The Joy of the Morning: A serialized historical Christian romance. (Sonnets of the Spice Isle Book 6)

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The Joy of the Morning: A serialized historical Christian romance. (Sonnets of the Spice Isle Book 6) Page 13

by Lynnette Bonner


  Jason jumped from the saddle even before the steed came to a stop. Stumbling across the yard, he glared at Sky. “You thieving low-life scum!” He swore. “You can’t have her! I don’t care what I said. I don’t care how much you paid for her. You can’t have her; she’s mine!” His chest heaved, and his balled-up fists shook at his sides as he glowered at Sky.

  Sky merely raised one eyebrow and smiled. “Good morning, Jason. Not having a bad day, I hope?” He’d been expecting something like this. “Can I get you a cup of coffee?”

  “You’re a cheating scoundrel!” Jason’s tone was disgruntled as he started toward Sky again, but some of his anger seemed to have dissipated.

  Raising one hand palm outward, Sky spoke as his cousin stopped. “Maybe I should read you something.” He pulled one of the notes penned the night before out of his pocket. Unfolding it carefully, he began to read,

  “I, Jason Jordan, do solemnly swear that the following statement is true and correct. On the night of August the 2nd, 1885, I sold to my cousin, Skyler Jordan, all rights to do as he sees fit with my betrothed, a mail- order bride due to arrive at Greer’s Ferry on August the 3rd, 1885. The sum thereof being the amount of $500.”

  Sky folded the letter, tucking it back into his pocket. “It’s signed by you and witnessed by Jed. There is nothing you can do about it. And,” he added meaningfully, “Jed has a copy in his safe.” His tone softened at the dejected slump of Jason’s shoulders. “Sorry, Jace. I couldn’t let you marry her.”

  Jason stared off into the trees. “You’ve always been better than me, haven’t you, Sky?”

  “Jason.” Sky sighed. “I just believe that what we were taught when we were growing up is true. Somewhere down in your heart you have to know that the way you are living is wrong. I can’t believe you could throw all Grandma Jordan’s teaching to the wind.”

  Jason stared at the ground, rubbing the back of his neck. All the fight seemed to have drained out of him.

  “I know you’re miserable, Jace. I can see it in your eyes, especially at times like this. You can’t go on living like you are. You know too much of the Word.”

  Jason scuffed an arc in the dust with the toe of his boot. Then he huffed, “Gram. She always made us memorize Scripture.”

  Sky grinned and leaned his shoulder into a post. “You always knew the verses better than me and got the first warm cookie from the oven.”

  An imperceptible smile softened Jason’s lips. “You heard from her lately?” Sky nodded, knowing how much Jason loved Grandma Jordan. She had raised him after his parents died.

  Jason had always been one of Grandma Jordan’s favorites growing up. It had hurt her to no end when Jason had turned his back on God. Though it pained her not to write him, she had decided that would be best. She wrote to Sky every month but had asked him not to share with her about Jason unless it was good news.

  “Gram is doing fine. She writes that she prays for you constantly. And that Marquis is doing well, although she misses you.” Sky watched him carefully. Were those tears in his eyes?

  Jason quickly turned away. “I won’t fight you about the girl. She’s probably gonna be more trouble than she’s worth anyway.” He started to turn toward his lathered horse.

  “Jason?”

  Jason paused and looked back over his shoulder.

  “Want some coffee?”

  Turning, Jason considered him for a beat, as if judging whether the offer was genuine. Then he shrugged. “Sure.”

  Sky had ridden away an hour later, leaving Jason sitting at his table reading all of his letters from Grandma Jordan.

  Now as he finished saddling his stallion, he prayed this would be a turning point in the life of Jason Jordan. Adding a prayer for his new wife, he headed back toward the cabin to see if she was ready.

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