Redeeming-Love-By-Francine-Rivers

F R A N C I N E R I V E R S
But it wouldn’t be fair, would it? Not for a man like him.”
She struggled to control the tears that were so often near the surface lately.
She would not give in. She couldn’t. If she did, she would cry until she melted
away into nothing.
Paul didn’t know what to say.
“Please,” she said. “When you go back, don’t tell Miriam you saw me. Say
anything. Say I left the country. Say I died.” He cringed inwardly hearing his
own thoughts come back to haunt him.
“Please, Paul. If you tell her, she would only tell Michael, and he would
feel he had to come and get me again. Don’t let him find out where I am.”
“You needn’t fear that. He told Miriam he wouldn’t drag you back this
time. He said it was your decision, that you had to come back on your own
or you’d never really understand that you were free.” He wanted more than
anything now to convince her she had to come home again. “Did you ever
tell him you couldn’t have children?”
“Yes,” she said quietly.
“What did he say?”
She shook her head, dismissing it. “You know Michael.”
Indeed, he did. He stood up and put his hands on the desk. “He married
you, Amanda. For better or worse, and for as long as you both are alive, and
that’s how long he’ll wait for you, and past that, if I know Michael. If you
only knew how much he’s hurting—”
“Don’t.”
“You know him. Did he ever give up on you before? He won’t give up
waiting for you now. He’ll never give up.”
She shook her head, pale and distraught. “I can’t go back.”
Paul straightened. He didn’t know whether he had given her something
to think about or just caused her more pain. “I’ve said all I can. It’s up to
you, Amanda. Just don’t take too long making up your mind. I miss my
wife.” He wrote down the name and address of the hotel where he stayed
the night before. “I’d like to leave by nine tomorrow. Send word what you
decide.”
He picked up his pack and shouldered it. “What is this place anyway? A
boardinghouse?”
453