Read Online Within the Candle's Glow by Karen Campbell Prough - Free Book Online Page A

lower leg and disappeared under her plain cotton drawers. The skin around her ankle had the appearance of a melted candle.
    “A
fuoco
—an awful fire,” she whispered.
    Ella’s stomach gave a sickening lurch. She moaned. “How?”
    Leona’s hands rearranged her clothes and hid the appalling sight. “My father raised horses in Italy, my home country. Lightning struck the barn. I was sixteen. I foolishly ran to help—or thought I could.” Her accent thickened. Her voice quivered and broke. “A burning wall fell.” She wiped at her eyes. “My lower leg—was trapped. A horse trainerpulled me free, but the … the pain sent me into a black world for many weeks. No one thought I’d live, but I did.
Dio
—our Savior granted me life, peace of mind, and drew me back within the candle’s glow of His love. I lived and learned to walk without a limp. My
padre
—my father—brought us to America because of a dream he had.”
    The long skirt fell about Leona’s ankles, restoring her elegance.
    The sight of the woman’s disfigurement revolted Ella. It hit a chord so deep within her heart, she bent and sobbed into her hands.
    “Don’t cry for me.” Leona’s voice became warm and feathery in accent. “I’ve never been happier in my life. When Miles took me as his wife he knew what he was getting, because I told him. I bared my soul and shamelessly bared my lower leg—to his intimate inspection—to prepare him for our wedding night.” She lifted Ella’s chin with her cool fingers. “Look at me, child.”
    “No.”
    “Darling, my husband declares I’m the most attractive woman he ever held in his arms.”
    “No.” Her cries deepened, and her heart twisted as if it might rip apart.
My mama, Meara Huskey, was pretty. Doesn’t Miles remember that?
    “Yes. These scars mean nothing to him. When memories bury me in dreams and nightmares, his hands caress me. He holds me, until I come to myself and experience his protective arms. Someday,” she whispered, with her forehead now against Ella’s brow. “
Someday
, a man will lay his lips against your scars and swear he never met a lovelier woman on this earth.”
    Ella felt weak and drained. She leaned away from the woman, willing her own mind to go blank.
    “Are you all right?”
    “I cain’t find words … the words to say.”
    “Dry your face. There’s nothing to be said.”
    “I’m sorry you suffered from a fire.” The sensual fragrance of rose petals reached her senses as the woman pressed a delicate handkerchief into her trembling hands. “I know it hurt,” Ella whispered. She touched the cloth to her cheeks.
    “We’re women of kindred pain. We understand.” Leona’s perfect lips curved into a full smile. “God will give you grace and fortitude to be the woman he wants. His measure of peace to you will be just right, just what you need, not what someone
else
has to have. Only you.” Sheextended her arms. “Come, let me hold you.”
    #
    A short time later, the two of them slipped out of the church and walked hand-in-hand to the Chesley homestead. Ella vehemently promised herself she’d never reveal the facts hidden in Mama’s carved box. She also prayed Velma would never remember a name she once saw—years before—written in Meara Huskey’s Bible, along with a baby’s birth date.
    Granny glanced up from spooning a brown liquid into Josh’s mouth. She didn’t comment on their tear-reddened countenances.
    “He might live. An angry person tried to carve out his ribs.” She waved the wooden spoon in her wobbly right hand. Her arthritic fingers struggled to hold it. A cup of steaming broth occupied a spot on a little table near the bed. “I shooed the others away. They’s like vultures hoverin’ over carrion. Child, take this.”
    Reluctantly, Ella accepted the spoon and slipped into another chair near the bed. The scent of venison broth and leeks wafted from the cup. She touched the spoon to Josh’s lips. His parched lips parted,