Page 40 of Wishes on Wildflowers
“He was the only one who could stop Buddy’s tantrum,” Jasmine put in. “Buddy was nearly superglued to Nathan the rest of the day.” There, she’d just admitted spending a lot oftime together. The conclusions would be jumped to any minute now.
Daria laughed. “So Nathan’s the baby whisperer? I know Arie adores him.”
“He spent all day with you, and you didn’t send him packing?” Basil’s eyes were locked on her.
Jasmine took a deep breath. Here went nothing. “You’re right. We actually talked to each other like civilized human beings.” Why couldn’t she get the rest out? Like, that they were officially dating again?
She felt Nathan’s arm slide across the back of her chair and closed her eyes, both to enjoy the touch and to block her family’s questioning gazes.
“Talked, huh?” Basil said sardonically.
Nathan’s fingers rubbed her shoulder gently. She’d let him take over, no problem. “Talked... and decided we still both care for each other a lot. So, we’re giving ourselves another chance.”
At least he hadn’t mentioned the kissing. They’d strolled down along the river and become reacquainted after Linnea left with the children.
“Well, if that don’t beat all,” Basil drawled. “I guess I’ll take the credit. You’re welcome.”
Nathan laughed. “Thank you.”
Maybe today Jasmine could be magnanimous, too, so long as it didn’t go to his head. After all, Basilhadlent a helping hand in getting them back together.
“Congratulations!” Daria gave her a quick smile. “Can someone pass the salad, please?”
“Here.” Nonna lifted the wooden bowl. “Now, I want to know what you all thought of Pastor Tomas’s sermon today.”
Another unwelcome topic. Usually Jasmine hungrilyabsorbed everything Tomas preached. He loved God with passion and spoke convincingly. But today’s text?
The focaccia had reached Alex, and he took a few pieces out. “I guess it was a call to keep balanced.”
“Right,” Daria said. “How did that go again? ‘Don’t reduce your life to the pursuit of food and drink; don’t let your mind be filled with anxiety. People of the world who don’t know God pursue these things, but you have a Father caring for you, a Father who knows all your needs.’”
Marco chuckled. “I guess in recent years we’ve all become very focused on local food. I agree with Alex. It was an admonition to remember that life isn’t all about food. God takes care of us.”
Jasmine couldn’t help it. “But...”
Nathan’s hand kept rubbing, giving her strength.
“But what,mi bella?”
“Good, healthy food is important. The business we’re starting is focused on helping more people eat well.”
Dad nodded. “I didn’t hear Tomas denouncing Bridgeview Backyards or saying we should all eat at the drive-through every day. I heard him say there’s more to life than food. That we don’t need to be anxious about having our basic needs met.”
She knew that. Hadn’t she looked up the verses from Luke 12 Nonna had quoted to her a few weeks ago? All about the birds of the air and the grass of the field, and how transient they were. Like wishing on wildflowers. One strong puff, and the petals would scatter.
Remember that you are more precious to God than birds! Which one of you can add a single hour to your life or eighteen inches to your height by worrying really hard?
She’d always been short. If wishing could have addedheight, she’d definitely be taller. Eighteen inches would be way too much, but still. She’d sat in church and felt like Pastor Tomas was pointing at her, Peter, and Basil. At half the community, really, for all their local food initiatives.
Did she cling to foraging, beekeeping, and gardening as a way of controlling her food and not trusting God? That didn’t even make sense.
Since you don’t need to worry — about security and safety, about food and clothing — then pursue God’s kingdom first and foremost, and these other things will come to you as well.
Yeah, those words wrapped it up. Maybe her pursuits sometimes distracted her from focusing on God’s kingdom.
“Never thoughtyou’d let my sister trap you back into her web.” Basil stood in the doorway of the basement suite later that evening. “You guys wereovereach other.” He air-quoted the word.
Nathan swallowed a sigh. “Come on in, and make yourself at home.”
