Read Online Steadfast Heart by Tracie Peterson - Free Book Online Page B

friend.
    â€œLenore is always in perfect accord with her elders and the obligations society has put upon her. She never grieves her parents, except when she comes to spend time with me.”
    â€œI find that hard to believe, Abrianna. You are charming, and better still, you are smart. I’ve not ever met a young woman who knew her mind so well. You are well read and capable of handling people in a way that never leaves them feeling belittled or undermined.” He paused. “However, your assessment of Miss Fulcher does seem accurate. She is a lovely young woman. How is it that the two of you became friends?”
    â€œChurch. We met at church while doing charitable service. We were just girls but found that our contemplations were similar.We both found it important to be honest and loyal, as well as trustworthy. Lenore has always been good to keep my secrets.”
    Kolbein cocked his head to the side. “And what of you? Have you kept Miss Fulcher’s secrets?”
    â€œOf course,” Abrianna replied. She thought of Lenore’s interest in knowing Kolbein Booth better. “However, Lenore doesn’t have that much to hide.”
    â€œAnd you do?”
    Abrianna cocked her head to one side and grinned. “If I did, I wouldn’t admit to it. Besides, I’d much rather talk about Lenore.”
    â€œI can’t say that it is an unpleasant topic. In fact, since you are good at keeping secrets, I will share one. I find myself quite often thinking of Miss Fulcher.”
    â€œYou do?” Abrianna grinned. “That’s wonderful.”
    A group of boys approached from the end of the alleyway. Abrianna felt Kolbein tense at her side. She knew the boys looked like trouble and were purposely intimidating in their behavior so as to be left alone by anyone who might seek to return them to orphanage living.
    He shoved the basket into her hands and pushed her back. “Get behind me. We may have trouble.”
    She giggled. “No, Kolbein. These are some of my friends.” She gave a wave to the boys with one hand while balancing the basket with the other. As they approached, she said, “I knew I would find you here. It is, after all, Monday. Did Mr. Brindle have any old bread for you?”
    They nodded in unison, and Bobby, the youngest, held up his loaf. “He was real good to us. Let us have a cup of milk to share.”
    Abrianna nodded. “Milk is a wondrous thing. What aboutyou, Toby?” He was the oldest and as such had become their unofficial leader. “Were you able to get the leftovers I arranged for you from Steinman’s?”
    â€œI did. We shared them for our supper last night. We had some fried fish and some apple pie. It was good, some of the best we’ve had in a long time.”
    â€œI’m glad. Mr. Steinman said you could see him each Saturday night after nine. He will endeavor to save what he can for you. Sometimes people leave a great deal of food behind on their plates, and he promised to set it aside for you.
    â€œNow, I have someone to introduce to you.” She saw the look of apprehension in their eyes. Especially Toby’s. He was used to being harassed and kicked around by authorities and probably figured Kolbein to be no different.
    â€œIs he gonna send us to jail?” twelve-year-old Seth asked.
    â€œGoodness, no,” Abrianna replied. “He is a lawyer from Chicago, but he isn’t here to cause you problems. He has lost his sister. She ran away and came to Seattle.”
    â€œShe ran away from a rich family?” Toby asked in disbelief. “Why would she do that?”
    â€œMr. Booth isn’t rich. He’s just a hard worker who earns his keep. His sister most likely ran off because she wanted an adventure.” Abrianna didn’t wish to put Kolbein in a bad light, though he had mentioned once that his sister thought him a tyrant. Given some of his comments, Abrianna could understand