Thomas felt the anger rising in his chest again.
“I will say that God will equip you to face whatever challenges he places in front of you. He never calls us to a battle He doesn’t strengthen us to fight. God has already begun a new work within you, and you better believe that He will carry it out to completion.” Arthur straightened himself with some effort and placed a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Give God another chance, son. Lean into the new path that God has brought into our lives. Perhaps instead of asking why and trying to reason it out with our limited understanding, just trust that God knows His own plans, and we don’t have to know all the reasons.”
He felt the anger in his chest subside. “I’ll try, Pa.”
Arthur beamed from ear to ear as he clapped his son on the back.
“I’ll try and give God another chance, for the sake of my family,” He paused and looked at his father in all honesty. “That includes Rosaline. I’m going to try and do what is right by her.”
“That’s the best news I’ve had in a very long time. I’m not going to pretend I haven’t been praying for this,” Arthur chuckled heartily. “Rosaline is a good woman and God had a plan in bringing her here. I don’t want to pry too much, son, but did something happen to make you change your mind?’’
Thomas wasn’t ready to confide in his father about his growing feelings for Rosaline. He wasn’t even sure himself that it was more than a fond affection. “Mary wrote me a letter while she was dying.”
Arthur seemed surprised. “I didn’t know. It must have been while Buena was tending her at the start of her illness. She knew how quickly the illness could progress. I’m glad she had your future in mind.”
“She told me to move on with my life and not be afraid of loving another,” Thomas admitted.
Arthur had tears welling in his eyes as he choked back the tears. He hesitated for a moment. “Would you like to pray together, son?”
Thomas shifted uneasily, not yet willing to jump right into prayer after so many months of silence, but the pure hope and joy that he saw in his father’s eyes made him push his hesitation aside. He closed his eyes and bent his head as Arthur began to thankfully pray for a new beginning with God.
Thomas felt at peace when his father was done praying, yet something was nudging his spirit and making him restless. He lifted his head and smiled at Arthur. “Thank you, Pa.”
“God will always be waiting for you, son. Whenever you are ready, invite God back in.” Arthur frowned. “Is something the matter?”
“I just feel uneasy. Did you see Rosaline and Robbie when you left the house?”
“She was busy with the washing when I left, and Robbie was down for a nap.”
Thomas stepped back and furrowed his brow in concern. “I think I’d better go and check on them. It’s probably nothing. I’m done here, so I’ll go and check.”
“By all means,” Arthur gestured for Thomas to leave. “I have a few things I wanted to check here, you go on ahead.”
Thomas nodded and hurried to where his horse was lazily grazing under a nearby tree. He hopped into the saddle and nudged the horse into a trot. He couldn’t explain the growing urgency he felt in his chest, but he urged the horse into a gallop and sped towards the house.
***
Thomas galloped his horse to the stables and dismounted in a hurry.
One of the farmhands was shoveling hay and looked up in surprise when Thomas rushed in with his horse. The boy ran forward and took the reins. “Is everything alright, Sir?”
“I’m not sure. Is everything in order here?”
“Yes, sir. I’m almost done with the feed and Tommy was busy mending the fence by the house when I left him.”
Thomas nodded and turned to leave as the boy took the horse. “Carry on, I’m going to check on things at the house.” He broke into a jog as he left the barn.
He neared the fence where Tommy, the other farmhand, was attempting to calm the cattle. “What’s going on here?” Thomas asked hurriedly as the cattle crowded and bumped into each other in a growing panic.
“There was a snake, Sir,” Tommy yelled. “I managed to drive it off, but I can’t get the herd to settle!”
Thomas jumped the fence in one fluid motion and hurried towards the cattle. “I’ll try and calm them on this end. You make your way to the other side and make sure they don’t break through the fence!” he yelled to Tommy.
Nodding and grabbing onto his cap, Tommy pushed past the bustling herd and disappeared into the throng.
The cattle were thrashing wildly against each other amid the growing unrest. Their eyes were wild and frightened as Thomas attempted to calm the biggest bull. If he could just calm one, the herd would settle.
“Sir! I can’t hold them back!” Tommy yelled out from somewhere at the back of the herd.
