Read Be Still My Soul: The Cadence of Grace, Book 1 for Free Online Page A

his chest, his eyes pained. An untouched cup of coffee sat beside him. He glanced up, and his green eyes flashed with anger.
Good
. She hoped her pa had scared him out of his wits. The men fell quiet. Aware of how close she was to Gideon, Lonnie slid forward, closing the door with a soft
thud
.
    Bill rose from his seat and nodded politely. Her pa didn’t move. Lonnie felt Gideon watching her, and she wished she could escape his gaze.
    When she didn’t speak, her pa cleared his throat.
    Lonnie moistened her lips. “Afternoon, Mr. O’Riley.” She nodded and tucked her hands behind her back. “Gideon.” His name tasted bitter on her tongue. She locked her fingers together to keep them from shaking.
    “Afternoon.” Bill tugged at an invisible hat. When silence fell, he darted a glare at his oldest son.
    Gideon wiped his palms on his pants. A crooked necktie bounced against his chest. “Good to see you, Lonnie.” He didn’t look up.
    Still standing near the door, she searched for a reason to head back outside. Anything to flee this crowded room and leave the men to go about their business. There was no need for her to remain.
    “Have a seat, Lonnie.” Her pa’s voice was rigid.
    She knew that tone. More sober than he’d been in a month, his eyes were clear, his speech smooth. Had her pa brought Gideon to scold him? Judging by the beads of sweat on Gideon’s brow, she guessed he already had. Before Lonnie could savor the notion, thunder crashed in the distance and she jumped. Her cheeks warmed when she was the only one startled.
    Knowing she best obey her pa, Lonnie sat and faced the men in their chairs. She crossed her ankles tightly and rested her hands in her lap.
    Her pa spoke. “Oliver, go help Sid with the chores.”
    “Yessir.” Oliver placed his hat on his head and left quickly, nearly tripping over his feet as he did.
    Lonnie watched her brother, heart aching to see him disappear behind the rough-hewn door. When silence lingered, she stared at the window. Rain misted against the glass.
    Finally, her pa rose. “Now, Bill, like I told you before, Lonnie is my sweet girl and I hate the thought of losing her.”
    Lonnie stared at him in disbelief.
    “As you well know”—his dry palms swished together—“I aim to keep my daughter’s honor intact.” His hands continued circling, like a bidder pondering his auction price. “And I’m ready to strike this deal if you are.”
    Deal?
    Leaning forward, Gideon cleared his throat and busied himself with his necktie. Judging by the fierce set of his jaw, Lonnie was glad she could not read his thoughts.
    “What deal?” she asked.
    Her pa gave her a cool smile. “Like we talked about earlier,
dear
.”
    Dear?
Lonnie stared at him. “Pa, I don’t—”
    “Do I have to spell it out for you, girl?” He laughed and looked at the others, obviously waiting for them to join him. Bill offered a half smile. Lonnie’s cheeks burned.
    “Let’s not be shy, Lonnie,” he continued, his calm demeanor fading. “We have already discussed the, uh, events that happened. There’s nothin’ to hide now.”
    Lonnie stood and forced the words out slowly. “Nothing happened.” Despite her determination, her voice wavered.
    Her pa’s eyes dimmed, and she stepped back. “I saw this boy all over you. And you,” he spat, “lettin’ him like you was nothin’ better than trash.”
    Lonnie turned to Gideon. Sweat glistened along his brow.
    “You tell them exactly what happened, Gideon O’Riley.”
    When Gideon finally looked up at her, the regret in his eyes nearly strangled her. “I tried.” His voice came out thin, and his eyes flicked to the shotgun hanging over the door. “Your pa’s convinced—”
    “Shut your mouth, boy.” Joel followed Gideon’s gaze to the gun, the hardness in his expression clear.
    Although her heart stampeded in her chest, her head suddenly felt light. Lonnie blinked, trying to keep the room in focus.
    Her pa raised his hand—a