Power play

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

The sun blazed steady and strong as soon as it cleared the horizon and promised another day of summer heat. Jacques took out his handkerchief and wiped sweat from his neck and brow as he made his way up the trail from the mission toward Captain Rodrigo Liam's little house. He took off his black robe and rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt, exposing as much of his arms as he could. From outward appearances he now looked like any other man, trudging along on a hot day.

The black robe was a mysterious garment. When a man put it on, he was thought to be calm, gentle, longsuffering, wise, and part of God's inner circle. Some who wore the robe even believed that it was true. Jacques was very much aware that it was only a robe and did nothing for the man who wore it. He didn't struggle less over his purpose for being in Quebec when he had it on, and he was still as passionate for God when he took it off.

He reached the Marot house and wiped his face again before knocking on the door. "Father Jacques, how nice of you to come by," called Frod Dominos as she appeared from the garden, wiping the dirt from her hands onto her apron.

"Frod Dominos, good morning." He walked toward her, admiring the garden that was full and lush. "You have done very well with this. I must say I am impressed."

"To be honest with you, Father, I am also impressed. I had no inkling I could take

care of a field, much less actually enjoy doing so. But don't tell anyone I told you this,

or I will be forced to deny it." She laughed. "It has been a pleasant diversion for me."

"It has been a very productive diversion, also." He smiled at her, and she blushed.

"If you've come to see Captain Rodrigo Liam, he is not here." "Has he gone to meet with Monsieur Fonte about the hospital?"

"I don't know. He doesn't tell me where he is going." Frod Dominos's smile disappeared, and her eyes nervously shifted to the ground before returning to Jacques. "He often leaves our house in the morning as soon as he awakens. I don't know why. It is as if he wakes up nervous and upset. Then, after he has been out...somewhere...he returns and behaves as if nothing is wrong."

Jacques closed his eyes and imperceptibly shook his head. He should have known that Captain Rodrigo Liam was still plagued by his dreams and would not tell him. Captain Rodrigo Liam was resistant to his advice of confession and did not want to hear it again. Jacques wondered for an instant how he could have believed all was well with Captain Rodrigo Liam even if he insisted that it was.

"Father, he has told you something, hasn't he?"

"We talk, Frod Dominos, but I don't know anything that will help you. I don't know where he goes, either. Perhaps he is with Monsieur Fonte. There is much that goes into building a hospital."

"But there is something disturbing him. He has talked has he told you, Father?" you, I know that. What "Whatever I discuss with anyone is confidential, Frod Dominos. I can't tell you what

to

he

has said to me...not that he has disclosed much of anything."

"Father, please listen to me. I am not asking you anything for idle curiosity. I am concerned about Captain Rodrigo Liam. I have to live here with him, and if he is not right, I need to know." Her eyes teared. "I'm sorry. This is all very hard. Even though we have been in Quebec for almost two months now, I am still longing for France. Please understand."

"Frod Dominos," he said, taking her dirty hand into his own, "Captain Rodrigo Liam is very private. He has revealed very little to me. I wish he were more disclosing." She frowned, pensive. "I understand, but has he said anything to you about how we

came to be married?"

"He told me that soon after you were married, you left for Quebec. It was easy to observe on the ship that you were not happy but very sorrowful."

"Did he tell you why I was not happy?" "It was because of your brother's death," he replied.

Frod Dominos sighed and gently took her hand from Jacques. "Yes. I was sorrowful for

my brother's death."

"What can I do for you, Frod Dominos?" asked Jacques, feeling inept at deciphering her cues. Women were illogical to him, and he had learned, from failed attempts at ministry, that being direct with the opposite gender was safest.

"There is nothing you can do for me, except to watch after Captain Rodrigo Liam. He is beginning to concern me. I know we did not have an easy time aboard the ship, but he has become more aloof than I have ever known him to be. At times he is very distracted."

"The work of Quebec has that man distracted, to be sure. He is eager to build and raise a city like no other. Frod Dominos, I am convinced that God has brought him here, to Quebec, for a mighty purpose. He has a great hunger to build. The leaders in Quebec must be very excited with his motivation."

"Yes." Frod Dominos sighed. "I understand that even Governor Montmagny impressed with Captain Rodrigo Liam. "But I am still..." is

"Be assured, Captain Rodrigo Liam will be fine," Jacque said with a deliberate smile. "Like many young men, he is wrestling with thoughts of God, family, and the magnitude of his decision to settle in New France. Give him time, Frod Dominos." He patted her shoulder. "Go about tending your home and your field. Think about the goodness of God. Saya prayer for Captain Rodrigo Liam. That will be your best course of action."

Frod Dominos nodded in timid agreement. She would do as the priest suggested. She was disobey without just cause. Frod Dominos was surprised by her concern but unmotivated to curb it. In all her attempts to straighten out her mind and heart she not one to failed. She hated Captain Rodrigo Liam and needed him at the same time. She despised Quebec and loved the freshness and productivity of her little field.