Turning aside so they weren't aware that she was ears dropping on their conversation, thinking, 'All Pappie wants is some great-grandchildren but what was mom's talking about a price?
The method he is using to push them in that direction, allowing them to believe that the first one to gives an heir will own the plantation is not the answer.'
Feeling the hot tears running down her face, 'This is the reason Rufus did this madness, Pappie has pushed him beyond the extreme.
And because of his loves for this Island and his people he was unable to control his emotions ignoring her request.'
Recalling his words when he overpowers her, his cry of desperation, and the many times he has said how sorry he. I can see now, he was left with no choice in the matter, but I still hate him for desecrating my body.'
Wiping the tears away, 'We are both suffering now without an answer to our problem.'
Taking in their dinner only to find them both asleep in each other arms. Admiring them after resting the tray down.
'Their love for each other had kept them together; I on the other hand, may never experience such love in my entire lifetime.'
Walking out the room more broken, before entering the kitchen, memories of Kyle flooded back in a rush, bringing a fresh flow of tears.
Unable to eat, Courtney cover her dinner and headed towards the beach for a stroll, allowing the tears to flow freely. The brokenness seems to make her frail, causing her to sit near the wall.
Resting her head against the wall, Courtney closes her eyes, crying out to the Lord in her desperation, "Why did you allow this to happen to me Lord?
I have walked faithfully before you, Kyle and I had already planned out our lives. Right now I don't have the faintest idea where I am, and how to get home.
Lord, you alone know what has happened and how defiled my body is, so I don't expect you to answer my prayer, and I cannot return home a scorched woman.
I cannot face my mom, right now I am caught between a rock and a hard place. I don't have faith like Moses to part the red sea or the river Jordan and walk across.
I am so lost, my faith is gone, I am tired and don't know what to do any longer."
Allowing the tears to continue, the time just drifts by, with her eyes close, she was hoping the pain and brokenness will just disappear.
****
Taking the tray into the kitchen, Naomi notices the towel covering something, removing the covers only to realize then that the child hasn't eaten anything.
Checking her room, "Dear God, where has she gone and it is already dark."
Hearing the water rumbling as the waves sound angry, looking across the ocean, afraid if the child has gone to the beach for a walk, knowing how the tide rises quickly.
Returning to her room, mom shaking Pappie, "Pappie wake up, the child is not in her room and she hasn't eaten either." Watching him limping, but the fear of what may occur, if there's any delaying.
Hearing him saying, "I will get Rawlins and Rufus, they will be able to move around more quickly."
"Do fast Pappie, the tide is rising quickly and I sense danger?"
Continuing her searching after Pappie left with the van, "Where are you, child? Lord Jesus, I ask you to keep the child safe, under your precious blood,
Lord let your blood be a fence and shield that surrounds her, I ask this in Jesus name, amen."
Feeling this fear in her heart, as it builds up, Ma was happy to see the two vehicles coming, "Pappie had done well, noticing Rufus only get off his van, rushing towards the shoreline as Rawlings continue driving. Calling after Rufus to hurry, "Don't cry Ma, I will find her."
Feeling his inside running hot and cold, unable to think seeing how Pappie was sweating and hearing the fear in his voice when he called out to us.
'I never heard him drive the van at such speed, I sense the danger but Ma had every reason to fear seeing the water was rising at a fast passé.'
Almost falling down the steps, "Oh Lord where is she, help me to find her, the water will be reaching the wall within a few minutes." Calling out to her, reaching the sand only to glimpsing her leaning against the wall. Rushing to her lifting her in his arms then hurried up the steps.
Looking at the water seeing the rage then it splashes on the last two steps, thinking, 'If she was sleeping there what would have happened these few seconds?'
Unable to believe how quickly the water subsided, kissing her forehead, only to realize that she was crying.
Taking her into her room, placing her on the bed then close the door behind him, "Grandmother, she is okay, she had just walk down the steps and sat near the wall and had fallen asleep."
"Thank God, now take Pappie van and find your father, and let him know that you found her."
Returning, Rufus went into the kitchen, "Grandmother, whose food is this covered?" "It's the child dinner, but you can take and leave some for her, just-in-case she wakes up and looks for it."
Cutting the piece of pot bake in half then did the same with the pumpkin, spreading it in the bake, making a sandwich. Then took a glass of juice.
"Grandmother, what have you put in this pumpkin, it tastes really good."
"Sorry son, I cannot say; when I woke up the child had already prepared our dinner and leave it for us."
Rawlins look at him when he said "Ma, you mean Courtney cook this pumpkin?"
"Yes, Son."
Passing the last mouthful for his Dad, "Taste this dad you will be amazed."
"Are you mad, parents don't eat food children munching on? Supposed you kiss somebody?"
"Yeah, Dad I kiss the men in the plantation."