Free Revealed by Tamera Alexander Page A

her lungs until she could hold no more, and then she blew it out again. Before Jonathan died, she’d lain beside him in the wagon wishing for the same flame of faith to flicker within her as it had glowed within him. She knew the Source of the flame. What she hadn’t known then—what she couldn’t imagine even now—was what the cost of having that same flame burn within her would be.
    Would the faith she longed for, a faith like Jonathan’s, end up costing her more than she’d bargained for?
    In the hush of the moment a breeze stirred the leaves of the cottonwood tree overhead. Within its gentle swooshing rhythm Annabelle heard the faintest susurration, the reminiscence of a voice.
    Only what we do for God will last .
    Her breath caught and slowly, silently, she acknowledged it.
    Mostly fearful of the pledge she made in her heart, Annabelle couldn’t ignore the strange sense of release, of freedom, that accompanied it. No matter where she went from this moment on, one thing was certain—she determined to live her life in a way that would last.
    Sheer will, and desperation at having nowhere else to turn, kept Matthew’s feet planted on the porch. His mind raced. Facing Kathryn Jennings again would be hard enough, but seeing Jennings himself . . . The last time he’d seen his former boss had been at a distance, and Jennings’ loathing had been palpable from where he’d stood.
    ‘‘You must stay and see them, Matthew, if you have time.’’ Carlson’s expression brightened with anticipation. ‘‘And join us for dinner as well. I’m sure they’d love to see you again after all this time.’’
    He nodded, imagining how that scene might unfold. Getting caught naked in a Montana snowstorm held more appeal at the moment.
    Hannah stood and gathered the empty glasses. ‘‘Oh yes, please stay for dinner. We have plenty, and that would give us a chance to get to know you better.’’ She walked inside, catching the screen door with her booted heel before it slammed closed.
    A trickle of sweat inched down the back of Matthew’s neck. He reached for his hat. Part of him still wanted to run, but another part of him was so tired of running, of constantly looking over his shoulder, that he couldn’t imagine leaving this house without having secured this job. How else would he get north to find Johnny? He had no money. No other real friends to speak of. No family. And it wasn’t as if homesteads where he could pick up odd jobs every few days dotted the eastern plains for miles on end.
    Until that moment, he hadn’t realized how much of his hope he’d pinned on the pastor hiring him.
    ‘‘Pastor, about this ad . . .’’ He pulled the piece of paper from his pocket and held it out as though doing so would help make his point. ‘‘I want you to know I can do this job. I guarantee you I can. I’ve got the experience, and I can leave as soon as I get supplies inventoried and make sure the woman’s wagon and team are travel worthy.’’
    Carlson motioned for Matthew to follow him down the porch steps. ‘‘Let’s take a walk around back. There’s someone I’d like to introduce you to. I’ve got to tell you . . . you sure seem to have the credentials we’re hoping for, Matthew, especially with your expertise in ranching.’’
    Glad that Carlson seemed pleased with his credentials, he didn’t quite follow the man’s last comment. ‘‘I’m not sure what you mean about my expertise in ranching. The ad says you need a trail guide.’’
    ‘‘The widow I placed this ad for is bound for Idaho to ranchland her husband purchased some years back. I’m not sure what condition the ranch is in now, how far along it is, but I’m guessing she’ll need an experienced hand once she gets there—someone she can trust, if you’re interested. She knows nothing about ranching, and I understand there’s a lot of land.’’
    ‘‘Speaking of the woman, Pastor . . . If you don’t mind, can you tell me a bit about