They proved easy prey for George's roving eye.
But once Noah gained his inheritance, he'd change things. Protect the workers. Maybe even start his own mill where the employees wouldn't have to worry about people like George in power.
Now his situation trapped him.
The women needed incomes to serve their physical needs, but the job placed them in danger of George's anger and insatiable interests.
And Noah had no financial means to make a difference.
Someday, but not now.
Oh God, please help me know what to do! Sooner rather than later.
His attention landed back on Kizzie. He had to protect her too.
“I think considering everything …” He waved toward her. “It's best for you to leave as soon as possible.”
“Yes. Of course.” The glow left her eyes, somehow deflating his chest a little. “That's probably best.”
“I'll bring Daisy to you once the snow clears,” he continued. “It will give you time to sort her lodgings. I don't recall whether Mrs. Carter keeps a horse or not.”
Did shewantto stay?
“I don't want to cause any trouble with her being kept here.”
“No trouble at all.” He searched her face, attempting to bring back the light in her eyes.
Kizzie looked from him to his mother. “Thank you for your kindness to me and Charlie. But it's time for me to step into whatever's next in my life … to start over.”
Chapter 15
LEAVE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
She attempted to pinch her heart against the sting, but it flared a little. Another reminder of how her past kept impacting her future. Of course Noah Lewis wanted her out of his house. If his brother felt so strongly about associating with people like her, he wouldn't support his little brother doing the same. Or his mother.
And Noah knew more about her than anyone else in The Hollows.
She shook her head and closed her mind against the worries. One truth she clung to, when the self-doubt and shame screamed accusations, was that she belonged to God. He called her His.
His beloved.
And that truth trumped every other label or slander.
She sighed out the hurt and glanced over the snow-covered countryside as the sleigh moved toward town, a picture straight from heaven to her insecurities.Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.
On the horizon, the mountains rose in frosty peaks against the brilliant blue sky, the sunshine almost blinding against the stark white of the wintry world. Almost as if God wanted to get her attention. Remind her of His truth.
Her smile stretched wide, and she closed her eyes, breathing in the chilled air.
“A penny for your thoughts?” Noah tossed her a grin as he steadied the horses’ reins. The sleigh moved with smooth dips and swells across the new snow.
“Everything is just so beautiful.” She drew her attention away from his face, holding on to God's thoughts about her. “I've always loved snow.”
“I would have thought after our harrowing adventure, you might take a dimmer view.”
“I met you and your mama.” She shrugged. “That's been a nice surprise.”
He sent her a look from his periphery, his smile brimming with his nod. “I'm happy to hear that.”
