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Authors: Lynn A. Coleman
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“You are not Hiram Greene’s servant, nor any other man’s. You are God’s child. And He loves you. He forgives you. His heart aches for the improprieties that have fallen upon you. But you are redeemed, Katherine. You’re free to pursue a relationship with Shelton if that is what you wish. Is it?”
Katherine stared at the tabletop. “Honestly, I don’t know. I do like Shelton, and I enjoy talking with him very much. But I don’t know if I could ever trust a man enough to love him in … the way that God designed.”
Grandma Mac patted her hand. “Unfortunately, other women have been in situations similar to yours. Some were able to move beyond the pain of the past and have good lives with loving husbands. Others have turned to wanton ways, believing they are worthless. Please don’t think that about yourself. Walk in faith and trust God.”
“I could never live a life of ill repute. But I don’t see how it is possible for me to live with a man.”
“By God’s grace, dear.” Grandma Mac rose from the chair and left Katherine alone with her thoughts.
Perhaps one day I could live with a man.
But the likelihood of it being Shelton was slim. Hiram Greene stood like an ox in the barnyard—huge, strong, and stubborn to the point of being immovable.
eight
Shelton worked at Mrs. MacKenneth’s farm every morning. During the afternoons he rode into Creelsboro to procure stud fees. He arranged for the setup to take place in the livery stable in Creelsboro. The client would bring in a mare, then Kehoe would come into the narrow corral and do his part, after which he returned to his own pen. Unfortunately, Kehoe had suffered once or twice. After the last service, Shelton had found him bleeding. The mare had bitten him hard on the neck.
After a couple of weeks, he had earned enough money to speak with a bank manager about securing a loan for purchasing his own property. He hoped there might be a foreclosure he could pick up for a reasonable rate.
Shelton left Kehoe in the public stable and headed for the bank. The streets were filled with travelers heading west. The excitement in the air promised hope and freedom. Shelton felt its powerful tug as an easy answer to his financial problems.
He stepped off the dusty street into the dark-paneled confines of the bank.
“Good afternoon.” A bald, middle-aged man extended a hand to him. His pin-striped business suit draped over a stout figure.
“Afternoon,” Shelton responded, accepting the handshake. “I was wondering if I could speak with the manager.”
“That’d be me, sir. Reynolds is the name. What can I do for you?”
“I’d like to talk about getting a loan to purchase some property in the area.”
The man lit up like a full moon. “Why don’t we step into my office.”
Two hours later Shelton came out with a smile on his face and a lightness in his heart. Mr. Reynolds had said that once he verified Shelton’s past financial dealings with the banks back in Hazel Greene, he didn’t see a problem giving him a loan. He even recommended a two-hundred-acre farm where the owner had passed away and the widow hoped to return to family in New York.
Two hundred acres seemed like more than Shelton required. Then again, the horses needed grazing fields and long, open runs for strength and development. He had a lot to think about and a lot to pray about.
He sent a letter to his parents to let them know of the recent turn of events. Soon he’d be able to write and tell them where their new home would be. A desire to share his news with Katherine spurred him on. He urged Kehoe to move a bit faster. He looked at the wound on the horse’s neck. It had begun to bleed again. Shelton pulled back on the reins and let the stallion trot at a nice even pace.
As he neared the outskirts of the MacKenneths’ farm, the sun was beginning to set. Katherine would have to wait until tomorrow to hear his good news. He enjoyed seeing her every day at the
“You are not Hiram Greene’s servant, nor any other man’s. You are God’s child. And He loves you. He forgives you. His heart aches for the improprieties that have fallen upon you. But you are redeemed, Katherine. You’re free to pursue a relationship with Shelton if that is what you wish. Is it?”
Katherine stared at the tabletop. “Honestly, I don’t know. I do like Shelton, and I enjoy talking with him very much. But I don’t know if I could ever trust a man enough to love him in … the way that God designed.”
Grandma Mac patted her hand. “Unfortunately, other women have been in situations similar to yours. Some were able to move beyond the pain of the past and have good lives with loving husbands. Others have turned to wanton ways, believing they are worthless. Please don’t think that about yourself. Walk in faith and trust God.”
“I could never live a life of ill repute. But I don’t see how it is possible for me to live with a man.”
“By God’s grace, dear.” Grandma Mac rose from the chair and left Katherine alone with her thoughts.
Perhaps one day I could live with a man.
But the likelihood of it being Shelton was slim. Hiram Greene stood like an ox in the barnyard—huge, strong, and stubborn to the point of being immovable.
eight
Shelton worked at Mrs. MacKenneth’s farm every morning. During the afternoons he rode into Creelsboro to procure stud fees. He arranged for the setup to take place in the livery stable in Creelsboro. The client would bring in a mare, then Kehoe would come into the narrow corral and do his part, after which he returned to his own pen. Unfortunately, Kehoe had suffered once or twice. After the last service, Shelton had found him bleeding. The mare had bitten him hard on the neck.
After a couple of weeks, he had earned enough money to speak with a bank manager about securing a loan for purchasing his own property. He hoped there might be a foreclosure he could pick up for a reasonable rate.
Shelton left Kehoe in the public stable and headed for the bank. The streets were filled with travelers heading west. The excitement in the air promised hope and freedom. Shelton felt its powerful tug as an easy answer to his financial problems.
He stepped off the dusty street into the dark-paneled confines of the bank.
“Good afternoon.” A bald, middle-aged man extended a hand to him. His pin-striped business suit draped over a stout figure.
“Afternoon,” Shelton responded, accepting the handshake. “I was wondering if I could speak with the manager.”
“That’d be me, sir. Reynolds is the name. What can I do for you?”
“I’d like to talk about getting a loan to purchase some property in the area.”
The man lit up like a full moon. “Why don’t we step into my office.”
Two hours later Shelton came out with a smile on his face and a lightness in his heart. Mr. Reynolds had said that once he verified Shelton’s past financial dealings with the banks back in Hazel Greene, he didn’t see a problem giving him a loan. He even recommended a two-hundred-acre farm where the owner had passed away and the widow hoped to return to family in New York.
Two hundred acres seemed like more than Shelton required. Then again, the horses needed grazing fields and long, open runs for strength and development. He had a lot to think about and a lot to pray about.
He sent a letter to his parents to let them know of the recent turn of events. Soon he’d be able to write and tell them where their new home would be. A desire to share his news with Katherine spurred him on. He urged Kehoe to move a bit faster. He looked at the wound on the horse’s neck. It had begun to bleed again. Shelton pulled back on the reins and let the stallion trot at a nice even pace.
As he neared the outskirts of the MacKenneths’ farm, the sun was beginning to set. Katherine would have to wait until tomorrow to hear his good news. He enjoyed seeing her every day at the
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