TEN
Elijah was the easiest to seek out. He was in his barn, working on one of the multiple projects strewn about. The tightness in his shoulders as he worked was evidence of his distress.
He immediately dropped what was in his hands when he saw her. “Margaret, I want to apologize again. I made thee uncomfortable—”
His brow knitted together. “But thee ran out. I was worried I had scared thee away… I only thought to examine the craftsmanship. Father always says I seem to act before I think.”
She shook her head. “To be honest, I ran out because I was embarrassed…I don’t want to go into details, but I was somewhere else in my head.
And when I looked up and saw all of you, I didn’t know what to say.
” She pulled the necklace out from under her blouse and undid the clasp. She held it out for him to see.
“It was my mother’s. She asked me if I would accept it right before she died.
I think that by asking me that, she was asking if I would also accept God.
You see, I’ve lost several people who were very special to me.
” She gave a strained smile. “One of which you remind me very much of. I almost lost this necklace, too, and the event sort of traumatized me. There’s a lot I have to mentally work through, but I just wanted you to know, you aren’t to blame. Please don’t be upset.”
Elijah wiped a hand down his face, seeming far beyond his years. He seemed to process what she’d shared. “Okay, Margaret. Whatever thee says.” Pasting a grin on his face, he handed her a cloth and asked, “Want to help seal this with beeswax?”
She knew it was his gift of changing the subject. She secured the necklace back onto her neck and accepted the cloth. “I’d be delighted to.”
They worked well together, losing themselves in the job while enjoying each other’s company.
They didn’t notice Henry leaning against the barn door until they had finished waxing pieces meant for a rocking chair.
His expression was serious, and his gaze locked onto her.
Instantly self-aware, she clasped her hands behind her back, still holding the cloth covered in the thick beeswax. Silence filled the room.
Elijah looked back and forth between them before placing his cloth on the table. “I’ll go and bid Mother and Father goodnight.” Disappearing into the darkness, Maggie and Henry were now alone.
The single lantern that burned on the table provided the only illumination. Crossing the distance between them, Henry stopped when he was a foot away. He continued to search her face, as if he were trying to read her thoughts and her heart began to beat faster.
Finally, he broke the silence. “Are you alright?” His voice was soft.
“I’m fine.”
“You’ve been avoiding me.” Could anything get by him?
She lied. “No, I haven’t. It’s been a busy day.”
He didn’t reply, but lowered his gaze down her neck, to the necklace around it.
Feeling flustered under his scrutiny, she said, “I made amends with Elijah. But I didn’t tell him the whole story. Abigail said there was no need to.”
Something flickered in his face and his shoulders seemed to relax. The corners of his lips turned up. “She’s right. But I am proud of you.”
Pride swelled within her at his words. It shocked her to realize that she did desire his approval.
So very different from what she felt when they first met.
Resisting a smile in return, she spoke softly.
“That just leaves Levi…” She faltered, thinking of what she would say to the older man.
Their exchanges had been too brief to know him yet.
“Abigail will have smoothed it out. Don’t bother. Levi is tremendously laid back. Besides, he’s a bit of an early riser, meaning he also turns in very early. Likely, you’ll find an empty kitchen when you return to the house and they’ll have gone to bed.”
“But Elijah said—”
“Elijah was giving us a moment to talk privately. If anything, he’s raiding any leftovers from dinner.” Henry chuckled.
Picturing Elijah digging in, Maggie giggled along with him.
This is the first time we’ve laughed together.
She stopped herself. “I’d better go inside, too. Good night.” She was ready for the refuge of the loft.
“Good night, Maggie. Remember, tomorrow is always a new day.”
She counted on that.