Page 79 of Still My Forever
Ava waited while Gil assistedRoald into his wagon. The two men exchanged a few words, then Gil called Timmy over. He swung the boy up onto the seat, the child’s giggles spilling forth. Finally, he turned to her.
At the tenderness in his expression, her heart rolled over in her chest. She didn’t deserve his kindness after the way she’d rebuffed him. She’d asked God’s forgiveness, but she still needed to ask for Gil’s. She suspected he would offer as much grace as God had, but at the same time she wondered what the future held for the two of them. The band had lost, which gave the answer to Gil’s fleece—he would return to New York. But would he take her with him?
He strode across the grounds toward her, lifting his hand in farewell to others departing the churchyard. He finally reached her, and he offered his arm. “Are you ready?”
Her frame suddenly began to tremble, and she took hold of his elbow with both hands. “Jo, but first I must tell you—”
He put his finger on her lips. “Nä, Ava, don’t apologize. I’ve had some time to think about it, and I should have talked to you about using your song for the competition. Even though I meant it to be a pleasant surprise, I understand why you werehurt. From now on, I will only play ‘Ava’s Song’ for you, and the words will always be only for your ears.”
His dear face blurred behind her tears. She blinked and cleared her vision. “I don’t deserve the beautiful things you wrote in your song, Gil.”
“What do any of us deserve when we consider how often we stumble and disappoint the One who created us to do good works in His name? But He forgives. We can do no less.” He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “No more speaking of the past. We must look ahead, jo?”
She blew out a dainty breath, bringing her quivering limbs under control. “Jo. And…what awaits ahead, Gil?”
He gently urged her into motion, and they strolled up the road toward town. “Well, the boys won’t continue in the competition since they didn’t win.”
She sent a quick glance at his profile. Seeing no disappointment in his face encouraged her. “So this means you’ll take the teaching position in New York?”
He squeezed her arm against his ribs. “I could. I received a letter from the school. They increased the part-time salary by an additional seventy-five dollars. This means I would be paid almost thirty-five dollars a month.”
Ava gasped. “Gil! That is a very good salary!”
“Jo, it is. And only three dollars more than what the president of McPherson College offered me to start a new band program at the college.”
What had he said? She came to a halt, trying to process his comment. Like tiny puzzle pieces falling into place, a picture formed in her mind, and her mouth fell open. “The man who approached you after the boys played our song…is he the college president?”
Gil nodded, his lips twitching into a shy grin. “President Frantz asked about my experience as a conductor and if I’d written any other compositions. I told him I had a broad portfolio and had worked in New York. He was impressed with my credentials and what he witnessed at the contest.” Then he crinkled his face. “Because I don’t have my teaching certificate, he couldn’t offer a higher salary, but”—his expression brightened again—“he said I could take courses for gratis while I build the band program and earn my degree. When I have my certificate, my salary will go up.”
“So you’re going to live in McPherson, not in New York City?”
Gil slipped his arm free of her grasp, then took her hands. He peered down at her, his eyes shaded by the brim of his hat the way they had been the day he strode from behind the barn three months ago. But today, from her vantage point, she received a full view of the wonder glowing in his deep brown eyes. “When I offered my fleece, I told God that I would receive a loss as my instruction to return to New York and continue working to make a name for myself there. Your encouragement, when you told me I had a gift, also seemed to point me to New York. Then the letter from the school added to my belief that I’m supposed to go there. But…”
Ava tipped her head. “Gil, if your hesitance has to do with me, I made my peace with leaving Mama and Papa. I’ll go with you.”
“ ‘Whither thou goest,’ you will go?”
The tender question seemed to dance on the breeze and tease the corners of her heart. She nodded. “I will.”
He wrapped her in a breath-stealing hug. “Your willingness to go with me, wherever I go, delights me, Ava. How I love you.”
She nestled her cheek against his chest, his heartbeatthrumming in her ear. “I love you, too, Gil.” She felt him brush a kiss on the top of her head, and then he released her.
“I know I can teach. My time with the boys has proven that to me. Yet, despite this confirmation and so many fingers seeming to point me to New York, there was still an…unsettled feeling…deep in my soul. These past days when I wasn’t allowed your company”—
She hung her head, sorrow at contributing to his heartache striking her anew.
—“I spent many hours in prayer, begging God for direction.” He paused, then took her hands again. “Look at me, Ava.”
Hesitantly, she lifted her face and found him gazing fervently at her. “I asked, and He answered. These past months in Falke have shown me where I truly belong. I’m not a big-city boy. Having my name renowned by strangers doesn’t mean what it once did. Being known and loved by people who I love…that’s what God wants for me. It’s what I want for me, too. God gave me gifts, and I’m meant to use them here, in Kansas, where I’m near my family, where I can build a life with the one He chose for me when I was still a boy…with you.”
“Oh, Gil.” She melted against him, relishing the feel of his strong arms encircling her. “We will live in McPherson, then?”
“Jo, but first, I must ask…” Once again he gently released her and cupped her face in his hands. “Ava Maria Flaming, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Joy exploded through her, almost dizzying in its effect. Such a simple proposal, nothing like the one he’d given four years ago after playing her song on his violin. But somehow, here on the open prairie with wind tousling her hair and birds singing a sweet chorus from nearby brush, it was perfect.
She searched for a fitting response for this glorious moment in time, and a lilting melody floated from the center ofher heart. She placed her hands over his and smiled through tears as she sang, “ ‘What God brought together never will part, my heart is forever your home.’ ”
His eyes shone with love and joy. He tipped her face to him and placed a tender, sweet kiss on her lips. Then he took her hand, mischief dancing in his dark eyes. “Do you remember trying to outrun me when we were little?”
A giggle escaped, dozens of happy childhood memories filling her mind. “I remember you always slowed down a little and let me pass you.”
He raised her hand and delivered a kiss on her knuckles. “Jo, well, today I want to run hand in hand all the way to Falke to tell your folks our news. And then, my precious Ava, we will remain side by side for the remainder of our earthly journey.” He braced himself like a runner at the mark, grinning at her. “Are you ready?”
“Jo!” She took off, yanking him into motion beside her. With their combined laughter filling the air, together they raced hand in hand across the rolling prairie toward home.