Redeeming-Love-By-Francine-Rivers

Twenty-four
For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds
that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never
enter the kingdom of heaven.
J E S U S, M A T T H E W 5:20
Paul sat brooding before his fireplace, a jug in his lap and his wedding picture
in his hand. Tessie had been gone two years now, and he wanted to
keep her memory alive. He didn’t want to forget what she looked like. But
lately, until he held the picture, all he could remember was that she was
dark and had Michael’s smile. He tried to remember what her skin felt like
and how her voice sounded, but it was all fading away, all except the sweet
memory of what they had shared so briefly. The empty, aching loneliness she
had left behind was all that remained firm. Laying the picture aside, Paul
drew long on the whiskey. Leaning his head back, he closed his eyes wearily.
He hadn’t seen Michael since he had come and asked him to help him find
Angel. He couldn’t forget that day or his own regret.
“She’s run off again?”
“Yes. I have to find her.”
“Let her go. You’re better off without a woman like her.”
Michael’s eyes blazed. “When are you going to open your eyes?”
“When are you?” Paul shot back. “If she loved you, don’t you think she’d
stay? You wouldn’t be able to drive her out. Michael, when are you going to
see what she is?” When Michael turned his horse away, his anger had erupted.
“Look for her in a bordello. Isn’t that where you found her in the first place?”
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