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He didn’t have a chance for a word with her before theservice, though. She and her parents arrived just as the congregation rose for the opening hymn. He tried to catch her eye as they sang, but she kept her gaze on the hymnbook. Then he realized Taunte Dorcas was observing him. He aimed his attention to the front and kept it there.
The reverend delivered a brief sermon based on Psalm 28:7. Gil underlined the words in his Bible with his finger as the minister read aloud. “TheLordis my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” Such a fitting scripture considering everything that had happened since May. So many mishaps—Roald’s accident, Gil’s hurt wrist, the death of Timmy’s aunt, his disagreement with Ava—yet the Lord saw him through every calamity, and he’d been able to share the song of his heart. He had a reason to rejoice, too. The glory for his rejoicing went to the One who’d given him the ability.
At the end of the message, Reverend Ediger offered a prayer of praise for God’s hand of direction in the lives of everyone in the congregation. Then he requested God’s will concerning the important issue they would soon discuss. After his “amen,” he turned to his wife, who was seated on the front row in her usual spot with their sons.
“Rosa, please take the children to the side yard and keep them entertained while we have our church meeting.”
Parents sent their children out the door with Mrs. Ediger and her boys. Roald sent Timmy. As soon as only adults remained, Reverend Ediger sent a slow look across the room. “I asked you to pray and search your hearts concerning what should be done with Timmy Dirks. Would anyone like to share what God has spoken to you?”
Roald grabbed the pew in front of him and pulled himself upright. “Reverend?” Every face angled in his direction. He sent a quick glance at several people, then shook his head. “I know what you’re thinking. That I’ve stood up to say I want to keep Timmy myself.” He blinked rapidly. “I do want to keep him. I’ve grown to love the boy. But sometimes you have to love someone enough to do what’s best for them, and living with a set-in-his-ways bachelor who cooks beans for most of his meals isn’t what’s best for a boy like Timmy. He needs to be with a good family.
“So I stood up to say whoever takes him is in for a treat. He’s a smart boy, a good-hearted boy, and he’ll bring a lot of love and laughter to someone who pays him the kind of attention he needs. I also want to say…” He sniffed hard, rubbed his eyes with his fist, and lifted his chin. “Whoever takes him in needs to be pretty special, too.” He plopped back down.
Gil gave Roald his handkerchief, and the man noisily blew his nose.
“Are we good enough?”
The woman’s voice was so soft, Gil almost thought he imagined it. Frowning, he searched the room, and his pulse gave a leap when he realized who was standing.
Taunte Dorcas slowly left her pew and came up the aisle. She stopped beside Gil and Roald. “Mr. Willems, you said you wanted Timmy to go to a good family. I need to ask Gil, are your Onkel and I good enough?”
Gil, still stunned by her unexpected response to Roald’s plea, couldn’t find words.
“I know how important Timmy is to you,” she went on, speaking in a near whisper. “Taking him in and raising him won’t change anything about the way I…I raised you…”Tears trailed down her cheeks. “But maybe you’d feel more kindly toward me if I love him the way I should have loved you.”
Gil swallowed. He’d not received the best from his aunt, but he’d seen her give her best. She was a protective mother who read to her children from the Bible every night and taught them right from wrong. Despite everything, he appreciated her giving him a home when he needed one. He rose and put his hand on his aunt’s shoulder. “Taunte Dorcas, I know you did your best. And I love you for it. Timmy would be blessed to live with you and Onkel Hosea.”
A smile—the most heartfelt one she’d ever bestowed on him—ignited her moist eyes. She turned to the minister. “Reverend Ediger, Hosea and I would like it very much if Timmy came to our place to live.”
Onkel Hosea stood up. “Jo, we would.”
Light applause broke out through the room, and a few people offered words of thanks or support to the couple.
Reverend Ediger beamed at Taunte Dorcas. “Thank you for opening your heart to Timmy. I’ll come to your place later today to talk more.” He raised his arms, inviting everyone to stand. “Let us end our time together with prayer.”
After the minister released the congregation, Gil quickly made his way to the Flamings. Taunte Maria greeted him first, then added, “I’m so grateful to your Onkel and Taunte.”
Bernard wasn’t smiling, though. He put his hand on Gil’s shoulder. “Are you sure you are all right with Timmy going to live with Hosea and Dorcas? I wondered”—he flicked a quick peek at Ava—“if you might decide to raise him yourself.”
Gil glanced at Ava, too. He hoped she would approve what he said next. “I’m very fond of Timmy. But I’d rather be like an older brother, the way I am with Earl and Herman, than his pa.And I think it’s better for him to grow up in a house with siblings near his age.”
Bernard’s hand tightened on Gil’s shoulder for a moment and then dropped away. “I understand.”
Maria smiled up at Gil. “It is such a relief to know a happy ending awaits our dear little Timmy.”
“Jo. A happy ending awaits Timmy.” Gil shifted his attention to Ava, who peeked at him from the corners of her eyes. “But what about us?”
Bernard took Maria’s hand and placed it in the bend of his elbow. “My dearFrü,let’s go home and put dinner on the table. Ava and Gil can eat when they get there…after they walk home from church.” He ushered her out.
Gil watched them go, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, then he turned to Ava. “Roald will need my help getting into his wagon, but he’s capable of driving. I like the idea of us walking to town together. If you’re willing to go with me.”
She lifted her face. A shy smile ignited her eyes. “I’m willing.”
He held out his elbow, and she took hold. “Then let’s go.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Ava
