Lightning and Lace by DiAnn Mills Page B

let anyone gossip about any man and me. “A good idea. I think Zack is a very lucky boy.”
    “Let’s wait until I have any success before thanking me.”
    Once he left, she leaned against the door and slowly slid to the floor. Her precious babies—all of them had suffered because of her selfishness. Tears flowed swiftly, the ones she swore would not surface. Brother Travis had saved her from the ill-mannered Lester Hillman, and she realized he’d seen her disgust with the town’s banker. Bonnie had grown afraid of the man, who professed to be a caring Christian. His threats were serious, but if she went to Morgan or Grant, Sylvia would be hurt one more time, and the woman treasured her husband. Lester had nearly destroyed her with his illicit relationship with the owner of a brothel more than two years ago. This might push her into an early grave. Many times she wondered why Sylvia had stayed with him after his adulterous affair.
    I’m being so judgmental. Lester did have some fine qualities, especially when it came to helping Sylvia at Heaven’s Gate or giving to the poor.
    “Miss Bonnie, are you all right?” Juanita’s hand touched her shoulder.
    Bonnie swiped at her cheeks and below her eyes. “I didn’t mean to do this.”
    “You loved Mr. Ben. God doesn’t expect you to forget.” She sighed. “I thought Mr. Hillman or Brother Whitworth might have done this.”
    She glanced up at Juanita. “Oh, no, not Brother Whitworth. I don’t think he knows how to be unkind.”
    “Mr. Hillman is not like his wife. Excuse me, but I think he’s evil.”
    “You’ve heard the things he’s said, haven’t you?”
    “So sorry, Miss Bonnie. I will not tell anyone.”
    So Juanita knew what Bonnie was afraid to say. Today she’d talk to Thomas about watching the house for Lester. A glass of wine tugged at her senses. It would settle her down, relax the trembling. But she neither had any nor wanted to give in to the temptation.

Chapter 11
    On Sunday morning, Travis had much to be thankful for. He had a fine new home. His congregation had surprised him yesterday with food and other household items for a pounding, and for the first time since he’d been placed in Travis’s care, Zack had dinner. Of course he complained about Travis’s cooking—comparing it to what he’d cleaned out of horse stalls.
    “You have a choice here, Zack,” Travis had said.
    He frowned. “What’s that?”
    “You could do what you’ve done for dinner since we started keeping company.” Travis stabbed the shoe-leather pork chop. “Although, I’m having second thoughts about it too.”
    Zack frowned. “How much bread do we have?”
    “Enough for us to split it.” Travis picked up the loaf of bread given by one of the church folks. He tore it in half and gave Zack his portion. “We can split the gravy.”
    “Is this the best you can cook?”
    “You’re welcome to try anytime you like.”
    Now Travis glanced at the front pew and nearly laughed at Zack. Heavy eyelids slid almost shut. He must think that sitting on the first pew gave him the right to sleep. Not in God’s church where Travis preached. He’d already warned Zack that they’d discuss the service during lunch. His gaze took in the rest of the worshippers. Mrs. Kahler, with Michael Paul and Lydia Anne, slipped into the back pew.
    He remembered the first time he had seen the children’s mother—a little angel with a crown of pale gold. From all he’d seen in this short amount of time, she was trying to live her life for the Lord. Instantly, he chastised himself for concentrating on Bonnie Kahler instead of God. Hadn’t those kinds of thoughts gotten him into enough trouble? Except Bonnie Kahler had nothing in common with Felicia except that both women needed help putting their lives in order. He smiled at the reverend and Mrs. Rainer. How wonderful to someday have a woman sitting beside him, supporting him . . . loving him when he’d made mistakes.
    “Good