Read Online Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers - Free Book Online

directions, doesn’t He? Salt of the earth, and all that. Add a little seasoning here and a little there.” She looped arms with both of them, pulling them along beside her. “Speaking of seasoning, come on, my darlings. We’d better grab ourselves some hamburgers before they’re all gone!”

    Joshua went up into the hills and sat where he could look out over Haven. The campground had a dozen tents pitched with families starting barbecues. The Riverfront parking lot was full, teenagers lazing on beach blankets while families picnicked under the redwoods and children splashed in the roped-off swimming area.
    Since graduating last month, he’d devoted all his time to his carpentry apprenticeship with Jack Wooding. He loved the sounds of saws and hammers, the smell of sawdust. He liked seeing houses go up, knowing he was playing a part in making it happen. But by thetime he got home, showered, and made himself dinner, he barely had enough energy to talk with Dad.
    It wasn’t often he had a day off, but when he did, he came up here to breathe fresh air and pray. The future seemed so uncertain. North Korea had invaded South Korea, and the United Nations had taken police action, which meant America was being pulled into war. Several men Dad knew who were in the Army Reserves had already been called up for service. And the draft had been reactivated. Joshua felt a restlessness in his soul, a yearning he couldn’t define.
    Priscilla had taken him aside at church on Sunday and said she and Peter were concerned about Abra. “She spends all her time in her room reading or over at Mitzi’s practicing piano. She says she’s fine, but I don’t think she is. Peter tried to talk with her, but she only lets us get so close and then she puts up this invisible wall.” She didn’t ask, but Joshua knew she was hoping he’d come by and talk with her, find out what was going on inside her.
    It shook him how much he wanted to. She was only thirteen, for heaven’s sake. And he was eighteen. She was still a kid, though he had noticed at her graduation party she was growing up fast. Her hair was darker red, and she showed the first hint of womanhood. Dad had noticed him noticing her and given him an odd look. He’d laughed at himself. He’d almost told Priscilla to find someone else, but he didn’t want her to think he didn’t care. He just wasn’t sure how to encourage a thirteen-year-old girl without giving her the wrong impression.
    He’d loved her as far back as he could remember. When Dad gave her to Peter and Priscilla, he’d grieved. Now he was worrying. He couldn’t get Abra out of his mind. He couldn’t squelch the concerns Priscilla had unwittingly, or perhaps wittingly, put in his head. Abra is suffering, Lord. Is it because of the past? Or is it because of something that’s happening now? And what might that be all about? Was it just teen angst? Conflicts with Penny? How would he know unless he spent time with her?
    Abra needs a friend. No more than that. And no less, either.
    Joshua was driving back into town when he spotted Abra walking across the bridge. She didn’t even notice his truck coming up behind her until he tooted his horn and called her name through the open window. “Do you want a ride?”
    “Oh. Hi. Sure.” She yanked open the door and hopped in.
    “I was just thinking about you, and there you were.” Joshua put the truck in gear. “I haven’t seen you in weeks.”
    “You’ve been busy.”
    Her hair was damp and her cheeks sunburned. “You’ve been swimming at Riverfront Park.”
    “Today was the first time I went. I’m not going back.”
    “Did you get into a squabble with Penny?”
    “No.” She lifted a shoulder and stared out the window. “I just don’t like going there.”
    Oh. He knew why, but thought it better not to say any more. “So . . . what are your plans for the rest of the day?”
    “Me?” She gave him a sardonic look. “Plans?”
    “Good. I’m starved. How