Read Online A Quiet Strength by Janette Oke - Free Book Online Page B

It did help to fill the long hours.
    Virginia did not walk across the yard next door to her old home often. For one thing, she did not want her mother to guess just how lonely she was feeling. If they were to spend more than five minutes in each other’s company, Belinda was sure to pick up on the fact. Virginia contented herself with a wave of the hand and a cheery “hello” across the back fence and an occasional Sunday dinner when all three were invited to the table.
    In turn, Virginia asked permission to prepare dinners for her family. After all, it was Grandmother Withers’ kitchen. It was not an easy chore as the kitchen was small and the table so crowded. But they did share a few such Sundays, laughing at the tight squeeze as they crowded in close to one another. Jonathan was always quick to say that things would be different when the farm home was completed, and then he would follow that with an up-to-the-minute report on his progress. Virginia felt as if they barely inched along from “the cellar hole is dug” to “the foundation is laid” to “the outer walls are framed” and then to “the roof joists are up.” The house still had no inner walls, doors, or windows, and the summer was nearly over.
    But Jonathan seemed pleased with each bit of news he had to tell the group about their home-to-be. Virginia supposed that was what mattered. After all, he knew far more about building than she did. Perhaps the inside of the house would materialize much more quickly once the outer construction was done.

    Virginia opened her eyes to sunshine and Jonathan already pulling on his boots. His bare back was toward her for he had not yet put on his shirt and tucked it into his trousers. She stirred onto one elbow and pushed back her hair. He looked around.
    “I thought you were still sleeping,” he said, turning to face her fully.
    “I was, until this very minute.”
    “You don’t have to go to work today. I thought you would sleep in.”
    “My sleepiness left me.”
    He leaned over and drew her to him. “I have to get out to the farm,” he said between kisses.
    “Let me come with you.” The sudden inspiration made Virginia struggle from his embrace so she could hasten from the bed.
    “Come with me? What would you do for an entire day at the farm? There isn’t even a decent place to sit out there.”
    “ There must be a log or two with all that building,” responded Virginia cheerily as she began to rummage in her drawer for appropriate clothes.
    “What about Grandma?”
    Virginia turned to face him. “What about Grandmother?” she repeated.
    “She’d be all alone … for the entire day.”
    “Jonathan, as soon as the house is built she will be alone each day.”
    Her words only made him look solemn. “I’ve been thinking about that.” But he did not explain more. Instead he said, “She wanted that back flower bed weeded today. I thought since you enjoy the flowers you would help her with it.”
    “I can do it Monday after work. It’s not a big bed.”
    “She won’t leave it alone—you know that. She’ll go and try to do it herself.”
    “Well, you tell her to leave it for me. She always listens to you. If you say that I’ll do it on Monday, she’ll be happy with that.”
    Jonathan said nothing, but he did not seem pleased, as she had expected he would, that she intended to go to the farm with him. Didn’t he want to share some time with her? Didn’t he look forward to being alone together like she did?
    “What’s the matter?” she asked, wondering if she really wanted to hear his answer. “I thought you were anxious to get the work done. I can help you.”
    Jonathan shook his head. “I’m afraid it would be more of a hindrance than a help, Virginia,” he said carefully.
    Her eyes widened. “Hindrance?”
    “I shouldn’t have said hindrance. Distraction. Distraction is more like it. I just don’t think that I could get as much done with you there.”
    “Why? What would I do