Just Above a Whisper by Lori Wick Read Free Book Online Page B

lives, but if you can first of all learn to be a woman of repentance, God can change and work in your heart in a mighty way.”
    Both Jace and Maddie couldn’t help but smile at him. He was always so encouraging, and they were helped every time they talked. When the couple finally left the meetinghouse, the seven R s were all they could talk about.

     
    While Jace and Maddie discussed their questions with Douglas, Reese and Alison sat in the rear pew and discussed her decision.
    “Have you told Mrs. Greenlowe?”
    “Yes. She’s expecting me this afternoon.”
    “Are you sure, Reese?” Alison had to check. “We still wish you’d come and stay with us.”
    “Why, Alison? You have five children. Why would you want an extra person under foot?”
    Reese watched as Alison laughed. “Do you remember when we met?”
    “Sure.” Reese smiled as well, thinking back to that day almost three years ago. “I had just run an errand for Mr. Zantow and had had a run-in with a pig at the Eppling farm.”
    “You were so angry and so funny,” Alison said, still laughing at the things Reese had said about mud, pigs, and farms in general.
    “Is that why you and Marty walked me to the pond?” Reese asked. “Because I made you laugh?”
    “That and the color of your hair.”
    Reese’s mouth opened in surprise. “The color of my hair?”
    “Yes.” Alison couldn’t stop smiling. “My sister’s hair is the same red as yours. She’s nowhere near as tall as you are, but that was the first reason I was drawn to you.”
    Reese laughed but still said, “You didn’t really answer my question.”
    Alison put a hand on the younger woman’s arm, her face now serious.
    “I want to take care of you. I want to know you’re safe. But even more than that, I love having you around. I love your hardworking attitude, your hunger for God’s truth, and your marvelous sense of humor.”
    Reese was very touched. She did not regret her decision to live with Mrs. Greenlowe—somehow she thought they would do very well together—but it was good to know that she was welcome at the Muldoon home.

     
    “Are you willing to feed us on short notice?” Maddie asked when she opened her uncle’s front door and put her head in.
    “Come in,” Doyle Shephard called from the parlor, managing at the same time to let his wife know that Jace and Maddie had arrived.
    “Where are you coming from?” Cathy asked, carrying a bowl from the kitchen to the table in the parlor.
    “The new meetinghouse,” Jace answered.
    Maddie watched the faces of her aunt and uncle, wondering how this news would be received, but she saw nothing out of the ordinary. They both looked interested and not the least bit upset.
    Maddie felt herself relaxing. Her faith in Christ still so new, she prayed, trying to remember the things she’d been taught in just a few weeks.
    Please forgive Doyle and Cathy, Lord. Show them the truth. Help Jace and me to always have this good relationship with them. And please show them what You’ve shown me .

     
    Linden Heights, Massachusetts
    Dalton Kingsley’s brow lowered in concentration and very real concern as he read the letter in his hand. He hadn’t heard from Dooner—Douglas Muldoon—in many years, but that didn’t change his opinion of this old friend. He knew Dooner to be a man of great faith and integrity, which made it easy to believe every word of the missive he’d sent.
    Much as he hated to do it, Dalton wasted no time in sending for his brother. This was not a situation that could be ignored.

     
    When silence fell on their conversation, Dalton stared across the small parlor at his youngest sibling, Conner Kingsley, thinking the younger man still looked tired. Their mother had died just two months earlier, and for the last six months of her life, her mind had slipped. She had wanted Conner with her constantly, becoming frightened and tearful if she couldn’t see him.
    Conner had done everything in his power to be with