At Home in Persimmon Hollow by Gerri Bauer

Author:Gerri Bauer [Bauer, Gerri]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Spiranthes Press

Chapter Twelve

Agnes slipped out of the house into the dewy fog of dawn, managing not to slam the door as she maneuvered through on her crutches. Mockingbirds, great-crested flycatchers, hawks, and cardinals greeted the morning, but otherwise town was quiet as she made her way to the meeting hall.

Inside, she knelt and prayed for guidance. Her carefully crafted plan was fraying at an alarming rate. Her world hung on a simple dream: a return to St. Isidore’s Home until marriage and then continued care for the orphans while living nearby with her own family. How distant it all seemed. Each day seemed to draw her further away, and the more she tried to bend to what apparently was God’s will, the more resistance she encountered.

A most unsuitable man had not only claimed an increasing chunk of her thoughts and feelings, but now appeared serious in asking for her hand.

“God did you place him in my path?” she whispered, not expecting an answer. God didn’t supply explanations. Still, so many pieces didn’t fit. Seth was in need of salvation.

Not only that, he’d made it clear the day of the picnic that city life didn’t suit him. She remembered the conversation. They had chatted about hometowns. Agnes couldn’t imagine life anywhere but in a city. Seth couldn’t imagine life in one.

Nevertheless, Seth had offered marriage to protect her reputation. It was such an unselfish action, and it warmed her toward him all the more. And he had left open the door to reclaiming his relationship with Church and faith.

She blessed herself and leaned on a bench while rising and positioning her crutches. Her foot and ankle improved daily. She was sure she’d be able to set aside the crutches for good in a matter of days. Definitely before the start of school.

The door opened as she headed toward it. “I thought I’d find you here,” said Fanny with a beaming smile. “Breakfast is ready. You’d better hurry or two hungry fellows might gobble everything up. Make that three, if we add in Billy. Sometimes I think he eats more than two grown men.”

Agnes smiled because the Alloways and their cook, Estelle, always made enough to feed half the town. One or more of them brought food daily to neighbors they knew needed a hand. They always made it appear the recipients were doing the Alloways and Estelle a favor by making sure food didn’t go to waste.

“How’s your sprain?” Fanny asked.

“Much better. I should be off these crutches before classes begin.”

“I can’t believe how close we are to the start of school.”

“I know,” Agnes said. “And I’m glad Billy enjoys spending time in town with us. That may help us convince Seth to let him stay in town for lessons.”

Silence grew at the mention of Seth’s name.

“Honey, do you want to talk about it?” Fanny asked as she kept a light but firm hand on Agnes’s elbow and helped her out the door and down the steps.

The early sun was burning off the haze.

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