Free Bitter Eden by Sharon Anne Salvato Page B

things hide only the bitter root. Just like the wormwood, so good as they go down, sweet an' all. Then we find the taste was false. The real thing addles the mind and sours the stomach. That is the way of things. It's always been man's way from the beginning of time. After the fall, God left us our Eden, but it's a bitter Eden, child. It can't be helped, and it comes to us all sooner or later. But you, Callie, you've learned your

    lesson early on. Maybe you're lucky for the learning. Remember to look at tilings clearly; don't let your mind get fuddled by appearances. You remember that, and you'll be all right. Now sit up here, and dry your eyes. Tears won't help. It's faith you're needin."
    "But . . ."
    "No more to be said. You'll go to the Bereans when they come for you, and you'll be grateful for the home they give you. If it isn't right, you'll know, and you can always come to me for help."
    "Will they want me when they know . . ."
    "They won't know! Not if I can help it. And don't you breathe a word. Even if those men never . . . harmed you, the Bereans might not believe you and
    "Put me out?"
    "They'll never know."
    "What if they do? What if they look at me and can tell what happened? What if they want me for the same reasons Mrs. Peach did? What if I can't get back to you?" Callie was shaking as the frightful images built up in her mind.
    "You're makin' up witches' tales. Stop it! I won't hear any more. The Bereans will be good people, and you'll go with them!"
    Very late that night Callie admitted to herself that mixed with the fear and dread of what the Bereans might be, there lived a wistful hope. She was so tired and alone and afraid. If only the Bereans could be all she wished for. If only they would really want her, she would be forever grateful and willing to give of herself whatever any of them needed. If only—but if only were words that Ian had scoffed at, saying they were the words that made inaction seem a virtuous occupation. Words such as those were a luxury he had never

    let himself or his daughter indulge in. Callie turned on herself for her wishful thoughts. But underneath her good sense at squarely facing her reality, she still hoped that this one if only was true.
    Ma

    Chapter 5
    James Berean was eager to be done with his business in London. Already he and Peter had been in London two days, and James was fretful. He wanted to give Peter time to recuperate safely away from the questioning, suspicious gaze of Albert Foxe, but he worried about Frank. He wasn't sure to what lengths Frank's jealousy of Peter would take him. He knew only that Frank would do what he thought was right. Frank was an honest man, but how much Frank's view was colored by the intense frustrations he lived with, James didn't know, and it worried him.
    Regretfully he admitted he was getting old in mind and body^ He had awakened this morning in his hired-for-the-night bed cold and stiffly cramped in all his joints, and uneasy in his mind. He missed Kent and his wife and his family and the hot brick that warmed his feet at night.
    He woke Peter. "I want to get the girl and be gone from here this morning." He didn't really want Callie Dawson, he thought. She was another uncertainty to add to a new year already filled with uncertainties.

    He was too old to steer another young life on the proper path. After a lifetime of firmly held, vigorous opinions, James now questioned whether he knew anything. He couldn't guide his own sons, his own daughter. What was he to do with Ian Dawson s daughter?
    Gruffly he asked, "How's your arm?"
    Peter stretched slowly, cautiously loosening tight, sore muscles. The bruise across his shoulder and chest was vivid and ugly. "I am feeling better than I deserve. Just don't count on me to be spritely and alert today."
    Think you'll be able to hide the damage from Albert when we get back?"
    Til have to. But I'm not too worried about Albert. He'd have caught me long ago if he had anything but bone between