“I know. Sometimes, I remember some things and they make me sad,” Olivia softly told the thirteen-year-old girl.
Ahela nodded. “I remember my family and cry. But then I realize that I have a new family, and then I count my blessings.”
“I’ll do that,” Olivia replied. “Thank you, Ahela.”
Smiling, Ahela left the class.
“If only it were that easy,” Olivia whispered.
She had experienced fear before, but not in the way she had two nights ago. She had thought the men would do unspeakable things to her.
She had knelt there in the sand beside the orphanage for some time before she pulled herself together and walked on shaky legs into the compound.
Olivia had had to put on an act worthy of an actress when she met the matron immediately after she entered the building. The older woman had fretted over her.
“I was waiting for cook and Susie to finish cleaning up after dinner so that we could go and look for you,” the woman had exclaimed. “Dear child, I know I encouraged you to go out often, but please don’t go off like that and return late. You’re a very beautiful woman and there are drunken louts in the town.”
Chastised, Olivia said in a tiny voice, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Harrison. I got carried away with sharing God’s word and praying with the preacher, I lost track of time.”
The matron had smiled. “I understand, Olivia. The presence of the Lord is so peaceful, one finds it hard to leave it. But next time, make sure you go earlier in the day.”
Olivia had nodded. What the older woman didn’t know was that she had no intention of stepping a foot out of the compound until Gabe Winters and his men were arrested.
How Adam was going to do that without her help would be a problem. But she was still too shaken to think of going out there. She feared that next time, they might just come into the orphanage to carry out their threats.
Why am I being such a coward? I need to be fearless, like Esther, who I have talked about so many times. Even in the face of death, she stood firm.
Esther’s story could have been different if she had cowered in her room instead of going to face the king, even though it meant her death.
Her mind went to other brave women in the bible like Deborah, Ruth, Miriam, Jehosheba, Abigail, Rahab, and she was strengthened by the fact that with God by her side, she needed not to be afraid.
If God be for me, who can be against me?
Needing to read the stories of the women to help her face her fear and forgive Gabe Winters and his men, she took her bible from the table and sat down.
She heard heavy footsteps in the hallway some seconds before Adam stood by the open door.
A bright smile immediately lifted her face. As it was wont to do whenever she was near Adam, her heart started beating fast. Light fluttering moved in her stomach.
“Olivia,” Adam called as he entered the classroom, taking off his black hat.
Olivia got up and hoped her excitement at seeing him wasn’t obvious. She couldn’t hide the happy blush that crept up her face.
“Adam.”
Reaching her with a smile on his face, he said, “I apologize for always calling on you without prior notice.”
“It doesn’t matter. You’re always welcome here.” She pointed at the chair for him to sit. “Or do you prefer we go outside?” she asked, even though she didn’t want to. But with Adam by her side, she didn’t think anyone would dare come after her.
He shook his head and rolled his hat in his muscular hands. “I don’t want to take you away from your work. Mrs. Harrison might take a switch to me one of these days.”
Olivia laughed heartily––her first in two days.
“Then, come, sit.” She dragged another chair from the other side of the desk. “I’ll send for some snacks.”
“You don’t have to,” he said, just as Ahela came into the classroom with a plate of biscuits and a glass of blackberry juice.
Olivia clapped her hands as Ahela approached them. “You can’t refuse now. Thank you, Ahela.”
