Page 233 of Conveniently Wed
“It’s just smoke,” Donny assured his little sister.
Stella dried her eyes on her apron and could finally breathe without coughing. “That was foolish of me. I should have thought to check the chimney.”
“No harm done. As soon as it cools, I’ll climb up there and see what’s blocking it.”
“Thanks.” At least he didn’t scold her. She appreciated that but wasn’t sure how to say so. Perhaps there wasn’t need to say anything.
She looked around at her farm and let the satisfaction of being back home settle into her bones. “I don’t suppose you’ve had time to explore the place.”
“Not yet. The barn is pretty clean. Either you left it that way or your neighbor has taken care of it.”
“I expect it’s a little of both. I can’t rightly recall the last few days I was here.” She looked to see that the children were out of hearing. “Except for the bitter cold and my fear we would all die. I was too weak to bring in wood or make a meal. A three-day storm had blown in. So cold.” She shivered as the awful memory of those days surfaced.
“You’re all alive and well. Your pantry is full. I’ll make sure there is a good supply of firewood. Together we can make sure you never have to live through such an experience again.”
His reassurance eased away her dark, painful memories. “‘Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.’” She gave a dry chuckle. “I’ve never been one to quote Bible verses. It must be from spending so much time at the preacher’s house.”
“Two are better than one. I like that.” His eyes darkened. She was beginning to understand they did that when he was thinking deeply. “Isn’t there more to it? Something about a threefold cord not being easily broken?”
“That’s right.” Did he know what made the third strand?
“Our partnership is together with God.”
Something warm and satisfying eased through her. “I like the idea of God being in partnership with us.”
He nodded, his eyes lightening to the color of sun-lit water. “Might be He should be more than a partner. Seems He should be the boss.”
“I agree.” They studied each other. She liked his suggestion. Deciding to let God be in control gave her the assurance that no matter what happened, she would be all right. Hadn’t she known that all along? Of course, she had. But she needed frequent reminders.
“The smoke has about cleared. I’ll see to the chimney.”
“There’s a ladder in the barn.”
“I saw it.” He was already on his way across the yard.
She watched him. He walked with long, distance-eating strides. Confident. As if all was right with his world. She considered that idea. It was as Donny had said. God had made a way for her to return to the farm. She would not look any further than that. Glancing about to see the children played under a nearby tree, she returned to the house and checked on Aunt Mary.
“I’m fine,” the older woman said, barely able to open her eyes.
“Rest while I get myself organized.” She slipped from the room and returned to the kitchen area. But there was little she could do until she could get a fire going in the stove.
From where she stood, she watched Bruce cross the yard carrying a ladder. He leaned it against the house and climbed it.
She closed the stove to keep any dust and ashes from blowing out.
His footsteps thudded across the roof, and the stove pipes shook as he examined the chimney.
“A bird’s nest.” His voice echoed from the pipes. “I’m being attacked by some angry magpies. Ouch. Go away. Crazy birds.”
Debris fell past the kitchen window. The remnants of a nest.
“I’ll jab something down to make sure there’s nothing more.”
The stove pipes clanged and rattled as he did so.
“I think that’s got it.” His steps thudded back across the roof, and he descended the ladder and came to the door. “Try that and see if it’s going to work.”
She already had the wood laid, and she set a match to it. “It’s drawing just fine. Thank you.”
