Heart of Integrity (Hearts of the West, #2)

Chapter 4

“Morning, Ifor. Morning, Alun.”

Ifor nodded at the doctor’s friendly greeting, and hisfather strode over to the man, warmly clapping a hand onto his shoulder. Soon, the two older men were deep in conversation.

Ifor glanced around the room. No sign of Miss Kelly. But,then, he and his father hadarrived about ten minutes early. There was still more than enough time for her to turn up.

Since meeting her in the mercantile a few days ago, he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her. It was silly, really. She mustn’t be a Christian—she hadn’t heard of the church and hadn’t seemed too excited about its existence. And she was a stranger. He couldn’t trust her. For all he knew, she could turn out to be just like the woman his brother had fallen in love with. And look what had come of that.

“Good morning, Ifor.”

He turned at the familiar voice and smiled. “Good morning, Mrs. Gray. How are you feeling this morning?”

Opal Graysmiled up at him. The elderly widowhad been the first person he and his father had met upon arriving in Lone Pine, and she’d quickly become like family. Ifor would often run errands for her and spend long, happy hours listening to her wise reminiscences.

“Oh, I’m all right. How about you?”

“Fine, fine.”

Mrs. Gray lowered her voice and leaned a little closer.“Are you expecting someone? You’ve barely stopped glancing at the door ever since you’ve arrived.” Her eyes twinkled as she spoke.

She was notorious for trying to matchmake, though he was glad to have beenspared her focus thus far.

He laughed. “Oh, I’m just...” His smile faded. What could he say but the truth? “Well, I...invited someone I met in town the other day. I suppose I’ve just beenchecking without even realizing it.”

“It wouldn’t happen to be a young lady you invited, would it?”

Ifor froze. “How did you know? Did you see her outside?”

Mrs. Gray chuckled. “No, no. Oh, Ifor. You’ve got it bad, young man.” Her eyes sparkled with glee. “What’s her name?”

Ifor hoped his cheeks didn’t look as hot as they felt. “Miss Kelly. I met her in the mercantile a few days ago.”

“Ah. Can’t say I know her. She lives in Lone Pine?”

“Yes. She moved here from Ireland six months ago.”

“Ireland! Oh, my husband’s grandfather was from Ireland—Leitrim. Which part is she from?”

“I— I don”t know. I should have asked, really.”

Mrs. Gray observed him, a knowing look in her eyes. Then her expression grew a touch more serious. “I take it she doesn’t usually attend church?”

Ifor sighed, his nervous excitement giving way to melancholy resignation. “No.” He shook his head. “Look, I know that, as things stand at present, there can never be anything between us. Besides, even if she were a Christian, I barely know her. I don’t know her. I’ve met her once. And?—”

Mrs. Gray raised a hand to quiet his rambling protestations. “I know, Ifor, I know. Not ‘as things stand at present’. But who knows what the future might hold?” She smiled at him, her countenance full of kind encouragement and sympathy. “But in the meantime, it would be good for her to join us, to hear God’s word. For her own sake.”

Ifor nodded. That was true. And that was what he had to focus on.

Dr. Reed stood up and asked for everyone’s attention as the service officially began.

Ifor glanced again at the door.

“Come sit with me,” Mrs. Gray said.

Ifor obliged with a smile, though in his heart he battled to shake off the sorrowful disappointment that the empty chair on the other side of him brought.

But he must remember—and heed—Mrs. Gray’s kind words of wisdom.

As much as he wanted to see Miss Kelly againand spend more time with her, what really mattered was that Miss Kelly wanted to spend time not with him, but with God.

Regardless of what else the future may—or may not—hold.