Though My Heart Is Torn: The Cadence of Grace, Book 2 by Joanne Bischof Page B

like you have bigger problems to worry about.”
    You think so?
Her anger bubbled, nearly sending the words to her tongue.
    The reverend motioned toward the wagon.
    “Just give us a moment,” Gideon said.
    With a curt nod, Reverend Gardner strode toward his wagon.
    They stood there alone. Lonnie watched Gideon’s chest slowly rise and fall beneath his white shirt. She couldn’t bring her eyes to his face.
    “How could you do this?” she whispered.
    His hand found hers.
    She pulled it away.
    As if moved by an urgency, he held the back of her head, pulling her to his chest. Lonnie could hold back the tears no longer. She clutched his shirt in her hands. Wanting to shake him. Wanting to hold on and never let go. Her Gideon. He kissed her hair, lingering, and her shoulders shook with sobs. She slid free. She couldn’t be that close to him.
    Something had broken inside her, and she didn’t know if it would ever be repaired.
    How would she wait until evening? She wrapped her arms around herself, digging her fingers into whatever flesh they found. Her knees threatened to buckle. Run away. Like a caged bird, the possibility had flitted about her mind all morning. But it was no solution. Gideon cupped her elbow, and she stepped away, lest she forget that he hadn’t truly changed. At least not enough.

Lonnie hopped down from the wagon and strode off. Gideon called her name. She quickened her pace to a run. Her boots squished in the slick mud, but she managed to keep from falling. He caught her wrist, slowing her gently. She struck his arm and yanked free.
    “Lonnie.” He ran in front of her, halting her steps.
    She shoved against his shoulders, not caring when he grunted in pain.
    “Lonnie, please.” He held his hands aloft, making no move to stop her.
    She searched defeated eyes. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”
    He tugged off his hat. Ruddy hair stood out in all directions. “I don’t expect you to forgive me.”
    She made an incredulous sound.
    “I should have told you. I thought it was all settled; I thought there was no reason to bring it up. Lonnie, I—”
    “No reason to bring it up?” Her jaw went slack. “No reason to bring it up? How about the fact that I was your wife? Is that not reason enough to tell me that you were married?”
    He palmed the back of his head, fingers digging into his skin. “I was wrong. So wrong. If I could do it all over—”
    “Gideon, don’t you know what’s happening?” Her voice cracked. “They’re going to take you away from me.” She let out an infuriated groan and crouched down, fists pressed to her eyes. What was she saying? Why oh why did she have to love Gideon O’Riley?
    “No, don’t say that.” His voice shook, drawing her eyes to his face. “Please.” The last word came out broken.
    Slowly, she stood. “Why? Because you love me?”
    “Yes.” He gripped her arms, lowering his face until they were eye level. “With everything that’s in me.”
    She pulled from his grasp. “Then tell me. Exactly what happened.”
    As if her words had punched his chest, his chin tipped back. “You don’t want to—”
    “Tell. Me.”
    Their gazes locked and held. She refused to glance away. The breeze swirled her hair, and she clutched it away from her face. He ran a hand over his unshaven jaw.
    He took a deep sigh. Then another, his eyes on the ground. Remembering. “I was so stupid … I’ve known Cassie since I was a kid. Her brother and I were best friends.”
    Lonnie stepped closer, so soft was his voice.
    Ever so slowly, Gideon shook his head from side to side. “I … I …”
    Lonnie rolled her eyes. “You liked her. Just spit it out.”
    Clearing his throat, he blinked rapidly, his eyes finding hers. “I did. We started spending a lot of time together. First it was all just fun. Then it just … changed.” He cleared his throat as if the truth tasted bitter. He shifted his feet, then straightened his shoulders. His resolve.