Hearts and Harvest

by Amber Stockton

  Annabelle didn’t know how to respond, so she smiled softly and nodded. The Berringers had quite a legacy built around them. Despite their recent loss, they maintained their faith and continued to be a light amid the dark circumstances surrounding the city. They had many reasons to be proud of the paths they now chose. If only William could see the benefit in continuing to trust God, even through the storms.

  She looked at him for a moment only to see he kept his head down and focused on his bowl. He hadn’t participated at all, but at least he hadn’t gotten up or walked away. Annabelle prayed he listened to what his parents had said. Perhaps their words could serve as water to the seeds she’d planted a few weeks ago. The foundation was there in his life. She could see that. He just needed time.

  God had brought them into her life and her into theirs. Nothing happened without a purpose. Annabelle looked forward to seeing how it all played out.

  NINE

  “Where are we headed first?”

  William walked alongside his father on a Sunday afternoon a week later as they ventured into some of the more affluent areas of the city. Even though they both had taken great care with their grooming that morning and wore some of their better Sunday clothing, he still felt shabby and insignificant. It didn’t matter that they might look the part. Inside he didn’t feel it.

  His father looked down at a piece of paper where he’d scribbled some names and addresses. “We’ll pay a visit to Amos Shepherd.”

  “Are you sure these men won’t mind us barging in like this? I mean, we didn’t exactly notify them in advance that we’d be coming. There was a time when we’d leave a calling card first.”

  Father sighed. “Yes, I know. However, we don’t have the luxury of planning ahead like we once did. We have no other choice but to seize the opportunities as they arise. And that means today.”

  William wasn’t quite sure he could grab hold of the same determination or zeal his father had managed to find, but he’d do his best. It couldn’t be easy for a man like Father to resort to this. They were asking for special favors, plain and simple. A dozen scenarios played out in his head about how they’d be received by those who had once openly welcomed them into their homes. He only hoped the worst of them wouldn’t come true today.

  Walking up the six steps to the front door of the Shepherd home, William noted that the windowpanes lacked their former decor. It appeared as if Amos and his family might have been affected as well.

  A moment or two after Father knocked, the latch clicked and the door swung open.

  “Good afternoon,” the butler said in a formal tone, eyeing them both from head to toe with disdain in his eyes. “How may I help you?”

  They still were able to afford their butler? Perhaps they weren’t as affected as William had thought.

  “We are here to see Mr. Shepherd,” Father replied. “You may tell him that Daniel and William Berringer have come to call.”

  A barely perceptible nod on an almost emotionless face was the only sign that the man had even heard them. He stepped back to allow them entrance.

  “You may wait in the sitting room,” the man instructed as he closed the door behind them. “I shall inform Mr. Shepherd immediately.”

  William and his father made their way into the front room and took a seat in opposite chairs facing the windows. They had a clear view of the doorway so they’d know when Amos appeared. Two minutes later, the sound of shoes clicking on the hardwood floor in the entry preceded Mr. Shepherd’s arrival.

  “Daniel!” Amos stepped into the room, aided by a polished beech wood cane with a brass handle. His slicked back, silver-lined hair and tailored suit made him appear every bit the dapper gentleman. “I must admit, your presence this afternoon is quite a surprise.”

  William didn’t like the forced jovial sound to the man’s voice, nor the reserved smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Nevertheless, he and his father stood to shake hands with Shepherd as etiquette demanded.

  “Yes, my friend. And I apologize for arriving unannounced.”

  Shepherd dismissed Father’s comment with a wave of his hand. “Nonsense. You are always welcome in my home.” He hooked his thumbs on the pockets of his vest and rocked back on his heels. “So tell me. What brings you here today?”

  William took a tiny step back to allow his father to control the conversation. He was only there for moral support and to plead his own case if it became necessary.

  “Well,” his father began, “this isn’t the easiest thing for me to do.”

  Shepherd moved toward a wingback chair. “Please,” he invited, “sit down, and start from the beginning.”

  After they sat, Amos perched on the edge of his chair, one leg extended out in front of him while the other remained bent at a perpendicular angle.

  Father cleared his throat. “I’m sure you’re well aware of the effect the crisis had on my family.”

  “Yes, and I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch lately to extend my condolences. So many of our previous acquaintances have lost so much.”

  “We’ve made out better than some. That much is certain.” Father took a deep breath. “We’re here today to ask if there is anything at all with which you’re aware for either myself or William to do in order to get back on our feet. You’re well acquainted with our work habits and our ingenuity. We’re not afraid of starting small to begin, either.”

  Shepherd started to respond, but Father continued.

  “I know you might not have anything yourself. But if you know of someone who does, we’d be appreciative of your direction or even a good word on our behalf.”

  William watched Shepherd with a wary eye. Something about the man’s demeanor didn’t sit right. He went through all the motions of appearing to consider Father’s request, but his actions and his facial expression didn’t seem to line up.

  “Daniel, you know me as well as anyone. If I had any resources at all at my disposal, I’d be the first in line to open any doors I could for those who needed it.”

  Here it comes. William tried not to roll his eyes at the predictable response from someone who didn’t want to exert any effort toward helping someone who had fallen on hard times as his father had.

  “However, although we fared measurably better than others, the current economic situation has not looked favorably upon us, either. We are barely managing to make ends meet. Two of my associates and I are working long hours at the bank in an attempt to find anything extra from which we can pull to help ease the city’s burden.” He sighed. “Most simply aren’t able to afford additional help at this point.”

  The words were delivered with just the right measure of regret and sympathy, but William still wasn’t convinced of the man’s sincerity. Call it a hunch. He just didn’t believe him.

  “I understand,” Father said with a note of obvious resignation. “We weren’t certain what the result would be of our efforts today. If there is anything out there, we’re going to find it, though.”

  Shepherd leaned on his cane and rose. Father and William did the same.

  “I do appreciate you taking time out of your day off to see us.” Father extended his hand, which Shepherd took.

  “Of course. It was my pleasure.”

  “And if you do hear of anything, or if circumstances change in any way, be sure to come find us at the Lawson plot to the north.”

  The man rested both hands on the handle of his cane and nodded. “Of course. Of course. You know I will.”

  Father took a step toward the front door. “We’ll see ourselves out.”

  “It was good seeing you again, Daniel. Give my best to your wife and young son.”

  William followed behind his father and gave Shepherd a polite dip of his head in farewell. “Thank you, sir.”

  “William,” he returned.

  Once they closed the door behind them and descended the steps, William had to bite his tongue to keep from speaking aloud his thoughts regarding Shepherd. From the moment the ma
n had entered the room, William knew what the end result would be. He and his father were begging. There was no other way to put it. Accepting assistance freely offered was one thing. Seeking it out in this manner was quite another. It went against everything inside him. Still, his father needed his support. He’d give it no matter what.

  “All right,” his father said with a bravado William was sure he didn’t feel, “that didn’t turn up any possibilities. Let’s move to the next one on our list.”

  It pained him to see his father reduced to this. What else could they do, though? Fighting back was the only solution. If they accepted their fate and did nothing about it, they’d be right where they were for years to come.

  “Whom do you have written down for our second visit?” William nodded his head toward the paper his father held.

  Father consulted the list of names. “Samuel Jacobson.” He looked down the street from where they stood. “That’s only two blocks away.”

  “Let’s get moving, then. We don’t have all afternoon.” William gave his father a grin he hoped would be an encouragement. “The sooner we make it through that list of names, the sooner we can return to Mother and Jacob, perhaps even with some good news.”

  “You’re absolutely right, my boy.” Father clapped him on his back with a solid thump. “Time’s a wasting.”

  Fifteen minutes later, they were back on the sidewalk again. That visit hadn’t gone much better than the first. Jacobson didn’t even invite them past the foyer. He at least waited to hear what they had come to ask before hastily interrupting to tell them he had no answers for them. Based on how eager he seemed to see them leave, William could tell those doors wouldn’t be open for them anytime soon.

  So they crossed off that name and moved to the one in the third spot. That meeting lasted less than three minutes, and this time they weren’t even invited into the house.

  After three hours and eleven different stops, they still had no offers extended and no opportunities available. With each door that closed behind them or in their faces, William watched the position of his father’s shoulders fall lower and lower. A man who had started out the day with a spring in his step and expectation in his eyes now stood next to him with the light dimmed and his feet dragging. Hopelessness had definitely begun to seep into his demeanor.

  Placing a comforting arm around the man who had been a rock for as long as he could remember, William forced as much encouragement into his voice as he could muster.

  “Well, we seem to be striking out today, that’s for sure.” He chuckled, but it sounded hollow. “We’re not giving up, though, right? I mean, since when have the Berringer men taken defeat lightly?”

  His father offered a grin that came out looking more like a grimace. “Never,” he said without conviction or emotion.

  “Right.” William thumped his fist into his palm. “So we won’t start now.” He searched his memory for some ofthe inspiring advice his father had given him growing up. “You’ve always said that God is watching out for us. That He has our best interests at heart.”

  Father nodded. “I have at that.”

  “So that means there’s still a chance out there somewhere that something will break in our favor. Just because we didn’t have success from one afternoon, that doesn’t mean we’re down for the count. We’ll just reorganize, rethink our plan, and start again next weekend.”

  It broke William’s heart to see his father in such a state. What had he honestly expected from today, though? Surely he didn’t think they’d solve their entire financial future with just a few visits to the homes of previous business associates. It couldn’t be easy, though, calling on the men once considered trusted confidants, only to have them turn their backs on sincere pleas for help. He just hoped his words didn’t sound as false to his father as they did to his own ears.

  A long sigh escaped from Father’s lips before he looked at William. “Thank you, son. It means a lot to me to have your support. I might not be the best company right now, but having you here beside me makes all the difference. If you hadn’t come along, I might have given up after the first few stops.”

  William wished he deserved the praise his father bestowed upon him. He felt like such a hypocrite, spouting off words he himself was only recently coming to believe so that he could offer what reassurance he could to a man who needed to hear them. Perhaps William needed to hear them, too.

  “Why don’t we call it a day and head back to the farm plot?”

  “I think that’s an excellent idea,” William agreed. “Maybe tomorrow we’ll have another idea.” At least he hoped so.

  ❧

  “Am I doing it right, Willie?”

  Jacob stood at the edge of the pond at the far end of the farming land, holding a fishing pole so tightly that his knuckles had turned white.

  William had to laugh. “Yes, you are, Jacob, but remember to loosen your grip on the pole. If a fish bites, you’ll be too tense to reel it in properly.”

  “Oh,” was all his brother said. He did adjust his stance and his clasp, though.

  About twenty feet away, William had his own line cast into the murky waters. If they had any luck today, maybe they could cook up some fresh fish for dinner.

  “Have you caught anything yet?”

  William started at the sound of Annabelle’s voice and jerked his head to see her approach from behind him. With her hair pinned atop her head and her clothes pressed free of wrinkles, she looked the very picture of elegance. Still, he couldn’t deny the breath of fresh air she brought to an otherwise wearisome day.

  “Not yet, no,” he answered her. “Between the two of us, though, we’re hoping for something.”

  “I hope you don’t mind my coming. Your mother told me I could find you here.”

  He shrugged. “Not at all. Did you have something on your mind?”

  “Not particularly, but after speaking with your mother for a few minutes, I learned about the visits you and your father paid to some old friends yesterday.”

  Friends? If you could call them that. From the way they treated his father, he’d be more likely to call them enemies or adversaries. “Yes, we were looking to see if things had improved yet in the various financial markets. I thought it might be too soon, but Father wanted to try anyway.”

  “You never know with things like money. From all appearances, the situation might appear bleak, but there could be a tiny crack that leads to something more.” She stepped into the peripheral line of his vision. “You just have to find the crack.”

  “We didn’t have much luck at that yesterday. And I have a feeling it took quite a toll on my father.”

  The words were out of his mouth before he realized it. Why was he admitting something like that to Annabelle? She didn’t need to hear about their failures. It wasn’t as if she could do anything anyway.

  “How so?”

  Now he’d done it. He’d opened the door, and she’d stepped right in. In truth, what could it hurt?

  “When you try again and again for something only to have the door slammed in your face, it gets to you after a while.”

  She nodded. “I can understand that. He isn’t giving up, though, is he?”

  William cast a quick glance at her to see concern etched across her delicate features. He warmed at the thought that she cared enough to ask.

  “No, but I’ve never seen him so dejected. He’s always been the strength of our family, and yesterday I watched each refusal weaken his resolve.”

  “Still, the fact that he even took the chance of doing what he did speaks of great inner strength. If the results were as bad as they seem from what you’ve said, it’s bound to take its toll on anyone. I admire you both for even trying.”

  He reeled in his line, adjusted the lure, and recast. “I told my father that the Berringer men don’t give up easily. He agreed that we just have to try again.”

  “And you’re absolutely right. One day doesn’t represent the full extent of opportunitie
s. You’ll find the right door soon enough. I’m sure of it.”

  “Yes, but how soon?” A tinge of anger found its way into his voice. “We paid a visit to almost a dozen different people who were supposed to be friends of my father. Not a single one offered any hope whatsoever.” He’d been a comfort to his father yesterday. Today, though, he wasn’t in the mood to pretend. “What makes you think any future attempts will yield different results?”

  “Because I know God rewards the diligent,” she said simply.

  “Then why are we stuck here working as farmers when we spent years being industrious and conscientious enough for three families? Why are we being forced to pay the price for others’ mistakes and lapses in judgment? How did we get selected to be among those who have to bear the brunt of the financial depression instead of the ones who are responsible for the economic downfall?”

  Shock appeared on Annabelle’s face at his rant, and her mouth fell open slightly. He almost rushed to apologize, to erase that hint of hurt on her face and bring back a smile, but he didn’t have it in him.

  “I—” She swallowed twice as she seemed to struggle finding the words to say.

  “Look, Miss Lawson,” he began, softening his words. “I appreciate your attempts to infuse a measure of hope into an otherwise hopeless situation. The fact of the matter is that you truly don’t have any answers. So let’s forget about trying to paint a rosy picture, all right?” He groaned and looked away from her.

  That hadn’t come out as he’d wanted it to. Discouraging her completely was not what he had in mind. He enjoyed her company too much to dismiss her or risk losing her interest. She’d managed to temper his anger more than once and helped him see he wasn’t alone in this. He tried again.

  “I do appreciate your concern, but if you don’t mind, I think I just need some time alone.”

  William still didn’t like how selfish he sounded. Maybe Annabelle wouldn’t take any of this personally.

  “Very well, Mr. Berringer.” She interlocked her fingers in front of her for a moment. “I’ll leave you to your solitude. . .for now.”