then I need to make a few amends, beginning with my family.”
“You’ll do fine.”
“Thanks to you and the Lord. Forgiving Jenkins is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” Morgan picked up his hat. “But I sure feel better.”
“And what about Casey?”
“I have to find her. If the law gets her first, I can represent her. I used to be a good lawyer. But if Jenkins does, well . . .”
“God has a plan for both of you, and I’ll be praying. Thanks for all you’ve done here. I’ll miss you.” The tall, lanky preacher grinned. He still looked more like a cowhand than a man of God.
Morgan stepped out into the warm morning. He shook hands with the preacher, a man who would never be forgotten.
*****
The first few nights at the parsonage, Casey fell into bed bone-tired. She’d always been accustomed to hard work and little sleep, but not the ache that settled in her heart as she cared for Sarah Rainer. By the third day, Casey admitted the necessity to schedule household chores around nursing. After a week, she established a routine, and her duties became easier. Not once did she regret the work. Still, she figured she’d signed her death warrant when she learned Sheriff Kahler was a deacon.
A strange, almost strangling hold kept her at the parsonage. She tried to reason why she simply didn’t saddle up Stampede and leave Kahlerville. Perhaps it was the sense of purpose she’d found, more powerful than the fear of dying.
As the reverend had said, Sarah didn’t complain even when the slightest movement caused her to wince. Sarah’s wishes to stay neat and clean invited intense pain, but she wouldn’t hear of anything else.
“I can bathe you later,” Casey said on Sunday morning after Sarah had spent a miserable night. “I’m sure you’ll feel better after resting.”
The lines deepened in the woman’s face, and her eyes clearly told of the suffering. She fought for every breath and displayed more courage than Casey had ever seen from hardened outlaws.
“No, please do it now. It’s—it’s important to me.” Sarah closed her eyes. “Today is the Lord’s day, and I want to go to church.”
“Oh, Sarah, are you sure?” A frown tugged at Casey’s lips. “You know how hard the afternoons are for you.”
“Afterward doesn’t matter. John and I have a commitment to God and our flock. Why, the Petersons have a new baby, and I’m sure they’ll bring her this morning. They named her Sarah, after me. And we want to show our congregation what a blessing you are. Now how could I stay home?”
“But—” Casey thought she’d met her match in stubbornness.
The woman shook her head. “And today will be the first Sunday Mrs. Heilman will be there without her husband. God rest his soul. So tell me, sweet girl, how can I not go?”
Casey realized she’d been defeated. “I understand, but I don’t agree.”
Sarah’s smile brightened. “If we hurry, John can carry me inside before the others arrive. I hate all the fuss made over me. Besides, I want him to go over the last part of today’s sermon. His message seemed to lack something when I heard it yesterday.”
Casey gingerly bathed and dressed her. She understood the price the dear woman paid for attending church.
The Andrews family was among the early arrivals that morning. Casey had met Jocelyn and her daughter, Bonnie, and her son Grant the first day she lived at the parsonage. Something about the son triggered a memory, but she’d tossed the thought aside.
This week’s sermon spoke of love and forgiveness as demonstrated in Jesus’ story about the prodigal son. Sarah had been concerned about the part where the son wanted to come home. According to her, a family in the church had a similar problem, and she wanted to make sure the sermon included both the love and the forgiving nature of God.
Reverend Rainer talked about God’s grace and mercy. Every word seemed to linger in Casey’s heart and hold her spellbound until the next one was spoken. What she’d read in the Bible now had clearer meaning. Even the words to the songs touched her.
When the sermon ended, Reverend Rainer stepped away from the pulpit and made his way closer to the people. “The Bible says that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Through Him we have eternal life in heaven. If you have not thanked Jesus for dying on the cross for you or asked Him to forgive you of your