He gave her a squeeze. “Are you ready to head to town? I’m still not very strong, though, so I might need you to drive the sleigh.”
“I am. And I’ll help however you need. Just let me grab the basket of goodies we’ve put together for Granny and your dad.” Madysen ran to the kitchen. Her poor husband. The sickness—whatever it was—had taken its toll on him. In fact, today was the first day she’d seen him stand for longer than five minutes. And he’d dressed and shaved.
She heated a few extra bricks and gathered up some more things to bring to Granny. Peter said that she was doing better, but Martin was still quite sick. If there was any way to help ease the load on the older woman so she could tend to her son, Maddy wanted to do it.
Once they were settled into the sleigh, Daniel already looked worn out.
She took the reins. “Why don’t you rest while I drive us into town. That way, you’ll save energy for your visit with Dad and Granny.”
He nodded and leaned his head back as she urged the horses into motion. Within minutes, his head rested on her shoulder. But she didn’t mind. Being married to this man had brought her more joy than she could have ever imagined. Now if only Whit could find that same joy.
She’d seen the glances between her older sister and the good doctor. They’d been friends for many months now, but it wasn’t until Peter’s last visit that Madysen had hoped todream of a future between the two of them. Peter carried a burden from the past. Whit had told them about the loss of his wife and child. And their sister carried her own burdens. But didn’t they all?
Every single person on the planet had flaws and problems. But by God’s grace, they could make it through to glorious freedom in Christ.
She hated to be nosy ... or a matchmaker for her sister, but it was time for Whit to have the same happiness.
She deserved to love.
And to be loved.
No onedefied him.
The terror on Whitney’s face as he left made the corners of his mouth lift. She knew who was in control, and he would relish making her pay every day for the rest of her life foreverrejecting him.
Everything he wanted was about to be his.
His horse’s hooves pounded through the snow as Judas pushed his mount harder and faster.
Sweat beaded on his upper lip. Olivia’s face appeared before him. He swiped the apparition away with his hand, but it returned. Eyes shimmering with tears.
And then he heard her voice.
“God has made it clear to me, Judas, that we are not supposed to marry. I love you. I’m sure I will always love you ... but you’ve become ... obsessed. I thought you would become a preacher like your father, but all you talk about is money and power. Do you even believe in God and His Word?”
No amount of persuasion had changed her mind. She’d rejected him. Humiliated him. Just like God.
He’d vowed that day that no one wouldeverdo that to him again. No one.
The memory made him sick to his stomach. “It doesn’t matter. She was a worthless fool.” As he said the words, he went cold. Had the blood drained from his face? What was happening?
He leaned closer to the horse’s head, spurring the animal again.
He didn’t need God. Didn’t need Olivia. Didn’t need Whitney. Didn’t needanyone. He was a self-made man. In control––
His arms went numb. His hands could no longer hold the reins. His knees grew so weak, he couldn’t grip the saddle. His legs went limp, and his feet slid from the stirrups––
He was falling.
He slammed into the snow on the ground and lay there. The world tilted.
Judas.
Who said that? He scanned the horizon. Tried to shake the fogginess from his mind.
Judas. I didn’t reject you. I love you. I’m calling you to repentance. I’ve been waiting for you to turn your heart to Me.
The voice in his head was clear and strong.
