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“At dinner.”
“Dinner?” She looked down at her yellow muslin dress. “What’s wrong with what I got on?”
“Nothing. But you’ll want to wear that—” he pointed to the dress in her hands “—because I’m taking you to the finest dinner theater in town.”
Selina’s heart sank. She knew finest meant a place where she would never fit in.
“Do you like them? Mother made them.”
Selina numbly ran her hand over the soft material and itchy lace. “She sure did a fine job.”
He took the dress from her and laid it on the bed, then handed her a blue velvet box.
She had a feeling she knew what was in that box. When she raised the lid, her fears came to life with a punch to her gut. The dress, the shoes, the expensive jewelry, all of it represented the type of woman Michael wanted. Deserved even. And it wasn’t her.
“I can’t do this, Michael.” She handed the box back to him.
“I don’t understand. What’s wrong?”
“Michael, I can’t change my roots, who I am. You deserve a whole heap more than I could ever be.” She bolted past him and flew down the stairs and out the door.
The trees swiped her face as she ran through the forest to the hilltop. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She hated treating Michael like that, especially after he went through all that trouble to have a dress made for her.
Tired from running, she sat down against the trunk of a large tree, wrapped her arms around her knees and rested her head on them.
“God,” she said, sniffling. “I know I said my vows before You and all, and I promised to stay with Michael until death parted us. But I have to break that promise. I’m right sorry, but I shoulda seen it afore now. We’re just too opposite. Michael deserves someone much better than me.
“So, I’m askin’ You ahead of time to forgive me for breakin’ that promise. I won’t get married again and sin against You that way, but I have to set Michael free.” At that thought, a thousand knives cut through her heart, shredding it slowly, torturing her soul until breath became hard to catch. Tears flooded her cheeks like a gulley wash.
She leaned her head back against the tree and closed her eyes, letting her heart have a good cry.
Suddenly, the hair on the back of her neck and arms stood.
Her eyes darted open.
She had a feeling she was being watched. By who or what, she didn’t know. But she’d hunted enough to know when she was in danger. And right now, she was in a heap of danger.
Two hours had passed since Selina left. It was dark now, and Michael was starting to get worried. He wished he’d gone after her when she first ran out. He was still nursing his wounds over the rejection of his gifts. He tried to do something nice for her by having his mother make her a beautiful gown and shoes. He’d even had the sapphire and diamond necklace and earrings shipped in from back east to go with them. But she wanted nothing to do with his gifts. It was time to put his hurt feelings aside and go looking for her.
Michael lit a lantern, grabbed his rifle and headed into the woods. “Lord, please show me where she went. And show me what to do to make things right. I’m so confused by everything right now. Please help me.”
He climbed the hill, following the path, hoping to see her somewhere along it. Holding the lantern high, he checked the trees. Checked everywhere.
A loud scream pierced the air.
Michael set the lantern down and raced toward the sound.
Moonlight shed its silvery light in the darkened forest.
Dry foliage crunched under his feet.
Another scream.
He ran faster, harder, ignoring the branches slapping against his face.
“Help! Somebody help me!”
That was Selina.
His heart pounded against his ribs.
“Help!” Her voice got louder.
And then he saw her—and it.
A bear standing on its hind legs just yards away from her.
Selina held a stick almost as long as she was tall in front of her like a weapon. But that stick was no match for a hungry bear.
Instinct kicked in and Michael raised his rifle, aimed at the bear and pulled the trigger.
He missed.
The bear turned toward him, dropped on all fours and ran straight toward Michael.
Michael reloaded, aimed again and pulled the trigger.
About seven yards away, the bear dropped to the edge of the path with a crash.
Everything was silent.
Forcing his hands to stop shaking, Michael reloaded and waited, making sure the bear didn’t get up. He inched his way to the animal and poked the bear with the barrel of his rifle. It didn’t move. Relief poured through him, and his gaze shifted to Selina.
She stood still as a statue, staring in his direction.
