used to dealing with uncomfortable situations. I believe I’ve already met your grandson and daughter.” He hadn’t formed his words exactly right, and he, the new preacher, should be precise—and tactful.
The older man lifted a brow curiously. “How could that be since you just arrived?”
Travis cleared his throat. “On the road here. Uh, your grandson and another boy were fighting.”
“Then you’ve seen his difficult temperament.”
“Yes, sir. I have.”
“I’d like to hear what happened from you before I hear it from Zack.”
Travis braved forward, wondering if Zack was as good at convincing his grandfather as he was at convincing his mother. “. . . So after I got stung, I snatched up my bag and walked here.” He omitted how upset the reverend’s daughter had been with him.
“I’m really sorry. I’ve been meeting the train for the past several days looking for you, and the one day I miss becomes quite unfortunate. Did you get those stingers out?”
“Not yet. I thought I’d trouble your wife for a needle.”
“Then let’s get you taken care of right now.”
“No harm done at all. Perhaps I’ll have an opportunity to meet with your grandson. I’d like to think boys will be boys, and—”
Travis’s response died in midstream as the church’s door opened and the same woman he’d angered earlier stood before them.
If he’d not already tasted her anger, he’d have thought an ethereal being had floated in to make certain his first day in Kahlerville was filled with splendor. She wore a pale blue dress—something he hadn’t noticed before. And her blond hair gave him all the more reason why she could be mistaken for a messenger from God.
“Good afternoon, Reverend. Mama said you were here. Do you have a few minutes?” She moved closer, but in doing so, she must have seen Travis. “Excuse me. I didn’t know you had a visitor.” Her eyes widened, and recognition flickered bright, then hot.
“We met earlier.” Travis nodded. “Travis Whitworth.”
“Indeed we have. I’m Mrs. Kahler.”
He focused on the reverend. “I believe I’ll gather up my bag on the steps and introduce myself to your wife.”
“I’d rather you didn’t,” Mrs. Kahler said. “From what Zack has said about your threatening him, I fear you might harm my other children or my mother.”
Travis took a deep breath. Her absurd statement didn’t warrant his wasting breath to respond, so he didn’t. But he wanted to.
“Bonnie, this gentleman is the new reverend. He’s been called to take my place. I don’t believe he’s a threat to the children or Jocelyn.”
*****
All of Bonnie’s early morning resolve to conduct her life with wisdom and grace collapsed like a corncrib toppled by a windstorm. This . . . this beggar-looking fellow with unkempt hair and beard was the new reverend? A nasty taste rose in her mouth. Why, he didn’t have the decency to wear a properly fitted suit. But just as quickly, her motherly instincts squeezed her heart.
“Sir, my son does not lie,” she said calmly.
“Perhaps he mistook my eagerness to break up the fight with Clay as another matter. Both boys were upset.”
“Zack was nearly in tears. First the other boy insults him, and then he is threatened by a stranger.” Bonnie trembled with a nagging thought that her son may have lied.
“Ma’am, I stated this before, and I will so again. My role involved breaking up the fight and escorting the boys to school. I give you my word. I did not mean to disrupt your school or cause you grief over my interference.”
“I’m not the schoolteacher.” Did this unkempt man think she’d take his word over that of her son? Why were so many people against Zack unless—
“Bonnie,” the reverend began, “Mr. Whitworth is a guest.”
She startled and immediately regretted her behavior in the presence of her stepfather. “I apologize, Reverend. Mr. Whitworth and I will discuss this matter at another time.”
Mr. Whitworth cleared his throat. His face appeared to ripen to a tomato red. “I’m finished with the discussion, Mrs. Kahler.”
“How dare you?” she said. “Kindly admit your error and be done with it.”
Travis turned his attention to the reverend. “Sir, I think it best that I secure lodging at the boardinghouse. I appreciate your hospitality and your warm welcome, but I’m afraid my presence here might be a problem.”
The reverend raised his hand, moistened his lips, and gave Mrs. Kahler a smile. “Bonnie, you wanted to talk to me earlier. If you could wait here, I will escort Mr. Whitworth to the parsonage and return.”
Anger and a sensation