Hezekiah reluctantly let his mother finish knotting his tie.  He hated ties, particularly when it was so hot.  And he hated the wool, tweed coat he had to wear to church on Sunday mornings.  The church would be unbearably hot.  It was always hot or cold inside, and today, with a July heat wave, it would be a scorcher.

But what he disliked most about church was Parson Blackwell.  One would think everyone was destined for hell as he bellowed out his damnation of fire and brimstone.  Hezekiah would shiver when the Parson glared relentlessly through his beady coal black eyes while his tongue lashed out like a soldier's sharpened sword, ripping the helpless parishioners to shreds.

The sermon would reach a fever pitch as the donation plate was passed, and as the plate returned to the front of the church, the Parson’s eyes would stare in disgust at the insufficient offerings.

The Parson had arrived in Virginia City about three months earlier.  He rode into town, dressed in his black coat and hat.  The church not having a preacher, delightfully took him into their fold.

Isaac, not caring for the Parson either, had suggested because of his evil appearance, that he might be one of the outlaws returning to haunt the folks of Virginia City.

Hezekiah tugged at his tie as the Templeton family entered the sweltering church.  As usual, it was standing room only for the men in the small church.  Sarah and Cynthia made their way to the benches in front, while Sam and Hezekiah took their usual places in the back with the other men.  Isaac and his father had already arrived and were standing slightly in front and to the left of Hezekiah.  Isaac smiled and made a choking motion with his tie.  Hezekiah grinned and nodded in agreement.

The women's fans were waving briskly as Parson Blackwell entered the side door and stepped to the podium.  He slowly stroked his dark beard and stared ruthlessly at his parishioners.  He looks more evil than usual, Hezekiah concluded.  The heat must have him primed for a fiery sermon today.

The services began with a quiet prayer and two verses of 'Rock of Ages'.  The sermon started slowly and began to build.  And the higher the level of the Parson's voice, the faster the women swished their fans and the more the men shuffled their feet.  The heat was almost intolerable as Hezekiah flapped the lapels of his coat.

Then without warning, Hezekiah felt something wet smack against his forehead.  Startled by the sudden disruption, he grasped it.  It was a spitball.  He held the soggy wad of paper in his hand, looking in the direction of its flight.  Isaac had his hand cupped over his mouth to retain his laughter.

Isaac is not going to get away with this one, Hezekiah decided.  He would wait for his opportunity to seek his revenge.

It soon came.  Parson Blackwell was in excellent form as he reached a booming pitch in preparation for the passing of the plate.  No one would be watching.  Hezekiah took careful aim and flung the wad at Isaac, but Isaac had been anticipating Hezekiah's move.  As the soggy wad sailed through the air, Isaac stepped back.  The misguided spitball sailed past its intended victim and landed directly on Mrs. Dalton's cheek.  She screamed, bringing the church, including Parson Blackwell, to instant silence.

Mrs. Dalton pulled the slimy object from her face, gasped, and flung it to the floor.  Her head turned in the direction of the assault.  The eyes of everyone followed her stare as it stopped on Hezekiah.

Hezekiah felt the room become more intense with heat as he tried to slither out of view of the penetrating eyes, but it was too late.  He had been caught like a beaver in a trap.  From the expressions on everyone’s face, it was apparent no one doubted what had been done, and who had done the wicked deed.

Hezekiah caught a glimpse of Parson Blackwell's glaring stare.  Hezekiah, with ears on fire, stared helplessly at the floor, but he could still feel the penetrating eyes of the Parson.

An eternity seemed to pass.  Why didn't the Parson resume his sermon?  Hezekiah began to realize how it would feel to spend an eternity in the burning hell.

At last, the Parson's voice boomed through the church like a cannon that Hezekiah was sure could be heard throughout Virginia City.

"Satin is all around us," the words echoed through Hezekiah head.  "He enters our church and disrupts the glorification of our Lord.  He destroys the essential fibers of our families by entering into our children to do his evil work."

Damn, Parson, it was just a spitball, Hezekiah thought.  He tried to shut out the words, but they kept coming.  I'm not the devil, he thought.  If anyone is evil, it's the Parson.  Why can't everyone see that?  The Parson's words continued their brutal assault.  Hezekiah swore that someday he would prove to everyone that he, Silent Hawk, was good, not evil, and that Parson Blackwell was the one that worked for Satin.

After church, Hezekiah was promptly informed by his totally humiliated mother that she had never been so embarrassed in her life; and that her greatest fear of raising her children in this evil, horrible land was coming true.

Upon their arrival home, Hezekiah received a stern lecture from his father; although Hezekiah was convinced, by the look in his father's eyes, that his father truly did not think the church fiasco was so terribly wrong.  Cynthia's smirk showed her enjoyment of Hezekiah's problem as she stood innocently next to her mother.

But the worst part was when, to Hezekiah's total dismay, he was restricted to home for three weeks.  A beating would be far more appropriate, he thought.  Then the horrible realization hit him.  He would miss his scheduled social with Christina on Tuesday, and it would be three terrible weeks until he could see her again.

Isaac reluctantly came by to see Hezekiah the day after church.  Hezekiah was in back chopping wood.

"Three weeks!" Isaac said when he heard the news, and expressed his dissatisfaction by kicking a block of wood.  "Maybe if I fess up, it'll help."

"It won't help.  It'll just get you in trouble too."  Hezekiah tossed the ax to the ground.  "But you can help."

"Sure.  Anything," Isaac quickly offered, trying to ease his guilt.

"I'm suppose to see Christina tomorrow afternoon for tea."

"And," Isaac said, looking at his friend curiously.”

"I need you to give her a message that I can't come."

"I don't think so," Isaac said, picking up the ax.  "Besides, what would I say?"

"Tell her I can't come," Hezekiah said irritably as he grabbed the ax from Isaac's hand.  "You got me in this mess.  It's the least you can do."

"Would I tell her why?" Isaac asked, reaching for the ax again.

Hezekiah pulled the ax away.  "No, you're not going to tell her why.  Tell her I'm helping my father for the next three weeks, and I can't come."  He swung the ax with all his force on a block of wood.  Isaac danced out of the way of the flying chips.  "So, will you do it?"  Hezekiah asked, holding the ax in a threatening position on his shoulder.

"I guess.  But why don't you write a note that I can give her.  That way you can tell her exactly what you want to say."

Hezekiah dropped the ax.  "Yeah.  That's a great idea."  He started for the house, but stopped.  "Damn, Mother's inside.  I can't go in there to get a pen and some paper.  She'll wonder what I'm up too."

"I'll go home and get some.  If my mother asks, I'll just tell her you need it."

"Yeah...but hurry up before Christina goes to work."

Isaac soon returned.  "She didn't even notice me," he said smugly, handing the quilt pen, inkbottle, and paper to Hezekiah.

"Chop wood while I write so Mother doesn't get suspicious."  He sat down and began to think.  Slowly and neatly, he began to write.

Dear Christina,

With much regret I can not come tomorrow for tea.  My father is very busy and I have to help him for the next three weeks.  I shall see you then.

He stopped.  Should he write 'with love'?  Would that be too bold?  He thought for a moment, finished writing and neatly folded the note.

"Okay.  Here.  Take it."  He handed the note to Isaac.  "Don't read it either."

Isaac nodded and left.

When Isaac reached the bottom of the hill, he looked back.  He was out of sight.  He opened the note and read it.  "With love," he murmured, grabbing his mouth as he snickered.

Isaac knocked lightly on the door.  No answer.  Maybe she had already left for work, he thought.  He knocked louder.

"Just a minute," a woman's voice called from inside.

Hell, maybe she's busy with a man in there, he thought.

The door opened.  "Hi," she said, her face looking puzzled.  He suddenly realized why Hezekiah was in love with her.  She was beautiful with soft red lips, sparkling eyes and her hair raised, showing the gentle contour of her neck and shoulders above her low cut dress.

"I have a message from Hezekiah," he whispered.

She bent forward.  "I'm sorry.  I didn't hear you."

His eyes immediately fixed on her breasts-softly curving together into a valley.  He couldn't remember what that was called.  He gulped.  "I have a message from Hezekiah," he repeated as he handed her the note.

"Thank you.  You're his friend, Isaac, aren't you?"

"Yes, ma’am."

"I've seen you around, but I never had the pleasure of meeting you."  She smiled and he automatically smiled back.  She opened the note and began to read while Isaac stared at her breasts.  He was surprised by the sudden tightness in his pants.  He nervously began backing away.

"Wait," she said.  "That is if you don't mind.  I'll answer it and you can return it for me."

"No.  I'll wait.  Take a lot of time if you like.  I have all day.  I don't mind.  Really."

"Oh, I'm sure a minute will do," she said with a smile.  "Come inside."

Her smile only made the tightness worse.

He stood by the door as she quickly wrote her reply.  He could see the gentle jiggling of her breasts as she wrote.

"There," she said, suddenly rising to her feet, startling Isaac.  She handed him the note.  "Thank you for waiting, Isaac.  It was very kind of you."

As Christina closed the door, she smiled, shaking her head and murmuring out loud, "Isaac's bear is certainly restless."

Once Isaac was out of sight, he stopped to read the note.  No, he thought, Hezekiah was his friend.  Besides he was already feeling guilty about his reaction towards Christina.  He could still vividly see her breasts jiggling so delicately as though wanting to be touched.  It was enough to drive someone crazy.  And Hezekiah got to look at them all the time.

Isaac hurried on up the hill.  Hezekiah was anxiously waiting his return.  "What'd she say?" he quickly asked, then seeing the paper, "She wrote me a note?"

Isaac nodded and handed it to Hezekiah.  He was glad the bulge had left.

Hezekiah walked a short distance away and began reading the note.  He smiled and looked up.  "What are you staring at?" Hezekiah said defensively.

"Nothing,” Isaac said, shaking his head.  “What'd she say?"

"Nothing."

"Why you grinning then?"

"'Cause."

Isaac shrugged his shoulders.  "I'm going," he said with disgust.  "I'll see you tomorrow if I'm not too busy."

Some friend, he thought.  He could have read the note if he wanted too.  Maybe he would be too busy tomorrow having tea with Christina.

After Isaac left, Hezekiah quickly began re-reading the note.

Dearest Hezekiah,

I will miss our tea, but it will make the next one more special.
Fondest love,
Christina

'Fondest love'.  He had only said 'with love'.  'Fondest' meant most.  She said she loved him the most.  The world suddenly did not seem all that dismal.  He could wait three weeks for Christina...forever if he had too.

Isaac came back the next day...and the next.  A week passed and Hezekiah was once again faced with the dreaded arrival of Sunday and a renewed encounter with Parson Blackwell.

He watched Parson Blackwell take the podium.  His dark eyes scanned the parishioners, stopping momentarily at Hezekiah, before moving on.

As usual, he started the sermon slowly and began to build.  Hezekiah soon found the Parson's words were directed towards him, only today the Parson had time to prepare.  The Parson had found a sinner and he was going to make full use of it.

Another week passed, and the Parson continued his onslaught towards the church's lone sinner.  Hezekiah was now certain he would be faced with his sin until he perished to hell.

Another week came, and another familiar sermon by the Parson.  By now, Hezekiah was beginning to believe the Parson...he was surely destined for the burning fires of hell, which he was convinced would be a relief from the Parson's fiery sermons.  The only sense of satisfaction Hezekiah felt: the restriction was over and he could see Christina again.

Tuesday afternoon, after reading his note for the hundredth time, Hezekiah carefully folded it, and proceeded down the hill towards Christina's, unaware that Isaac was watching him from a nearby rock.

Christina seemed pleased to see him and to his delight, Christina invited him inside, informing him she had the day off...which he already knew.

She sat the tea on the table.  "So, your father has been busy.  I bet he's glad he has you to help him."

Hezekiah could feel the guilt building for lying to Christina.  He had never lied to her before, and he felt terrible.  But if she knew the truth, she would laugh at him for being a child.

Suddenly, the words burst from his mouth, "I wasn't helping my father.  That's not why I couldn't come."

"Really," she said, her eyes open wide with surprise.

Hezekiah wiped his mouth with his sleeve.  "I'm sorry I lied.  I only thought you would think I was terrible."

She reached across the table, patting his hand.  "You don't have to give me a reason."

"I got in trouble at church and my parents restricted me to the house."  He felt embarrassed.  He feared she would burst into laughter at any moment, telling him to leave and never come back, and that she wanted nothing to do with children.

"My goodness.  What happened?" she asked, her face showing concern.  Once he had confessed, the words seemed to unravel from his mouth like a dropped ball of yarn.

Hezekiah conveyed his horrible story, and was pleased that she didn't laugh, but instead showed a sincere concern.

"...And Parson Blackwell, each Sunday, keeps looking at me when he talks about sin," he said finishing his story.  "He'll never stop.  I know it."

"Parson Blackwell," she said out loud, squinting her eyes.  "Why does that name sound so familiar?" She stood.  "Where have I heard that before?  Let me get us some more tea," she said as she carried the cups to the stove.  She soon returned, carrying the steaming cups.  "Sadie!" she shouted, almost dropping the cups.

Hezekiah jumped from the chair.  "What's wrong?" he called, hurrying to her aid.  He took one of the cups and sat it down.  Christina's body shook with laughter.  Hezekiah watched her in disbelief.

She was still laughing as she seated herself.  Hezekiah still dumbfounded, watched her every move, waiting for an explanation for her unexpected outburst.

"I may be wrong for telling you," she said, still giggling.  She leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with excitement.  "I know something about Parson Blackwell...well, that I guess only Sadie and I know."  She raised her eyebrows, showing a look of satisfaction.

What could her and Sadie possibly know about the Parson? Hezekiah wondered.  He was surprised they would even know him.

"Every Saturday afternoon," she began, leaning further forward, "Sadie meets Parson Blackwell out at Twin Buttes."

"What for?" Hezekiah asked innocently.

Christina appeared embarrassed.  "You know.  Messing around."

"You mean..."

"Yes.  Every Saturday that I know of."

"Are you sure?...The Parson?...He and Sadie?"

"I swear.  Sadie told me herself."

"Wow," Hezekiah said, shaking his head.  "Boy, if the rest of the church knew, they would think I was a saint in comparison."  Hezekiah fell back against the chair.

"I don't care what you do with the information, if anything, but you mustn't tell anyone where you heard it.  Sadie would kill me."

"Oh, I won't tell...Can I tell Isaac?"

"Okay, Isaac, but no one else.  Promise?"

"You bet.  Wait 'till Isaac hears this."

It was unusual for Hezekiah to be glad when his social with Christina was over, but today he could hardly wait.  He began to immediately search for Isaac.  He found Isaac on the hillside, tossing rocks at gophers.

"I wish I had a gun," Isaac said with disgust as he flung a rock at a gopher, missing its target by several feet.  The gopher, standing precariously on its hind feet, looked uncaring at Isaac.  "I'd blow their damn, smug heads off."

"Forget the gophers," Hezekiah said, unable to contain his excitement.

"What are you so happy about?" Isaac said, looking at the broad grin on his friend's face.  "Christina kissed you or something?"

"No," Hezekiah answered, not giving any thought to his friend's remark, "but she told me something you're not going to believe."

"Yeah.  What?" he replied, not yet convinced.

As Hezekiah relayed the unbelievable news, Isaac listened with his mouth hanging open.

"Are you sure she's not teasing you?" Isaac responded when Hezekiah finished.

"No.  It's true.  But now I can't figure out what to do about it," Hezekiah said, flopping to the ground.  "Any ideas?"

"Maybe we should just tell someone," Isaac offered, tossing another rock at a nearby gopher.  "Scared that one," he said proudly.

"If we did that, no one would believe us.  Besides, they'd want to know where we heard it.  I promised Christina.  Besides, they'd want to know how I know Christina."  Hezekiah cupped his hands over his face, trying to think.

"We'll tell the sheriff there's a dead body out there," Isaac suggested.  "When he goes out there, he'll see them."

Hezekiah frowned.  "Yeah.  Great.  He goes out there and doesn't find a body, he'll tar and feather us, especially if the Parson isn't there."

"Okay.  So we can go and watch anyway."

"I plan on that, but I'd like to get even with the old Parson and get him caught."

"We got a few days.  We'll think of something."

"I hope so.  I want to get even with that mean old Parson so bad I can taste it," Hezekiah said, spitting angrily, then quickly wiping his chin.

Each afternoon, Hezekiah and Isaac would meet to see if the other had come up with a plan for the Parson, and each afternoon they would part with no solution.  Saturday arrived.  Hezekiah, although excited by the day's event, felt frustrated by the lack of imagination of he and Isaac.  They were letting the opportunity of their life slip away.

After hurriedly eating his noon meal to the dissatisfaction of his mother, Hezekiah quickly left to meet Isaac.  They hastened along their two-mile journey to the north of town, staying off the road so not to be seen.  Hezekiah was relieved when they reached Twin Buttes to find that the Parson or Sadie had not yet arrived.  They found a good observation point in some tall grass at the base of Twin Buttes where they could see the road in the distance and most of the surrounding area.

"I couldn't sleep last night," Isaac said as they patiently waited for the arrival of Sadie and the Parson.

"I just wish we had a plan," Hezekiah said, peering through the tall grass.  "Look!"  Hezekiah pointed to the south on the road.  "That's got to be the Parson.  He's all in black."

The two observers slid deeper into the grass as the rider looked cautiously around before turning off the road.  He started coming straight for them.  The closer he came, the lower the boys slid into the grass.  He was only one hundred feet away when he finally stopped and dismounted.

"Whew.  He scared me," Hezekiah whispered.  "I thought for sure he was going to come right over us."

The Parson began to pace, mumbling something undetectable to the boys.  With Hezekiah leading the way, they slid into a shallow gully and moved closer.  The Parson was still pacing and mumbling.

They now had a poor view of the road, but they caught a glimpse of another rider coming.  "It's a woman.  It must be Sadie," Isaac said as he raised his head to get a better look.

"Get your head down," Hezekiah whispered nervously, poking Isaac.

Shortly, Sadie came into view.  The Parson stopped pacing and stood motionless watching her.

"Hi, Parson," Sadie said, sliding from her saddle.  "Nice day for a little sunbathing, wouldn't you say?”  She laughed, but the Parson continued to stare, never answering.  Sadie shrugged her shoulders.  "Feeling a little grumpy today, Parson?"  She slid her blanket from the horse.  "I can see it's going to be one hell of a ride today."  Still the Parson stood silent.  She unfolded her blanket and carefully laid it on the ground and smoothed it.  "I hope there aren't any damn rocks under here this time," she said as she began to unbutton her dress.  "Of course, what the hell do you care, you're always on top."  The Parson remained motionless watching her.

"I wish I could see his face," Isaac whispered.

"To hell with his face," Hezekiah answered, straining to get a better look as Sadie's dress slid to the ground.

She stepped from her dress and carefully laid it on a nearby bush.  "This should damn both of us to hell," Sadie said, smiling as she began removing her undergarments.  She slid the top down, bringing her breasts into full view.  She cupped them in her hands and jiggled them.

"Damn hell.  They're more beautiful than the picture in the book," Isaac said in a squeaky voice.

Hezekiah ignored his friend as his eyes, never blinking, were riveted on the unbelievable scene before him. 

Sadie slid the remainder of her clothes from her endowed body and hung them carefully on the bush.  She stretched out on the blanket, resting on one elbow.  "Your move, Parson," she said and blew him a kiss.

After a short moment, the Parson removed his black hat and tossed it to the ground.  "Damn you woman!" his voice thundered.  "You're going to send me straight to the burning fires."

"My, my, Parson.  Is that a proper thing to say to a lady?"

The Parson mumbled something and moved with disgust behind a bush.  Partially hidden, he began to disrobe.  When he reappeared, Hezekiah stared in astonishment.  He had always feared the Parson hidden behind his black suit, but now as he looked at the same man naked, he no longer felt afraid.  The Parson looked like a fragile, delicate piece of pottery that would shatter at the slightest jar.

Isaac was covering his mouth, his body shaking with laughter.  The Parson strolled deliberately towards Sadie still lying on the blanket.  He stopped in front of her, resting his hands on his hips.

"Come on, Parson," she said rolling her eyes tantalizing at him and patting the blanket.  "You look like you're ready, I'd say.  Tell me how bad I am."

"Damn you, woman.  The fires are surely burning," he said, dropping to his knees and then falling on top of Sadie.

Hezekiah could hear Sadie giggling as the Parson began his sermon.  All Hezekiah could see now was Sadie's legs and the parson's white butt bouncing up and down as it glistened in the bright sun light. 

Suddenly, Hezekiah had an idea.  "Isaac.  The clothes.  Let's steal the Parson's clothes."

Isaac's face brightened, then changed to concern.  "Don't you think they'll see us?"

"Right about now, I don't think they'd notice a herd of wild horses coming through," Hezekiah said as he observed the hysteria below him.

Quickly, on hands and knees, they moved through the tall grass into the gully.  They came in from behind the trees and bushes and grabbed the Parson's clothes, leaving only his hat.  They took one last longing look and departed.

They ran the entire two miles back to town.  Once they reached the edge of town, they slowed to a walk.  They were panting so hard they could hardly speak.

"Now what the hell shall we do with them?" Isaac asked, laughing at each opportunity he could catch his breath.

"I don't know.  Let me think."  Hezekiah thought he would vomit from being so nervous.  "If somebody sees us, we'll get in trouble.  Wait, I know.  We'll leave them at the front door of the church."

"But when he comes back, he'll see them and nobody will know."

Hezekiah smiled.  "He'll know.  Besides he has to come back through town."

Isaac agreed and they headed for the church.  Carefully insuring no one was watching, they left the clothes at front door, and found a place to hide behind some rocks and waited.

Isaac was in deep thought as the time slowly passed.  "How old do you think Sadie is?" he suddenly asked.

"I don't know.  Maybe forty."

“I always thought when women got older, they weren't as pretty anymore."

“Why, do you think she's pretty?"

"Yeah.  Don't you?"

"I guess.  I wonder if all women are that beautiful without clothes?" Hezekiah questioned thoughtfully.

"Geez, do you think so?  We've waited here so long.  I wish we had stayed longer," Isaac said sounding disappointed.

"The Parson was blocking our view anyway."

“Yeah, I suppose," Isaac answered, disappointment still in his voice.  "I didn't think it was suppose to take so long."

Hezekiah chuckled.  "He's probably trying to figure out how to get back to town.  Besides, you know how long the Parson's sermons are."

"He's coming now," Isaac said, pointing towards a small rise.

They both began chuckling.  The Parson, sitting atop his horse, wore only a hat and Sadie's blanket wrapped around him.  He stopped in front of his cabin by the church and was about to enter, when he spotted his clothes.  He looked around, walked to the church door and bent to pick them up.  The blanket came loose and fell to the ground.  Isaac and Hezekiah grabbed their mouths, trying to hold in the laughter.  Parson Blackwell quickly grabbed the blanket and clothes, and raced inside his cabin.  The entertainment was more than Hezekiah and Isaac had hoped for as they rolled on the ground with hysteria.  But now they would have to face tomorrow and the Parson’s sermon.

The next day at church, Hezekiah took his normal place at the back of the building with his father.  He rubbed his sweaty palms nervously waiting for the Parson's entry.  Isaac was casting nervous glances his way.  They had their fun, but what would the Parson have in store for them.

The Parson entered through the side door as usual.  Hezekiah studied him closely as the man dressed in black headed for the podium.  He seemed nervous as his eyes scanned the church, rather than his usual glaring stare.

He cleared his throat.  As he spoke, his voice sounded soft and unsure.  The rest of the congregation began to cast curious glances at one another.  Hezekiah listened in shock to Parson Blackwell's words speaking of forgiveness, rather than damnation.

After church, Hezekiah walked quietly behind his parents.  "The Parson's sermon was certainly different today," he heard his mother say.

"I have to admit it was a pleasant change, too," his father added.  "I actually could say I found it enjoyable for a change."

"Sam.  I hope you're not talking blasphemy."

"Sarah, I'm just speaking the truth.  The Lord would appreciate a little more of it, I'm sure."

The following Sunday, the congregation waited for the arrival of Parson Blackwell, but instead of the Parson, Jack Summers, a deacon of the church, entered the side door and moved slowly to the podium.

"I have an announcement to make," he said, nervously rubbing his chin.  "Do to an unexpected emergency, Parson Blackwell has had to leave town and regretfully won't be returning.  Now if you all well join me in singing 'Amazing Grace'."

Hezekiah suddenly did not feel well.  He had meant no harm.  As the words 'a wretch like me' filled the room, Hezekiah wondered if Deacon Summers had especially picked the song for him.

The next week when Hezekiah saw Christina, he told her what happened.

Christina rolled her eyes.  "I know all about it from Sadie."

"Was she mad?"

"No.  I think she was a little upset she lost a customer, but she said it was the funniest damn thing she'd ever seen.  She said it was worth a fortune just to see it."

"It was funny and all.  It really was.  But I didn't mean to hurt anyone.  I thought I would feel good about it, but I don't."

"Hey, don't be so hard on yourself.  He was probably a good man that went off the straight and narrow.  Maybe he learned his lesson and will be a good preacher somewhere else.  Maybe you saved him."

Christina made sense.  It certainly sounded good to Hezekiah.  "Thanks, Christina.  I feel a lot better now."  Hezekiah took a deep sigh.  Maybe Silent Hawk had done something good.  Eagle Feather would be proud of him...except Silent Hawk was not about to tell Eagle Feather...never tell anyone.