CHAPTER 38

Church services began on time Sunday morning, though several benches were empty and many members of the congregation had eyes red from lack of sleep. Mrs. Walker stayed home with her husband, and Annie Harper sat with them. Several of the posse members were also absent.

Hiram and Ethan sat down on each side of Trudy, trying to hide their yawns behind their hands. Neither had shaved that morning, but she didn’t mind.

Libby paused at the end of their row on her way in. Ethan stood stiffly.

“Good morning, Sheriff.” She smiled at the Dooleys. “How’s Pan doing?”

“Holding his own,” Trudy said. “Bertha and Oscar Runnels volunteered to sit with him this morning. If his wound doesn’t get infected, they plan to move him to their house tomorrow.”

Libby nodded. “That’s good. And Trudy, you look lovely today.”

As her cheeks warmed, Trudy realized she was no longer Gert. She had begun to think of herself as Trudy, too. Ethan’s eyes swept over her, she could tell without looking up. She smoothed the skirt of the light blue muslin dress Libby had persuaded her to buy.

“Yes, you do,” Ethan said. “Very nice.”

Trudy’s cheeks blazed, and she was glad when Libby turned her focus back to Ethan.

“Are you going to let the girls from the Nugget go, Sheriff?”

Ethan gritted his teeth and shrugged. “I’m not sure yet. I’d like to talk to you later about what happened last night. Trudy says Flora helped Morrell when he kidnapped you ladies, but Opal helped you escape.”

“I believe she did. It happened awfully fast at the end.”

“Uh, would you like to sit here?” Ethan asked, stepping into the aisle.

“Thank you, but …” Libby’s gaze shifted toward the doorway, and she smiled. “I believe I’ll sit with Bitsy and her girls. I’ll speak with you later, Sheriff.”

“Bitsy came?” Trudy turned her head and watched in satisfaction as Bitsy, Vashti, and Goldie settled with Libby two rows behind them. Isabel Fennel crossed the threshold with her father and clung to his arm as they walked toward their bench.

Pastor Benton stood up and walked to the pulpit. Dark shadows rimmed his eyes, and he smiled wearily.

“Greetings, brothers and sisters. Our town has endured great trials, but God has sustained us. I’m happy to report that Mayor Walker is resting this morning, with no fever. We’re in hopes he’ll recover from his wound in time. Mr. Rideout was also wounded, as most of you know. His injury is less severe, and we expect him to make a good recovery. One other announcement—I’ve placed an order for hymnbooks, and Mrs. Adams tells me they should arrive in a couple of weeks.”

As the congregation sang “Amazing Grace” from memory, Trudy sent up another prayer of thanks. The pastor’s sermon on love for one another touched her deeply. She’d seen the people of Fergus move from separate, self-centered households to caring individuals and families watching out for one another. As she listened, she felt blessed beyond anything she deserved, having gained a new love for the women of the town and being seated on the rustic pew between the two finest men in Fergus.

After the benediction, they filed out into the blistering sun.

Trudy caught up with Bitsy before she could hurry away.

“I’m glad you came.”

Bitsy smiled with a shrug that set the pheasant’s feather in her hat bobbing. “It wasn’t so bad. I may make a habit of it. Of course, I’ve got to hurry now and prepare for the dinner crowd. Augie’s been on his own the last hour, and I expect he’ll need us.”

Hiram and Ethan came to stand beside Trudy as she watched Bitsy and the two brightly clad girls scurry toward the Spur & Saddle.

Hiram’s gaze shifted to the south end of the street. “Looks like a rider coming in.”

As others filed out of the haberdashery building behind them, they stood watching until the bay horse had brought its rider close to them. The man stopped the dusty mare in the street and gazed at the crowd of people emerging from the old store in their Sunday best. Several bags were strapped to the cantle and sides of his saddle. The man looked tired. He homed in on Ethan and smiled through a couple of days’ growth of beard.

“Good morning, Sheriff. Is this the town of Fergus?”

“Yes, sir,” said Ethan. “Can I help you?”

“Why, yes. I’ve ridden all night. Is there a hotel?”

Ethan nodded down the street toward the Fennel House. “The boardinghouse is right yonder.”

He looked where Ethan pointed and smiled. “Ah. That sounds adequate. I suppose I could have waited for tomorrow’s stagecoach run, but I was eager to get here. And … I’m looking for Mr. Morrell. He invited me to come.”

“Oh?” Ethan looked at the Dooleys. Hiram shrugged, and Trudy frowned. Ethan said to the stranger, “What is your name, sir?”

He leaned down and extended his hand to Ethan. “It’s Kincaid. Dr. James Kincaid.”

“Praise God,” Trudy murmured.

Ethan released the man’s hand and shoved his hat back. “Well, Doc, you’ve come to the right place. I hope you’re not too tired, because we can put you right to work.”

Trudy laughed. “One of the patients is at my house, just a few doors down, Doctor. Would you care to take a look at him and join us for dinner?”

Hiram said, “Go on ahead with him. I’ll take care of his horse.”

“That sounds wonderful,” the physician said.

Trudy nodded in satisfaction. “Good. And after dinner, Sheriff Chapman can take you around to meet the mayor. He’s the other patient.”

As Kincaid dismounted, Ethan reached for Trudy’s hand. She let him hold on to it as they led the doctor toward the Dooley house.