Well, really. It was just too much. “That’s an awfully judgmental thing to say, don’t you think, Mrs. Manning? Aren’t all men and women loved by God? Isn’t it His desire that none should perish?”
The woman’s chin lifted, her gaze sharpening into a glare. “We aren’t about to allow a bad apple into our midst, spreading lies and the evils of science. I can see you don’t belong here, Miss Mills. As God-fearing women, we will just choose to agree to disagree with you.”
“But—”
“Good day, Miss Mills.” The lead hen gathered her little group of cackling chickens with her.
What a mess! “Good day.” She called it to their backs, but none of them turned or even flinched.
Lifting her skirt a bit to navigate the step into the carriage,Eliza ran the conversation through her mind. As she took one last glance at the little church building, she shook her head. Never in her life had she seen or heard anything like it. Was this how some people thought Christianity should be lived out?
If so ... well, no wonder so many didn’t want anything to do with faith. Perhaps she should pen a letter to her pastor back in Pittsburgh. The difference between the service she’d just attended and what she’d grown up with was startling. How did one respond to such outright hatred and judgment? Was this what all preachers out West taught their congregations?
When she returned back to her home away from home, Eliza stepped down from the buggy and placed her hands on her hips as she studied it. Even with all her education, she had no idea how to take care of the horse or how to unhitch it. Without any other options available, she led the animal close enough so the water trough was in reach, set the brake, and tied off the reins. She’d have to apologize later.
Exhaustion and the urge to erase the happenings of the day overwhelmed her. When she entered the kitchen, she reached up and pulled the pins from her hat so she could remove it and relax her neck and shoulders.
An envelope on the table caught her eye with a note on top.
Eliza,
This came in the post for you yesterday, but it was late by the time we looked through it. We’ll be back this evening. Hopefully your visit to church was a lovely one.
Lovely. Ha! But there was always next week. And a different church. As soon as she saw the return on the envelope, she plopped into the chair and opened it up. Devin had written!
Dear Eliza,
Your letters found Dad and me both well and eager to hear of your adventures.
In truth, you were correct in your assessment of my summer thus far.
So, I have decided to acquiesce to your request and travel out West myself.
It might take me a while, since I do intend to see the Rocky Mountains before heading your way. I will take the train to Denver, where I plan to stay a day or two, and then north and west to your beloved dinosaur monument.
Your friend,
Devin
She flipped the single sheet of paper over and stared at the blank side. Devin was a lover of the written word. Why such a brief letter? Why, she’d penned at least seven pages herself. Perhaps the dull and boring days surrounded by the University halls and gray-haired professors had worn him down.
It’d be depressing for her, that was for sure.
But joy pushed all other thoughts aside. Devin was coming! As the truth sank in, Eliza bolted from her chair and spun around the room.
Her best friend was coming. That was almost enough to erase this morning’s catastrophic church attendance from her mind.
Almost.
TUESDAY, JUNE27, 1916•MILLSMANOR, PITTSBURGH
“Your father tells me you’re headed out West.”
Devin sat stiff on the edge of the blue velvet chair. “Yes, ma’am.” He hadn’t been summoned to the manor since—well,ever. Until today. And when he arrived, it was Eliza’s grandmother who waited in the parlor. Dressed in black. He swallowed and his stomach sank. “Nothing has happened to Eliza—”
“Heavens, no.” The woman’s gaze snapped to his. Tears shimmered at the corners. “My apologies, son. I didn’t realize how my summoning would affect you.” She pressed a hankie to her nose, then lifted her chin a bit. “My dear Mr. Mills passed an hour ago. That’s why I had to see you immediately.”
Shock immobilized Devin for a moment. Eliza’s grandfather... was dead? The poor woman! “I am deeply sorry for your loss, ma’am.” And he was. Even though Mr. Mills was a powerful and stern man, Devin had many good memories of him with Eliza. Her grandfather had been generous to so many. Himself included.
