The Heart of Rue - A Modern-Day Story of the Book of Ruth

Four

Four

And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. ~Ruth 2:11

Shelter

The freshly-laundered clothes hanging on the line behind the house sway and ruffle with the gentle breeze, the clean scent of fresh linen tickling my nose. Picking up the empty basket, I close my eyes for a moment and breathe the morning air in deeply. For the first time in a long time, a feeling of peace stirs in my heart. God is all around me. I can feel Him near, and joy of His presence fills my being.

Dropping the basket, I lift my face to the heavens, relishing the warmth of the sun on my face. Raising my arms, I smile and give praise. "Thank you, Father," I whisper. "Thank you for the tender mercies we have received at Thy hands." If not for those tender mercies, I shudder to think what we would do, or where we would be. Because of the grace I have been favored with, I no longer look back. Instead, I focus on now and the future, hoping and praying that the future will continue to grow brighter for us.

Sensing someone else near, I open my eyes, startled yet warmed to see Bo leaning against the side of the house, watching me, a small smile curving his lips.

~~~~~

Bo

When Bo had arrived, he'd only thought to scan the grounds and see how the yard work was holding up, maybe help out a little while he is there. The last thing he'd expected was to walk around the back of the house and find Rue standing amid hanging laundry, her arms outstretched, her beautiful face raised in joyful communion with the heavens.

At the moment, he is so captivated, he can't move. His feet won't let him, nor will his heart. With her brown skin shimmering in the sun, her tall and slender curvy frame clothed in a knee-length floral skirt and peach blouse, and her long locks swept up into a loose bun, she is breathtaking. He could gaze at her all day and never tire. It isn't just her beauty that captivates him. It is her sweetness, and her strong dedication to care for his aunt. Righteousness emanates from her, and the warmth of her spirit seems to touch everything around her. She is truly a holy woman, filled with light, despite her circumstances.

Bo doesn't realize how long he has been standing there watching her until she opens her eyes, meeting his stare. Her expression is unreadable, but peace still fills her eyes.

"Good morning," he says, finally able to make his legs work.

"Good morning." She smiles, her voice soft. "Thank you again for the food last night. You are very generous."

"I was glad to do it." And he wants to do so much more for her. When she continues to smile, Bo wishes he could lasso the moon and present it to her. If it were in his power, he would. Rue intrigues him like no other woman ever has. He really wants to get to know her more, but with her being his employee, he doesn't know if it is possible. She might have rules about that sort of thing. Besides, she may still be grieving for her husband.

"You had better go in and see Mom before she comes out after you."

Bo chuckles. "I can believe that. She has never like being kept waiting."

~~~~~

Mom is standing by the kitchen window when we enter. Something tells me she had been watching us all along.

"It's about time you remembered I was here," Nala says jokingly. Her eyes casually travel from Bo to me, and then back to him. Her smile is knowing, as if she is privy to some great secret.