The Sun Must Rise {Excerpt}

So this- is my fairy tale. Well, not the whole thing. Just a bit. I wrote it (well, the rough structure anyway) a long time ago, and recently I went back to it. My siblings can't stand the hero (he's rather moody, apparently) and they like the bad guy (how could they??- I gotta find some new critics here!). Remember this is an excerpt, so if you're confused...don't worry. (Not that you would worry anyway..) And, I'm sorry about the parentheses. My dad once said they're like speed-bumps. So I apologize for those. Also for rambling. Ahem.

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          Abigail sat up in bed, breathing hard. Another dream. Did they ever end? Tears were sliding down her cheeks. She used her finger to brush away the tears, and whispered, “Nathan.” Sobs tore out of her, and then descended into the numbness that was becoming familiar to her.

She stood to her feet, a little shaky.

The day was just dawning as she stepped carefully outside. To her left was clear space, grass waving out miles and miles. Freedom. She wished it would transfer to her heart. A breeze was blowing softly, picking up the ends of her dress and whipping her hair gently against her face. Inhale. Exhale. One step after the other. The chapel. Over the hill, among the trees, lay a steepled church, small but grand. Her feet carried her there unconsciously, and she stood in the doorway. It was so peaceful here. The trees outside gently brushed the building. Abigail found herself in the front, sitting carefully on the wooden pew. A prayer slipped out her mouth and found its way to her heart.

“It's been so long. I'm sorry. Give me strength for the time ahead of me. Grant me the joy and peace that I used to experience..when..when Nathan was alive and I trusted You. I...”

Abigail found herself smiling faintly. When had she become so focused on her circumstances that she had forgotten to look beyond that?

“God,” she breathed, “Give me Your strength.”

Freedom entered her heart.

~ ~ ~

“Fancy finding you here.” Abigail turned quickly.

“Oh...Jeremiah!” He walked from the doorway and stood next to the pew.

“Were you crying?” His voice was comisserating and gentle.

“A little.” Her tone indicated her unwillingness to share her feelings. Jeremiah intercepted the tone and motioned toward the door. She stood up gracefully, and walked with him outside. The sun was peeping above the east mountains.

“Quaint little place, this church.” Jeremiah's voice broke the silence.

“Mmm.” Abigail broke her gaze at the view to turn her head toward him. His glance penetrated into her eyes, and she looked away quickly. Jeremiah seemed pleased at the result he had on her. He wondered what she would do if he reached for her hand. Better not risk it. She seemed a little over-principled, unfortunately. Instead he placed his hand under her elbow, and raised his eyebrows toward the castle shining in the pale morning. Abigail nodded, smiling softly. She would go through this if it killed her.