in unison.
“I’m Reverend Virgil Taggart. I am fortunate to have been invited to your town, along with my beautiful daughter, Hannah, and the other three brides you sent for.”
An irreverent whoop filled the building, followed by claps and whistles, to which the reverend good-naturedly grinned and nodded.
Finally he raised a hand for silence. “I know. I know you’re pleased. It’s exciting to be here, too. I want to assure you I’m grateful for this position. I don’t take it lightly, and I am looking forward to knowing each of you as my family.” He released a breath, then went on. “Your gracious town has provided me with a home and ample help, so my burden will be easy. I’m going to do my best to be a friend and counselor to all who come to me. I put my trust and confidence in God to come here. He’s going to show me what He has planned next, and I’m excited about it.”
He reached under the podium and opened a book. “Richard Mosely has graciously offered to play the organ. Thank you, Richard. Turn with me, if you will, to page sixteen in your brand spankin’ new hymnals.”
Clothing and pages rustled as churchgoers reached for their hymnals and opened them.
Bless Richard’s heart, he hit a couple of sharp notes before he settled into the measures of the first song. Around Leah a chorus of men’s voices rose and sent a chill down her spine. She and Hannah exchanged a glance of surprise and appreciation.
“A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing.
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.”
She’d never heard so many men singing at once, and their enthusiasm was overwhelming. Tears formed in her eyes, preventing her from seeing the page. But she knew the words to the ancient song by heart, so she continued.
“...on earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing.
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He...”
Leah sensed something beyond the power of the moving words and let her gaze wander across the sea of men standing on the other side of the aisle. There she found Daniel looking back at her as he sang, a secret smile on his face. He looked handsome in his Sunday finery, his shoulders broad in the gray coat. A new sense of joy rose up and overwhelmed her. She’d made the right choice by coming here. She was going to be fine and her baby would be well taken care of—and loved, she prayed. She couldn’t ask for more than this new beginning. After the service ended, Will walked to the front with a barely discernible limp. “Ladies and gentlemen. Please stay and join us on the lawn for refreshments and to meet the newest residents of Cowboy Creek. But bear with me for just a moment before we move outdoors. Mrs. Swann, will you come forward, please?” He extended his arm in her direction.
Daniel stood and joined him. He and Will changed positions, and Daniel watched her approach with a determined smile.
Leah’s heart pounded. She’d known this was the day he planned to make the announcement, but she hadn’t known where or how. Her fingers trembled on her skirt as she raised the hem away from her feet and edged her way to the end of the pew and into the aisle. She looked forward, and the kindness in Daniel’s expression allayed her qualms as she reached him. He took her hand and tucked it familiarly into the crook of his arm, where the rough fabric was warm. He smelled good, like cedar and saving soap.
“This will come as a disappointment to many of you, but I do hope you will rejoice with us. Mrs. Swann and I knew each other years ago. We grew up together in Pennsylvania.” He glanced at his friend, standing to the side. “Along with Will, we were close. We’d lost touch for a long while, so it was a surprise to see her on the platform the day the train arrived.”
Leah observed the faces of the townsfolk as well as those of her fellow travelers. All were smiling.
“I’ve asked Mrs. Swann to be my wife, and she has agreed. We are officially engaged.”
Silence hummed for a minute, and then a dozen groans attested to the expected disappointment that one bride prospect had been removed from the already inadequate list.
“I know, I know,” Daniel said, commiserating.
And then applause broke out, softly at first, but quickly gaining enthusiasm. Shouts and whistles accompanied the outpouring of congratulations.
Leah looked toward Daniel, and when he smiled gallantly down at her, she sighed with relief. He gave her a quick hug and declared, “Now let’s go eat!”
Leah had already told her fellow traveling companions about her engagement, and they’d been happy for her. One by one they formally congratulated her.
Daniel took her hand. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”
He led her across the grass to where a muscular-looking fellow dressed in clean trousers and a plain shirt stood a distance from the gathering. He had blond hair, and when he turned wary blue eyes her way, she noted scars on his cheek.
“Leah, this is my good friend Noah Burgess. He’s a farmer and rancher. He and Will and I joined up in ’62.” He glanced at his friend. “Noah, this is Leah Swann. She used to be Leah Robinson. Will and I have known her since we were children.”
Noah nodded. “Mrs. Swann. My companions speak highly of you.”
She extended her gloved hand, and he touched it briefly before releasing her fingers. “Daniel says he and Will came here to see you after the war and decided to stay. You founded Cowboy Creek.”
“Well, I was here, buying horses and planting crops. Once they’d come and bought even more land, the railroad scouted the area.” His smooth southern accent defined his heritage. “They thought it would be a good idea to sell and invest and build. So we did. And that’s how Cowboy Creek got on the map.”
“I will be happy to introduce you to my friends,” Leah offered. “I might be able to secure you a private conversation with one of the ladies and give you an edge above the others.”
“No,” he said brusquely. “I have to get back and do chores.” With that, he settled his hat on his head and turned away, heading toward the lot where horses and buggies were waiting.
Leah cast Will a nervous glance. “I guess I said the wrong thing.”
“Don’t fret yourself. He’s not a social person.”
“Or he doesn’t much like me. What does he know about me exactly?”
“It’s not you, Leah,” Daniel reassured her. “In fact, Noah’s the one who encouraged me to ask you to marry me.”
“He did?”
“Yes, he did. He rarely comes to town. We pressured him to be here this morning.”
“How
