Gabriel's Atonement Read Online Free Page B

first time in years, excitement surged through him.

    As Lara approached the sod shack that sat on the acre of rented land where her family lived, she slowed her steps. Her trio of nanny goats bleated to her and stuck their heads over the short fence, hoping for a handout. Michael plucked a dandelion and stuck it out, giggling when the billy goat snatched it with his big teeth.
    She had kept the information she’d learned yesterday a secret while she examined her feelings and tried to comprehend that she’d never see her husband again.
    How would the news affect her grandfather? Would he share her relief, mixed with the sadness of a life snuffed out at such a young age—a mostly wasted life?
    Five years ago, she’d been so eager to get help for her grandfather that she had gone against his wishes and married Tom with the hope that having another man around would ease her grandpa’s workload. But they’d lost the ranch after Tom went off searching for riches and adventure. Many times over, she’d regretted marrying him. Lara remembered something a woman at church once muttered when a local farm girl ran off with a traveling peddler.
“Marry in haste, repent at leisure.”
    Lara sighed. That sure was the truth.
    The sun glistened off the top of Joline’s head as her sister ducked down and stepped through the low doorway of the soddy. Jo looked up, and her blue eyes sparked when she saw Lara.
    â€œWhere were you?” Jo glared at her.
    â€œOut pickin’ greens.”
    â€œWell, it’s about time you got back. Grandpa’s had another of his swamp fever attacks.”
    Lara closed her eyes and allowed the news to wash over her. “How bad is it?”
    â€œBetter than some, worse than others.” Jo stooped down to hug Michael and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Eww! You’re all sticky.”
    He giggled and tried to touch her with his dirty hands.
    Jo jumped up and stepped back. “Oh, no you don’t.”
    Michael laughed out loud and chased her around the yard, Jo playfully shrieking as if a bear were after her. Lara smiled, glad her worries hadn’t affected her son. He needed to play and laugh.
    She set down the bucket of greens, blowing out a sigh as Jo walked toward her.
    â€œHow much of Grandpa’s medicine is left?” Lara asked, even though she knew exactly how few pills were still in the bottle. She had desperately hoped she could finish this month’s mending and collect payment before Grandpa ran out of his quinine tablets.
    â€œSix. He’s been trying to not take them.”
    Lara wanted to sit down and cry but knew it wouldn’t accomplish anything and would only upset her son. She glanced up at the sky and silently beseeched her heavenly Father for help.
    â€œDoes he have a fever yet?”
    Jo shook her head. “No, but he’s tired and achy, and his head hurts. I hope for his sake this is a short episode.”
    â€œMe, too. Did you finish weeding the garden?” Lara held her hand over her eyes to block the sun and studied her sister, hoping she had done her chores. Jo usually seemed willing to help until it came time to do the actual work. She’d rather be dreaming of fancy clothes, a house with wood floors and pretty furniture, or a handsome beau.
    Joline waved a hand in the air, dramatic as ever. “I’ve been taking care of Grandpa. When would I have time to work in the garden?”
    Michael ran up beside Lara, his face and hands dripping wet. “I can pull weeds.”
    His childish exuberance warmed her heart, but if she let him hoe alone, he’d cut down the vegetables along with the weeds. Lara stooped down and gave him a hug. “Thank you, sweetie. Maybe we’ll go do it together and let Aunt Jo watch over Grandpa, since he’s not feeling well.”
    Michael glanced at Joline and smiled then tugged Lara toward the small vegetable plot.
    The southern breeze cooled