Forever by Your Side (Willamette Brides #3) - Tracie Peterson Page 0,52

strong too. The church hopes to resolve the problem by forcing the children to board at school for the year, but they go home on occasion, and the anger is reinforced. I fear we are doing more harm than good.’”

“That wouldn’t surprise me,” Faith commented. “Hate is like a disease that quickly spreads.”

Nancy looked up. “Hate is found on both sides, sadly. I wish there were better ways to make people understand the destructiveness of hatred.”

Seth shrugged and rubbed his neck. “No matter how strong the hate and bitterness, God’s love is stronger. There is nothing God can’t do to change hearts.”

“I know, but it’s just so heartbreaking to see how people hurt each other.” Nancy glanced down at the letter and began to read again. “‘We are trying to encourage the people to repair the sawmill and get the lumber business going again. The people are very discouraged from the first time around. They worked hard, only to have their profits stolen by the agent in charge at the time. I thought it might be wonderful if Gabe or Uncle Alex could come and help them get it up and running again, but I don’t think Clint would appreciate our interference. The Indians probably wouldn’t either. Hopefully the Indian Legislature will stir the people to make repairs and once again earn a profit. There are all the storm-felled trees to cut, and I’m certain the railroad would buy the wood—especially if it were cut for ties.’” Nancy looked up again. “Maybe we can encourage Gabe and Clementine to take a little trip to visit Uncle Adam and Aunt Mercy. Surely that couldn’t be frowned upon.”

“I find that anything, even the best of intentions, can and will be frowned upon by people who are bitter,” Faith countered. “But I suppose we could talk to them about it.”

“Just remember, it’s usually best not to interfere.” Seth smiled. “Even when that interference is done in love.”

Nancy returned to the letter. “‘Many of the people want nothing to do with either Tom or myself. They don’t want the government keeping a record of their people. They fear the government is only doing this to gather information that can later be used to destroy them. I find it sad, because their history will be lost if we fail to keep a record.

“‘As for our other problems, we are no closer to understanding who controls things. We are making it our priority alongside the Bureau’s work, but no one seems to know anything. I talked at length with my parents, but they have no idea—no direction in which to point us. We will continue to do what we can and pray that God will open our eyes to the truth before it’s too late.’” Nancy refolded the letter. “She signs off with love to all.”

“Well, we didn’t expect them to learn the truth overnight,” Seth said, rubbing his neck again.

“Are you in pain, sweetheart?” Nancy put the letter aside and got up to massage her husband’s shoulders.

“I’m pretty stiff, and it has given me a headache. I think maybe a storm is coming. You know how that always seems to bring on pain.”

Faith frowned. “I could give you some laudanum.”

“I think I’ll try resting first. If that doesn’t help, I may let you.” He drew Nancy’s hand to his lips. “I believe I’ll go lie down for a while.” He kissed her fingertips.

“I’ll come check on you after I get the dishes washed. Don’t forget that Jack’s sleeping.”

He nodded and got to his feet. Nancy worried for her husband. He’d been so wounded by the beating he received only a couple of months earlier. And even though he was healing quickly, there remained issues that Faith said were quite normal. Headaches and body aches, restless sleep. How Nancy wished she could make it all go away. She prayed that, in time, God would take the pain from Seth and give him back a normal life. She gathered the dishes and took them to the kitchen.

“You’re worried about him, aren’t you?” Faith asked, following her with the remaining food.

“I am. I can’t help but worry. I hate that he ever got involved with this. I feel like it’s all my fault, since he was investigating my late husband.”

“It’s a job he chose to take, Nancy. You won’t do either of you any good in placing blame. If it’s any comfort at all, his recovery has been remarkable. This is all very normal, including the fatigue. The