Undaunted Love (PART ONE): Banished Saga, Book 3 Read Online Free PDF Page B

do and live through terrible things. But you survived, Jer. And I will only ever be thankful you returned to us.”

CHAPTER 4
    “I TOLD YOU THAT she wouldn’t come,” Jeremy said, as he paced the living area he shared with Florence and Richard. He approached the bookshelf, tracing the spines of the novels, staring blindly at the titles.
    “She sent a note, apologizing for the delay and asking for us to go to the Home today. I’m sure she’ll be here soon,” Florence said.
    “Delay? Two weeks’ worth of silence and then she expects us to be free to help her?” Jeremy spun away from the bookshelf and approached the sink overlooking the empty lot to the rear.
    “Jeremy. You know what type of man her husband is. Maybe he wouldn’t let her leave the house.”
    “Why would any woman marry a man like that?”
    “Some don’t show their true colors until after the wedding,” Florence said wisely. “Especially if there is money involved.”
    “Makes you thankful to be poor. Things are simpler,” Jeremy said, causing Florence to laugh.
    “Simpler maybe, but not easier.”
    “No need to worry, Flo. Rich has a good job, and he can support the two of you well. And I’m starting to sell my work. A little extra income helps.”
    “I know, Jer. I know. I just wish there were something I could do. It’s so unfair that married women are not permitted to teach.”
    “Well, with the likes of you agitating to change things, I’m sure that will not always be the case,” Jeremy said with fond affection in his voice. “Flo, are you certain you want to return to the Home?”
    “There’s no reason for me to dread returning. They were always very good to me there.” Florence sighed and closed her eyes. “And yet I hate the thought of walking through those doors again. All I’ll think about is the day my mother brought me there, wearing her tattered Sunday best, and her promise to return for me. I didn’t know what was happening, so I didn’t even cry when she left. It was only hours later, when I understood I’d been relegated to the unwanted, that I cried.”
    “You’ve never been unwanted, Flo,” Jeremy said. He was interrupted from saying any more by a tentative knock at the door. He strode down the hallway, reached the door and flung it open. “Hello, ma’am. I was beginning to think you’d never come.”
    “I’m sorry I was unable to return until today,” Savannah whispered.
    “Please come in,” Jeremy said as she slipped past him into the dark hallway. She preceded him into the living area where she smiled at Florence.
    “Are you all right, ma’am?” Jeremy asked.
    She flinched but nodded. “Yes, thank you. Thank you both for believing me and being willing to help me. Do you know where the Home is?”
    Jeremy exchanged an amused glance with Florence. “Yes, we do,” Jeremy said when Florence remained silent. He led them from the living room area, down the hallway and into the dim alley.
    Jeremy continued to walk in front of them, and Savannah linked arms with Florence. She stumbled a few times on the uneven cobblestones of the sidewalk before noting the small businesses they passed. She inhaled appreciatively as they walked past a bakery.
    “I’d love to go in there some day,” Savannah said.
    “They make delicious cakes for tea,” Florence said with a smile. “Especially if you are entertaining.”
    Florence sobered as they turned a corner and approached a large oak door with a brass knocker in the shape of a lion’s head. Narrow windows on either side of the door and an arched window over the door’s lintel caused the entrance to appear imposing. Except for the large door, the faded brick building blended in with its neighbors, and Savannah realized why she’d had such trouble finding the orphanage.
    Jeremy turned to study both Florence and Savannah for a moment, before nodding and tapping on the knocker a few times. They were met by a young woman in severe plain black clothes and