The Innocent by Ann H. Gabhart Page A

dress with the wide white neckerchief lapped over her chest and a long checked apron practically covering the front of her skirt. She looked to be near the same age as the woman beside Carlyn, but instead of the stern stoniness of Eldress Lilith’s face, this new sister’s face wassoft and gentle. Even so, she hesitated on the broad stoop and visibly shuddered when she noticed the gun Carlyn had once more tucked under her arm and pointed at the ground. Then she looked even more distressed when Eldress Lilith nodded toward Asher.
    “Sister Muriel, the young sister has sought us out for help,” Eldress Lilith said.
    The woman came down the steps, a concerned smile hovering around her lips. “My dear sister, you do bring problems with you.”
    “I didn’t know about your rules against dogs.” Tears jumped to Carlyn’s eyes as she was all too aware of the familiar comfort of Asher leaning against her. “I can leave.”
    “Nay, let’s not be hasty,” the sister said.
    “She has not told me her trouble.” Eldress Lilith spoke up. “Only that she has nowhere else to go.”
    “Yea, those in the world suffer many trials.” Sister Muriel answered the eldress but kept her eyes on Carlyn, who was beginning to feel like the lost soul they obviously thought she was. The lost soul perhaps she was.
    But no, her mother had assured her, once in the Lord’s hand, he didn’t drop any of his children. Not unless they willfully pushed away from his love and ran from him. Even then, he kept his hand outstretched for his child to return. Just as the prodigal son’s father had in the Bible story.
    “Is that true, my sister?” Sister Muriel’s voice was as gentle as her face, as she reached toward Carlyn but stayed her hand short of touching her.
    Carlyn drew in a breath. “I thought the Lord was pointing me toward your village as the answer to my need. But he knows I have a dog.”
    “Yea, the Lord knows everything and Mother Ann is ever ready to help those who desire to follow the Shaker way.” Sister Muriel looked over at the eldress. “Is that not true, Eldress Lilith?”
    “Yea,” the eldress said. “If the Lord sent you here in answer to your prayers, young sister, then he will give you an answer for your distress over your dog.”
    Sister Muriel smiled fully all across her face. “If you ask with faith.”
    “And the willingness to accept the answer,” Eldress Lilith added without a smile.
    “Why can’t he stay here in one of your sheds or barns?” Carlyn looked around. There were buildings everywhere.
    “We have no dogs.” Sister Muriel’s voice was kind but also firm. “It is not the Shaker way. But there are many such dogs in the town. One more can surely find a place there.”
    “He won’t leave me to go into the town,” Carlyn said.
    “The animal does seem attached to you.” Sister Muriel studied Asher, then raised her hands up toward the heavens. “Let us ask for an answer.”
    Eldress Lilith lifted her hands too, but neither of the women spoke a word aloud. Carlyn lifted her free hand high alongside them. It wasn’t the attitude of prayer she was used to, but it didn’t feel wrong. Hadn’t her mother sat at the table with her hands open in front of her to receive the Lord’s answers? Answers she received time and again. And accepted without wishing for different ones. At least not as far as Carlyn knew.
    Carlyn closed her eyes even though the other two women did not. The sound of horses’ hooves and the creak of a harness interrupted her attempt to pray.
    Sister Muriel dropped her hands down with a sound of victory. “There’s Brother Thomas on the way to the town. The Lord has supplied our answer.”
    “Or Mother Ann,” Eldress Lilith said.
    Carlyn wanted to ask who this mother was, but bit back the question. She looked to her mother for answers. Why shouldn’t they? Perhaps they were actual sisters instead of merely Shaker sisters, even though they shared no family resemblance