Betsy's Return Read Free Page A

help you, sir?” Mike asked, stepping quickly around the counter.
    The man nodded. “I’d like a bottle of sarsaparilla, if you have some.”
    â€œSure do. If you’ll wait here, I’ll get one from the ice chest.”
    â€œI’ll do that.” The man seemed a bit uncomfortable as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
    Betsy offered him the briefest of smiles then quickly averted her gaze to the food Kelly was packaging for her.
    â€œI don’t recollect seein’ you around before,” Kelly said, nodding at the man. “Are you visiting someone in the area or just passing through?”
    â€œMy name is William Covington, and I’ve come from Buffalo, New York. I’ll be meeting with the board of deacons at the Walnutport Community Church tomorrow about the possibility of becoming their new minister.”
    Betsy’s mouth dropped open, and Kelly glanced her way with a shrug. Betsy had known the board would be interviewing a minister from Buffalo; she just didn’t think he would be so young—or so handsome.

Chapter 3
    â€œCan you tell me how much farther it is to Walnutport?” William asked, directing his question to the young woman who stood behind the counter, with long, dark hair hanging down her back.
    â€œIt’s a short drive from here.” She nodded toward the other woman, whose ash-blond hair was worn in a tight bun at the back of her head. “This is Betsy Nelson, the preacher’s daughter. She could probably show you the way to town.”
    â€œYou’re ... Rev. Nelson’s daughter?”
    She nodded. “My father’s the man you’ll be replacing if the board of deacons hires you.”
    William swallowed. “I–I’m sorry about your father’s health problems, and if you would feel awkward about showing me the way to Walnutport, I’ll certainly understand.”
    Miss Nelson lifted her package into her arms. “It would be no bother. I’m going there anyway, and it’s not your fault my father has been asked to resign.”
    William winced, feeling as though he’d been slapped. It might not be his fault Rev. Nelson had been asked to step down from the pulpit, but he was the one who might be taking the poor man’s place.
    â€œHere’s your sarsaparilla,” the young man who ran the store said, handing the bottle to William.
    â€œHow much do I owe you?”
    The man flashed William a friendly grin. “It’s free. Consider it my welcome to our community.”
    William was tempted to say that he hadn’t been hired as the new minister yet and might not be moving to Walnutport, but he took the sarsaparilla gratefully and expressed his thanks.
    â€œI’m ready to head out if you are,” Miss Nelson said, nodding toward the front door.
    â€œYes, I suppose we should.” William extended his hand toward the storekeeper. “It was nice to meet you. I’ll be preaching at the community church on Sunday, so maybe I’ll see you there.”
    The storekeeper nodded as he shook William’s hand. “My name’s Mike Cooper, and my wife, Kelly, and I, as well as our two children, attend regularly. We’ll look forward to seeing you on Sunday morning.”
    William smiled. “Good day then.” He held the door for Miss Nelson and followed her to a dilapidated buckboard. If the town’s minister couldn’t afford to drive anything better than this, the church probably didn’t pay its pastor much at all.
    But I won’t be coming here for the money, he reminded himself. This is my chance to make a fresh start and serve God’s people.
    Miss Nelson leaned into the wagon and placed her package on the floor behind the seat. Lifting her long, brown skirt, she started to step up. William was quick to offer his hand, but she shook her head and mumbled, “I’ve been climbing into this old wagon since I was a