Blessing by Lyn Cote

Author:Lyn Cote
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION / Christian / Romance
ISBN: 9781496406903
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Published: 2015-07-01T04:00:00+00:00

BLESSING ESCORTED GERARD RAMSAY from the orphanage in time for his luncheon at Prudence Mather’s and a few appointments with prospective clients in the afternoon. After some prodding, the children lined up to go in for their meal. Blessing rose to go inside too but found Joanna blocking her way. Instead of entering with the children, Joanna had let the other nursemaid direct their charges.

“What is it, Joanna?” Blessing asked.

Joanna bowed her head as if praying and then looked up. “I have something hard to say.”

At her friend’s unusual demeanor, Blessing stilled, apprehensive. Resuming her seat, she patted the now-empty wicker chair beside hers. “Sit and tell me.” But she really didn’t want any more sobering or distressing news.

Joanna accepted her invitation. By now, the garden was quiet with just the two of them, the southbound Canada geese honking overhead, and the chickadees chittering in the trees. Fall had come, and the leaves were just starting to show red edges.

“I am getting married soon,” Joanna said, not looking at her.

“Asher?” Blessing named the young man who’d been courting her friend. She kept her tone light, but her tension increased. What she’d dreaded was coming true.

“Yes. He can finally support a wife, and he wants me with him.”

“I understand.” Leaden sadness weighed down Blessing’s heart. “I’ll miss having thee here every day.”

“That’s not all.”

Blessing waited, wondering, her heart skipping.

“We’re moving to Canada.”

The words struck Blessing, a heart blow. “Canada?” she murmured, thoughts racing.

“Yes. Asher wants our children safe from kidnappers and catchers, so they can grow up in a place where their freedom isn’t always in question. He’s saved enough to buy us land and already has his team and plow. He’s decided we shouldn’t wait. We plan to marry next week and then go to Canada before winter and get settled. After we arrive, we’ll hire out and find land to buy before spring planting time.”

“That is a good plan.” This unwelcome change ruffled through Blessing like the wind through the pages of an open book. “It’s just so sudden.”

“I know. I thought we’d wait till next year, but the riot . . . Asher is ready to leave and I must follow.”

Blessing couldn’t argue with that. She didn’t blame Asher for wanting to protect his future family. “I will miss thee.”

“I know. I missed you when you married.” The sadness in Joanna’s tone distressed Blessing.

She rested a hand on Joanna’s arm, sorting through what she should say, what words she wanted to speak. She should just be honest, she knew. Her mother always quoted Shakespeare at times like this: “Truth will out.” She drew in a breath. “Joanna, I missed thee too.”

“I wasn’t much welcome in your house when your husband lived. I’ve always wondered why. Will you tell me now?” Joanna met her gaze.

Blessing closed her eyes against the past.

“I’ve carried a hurt over that ever since,” Joanna continued. “I want to clear it up before we part, maybe for the rest of our lives. Will you tell me, please?”

Blessing quieted her nerves as much as she could.

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