Becoming Lucy by Martha Rogers

Author:Martha Rogers [Rogers, Martha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian fiction, Ranch life - Oklahoma, Christian, Diseases, Contagious, Oklahoma, Fiction, Romance, Young wome, Health & Fitness, Ranch life, Love stories
ISBN: 9781599799124
Publisher: Charisma House
Published: 2015-11-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

The trip into Barton Creek took no more than the usual time, but to Jake, it had never been shorter. Lucinda sat in the wagon with her aunt and cousin while Ben drove. Matt, Hank, and Monk rode alongside. No one talked, but the silence spoke louder than any words they could have uttered.

Last night Ben had warned Jake that he must cut off all contact with Lucinda until his situation was resolved. Every minute with Lucinda only made the reality more painful. The quicker he turned himself in, the sooner he could be out of her life. She deserved much more than he could ever offer her.

He stared at Lucinda’s rigid back. The turmoil in his heart fought with the peace of his soul. His love for her threatened to tear him apart, but he set his mind on the only thing that could see him through the days ahead, his newfound faith.

Although he longed to hold Lucinda in his arms one more time, perhaps even to kiss her, he must not let his thoughts go in that direction. Temptation to do that loomed last night, but he couldn’t bring himself to hurt her further than she had already been. A few weeks ago he would have blamed God for separating him from those he had come to love, but now he understood God’s love and protection sometimes brought heartache. Like his having to leave, but for that he had no one to blame but himself. God hadn’t put the gun in his hand or caused him to pull the trigger. He was forgiven, but he still must face the consequences of what he’d done.

Lucinda must have sensed his thoughts as she cut a glance toward him. Tears glistened on her cheeks. He turned away, not able to cope with the feelings conveyed by that one look. He swallowed back the grief rising in his throat.

The buildings of Barton Creek appeared on the horizon. Only minutes remained before he’d be sitting in a jail cell.

When they reached the main street, Ben stopped the wagon. He stepped down and motioned for Jake to do the same. His feet hit the hard-packed ruts, and he breathed deeply. Matt, Hank, and Monk dismounted and joined Jake in his walk to the sheriff’s office. Jake didn’t look at Lucinda again, but her face would be etched permanently in his mind.

When they walked through the door, Deputy Claymore stood and stretched out his hand. “Good morning, Ben. What brings you to Barton Creek today?”

Ben grasped Claymore’s hand. “Morning, Micah. My friend Jake Starnes here has a problem.”

Jake cleared his throat. “I shot and killed a man down in Texas. I’m here to turn myself in.”

The deputy scratched the stubble of gray-streaked whiskers on his chin, and he peered at them. “Jake Starnes, you say?” He shuffled through a stack of papers on his desk. “I haven’t seen a warrant or a wanted poster come across my desk. When did this happen?”

“About nine months ago in Rio Alto along the Colorado River.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.