Betsy's Return by Wanda E. Brunstetter

heart.”
    A shiver started at the base of Betsy’s neck and ran all the way down her spine. She could hardly think about Papa dying, much less speak the words.
    â€œI apologize if I’ve spoken out of turn. I can see that you’re shaken.” Pastor William nodded toward the organ bench. “Would you like to sit awhile?”
    â€œI’m fine.” Betsy grabbed the hymnbook from the end of the organ where she had placed it after the service. “Should we pick some songs for next Sunday now?”
    â€œYes. Yes, of course.”

Chapter 14
    â€œI’m sorry you couldn’t come over to our place for supper last week,” Ruby said to Betsy as they both pulled their buckboards into a clearing near the section of the canal closest to the lock tender’s house.
    Betsy glanced over at her father, who sat in the seat beside her. “Papa wasn’t feeling well that night, and—”
    â€œI tried to get her to go, but my daughter can be so stubborn sometimes.” Papa nodded at Betsy. “I love you and appreciate your dedication, but you worry about me too much.”
    Betsy couldn’t argue with that. She did worry about her father and wanted him to get well so they could spend more time together.
    â€œI’m glad you’re feeling up to attending our church service and picnic at the canal today,” Ruby said. “Sure wish my husband would have been able to come.”
    â€œIs Clem sick?” Betsy asked. “I didn’t see him at our service in town.”
    â€œHe’s not sick, but yesterday morning that determined man put a kink in his back when he tried to move a huge rock in our backyard.” Ruby pursed her lips. “He was still hurtin’ this morning and didn’t want to get out of bed. Said I should go to church without him.”
    â€œClem should have asked some of the men from church to help him move that rock,” Betsy’s father put in. “That’s how we got our fence put up. Isn’t that right, Betsy?”
    She nodded and reached over to touch his hand. “Are you sure you’re up to this outing today?”
    He squeezed her fingers. “I’m fine, and I wouldn’t have missed seeing my canal friends here—not to mention sampling some of the tasty food the ladies from church have brought along to share.”
    â€œI baked some apple pies,” Ruby said. “That’s always been a favorite of yours.”
    He grinned and patted his stomach. “Yes, Ruby, I do love your sweet apple pies.”
    Betsy smiled. The fact that Papa seemed so pleased gave her hope that he might be feeling better. If God provided a miracle and healed Papa’s heart, he might be able to start preaching again. Of course, now there was a new pastor standing in his pulpit, so either William would have to leave or Papa would need to look for some other church to pastor. The thought of them moving away from Walnutport didn’t set well with Betsy, and thinking about the new pastor leaving wasn’t much better. Betsy wouldn’t have admitted it to anyone, but in the short time Pastor William had been in town, she’d become quite fond of him. He seemed kind, caring, and smart, and he was extremely good-looking. She was sure he would make a fine husband.
    Betsy’s shoulders tensed as a pain shot up her neck, and her musings came to a halt. What on earth had she been thinking? Friendship was all she could offer right now, and she was sure the pastor saw her only as a friend as well.
    â€œShall we climb down from the buckboard and join the others?” Papa asked.
    Betsy nodded. “Let me put a blanket on the grass so you’ll have a comfortable place to sit, and then I’ll come back to the buckboard to get you.”
    â€œI’m not an invalid, Betsy. And I don’t plan to sit on a blanket all day.”
    Betsy knew her father’s words weren’t meant to be harsh,