The enthusiasm in her voice stirred something within Aaron, a way to give back to the community more than his meager crops and cattle did. “It’s a nice idea, but the initial outlay would be horrendous.”
“Not really. The first campers we had staying used marquees for dining, meetings, and so on. Everyone slept in tents. We put in a mobile kitchen along with a mobile toilet and shower block. We provided hay bales for the meeting tent. They all brought their own plates, cups, knives, forks and so on and did their own catering. Now we have purpose built facilities alongside the camping, but they still do the catering themselves. The kids love it, the adults enjoy it. It’s a fairly cheap church holiday all ages can enjoy. Cheap compared to hiring a hotel or something similar.”
“Have you ever done something like that yourself? Is it as much fun as it sounds?”
Her eyes twinkled. “Yeah—that’s where Da got the idea from.”
Aaron mulled over the idea. A spark lit within him, and the more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea. “It really does sound great, but there isn’t enough time. To coin a phrase, we’re shutting the stable door after the horse bolted. It’s far too cold and damp now for camping.”
“So start with a small group and sleep them in the barn. One year the church camp I went on coincided with a hurricane. We all ate, slept, and lived in a barn on the hillside in Cornwall overlooking Tintagel for three days. After that, we went back to just eating and having meetings in the barn. Looking back, it was one of the best camps ever because you really got to know people.”
“Let me think about it. See what I have to work with here and would need to bring in.”
“I could help with that if you wanted. I’ll ask Da as well. See if he could talk it over with you.”
He allowed hope to build within him. “You would? I mean, your experience would be invaluable, but Jack must work you pretty hard.”
Meggie tossed her hair back. “I’m meant to be working with you on the bonfire. I can’t help it if we discuss other things while I’m there, can I?”
“Do you want to come back with me now? Or are you busy?”
She hesitated, taking her time over setting the cup down before she answered. “I need to finish off what I’m doing in the office. I could meet you at the farm in say a couple of hours or so.”
“Sure.” He reached over and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ears. His fingers vibrated with electricity as they touched her tender skin.
Meggie glowed as she looked at him. He didn’t move his hand for a long moment. Shards of warmth resonated through him. Did she feel it too? He wouldn’t go as far to say an instant connection, but there was something.
Her gaze held his and her hand covered his other one. For a moment, it was just him and her in a bubble. Safe and secure from all that was going on around them.
He nodded to her silver top which sparkled in the sunlight. “Are you my knight in shining armor?” he asked, wondering if anyone else had ever made that joke comparing her name with her outfit.
Her silver laugh echoed in the stillness around them. “I’d like to help you if I can.”
He didn’t understand his reaction to her. Part of him had died when Nancy did, yet that part was awakening and responding in a way that didn’t really feel like betrayal. He lowered his hand and cleared his throat.
“You don’t look comfortable,” she told him.
“It’s just a long time since I’ve been around a woman socially.”
“We don’t bite.”
“Says she with seven brothers.”
Meggie winked. “They bite, so I don’t have to.”
“I guess you’re used to being around men.”
“Brothers, maybe.” She shifted and did up her jacket. “Men in general, well that’s another kettle of fish altogether.”
He stood with her, intending to walk back to the church with her. “A bad experience?”
She caught her breath. “You…you could say that.” She hesitated. “Things didn’t exactly work out the way we’d planned.”
“I’m sorry.”
Meggie shouldered her bag, walking with him. “Ted was involved in a road traffic collision while at work. He got six years for drunk driving and reckless endangerment.”
“That’s a bit excessive.”
“It wasn’t his first offence, but he was driving a coach—a couple of people were seriously injured, one later died in hospital. I would have stuck by Ted, waited until he came out, no matter what Iestyn said, but Ted ended the relationship after he got sent down.” She broke off, her face contorting with grief. “He died in the prison riots a couple of years ago.”
Aaron took her hand and squeezed it. “I’m so sorry. I know how hard it is to lose someone.”
“Pastor Jack said you were widowed.”
“Three years now.”
“I’m sorry.”
They walked in silence for a bit. Then as they reached the church car park, he glanced at her. “It’s easier now than it was. I guess the problem is I never really accepted it. There was just no way she’d do something like that and…”
Meggie waited. “Aaron?” She tilted her head, concern in both her eyes and her voice.
“Nancy committed suicide,” he said quietly. “I found her hanging in the attic, a few days before Christmas. But it just didn’t make sense. We were planning for the future, she’d just found out she was pregnant, and we were so happy about it.” He ground his foot into the tarmac. “She suffered from depression in the past, I knew that. She’d even been known to cut herself. Tanis showed me the razor blades in the bathroom and the blood in the sink. Nancy went to therapy for that. But it didn’t make sense that she’d kill herself on that particular day. We hadn’t even fought. We’d been to see the pantomime, and not long been home. It was a treat, as her favourite actor was in it. We even went backstage afterwards so she could get his autograph.” He smiled. “He posed for a photo with her as well. We got home. I went to milk the cows, left her laughing and joking about naming the baby Richard even if it were a girl, and about to make dinner. I was only gone an hour, if that.”
“I am so sorry.”
He sucked in a deep breath. “Just wish I knew why.”
“She didn’t leave a note?”
“Not really. There was a scrap of paper that had ‘sorry’ written on it lying next to the upturned chair, but that didn’t make sense to me then, and it still doesn’t. I have too many unanswered questions. Jack said we’d never know why and knowing wouldn’t ease my pain, but even so…” He shook his head. “Don’t you find it strange that someone would kill themselves on a day they were happy?”
He noted the hesitation in Meggie’s beautiful eyes and felt a twang of guilt for making her uncomfortable. It was a rhetorical question, anyway, and he didn’t really expect a response. “Anyway, are you sure I can’t offer you a lift to the farm and back?”
Meggie nodded. “I’m sure. I don’t want to take up any more of your time than I have already. Besides, I need to finish the paperwork and proofread the service sheet for Sunday. Nothing worse than typo’s in the service sheet, as someone always points them out to Pastor Jack on the door afterwards. Or he mentions them from the pulpit. I’ll come up to the farm once I’m done.”
He nodded. Should he warn her? No, he’d be there when she arrived and he wouldn’t let her out of his sight the whole time she was there. “OK. I’ll see you later.” He headed over to his truck.
What is wrong with you? One minute you’re flirting with her and the next you’re talking about your dead wife.
He climbed into the truck and watched Meggie go inside the church office.
I can’t get involved
he answered himself.
I lost one wife, I can’t bear losing another.
Wait a minute, wife? Where did that come from? You’ve known the girl all of five minutes. Besides, even if I did find someone who was interested, I have nothing to offer. In four short months I’m going to be homeless and unemployed.
****
Meggie sat on the desk, swinging her legs. Images of a very tall, blond farmer ran rampant through her mind. For an instant she’d seen a spark of life in his eyes. Just for an instant before the clouds had descended. She had to help him and turn that spark into a flame and bring him roaring back to life.
You like him
her inner voice chimed, bubbling with its usual enthusiasm.
Be honest, you’re not just doing this for him, but for you, too. It’s about time you started trusting men again, instead of tarring them all with the same brush and keeping them at arm’s length.
Meggie shrugged.
He needs to be happy again and if this helps, then so much the better. And what would be really great would be if this brought him back to the church and the Lord. That’s why I doing this.
She reached for the phone and dialed Gareth’s office. There was no point ringing his mobile; if he was in court she’d have to leave a message anyway. She didn’t usually make personal calls on this phone, but she was sure no one would mind just the once. And it wasn’t
technically
a personal call.
It answered on the second ring. “Knight, Williams, and Jones. How may I direct your call?”
“Hi, it’s Meaghan Knight. Could I speak to Gareth, please?”
“One moment, Miss Knight.”
Meggie twiddled the phone cord as she waited. That was the one thing she disliked about the church phone. It wasn’t cordless. She had to sit and talk, rather than wander around like she normally did.
“Hey, Megs. To what do I owe this honour?” Her brother’s deep lilt resounded down the phone.
“I have a favour to ask.” She explained quickly about Aaron and the will. “Something doesn’t sound right, and I’m not a lawyer.”
“You’re right, but I’d need to see the new will and the original one and compare the two for starters.”
“Thing is, he can’t afford to pay. He can’t even raise the funds to buy his stepmother out.”
“Who said anything about charging him? I feel like visiting my sister this weekend. And if a certain farmer can be around at some point with some paperwork, so much the better. I can’t help it if the conversation goes a certain way now, can I?”
“Thank you so much.” She let her voice carry her feelings down the phone. “I’ll let him know and he’ll be over. I’ll make up the spare bed for you.”
“Sounds great. I’m not making any promises, Megs. Make sure he knows that.”
“I will.”
“OK. I’ll be down Friday night at some point.”
“I’ll save you dinner. Love you, bro. Thanks.”
4
In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. Psalm 22:4
Meggie arrived at the farm just after one. She’d found her way here without the nap this time, which was impressive as her getting lost was a standing joke at home. Aaron appeared almost as soon as she got out of the car. She smiled at him. “Hello, Aaron.”
His smile lit his eyes. She wondered how long it had been since that had happened and partly hoped it was his reaction to seeing her. Which she didn’t understand, but if God had eased her fear of men around this particular man, there must be a reason for it. Because just looking at him sent a whole kaleidoscope of butterflies lekking so quickly in her stomach that it took her breath away.
“Hello, Meggie.” He pulled off his flat cap and tucked it in his coat pocket. His shock of blond hair stood up in several different directions, and he absently brushed a hand through it.
She locked the car and did up her jacket. “It’s gotten chilly.”
He licked his finger and stuck it in the air as if to check the ambient temperature. “Nah, it’s just warmer in town with all the tall buildings. So are you ready to go on a complete tour?”
“Yes please.”
“Then your chariot awaits.”
“Chariot? A horse drawn one, I hope?”
“Not quite. Although we are going on horseback, if that’s all right.” He led her across the yard to where two horses stood already saddled and bridled.
A thrill shot through her. “Wow, I haven’t ridden since I left home.” She stroked the nose of the white horse. “Hello, beautiful. And what’s your name?” The horse whinnied. “That’s a lovely name,” she told him. The horse nuzzled her hand, more at ease with her now. Da always said she was a natural with animals.
“His name is Blue. He’s twelve. And this is Kizzy. She’s seven.”
“They are stunning.” She laughed as Kizzy nudged her pocket. “I don’t have anything.”
“I do.” Aaron pulled out some carrot and offered it to her. A lazy smile crossed his face as the horse ate it. “Nancy named her, but never got to ride her.”
“Have you ridden her?”
“Only long enough to break her in. I ride Blue. I figured you could ride Kizzy.” He stroked Kizzy’s nose. “It’s about time someone did.”
Meggie took the reins and patted the horse’s neck before mounting her. “There we go. Not so bad, is it?”
Aaron smiled as he mounted Blue. “She likes you.”
“I like horses. Miss riding more than I thought I would.” She let Kizzy take a few steps, to become accustomed to her weight. “So you have horses, and I can hear the cows.”
He adjusted the reins and settled onto the saddle. “We also have a few pigs and sheep. Along with hens and ducks. Dad wanted to be as self-sufficient as possible. Shall we?”
“Sure.” She set off with him. It was easy to get back into the swing—or should that be the sway—of riding. She loved being on horseback. There was nothing quite like the freedom that came with it. As they rode, her admiration for the tall blond farmer grew.
The hay was rolled and covered, fields plowed in neat straight furrows. She imagined many men in his position would have given up and let things go. But not Aaron. He obviously cared very much for his land and animals and that just strengthened her resolve to help him in any way she could.
Sitting astride the horse on the top field, she looked over the farm. “So everything I can see belongs to you?”
Aaron followed her gaze. “Yeah. Takes a lot of work to keep it going, but I love it.” Pride filled his voice as he spoke. “What do you think?”
“Very impressive and organized. I love it.”