Love Everlasting by Tracie Peterson Read Free Book Online Page B

calling.”
    â€œWe only ask that you pray on the matter. And speak also to your intended.” He smiled. “I know Miss Cunningham’s heart for mission work. She has long presented herself as a strong woman of God.” His expression changed slightly to one of concern. “Although, I will say she has always been given to speaking first and rushing in to take charge of a matter. I suppose it could be a virtue in a man, but in a woman it oft feels disconcerting.”
    Wade chuckled. “I’ll say. But as for prayer and speaking to Abrianna, I give you my word to do both. If God is directing me to help the church out in this manner, I want to do whatever I can. The church has been good to me, just as it was good to my folks. I owe the congregation that much.”
    â€œWonderful,” Brother Mitchell said, his face brightening. “I will tell the elders. We will anxiously await your decision.”
    Wade shook the man’s hand. Once the elder left, Wade turned to Thane. “Well, what do you think of that?”
    â€œWell, Pastor Ackerman,” Thane replied with a grin, “I think the Lord works in mysterious ways.”
    â€œThat He does,” Wade replied. Never in his life had he thought of taking on such a position. Never had he felt qualified, but of late he had to admit that God kept putting him in positions of teaching. “Maybe God’s taking me in a new direction, just as He has you and Militine.”
    â€œWhat do you think Abrianna will say?”
    Wade shrugged. “Who can ever tell what she’s going to say? For all the love I hold for her, I can’t begin to suppose I know what goes on inside that busy little head of hers.”
    â€œWomen can be a real mystery.”
    â€œThat they can.” Wade shook his head. “Especially when it comes to my future wife.”

    Abrianna reached across several new rosebuds to reach one in full bloom. The pink rose gave off a scent so sweet that for a moment all she could do was inhale and enjoy the aroma. She touched the delicate petal, and for some reason her mother came to mind.
    â€œI wish you were here to advise me,” she murmured. “I wish I could have known you.” Tears blurred her vision. At times, the loss of her mother was a dull ache, and other times it was a piercing pain—as it was now. For a moment Abrianna felt just as she had when she was a little girl awakening from a bad dream. There was a sense of fear and loss that caused her totremble. Back then, one of her aunts would come and soothe her back to sleep with stories about her mother. But for this moment there was no one who could help her.
    She buried her longing and wiped the tears. I would never want my aunts to think me ungrateful. It seems so ridiculous that I should desire what I cannot have, given the fact that God has blessed me with so much. What a selfish girl I can be. She glanced heavenward. Forgive me, Father.
    â€œYou have a lovely garden,” a woman said. Abrianna straightened to find Mrs. Snyder walking down the path. “I can’t remember seeing anything this nice in Tacoma.”
    â€œMy aunts are quite enthusiastic about flowers and keeping the grounds beautiful. When we were located downtown we had no opportunity to garden, and it very much vexed them. We haven’t been here all that long, but the former owners arranged these lovely gardens. My aunts have great plans for future weddings and parties on the lawn.”
    â€œI think one would be quite fortunate to have a wedding here.”
    Abrianna looked across the garden and nodded. “Yes, I believe I would like to be married here.”
    â€œAre you engaged?”
    â€œIn a manner,” she replied and put the rose in the basket with the other flowers. “We haven’t made a formal announcement, but we have declared our love. Although I suppose a declaration of love isn’t a true commitment. Still, I feel that