June (19 page)

Parker sorted through the hand tools. "Why do I have to explain it?"

"Well, because. I think you and I are at odds over something, but I'm not sure what. Don't you think it would profit both of us if I knew what we were arguing about?"

Shoving a hammer aside, Parker looked at her. Anger darkened his eyes, and she wondered if she was wise to confront him-yet she had to know. Why was he so dead set against Reverend Inman's efforts?

"Men like Isaac burn me."

She stared back at him. "Burn you? What do you mean?"

"I had an uncle like Isaac. Man of the pulpit, smooth talker, fleecing the flock for money to be used for his glory."

June's heart sank. Nobody wanted to confront the issue of an evangelist who'd lost his way. It happened, but no Christian was proud of it. Bad things happened.

"And you think that's what Reverend Inman's doing?"

His gaze met hers stoically. "What do you think? God doesn't require that great monuments be built in his name."

"No, that's true. But is it wrong for Christians to honor their Lord by erecting churches befitting his name?"

Parker shook his head. "I'm not going to argue religion,

Miss Kallahan. I read my Bible. I know what's commanded of us."

"So, you're saying that as Christians, we should interpret God's Word only as he reveals it to us."

"That's what I'm saying."

"Good, because this is a good place to remind you to read Galatians 6. Then come back, and we'll discuss this rationally. Did you feel this way about Eli's involvement with the tabernacle?"

"Eli knew how I felt about the tabernacle."

"You talked about it?"

"Many times, but I knew Eli's heart was in the right place. Eli let Isaac influence him. Isaac let his wife, Katherine, influence him. It was a bad mix."

"Have you spoken to Reverend Inman about your feelings?"

He gave her a sour look.

"You haven't, have you?"

"I haven't spoken to Isaac about anything other than the orphans. I must say, Miss Kallahan, his true spirit was evident."

June ignored his sarcasm. "Well, shame on both of you. You're Christian men acting like children. You should be working just as hard to build the tabernacle and support the orphanage as I am."

Impatience flared in his eyes. "I wouldn't collect a penny for Isaac."

"Ah-then you're judging."

"No, I'm not judging. That's my opinion."

"And your opinion is, all evangelists-Reverend Inman included-are dishonest."

"I didn't say that."

"But you did. You said your uncle was confused, lost his way; therefore, all evangelists are bad."

Parker stood up. "I didn't say that!" A logger examining a flannel shirt turned to stare at them.

June rose to face Parker. "You did too!" She controlled the impulse to raise her voice. She could see she was severely testing his control. Good. She wanted him to stop and think about his prejudices and put a face on them.

"I am saying, Miss Kallahan, that I think there are far more pressing needs in this world than erecting an expensive monument meant to glorify Isaac Inman's name."

"And that's the only reason you forbid me to take up a collection in your camp on Sunday?"

He crossed his arms. "That's precisely why."

"But you agree there are other needs, more worthy needs even in your eyes, when a collection is acceptable."

"Of course. I know it takes money to carry on God's work."

"Then you wouldn't care if I took up a collection forsay-the orphans, on Sunday mornings."

"Why would I object to that?"

"I don't know. Would you?"

"No."

"Then I can?"

His eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Why do I have the impression I've just been had?"

She grinned. "A tiny collection-to go toward the orphans' needs alone." She couldn't sell necklaces anymore, not without risking Reverend Inman's disapproval. She had to regain those funds some way.

She thought she detected a tolerant smile twitching at the corners of Parker's mouth. But she couldn't be sure. It would be so unlike him to smile.

"All right. You can take a collection for the orphans on Sunday mornings, but don't think for one minute you've talked me into anything. I was just getting ready to suggest the idea myself."

She presented her most somber face. "No, I would never think that."

Nodding, he picked up a shovel and walked to the counter. Reverend Inman and Parker eyed each other disagreeably.

"Good morning, Sentell."

"Morning, Reverend."

Reverend Inman paid for his purchase, tipped his hat to Parker, and left the store. The door closed behind Parker a moment later.

Those two need to talk, June decided, unwrapping a peppermint stick and taking a lick. They were both wrong.

Chapter Eleven

'M worried, June," Sam said as she and June prepared food in the orphanage's kitchen. "I feel like we're running out of space here. You know the wee tykes need not only space but clothes, toys, shoes, books, food. Come winter, they'll need warm coats and mufflers. Where's it all to cone from?"

June sighed. "I know. I'm worried too. The extra clothing I collected helped some, but it's not enough. People don't seem to have much left over to give."

"You two worry too much."

Sam and June jumped in surprise. They hadn't heard Simon approach.

"Just feeling a bit sorry for meself, love." Sam stood on tiptoe to accept his kiss. "What brings you out this way today?"

"You." Simon smoothed her creased brow with his forefinger. "I thought we might eat our dinner together."

She grinned, stealing another quick kiss. "Can't think of anything I'd like better."

Simon unknotted the corners of a cloth bag and took out two thick ham sandwiches and laid them on the table. June busied herself making a pot of fresh coffee.

"How're things going?" Simon asked.

"Not so good. The wee ones need so much. The camp offering Parker allows June to take helps, but it's not nearly enough. The roof needs fixing, the baby needs special medicine.... The list is endless."

"If Isaac would share a few of his offerings, it would make things easier," Simon grumbled.

June looked at him. So Parker wasn't the only one who felt this way. She herself had begun to feel confused. Hadn't God sent her to Eli, and then to carry on his work? Yet as she saw the needs of the orphans, she felt more and more pulled toward helping them. What was her call? She'd thought she knew, but when Reverend Inman asked her to choose, she began to question everything.

"June's done her best to talk to 'im; Parker's done his best to talk to 'im. But Reverend Inman can't see his responsibility 'ere."

"Then he's blind."

Sam shrugged. "'e is, in some ways. Can't see beyond 'is wife's dream."

Simon turned to June. "What do you think?"

"I'm not sure," she admitted. "Perhaps the tabernacle Katherine envisioned has become his obsession."

"It's not right.... Don't know what the orphans will do when you're forced to shut this place down."

Shut down? Would it come to that? Much as June hated to face it, that did seem the likely scenario-if something more couldn't be done. "There should be a way to support both the orphanage and the tabernacle," she said. "Why does everyone think that's so impossible?"

"Well, it seems like it should be possible, but those kids still need a decent roof over their heads and a stove to warm the upstairs. I know you've been working real hard, Miss June, but still the needs are too great."

Sam turned to Simon, her eyes ablaze. "Well, June's 'elping me not to lose faith in the power of God. Reverend Inman may come through yet."

"I wouldn't hold my breath."

Sam grinned. "That's not sayin' we might not all'ave to give God a wee bit of'elp."

Simon lifted his cup, and June filled it with hot coffee. Cocking an ear, Simon listened. "What's all that pounding?"

"Ow, that. Joe's putting a new floor on the back porch. Harold Stinson donated lumber from the old cabin 'e tore down last week."

Sam lifted the curtain window to look out. The children were playing in the yard with the few wooden toys Simon and Joe had made for them. She let the curtain fall back into place. When a knock sounded at the back door, Sam sprang up to answer it.

"Parker! I didn't expect you this morning."

"I hear Joe's working on the porch-" Parker looked over her shoulder. "Simon?"

Simon waved from his place at the table. "Guess you're here to help build the porch too?"

Parker nodded. "Thought Pine Ridge could do without me for a day."

Sam noticed the twinkle in his eyes. "Have you brought someone with you?"

"Oh, there are a couple of wagons outside. They just happen to be full of shingles that my men cut-"

"Shingles!" Sam flung her arms around his neck and held on. "The roofl You're goin' to patch the roof " Sam couldn't imagine not having to sidestep pots in the middle of the floor.

She stepped back, aware Parker was straining to see around her.

June lowered her eyes, blushing at Parker's gaze.

"Hello, June."

My, it was awfully warm in here all of a sudden! "Parker," she said. "How good of you to come and help with the roof."

He smiled at her. Never taking his gaze from her, he said to Sam, "Think I can tear Joe away from the porch long enough to help unload those shingles?"

Sam fairly danced out the back door. "Joe! Come quick! Parker just brought shingles!" She raced back to the table and flung her arms around Simon's neck. "Glory be! You hear that, love? Shingles!"

Looking at Parker, June said, "You have no idea what this means. I wish I could think of some way to thank you."

"The smiles on your faces are thanks enough." Parker glanced at the fresh pot of coffee. "And maybe a cup of whatever that is that smells so good."

Simon finished off his sandwich and stood up. "Guess those shingles won't unload themselves."

Parker settled his hat back on his head. "Guess not."

"And I'll pray that God will hold back the rain until you're finished," June promised.

Before sunup the following morning, Parker and Simon returned with four other loggers in tow. While Angeline rested in her attic room, the men began tearing off the old roof.

Warning the children to stay out of the way, Sam and June planned to cook all morning in preparation for the noon meal. Parker had delivered two boxes of groceries the day before.

"When I unloaded the boxes, guess what I found," Sam asked June.

June couldn't guess.

"Ten whole dollars in the bottom of the basket!" Sam slid four loaves of white bread dough into the oven to bake.

"Who do you think put it there?"

"I 'spect it be Parker-or me Simon. When I asked Simon 'bout it, he just shrugged and said the tooth fairy most likely did it."

"Did you know today is Parker's birthday?" June asked as she wiped a bowl and set it back on the shelf.

"Is it, now?" Sam dumped pea pods into a bucket. "Then we have to do something special for him." She handed one of the orphans, Mary Ann, the bucket. "Empty it outdoors, lovey."

"Well, I know Parker favors chocolate cake."

"Chocolate cake, eh? I'll need to check the pantry, but I think we have the proper ingredients for a chocolate cake."

"I'll make it," Mary Jane volunteered, "if you'll show me how."

"I'll be glad to." June grinned. "I'll tell you what to do, and you do it. It'll be a great surprise for Parker."

June had decided the older girls needed tutoring in the basics of cooking and sewing. Together they'd repaired sheets, learned to darn socks, and were now starting to knit sweaters for the younger children's Christmas presents. June knew it would take all summer to finish the items since most of the girls were under the age of twelve.

Aunt Angeline, though failing, often came downstairs to sit with them, providing a critical eye, advice, or direction on a proper stitch. June enjoyed Angeline's presence. It reminded her of the hours she'd spent under Aunt Thalia's watchful supervision.

With June standing by, Mary Jane sifted flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl.

Cracking three eggs into the dry ingredients, the child added sugar, vanilla, and thick buttermilk.

In no time at all, a heavenly aroma rose from the oven. Mary Jane skipped off to tell the other orphans about the special treat she'd helped make for Mr. Sentell.

June poured two cups of coffee and took a seat across the table from Sam.

"You're so good at this, lovey. I don't know 'ow you cope so well."

"I love children-I hope to have a whole houseful some„ ay.

"Ever give any thought to who the proud papa will be?"

"If I did, I wouldn't tell you," June teased.

Sam brushed a handful of unruly red locks back from her face. "I wish I had your confidence. Seems I'm having more than me share of doubts of late."

"Simon?" June guessed.

"No, not me Simon. 'e's the salt of the earth, 'e is. No, I'm thinkin' if anything happens to Auntie, I'll have to go back to England."