They didn’t talk about the Shakers or anything else. Words were scarce as hen’s teeth between them, but then that was hardly new. Even before Miss Mona passed on up to heaven, Lacey hadn’t shared many words with the preacher other than paying mind to his Bible readings and his sermons.Now it was more a report of this or that church member who had dropped by to give news of somebody sick in the community or stating the need for coffee or flour when the preacher made his trip into the town on Saturdays. One thing Lacey had to say for Preacher Palmer. He didn’t deny them any of their needs or ever complain the first time about fetching home yard goods for her to make Rachel a new dress.Lacey heard him ride his horse away from the house. He wasn’t a bad man, she reminded herself as she sat at the table sipping her tea. He hadn’t said where he was going, but there was always somebody needing the preacher’s ear or prayers in the church community.Rachel was still asleep up in the attic room.
