Be Still My Soul: The Cadence of Grace, Book 1 Read Online Free PDF Page B

not.”
    Swallowing, Lonnie fought to keep her emotions in check. She took several breaths, allowing her aunt’s words to sink in.
    “Your ma was innocent.” Sarah touched the center of her blouse. “I know it in my gut. She never loved any man but your pa.”
    Lonnie clung to that peace, believing with all her might that her ma was as loyal a wife as a man ever had.
    “I’ll never forget the way your ma stood up to him.” Sarah smiled. “And she’s paid the price for it ever since.” She shook her head, shadows playing on her features.
    Uncomfortable, Lonnie shifted. When Sarah didn’t speak, Lonnie touched her arm. “There’s something else.”
    Sarah pulled a pin from her hair. “It’s just rumors.” Her voice was grave. She pulled another pin free with jerky movements.
    “I still want to know.”
    Sarah tugged the last pin, and her bun fell in a twist that unraveled against her neck. She looked down at Addie for several heartbeats, and when she spoke, her voice was nearly inaudible. “The man … you wouldn’tknow him by name”—Sarah pulled her knees to her chest and smoothed her skirt down her ankles—“never saw the light of day again.”
    Lonnie’s feet turned cold.
    “Looked like an accident, but there are those who’ve whispered how a grown man couldn’t drown in two feet of water.” She shook her head, tossing the shadows off. She forced a tight smile. “But enough of that hearsay.”
    “What do you believe?” Lonnie felt Addie’s warm breath against her arm.
    Sarah tipped her chin. “That your mother loves you. She may not be showin’ it as well as she could, but know that she does.”
    Lonnie couldn’t speak.
    “As for your pa … I’d like to give him a good spankin’.” Her shoulders rose and fell. “It can be easy to hold on to something just for a reason to be angry. But bitterness will never satisfy that man. It’s my constant prayer he’ll realize that before it’s too late.” Sarah clasped Lonnie’s hand. “There may come a time he grieves his deeds—all of them. I hope one day he’ll grieve for the time he wasted with you.” Sarah’s eyes lifted to the window, to the direction Lonnie had come. “With all of you.” She cupped Lonnie’s cheek and, without speaking, pulled the heavy Bible from its shelf.
    “Now then. Where did we leave off?”
    Lonnie clutched the nightgown in her lap. “Twenty-three.”
    Sarah read softly, the candlelight playing games with her features. By the time she finished, Lonnie’s eyelids were heavy and a peace had settled over her. Sarah pulled the quilt snugly over Lonnie’s shoulders, then set about extinguishing candles. “Now all I want you to do is get a good night’s sleep. Heaven knows you deserve it.” She kissed the top of Lonnie’s head, lingering as a mother would.

    “Wake up, sleepyhead.” Lonnie brushed a curl from her sister’s pale forehead. Addie stirred and opened her eyes, then glanced around the cabin. “I want Ma.” Her chubby cheeks drooped against the pillow.
    “Me too.”
    “I’m getting some porridge started for you, little one.” Sarah stood at the stove, where a pot of water steamed.
    Addie slid out of bed and climbed onto a chair as if breakfast were already ready. A scraping sound came from the other side of the door, and she jumped up.
    A rush of cool air filled the room, and Addie bent over. “Polly!”
    The gray cat rubbed her bushy tail on the girl’s bare leg.
    “I wondered where you were.” Addie picked up the oversized critter and carried the armful of gray fluff back to the table. She sat with a grin.
    Breakfast was quiet except for the sound of spoons striking bowls. After, while Addie chased Polly around the cabin, Lonnie helped with the dishes.
    Sarah scrubbed at her large pot. “When are you planning on going home?”
    “When Addie is ready. She misses Ma.”
    “You’re a good sister to that little girl. She sure is lucky to have you.”
    Lonnie stepped aside