Forever by Your Side (Willamette Brides #3) - Tracie Peterson Page 0,36
and studying them deeply to understand the context and meaning of every word. We did some of it together.” She smiled at the memory. “My faith has grown stronger, and now it’s my own faith. I know why I believe what I believe. I can support and defend my beliefs, and I am not afraid of being tempted away from God. But now I have such guilt. What if I failed Tom in my fear? What if he might have been saved had I just stood strong?”
“You’ve already admitted you didn’t have the strength to stand,” her father countered. “You did what was necessary to flee the devil. Tom wasn’t the adversary. Satan was and still is. I believe you did the right thing. You didn’t cast Tom aside as some would have advised you to do. Instead, you sought God for yourself so that the lies of the world wouldn’t sway you. How could you have helped someone when you yourself were going under?”
She nodded and hugged him close. “I just feel so guilty. Since growing stronger, I haven’t even tried to save him.”
Her father chuckled. “Connie, you can’t save Tom. Only God can do that.”
“But maybe God wants me to talk to him about salvation.”
“Then God will give you the words. Just remember, God is in charge. Not you. Pray about it and ask for His guidance—His wisdom. Remember, the Bible says in James that if you lack wisdom, ask for it, and God will give it.”
“I will do exactly that.” She stretched up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “That makes me feel so much better.” She started to walk away, then turned back. “Pray for me.”
“I always do,” he said, smiling. “More than you know.”
Chapter 9
Tom sat across from Connie at the breakfast table the next morning with Mr. and Mrs. Browning on either side of him. He was relieved that Singleton hadn’t joined them. The agent irritated him. He wasn’t happy with the way Clint Singleton seemed to shower Connie with attention. This morning the agent had stopped by, bringing her a large basket of oranges that had just arrived from California. Connie sat, thoroughly delighted, peeling an orange and commenting on how touched she was that he remembered she loved oranges. It was clear to Tom that Clint was trying to woo her. Mercy Browning had invited Singleton to stay for breakfast, but he declined, explaining he had things he needed to see to.
Tom was also relieved that, after reading the short chapter of Psalm 28, Mr. Browning paused only long enough to pray over the food and then set his Bible aside. Tom wasn’t sure why he’d agreed to join the morning devotions. He wasn’t going to change his mind about God. That much he felt sure of.
“Tom and I will go around with you later this morning,” Connie declared as her mother passed a plate of hotcakes.
“That will be just fine. I’m excited to reintroduce you to old friends,” her father said, smiling.
Tom realized he’d missed most of the conversation. He forced himself to focus on what was being said.
Connie took a couple of hotcakes, then passed the plate to her father. “I’m really anxious to get started. Tom and I had plenty of time on the trip out here to talk about what we would do and how we would approach dealing with the people. Rosy promised to talk to some of her friends and help get the word out.”
“We’ve been telling people about it ever since we knew you were coming,” Mrs. Browning said. She handed Connie a pitcher of warm maple syrup. “Some of the people are apprehensive. They think anything the government does is suspect. We’ve had so many problems over the years.”
Connie soaked her hotcakes and then passed the syrup to her father. “I know. They have every reason to be suspicious. That’s why Tom and I thought that at first we would just spend time with them and explain what we’re doing and how it might benefit them in the long run.” She lowered her voice. “It might also help us overhear anything strange that’s going on—that might lead us to discover who has been bringing the Indians whiskey.”
“Clint mentioned something that I hoped you might explain.” Tom hoped his introduction of a new topic wouldn’t offend anyone.
“Go on. What are you wondering about?” Mr. Browning asked.
“Well, he told me there was some issue with the Indian inheritance situation, especially as it related to property.”