A Blessed Song for Their Love by Olivia Haywood
Chapter Twelve
Rosaline strolled beside Arthur as they walked the path that lead to the creek. It had been a week since she’d come to the ranch, and things were still difficult with Thomas, though they had improved a little. He still refused their invitations every evening to join them in the kitchen after the evening meals.
Evenings spent in the kitchen were fast becoming a family ritual, one that Thomas seemed reluctant to embrace.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Arthur asked.
They’d been strolling along for a few minutes in silence. “I was just wondering about Thomas.”
A wry smile crossed Arthur’s lips.
“Our friendship is growing, and I’m grateful that we talk to each other now at least. It makes life a lot easier. I was wondering what I could do to make him more comfortable. He seems so reluctant to join us in the evenings.”
“He will come around, lass.”
“You keep saying that.” Her voice held a note of frustration. “I haven't seen him pick up Robbie once. It’s just... A son needs his father. Any child does.”
Arthur looked up at her with a kind expression. “Do you miss your parents?”
“All the time. I only knew them for ten years, but those years were the happiest of my life,” she said, sighing. “They were the best parents any child could ever hope for. I only want the same for Robbie.”
“He has you now,” Arthur said gently.
“Am I enough, Arthur? He won't let me feed him or hold him unless Buena is around.”
“Don’t underestimate small steps lass. When you first arrived a week ago he wouldn’t let you do any of that, even with Buena present. There is only one way to build a herd. One calf at a time.”
Rosaline gave him a grateful smile. Arthur Stratton reminded her of her own father, a strong, kind man who put his family first. Thomas was fortunate to have a living father who embodied everything that was good. She comforted herself with the thought that, even if Thomas never came around and warmed to his son again, he would always have Arthur. They both would.
She still hoped and prayed that Thomas would come around, and she was going to do everything in her power to see that he did.
Her attention was drawn to the sound of running water as they walked through the trees. Arthur had suggested they take a walk together after church. Hoping that Thomas would join them, she had suggested after breakfast that the family spend the afternoon together when the service had finished.
Thomas dismissed the suggestion with the excuse that he had work to do on the ranch, but Arthur had taken pity on her and asked if she would like to accompany him on a walk to his favorite place.
“Where is that?” she had asked.
“It’s a surprise,” he had replied with a wink.
The trees gave way to a scene that made Rosaline draw in her breath. The creek that ran along the border of the ranch was magnificent. The clear water bubbled over rocks and dipped in places that left dark pools, while thick trees bordered the water on each side.
“This is my favorite place on the whole ranch,” Arthur said triumphantly. “This is where I come to meet with God.”
“It’s beautiful,” Rosaline breathed.
“I knew you would like it. I thought we could take some time, just the two of us, and pray. I feel closest to God when I’m here by the water.”
“I would like that very much,” she said happily. The scene was enough to take anyone's breath away. It was evident why Arthur felt closest to God when he was here.
He lead her down the embankment to an outcropping of rocks where the water gently sloshed against the cool stones. He sat on one and motioned for Rosaline to pick a seat.
She lifted her skirts and carefully made her way across the pebbles and picked a rock that looked like a comfortable fit.
They sat across from each other in silence for a moment as Rosaline surveyed the surroundings, still awestruck by the beauty of the creek.
Arthur allowed her to take everything in before speaking again. “I like to start my prayer time by thanking God for all His blessings before I get to the tougher requests.”
Rosaline nodded and bowed her head, letting the sound of the water carry her into the presence of God.
“Father we want to thank you for your generous provision, for bringing Rosaline here to us. We know that she is an answer to our prayers. She is trying so hard to help our family.”
Rosaline felt grateful tears threatening to spill from her eyes. She had wondered if anyone besides Buena had noticed how hard she was trying.
“We ask that you give her your strength, Lord, and show her the way to build a friendship with Thomas.”
There was a lull in the prayer and Rosaline picked it up as naturally as if she were praying by herself in her room. “Open his heart, Lord. I only ask that you help us bring him to you. Let him see that all that anyone wants for him is to be whole again. Whole and happy in your presence. Help me to grow the friendship between us. May he believe that he can love his family again without fear.”
A few moments of silence passed. Rosaline opened her eyes to see tears streaming down Arthur’s cheeks. She stood and made her way to him. Placing her arm around his shoulders she continued to pray. “And thank you for Arthur, Lord. Thank you for his kind heart that leads this family in love.”
“Amen,” Arthur opened his eyes and gave Rosaline a grateful smile. “Thank you, lass.” He squeezed her hand and they sat for a moment longer in silence as the stream flowed and the birds sung in the trees.
Rosaline felt at peace in her heart. She knew exactly what she needed to do. She would show Thomas that the love of God was more than enough to bridge the gap between them and grow a beautiful friendship.
***
The sun was setting as Rosaline made her way to Thomas’s study. The door was ajar and light was pouring from the room. Knocking softly on the door, she waited. She knew how important his privacy was to him, and she would do everything within her power to respect that.
“Come in,” Thomas called from inside the room.
Rosaline pushed the door open and stepped into the study, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Good evening Thomas,” she smiled gently.
Thomas looked up and hurriedly shut the book he had been writing in. “Is something wrong? Is Robbie alright? Is it Pa?”
Rosaline realized that her coming into his personal space was new to Thomas, and hurried to put him at ease. “No, everyone is well. I just wanted to see how your day went, and if you needed anything?” She shuffled nervously in the doorway, not wanting to push in.
It reminded her of the last time she had shuffled nervously in a doorway. She unconsciously ran her thumb along the scar in her palm.
Thomas placed the book in a drawer and nervously licked his lips. “My day was fine, thank you.”
Rosaline searched for words to carry on the conversation, but she looked up in surprise when he returned the question.
“How was your day? Was church to your liking?”
She felt a growing ease in her chest. Not only had he asked about her day, but he had also asked if she had enjoyed church, something that was a forbidden subject in his presence.
“It was lovely, thank you. I... I like all the people in town. They seem very nice.” She was about to talk about the message of the service and how much she had enjoyed it but changed her mind.
“That’s good, they are good people,” he added awkwardly.
Rosaline looked around the room in search of something more to talk about. Her gaze fell on the half cleaned carpet that still boasted the muddy footprints.
She looked up to see him watching her and blushed.
“I’m sorry,” he said sheepishly.
“What for?”
“For yelling at you when you were trying to clean in here. It was uncalled for.”
Her lips broke into a gentle smile. “That’s alright. Don't mention it, I should have asked where it was you wanted me to clean. Buena hadn’t even told me to do it. It was presumptuous of me.”
He gave a soft laugh as the mood between them grew lighter. “Not at all, you were just trying to help. It was entirely my fault for taking my anger out on you.”
Rosaline gripped her arm, feeling more at ease in his presence, but not knowing how to continue. She liked the sound of his laugh.
“It would be alright...”
She looked up when he hesitated. “Yes?”
He smiled nervously and chewed on his bottom lip. “I wouldn’t mind if you wanted to finish cleaning the carpet” He added quickly, “that’s if you wanted to, please don’t feel obligated to.” He ran a hand over the back of his neck.
“I would be glad to.”
“I promise not to shout at you this time. If you promise not to call me sir.”
Rosaline blushed at the memory of her outburst. There was a twinkle in Thomas’ eyes. Was he teasing her, she wondered.
“I promise.”
They chatted for a few moments about the ranch before Rosaline excused herself and bid him a good night. She pulled the study door closed behind her and leaned back against the frame. She was glad for the change that had grown between them, but her heart was pounding in her chest and her pulse was racing.
She had noticed the strong set of his jaw and the way he rubbed his beard. “Lord help me to not want anything more from him than he’s willing to give,” she whispered to herself. Her growing feelings were beginning to scare her. More than once she had begun to hope that there could be something more between them in the future. That he would someday see her as more than just the woman who looked after his son. She needed to be grateful for the relationship they had instead of dreaming of one that would probably always be out of reach.
***
Rosaline quietly sang to herself as she scrubbed the carpet in the study, removing the muddied prints. Her heart was grateful for the friendship that was beginning to form between her and Thomas. The only thing that worried her was the growing attraction she felt towards him when she knew there couldn’t be anything more.
“There you are dear,” Buena interrupted her singing as she came around the corner. I was looking for you by the washing.”
Rosaline placed the cloth in the bucket of soapy water and drew back on her haunches. “The washing is done and Robbie is taking his nap, so I thought I’d get started on the rug.”
“I see you have made quite a dent in your chore list this morning. Arthur will be here to keep an eye on Robbie. Why don’t you take a break and come into town with me?”
“That sounds like a fine idea.” Rosaline pushed herself up, grateful to get out a bit and see the town.
***
Rosaline and Buena walked side by side as they chatted about the ranch and the progress Robbie had been making, even if it was only a little. Wild sunflowers lined the road that lead into town, mirroring Rosaline’s sunny mood. There was a reason that people called Kansas the sunflower state.
She found the roads much easier to walk on than that of Delaware. They weren’t rocky and riddled with holes, for one.
“How are you feeling about everything?” Buena asked. “It’s been a week since you arrived.”
“I’m getting there,” Rosaline replied cheerfully. “I’ll admit it’s a lot of work, but I’m getting there.”
“I could not be more proud of how you have handled all the chores. You’ve jumped right in.”
Rosaline smiled at the expression that she’d come to associate with Bunea Gideon. Her entire life’s outlook was to jump right in.
“I’ll be leaving this afternoon to let you get on with things.”
Rosaline stopped dead in her tracks and looked at the woman with her mouth hanging slightly open.
“Don’t be so shocked. I can’t stay forever, and I’m worried that Robbie won’t settle completely until I’m gone. He’s gotten into the bad habit of relying on me. He will settle faster without me around.”
“I don’t know if I can handle things without you.” Rosaline began to protest but was silenced by Buena.
“Stuff and nonsense.” She waved the idea away with her hand as if she were shooing a fly and resumed walking towards town.
Rosaline hurried to catch up again as Buena set a brisker pace. “I’m not sure if I can manage Robbie and all the chores.”
“Well, you will just have to jump right in and see, now won’t you?”
Buena’s extreme optimism was a little less welcome now that Rosaline knew she would be handling things on her own.
They walked along with Buena chatting away about her sons as they neared the town. Buena had successfully blocked any further attempts for Rosaline to complain, and she was now reluctantly resigned to her lot.
Just as they drew near they saw a man approaching. He was wearing a navy blue jacket with a mail sack slung over his shoulder.
“That would be Reggie with the post,” Buena observed cheerfully. “Probably come to find me with a letter from my eldest son. Can’t go a minute without asking me for something. Good day, Reggie!” Buena called to the man, waving her hand frantically while he was still a way off.
They drew nearer and waited for the man to finish rummaging in his bag after he had greeted them.
“I have a letter here for a Miss Rosaline Berry,” He said and pulled a cream envelope from the bag that was bulging with mail.
Rosaline and Buena looked at each other in surprise.
“Or should I say Mrs. Rosaline Stratton?” Reggie corrected himself. The news of Thomas taking a new wife had spread through the town like a dry field on fire.
Rosaline shakily took the letter and turned it over as her heart thumped in her chest. Surely it couldn’t be from Donna, they had agreed that Rosaline would be the first to write. Had the Vosses discovered where she was after only one week?
The postmark read Wilmington, Delaware.
***
Rosaline sat on the edge of her bed with the letter in her lap. She had tucked the letter into her cloak after reading the name, wanting to read it in privacy. Buena had gently probed but Rosaline had been firm that it was nothing as they went about their business.
She had waited until after dinner to excuse herself to her room, leaving Bunea and Arthur to play with Robbie, citing that she had a headache and Buena would probably want some time with them as this was her last night.
Holding the letter up to the light of her kerosine lamp, her nerves were frayed as she began to read.
Dear Rosaline,
I hope this letter finds you well and that you have settled into your new life with your new family. Things are much the same as they have ever been here in Delaware. I miss you every day. I know we said that you would be the first to write, but something has come to my attention that I felt you should know about.
My father told me that a few days after your departure, Mr. Voss started sniffing around and asking if anyone knows where you are. My father assured him that I would have told them if I knew anything. As far as my parents are concerned, I know nothing of your whereabouts.
Mr. Voss cornered me himself when my father left me in charge of the store. He knows that we are friends and is not persuaded that I do not know where you are. Rest assured that I will not tell him, but be careful, my dearest friend. It seems like he will not stop until he has found you.
We had better not exchange any letters for a while still, but know that you are always in my heart and prayers.
Yours affectionately, Donna.
The letter hung limply in Rosaline's hand. All the blood had drained from her face. If Mr. Voss had suspicions about Donna, how long would it be until he found out where she was? He couldn’t force her to go back against her will, but she was certain that he would do everything in his power to make her life as difficult as possible.
“Lord, what am I going to do?” she prayed. “I’ll have to tell Thomas the truth soon. Please don’t let him be angry with me.”