Forever by Your Side (Willamette Brides #3) - Tracie Peterson Page 0,40
faith in their books, just as I hold faith in what the Bible says. However, I can go beyond that and beyond the witnesses from thousands of years before and speak to my own experiences. I can tell you what God has done in my own life. I can tell you how that book came alive for me and strengthened my convictions. I can point to the prophecies, both fulfilled and yet to be fulfilled, whereas those other books have failed miserably. I only ask that you keep an open mind to what I share with you.”
Tom had never heard anyone speak with such zeal regarding the Bible. A chill ran down his spine, and while he wanted to say that he’d changed his mind about discussing the Bible and God, he found himself agreeing to keep an open mind and listen to Adam Browning share about his encounters with God. What had he gotten himself into?
“So tell me about you and Tom,” Connie’s mother said once the men were gone from the house.
“What do you mean?” Connie brought the last of the breakfast dishes into the kitchen so she could help wash up.
“I just wondered about the two of you. It’s obvious you care a great deal about each other.”
“We do. We’ve been good friends almost from my first moments in Washington. He was attending college at Georgetown and had one of Uncle Dean’s classes. Uncle was always having his ‘boys,’ as he called them, home for dinner or an afternoon of additional teaching. Tom loved Uncle Dean’s class and would come over all the time, and I got to know him.”
“What is his family like?”
“Well, Tom’s the youngest of five. His brothers and sister are all married with families and live in various places. His folks have passed on—his grandparents too. Tom is twenty-eight and very smart. I could talk to him for hours about books and politics or history. He’s amazing.”
Mama looked at her oddly for a moment, then smiled. “I appreciate that he’s trying to help us.”
“I do too. I’d never have gotten this job if not for Tom. He came for supper one evening and told us about the job and being posted in Oregon. I’d just had a letter from you regarding the strange things happening around here, including”—she lowered her voice—“that some people think you and Papa are doing underhanded things.”
Her mother shook her head. “I just never knew it was as bad as it’s turned out to be. I didn’t think anyone seriously thought we were involved. Clint brought us the first news of what was being said, but nothing like what you’ve told us. I still can’t believe there are people trying to gather enough evidence to put us on trial. It hurts me deeply. I’ve spent all of my adult life working for the betterment of the Indians.” She shook her head. “Your father and I are both thinking about moving away.”
“No, don’t do that. Don’t you see that if you do, then they win? We’ll prove them wrong, Mama. I promise.”
“I didn’t mean for our conversation to turn back to our problems. Tell me more about you and Tom.”
Connie shrugged. “There’s nothing really to tell. I feel like we’ve known each other forever. There’s nothing I can’t tell him. Well, maybe one thing. I’m not sure about discussing Clint with him.”
“Clint? What about him?” Her mother’s brows knitted. “You aren’t still in love with him, are you?”
“I don’t know what I feel for him. It’s really the strangest thing.” Connie put the dishes in the soapy water her mother had prepared. “Do you want me to wash or dry?”
“Whichever you like.”
Connie picked up a dish towel. “I’ll dry, then.”
Mama nodded and went to the sink. She poured hot water from the stove into the sink and then began washing the dishes. “What makes it the strangest thing?”
“Well, when I left here, I was heartbroken over Clint. I was so sure we were destined to be together. In leaving, however, I was determined to forget him. He’d made it clear he didn’t care about me at all. So anytime he came to mind, I forced those thoughts away. I was happier when I didn’t think about him, so I knew I must be on the right path. I prayed and prayed for God’s insight.”
Her mother smiled. “And what did God tell you?”
“About Clint? Very little. But about Himself—quite a bit. I learned so much at seminary regarding the truth of