The Preacher's Daughter by Cheryl St.john Page B

to meet my husband,” she said finally.
    He nodded. “I’m sure it’d be a pleasure, ma’am.”
    She gave him a last long look and shook the reins over the horses’ backs.
    Ben watched her go, shrugged off his irritation and went inside to clean up his exam room. It was still early enough to make a trip to the library.
     
    “Ben, I want you to take Lorabeth to Zeta Payton’s home social this Saturday night.”
    “What?” Ben looked at his sister. It was Sunday evening, and they were sharing a simple meal. The extended Chaney family had headed back to Florence a short time ago.
    It had been Baby Madeline’s first day at church, and the family was in good spirits.
    Lorabeth had carried dishes into the kitchen.
    “Sophie and I talked about this. The young people hold socials every Saturday night. They play games and the like. I’ve never known Lorabeth to take any time for herself. She even helps me all weekend and late into the evening. And I’m beginning to have my suspicions about her supposed mornings off.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I think she goes to her father’s and does all their laundry and cleaning on those days.”
    Ben thought about it and remembered Lorabeth’s mention of no time to go for walks or visit the library.
    “She needs to get out and mingle with people her own age,” Ellie added. “Working all the time isn’t healthy. Please do this for me. I want to see her get out and have fun, and she’ll be more comfortable if you’re there to introduce her.”
    “I don’t go to things like that,” he objected.
    “It won’t hurt you, either,” she insisted.
    “Ellie, you know I’m not like all those others.”
    “Oh, you’re too special to associate with the commoners?” she asked with a raised brow.
    Caleb shot Ben a look that said he might as well give in and do her bidding while he was ahead.
    Ellie asked so little of him, and Lorabeth was her right hand. He could do this for both of them. “Oh, all right.”
    Ellie smiled in satisfaction. “I’m going to get the girls ready for bed now.”
    Caleb rose from the table. “Nate and I will take care of the dishes.”
    Flynn had gone to visit friends for the evening.
    “Lorabeth,” Ellie addressed her when she returned, “take off your apron and get some air now.”
    Lorabeth glanced at her employers, immediately removed her apron and headed for the door.
    Ellie stared at Ben pointedly.
    He pushed back his chair and stood to follow her to the porch.
    She was sitting on the top step, her forearms crossed on her knees. She glanced up at his approach.
    He leaned against the column and studied the darkening sky. “The home social is at Zeta Payton’s this Saturday night.”
    “What is that?”
    He’d been a couple of times in the past. Those who attended had been classmates the short time he’d been in school in Newton and they invited him on occasion. “They drink punch and play parlor games.” He didn’t like participating because he didn’t know the children’s nursery rhymes they took for granted in some of the games. “Kind of silly. You might know a few of the girls from school, though, and it would be a good chance to make some friends.”
    She was looking at him with an expression he couldn’t quite decipher.
    “Will you go?” he asked.
    “A party? Have you invited me to a party? I’ve read stories about dances and social events, but the only activities I’ve ever been allowed to attend were church functions. I doubt I have the proper clothing. I would have to shop.”
    “Ellie will help you.”
    “We’re going then? To a party? Young people and maybe…maybe dancing?”
    “Maybe dancing,” he answered with a lopsided grin.
    She pressed her hands to her cheeks as though they stung. She dropped them immediately.
    “What if my father finds out? He might make me go back.”
    “Caleb and Ellie approve, and they’re serving as your guardians, aren’t they?”
    “I suppose they are at