Redeemed by Love

By Deborah Thayer McLain

After 20 years of being married to Marcus, Moria has a family of four children whom she loves dearly. When tragedy stuck, her entire world changed. Feeling lost and betrayed, Moria lets her guard down and runs to the arms of Peter for comfort.

Marcus' heart is broken as he returns home to find his wife has been unfaithful. He tries to remi

• Language: English
• Publisher: Deborah McLain
• Release date: Dec 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781736340912

Book preview

Introduction

Hosea 3:1, 2

Then the Lord said to me, Go and get your wife again. Bring her back to you and love her, even though she loves adultery. For the Lord still loves Israel even though the people have turned to other gods, offering them choice gifts. So I bought her back for fifteen pieces of silver and about five bushels of barley and a measure of wine.

Book 1 of the Dia Richoet Series, Rescuedby Love, is an allegory of Jesus and His love for His bride. Even when we were lost, He lovingly came to our rescue. He freed us from the bondages of sin and called us His own. King Cullen, who represents Jesus, set Keela free from her bondages. Keela learned her true identity and finally understood that she was truly loved. For an in-depth understanding of the book, I have published the Rescuedby Love Devotional Workbook. This workbook is written to follow chapter by chapter along with the novel and expands on the scriptures hidden in the story.

Book 2, Redeemed by Love, depicts all of us who may stray from the Lord. His love for us has no boundaries. As Hosea did with his wife, so the Lord will lovingly pursue us. The allegory in this book is similar to the book of Hosea. In Hosea, God compares Gomer to the nation of Israel. She is an adulterer and is unfaithful to Hosea several times. Despite her reputation and lifestyle, God instructs Hosea to bring her back and love her. I believe Gomer represents not only the nation of Israel at the time of Hosea but also all whom God loves. We all continue to walk away too; many times it is unintentional. Giving our love and attention to something or someone other than the Lord is in a sense being an adulterer. How many times have we been guilty of that? For me, it is a constant battle. The character Moria represents us when we wander away from the Holy Spirit.

My prayer is that as you read Redeemed by Love, your heart will be stirred if you are not giving the Lord all of your love. I pray you will begin to realize how great God’s love is for you. He gave everything to rescue you and bring you into his boundless love. If you walk away, He will continue to pursue you and show you His love again and again.

1

Peter strained against the ropes, controlling them as the wind caught in the great sails. The boat picked up speed and groaned in protest as it broke through the waves. The Terrorist was the nickname people had given this ship. Ungar was the captain of The Terrorist. He was a strong, burley man with a voice loud enough to shake the timbers. Ungar and his crew pillaged the open seas for merchant ships. If they found a ship loaded with passengers, all who remained after the attack were considered slaves. Most of the prisoners were women, as the heartless crew usually killed the men. In the distance, Peter spotted a merchant ship.

Peter, keep the sails! We will catch up with them soon enough! Ungar shouted from his watch post.

Peter heard women’s terrified screams. Women are on board. I don’t like attacking a boat with female passengers, but Ungar has no mercy, he thought to himself. Peter brought the ship alongside. Men shouted and women ran for cover as Ungar’s men threw planks across to the merchant ship. Ungar’s men boarded the ships in a scene that typically reminded Peter of monkeys jumping from one tree to another. Some swung from ropes, while others ran across makeshift planks. Peter wasted no time as he boarded the ship, sword drawn ready for combat. Sounds of metal clanging, women screaming, and men shouting loudly filled the air. The attack was swift. The merchant ship only had a few soldiers on board; the rest of the passengers were commoners traveling to distant lands. With The Terrorist now loaded down with slaves and gained treasures, Ungar headed for the slave trade markets.

The adrenaline he experienced during the attack and ransack of merchant ships was the main reason he had joined with Ungar. The only other reason he sailed with Ungar was because of an agreement. Several months ago Peter needed to borrow money from Ungar, and working for him was part of the repayment. Peter was tired of working for Ungar, though. He did not enjoy seeing women and children treated harshly and sold as slaves. Peter had few possessions, as he had lived on one boat or another for many years, and spent the money he had earned on loose women and drinking. He seldom had anything left over. Today, however, he had saved a little since he would need some to buy a horse and pay for lodging for his trip. Soon he would seize the opportunity to walk away from Ungar.

Peter thought back to the time before he left for the sea. The memories flooded his mind as he gazed out over the open water. He had lived in Chrioch Olc most of his life. His closest friend, who always believed in him, had begged him not to become a sailor. The call of the sea was stronger than his interest in the young woman who had confessed her love for him. Peter allowed his memories to take him back. Her name was Moria, and she was a beautiful woman, but Peter had not loved her as strongly as she had loved him. The memory was still clear in his mind. Moria had packed a picnic lunch. After a long hike, they found a nice place to set the blanket down and enjoy the lunch. They shared their hopes and dreams. Peter’s dream was to become a sailor and sail to every place known to man. Despite Moria’s pleas, he had made his dream come true.

Please don’t leave Peter, Moria said. What about us? I thought you cared about me.

I care, he said unconvincingly. It’s just that I want to sail. Will you wait for me?

Tears filled Moria’s eyes. I will wait an eternity for you, Peter. Don’t forget me.

Moria, I can never forget you.

Peter traveled to many lands which he previously knew nothing about. He had met with and befriended several slave traders and chiefs of tribes during his travels, but did not realize being around the heartless people had turned him heartless himself. Now, he stood on the deck on the ship and in the distance saw Mormhuir Cathair, a seaport he often overlooked. This is the closest port to home, he thought to himself. I wonder if it’seven possible to find Moria still. Will she be happy to see me? Maybe she married and won’twant me around at all. Peter dismissed that thought. If she loved me then, she willstill love me. Even if she is married, I can show her my love and encourage her to leave her family.

Peter stayed a few days in Mormhuir Cathair. During his stay, he thought he saw Moria but dismissed the thought. She was with another man, and they looked quite happy together. That couldn’tbe her. She would have waited for me to return. She promised, after all. Peter decided that while he was there, he might raise a little more money by telling his seafaring stories to the villagers. People had pity on him, as he exaggerated the stories, leaving the villagers to assume he had been shipwrecked and some friendly fishermen had rescued him and brought him to Mormhuir Cathair.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sasha was no stranger to hard work. She was only eight years old when her father died. She still remembered him, but those memories were very few. Sasha loved the invigoratingly hard work of plowing the land and sowing crops, despite the many times Mother tried to convince her that she should learn how to cook and take care of the house and children.

This early spring day was no different. The ground was mostly thawed, but there were still patches of frozen soil as she plodded with the plow behind her trusty horse. Today’s work was hard. If she finished plowing, she might have time to plant this field before she moved on to the next field. The field would get a head start on growth. Sasha liked to stagger planting the plots of grain in the field. She would harvest the fields in the same order it was planted and the wheat would not spoil. Soon, the plowing would be finished, and she would need to sow seed. Sasha looked at the sky to determine the amount of sunlight left in the day. Not a cloud in sight, and the sun is still high. I should be able to finish with time left over. Perhaps I will go to the lake to relax before I head home, she thought to herself. Something about water was so peaceful that it always drew her in. As a result, near the water had become her favorite place to sit and relax. She would sit for hours and carve designs into tree branches as she looked out over the water. Sasha looked at the angle of the sun again. Well, I might have an hour before it gets dark, she determined. Since I am at the far end of the field, the lake is close. She turned and headed into the wooded area at the end of the field. A short ten-minute walk through the woods and she would arrive at the lake.

The lake spread out before her with crystal clear waters. The rolling hills gave way to the mountains stretched out behind the lake that separated Dia Richoet from Mormhuir Cathair. The snow-capped mountains reflected on the lake as pounded, polished metal. Not a wave creased the surface of the water. Sasha sat down on a fell-tree log, placed her head in her hands and let her mind wander to Ronan. It seemed like she could not stop thinking about him. He was changing so much as he grew of age. Sometimes, the way he looked at her made her stomach do a flip-flop. What was happening? They had been friends their entire lives. Why would she suddenly become shy and nervous around him? As she stared out into the calm water, she noticed movement to her right. Straining her eyes, she saw a fisherman. Strange, she thought to herself, I don’t normally see anyone here. I wonder who it could be? Sasha didn’t like the thought of someone invading her favorite spot. There was movement where the fisherman stood. Maybe he’s leaving, she thought to herself. I hope he doesn’t come by this way. I really don’t want to make small talk with a stranger right now- I’m a hot, sweaty mess. Most men disapprove of a woman working in the fields. Sasha inwardly groaned; I don’t want to go home just yet. She had lost sight of him when he entered the thick brush. Cautiously, Sasha waited to see if the man would come toward her. As she watched, she heard a familiar tune; the man was humming a song Ronan often sang as he worked.

Ronan? The humming stopped immediately, and so did the footsteps. Ronan, is that you?

Sasha? Where are you?

Sasha let out a little giggle. It’s happening again. She was suddenly excited to see him. Her stomach did a flip. Before she had even thought about it, she ducked behind some thick brush. Hunched down in the thicket, Sasha tried to listen for Ronan’s footsteps, but all she heard was her heart pounding in her ears.

Sasha?

This time Sasha let her giggle be loud enough that he could hear it. His footsteps began again. Sasha? Are you playing a game or something? Where are you?

Ronan listened, but only heard silence. Ronan knew Sasha loved to play games spontaneously. Maybe I should pretend I’mabout to leave. Wouldn’tthat fool her! Ronan chuckled at the thought. But honestly, he loved it when she became spontaneously playful like this. He headed in the direction he thought her giggle had come from. Sasha? Leaning against the same tree where Sasha was just sitting, he drummed his fingers on the bark, Hm, I wonder where she could hide… he said out loud as he traced his fingers on some carvings deep in the tree bark. I bet this is her tree. Look at these carvings; she must be close.

Sasha thought her heart would pop. He sat just feet from where she was hiding. He made himself comfortable on her favorite sitting log and was now carving something into the bark. Instinctively, she knew it was getting late. She should finish this childish game and head home, but he had no desire to hurry. Besides, now she wasn’t alone. If it became dark too quickly, Ronan would walk her home. Squatting down on her haunches was taking a toll on her calves though, and her feet were becoming numb from lack of blood flow. How long should I sit here? He isn’tlooking hard. He knows I’mjust sitting here. Man, that’ssneaky. Least he could do is look for me! Suddenly, Sasha had something slithering across her feet. Snake? Oh, please don’tlet that be a snake! She glanced down and saw the zig zag marking of an adder. Again her heart pounded so hard, she heard it in her ears.

Ronan!

Her voice was so close and etched with fear it startled Ronan. Sasha? Where are you? What’s the matter?

Snake!

Ronan scanned the bushes near him. This time, he saw the light blue color of her dress peeking out between the branches. What type of snake is it?

It’s an adder, and he’s big! Sasha’s voice shook with fear.

Okay, take a deep breath and try to relax Sasha, Ronan said. I’ll help you. Just wait a minute. Ronan did not like snakes either, especially the poisonous ones, but he was not about to leave Sasha. He hated hearing her voice filled with so much fear. Sasha was normally confident about everything. Ronan could probably count on one hand the times he had seen her terrified. Slowly, Ronan walked into the water’s edge to make his way around the thicket. Hopefully, he would see the snake and Sasha from that direction. Once he was calf deep in the water, Ronan walked a few feet toward Sasha. Sure enough, the snake was lying across her feet. Sasha, stay still.

I am.

Ronan could see the fear in her eyes matched her shaking voice.

The slithering snake moved along as if it had no idea it was sliding across someone’s feet. Ronan looked for a long stick. Not finding one that suited his needs, he fashioned one from a fresh branch. Sasha was still squatting, with an expression of fear frozen in place.

Ronan, be careful! she whispered.

Of course! When am I not careful? he chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

My feet are numb, and my legs are in great pain.

Ronan just nodded in acknowledgment. The head of the snake was now away from her ankles. Ronan stretched forward with the stick he had fashioned, and with one quick movement, swiped the snake off the ground by its neck and threw it as far as he could out into the water. Sasha took off running through the thicket, tearing her skirt as the thorns cut into her legs. As soon as Ronan threw the snake, he knew it was a big mistake. Snakes swim faster in water than they move on land. He too ran as fast as possible, not looking back. Once they were inland a good distance, Ronan glanced over his shoulder and saw that the snake had chased him. It was still coming toward them rather quickly, but Ronan could easily outrun it now.

Neither Ronan nor Sasha stopped running until they reached the freshly plowed clearing. Sasha stopped to catch her breath as Ronan came to her side.

Are you all right?

Sasha threw her arms around Ronan and cried, Oh, I have never been so scared in my whole life! Tears flowed down her face as she cried.

It’s all right now, Ronan said, a little taken back by her tears. Sasha continued to hold him in a powerful embrace, like she was afraid to let go. Sasha, it’s all right, Ronan whispered in her ear.

Suddenly aware of how she had been acting, she quickly pulled her arms back and crossed them against her chest. I’m sorry, she mumbled. Her tears still fell.

This time it was Ronan who embraced her. It’s fine, Sasha. I was just surprised. You were really scared back there. I’ve never seen you so scared before. Are you sure you are okay?

Sasha didn’t answer. She just sat down on the dirt and hung her head. Ronan knew she was trying to stop the tears.

Ronan, it would have been all my fault if it hurt you, she said as she sniffled. I don’t know what I was more afraid of, the snake biting me or you!

I understand, but neither happened, so it’s okay, Ronan said as he sat down next to her in the dirt. So, have you finished planting this field already?

Sasha glanced at the field, Yes, I’m a week early this year. I’m trying to get a head start on the rain.

You go out to the lake often, don’t you? Ronan asked.

Sasha nodded her head. Although, after today, I’m not so sure I want to do that anymore. Why do you ask?

I noticed the carvings in the tree I was leaning on and assumed it was your favorite spot to sit. I could see why. What a perfect view of the entire lake with the mountains behind it!

Yes, I sit there a lot when I want to relax. My mother wouldn’t approve if she knew how much I did it-especially after today. She may not allow it ever again.

How about if I go with you? I love to fish, and I could accompany you so you wouldn’t be in any danger.

Really? You would do that for me? Sasha sniffled.

Sasha, come on, we are like siblings. Of course I would. Isn’t it normal for a brother to want to protect his sister?

Oh, Sasha’s face became downcast.

What did I say? Ronan asked with a puzzled expression.

Is that all I am to you, Ronan, a sister?

Ronan did not know what to say. He stared out at the horizon. He had known Sasha his entire life. Why wouldn’t she be like a sister? I’m not sure why loving you would bother you, Sasha. Honestly, I thought loving you like family was huge.

Sasha stood abruptly. Well, I better get back home. It’s getting dark. Once she stood, Sasha thought the world was spinning. Oh, man, I shouldn’t have jumped up so quickly. My feet and legs still hurt. This will be one slow walk.

I’ll walk with you, Ronan said as he stood to his feet.

Sasha didn’t want