She wrote, “Love, Addie.”
Tomorrow, she’d post it, and then she’d wait for him to get his mail or for someone to take it to him.
Nash rode home,thoughts churning round and round. Shorty and his determination to win back his wife’s affection on his mind. Forgiveness or unforgivable. But the wordforgiveshouted the loudest.
Could Addie forgive him for simply being a Sturm?
Could he forgive?—?
His thoughts jerked so hard Star wagged his head in protest.
He forgive? Forgive what?
Addie? She’d judged him because of his name. That wasn’t fair. But yes, he could forgive that. He did forgive it.
All because of the name he’d long ago abandoned.
His father’s name, not his.
His jaw creaked as it often did when he thought of his father.
His father had done evil and saddled Nash with that awful memory. Thankfully, Mama had refused to go to the trial or even admit she knew the man.
His knuckles popped with how hard he squeezed his fists.
What Morton Sturm had done was unforgivable.
Nash jolted, sending Star into a sideways prance. “Easy, boy.”
He was guilty of unforgiveness even more than Addie.
It was time to let it go so he could move forward without the burden of carrying it.
Star did not like how Nash’s thoughts sent jerks through his limbs. Nash dismounted and stood on the crest of the cliff, looking out at the jagged granite mountains and the lush undergrowth.
“They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.”
He believed the words were from a psalm. For certain, they were from the Bible. Gib had often said them as he looked out at his beloved mountains. “It means,” he’d say, “that those who trust in God will be as solid as these mountains.” Then he’d give a little chuckle. “Even more so, for our God is a sure foundation. A rock that can’t be moved.”
“Lord,” Nash whispered. “I forgive my father. Thank You that I wasn’t there when he did that. Thank You that Your love is not limited by what he did.” He breathed in sweet peace. “And if it be Your will, please help me win Addie’s forgiveness…and her love.”
He swung into the saddle and continued onward, leading his borrowed horse, which gave him the perfect excuse for going to Golden Valley. Not that he needed an excuse. He would be like Shorty and work at winning Addie’s heart no matter how long it took.
The streets were quiet, with only one wagon tied in front of a store. Nash rode to the livery barn, shuddering as he looked at the loft door. He delivered the horse, paid for its use, and turned toward the house where the preacher lived.
Addie stepped from the door. Nash tied Star’s reins to the nearest hitching post and trotted toward her.
His pounding footsteps alerted her, and she turned.
Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. Then something warm replaced that look.
Was she glad to see him?
“Addie,” he said when he drew close enough to be heard.
“Nash.”
The air between them shimmered with uncertainty and, on his part, a large dose of hope.
