(Okay, I surprised myself and got to writing the second I got home, so here is chapter 19. I would suggest going back and reading Chapter 18 again, just to refresh your memory :) Again, I'm sorry about the delay.)

After what felt like an eternity, Sunday morning came. Frederick fought a yawn and focused on the road while he steered the horses around a particularly large pothole, the carriage they pulled missing it by just an inch.

The morning air was stiff and cool for August. The breeze nipped at Frederick's cheeks, keeping him alert as he drove through the open Kansas plains. He had the birds of the air to listen to, along with the hooves of the horses and creeks of the old coach.

The circumstances could have been peaceful If the coach widow hadn't been open, allowing Alice's charming laugh to be heard from where she sat inside with the others.  

Frederick shifted in his seat, tightening his grip on the reins. He preferred the cool air. Or so he told himself as he tried not to imagine how much warmer he'd be if she were up here with him.

The more he thought about it though, the more he realized how agonizing it would be if she were beside him. She'd want answers that he hadn't come up with yet.

The words she'd dumped on him Thursday rang loud in his ears, truth be told, they hadn't stopped ringing since. And try as he did to muffle the sound, they only grew louder.

"God will."

Would he?

"His hands are the most capable."

Are they?

"You don't have to feel this way."

How could she be so sure?

Needless to say, it had been the longest weekend of his life and today was the day it would all come to an end. Frederick wanted to believe what Alice had so earnestly declared but he had to experience it himself.

So, after a fruitless weekend of avoiding the questions and fears he held so deep within, Frederick realized the only way to end them was to face them. What better place to get down to earth with God than a church? And on Sunday no less.

Newman Township came into view as the horses rounded the last turn. Prescott insisted that they all travel to town for the early morning service. Something about it reminded him of home. Master Prescott was a natural people person who thrived off human interaction, however, he couldn't stand society's norms and expectations. Therefore, he considered it necessary to live so detached from town life while satisfying his carving for synergy by touching base with the community on a weekly period.

Frederick usually didn't mind the long drive. It afforded a reprieve from his duties and gave him an opportunity to reflect on the past week's happenings.

This time, however, Frederick felt as though the road would never end. So as the town's buildings grew taller and the noise of wagons and chatter grew louder, he inched to whip the horses into a canter.

Before he could give the command, Frederick remembered the coach and thought better. He hadn't realized how eager he was to get to the church, but he wasn't surprised. His eyes found the steeple stretching above the rest of the buildings. The church itself would remain hidden until they turned off Main Street onto Maple.

Ignoring the skeptical stares the locals sent the coach's way, Frederick kept his gaze ahead as he maneuvered through the busy morning traffic. The questioning looks were nothing new to anyone seated in the coach or otherwise. Rumors about Nickolas Prescott and his household had been passed around since the day he moved here and would probably continue to be passed long after his death.

Could you blame them? The man was elusive, only showing his face on Sundays. He was loud and -for the most part- friendly, yet detested social antics and most of the unspoken rules of society. He was unpredictable and related to his staff in what most would call an unearthly fashion, sitting with them in the church as if the were his relatives. 

Frederick would be kidding if he didn't admit to feeling more than a bit of pride for the man he worked for. A man with determination like that could change the world. 

"Here we are." The man in question said from inside the coach.

At Last.

Frederick reined in the horses as they pulled into the church lot with the other villager's horses and carriages. Setting the break, he hopped down. Prescott was already helping himself out of the coach and Micheal rushed out as soon as the older man was out of the way.

"Morning Mrs. Mills," The Master called, with a wave,  to a woman walking past. Her young son's eyes were glued to Prescott. Bewitch by the Master's formal naval uniform.

Mrs. Mills -startled at his sudden address- dipped her chin, hiding her face under the colorful bonnet she wore. She then grabbed the boy's hand, and shook him slightly, before hurrying him into the church.

Frederick's jaw tightened. Prescott, however, went on as if he hadn't noticed. Turning back to the coach, the older man held out a hand. Mrs. Pench accepted it. As she stepped out of the coach, it was apparent that she had also witnessed Mrs. Mills' indecorous reaction to the master's cheerful greeting. The cook's icy gaze was on the woman's back, her mouth set in a frown.

Prescott ignored this too, "I told you we'd make it on time." He quipped.

Mrs. Penche's frown lifted as she turned her gaze to his. The two shared a smile before he realized her hand.

"Not for long, if we continue to stand out here," Alice said teasingly. Having helped herself out, she walked ahead.

Micheal grinned, "She's got a point." And hurried after her.

Prescott offered Mrs. Pench his arm. With only a moment's hesitation, she took it and the two followed suit.

Frederick, however, held back. Taking a moment to take in the church from the outside. A second ago, he was so eager for answers, but now, he felt the fear of what those answers might be. What if he didn't find what he was looking for? Or worse... What if he did? What then?

". . . if we did have things all figured out, then we wouldn't need to trust God."

Frederick blows out a breath.

Okay. Alice was right. It was time to stop hiding and start trusting. With that in mind, Frederick took his first steps into the unknown.