Love Finds You in Daisy, Oklahoma (36 page)

“I’ll give you my answer,” he said from behind her. “The answer is yes. I would love a kiss.” Gene set Molly’s empty glass on the counter.

Rena spun around, her cheeks the prettiest shade of pink. “Oh, I…” With soapy hands, she attempted to fix her mussed hair. She ended up with bubbles on the edge of her face. Gene drew near and reached out his fingertip to brush the tiny bubbles away. Then, just for fun, he stole a kiss. She swatted him with a dishcloth. “Not in front of the company!”

“They’re in the parlor. And I have a feeling they would be thrilled to know we’re in here kissing. Want me to go and tell them?”

“No!” She swatted him again and then laughed.

“I’m not sure what’s happening with all the women around here today.” He reached for the pitcher of lemonade and a fresh glass.

“What do you mean?”

“I can’t quite figure them out. There are several brightly dressed women in the parlor, one delightful woman singing in the kitchen, and a very subdued Molly Harris out in the yard tending to the garden.” He took a swig of the lemonade, and the cold liquid quenched his thirst at once. “Speaking of Molly, I actually had a pleasant conversation with her just now. Is it just me, or is she changing?”

Rena chuckled. “We’re all changing. According to your mother, we’re blooming like the daisies in our garden.”

“I guess that’s one way of looking at it,” Gene said with a smile. The woman standing before him now was not the same frightened lady who’d stepped off that train back in October. She really had bloomed.

Rena’s eyes sparkled. “I’ll give you another piece of news—Molly secretly adores Lilly. And Callie too. She’s smitten. And I even caught her saying something nice to Henry yesterday.”

“What has bewitched her?”

“Love, Gene.” Rena giggled.

“Love?”

“Yes. Don’t you see? She’s been won by love.”

She took a couple of steps in his direction, and he swept her into his arms. “Won by love.” He repeated the words, unable to think of any other response.

“Isn’t that how we’re all won over?” she whispered. “Some people just need an extra measure of love. Molly’s one of them. And Josephine too. I’ve simply fallen in love with that little girl, and she’s responded to it in the most amazing way.”

“If I didn’t know any better, I would say you plotted all this in that book you’re writing.”

Her face turned red. “Oh, please…let’s don’t mention my book.” She groaned. “I put away that notebook weeks ago and haven’t seen it since.”

“Well, get it back out,” he whispered. “Because I’ve got a feeling there are chapters left to be written.”

“O–oh?” Her eyelashes took to fluttering, nearly taking his heart with them.

Gene’s heart filled with joy, and he leaned in to kiss her. Yes, there were certainly chapters left to be written. The very next one, he would pen himself. With the Lord’s help, of course. However it panned out, Gene felt sure it would be a doozy.

T
IPS FOR
D
EALING WITH
U
NRULY
Y
OUNG
’
UNS
—A
great deal of thought and prayer has gone into the raising of my young son, Daniel. He is a precious boy, though he does try my patience at times. Since his father passed away four years ago, I’ve learned to lean on the Lord and trust that He will—as the Bible says—be the father to the fatherless. Perhaps that’s why I feel so strongly about coming to Daisy to work at the orphanage. In loving those boys and girls, I will be displaying the Father’s heart to them and giving my son the family environment he longs for. I cannot say what lies ahead, only that I trust God to lead and guide every step of the way.

—Janelle Bradford, Incoming Daisy Resident

Gene spent the next four weeks putting together a special plan, one that only he and Charlie knew about. Rena was so distracted by preparing for the new director’s arrival this afternoon that she hadn’t picked up on anything. Not that he could tell, anyway.

Every time he thought about the new director, Gene paused. Perhaps he should’ve written to her at Christmas, encouraging her not to come. Still, he had a feeling that her services would be needed, especially if he carried through with his current plan.

On the third Saturday in May Gene finally got word that the last piece to the puzzle had just arrived in Daisy. He could now move forward with this plan of action.

But he would need help. Who could he call on?

All morning Gene thought about it. Several different scenarios went through his head, but none of them felt right. Around noon his mother stopped by the newly renovated jail with a plate of food.

“Don’t know what you’re up to in here,” she said. “But you’ve been working far too much lately. Thought I’d better bring some food by so you can keep up your strength.”

“Where are William and Jacob?”

“Playing marbles out front. They’re fine.”

She had a point. They were fine. In fact, they’d been mighty fine, of late—both in behavior and attitude.

He pulled the napkin off the top of the plate and smiled as he saw the chicken and dumplings underneath. “Perfect. Just what I needed today—something to stick to the ribs. It’s been quite a day.”

“It has, at that.” She chuckled. “You’re not going to believe what—or, rather, who—I just saw sitting outside the general store eating ice cream together.”

“Who?” Gene took a big bite of the chicken and dumplings, savoring its flavor.

“Molly Edwards and James Tucker. Sitting there, happy as you please, eating ice cream. And here’s the kicker…Henry is with them.”

“Eating ice cream?” Gene swallowed hard.

“Yep.”

This stirred Gene to action. He rose and reached for his hat. “Are you sure? Perhaps she laced it with cyanide. Did you notice any unusual behavior from Henry? Sick stomach? Headache?”

“Unusual indeed! He was laughing and talking up a storm.” His mother’s eyes continued to widen and her voice grew more animated. “I wouldn’t have believed this next part if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, but Molly slipped her arm around Henry’s shoulders and gave him a hug.”

Gene paced the room. “Impossible.”

“No, I saw it just now. I promise.”

Gene tossed the napkin over the plate of dumplings and headed to the door. “This, I have to see.” He sprinted across the front of the jail-house, his mother lagging behind.

“Slow down, son. I can’t keep up with you,” she huffed.

His boys met him in the street. “What is it, Papa?” William asked. “Are you off to arrest someone for suspicious behavior?”

“Possibly.” He slowed his pace as he drew near the general store.

There, in broad daylight, sat not just Molly, James, and Henry, but Jonathan and Jenny, as well. All five of them ate ice cream, laughed, and chatted with ease.

“Well, go figure.”

Gene approached the others, and Jonathan gestured for him to take a seat in one of the large rockers. Gene complied, and his mother took a seat on the bench with the boys next to her.

“What brings you out today, Sheriff?” Jonathan asked. “We haven’t seen much of you around town lately.”

“I’ve been…busy.” He couldn’t help the smile that followed.

“Busy, eh?” Joe’s voice rang out.

Gene turned to see the barber standing behind him. Apparently someone had called a town hall meeting. Or maybe everyone just felt like socializing.

Joe gestured for William and Jacob to scat, and he took the spot on the bench next to Gene’s mother, who looked over at him with a coy smile. Gene’s heart quickened. When had this happened?

Thank goodness he didn’t have long to think about it.

“Tell us what’s on your mind, son,” his mother said. “You’re up to something.”

And so he told them. He shared every last detail, right down to the part where he asked for their help. The next several minutes were spent putting together a plan of action. A workable plan. One that Rena would fall for, no doubt about it.

When they finished, everyone grew silent. Finally Molly cleared her throat. “I’ve got something to say.”

Uh-oh.
Gene looked her way.

“I think it’s a grand idea,” she said. “And about time too. This will be the best thing that’s happened to this town in a month of Sundays.”

“You think?” Gene asked.

“I know.” She smiled. “And I have something to add. I’ve been thinking on it,” Molly said. “And it’s a pity for that big empty field separating my house from the children’s home to sit empty and overgrown with weeds. I’ve owned it for years but never knew what to do with it until now.” A smile turned up the edges of her lips. “What if we used it for a park? A nice big city park where all the children can play?”

“Are you serious, Molly?” Gene could hardly believe it.

“I’m serious.” Her wrinkled cheeks flushed pink, and the crinkles around her eyes deepened as she laughed. “I heard Rena and those three rhyming ladies talking about the idea, and it settled into my heart. I’ve given it a lot of thought.”

“If we plow down that field and turn it into a park, the children will have easier access to your property,” Carolina said.

“Already thought of that.” Molly’s cheeks flashed pink. “But it won’t be a problem. I’ll have help.”

“Help?” Gene couldn’t imagine what she meant.

Molly grinned. “You all might as well know that I won’t be living at my place alone anymore.” Her gaze shifted to James, who slipped his arm around her waist.

“Sold my farm,” he said. “Been meaning to retire in town for years. Just never had the courage to do it.”

“Wait.” Gene looked back and forth between them. “Are you saying…?”

“Saying we’re gettin’ hitched.” James planted a kiss on Molly’s forehead. “We’re a couple of stubborn old coots, so we go together like bread and jam.”

“Speak for yourself, old man.” Molly elbowed him then started laughing.

Before long, they were all laughing, every last one of them.

“So there you have it,” Molly said. “We’ll be Mr. and Mrs. Old Man Tucker, and we’ll live just beyond the park, not far away. If you need us, all you have to do is holler.”

Everyone joined in the celebration except Gene’s mother. She still looked concerned. “What about Mayor Albright? He won’t like the idea of a city park.”

“Pooh.” Molly waved her hand. “What’s he got to say about it? That property belongs to me. I can do with it as I wish.” She smiled and pointed to the mayor’s reelection poster, which hung on the door of the general store. “He’s too busy getting himself reelected. He won’t want to cross me or any of the other voters.”

The laughter and conversation continued, but Gene had other things on his mind. They’d better get busy.

Rena spent the morning cleaning. By the time Molly, Jenny, and Carolina arrived in the early afternoon, she had the house in tip-top condition. And the children—well, most of them—looked presentable, as well.

She struggled with her thoughts as she worked. Why, oh, why hadn’t she told Gene to send the new director packing? Rena didn’t plan to leave Daisy—not now, not ever. So why bring in someone new to tend to the children? None of this made sense.

Her friends arrived in rare form—all laughter and giggles. She’d never seen Jenny so happy. Or Carolina, for that matter. Even Molly seemed in better spirits than usual. Surely they weren’t tickled at the idea of replacing her with the new director.

“We’ve decided to walk to town,” Carolina said as she slipped her arm through Rena’s.”

“B–but…” This made no sense either. “Gene is supposed to pick us up at two thirty to drive us to the depot.”

“I thought we needed the fresh air and sunshine,” Carolina said. “And besides, we can’t fit all of the children inside the car.”

“The children?” Now Rena was really confused. “I thought you and Molly were staying here with the children while Jenny and I went to town to fetch the new director.”

“As she said, there’s been a change in plans.” Molly let out a whoop, calling for the children, who joined them in a hurry.

Rena barely had time to collect her thoughts before they pressed her out the door and into the street. As they walked toward town, everyone carried on about the weather, the garden, the renovations on the house…anything and everything except the obvious. Did they not see the heaviness of her heart at the idea of handing over the reins to a new director? Didn’t anyone care…even a little?