Chapter 8

The rest of the morning went somewhat slow, especially for Adam, who insisted he would split a few logs for the fire, but in reality went out to the barn to think.

While he did this, the others did various things; Thomas helped his Aunt, look after Henry and assisted her some with his father; and Jeffrey, who played with the remaining younger ones.

After lunch, Adam, after a little bickering managed to convince his aunt to let him go to the village for a couple things she needed.

"Gosh. I hope out luck changes soon.", Adam mumbled to himself, looking down while he walked toward the village.

He walked along, lost in his thoughts when suddenly he looked up hearing a scream.

At first, he saw nothing, but but soon enough he saw a girl running down the street, a bull close behind her.

Thinking quick, he leaped, pushing her out of the way just in time.

After he was sure they were safe, he hesitantly began to stand up. "A-Are you ok?", he whispered, ever-so-slightly still shaken himself.

"I think so.", she replied in a whisper.

Nodding, Adam slowly reached down to take her hand. "Could I walk you where you need to go?", he asked, helping her to her feet.

"Of course.", she replied, brushing off the skirt of her dress.

"Where do you need to go?", he asked picking up the basket he'd dropped.

"Oh, just follow me.", she chuckled.

"Let's go then.", Adam chuckled as they began walking down the path. "By the way, what's your name?", he asked suddenly realizing he didn't know.

"Lily.", she replied.

"It's pretty."

They walked for a short while when suddenly Lily stopped, pointing to a house at the end of the path.

Gasping, Adam looked ahead, amazed at the sight in front of him.

"What?", Lily asked with a chuckled.

Realizing, he'd been staring, Adam, chuckled nervously, hoping his cheeks weren't pink. "Nothing. Just that you've got a wonderful yard... and your house.", he replied.

"Oh. Well it's actually my Aunt's. She's... eh... so my father and I come over and help.", she replied.

"That's sweet.", Adam replied, looking into her eyes.

"Well come on and meet him.", she cried.

But, Adam gave her a nervous look, hesitantly shaking his head. "No. I've got to get things for my Aunt and get back home. Maybe I'll see you later.", he answered nervously.

"Oh. Ok.", she replied before heading into the house.

On the walk home Adam wondered what, if anything, the others would say. He thought about this and he became even more nervous when he saw Jeffrey, sitting with the others.

"Aunt Mary's out back.", he told his older brother.

Nodding, Adam ran toward the garden, slightly glad he wouldn't have to face Thomas or so he hoped.

"Aunt Mary?", Adam called, walking over to where she knelt in the garden. "I got what you wanted... um, can I ask you something?", he whispered.

Turning her head, Mary smiled. "of course Adam.", she replied, standing up to brush the skirt of her dress off.

"Well,", he nervously started, handing her the basket. "I... met a girl in the village.", he whispered nervously.

"Oh.", Aunt Mary replied, slightly stunned. "Well, that's nothing to be ashamed of.", she replied.

"Yeah, but..." Looking down, Adam nervously twisted his foot from side to side. "I don't want to like her. I don't know anything about girls... Tommy don't have one.", he replied, slightly blushing.

"Well... that's ok. Just enjoy it sweetie. Invite her on a picnic or something."

Adam sighed. "You sure... I mean... Don't you need me here more?"

Looking up, Aunt Mary sighed, gently laying a hand, briefly on her nephew's cheek. "Sweetie, it won't be a feast, but if you wanted to take..."

"Lily."

"If you wanted to take Lily on a picnic, I'll make some sandwiches for you two."

Adam winced. "I'll think about it. Right now I just wanna see Pa."

"Alright. I'll be in shortly to start getting ready for supper."

Nodding, Adam headed for the back door, looking weary as he turned the knob. Once he shut the door he winced slightly when Thomas looked his way.

"What's got you down?", he asked as he finished doctoring his father.

"I'd rather not say.", Adam mumbled. "What smells so good in here?"

"Supper. One of your favorites.", Thomas replied.

Nodding, Adam knelt beside his brother. "Thomas... can I... talk to you later? Just the two of us?"

Looking slightly surprised by his brother's request, Thomas nodded. "Sure, if you think I could help."

"Son, are you alright?", Simon asked, wincing as he put a hand out for Adam to take it.

"Pa? Are you alright?", Adam asked in return, gently taking the hand his father offered.

"Of course.", Simon replied, giving his son a look.

"You think I should do something?", he asked.

"About what?", Simon asked, confused.

"You, Pa. I wanna help you."

Simon smiled. "It's alright son. Go on and talk with Thomas before lunch."

"Supper, Pa.", Thomas replied.

"Right.", he chuckled, giving his son a nod. "So why don't you two go chat and yer aunt will call you in when we're ready."

"Ok.", Thomas whispered, standing up. "Come on.", he said, waving Adam toward the door.

"Where we going?", Adam asked, giving his brother a confused look.

"For a walk in the woods. You wanna talk right?"

"Yeah.", Adam replied, giving his brother a nervous look. "You're right. I need to get this off my chest."

Nodding, Thomas gave him a brotherly pat on the back. "I'll go tell..."

"I'm right here, Tommy."

Turning around, both boys chuckled nervously seeing their aunt.

"Go ahead.", she told them with a smile.

"Thanks Aunt Mary. We love you so much.", Thomas told her as he and his brother walked out the back door.