Shining Water 01 - The Icecutter's Daughter (30 page)
“Once we’re married, they won’t be able to undo it,” Tavin tried again. “We can show them that we still intend to see to their well-being. I want your parents to be assured that they would have care in their old age.”
Emmalyne shook her head miserably. “Father says that marriage divides the heart and mind. He doesn’t think a woman can be both answerable to her husband and to her parents. He believes the tradition—”
“Curse the tradition,” Tavin spat out. “It’s ridiculous to put such a demand on someone’s offspring. Your parents are being totally unreasonable in their expectations.”
“But they’re still my parents, Tavin.” Tears were filling her eyes, and she blinked them away. “We both believe in the one
God and that the Bible is His Holy Word. The Bible says that I am to honor my mother and father, that my days may be long. Don’t ask me to defy the Word of God.”
“I’m not asking you to defy God. I just don’t want to you to throw away our happiness together. The Bible also talks about a man and woman leaving their parents and cleaving to one another.”
“Tavin, don’t you see? We could never be happy . . . not with my father’s curse upon us, and that’s what it would be. He would never forgive me.”
Tavin’s expression changed from one of loving desperation to an expression Emmalyne had never seen in him before. “And that’s your final word? You choose to worry more about your father’s forgiveness than my love?” His implied accusation made her stomach clench.
“I choose to honor God, Tavin, as best I know how,” she finally said, “and do as He would have me do.”
“Right. So that ‘your days may be long.’ Well, have it your way. Your days will be long . . . and no doubt very lonely.” He stormed out without another word.
Emmalyne felt a single tear trickle down her cheek.
So that’s the way it is to be
, she mourned, pulling her knees up and leaning her head on them while the new flood of grief escaped.
Her father’s anger, God’s judgment . . . or her beloved’s wrath and deep disappointment.
Somewhere in the midst of it all were the shattered remains of her heart.
Tracie Peterson
is the author of more than ninety novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling H
EIRS
OF
M
ONTANA
and S
TRIKING
A
M
ATCH
series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.
Visit Tracie’s Web site at
www.traciepeterson.com
.
House of Secrets
A Slender Thread
Where My Heart Belongs
L
AND
OF
THE
L
ONE
S
TAR
Chasing the Sun
Touching the Sky
Taming the Wind
B
RIDAL
V
EIL
I
SLAND
*
To Have and To Hold
To Love and Cherish
To Honor and Trust
S
ONG
OF
A
LASKA
Dawn’s Prelude
Morning’s Refrain
Twilight’s Serenade
S
TRIKING
A
M
ATCH
Embers of Love
Hearts Aglow
Hope Rekindled
A
LASKAN
Q
UEST
Summer of the Midnight Sun
Under the Northern Lights
Whispers of Winter
Alaskan Quest (3 in 1)
B
RIDES
OF
G
ALLATIN
C
OUNTY
A Promise to Believe In
A Love to Last Forever
A Dream to Call My Own
T
HE
B
ROADMOOR
L
EGACY
*
A Daughter’s Inheritance
An Unexpected Love
A Surrendered Heart
B
ELLS
OF
L
OWELL
*
Daughter of the Loom
A Fragile Design
These Tangled Threads
L
IGHTS
OF
L
OWELL
*
A Tapestry of Hope
A Love Woven True
The Pattern of Her Heart
D
ESERT
R
OSES
Shadows of the Canyon
Across the Years
Beneath a Harvest Sky
H
EIRS
OF
M
ONTANA
Land of My Heart
The Coming Storm
To Dream Anew
The Hope Within
L
ADIES
OF
L
IBERTY
A Lady of High Regard
A Lady of Hidden Intent
A Lady of Secret Devotion
R
IBBONS
OF
S
TEEL
**
Distant Dreams
A Hope Beyond
A Promise for Tomorrow
R
IBBONS
W
EST
**
Westward the Dream
Separate Roads
Ties That Bind
W
ESTWARD
C
HRONICLES
A Shelter of Hope
Hidden in a Whisper
A Veiled Reflection
Y
UKON
Q
UEST
Treasures of the North
Ashes and Ice
Rivers of Gold
* with Judith Miller ** with Judith Pella
