Read Online Alaskan Summer by Marilou Flinkman - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Marilou Flinkman
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suppose some people do, but some like to know where they’re going.” She smiled at Ruth. “We read the psalm last because that’s Ruth’s favorite part. We don’t always stop with one.”
“The Psalms are songs, Ryan. You should like that,” Ruth interjected. “I can always find something in Psalms that fits my feelings.”
Ryan wanted to know more but feared embarrassment at showing how little he knew. “Okay, I’m ready.”
Rette opened the devotional book and flipped open the Bible to the readings for the day.
Ryan cringed at how easily she found the chapters. She looked at him with a gentle smile. “Comes from lots of practice.”
Ryan listened to her soft voice as she read the Scriptures. Never sounded like that when I went to church, he thought. He watched Ruth. She looked like a cherub, and her wrinkled cheeks were flushed with warmth and joy. He doubted her mind would ever get too dull to enjoy the Bible.
Laurette read for several minutes, then turned to Ryan. “Do you have a Bible?”
He nodded but was not about to tell her he’d won it at church years ago.
“Some people start out reading Psalms every day. I’ve found all sorts of human experiences in those pages. Joy, yearning, serenity, and anger—it’s all there.”
“And that’s how you learn about God?”
“What better way than reading how the people of Psalms wept together, danced together, and celebrated hope together in God. Ruth’s right; they are songs. Let their melody lead you to a new life.”
Ryan noticed that Ruth had nodded off. I should get out of here so she can go to bed. “I’ve enjoyed myself,” he told the ladies. “Thank you for dinner.” He rose from his chair.
“I’ll walk you out.” Laurette followed him through the kitchen. “Thank you for being so good to Ruth,” she said as he took down his raincoat.
“I can see why you worry about her. She shouldn’t be alone all day.”
“Someone from her church calls at ten every morning. At least a couple times a week, one of her friends from there comes to visit. I know John is worried. As long as I’m here, she can stay in her home a little longer.”
Her deep sigh tugged at him. “Don’t try to do too much.” He fought the urge to comfort her with a hug. Instead, he bent over to pull on his boots. Standing upright again, he said, “Hey, I checked the schedule and next Wednesday we have an afternoon off. The only ship in port sails at noon. Would you like to go fishing?”
“I’ve never fished in the ocean. I wouldn’t know what to do.”
“You gave me tips on how to navigate the Bible tonight. How about if I show you how to navigate a fishing pole next week?”
She rewarded him with a brilliant smile. “It’s a deal.”
EIGHT
Laurette stood in the doorway until Ryan’s Volkswagen disappeared down the driveway. Turning back into the house, she heard Ruth getting ready for bed. She went over to the big window overlooking the water, then sat on the window seat and hugged her knees to her chest. The heavy gray clouds seemed to touch the water over the channel; it wouldn’t stay light until nearly midnight tonight as it usually did during the Alaskan summer.
A pair of eagles drifted in lazy circles on the air currents above the water. Laurette’s spirits seemed to soar with the birds. Could it be true? Ryan seemed genuinely interested in learning more about the Bible. She really liked Ryan, but she could never be serious about a man who did not believe in Jesus. While he said he’d accepted Jesus as a child, he didn’t live his life like a believer with a strong faith—he’d admitted as much this evening. Would he someday choose to turn back to God?
She remembered how gentle and kind he had been toward Ruth. He isn’t the same grouch who met my plane a few weeks ago. Maybe I misjudged him. Suddenly she recalled how disappointed Ryan had seemed that day when Jenny hadn’t returned to Sitka. Later, when Laurette e-mailed Jenny to
“The Psalms are songs, Ryan. You should like that,” Ruth interjected. “I can always find something in Psalms that fits my feelings.”
Ryan wanted to know more but feared embarrassment at showing how little he knew. “Okay, I’m ready.”
Rette opened the devotional book and flipped open the Bible to the readings for the day.
Ryan cringed at how easily she found the chapters. She looked at him with a gentle smile. “Comes from lots of practice.”
Ryan listened to her soft voice as she read the Scriptures. Never sounded like that when I went to church, he thought. He watched Ruth. She looked like a cherub, and her wrinkled cheeks were flushed with warmth and joy. He doubted her mind would ever get too dull to enjoy the Bible.
Laurette read for several minutes, then turned to Ryan. “Do you have a Bible?”
He nodded but was not about to tell her he’d won it at church years ago.
“Some people start out reading Psalms every day. I’ve found all sorts of human experiences in those pages. Joy, yearning, serenity, and anger—it’s all there.”
“And that’s how you learn about God?”
“What better way than reading how the people of Psalms wept together, danced together, and celebrated hope together in God. Ruth’s right; they are songs. Let their melody lead you to a new life.”
Ryan noticed that Ruth had nodded off. I should get out of here so she can go to bed. “I’ve enjoyed myself,” he told the ladies. “Thank you for dinner.” He rose from his chair.
“I’ll walk you out.” Laurette followed him through the kitchen. “Thank you for being so good to Ruth,” she said as he took down his raincoat.
“I can see why you worry about her. She shouldn’t be alone all day.”
“Someone from her church calls at ten every morning. At least a couple times a week, one of her friends from there comes to visit. I know John is worried. As long as I’m here, she can stay in her home a little longer.”
Her deep sigh tugged at him. “Don’t try to do too much.” He fought the urge to comfort her with a hug. Instead, he bent over to pull on his boots. Standing upright again, he said, “Hey, I checked the schedule and next Wednesday we have an afternoon off. The only ship in port sails at noon. Would you like to go fishing?”
“I’ve never fished in the ocean. I wouldn’t know what to do.”
“You gave me tips on how to navigate the Bible tonight. How about if I show you how to navigate a fishing pole next week?”
She rewarded him with a brilliant smile. “It’s a deal.”
EIGHT
Laurette stood in the doorway until Ryan’s Volkswagen disappeared down the driveway. Turning back into the house, she heard Ruth getting ready for bed. She went over to the big window overlooking the water, then sat on the window seat and hugged her knees to her chest. The heavy gray clouds seemed to touch the water over the channel; it wouldn’t stay light until nearly midnight tonight as it usually did during the Alaskan summer.
A pair of eagles drifted in lazy circles on the air currents above the water. Laurette’s spirits seemed to soar with the birds. Could it be true? Ryan seemed genuinely interested in learning more about the Bible. She really liked Ryan, but she could never be serious about a man who did not believe in Jesus. While he said he’d accepted Jesus as a child, he didn’t live his life like a believer with a strong faith—he’d admitted as much this evening. Would he someday choose to turn back to God?
She remembered how gentle and kind he had been toward Ruth. He isn’t the same grouch who met my plane a few weeks ago. Maybe I misjudged him. Suddenly she recalled how disappointed Ryan had seemed that day when Jenny hadn’t returned to Sitka. Later, when Laurette e-mailed Jenny to
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