Free Autumn's Angel by Robin Lee Hatcher Page B

sister’s children. Did they know how lucky they were?
    â€œYou’re just like your father!” His mother’s words echoed in his memory. “You can’t be trusted. Get out! Go!”
    Hurtful words, but also true ones. He remembered his brother Jacob as he’d looked on that Tuesday in April of 1861—split lip, missing tooth, blackened eyes, cut cheek, swollen jaw. Not the first time Jacob had come out on the losing end of a fight with Clay, but the last one. Four years later Jacob was dead.
    Clay had allowed Luvena to think he left Illinois after the war because he hadn’t wanted to work for his stepfather. The truth was, he hadn’t been welcome there.
    â€œYou’re just like your father!”
    â€œClay?” Reverend Adair broke into his thoughts. “Is something troubling you, son?”
    Clay looked at his friend. “No, sir. My mind was wandering, I guess.” Eager to escape the reverend’s sharp gaze, he looked around the table and added in a louder voice, “Did Matthew tell you we’ve found our performer for the grand opening of the opera house? Thanks to Miss Abbott, I must add. The details were confirmed yesterday.”
    â€œMatthew didn’t say a word to me.” Shannon gave her husband a scolding glance down the length of the table, but it lost its force when she smiled. “Tell us more.”
    Clay obliged, giving them as many details as he could. Then he looked toward Luvena in a silent invitation for her to conclude the telling.
    â€œAda May was a friend of my sister, Loretta. She often attended parties and dances in our home. She and I even sang together once. That must have been terribly difficult for her, for I haven’t her talent.”
    â€œDo you sing opera, Luvena?” Shannon asked.
    â€œI did, years ago. Not professionally, of course. Just for my own pleasure.”
    â€œPerhaps you could sing something for us after dinner. We have a wonderful piano in the front parlor.”
    A blush colored her cheeks as she lowered her eyes. “I’m afraid I’m long out of practice.”
    Clay wanted to hear her sing. It surprised him how much he wanted it.
    Shannon said, “It doesn’t have to be opera. Sing anything you wish. A hymn perhaps. I could play for you. I used to play the organ at church, before the children were born.”
    Luvena’s gaze lifted to meet Clay’s.
    â€œPlease,” he said softly.
    â€¢â€¢â€¢
    In that moment, Luvena discovered a truth she hadn’t known earlier in the morning. She didn’t simply like Clay Birch. She wouldn’t simply miss him. She’d fallen in love with him. She loved him, and there wasn’t much she would deny him if it were in her power to give what he asked. Even when that something would open a wound in her heart. Still looking at him, she answered, “All right.”
    Clay grinned. “Thanks.”
    Love always involved sacrifice. Wasn’t that what Shannon had said earlier? And Luvena loved Clay. More than their short acquaintance should have allowed. More than their circumstances should have allowed. She loved him, and yet—
    Fight for him .
    The breath caught in her chest as clarity washed through her. She’d allowed circumstances to determine the direction of her life. Oh, she’d tried to make good decisions for the sake of her nieces and nephew. She’d prayed for God’s guidance. But had she fought for anything she wanted? No. Not in a long, long time.
    But she was going to fight for this man.

Chapter Eleven
    As evening approached, Clay stood on the newly rebuilt stage in the theater, looking toward the rows of seats where in a few weeks, God willing, a large audience would sit. Silence surrounded him, but in his head, he heard Luvena singing “Amazing Grace” in her beautiful, clear voice. Like the song of an angel.
    Even now, hours later, the memory of it brought tears to his