sins and to live in your heart forever, now is the time. Please, let us all bow our heads and pray. For those of you who have already chosen the precious gift of life, pray for those here who may not know Him. If you want the Lord in your life, now is the time to step forward and make that decision.”
Casey felt the tears splash over her cheeks. She was the prodigal, and she desperately wanted to be with the perfect Father. Now she understood, and in the quiet of her heart, she reached out to Jesus. But Reverend Rainer had instructed folks to step forward, and no one ventured in that direction.
Her insides twisted. Sheriff Kahler stood beside the reverend. His reputation for keeping Kahlerville clean of outlaws exploded across her mind. Did she save her skin or save her soul?
She stood on shaky legs and made her way from the second pew up to Reverend Rainer. With her gaze fixed on the reverend, she took a deep breath. “I’d like to give my life to Jesus.”
He smiled and took her hand. The prayer was short, her breathing ragged, but she’d made the decision of a lifetime. No matter what the future held, she no longer faced it alone. The derringer in her pocket must be put to rest with the Colt and Winchester under her bed. Later, she’d put together the right words to tell the Reverend and Sarah about her past. Deceit had to vanish from her life. In the meantime, she’d pray for Morgan and Tim. Both needed the hand of God.
Monday morning dawned brighter than Casey could ever remember. She set Sarah’s breakfast of oatmeal sweetened with apple butter in front of the woman. “I feel so good today.”
“That’s because you’re thinking of the fine time we’ll have in heaven.”
Casey hadn’t considered that aspect. Yet it sounded wonderful. “I wanted to be a part of God’s family, but I didn’t know what it meant until I heard the reverend yesterday.”
“Bend down here and let me give you a hug,” Sarah said.
Hearing the reverend and Sarah praise her about the decision to follow God made life seem a little richer. But dealing with the possibility of the sheriff recognizing her was another matter altogether.
*****
Morgan watched his mother pace the kitchen floor. Light brown wisps had slipped from her pinned-up hair and now framed her face.
“You don’t think it’s a bad idea?” she said.
He laughed. “No. I think it’s wonderful. You should have bought the bull and told me about it later.”
His slender mother ceased her pacing and grabbed the back of an empty chair. “I want to develop our own line of beef from the best of stock. Bringing that bull from South Carolina is a start.”
He contemplated the risk. Investing a large amount of money in one animal made him a bit anxious, too, but he refused to dampen his mother’s spirit. “Look at the figures. We have the money, and beef prices keep going up.” He pointed to the ledger. “Looks like you’ve spent a lot of time keeping that straight. I’m more than pleased.”
“Your brother does the bookkeeping now and oversees the ranch. He works alongside the others, then tends to the books after dark.”
“He’s too young for all that responsibility.”
She said nothing but moved around to sit in the chair beside him. “Don’t criticize your brother. He’s smart and can work like a man twice his age. Remember what you did at seventeen?”
Guilt caused his face to grow warm. Grant might still be young, but he did more than Morgan in taking care of the family. “I should speak to him.”
“Morgan.” Mama’s voice raised a notch.
“I mean to let him know he’s doing a fine job.”
“Are you sure? I won’t have you undermining him.”
Morgan leaned back in his chair and tipped on the back legs. “I’m doing exactly what I promised myself I wouldn’t do. When I left, he was thirteen years old, and his voice had barely started to crack. Now he’s grown, and I’m still treating him like a kid.”
“I agree.”
He offered a faint smile. “No wonder he takes off when I show up. Can’t say I blame him.” He hesitated, trying to figure out the best way to apologize. “Mama, I made my peace with God. I’m finished chasing after Jenkins. Time I went back to living.”
She touched his cheek. A callus on her finger reminded him of the hard work required to run the ranch while he’d