“Believe me when I tell you I know exactly how you feel. Until recently, I always questioned why people found it hard to forgive until I realized that Gabe Winters killed my parents and my Indian tribe. I also questioned why God would allow such a thing to happen. But instead of fighting him like you did, I asked him to make me understand. I prayed for his help to be able to forgive Gabe no matter how difficult it seemed. My faith that men could change was shaken but with God on my side, I got myself back on track again.”
Adam nodded and sniffed.
“It’s understandable to question God when things don’t go our way despite our belief in Him to make every crooked path straight. But one thing that has kept me going over the years even in times of tribulation and want is that He knows what he’s doing. I have absolute trust in Him that He will never leave me nor forsake me, and He has never done. Irrespective of how you have fought Him over the years, God has always been by your side because He loves you. His love is everlasting and His mercies endure forever.”
She clasped his face. “Adam if you will open your heart to Him today, if you will break down the walls, the barriers you placed to keep Him out of your life, you’ll come to love Him again. You’ll come to trust Him and put your hope in Him because He’s ever present in your life, waiting for you to come back to Him.”
Adam croaked “But I have said so many terrible things about Him. I have blasphemed and made a mockery of His name.”
“It doesn’t matter, my love. God understands. He will forgive you. He has never turned away a repentant heart, and He won’t start now. All you have to do is tell Him how sorry you are, confess your wrongs and accept Jesus back as your lord and savior. He’s waiting for you.”
Adam dropped to his knees and Olivia went with him. She clung to him.
“Magnificent, please forgive me and accept me back.”
Olivia took her hands and together they prayed and asked God for His mercy, love, and grace.
Adam wiped his tears away and Olivia did the same as they rose. She didn’t mind that her dress was soiled with dust. She was ecstatic that Adam had found God again. Even though they didn’t end up together, it would forever gladden her heart.
However, Adam stunned her by gently grasping her face and grinning.
“I love you, Olivia.”
She inhaled sharply.
“I fought it just like I fought God, but in the end, love was too powerful for me to resist.” His thumb caressed her cheek. “I know I don’t deserve you, and after what I did to you, you ought to slap my face and reject me. But I beg you to give me a chance.”
Joy rose inside Olivia, so much so that she was lost for words. All she could do was gulp at him as if she had never seen him before.
“I’ll grovel if you want me to. Please, Olivia. I can’t live without you. When I was in the forest these past days, I planned on leaving Ruby Rock from there and then ask Stephen to send my things over to wherever I settled in. But the thought of never seeing you again sent me running out of the forest.”
“I know things will be tough on us seeing I have no job now, but we’ll be fine. God willing, things will look up again. I just need to know that you’ll give me a chance. It doesn’t matter if you don’t love me. my love is sufficient for the two of us.”
“I love you, Adam.”
Adam jerked back. “What?”
Olivia smiled with joy. “I love you.”
Adam blinked, stupefied. “You’re not just saying it out of pity, are you?”
She laughed and cradled his face in her hands. “I wouldn’t insult such an intelligent man as you by telling that I loved you just to spare your feelings. Besides, that would be lying and you know I don’t do that and—”
Her words were cut short when Adam drew her closer and fastened his lips on hers. Shock held her immobile for a while before she returned the kiss.
“I’m sorry for taking liberties with you, my love, but I couldn’t help myself. I love you so much, I never want to let you go.”
Olivia wished she could tell him he could kiss her anytime he wanted, but that would be too bold of her. She reached down and pinched herself just to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.
Adam loved her and she loved him. It seemed too good to be true. God had answered her prayers and she was overjoyed.
“I love you, too, Adam.”
“My faults and all?”
“Especially with your faults and all.”
His body shook with loud laughter, and he kissed her again.
