Redeeming-Love-By-Francine-Rivers

R E D E E M I N G L O V E
it in her hand and smelled it. Her eyes shone as she looked at her father. “It’s
rich enough to eat.”
“Couldn’t do much better.”
“Even in Oregon, Papa?”
“Even in Oregon.”
With a squeal Miriam catapulted into his arms, laughing and crying.
“Wait’ll Mama hears!”
“Your mother is to know nothing about it. Not until we’ve built a cabin
for her. Promise me.”
Miriam wiped the tears away. “One mention of Oregon, Papa, and I’ll
spill the beans.”
Angel glanced at Paul. His gaze brushed hers. It was full of silent,
seething hatred. She drew her shawl more tightly around her. She had
drawn a good amount of his blood that day on the road. She had put the
knife in as deeply as she could. He looked at her again, longer this time. A
wounded animal, enraged and dangerous.
“Paul is handsome,” Miriam said on the walk back. “Such dark, brooding
eyes.”
Angel said nothing. Just before he’d ridden away, Paul had tipped his hat
to her. No one but she had noticed, nor had they seen the expression in his
eyes—an expression that consigned her to Hades.
The men began work the next morning. Paul met them with his ax and
adze. Michael located four large stones for the foundation. They began
felling trees.
Jacob learned the secret the third day when he followed Miriam with the
lunch. He was sworn to silence and set to work. By the time Michael and
John returned with him, the boy was too tired to speak.
“What are you doing to him?” Elizabeth asked. “He can barely keep his
head out of the stew.”
“Clearing land is hard work.”
Angel worked with Elizabeth. She wanted to avoid Paul, but even more,
she wanted more time with Elizabeth and Ruthie. Elizabeth sensed it and
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