Ride With Me (A Quaking Heart Novel - Book One)

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  Jessica plodded through the woods and down to the stream. She knew she'd miss supper at the cabin, and was sorry she'd disappoint Mary. But she couldn't go back. She wasn't ready to face the admiration Clint and Rose Marie would lavish on each other.

  When trouble hit in Jessica's life, she could usually find peace from somewhere. Today, all she seemed capable of was sorrow.

  After wandering aimlessly for some time she found her way back to the horses. Lifting the curry comb from the shelf in the lean-to, she brushed the chestnut's neck and back with long, tender strokes. It was peaceful, caring for the animals, taking her mind off things. At least a little.

  A Scripture came to mind. She recited it to Bessie, hoping to find needed peace. Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you—declares the Lord—plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." She contemplated her Lord and why His prophet Jeremiah had given those words of encouragement to Israel while they were in exile.

  I'm in a place where I don't want to be right now Lord, like they were. I know I have two choices, just like Israel did. Either to see all that's wrong with my situation and feel sorry for myself or to choose to make the best of my situation and live for You. Please help me to do the latter. My heart is aching and my mind is tangled, so I need your help to make sense of it.

  She gazed at the western sky. God held all that glory in the palm of His hand. A spectacular shade of ginger lit the treetops up like tapers. She took a deep, admiring breath, and hiccupped.

  "You're disturbing the peace with those cute little hiccups of yours," Clint said, in a rumbling voice at her back.

  She jumped, then turned to look up in his face. A matching bleakness passed between them. She turned back to the sunset, not wanting his sympathy to bring on tears. "How long have you been standing there?"

  "Long enough." He came closer. "Jessie—"

  She stiffened. "Don't. Please don't try to explain anything to me." Her voice was gruff, but she couldn't help herself.

  Jessica wanted to cry or laugh hysterically at the absurdity of it all. Why had she continued to place hope where there had never been any?

  He didn't say anything more. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him studying her profile. Her lids slid closed at the anguish of it, wishing he would go away and let her suffer in peace.

  He grasped her shoulders and turned her toward him. She flinched at the wave of heat that coursed down her arms to the tips of her fingers at his touch. His palm cupped her cheek, and with his thumb he raised her chin. His expression was so grief-stricken it pricked the hope she had neatly stored away, giving rise to tears that were too close to the surface.

  Though she kept her back ramrod straight, the dam of restraint gave way and a few errant tears spilled onto her cheeks. Clint brushed them away with the pads of his thumbs, and that touched her heart and created more. His own eyes glistened as he lowered his head and gently kissed her lips. Salty tears intermingled with sweet tenderness.