“And you did?” Luke spat angrily. “You know how I feel about him…”
Madelaine knew some of the story about what had happened between Luke and Timothy, but she didn’t fully understand why Luke had such a strong reaction. She was allowed to write to her father’s best friend if she wanted to. She had told him a while ago that she was looking for him, so this shouldn’t come as such a surprise.
“How long?” Luke yelled, waving the letter directly in front of Evelyn’s face. “How long have you been writing to him behind my back?” He directed his wrath at his cousin, but it was Madelaine’s letter he crumpled in his tight fist, and she’d had enough. Madelaine stepped forward and ripped the piece of paper out of his hand.
She also saw out of the corner of her eye how Caleb took Belle and ushered Simon down the hallway, away from the argument. She would thank him later.
“She didn’t write this!” Madelaine said firmly. “I did, so stop yelling at her!”
“You don’t understand. You don’t really know what happened,” Luke said dismissively to her, but Madelaine was just as furious at his behavior as he seemed to be at Evelyn’s.
“I told her,” Evelyn said, raising her chin slightly. “She does know.”
“What?” This seemed to make Luke even more irate, his gaze jumping back and forth between Evelyn and Madelaine. “What did you tell her?”
“I’m sorry, Luke…” Evelyn pleaded with him, but when she tried to put her hands on his arm, he shrugged her off. Then he turned toward Madelaine.
“So, you knew that he and I don’t see eye to eye, and you still chose to contact him?” he growled, and Madelaine could see that he was seething. “Without asking me first? I am your husband!” An angry vein on his forehead seemed ready to pop.
“I am not your prisoner, Sheriff Cross!” Madelaine countered, equally loud. “I do not need your permission to write to my father’s closest friend. I can write to him if I want to. You knew I was looking for him!”
“But you don’t need him anymore!” Luke yelled. “I’m here to help you now!” His voice broke, and he turned away. Madelaine watched him, and as outraged as he seemed to be, there was also something else. Luke seemed to be genuinely hurt by this.
However, that didn’t justify his rude behavior. She wouldn’t stand for this.
“I wanted to speak to him, regardless,” Madelaine explained with conviction. “He knew my father very well. He knew our ranch and our business very well. I wanted to write to him to find out if he’s all right, and if he’s willing to help me with Phineas.”
Luke snapped. His nostrils flared as he spun around and stared her down.
“That ismyjob now!” His mouth twitched, and he seemed to be seconds away from baring his teeth like a wild animal. Before he lost control, he turned on his heel and marched out of the room without saying another word.
***
Many hours had passed since Luke had left the house. It had gotten dark, and he hadn’t come home for dinner. They had waited almost an hour for him to return, but he hadn’t, so they ate without him.
She and Evelyn were in the kitchen doing the dishes, while Caleb kept Simon and Belle occupied in the dining room.
“I am so very sorry that this happened, Maddie,” Evelyn said for the hundredth time as she handed her another plate to dry.
“Would you please stop apologizing? You haven’t done anything wrong!” Madelaine said as she forced herself to stay calm. “His reaction was completely uncalled for, no matter how bad their relationship is! He needs to apologize. Not you!”
“I shouldn’t have gotten involved…”
“No, Evelyn. It was very nice of you to give me that option. I can think for myself, and I appreciate you telling me.” Madelaine dried the plate and put it on top of the other cleanones. “Honestly, I don’t want to talk about it anymore. It’s too depressing. We need to lighten the mood, don’t you think?”
Evelyn nodded but didn’t say anything else. When the women finished cleaning the kitchen, Belle was fast asleep in Caleb’s arms, and Simon could barely keep his eyes open, so Madelaine and Evelyn took the children to bed. As they tucked them in, both women prayed with them. It was Evelyn who spoke.
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for our family and all the good things You provided for us today. Thank You for our food, for our home, and the love that surrounds us. We are forever grateful. Please forgive those who are not walking on Your path, protect them, and keep them safe. As we sleep tonight, remind us of Your goodness, and help us wake up with a thankful heart tomorrow. Amen.”
Madelaine smiled at her friend. “That was beautiful, Evy.”
“Remember when you said you wanted to lighten the mood?” Evelyn asked then. “Well, I might have an idea. But you will have to allow me a few minutes so I can go and get it.”
Madelaine raised her eyebrows, wondering what Evelyn was talking about. “Yes, of course. Take all the time you need.”
While Madelaine was waiting, she pulled out her mother’s Bible and read it for a while. She found a passage whichcouldn’t have been more appropriate, given the fight they just had because of the apparent rift between Luke and Timothy.
Colossians 3:13—“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
