by Annie Boone
“What woman doesn’t like roses? And daisies? And oh, the lavender smells absolutely divine!” Charity joked with him before her voice turned serious as she added, “They are absolutely beautiful. I love them. Thank you.”
He nodded, “Excellent. You’re very welcome. I did mean what I said on the card. I never intended to come across so forward or make you uncomfortable. I know it had been a while since we met at your sister’s wedding and I didn’t mean to overstep my bounds.”
Don’t mess this up! She thought excitedly before she shook her head and answered, “Oh no, not at all. You didn’t. In fact, besides thanking you for the flowers, I want to apologize. I was so rude to you yesterday and you were well within the moral bounds of a gentleman. It was me who was disgracefully out of line. I’m sorry.”
He looked at her intently. He was clearly deep in thought for a moment before he responded, “I didn’t think you were rude at all. You have every right to choose who you spend your time with and when you do it. But would I be wrong to hope that you’ve reconsidered my offer?”
Relieved, she exhaled loudly. Then she smiled brightly without restraint. “Yes, Eli. I believe I have. I’d love to have dinner with you.”
His face lit up and Charity thought he was the most handsome man in the world. Then he replied, “That’s great! How about tonight?”
“So I don’t change my mind again?” I laughed, hoping that he took it as a joke.
Thankfully, he laughed genuinely too and replied, “No, that’s not it at all. I believe you,” He then gazed deeply into Charity’s eyes before he finished, “It’s just, now that I have a date with you, I cannot wait another day to see you again.”
In an instant, Charity’s heart began to flutter and she felt extremely weak in the knees. If she hadn’t been on Shamrock, she probably wouldn’t have been able to stand! Nonetheless, she answered him easily, “Tonight it is, then.”
“Six o’clock sharp?”
“Yes, Sir. You know where I live, don’t you?”
He nodded, “You and your mother live behind Aaron’s house just outside of town, right?”
“Yes, just come in the front gate and if anyone asks, just tell them that you’re picking me up. Oh! I almost forgot these. I made you some blackberry pastries.” She handed the basket to him with pride and a big smile.
He pulled the napkin back and looked inside. “Oh my goodness. These look delicious. I can’t wait to try them. I hope you won’t be offended if I ruin my supper with one of these while I walk home. So, I’ll see you tonight?”
Charity nodded. “I’m looking forward to it, Eli.”
She pulled Shamrock’s reigns to turn him toward home. Eli patted the horse’s flank as Charity urged him forward. As soon as she hit the open road that lead to the ranch, she pushed Shamrock to a full trot. She needed to hurry so she could get ready and tell her sisters all about it before he came to pick her up.
As she came through the gate, she was so happy that things had gone well with Eli. “Thank You, God,” she murmured as she hopped off of Shamrock in the stable. She was also thankful for Timmy Juarez who took charge of the horse when they arrived.
***
Hope wasn’t at the ranch today, just like most days. They usually only saw her once or twice a week. She was busy with The Gilded Goose and with her new husband.
But Charity knew that Faith should be home. She’d taught school that day, but she should be home by now. She rushed into the main house and found her sister in the kitchen working with Mrs. James.
“Charity, what’s the urgency?” asked Faith with a bit of alarm. “Is something wrong? Mama?”
“Oh, no, no,” replied Charity with a wave of her hand. She was trying to catch her breath and talk at the same time. “Nothing’s wrong. I have good news, actually.”
“What’s that, then?”
“I saw Eli today. We talked. I’m having supper with him tonight. I have to hurry, but I’m so excited I had to tell you!” bellowed Charity.
“Oh, Charity! I’m so happy for you! Do you have time to tell me how it all happened? Hit the high spots. I’m dying to know!” exclaimed Faith.
“Well, I found these flowers at the door to the bakery this morning.” She held up the flowers wrapped in their towel. They weren’t in perfect condition any longer, but they were still beautiful. “I decided to take him some pastries and thank him. I also apologized for being difficult. Then he asked me to have supper with him tonight. Faith, he said he couldn’t go another day without spending time with me! Isn’t that romantic?”
“Romantic, indeed,” smiled Faith. “Sounds like he’s round the bend over you. You’d better hurry so you’ll be ready on time. Have a good time tonight.”
“I will! Love you!” yelled Charity as she ran out of the house toward the cottage she shared with her mother.
Dinner with Eli was fun and sweet. In fact, it was completely wonderful. Charity could no longer understand why she had passed on this opportunity to get to know him. Especially when she acknowledged she was worried by something that might happen.
As much as she didn’t want to admit it, her sisters were right. He was a true gentleman and a man that she could really see herself with. And he was worth the risk of heartbreak. She just hoped she could remember this part when he did break her heart!
Of course, this was their first time out together. It wasn’t like she was already planning their wedding or anything. She had no idea where things would go with them from here, but she hoped he was feeling warmly about their time together, too.
Their food was delicious, though Charity was a little too self-conscious to eat with gusto. She was more focused on their conversation than the food. Eli seemed to enjoy his meal to the highest level. He ate with enthusiasm and it didn’t appear that the blackberry pastry had ruined his appetite at all.
Though he seemed fully involved in his meal, Eli still showered Charity with attention and care. He listened to everything she said and they had a very engaging conversation about the role of the church in the community. They also told stories of growing up as a parson’s child, though their stories were quite different since Charity’s father had died so young.
Finally, Eli started the conversation that Charity knew would come at some point in the evening. She was fairly certain he’d want to know why she’d turned him down and then changed her mind. She felt comfortable with him and she wasn’t afraid of the conversation at this point.
“So, why did you reconsider having supper with me? I thought you were pretty firm in your decision. I was really just trying to make up for anything that I might have done to come across as less of a gentleman to you. There really was no ulterior motive with the flowers,” he said. His voice was serious, but kind.
Charity giggled nervously before she replied, “No. I know that, Eli. I didn’t reconsider because of the flowers. Though they are lovely and it was a sweet thing for you to do.”
“I’m glad they made an impression on you,” he smiled. “ I was hoping for that, at least.”
“And just so you know, you didn’t do anything to make me think that you are anything less than a gentleman.” She shrugged then, debating on whether or not she should tell him the hard truth. It would be difficult to tell him what she’d been thinking but she decided that honesty was the best policy. She took a deep breath and looked into his calming green eyes. “It was more because I was scared.”
“Of what?” he inquired. “If you have been hurt before, you don’t have to fear that with me.”
Charity shook her head quickly as he spoke. She almost butted in before he finished his thought. “No. It’s not that. It’s just that I am inexperienced. Your offer of dinner, although wanted, took me by surprise. I don’t really know why, but it did. I needed some time to think about it.”
He shrugged as he continued to look into her eyes. “I guess that makes sense. But what exactly were you thinking about?”
Charity blushed and cast her
eyes down for a moment. “I suppose because I’m so unsophisticated with courting, I was worried about the long term implications. I’m terribly embarrassed to reveal this to you, but I want to be honest. It may not be the smartest way to start out, but I don’t feel right keeping a secret since you asked.”
Eli’s eyes widened, but only for a minute. Then he reached out and took her hand. “Charity, I like you very much. I think it’s smart to think about possibilities in all things we do. I’m thankful that you felt safe telling me the truth. While we don’t know for sure where this will go, I promise you that God will be at the center of any decision we make. Do you agree with that?”
Charity nodded and felt her cheeks grow even more red. She was relieved that this part was over. He knew she was concerned about the future, but promised to let God guide his path. She couldn’t ask more than that.
“So, since we’re baring our souls, why did it take so long for you to come see me? I thought we’d really had fun at the wedding, and I was sure you’d seek me out that next week. I was hoping you’d ask me to supper or something, but you didn’t. Why?”
Charity watched his lips purse before he sighed slightly and looked down at the table. For a moment she thought he was angry. Then his face softened a bit and he seemed a little ashamed. “Well, since you’ve been honest, I guess I should be, too. It was because I was scared.” He laughed slightly then before he added, “I know how silly it sounds, but I didn’t want to be rejected.”
“And then I rejected you, after all that? I’m so sorry, Eli. I had no idea.” Charity felt her heart sink as the guilt began to build inside her.
He smiled then and Charity’s heart did that now familiar flutter in her chest.
“It doesn’t matter. Not even a little bit. We’re here now and that’s all that matters to me.”
Charity nodded and felt herself begin to grow her confidence back as the guilt retreated. “Yes, Eli. That is all that matters,” She then glanced up at him with a careful grin and insisted, “I’m very happy to be here, too.”
“I’m happy to hear that.” He raised his glass and toasted, “To us!” When they clanked their glasses, Charity felt a buzz of excitement and contentment course through her that was unlike anything she had ever known.
The night was finally over and he took her home. At her front door, Eli took her hand in his and raised it to his lips. He said a husky “Good night,” and then he was gone. She tiptoed to her room so her mother didn’t wake up and ask her a hundred questions.
Once she was in her room, she changed into her bed clothes with thoughts of Eli dancing through her head and her heart. She had a wonderful time. She hadn’t wanted the night to end. Now she couldn’t wait to see him again.
His warm, gentle kiss on the back of her hand was something she didn’t think she’d ever forget. It was a formal gesture that seemed so intimate between them. Charity’s whole body flushed at the thought of his lips on hers even though that hadn’t even happened.
She snuggled down into her bed and pulled the covers to her chin. It’s true. I can’t wait to see Eli again, she thought as she drifted off to sleep.
Charity was dreaming of Eli when she awoke to being poked and shaken. She was confused and barely awake. She pushed the hand away and turned over to go back to sleep. There was no way it was time to wake up yet.
The shaking didn’t stop. It got more intense. Charity was slowly waking up but she was still groggy. She briefly opened her eyes, as she remembered what a lovely evening she’d had with Eli. Then she settled deeper into her covers. When she opened her eyes again, she saw her mother standing over her with a sly smile on her face.
“Good morning, Mama,” Charity said in a croaky, sleepy voice.
“Good morning, dear.” Excitement was bubbling from her mother’s voice and her smile said she was clearly up to something. “So, how was everything last night? What happened? Tell me everything. Did you like him?”
Feeling slightly embarrassed by all of the questions, she squished up her face and buried her head in the pillow before she answered, “Yes, I had a great time.” She was uncomfortable telling her mother about her date. There wasn’t a reason to be embarrassed, but she was.
“What was he like? Did he make you laugh? Was he charming?”
Waking up a little, or at least enough to poke her head out of the covers and look at her mother, she nodded and smiled sweetly. “Yes, funny and charming. But more than that he was interesting. We just talked for the longest time about virtually everything and Mama, he is very much like me. We have so much in common, but it’s a little scary.”
Her mother clapped her hands happily. “I knew it! I knew it right from the moment I saw you with him that you’d make a wonderful match! Oh, I’m sorry to wake you so early. I just wanted to talk to you about it, because I was so happy for you. I’ll let you wake up now that I know it was just as I hoped it would be.” She leaned down and kissed Charity’s forehead and left her alone in her room.
Since she was awake now, she got up and went to the kitchen for breakfast. Her mother was still smiling when she came in.
“I truly am sorry for waking you. I know you like to sleep in a bit on your day off.”
“I’m fine, Mama. It will do me good to be up and about early today. I do have a few things I need to do.”
“Oh, and I didn’t get a chance to tell you yesterday. Faith and Aaron have invited us all to the main house for a family dinner. She would be devastated if any of us didn’t make it. You know how she is about things like that.” Her mother teased, rolling her eyes at her eldest daughter’s need for everything to be perfect.
Charity nodded and answered, “Thank you, Mama. That sounds lovely. I won’t forget and I’ll watch the time.”
So, after a lazy morning of getting caught up on household chores, Charity left to check on a church member who had been ill. Next she stopped at the mercantile to pick up some supplies for her Bible study meeting the next night.
She made it home in time to freshen up quickly for the family supper. She and her mother made the short walk to the large house on the property for dinner. When they arrived, Hope and Andrew were already in attendance, relaxing in the main living room.
Charity could tell right away that Faith looked slightly nervous, and she wondered what was going on. The children also seemed to be wound up and running around more than normal. Something was definitely going on, she just wasn’t sure what.
The Bentons had been invited to the dinner and they arrived in good spirits. The older couple blended right in with everyone else. They’d become wonderful friends for Helen. Charity smiled and gave each of them a warm hug.
Once everyone was present and accounted for, they took their places around the large table in the dining room. The meal seemed to be going as any other meal would. Charity was trying to put her finger on what was so suspicious, but she just couldn’t.
Joseph and Sally kept looking at their father, who also seemed much quieter than normal. He was normally a joke teller and a tale spinner when everyone was together, but tonight he was a bit disengaged. He seemed to be preoccupied with something else on his mind. Charity was struck with a moment of fear. She hoped they weren’t about to give the rest of the family bad news. She tried to think positive thoughts and then she decided she was probably worrying over nothing. Faith did love having the family around her, so this was probably nothing more than her sister taking pleasure in feeding those she loved.
Dinner continued on as normal. They all ate and laughed and it almost seemed like Charity’s sixth sense needed adjustment. But then right after dessert, Faith and Aaron exchanged looks that were reserved for only each other. They both stood up.
“Excuse me, everyone,” Faith said over her chatting sisters, mother, in-laws, and stepchildren.
Immediately, everyone stopped talking and looked at Faith. The looks on their faces went from terrified to excited as Charity looked around the table at her dinner companions
. At this point it was obvious they were all brought here for a reason.
“We have an announcement to make,” Aaron said carefully, wrapping his arms lovingly around Faith.
There was a slight pause as Faith got settled in his arms. Then she spoke as though she could not contain the news any longer, “We’re having a baby!” She exclaimed and a shocked hush fell over the table.
Joseph slapped his hands on his cheeks in surprise. “Oh no! Do we have to have it?” he exclaimed. “I like it just like it is around here.” Then he looked around the room at the looks of happiness from the grown-ups and decided he’d be better off to keep his thoughts to himself. At least for now.
“Yippee!” Sally exclaimed, “I hope it’s a girl, so we can beat all the boys. Right Faith? Don’t you think it’s a girl?” she giggled.
“No! At least if it’s a boy, Dad and I will have some company. I’ve never had a baby brother. Maybe it won’t be so bad if it’s a boy.”
However, the rest of the people in the room seemed to be waiting for the children to get their thoughts out before expressing their own thoughts. Everyone was smiling, though.
It was only after James and Sally began to argue about what they wanted the newborn baby to be that their mother spoke up. “You’re pregnant! Oh thank you Lord!”
It was then that the shock seemed to wear off of everyone else and everyone cheered.
“That’s amazing news!” Hope quickly followed, while Hope and Andrew moved to the head of the table, along with Charity’s mother to start the round of hugs.
Martha Benton went to Faith and hugged her warmly. “I’m so happy for you, Faith. This will be a lucky baby!”
Sam Benton chimed in next. “I am already looking forward to another little one to spoil. I hope you’ll allow us to be an extra set of grandparents for this tyke when he or she finally arrives.” Martha stood beside him nodding.
Aaron choked up at that point. He went to them and hugged them together. “Of course. This child will love you just like Joseph and Sally do.”
