Mari paused by her kitchen sink to gaze out the open window. It was a beautiful spring day, warm and full of the sweet scents of herbs and the fresh-turned earth of her kitchen garden. Just outside, a Carolina wren whistled a merry tune as it scratched at the base of the bird feeder James and Zachary had built for her the previous fall.
In the meadow, Mari could see Zachary and James heading toward the house, leading a brown-and-white pony hitched to a child’s cart. She needed to get supper on the table; she was running behind because she’d been cooking for the following day’s worship service. But now that Mari had everything ready for the Sabbath, she could take the time to feed her own family properly.
Tomorrow would be their second wedding anniversary, but because it was also a church Sunday, she thought it would be fine with James if they celebrated a day early. It didn’t seem possible that so much time had passed since they’d stood in front of the elders and pledged their lives to each other. It seemed like only yesterday. I’m happy, she thought, happier than I ever would have thought possible. Life with James fulfilled all her dreams, for her and for Zachary.
The change in her son since they’d come to Seven Poplars was more than she’d hoped for. All he’d needed was a place to belong. And a father to guide him. Now, at eleven, going on twelve, he had not only grown in height and breadth, but in maturity and wisdom. He went willingly to school and kept up a B average, but his first love was being in the woodshop with James. Zachary said that he wanted to be a carpenter, and Mari thought that was a fine ambition. After all, hadn’t Lord Jesus been a carpenter?
The odor of browning biscuits drew her away from the window and her musing, and she grabbed a hot mitt and opened the oven door.
“Something smells good,” James said.
Mari smiled as a warm joy filled her. Would the day ever come that she could see him and not feel a burst of happiness? She hoped not.
“Zach will be in in a minute—he’s putting his pony up.” James came up behind her, slipped an arm around her waist and gently kissed the nape of her neck.
“Behave yourself,” she protested, laughing. “What if Zachary comes in and sees you?”
James chuckled. “And what if he does?”
Laughing, she pushed him away and went to the refrigerator for butter.
“I brought you something,” he said.
Pleased, she turned to see him holding a brimming handful of wildflowers. “Oh.”
“Happy anniversary,” he said.
She blinked back tears and smiled at him. “Beautiful,” she managed. Multicolored blooms cascaded out of the bouquet, prettier than anything a florist could have arranged. “Thank you.”
“Thank you,” he murmured, pulling her against him and kissing her mouth tenderly. “These last two years have been the best of my—” An indignant wail broke through his words, and he released her to turn toward the cradle. “And what’s wrong with you?” he crooned. “Is Dat’s little man hungry?”
“I’ll get him,” Mari said.
“Let me.” James crossed to the cradle and scooped up their six-week-old Samuel. “I haven’t gotten to hold him all day. Isn’t that so?” he murmured to the baby. He settled into the rocking chair, shifted Samuel onto his shoulder and began patting the infant’s back.
Samuel let out a loud burp, and both Mari and James laughed. “So that’s all he needed,” Mari said.
“No, all he needed was some Daddi time,” James teased.
“Supper ready?” Zachary asked as he came in the door. “I’m really hungry.”
“Wash up and pour iced tea for you and your father,” Mari said.
A few minutes later, Mari lowered her head and closed her eyes for grace. Thank You for Your many blessings, for this food, for the roof over our heads and for our two healthy sons. Thank You for my good and loving husband, she prayed silently. And thank You Lord for making a place for me at Your table.
Mari had no illusions that her future would be free from worries and loss, but with love and faith she also knew in her heart that as a family, they would find a way to make it through. They would strive to serve their community and their faith. And they would be happy forever and ever. Together. Because she was finally home...
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