Read Online My Hope Is Found: The Cadence of Grace, Book 3 by Joanne Bischof - Free Book Online

fingers, the older man studied him.
    Gideon didn’t blink.
    “Do you have any idea how
unconventional
this is?”
    He hadn’t anticipated any problems, but now he knew what a foolhe’d been to think this would be simple. “I’m sorry, sir.” And he was. More than he could say.
    After a knock on the door, the receptionist strode in with nary a sound. She set a steaming cup on the desk and then left just as quietly. Gideon glanced around at the shelves of law books. Some of the spines broader than his palm. The books that held his fate.
    “Now you need to understand … this will require some time if you want me to give this any kind of attention. Rushing the matter will not help your case, Mr. O’Riley. As the state of Virginia sees things, you’re still a married man.”
    Gideon hung his head.
    “The wife who no longer wants to be married to you isn’t here to state her case. Why is that?”
    “She’s too weak to travel. At least this far. Perhaps in time …”
    Steepling his fingers, the man shifted in his chair. He sat a moment, staring at a spot on his desk. Gideon could all but see the wheels spinning in his mind.
    Finally, the judge spoke. “There’s most likely something to be done here, but I’ll need a little time to resolve this satisfactorily for all parties involved.” He waved a hand to the stack of papers. “But I’ll need several weeks. A month. Possibly more.”
    Gideon fought to keep his distress from showing. Instead, he grabbed onto the only certain thing he could. “A month. I’ll be back in a month.” He was already on his feet before the judge could change his mind.
    A curt nod. “Come back in thirty days, Mr. O’Riley. We’ll get you back to your wife and son.”
    For the first time since entering the building, Gideon felt a burst of hope. “Thank you, sir.” He reached for the judge’s hand and shook it. “Thank you.”

Seven
    “Is this ready to get loaded?” Gideon hoisted a crate off the merchant’s counter. Tins of spices clanked together. Across the store, Tal was looking at a new pair of cutters with the shop owner’s assistance.
    “Yes, that one’s ready to go.” The clerk made a notation in his ledger as Gideon backed out the door.
    He carried the crate out onto the sidewalk and slid it into the back of the wagon next to the rest of Tal’s supplies. A tin of baking powder tumbled out and fell. Gideon picked it up, brushed it off, and set it back in its place.
    The shop bell clanged as Tal stepped out.
    “I better not break anything, or it’ll come out of my pay.”
    “You got that right,” Tal said with a laugh in his voice. “Which, if I remember correctly, was half of what I pay my other men.” He slid his hat over graying hair.
    “You know, I’m not sure if that offer still stands.”
    “Oh, is that so?” Tal clapped him on the back.
    “I was a desperate man then.”
    Tal arched an eyebrow.
    “All right, I’m still desperate. But have pity on a poor soul, will ya?”
    Tal chuckled. “I’m sure we can work something out.” He climbed onto the wagon seat, and Gideon lunged up the other side.
    “Thank you,” Gideon said seriously. “I appreciate you offering me the work. I need it.”
    “It’s my pleasure. You’re a good worker, and I’m glad to have ya. Besides”—he flicked the reins and the wagon lurched into motion—“couldn’t very well leave you to sleep on the sidewalk in Stuart for a whole month.”
    Gideon nodded. “And I’m grateful for it.”
    The horses settled into an easy pace as Gideon and Tal rode out of town.
    Hitching his boot up on the footrest, Tal relaxed into his seat. Gideon folded his arms over his chest and enjoyed the sunshine the day had to offer. Tilting his chin back, he let the rays hit his face. A moment later, he ran his hands down his face, realizing just how much he needed a bath and a shave.
    “So tell me. What happened, Gideon?”
    With the back of his hand, Gideon scratched his scruffy