Chapter X

The next morning, Adam came downstairs, the slightest hit of a smile on his face.

"How you feeling today?", Aunt Mary asked, looking up from the pot of grits she was cooking.

Looking toward her, Adam gave a slightly hesitant smile. "I'm kinda nervous. I really like Lily.", he whispered.

Smiling, Aunt Mary nodded. "Your father was the same way when he met your mother."

"So, is this a good thing?", he asked, beginning to help get breakfast out, just as Thomas and Jeffrey came down with Billy, Walter and Gabriel.

Turning to look at her nephew Aunt Mary smiled, though just a touch nervous. "It was for them. But I can't give you an answer for that one."

With a sigh, he nodded, understanding what she was saying.

"Something good happening?", Thomas asked, as he walked over to where his brother stood.

"Talking about my... date with Lily.", Adam whispered, somewhat hesitantly.

"Oh.", Thomas replied, smiling as he gave his brother a nod. "I'm guessing you... would want..."

"Please?", Adam asked, his anxious expression obvious, though he tried to keep it from showing.

Smiling, Thomas merely gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll be there."

Nodding, Adam grabbed two bowls, handing one to Thomas.

Aunt Mary smiled to herself, glad the boys were getting along.

For Adam the next morning seemed an eternity before he and his brothers walked home, pickaxes slung over their shoulders.

When they got close to the cottage, Adam was slightly surprised, yet glad to see his Aunt out front, a basket in her hand.

"Go get her.", Thomas said, giving his brother a wink. "And don't worry. I'll be there."

Slowly nodding, Adam gave his brother a nervous smile. "Ok... I trust you."

"Don't worry. Just have fun.", Aunt Mary told him, putting the basket in his hands.

Nodding, her nephew turned, to start down the path.

While Aunt Mary and the other five boys ate lunch, Adam made his way up to Lily's house, a smile spreading over his lips when he saw her waiting for him.

"Sorry. I was at work with my brothers.", he said as she walked up to him.

"It's ok. Let's go.", she replied with a giggle.

"Well, this is it.", Adam said as they came to a small clearing beside the stream.

"Oh, it's so cute.", Lily replied as Adam set the basket down, pulling out a blanket, spreading it out in front of him.

"So... tell me a bit about... well you.", she chuckled, pulling out a couple sandwiches from the basket.

"Well what do you wanna know?", Adam asked, pouring them each some iced tea.

Chuckling, she shook her head. "About you, your family, your job... whatever you want to tell me."

Nodding, he took a sip of his tea, thinking over what to say next. "Well, I don't guess there's much to tell. There's me and I got six brothers. All but on of 'em is younger'n me. My ma died a couple years ago when our youngest brother Henry, was born. So our Aunt Mary moved in with us. Then, there's my Pa. He looks over the jewels me, Thomas, Jeffrey and Billy dig up.

Lily merely nodded.

"Suppose I could tell you something me and my brothers did, but that's about it."

Again Lily nodded.

"Well, anything you wanna tell me?", Adam asked, the slightest hint of anxiousness in his eyes.

This time Lily sighed. "Well... my mother's dead too.", she replied, her eyes holding a hint of sadness.

Nodding, Adam reached forward, laying his hand on top of hers. "I'm sorry.", he whispered.

Lily merely shrugged. "My father and grandma love me. I suppose my ma loved me but they make up for it."

Nodding, Adam replied, "I loved my mother to death too." He sighed. "Seems like we have something in common then.

Lily nodded. "Yeah.", she whispered.

Then Adam's mood lightened a bit and he gave Lily the smallest hint of a smile. "I'd really like you to meet my brothers one day. I know you'd love Henry. He's a little different. He needs one of us to look after him all the time, but he'll touch your heart." Smiling, he moved his hand to Lily's knee, taking a bite of his sandwich.

"Maybe I will tomorrow. Why don't you come meet my dad and aunt today?", Lily suggested.

Adam looked up at her, slightly hesitant and replied, "I don't know. I really should go back to work." Then letting out a sigh, he hesitantly replied, "But, I suppose it wouldn't hurt."

"Ok. Come on then.", Lily cried enthusiastically, grabbing the picnic basket.

Nervously Adam took another bite of his sandwich and followed her.

When the two of them reached Lily's house, Adam nervously followed, seeing her father out front.

"Father?", Lily called as he laid a couple split logs on the building pile.

Turning his head, her father smiled a bit, seeing his girl and Adam, who followed behind her. "Well, did you have fun dear?", he asked as Lily walked up to him.

"Of course. I'm going to see his family... uh," Turning toward Adam, she gave him a questioning look.

"Day after tomorrow?", he asked, slightly hesitant. "I-If that's ok w-with you."

After a moment of thinking, Lily's father nodded. "Ok."

"Thank you sir.", Adam replied hesitantly. "I'll come get her about lunch... I think."

Lily's father nodded. "Good."

Now, more hesitant than before, Adam scratched the back of his head. "I guess I should head back now. My brothers might need me at the mine."

"Bye.", Lily called, waving him off.

Waving, Adam began his trek back to the mine.

"Well, was it that bad?", Thomas asked his brother, later that night.

"No. I can't wait until our next date."

Thomas nodded. "Good... I guess. I think both of us will be learning about this together."

Adam nodded. "Yeah. I just wish I wasn't the first one to do it."

"I kinda see what you mean.", Thomas answered.

Yawning, Adam nodded. "Guess we should head up before Aunt Mary comes after us."

Chuckling, Thomas nodded his head in agreement. "Yes, I hope Pa comes back soon."

"Yeah.", Adam whispered, following his brother into the house.