Kingdom's Quest by Chuck Black Read Free Book Online

change he saw in Keanna. Over those two days, the joyful spirits of the children and the tender affection that Marie bestowed on her seemed to heal many wounds in Keanna’s soul. This led Gavinaugh to linger a few more days. Before long, Addy and Keaton had captured the affection of Keanna’s heart, and Gavinaugh noticed that she quickly became as a big sister to the children.
    Occasionally there were moments when Keanna became intensely sad, and Gavinaugh believed it was because Weston’s family reminded her of her own. One evening during supper, a humorous story aboutAddy was told that brought laughter to all. Keanna witnessed the joy of the family and seemed to be overcome with sadness. She lowered her head, and the others grew silent.
    â€œWhat’s wrong, Keanna?” Addy asked as she gently touched her arm. At their request, she and Keaton had been seated on each side of Keanna.
    Keanna looked at her and tried to smile, but a tear fell from her cheek. Keaton rose from his chair and put his arms around Keanna’s neck. She leaned into his little body and seemed to melt in the warmth of his loving heart. He remained in her embrace until the grief of her past had fallen away. Addy rested her head on Keanna’s shoulder, and Gavinaugh saw the love of the Prince in the children’s tenderness.
    Of such is His kingdom
, he thought. Gavinaugh was greatly moved by Addy and Keaton’s simple acts of compassion. The moment lingered until Keanna relaxed her hug. Keaton looked at her as if to say,
Will you be all right now?
    Keanna smiled and wiped away her tears. She seemed embarrassed.
    â€œPapa says that when you’re sad, it’s best to do something that will make you happy,” Addy said. She furrowed her brow as if she were thinking hard. A big smile crossed her lips, and she looked directly at Keanna. “Playing hide-and-seek always makes me happy. Do you want to play hide-and-seek with us?”
    Keanna laughed. “I’d love to.” She seemed relieved to have a reason to leave the table. Before long, laughter and giggles filled the house, and Gavinaugh marveled at the unfolding beauty of the woman who just weeks earlier had been an embittered, battered slave girl. Like a rosebush breaking free from the grasp of winter, the warmth in her smile drew the children to her. She was slender and slightly shorter than most young women, but Keanna’s poise and humble spirit conveyed a noble beauty that her prior persecution had not been able to erase. Gavinaugh could hardly stop watching her, mesmerized by the transformation and the clarity of her true, tender heart. He had never seen her smile, let alone laugh … until now.
    â€œShe seems like quite a young woman, Gavinaugh,” Marie said with a smile. Gavinaugh, Weston, and Marie were sitting at the dining room table catching glimpses of the playful antics of the children and Keanna through the arched doorway.
    â€œShe has been through a great deal,” he replied. “The children are so good for her, and your kindness toward her is truly a blessing, Marie. Thank you.”
    At one point Keanna grabbed unsuspecting Keaton from his hiding place beneath the grand staircase and tickled him. He giggled and struggled free, leaving Keanna smiling. She happened to glance into the dining room, and Gavinaugh’s eyes caught hers, but her smile did not diminish as he would have expected. He was not certain if she was truly looking at him, but in that moment Gavinaugh was taken and his heart was inclined toward her, for the radiance of her smile illuminated his soul as never before. The exchange was brief, but the impression was permanent.
    Until now Gavinaugh had considered his role with regard to her as protector and provider only, but something changed in that single glance, and now his heart was no longer his own. He could not explain the strange feeling in the pit of his stomach, nor did he understand