The Gentle Rebel by Gilbert Morris Read Free Book Online

Molly. Too much like Charles.”
    “No, he’s not like Charles.” Molly half turned to the window, then turned back, a thoughtful look on her face. “Oh, he looks like him, of course, and there’s some of that wild Winslow blood, but deep down he’s like you, Adam. I know you can’t see it—but I can.”
    He struggled with the thought, then finally smiled and said, “You’re right, I can’t see it. So I’ll just have to go on your judgment, Molly.” He put his arms around her, and a fond light replaced the anxious look in his face. “It’s been a long time since that first time I saw you. I think of that time often. How old were you?”
    “Just eleven—and I thought you were the handsomest thing I’d ever seen.”
    “Will ye buy a handkerchief—only five bob!” He smiled at her, and added, “That’s the first thing you ever said to me, wasn’t it?”
    “And you bought it, didn’t you, dear?” Molly laughed and added, “If you’d known what you were getting into that morning, I think you’d have run away like a deer!”
    “No. No, I wouldn’t have. You’ve been my life, Molly.”
    She stood there, surrendering to his quick embrace, thinking of the strange manner of their courtship. She’d been an unfortunate child of eleven on the streets of London, mistreated by a drunken father. He’d been there on his first trip from home, and he’d been so moved by her plight that he’d paid her brute of a father all the money he had, getting her under his care as a bound girl—an indentured servant. She remembered how he’d been in love with Mary Edwards, and how, as the years had rolled by, Molly had been in love with him. And she remembered the shock in his eyes when he at last saw her as a woman—and fell in love. Since that time, they’d been truly man and wife, in spirit as in flesh.
    Now she said, “Nathan will be all right. He’s your son.”
    He stared at her, and his face relaxed. “We’ll trust God to take care of them.”
    When they went downstairs, they found Caleb and Nathan had already fixed breakfast, a feat which amused them both. “Well, if I’d known a trip to Boston would produce this sort of thing,” Adam smiled, “I’d have let you go long ago!”
    Both boys were champing at the bit, anxious to go, so they ate a quick breakfast, and then it was time for them to leave. The wagons were loaded and the teams were in the village ready to go, so there was nothing to do but say goodbye.
    But it was hard for Molly. Despite her brave words, it was the first time her boys were leaving to go farther than the small village, and there was a lump in her throat that would not go away.
    She took Caleb’s quick hug, and kissed him, then Nathan stood before her, a little embarrassed, as always, at showing affection. She pulled his head down, kissed him soundly, and said, “Take care of your brother, Nathan! Take very good care of him!”
    “Ah, Mother,” Caleb said with a wide grin. “It’s me as will take care of him!”
    Then the boys stood before Adam, and for once for some reason, Nathan did not feel intimidated. He looked into his father’s eyes and saw there for the first time in years, an approval that he had always longed for.
    Adam sought for words, but could only say what Molly had said. “Nathan, take care of your brother.”
    “Yes, sir.” Nathan put his hand out awkwardly, but it was ignored and suddenly Adam put his arms around both boys, drawing them in with a powerful hug that took their breath, then released them.
    “Get on your way now—and take care of each other.”
    They left, and all the way to town and for a long time after that, Nathan heard the words that his parents had spoken: “Take care of your brother.” And he always remembered the strength of his father’s arms in that last powerful embrace.

CHAPTER FOUR
    COUNTRY COUSIN
    Ice glittered on the backs of the horses, and their frosty breath rose like miniature clouds of incense as Nathan pulled