Read Online Miracles in Disguise (The Trampled Rose Series) by Michelle Lynn Brown - Free Book Online
Authors: Michelle Lynn Brown
Tags: Fiction, Christian - Romance
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the best he could, he left to his own classroom down the hall.
Chapter Eight
Over the next several weeks, Kristina’s life settled into a routine that left her overjoyed at the simple things of life. During her marriage to David, everyday chores became a thing of dread or fear. She always worried if what she chose to cook for dinner would displease him. But now, she had recaptured her love of cooking, even if it was only for one.
Other experiences began opening up to her in a new way, as well. Though her car was fixed, she continued to walk to school if the weather permitted. Even though it was the beginning of October, the temperatures were in the 80’s and she enjoyed the feel of the warm sunshine on her hair. David would have accused her of trying to attract attention to herself.
She also spoke with Lisa often, something that had before been limited to school time. David kept her from friends, afraid that they were going to poison her mind against him. She had missed the simple joy that comes from just laughing about silly things with a dear, close friend.
Kristina found herself looking forward to Sunday every week. She enjoyed the warm fellowship of the people of the church, and the developing friendships were tantalizing enough to keep her coming to church every week, despite her fears. The church was a family, Pastor McKinley had said in one of his sermons. She liked the idea, but she also knew from her past how quickly the church could turn on you…especially when you needed it most. And she was sure the warm fellowship would turn icy cold if they knew about her past.
David had used the Bible to hurt and control her. He had battered her as much with Scripture as he had with his fists. He controlled his church with an iron fist, though he covered it up with silken sermons. But Andrew McKinley pastored his church so differently than David did. He humbly served his God and his church. And when he quoted Scripture, he savored it like honey dripping from his tongue. “This is my favorite part…” or “This is such a beautiful picture of God’s love,” was how he would begin reading a passage. His love for God and his love for the church were undeniably honest.
It was this honesty and passion that prompted her to begin reading the Bible every night before bed. In all the years she had read the Bible beside David, she had never seen how personal it was. Questions were buzzing around in her head, and she was dying to ask someone about them, but she knew they would probably think she was silly. So she kept silent . . . but she also kept reading.
They were only two speed bumps in her new life. The first was David’s lawyer, James Meyer, who was still pestering Lisa for Kristina’s address. He had finally allowed Lisa to forward a letter to her, which stated that she needed to contact him posthaste in regard to the settlement of David’s estate. David had left specific instructions for the disposition of his estate, and Mr. Meyer assured her he would be relentless in fulfilling the last wishes of his client. Her first response was to crumble the offensive thing and throw it away. But she eventually pulled the thing from the trash, and smoothing out the wrinkles, wrote a reply and mailed it to Lisa.
The second speed bump was Nathan. Though they no longer were at odds with each other, he continued to pop up in her life at unexpected times. Every time he did, she found herself relaxing ever so slightly under the warmth of his personality, only to be reminded of the foolishness of her past choices with men.
Her fourth Sunday in Hamilton found her at another fellowship lunch after service. After filling her plate, she turned to find a seat, only to find Nathan blocking her path. He took her plate before she could protest, and settled her down at a chair near his. Over the next hour, her defensive wall was assaulted with a barge of charming smiles as he teased the other two ladies sitting next to them. His
Chapter Eight
Over the next several weeks, Kristina’s life settled into a routine that left her overjoyed at the simple things of life. During her marriage to David, everyday chores became a thing of dread or fear. She always worried if what she chose to cook for dinner would displease him. But now, she had recaptured her love of cooking, even if it was only for one.
Other experiences began opening up to her in a new way, as well. Though her car was fixed, she continued to walk to school if the weather permitted. Even though it was the beginning of October, the temperatures were in the 80’s and she enjoyed the feel of the warm sunshine on her hair. David would have accused her of trying to attract attention to herself.
She also spoke with Lisa often, something that had before been limited to school time. David kept her from friends, afraid that they were going to poison her mind against him. She had missed the simple joy that comes from just laughing about silly things with a dear, close friend.
Kristina found herself looking forward to Sunday every week. She enjoyed the warm fellowship of the people of the church, and the developing friendships were tantalizing enough to keep her coming to church every week, despite her fears. The church was a family, Pastor McKinley had said in one of his sermons. She liked the idea, but she also knew from her past how quickly the church could turn on you…especially when you needed it most. And she was sure the warm fellowship would turn icy cold if they knew about her past.
David had used the Bible to hurt and control her. He had battered her as much with Scripture as he had with his fists. He controlled his church with an iron fist, though he covered it up with silken sermons. But Andrew McKinley pastored his church so differently than David did. He humbly served his God and his church. And when he quoted Scripture, he savored it like honey dripping from his tongue. “This is my favorite part…” or “This is such a beautiful picture of God’s love,” was how he would begin reading a passage. His love for God and his love for the church were undeniably honest.
It was this honesty and passion that prompted her to begin reading the Bible every night before bed. In all the years she had read the Bible beside David, she had never seen how personal it was. Questions were buzzing around in her head, and she was dying to ask someone about them, but she knew they would probably think she was silly. So she kept silent . . . but she also kept reading.
They were only two speed bumps in her new life. The first was David’s lawyer, James Meyer, who was still pestering Lisa for Kristina’s address. He had finally allowed Lisa to forward a letter to her, which stated that she needed to contact him posthaste in regard to the settlement of David’s estate. David had left specific instructions for the disposition of his estate, and Mr. Meyer assured her he would be relentless in fulfilling the last wishes of his client. Her first response was to crumble the offensive thing and throw it away. But she eventually pulled the thing from the trash, and smoothing out the wrinkles, wrote a reply and mailed it to Lisa.
The second speed bump was Nathan. Though they no longer were at odds with each other, he continued to pop up in her life at unexpected times. Every time he did, she found herself relaxing ever so slightly under the warmth of his personality, only to be reminded of the foolishness of her past choices with men.
Her fourth Sunday in Hamilton found her at another fellowship lunch after service. After filling her plate, she turned to find a seat, only to find Nathan blocking her path. He took her plate before she could protest, and settled her down at a chair near his. Over the next hour, her defensive wall was assaulted with a barge of charming smiles as he teased the other two ladies sitting next to them. His
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