A Novel by Patricia Gunn Hall

The following is an excerpt from my second novel. My characters fall in love and experience marriage as ordained by our Creator. I want to honor God. I seek His approval in all that I do, so I leave the spice up to you and your imagination. This novel is about trusting God and the promises of Scripture. It’s about faith and the battles life throws at my characters. Beneath His Wing is now available on Barnes and Nobel, thanks to my beautiful daughter.

She was overcome with dread and horror as her knees failed her. When he closed the door (to the dungeon) she cried out, “Holy Father in heaven . . . why have You forsaken me? I thought you were going to protect me. That’s why I slept so soundly after reading Your Word. You were supposed to have Your wing over me. Why have You let this demon bring me here?”

She sat there on her knees weeping and then curled into a ball. “Why? Why?”

Sitting back up she lifted her eyes toward heaven. “Did you see his reaction when I spoke the name of Jesus? Why Lord? Why?”

She began to cry hysterically, while rocking back and forth. “I was almost to the coast, Lord. I smelled the sea. Why? Why have you ignored what’s happening to me? Oh God why? Please tell me why.”

She stood and stared at the top of the stairs. In anger she ripped the cap off her head and used it to wipe her face. “Why?”

“I take it God has disappointed you?” said a husky male voice.

Clutching the cap to her chest she sucked in air to scream, but let it out slowly with the words, “Mercy me . . . are you an angel?”

“Do you see any wings behind me?” he said glancing back over his shoulder.

She walked over to him. “Not all angels have wings. Her eyes were wary and fastened onto him. “The ones who came to save Lott, in Sodom and Gomorrah, looked like men.

“So, you know God’s Holy Word?”

“Yes! I do! It comforts me to read Scripture and to spend time with the Lord.”

Moving slowly towards him she whispered, “Are you an angel sent to save me?”

“Would your saving angel be on this side of the bars? No, ma’am. I was born of a woman who’s wondering why her son isn’t home yet.”

He bowed low. “Quinn Ian Kincaid from America. I’m delighted to meet you, but I wish it was under different circumstances. And you are?”

“Darcy Rose Stuart. Reagan Kean Stuart was my father. My mum died soon after I was born. She was Rose Ellen Darcy. Except for my eyes, I look just like her . . . papa said.”

“Your mother was a beautiful woman, Miss Stuart.”

His hair was black and curling onto his collar. He needed a shave and a bath, but his midnight blue eyes were kind and full of concern. He was tall like her father. At the thought of him her lips trembled when she said, “Oh Papa . . . Papa. I’m in so much trouble.” Tears filled her eyes.

“Are you being held for a ransom, too?” He reached through the bars and squeezed her upper arm.

His touch made her jump, but his eyes calmed her fears.” His twin brother, Fergus, held me captive hoping to marry me, but I escaped with some help from his servants. Then I ran straight into this monster’s hands.”

She began to cry in earnest again and clutched her stomach. “My life has been a nightmare since Papa died.”

They both froze as shots were heard and the shouting of angry men became louder. “Miss Stuart! Get that key and unlock this door!”

She ran to obey him and watched in horror as he rushed up the stairs. “Mr. Kincaid! He has dogs guarding us! Fierce, Irish Wolfhounds!”

He opened the door a crack and nothing happened. He ran back to her and putting his hands onto her shoulders he looked down into her beautiful eyes so full of fear. “This is probably Gill coming to rescue me. Would you like to come to America with us?”