"At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light And the burden of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith, I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day." Emma's strong voice sung the hymn with meaning, if not with a great musical and vocal ability. She was very impressed with the town's new preacher and regularly attended church services on Sunday. He had a genuine sincerity about him and he seemed to really care about his parish. Although a little religion wouldn’t hurt them, she'd been unable to persuade any of her boys to join her. But she was glad they had all accepted Pastor Kidderson as a friend when he oft visited the bunkhouse. She continued to sing the second verse as loudly as the first, when she noticed the Pastor had quit singing. The pianist continued to play the music and the congregation, though puzzled, continued singing, but their new preacher stared, transfixed, at the door to the church. A few began looking around, but the ongoing tune on the piano kept them focused on the hymn. Emma, having a seat on the aisle, turned to see what had caught their shepherd's attention. Emma stopped singing as well as she saw Lou walk in the back door of the church. Tears filled Emma's eyes as she noted Lou's appearance. Dressed in a simple blue dress, glasses removed and short hair tied back in a bow, Lou entered the church slowly, but with her head held high. Emma reached out a hand toward her, and Lou gratefully accepted it as she moved into the pew beside the older woman. Lou's palm was clammy, and Emma smiled in encouragement, squeezing her hand. She didn't know what had made Lou decide to "come out" as Louise, but whatever the reason, she would support her young charge. It was then that Emma glanced up to see the good pastor's stare still focused on the young woman beside her. Enlightenment dawned as Emma recognized the possessive way he looked at Lou. Apparently, he already knew of Lou's disguise, and Emma felt sure he had something to do with this turn of events. 'So that's the way it is,' she thought somewhat wryly. The good pastor looked astonished to see Louise in a dress, and Emma was amused at his inability to hide his approving and appreciative gaze. She again patted Lou's hand in reassurance. "You look lovely," the station mistress whispered. Lou glanced at her almost shyly. "Thank you," she replied softly, more than a little self-conscious. Lou then finally hazarded a glance at Pastor Kidderson. He had finally resumed singing, but his eyes continued to remain transfixed on Louise. Her breath caught on how wonderful he looked in his Sunday best, and how fitting he appeared in his position behind the pulpit. Her stomach knotted in nervousness. Did she really think she could be a pastor's wife? Could he really love someone like her? The song ended, and the congregation sat down. Pastor Kidderson cleared his throat, standing straighter behind the podium. He opened his Bible, but the words seemed to blur before his eyes. His thoughts were in turmoil. He prayed that Louise's feminine appearance meant that she would marry him, but the thought of being wrong made his heart literally ache. His intended sermon planned to attack the believers' pocketbooks. Both his scripture reference and his speech were to extol the virtues of tithing faithfully, but suddenly, Pastor Kidderson felt compelled to use this opportunity to reach out to Louise. He wanted her to know how very much he esteemed her character, even moreso than he wanted her body. This could be his last chance to indicate that he thought she was neither soiled nor unworthy. The congregation moved restlessly in their seats, waiting on the preacher to begin. The lengthy silence was becoming uncomfortable. The pastor stared out over his parish, his gaze lingering on the young woman in the blue dress. "Ummm," he began on a stutter, for the first time speaking with less than a strong, solid voice. His mind flipped through the pages of the Bible, seeking the scripture he wished to utilize. He'd never courted from the pulpit before, yet he still felt obligated to correctly and spiritually guide his congregation. Again, he began to speak as he hastily flipped to the appropriate page of his Bible. "Today's scripture is Proverbs 31:10-12. Let us read the Word of our Lord: 'A wife of noble character, who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband is full of confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.'" He looked out over his parishoners, letting the Word of God echo throughout the church. Lou shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Was this his way of telling her he had changed his mind and found her unworthy or lacking in character? Had she given up her disguise and her livelihood for nothing? "What makes a wife valuable?" Kid asked his congregation rhetorically. Once again, Pastor Kidderson paused, searching for the right words for this spur of the moment sermon. "Is it her appearance? I think not, though many a man seeks only a comely wife. No, a valuable wife is a woman of honesty and integrity; a woman who is hard-working and who not only faces the trials of life, but faces them with courage. A noble woman is not full of pride and she is not superficial -- her charm is real. No disguise can hide her value and her worth." Kid looked at Lou as he spoke these words with conviction. "And a man who can find such a woman is blessed indeed." Kid smiled softly and meaningfully at Lou before turning his attention back to the sermon. The men of the congregation became increasingly agitated as their new pastor continued to lift up the value of women, reminding the men to appreciate their wives. Many of the wives listened with sweet smiles, nodding earnestly. Married women throughout the room began planning special meals to reward their new pastor. A couple of women elbowed their husbands awake; this was a sermon they wanted their menfolk to hear. Pastor Kidderson ended his talk on a reminder to all the men in his congregation to treat their wives and mothers with the respect and honor they deserved. Every woman in the church was charmed by his praise, and a few of the men looked duly chastised. No one was too surprised that the sermon was shorter than usual. As a matter of fact, a few of them men looked almost relieved. The Sunday service attendees all filed out of the church, many pausing on the lawn to talk. Emma did not move from her seat, which kept Louise immobilized beside her. After shaking hands at the door with the congregation, Kid moved to Emma's pew. During his final greetings, he had worried Lou would escape before he could talk with her, but was relieved that she was still in her seat. Emma stood, looking in turn at the Pastor and Lou, who had stood behind her, head tucked. "I don't know how you did it, but not only did you get Lou in a dress, you got her to church," Emma smiled broadly. Lou blushed profusely, unable to look at Kid or Emma. "I asked her to marry me," Kid said, as if that were explanation enough -- praying that it was the real reason for Lou's appearance. Emma nodded, unsurprised. "I'll leave you two to talk. Looks like I've got a wedding to plan," she chuckled, leaving the church as well. "Does this mean yes?" Kid asked huskily, unable to bear the suspense. Lou nodded, suddenly shy. She wanted to throw her arms around him and feel his kiss, but this was hardly an appropriate place for such behavior. Ever since he'd told her that he loved her by the pond, she knew her secret wouldn't come between them. Lou loved this man more than she ever thought possible. The thought of not being with him was too painful to bear. Kid reached for her hand, drawing it to his mouth for a kiss. Lou sighed softly, enjoying his sweet attention. Suddenly, Kid let out a whoop of joy and pulled her to him. Right in front of God and anyone else happening by the church doors, Kid kissed her full on the mouth. A feeling of rightness filled Lou as she melted into his embrace. His palm reached up to caress her cheek, holding her face tenderly. He deepened his kiss, unaware and uncaring that they stood in the aisle of the Sweetwater Church. Slowly, he moved away and smiled down at the woman in his arms. A blush crept up her neck, settling over her cheeks, but she returned his smile with shining brown eyes. Still feeling dazed by his kiss, Lou cleared her throat. "I'm not sure how to be a preacher's wife, but..." she began, her voice hoarse. Kid placed a finger over her soft mouth. "You are everything I want in a wife. And you aren't merely a preacher's wife," he added with feeling, " you're my wife. I'm just a man, and I love you." "Oh Kid, I love you too!" she cried. She reached her small arms around his chest, hugging him tight. His arms tightened about her in response. He cuddled her head against him, stroking her hair, inhaling her sweet womanly scent. "I have one request," he sighed against the top of her head. She looked up at him, her eyes glistening with happy tears. "Yes?" she questioned. Clearing his throat, he lightly brushed his waist against her. She flushed as she felt his tangible desire, and immediately felt her body warm in response. Grinning, he bent to whisper in her ear, "Let's make this a very, very short engagement." "Why Pastor," drawled Louise, "I would never use the word "short" to describe you." Pastor Kidderson threw back his head in a laugh that rang out the church door. Church members still congregated on the lawn turned Emma merely smiled; those two were going to be good for each other, very good for each other indeed. |