Among The Wildflowers

𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕣𝕥𝕪-𝕖𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥: Causing Trouble

When Will and John arrive for dinner, Gina is surprised as she watches Nic greet them.

Maybe that talk got through to her.

"Dinner's about ready," Gina says, with a smile,"hope y'all are hungry."

Will returns her smile and puts his hand on his nephew's shoulder,"Oh we're starving, ain't we, buddy?"

"Yes sir," John replies.

Will sends his nephew in Nic's direction, so he can have some time to talk with Gina.

He takes the plate of french bread from the woman's hands and sets it on the table.

"Thank you, Will," Gina says, trying to keep her voice light.

"Everything okay?"

"Everything's fine. I'm just still getting used to ya being around again," Gina admits, filling four bowls full of stew.

Will doesn't say anything for a moment, he simply watches Gina as she places the bowls onto the table.

"I ain't leaving this time, Gina Jo."

Gina's hands still. She tries to push down the hope that is building up inside her. He may say he's not leaving today, but he could still be up and gone tomorrow.

"I wanna believe that," she says, turning to look Will in the eye,"but I'm not sure I can. Not after what happened."

"But I told you why I had to leave."

"That doesn't erase all the years of pain I went through."

With a heavy sigh, Will looks away. Not wanting to see the hurt written all over Gina's face.

"I'm sorry. I know that I can't ever undo what I did all those years ago. But I'm here now and I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon."

"I hope that's true," Gina says, softly,"I really hope that's true."

The two are interrupted by Nic and Johnny who have suddenly appeared at the table.

"Dinner ready?" Nic asks, staring hungrily at the French bread.

"Sure is. Everyone sit down so we can get ready to eat."

The two children obey, but Will pulls out Gina's chair and makes sure she's seated before sitting down himself.

After Gina blesses the food, she takes a large slice of bread and slathers butter onto it.

She closes her eyes while taking a bite. Yup, it's just as good as she thought it'd be.

The sound of someone spitting something out causes Gina's eyes to fly open again.

John is wiping his mouth, a disgusted look on his face.

"Something wrong, John?" Will asks, his tone hard.

"No, sir," John replies, taking a bite of his bread.

Will eyes the boy a moment more, before taking a bite of his stew.

When the stew is in his mouth, his eyes widen. He cannot spit this out. So he doesn't. He swallows it, reluctantly.

As hard as Will tried to conceal his feelings about the stew, he didn't fool Gina. She takes a bite and her face screws up.

"What in the world?"

Everyone at the table looks at her.

"This stew is... horrible," she admits, setting her spoon down.

"Awh, c'mon, don't say that, Gina Jo."