Though My Heart Is Torn: The Cadence of Grace, Book 2 Read Free Page B

things out in the barn. Thought he might just come with me.”
    A coil of red skin fell into Lonnie’s lap, and she set a bare apple aside. “He’d like that.”
    Stepping out into the crisp autumn air, Gideon straightened Jacob’s thick socks and tugged his wool pants down around pudgy ankles. He strode toward the barn, the door already propped open. Gideon ducked into the dim building, and the homey smell of animals and fresh-cut wood met him. Jebediah worked quietly at the bench. He glanced up with a nod when Gideon came in. Jacob flapped his arms. Gideon set the boy down on his tummy on a tattered blanket where a pile of small, smooth blocks would keep him busy for quite some time. Jacob struggled to pick up a block.
    Jebediah worked silently, the man never needing to fill empty space with words. He’d been that way for as long as Gideon had known him—since the day Jebediah had rescued Lonnie from a life of sorrow. Laying down the challenge that Gideon could be more than a man of anger. From that moment on, Jebediah had walked every day with him, through the struggles, through the blessings. All for Lonnie. She’d been worth every moment of it.
    Sitting on the workbench was a trio of wooden buckets. Gideonhad already made and sold a dozen. Though they didn’t fetch much, he had a little silver in his pockets for his family. Come a sugar snow, they would be in higher demand. Made of cedar and white ash so that the sap would retain its sweetness, the buckets were stout and tightly formed, and if Gideon were still a betting man, he’d reckon they’d last many a winter.
    With steady hands and a watchful eye on his son, Gideon fitted two pieces together. Not quite right. His chisel made nary a sound in the hard wood. He sighed, enjoying the peace of his work.
    “Headed to town tomorrow,” Jebediah said. “Gonna pick up our supplies before it gets too late in the year. Also need to get the mail. It’s been too long.”
    Gideon glanced up.
    “Elsie and Lonnie have given me their lists. Anything else you need?” Jebediah slid a crinkled paper forward.
    Gideon took it, studying their feminine script. Lonnie had written “4 yards of gray flannel,” and Gideon remembered the skirt she’d wanted to make. He penciled in a few items, then thought a moment. He knew she also wanted a new blouse but wouldn’t admit it. He jotted down one last item. “I have the money inside. I’ll get it to you when we go in.” He slid the paper back to Jebediah.
    Jebediah eyed it. “Didn’t you pay any attention in school?”
    Gideon chuckled. “It’s legible.”
    Jebediah squinted. “Hardly.” With a laugh in his gray eyes, he folded the paper and tucked it in his pocket.
    “That’s two yards. And make sure you let Mr. Cramer’s wife help you pick that out.” Gideon tugged at his flannel shirt. “Something pretty. Not one of those backwoods patterns you always take to.”
    The older man’s mustache tilted skyward in a broad grin. He strode over and scooped up Jacob. “You watch it.” A laugh carried on his husky voice.
    Ducking his head, Gideon eyed the pieces of ash, now resting snugly together. “How long will you be gone?”
    “Two days. Maybe three if I get held up.” Jebediah’s broad hand patted against Jacob’s small back. The little boy pressed his head to his shoulder.
    “I’ll keep up on all the chores.”
    “I know you will. And I appreciate it.”
    Gideon worked his chisel through another wooden slat. Shavings curled and fell. “Lonnie will be pleased to receive word from home.”
    Jebediah stepped toward the doorway and leaned against the jamb. Sun glinted off his boots. “Not you?”
    Gideon shrugged, set his chisel down, and reached for Jacob when the boy lunged toward him. “There’s nothing back there for me.”

At the sound of horses, Cassie lifted her head. Her pa moved to the window. Her ma lowered her knitting to her lap, and the rocking chair stilled. “Who is it,