A Family Found by Laura Abbot

Author:Laura Abbot
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-12-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

A week passed, during which the waters ebbed and Sophie went about restoring order to her garden. Just this morning Pancho had brought word that the Lockwood bridge had been repaired and it was safe for her to resume the boys’ lessons. It was just as well some time had elapsed. Tate’s rebuke outside the Tylers’, so obviously born out of disappointment with and misunderstanding of God’s purpose, had left her stymied. Even as she fumed, she admitted that she herself had questioned God on occasion, especially after Charlie was taken so cruelly from her. In fairness, Tate had known loss, too. Yet his inflexible position concerning religion not only vexed her but, far more important, concerned her. He was limiting the boys’ knowledge of God and imprisoning himself in his disbelief. She felt helpless in the face of such obstinancy, even as she ached for the deep hurt the man must’ve experienced throughout his life. Could they ever regain the easy camaraderie the four of them had enjoyed on occasion?

Approaching the ranch house this Monday morning, Sophie had no idea what kind of welcome awaited her. Setting aside her trepidation regarding Tate, she had missed Marcus and Toby and was eager to see them. From now on she would stick to the business of education and disregard any fancies she had permitted herself concerning her charges’ father. Her mind set, she knocked on the door, hoping she would not come face-to-face with Tate. Bertie answered with a huge smile. “Do come in. We’ve missed you here. The boys are eager to see you.”

Almost before Bertie finished her sentence, Toby and Buster came running around the corner. “Miss Sophie! I knew you’d come.” He pulled on her arm. “I gotta show you what I did.”

Trailing him into the library alcove, Sophie knew that whatever her relationship with their father, she couldn’t abandon the boys. Marcus rose when she neared the table. “You are most welcome. I fear the direction of my studies has suffered without you.”

Toby produced a full two pages of addition and subtraction problems he’d worked on in her absence. After she’d assigned him a new story in his primer, she turned to Marcus. “Where are you having difficulties?”

“I’ve been studying about plants in one of my father’s botany books, but even though I know some of the scientific names, it would be good to study Latin so I would know the meaning of those names.” He looked at her with hope in his eyes. “Do you know Latin? Could you help me?”

“I’m no expert, but when I studied back East, Latin was among my subjects. I will ask your father to order a few Latin grammars.”

Marcus eyed Toby as if to assure himself he would not be overheard. “I’m sorry for what happened.”

Sophie waited, unsure about the meaning of the boy’s comment.

“Papa shouldn’t have spoken to you like that.” His chin jutted forward. “Besides, it’s my business what I think about God, not his. I’m interested in knowing more.

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