Free Bending Toward the Sun by Mona Hodgson Page B

the sides of her skirt, Emilie took careful steps on soggy leaves to the water’s edge. Settling on a log, she laid her book sack beside her and stretched her legs. With the sun warming her face and the creek burbling, she watched a squirrel scamper across a patch of daisies and drew in a faltering breath. Oh, how she wished Quaid were here, seated beside her.
    She admired his integrity and respect for her father. If only she possessed his patience. But she knew her father and his dependence upon her. What if PaPa were to never come to his senses and accept her and Quaid’s … what?
    She pressed her fingers to her lips, remembering.
    Quaid had told God he loved her. Is that what she felt for him? If so, she didn’t want to love him. Not if PaPa wouldn’t change his heart. It would hurt too much.
    Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life .
    At the breakfast table that morning, PaPa had read the verse from Proverbs.
    Issues like frustration? impatience? rebellion? She was battling them all.
    She needed to trust God with her whole heart.
    Lord, I know You are trustworthy. I do want to trust You. Why does it have to be so hard?
    She breathed in the scent of pine and studied the patches of daisies along the banks of the creek. Some stood in direct sunlight while others waited in the shade, all of them leaning toward the light, bending toward the sun.
    Tears stung her eyes. She was a daisy in the shade, waiting and stretching toward the sun for light and warmth.
    Guard my heart, Lord. It belongs to You, first and foremost . She allowed herself to linger in her thoughts and prayers for a few moments.
    Feeling refreshed, she picked up her book sack and resumed her walk home. She’d started down the hill toward Main Street when she heard her name.
    “Miss Emilie.”
    Emilie turned to see Anna Goben rushing toward her. “Miss Anna.” Emilie embraced her. “It’s good to see you.”
    Anna held up a sack with both hands. “I was taking these candles to the store, so when I saw you—”
    “I’m glad you caught up to me. We can walk together.”
    “Yes. I’d like that.” Freckles bridged Anna’s nose. Anna’s father had been gone for more than ten years now, and she’d lost her brother to the war.
    Emilie set a leisurely pace. “I don’t know if you’ve seen Mrs. Brantenberg lately, but we’ve missed having you at quilting circle.”
    “I haven’t seen Mrs. Brantenberg, but on Sunday, Jewell Rafferty and her sister Caroline brought us a pot of stew and an apple pie. It was awful nice of them to come, especially so soon after the sad news of the death of Caroline’s husband.” Anna tucked a strand of straw-blond hair into her bonnet. “I do miss the quilting circle, but … between Mutter and Großvater , the grief hangs thick at my house. I seem to be the only one right now who can face the days.”
    Anna was the only one working. Emilie knew that much. The young woman was making tatting lace for the dressmaker, feather arrangements for the milliner, and beeswax candles for the dry goods store.
    “I’m sorry.”
    “Thank you.”
    Emilie held her head high while they walked. She had so much to be thankful for, and like the petunias in the flower box they passed, she would bend toward the sun.
    At the dry goods store, Emilie held the door open for Anna.
    “Emilie? Is that you?” PaPa rushed in from the storeroom but stopped in his tracks when he saw Anna. “Miss Goben. It’s a pleasure to see you.”
    “And you, Mr. Heinrich.” Anna curtsied slightly. “ Großvater sends his regards.”
    PaPa nodded. “You tell him I said it was high time he come in and beat me at a game of checkers.”
    “I’ll do that, sir.”
    “Anna brought candles.” PaPa followed them to the counter, and Emilie set her book bag on the floor behind it. He wouldn’t normally involve himself in the purchase of candles, but he stood there as she and Anna lifted the sack onto the counter. She