Redeeming-Love-By-Francine-Rivers

F R A N C I N E R I V E R S
the dishes. When she stacked them, she paused.
“I don’t have to stay longer than tonight,” she said. “If it’s going to cause
trouble between you, I’ll leave first thing in the morning.”
“You’ll stay as long as Joseph says you will,” Rebekkah said in a tone that
invited no argument. “He’s going to put your cot next to the wood stove
downstairs. You’ll be warm there.”
Joseph set up her cot. He came back upstairs and told Meribah he was
going out for a while. He would be back in a few hours. Surprised, Meribah
didn’t question him. “He never goes out at night,” she said as he closed the
door behind him. She took up some embroidery.
“Business,” Rebekkah said, knitting rapidly.
Angel sat with the two women in the parlor. The only sound in the room
was the ticking of the clock on the mantel and Rebekkah’s clacking needles.
“If you don’t mind, I think I’ll go to bed,” Angel said at last. Rebekkah
nodded approval. Angel closed the door behind her and paused. The two
women began talking in earnest. Probably about her. She went downstairs
and lay on the cot in the darkness. She slept fitfully, dreaming of Duke.
Rebekkah came down at dawn. Angel awakened and dressed quickly.
“You didn’t sleep well, did you?” Rebekkah said as she watched her gather
her things.
“I was fine. Thank you for letting me stay last night.” She folded the
blankets away and closed up the cot, tucking it into a narrow space between
shelves. She could feel Rebekkah’s dark eyes watching her every move.
“Joseph said you’re looking for work,” Rebekkah said. “We’ve plenty for
you to do around here.”
Angel straightened in surprise and faced her. “You’re asking me to work
for you?”
Rebekkah drew herself up. “Unless you have something better in mind.”
“Oh, no. I didn’t,” Angel said quickly. “What would you like me to do?”
Rebekkah briskly gave her a list.
Angel washed windows and swept out the store. She stacked canned
goods and folded red flannel shirts. She hung tack on the walls. When men
approached her, Meribah or Rebekkah intercepted them, answering their
questions and showing them merchandise. Rebekkah asked her to carry
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