Abiding Mercy by Ruth Reid

Author:Ruth Reid
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2017-05-15T16:00:00+00:00

“I had a nice time watching the fireworks with you tonight, Gideon,” Faith said softly.

“I had a nice time too.” He gently squeezed her hand. “What’s wrong?”

Her heart thumped against her ribs. If only this moment could last forever. She slipped her hand out from his. “You’re basing your decision about Olivia on rumors.”

“Let’s nett talk about Olivia. I want to spend time with you.”

Faith glanced out the side window of the buggy at the house.

Dark, no sign of activity. Just as she suspected, Olivia hadn’t gone home from work with a headache. Her sister had lied. Was she also lying about reconsidering Gideon’s proposal? Joining the church?

“I can’t go fishing with you. Nett when . . . Gut nacht, Gideon.” Faith climbed out of the buggy and hurried up the porch steps. If she sat with him any longer, she would change her mind. She grabbed the doorknob but stopped to draw a deep breath. After having a gun pointed at her yesterday, going inside a dark house rattled her nerves.

Gideon hiked up the steps behind Faith. “Let me go in first.”

Relief washed over her as she stepped aside. Once inside, she lit the lantern, then went to the cabinet next to the sink and removed a water glass.

“Do you want me to stay until Olivia comes home?”

She shook her head.

“Your hand is trembling.”

So were her insides. Faith filled the glass with water and took a drink. “I’m better nau. You can go home.”

Gideon inched closer. “I thought you were brave yesterday.”

She shook her head. “I was terrified.”

“Jah, me too.” He clasped her upper arms. “I felt helpless. He held a gun to your head and I didn’t know what to do.”

Her eyes burned as memories came to life again of the man’s glove over her mouth and cold steel pressed against her temple.

Gideon ushered her into his arms. “Please, don’t think about it.”

If only letting go of the memory was that easy. She rested her head on his shoulder a few moments, then mustered enough courage to break away. “It’s getting late. You should go.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay until Olivia comes home?”

Faith nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Bright and early.” He made his way to the door. “I’m bringing mei fishing poles. You need a break from all the stress.”

“We’ll see.” First she wanted to find out if Olivia was still in love with Gideon—if she planned to stay Amish. Faith wasn’t about to be the reason her sister jumped the fence.

Hours later, Faith ambled up the stairs to bed, yawning. Waiting up for Olivia to come home from the fireworks had been a mistake. Faith could have been asleep hours ago, but she needed answers. She slipped into her nightdress and climbed under the covers. Halfway through her prayers, she nodded off.

Footsteps on the stairs awakened Faith. The door creaked open, and moonlight spilling in through the window highlighted her sister’s figure.

Faith pushed up in bed. “Olivia, where have you been? You left work because you had a headache.

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