Page 28 of The Preacher's Wife
Glancing at Irving, the other man shook his head. “Mostly, I need the Rev and the marshal,” Irving said.
Hubert’s chest clenched. He stepped forward, torn between the urge to ask questions and the longing to just ride away.
“Seems I killed your father-in-law today. Your missus is at the Easton’s. She was just shaken, not hurt.”
That was all he needed to hear. He didn’t even bother to say goodbye as he rushed to his horse. He was confident that the others would handle the specifics, but his wife was a different story. As he rode on horseback, he covered the distance with ease, only stopping briefly to let a stagecoach go by before reaching the town.
He briefly considered stopping the stagecoach to make sure she wasn’t on it, but he felt a strong urging from the Holy Spirit to continue. The horse was winded when they finally came to a halt in front of the mercantile.
They both were.
Hubert took a moment to collect himself, saying a silent prayer for the words needed. He felt calmer entering the store, and then he saw Prudence with her puffy little face and tear streaks. He felt relief knowing that she was still in town, but it quickly turned into anger and a powerful urge to protect her.
No one should make Prudence cry.No one.
“Pru,” he whispered, approaching her carefully.
“I’m sorry,” she sniffled.
Kneeling, he tugged her fretting fingers into his hands. She wouldn’t look up. He continued tugging on her fingers until she met his gaze.
“I didn’t mean to cause trouble. Please don’t send me away.” She crumbled into his arms and began sobbing once more.
Hubert collected her to him and cast his gaze at Emily, who stood nearby.
“Her father was on the stage that just came through. He said terrible things to her. When Joel and Irving tried to intercede, he pulled a weapon. Irving fired a shot, and she’s been blaming herself ever since. She found something in his bag and was murmuring to herself about you never forgiving her.” Emily reached over and picked up the piece of paper.
When she made a scoffing sound, he felt his eyebrows climb into his forehead.
“It looks like Jeffrey Crumb has reared his ugly head again.”
Hubert reached out a hand and took the letter, tucking it into his pocket. “I’m going to take her home. The others are coming back. Are you hurt?”
“No. She protected us.” Emily gave him a soft smile, nodding her head. “I’ll hold on to the bag.”
With that settled, Hubert scooped his bride into his arms and made his way out of the building and across the road. He was thankful they lived in a place where the doors didn’t have to be locked as he let himself back inside the boarding house, kicking it closed behind him.
Prudence was quiet now, her breathing more even, and he wondered if she’d fallen asleep. Carrying her up the stairs, he paused briefly between the two doors. There was no decision to be made. He took her to his room. Kicking the door shut with his heel, Hubert gently laid his wife on the bed and tried to untangle her fingers from his shirt.
Lord, what am I supposed to do?
The response was swift and came with his next breath.
Love her as you love me.
Chapter Nine
Slowly, Prudence’s eyes fluttered open to an unknown room. She tried to move, but her limbs felt heavy and unresponsive. She realized she was in someone else’s bedroom, and her body felt like it had been glued to the mattress. Panic surged through her as she remembered the events of the day. Her heart raced as she took a deep breath and braced herself for a scream.
“You’re awake.” Hubert’s soothing voice immediately stopped her from screaming.
Blinking, she searched the room, finding him much closer than expected.
“What are you doing?”
Hubert chuckled. “Well, you see, there’s this pretty lady who had a hard day. Then she fell asleep in my arms. I wasn’t ready to let her go, so I brought her to bed.”
“Your wife might not approve,” she scowled, crinkling up hernose to tease him.
