Rebecca's Bouquet by Lisa Jones Baker

Six
    The following evening, dusk set in as William and Rebecca traversed the long, scenic trail behind the Conrad property. How could he tell her about Daniel’s offer? It wasn’t something that could be ignored. Because William yearned to be close to his father. But the more he thought about how to explain his wants to Rebecca, the harder broaching the subject became.
    Old oak trees loomed ahead of them as they made their way down the hill. Large green leaves flitted back and forth with the warm breeze.
    Being next to Rebecca provided him with a strong sense of security. Something he’d especially appreciated since his arrival in Indiana. He let out a deep, satisfied sigh as they walked the beautiful undeveloped land.
    Ahead of them, the setting sun displayed deep, rich colors of orange and purple. The fading ball of light lingered in the western sky.
    â€œAenti Sarah always told me that each day’s a miracle from God and that I should go to bed blessed to have been given an opportunity to serve Him. That the next day would hold even more blessings and another opportunity to live for Him.”
    Rebecca darted him a quick glance. “Your aunt is a wise woman. I always admired her for her strength and wisdom. She’s very much like Mamma.”
    â€œAnd you.”
    â€œI would be proud to be half as good as either of them.”
    William thought of Aenti Sarah and wondered what advice she would give him now. Was he serving the Lord? William pondered the question. He worked hard to help his father. That must be for God. At the same time, William struggled to win his dad’s long-awaited approval.
    When Rebecca smiled, his heart fluttered. Rebecca always made him feel better. Even in the worst times.
    William definitely wasn’t proud of his bitterness. He tried to hide it. Cover it up. After all, there was no point in revealing his feelings. They would only add to an already damaged father-son relationship.
    Changing the past was impossible, but he could create a better future for himself. Couldn’t he? He struggled to forget all of the times he’d missed his dad.
    William was sure Aenti Sarah loved him dearly. Treasured him like a son. She’d never said so, but she’d shown it by making sure he was well fed and tucked in every night. By ensuring that he’d done his homework. He missed her. An ache formed at the back of his neck.
    William frowned. He was weak. Uncle John would be ashamed of him. He should be brave and strong. Unafraid of the unknown.
    â€œI remember when I was seven.”
    â€œWhat happened?”
    â€œI was bailing hay with Uncle John.” William shook his head and blew out a breath. “It must have been a hundred degrees that day. I told him I needed a break.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œWhat I got was a nice lecture on how a man doesn’t complain about being tired. Or about lifting something heavy. Or about being hot.”
    Rebecca pressed her lips together.
    â€œA man does what he has to do. And that’s that.” A grin tugged at William’s lips as he recalled those words. He pictured his tall uncle running his hand through his long, gray beard as he spoke. In fact, William could almost hear the gruff timbre of his uncle’s voice.
    Rebecca giggled. “Your uncle’s one tough man. I don’t think I’d want to bale hay with him. Knowing him, he’d never get tired.”
    William nodded.
    While he remembered his uncle’s words, he wished he could be what everyone expected of him. But he couldn’t. Not right now, anyway. Because he was scared. And homesick.
    The realization prompted blood to rush to his cheeks, and he hoped Rebecca wouldn’t notice. He had never really realized how much he loved Aenti Sarah who’d waited after school for him at the front door.
    His thoughts drifted back to her small kitchen, where he chatted with her while she set the dinner table. He missed being reminded