Read Online The Shepherd's Voice by Robin Lee Hatcher - Free Book Online

immediately ceased. After forty years of marriage, she’d learned to read him well.
“I’ll say a prayer,” she said after a moment.
He gave her a gentle smile. “Thank you, dear.”
Simon whispered his own words of supplication as he covered the distance between parsonage and church, not knowing what awaited him inside.
The door creaked as he pulled it open. Anemic morning light filtered through the stained-glass window above the altar. Simon pushed his glasses up on his nose while his eyes adjusted to the shadowy interior. The man stood at the front of the church, staring up at the large wooden cross on the wall. He didn’t turn, gave no indication of hearing Simon’s arrival.
After a moment’s hesitation, the reverend slid into the back pew and waited.

No matter what you believe, you’ve never been alone, Gabriel Talmadge. Not even in your prison cell. Jesus went there with you.
Twenty years ago, he’d asked Jesus into his heart, but before the week was out, he’d denied Him. He’d wanted his father’s love and approval more than God’s. He’d feared his father’s anger more than he’d feared God’s wrath. There was no forgiveness for that. How could there be?
Nothing can separate you from the Father’s love.
Gabe had spent his youth doing whatever he could to get Hudson’s approval. When approval didn’t come, he’d done whatever it took simply to get his father’s attention, even if it meant living for the devil himself. He’d known the things he did were wrong. He hadn’t needed anyone to tell him so.
A man can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?
Gabe sank to his knees. He lowered his head to his chest, feeling crushed and broken. “O God.”
Do you think the Almighty was surprised by what you did?
God was God. He had to know everything. But it was also true that vengeance belonged to Him. Gabe had to be punished, for he’d chosen all the wrong things. He’d known the Truth, and he’d turned the other way.
Isn’t it arrogance of the highest order to believe your sins are somehow greater than God Himself?
Gabe sucked in a breath as he raised his eyes toward the cross once more.
He’s the God of second chances , Gabriel Talmadge …
The God of second chances …
Second chances …
“Jesus,” he whispered, “I want another chance.”

SEVEN
By noon, Akira was in the hayfield, mowing alfalfa that was in full bloom. Sweat trickled along the sides of her face as the sun beat down with brutal fierceness upon the crown of her straw hat. Her back ached and new blisters had formed on her hands, despite her leather gloves, but she kept going. The work wouldn’t wait.
At the end of the row, she turned the horses and mowing machine. Then she caught a glimpse of Big Red, with Gabe astride, coming over the rise. Her heart fluttered. Her breath caught in her throat.
He’s back!
She slipped the reins over her head and left them trailing on the ground as she hurried across the new-mown field.
Gabe had already dismounted and was standing beside Big Red when Akira came around the corner of the house. Their gazes met, and she halted.
He held out the reins, as if offering them to her. “I brought back the horse. I didn’t steal him.”
She shook her head. “I knew that.”
“I went to see Reverend Neville.”
He’d made his peace with God. She could see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice.
“Thanks, Akira.”
She didn’t ask for what. Thank You, Jesus.
He smiled, a look both joyous and tender.
She felt suddenly lightheaded and weak in the knees. Too much sun, she rationalized as she fought to regain her equilibrium. It must be heatstroke.
Gabe tipped his head toward the hayfield. “Looks like you could use some help down there.” He turned. “I’ll put up the horse, then give you a hand. It’s time I started earning my keep.” He led Big Red into the shadowy recesses of the barn.
The instant he disappeared, Akira’s sense of balance began to return. She took a few slow,