Free The One Who Waits for Me by Lori Copeland Page B

things.”
    â€œNo. I’m not going to—”
    Beth cut short her protests and pulled her toward the stairs. Within moments they had slipped into one of the rooms. The space was massive, with a huge bed centered along one wall. A rocking chair sat in front of a window beside a small table, which held a lamp and an open Bible.
    Joanie’s eyes roamed the simple furnishings as Beth made quick work of her mission. She quickly searched the oak wardrobe and took out two long black dresses.
    Joanie’s eyes widened. “Oh, Beth! We can’t!”
    â€œWe can and we must.” It was the only sensible disguise. Walt would never stop two traveling nuns. Even he wouldn’t be so disrespectful.
    â€œIt’s sacrilegious!”
    Beth turned. “It’s what?”
    â€œSacrilegious.”
    â€œWhat does that mean?” Religious talk, no doubt, but she’d never heard a cotton picker use the fancy term.
    â€œIt’s offensive to God.”
    Fleeting doubts gave Beth pause. She didn’t really believe in this God—but neither did she want to anger Him if He did exist. But if He was as loving as Joanie insisted, why would He be offended? After all, they were trying to prevent harm to His people.
    â€œWe haven’t time to argue.” She pushed a dress and wimple into her sister’s hands. “Put this on.”
    â€œOh, Beth! This is awful!”
    â€œDo you want Walt and Bear to find us?”
    â€œNo…”
    Beth carefully straightened the closet so it wouldn’t be readily apparent that she’d been in there and closed the door. “Then get dressed and be quick about it.”
    Without taking their clothes off, the women pulled black material over their heads. Beth’s garment was so large it would have fit two of her, but as the black cotton rustled and swayed with every move a close fit didn’t matter. She picked up the wimple and quickly secured it.
    Turning, she found Joanie dressed, looking as innocent as the driven snow. “You make a nice-looking—”
    â€œSister,” her sister supplied. “I feel miserable.”
    Taking her arm, Beth ushered her toward the door. “We’ll only use the disguise a short while, I promise. We’ll launder the garments and bring them back if we can. And I’ll leave enough money to replace both gowns. That should make them happy.”
    â€œWait!” Joanie held up her hand.
    Beth glanced at the door. “I know you are uncomfortable with this, but we have to go, Joanie. The nuns will be back soon.” She had no idea how long a person could pray, but even as she spoke the bell started to toll again. She could only imagine the sound must mean they were close to whatever came next on their schedule.
    Joanie silently handed Beth the money from the knapsack. She peeled off some bills and laid them on the table by the window. Then she turned back to her sister.
    â€œWe need to go now ,” Beth said again firmly. Opening the heavy door a crack, she nodded. The two slipped out in the hallway as two nuns approached.
    â€œKeep your head low,” Beth murmured.
    â€œI’m scared.”
    â€œSo am I.”
    They passed the sisters in the wide vestibule, never meeting their steady gazes.
    Walking faster, Beth pulled Joanie along beside her. So far, so good. They were only thirty feet from the front door now. If they could make it to the entryway, they would escape Reverend Mother’s eye.

    Reverend Mother paused when she rounded a corner and saw two back skirts disappearing out the front door. No one used that entrance. It was reserved for visiting guests and dignitaries.
    She shook her head, certain that within the day one or two sisters would be in her office complaining that they were missing habits and wimples.
    Closing her eyes, she prayed softly, “Grant these two free spirits safety, Father.”
    She had no knowledge of their problem or what