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Book Two in the Hearts of Marshall's Bayou series.
Mahalia Strickler is ready to see the world. Modern all the way, she drinks and smokes, loves to dance, and has fought for the right to vote. When she returns home to Marshall's Bayou in 1920, she does not intend to stay long.
The Methodist Church has unfairly exiled Daniel Griffin to southwest Louisiana. Still, he'll serve his sentence and use the time to search for his lost faith. The church in Marshall's Bayou is small, but it's his and there's work to do.
The town knows Mae and Daniel have nothing in common. She's the wildest girl in the marsh, and he's the preacher. It doesn't take long, however, for the two of them to realize that everyone else is wrong. Still, Mae knows her reputation will ruin Daniel's career. No matter what her heart says, she must leave.
EXCERPT
She monopolized his dreams again that night, and he woke in a cold sweat just before dawn. Daniel wiped his forehead with his palm and eased his legs over the side of the bed, pushing the netting aside. He couldn't quite grab the piece of the dream that had slipped away as he opened his eyes, but he was fairly sure it had to do with Mae's body against his. He could still smell her sweet scent.
He'd spent the entire day with Mae, her sisters, and her nephew. After learning how to fish, he'd learned how to clean and cook fish and boil crabs. And then they'd eaten until they were uncomfortable. He couldn't remember a more fantastic meal. Ever.
He'd planned to sit and sip coffee with Mae after they ate, and maybe watch the sun set. But while clearing away dishes, he'd ended up standing too close to her and realized that if he didn't leave immediately, he'd make a fool of himself by trying to kiss her.
He left.
It didn't help that he'd dreamed about her, nor did it help that he woke regretting the missed kiss.
Staring out his bedroom window into the pale blue morning sky, he prayed to get past his infatuation. There was too much to do, and too much at risk. And he had a sermon to write.
An hour later, donning his straw hat against the Louisiana sun, Daniel walked the trail to the bayou, then followed the levee. Just before he reached the dock, he took the path east that led to the Stricklers' large white house.
As he crossed the yard slowly, unsure of what he'd say at the door, Mae stepped out of the chicken coop and startled him. She also jumped a little.
"Well, good morning," she said, the first to recover.
"Good morning, Mae."
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