Separate Roads Read Online Free PDF Page B

we both know that he’d not want a woman for a wife who refused to go to church.”
    Jordana stopped and looked at her sister-in-law. Since Caitlan had first arrived in America, determined to make her way to California where her brother Kiernan had moved with his wife, Victoria, Jordana had felt a special kinship with her. It was more than the fact that Caitlan’s brother was married to Jordana’s oldest sibling; it was a true meeting of hearts.
    “One of these days, God will make himself real to you.”
    “Oh, He’s real enough now,” Caitlan replied. “He just doesn’t seem to be carin’ about the needs of the folks down here.”
    “But of course He cares.”
    “If He cares so much,” Caitlan replied, a strand of cinnamon hair catching the breeze, “then why do so many Irish go hungry? Why do they go a-killin’ and hatin’ until no one is left untouched? You tell me why God hisself allows such doin’s.”
    Jordana shrugged. She couldn’t very well tell Caitlan what God’s reasonings were for allowing heartache and misunderstanding to abound. “I guess He allows it because we do. I mean, the war back East is pitting brother against brother and tearing a nation apart. I don’t suppose I understand why God allows it either, but then I go to wondering why we have allowed it. I have absolutely no say whatsoever in that outcome, but I won’t go distrusting God just because it happens to be ripping my country in two. We make our own choices. God doesn’t force them upon us.”
    Caitlan’s expression softened. She reached out and touched Jordana in an almost motherly fashion. “I admire yar faith. I do. I just don’t happen to have it in me to believe the same. And we both know I can’t very well go acceptin’ it just for the sake of yar brother’s love.”
    Jordana knew she spoke the truth, but it bothered her deeply that Caitlan wouldn’t simply listen to reason and invite Jesus into her heart. It seemed so simple. Just a little matter of acceptance. Why should that be so hard? She could simply let go of her anger and let God guide her life. Why was that so difficult to understand?
    They moved up the street, and Caitlan waved to a portly, dark-headed woman who was carrying a basket of laundry on her head. “I see Sadie is near done with her deliveries.”
    Jordana nodded. “Either she’s early or we’re late. I’m guessing we’re running a bit behind the clock.”
    Caitlan agreed. “I’m not supposin’ Mrs. Cavendish will be likin’ it one bit. I’ll be leavin’ ya here and headin’ on up.” She paused at the street corner where they usually parted company. “Don’t take my attitude to heart, Jordana. It has nothin’ to do with yarself.”
    Jordana nodded and watched as Caitlan hurried up the street. Her goal was the big brick mansion at the end of the next street. It was here that she’d recently taken the position of housekeeper to the Cavendish family. Mr. Cavendish would drive Caitlan home every day at the conclusion of afternoon tea, unless, of course, they were giving a party or having some other event that required Caitlan to stay on. Mrs. Cavendish had a personal maid who attended to all of her needs and lived on the premises, so Caitlan was free to return home in the evenings and tend to Brenton and Jordana—although Jordana strived to do more of the tending on her own account. She hated that Caitlan always saw herself as a servant to the family. She hated, too, that Caitlan allowed this anger toward God to ruin her life.
    Crossing the street, Jordana marched into the Omaha Citizen’s Bank as though she might well find an answer to her dilemma inside. She was determined to find a way to get through to Caitlan. It was just a matter of time.
    “Good morning!” Damon said as Jordana swept past him.
    “Good morning,” she replied, unfastening the buttons of her coat. The weather was still quite chilly these mornings, and while Jordana had hated the harshness of the Omaha