Chapter Fifteen #2
Edith’s eyes flickered with a hint of surprise. She had never heard scripture spoken like that before, so full of certainty. She wanted to believe it, to believe that there was more to her life than what she had known. But doubt still lingered, like a shadow she couldn’t shake.
“Sometimes,” she began, her voice faltering, “I feel like I don’t deserve that. A future. Hope. After everything…” She trailed off, the weight of her past hanging between them.
Pastor Lucas leaned forward slightly, his expression filled with compassion. “You’re not alone in feeling that way, Edith. Many of us have felt unworthy at some point in our lives. But the truth is, God’s grace is for everyone. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Edith looked down at her hands, feeling the familiar ache of shame settle in her chest. “I wouldn’t know where to start,” she whispered. “I don’t know much about the Bible, and I’m not sure I’d belong there... with everyone else.”
Pastor Lucas shook his head gently. “You belong, Edith. Church isn’t for people who have it all together.
It’s for people seeking hope, seeking God’s love—people like you, people like me.
” He paused, his tone soft but firm. “And you already know more about God than you think. You’ve held onto the idea that He’s looking out for you. That’s faith, even if it’s small.”
She swallowed hard, trying to take in his words. Could it really be that simple? Could she walk through the church doors without feeling like an outsider, like she didn’t belong? The thought stirred something deep within her, but it was still tangled with hesitation, fear of what she didn’t know.
“I’ll think about it,” Edith said quietly, finally lifting her eyes to meet Pastor Lucas’s. “But… thank you.”
The pastor smiled warmly, his eyes filled with understanding. “That’s all I ask. God will meet you where you are, Edith. He always does.”
When Pastor Lucas finally stood to leave, he placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch light and full of warmth, surprising Edith with how reassuring and comforting the gesture felt. “I’ll be praying for you, Edith. And I hope to see you soon, whether at church or here.”
***
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the cabin, Edith stood by the stove, stirring the pot of stew she had prepared for dinner.
The sound of footsteps approaching broke the quiet evening, and she glanced toward the door in surprise just as Daniel pushed it open, stepping inside with the weight of the day on his shoulders. He dusted off his coat and boots before closing the door behind him.
“You’re back,” she said, offering him a small smile. “I wasn’t expecting you today, but dinner’s ready.”
Daniel gave a nod, his expression softening as he caught the scent of the meal. “Smells good,” he replied, a trace of warmth in his voice.
They sat down together at the small table, the mason jar of wildflowers still resting in the center, adding a touch of brightness to the room.
Edith served the stew into two bowls and handed one to Daniel before sitting down across from him.
They ate in comfortable silence at first, the rhythm of their spoons scraping the bowls filling the quiet space.
After a few moments, Edith cleared her throat, her heart racing slightly. She had been thinking about this conversation for days, ever since Daniel had bought her new dresses and given her a sense of dignity she had never felt before.
“I wanted to thank you,” she began, her voice quiet but steady. “For the dresses. And for everything, really. I want to repay you, somehow.”
Daniel looked up, his brow furrowed in confusion. “You don’t owe me anything, Edith. I told you before, you don’t have to repay me.”
“I know,” she said quickly, her hands twisting in her lap. “But I want to. I feel so much better now, and I don’t want to just sit here and be a burden. I want to contribute, to pull my weight.”
Daniel frowned slightly, setting his spoon down. “You’ve been doing plenty. The cabin’s never looked better, and you’ve kept me fed.”
Edith shook her head, her voice more insistent now. “That’s not enough. You’ve done so much for me, and I want to do more than just cook and clean. I want to learn how to survive out here—how to gather food, how to hunt.”
Daniel’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, and he leaned back in his chair, regarding her with alarmed curiosity. “Hunt?”
“Yes,” she said firmly, her eyes meeting his. “I don’t want to rely on anyone. I’ve been dependent on people my whole life—first my father, now you. But I want to change that. I need to know I can take care of myself if I have to.”
Daniel hesitated, his face shadowed with doubt. “Edith, you’ve been through a lot. You’re still recovering. Hunting isn’t easy work—it’s dangerous, and it takes a lot of strength.”
“I’m getting stronger every day,” she countered, her voice unwavering. “I can feel it. And I don’t want to live my life in fear anymore, depending on someone else to protect me. I want to learn. Please, Daniel, teach me.”
He studied her for a long moment, his jaw tight with thought.
“You don’t have to prove anything to me,” he said finally, his voice soft. “I know you’re strong, Edith. But this... it’s different. There are dangers out there you’re not used to.”
“I’m not asking you to make it easy for me,” she replied. “I know it’s hard. But I have to learn. I can’t stay here forever, relying on you to take care of me. I want to be able to stand on my own two feet.”
He considered her for a moment.
“I’ve never hunted,” Edith added in his silence, her voice softening. “I’ve never even been allowed to leave my father’s land without permission. But out here, I feel like I finally have a chance to learn. I don’t want to waste it.”
Daniel sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
“All right,” he said at last, his voice resigned. “I’ll teach you. But we’ll start slow—gathering, tracking. Hunting is more than just shooting an animal, Edith. It’s about patience, awareness, and respecting the land.”
Edith’s eyes lit up with gratitude, a smile spreading across her face. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I can’t wait to learn.”