“Get dressed quickly and come with us!” his father commanded.
Thomas jumped out of bed. “What’s going on? What’s happened?”
“Just hurry up and come with us!” Rosaline excitedly called before disappearing.
He threw on a fresh shirt and struggled into his boots. He was half asleep, but adrenaline was pumping through his veins. What had happened now? He stumbled and steadied himself on his bedpost. Not bothering to comb his hair or wash his face, he ran out the door after his father and Rosaline.
They were almost at the barn as he rushed to catch up with them. “What is it?” he called out to them.
“Just hurry up!”
Thomas was out of breath when he eventually reached the barn. Bent over double, he struggled to catch his breath. His head snapped up when he heard a cow bellow in full steam.
All of the cattle were upright in their pens and chewing on hay. He lifted his hands to his head and ran his fingers through his hair. “I can’t believe it...” he said through welling tears.
“Isn’t it marvelous?” Rosaline danced and swung Robbie in a circle. Robbie giggled with pleasure and flapped his chubby little arms as he swung through the air.
Arthur came up behind Thomas and placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’s a real miracle.”
“Yes, it is,” he said, not taking his eyes from Rosaline’s bright smile.
***
A few days had passed since the miracle of the herd. Thomas had started closing his eyes during prayers and not objecting whenever Rosaline or his father suggested they read a few passages from the Bible together.
He was sitting peacefully in his study writing in his leatherbound book when Rosaline came in.
“I’m sorry.” She hesitated and turned to leave when she saw what he was doing. “I’ll come back later.”
“No it’s alright, come in now,” He said, and opened the drawer to put the book away. “Actually.” He paused and looked at her. Thomas had begun to trust her more and more over the past two months. The cheerful way she went about her chores and her growing relationship with his son thawed his heart. “I wanted your opinion on something.” He hesitated but opened the book and placed it on the table, gently pushing it towards her.
Rosaline seemed surprised and puzzled but came into the room and picked up the book.
He watched as she read, Her lips falling slightly apart. Regret was beginning to grow in the pit of his stomach. What was he thinking? Even worse, what was she thinking as she read?
“You don’t have to...” He stopped mid-sentence with his hand raised towards the book.
Rosaline was looking at him with an astonished expression on his face. “Thomas, did you write this?”
“Yes,” he said bluntly, lowering his hand. It was too late now, she knew what a fool he was.
“Are these songs?”
“Yes.” He stared at her, waiting for the scorn and derision he felt sure was coming.
“These are beautiful.”
He looked up to see the honesty he heard in her voice reflected in her eyes. She looked excited.
“You have to play these so we can hear them, Thomas! The words are so beautiful.”
“I’m not sure, maybe sometime later,” he said sheepishly, running his hand over the back of his neck where he could feel the heat rising. Relief replaced the fear he felt in his gut.
“I can’t wait.” She smiled earnestly at him. “I know your father will feel the same.”
They chatted for an hour about the songs he had written before Rosaline excused herself when Robbie began to cry. Thomas sat thoughtfully in his study. He couldn’t deny that there was a lightness in the house that was entirely thanks to Rosaline. She had brought a burst of sunshine that he hadn’t felt since the passing of his wife.
A pang of guilt shot through his heart. It felt disloyal to think that of another woman. He pulled his book towards him and began to write again.
