Tanner (Bachelors and Babies Book 14) by St.John Cheryl

Author:St.John, Cheryl
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Alexandrite Press
Published: 2020-07-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

The Baileys arrived half an hour after church had ended, and Raylene welcomed them inside.

“Your home is beautiful,” Jennie exclaimed, removing her hat and gloves.

“Thank you.” Raylene took her hat and the reverend’s and rested them on a long gleaming table in the hallway. “This was my Uncle Vernon’s home. He was a banker here in Twin Springs, and he built it for his wife and children. My family used to visit occasionally.”

She had set the table the previous night and awakened at dawn to make preparations. Making a good impression on the new minister’s family seemed of utmost importance. She wasn’t well-liked or accepted in town, but Jennie had so far been friendly. She led her guests into the sitting room. The pocket doors that opened to the dining room were closed. “You know Mrs. Hobbs and Miss Cameron. This is Mr. Abraham Quint.”

“Hello, ladies,” Reverend Bailey greeted them. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Quint.”

Abraham stood to shake the other man’s hand.

“This is Reverend and Mrs. Bailey,” she introduced. “And their son…?”

“Winston,” Reverend Bailey said.

“Winston,” Raylene said. “It’s a pleasure to have you join us today.” She turned back. “Mr. Bell will be with us shortly. He took care of rentals and horses after church and is washing up. Please have a seat. It will be only a few minutes until dinner is served.”

Behind her, the boarders picked up an easy conversation with their guests as she hurried to the kitchen to help Meriday with the final touches. They carried food to the table, removed their aprons, and Raylene checked her hair in the mirror by the back door.

“Everything is perfect,” Meriday assured her.

Raylene took her hand and they walked through the dining room. Raylene opened the pocket doors. “Dinner is served. Please come take your seats.”

Tanner had joined the others, and he first checked on Lillian who slept in her basket, already in the dining room.

“Meriday, this is the Reverend and Mrs. Bailey, and their son, Winston. This is my friend, Meriday.”

Jennie gave Meriday a quick hug, surprising both Meriday and Raylene. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. I understand you attend the Willow Creek Baptist Church?”

“Yes’m,” Meriday replied with a smile.

Raylene showed their guests their seats. She and Meriday had already filled the plates with servings of stuffed chicken and lemon sauce, string beans and chunks of baked squash.

“This looks so good,” the reverend said.

As everyone took their places, Jennie asked Meriday, “Do you have drums as part of your Sunday worship? I’ve studied various religions and read that African worship is more celebrational than what we’re accustomed to in our denominations. Is that so?”

“I’ve only been to one or two funerals in other churches, so I can’t compare Sunday services,” Meriday said. “We do have drums. There’s lively singing and clapping.”

“Oh, I should love to visit sometime,” Jennie said, her eyes bright with interest.

Reverend Bailey didn’t quell her enthusiasm, but he did glance at Raylene and offer an indulgent lift of his eyebrow, as though accustomed to his wife’s spirited enthusiasm.

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