THOMAS CHERISH WHAT HE LEARNED ABOUT CHRISTA

Thomas smile, "It sounds great, but if you are cooking any dishes with milk. It only has to be with soya milk, Christa cannot use any dairy product."

"Never mind that I won't eat anything that is not familiar, but I will look forward to our meeting again. I can assure you, this evening was a nice change from the regular ones."

"I am confused, Christa?" Jill announce.

Seeing her smile, "Well most of my evening I eat alone, Mrs. Marva, mostly cooks her meals with dairy products and I am unable to eat it.

So I just prepare simple dinners and eat alone." Noticing her puzzlement seeing she was going to say something to Thomas.

Jill looks at her hearing her laugh, "I know you must be thinking I am a guest and I eat alone but the thing is, I love reading while I eat so as not to disturb Thomas's family I eat alone.

Unable to stop her questions, Jill said, "But that is boring."

Bill held Jill's hand, "Honey if Christa likes to eat her meals like that? Who are we to complain. This dinner was so wonderful and relaxing."

"You are right, every person has their choice. I only hope you won't leave before our dinner plans come through?"

Noticing the confusion on her face, "I am sorry Christa, but Bill said you are Tom's house guest."

Christa looks at Bill recalling Thomas had introduced her as his wife. Thinking is he trying to make her jealous?

Is that why he asked me to be his assistant? Well, who am I to enlighten her that's their business?'

"I see, but don't worry my invitation to stay as a guest is indefinite, and my ticket is open for six months."

"So, you are not from Dallas?" Jill asks.

"No, I am from Kentucky."

"Don't you miss your family Christa?" Christa sees her worried frown.

"At times, yes, but we are a very loud bunch, and from what I noticed, Thomas's family is also a loud bunch.

Back at my home, it's ten of us, my dad is a tough captain to deal with, but he loves us."

"I don't understand what you are saying exactly?" Jill responds.

Noticing Thomas looking at her, Christa bends her head thinking, 'Someday he will need to know about my family.'

Saying, "My family is large, with four brothers and six sisters. four is still unmarried.

Those four are still living at home, I have six nieces and three nephews. My eldest brother is a Pastor in our village.

If our whole family attends Church service on a Sunday, sometimes it doesn't have sufficient place." Thomas saw her smile.

"On Sundays after Church, our family gathered together, my two brothers that are married and his family bring their lunches.

So does my sisters, and after lunch, we all get together and play cricket or rounder's something to keep us together even a picnic on our farm."

"Christa, you spoke of your father and the others, but you mention nothing about your Mom?"

Thomas waited anxiously to hear her response, seeing her taking a few deep breaths. When she hesitated a little, before she respond to the question, her voice was a bit shaky.

"My Mom and my eldest sister Chrissy died two years ago in a lorry accident."

Without even thinking, Thomas took her hand in his. Bill notices the shock in his face, 'It seems he isn't aware of many things in her life.

What sort of marriage is this? I know almost everything about Jill, yet it seems Thomas has no idea what is Christa's age.

And from what I observed earlier so does his family. So how did they meet and get married?'

If it's an arranged marriage, the person is still informed of the age and gets a picture of the person?'

Feeling confused about this relationship between Christa and Thomas. But from what I gathered Thomas loves her which is even more strange.

Because every time we meet at a party or function he always has a different woman with him.

I thought he will never settle down, yet here he is married and he seems happy.'

When Christa said, "My sister Chrissy was pregnant. They were returning home from the Doctor when a truck ran directly into the car they were traveling in, they both died instantly.

Seeing the tears Thomas took her on his lap gently stroking her."

Jill notice she was having a difficult time speaking about the loss of her loved ones, stroking her hand.

"It's all right, I don't want to hear anymore. I have ruined the evening with my silly questions."

When the clock strikes eleven, "Goodness Bill, I didn't realize it was so late. I must be up by five."

When Thomas stood up holding her at his side with his arm around her waist, thanking them for a wonderful evening.

Looking at them as they leave, but most important Thomas cherished the information he gathered during the small talk in his study.

Learning more than he had expected about her family. 'I had only met the Father, Errol, and the three younger ones.

Maybe if I had accepted their invitation I would have met the others?' Looking at her now, ' She looks so worn out. But she did an excellent job hosting my friends.

Mom did not show her feelings towards her but I know she cared a little when she wanted to know who prepared all those dishes.

It was plenty of work but listening to dad as we had our dessert. I know dad was proud to call her his daughter-in-law just as Aliza told him.

Bill and Jill on the other hand were impressed with her cooking. Especially the way she had prepared that fish in a bar-bar-que source.

'I felt so proud of her, hearing them complimenting her cooking so many times. I had also noticed a few times Bill looks a bit confused at the dinner table, also in my study.

Just as when he had asked me about Christa's age. Other than that the evening turned out better than I had expected.'

When we return to the room. I allows her to go and freshen up first, and while she change for bed, I went and shower.

Enjoying the cold water, Thomas remain a bit longer allowing the water to refresh and rejuvenate his body with its coolness.

Drying himself with the towel then wrap it around his waist. Going to change when the clock bangs twelve.

Looking in the bed seeing Christa was already asleep. 'I know she was tired, I only hope I can fall asleep as quickly as she? Pulling on just boxers then lies down on the settee.

Tomorrow will be a very tiring and trying day having to take some of my animals to the auction sale and also to purchase a few.'

Closing his eyes Thomas pray for God's blessing and favor so he could get the right price for his animals.