Ashes and Ice by Tracie Peterson Read Free Book Online Page B

“I do respect you, Peter. I admire your abilities and your knowledge. I am sorry that I’ve overstepped my place at times, but I will not give up my faith because it makes you uncomfortable.”
    “It doesn’t make me uncomfortable, madam. It makes me furious. You put a fence between us, with God sitting squarely on the top rail. You use your religion as an excuse to defy me and make me look the fool in my father’s eyes, and that I find most unforgivable.”
    She again moved toward him, but once more he put up his arm to stop her. “I have business to attend to.”
    “Business that is more important than our marriage?”
    “Quite frankly, I wish I had never married you at all.”
    He hadn’t meant to say the words; they had simply poured from his mouth in his rage. So many times before he had come to regret speaking in anger, but nothing compared to the regret he felt now as he watched Grace’s expression fall and tears come to her eyes.
    Guilt propelled him past her and out of the room. He couldn’t stand to see the anguish on her face. He couldn’t bear to know that he had so neatly broken her spirit with one fatal blow. But break her he had. He was certain of it. There was a defeat in her eyes that he knew would always haunt him.
    He hadn’t meant the words. But he couldn’t take them back.
    Grace crumbled to the floor. She felt her chest tighten, her lungs desperate for air. She wanted to scream, but there were no sounds to utter. There was nothing but the hideous, abominable pain in her heart.
    I only did what I thought was right, Father . She struggled to focus on prayer rather than give in to her misery. I thought if I shared your mercy and goodness that Peter and his family would see the void in their lives and come to you. And they have . . . all except for Peter .
    Her breathing gradually returned to normal, and with it she found her voice. “Oh, Father, what am I to do? I was faithful to you. I was faithful, and now I feel as though death would be kinder than life.”
    ————
    Peter didn’t return anytime during the day, and by night when Grace prepared for bed, she was certain he was gone for good. Word came to them the next morning that Merry Maid had set off for Seattle, giving confirmation to Grace’s fear of desertion.
    “I can’t believe he has behaved so badly,” Amelia said, putting her arm around Grace. “It isn’t like him to be so cruel.”
    “He’s not fighting against Grace, Mother,” Miranda stated. “He’s fighting against God.”
    “Not a healthy stand to take,” Ephraim said as they gathered around the breakfast table. “Grace, perhaps I will have a chance to speak to him. I’m to take Summer Song north in the morning. I know it would be best if you could meet face-toface to work out your differences. Once Peter calms down, he’ll realize his foolishness and wish to make amends.”
    Grace said nothing but started when Amelia threw out the next suggestion. “Why don’t we all go north? Grace hasn’t seen her friends in some time, and with Easter approaching rather quickly, she could share the season with them as well.”
    “That would be splendid,” Miranda declared. “I would love to make the trip again. I think the adventure would be perfect for all of us.”
    “I appreciate what you’re trying to do,” Grace said quietly, “but Peter has no interest in seeing me or resolving this issue. He told me he was sorry we married, and it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if he sought to remedy the matter.”
    “He wouldn’t dare!” Amelia exclaimed. “A divorce would be a disgrace. No son of mine is going to use such an underhanded method of facing difficulties. Now I’m certain we must go north. Ephraim, you need to talk some sense into that boy before he does something foolish.”
    “I should have taken him in hand long ago,” Ephraim admitted. “I suppose it was just so much easier to give him a free hand than to oppose him.”
    “We can’t