Be Still My Soul: The Cadence of Grace, Book 1 (38 page)
Read Be Still My Soul: The Cadence of Grace, Book 1 Online
Authors: Joanne Bischof
“Gid?” Lonnie whispered.
He jumped and snapped his hand back. “Lonnie!”
“Gideon?” Her voice cracked. Before he could stand, she nestled the baby out of the way and clambered off the edge of the bed.
They sank to the ground in a tangle of arms and legs.
He filled his hands with her nightgown and drew her as close as he could.
Lonnie flung her arms around him and gripped his neck. “Oh, Gid, you came back!”
Her skin was soft beneath his hands as he brushed her wild hair from her face and soaked in the sight of her. “I did. I’m so sorry—”
Lonnie pressed his head into her shoulder, silencing him. Her body shook with silent sobs.
Gideon struggled to speak, but he had no great words. He was no poet. He was simply a man who missed his wife and needed her by his side.
“I had to see you.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I had to see the baby.”
“Oh, the baby!” She scooped up the sleeping bundle and held him against her chest. She turned, and he saw Jacob’s face. She looked back over her shoulder and smiled, and Gideon knew his expression had to be one of bewilderment and wonder.
His voice cracked as he spoke. “Can I hold him?”
She gently placed Jacob in his arms. “His head’s a bit wobbly.”
Gideon stepped toward the window and held Jacob to the moonlight. Tiny black lashes fanned across his pale skin. “He’s perfect,” he whispered. The weight of his own son in his arms was enough to fill his heart and chase away the emptiness.
“I know.”
He swallowed, and when pain flashed through her eyes, he pulled her close with his other arm. “I’m sorry I was not there for you when it happened.”
She nodded and wiped her palms across her eyes. Her chin trembled even as she peered up at him. “Jesus has her. She’s in a good—”
“She is.” Gideon kissed the top of Lonnie’s head and closed his eyes when his emotions overwhelmed him. “I wish I had been here.”
“Me too.”
“Will you forgive me?”
Lonnie didn’t speak. But when she tightened her grip on his arm and buried her face in his chest, she didn’t have to.
“I was heading home,” his voice cracked again. He tilted his face up, willing away the lump in his throat. “I was trying to get to you.” His voice weakened. “All I wanted to do was get home. Please believe me.”
She smelled of honeysuckle when he kissed the top of her head. His lips moved against her hair. “I’d gone lookin’ for Bert—to pay a debt. I just didn’t know what it would be.”
She touched his cheekbone, where the flesh had long since healed.
“I was worried that they’d come lookin’ for me. I didn’t want to bring that type of trouble to you or the Bennetts.” He swiped his forearm across his eyes. “I tried to fight them off, I did. I swear I did everything in my power to get to you. But I couldn’t.”
Lonnie covered her face.
He gripped her shoulders, willing her eyes to meet his. He needed her to see that he was telling the truth. “There were too many of them.” Gideon drew her close. An ache burned in his chest as he held his family. “I love you more than anything.”
She sniffed and nodded. “I know you do.” She wiped her nose with the sleeve of her nightgown. “I’m so sorry.”
He shook his head. “Enough with the sorrys. We’re together now. Nothing can ever change that.” He pulled her closer. “I’m not leaving you again, Lonnie O’Riley.” A laugh lightened his voice. “I’ll never give you a reason to ask me to leave. I’ll sleep in the barn for the rest of my life if you want me to. But you won’t be able to get rid of me.”
Glistening eyes met his, and the joy of her heart confessed itself in her smile.
Footsteps sounded in the hall, and the door flung open. Gideon blinked into the light of a lantern.
“What’s going on?” Jebediah’s angry face froze, then his jaw fell.
Elsie stuck her head beneath her husband’s arm and screamed. “Blessed be! How’d you get in here?”
Lonnie tightened her grip on Gideon. “He climbed in through the window. Scared me near to death!”
Gideon smiled down at his wife. “Hey,
you
attacked me,” he laughed. Jacob lifted his head, and Gideon tilted him back to get a better look. “He’s beautiful.”
“He looks like you.”
Gideon grinned. No matter which feature he admired, he saw himself. “I suppose he does.”
They fell silent.
“Now what?” Lonnie asked.
Jebediah cleared his throat.
Gideon faced him. “I’m sorry, Jebediah. I never should have … I was going to replace … I mean, I
will
replace—” With a deep breath, Gideon relayed the truth of what had happened—all of it—knowing so much responsibility lay on his own shoulders. “I’ll pay back every cent.”
“I know you will.” Jebediah stepped into the room and set his lantern on the nightstand.
Elsie looked up at Jebediah. Lantern light flecked on the lace of her nightgown.
“I’d like to tell you something, Gid.” Jebediah wrapped an arm behind his wife’s shoulders. “Well, Elsie and me. I was going to tell you before everything happened. But then …”
It was the first time Gideon had ever heard the man’s voice falter.
Elsie wrapped an arm around Jebediah’s waist and kissed his shoulder.
“This place,” Jebediah said with a sweep of his arm. “The house. The land. All of it …” He paused and glanced down at Elsie, who smiled up at him. His eyes met Gideon’s. “I hope you’ll stay around a little longer because, well … it’s yours. If you want it.”
He heard Lonnie gasp.
“I ain’t got no one to leave it to, and I couldn’t imagine it any other
way.” Jebediah chuckled even as tears formed in Elsie’s eyes. “Your wife is like a daughter to me, and that little boy—” His voice caught.
Jebediah stepped forward, and when Gideon extended a hand, the older man wrapped him in a crushing embrace. “You ain’t too bad yourself. Well, not anymore.” He chuckled, and Gideon couldn’t help but grin.
“The baby!” Elsie cried.
When Jebediah jumped back, Gideon cradled a still-sleeping Jacob in his arms. He had no words to thank his friend. It seemed like a lifetime ago that the end of Jebediah’s gun had pointed at his back. And Gideon could never begin to voice his gratitude for the divine intervention that had taken place that day.
“I’ll take it,” he whispered through a voice so tight, the words barely got out.
How did a man come so far? How did he pick himself up by his bootstraps, shake off the dregs of an old life, and have his hands filled with such blessings? Gideon hadn’t done anything by his own strength, of that he was certain. And he didn’t deserve one bit of it. He was humbled by the people surrounding him. He’d chased his own desires his entire life. Now that he knew what it meant to care for others more than himself, he would do everything in his power to see it through.
He prayed the Lord would keep at bay all that lay outside his own strength.
Lonnie squeezed his hand. Her soft fingers spoke the silent promise that she would always be by his side.
Gideon squeezed back and buried his face in her hair. “I’ll never leave you again.”
Her lips brushed the back of his hand, warming him through.
A special thanks to the Patrick County Historical Society for copies made, questions answered, and the deliciously thick
History of Patrick County
, one of the greatest resources I turned to for historical details on this region of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
For eagle-eyed history buffs and those who watch the sun rise and set from the Blue Ridge Mountains, it was my constant goal to ensure the historical quality of this book and to uphold the beauty and integrity of this region. It was my utmost desire to take as few liberties as possible. For any that appear, it was solely for the sake of telling Lonnie and Gideon’s story.
I have been blessed by many prayers and words of encouragement during this season of my life and am humbled by the outpouring of love and enthusiasm shown by so many faithful readers and writers whom I’m blessed to call my friends. A huge, heartfelt thank-you to all of you.
If you would like to stay in touch, you can sign up at my website,
www.joannebischof.com
, to receive my free e-newsletter,
The Heartfelt Post
, sent out each spring and autumn. It’s always a blessing to meet new readers on Facebook and Twitter, so I hope you will stop in and say hi. I would love to hear from you! Thank you for journeying the Blue Ridge Mountains with me in
Be Still My Soul
. I hope you will join me for the next leg of our adventure in
Though My Heart Is Torn
.
1. What does the title,
Be Still My Soul
, signify to you? Do you feel it reflects Lonnie or Gideon? Or perhaps both?
2. Lonnie and Gideon grew up in the same hollow, yet were never well acquainted. Having only known each other from afar, how do they view each other the night of the singing? In what ways did those opinions change by the time Joel gathers them together several days later?
3. Both Lonnie and Gideon have faced difficulties growing up. Which of their difficulties are similar? How do their families differ? Whether good or bad, how did each of their home lives mold them into who they are in the beginning of the book?
4. Lonnie’s aunt Sarah is very dear to her. What traits do you feel the two women share? What lessons has Lonnie learned from Sarah that support her along her journey?
5. Views of marriage in the early 1900s were much different than today, and Lonnie is faced with a difficult dilemma. When refusal to obey her father’s wishes would result in consequences both physical and emotional, do you feel she has a choice to refuse Gideon—refuse her pa’s demands? What would you say to encourage her during this time?
6. Jebediah and Elsie provide shelter for Lonnie and Gideon physically, spiritually, and emotionally. While the Bennetts are kind and generous, they are also wealthy. Do you feel the Bennetts would be equally as generous if they had less? What is it about their character that influences your conclusion?
7. There are many things in Gideon’s life that he regrets, yet he’s unsure of how to move past them. He has a difficult time owning his actions and admitting when he’s wrong. What counsel would you give him? In what ways do you see him grow as the story progresses?
8. Jebediah challenges Gideon in ways the young man has never experienced. He’s also patient at times when Gideon is undeserving. What does this say about Jebediah? What role does the older man play in Gideon’s life over the course of the story?
9. There are many choices to make in life, but sometimes the choices of others affect us the greatest. How does this relate to Lonnie and Gideon’s journey?
10. Being faced with a situation that is out of our control is difficult. Is there a purpose for these moments in life? If so, how does it shape the person enduring the hardship? How can losing everything draw us closer to the Lord?
11. The Cadence of Grace series is based on 1 Peter 5:10: “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” In
Be Still My Soul
, how does this scripture relate to Lonnie and Gideon’s journey? Have you seen this scripture reflected in your own life?
12. In the final moments of the story, Gideon vows to cherish his family. He also prays that God will keep at bay all which lies outside his own strength. Do you feel a change might be coming for the O’Rileys? What do you think might be on the horizon?
When I begin to thank You, my great God, words fail me. I am so grateful You can see into my heart. It is my utmost prayer that these pages honor You.
I am immensely grateful to my parents, Mike and Janette, for allowing me to daydream and make believe from the moment I could hold a pen and paper. Your enthusiasm and support have meant the world to me.
This book wouldn’t have been possible without my amazing agent, Sandra Bishop. Thank you for your enthusiasm and for championing this story from the start.
A very special thank you to my editors, Beth Adams and Shannon Marchese. Your insights and wisdom have helped shape this story and this writer. I am incredibly grateful. Also a huge thanks to the entire team at WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for opening your doors to this story and for all the hard work and creativity that has made it take flight.
Thank you to Rebecca Farnbach and all those at the Temecula critique group for creating a wonderful and safe haven where writers can blossom. And I could never begin to express my gratitude for the hours poured in by Dona Watson, Beverly Nault, and Ashley Ludwig. Your advice, guidance, and encouragement helped me through the last stages of this story. Thank you for the laughs and the tears and the red pens. You are all amazing.
To the Hemet teachers who led me down the path of creating and discovery: Mrs. Drumm, Mrs. Edmundson, Mrs. Dement, Mr. James, and Mr. Rossi. This is how you live in my heart. Thank you.
And lastly, a thank-you-so-much-it-hurts to my brown-eyed husband and three brown-eyed children. This green-eyed girl is blessed to have your hearts and your smiles.
Married to her first sweetheart, Joanne Bischof lives in the mountains of Southern California where she keeps busy making messes with their homeschooled children. When she’s not weaving Appalachian romance, she’s blogging about faith, writing, and the adventures of country living that bring her stories to life.
Be Still My Soul
is her first novel.
