“All right. I’ve always enjoyed a good challenge.” He put his hand on Andrew’s shoulder. “Just let me speak to the pastor first. Then I’m all yours.”
After thanking the pastor for a great and thought-provoking message, Nate joined Rebekah and Andrew out by the Weavers’ wagon. Andrew already had one of the fishing poles in hand, regaling his sister with a story while pretending to toss out the line and pull in a whale. The idea of spending a fun afternoon with the Weaver family was just what he needed after the week he’d endured. He glanced around for Perry and his wife. Not seeing them, he turned to Rebekah.
“Where’s your parents?”
No sooner had he asked than Perry strode around the corner of the church and headed their way. Something about his stance made all of Nate’s nerves come alive, his relaxed state suddenly gone.
Chapter Twenty-five
Rebekah held her breath at her father’s expression, unsure what might be wrong. In this town, one never knew. She prayed it had nothing to do with him or Mama, and especially that a note wasn’t involved.
Daddy stopped next to her, putting his arm around her waist. Rebekah wondered if it was to hold her up or him. His gaze encompassed all three of them.
“I’m sorry, but my wife and I need to bow out of the picnic today. Some friends have asked us for our help.”
Andrew’s mouth dropped open, whether to question or argue she wasn’t sure, but Daddy put up his hand to stave him off.
“I don’t have time to fill you in on the details. If you three want to go on the picnic, please do. The food is in the wagon.” He placed his hand on Nate’s shoulder. “Whatever is decided, Nate, I’m leaving my children in your care. Keep them safe.”
With that said, Daddy spun on his heel and raced back the direction he’d come. Her own mouth dropping open, Rebekah stood staring at the spot from which her father disappeared. Even Andrew stood in silence. Nate swung around in front of them, drawing their attention away from their father.
“Well.” Nate clapped his hands together. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving, and a picnic sounds like exactly what we need right now. On the other hand, I’ll do whatever you two want. If you’d rather go home, just say so, and I’ll get you there.”
Weighing their choices and knowing full well all they’d do is worry if they went straight home, Rebekah finally nodded. “I think you’re right. Besides, we had our hearts set on eating fish for supper tomorrow.” She placed her hand on her little brother’s shoulder. “Right, Andrew?”
For such a young man, Andrew seemed fully aware of the situation. Licking his lips, he glanced one more time the direction his father disappeared, then looked up at them. He smiled, though it never quite reached his eyes like usual. She’d have to work hard to get Andrew to forget his worries.
While Andrew climbed into the bed of the wagon, Nate helped Rebekah up to the seat before tying his horse to the back. After sliding in next to her, Nate steered the horses toward the river. She noticed he squirmed a bit, but she didn’t quite know what to do or say to make him comfortable while dealing with her own concerns.
Suddenly, Nate started singing at the top of his lungs one of the hymns they’d sung earlier, hitting every note off-key, much like Mrs. Phipps had done.
Rebekah reared back, at first staring in shock and alarm. Then she couldn’t stop her laughter. “What are you doing?”
He raised his brows, looking completely innocent. “What?”
She hesitated. In no way did she want to hurt his feelings, but fact was fact. “You sound awful.”
“Really?” His brows puckered. “I thought that’s the way you all liked your music—clanging and off-key.” He shrugged. “I was just trying to fit in.”
Rebekah burst into laughter again as she swatted at him. “Don’t pick on that poor woman. She can’t help it.”
“Really?” He tilted his head. “And here I thought you all liked gnashing your teeth when the notes she played clash worse than two little girls screaming their heads off.”
Rebekah shook her finger at him. “I told you, she can’t seem to help it. We let her continue to play out of love for her.”
“Love?” His brows rose once again. “I think it’s gotten to the point where it’s bordering on adoration.” He winked, making her heart hammer against her chest. “Actually, I do understand the feelings there.” He bumped her shoulder with his. “I was just looking for a way to take your mind off your father.” He gave her a lingering look. “Did it work?”
Heart still threatening to crack her ribs, she nodded. “It did. Thank you.”
When in a playful mood, Nate was so fun. She took a deep breath. And he was very attractive, despite the yellowed bruises still marring his face. At this rate, she’d be hard-pressed to remember that her parents weren’t along.
“Your piano player,” he began, then smiled when she gave him her scolding expression, “no, I’m not going to keep picking on her. I just wondered about the man she sat with during the service. Was the note she received about him?”
With the wild week they’d had, Rebekah had all but forgotten about that note. “I don’t know, but it would make sense. Especially if it was anything like the one Cora received.”
The mention of a note made her thoughts return to her parents, making her say another silent prayer for everyone’s safety. Would having more details alleviate her worries—or make things worse?
“Let’s sing some more.” Andrew, his fishing pole still held tightly in his hand, now stood right behind them, peering over their shoulders. “I like the way Nate was singing.”
Nate threw his head back with laughter. “Now, you see? Here’s the best evidence that your church needs to do something about that woman. She’s corrupting your brother’s ears.”
Jabbing her elbow into Nate’s ribs, she grinned at his teasing. “Behave yourself.” She turned and put her arm around Andrew. “Which song do you want to sing?”
“The same one Nate was singing, only better.”
When Nate’s mouth dropped open in mock outrage, both Rebekah and Andrew burst into laughter. Then he grinned and led them in a rousing rendition of the hymn. At one point, Nate’s attention seemed caught somewhere over her shoulder. She turned to look and saw a rider in the distance. She squinted, thinking it looked like Thomas, but she couldn’t be certain. Wondering if Nate thought the same, she turned back. He’d obviously still been looking but focused on her the moment she faced him, his expression bland. Either he thought nothing of the rider or his suspicion of Thomas had waned.
“Hold up there.”
The shouted command surprised them. Nate sawed back on the reins while they all craned their necks to see who’d come up behind them. Henry Gilmore sat atop his horse, his forefinger planted in one ear.
“Well, you all look fine. With the racket coming from this wagon, I thought you were in some kind of horrible pain.” He nudged his horse up next to Nate’s side of the wagon and extended his hand. “Now I can see it’s just that none of you know how to sing.”
“Oh.” Nate put one hand over his heart. “Now that really hurts.”
“Not nearly as much as you did my ears, I’m quite certain.” He waved at Andrew. “And how are you, young Andrew? Planning to show the fish who’s in charge?”
Andrew grinned wide as he held out his pole. “Yes, sir.”
“Tell you what, young man.” He patted his pocket until some change jingled. “I’ve been in the mood for fish. You catch me a good-sized one, and I’ll make sure you’re nicely compensated.”
Andrew’s face screwed into a comical frown. “Compen-what?”
Rebekah joined in with the men’s laughter. “That means he’ll pay you to catch him a fish.”
Andrew nodded hard. “Yes, sir. I’ll sure catch you a nice big one.”
Mr. Gilmore leaned close. “Tell you what. You catch the biggest one,” he said and aimed his thumb at Nate, “that means bigger than any Nate can manage
to pull in, I’ll add a dollar.”
“All right.” Andrew nearly screeched his cheer, he was so excited.
Much as she didn’t want to share Nate’s attentions, Rebekah’s upbringing made her feel the need to ask. “Would you like to join us, Mr. Gilmore? We have plenty.”
“My dear.” He tipped his hat. “You do an old man’s heart good, but I already have prior plans. Thank you anyway.” He peered up at the sun. “In fact, I’d best get moving. You three have a wonderful afternoon.”
Tipping his hat one last time, he waved to Andrew and spurred his horse east. They didn’t get to sit still long. Andrew thumped them both on the back faster than Rebekah could count.
“Let’s gooooo. I gotta catch a lot of fish.”
Minutes later, after stopping in their favorite spot by the river, Rebekah began laying out the blanket and food while Nate and Andrew raced to the river, both determined to be the one to catch the first fish. With everything ready, Rebekah took some time to sit and watch the way Nate spoke and acted with Andrew, much like a loving older brother. She had no doubt he’d make a good father. He’d make some lucky woman very happy. If only that woman could have been her.
Unable to help herself, Rebekah stroked her scarred cheek. The words if only went through her mind again, but she pushed them away.
A shadow fell over her. She looked up and found Nate standing next to the blanket.
“You all right?”
Her heart warmed at his tender voice. “I am. And I’m hungry. You two about ready to eat?”
Nate glanced over his shoulder. “I know I am, but I’m afraid your brother is determined to catch all, as well as the biggest fish. He told me to save him something to eat, and he’d come later.”
Rebekah glanced at Andrew, seeing how much fun he was having. “I’m not about to get in his way. Have a seat.”
She glanced at Nate to see if he’d be willing to say a prayer of thanks but was almost certain he’d want her to take care of that task. To her surprise, he didn’t even wait to be asked but did the honor. The prayer was brief but heartfelt, and she found herself staring. He opened his eyes and caught her.
“What? We haven’t even started eating yet, so I know there’s nothing stuck to my face.”
Unable to speak, she only shook her head, suddenly knowing without a doubt that she was in love with this man. She knew it as surely as she knew of her love for the Lord. And one day her heart would be broken as she watched him marry someone else or ride out of town. But for now, she’d enjoy her time with him.
She avoided looking at him as she handed him some bread and slices of ham. “You seem different somehow.”
He stayed quiet until she met his gaze. “Different how?”
Thinking for a minute, she tried to put her finger on what had changed. “Less angry. More at peace.” She shrugged. “I think.”
He smiled before taking a bite. Since he didn’t seem inclined to talk, she made her own sandwich and started to eat.
“You ever feel like the pastor is talking directly to you?”
She made a face. He just had to wait until her mouth was full to ask. She covered her mouth and chewed as fast as she could until she could swallow. Then she noticed his grin.
“You did that on purpose.” The twinkle in his eyes only confirmed her suspicion. She shook her head. “I know your mother taught you better.”
He burst into laughter. “You’re right, she did.”
“I thought as much. And to answer your question, yes, I do feel like the pastor is speaking directly to me. Most Sundays, in fact. Today especially.”
“Really?” He took another bite but didn’t wait to swallow. “Me too.” He finished his sandwich before saying another word. Then he motioned to her. “But I would have thought, well, I mean, you don’t seem to have any bitterness or ill-will toward anyone. How could you have felt the pastor was talking to you?”
A gust of wind blew one of her curls across her face, and she tucked it behind her ear. “I guess just as my hair won’t stay in place, neither do my emotions. Though I try to control bad thoughts or feelings, sometimes things happen to make me have to fight them all over again.” Though she really didn’t want to talk about herself, she would if it helped Nate in some way. “I thought I had control of my anger about getting burned until I found out Daddy doesn’t think it was an accident. Then I had to work on it all over again.”
Nodding, he wiped his mouth, then leaned back on one elbow. “I know what you mean. I didn’t realize how much anger I’d carried with me about the deaths of my father and brother.” He tossed a blade of grass off the blanket. “I guess, if I’m honest, I still want revenge. But the pastor’s message this morning really spoke to my heart. I think I finally realize that not only am I hurting myself, but I’m hurting my heavenly Father as well.”
“But it’s hard to forgive someone when they’ve done you wrong,” she finished for him.
“Exactly.”
As much as she wanted to ease his pain, only One could do that. “God is waiting to help you if you’ll let Him.”
He peered up at her, squinting one eye against the sun. “He’s helped you?”
She remembered the peace that filled her every time she allowed God to do His work in her. “Yes. In ways I can’t begin to explain. It’s my own hard heart and disobedience that makes a mess of things.”
His head tilted as he looked thoughtful. “But don’t you think what the Lord puts us through makes us bitter?”
His voice held no anger or annoyance. He was genuinely trying to understand. She wasn’t sure if her answer would help or hinder, but it was the only thing she could think to say.
“I believe it’s all in our attitude. I think God allows us to go through trials to test us, see how we’ll handle them. Will we get angry and bitter, or will we allow the trial to refine us and make us stronger so we can be better servants for Him?”
“All because He loves us.”
She smiled. “As odd as that sounds, yes. It’s not for us to understand why the Lord works the way He does, but we are to remain obedient through all things.”
He lay back, propping his arms behind his head. “I can tell you really love Him.”
“How could I not when He gave the ultimate sacrifice?”
Andrew raced up and dropped onto Nate’s chest, nearly knocking the wind from him. “Come on, Nate. You’ve got to help me catch some fish, or you can’t come for supper tomorrow.”
Nate sat up. “What? The mighty fisherman needs my help?”
Completely serious, Andrew nodded. “Hurry before it gets too dark.”
Rebekah quickly threw some ham between two pieces of bread. “Make sure you eat, Andrew.”
He grabbed it from her with one grubby hand and grabbed one of Nate’s hands in the other. Nate sent her a wink as he strolled off with Andrew tugging at him to move faster. She sat watching them and pondering their conversation. If today was any indication, God was doing a work in Nate’s heart. Hopefully He’d do a work in her own heart to keep it from being crushed.
Chapter Twenty-six
Nate rode away from the Weaver home after making sure Rebekah and Andrew were safely inside their house. Their parents weren’t home yet, and that worried him. What had happened with their friends? With no idea where to begin looking for them, Nate made sure Rebekah and Andrew would be protected. He refused to leave until he heard them latch the door. Perry had left them in his care, and he took that responsibility seriously.
Before getting them home, he’d allowed Andrew to stop by Henry’s store to drop off the fish he’d caught. Now fifty cents richer, Andrew probably wouldn’t sleep tonight for want of examining his new treasure. The thought made Nate grin. He’d been the same way as a kid.
The smile didn’t last long. In the midst of all the chaos of the day, he’d seen Thomas in the distance while they were on their way to the picnic. Since he was certain Rebekah had seen him too, he tried to act as casual a
s possible, though he had every intention of riding back out there in the next day or two to see if he could discover why the man would be heading out that way. It wouldn’t do to just ask him. He and Thomas were about as friendly as a bear with a beehive. With a mix like that, one of them was sure to get bit.
In the meantime, Nate had more on his mind than a short, moody man. He cut down a side street to return to Henry’s store. Something about the usually jovial man had seemed different when Andrew had dropped off the fish. Though he’d been personable, a certain tension had emanated from him, unusual enough to make Nate want to go back and check on him before dropping by to see how Grant was doing.
After tying his horse to the railing, he knocked on the door and waited. Receiving no answer, he knocked again, hoping Henry hadn’t gone home. Nate had no idea where the man lived. He’d never thought or needed to ask. Preparing to pound one more time, Nate pulled his hand away just as the door opened. The scent of whiskey drifted toward him.
“What?”
The sour attitude surprised Nate. Henry had always been pleasant in the past. Not quite sure what to say, Nate stuck his foot inside the doorway to keep Henry from shutting him out.
“Let me in, Henry.”
The two locked eyes for several moments before Henry finally shrugged and stepped back. A glow from the back room told him why Henry had taken so long to answer the door. He may not have heard the first knock. With Henry already headed that direction, Nate closed the door and followed. A cigar smoldered from a tray that sat next to a whiskey bottle and glass. Henry dropped onto a chair and drained the glass of amber liquid.
Nate took the chair opposite him. “What’s wrong, Henry? What happened since we saw you this afternoon?”
He poured more whiskey into the glass but didn’t take a drink. “I—” He shook his head. “I can’t tell you.”
Those words made each of Nate’s nerves stand on end. He’d heard them too many times. He leaned forward. “Did you get a note?”
Love Finds You in Silver City, Idaho Page 17
