In Love in Independence, our hero and heroine are caught up in the town's preparations for their big Fourth of July celebration. A celebration that includes all of the above-mentioned fun, along with a speech by the town mayor, who, not adverse to public speaking, was the perfect man for the job. He did love to give a good speech.
for those not familiar with this book, here's the small excerpt describing our hero and the town of Independence…
Independence, Oregon, April 1871
Pastor Luke Adams was a simple sort. He owned three white shirts, two pairs of trousers, one pair of suspenders, two coats, one pair of boots, a hat, a Bible, a pen and an inkwell. That was it. It was all he needed.
Leaving Chicago and heading West was the best decision he'd ever made. The tiny congregation of independence, Oregon was just the sort of place where he could immerse himself, work and grow old. The people were friendly and always willing to lend a helping hand, the parsonage was adequate for his needs (even if bigger than he liked), and became fully furnished.
But it wasn't long before he discovered something about small towns like Independence. In Chicago, and had a certain and anonymity -- the city was too big to keep tabs on everyone. But a small town of meant small town gossip. Some folks did so via friendly banter, others by a series of afternoon teas throughout the month. And, of course, everyone ventured into Tindle's Mercantile at some point during the day to catch up on the latest news and rumors, Mrs. Tyndall being the self-proclaimed eyes and ears of the town.
Even now she was hard at work. "Widowed, you say?" Asked Mrs. Vander, the mayor's life. Petite and soft-spoken, she fanned herself at the unsettling news.
"Yes-- and with no children, but I suppose it's better that way," added Mrs. Tindle.
"A pastor without a wife? Who's ever heard of such a thing?! Who's idea was it to hire him?" Demanded Mrs. Smythe, the undertaker's wife in town matriarch. It's in decent!"
"Your husband, for one," Mrs. Vander pointed out in her bird-like voice. "Not to mention mine. In fact, I think Mr. Tyndall had the final vote on the matter, didn't he, dear?"
"Octavius thought Pastor Luke would be a fine addition to our town," Mrs. Tindle said. "except…"
"Except what?" The other two asked in unison.
"Except for the fact that he's not married!" Mrs. Tindle declared as if it should have been obvious.
"This'll never do," Mrs. Smythe said firmly. "You know how people talk."
"Don't we though?" Mrs. Vander giggled.
"Mercy, whatever will we do?" Mrs. Tindle lamented.
"I have no idea, dear," Mrs. Vander said, shaking her head.
"I wasn't asking you," Mrs. Tyndall told her. "I was praying to the Almighty."
"Well, how is one to know?" asked Mrs. Vander.
"Mercy Vander!" Mrs. Smythe groaned. "Don't think that every time someone says the word 'mercy', they are addressing you."
"Well, I declare, what else am I to think? It is my name!"
Such was a typical day in the lives of Mrs. Tindle, Mrs. Smythe, and Mrs. Vander. Martha, mod, and Mercy had been friends from the moment they met on the wagon train headed west over 15 years ago they were considered the pillars of the church, not to mention the town. Their husbands held high positions. One provided goods and services that fed and clothed townsfolk, another buried them, and Mr. Vander look darned good in a suit. His oratory skills were also a plus. And he wasn't at all averse to public speaking, which is how he landed the job of Mayor...
If you'd like to read more, Love in Independence is free through the Fourth of July on Amazon. You can get the book by clicking Here
