Page 50 of A Cowboy's Convenient Marriage

He knew where Ada got her heart for the Lord. Here was Ezra, thinking of ways to get people in church who might not normally be there, and thinking of more ways to try to get his family in church, even though it was difficult and hard with the work they did on the farm.

Ezra shifted the child once again. His eyes were completely closed. “Whether or not you’re interested in the church here, I’d appreciate it, as long as you’re around, if you’d consider allowing the Clybourn family to hire you for Sunday afternoons.” He grinned. “Maybe even for hospital visits and sick person visits and all of those good things. Bible study. You know, for wintertime when things are slow.”

He was grinning now, but Cash could tell he was dead serious. His family was big enough and apparently they were making enough money that they could hire a preacher of all things.

“I’ll keep that in mind. I didn’t say, but I am also going back to Virginia because John asked me if I might be interested in taking the church over again. So, obviously, if I decide that’s the way the Lord is leading us, then I would have to turn down your offer. Otherwise... I was thinking that once I’m done at the car dealership, I’m going to need to do something. Being pastor of the church would be a good job, and I know Ada loves the farm. She’s mentioned more than once that there would be a place for us to stay if we decided to move there.” He paused. This was something that he only thought in his mind, and never mentioned out loud to anyone, including and especially Ada. “Please don’t say anything to my wife, because I didn’t want to get her hopes up. I know she loves and misses her family, although you know Ada, and she has not said a word. So, she’s not complaining at all. And she has told me that she will be happy wherever she is.”

“That’s Ada.” Ezra said simply.

“Yeah. I’ve been blessed. Anyway, I might consider moving back to the farm, if there really is a place.” He hadn’t realized how right that sounded until the words were out of his mouth. But if things didn’t work out in Virginia, he wanted to seriously think about moving to the ranch.

“There is. Anytime,” Ezra said without hesitation.

“So I don’t know what God’s going to do yet, and I was mostly thinking that before this opportunity in Virginia opened up. I started that church, and I love those people, and I’d like to see the work move forward, but God clearly moved me out of there, and even going back to visit feels like taking a step backwards. But still, I told John I would do it, and so I will.”

“That’s totally up to you. But just know that there’s always a place for you on the farm. Always a place for Ada, and we’d love to have you as our preacher, here in Sweet Water, and also on the farm. That’s if pastor Stone decides to take the pastorate he’s been offered. I think it’s in Virginia as well, if I recall correctly,” Ezra said, furrowing his brows.

“Ironically, pastor Stone has an offer from the church I started.”

“You don’t say,” Ezra said, immediately seeing the irony of the situation, and God’s hand at work.

“Pretty amazing, isn’t it?” Cash said, and Ezra nodded.

Several people came over, and started talking, and they moved apart. Still, Cash kept the conversation in his mind, because of all the men he’d ever met, Ezra was one of the strongest Christians and one that he admired the most. What Ezra had done with his family, how he’d shepherded them after his parents had left, what they built on the farm, and how all the children, including Ada, behind him had followed and modeled his behavior, was impressive to say the least.

He also admired the relationship that Ezra had with his wife, who obviously adored him. It was an upward spiral that Cash would like to emulate in his own life. With Ada, that was more than possible. She was the kind of woman a man could pretty much do anything and with her behind him, it would be hard for him to not be successful. Because she would be cheerleading his every move.

He felt torn. He didn’t know what God wanted him to do, whether it was to go to Virginia, or to stay in Sweet Water. Especially after Ezra’s offer. But, he’d already promised Ada that they were heading to Virginia, and hopefully the trip would help them shed some light on the situation, and he would continue to pray that God would lead him in the direction he was supposed to go.

Chapter 20

“Are you ready?” Cashlooked at Ada. The butterflies in her stomach were causing a ruckus, but she planted a smile of assurance on her face, and nodded at him.

“I am. I’m eager to meet your friends, and to see the church you built.”

He nodded. “It was the Lord who built it, but he used me, and I’m humbled.”

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