Because of Rebecca - By Leanne Tyler Page 0,19
Doctor Gordon attended midday services regularly. He also worked with the ladies’ auxiliary, putting them in touch with families in need. Two factors that appealed to her faith and charitable work, and gave her reason to speak with him.
Taking a deep breath, she took her rosary from her purse and genuflected, crossing herself before sliding into a pew among the other parishioners. She knelt and nervously adjusted the collar of her new dress and touched the chignon underneath the short lace veil to make sure it was still in place. She prayed her efforts would not go unnoticed by the good doctor and he’d be pleased to see she’d taken his advice.
Before the service began, she saw him slip into a pew near the front, on the opposite side of the sanctuary.
Oh dear Lord, forgive me, but he’s better looking than I remembered, she silently prayed, clutching her rosary to her breast. His dove gray suit stretched across his broad shoulders, but looked rumpled as if he’d slept in it.
He’d been rude to her. Yet she couldn’t put him out of her mind. She abhorred his profession, believing his kind were nothing more than charlatans. So why did she want to learn more about him? Who was the man behind his rough exterior? And why did her heart beat so rapidly when he was near?
She went through the motions of Mass, repeating the litany and praying the decades of the rosary without much conviction. Squeezing her eyes shut, she willed herself to put Ancil Gordon out of her mind and concentrate on God and her service to Him. But the more she tried, the less it worked. Every time she closed her eyes she saw the doctor’s handsome face, and her cheeks heated at an alarming rate.
Rising from her knees, she settled once again on the seat and listened as the priest spoke before beginning Holy Eucharist. Feelings of unworthiness soared through her as she partook of the Host. Walking back to her seat, she made brief eye contact with Doctor Gordon. He smiled, and joy rippled to her core. The jolt shook her and she took a seat in the nearest pew.
When Mass concluded, she approached the priest to introduce herself and inquire about the ladies’ auxiliary.
“Miss Davis, it’s a pleasure to have you with us at St. Anna’s,” the priest expressed. “I know that Mrs. Fletcher will be glad to have your assistance. Let me find her. Oh, there’s Doctor Gordon. He can help you get started.”
“No, you don’t have to—” but her words fell on deaf ears as the priest motioned to the doctor to join them.
“Doctor Gordon, this is Miss Josephine Davis. She’s visiting Jackson for a while and would like to aid the ladies’ auxiliary. I looked for Mrs. Fletcher, but it seems she has already left the chapel. Would you be so kind as to show Miss Davis to the canteen? I’m sure you’ll find Mrs. Fletcher there.”
“Certainly, Father Bohannon,” Doctor Gordon replied and glanced at her as the priest walked away.
She held her breath, noticing a woodsy scent, as his eyes looked her up and down.
“Why doesn’t it surprise me to see you here, Miss Davis?”
Josephine hoped the warmth surging through her cheeks wasn’t apparent. “I think I mentioned my devotion to working in my home parish. It’s only natural I’d want to be of service to the church while I’m in Jackson.”
“Of course you would.” The doctor half-grinned and she could feel his gaze rove over her again. “If I may be so bold to say, you look much improved today, Miss Davis.”
“Thank you, Doctor Gordon. Are you going to look for Mrs. Fletcher?”
“Oh yes.” He sounded startled by her question as if he’d forgotten the priest’s request. “Come with me. I’m sure Constance will be able to use your help.”
Constance?
Josephine followed him outside to the breezeway that led to a mid-size building. Two women, carrying bundles of cloth swatches, were going inside as they approached and the doctor introduced her.
“Miss Davis, I’d like you to meet Posey Reynolds and Matilda Bradbury,” He said. “Miss Davis is visiting Jackson and would like to be of aid to the auxiliary while she’s in town.”
“Can you sew?” Mrs. Reynolds asked.
“Yes, I can,” Josephine assured. “One of my quilts came in second at the county fair.”
“Good. We can always use an extra pair of hands. Mr. Haggerty at the mercantile just donated these bundles of cloth samples for our use in making quilts for St.