Sweet Forever by Ramona K. Cecil Page B

continually cast glances down the hallway toward the kitchen where he’d last glimpsed Rosaleen.
    Since the day last week when she’d disclosed her history, he’d found his course set and his heart determined. Somehow he must bring her to the knowledge of Christ’s love and salvation.
    The moment he bid the last straggler good day, Jacob noticed Rosaleen heading toward the stairway with an armful of linens.
    He bolted toward her. “Rosaleen”—touching her arm, he halted her ascent at the bottom step—“I saw you listening during the services. . .out in the hallway.”
    “I—”
    “Don’t deny it.” He couldn’t help giving her a little grin. “I was wondering if you’d consider playing for Sunday services.”
    “But you have a pianist. I heard—”
    “Then you realize just how desperately we require your assistance.” Jacob widened his grin.
    “But, I’m not—I mean I don’t belong. . .”
    The way her gaze dropped to the linens ripped at his heart. How could she not realize how talented, beautiful, and wonderful she was?
    “But you do belong. You are exactly who belongs there.” Lifting her chin with the crook of his finger, Jacob forced her to meet his intent gaze. “Rosaleen, you have an amazing talent. If you heard some of my sermon today, you know it dealt with the parable of the talents from the book of Matthew. God gave you this talent. Could you not give just a little of it back?”
    He watched her delicate brows slant into a V. “Jacob, I wouldn’t want to cause problems between you and your congregation.”
    Though her concern touched him deeply, his heart lifted, detecting a tiny crack in her resistance. He rushed to take advantage of the opportunity, however slight. “Would you take the position if it were open?”
    She caught her bottom lip with her teeth, and then after a moment’s hesitation, murmured, “Yes.”
    Jacob felt himself exhale a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “Don’t be concerned about injuring Myrtle Stinnett’s feelings,” he told her. “I am quite sure she would like to relinquish the position as much as the congregation would like for her to. I’m also confident that the good lady has other talents far more obvious than those musical.”
    ❧
    The following Wednesday afternoon, Jacob sat at the desk in the parlor, immersed in preparation for the next Sunday’s sermon.
    Suddenly, Rosaleen’s soft voice pulled his attention toward the doorway. “Jacob.”
    As always, Jacob’s heart quickened at her presence.
    “Mrs. Stinnett is waiting in the front hallway and wonders if she could have a few minutes of your time.”
    “Yes, of course, Rosaleen. Please show her in.”
    Jacob’s mind raced, trying to imagine what the woman might want. He found himself unprepared for the sight of Myrtle Stinnett dabbing at her eyes with a lace kerchief.
    Hurrying to the distraught woman’s side, he gently ushered her to the green velvet upholstered settee. “My dear lady, whatever could be the problem?”
    After situating Mrs. Stinnett, he turned to Rosaleen. “Rosaleen, would you please bring Mrs. Stinnett a cup of tea and some of Patsey’s little seed cakes?”
    “Yes, of course,” Rosaleen said, hurrying toward the kitchen.
    “Please tell me, Mrs. Stinnett, what has so distressed you?” Jacob pulled the white and yellow silk-upholstered armchair nearer to the settee.
    Seeming to have collected herself to some degree, Myrtle Stinnett winced as she twisted the lace kerchief in her lap. “I am sorry to have to inform you, Reverend, but I can no longer act as pianist for the congregation.”
    “And why would that be, Mrs. Stinnett?” Inwardly rejoicing, Jacob knew he must walk a very fine line. Surely no one would have been so discourteous as to have commented on her lack of musical ability. Careful not to suggest any such thing, he simply waited for her response.
    “I had an appointment this morning with your kinsman, Dr. Morgan.” She