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Jaira realized she’d made the wrong move. She wasn’t a quitter and was determined to still win Terrell’s heart.
Sheila interrupted her daughter’s thoughts, "Your dad has arranged for you to rent a home just in town and has a job lined up for William. You are more than welcome to stay on the island," as though Sheila owned the entire province.
Jaira gripped the soapy sponge, "So what? I was only good enough to do your dishes and help with the meals? I'm nothing!"
"Don't talk like that Jaira. You are a married woman. You should have your own home. Besides, if you are in town, you can keep your eyes and ears open for women who are desperate for a place to go. Invite them out to a service...we'll take care of the rest from there."
Jaira nodded, but a dark blackness had crept into her heart. Her mother should never have contacted William. She'd created a foe.
****
TERRELL REGRETTED COMING to the island. He didn't want to help Mark with his ministry now that he was more than aware of what was truly going on. He was also aware the family wanted to keep Josiah out of the fold. Shaul’s untimely murder had been in their favour, Josiah returning abruptly to Israel. He had no idea that their first choice had been Lachlan. Unfortunately, Lachlan was in Israel on an assignment.
Terrell was far from perfect, with two children already born out of wedlock. His parents, both pastors, had refused to acknowledge their grandchildren. He had disgraced their family.
As long as their grandchildren were never mentioned, they had eventually forgiven him. Or, he assumed they did. They could have just been ignoring what had happened, pretending none of it existed - an easy way out.
"We need to expand our ministry further. I was hoping to have access to Josiah's money but I doubt he'd help us now so I'm counting on you to raise money and support for us,” Mark turned to Terrell.
“Fundraising, begging...I don’t care how you go about it, as long as you get the money. Pastor will be very disappointed if there is nothing in the basket when he arrives tonight, if you catch my drift. We wouldn’t want anything to go wrong,”
Gavin sold his van, bringing Mark the money from the sale. He exchanged a look with Terrell but said nothing.
"Well done," Mark beamed. "This is a lot of cash Gavin," Mark looked up clearly delighted at the sum of money.
****
IT DIDN’T TAKE ATARAH long to discover Terrell’s weakness - her. It couldn’t really be blamed. There was “something in the air.”
William had arrived, the couple leaving in the dead of night without a word. They were the third group to leave, Granny having been taken home first, her brothers left next, and now Jaira. Each time, no one told Atarah they were leaving or offered to drive them back that way at least. Atarah was running out of options.
“There’s something off, and it’s more than just lingering childhood memories. Do you remember that woman our first day here? That dark-haired man led her from the room and she was in tears? Well, I’d seen her a few minutes prior and she’d asked me to talk to dad because her husband went missing soon after their family arrived. She hasn’t seen him since. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to bring it up, but the timing has always been off. I’m not sure how to bring it up either, but she hasn’t returned.
Terrell scratched his head.
“Now that you mentioned it, you’re right - I haven’t seen either of them since that night. Did you get the name of her husband? I’ll see if I can ask around...”
“Stephen. His name was Stephen.”
“I’ll ask around and see what I can find out. I have noticed but there are far more many women here than men, but didn’t think much of it.”
“Lachlan would be all over this...” Atarah’s voice was wistful, tinged with sadness. “It smells fishy a mile away.”
“There’s a lot that I can’t quite but my finger on...”
“Which means we should go.Will you please take me home? You wouldn’t even have to go out of your way - you could just drop me off at the mission.”
“I can’t. We can’t just leave...not now...” Terrell avoided her eyes before he walked away without explaining.
***
LIFE WAS DIFFERENT for Atarah than when she had lived at home years ago. Now her father was retired and Sheila was unable to abuse her daughter as she had for years. Unlike when she was a child, he wasn't leaving her for work. Her mother could never hurt her now and that made a huge difference. Her initial kindness when Atarah had first arrived had proved to be nothing more than an act. Sheila had a part to play and had played it well.
Atarah needed to know who her allies were - who she could trust. Bitterness stirred in Sheila's pale green eyes, a growing hatred for her daughter.
Sheila brought women into the home but turned into a rage when Mark preferred their company. Yes, things had changed since she had left home, yet the underlying jealousy, resentment not to mention lust that had raised its head to give a glimpse back then was magnified.
The pastor was often at the house, not bothering to knock before entering. “Communal living” was a word he liked to use. Atarah could see it did have it’s benefits - like an extended family working together and most of all, looking out for each other's best interests.