Part 2 (2/2)
The young girl shook her head. ”That's pretty awful,” she said.
”Yes,” said Ariana. ”Yesa”it was. For my folksa”for all of the people on the wagon train. For Aunt Lucy. I've been the one who has been blesseda”and IaI really don't know why. Not yet. I hope to one day discover just whya”why G.o.d chose to spare a baby. What does He have for me to do? I keep telling myself there must be a reasona”and I think I've found it. I think it was so I could be a teacher. So I could help youa”and othersa”to knowa”to really understand that G.o.d is real. That He cares about usa”no matter what our circ.u.mstances.”
Ariana laid her hand on the young girl's faded sleeve. ”He really does care, you know.”
Chloe stared into her face.
”He loves you, Chloe,” Ariana said gently. ”He knows all about youa”and He loves you. Can you believe that?”
The girl hesitated. She looked down at the limp dress, the shoes with holes in the toes. Then she looked back into the solemn blue eyes and nodded slowly.
”May I walk ya home?”
Ariana had just stepped out the church door. She looked up into the tense face of the tall young man who stood before her. It was not an attractive face. Willis Boyd was probably the last person she would have hoped to make such a request. His skin was blotchy with youthful acne, and his ears were much too big for the size of his head. Crooked teeth were stained from tobacco juice, and his hair looked like the only was.h.i.+ng it ever received was when he was caught in the rain.
Yet something about his pathetically hopeful look made her smile softly and swallow hard. How could she refuse hima”just because of his appearance? It would be cruel. Especially since he had just recently been showing up at her father's church.
She was about to reply when someone brushed his way between them. Bernard Dikerson stood before her. He smiled and pushed back smooth dark hair with a well-groomed hand. Ariana couldn't help noting the sharply creased trousers, the tailored suit jacket, and the natty cravat. Bernard Dikerson was the son of the local banker, newly arrived in the town. Every girl had her hat set for the banker's son.
Bernard said nothinga”just gave the derby in his hand a slight tip with the flick of his wrist and jovially offered her his arm.
Ariana prayed a quick and beseeching prayera”What should I do, Lord?a”then lifted her eyes to survey both young men. Inwardly she struggled. IaI should befriend Willis. He'll be so shamed ifaeveryone is looking our wayahe'llahe might not come to church againayetayet Bernarda Willis had stepped back, his face red with embarra.s.sment. Bernard stood, arm still offered, a look of total confidence giving him a boyishly charming expression.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, came the soft inner voice to Ariana.
But IaIathis is an opportunity I've dreamed of, argued Ariana silently. If Iayeta Ariana cast another quick glance at the flushed Willis, then gave Bernard the benefit of a full smile.
”I appreciate your kind offer, Mr. Dikerson,” she said as sweetly as she could, ”and under other circ.u.mstances I would be honored to accept. But Mr. Boyd had already asked to escort me home. Perhaps another Sunday.”
Ariana smiled again and moved to take the limp arm of Willis Boyd. He flushed again, this time with pleasure.
O Lord, breathed Ariana as she walked away with her head held up in spite of her desire to lower it and cry, Bernard likely will never speak to me again after thisa.
Trustatrust, came the silent words. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understandinga.
Ariana's head lifted higher. She swallowed back tears of disappointment and turned to the eager young man beside her.
”Have you had a good fall, Willis?” she inquired sociably, but she honestly found it hard to concentrate on his reply.
Ariana and her students worked hard to prepare for the school Christmas program. It was a great success, and even some townspeople without any children in the school came and enjoyed the singing and recitations. The following week Ariana was heavily involved in another program held in the little church. She was relieved when both events were over. Now she would be able to relax and focus wholly on her family's celebration of Christmas.
That evening she was turning from the church door, supposing that all had gone on home except her father, who still lingered to care for last-minute cleanup, when a voice spoke softly from the shadows. ”Would now be a convenient time for me to ask to accompany you home, Miss Benson?”
Bernard Dikerson stepped into the light of the winter's moon and looked up to where she stood on the step. Ariana's breath caught in her throat. Bernard Dikerson had made no further approach since the incident a full two months earlier.
Ariana swallowed and nodded her head slowly. Then fearing that he could not see her nonverbal agreement, she forced the words through trembling lips. ”Yesayes, I guess so.”
”Splendid,” he said with enthusiasm, and moved forward to offer his arm.
Still tongue-tied, Ariana stepped down to accept his invitation.
”I do hope you haven't judged my silence as disinterest,” he began as they walked together.
”IaI reallya” Ariana stammered, but she didn't know what to say. She had thought about ita”she could not deny it. She had wondered. She had felt disappointment. How could she respond without admitting more than she wished to?
”I know how busy you've been with the two Christmas programsa”which both were delightful, if I might express my humble opinion,” Bernard said. He chuckled softly.
Ariana smiled to herself. Somehow she couldn't imagine him having a humble opiniona”about any subject. But he did sound genuinely interested in spite of the formal words.
”So I thought I should try to be patient. But I have been watching youa”with admiration.”
Ariana tilted her head slightly so she might catch a glimpse of his face. He did sound sincere. It made the breath catch in her throat.
”Now that your busyness is overa”I do hope you will have some time foraforasome pleasantness. Work with no play cana””
”Oh, but I love teaching,” Ariana interrupted.
She felt his hand move to press her fingers that rested on his arm. ”Of that I am convinced,” he said, smiling down at her easily. ”But perhaps it is time for you to discover aaa few other loves.”
Ariana was puzzled and had no idea what he might mean by such a remark.
They reached the walk leading to the door of the parsonage. He stopped and Ariana was forced to pause beside him since he still held her hand firmly.
”Will youa”would you like to come in?” she asked, though she felt uncertain about her offer.
”Not tonight. It's latea”and you must be very tired. But I will be in touch. Soon.”
He emphasized the last word. Ariana's breath caught in her throat again. He released her hand and tipped his hat.
”Good-night, Miss Benson,” he said, very properly.
”Good-nightaMr. Dikerson,” replied Ariana.
As she mounted the steps of the front porch, she felt the whole world spinning at a delightful pace.
”When?” asked Sam as he sat with his boss at the wooden table.
”Next big snowstorm,” came the gruff reply.
”Storm? You outta yer mind? Ain't a body in his right mind thet'd ride out in a snowstorm. Ya know what storms can be like in these parts.”
”I do. An' thet's why we're choosin' one. No way we're gonna be tracked nowhere in a snowstorm.”
”Well, thet all depends. A light snow an' they can track ya right on in here like ya laid it out fer 'em.”
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