Unbidden

Chapter 10

The rest of September passed just as that first week had, with Todd spending his evenings at Robin’s after work and then hanging out together on the weekends.  It felt strange to Robin to send him home every night because it felt like he should stay, like he belonged with her, as if her home was his home too.

She spent a lot of time contemplating her future and her fears of marrying Todd, though he didn’t bring it up again.  He seemed content to wait and let her wrestle her past demons into submission.  Robin spent many a night before bed on her knees, asking God for the courage to step forward, to trust that her future with Todd would not be the same as her past with David.  Her heart felt restrained, as if it was pushing against a barrier that her mind had erected, ready to marry Todd at any moment.  But that barrier, however small it might be, cemented itself with fear and no matter how much Robin wanted to she couldn’t break it down.

So, with much effort, she resigned herself to keep praying, to sit back and wait for God to work, and in the meantime enjoy the moments she had with Todd.  They spent quite a bit of time with Quinn and Shelly, double dating to a corn maze one evening and then meeting them at the annual Bloomsburg Fair one night after work.

The Bloom Fair was a thirty-minute ride from Lansville and extremely popular.  From games and rides to livestock and food it attracted thousands of people every year.  Robin hadn’t visited in years and as Todd paid and drove through the gates she looked around, taking in the massive amount of cars and people.

“I can’t even remember the last time I was here. I came often during high school and college for concerts or to play games.  But David wasn’t a fan of the crowds or the food, so we never came together.”

Todd turned down an aisle, following the cars in front of him and parked in an empty spot in the field.  Thankfully this hadn’t been a rainy month so the ground was dry and dusty instead of muddy.  Robin had been here many a year that she slogged through puddles, trying to keep her feet dry.

Todd turned off the ignition and glanced at Robin with a childish grin.  “Well, if you miss it, then you’re dating the right guy, ‘cause I love fairs and carnivals.  I haven’t had fair food in a while either, so I apologize in advance if I ditch you in favor of gluttony.”

Robin laughed.  “Wow, pulling out the big guns.  We may need to find you a Catholic confessional in the morning.”

Todd gave her a wink and then moved to open his door.  Robin paused to shove some money and her ID in her jean’s pockets before climbing out too.  She grabbed a sweatshirt from the back seat, knowing the night would cool off quickly, and then rounded the car to meet Todd.  He held out a hand and together they joined the flow of bodies trekking to the main gates.

Todd watched in amusement as a tram went by pulled by a tractor.  Robin grinned.  “Not impressed by our high quality transportation?”

Todd shook his head.  “I’m just not used to it.  I love this area but where I grew up in Maryland was much more urban.”

Robin glanced back at the tractor, noting that it was blue.  “That one’s a Ford.  They usually have one of each.”

Todd raised an eyebrow.  “One of each?”

Robin nodded.  “Yeah.  The green one’s are John Deere, obviously. The blues are typically Fords or New Holland.  And the reds are International, though sometimes you’ll see a red Massey.”

Todd suppressed a grin and Robin elbowed him in the ribs. 

“What?  Are you not impressed by my tractor knowledge?”

He lost the battle with his smile, letting it spread across his face.  “I’m very impressed.  I just had no idea you were such a hick.”

Robin’s jaw dropped and she gave his arm a solid punch.  “I am not a hick.  I just grew up in the country with family members who farmed.  And remember, you fell in love with this hick.”