“A gift?” her red-rimmed eyes glare at him, and she leaps to her feet.
Glenn lets her go, glad to see the energy return to her body. Anything but the shattered soul, screaming for help.
“A gift?” her eyes look at the table. “He was supposed to be my husband, Glenn, not a monster!”
“True. There is no refuting that, Anika, but the facts are that your father and mother loved you. He left you everything, Anika. There is a trustee over the estate, and it is waiting for you. You have a plantation, with horses and livestock, money and a means to care for yourself and Delaney. You will never be penniless again.”
“I don’t want it,” she says instantly.
“Anika, you are upset right now and not thinking clearly. You are the daughter of a U.S. Senator. You want a way to protect your daughter and God has given that to you.”
“God gave me your family first,” she whispers stepping close to him. “I don’t want to leave you.”
Relief floods through his body, “Thank God,” he jerks her into his arms and hugs her tightly. “Thank you for saying that, but as your friend, I want you to take some time to let this sink in. Read his letters and let it heal your heart.”
Tears flow again as she clings to him, “Can we go home?”
“Of course, we’ll leave in the morning.”
Chapter 28
Anika flows through the next few weeks in a daze. Still unable to bring herself to read her father’s letters. She contacts the trustee and begins the process to sell everything, except the horses. They will be brought to the farm, and with the money from the sale of the land and property, she will never be short of money again.
Her fury at Saul grows more with every passing day. What kind of human being takes away everything from someone to cause them pain? She reads her Bible, but the words fall flat. Sleep evades her, and she purposely avoids Glenn, spending time fixing up the homestead.
Thanksgiving service comes and sitting in church that morning, listening to the words of Pastor Donegal she wonders how all the people around her can’t hear her screaming heart.
“Thanksgiving should not be a response to getting what you desire or think you deserve.” The Pastor says, jerking her from her dark thoughts.
“Thankfulness should be given in every moment, but you have to purposely seek it. Until you always notice the little things and constantly seek the good even in hostile situations.”
How is that possible, Anika wonders?
“How do I do that you ask?” Pastor Donegal looks directly at her. “Start by bringing thankfulness to your experiences, instead of waiting for the perfect day or moment. Now, I’m gonna shock some of you when I say this. You don’t have to mean it, at first. Where the mind goes the heart follows.”
Anika drops his eyes and glances over to find Glenn staring at her. She looks away and listens intently to the Pastor.
“The Bible says, rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ for you. Pray with me.”
Anika closes her eyes tightly and prays that God will forgive her for being so angry. Help me let go of the anger and find peace, she prays.
Feeling a little better after the service she goes to the Sunday school where she finds Delaney playing happily in a corner. Mrs. Batcher is speaking to two other moms, when they see her, they stop speaking. One woman grabs her son and pulls him from the room.
Anger flares quickly and Anika wonders as she walks towards the women should she give thanks for the lesson she is about to deliver to this woman or pray to God that she doesn't just punch her. Her thoughts cause a smile to appear, and she struggles not to laugh out loud.
“Mrs. Batcher could I have a word with you, please. In private.” She asks politely.
“Excuse us Mrs. Vestule. I’ll see you next week.” After the woman walks away, Mrs. Batcher begins cleaning up the room, while Anika follows.
“Yes, Delaney told me some ugly things were said in church about us, and I'd like to clear that up.”
Mrs. Batcher stops and turns to glare at her, looking her up and down. “Do you really want to do that here, Ms. Coltrane?”
“Why not here? It was here that you called us trash and hurt my daughter’s soul and it should be here in the house of God, that you ask forgiveness,” Anika snaps, no longer able to hold her tongue.
“Forgiveness for what? Telling the truth, perhaps you should have thought of that before you came to our church.”
Anika stares at the woman in front of her with pity. Her graying hair is tied into a tight bun, and her pinched lips show exactly what she thinks of her. “I'm sorry you feel that way, Mrs. Batcher but your dirty thoughts are only a reflection of your own spirit, not mine.”
Delaney runs up and grabs her hand as Anika turns to her. “Sweetie, I want you to go find The Wards,” her firm words allow no argument.
Delaney runs from the room as the older woman slams down her books. “Why don’t you just admit you are nothing better than the woman at the Blue Horse Saloon in town. You just get paid more.” Anika steps back in shock.
“That’s disgusting.” Anika tries to leave only to have the older woman grab her arm in a tight grip.
“How many families will you taint by being here. How many husbands will you tempt with lust? The men are already lining up to have their turn with you.” Anika rips her arm away, violently causing the woman to
