The Shepherd's Voice by Robin Lee Hatcher

Author:Robin Lee Hatcher [Hatcher, Robin Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Religion & Spirituality, Literature & Fiction, Historical, Romance, Religious & Inspirational Fiction, Contemporary, Historical Romance
Amazon: B002VECTNO
Publisher: RobinSong, Inc.
Published: 2016-03-10T16:00:00+00:00

SIXTEEN

Somewhere near sunrise Akira found the answer to her question. She hadn’t told Gabe she loved him because she was trying to protect her heart. As if not speaking the words would shield her from pain should he never love her in return.

But it wouldn’t shield her. Nothing could.

It came to her, as she lay there, listening to the sound of Gabe’s steady breathing and watching as the first pale streaks of dawn inched across the ceiling. The Bible told wives to submit to their husbands and husbands to love their wives. God hadn’t told wives to love their husbands. Was it because women found it easier to love?

And harder to submit.

She turned her head on the pillow. She couldn’t see him clearly, caught in shadows as he was, yet she knew his features so well by now it seemed she could. She knew the sharp angles of his face. She knew the morning stubble that darkened his jaw. She knew the way his hair stuck out in odd directions when he first got up.

She didn’t have to be afraid, she realized. God knew what she needed. God knew she needed her husband to love her. He’d begun a work in Gabe, and He would complete it. Nothing could keep Him from it.

Father, I’m sorry. Forgive me. I’ve harbored anger and resentment all week long. Not just because of Gabe’s parole. Because of what I want and when I want it. But You know what I need. You know what we both need, Gabe and me. Why have I acted as if You don’t know or care?

She sat up, still staring at Gabe. He’d been rejected by his father time and again. The approval he’d sought hadn’t been there. He’d tried to be what Hudson wanted, but he had failed. Gabe hadn’t yet grasped the Father’s unconditional love. No wonder he didn’t understand her love for him.

I’m going to tell him. He needs to know.

A huge weight lifted off her chest, and joy rushed in to take the place of the anger she’d released into God’s keeping.

Smiling, she slipped from beneath the blankets.

Gabe opened his eyes and watched Akira’s quiet departure from the room. He hated it when she was the first to rise. The bed felt too large without her beside him.

He frowned, remembering her strange mood last evening. She could deny it all she wanted, but he knew he was responsible for her tears. She wasn’t a woman who cried at the drop of a hat. If she was sad, it had to be because of him.

He draped an arm over his eyes as he stifled a groan. Everything she’d done for him was kind and caring. She’d taken him in when he was nothing more than a starving bum. She’d given him work when his own father wouldn’t do it. She’d rejected the opinions of the townsfolk of Ransom—not to mention Brodie Lachlan—and treated him with respect. And finally she’d agreed to marry him. He owed her a great deal.

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