The Last Stand (Book 3) (The Repentant Demon Trilogy) by Samantha Johns Read Free Book Online Page A

to forgive her.  I thought I had, but I was kidding myself.  That isn't how I felt when I recognized her.  God, help me.  What if I can't?”
     
    “You helped a demon to understand forgiveness,” he said, “Through you, God has done the impossible and forgiven a demon.  So what you're asked to do now shouldn't be as hard as that.”
     
    “You're right again, Cal,” said Abigail, rushing to grab her coat and the dog.  “Do you want to stay here with Angel?  Or, I can take her with me.”
     
    “You're not walking up there by yourself,” he said, re-zipping his coat, “It's starting to get dark.”
     
    “I would be on a path,” she teased, implying he was being overprotective.
     
    “Right,” he teased back, “wolves and bears know to stay off the path.  Maybe we should put a sign up just to be sure— Wild animals stay off the path—Humans only. ”
     
    In a matter of five minutes, Abigail was knocking on the McFarlands' door.  Brady answered, very surprised to see them back.
     
    “Did you forget something?” he asked politely.
     
    “Yes, I forgot my manners,” said Abigail, contritely, “Could we come in?  I won't take long.”
     
    He opened the door wide and called for his wife to come back into the living room.  When she cautiously appeared by her husband's side he put his arm around her.  She had obviously been crying.
     
    “I was unforgivably rude just now,” said Abigail, with reserve, like a child being forced to apologize for breaking a treasured object.  “I was shocked and surprised, but that is no excuse.  My faith requires that I forgive you, and I want to… intend to.  But I have to be honest and say that I'm not quite there yet.  I hope you'll give me some time.  And if you'd be willing to talk with me about it all, that might help.  But I know that might be painful for both of us, so I understand if you don't want to do that.”
     
    “Abby… I heard Cal call you that.  Is it okay for me to do so as well?” she asked, then proceeded as Abigail nodded affirmatively.  “It is beyond my wildest dream that I would ever see you again.  Even that is enough for me, so I don't even expect you to forgive me.  If it would help you to talk, of course I am willing to do anything to make you feel better.”
     
    “You know, that pot of chicken n' dumplins' is still on the stove,” said Brady, “Anybody hungry ?”
     
    “My stomach doesn't feel so good,” said Abigail, “I've had bouts with morning sickness at all hours, and being emotional like this doesn't help, I guess.  But I'm sure Cal is starving .  And I hate to admit it, but I love watching him eat.”
     
    “Well this is something I've never had before,” he admitted, “You know how I am all about new foods,” he hinted at Abigail, referring to his ambition to try every food in the world.
     
    “Would you like some crackers, Abby?” offered Uma.  “That's supposed to help.  However, I'm convinced that a little ginger ale works wonders, as it did for me when I was carrying you.   Ginger is a natural stomach settler.”
     
    “I'll try that,” she replied, “Any advice is welcome.  I hope this phase passes soon .”
     
    They sat back down at the little wooden table.  Brady served up bowls of the hot cuisine, while Uma got drinks for everyone.  Abigail sipped the ginger ale and seemed to feel better almost immediately.
     
    “I remember this,” she said, as if in a reverie.  “Not a scene, exactly, but I remember the smell.   It's something from my past, something very unique.”  She took the edge of Cal's bowl and pulled it in front of her, inhaling the aroma closer.
     
    “This is nothing like the typical recipe you would find in a restaurant, or worse , like from a can ,” she said.  “I remember the goodness of this.  It was very special.”
     
    “I make the broth with lots of celery, but I strain it out because you never liked to bite into celery,” said Uma handing