Page 53 of Mail-Order Bride Runaway
The basket in one hand, Della at his other side, the sun warm overhead in a crystal blue sky, they ambled across the hillside until they reached their destination. They sat side by side on the bench, the container holding their lunch between them.
He removed his hat and offered a prayer of thankfulness for the food. “And the bounty of this beautiful land. Amen.”
Della folded back the top of the basket and drew out thick sandwiches filled with slices of roast venison. She handed him one and took one for herself. A glance revealed there was more to be had for a ‘growing boy’ as his brothers said when referring to his appetite. With a mocking chuckle, he told Della. “I don’t eat any more than they do but they’ll never believe it.”
Her chuckle echoed in his chest. “They like to tease you.”
“They always have.” He purposely sounded morose.
“You enjoy it.”
One shoulder lifted. “Sometimes.” He bit into his sandwich. Mrs. B had spread a layer of her green relish over the meat.
Della chewed a mouthful and looked at the rest of the sandwich in her hand. “That relish is very good.”
“Thank Mrs. B. And maybe Alfred. I believe he helped chop the ingredients.”
“Maybe she’ll tell me how to make it.” Her expression grew serious. “Sometimes we had garden produce brought to us that was only good for making into jam or pickles or relish.”
“I’m sorry things were so tough for you when out here we have an abundance of food.”
She stared into the distance. “We always had enough.”
If he had to guess he’d say she’d often gone to bed hungry. And her mother as well.
“Things were different when Pa was alive.”
“Tell me more about your father.” His interest brought brightness back to her eyes and a smile to her face. And satisfaction to his heart at having lifted her mood.
“What do you want to know?”
“What led him to be a preacher?” That seemed like a good place to start.
She laughed softly, a gentle blessing to his soul. “He used to say he’d inherited the job. His father was a preacher and often got Pa to speak from the pulpit. Then Pa would chuckle and say that He who had formed him in the womb called him at an early age. He told me how he used to play church under the trees. He’d collect branches to make pews and pinecones for people then he’d preach to his congregation.” Her voice filled with warmth and humor that brushed his heart like butterfly wings.
Wanting to hear more about her parents, and enjoying how she lit up at talking about them, he asked, “How did your parents meet?”
Her wide smile rewarded him. “Pa was a preacher at a small town in northern Ohio when Ma began to attend. She often said he looked directly at her when he said ‘God loves you no matter what you’ve done or said or what others have said about you. His love never fails. His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness.’ She said she’d just gone through a very hard time. Her mother had grown very weak. Her father had lost his job. They were struggling to survive. She’d been falsely accused of neglecting her parents and was deeply hurt by that. Pa’s words and his steady look gave her the strength to face another day. As for Pa, he said God had brought her to his church. He knew the moment he saw her that this was the woman he’d marry. He said his heart just opened up and said yes.” Della looked away from Andy, her gaze darting from side to side.
He knew it wasn’t the scenery that stole her attention from him.
“It sounded more romantic when my parents told it,” she said.
“I think it’s a lovely story.”
“You do?” Wide eyes met his in surprise.
“Yup. Do you want to hear about how my parents met?” He was simply making conversation, trying to make her relax because a few days from now she’d be gone and he and his family would be forgotten or at least, nothing more than a short event in a long memory of more important things.
“Do tell, please.” She arranged her legs under her, so she faced him full-on.
“My pa worked for his father who was a wheelwright. One day a rich man came to order a new wagon. He had his daughter with him. Pa saw her and like your pa decided he was interested in this beautiful young lady. He asked permission to court her, and her father refused. But Pa wasn’t about to take no for an answer and went to the man’s house every evening until the young lady—Ma—said she would step out with him. She’d often say that she knew a man who would pursue her with such dedication was a man she could count on through thick and thin.”
A sigh fluttered from her lips. “That is so romantic.”
“Pa would tell us that if we wanted something bad enough, we would seek it until we got it.”
Della leaned back on her elbows and stared at the sky.
