Love Finds a Home (Anthologies) Read Online Free PDF Page B

am.”
     
    “We’ve all sinned and come short of God’s glory,” David murmured. He admired her willing spirit. He wished everyone he preached to would be so eager to admit their shortcomings.
     

     
    Glenna had never known such a feeling of freedom as when she finished her heartfelt prayer and confession of sin. A new creature, that’s what she felt like now that she’d asked God’s forgiveness and accepted Jesus as her Savior. She didn’t have her real daddy anymore, but David had reminded her that the heavenly Father would always be with her.
     
    She brushed an errant tear from her cheek and sniffed deeply. God’s Spirit might be here, but physically she was still alone. Her ticket would only take her as far as Granger. Then what? Daddy had all their money. Glenna had nothing but the clothes on her back and a few more personal belongings in her suitcase. I may have my sins forgiven , she mused, but I’m sure in a fine fix!
     
    “For a lady who’s just been reborn, you look a bit down in the mouth.”
     
    David’s deep, mellow voice drew Glenna out of her musings, and she shifted in her seat. “I’m glad I found Jesus, but it doesn’t solve my immediate problem.”
     
    He lifted one eyebrow in question.
     
    Her shoulders drooped with anguish and a feeling of hopelessness. “Daddy’s gone, and I have no money—only a train ticket to Granger.”
     
    “Do you have any other family?”
     
    She shook her head. “Mama died giving birth to my brother. He died, too. That’s when Daddy started drinking and gambling. He never mentioned any relatives either.”
     
    “What did your father do before that?”
     
    Glenna had only been five at the time, but she still remembered. “Daddy used to run a mercantile up in Sioux City, Nebraska. We had a house of our own and everything.”
     
    David offered her a sympathetic look. “After your mother died, did your father sell his home and business?”
     
    She nodded. “He sold out to the first man to make an offer.”
     
    “And then?”
     
    “We left Sioux City and traveled from town to town. Daddy gambled in order to make a living, and I remained in the care of the boardinghouse keepers when he was gone.”
     
    “Did the women who ran the boarding homes educate you?” he asked.
     
    Her forehead wrinkled. “Educate me? In what way?”
     
    He smiled. “The three Rs—reading, writing, and arithmetic. Your manner of speech indicates that you are not uneducated.”
     
    Glenna shrugged. “We never stayed anywhere long enough for me to go to school with other children. Daddy was an educated man though. He always took time out to teach me reading and sums.” Lost in memories, she stared down at her hands until they blurred out of focus. She’d always felt as if Daddy loved her. At least until today when he’d jumped off the train. How did he think she could care for herself? Why hadn’t Daddy ever gotten a real job so he could be a real father?
     
    A shallow sigh escaped Glenna’s lips as she continued her story. “Once, when I was about ten years old, I thought Daddy might actually change.”
     
    “In what way?”
     
    “He met a lady. I think she really loved him.”
     
    David smiled. “Many a good woman has been responsible for helping tame a man.” He patted his jacket pocket, where he’d replaced the small Bible. “Of course, no one but God can ever really change a person’s heart.”
     
    Glenna grimaced. “Daddy needed Jesus. Not even Sally Jeffers could heal his hurting heart. When she started making demands, Daddy packed our bags, and we left Omaha for good.”
     
    “Demands? What kind of demands did she make?”
     
    “Asking him to settle down, get a job, and marry her.” Glenna’s eyes clouded with fresh tears, and she turned her head toward the window. There was no point in talking about all this now. Daddy hadn’t married Sally, and he sure enough hadn’t settled down. She drew in a deep breath. Life was so