Redeeming-Love-By-Francine-Rivers

R E D E E M I N G L O V E
much and hated her with equal intensity. What was he doing here?
Paul didn’t know what to say. He sensed he had hurt her. She sighed and
looked at him again, and he wondered if she was as calm as she seemed, if
anything really touched her. It was one of the things he had despised about
her. No arrow he shot had ever drawn blood.
“Do you ever go back to the valley?” she asked.
The question caught him off guard. “I live there.”
“Oh,” she said, surprised.
“I never left.”
She didn’t rise at the accusatory tone. “Miriam told me you were planning
to go back to the gold fields and try your luck again.”
“Out of desperation,” he said. “Miriam talked me out of it.”
Angel’s face softened. “Yes, I suppose she would. Miriam was always saving
a soul. How is she?”
“She’s going to have a baby this summer.” He watched the color ebb from
Angel’s face and then come back slowly.
“Thank God.”
Thank God?
She smiled, but it was sad and wistful. He had never seen her smile like
that before. He wished he knew what she was thinking.
“That’s wonderful news, Paul. Michael must be very happy.”
“Michael?” He gave a soft laugh, confused. “Well, I suppose he is.” He felt
driven to say, “He’s been doing real well for himself the last few years. He
bought some more land and a small herd of cattle last spring. He put up a
bigger barn this fall.” She didn’t have to know she had taken half his heart
with her when she left. Michael still had faith in God, and God would find
him a good wife.
He didn’t expect Angel to smile at his news, but she did. She didn’t look
the least bit surprised. She looked relieved and happy. “Michael will always
do well.”
The heartless witch. Was that all she could say? Didn’t she know how
much Michael loved her, how much it had ripped him up when she left?
“And you, Paul? Have you worked things out with him again?”
He hated her for the reminder of what had happened. He hated her so
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