Granddad had made sure that “his girls” were taken care of. Tears pricked her eyes for the umpteenth time. Daniel and John would do an amazing job taking care of them all, of that she was certain. But it was different. Granddad couldn’t be replaced. He was one of a kind. At least she could rejoice that he was in heaven.
Footsteps sounded in the hall, and Havyn joined her in the kitchen. “Whitney is going to check on the dogs and then go to bed. I think another headache is coming on.”
With a glance out the window, she saw Whitney walking toward the dog pens. “I’m concerned about the headaches, Havyn. Do you think she’s having more of them now?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t been keeping track.” Her sister’s brow crinkled in the middle. “But you know Whit. She keeps to herself since she’s the one who was always looking out for us.”
“But it’s exacerbated now. Maybe we need to show her that she doesn’t have to carry the burden by herself. You know, show her how much we care and want her to be a part of everything. It can’t be easy for her with the changes that have happened. I can’t imagine how I would feel if I were the one unmarried and the oldest.” She bit her lip. It wasn’t something any of them had said out loud, but Madysen had thought about it several times.
“You’re right.” Havyn sliced through a loaf of fresh bread. “I hadn’t thought about how our happy changes could affect her negatively. I always thought that it was nice to have some joy in the midst of our troubles, but maybe not so much for everyone.”
“Do you think she’s lonely?”
“As much as she tries to have time to herself? I don’t think that’s ever been a problem.” Havyn slipped a bite of breadinto her mouth. “How could anyone feel lonely in the middle of this family?”
Maddy wanted to agree with her sister, but as her gaze went back out the window, she watched Whitney walk across the farm, her shoulders slumped, her steps slow.
Could they be wrong?
FOUR
The stack of mail on his desk beckoned, but Judas paced the room instead. All because of the handwriting on the top envelope.
Why would the imbecile decide to write to him now? It had been ... years. Decades, to be honest.
That life was far behind Judas. He’d left it as soon as Olivia informed him that God “told” her not to marry him.
God.
As if her revelation would make him change directions and follow in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps as a traveling preacher.
His nostrils flared. Narrowing his eyes, he placed his hands on his hips and stomped over to the desk. Ripping open the letter, he pursed his lips and tried to push thoughts of Olivia back to where they belonged—whereshebelonged—the cellar. Locked up tight. If only he could banish her completely from his mind.
With one hand he slammed the torn envelope to his desk while he flicked open the folded page with the other.
Judas,
I know you asked for me to never communicate with you again, but the good Lord has placed you on my heart. It is a heavy burden that will not go away. And even as I have tried to abide by your wishes, I have been tortured by my neglect of you. Ever since the passing of Ananias, I knew that it would fall to me to bring you back into the fold.
Time is running out for you. The urgency that has filled my very being will not rest until I see you again. Please let me know when I am welcome. I will make plans to journey north later this summer and perhaps stay for the winter.
I will not accept a negative response. My congregation is aware, and they have been praying for you daily. They are also raising money for the long journey. You are loved and not forgotten.
In Christ’s Love,
Cain
Time was running out forhim? Oh, to be so naïve and brainwashed into thinking such morbid thoughts. Who did Cain think he was to make such demands?
Ridiculous. The man would never raise enough funds with that ridiculously tiny church of his. There was nothing to worry about.
Judas stuffed the letter back into the mangled envelope.
Cain was full of bluster. His words would never amount to anything.
Just like the man himself.
Mr. Davis’s office was comfortable enough, but Whitney still wanted to squirm. She didn’t want to be here. Didn’t want it all to be over. It was bad enough that they’d buried Granddad two days ago. Couldn’t they pretend none of this happened and just continue on as normal? Why did reading the will have to be taken care of now?
