"Colossians 2:6," the little boy stood and started. "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him."
"Excellent," Rylan praised. "How about chapter one, verse ten? Heather, go ahead."
"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."
108 "Very good," Rylan praised. He called on several others to say the verses as well and then assigned a new one, Colossians 4:5, for the following week. When he was done, Chas came to the front.
"The Fourth of July is just about a week away," he announced. "Token Creek will have its annual picnic and races, and we hope everyone will be there. That, however, is not the last big event of the summer. I am pleased to tell you that we have saved enough money to paint our building."
Chas waited for all the laughter, cheers, and clapping to die down before continuing.
"We'll have certain days we set aside for painting, and if you can make it, we'll welcome you. If you have been working with your son or daughter, and he or she knows how to use a brush, that's fine. Otherwise we would like these painting sessions to be for the adults."
A few folks smiled and laughed at Chas' expressive face, but all understood.
"We'll organize the dates in the next week or so and let you know about those." This said, the congregation was dismissed. As might have been expected, nearly all talk was about the upcoming holiday and the painting parties that were sure to be just as good a time.
The next week sped by. The days were very warm now, and for some reason, the closer they got to the Fourth of July, the more raucous Token Creek became. Nate came for Rylan twice during the week, the first time when a gun went off by accident and a child was shot and injured. The second time the sheriff came for Rylan was on Saturday night. It wasn't that late, only about ten o'clock, and the crying woman did not want him there, so Rylan was headed home in fairly short order.
His mind was busy with the activities of the streets and praying for various people he saw. Not until he cut down a side street that
109
bordered the Lucky Nickel saloon did he hear a familiar voice. Rylan came to a dead stop and listened to Sabrina speaking.
"Do you want to come back to my place and talk, Paula?" Sabrina asked.
"Crystal said you would talk to me here."
"I will," Sabrina replied matter-of-factly, "but we're less likely to be interrupted if we're at my apartment."
"You're in Crystal's building?"
"Yes, upstairs."
"Hello," the woman said when she spotted the man coming near them. He did not look familiar, but in her line of work it was always good to be friendly.
"Do you want to talk to him?" Sabrina asked, having no idea that the man approaching was there for her.
"Sabrina," Rylan said, and she turned.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, well and truly surprised. I could ask you the same thing, Rylan thought, but he said, "Can I see you ladies home?"
"Who is this?" Paula asked.
"A friend of mine. I think he's just concerned that I'm out here after dark."
Rylan had come up to stand beside Sabrina. Nothing would make him leave without her. He only hoped it wouldn't come to a confrontation.
"I'm Rylan," he said as he put his hand out and Paula reached automatically to shake it.
"Are you the pastor?"
"Guilty as charged," he said, trying to keep the situation light. It must have worked because Paula laughed a little.
"What would you like to do?" Sabrina decided to press her, not sure what she thought of Rylan's presence.
In truth, Paula wasn't bothered by Rylan, but neither did she want to talk tonight. She'd already had a few drinks, and her head wasn't quite clear.
110"I'll come see you sometime," Paula said. "I'm sure Crystal can show me the way."
"Sure," Sabrina agreed, telling the woman she would see her around. She had already told the Lord that whatever happened tonight was in His hands and that she would not try to take things into her own.
111
SABRINA STARTED BACK DOWN the street toward home, knowing
Rylan was right behind her. She wondered if now was a good time to ask questions on that one verse, and then she remembered that he might have to get up early to ready his sermon.
"I don't suppose there is any point in telling you that I can get home on my own."
"You suppose right."
Sabrina didn't hear any anger in his voice, but neither did she hear any flexibility. She kept her mouth shut and, when Rylan took the lead, walked slightly behind him.
Rylan was taking them on an indirect route he felt was the safest. He didn't fear for himself, but should they come across a group of drunken men who wanted him to share the woman he'd "found," it could get ugly. Rylan hoped and prayed they wouldn't see anyone at all. He almost breathed a sigh of relief when Sabrina's stairs came into view.
"I'll see you tomorrow," Rylan said, standing to one side so she could take the stairs. The moon was almost full tonight, the sky clear and full of stars. He could see her quite easily and that her head
112 turned when someone walked by. She looked much too interested, in Rylan's opinion, and he stepped a little closer so he could keep his voice low and still make himself clear.
"Whatever you're planning needs to wait. Go upstairs and lock yourself inside. I'm not asking, Sabrina Matthews. I'm telling."
Sabrina's chin came up just a bit, but she said not a word. Taking the key from her pocket, she climbed the stairs, unlocked her door, and then looked back down. Rylan was standing just were she had left him, watching her. Still not speaking even to thank him, she slipped inside and locked the door. She would fall asleep before she could figure out how she felt about Rylan Jarvik's actions tonight.
Rylan let himself into his house but got no farther than the living room. He didn't bother to light a lantern but made his way to the rocking chair, sank down, and began to pray.
I know she cares about these folks, Lord, but she has to have more care of herself Denver is no different. It might even be worse in some areas. The contrast between how sheltered and yet how knowledgeable she is completely confuses me. I so appreciate her wanting to reach out, but if she's hurt or killed, I don't think my heart could take it.
Why do I feel responsible, Lord? She came here, and our church family has taken her in, but it's more than that. I feel I must protect her, as if I'm the only one who can.
Thoughts came to mind just then that Rylan had not been willing to entertain. For the first time he let his mind go to possibilities that he would hate to be true but would make sense.
Fatigue settled on him like a heavy garment. He knew he needed to turn in. His congregation was counting on him to bring truth and hope in the morning, and he could not let them down. Lighting the lantern now so he could ready himself for bed, Rylan turned in, asking God one more time to care for Sabrina and to keep her safe this night.
113 "Will we ever be on time for the service again?" Meg asked Brad when they were finally in the wagon and on the road. "I get up earlier and earlier, but something always happens."
"You can't predict when you're going to be sick, Meg. You're being too hard on yourself."
Meg didn't comment, but it certainly bothered her.
"You definitely amused a certain child," Brad said, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Why is that?" Meg asked, even as she shifted Savanna on her lap. "She can't stop giggling when I vomit."
"It will be a few years before she figures out that there's nothing funny about it."
"She laughed at Cass one time, but Cass didn't notice and because
she was feeling so lousy that first month, I never mentioned it." This said, Meg looked up to find Brad smiling a little. "Do you think it's funny too?" she asked.
"Not your being sick, but the hysterical giggles from our daughter are very contagious."
/> Meg had no choice but to smile. Savanna's laughter was fun, and Brad was right, it would be some time before she fully understood.
"We won't try to start painting until the week after the Fourth. Plan on the twelfth and continuing on the thirteenth, but those are the only two days that week," Chas announced at the end of the service. "Rylan will usually be on hand, but if he's not around, I should be available. See me if you can bring ladders. If you can spare an hour or two to paint, you don't need to see me, just show up with your brush."
Chas thanked the congregation and dismissed them. Folks began
114 to mill around and talk, but Sabrina had missed breakfast and didn't take long to head for the door. She wasn't even to the street when Rylan caught her.
"We need to talk," he said quietly, wasting no time with formalities. Sometime that morning he realized he had to get back to Sabrina about the night before and saw no point in waiting.
"All right," Sabrina agreed, knowing it was about last night. She was still working out in her mind what happened and thought talking about it might be a good idea.
"Why don't I come by about four o'clock, when it's not so warm," Rylan suggested. "We can take a walk or go over and use one of Jeanette's parlors. She won't mind."
"All right," Sabrina agreed again, and Rylan wished he knew what she was thinking. Her eyes were amazing, the most crystal blue he'd ever seen and clear as a child's, but he could not always read them. To him it seemed that she could become inscrutable at will, like right now.
"I don't suppose you want to tell me what you're thinking," Rylan couldn't resist saying.
"I don't know what I'm thinking," Sabrina admitted. "I'm still trying to work out what happened."
"Since I'm in the same boat, I'm glad we're going to talk." Sabrina nodded.
"I'll see you at four."
"I'll be ready," Sabrina said. She started again for home but did so very slowly, her hunger now at the back of her mind.
"Did I see Rylan speaking to Bri after the service?" Cassidy asked Trace when they had a moment alone. Jeanette had invited them over for dinner but had left for a minute to check on Heather and Theta.
"I noticed that too. He seemed to follow her out of the church."
115 "Has he spoken to you about her?"
Trace was only able to shake his head no before Jeanette rejoined them, but that man could see in his wife's eyes that the subject was still on her mind.
Rylan was at Sabrina's door promptly at four o'clock. Without a lot of words they began to walk to the outskirts of town, catching the creek line some ways out. It was still fairly warm so when they passed under the shade of a large tree, Rylan came to a stop. He sat on the long grass, and Sabrina sank down some eight feet away.
"Can you tell me about last night?" Rylan asked.
"You mean, before you got there?"
"Yes."
"I had seen Crystal earlier in the day, and she had asked me if I'd ever met Paula. I guess Crystal told her about what happened with Eliza, and Paula said she had questions about God."
"And you felt you had to talk to her downtown on a Saturday night?"
"To tell you the truth, I forgot it was Saturday night until I was partway to there."
"How did you know where to go?"
"Crystal."
"Had you just gotten there?"
"Yes, maybe five minutes ahead of you."
Rylan opened his mouth to ask another question, but Sabrina cut back in.
"What were you doing out?"
"There was a shooting, but the woman didn't want me there." "I heard gunfire earlier."
"And you didn't run out to see what you could do?" Rylan asked, his eyes wide to add to the sarcasm.
"It's not like that," Sabrina objected, but then stopped. She looked
116 out over the creek, feeling foolish. Rylan read her face and wished he hadn't teased her. He was going to say as much when Sabrina spoke, not looking at him and almost in a whisper.
"They don't know about the shed blood of Christ. They don't know that He died for them and that He's waiting to take their sins away and save them for all time. Someone has to tell them."
"Sabrina," Rylan began, touched by her words. "I think what you're trying to do is amazing, but it can't be at the risk of your own safety."
"I'm not afraid," she said quietly but with utter conviction. "I can see that, but maybe you should be."
Sabrina finally looked at him.
"Listen to me," Rylan tried again. "There must be a way to do this during the day."
"You go out after dark," Sabrina argued, and Rylan had to laugh. Sabrina turned her head again and wouldn't look at him, but she wanted to laugh too.
"Tell me you know that was a ridiculous thing to say."
"Yes, it was," Sabrina admitted, her face still in profile.
For a long moment there was quiet between them. Rylan knew what he wanted to say, but he also wanted to hear more from Sabrina if she wanted to share. When she didn't, he began.
"I want to tell you something I've had to learn about Token Creek," Rylan began, and Sabrina finally looked his way.
"Real hunger will come to the fore. I used to pursue people but no longer. They know who I am and where they can find me. They know how available I am. If someone is truly tired of his sin or stops long enough to feel the hunger inside, he'll seek out the truth. I have to keep living a holy life, but God will bring the people and give the increase. I don't have to put myself in danger to share Him."
Sabrina had to think about this. She probably had been too zealous, and Rylan was right, going out after dark if she didn't have to was risky.
"Thank you for not saying I need to move back to Jeanette's."
117 "On the contrary, except when you go out after dark I think you handle where you're living very well. To be honest, I've never known a woman with your guts. I just don't want you to be foolhardy."
Sabrina nodded. He had given her much to think about, and she knew he'd said it with a concern for her safety. In truth she did need to be more responsible. If she was hurt because she had not been careful, someone would have to care for her, and that would be selfishness on her part.
"Can I ask you one more question?" Rylan said.
Sabrina nodded.
"Did you really think I would let you walk home alone last night when you suggested it?"
"Well, it was getting late, and I didn't know how early you had to be up when you preach."
This was the last thing he expected. Stubbornness maybe, or not wanting to be ordered around, but certainly not concern for his getting enough rest.
"What's the matter?" Sabrina asked, trying to read his face. "You just surprised me."
They looked at each other for a moment.
"Do you get up early on Sunday mornings?" Sabrina asked. "Yes, I do."
The black-haired woman nodded.
"Why don't we go to Jeanette's," Rylan suddenly suggested. "Is she expecting us?"
"No, but maybe Becky made bread pudding."
Sabrina could not stop her laughter. It rang out over the creek line and made Rylan laugh in return.
"And one of these days," Rylan said when they were on their feet and headed back toward town, "maybe you'll tell me how you came to believe in the shed blood of Christ."
Sabrina said that she would, and that she wanted to hear Rylan's story as well. Rylan certainly agreed even as he prayed. Please help
118me to hold myself in check, Lord. She's special, very special, but I can't rush this. There are too many things I don't know, and I'd rather lose a limb than hurt her.
Sabrina, completely unaware of the pastor's thoughts, knew it was finally time to ask Rylan about some of his sermon points. Naturally he was more than happy to answer.
"Things a little quiet on the streets?" Bret asked of Crystal when he wandered over to the corner table she was sitting at on Sunday night. The Boar's Head was not overly busy, and she had a drink in front of her.
/>
"Just resting my feet," Crystal said, thinking he was too good- looking and knew it.
"Do you see much of Bri Matthews?" Bret asked next, trying to appear nonchalant. Crystal's smile turned a little mean before she answered.
"You're out of your class there, Bret. She's a nice girl."
Bret's eyes grew cold. He did not like the word no, and he didn't like to be told he wasn't good enough. With a move he couldn't quite pull off, Bret shrugged and shifted in his chair, glancing around the room in disinterest.
"I just noticed a scratch on her face and wondered what happened."
"Oh that." Crystal took the bait and didn't even know she'd been caught. "Zeke was drunk and giving Eliza the once over. Bri came at him, and he hit her too."
The anger that flooded through Bret was a surprise to him. Women like Sabrina Matthews were not for hitting, and Bret thought men like Zeke were worthless even when they weren't drunk.
"What was Bri doing there?"
"I guess she heard the fight and went in to check."
Crystal finished her drink then and pushed to her feet. She
119 halfway hoped that Bret would want a little more of her time, but she was suddenly weary of men talking to her about Sabrina. Without saying goodbye, Crystal went to the bar. A man had come in that she hadn't seen before. Maybe he would want to talk about her and no one else.
"Over here!" Clancy called the moment she spotted Sabrina. "Over here, Bri."
Sabrina wasted no time. She had made her bean stew again, and a loaf of bread, And arrived at the town's Fourth of July celebration hoping to sit with someone she knew. Tables were lined up along the creek, and the meal was potluck.
"How are you?" Sabrina asked when Clancy rushed to hug her legs. She bent enough to hug the little girl in return.
"Mama made cake."
"Did you help?"
"Only with licking."
Sabrina laughed as she asked, "What kind of cake?"
"Spice. It's Hannah's favorite."
"Where is Hannah?"
"She's with Heidi." A sudden frown appeared. "I don't have anyone."
"Well, that tells you where we stand, Bri," Jessie put in, more amused than offended by her daughter's words. "Here, give those to me and I'll take them to the food tables."