Read Online Mail Order Devastation (Montana Mail Order Brides, Book 4) by Julianna Blake - Free Book Online Page B

the priest hanging his embroidered chasuble in another cabinet.  He waited and watched the man remove the embroidered stole from his neck, laying it gently in a wide, shallow drawer.  Then he removed the white cord from about his waist, followed by the white lace-trimmed alb. 
    When the last of the priest’s vestments were put away but for the long black cassock and white collar he wore, Noah stepped forward.  “Father?  May I have a word with you?”
    The priest turned.  “Yes, of course.  Have we met before?  If we have, I apologize, for I don’t remember.”
    “ No.  I…”  Noah looked away, chagrined.  He wanted to blame the priest for making him feel guilty, but he knew it was the prodding of his own conscience over not observing Sundays that made him feel uncomfortable.  “I’m not much of a regular Mass-goer.  My name is Noah Jamison.  I own a watch and clock shop in town.”
    “ Oh!  Yes, I think I’ve seen it.  I’ve only been in Helena a year, but I do remember seeing it.  Jamison and Son, right?”
    He nodded.  “But it’s just the ‘son’, now.  My father passed away a few years ago.”
    “ I’m sorry to hear it.”
    “ Thank you.  I really should have seen you about this much sooner, but I have something important I need your help with…”
     
    ***
     
    Five minutes later, Noah emerged from the sacristy and left the same way he’d come in, walking out of the church and into the narthex, heading for the main church door.
    “ Mr. Jamison?”
    He turned to meet the raised eyebrow of Madeline Porter, and realized he ’d been caught.  He had assumed they’d be gone already.
    Mrs. Porter turned her penetrating gaze on Noah.  “Well, Mr. Jamison.  It seems you just couldn’t wait until this afternoon, hmm?”
    She was the picture of motherly affection with her infant in her arms, sleeping …yet somehow she managed to be no less intimidating.
    “ Uh…yes…I mean…no…I mean…I’m a Catholic, too, you know.”  He stammered like a child with his hand caught in the cookie jar.  I can’t believe this is the first impression I’m giving to my future wife.  Will she even marry me, after this display?
    Mrs. Porter raised both eyebrows now.  “I was under the impression that you haven’t attended Mass, other than for your Easter duty, for at least three years.”
    Noah felt his face heat, and was glad that he wasn ’t the blushing type…or he’d be red as a tomato.  He glanced at Miss Quinn, who wore an amused expression, but kept her eyes on Mrs. Porter, other than a flickering glance his way. 
    “ Well,” he hemmed, “I know Miss Quinn is a faithful Catholic, and I did promise in my letters that I would raise our children Catholic.  That means we’ll have to attend Mass regularly, I assume, so I thought I might as well get myself accustomed to it.”
    “ Really? ” Clay Porter chimed in.  He stood behind his wife, holding their daughter Grace in his arms, and grinning.  “That’s the only reason, eh?”
    Noah ignored Porter ’s teasing.  “It’s so nice to see you in person, Miss Quinn.”  He tipped his hat in her direction.
    She smiled.  “Likewise, Mr. Jamison.  I’m very pleased to meet you.  I must admit, it all feels quite surreal—meeting someone in person for the first time, yet knowing so much about him.”
    He relaxed a bit, relieved to hear that she felt the same way.  “I suppose that’s a normal reaction for both of us.  I’m really looking forward to our supper tonight, and getting to know you.”
    “ It sounds wonderful.”
    “ Yes, it will be delightful for us all, when it’s time,” Mrs. Porter interrupted.  “Right now, I think we should take Miss Quinn back to her hotel so she can rest.  It was a very long trip.  I’m sure I can trust you not to arrive earlier than five o’clock, Mr. Jamison?”
    “ Of course, Mrs. Porter.  Five o’clock on the dot.  It was a delight to meet you, Miss Quinn.”