here and take care of me.”
“But it’s not just that. This is a good life here. I love it on this farm.”
“You’re right—it is a good life, we’ve been blessed many times over. But God may have a completely different plan for you, Amy, and I’ll not hold you back.”
There was silence in the room for a long time. Grant’s compassion for his only child was great and, even though his words had shocked her, they needed to be said.
Amy stood. “I best get to the barn.” Grant nodded. Amy hesitated and then walked to his chair. They hugged long and hard. “This is the only home I’ve ever known.”
“I know, honey, and I’m not pushing you out, but please don’t close your eyes to what God might have for you beyond these acres.”
Amy stepped back and held her father’s hand. She squeezed gently and said, “Thanks, Dad.” On these words she moved for the door.
24
The following day was Saturday, and Silas came in from the fields a bit early. Amy surprised both men at the supper table when she asked if Silas would take her to town after the meal. Silas assured her he would be glad to oblige. Amy then looked to Grant.
“You’re sure, Amy?”
“I’m sure. I should have told Uncle Evan the first day he asked me.”
Amy did a quick cleanup on the kitchen and they were able to leave while there was still light in the sky.
Neillsville on Saturday night was a busy place. In front of each saloon was a crowd, and the noise spoke of boisterous activity within. Amy was glad for Silas’ presence. A man would have to be crazy to challenge someone of Silas’ proportions— crazy or drunk.
Amy wondered a little at her decision to come into town at night, but she knew it was time to resolve this with Uncle Evan. She had prayed about little else since her talk with her dad and knew without a doubt the answer to her uncle must be no. If Amy was honest with herself, she did not really believe she would ever move away from the farm. The only reason she could think of would be to marry, and there were simply no men in the area in whom she was the least bit interested.She knew her father meant well, but for now just knowing she would be able to settle things was peace enough.
The entire downstairs of the Randall mansion was lit. For a moment Amy thought her relations might be entertaining, but the carriage house was closed and there did not seem to be any extra vehicles about.
For the second time in Silas’ visit, he and Amy stood in silence at the Randalls’ front door. Silas did not need to ask how Amy was feeling. Her attempt at gnawing her lower lip off was answer enough.
Bev Randall was surprised but also very pleased to see Amy. She greeted Silas warmly and, after seating them in her elegant living room, rang for refreshments.
After the servant left them, Amy wasted no time in stating her purpose. “Aunt Bev, is Uncle Evan here?”
“No dear, he went out for a while. He didn’t say where he was going, so I really have no idea when he planned to return.”
Amy looked as distressed as she felt. “Is there something I can do, Amy?”
“Well, I’m not sure. I think I should tell Uncle Evan first but I…” Amy’s voice trailed away in uncertainty.
“Is it about your coming to live here?”
Amy nodded.
“Evan told me that he’d asked you.”
“You mean he didn’t discuss it with you before he talked with me?”
“Amy dear, your uncle rarely sees fit to discuss anything with me.” Bev smiled, but Amy thought she caught a trace of bitterness in her aunt’s words.
“I’m sorry he didn’t discuss it with you first. He should have,” Amy stated firmly and went on before Bev could interrupt. “I’ve come tonight to tell him no. I know the offer was made in love, but I want to stay on the farm. I’ve never hada strong desire to live in town. I know Uncle Evan will think my dad is holding me back, but that’s not true. The farm is where I want to be and would be even if
“But it’s not just that. This is a good life here. I love it on this farm.”
“You’re right—it is a good life, we’ve been blessed many times over. But God may have a completely different plan for you, Amy, and I’ll not hold you back.”
There was silence in the room for a long time. Grant’s compassion for his only child was great and, even though his words had shocked her, they needed to be said.
Amy stood. “I best get to the barn.” Grant nodded. Amy hesitated and then walked to his chair. They hugged long and hard. “This is the only home I’ve ever known.”
“I know, honey, and I’m not pushing you out, but please don’t close your eyes to what God might have for you beyond these acres.”
Amy stepped back and held her father’s hand. She squeezed gently and said, “Thanks, Dad.” On these words she moved for the door.
24
The following day was Saturday, and Silas came in from the fields a bit early. Amy surprised both men at the supper table when she asked if Silas would take her to town after the meal. Silas assured her he would be glad to oblige. Amy then looked to Grant.
“You’re sure, Amy?”
“I’m sure. I should have told Uncle Evan the first day he asked me.”
Amy did a quick cleanup on the kitchen and they were able to leave while there was still light in the sky.
Neillsville on Saturday night was a busy place. In front of each saloon was a crowd, and the noise spoke of boisterous activity within. Amy was glad for Silas’ presence. A man would have to be crazy to challenge someone of Silas’ proportions— crazy or drunk.
Amy wondered a little at her decision to come into town at night, but she knew it was time to resolve this with Uncle Evan. She had prayed about little else since her talk with her dad and knew without a doubt the answer to her uncle must be no. If Amy was honest with herself, she did not really believe she would ever move away from the farm. The only reason she could think of would be to marry, and there were simply no men in the area in whom she was the least bit interested.She knew her father meant well, but for now just knowing she would be able to settle things was peace enough.
The entire downstairs of the Randall mansion was lit. For a moment Amy thought her relations might be entertaining, but the carriage house was closed and there did not seem to be any extra vehicles about.
For the second time in Silas’ visit, he and Amy stood in silence at the Randalls’ front door. Silas did not need to ask how Amy was feeling. Her attempt at gnawing her lower lip off was answer enough.
Bev Randall was surprised but also very pleased to see Amy. She greeted Silas warmly and, after seating them in her elegant living room, rang for refreshments.
After the servant left them, Amy wasted no time in stating her purpose. “Aunt Bev, is Uncle Evan here?”
“No dear, he went out for a while. He didn’t say where he was going, so I really have no idea when he planned to return.”
Amy looked as distressed as she felt. “Is there something I can do, Amy?”
“Well, I’m not sure. I think I should tell Uncle Evan first but I…” Amy’s voice trailed away in uncertainty.
“Is it about your coming to live here?”
Amy nodded.
“Evan told me that he’d asked you.”
“You mean he didn’t discuss it with you before he talked with me?”
“Amy dear, your uncle rarely sees fit to discuss anything with me.” Bev smiled, but Amy thought she caught a trace of bitterness in her aunt’s words.
“I’m sorry he didn’t discuss it with you first. He should have,” Amy stated firmly and went on before Bev could interrupt. “I’ve come tonight to tell him no. I know the offer was made in love, but I want to stay on the farm. I’ve never hada strong desire to live in town. I know Uncle Evan will think my dad is holding me back, but that’s not true. The farm is where I want to be and would be even if
Similar Books
