His brother’s words hit home, so much so that Adam was robbed of words for some minutes. It was true he had decided to focus his attention on something else other than a creator who couldn’t protect His own.
Stephen released a ragged sigh. “I didn’t bring you out here to argue with you, Adam. Please stop what you’re doing before someone gets hurt. You can’t fight this. Even the sheriff is complacent, so in this case, the law you hold on to so much won’t help you. It shows the law can be bought, but not God. He said come to me all you who are labored and overburdened and He will give you rest.” Placing a hand on his brother’s shoulder, he went on softly. “It’s time to stop running, brother, and face the truth. You can’t keep treating God as if he doesn’t exist when he loves you so much and wants to have a fellowship with you.”
Adam's face reddened as he fought the urge to yell at Stephen to stop talking. They had had this conversation years ago when he became sheriff. Why Stephen felt he would listen to him now that he was a marshal was beyond him.
“I’m sorry, Stephen. I will go on with the case until the—”
“Even if it means putting my pregnant wife and the woman you love in danger?”
Grimacing, Adam answered, “They won’t be in danger. All I need now is a reply from my bosses to make my arrests. Don’t worry, I’ll have your barn built again.”
Anger flashed in Stephen’s eyes. “Do you think I care about the barn and all I lost in it? I’m telling you to stop trying to avenge our parents’ death and think of what you have now. Let the past go, Adam. You have me, Annie, Boone, Cora and now you have Olivia. If you won’t think of the rest of us, think about her and what your stubbornness is doing to her.”
“When everything comes out in the open after I solve the case, then you’ll understand what I did for you all.”
With that, Adam walked away with a heavy heart. It was obvious he and Stephen would never see eye to eye on the topic of his passion. It hurt a lot because he wanted to share his fears and triumphs with him. Bringing his parents and Olivia into it had hurt, but Adam knew he would get over it.
As he strode purposefully across the courtyard, Adam hoped headquarters had replied. Time was ticking away. And something had to be done. And fast.
Chapter 29
“I’m so happy to be here again,” Olivia mentioned and sipped from her cup of coffee.
Cora, beaming, joined her at the table with a plate of fried eggs. Olivia’s eyes moved around the table filled with cornbread, bacon, butter, and biscuits. A smile tugged at her lips as she recalled the Stanfords loved eating bountifully. At the orphanage, they barely had enough to feed the children. Olivia sometimes gave her food to any of the children who weren’t satisfied. She resolved to ask the townsfolk to help when the case was over.
Anne had told her that she and Stephen and the Stanfords regularly sent food to the orphanage. She had seen the produce. But more people in Ruby Rock needed to be involved in helping at the orphanage. The children could use more clothes and enough food to fill their small bellies.
“I’m happier, Olivia.” Cora helped herself to some fried eggs. “I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed you.”
Boone had already eaten and gone to the farm with his workers. He had also welcomed her back to his home with opened arms the previous day.
“I have missed you, too,” Olivia admitted and sipped from her cup of coffee.
“Come on, eat, Olivia,” Cora invited as she took some strips of bacon from the plate in front of her. “I’m so glad to have company while having breakfast. These days, Boone leaves very early. I only get to see him at lunch and dinner times.”
“Thank you, Cora.” She had never been much of an eater. And Cora was always trying to get her stuffed. To please the older woman, even though she didn’t feel like eating, she helped herself to some food on the table.
“It’s my pleasure, Olivia.” Cora sighed. “It’s unfortunate that things turned out this way, but I know God is in control.”
Olivia nodded. “Yes, it is. If it wasn’t for my trust in Him, I would have been falling apart at the seams.”
Cora reached out and clasped her hand across the table. “All will be well, Olivia. All we can do is pray to God for protection and guidance. I know He will make a way.”
Olivia lowered her head. She felt safe in the Stanfords, but she missed the orphanage terribly. She smiled as she imagined what the children would be doing at that moment. It was quite early in the day, so they would be having breakfast and preparing for their first lessons. Her eyes stung with tears when she recalled how they had shed tears the previous day at the news of her leaving. Although she had told them it was temporary, they had cried and begged her to take them with her. She had promised to visit them as soon as she could. But she didn’t know when that would be possible. Adam had instructed her that on no condition was she to leave the house until he arrested Gabe Winters and his men.
“Don’t you worry, my dear.” Cora continued eating.
Olivia offered Cora a smile. She felt so blessed to know the Stanfords. They treated her like a daughter and she loved them as if they were her parents. She wished she could stay there forever but it wouldn’t be possible. The case would come to an end and she would have to go back to the orphanage.
Olivia tried, but she couldn’t eat much of the delicious food she and Cora prepared. Her mind kept drifting back to the three men who had threatened her. She knew she had to stay strong or she would be in despair. God would intervene in the matter, and Adam would bring all the evil men to justice. However, she couldn’t help the anxiety that raced through her constantly. Although she had left the orphanage, she was afraid that the men would still carry out their threats.
And there was Adam. She knew she had to do something to help him. All she could do now was pray for God to keep him safe.
“Are you all right, Olivia? Why are you not eating?”
Olivia jerked a little. She smiled a little. “I’m sorry, Cora. I’m not hungry.”
Cora leaned back against her chair and sighed. “You’re very worried, aren’t you?”
