Redeeming-Love-By-Francine-Rivers

F R A N C I N E R I V E R S
almost falling apart, but he looked upon it as something bound in gold and
containing priceless jewels inside. He never read it without praying first. He
told her once that he didn’t read until his mind was open enough to receive.
She didn’t know what he was talking about. Sometimes his words, though
plain English, made no sense to her at all. And then he would say something
wonderful that filled her with warmth and dawning light. She was the
blackest night, and he the starlight piercing it, creating an unfolding pattern
in her life.
She finished her chores and sat beside him. He was still silent. She put
her head back, listening to the crackling fire, and waited. When he finally
read, she was drowsy and content. His rich, warm voice was like dark taffy,
but what he read surprised her. It was the story of a bride and groom and
their passion for one another. He read for a long time.
Michael put the Bible back on the mantel and placed another log on the
fire. It would burn through the night and keep the cabin warm.
“Why would a virgin bride play the harlot for her husband?” Angel
asked, perplexed.
Michael glanced back. He’d thought she was sleeping. “She wasn’t.”
“Yes, she was. She danced for him, and he was looking at her body. From
the feet up. In the beginning, he was looking into her eyes.”
He was amazed she had listened so carefully. “He took joy in her body, as
she wanted him to, and she danced to arouse and please him.”
“And your God says it’s all right to entice a man?”
“It’s all right to entice your husband.”
Her expression clouded. She hadn’t meant just any man, but he was well
aware of how well trained she was at enticement. “What if they think it’s
enticement just because of the way you look?”
Michael nudged the log further back with his boot. “Men are always
going to stare at you, Amanda. You’re beautiful. There’s nothing you can do
about that.” Even John Altman had stared at her in the beginning. And Paul.
Sometimes Michael wondered what went through Paul’s mind when he saw
her. Did it flash back to what happened between them on the way to Pair-a-
Dice? He pushed the disturbing thoughts away. Dwelling on them raised
doubts that tormented him.
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