Redeeming-Love-By-Francine-Rivers

F R A N C I N E R I V E R S
court justice visiting them on a regular basis? Or a shipping magnate?
Charles was quite devastated when you disappeared. He hired his own contacts
to search for you. It was he who told me you were on a ship to
California.”
“Good old Charles,” she said, remembering the spoiled young man.
Shrugging Duke’s hands off of her, she faced him. “What if I’d told you I
wanted out?”
His mouth lifted slightly. “Tell me about this man Hosea.”
Her muscles tensed. “Why do you want to know about him?”
“Just curious, my dear.”
Maybe talking of Michael would give her the strength to resist whatever
came. “He’s a farmer.”
“A farmer?” Duke said, surprised and amused again. “And did you learn
to plow, Angel? Can you milk a cow and sew a fine seam? Did you enjoy
having dirt under your fingernails?” He took her hand, turning it palm up.
She remained passive. “Calluses,” he said in disgust and let her go.
“Yes, calluses,” she said proudly. “Even covered with dirt and sweat, I was
cleaner with him than I’ve ever been with you.”
He slapped her, and she reeled back. Straightening, she saw something
in his face that made her less afraid. She wasn’t sure what it was, but he
didn’t look so in command of himself or the situation.
“Tell me all, my dear.”
She did.
“Did you love him?”
“I still love him. I’ll always love him. He’s the only good thing that’s ever
happened to me in my life, and I’ll cling to that until I die.”
His face darkened. “Are you in a hurry for that to happen?”
“Do what you will, Duke. Do what you please. Haven’t you always?” She
turned away from him again, half-expecting him to swing her around and
hit her, but he didn’t. She sat down on the edge of the bed and looked up at
him curiously.
“So where is this paragon of virtue and manhood now?” Duke asked.
“On his farm.” Perhaps he had turned to Miriam by now.
“You left him.”
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