Читать книгу The Lawman's Honor - Линда Гуднайт, Линда Гуднайт - Страница 11

Prologue

She was probably crazy for doing this. As a local, she should know better. Climbing Whisper Falls to pray was a rumor, a myth, a publicity stunt. But for reasons she couldn’t explain or deny, Cassie Blackwell felt the need to do it anyway. Her sister-in-law had prayed here and look how well that had turned out.

Sticking one boot against the wall of slippery rocks, Cassie started the ascent. Whisper Falls sprayed water against the side of her face as it tumbled to the pool below. Spring was here and with it the Blackberry River rushing wildly to embrace the sea like a long lost love.

Feeling self-conscious, Cassie glanced below—and promptly wished she hadn’t. Her stomach rose into her throat, shortening her breath. The top was a long way from the bottom, the roar of the falls a deafening threat to safety.

With a firm admonishment not to look down again, she turned her gaze to the cliff top. No one else was here in the remote wooded area. Thank goodness. No one would ever know the ridiculous thing she’d done. Clinging now to the dampness, digging in with her fingers and toes, she clambered up and, with heart banging against her rib cage, Cassie catapulted onto the narrow ledge behind the cascade of magnificent white foam.

The inner sanctum behind the falls was stunningly quiet. She took a minute to catch her breath and soak up the atmosphere. It was beautiful, peaceful and private as though the world below was another universe.

“Will Heaven be like this, Lord?” she asked, awed, for she knew in that moment what others before her had discovered. God was here. Oh, sure, she believed He was everywhere, but something about this place seemed spiritual.

So she lifted her face to the astounding sight above her and prayed.

“Father God, it’s me, Cassie. Since the funeral, I’ve been numb, like I’m frozen inside. I don’t know how to fix it. I don’t know how to make the emptiness go away. I want to feel again.”

There was a certain fear in admitting such a thing. It was as if she was throwing away what she and Darrell had shared. But she would never do that. And yet, she wanted something. No, she needed something. The problem? She didn’t know what that something was. But with all her heart, she prayed that God would know and answer.