Page 37 of Montana Groom of Convenience
Carly laughed softly. “You’re awfully smart. Yes, ofcourse, I should think of God, and I do. It’s comforting to know my mother is with Him in heaven.”
Jill switched to her back, her face shadowed so Carly couldn’t read her expression. Though, there might not have been anything to see, as the child was as good as Sawyer at hiding her feelings. “You think you’ll see your mama again?”
“Yes, I’ll see her in heaven.”
“Not me.” She flipped to her side again, allowing Carly to see nothing but her back.
Carly went to the side of the bed, holding the lamp so she could see Jill’s face. “Why do you think that?” But Jill buried her face in her pillow.
“Because I’m bad. Bad girls don’t go to heaven.” Her voice was muffled, perhaps explaining the heavy tone. Though, Carly wasn’t convinced.
“Who said you were a bad girl?”
Jill turned and stared at Carly, her eyes narrowed and her mouth tight. “People.”
“What people?”
No answer.
“Sawyer?”
Jill shook her head.
Carly knew an unexpected and shuddering relief to hear that Sawyer had not condemned the girl. “I know it wasn’t your mama and papa.” She thought of all the child had been through. According to Sawyer, Jill had been moved from home to home. Was it because she’d acted out? If someone had spoken such unkind words, Carly could understand why Jill would see no reason for being good. “I’m guessing it was some of the people who took you in.” She perched on the side of Jill’s bed,paying no mind when the child scooted as far away as possible.
“Jill, honey, those people were wrong. They didn’t understand what it’s like to lose both your mama and papa and feel alone and scared.”
“I wasn’t scared.” The words were spoken bravely but, Carly knew them to be untrue.
“Sometimes, when we’re hurting and afraid, we don’t know how to act. We might even say and do unkind things. But listen to me. That doesn’t mean we are bad people. And when we do bad things, all we need to do is confess them to Jesus. Let me read you a verse my mother taught me when I was about your age.”
She still held her Bible and opened it to First John chapter one, verse nine. “‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ That means because God always keeps His word and is fair, He forgives our sins. Don’t you think what God says is more to be believed than what some people say?”
She longed to hug and kiss the child, but Jill wasn’t ready to accept such gestures. “You think about it. Good night now. If you need anything, don’t be afraid to call.”
The next morning,she glanced at Jill, sleeping soundly and so sweet and innocent-looking. Poor child. She’d lost so much.
Carly hurried from the room. She wanted to check on the cows this morning.
Sawyer came from his room, stretching and yawning as Carly prepared a bountiful breakfast.
“I trust you slept well.” She was determined to be kind and polite from the beginning of each day to its end.
“Great. How about you?”
“Good.”
“Jill?”
“Once she fell asleep, she didn’t stir.” She held up a hand to stop his protest. “Don’t worry. She’s fine. I shook her once to check on her, and she protested loudly at being wakened.” She’d like to discuss with him what Jill had said. Perhaps tonight after Jill was in bed.
Jill came from the bedroom, rubbing sleep from her eyes as Father joined them in the kitchen.
“Good morning to ye all,” he said in his customary boisterous morning call.
Jill blinked and looked ready to flee.
“Father, you’re frightening the child.”
