“I’m afraid my beliefs aren’t as strong as yours,” she said.
“Are you interested in following Jesus and getting to know Him?”
“Yes, sir. I have a Bible. Been reading it.”
The reverend nodded, while she fought the urge to squirm in the chair.
“If this arrangement is satisfactory to you and Sarah, I could answer your questions about God.” He took a drink of the coffee. “I want the time my wife has remaining to be as pleasant as possible. Her nurse must be someone who will love her and tend to her needs. Sarah has looked after many folks in her day, and she loves the Lord unlike any woman I’ve ever known. She deserves the best of care, and I aim for her to have it. I’ve been looking for someone to do this but haven’t had much luck.”
An awkwardness filled the room. “But you don’t know me,” Casey said. The prospect of deceiving a man of God left a huge lump in her throat. “And what would the members of this community say about me—a single woman—living here?”
“My congregation suggested I find someone to help me. I plan to take the matter up with them come Sunday morning. That is, if you and Sarah are in agreement.” He heaved a deep, weary sigh. “Miss Flanagan, you’re a stranger, yet I feel God has sent you here for a reason.” He stood and refilled both of their coffee cups.
She deliberated his offer. He really did need help, and from the looks of the kitchen, cooking and cleaning weren’t among his finer qualities. Upon further deliberation, she thought looking after Sarah Rainer could be an opportunity to make up for the heartache and suffering the Jenkins gang had caused so many people. She couldn’t right the wrongs, but she could make life easier for this couple. Yet the prospect of facing the town’s sheriff needled at her. She should have kept right on riding after talking to the boy on the mule.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“It will take a special person to care for her. Frankly, she needs a friend. I know only too well how difficult it is to appear cheerful when she’s dying right in front of you.” He attempted a smile despite the morose look on his face. “But I’m not giving up until God decides to take her home.”
“I understand.” She thought back over the men she’d watched die. She hadn’t lacked courage then, and those men weren’t God-fearing.
“What do you want to know about me? I don’t carry any letters of introduction or references.” She’d heard one of Rose’s girls talk about these before. That girl didn’t have any, either.
She sat still, her heart quaking, while Reverend Rainer studied her. She wanted to do this, but the thought of it drove a fist into her stomach. Lying to a preacher would surely send her to hell, but getting caught by Jenkins or the law because she helped a preacher sounded better on her tombstone.
“It’s sufficient to know you want to know more about the Lord,” the reverend said. “I think you feel awkward with what I’m suggesting, and the truth is I do, too. All I can say is God spoke to me today, and I’m following like a blind man.”
Her mouth went dry. Why didn’t she simply leave and forget about the whole matter?
“Would you like to meet Sarah? Then we can talk. After all, she’s the one who needs to be happy with the arrangement.” He rubbed his floured palms together. “I’ll see if she is awake. May I escort you to the parlor?”
They walked past a room that Reverend Rainer said was his study. Casey gazed at the shelves. She wanted to touch the floor-to-ceiling leather-bound volumes. So many things to learn about God and the world around me. I surely wish my words were better. Hearing and talking nothing but curses for seven years makes me ashamed.
“You like to read?” he said.
She nodded.
“If you decide to nurse Sarah, you’re welcomed to any of these.”
Casey caught the scent of roses blooming just outside the study window. She could have reached out and plucked one of the deep red blooms. Instead, she admired them. “How beautiful.”
“Thank you. Sarah’s roses have always flourished under this window. I’m not as faithful as she in keeping them looking their best.”
“I can’t imagine them looking more beautiful than today.” She meant every word.
The parlor invited in sunshine as though the room were merely an extension