Free Tabitha: Bride of Missouri (American Mail-Order Bride 24) by Amelia C. Adams Page B

because I have. For twenty years, it’s been one thing after another, and some things won’t be fixed. Now, finish up and get ready for the pastor. And for heaven’s sake, don’t chase him away. He might be your best chance.”
    Oh, Tabitha certainly hoped not. He was pleasant to look at, and he was kind, but there was nothing more to it than that. If they were to marry, she’d likely have everything she needed—everything but the most important thing of all. She wanted to be in love.
    As soon as Tabitha finished eating, she prepared the dishwater. “I’m washing up this time,” she told Clara before the woman could protest. “Why don’t you go rest with Herbert?”
Clara opened and closed her mouth a few times, but no sound came out. Finally, she gave a nod and left the room. Well, that was one way to render her speechless.
    Once the dishes were done, Tabitha went into the parlor and picked up a book. She’d just reached chapter two when Pastor Reed tapped on the door.
    “Thank you for letting me pay a call, Miss Phillips,” he said, still standing on the porch. “I wondered if you might take a stroll with me.”
    “Of course. Let me get my shawl.”
    Tabitha strolled down the sidewalk, the pastor at her side, wondering what he’d come to say. She wished she could just enjoy the beautiful fall weather, but until he satisfied her curiosity, she wouldn’t be able to think of anything else.
    “How did you enjoy the services this morning?” he asked as they rounded the corner onto the next street.
    “They were very nice. I especially appreciated your sermon.”
    “Thank you. I hoped it would be well received. I never know until after the fact if it’s what the people are ready to hear.”
    “I’ve never thought about it from the clergyman’s perspective, but I imagine it must be difficult to prepare a sermon week after week and to choose the topics.”
    “It is difficult, especially when I feel I should address a potentially divisive subject. Some people comment on the sermons as though they’re giving a book report in school, grading me on my delivery or my chosen scriptures.” He chuckled. “It’s rather exhausting.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that. I hope most of your congregation is kind.”
    “Most of them are, and I’m very blessed. It’s just those few who keep me up on Saturday nights, wondering if my sermon will be any good. Shall we sit?”
    They had reached the small park in the center of town, and Tabitha took a seat on the bench Pastor Reed indicated. He sat next to her and cleared his throat. “Miss Phillips, I have a problem, and I have no idea how to fix it. I wondered if you would take a moment and offer some advice.”
    “I’ll try, but I can’t say that I’m particularly good at giving counsel.”
    He leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees. “There are certain expectations placed on a pastor that I must fulfill. In addition to my weekly sermons, I’m to attend to the ill and the needy, be present at town events, and make myself available to any who need spiritual guidance. I do all this willingly and eagerly—I very much enjoy and am edified by my calling. However, there is one expectation I have yet to meet, and that is taking a wife.”
    “That’s an expectation?” Tabitha should have known better than to think he was calling on her for any other reason.
    “It is. I set the example for the congregation, and it is God’s good will that men and women should marry. If I remain unattached, I can hardly expect my congregation to believe me when I speak to them about it. I must find a wife who is modest, filled with charity, willing to work alongside me, and is not guilty of perfidy. Of course, if she happens to be pretty, I certainly wouldn’t complain.”
    “Perfidy. That’s a rather weighty word.” Why couldn’t Tabitha think of something more to say?
    “It’s a rather weighty issue. My wife must be completely above reproach, and I haven’t found a