Love Finds You in Daisy, Oklahoma (29 page)

“Perhaps she’s ill. Or maybe she’s not in her right mind. Too much eggnog.”

“No. She seemed perfectly normal. Only…kinder. Perhaps it’s some sort of New Year’s resolution to be a better person. Or maybe Rena’s growing on her.”

Like she’s growing on all of us.

His mother picked up the dishes once again and disappeared into the kitchen. She returned moments later with the coffeepot in hand. She filled Gene’s cup, and he reached for it before leaning back in his chair.

“I, for one, think it would be wonderful if Molly comes around. Perhaps if she grows close to Rena, she will eventually see the good in the children under Rena’s care. Don’t you think?”

Gene shook his head as concerns kicked in. “Actually, I’m more worried that the opposite might take place. Maybe Molly will sway Rena away from her post. Did you ever think of that?”

“Oh, surely not.” Concern now etched his mother’s face. “Rena’s meant to be here with those children. It’s quite obvious.”

“To you and me, perhaps, but I’m not sure she’s completely settled. At least, not to the extent I’d hoped. So I hope Molly isn’t some sort of catalyst to drive her back to Gulfport before the new director arrives.” For whatever reason, when he spoke the words “back to Gulfport,” Gene’s heart twisted. “If she goes away, it will change everything.” He grew silent as his thoughts shifted.

After a moment, his mother cleared her throat. “I see how it is.”

“W–what do you mean?”

Her brows elevated. “If she went away, it would change everything?”

He paused. “Well, with my boys, I mean. And the rest of the children.”

“And you?” She gave him a pointed look, one he couldn’t ignore.

Gene shifted in his chair then tugged at his collar. “It’s been helpful to have her here, I must confess. She’s very…” He paused and attempted to come up with just the right word. Truly, she was a godsend. Everything about having her here had been a blessing, right down to the way she had bonded with his boys. Of course, that beautiful smile didn’t hurt, either. Neither did those pretty eyes. And those clothes she’d been wearing of late. All those colors did his heart good.

Stop it, man. Just be honest with yourself for a change.

Rena Jewel had been the one to fall into his arms the other day at the jail, but he was the one who’d fallen emotionally. Only, how would he tell her? Did she even feel the same way, or had he imagined the joy on her face in that wonderful moment?

“Um, Gene?”

He started back to attention and looked his mother’s way. “Yes?”

“Son, there’s no crime in admitting you’re smitten. It’s no sin. And I, for one, think it would be terrific for the boys to have a motherly influence.”

“Well, I suppose that’s what I was saying all along. Rena has already slipped into that role for all of the children.”

“Yes, but I think your heart is hoping for a bit more with your two. Am I right?”

He shifted his gaze out the window and noticed Molly walking by. “I think perhaps we’ve deviated from the original conversation, Mother. We were talking about Molly’s influence on Rena.”

“Were we? I was sure we were talking about Rena’s influence on Molly.” His mother grinned then rose and took a step toward the door. “Though I must say, Rena’s influence appears to have affected more than just Molly.” She gave him a wink then pulled open the door and disappeared from view.

Gene leaned back in his seat, his thoughts now tumbling. Charlie had fallen for Sadie in just a few short weeks. Their feelings for one another were undeniable. Why, then, had it taken Gene so long to realize he had feelings for Rena?

He did, of course. And he could no longer deny it.

Now, to figure out what to do about it.

A wave of relief washed over Rena as Sadie came through the front door.

“Sadie, where in the world have you been? It’s been hours. I’ve been worried sick.”

“I’m so sorry.” Sadie’s cheeks flushed pink as she shrugged out of her coat. “I know I should have told you, but Charlie took me for a drive. We had the most wonderful day. He showed me the house he grew up in and then took me by the school. After that, we went to Tushka to see his mother.”

“Tushka? You drove all the way to Tushka?”

“Mm-hmm. And then we went to Atoka. Oh, it was so pretty. Charlie told me all about the tornado in Atoka two years ago. Did you know that’s how Gene’s wife died? She had gone to visit her mother, who was ill.”

“Gene doesn’t really talk about it,” Rena said. “He’s very private.”

“Yes.” Sadie shook her head. “Such a sad story.” After a moment, she smiled. “There’s still snow on the ground in Atoka, would you believe it? It melted here in Daisy days ago.” She fussed with the buttons on her coat, her hand fumbling over them. “Look at me. So silly.”

“Sadie, are you quite sure you’re all right? You and Charlie had us all in a tizzy. Gene and Carolina came by this evening to see if I’d heard from you. I didn’t know what to say.”

“Please don’t fret, Aunt Rena. I promise we were fine.” At this point, a look of desperation came over her. “But there’s something important I have to tell you. Maybe you’d better sit down.”

Rena’s heart began to race. She took a seat in the chair and braced herself.

Sadie walked to the fireplace and fingered the mantel. “Aunt Rena, you know me better than most anyone.”

“Yes. Of course.”

“You know I’m not prone to flightiness. Right?”

“Right.”

“And you trust my judgment.”

“Until this moment, yes. But I have a feeling that what you’re about to say is going to change that.”

“Oh, Aunt Rena…” Sadie rushed her way and took the empty spot next to her. “I’m in love with Charlie.”

“You’re…you’re in love with him? I knew you were infatuated, of course. But…love?”

Sadie closed her eyes and clasped her hands together. “Oh, yes. It’s the most wonderful feeling I’ve ever felt. I highly recommend it.”

“I see.”

Sadie’s eyes popped open, and she gazed at Rena. “Surely you can see my dilemma. I can’t possibly be in love with someone who lives on the other side of the country from where I’m attending school. That’s why I can’t go back.”

“Excuse me?”

“I can’t go back, Aunt Rena. I simply can’t. I’ve not been terribly happy at college anyway, but now…” A lingering sigh escaped and she leaned back against the sofa.

“But, Sadie, you can’t be serious. You’re the most studious girl I know. You would give up your education for a young man you scarcely know?”

“Oh, Aunt Rena, you know what it feels like to be in love. I saw those letters from Gene. Would you have me suffer in New York when my heart is here, in Daisy?”

“But…” She couldn’t seem to come up with appropriate words.

“It’s not just Charlie. Oh, I love him! I do. But it’s the children too.” Tears ran in rivers down Sadie’s cheeks at this proclamation. “I love them so, and I can’t bear the thought of leaving them. Or you.”

A lump rose in Rena’s throat, one she could not speak over. Not that she would’ve known what to say anyway. She joined Sadie on the sofa but remained silent.

Sadie gave her hand a squeeze. “I need you, Aunt Rena. I need you so desperately.”

“Need me?” she managed. “What do you mean?”

A look of dread came over Sadie. “I need you to call Father and tell him for me. I—I can’t do it.”

“Surely you jest!” Rena felt ill at the very idea. “I would sooner face a den of hungry lions than tell your father you’re not going back to college. He will be so upset. Your education means the world to him.”

“But it doesn’t to me. Don’t you see?” Sadie erupted into tears, her sobs breaking Rena’s heart. From up above she heard a stirring and realized that the children had awakened. Sure enough, Callie, Lilly, and Josephine appeared in the living room moments later, rubbing their eyes.

“What happened, Miss Sadie?” Callie raced to her side. “Did someone hurt you?”

“N–no.” Sadie swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand and sniffled. “I’m—I’m sorry I woke you girls up. I didn’t mean to.”

“Are you all right?” Lilly climbed into her lap and leaned her head on Sadie’s shoulder.

“Y–yes.” Another little sob escaped. “I just love you! All of you. And I don’t want to leave.”

“We don’t want you to leave either, Miss Sadie!” Josephine began to cry, and before long the other two girls joined her.

Rena looked on with a sigh. She managed to get the girls calmed down, and before long Sadie rose and took the children by the hand. “I’ll get them tucked in,” she said, sniffling again.

“You should go on to bed yourself,” Rena said. “I’ll be up in a minute.”

She waited until Sadie and the girls were long gone to think about a plan of action. How could she possibly call Reuben and give him this news? Why, he and Virginia would be on the next train to Daisy, no doubt about it.

Then again, maybe that would be for the best. She would even encourage his visit. He would arrive and set things aright with his daughter. And while he was here, he could see the children’s home, as well. Yes, her brother could surely fix all of this.

T
IPS FOR
D
EALING WITH
U
NRULY
Y
OUNG
’
UNS
—
When a father speaks, he must command the full attention of his children. He should never have to repeat himself. He must love his children, naturally, but never allow them to lose respect for him as the authority figure in the home. Too often I have seen fathers give in to the whims of their children and pay a heavy price when they’re grown. As the father of a bright, levelheaded young woman, I can attest to the fact that fatherly authority has made all the difference. Even now, my daughter would never think to go against my wishes.

—Reverend Reuben Jewel, Director of the Hope Pointe Missions Society

Rena’s telephone conversation with her brother went exactly as she expected. He did not respond well to the news that Sadie planned to stay in Daisy. In fact, he fussed and fumed and insisted upon a trip to see her at once. He and Virginia would arrive on Tuesday, the fourteenth of January, to talk some sense into their daughter and, hopefully, put her on a train to New York.

On that dreaded Tuesday, Rena asked Gene to drive her to the depot to pick up her brother and sister-in-law. Her nerves were so badly affected that she could barely speak a word to the man as he drove. He looked a little nervous too. No wonder. He still hadn’t confessed to writing those letters. Perhaps his shyness would go on presenting problems. Maybe he would never speak his mind.

Well, this wasn’t the day for that, anyway. Today she had other issues to contend with. First, pick up Reuben and Virginia. Take them to the children’s home for a tour and private conversation before the children arrived home from school, and then have a heart-to-heart chat with Sadie, who was probably hiding out at the jail, locked in a cell so that her father couldn’t get to her.

They arrived at the depot just as the train pulled in. Gene looked Rena’s way and released a slow breath. “Think you’re up for this?”

She shook her head.

He came around to her side of the car and opened the door for her. Then he took her hand to help her out. It wasn’t until a couple of minutes passed that she realized he was still holding her hand.

Well, so be it. She needed someone to hold her hand today. Facing Reuben would be tough. Gene’s presence would steady her.

A couple of passengers exited the train, but Reuben and Virginia were nowhere to be seen. Then, just when she’d given up on them, they appeared. Virginia looked none-the-worse for wear, but Reuben…well, Rena had never seen her brother look so upset.

She hiked up her skirts and took off running in their direction, leaving Gene behind. Rena hugged Virginia first, whispered a soft, “I’m so glad you’re here,” then turned her attentions to her brother. His hug didn’t carry the same tenderness, but she tried not to read too much into it.

“Reuben.” She stepped back and took his hand. “I’m so glad you’ve come.”

“Had no choice.” He fingered the nose of his spectacles, pushing them into place. “One of us has to talk some sense into that girl.”