Page 125 of Shadow

Duke looked over at him, something compassionate in his weathered face.

Then he tucked the hammer away and reached for his coffee cup. Stood, facing the mountains. “I knew a guy once,” Duke said slowly, “who killed people. Ordered their deaths. Stood by and watched while good people died. Thought he was doing the right thing. Thought he was serving God by destroying His enemies.”

Asher’s stomach clenched. Had Duke⁠—

“His name was Paul,” Duke continued. “Started as Saul. Hunted Christians. Killed them. Did terrible things in God’s name. And you know what God did?”

“What?”

“Saved him anyway. Transformed him. Made him into one of the greatest teachers of faith the world has ever known. Wrote half the New Testament. Brought people to God.”

He took another sip. “And Paul wasn’t the only criminal in the Bible. Moses killed a man. David committed adultery and murder. Peter betrayed Christ three times. The Bible’s full of people who did terrible things. And God saved them all. Used them all. Loved them all.”

He paused. Looked at Asher. “God doesn’t qualify His salvation. Doesn’t measure your sins and decide if you’re good enough. He offers it freely. To everyone. No matter what you’ve done.” He drained his coffee. “You can’t out-sin God’s love, son. Can’t do something so dark He’ll turn His back on you. That’s not how it works.”

He didn’t know why his chest had filled, tightened.

Duke walked over to the next fence post. It sagged at an angle, and he grabbed his hammer to loosen the nails.

And Asher couldn’t help himself. “Then how does it work?”

Duke grabbed the pole, started to set it to rights. “Faith. Trust. Just believing that God is who He says He is. That He loves you.” He got it straight and turned to Asher. “You believe that He’s not leaving, even when you mess up. Even when you fail. Even when you do things you regret.” Duke pulled off his glove, clamped his hand on Asher’s shoulder. “And even when terrible things happen that you don’t have any control over. Deuteronomy 31:8 says ‘The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.’” Then he patted Asher’s shoulder.

Like a father might his son.

And Asher just…Shoot. His entire body warmed, his chest hot, his throat thick.

“Faith is believing that even when you can’t see Him or feel Him or understand Him, He’s there. He’s with you. He won’t betray you.” He put his glove back on. “Whatever you’ve done, son—whatever you’re carrying—it’s not too much for God. Your sins won’t keep Him from saving you. His love is bigger than your failures. And His plan for you is better than you can even imagine. You’re the only one who can hold back all God has for you.”

“How?”

Duke laughed. “By thinking you can handle it yourself. It’s the devil’s joke to make you think you can finagle your own happy ending.”

Movement behind them. Footsteps on gravel.

Asher turned.

Daphne stood there. Hair pulled back. Jeans and a sweatshirt. Beautiful in the morning light. Green eyes steady, but something urgent in them.

How long had she been standing there? How much had she heard?

“Good morning, Duke,” she said.

“Ma’am.” He picked up his tools, glanced at Asher. “Got more fence to check.” Then he winked at Asher.

Huh.

Daphne seemed to wait until Duke was out of earshot. Then moved closer. Urgent. Focused.

“Asher, we need to talk. Inside.”

Something in her tone. Something was wrong.

They walked to the house. Fast. Silent. Up the porch steps. Through the door. Into the kitchen, where coffee was still warm and morning light streamed through windows.

Daphne turned to face him. Eyes fierce. Determined. “I know who the mole is.”

Asher’s heart kicked. “Who?”