RUFUS OBSERVED HOW THE MEN WORK

Hearing her mumbling words of prayer bouncing back and forth.

"Dear God, she has not fallen asleep, but how could I leave her alone to fight this battle when it was I that opens the door for this evil to enter.

Hearing the grunting, Rufus knew the evil force was still here in the room, looking at Courtney seeing how aware but drain she were, what if she had fallen asleep like me, what then?

Oh God this evil force would have hurt her and my baby because of my negligence, Now I know my plan cannot work? I finish work late and having to shield away from the family is already difficult.

Now my responsibility is to get it out from the house.' Closing his eyes Rufus pray asking the Lord to help him , when the thought struck his mind/

'If it had followed him inside, then it will also follow him outside."

Getting off the bed seeing the state of mind she was in. Rufus open the door slowly feeling the heavy breeze rush pass him, causing every strand of hair in his body to stand straight.

Having to hold on to the door frame to keep standing because it felt big and he was afraid.

Whispering another prayer as he apply the blood of Jesus on the room door then went and open the front door. Demanding it to get out and don't ever return.

Standing away from the door as the pours in his body straighten once more, feeling as the breeze rushes out.

Rufus felt his body trembling, 'Oh God, knowing now this evil is real, how do we overcome something we cannot see?

If what Courtney says is true, and he follows me inside, then I cannot come to her in the dark. Because, I will be putting her life and my baby life in great danger.

Recalling when she finish speaking to Martha how she rushes home yesterday evening, I should have realized it then because she didn't want to be outside in the dark.

Now understanding, 'She was already tired after a long day for Carlos wedding, and when she left the house the place was already getting dark.

That is why she was so disorientated, she had blocked everything out of her mind so she won't think.'

Closing the front door covering it with the blood then went into the room, she looks worn out as she sleeps.

'When I thought my being here will protect her, it brought more trouble, putting her life and the baby life at risk.'

The week passed and Rufus never enter the cottage to see Courtney. That fear he experience and what she went through he didn't want reoccurring.

Rufus only take time to drop of gas, and ensure the generator was full and working.

Not once since that horrible night, he had seen her again, and the cottage was always lock up.

Having to deal with Mom and her constant nagging to get married drives him out the house. And the girls constant complaining about not meeting Grandmother neither Courtney.

Deciding to stay in the office at the sawmill was less stressful and he was able to get some extra work done.

Knowing his grandparents was due to return home the Friday, but up to today no word had came. Worried but unable to leave the plantation neither Courtney the way she was scared.

Rufus wanted to know how she was doing, Sitting in his office he wrote her a note.

"Hi Courtney, I am very sorry for what happen that night but I just wants to know if you are well? Please let me know if you want anything, so just leave me a note under the gas container so when I come to drop your supplies I will get it." Signing his name.

Hurrying he reach to the orchard, taking his horse he delivered the note under the door, then return to the sawmill.

The business was blossoming and he was very busy, having not a spare moment with the extra orders coming in each day.

Mom had finally given up on me getting married to Valarie. When I stop going home to hear the complains, they canceled all arrangements.

Hearing they had given Valarie a financial love gift and sent her home, I was so relieved.

The girls were grumpy not seeing Courtney, and Carlos and Risha was always quarreling, which drives me out of the house faster.

No one was aware when I carry the gas to the cottage. Whatever Courtney needed she leave the note for me.

It was already half of June and no word came concerning Pappie and Grandmother. "Dad, you need to go and see what is going on with Pappie and Grandmother?

I am worried about them and I don't want you to be concern about the business, I will manage everything until you return."

"Okay, Son I will go in the morning."

"Dad, how long Gus and Joseph started to strip and sand the board like this?"

"It is more than two weeks already, it was Courtney's idea, now we barely have any wastage?

She had a hard time convincing the men, but when she did, and they followed her instruction showing them how to take just the sap out getting those extra lath.

Now look for yourself at that heap, it sells so fast, bringing extra revenue, and all the time we were just burning that."

"I don't believe you, Courtney is a woman, what does she know about sawmill work?"

"I agreed just like you and Joseph even Gus was afraid to allow her to use the sanding machine."

"Dad, that was very irresponsible of you to allow her even to go near the saws and machinery."

Thinking, 'If one of those saw blades got loose or burst with her next to it, she could get badly hurt, knowing that evil force could use any instrument to destroy his baby.'

"Son, did you know her father was a manager of a sawmill, and she's a very skillful child, I like her."