Free Captive Heart (Truly Yours Digital Editions) by Darlene Mindrup Page B

about him.
    “I am,” she agreed softly.
    His eyes lit with laughter. “Of all the ways to answer my prayers, that God would choose to do it this way!”
    Confused, Samah hesitantly asked, “To which god are you referring?”
    His smile broadened. “Why to our God of course. The one you call Jehovah. The one and only true God.”
    Samah sat staring at him in stunned amazement. “Are you a God-fearer?” she asked, referring to the name given to proselyte Gentiles who chose to be Jewish without obeying the Jewish dictates of diet and circumcision.
    “No, no, my dear!” He took her hand, squeezing slightly. ‘I am a Christian.”
    Samah’s mind was numb. “I. . .I don’t understand. Cassius. . .” Her voice trailed off.
    Anticus’s lips pressed tightly together. “My son doesn’t yet know. I found the truth while he was away in Palestine.” His eyes took on a faraway look. “Strange, isn’t it, how I found the Savior when my son went to destroy His people.” He smiled at her again. “And God sent you to me just when I needed you. Oh, how I have prayed for Him to send someone to teach my son about Jesus.”
    Samah struggled to stand, pulling her crutch up with her. She couldn’t sit still. She moved away from Anticus and stood staring down into the rippling flow of the fountain. The sound of the water spewing from the fish’s mouth to the pool beneath was oddly soothing.
    “I still don’t understand.” She looked back at Anticus, her brows drawing down into a frown. “Why can’t you tell him yourself?”
    He got up quickly and came to her. “Oh, I can, and I will.” Sadly, he lifted his hand and allowed the flowing water to tumble over his outstretched fingers. “But there may not be time.”
    He stroked his wet fingers down her cheek. “That’s where you come in, my dear. Surely God sent you just for that purpose. Why else would Sentinel be so drawn to you if not by the will of God?”
    Suddenly frightened, Samah returned to the bench. Was it possible that Jehovah would use a common dog to do His will? She had wondered such before, but to hear Anticus say so clearly what she had suspected herself was like having her thoughts made solid. She leaned her crutch against the fountain next to her and turned to Anticus.
    “Surely he will listen to his father. I have seen the love between you,” she told him seriously.
    Anticus joined her. “Sometimes, love is not enough.”
    Their conversation ceased as Cassius returned to the garden, followed closely by Hector.
    “You wished my presence, my lord?”
    “Yes, Hector. I need some gall to mix with my wine.”
    Cassius’s head snapped around. “You are in pain?”
    Taking a deep breath, Anticus smiled reassuringly. “It comes, and it goes.” He looked at Hector. “You know where it is, Hector.”
    “Yes, my lord.”
    After he hurried from the garden, an oppressive silence hung in the air. Anticus turned to his son. “Now don’t look at me like that. I know what you’re going to say, and you might as well forget it.”
    Cassius’s dark look warned of a brewing temper. “Did anyone ever tell you that you are a very stubborn man?”
    Anticus waved his hand airily. “Many times,” he agreed complacently. “Now let’s go inside and have a seat. I have something very important to tell you.”
    “Father,” Cassius complained irritably. “Just tell me.”
    Cassius saw his father’s one eyebrow lift slightly, and he sighed. He knew that look. His father was determined to have his way. Well, let him, as long as Cassius could get to the bottom of this situation.
    Sentinel’s ears lifted when Anticus reached to help Samah stand, but he remained quietly by Cassius’s side. Even though Cassius had had Sentinel for some years, the dog refused to give his trust to Anticus. It could be said that he just tolerated the older man.
    Cassius followed his father, who allowed Samah to precede him. He was burning with curiosity over what his parent had had