Beauty From Ashes by Lynnette Bonner

Author:Lynnette Bonner [Bonner, Lynnette]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Inspirational Clean Sweet, orphans, Historical Christian Romance, History Logging Washington, outlaws guns adventure, Frontier Wild West Love Story, Cowboy romantic story, Western Doctor Sheriff Marshal Teacher Deputy Lawman
ISBN: 9781942982128
Publisher: Serene Lake Publishing
Published: 2019-02-13T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Sunday morning, Liora knocked on Tess’s door. “Tess, we leave for Sunday services in thirty minutes. Will you be ready to go?”

Liora willed down the apprehension cramping her stomach. One day she hoped to be able to attend services without getting this sick feeling inside, but she could never seem to get past the slight edge of panic induced by the thought of potentially bumping into Mrs. Hines and Mrs. King.

The girl cracked open the door, her long curly hair still cascading nearly to her hips. Brush in hand, her expression appeared hesitant, yet her eyes shone with more light than they had since her arrival. Rest and good food were doing her some good, it seemed.

“I be ready come time, yes ma’am.”

“Remember, it’s just Liora. No need for formalities.”

Tess nodded. “Yes ma’am—Miss—Liora.”

Liora gave her a smile and a nod, then started for the kitchen where she had eggs boiling, but Tess’s next question stopped her.

“Do you think someone like me be…allowed to attend services?”

Liora’s heart fell. Oh, how she understood the desire to be accepted. Oh, how she wished that she could promise the girl that the love of Christ would be the only thing she would encounter at services today. But she wouldn’t allow herself to lie. Yet how to explain it to Tess?

She pondered for a long moment before she said, “We must remember that people don’t always represent the love of our Lord perfectly. But Christ’s love for us is always perfect.”

Tess’s expression softened with a touch of disappointment. “I see.”

“Parson Clay allows us to sit in the entry…” She knew there was no need to elaborate the reasoning.

Tess pondered for several beats but wasn’t long in nodding her understanding.

“Eggs will be ready in a moment,” Liora said.

Tess nodded again.

Liora settled one hand over her midsection as she headed back to the kitchen. Now she was not only concerned about keeping herself out of sight, but keeping Tess from getting hurt too.

Joe knocked on the back door just as she stepped into the kitchen. “Come,” she called, removing a loaf from the breadbox on the sideboard.

He stepped inside and headed straight for the coffeepot on the back of the stove. “Morning,” he murmured. “Wagon is hitched and ready to go.”

His hair was still damp from where he’d slicked it back at the pump outside. His sleeves were rolled up nearly to his elbows, and the morning light caught and played in the ridges created by the muscles along his arms.

Liora swallowed and forced her eyes back to the task of slicing bread. It only took her a moment to have several slices buttered and layered onto the hot griddle. They would soon be toasty and warm. That task done, she checked the clock. Thankfully, the eggs were done. She carried the pan to the table and scooped two eggs onto each plate next to the slices of ham she’d already placed there.

Joe ambled to the table with his cup and sat, angling his chair slightly toward the window.

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