Chapter Fifteen
Over the next few days, Edith started to feel more at home in the small cabin.
The walls no longer felt like they were closing in on her, and the constant knot of fear in her chest had loosened bit by bit.
She found herself breathing easier, sleeping better, and even managing a small smile here and there when Daniel wasn’t looking.
At first, she had been uneasy, sleeping in the same room as a strange man.
She continued to sleep on the cot while he slept on a bedroll near the fire.
But over the days and weeks, she had grown accustomed to hearing his breathing during the night.
Knowing he was there made her feel safe.
She felt more rested every morning than she ever remembered being.
It wasn’t just the safety of the cabin or the quiet helping her heal—it was the food.
Edith had never realized how starved her body had been until now.
The meals Daniel provided were simple but plentiful, and for the first time in years, she had more than enough to eat.
At first, she had been cautious, not used to having so much food at her disposal.
But as the days went on, she found herself eagerly anticipating each meal, her appetite growing stronger with each passing day.
The constant exhaustion and weakness that had plagued her for so long seemed to fade away, and she began to notice small changes in herself—things she had never thought possible.
Her once-pale skin had started to take on a healthier glow, and when she looked in the small mirror in the cabin, she was surprised to see a faint blush in her cheeks she had never seen before.
Her hair looked shinier, less limp. Even more surprising was the fact that her new dress was beginning to fit better.
She had gained weight, and the extra fullness in her arms and legs made her feel stronger—more alive.
Edith couldn’t remember ever feeling this good in her life.
As she stood in front of the mirror one morning, she wondered… could it be possible that she might be… pretty?
Now that she was eating properly, everything had changed. She could think more clearly, move with more ease, and for the first time ever, she had energy.
The cabin was finally clean. After days of working through her exhaustion and fighting back the remnants of illness, she had scrubbed the floors, polished the surfaces, and even cleared away the cobwebs that had settled in the corners. The cabin felt fresh, almost new.
In the center of the small wooden table sat a mason jar filled with wildflowers she had picked that morning.
The bright yellows and purples brought a touch of color and life to the room, reminding her that beauty could thrive even in the simplest of places.
She stepped back, admiring her work, and allowed herself a brief smile.
Daniel had been gone for three days, out trapping again, and while his absence had initially unsettled her, she had begun to feel more comfortable.
She took time to explore, to get to know the land around the cabin in a way she never had before.
She wandered the nearby woods, careful not to stray too far, her senses attuned to every rustling leaf and every distant bird call.
She had spent so much of her life afraid of the world outside her door.
However, she missed Daniel for more than the safety he provided; she missed his company.
She was working to prepare a simple meal when suddenly, there was a noise outside—a shuffling of feet, the distinct sound of someone approaching.
Edith froze, her heart racing. She hadn’t expected anyone.
Daniel wasn’t due back for at least another day, and the thought of someone else out here, so far from town, sent a surge of fear through her.
A second later, there was a knock on the door, and without thinking, Edith’s hand flew to the kitchen knife lying on the counter.
Her fingers curled around the handle, her breath coming in shallow gasps as panic gripped her.
She stepped forward, clutching the knife tightly, her body tense as she stared at the door.
“Who’s there?” she called out, her voice trembling but firm enough to carry through the small cabin.
A man’s voice replied, calm and steady. “It’s Pastor Lucas, miss. I mean no harm.”
Edith’s grip on the knife tightened, her mind racing as she tried to place the name.
“I don’t know you,” she said, her voice still edged with panic. “Go away!”
There was a pause, and then the man spoke again, his voice patient. “We met some time ago, Miss Edith. You were just a young girl then. I came to the cabin when I was searching for a missing woman.”
The memory hit her like a bolt of lightning. She remembered now—Pastor Lucas had been the one to give her the Bible.
She lowered the knife slightly but kept it within reach, her heart still pounding in her chest. Slowly, she moved toward the door and cracked it open just enough to peer outside.
There stood a tall, older man, his face lined with age but softened by a gentle expression. His weathered features were framed by thinning gray hair, and he wore a simple dark coat, dusted from the road.
“Pastor Lucas?” she whispered, uncertainty still lacing her voice.
He nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “That’s right, Miss Edith. It’s good to see you again.”
For a moment, she didn’t know what to do. The knife still felt heavy in her hand, the instinct to protect herself warring with the recognition that this man meant her no harm. She hesitated, then slowly opened the door a bit wider, letting him see that she was still guarded.
“I remember you,” she said cautiously.
“I’m sorry to show up unannounced,” Pastor Lucas said gently, his voice breaking through her thoughts. “But I was in town and heard about what happened with your father. I wanted to check on you.”
Her grip on the knife relaxed, and she took a step back, gesturing for him to come inside. “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to overreact. I just wasn’t expecting anyone.”
He smiled kindly as he stepped into the cabin, his eyes scanning the room, noting the cleanliness and the flowers on the table. “No need to apologize, child. You’ve every right to be cautious.”
Edith hesitated for a moment, then slowly set the knife down on the kitchen counter.
The tension in her body eased as she turned back to Pastor Lucas, the memories of her younger years rushing through her mind.
She had been so lost, so desperate for something—anything—that offered hope.
He had been the one to give her that Bible, the one thing that had brought her solace in the darkest times.
“You gave me the Bible,” she said quietly, her eyes softening as she looked at him. It wasn’t a question but a statement, as though speaking the truth aloud connected her to that moment again.
Pastor Lucas smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “I did. I remember the day well. I thought that maybe, just maybe, the Word could be a comfort for you.”
The memory of that day was vivid—the way he had handed her the small, well-worn book with a tenderness she hadn’t known. She had clung to it ever since, and even now, with it lost to her, the memory of what it represented still held power over her.
She stepped aside, offering him a seat at the small wooden table. “Please, come in. I—thank you for coming.”
Pastor Lucas nodded gratefully and sat down, his posture relaxed as he looked around the modest cabin. “This is a good place, Edith. It’s quiet, peaceful. I can see Daniel has been taking care of you.”
Edith perked up at the mention of Daniel’s name. “You’re friends with him?”
Lucas nodded. “We’ve had our talks over the years. He’s come to me during some rough times, seeking counsel. Daniel’s had his share of burdens, but he’s always tried to do what’s right, even when the world around him seemed to fall apart.”
A wave of curiosity rose within her. She had sensed that Daniel carried his own troubles, though he never spoke of them.
The idea that he had turned to Pastor Lucas for guidance brought her some comfort.
It made her feel as though Daniel wasn’t as alone as he seemed, that he had someone who cared for him, too.
“Daniel really has been taking good care of me. I-I don’t know what I would’ve done without him. He’s been kind.”
The pastor smiled warmly. “That doesn’t surprise me. Daniel’s a good man. I’ve known him for some time now, though he doesn’t always come to church. He prefers the solitude of the wilderness, but his heart is in the right place.”
“I wanted to see you again, Edith,” Pastor Lucas continued, his tone gentle. “I heard about what happened, and I’ve been praying for you ever since. I also wanted to invite you to church—if you’re feeling up to it. We’d love to have you.”
Edith’s breath caught in her throat. Church. She had always wondered what it would be like. Her father never took her, never allowed her to go on her own. Even if he had, she likely would not have wanted to come in her threadbare clothes and ignorance.
“I… I don’t know,” she whispered, her voice uncertain.
Pastor Lucas smiled kindly, his eyes full of understanding. “I know. But the door is always open, Edith. Have you heard much about God, Edith?”
“Just bits and pieces,” she told him softly. “The idea that He might have a plan for me, be looking out for me… that’s a thought I’ve held onto.”
Pastor Lucas nodded thoughtfully, his gaze steady and kind.
“He does have a plan for you, Edith. A plan to give you hope, a future. It says so in His Word.” He paused for a moment, his voice softening.
“Jeremiah 29:11—‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”