Redeeming-Love-By-Francine-Rivers

F R A N C I N E R I V E R S
Miriam’s face carefully as they came closer.
Elizabeth was dismayed, seeing how Angel watched her daughter. “I’ve
been a fool,” she said miserably, sure she had destroyed her daughter’s
friendship. “I should never have said anything.”
“I’m glad you did.”
Elizabeth took her hand tightly. “Amanda, Michael loves you very
much.”
“I know,” Angel said, smiling bleakly. What good would it ever do him?
“And so does Miriam.”
Angel saw how distressed Elizabeth was and put her hand over hers. “I
know that, too, Elizabeth. You needn’t worry.” Next to Michael and Ruthie,
she loved Miriam better than anyone in the world. Not that she didn’t also
love Elizabeth. What she felt was too consuming to share.
Elizabeth’s eyes filled with tears. “And now I’ve ruined your trust in her.”
“Not at all.” Oddly, Angel knew her reassurance was true. She felt secure
in Michael’s love. But what of Miriam? Even more unsettling, what of
Michael’s dreams?
Angel tried to push the disturbing thoughts away. Michael knew what he
was getting. He said so himself. So it’s not my fault if he doesn’t get everything he
wanted. Like children.
Angel looked at Elizabeth’s abdomen and then turned her head away,
pretending the grief inside her didn’t exist.
Michael went to visit with Paul and was gone most of the next day. Angel
wondered what he had gone to talk about and what Paul would have to say
to him. She was working in the garden when Michael returned. She made
no move to go out to meet him. He swung down from his horse and strode
toward her purposefully. Putting his hand on the support post, he swung
over the gate and caught hold of her. Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her
thoroughly. When she was breathless, he relaxed his hold and grinned down
at her.
“Does that set your mind at ease?”
She laughed and embraced him, relief and joy obliterating all the anxiety
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