Free Within the Candle's Glow by Karen Campbell Prough Page A

started to call for the preacher and his wife, but Josh’s eyelids fluttered.
    “I came near to dyin’ while workin’ at the Pigeon Roost mine two summers ago. A cave-in broke my leg.” His right hand patted his blanket-covered thigh. “Couldn’t work—couldn’t hunt—couldn’t eat.”
    “I’m sorry. You should’ve used the gold.”
    “No.” He glared at her, his eyes turning to glittery black ice. “I’m
honest.
Don’t care ‘bout no God, but I’m honest. With me it’s all or nothin’.”
    She dangled the bag from her fingertips. Her eyes burned with unshed tears. “You don’t know what this’ll mean to Velma an’ the children.”
    “You’re one of her young’uns.”
    “Guess she thinks so.”
    “Take it to her.”
    “I will.” She stood, studying his pasty-white face. “Josh. I cain’t believe you did this, but thanks.” A tear slipped down her cheek. She brushed it aside. “Rest and eat all they’ll offer.”
    He caught her tear-dampened hand. “It’s
yer face
that kept me honest—nothin’ else.”
    “Don’t say that.” Easing her fingers from his persistent grip, she shook her head. “No, in the past you knew God. He nudged you to be honest.”
    His narrowed eyes traveled over her neck. “I don’t know God. Those scars are your only flaw. What happened?”
    With a shocked gasp, she covered the exposed area with her hand. She had forgotten about the lost button in the church. “I—I’d rather not talk ‘bout it. I must go. I’ll give the gold to Velma. Thank you, ag’in.”
    She didn’t stop to tell Naomi goodbye, fearful she might burst into tears. Josh’s words kept ringing in her ears as she fled down the steps.
    Those scars are your only flaw.
    “Just ignore his hurtful words. Find Velma,” she whispered. “Got to tell her the news.” She ran toward the church. Mr. Beckler’s wagon was gone. Silence covered the churchyard and field. Filled with disbelief that they had left her, she started for home.
    A tall figure stood under a tree, holding the reins to a black horse.
    “Jim?” She tried hiding how delighted she was to see him, but at the same time, she slapped her right hand over her scars and stood staring at him. Her left hand clutched the bag of gold at her side. “You haven’t left?”
    “I waited.” He slipped his hat from his head, circling it in his hands. “I promised Velma I’d see you home. Samuel wanted to stay, but I sent him with my parents. Papa wasn’t doing well. You’ve been crying?” His eyes darkened to the gray shade of a summer thundercloud.
    “No. Just tired.”
    “Your blouse is torn?
A button missing
.” He whirled toward the preacher’s house. “That man—what happened in there?”
    “I did this earlier. I lost the button.” Miserable, with mixed thoughts swirling through her head, she muttered, “He didn’t cause a problem.”
    “But you’re upset.”
    “I just want to go home.”
    His facial expression indicated he didn’t believe her. “Do you want to ride my horse? I can walk.”
    “I’d rather walk.” With one more tug on her open collar, she angled for the wagon trail, which crossed the clearing.
    “Twenty-one families now live here in the cove. We should have picnics more often.” He fell in step with her, hat in hand. His horse followed without Jim holding the reins.
    “Picnics are fun.” Her fingers squeezed the bag of gold. “Of course,this picnic didn’t go as planned.”
    “Life has a way of tossing us surprises.”
    She gazed up at him and marveled at his thick eyelashes. “Yes. It does.” They enhanced his eyes, making them sensual and captivating. She felt her cheeks warm at her unusual thoughts.
    “Did Mother tell you that my little brother, Phillip, is still not talking as well as he should? It’s worse.”
    “No, she didn’t mention it.”
    “You know he never talked much when he was younger. We thought it’d change.”
    “He’s so sweet. No one notices.”
    Jim slapped