LITMIR.BIZ

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hurry in getting these dishes back. You just take care of that woman on your sofa.”

      Dakota glanced behind him at the door to the kitchen and thought about getting cups and bowls but decided that could wait. “Thank you, ma’am,” he murmured.

      “She looks so bad.”

      Dakota turned to see Mary standing near Chase, wringing her hands, staring at the woman on the sofa.

      “When she wakes up you should make sure she bathes. But not here. That wouldn’t be proper. You’ll have to find somewhere else for her to clean up.”

      “I’m sure we’ll think of something,” Dakota reassured Mary.

      “You don’t want your mama’s reputation ruined, or yours, Pastor. Think about that,” Margaret informed him.

      He nodded. “I will.”

      Margaret reached out and patted his arm. “We should go, Mary, so the pastor can get about his work of converting this woman.”

      Dakota saw Chase cover a smile with his hand. “Thank you both.” Dakota strode back through the living room to the screen door. “I’m sure the woman will appreciate the food—once she’s awake. You’ve saved me a heavy chore of having to cook.”

      Both ladies beamed at the compliment. Mary actually giggled like a schoolgirl. “If you need anything else,” Mary called as they toddled out onto the wooden porch.

      “I’ll be sure to call,” he affirmed.

      Once they were safely down the stairs, Dakota let the screen door close.

      Chase chuckled.

      “They’re concerned,” Dakota informed him.

      “I noticed.” Glancing around, he noted, “The place sure hasn’t changed much since we were kids.”

      “You don’t think so?”

      Dakota glanced around too, trying to see it through the eyes of his childhood. The old braided rug he’d grown up with continued to grace the middle of the room with the old-fashioned sofa and coffee table sitting on one edge. The brocaded chairs and love seat each had their own braided rugs. The fireplace still had family pictures on it. Both of the tall front windows had lace curtains just like when he was a child, but he had added miniblinds to them about five years ago.

      The pictures on the walls had once been of oceans but his mom had talked so much about the prairie that for a Christmas present about four years ago, he’d bought her three new pictures. One was of a wooden fence and a windmill at sunset with only the flat plain behind it. The second was of an old ranch house and a horse grazing in the front yard. The third was the picture of a Native American on a horse, both drooping wearily.

      The dining room had not changed, with the same side table and dining table as well as the cupboard. The dishes were the only thing different. In the kitchen, however, there were all new appliances.

      Suddenly he realized that despite the changes he’d made, the house was still basically the same. “I guess I don’t see much reason to alter things,” Dakota murmured.

      “Which is why you’re still here in town when many of us left and made the few hours’ bus ride to FortWorth.”

      Dakota admitted he was right. He liked things to stay the same. He’d slipped easily into the role of pastor in town after he’d gotten back from his training. The entire time he’d been gone had seemed to be a waste. Now he wondered if that emotion hadn’t simply been his desire to be back home.

      “So, what are you going to do about her?” Chase motioned toward the woman on the sofa.

      She shifted onto her side, moving to get comfortable but not waking up.

      “I guess we’ll wait until the doctor gets here and then decide.”

      Chase nodded. “I should go. My mother-in-law is with Sarah and I promised to get back. She’s headed back to Dallas tomorrow.”

      Dakota wasn’t sure what to say, not wanting to be left alone with a woman in his house. He was saved by the doctor pulling up outside. With a silent prayer of thanks, Dakota nodded. “It was great seeing you again, Chase. I’m only sorry our day turned out this way.”

      “Hey, bud.” Chase shrugged. “How could you know this was going to happen?”

      Dakota walked to the door and pulled it open.

      “Call me if you need anything else.” With a look at the woman on the sofa, Chase headed out and down the stairs just as Dr. Joshua Meadows climbed them.

      “So, what’s this about an inebriated woman, Dakota?”

      Dakota stepped back and motioned to the sofa. “She was on my doorstep when I got home, Josh. I really would appreciate it if you’d examine her and make sure she’s okay. Frankly, I’m not sure what to do with her.”

      Josh lifted an eyebrow and grinned. With dark brown hair and a sense of humor, Josh was a good doctor. Tall and athletic, he enjoyed basketball and lifting weights. Dakota sometimes worked out with him. “Well, let’s do one thing at a time. Can you call Mary and have her come over here to witness while I examine the woman?”

      Dakota felt relief now that Josh was here. They’d been friends since Dakota had first taken over pastoring Shenandoah Family Church. When he’d been unsure about pastoring the same people he’d grown up with, Josh, new in town, had been a friend he could confide in. Their paths often crossed in professional ways, which had helped develop their friendship.

      Law wasn’t something Dakota thought about much, but it was something Josh did consider. And Dakota was glad. He didn’t like to think about how it might be with him alone in the house. The brown eyes of the doctor, however, were sharp and full of implication.

      Going to the phone, he called Mary and asked her if she’d mind helping the doctor. Then he returned to Josh’s side.

      “What can you tell me about her?” Josh asked now, setting down his black bag and pulling out a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff.

      “I came home. She had a bottle of whiskey in her hands. She took a drink, tossed the bottle, stumbled and passed out.”

      Josh nodded. “And you don’t want to call the police…”

      “She hasn’t done anything. If she’s come to me for help—which I think she has—then jail isn’t the place for her. I can’t send her to a homeless shelter like this. The closest shelter is about two hours away! But I can’t toss her out.”

      As Dakota explained the situation, his own situation became clear. He couldn’t very well keep the woman here. He didn’t know anything about her. But he couldn’t put her out either.

      But he could not keep her here.

      Oh boy, he thought dismally, not sure what he was going to do.

      Mary arrived. He went to the door and let her in just as the phone rang. Crossing the living room to the table next to the love seat, he answered, leaving Josh and Mary to the patient. “Hello?”

      “Dakota honey?”

      How did she always know? Dakota wondered. “Hi, Mom. What’s up?”

      “I have good news. I’m booked on a flight back to Shenandoah at 5:00 p.m. tonight and wondered if you would be able to pick me up at the airport.” His mom’s voice was so matter-of-fact—as if it was normal for her to call unexpectedly when his life was suddenly upside down, only to announce she was coming home.

      “I thought you were planning on staying at least another month to help Susan with the twins.” Suspicious, he fished for something to tell him what his mother knew. Small towns, he thought, almost certain someone had called her about the woman on his steps.

      “I’ve been here three months already, honey.” That much was true.

      Glancing

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