“I wanted you to know I’m letting go of the farm.”
Jakob sneered. “We sold it two months ago.”
“But I didn’t let it go until today.”
“Leave me alone.”
Gerrit left the bar with the sound of chains falling to the ground all around him.
CHAPTER
FORTY-SEVEN
Rae smoothed her hand over Mr. Whiskers’s back as she sat in the barn. He purred.
“When are you going to start rubbing my back?”
The cat twitched his ears.
“I don’t think it’s too much to ask after all I’ve done for you.”
Gravel crunched outside.
“Gerrit must be home.”
She’d seen Hannie’s car and what must’ve been either Evi’s or Noah’s car when she got there, yet Gerrit’s truck had been missing in action. A heavy door slammed. Yep. That was him.
It had taken some convincing to get her parents to let her walk over here. She’d had to beg, telling them the fresh air would do her good, which was true, and that she needed to talk to Gerrit, which was also true. For some reason, she had to see him. She’d been forced to promise she would come directly home in one hour and not talk to any boys.
Her neck and back were sore, leftover evidence of the accident. Her head felt a lot better, though. The sound of boots striking gravel drew near.
“Hey.” Gerrit opened the barn door and gave her a concerned look. “I didn’t expect to see you out and about.”
“I walked slowly.”
“How’s your head?”
“It’s okay.”
He rubbed his chin. The bruises on his neck had faded to a light green. “Are you sure you should be walking this far?”
She smirked. “You’re the one who fell off a ladder.”
“You got hit by a car.”
Touché. “We’re quite a pair, aren’t we?”
Something wistful flitted across Gerrit’s face.
She eyed him curiously. “So your kids are here?”
He looked over his shoulder at the house. “Yep.”
He seemed different today. Subdued. Or maybe at peace.
She pulled Mr. Whiskers tight to her chest and rubbed her face against his head. “The last Community Hope session is on Monday. You should come.”
“Is that right?” He folded his arms and raised his eyebrows. “I’ll have to check my schedule.”
She laughed. When his eyebrows shot up like that, she was reminded again of Papa Tom. He was always making faces and telling jokes. Coming to all of her basketball games. He always said, “Make time for family, and family will make time for you.” And he’d been right. She’d spent every minute she could with him up until he died.
“Guess you better go hang out with your kids.” She stood. “I have to get home anyway.”
“What are you going to do about that lawyer thing?”
“I don’t know yet. But I know I’m going to pray about it.”
“Huh.” He stepped aside so she could exit the barn. “That’s a good idea. And what about that David guy?”
She paused in the driveway. While she couldn’t stop thinking about David, it was going to take some time to figure out what their relationship was going to look like. “I think he blames himself that I got hurt.”
Gerrit nodded slowly. Gravely. As if he had been there.
She continued, “But it wasn’t his fault. Things happen, and people have to live with the results. That’s part of growing up. Part of life. It might be a while before I try driving again, though.”
She pictured herself behind the wheel and, despite the accident, realized the thought of driving didn’t scare her as much as it did before. Her nightmare about careering down the hill toward her parents, out of control, hadn’t returned since she came home from the hospital. Maybe it hadn’t been the driving she was afraid of as much as where she thought she was headed.
Gerrit reached out a hesitant hand and patted Mr. Whiskers on the head. “Don’t let fear hold you back.”
She looked at the house, then back at him, and thought of Papa Tom. “You either.”
GERRIT WATCHED RAE disappear into the woods, gingerly maneuvering over fallen branches and around salmonberry bushes. She was right. He was still afraid of opening his heart to Hannie and the kids. Afraid they would discover he had nothing to offer them. Afraid the farm had taken more than he could ever get back.
He strode to the house and opened the door to the sound of lively voices. In the kitchen, Hannie was pulling food from the fridge, and Evi was leaning against the counter.
“Dad.” Her eyes sparkled. “Is it true your rooster attacked Mr. Sinnema?”
Gerrit rubbed the back of his neck. “He happened to run in George’s direction, yes. I wouldn’t say he attacked him.”
“Poor Bernie is just misunderstood, isn’t he?”
“I believe so.” He took the pitcher down from above the fridge. “George even called the cops on him.”
Evi laughed, and it sounded like heaven. “I never heard about that.”
“He asked me not to tell.”
“Who? George?”
“No.” He made a serious face. “Bernard.”
Evi rolled her eyes. “Travis was afraid of him. Said he was watching his every move.”
Gerrit smiled inwardly. He’d begun to suspect he and Bernard were kindred spirits. Now he knew for sure.
“Where is Travis today, Ev?” Noah asked.
“I . . .” Evi glanced at Gerrit. “Asked him not to come. This time.”
Gerrit cringed. Was that his fault? Was his daughter afraid to bring her boyfriend over because she didn’t know what Gerrit might do? And why shouldn’t she be? He’d made a complete fool of himself last time. Only five days ago.
He steeled himself. She’d avoided him and this house for long enough. He wouldn’t let anything stand in the way of her spending more time here. Even himself.
He caught her eye and forced the words out. “He’s welcome anytime.”
She held his
