The Preacher's Faith (Red River Romance Book 1) Read online

  A

  Red River Romance

  Book one

  Praying my story gives God glory!

  All of Caryl’s Books

  Historical Christian Texas Romances

  Vow Unbroken

  Hearts Stolen

  Hope Reborn

  Contemporary Christian

  Red River Romances

  The Preacher’s Faith

  Apple Orchard Romances

  Lady Luck’s a Loser

  Biblical fiction

  The Generations

  A Little Lower Than the Angels

  Mid-Grade

  River Bottom Ranch Stories

  The Adventures of Sergeant Socks

  The Journey Home

  The Bravest heart

  Amazing Graci, Guardian of Goats

  Miscellaneous Novels

  The Thief of Dreams (PG-13)

  The Price Paid

  Absolute Pi (audio)

  Apple Orchard B&B (re-released as Lady

  Luck’s a Loser)

  Non-fiction

  Great Firehouse Cooks of Texas

  Antiquing in North Texas

  Five Star Reviews of

  The Preacher’s Faith…

  Great story! Hope there’s a sequel, and I’d love to see the artful dodger as a part of it. Maybe a reunion? And he could find his mother. Just love curling up in an afghan with a cup of cappuccino and reading Caryl’s books! Keep on writing!

  --Lenda Selph, reader, New Boston, Texas

  As with all Caryl McAdoo's novels, the book is full of good scriptural advice. The title is a play on words...does 'faith' refer to a personal faith or the person Faith or both? The Preacher's Faith is a quick and easy read, and just right for a cold winter's day - your heart will be warmed by this delightful little story.

  --Julia Wilson, reader, England, United Kingdom

  This was my first book to read by Caryl McAdoo and I absolutely loved it. I will be reading more. I love the way she prays that her story gives God Glory and dedicates The Preacher’s Faith to Him and His Kingdom…a good clean book to read. I was drawn into this story right from the start. I loved this book and can’t wait for book two.

  --Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Dent, reader, Decatur, Alabama

  Caryl McAdoo is a great storyteller and I was immediately drawn into this story. The characters were great and I loved the storyline. It had me turning the pages wondering is things were going to work out between Asa and Faith. I would definitely recommend this book.

  --Susan Johnson, reader, Odessa, Texas

  I loved The Preacher’s Faith! This has to be one of my favorites, and I hope to read more like it! Way to go, Caryl! Your stories always captivate me.

  --Leah Jones, reader, Morrow, Arkansas

  The

  Preacher’s

  Faith

  Caryl

  McAdoo

  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, places, characters, and events are products of the author’s imaginations, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  If you’ve purchased this book without a cover, please be aware that it was reported as unsold to the publisher, therefore neither the author nor publisher have been paid. If a stripped copy, it should be considered stolen.

   2015 by Caryl McAdoo

  All rights reserved including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever- except short passages for reviews – without express permission. For information, address Post Office Box 622, Clarksville, Texas, 75426.

  First Edition

  February 2015

  Printed and bound in the United States of America

  ISBN-13 978-1-5060-0044-2

  ISBN-10 1506000444

  Inquiries for volume purchases of this book may be directed to

  Post Office Box 622, Clarksville, Texas 75426

  Dedication

  Always, I pray my story gives God glory, and so I dedicate The Preacher’s Faith to Him and to His Kingdom. There would be no stories without His gifts and grace. His love consistently overwhelms me, that He chose me. I love Him beyond words.

  And there’s my Ron, always faithful to love and support and encourage. He is the song in my heart and the love of my life. That God created such a man to be my husband is undeniable Truth of His great love for me.

  I’d like to dedicate this first Red River Romance to the wonderful friends and folks (future friends) of Clarksville, Texas. I’m so grateful the Lord brought us to Red River County with all its rich history and quaint country living.

  I love the Brown Bag Book Club at the library, all the wonderful readers there and Danielle, our fearless leader. I love my prayer group partners, Berta, Sherry, Benny, Shannan, Julie, Dora, and our dear Pat. I love my Luncheon Ladies and all the Famished Fellers, the Koiners and Abbotts. I love all our Clarksville friends at the Double R Cowboy Church, First Baptist Church, and Abundant Life Assembly. I love the Dairy Queen and Rio Verde. I love the town square, antique shops, the beautiful old courthouse, and that its bell tower still chimes the hour!

  The ladies at the post office and gentlemen who help me out with my groceries at Rehkoph’s are blessings, as is everyone at the Water Supply. I’m love visitin’ with Naomi Lawler when I go for diesel for Ron’s tractors, and catchin’ her at The Carousel Gift Shop on Wednesdays! My first Clarksville friend to love, I call Naomi and me Silver Sisters!

  Though I’ll probably always be counted a ‘newcomer’ here, I’m blessed to call Clarksville and Red River County home. This series is for all of you!

  Acknowledgements

  Glory, glory, glory to the King of kings and Lord of lords. I acknowledge all that I am or ever will become is due to His favor and never-ending, everlasting love for me. Without Him, I am nothing. In Him, I am all that He created me to be. How blessed I am to have His Word, His guidance, and His tender mercies to call my own.

  And I can never acknowledge anyone without my Ron at the top of the list right after Abba. The busier I get, the more he helps, and he takes me away from the computer every now and again—which I do appreciate.

  God has given me so many friends and helpers who go so far beyond anything I’d ever think to ask of them. They support and assist me in so many ways to get these stories ready for you to read and enjoy. Just getting the word out that there is a new story is such a job! I can’t say enough to express what blessings they are.

  Lenda Selph is at the top of my list. The Heaven sent proofreader catches so many little things I and my beta readers miss. There were six unmarked pages in this manuscript when I got it back from her! Some maybe only had a comma, others, a ‘there’ that should’ve been a ‘their’—I know that perfectly well…. Thank you so much, Lenda!

  Beta readers Louise Koiner and Leah Jones, my eVALUaters, and everyone who leaves a review at Amazon and Goodreads, or clicks ‘Share’ and ‘Like’ on Facebook, Tweets, and recommends my books to friends. I need y’all and thank y’all and know God will bless you for blessing me! My cup literally overflows!

  Thank you.

  My Faith is in You, Lord.

  …Caryl

  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

  I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy loving-kindness and thy truth from the great congregation. Psalm 40:10

  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is wri
tten, The just shall live by faith. Romans1:17

  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

  Hebrews 11:6

  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. I John 5:4

  Index

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  ONE

  A black sedan rolled across the main entrance cattle guard. Faith sat a little taller in the saddle. Shame it wasn’t a new truck pulling a full Featherlight horse trailer, but hey, any new business would be a Godsend. Instead of coming to the barn though, the car stayed right and went up to the house. New nurse, maybe?

  Whatever. The gelding needed at least another fifteen minutes. She worked him hard—several times around with a right front lead, turn around the other way on a left lead, backed him one complete lap—then took him into the wash stall. She’d never known a horse who loved baths better than the beautiful paint, and so intelligent, almost too smart for his britches. Definitely one she wouldn’t mind calling her own.

  Halfway to having him brushed out, the barn’s man-door opened.

  “Miss Johnson?”

  She looked over the gelding’s back. The form of a man stood in the doorway silhouetted by the late afternoon sun. Tall with broad shoulders, he filled the opening. She couldn’t see if he looked like money or not, but hey, even poor guys needed their horses trained. “Yessiree, that’d be me. How can I help you?”

  “I came about the position.”

  “You’ve come to the wrong place. I’m not hiring.”

  The guy stepped in and closed the door, his face still dark and undistinguishable. “That isn’t what your aunt Iris said.”

  “Bless Auntie’s heart, I don’t know what she’s thinking, but she’s just wrong. I’m not hiring. Sorry you came all this way for nothing.”

  Her eyes started adjusting, and the man, maybe a few years older than her, came into view. A sort of good-looking type in a townie kind of way, but… “Maybe you need to come tell her yourself, Miss Johnson.”

  Oh no, the place was a wreck. Faith needed to get in the house and stop the old dear. “Auntie’s here?” The perfectionist would have herself a heart attack for sure.

  “Yes, ma’am. She rode out with me.” A sly grin etched the man’s face.

  Dear Lord, what was going on? She didn’t have time for this. Faith grabbed another brush and tossed it to him. “Here, make yourself useful.”

  “Sure. What do I do?”

  “Brush that side.”

  She moved the soft bristles a bit faster. Why, oh why, hadn’t she taken a little time and cleaned up this morning? A mental walk-through horrified her all the more. The armload of dirty laundry on the window bench in the living room. She’d been on the way to the utility room when her daddy needed help.

  She didn’t even want to think about the kitchen’s condition.

  And how long had it been since she swept? The dirty baseboards with webs and dog hair and who knew what else… And oh no, she left all her papers scattered all the way around her swivel rocker from looking at the bills and trying to figure out exactly how she was going to get them all paid.

  Bless God! Just what she needed. Why this person brought her house-crazy-keeping aunt all the way up to Negley, especially unannounced, proved more than a little irritating. This is a test, this is only a test, she assured herself.

  “Brush only in the direction his hair grows.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  She worked down each leg to the hooves with her mind racing a minute mile for the reason her daddy’s sister might have told this fellow there was a job opening. She’d love some help if she could afford it, but… In not quite half the regular time, the gelding rested in his stall, hayed, grained, and happy.

  Sliding the paint’s door closed, she practiced what she wanted to say then latched the stall and faced the intruder. “Okay look, I don’t know who you are, but hey, I’d appreciate the truth. Why are you here? Really.”

  “Sorry, ma’am.” He extended his hand. “Name’s Asa Davidson.”

  Closing the couple of steps between them, she one-shaked the offering then nodded toward the door. “How is it you know Aunt Iris anyway?”

  “Met her at church. I’m the new interim pastor out at New Hope Baptist.” He stepped out into the late afternoon sun. Better looking than she first thought, but dear Lord, the man really needed to get himself a pair of Wranglers and some boots. Slacks and loafers would not do, leastwise not in these parts. He stuck out like a newborn white Charolais calf.

  She walked beside him toward the house. “So, exactly what is this job Auntie is talking about? Did she tell you?” She looked over and grinned. “I’m already saved, a blood-bought, Bible-thumping child of the King.”

  “That makes you a princess.”

  “Yessiree, bless God. So if you’re not here to share the Good News, Pastor, what was it she told you I needed?”

  “A husband.”

  She stopped in her tracks, practically paralyzed. Tried to swallow, but couldn’t. He took two steps more then turned back, smiling.

  “Did you just say husband?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Miss Iris said you told your father yesterday that you’d marry if an eligible bachelor asked you.” He shrugged. “So what do you think?”

  “I… I… Are you crazy? I don’t even know you. You don’t know me. Is this some kind of sick joke? Really. It’s preposterous.”

  “No, ma’am, I’ve got all my wits about me.”

  “If you aren’t insane, then what are you doing coming to my house to apply for being my husband? Sorry, preacher man, I really am, but you couldn’t prove your sanity by me.”

  “Will you hear me out?”

  “Hey, I’m all ears.” Her chest tightened, and her heart picked up its rhythm as though some erratic rock and roll drummer controlled it.

  “Last night, after the prayer meeting, I talked with Miss Iris about it. She’d made your situation a prayer request earlier, and –”

  “So now everyone in Red River County knows?”

  He shrugged. “I prayed about it last night and some more this morning. You’re way prettier than advertised, and it was your high standards got me thinking serious about it.”

  A glance toward the house revealed her father and his baby sister sat on the porch rocking. They both looked away from her gaze, so obviously caught. Why did she ever make such a ridiculous promise to him? She never dreamed… Just look what it got her, a crazy preacher come to apply for the position.

  “So did Auntie get up in front of the whole church and just spit it out that I needed a husband? Really?”

  Squinting against the afternoon sun, he glanced toward the house before facing her. The pastor needed himself a hat to shade those baby blues. “No, not at all. First, she asked us to pray for your father then mentioned he really wanted to live long enough to walk you down the aisle.”

  At least the man was a Baptist. Ha! Bless God! What was she thinking?

  His smile, so sweet and sincere, loosened the band round her chest. “It wasn’t until after the meeting that she told me about you agreeing to getting married if a man with the right qualifications came along.”

  “Well, praise God for small favors.” The whole idea was crazier than the man.

  She leaned over and looked past him to the porch again. Just wait until she got a word with the old matchmaker buttinsky. Faith loved her, she really did, but Auntie neede
d to keep her nose in her own business. The dear lady had taken Faith’s promise to her daddy way too seriously. Really, bringing out a husband-prospect the very next morning?

  “Okay, look Mister Davidson –”

  “Asa, please.”

  Closing her eyes, she enjoyed a calming breath then gave him a smile with a nod.

  Opening them again, she grinned. “Look, Asa, I only told Daddy that I’d get hitched to appease him. Since he got his diagnosis, he’s really been obsessed about knowing I’m settled, taken care of before… You know. Truth is, I only wanted to try and put him at peace. Can’t you see I didn’t want him to worry about me? Whoever dreamed he’d go blabbing all over—and he knew if he told Auntie, that’s exactly what he was doing—that I was husband shopping?”

  She glanced around him again. “I hope you understand. I really appreciate you coming out. You’re a trooper, but…” Both of the porch rockers averted their eyes like something real interesting suddenly appeared on the floor boards. If she ever did do something as foolish as… “What kind of name is Asa anyway?”

  “Biblical.” He kept shaking his head. “From the Bible.”

  “Really? I don’t remember it. Where is it from?”

  “In the Book of Kings. Asa ruled over Judah a while and loved God’s statutes. I don’t rightly know where I came from. My toes say—if you believe that sort of thing—I have Egyptian ancestors. And I’ve been told I look Scandinavian, but that’s one of those questions I’ll probably never know on this side.”

  “Excuse me, your toes?”