Redeeming-Love-By-Francine-Rivers

F R A N C I N E R I V E R S
The child relaxed in her arms and drew back enough to look around.
Cherry was sitting on the settee beside her, her back straight, her face very
pale and frightened. The young woman looked at Jonathan Axle for an
explanation. If she was shocked by what they very clearly were, she didn’t
show it. “Father, what’s happened?”
“My daughter, Susanna,” Jonathan Axle said, and the young woman nodded
and offered a tentative if confused smile. “I’m afraid I don’t know your
names,” he said in apology.
“My name’s Angel. This is Cherry, and—” She stopped, suddenly realizing
she didn’t even know the child’s name. “Darling,” she said softly, raising
the girl’s chin. “What’s your name?” The child’s lip quivered, and she whispered
something before burying her head against Angel’s shoulder again.
“Faith,” Angel said. “Her name’s Faith.”
“Some blankets are in order, Susanna. Would you see to that while I find
your mother?”
“Mama’s in the kitchen warming up your supper,” she said with a smile
and went hurriedly out the door.
“Excuse me for a moment,” Jonathan said and left them alone.
Cherry’s shoulders hunched, and she started to cry as soon as he was
gone. “I’m scared. Duke’s going to kill me.”
“Duke’s never going to touch you again.” Angel took her hand. “We’re all
scared,” she said softly, “but I think we can trust these people.” They had to.
What choice had they?
Jonathan came back with a small woman with bright blue eyes. Her
name was Priscilla. Angel could see the resemblance between mother and
daughter. Priscilla quickly took charge. “First thing we have to do is get you
girls out of those wet clothes,” she said, taking them upstairs. “Then you’ll
come down to the kitchen for a nice bite to eat with Jonathan and me.”
She opened a door on the right side of the hallway showing a spacious
room beyond. “You two younger ladies will share this bedroom,” she said.
“And Angel can share Susanna’s. It’s just across the hall.”
Angel wondered what Susanna would have to say about that.
Priscilla produced dry clothes for all of them, surprising Angel further.
Did she have wardrobes in all sizes, or did she have other daughters not yet
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