Redeeming-Love-By-Francine-Rivers

R E D E E M I N G L O V E
beliefs. He told stories rather than read them. “You’d make a fine preacher,”
John said. Angel almost protested and then realized he meant it as a compliment.
Angel never joined in the discussions. Even when Miriam asked her
what she thought, she shrugged it off or turned the question back on the
girl. Then, one evening, Ruthie went straight to the heart of the matter.
“Don’t you believe in God?”
Unsure how to respond, Angel said, “My mother was Catholic.”
Andrew’s mouth fell open. “Brother Bartholomew said they worship
idols.” Elizabeth blushed bright red at his comment, and John coughed.
Andrew apologized.
“No need,” Angel said. “My mother didn’t worship any idols that I
remember, but she prayed a lot.” Not that it ever did her any good.
“What’d she pray for?” irrepressible Ruthie asked.
“Deliverance.” Determined not to become part of a religious discussion,
she took up the materials Michael had purchased for her new clothing.
There was a still silence in the cabin that made Angel’s skin prickle.
“What’s deliv’rance mean?” Ruthie asked.
“We’ll talk about it later,” Elizabeth hushed her. “Right now, you children
have school work to do.” She got up and took out the children’s school
books. Angel looked up after a moment and saw Michael’s gentle gaze on
her. Her heart fluttered strangely. She wished for the cool, quiet darkness of
the barn and no one noticing her, not even this man who had come to matter
entirely too much.
She returned her studious attention to the cloth in her lap. How should
she start? Never having made her own clothing before, she didn’t know how
to begin. She kept thinking of all the money Michael had spent and was
afraid to cut into it and ruin it.
“You look glum.” Miriam grinned. “Don’t you like to sew?”
Angel could feel the color mounting in her cheeks. She was humiliated
by her own ignorance and inexperience. Of course, Elizabeth and Miriam
would know exactly what to do. Any decent girl would be able to make a
shirtwaist and skirt.
Miriam suddenly looked aggrieved, as though she realized she had
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