Redeeming-Love-By-Francine-Rivers

F R A N C I N E R I V E R S
lessness. Maybe she could make some amends. “It’s nothing to do with
Paul,” she assured him. “It’s just that truth always catches up.”
“I’m counting on that.”
Michael watched Amanda throughout the day. She withdrew further and
further into herself. She worked with Elizabeth and Miriam but said very
little. She was preoccupied, in full retreat, building her walls again. When
Ruthie took her hand, he saw the pain in Amanda’s eyes and knew what she
expected. He couldn’t promise it wouldn’t happen. Sometimes people
became too caught up in the problems of day-to-day living to notice the
pain in someone else.
Young Miriam noticed. “She’s here, but she isn’t. She won’t let me close,
Michael. What’s wrong with her today? She’s acting the same way she did
when we first came to your place.”
“She’s afraid of being hurt.”
“She’s hurting herself now.”
“I know.” He wasn’t going to reveal her past or discuss his wife’s problems.
“Paul doesn’t like her. That’s part of it. She’s not a prostitute anymore, but
she expects everyone to look at her and treat her like one.”
Rage shot through him. “Did Paul tell you that?”
She shook her head. “She told me the first night and loudly enough for
Mama to hear.” Tears filled her eyes. “What are we going to do about her,
Michael? The way she holds Ruthie breaks my heart.”
Michael knew Miriam was going to have plenty to do in helping John
and Elizabeth get this place going. He couldn’t ask her to make frequent visits
to his place so Amanda would know the affection was real and not a matter
of convenience, and the girl was already looking on Paul like he was a
Greek god come down from Olympus, despite his flaws. He knew Paul
found the girl attractive, as well. It was clear in the studied way he avoided
her. Whatever way it went, Miriam’s loyalties were going to be put to a hard
test.
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