Earthly Vows Read Online Free PDF

would he do? He can’t take care of himself.”
    “Miss Coulter’s going to take care of him, Ida May. Jeb is going to marry her, finally, and they’ll have their own kids,”
     said Angel.
    Abigail opened the door. “I can’t make cookies alone,” she said after listening to Ida May raising her complaints. “Who can
     help?”
    Willie beat Ida May to the kitchen.
    “We can all help, Miz Abigail.” Angel nudged Ida May into the house.
    “Does Dud want us to go with Claudia?” asked Ida May.
    “He has a life to live too, Ida May. We can’t expect to live with him forever.” She was happy to say that. There was nothing
     wrong with it.
    “Does Claudia want us?” Ida May walked backward in front of Angel.
    “Who knows how to use a cookie cutter?” asked Abigail.
    Angel pointed to Ida May.
    Abigail took Ida May’s hand and led her into the kitchen. Angel stopped in the middle of the parlor holding the telegram.
     She read it over and over until her heart stopped pounding so fast.

    “You want Jeb to speak this Sunday morning, in downtown Oklahoma City?” asked Fern. “He’s on sabbatical. Did you tell him
     that, Jeb?”
    Rachel had to go. “I hear faculty arriving.”
    Jonathan smiled. “First Community is in need of a speaker and I’ve taken their pulpit all summer while they’ve searched for
     a replacement minister. But our new students are arriving on campus this week. My faculty is arriving here this morning right
     this minute.”
    “Speak in a big church. You know Church in the Dell is a country church,” said Jeb. There was a difference, he thought.
    “They’re accustomed to ministers passing through. This will give you a chance to get a feel for the place. They’ll have a
     look at you, and you them. Fern, you’ll get a taste for city life, although you strike me as the city type. Am I right?”
    “I thought you wanted a rest, Jeb, that you needed time away from the pulpit?” Fern asked.
    “I don’t want to interrupt your sabbatical, Brother Nubey. If you’d rather not, I understand,” said Jonathan.
    Jeb said, “Fern and I ought to talk.”
    “This is where I make my getaway. I’ll go and greet our guests, give you two some time alone.” Jonathan left them in his study,
     closing the door behind him.
    “What’s gotten into you, Fern? Dr. Flauvert’s offer is not set in stone. At least give me the chance to tell him I’m honored
     by his invitation. There’s nothing wrong with that. I’d like to know what’s gotten into you.”
    “What’s gotten into you, is more like it. Jeb, you know me, know I’m not going to sit here like some big-eyed girl nodding
     and agreeing with everything that’s said. There’s a lot to discuss. You’re exhausted and needing a rest and I was looking
     forward to time away from church. And while we’re on the subject, here we are again making everything revolve around the church.”
    “For the minister, that’s how life spins.”
    “Jeb, I understand your responsibilities. My father was a responsible man, a respectable doctor, but sometimes he forgot he
     was responsible for a family too.”
    “So this is about your father?”
    She responded with an irritated sigh.
    “Imagine, Fern, me in a city pulpit. No more smalltown pettiness, smart folks with big ideas.”
    “Hear yourself, Jeb. You’ve already moved us into Oklahoma City.”
    “And what’s wrong with that? I’ve slaved over Church in the Dell, and for little payback.”
    She didn’t argue. “Nazareth is needy, I’ll admit that.”
    “Fern, I’ve been speaking in the pulpit for quite some time. I can use a message from last week. We’ll be in Oklahoma City.
     We’ll get a couple of nice rooms, one for you and the girls and one for Willie and me. Monday, we’ll see the sights, eat in
     a good restaurant. I’m thinking of you too.”
    “You’ve already decided then.”
    “We don’t have to give them an answer this weekend, do we?”
    “No, we don’t.” She