Once again, a long winter was over. Near the edge of the woods where the slope began toward the meeting room, a large patch of wild violets was blooming. Jennie reflected how the last year had brought the coming of Alec, who was about to leave; the coming of Uncle Robert, who had returned to his farm; and the nagging fear that Aunt Sarah was slipping away from them. Jennie couldn't put her finger on it exactly; but Aunt Sarah seemed older, and to tire more quickly. She just wasn't herself.
A few weeks before, Uncle Robert had bid them farewell, leaving Jennie a box of chocolates for her birthday. She wondered how he ever guessed it was her birthday. She would always remember him walking out to the car, his silver hair shining in the moonlight, the surprise package tucked under his arm.
That last evening he told them the story of the bull that chased his son Thomas around the field one afternoon. Being alone, all he could do was run, but the bull was gaining on him. But unknown to Thomas, the Lord was going to preserve his life through his dog Boxer.
"But what could a dog do?" Jennie asked, incredulously.
"You just wait now!" Uncle Robert responded. "You'd be mighty surprised what that dog did." He laughed, and then told how the dog darted up to the bull, grabbed his tail, and held on so tightly that the bull forgot all about Thomas! The bull started to turn around and try to get the dog! But Boxer wouldn't let go—as long as the bull was turning, he was turning, too. Boxer kept it up until he saw his master was safely over the fence, and then, letting go, he, too, ran for his life!"
As she walked along Main Street, her arms full of apple blossoms for Alec's farewell party, Jennie was remembering the beautiful text she made for Uncle Robert. She added flowers all around the edges with her oil paints and on the back printed, "With much love from us all." Each one in the Benton family signed it. He was so pleased.
That evening the entire gathering was coming over for Alec's farewell dinner. She felt his leaving keenly, but was trying to be thankful he had come at all.
She walked to the garden and picked a few more branches of apple blossoms to add to the bunch she had gathered earlier in the woods. Strawberries were appearing in the stores, so she had bought some to add to the homemade ice cream. That would be a special treat for everyone, but for Alec in particular.
If they wore sweaters, they could use the screened-in porch tonight. It would be pleasant sitting outside, where they could hear the chimes ringing and feel the softness of spring about them. She set the apple blossoms out on a table and noticed their fragrance. For tonight, they would push all the small tables together to make one long table.
She was working, setting up the tables, when the chimes rang out the four o'clock hour. Looking up, she saw Stephen coming down the street toward their home.
He saw her, too, and waved. Soon they were talking together as she finished her work. While they waited for the others to arrive, she walked into the house to play the piano. Joining her, Stephen picked up his violin; through the rest of the afternoon, they played and sang together.
Gradually, the guests arrived. All from the gathering came, except the Adams.
Jennie heard Ruth Marshall remark to her mother, "Sarah is pretty sick. They won't be able to come. It doesn't sound very good to me." There was a note of something Jennie couldn't quite catch. In the commotion of the evening, she set it aside, but still it lingered in the back of her mind.
Stephen chose to sit beside Jennie at the table. There was an easy, relaxed friendship growing between them. She was grateful for it, as they sat talking. How many times, in the quiet of her room, she had prayed concerning their friendship.
Clouds began to gather in the sky. Stephen was concerned that it would soon start raining on them all. A sudden wind rustled through the trees. The group all sensed the coming storm. In spite of the weather, Alec was enjoying the strawberry ice cream Jennie made especially for him, passing it around, hoping he would get the last dishful, which he did! About then, they heard the first drops of rain beating against the screen.
Hurriedly, everyone picked up their plates and rushed off the porch into the living room. Darkness fell rapidly, as the clouds increased and the rain fell softly against the windowpanes. Inside, the close-knit group sat around the room, opening their Bibles to study the Word of God. Jennie felt that she could not have known happier moments even in California. This, at last, was home.