Billionaire Flawed 1(178)
“Well I guess if we are going to be spending a lot of time together, we may as well get to know each other,” she replied. She was being coy.
“Aye, we will need to be able to better communicate about which cows to milk and how to feed the chickens. You know I haven’t done that in a while. I might need more help than you think,” said John playfully.
Mary laughed. She loved that he was not perfect, and that he didn’t always measure exactly what said. He was fun and unpredictable. “I might have some extra time to teach you,” she said. Mary knew that she was never the best at flirtation. She hoped that her sincere heart would make up for it.
“I like that,” said John.
They continued to walk and talk. Boys and girls were not usually allowed to talk in private except for when they were courting. And long walks through the woods would be strictly forbidden. But Mary trusted John.
“The stars are brighter here, said John. “There are more of them too. They seem closer, almost like you can touch them.”
Mary looked up. “When you see them every night, you take them for granted,” she said. “But you are right. They really are beautiful.”
“I really have missed this place,” said John. “There is nothing like living with the plain folk. Sometimes they may be stubborn and unwilling to bend on their rules. But you know that they mean well. You know that all they want out of life is to glorify God and keep his commandments. You don’t realize how rare that is in the world.”
“I guess I really don’t,” said Mary. “I guess from my perspective this is just how life is. I do know that the people here love me, though. I have never doubted that. I have never doubted that God loves me either. I see that here. I feel His love. So tell me, why did you end up leaving and going to the city?”
John knew that was a long story, but she had opened up to him. He owed her the same thing. “I can’t tell you all of the details. But what I can tell you is how I felt. I felt restless, as if life here was too rigid. I guess I always wanted to experience everything I could in life. So I left. I can tell you what happens in the world. While you are enchanted by life, and the trivial entertainment and amusements, you love your existence. This can go on for any length of time really. Some never escape the pull of the world. Some know instantly that is it empty. I guess it took me until a few days ago. I couldn’t live a lie anymore.”
Mary wasn’t sure if she understood. She had no perspective because she had only known living as a plain folk. part of her envied John because of the perspective he had. It must give him a greater love of God. She told him as much.
“No, Mary,” he warned. “You don’t want anything to do with the world. I have scars from that time of my life that will never be healed. Your parents have kept you pure for a reason. They know it’s power.”
Sin and the devil. Mary knew that was what he was talking about. “Well it is getting late. Actually, it is already too late. My mother is going to be going crazy looking for me.” Mary again began to worry.
They ran back to the Bishop’s house. “I hope that the meetings went late. It is already dark and usually they would be done by now.” They said a quick prayer.
When they got back, Mary’s mother had only been looking for her for a short time. “What happened?” She asked.
“Mama, John here has said that he wants to help us out. We have been talking, He is super respectful and nice.” After she spoke those words, she saw Samuel. They made eye contact. It shot pain through her, as she knew that it would hurt him to see her talking to another guy, a really good looking guy.
“Is this true?” Asked mama.
“Yes,” replied John. “I would need to stay with you, but I could be a helping hand. If that is something you would be opened to.”
Mary’s mother knew that accepting John to stay with them would cause friction within the community. But she also knew that she needed help. “You can stay with us.” they all jumped in the buggy
John, Mary, Ruth, and mama all rode home together. They talked and got to know each other. John was immediately made welcome.
Samuel watched as the buggy drove off. Part of him still loved Mary or was it just competitiveness. He didn’t know and didn’t care. He was not comfortable with another man living with her.
John turned out to be a great help on the farm. With his help they were able to get all of the work done each day. John enjoyed the Bible studies every night. Because he was now the man of the house, he would lead them. He felt that he was able to reconnect with God. He wondered how his father was doing and wished that he could be reconnected with him. One day, he thought.