“Do you think it would be a good idea for me?”
John stopped and turned to him. “Adam, that is a decision you have to make for yourself, but I will say this. I have watched you grow from a young man into a strong Christian adult. You have come far in your life, relying on yourself and the strength God has given you. If you have prayed about this and you have come to me about it, which I commend you for, I think you know what direction is right for you. It sounds like you have already made up your mind.”
“I believe I have. I will do it.”
John nodded and clapped a hand on his shoulder. “I pray for you, my brother. God will provide and protect.”
Adam nodded.
An hour later, he was sitting on the comfortable couch he’d purchased just the year before. He held his Bible in one hand, staring down at the table in front of him, where a blank piece of paper sat waiting for him to write.
What would he say? He began to list the traits and characteristics he desired in a woman in his mind. Beauty, intelligence, compassion, a strong love for God.
How would he put those things in an advertisement? Should he even mention beauty, as it was not good to judge by someone’s looks? He would feel bad if he ended up with someone he was not attracted to, however.
He picked up the charcoal pencil he always used to write and pressed it to the paper. So far he had successfully made a black dot on the paper.
He chuckled and began to write. The ad didn’t need to be long. But if it was too short, would it get the attention he wanted?
“What are you doing, Adam?”
He jumped when he heard the voice of his farmhand, Cody. He looked up at the young man as he came through the room and sat in a chair nearby, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees and clasp his hands in front of him.
“Nothing. What are you doing?”
“Just finished putting that fence back together where that ol’ bull broke it. It should be good for a while now. We gotta do something about him, Adam. He’s gettin’ worse every day.”
“I know.” Adam nodded, looking back down at the paper in front of him. He’d managed two sentences. He wondered if he needed more. Satisfied, he folded the paper and tucked it in his shirt pocket.
“What’s that? You signin’ the farm over to me? I can’t handle all this work by myself.” Cody’s voice was teasing. He grinned wide.
“No, I’m gettin’ a woman sent from the East to marry.”
Cody’s eyebrows shot up. “What’s that, boss? What are you gonna do?”
“You heard right. I need the companionship of a woman. You’re a good farmhand, but you ain’t got the right parts.”
Cody laughed. “I’m glad to hear you say that, but I’m pretty surprised by this. You didn’t mention you’d been thinkin’ about somethin’ like that.”
Adam shook his head. When he stood, so did Cody. They both walked to the kitchen, where Adam poured himself a cup of coffee. He offered it to Cody, who shook his head.
“Stuff gives me the jitters,” he said. “Can’t concentrate.”
Adam stood with one hand wrapped around the coffee cup and the other in his jeans pocket. “I’ve been lonely a long time, Cody, since before you got here.”
“That is a long time, boss. I’ve been here going on three years now. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen you in the companionship of a woman.”
“I always thought the bachelor life was what I wanted. But now I’m reconsidering.”
“You need a woman, boss.” Cody agreed, nodding. “You deserve to have a family if that’s what you want. You thinkin’ maybe I should find a loft or another place to live?”
Adam shook his head, running one hand through his dark hair as he took a drink of coffee. “No, you can stay on here. There’s plenty of room.”
“Ain’t you gonna want some privacy?” Cody asked, tipping his hat back on his head.
“If you want to stay somewhere else, I won’t stop you,” Adam replied.
Cody shook his head. “I’d rather not leave, boss. I was jus’ sayin’ if you want privacy, I can.”
“No need for you to leave. We’ll build you a cottage of your own on the property if we have trouble with the privacy topic. But Lord willing, I’ll get a good woman who will make a fine wife and…”
Cody smiled. “You want some kids runnin’ around, do ya?” He laughed. “I like kids. I got four little nieces and nephews, as you know.”
Adam nodded, smiling with him. “Yes, they are very rambunctious, aren’t they? Perhaps I will not have that many children.”
“Is that even up to you?”
They both laughed.
“I’m about to go send this ad to Virginia. Do you want to ride along? I wanted to talk to you about the eggs.”
“The eggs?” Cody looked at him confused.
“Yes, come along with me and I’ll explain.”