Page 26 of The Preacher's Wife
“I’m sure it’s fine.” The other woman gave her a curious look.
“Emily, please. Take him inside. Something is wrong. I know it in my bones.” Prudence straightened to her full height and started toward the front gate.
She prayed Emily would comply with her request, and there wasn’t any further argument. When the stage came to a stop, the driver gave her a sharp look. It was not the man who had brought them into town, and that seemed to ruffle her even more.
The coach door opened and out stepped the last person on earth she wanted to see.
Her father stood before her with anger in his spirit.
Prudence wished desperately that she had fled instead of Emily.
“Welcome to Sterling. How can I help you?” Joel Easton’s voice boomed in the silence as he exited the store without a look at Prudence.
“You can’t. I’ve already found what I was looking for.” Her father waved an angry hand in her direction.
“The reverend isn’t in his office today. I’m sure there’s something I can help you with.”
Prudence watched as Mr. Easton put his body between them, and she wondered with childish fear if her father would strike him too.
“My daughter and I are going to have a word, and then we’re leaving this den of iniquity,” her father growled, stepping forward.
“Den of iniquity?” Mr. Little’s voice called as he too appeared in the street. Prudence thought he’d gone with Hubert this morning.
“Prudence!” her father shouted, and she thought for a moment of running away, but let herself out of the gate, feeling emboldened by the men who had come forth. She was truly shocked that her father had found her.
Wiping her hands on her skirt, she moved forward, but not too close. “Papa, I’m surprised to see you here.”
“I came to fetch you home. Get in the coach!” His face was nearly purple, and she was careful to stay back. Mr. Easton and Mr. Little were exchanging looks. They finally turned to catch her eye, and all she could do was shake her head.
“Papa, I live here now. With my husband. I won’t be going back to Boston with you. Had I known that this was your intention, I would have sent you a letter.”
“You do not have a husband! I refuse to acknowledge whatever farce of a marriage you have created.” Spittle flung from his mouth, and he took a menacing step forward, only to run into the arm Mr. Easton extended.
“Step back. She says that she does not want to go.”
Her papa pushed the arm aside. “She has no choice! My daughter will leave with me today.”
“Papa, I have a husband now. The Bible says—”
“Do not dare quote the Bible to me! You married under false pretenses, and I’m declaring it annulled.” He reached for something in his pocket as the sound of a cocking pistol echoed through the air.
“Sir, we are a peaceful town. The reverend’s wife has said she has no intention of leaving with you, and I don’t know what you’re reaching for right now, but I’m going to ask you to show me your hands!”
Prudence’s eyes jumped to Mr. Little, who until now had been a softly spoken man she would not expect this kind of reaction from.
“You heard the man. Either get back on the stage or I can have someone sit you in the sheriff’s office until this can be resolved,” Mr. Easton said.
Prudence felt paralyzed with fear.Her father ordering her around, and blameless men standing between them. Prudence knew someone was going to get hurt.
Her father’s hand came out, a pistol clearly visible and aimed at her. The sound of shots rang in her ears, and Prudence screamed as she watched her tormentor fall to the ground.
Prudence dropped to her knees, the hot tears blurring her vision as she reached out to touch his still form. The world seemed to fall away as she collapsed onto the grass, a gut-wrenching sob escaping from her chest. She didn’t need anyone to tell her he was gone; she already felt it in the emptiness of her soul. As shetried to catch her breath, the two men silently lifted his lifeless body and carried it away.
Amid her anguish, a small, warm weight pressed against her chest. She snapped back to reality, hugged tightly by Emily’s son.
“No cry. I hug you.”
Laughter bubbled up inside her, cutting her tears off as she wrapped her arms around Alex and held him close.
