My Hope Is Found: The Cadence of Grace, Book 3 by Joanne Bischof Page A

got there and dropped his pack against the side of a building. The two-story clapboard would block the wind, and the overhang would keep the snow at bay. Though he would have lit a fire had he been in the woods, he was just going to have to live without one here.
    With his bedroll folded in half, Gideon sat on the dry surface and sighed. He stared into the windows of the saloon, aglow with warmth and laughter. He stuffed his gloved hands against his sides and crossed one ankle over the other. A few hours, and it would be morning. A few hours, and he could be back at the courthouse. Gideon held his breath, if nothing else but to keep the cold out of his lungs. Finally, he drew in a shaky chest full of air, the iciness chilling him through. Closing his eyes, he settled his back against the side of the building as comfortably as he could.
    He imagined Lonnie and Jacob preparing for bed. The thought of Lonnie reading their son a book by candlelight chased away his gloom, and he clung to the image as he fell asleep.

    “I always feared you’d die young.”
    Shivering, Gideon opened one eye. A man stood over him, the voicefamiliar, but the blur of sleep fogged his mind. The morning sun over the broad shoulders of the man blinded him.
    “I’m not dead,” Gideon said, shifting his stiff muscles. He blinked, but the light was too bright.
    “Nearly.” The man had a kindness in his voice. A familiar drawl. Memories of working the apple farm flooded the front of Gideon’s mind.
    “Tal?”
    “What on earth are you doing sleeping on the sidewalk? And in Stuart, of all places? Why didn’t you stay at the inn? Or the ordinary?” Tal adjusted his weather-worn hat.
    “Let’s just say my funds are limited.” Gideon groaned as he struggled to stand. “It’s a long story.”
    Tal crouched and extended his hand. “You look plumb frozen, son.”
    Stumbling to his feet, Gideon forced his numb legs steady. But they were shaking something fierce. “I think I am.” Gideon squinted at his friend, soaking in the joyous sight of a familiar face. Never had he expected to see his former boss standing before him. “What are you doing here?”
    “Came on some business.” Bending, Tal grabbed Gideon’s pack and brushed at the icy layer of frost. “We’ll talk over some breakfast, all right? Let’s get you inside and some hot coffee into ya.” Tal motioned uptown, and even as Gideon’s stiff muscles complained, he followed Tal down the wooden sidewalk.
    They strode in silence as if Tal was giving him a chance to wake up proper. Gideon’s blood warmed as he moved. Tal didn’t speak until they’d settled at a table in the inn restaurant and placed an order.
    “So what brings you here?” Tal tossed his coat over the back of his chair, and in two breaths, a woman brought cups of steaming coffee.
    Gideon wrapped his hands around the hot mug, pulling away onlylong enough to splash in a bit of cream and stir in sugar. A sip and he tightened his hands around the cup, feeling the warmth all the way to his toes. “I need to speak with the judge … if I can.” The glass of the window was cool against his elbow.
    When Tal’s eyes widened, Gideon was glad the woman in the black apron brought two plates of biscuits and gravy, delaying the conversation. She set the plates down with a clatter and a smile.
    “Thank you.” Gideon turned his fork in his hand. He glanced at the clock, wondering what time Judge Monroe arrived at the courthouse each morning. “I’ll tell you everything. But”—he glanced out the window, certain he must seem as distracted as he felt—“I’m not exactly sure what’s going to happen just yet.” Gideon turned back to his friend. “Listen, where ya headed next?”
    “The merchant up on Fourth. It’ll take me a few hours to stock up on the supplies I need. And then I’ve got to stop in at the saddler before I head back to the farm this evening.”
    Gideon took a bite of biscuit and then another.