our Heavenly Father made us all equal. We are all offered His love, guidance and salvation. If a good father would not favor one child above all others, how much more equal and great must God's love be for all of us?"

A few people in the pews looked pleased or engaged, but most had the dutiful, somewhat vacant expression he'd become familiar with since arriving in Sweet Town. He rarely offered anything challenging in his sermons, only comforting refrains that no one would ever argue with. And so people listened, but did they ever hear? His fingers drummed against the side of the lectern, muscles tense as though he were about to start a fight rather than speak. Perhaps he was.

"Our Father has no concern for how we look or what language we speak, but we do. We nod our heads when we speak of the brotherhood of man, but when your brother is a Chinese railroad worker who has been used near to death for his labor and then cast aside when he becomes too weak, do you offer him your supper?"

As one, half a dozen people straightened in their pews.

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