Read Online Wonderful Lonesome by Olivia Newport - Free Book Online Page B

she made herself take a deep breath and begin stitching without looking up at the barn. She determined to finish a six-inch row of binding along the edge of the quilt before she raised her eyes again.
    The wind was oddly still for the Colorado plain. Ruthanna was not sure whether to be grateful not to have hot, dusty air blasting into her face or to think that any movement at all would bring some relief to the perspiration trickling down her neck. She moistened her lips and focused on her row of stitching.
    Ruthanna never knew what it was that made her sit up straight and look over her shoulder, through the undercarriage of the buggy, and into the eyes of a coyote. She froze, staring into the unmoving animal’s eyes. Every farmer in the region knew what it was like to have a coyote get into the henhouse before dawn—and in one attack destroy the steady flow of eggs that fed the family. Ruthanna had not heard any tales of settlers coming face-to-face with one in the day’s light, though.
    If she moved, she might startle him into attack. But if he attacked first, her swelling belly and aching back would slow her down. And what was to keep him from leaping into the buggy if she tried to drive away? If he would come this close to begin with, what else might he do?
    She started again at the beginning of Psalm 23, speaking the words in her mind over her pounding heart. This time she did not skip the unpleasant part as she held perfectly still and locked eyes with the coyote.
    Finally the animal lost interest, turned around, and sauntered away. All Ruthanna wanted was to feel Eber’s arms around her.

    Rudy meant no disrespect, and he did not pursue his question. Eli did not intend to respond, and the only other two men present who knew the answer would never defy Eli. Unsatisfied about why the rest of the men should remain uninformed and confused, Rudy crossed his arms and tilted his stool back on two legs while Eli made his nomination.
    Noah Chupp. The cobbler.
    Eli methodically listed Noah’s virtues. His mild temperament. His patience. His spiritual depth. His friendly relationships with everyone in the community. His family heritage of ministers, and the certainty that had he remained in Pennsylvania he would have been a minister before now. His grandfather had even been a bishop.
    Noah Chupp humbly responded that he would need time to seek out the will of God in this matter. The assembly agreed that of course he should take as much time as he required to be sure. No one wanted to misinterpret the leading of the Lord.
    As the meeting broke up, Rudy leaned toward Willem.
    “Do you think we will ever know what happened last year?” Rudy asked.
    Willem shrugged. “Do we need to?”
    “If there is a reason why we have not been able to establish a true church before this, it affects us all. There may be division among us.”
    “Everyone seemed of one accord about Noah Chupp,” Willem said softly. “Unless you are not.”
    Rudy scratched his chin. “Noah is a fine man.”
    “Then what is your hesitation?”
    “I sense something must come into the light.”
    Willem stood. “Let’s see what comes of praying over this matter. In the meantime, let’s see if Eber needs help.”

But I thought Noah Chupp was to be our minister.” Abbie scrunched her face in confusion.
    In Mary Miller’s arms, Little Abe twisted to lean over and touch his new brown leather miniature boots.
    “Mrs. Nissley says her husband believes it would be better if we began our church with a more experienced minister,” Mary said. “He thinks one might come from Kansas.”
    “Does this minister know…the challenges of the settlement? He might need to find a way to make a living other than farming.” Abbie tried to picture where a new family might live. Plenty of land was for sale closer to Limon, or perhaps in the other direction toward Colorado Springs. Considering the nearly nonexistent crop yield last year, the price per acre might even have