Free No Place for a Lady by Maggie Brendan

to chores.
    As the white steeple of the church came into view, Kate guided
the horses beneath a stand of spruces alongside some other buggies
in the shade. Rusty and Kurt assisted the ladies down, and they
all walked toward the group of people who were milling around
outside the church steps. Children ran around the adults and
played hide-and-seek behind their mothers' wide skirts.
    "Yoo-hoo!" Mary Franklin called out to them as they approached.
    Crystal waved and started in her direction and was met by
Emily Johnson, who smiled shyly at Jube as he was tying up the
horses.
    "Ma wants to know if you can come to dinner after church.
Please say you'll come;' she said to Crystal.
    Crystal glanced at Kate, who nodded, and she turned back to
Emily. "I would love to"
    "Great. See you right after service then." Emily turned to join
her family inside the church.
    "She's such a sweet young lady," Mary commented to Crystal
and Kate. "And I can see that she's taken an instant liking to you,
Crystal"
    "I like her too:'
    "By the way, your shoes should be in by the middle of the
week;' Mary said.

    "Good. I'll be in to collect them:"
    "Come early and I'll make us some fine imported tea, and you
can tell me all about the South. I've always wanted to visit there"
Mary smiled at her.
    The sharp peal of the church bell rang out, indicating the service would soon begin. Crystal watched as April waited on the
steps of the church for Luke, who took her arm and guided her to
the pew where her family was seated. Taking a seat next to Kate
and Rusty, Crystal kept her eyes straight ahead when Reverend
Alden approached the pulpit. Kurt sat on her left with Curly and
Jube behind them.
    The reverend smiled directly at her. Kurt gave her a sideways
look, and she squirmed under his scrutiny and reached for a
hymnal as Bill stood. He opened his hymnal and said, "Let's all
stand and sing `To God Be the Glory,' found on page fifty-seven
in your hymnal."
    The congregation raised their voices in unison under the rev-
erend's direction. His voice rang out loud and clear. Crystal was
amazed that such a rich baritone emitted from his string-bean
body.
    While Bill preached, Crystal looked over the congregation.
The majority of the folks were hardworking homesteaders in
their clean but plain clothing. Their rapt faces were lined and
weathered, probably from years of outdoor labor and the harsh,
dry climate.
    Her eyes fell on the aisle across from her, where Luke sat with
April. He looked very dashing in his dark suit and stiff white collar
fastened at the neck with a black string tie. April's silky blonde hair
fell down her back, and she wore a pale blue frock that matched her eyes, making her appear as fragile as a china doll. Crystal
watched as April picked a piece of lint off Luke's sleeve. Crystal
groaned inwardly. They made a striking couple.

    But why should it matter to her? He was as stubborn as a mule,
with a reputation that preceded him. Carmen had told her that
half the girls in the territory were after him. But it appeared to
Crystal that he had just one girl in mind.
    Her wandering mind was brought back to the present. Bill
talked about loving your neighbors as yourself and putting their
needs above your own. Crystal thought he was so sincere and
genuine, but from the way he looked at her, she was afraid he was
starting to get ideas about her. He ended by reminding them of
the church bazaar, whose proceeds would go for a much-needed
organ.

    Crystal followed Emily out to where her father was waiting in
the wagon for Sara and Beth. Presently they loaded up, and with
a wave to Kate and Rusty, Charles flicked the reins over the horse's
rump. The horses set out in a trot across a field of wildflowers, and
the ride was filled with laughter with Crystal's new friends.
    Jube stood with his hat in his hands and stared after them.
Luke led the horses by the reins but stopped short, noticing Jube's
wistful