Want Ad Wedding. Cheryl St.John

prevailing.”

      She’d never heard so many men singing at once, and their enthusiasm was overwhelming. Tears formed in her eyes, preventing her from seeing the page. But she knew the words to the ancient song by heart, so she continued.

      “...on earth is not his equal.

      Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing.

      Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing.

      Dost ask who that may be?

      Christ Jesus, it is He...”

      Leah sensed something beyond the power of the moving words and let her gaze wander across the sea of men standing on the other side of the aisle. There she found Daniel looking back at her as he sang, a secret smile on his face. He looked handsome in his Sunday finery, his shoulders broad in the gray coat. A new sense of joy rose up and overwhelmed her. She’d made the right choice by coming here. She was going to be fine and her baby would be well taken care of—and loved, she prayed. She couldn’t ask for more than this new beginning. After the service ended, Will walked to the front with a barely discernible limp. “Ladies and gentlemen. Please stay and join us on the lawn for refreshments and to meet the newest residents of Cowboy Creek. But bear with me for just a moment before we move outdoors. Mrs. Swann, will you come forward, please?” He extended his arm in her direction.

      Daniel stood and joined him. He and Will changed positions, and Daniel watched her approach with a determined smile.

      Leah’s heart pounded. She’d known this was the day he planned to make the announcement, but she hadn’t known where or how. Her fingers trembled on her skirt as she raised the hem away from her feet and edged her way to the end of the pew and into the aisle. She looked forward, and the kindness in Daniel’s expression allayed her qualms as she reached him. He took her hand and tucked it familiarly into the crook of his arm, where the rough fabric was warm. He smelled good, like cedar and saving soap.

      “This will come as a disappointment to many of you, but I do hope you will rejoice with us. Mrs. Swann and I knew each other years ago. We grew up together in Pennsylvania.” He glanced at his friend, standing to the side. “Along with Will, we were close. We’d lost touch for a long while, so it was a surprise to see her on the platform the day the train arrived.”

      Leah observed the faces of the townsfolk as well as those of her fellow travelers. All were smiling.

      “I’ve asked Mrs. Swann to be my wife, and she has agreed. We are officially engaged.”

      Silence hummed for a minute, and then a dozen groans attested to the expected disappointment that one bride prospect had been removed from the already inadequate list.

      “I know, I know,” Daniel said, commiserating.

      And then applause broke out, softly at first, but quickly gaining enthusiasm. Shouts and whistles accompanied the outpouring of congratulations.

      Leah looked toward Daniel, and when he smiled gallantly down at her, she sighed with relief. He gave her a quick hug and declared, “Now let’s go eat!”