Redeeming-Love-By-Francine-Rivers

R E D E E M I N G L O V E
4
John took out his fiddle. No quiet mournful hymns this time, but Virginia
reels. Michael caught hold of Angel and whirled her around. Being in his
arms was heady stuff.
Angel’s heart raced. She could feel heat pouring into her face and didn’t
dare look up at him. Jacob danced with his mother while Miriam danced
around the clearing with Ruth. John lifted his booted foot and gave Andrew
a shove toward his sister Leah. Paul watched, leaning indolently against the
cabin wall. He looked so alone, Angel pitied him.
“It’s the first time I’ve danced with you,” Michael said.
“Yes,” she said breathlessly. “You’re very good.”
“And that surprises you.” He laughed. “I’m good at a lot of things.” His
arm tightened around her, speeding up her pulse even more.
Jacob came and bowed to Angel, and Michael relinquished her with a
grin. She glanced around the yard, and they danced. It only took one look at
Miriam to know she wanted to dance with someone other than her baby sister
or younger brothers. But Michael had danced with Elizabeth, Leah, and
Ruth, and left Miriam alone. An unpleasant sensation stirred in Angel’s belly.
Why did Michael avoid Miriam? Was he afraid to get too close to her? When
he came back to claim her from Jacob, she pulled her hand away. “You
haven’t danced with Miriam. Why won’t you dance with her?”
He frowned slightly and caught firm hold of her hand, pulling her into
his arms. “Paul will get around to it.”
“He hasn’t danced with anyone yet.”
“And he won’t feel the necessity if I step in for him. I’d hazard a guess
he’s thinking about Tessie. He met her at a dance. It’ll dawn on him soon
that young Miriam needs a partner.”
Paul did dance with Miriam, but he was stiff and grim and hardly spoke
a word to her. Miriam was clearly perplexed. As soon as the dance was finished,
he said good night and went for his horse.
“We’d better head for home, too,” Michael said.
Miriam embraced Angel and whispered, “I’ll be over in a few days to
visit. Maybe you’ll tell me what’s eating that man.”
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