Leave a Candle Burning Read Online Free PDF

looked at her.
    “Is what normal?” her husband asked.
    “Staying with a subject for so many weeks. At the Commons Meetinghouse, the Reverend Mr. Sullins didn’t keep to a topic for more than one week. Does the Bible say pastors should do that?”
    “In a way it does,” Jace said as he fielded this one. “When Scripture stresses something, we’ve got to pay attention to that.”
    “How do you know when something is stressed?” Doyle asked.
    “Sometimes by how often the topic is addressed. Sin’s warring against us is one example of a subject Scripture covers very thoroughly.”
    “But it’s been several weeks,” Cathy said. “Did he have more verses today?”
    “Yes,” Maddie answered, “and Jace talked to Douglas afterward. It seems he has more sermons planned on the topic.”
    Cathy looked surprised but not put off. Indeed, she looked intrigued, as if she might be interested to see how far Douglas Muldoon could take this.
    Doyle asked more specific questions as the meal went on, and Jace and Maddie told him all they could remember. At one point, Jace brought his Bible to the table and read some of the verses to them.
    It was the beginning of a great afternoon.

     
    Scottie was downstairs after lunch. She had eaten with Eli, as she always did, but he wanted to nap soon after the meal ended, and she had moved downstairs and picked up her sewing. Iris had Sundays off, but Finn was always in attendance. He found her in the parlor not long after she’d settled in.
    “He’s having trouble breathing,” Finn informed her quietly, his face serious.
    “Is it his position? Can he get comfortable?”
    “I’ve shifted him many times, and it’s not working.”
    “Find the doctor,” Scottie ordered, wasting no time. “Find Doc MacKay’s nephew—I can’t remember his name.”
    “I’ll find him,” Finn promised and exited out the front door.
    Scottie went directly to her husband’s room. He didn’t look very distressed, and Scottie stared at him, a bit confused.
    “Are you all right?”
    “Yes,” he said in soft surprise because it was true. “I wasn’t, but things seemed to have suddenly cleared.” Eli cleared his throat and shifted his shoulders a bit.
    “I sent Finn for the doctor,” Scottie admitted, her voice apologetic.
    “Well, it’s too bad to disturb him on a Sunday, but it will be nice to meet him.” Eli’s voice told of his calm.
    Scottie smiled at him. It was just his way to comfort and take care of her, even making light of the way he felt. She could tell he was not completely comfortable when he continued to clear his throat.
    “Are you sure you’re all right?”
    “I was struggling for a bit, but it really is better. I was serious about that.”
    Reaching for his hand, Scottie sat on the edge of the bed and studied his eyes. Sometimes he said things to make her feel better—she was sure he did—but a moment’s study of his dark brown eyes told her that his claim to feeling better was every bit the truth.

     
    Finding Dannan took some doing. Finn began his search at the doctor’s house, and when his knocking produced no response, he started down the green—the town center—remembering that it was Sunday. The Muldoons’ house was the next stop, but again, he found that home empty. Finn knew it would not be wise to run around without a plan—Tucker Mills was too large for that—but for a moment he was at a loss. Not until he spotted an extra carriage at the big house did he think the banker might have a suggestion for him.
    He was at the large front door a few minutes later and was relieved to see Troy answer the door. He knew him from the bank.
    “Well, Finn,” Troy greeted him. “Come on in.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Thaden.” Finn stepped just inside and saw Conner come into the hall. He nodded in that direction but wasted no time. “I need to find the doctor. Would you have any idea where he might be?”
    “He’s here, Finn,” Troy assured him, a hand to his