It isn’t until the Civil War comes to her doorstep that Amanda Bell must choose between love and family.

It's the spring of 1861 on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Amanda never thought she would marry because of a promise she made to her dying mother, but her attraction to Captain Kent Littlefield is undeniable.

When Texas secedes from the Union, her brother Daniel aligns with the Confederate States, while Kent remains with the Union troops.

Her heart is torn between the two men she is closest to and the two sides of the conflict. Amanda prays to God for direction and support, but hears only silence. Where is God in the atrocities of war―and whose side is He on?

Amanda senses her life is at a turning point. She must trust God to deliver her family through the chaos of war with her heart and her faith intact.

His Steadfast Love

By Golden Keyes Parsons

Thomas Nelson

Copyright © 2011 Golden Keyes Parsons
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-59554-629-6

Chapter One

September 1860

My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side. Abraham Lincoln

The sweet, gooey peach pie filling had overflowed its crust and dribbled down the side of the plate. Amanda Belle made a quick swipe on the side of the tin, then turned her back on the table laden with pies and licked her index finger. A husky voice interrupted her surreptitious snack.

"Which pie do you recommend? They all look tasty."

Startled, she looked into a pair of blue eyes as clear as a cloudless Texas sky.

She cleared her throat and bobbed a curtsy. "I'm afraid you have observed me being rather impolite. Please excuse my bad manners."

Ignoring the heat rising in her cheeks, she waved her hand over the desserts lined up on long tables covered in calico tablecloths. The special offerings of the ladies of the Methodist church dotted the tables—and each woman watched eagerly to see which platters and baskets emptied first. A young slave stood at each end of the table steadily waving a palm fan to keep the flies away.

"Our Elsie baked the chess pie, and it is a favorite. So you are fortunate that there is still a piece left—if you like chess pie, that is, Lieutenant."

The stranger grinned. "I don't blame you for sampling the goods. I don't know that I could have resisted either. And it's Captain."

Flustered, Amanda flicked open her fan. "Oh, my soul. I'm sorry. I'm not very conversant with military ranks."

"Give it no mind." Pointing to the chess pie, he said, "That must be a Southern dish. I've never tried it, but upon your recommendation, I'm happy to indulge." He held his plate toward her, and she lifted a sugary, buttery slice of the chess pie onto his already full plate. "This is such a treat for my men—to sit down to home cooking. Thank you for your hospitality."

"You are very welcome, sir."

"I am Captain Kent Littlefield." He tipped his hat with his free hand.

Again she dipped a slight curtsy. "Amanda Irene Belle, sir. My father is filling in as pastor until we can call a permanent one." She nodded toward her father, who lingered at the front door of the church, visiting with members of the congregation. The shoulders of his lean, lanky form slumped forward, as they usually did—a habit formed because of his height. "That 'temporary' position has lasted for two years already." She smiled. "I am pleased to meet you."

"The pleasure is mutual." Captain Littlefield nodded his head and grinned as he walked to join his men at a nearby table, balancing his overloaded plate. He glanced in her direction several times, but she averted her eyes and looked away.

After dinner, as they were clearing the tables, the captain walked toward Amanda carrying several plates. "Here, let me help you."

"Thank you, Captain Littlefield. We're almost finished."

He handed her the plates and then pulled the cloth from the serving table. He shook it out, folded it, and handed it to her. "Well, thank you again, Miss Belle." Their hands brushed, and he took hers and raised it to his lips. "I like it."

"Pardon me?"

"The chess pie—I like it."

"Oh ... yes ... the pie." She fumbled with her basket.

Before she could pick it up, Captain Littlefield had it over one arm and offered her his other. "May I escort you to your buggy?" He cupped her elbow in his hand and assisted her. "I shall look forward to seeing you again ... at church?"

She laughed. "Yes, I'm here every Sunday. You know, when you're the pastor's daughter, it's expected." She cleared her throat. "So to speak."

He fixed his gaze on her and lifted his eyebrows, then stepped back as her father approached. The two men shook hands and introduced themselves. Amanda touched her cheek, which had started to blotch, displaying her disquietude to those around her. She twisted the cameo ring on her finger and turned to watch as the captain mounted his horse and waved good-bye.

* * *

Father's bass voice boomed out the familiar line of the closing hymn. "Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee."

Amanda, her brother, Daniel, and the three little Belle sisters turned to leave when they spotted Captain Littlefield across the aisle toward the back.

Daniel bounded toward him and shook his hand. "Welcome again, Captain Littlefield. I'm Daniel Belle, Amanda's brother."

The captain glanced over Daniel's shoulder at Amanda. "Yes, I remember from last week. Good to see you again."

The two young men turned and walked out the back door where Father stood at his usual place bidding members of the congregation good-bye. Captain Littlefield shook his hand and lingered a moment, chatting. Her father smiled and clapped the officer on his shoulder.

What were they talking about? Grabbing Mary and Catherine's hands, Amanda skirted around the bevy of women moving slowly down the steps and waited for Daniel and Captain Littlefield.

Ten-year-old Emmaline had broken away from her sisters and run to her brother. Suddenly shy, she ducked behind Daniel's long legs, and he laughed and pulled her in front of him as they approached the hitching rail. Captain Littlefield gathered the reins of his horse.

"Good morning. Is that a new bonnet?" Claire, Amanda's best friend and Daniel's sweetheart, stopped them. She patted Catherine, who was six, on the head and knelt down to hug little Mary. "How are you girls today?"

"Hold you." Mary held her arms up.

Claire laughed. "You're almost too big for me to hold anymore, but I'll try." She swung the four-year-old into her arms and settled her on her hip, and kissed her on the cheek. "You're growing up too fast."

"Not fast enough." Amanda smiled. "Sometimes I think they will never grow up."

"I'm sure it does seem like that to you sometimes. But look at Emmie. She's getting so tall." She waved in the direction of Daniel and Emmaline, who were chatting with Captain Littlefield.

Daniel motioned for the girls to join them. Amanda felt her face flush as they drew near to the men. Daniel reached for Claire's arm, still holding on to Emmaline with the other hand.

"Captain Littlefield, may I introduce my fiancée, Claire Beecham. I believe you've met my sister Amanda. And these are my two youngest sisters, Mary and Catherine."

"You are surrounded by beautiful women, it seems."

Daniel chuckled. "Yes, so it seems." He took Mary from Claire.

"I noticed you visiting with my father at the door," Amanda said.

Captain Littlefield grinned. "Yes, I asked him if it was permissible for a Presbyterian to attend your Methodist services when my duties at Fort Washington allow me to do so."

"And ...?"

"He assured me that it was." The captain mounted his large gray. "I must return to my duty station."

"How long have you been stationed at the fort?"

"Just a couple of months."

Amanda opened her parasol against the vivid noonday sun as she looked up at him. "I hope you and your men know how much we appreciate the protection of the federal troops. We feel most vulnerable here on the frontier, with the wetlands and swamp on one side and the ocean on the other. Thank you for your service."

He smiled and tipped his hat. "You are most welcome. Ladies, Daniel. I...