Heather waltzed into town to set Mayburg on its ear, but she soon learned that Mayburg men had their own way of handling wayward sisters and wives. Dwayne had his hands full with his sister Heather even before he met her enchantingly sweet new friend, Deborah. With interfering mothers in the wings, the stage was set for a drama with more than a touch of humor as love and wedding bells fill the air.

Readers who enjoyed “Ask and Ye Shall Receive” and “Seek and Ye Shall Find” will renew acquaintance with old friends like Lily Hall and Lizzie Jelpik, but this inspirational historical romance stands alone as well.

Chapter One

“It's hot enough out here to bake biscuits,” Joan complained. 

“I think we could fry fish on that rock over there,” Lily agreed. 

“Aren't you glad I convinced you to come along?” Heather asked with a grin.  She tossed her blond curls with winsome grin on her lovely face.

“I'm even more glad you convinced Hank to let me come,” Lily answered.

Heather quickly looked away, then suggested, “Let's pull our shoes and stockings off and go wading,” so the younger two ladies, Lilly and Heather, did just that, but Joan demurred.

“It's nice and cool down here closer to the river, but this is as close as I'll come,” she said with a rueful grin.  “I'd rather not be caught with my ankles showing.  It's all right for you young things, but as a Pastor's wife, you know I have to be extra careful.”  She sat closer to the water and splashed herself a bit with her fingertips.

“That's terrible,” Heather declared.  “A Pastor's wife gets just as hot and tired as the next woman.  She ought to be able to soak her feet in the river if she wants to.”

“Yes, she ought to, but this is not a perfect world and I'm afraid Joan is right,” Lily said, coming back out of the water and sitting down by her friend.  “Like it says in Romans, we have to try to be considerate of other folks feelings when we can.”

“Don't get out on my account, Lily,” Joan assured her.  “Go cool off.  Enjoy it for me, too.  I'm fine.  It's much cooler down here, just being near the water.”

“And feel that breeze?  Delicious!  I'm so happy Hank changed his mind,” Lily sighed standing back up and going back into the shallows with a grateful glance at Joan.  “I'll bring you my hanky.”  She bent and soaked her handkerchief in the clean water, then brought it back to Joan who squeezed it on her head and hands before patting it all over her face.

“Why didn't Hank want you to come?” Joan wondered.

“He knows I can't swim,” Lily replied. 

“Well, we're not going swimming,” Joan answered in a shocked voice.

“I know,” Lily agreed.  “I think it may be, too, that he doesn't want me getting overtired.”  Lily paused, then went on.  “I haven't been myself lately.”

“Never mind, dear,” Joan quickly changed the subject when she saw Heather's nosy expression.  “I'm just relieved to hear there isn't some trouble he knows about in this part of the woods.”

“As head of security for the railroad, he would know about things like that, wouldn't he?” Heather mused.

Joan noticed a look of pensive guilt flash across her face to be replaced by her usual good humor.  “My brother Dwayne is just an accountant.  He doesn't know anything exciting or useful.”

“Dwaynes' job is very important,”  Joan admonished Heather. 

“Oh, I know,” Heather agreed.  “But it's all at a boring old desk.  I wish he did something manly, like your Hank, Lily.  Something outdoorsy and physical.”

“A man doesn't have to spend all his time outdoors to be a man,” Lily commented.  The thought of her late first husband, an accountant and co-worker of Dwayne's, crossed her mind.  He sat at a desk all day, but was all man for her, no matter what.  “Being a preacher is also a very manly thing.  Joan's husband Wren is one of the most admirable men I now.”

Heather blushed.  “I didn't mean...  Of course, Brother Wren is quite...  I'm sure...” she stammered.

Joan smiled graciously, but her voice was a bit stiff.  “I understand, dear.  A pastor's job isn't very glamorous to a young girl like you.  In time you'll learn that a man's heart is much more important than his job or his appearance.”

Heather turned her head away and rolled her eyes.  I'll never fall in love with a man who works indoors, she thought.  Impossible!  I just can't imagine!

The ladies splashed and chatted until the sun sank below the tree line.  “Oh, my,” Lilly exclaimed.  “I had no idea how late it had gotten.  I'll have to go start supper!”

Joan got up and dusted her skirt off, but Heather complained.  “It's early yet.  Daisy will start supper, won't she?  That's what you pay her for.” 

“I pay her to help with my Daddy.  Caring for an invalid takes a lot more time than you'd think.”  Lily's tone was a bit defensive, but Heather didn't notice.

“You'll be fine,” Heather argued.  “Let's stay a while longer.  Joan can go on back.”  Here she gave Joan a sidelong glance.  It was her presence that restrained Heather from convincing Lily that a quick dip in this secluded secret swimming hole she knew about nearby would be just the ticket.  “You can always tell Hank that dinner is late because you had a headache.  This heat is enough to give a body that and more.”  Lily, however, was not listening.  She was busily getting ready to head back up the path with Joan, who was struggling to keep her comments to herself.  Finally, good manners lost the struggle to motherly instinct. 

“Honesty and trust are the basis of a good marriage, just as they are to a good friendship.  When you tell Lily to lie to her husband, it makes me wonder if you understand that.  Now, come along or get left behind.”

Heather hurried to catch up and defend herself.  “Oh, no, you must have misunderstood me, Miss Joan.  I only meant to say that Hank is a very understanding man.  If Lily got a headache in the heat, he would not be angry about supper being a tad bit late.”

Before Joan could retort, Lily jumped in.  “Yes, of course, that's right.  He would.  Thank goodness he doesn't have to.”  Then to completely change the subject, she went on.  “Joan, when is Deborah getting in?  I heard she was expected sometime this week.” 

“Thursday , on the noon train from Nashville,” Joan answered.  As the ladies rejoined the main path that lead back to town, Heather inquired, “Who is Deborah?”  I haven't met her yet, have I?”

“Deborah is Joan's youngest girl,” Lily explained.  “She went out West with her sister, but...”  Here, her voice trailed off and Joan rescued here from her discomfort.

“What Lily is kindly trying to avoid saying is what everyone in town will know soon enough.  Deborah went out West with her sister and brother -in-law, intending to marry his brother, but things didn't work out.  Now, she's come home and I'm just thrilled.”

“It will be so good to see her again,” Lily added.  “She left about the time Ted was killed and I was just too broken up about it to be a very good friend to her,” Lily admitted.

“That was years ago, Lily and we all understand.  She was just a young girl caught up in her own romantic daydreams of a man she'd barely met.  If her letters are any indication, she's grown up a lot since then.”

“Maybe we both have,” Lily agreed. 

Heather pondered their words silently for a moment before saying, “It must have been hard for her to make the choice to come back without getting married.”

“It certainly was,” Joan agreed, a bit surprised by the sympathy in the younger woman's voice.  Still, she didn't trust her enough to admit her suspicions.  Joan was afraid that her son -in-law had sent Deborah back without giving her a choice because of the tension in the house after the engagement was broken off.  Wanting to change the subject, Joan continued.  “There are lots of hard choices to be made in life, and sad things happen, like when Ted was murdered, but we have to move on.  Lily, you are living proof of that.  It was hard to watch Hank solve Ted's murder, but then you forged ahead and married Hank.  God gives us the blessing of life to enjoy.”

“And it was hard to accept help with Daddy,” Lily agreed.  “After he got so sick, I wanted to do everything myself, but I couldn't, especially after I married again.  First Mabel came days, then Daisy lived in.  Now, it takes both Daisy full-time and Mabel coming when she can to care for him.  I don't know what I'd do without all y'all's help.”  Sadness colored her voice as the words caught in her throat.

“I knew your father was sick,” Heather commented, “but I didn't realize he was incapacitated.”

“He doesn't even talk any more,” Lily admitted.  “Doctor Mason says it won't be long now.  I know he's going to a better place, but...”

Her voice trailed off as she dabbed at her eyes and nose with a handkerchief.  Joan hugged her tightly as Heather patted her back.

“It's still hard to let go,” Joan comforted her.  “Dear Lord, please give Lily strength and comfort,” she prayed, just as naturally as she had spoken before.

Heather hid her astonishment well.  She knew Joan was a minister's wife, but even her own minister didn't just pray like that, without a prayerbook or anything.  Did God listen to prayers like that, without church-words, or robes or stoles?  Joan hadn't even put her bonnet back on yet.

Lily sniffed a final sniff and then the friends slipped back from each other.  “Almost to the road now,” Joan said.  “I'll leave you ladies here.  Hurry on home so you're not late.”

Lily and Heather walked a little longer together before their paths parted.  “You know your way back to town, don't you, Heather?”

“I've been here three months, Lily, but you still always ask that question,” Heather answered with a grin.  “Yes, I know my way.”  She sauntered off merrily.

With a glance at the sun, now sinking slowly towards the horizon, Lily picked up her pace.  Hank's supper shouldn't be late just because she took an afternoon break.

“Where have you been, young lady?” Hank demanded as soon as she walked in the door.  Without waiting for a reply, he had her over his knee, skirts pushed out of the way and spoon smacking hard against her backside.  “Smack!  Smack!  Smack!  Smack!  Smack!  Smack!” went the spoon. 

“Ow!  Ow!  Ow!  Ow!  Ow!  Ow!” went Lily.  “Wait!  Please, wait.  Stop!  Oh, ow!” she wailed.  After a dozen swats, he paused to let them sink in.  “What are you doing?” she asked breathlessly.

“I'm spanking my disobedient wife,” Hank answered as he got a better grip on her waist with his left arm and delivered a dozen more swats.

“But I didn't disobey,” Lily claimed.  “You said I could go.”

Hank looked at her strangely.  Trimming the truth was not unheard of with Lily, but an outright lie and a silly one to boot?  Something didn't make sense.  “No, I didn't.  I told you when I left the house this morning that I wanted you to stay home today, and you could see Heather on Saturday at the dance.”

“But then you told Heather when she came to your office that I could go,” Lily argued.  “She told me so herself.”

“I never saw Heather today,” Hank declared, then gave Lily's backside another dozen burning swats. 

“How can that be?  Heather told me she asked you!”

“Well, she lied to you, didn't she?  And this spanking will teach you to pick better friends.”  Spank!  “And not be so gullible!”  Spank!  “And listen to your husband!”  Spank!  Spank!  Spank!  “I told you my reason.”  Spank!  “I told you why,” spank, “I didn't want you to go.”  Spank!  Spank!  Spank!  “That didn't change,” spank, “in the space of one morning.”  Spank!  Spank!  Spank! 

“But at least I didn't disobey you, Hank.  Please.  Please.  I won't do it again.” She twisted in his arms and he delivered three swats to her upper thighs. 

“Stay still, “ he ordered.  “You've been needing a good reminder of who's who around here for a while now.  Since I'm started, I might as well finish the job.”  Feeling her go limp over his lap, he applied his spoon ten more times to each thigh before moving back up to her rounded bottom.  He spread a crimson flush all over her tender flesh before ending with three resounding swats to each side.  “You took that well, sweetheart.  I'm proud of you,” he whispered as he held her and rubbed her back. 

“Once you told me why you were going so hard on me, I knew better than to fight you,” she murmured through her tears.  “I know there's no point in arguing when you're showing you're in charge.  Maybe I have been needing a reminder,” she admitted.  “I have been struggling lately.”

“Struggling with what?” Hank asked. 

“I don't know,”Lily admitted.  “It's nothing I can put my finger on.  Maybe it's Daddy.”

“I wouldn't be surprised,” Hank agreed.  “I know this is hard on you, but you've got to remember you're not alone any more.  You have friends to help you and a husband who loves you too much to let you get away with anything.”

“I love you, too,” Lily declared.  “But if you're done here, I'd better get started on supper.”

“Why don't we just have some of those tomatoes and cukes for supper?  It's too hot to cook,” Hank suggested.

Lily rubbed her burning backside meaningfully and agreed.  “Yes, indeed, it is too hot!”

As they ate their cold supper, Hank brought up the subject of Heather again.  “I've been thinking of that Mittel female.” 

“You mean Heather?” Lily asked.  “She has a name, you know.”

“She has an attitude, is what she has.  I'm going to speak to Dwayne about her and I don't want you seeing her until I do.  Understand?”

“But she's my friend!” Lily protested. 

“She's a liar and gets you into trouble.  What kind of a friend is that?”

“I suppose you've got a point.  I have to admit I am angry with Heather, but I'm sure there is a simple explanation.”

“Sure there is:  she lied.”

“But I can't just turn her away if she knocks on the door, or snub her in the street if we run into each other.  That would be rude.”

Hank nodded thoughtfully.  “Okay, I'll agree with you there.  I'm glad to hear you've learned your lesson about rude behavior.”

Lily thought back to the terrible spanking she had earned the day she made a scene at the train station.  She had felt justified in her anger with her brother who had secretly gotten married, but she admitted now that it had been wrong to act rudely towards him and his new wife in public.  Repairing her relationship with her new sister-in-law Clarise was still a work in progress after a year of effort.

“And we run into each other all the time.  It would be impossible to avoid her.”

“But you don't have to go out of your way to see her either.  She's trouble and I want you to be careful around her.  Don't believe everything she says.  Try to check it first.”

“Oh, believe me, I'll do that.  I don't like being misled whether by accident or on purpose.”

* * * * *

The air was crisp enough to snap like the leaves that crunched under well polished boots and dainty dancing slippers as the guests arrived at the dance Saturday night.  Now that they had endured the long-winded speeches, poetry recitations, photography sessions and almost on-key band concerts obligatory for building dedication ceremonies, the good citizens of Mayburg felt entitled to more enjoyable festivities.  Lily could already hear the strident notes of fiddle and banjo tuning up as Hank pulled up into the grove where horses and wagons were left.

“Oh, let's hurry,” Lily encouraged her husband.  “I don't want to miss anything.”

“First you nap until past time to go, then you want to hurry up,” chided her husband.  “They're just starting now.  That's Dwayne Mittel introducing Wren to give the invocation and bless the food.”

They slipped in to hear the last of the prayer then squared up quickly with three other couples for the first set of songs.

Lily loved dancing with Hank, who despite his size was light on his feet.  Lily just hoped Mark Jelpik was as light on his wife Lizzie's feet since he seemed to step more on her toes than his own.  Lily grinned at the look of gratitude on Lizzie's face when they sat down together to wait for their husbands to bring them punch.

“Not too sore to dance, I guess,” Lizzie commented.  “When I saw you yesterday, you were walking tenderly.”

“I'm much better today, thank goodness,” Lily admitted.  “I'd hate to miss the fun.”

“Has Hank spoken to Dwayne Mittel yet?”

“No, he hasn't had the chance, but then again, I haven't run into Heather, so it hasn't been an issue.  Where is Heather, by the way?” Lily wondered.

“Here comes Dwayne.  We can ask him,” Lizzie answered.

“Leave me out of it,” Lily requested.  “I'm too embarrassed by the whole thing.  Maybe that's why Heather isn't here.  She's ashamed to show her face after lying like that.”

Dwaynes' first comments after the initial greetings were spoken told Lily she had given Heather the benefit of a doubt which Heather didn't deserve.  “Sorry Heather couldn't come tonight, but the dress she planned on wearing wasn't suitable for Mayburg.  Maybe back in Philadelphia where my parents live, she could have gotten away with it, but definitely not here.  I tell you ladies this because I am hoping to enlist your aid.  My sister needs to be told... oh, but here come your husbands.  I'd like them to hear my request as well.”

Indeed Hank and Mark, Lizzie's husband, were approaching with the much hoped for punch.  While the ladies sipped their refreshments and exchanged significant glances, Dwayne continued, “I was hoping you ladies might undertake to instill in my young sister a bit of fashionable taste and decorum.  She flatly refuses to listen to me.”

“The standards of fashion for young unmarried ladies are rather different than those for married ones, Mr. Mittel,” Lily explained.

“But you know what they are, don't you?  She'll have to listen to you.”  He sounded a bit desperate.

“We could do our best,” Lizzie promised kindly.  Mark cleared his throat.  “I mean, if it's alright with you, I can,” she hastened to add.

Mark seemed mollified but Hank saw his opening and took it. 

“I'm not sure I want Lily spending too much time with Miss Heather.  One way or another, they get into trouble.”  Dwayne's expression showed he was taking umbrage at Hank's words, so Hank continued.  “Now, it's not all her fault, but Miss Heather...”

Lily interrupted, “I'm sure there was just a misunderstanding.”

This peaked Dwayne's suspicions.  “What exactly did Miss Heather misunderstand?

Lily looked to Hank for help but he gestured for her to continue.  Flushing pink, Lily tried to smooth over her awkwardness with a calm voice and manner.  “Oh, nothing much.  She only told me that Hank said I could go with her on a little outing last week, when actually he preferred that I stay home.  She must have misunderstood Hank.”

Dwayne looked at Hank.  “Was there any room for misinterpretation?”

“None whatsoever.  I never spoke to her that day at all.”

Dwayne's shoulder slumped.  “She must be at it again.  Our parents sent her down here hoping that in a small town like Mayburg, she would have no choice but to behave herself.  The shenanigans she was getting up to with her old friends in Philadelphia prompted them to send her here out of harm's way until a suitable match could be found for her.

“Out of harm's way?  Sounds like she just transferred the trouble from North to South,” Mark conjectured.

“A distinct possibility,” Dwayne agreed.  “This makes me more confident in my decision to lock her in her room tonight.  That dress!  That attitude!  Here at a dance with eligible young men present?  I shudder to think!”

“What kind of shenanigans do you mean exactly?” Hank asked.

“The usual thing, I suppose, among spoiled young ladies.  Overspending.  Dishonesty to avoid repercussions.  Sewing discord among her contemporaries.”

“How about escaping out of locked doors and coming to dances?” Hank asked as he pointed to the back door where Heather was just slipping in.

“That little brat!” Dwayne exclaimed, then flushed at his own loss of composure.  “Excuse me, ladies, but I really am at a total loss as to what remedy to apply next.”

While Dwayne left to find his sister, Mark quipped, “I'd apply a paddle to her seat, if it were my sister.  That's the only remedy for a brat.”

“Not so sure that will occur to Mittel, but unless it does, I think the less we see of Miss Heather, the better.  Now, I hear another reel starting up.  Mrs. Hall, may I have the honor?”  Both couples lost themselves in the melody and excitement of the dance floor.

Gideon saw Heather sneak in the back door and couldn't help wondering why such a pretty girl, beautiful really, would choose to avoid making an entrance.   Tall and broad shouldered himself, Gideon never tried to sneak anywhere.  He knew it wouldn't work.  His eye narrowed as he saw a citified gent close in on her.  He thought he recognized the man, who had visited the church a few times, but didn't know him well.  The look on the girl's face, however, showed that she wanted nothing to do with the gent, so Gideon decided to ride to the rescue like one of those knight-fellers in the stories his mama used to read when he was a kid.  The girls always seemed mighty grateful afterwards and he wouldn't mind a bit of grateful from a girl like that.

Gideon watched for his chance then stepped in front of the retreating girl in just enough time to tell her, “If you want to get away from him, you'd best come with me.”

Startled, she pulled back.  “I don't even know you.”  Then she glanced over her shoulder again and noted how close Dwayne was.  “Drat!”

“Best make up your mind quick.  It looks like me or him.  Which will it be?”  He held out the crook of his elbow and with a look of bitter consternation, she accepted.  She pasted a false smile on her face and watched regretfully as several more civilized looking young men stepped out of the way for Gideon to escort her onto the dance floor.  Why couldn't one of them have stepped in to help me, she thought to herself.  Why did it have to be this huge bumpkin?  Didn't they see Dwayne coming after me?  The steam was fairly pouring out of his ears.  And how did he find me so fast?

The dance provided only short chances for commentary, but when it was possible, he whispered, “An old beau whose heart you just broke?” 

She glanced at him, shocked.  “How dare you?” and a moment later, “Impertinent!”

“Observant,” he countered.  On the next round, he demanded, “Well, who?”

“None of your,” ... “business.”

“I'm making it”  ... “my business.”  The dance swept them apart and then back again.  “Or do you,” ...”want me to ask,” ... “him myself?”  Gideon watched her skip away on the arm of another man, eyes wide in horror at the thought. 

“No, don't!”

“Then you tell me!”  He danced through the next measure, wondering if she would, and what he would do if she wouldn't.

Happily for him, it didn't come to that.  “My brother,” she answered.

Gideon stumbled then regained his footing as he skipped with Lu Ann Parker down a quick lane formed by other couples.  Reclaiming his partner and returning Lu Ann to hers, he hissed, “There'd better be,” ... “a good explanation.”

“There is,” she smirked back as they formed a line with other couples and promenaded around the square, “but I don't owe it to you.” 

Copyright © 2007 by Christian DD Group.