Sarah's Smile (The Daughters of Riverton Book 1) Page 21

  “You’re not proposing we go to the leaders in the church and tell them, are you?”

  “No. We’d be seen as wanting revenge on two people who rejected us. The end result would ensure losing any chances of drawing Peter and Sarah back to us.” She had his attention. Now to divulge the rest. “Rumors spread fast in this town. All we need to do is create a few sparks. Trust me—it will be like lighting a match to a hay field. It won’t take long before eyebrows raise and people start asking questions. Peter won’t risk his ministry or discrediting the church for anything or anyone—not even Sarah.”

  “You’ve got it all planned out. Why involve me?”

  “We come in contact with different people. Two can share knowledge faster than one, and we’ll have advantage of adding fuel as the fire spreads. You’ll be there for Sarah when disaster strikes. I’ll do my part to comfort and reassure Peter.”

  “I don’t want any part of this.” William’s eyes narrowed. “And if you continue with this cruel plan, I’ll tell everyone you made it all up to get back at the reverend for hurting your feelings.”

  Rebecca wiped her damp palms on her napkin, then clutched it in her lap, twisting the cloth tighter and tighter. “No, you won’t.”

  Her breathing quickened. She couldn’t retreat now. “Sarah’s father gambled away everything her parents owned and more. That’s how she ended up in Riverton, being raised by her grandmother. Her father’s shenanigans have humiliated her since childhood. How do you think she’d feel about your own habitual dealings with cards and money? Do you think you’d have a chance with sweet Sarah then? And let’s not forget your godfather and employer, Mr. Carter. I’m sure he would have a few choice things to say to you.”

  “What do you know?” His expression hardened, along with his tone.

  “A few weeks ago, I wanted to take a ride out into the country. When I got to the livery, I overheard two gentlemen talking. They mentioned your name.”

  “You’re blackmailing me?” His eyes shot flames. “It’s hard to believe that a cunning woman like yourself would enjoy country rides, teaching children, or anything else associated with a gentler nature.”

  Rebecca’s face burned. “I’m doing it for Peter.” The words almost caught in her throat.

  “Sure you are.” William’s biting voice cut through to her heart.

  Now that she had his undivided attention, Rebecca had to convince William to join her. He’d come around. He had to.

  If she backed down and didn’t get him involved, he might expose her plan. “What do you care about Peter? He’s not your friend—he’s your competition. If a few rumors can come between him and Sarah, what they feel for each other isn’t strong enough to last. In the end, we’ll both get what we want.”

  William moaned and gripped his knife so tight, his knuckles turned white.

  “Are you going to help me, or not?”

  chapteR THIRTY-THREE

  I hoped we’d have enough funds by now to complete the needed repairs.” Peter glanced around the table at the six church council members. Several looked him in the eye. Others focused on the financial reports in front of them. “However, I’m afraid offerings have been considerably less these past several weeks. It’s disappointing, but I’m sure it’s only temporary. There’s still time to get critical issues fixed before snow falls.”

  The men exchanged side glances, as though another subject occupied their minds.

  “What’s going on, gentlemen?” Peter set the ledger aside and folded his hands on top of the table. By the serious expressions on their faces, maybe he should be on his knees seeking God’s divine help.

  “Reverend, you’ve provided excellent leadership to the congregation since you’ve been here,” said Ole. The elderly farmer must have been appointed spokesperson. The others just nodded in agreement.

  “Thank you.” Compliments were nice, but this one felt like a preamble to a scolding. Peter couldn’t recall anything he’d done or said that might have offended anyone.

  “We’ve watched our membership grow for the first time in many years. Everyone has been impressed with the example you’ve set by reaching out to those in the community, like Frank Boyle and his family.” Ole gestured toward the man sitting across from him. “As you know, Matthew’s daughter, Rachel, is part of the Young People’s Society. The youth are still talking about an outing and a discussion you had with them this summer. They’ve been so enthusiastic about it, they’re looking forward to more, and we all know the young people are the future of the church.”

  Ole not getting to the point was starting to feel annoying. “I appreciate all the accolades, but I have a feeling that’s not why you called this meeting. And neither are building repairs.” Tension in the room grew so thick Peter would suffocate if it didn’t lift soon. “Can we get to the real reason?”

  Ole took a deep breath. “This isn’t easy, Peter.” His eyes usually twinkled with joy. Today they were as dark as his frown.

  A chill streaked through Peter’s body, and he moved his clammy hands to his thighs. “Whatever it is, you can tell me.” Were people questioning his wife’s death? Had someone accused him of stealing from the offering? What his imagination created had to be far worse than the actual problem.

  “The offering isn’t the only problem. What’s more important is that recently the attendance has dropped, and last Sunday it was sparse.” Ole shot a glimpse at several men, as if seeking assurance.

  Peter sighed. At least they were getting somewhere with the conversation.

  “I know.” The church had gone from every seat filled to less than half the attendees the previous Sunday. Peter couldn’t explain the sudden change. “If that’s what you want to talk about, I’m glad. I’ve agonized and prayed about what could possibly be the reason. If you hadn’t brought it up, I would have. It doesn’t make sense. If you have any answers or suggestions, I want to hear them.”

  “Peter, we know what the problem is.” Ole shook his head. “I’m surprised you haven’t heard yourself.”

  “Heard what?”

  “It’s all over town. People are hurt and confused. They don’t want to believe it, but they need reassurance.”

  “What is all over town?” Peter clenched his thighs. If Ole didn’t get to it right now, Peter would literally explode, right here, right now.

  “You and Sarah McCall are involved in an improper, intimate relationship.”

  ***

  “May I help you?” Sarah approached a woman with graying hair who seemed quite taken by the newest porcelain toilet set on display. She’d admired the pieces with yellow and pink chrysanthemums several times between picking up other items in the store. The set, priced at $2.20, included a wash bowl and pitcher, covered chamber, covered soap dish, hot water pitcher, brush vase, and a mug.

  “Yes, could you—” When the lady turned to address Sarah, her eyes widened and her cheeks pinked, matching the flowers painted on the pitcher in her hands. “Actually, the clerk over there already offered to help.” She pointed to Annie.

  “Since she’s busy with a customer, I’d be happy to—”

  “No, thank you.” The woman stiffened and deposited the pitcher back on the display. “I’ll wait.” Not giving Sarah a chance to speak, the woman bolted toward another area in the store.

  Sarah’s mouth hung open, but she couldn’t help it. She’d only offered to help. The woman didn’t need to act rude.

  Two farmers’ wives, both regular customers Sarah often waited on, stood at the end of the aisle, deep in whispered conversation. They must have sensed her presence because they simultaneously stopped talking and stared in her direction. Sarah lifted a hand in greeting but one grabbed the other’s arm, and they stalked off in the opposite direction.

  Snubbed twice within minutes. Something was wrong—definitely wrong. Yesterday, she caught one of the men who worked in the livery leering in a way that made her feel dirty inside. And last week, while passing on the street, someone ha
d returned her hello with a glare. She wiped damp palms on her skirt. Why had people taken a sudden disliking to her?

  “Sarah...” Ellie, wearing a day dress the color of a clear, summer sky hurried toward Sarah with Mary and Grace in tow. Ellie glanced behind her. “Can we talk?”

  “You don’t know how glad I am to see you right now.” What a relief to see a friendly face. “This is perfect timing. I’m due for a break.”

  “Is there anywhere the girls could be kept occupied?” Ellie’s low and serious tone sent alarms through Sarah. Her friend almost sounded desperate to get her alone.

  “Right this way.” Sarah led them to a back area of the store.

  The reading room in the Home Store, another one of Mr. Carter’s creative ideas, gave customers a little more. Filled with books and magazines, it almost served as a small library. Now empty of other shoppers, it seemed the perfect place for Sarah and Ellie to have a private conversation.

  “Girls, please sit here and look at the pictures.” Ellie handed Grace and Mary each a book.

  “Can I have a peppermint?” Grace swung her legs back and forth, making an irritating thump each time her feet beat against the chair.

  “You may each have one piece if you stop kicking your chair, and if you’re very quiet.” Ellie pulled Sarah to the side.

  “Is something wrong with Thomas? One of the children?” First the strange reactions toward her, now Ellie coming in so upset.

  “It’s Peter.” Ellie’s eyes were filled with concern. “The church council called a meeting this morning.”

  “It’s only the second week of September. They’re scheduled to meet the third Thursday of every month. What could be so important it couldn’t wait?”

  “I have an idea. Everything was going so well at church, but these past few weeks it’s changed. People are staying away from services. This morning, Thomas told me that instead of asking Peter, the Stevensons have asked the Methodist pastor to baptize their baby. I’m afraid if the situation doesn’t improve, Peter will be asked to leave, and he and Mary will have to move to another town. Who knows how far Peter will have to go to find another congregation?”

  “He’s expressed concern about losing support, but I’m sure things will turn around soon. Now that school has resumed, we’ll have regular meetings with the Young People’s Society. The group is so excited about what Peter and I have planned for the year, they’re inviting their friends to join.”

  “Maybe that will encourage parents to come back to church too.” Ellie gave a hopeful smile. “I should have more faith, right? It’s just that besides our own children, Peter and Mary are the only family Thomas and I have left. That is, except for an uncle and cousin. But Thomas hasn’t heard from them in years.”

  She peeked over Sarah’s shoulder. “The girls are still occupied. Now that you’ve let me cry on your shoulder, how are you doing? You seemed a little distressed when we came in.”

  “It’s strange.” Sarah could trust Ellie with her insecurities. “No, worse than strange, it feels like I’m being thrown back into those earlier school days when Rebecca manipulated the other girls into one day ignoring me, and the next, taunting me. I never knew what to expect.” Miserable, Sarah had felt so alone and worthless. Until Peter, like a knight from King Arthur’s round table, had stood between her and the bullies and scared them off.

  “I didn’t realize...” Ellie’s empathetic tone encouraged Sarah to continue.

  “You’re six years older, so you wouldn’t remember how mean the girls my age were when we were in school. I’ve experienced the same sick feelings in my stomach for almost a week.” Sarah thought back and added up the incidents. “Including today, there have been at least seven occasions where people have shunned me or given condemning stares. It’s like I’m reliving my youth all over again.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Ellie gave Sarah a brief hug. “Why would anyone treat you like that? It doesn’t make sense.”

  “No, it doesn’t. I wonder if...” Sarah poked her head out of the reading room.

  Annie stood behind a counter, wrapping the toilet set for the lady who’d refused Sarah’s assistance. Annie finished, handed the package to the woman, and stepped back onto the main floor. Sarah caught her eye and waved her over.

  “You need something?” Gregarious Annie, who always had a welcoming smile, appeared worn.

  Sarah peered into the redhead’s eyes. “Annie, we’ve been friends for a long time.”

  “Yes...” Annie’s gaze traveled to Ellie and back to Sarah.

  “If I needed to know something that concerned me, you’d tell me, wouldn’t you?”

  Annie fidgeted, something she never did, and Sarah’s own nerves inched closer to the edge.

  “What’s going on?” Sarah rubbed moist palms on her skirt. “Customers are acting like I’ve contracted a contagious disease.”

  “It’s—” The clerk paled. “I don’t want to say.”

  “Please, Annie. I need answers.”

  “I don’t believe any of it. I don’t. And I know plenty of other people don’t either.” Annie’s eyes welled up, and her chin quivered. “But I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to hurt you.”

  It had to be worse than what she even imagined.

  “There’s a rumor spread all over town about you and Reverend Caswell. You’re being compared to Delilah and what she did to Samson in the Bible—you know, using your womanly charms to come between him and God’s work.”

  Ellie’s face blanched.

  “People think we’re having an affair?” Heat pressed into Sarah’s chest, as though branded with a scarlet A. She tried to swallow, but her throat had become so dry it was impossible. Water. She needed water. Did she deserve the shame that rushed through her now? She’d done nothing wrong. Sarah could lose her stomach—here and now—on Mr. Carter’s beautiful floor.

  “Oh, Sarah...” Ellie grasped Sarah’s hand, her eyes filled with pain.

  “Why would anyone say such a thing?” Anger began to replace shock. Sarah closed her eyes to think, then opened them again. “Have any specific accounts been given? Any witnesses who can prove these allegations?”

  “I don’t know.” Annie swiped a tear from beneath her eyes. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know who started the horrible stories, but I’ve tried to stop them. I truly have.”

  Sarah gave her friend a quick hug. “Thank you.”

  “Mama, why are you crying?” Grace tugged on her mother’s skirt.

  Ellie used her palms to wipe her face dry. “Annie told us a sad story, honey.”

  “Can we have our peppermint now?”

  “You’ve been very good, so yes. You may both have a treat.” She grabbed her daughter’s hand and held the other one out toward Mary.

  Her niece jumped from her chair and joined them with a giggle. “I loovve peppermint!”

  Sarah wouldn’t break down in front of the children. She couldn’t. Thank you, God, that this beautiful child is so innocent and unaware of the hurtful things being said about her father.

  “I—I need to get back to work.” Annie pulled on her ear. She took several steps away, then turned back. “Sarah...”

  “It’s all right.” There was nothing more her friend could do. She nodded in understanding, and Annie returned to the store floor.

  “Let’s find the peppermint, girls.” Sarah’s face still felt uncomfortably warm, but she couldn’t hide out in the reading room any longer. The time allotted for a break must have passed minutes ago.

  She led the way to the counter where the glass candy jars displayed colorful sweets in various shapes and sizes. Sarah opened the lid to the red and white peppermint sticks and pulled one out for each child.

  Ellie got their attention. “You may go outside and eat your peppermints, but sit on the steps and go no farther. I’ll be right out.”

  “Yes, Mama.” Grace took hold of Mary’s hand, and they skipped down the aisle and out the door.

  “How c
an folks in this town be so cruel? Everyone knows you and Peter are decent and honorable people.” Ellie’s sympathetic eyes matched the tone of her voice.

  “Even if a good number won’t believe the gossip, it only takes a few willing to perpetuate lies and cause doubt.”

  “That’s not right.”

  “No, it’s not right, but it’s human nature. And although some people in the community have known Peter his entire life, now that he’s a pastor he’s held to a higher standard than most. It’s not fair, but it’s reality. So, of course people are going to question anything that may have the slightest impropriety.” Energy drained from Sarah’s body. She suddenly felt like she hadn’t slept in days.

  “I’m so sorry, Sarah.”

  “At least I know what I’m dealing with. It’s made me crazy to wonder if I was just imagining things.” Sarah grabbed a clean cloth from below the counter and absentmindedly wiped the top down. “It’s not like I haven’t been the brunt of gossip before. But as a child, I didn’t know how to stand up for myself. Peter protected me then.”

  “And now?”

  “Now we’re both involved in scandal, and we’ll stand together and face it. This time, we’ll take care of each other.”

  chapteR THIRTY-FOUR

  We have a problem.” Peter stood in the doorway, a silhouette in the dark night.

  “I know.” Sarah stepped to the side to give him room to enter. Knowing that Ellie had gone straight to Peter’s from the store after learning about the lies, Sarah had stayed up, hoping he’d come. “Gram’s asleep. We can have the parlor to ourselves.”

  “It’s a cool evening, but if you don’t mind I’d like to sit on the porch.” His weary tone made Sarah’s heart ache. “I don’t want to wake your grandmother, and at this late hour there’s no need to worry about privacy outside. No one’s going to be out taking a stroll.”

  “I’ll get a wrap.” As anxious as she’d been all day to speak to him about the rumors, his demeanor made her even more nervous. Maybe she hadn’t heard the whole story.