Page 12 of The Preacher's Wife
There was a pause after everyone had taken their seats. Both ministers looked at each other until Althea giggled. “Let your father have this one. You will have many other meals to lead the table in prayer.”
Without a thought, Hubert extended his hand to Prudence, and after looking at it for a minute, she placed her smaller one on top. Her eyes drifted closed, and he took a moment to admire the curve of her cheek and the peace that settled over her while his father asked for a blessing over the meal.
“Amen,” they said in unison when the prayer was done.
They passed plates and bowls around the table in silence, each person waiting for someone else to break the quiet. Finally, Prudence cleared her throat and dabbed at her mouth with her napkin before folding her hands in her lap. Her expression was stern and reminded him of a strict schoolmarm he once had.
“I know you are looking for a wife, and I have now arrived. However, I must ask you a question.”
“Ask away. I don’t have any secrets.” Hubert reached for his coffee.
“What kind of God do you worship?”
“Excuse me?” Hubert choked on the coffee he had just sipped.
“Do you believe in a loving and powerful God or one of condemnation and judgement?”
She pursed her lips, and he could see the pulse in her neck, but she didn’t look away. Glancing at his parents, who seemed to fade into the background, his brown eyes returned to her blue ones.
“The Heavenly Father is all those things. He is all-knowing and powerful, but He sits in judgement of his people as well. There is only one God, Prudence.” Of that, he needed her to be sure. They could deal with whatever else there was later.
“My father,” her bottom lip quivered, “believes that the only way to get through to people is to shout. His sermons are often about things like Sodom and Gomorrah. How we are all living in sin and there can be no salvation for some.”
“I have met several of the fire and brimstone preachers, but that is not my way. We are called to nurture our flocks, to love and care for all. Just as He loves and cares for us, His children.” Hubert’s fingers reached blindly for her hand, wanting to assure her. “I am not a shouter, and if I ever become one, well, I would expect my wife and helpmate to hold me accountable for that behavior.” He paused, considering his words once more. “At least privately. It is important that we can discuss our issues, but to my flock and our community, we come at things together.”
She nodded but didn’t speak. Instead, she rose and moved to the stove. The oil in the pan crackled, and he could hear something land with a plop. His eyes sought his father, who satsilently watching the woman behind him. He nodded at his son, his hand seeking his wife’s.
Hubert couldn’t tell how long Prudence was at the stove, but it was long enough for him to count the stones along the far wall. By the time she was done, he could say with confidence that he intended to marry the quiet girl that he didn’t know, and he could no longer picture his life without her, even though they were still strangers.
Returning to the table, she held a plate with small fried pastry balls coated in glistening sugar. “They taste right to me, but I must confess I’ve never made them before.”
Hubert smiled encouragingly up at her. “It smells like honey and sugar. May I have one?”
“Of course.”
Lowering the plate, one ball rolled off, landing on Hubert’s lap. He couldn’t help it. He jumped a bit. She was right; they were very, very hot. Tossing the pastry between his palms, he popped it into his mouth, eyes closing in bliss.
“That is the best thing I’ve ever had. I will make sure you always have the supplies if you promise to always make these.”
A delicate snort and a very feminine giggle alerted him to the fact that he’d spoken out loud, and Hubert’s eyes flew open. Before he could apologize, though, Prudence raised a hand, quieting him.
“I’ll marry him.” She turned, looking at his father. “When can it be arranged? I’m sure that Hubert has things to tend to in Sterling. I have already taken up a lot of your time.”
“What gave you such certainty?” His father tilted his head, studying her.
“I know exactly how hot these sugar balls are. Hubert did not curse, yell, or accost me. I have never felt safer than I do at this moment.”
That might be the saddest thing he’d ever heard.I will make sure she never has to fear those things,Hubert promised the Lord.
“Tomorrow after services seems timely. We can have a celebratory lunch afterwards, and you can take the stagecoach out on Monday.”
Feeling left out, Hubert stood, gently grasping her free hand in his. Prudence’s startled eyes flew to his. He could feel her pulse calm itself.
“Are you sure?”
She nodded, her bottom lip slipping between her teeth.
He took the plate of hot treats and put it on the table in front of his parents before turning back to Prudence. Slowly lowering his head, Hubert brushed his nose against hers before placing the lightest of kisses on her lips. As they rested their foreheads together, he murmured the thoughts that were racing through his mind.
