Free Teaching Patience (Homespun) by Katie Crabapple

Hugh.  She dropped her hands to her sides, facing him, wondering how much he’d seen.  She wasn’t proud of the way she’d spoken to Agnes, but she’d seen a lot of un-Christian behavior from her, and had finally had enough.
    Hugh hugged Charlie tight and sent him into the school.  “Go inside and have some dessert.  Don’t get into any mischief.”
    Hugh turned to Patience and stood for a moment taking deep breaths.  He’d never in his life felt so much emotion as he did when he saw Patience sticking up for his little boy.  He’d thought she was pretty, and he’d admired her, but in that instance, he knew he loved her.
    “Why did you stick up for Charlie like that?  You know he’s not perfect.”  He gripped her hands staring into her eyes.
    She shrugged.  “No one is perfect, but no child should be spoken to that way.  I don’t care if he’s the naughtiest child alive.”  She paused looking at his chin.  “Charlie is a good kid.  I enjoy having him in my class, and I enjoy being around him.  She had no right to treat him that way.”
    “Thank you for being there for him when I couldn’t.”
    She smiled up at him.  “You’re welcome.  I was happy to do it.”
    He led her back into the church, knowing her father wouldn’t be pleased if he realized they were outside alone in the dark.  He met her father’s eyes as they walked back inside.  He knew he’d have some explaining to do but didn’t want to do it there.  He walked over, with Patience in tow, and whispered quietly to George, “I need to talk to you when I drop Patience off.”
    George nodded glad he’d have a chance to speak with the young man.  He liked the way Hugh made sure Patience was always beside him, and enjoyed Charlie a great deal.  He couldn’t think of a man he’d rather have for a son-in-law.
    Hugh took Patience to a chair and told her to wait while he went to the refreshment table and got them each a piece of the cherry pie she’d brought and a cup of punch.  “How would you feel about going on a picnic with Charlie and me after church tomorrow?”
    Patience smiled.  “I’d like that a lot.  I could go with the two of you, or if you’d like, you and Charlie could join my family and the two Hart families.  We always go on a picnic to the lake when the weather is decent.”
    He thought about that for a moment.  He wanted to talk with her privately, and it would probably be easier to do with a bunch of people and other children for Charlie to play with.  “That sounds good.”
    “ Yes, that’s where we go every Sunday.  I’ll make sure Mama and I pack extra for you and Charlie.”
    As Hugh drove them toward her family’s farm, Patience found herself wishing the evening could have lasted forever.  She loved the time she’d spent with Hugh and Charlie and was glad they’d have more time together tomorrow after church. 
    They talked in low voices as they drove through the dark, because Charlie had fallen asleep in the back of the wagon.  Patience looked over her shoulder at him and smiled.  “My papa would not be happy to know our chaperone fell asleep.”  Her voice was teasing.
    Hugh laughed.  “Well, your papa’s going to have to live.  I’m not waking our chaperone up until it’s time to get ready for church in the morning.   I’ll even carry him to bed.”
    When they pulled up in front of her house, Hugh jumped down to give her a hand climbing down from the wagon.  She felt funny having him help her, because she’d done for herself for so long, but at the same time, it was nice to have him care for her.
    She whispered good night, and walked toward the house.  George met her as he came out.  She smiled at him.  “Where are you going?”
    “I need to speak to your young man.”
    Patience’s eyes widened, but she didn’t say anything.  Instead she went on into the quiet house.  Everyone was asleep but her mama and Millie looked ready to fall asleep.  “I invited Hugh