Authors: Lauraine Snelling

Tags: #FIC027050, #Triangles (Interpersonal relations)—Fiction, #Mate selection—Fiction, #FIC042030, #FIC042040, #Widows—Fiction, #Man-woman relationships—Fiction

Streams of Mercy (44 page)

“I have learned that one of the immigrants worked once on a newspaper. He can set type too, although in Dutch. He has learned to speak English well enough from Amelia to tell me that he is now learning to read and write English too.”

“So you are saying I am fired?” She hoped she made it sound like a joke.

He didn’t look at her. “I am going to cut back to every other week for now.”

She stared at him in surprise. “Good for you.” Then glanced up at the clock on the wall above the door. “I need to get home.”

“Thank you . . . for everything.”

Walking home, Anji kicked away a clump of snow and ice. A crow scolded her from the bare branches of the maple tree in front of the boardinghouse. When it flew away, she felt like she could fly too, as she watched the black wings beat against the unseen air. Freedom, that crow was free. And now she was too. “Thank you, Lord. I believe I have learned one of your lessons today. You have freed me. I don’t know what is going to happen next, but tonight I will write a letter. If Thomas Devlin is to be in my life, that too will be if you will it. One step at a time.”

That night after the children were in bed, she sat down at the desk in the parlor and pulled out paper and pen. She hushed the voice that whispered
But what if he has changed his mind?
with a firm admonition.
God is in control. I can only go forward.

Dear Thomas,

I know Reverend Solberg has kept you abreast of all the news of Blessing, not that there is that much. Everyone here misses you, including Thorliff. He told me he wishes you were still here to help with the newspaper. His right hand is not working as well as it should, or rather will, according to Ingeborg. I too wish you were here.

I have been doing a great deal of thinking and praying . . .

Her pen paused. She almost wrote
I truly believe my calling here is completed
. But she caught her hand before the words poured out. That would be a matter for later, if and when they sat talking face to face.

She continued.

I have realized that sometimes in life, or maybe mostly in life, we can only go forward. We cannot go back. If that is still your desire, I would be overjoyed to go forward with you.

With love and basking in the streams of God’s mercy,

Anji

She read it through again.
Yes, in this life, we cannot go back
.

Lauraine Snelling
is the award-winning author of over 70 books, fiction and nonfiction, for adults and young adults. Her books have sold over 4 million copies. Besides writing books and articles, she teaches at writers’ conferences across the country. She and her husband make their home in Tehachapi, California.