Read Online Rebecca's Bouquet by Lisa Jones Baker - Free Book Online Page B

swatted it away. The hot, muggy air seemed to stand still until a comfortable breeze fanned Rebecca’s eyelashes.
    She turned to Beth. “What are his hobbies?”
    â€œThat’s a tough one.”
    â€œHe doesn’t have a pastime?”
    â€œDaniel’s such a hard worker, he hasn’t had much energy for other things.”
    â€œBut if he had a vacation, what would he do?”
    Beth laughed a little. “That’s easy. Fish. When he was a kid, he did it all the time. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but he subscribes to every fly-fishing magazine that exists.”
    â€œThat’s a man thing.”
    â€œMm-hmm. He pours over and over those pages. Fishing is his number-one passion, I think.” Beth paused and in a more serious tone said, “But his first love is William.” Her voice cracked with emotion.
    â€œWilliam?” Rebecca couldn’t hide her surprise.
    Beth hesitated. “You don’t believe me, do you?”
    Before Rebecca could respond, Beth went on. “And I don’t blame you. After all, why would you think William was the most important part of Daniel’s life when he left him with his aunt and uncle?”
    â€œAre you sure he loves William so much?”
    â€œI couldn’t be more certain.”
    As Rebecca walked, swinging her arms, she digested what Beth had told her and recalled her last conversation with William about Daniel.
    Beth said, “I never realized the deep pain Daniel has carried over the years at leaving William behind. No doubt, it was a difficult choice; I just didn’t know how much he agonized over it.”
    After a brief hesitation, she continued. “I thought he was comfortable leaving William with his aunt and uncle. That way, William stayed Amish. And Daniel did what he was sure Miriam would have wanted. It seemed like a win-win situation . . . until two years ago. That’s when he began expressing huge regrets about leaving William behind. Daniel had nightmares. I think he harbored the pain inside so long, he finally couldn’t stand it. I wish I had known what he was going through. Now he suffers terrible guilt for not having raised William.”
    Rebecca spoke in a soft voice. “Of course, it must haunt him. After all, William’s his own flesh and blood. But if Daniel loves William as much as you’re saying, why doesn’t he show it?”
    As Rebecca and Beth increased their pace, Rebecca caught her breath. Sometimes she thought that sporting shorts and a tank top would be a nice change to her long dress.
    â€œIn his own way, he tries. But Daniel isn’t a good communicator, Rebecca. He keeps things to himself. That’s the way he is. But he has a heart the size of the State of Texas.”
    Beth stopped and turned to her. Rebecca put a hand on her hip, and Beth went on in a defensive tone. “Did you know that I offered to adopt William?”
    Rebecca shook her head in surprise.
    â€œBut Daniel was so adamant about him being Amish. Because of William’s mother.”
    As if on cue, they started walking again. A long silence ensued before Rebecca responded. “You can’t blame yourself, Beth. It was Daniel’s decision. But he loved you. And he loved William enough to do what was best for him. It must have been terribly difficult to know what to do. When you think about it, there wasn’t a perfect solution. When Daniel recovers, I wish he’d have a heart-to-heart with William.”
    Beth rolled her eyes. “Like I said, Daniel isn’t the best communicator.”
    â€œBut it’s important to explain his actions to William. Urge him to do it, Beth. It’s the only way the two of them have a chance to be close. William regrets not growing up with Daniel. From the day he left William with his aunt and uncle, William resented Daniel . . . but when we came here, I finally realized how deep his feelings really went. To be