Earthly Vows Read Online Free PDF Page B

got up from the chair and went to the window. Several couples were engaged in conversation out on the
     walk. “The Flauverts are good people.”
    “Fern, all I’ve ever known is hand-to-mouth.”
    “I finally got used to the idea of being a minister’s wife in Nazareth. I never imagined myself being anywhere else.”
    “We’re giving them a look, is all.”
    A quiet moment passed between them.
    “I guess we’d better join the Flauverts at their luncheon,” she said, resignation seeping in. “I’m going to go and freshen
     up. Rachel offered me her bedroom.” She picked up her handbag and snapped it closed. She kissed Jeb and left him standing
     alone in Flauvert’s study.
    Jeb had not noticed until now how many bookcases lined Flauvert’s walls. It was a large study, and framed photographs hung
     decoratively around the room. Rachel stood next to Jonathan in most of the photographs. She was a plain woman, slender and
     tastefully dressed, her lips faintly tinged.
    Fern had never been plain or ordinary. She was complicated, more like, always asking questions. He liked that about her, usually.
    The door opened and Jonathan peered into the room. “How did it go with the missus?”
    “I’ll accept your offer of speaking on Sunday.”
    “Fern’s a smart woman.”
    “She’s marrying me, isn’t she?”
    Jonathan opened the door wide. “I’d like to introduce you to some of our faculty, one of whom is our son George. He graduated
     college in May. Maybe before you head back to Nazareth, I can meet your young charges.”
    “You’ll like them too. They have their charms, Angel especially.”
    “Nothing better for a church than a respectable minister and his family to lead the way. Come and try Sophie’s chicken wings.”

    The afternoon wound down, the sun as gold as hay. The occasional car or horse and wagon rolling past the Coulters’ front gate
     sent Angel to her feet. The telegram had not left her hands since Abigail handed it to her. The view from the screened-in
     back porch offered the best view of the road. Jeb and Fern had been due back from lunch for two hours.
    Road dust lifted, hovering above a copse of trees beyond the horse stable. Angel leaned back against the settee and sighed
     until she heard the sound of a car motor rumbling down the shaded lane. Finally the Coulter Packard nosed into the clearing.
    Miss Coulter wore a white hat and fumbled with it from the front passenger seat. Her face was tanning in the Oklahoma sun,
     but the women from Ardmore had a tendency to tan, at least the ones who played golf.
    Fern talked to her more often, now that she and Jeb were engaged. She would like to have a mother like Fern, only not necessarily
     Fern. She could not explain her reasons precisely. Fern liked having her way and so did Angel. Fern could communicate exactly
     what she wanted with lightning speed, making it hard to calculate a reliable comeback. It was things like that that annoyed
     her.
    But Ida May took to Fern, as had Willie, looking more to Fern now for comfort. Willie’s questions about Claudia indicated
     an alarm had gone off in both him and Ida May. She would have to study the matter.
    She came to her feet and opened the back screen porch door wide, leaning out and faintly smiling at Jeb. Fern got out of the
     car carrying a dress store box. Angel held up the telegram and said, “It’s from Claudia. She’s here in Oklahoma.”
    “In town, your sister?” asked Jeb.
    “Norman. She’s coming Friday.”
    “Angel, I’m tickled to death! What good news, and here with us so close by. Does my mother know? How did Claudia find you
     here?” asked Fern.
    “Miz Abigail made a telephone call and, after some time, she found her.”
    “She’s a surprise a minute,” said Fern. “Never said a word to me.”
    Jeb opened the door and Fern went inside. He took a breath, pursing his lips, but not saying anything at all.
    “I can’t believe it, can you, Jeb?” asked