Enduring Love Read Online Free PDF Page A

brake and tying off the reins, he climbed down and offered Hannah a hand. “I’ll just give the animals a drink before we go in. It’s a bit hot and they’re likely thirsty. I’d hoped for cooler weather by now, but it seems summer will stay for a while longer.”
    Why is he prattling on over the mundane? Our life is over. He won’t allow himself to see the truth. She watched John dip a bucket into a water trough, then lift it out. “I remember March in London. When the winter cold lifted, it felt like a time of renewal, the earliest flowers would be up and the grasses turned a vibrant green.” She missed the beauty, more now than she could remember since leaving.
    Glancing about, her eyes and her spirit took in the thirsty trees, drooping bushes, and grasses burned to a pale brown. Everything seemed dead. It suited the way she felt. What if John was wrong and they had no future together? I couldn’t bear it . She closed her eyes. Lord, give me strength . Offer us a merciful solution .
    John carried the bucket to the horses and gave each a drink, then set the bucket back in its place beside the trough. He moved to Hannah and took her arm. “You ready, then?”
    “No.”
    John offered a reassuring smile, gave her arm a gentle squeeze, and then guided her toward the rectory.
    Reverend Taylor stepped onto a small porch. He smiled warmly, but his eyes were troubled. “I’ve been expecting you.” He gripped John’s hand. “Welcome.” Nodding at Hannah, he added, “It’s grand to see you.” His tone turned grim. “If only it were under more pleasant circumstances.” He stood aside, opening the door wide.
    Hannah had been in the reverend’s house only once before. Nothing had changed. It was still sparsely furnished and spotlessly clean. The only thing cluttered was a desk piled with books and papers. Hannah knew that must be the place where he composed his sermons.
    “Please, sit,” he said. “Can I offer you some refreshment? It’s a bit warm today.”
    “Water would be nice.” Hannah’s mouth had gone dry.
    “I’m quite all right,” John said.
    She settled on a settee with John beside her. They held each other’s hands tightly.
    The reverend returned from the kitchen carrying a glass of water. “I brought it up from the spring just a bit ago, so it’s still cool.” He gave it to Hannah, then sat in a cushioned chair opposite the settee.
    Hannah sipped the water. “It’s quite refreshing, thank you.”
    The reverend smiled and ran a hand over the fabric on the arm of the chair. “Only piece of furniture I brought with me from London. It belonged to my mum. It’s all I have left of her, except memories, of course. This was her chair. When she told stories, she’d sit here and gather me and my brothers onto her lap.” He patted the arm. “Good memories.”
    He puffed out a small breath and set serious blue eyes on Hannah and then John. “Perhaps we ought to pray before we begin, eh?” He bowed his head. “Our Father in heaven, we thank thee for thy presence and for thy consolation. We ask thee to give us an extra measure of comfort in these troubled times. And might thee bestow upon us wisdom and strength greater than our own as we sort out this plight. Help us to trust in thy holy and judicious sovereignty, always remembering that there is nothing that touches our lives that thee has not allowed. We thank thee for thy love and for thy mercy—in thy Son’s name we pray. Amen.”
    He looked up. “Now then, tell me what’s happened. I’ve only heard rumors.”
    “I suppose there are a lot of those floating about,” John said, taking a stab at levity.
    “You tell him,” Hannah said.
    John released Hannah’s hand and leaned forward, resting his arms on his legs. “As you know, I’ve been married before, while living in London. After my arrest, I learned that my wife Margaret and my cousin Henry had betrayed me. My understanding was that they’d run off together and then stolen