Free Cassidy (Big Sky Dreams 1) by Lori Wick Page A

as I'm done."
    Cassidy felt as though she'd been swept up in a storm but could find no reason to object. She was waiting with a certain degree of fear when he showed up just ten minutes later.
    71
    RYLAN HAD ASKED PETE STILLWELLfor the day off, feeling behind
    in several areas of study and ready to take some extra time to pray for the church family. His plan worked until just after lunch, when a knock on his door interrupted everything.
    Abi Pfister was standing there, paper ready, requesting-almost demanding-an interview. Rylan was not thrilled, but neither did he have a good reason to say no, realizing this was better than her showing up at the livery. Rylan was sure his boss would not appreciate that, and someone who did not understand the workings of a smith could make it downright dangerous.
    "When did you come to Token Creek, Pastor Jarvik?" "Five years ago."
    "Exactly?" Abi asked her standard question.
    "Let me see." Rylan had to think. "It will be five years in August."
    Rylan, standing on his front porch, watched the woman write, wondering what would come next.
    "Why Token Creek?"
    "I knew the pastor who was here. Pastor English was not in the best of health and knew he wouldn't be staying in the pulpit much
    72longer. He wrote and asked me to come and meet the folks here. I did and I stayed."
    "Where are you from?"
    "Denver."
    Abi, head bent, ready to write, stopped and looked up at him. "Denver? I didn't know that. It's a long way."
    "Yes, it is. The trains make it shorter these days, but five years ago, when it was trains and the stage, it took a very long time." "How long before you leave for another church?"
    "I don't have plans to leave Token Creek."
    "I thought all preachers moved around."
    "Not all."
    "Wallis told me they did."
    Rylan had heard this about Abi Pfister. She liked to tell as much as she was told. He didn't want to get into a gossip session with her, but he thought this might be a good time for the conversation to get a bit personal.
    "I think some do, but when I read my Bible I see great value in the local church family. The New Testament displays over and over again the importance of the local church, and as long as Token Creek needs a pastor, and I'm able and qualified for the job, I plan to stay."
    "What qualifies you?" Abi asked, her paper dropping in spite of herself.
    "The qualifications for an elder are laid out in First Timothy." "An elder? I thought you were a pastor."
    "I'm called pastor, but my job is that of elder."
    "I never read the Bible," Abi said softly, still forgetting she was supposed to be interviewing Rylan.
    "Is there a reason you don't?" Rylan asked kindly.
    "It's an old book, and I like new ones."
    "It is an old book, but not just any old book. The truths of the Bible are very relevant today."
    "You have to say that; you're a preacher."
    73 "I don't have to say that. I believe it withal! my heart." "Are you going to start preaching at me?"
    "Is that part of the interview?"
    Abi surprised him by giving a short crack of laughter. For a moment more she continued to be distracted but eventually went back to work.
    "Where is your family?"
    "Denver."
    "Anyone going to join you here?"
    "No."
    "No wife, no children?"
    "No to both."
    Abi suddenly speared him with her eyes. "I don't know if I trust a preacher who isn't married."
    "Why is that?" Rylan asked, not the least offended.
    Abi was disarmed by this. She hadn't expected him to ask her why. "I don't know," she snapped a little. "I just don't."
    "Well, if you figure it out," Rylan encouraged, his voice as calm as ever, "let me know:"
    Abi had no choice but to admire the man, although she did not let this show on her face. There was no artifice in him. She knew that Sheriff Kaderly thought very highly of him, as did everyone else she talked to. If rumor could be believed, Rylan Jarvik did not talk one way and act another.
    "That's all for now," Abi said, putting her things into her bag, her lopsided hat bobbing in the process.