Love Finds You in Groom, Texas (20 page)

“It makes no sense to me, either,” Virginia said. “I’ve been so blessed to live with kindhearted parents.”

Maggie took the spot beside Anne. “Honey, would you like to know what makes some older people a little sour?”

“I suppose.”

“Sometimes we older folks are a little disappointed that our lives haven’t turned out quite like we expected.” She hesitated. “I’m not talking about myself here, just so you know. I’ve had the most glorious life a woman could ask for. Married the best man in the world and raised the best boys in the world.”

Anne took her hand and gave it a squeeze.

“But I’ve watched my sister, Bets, face life with the opposite spirit. Things in her life haven’t gone as she would have liked. As a young woman, she longed to have a houseful of children. Unfortunately, she never saw that dream fulfilled and it’s soured her, as you can tell.” Maggie fanned herself. “I do hope I haven’t gone to gossiping by mentioning her circumstances.”

“I don’t think so,” Virginia said. “You are speaking out of your personal experience with her.”

Anne nodded her head. “I do understand what you’re saying, though.”

“Yes. I’m just wondering if perhaps your uncle Bertrand has had an unhappy life. Maybe that’s why he’s an old codger.”

“Could be.” Anne paced the room, deep in thought.

“Did he ever marry?” Maggie asked.

“No.” Anne continued to pace. “I can’t imagine any woman abiding him.” But even as she spoke the word, images of Cornelia Witherspoon filled her head.

“More likely he fell in love as a young man and had his heart broken,” Maggie said.

“Yes, he sounds more like someone who’s been jilted in love,” Virginia added.

Anne paused to think about that idea. “It’s so funny you should say that. I’ve just been thinking the same thing. I suppose I’ll never know. He’s not the sort to open up and share his heart. When he’s around me, he’s just cold and angry most of the time.”

“I’ve seen that sort of bitterness firsthand with my sister, as you’ve now witnessed. And I can’t say I understand it. I just know that people like that need to be set free from the bitterness that binds them. Otherwise, they’ll destroy many lives, not just their own.” She paused and fussed with her apron. “Anyway, enough about other people. Let’s you and I agree that if life doesn’t turn out as we like, we won’t sour like lemons.”

Anne chuckled. “Maggie, you’re the least sour person I know. And I realize you’ve already been through many things in your life that have been painful.”

“I’ve been heartsick over losing James,” Maggie said. “But I refuse to get angry about it. I do my best to live for today and trust God with tomorrow.”

“That’s all any of us can do.” Virginia leaned over and gave Maggie a kiss on the cheek.

“And what would be the point to stepping out of the dance just because we’ve faced a grief or two?” Maggie’s face lit into a smile. “No, I daresay this is the very time the Lord wants us to get back to living. Otherwise, why would He have left us here when those we love have already gone on?” She looked at Virginia. “Now you get back to work on that wedding, doll. We’ve only got a few days left, you know.”

“I know. Just four more days until the big day.”

Anne’s heart twisted as Virginia spoke those fateful words. Only four days left to enjoy the people she’d grown to love. And then she would leave heaven and board a train for a life that would likely turn out to be the very opposite.

Jake looked out over the stretch of track as he paused for a drink of water. Just another day or so and they’d have everything up and running again. He swiped the moisture from the back of his neck and took another swig of water.

Strange… Though he’d always loved working for the railroad, he suddenly despised it. The words he’d spoken to Anne last night in the truck washed over him afresh. Had he really shared his heart… told her how much he was going to miss her when she left?

“Jake, you all right over there?” The job foreman slapped him on the back. “You seem lost.”

“Just thinking.”

“Me too.” The foreman sighed. “Thinking about how happy I’m going to be to get this track fixed and for life to return to normal around here.”

“Normal.” There it was, that word he hated. If  “normal” was the definition of his life before meeting Anne, then he never wanted to go back there again. But what could he do about it?

With a grunt, he reached for his work gloves, shoved them on, and got back to work.

Chapter Fifteen

You’ve probably heard the expression “Backdoor guests are best.” Here in the Panhandle, we’re not bound to formality. C’mon in the back door and stay awhile. Share in a hot cup of coffee and talk about the price of feed or, if you’re a lady, the latest fabrics at the general store. In other words, feel welcome! You’ll never find a better place to visit. Unless you’ve come to stir up trouble, of course. If so, we’ll just tip our hats and bid you a fond farewell. —
“Tex” Morgan, reporting for the
Panhandle Primer

On Wednesday morning Anne and her sisters helped Maggie tidy up the parlor. Her thoughts drifted back to that conversation she’d had with Jake in the truck on the way into town. They’d been talking about the weather—nothing too startling—but he’d managed to sneak in a line or two that made her think he could care for her.

What could she do about that? She wanted to fight it but found herself giving in. Her heart seemed to come alive every time he walked into the room.

A knock sounded at the door.

“Would one of you get that?” Maggie raked her fingers through her wild hair. “I look a fright.”

“Let me!” Emily took off running with Kate on her heels.

“Might be Jake. He comes home for lunch once in a while. He’s probably got his arms loaded with things from the store.” Maggie gave her a little wink. “He seems to be spending a lot of time around the house lately, for some reason. Can’t quite figure it out.”

Anne pulled off her apron and ran her hands across her hair.

Seconds later, someone else entirely walked into the parlor. Anne gasped as she saw Uncle Bertrand. He looked as stiff and formal as ever, and judging from his stern expression, he was not in a pleasant mood. It felt as if Anne’s stomach had gravitated to her throat.

“Anne.” He crossed his arms at his chest.

“U–uncle.” Just one word, but it was truly all she could manage.

Off in the distance, Emily made a terrible face and Kate looked as if she might be sick.

“Well, who have we here?” Maggie brushed her hands on her apron and took a few steps in Bertrand’s direction. “Don’t tell me this is the most-loved uncle I’ve heard so much about.”

Most-loved?
Anne coughed to keep from saying anything she shouldn’t.

“Well, I, um…” The flustered look on Bertrand’s face spoke volumes. “I am their uncle, to be sure. And I’ve come from Dallas to fetch them.” He stood so stiff and straight, he reminded Anne of a fire poker. She hoped his being here wouldn’t cause as much damage. “Though at this point, I hardly see the logic. I was told in town that the track will be repaired later today and passengers will reboard the train to Dallas. As I see it, this drive has been rather pointless.”

“How could coming to Groom ever be pointless?” Maggie stared him down.

“Well, you get my point. The girls could have reboarded the train this very day and saved me the trip. But anyway, I’m here now and ready to head back.”

“Oh, Uncle Bertrand.” Anne took a hesitant step in his direction. “I’m afraid we can’t leave for at least three more days. Didn’t you get my message? I telephoned your store.”

“My secretary told me that you called and wanted to stay here until week’s end,” he said, “but it inconveniences me for you to arrive over the weekend. So I’ve come to fetch you now. We must hurry. I have a lot of work waiting for me.”

“Oh, but we can’t. We simply can’t.” She felt the sting of tears but willed herself not to cry in front of him.

“And why is that?” He pulled out his pocket watch and glanced at it. “I’ve brought my car. There’s no reason why we can’t leave right away.”

“Oh, there’s one very good reason,” she said. “I’m helping plan a wedding for Saturday night.”

“A wedding?” He shook his head. “As long as you’re not the bride in this wedding, I don’t see why you would be missed.”

“Why she would be missed?” Maggie’s eyes flashed with anger. “Let me tell you something, you old coot. She will be missed no matter when she leaves.”

Bertrand turned slowly—very slowly—to face Maggie.

Anne pursed her lips to keep from saying something she would regret. Still, this was bound to turn into a catfight. And she had a pretty good feeling she knew who would come out on top. Maggie might be genteel in many ways, but when it came to getting what she wanted, she was a woman on a mission. Hadn’t Anne witnessed as much in the exchanges between her and Bets?

The grandfather clock gonged and Anne glanced at it. Ten o’clock. As the second hand moved in steady pace, she felt the ticking down of her time with Maggie and Jake. It suddenly felt like an ultimatum. Despite her best internal objections, the clock ticked on.

“Let me get you a cup of coffee and we’ll talk more sensibly.” Maggie nodded and pointed to the sofa. “Have a seat. I’ll be right back. And don’t you dare go off with these girls while I’m in the kitchen. I have five grown sons, all in better shape than you, and they’ll find you in a hurry.”

His eyes widened, though for a moment Anne almost thought she saw a hint of a smile. He sat down on the sofa, looking more perplexed than anything. Seconds later, Ginger leaped up into the spot beside him.

“What the devil is this?” Uncle Bertrand’s lips tightened and he pushed the dog away. Ginger nuzzled up against him, licking him on the arm. He yanked it away, mumbling something about how animals were meant to stay in the yard or the barn.

“Oh, Ginger doesn’t like the barn, Uncle Bertrand,” Kate said. “She’s scared of the goats.”

“Scared of the goats? What good is a dog that’s afraid of animals? I would think a farm dog would be trained to—” He never got to finish his sentence. Ginger weaseled her way across his lap and plopped down, closing her eyes.

“She likes you!” Maggie said as she reentered the room with a cup of coffee in hand. “Well, that’s a good sign. Dogs have a good sense about them. If Ginger likes you, you must be a good fella. Perhaps I was too quick to jump to conclusions.”

Emily turned, but not before rolling her eyes. Anne flashed her a warning look. No point in getting their uncle more riled up than he already was.

He took a slow sip of the coffee then set the cup on the end table. After a few moments of awkward silence, he finally spoke. “Perhaps I could stay a day or two until I can figure out how best to handle this.”

“Really, Uncle Bertrand?” Anne drew near but fought the temptation to give him a hug.

“Perhaps, but if I’m going to stay, I’d better head over to the hotel to see about getting a room. And I’ll need to call the store to let them know.” He paused and gazed down at his suit. “I do wish I’d brought a change of clothes.”

“We’ve men’s clothes aplenty around here,” Maggie said. “So don’t you worry about that. We’ll keep you well dressed.” She winked. “How do you look in overalls?”

“Overalls?” He grunted. “Haven’t worn them since I was a boy.” He gave her a curt nod. “I’ll just head over to the hotel now, and we can speak more about your plans later today.”

“Oh, that reminds me. There’s a woman staying there who knows you.” Anne joined him on the sofa. “Her name is Cornelia Witherspoon. Does that sound familiar?”

“Cornelia?” His eyes widened. “I…why, yes, it does. Cornelia and I were good friends at one time, but then things changed. I haven’t spoken to her in nearly a year.” He reached for his cup, which now trembled in his hand.

“I see.” Maggie narrowed her gaze. “Well, I’ve been told that my matchmaking skills are sharper than an arrow. Found brides for nearly all my boys. Would you like me to—”

Bertrand rose, splashing coffee onto his pants leg. “No.” He placed his cup on the end table and began to pace the room. “That will not be necessary. I won’t be in need of a matchmaker, I can assure you—and Cornelia Witherspoon is the last person I would…” He paused to look out the window. “What the devil is that?” He pointed to a spot beneath the trees where Emily had placed several little crosses.