Redeeming-Love-By-Francine-Rivers

F R A N C I N E R I V E R S
“No, Duke is anything but stupid.” She sighed heavily. “You’re being very
kind to us. Thank you.”
“‘For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and
you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in, naked, and you
clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to
me,’” he quoted. “Are you familiar with that?”
Michael had read those words to her once, right after he had taken the
Altmans in and she had asked him why. Her memories of him were so
strong, she couldn’t speak.
Jonathan Axle could see great suffering in the young woman’s eyes and
wanted to ease it. She seemed utterly unaware of the magnitude of her
actions, the courage it had taken. “You’re welcome to share what we have.”
After all, none of it really belonged to him. He was only a steward of it.
They talked far into the night. She told him more than she had ever told
another human being, even Michael. Perhaps it was because Jonathan Axle
was still a benevolent stranger that she felt so free to speak. Yet he did not
seem a stranger at all.
Angel leaned her head back, weary. “Where do I go from here, Mister
Axle?”
“That’s up to you.” Jonathan smiled. “And the Lord.”
Priscilla awakened when Jonathan came into their bedroom. He undressed
and slid beneath the bedcovers, drawing her close. Her body was warm and
soft, and her hand rested on his chest.
“I really must ask, Jonathan. What were you doing in a place like that?”
He laughed softly and kissed her forehead. “I don’t really know, my love.”
“But you don’t drink or gamble,” she said. “Whatever possessed you?”
“It was a strange day, Priss. Something gnawed at me from noon on. I
couldn’t put my finger on it.”
“Everything’s fine at the bank?”
“More than fine. I simply felt the need to walk. That’s why I sent word I
would be late. I was passing by that place and heard that devil making a
speech. The place was in such a ruckus, I went in to hear what he was saying.”
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