Arms of Love by Long Kelly

Author:Long, Kelly [Long, Kelly]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2012-04-02T22:00:00+00:00

“I still believe I might have gone after them,” Samuel Yoder remarked to Ruth as they stood in the burgeoning kitchen garden. He had told Ruth that he needed a few days more to get his strength back before setting to mulch the apple trees, and in the meantime, would help out in the kitchen garden.

Abigail was busily sowing onions, humming softly to herself as she kept the row even by using a long, thin board.

Ruth stepped lightly between rows of growing things. “No fretting now, Mr. Samuel. They’re probably on their way back right now.”

“I suppose you’re right. And please, you know me a little now, Ruth. I wish that you would call me Samuel.”

There was some unidentified current of warmth in his voice that caused Ruth to look up from the brassicas that she was pulling to chop and compost, but then she decided that she had imagined such a thing, as his back was already turned.

She watched him from the corner of her eye, noticing that he had an excellent hand among the plants. He was laying out the hay and buckets to force the sea kale and rhubarb in a manner she might have liked to try herself. She thought about the seed potatoes she’d seen on the back porch.

“I wonder if we might get the wee potatoes going in the same way you’re doing there,” she ventured and was rewarded by his gentle smile.

“An excellent idea. Abby, run and fill your apron with seed potatoes and we will try something a bit different with them.”

The child scampered off to obey, and Ruth suddenly felt nervous standing alone with the man. She cleared her throat. “I . . . uh . . . I must go and check on the babes inside.”

“Wait, please, Ruth.” He held up a hand and rose from his work among the buckets. “Lena told me of your losses . . . your husband and home. I just wanted to tell you how much I admire your strength of spirit and willingness to go on, and appreciate your love toward Faith.”

Ruth pursed her lips. “I thank ye, but what else is there but to ‘go on’? I’m thinking you must have lost a great deal yerself in a wife who helped you create all of this.” She made a sweeping gesture with her arm, then looked down at the ground, wondering if she’d said too much. Menfolks did not seem to talk about their lives as readily as women did.

Samuel smiled at her with a sad steadiness. “Ya, I miss Mary. But the Lord’s will allowed Faith . . . and you as well.”

“I would not have you be deceived, sir . . . Samuel. I get a mite mad at the Lord now and then for Him doing His will.”

To her surprise, he laughed, displaying even white teeth. “Ach, Ruth, you speak the truth that plagues all human souls. Do you think that simply because I accept the Lord’s will I

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.