Free My Hope Is Found: The Cadence of Grace, Book 3 by Joanne Bischof

’Twas just the two of us for a long time, then he passed a few years ago. With them both gone, I couldna just sit around.” He glanced at her. “This seemed as good a place as any to settle. One can only search for so long before you realize there are just some things you canna outrun.”
    Gently, she squeezed his arm. “I’m so sorry.”
    Lifting her hand, he kissed it. “Dinna be sorry. I should have told you sooner.”
    They passed a handful of people walking the busy country road, a flurry of colorful coats and smiles.
    “And there’s the church.” Toby squinted and pointed in the distance.
    Lonnie craned her neck. She’d been there once or twice before, and each time the sight of the quaint building lifted her spirits. “It’s just charming. To think someday soon it will be yours.”
    “Well, I’ll preach there, if that’s what you mean.” He winked and she laughed.
    He parked the wagon beside dozens of others. After hopping down, he spoke softly to Gael as he fastened her feed sack to her long nose. The horse flicked her tail and crunched oats. Lonnie straightened Jacob’s sweater and tugged her shawl tighter over her pink eyelet blouse as Toby strode around to help them down.
    Feeling dozens of eyes on them, Lonnie was glad when he simply took her hand instead of gripping her waist as he’d done when helping her up. It wouldn’t have been seemly for the young reverend to hoist her down as she’d seen other men do for their wives. For she certainly wasn’t his wife. Though a sparkle in his eye made her wonder if he didn’t have something up his sleeve. He grinned, flashing those dimples.
    Mercy, her nerves were unsteady when she was around him.
    His mouth was near her ear. “There’s a few folks I need to speak with before the service begins,” he whispered. “But I’ll only be a minute. Sit wherever you like, and I’ll come find you.”
    “So you’re not preaching this morning?”
    “No, thankfully.” He half grinned. “Not with a bonnie lass here to make me nervous.”
    She nearly swatted at him, then seeing a pair of young women watching their exchange, retained a careful composure. She was suddenly aware of how fetching Toby was to the young ladies of Fancy Gap. “Take your time,” Lonnie said as they parted ways on the church steps. With Jacob in her arms, she stepped inside and walked along the narrow aisle, unfamiliar with the surroundings.
    Quickly spotting Gus, the Bennetts’ neighbor, who left every Sunday morning on horseback, Lonnie bade him good morning. He updated her on his young goats and told how the little nanny that would soon be hers was growing. Lonnie promised to bring him a batch of the soap she had curing in the cellar, and Gus said hers was the finest he’d ever used.
    With church beginning in a few minutes, Lonnie turned to find a seat and spotted another familiar face. She nearly bumped into the dark coat.
    “Good morning, Reverend Gardner.”
    The stout reverend glanced up from something he’d been reading, a slight surprise in his pale eyes. “Good morning, Lonnie. A pleasure to see you again.”
    “And you as well. It seems it’s been ages.” Yet not long enough, she realized, when the heart-wrenching memories struck her afresh. The man who had married her and Gideon was the same man who’d overseen their parting. And here she stood beside him.
    He patted Jacob’s head. “My, look how this little one’s grown since last I saw him.”
    “I wish the Bennetts and I were able to attend church more. Today is a treat courtesy of Reverend McKee.”
    “Ah.” Reverend Gardner nodded amiably.
    When a thin silence fell, Lonnie spoke. “And how long will you be in Fancy Gap?”
    “I’ll be here another few weeks. And then it’s back to Rocky Knob for me. Your mother will be very pleased to know that I saw you. I’ll be sure to tell her hello for you.”
    “Thank you.” Lonnie’s heart filled with warmth. “I would appreciate that so