Love Finds You in Groom, Texas (21 page)

“That’s where I buried Kate’s dolls,” she explained.

“Is this the kind of child I’m taking into my home? One who performs burials in the yard?”

Emily nodded, her face lighting with a smile.

He turned back to face Maggie. “And to go back to what you were saying earlier, your matchmaking services will not be required. Cornelia Witherspoon is a married woman.” At that revelation, he turned back to the window, said something about the heat, and tugged at his collar.

A hint of a smile turned up the corners of Maggie’s lips. She walked over to Bertrand and placed her hand on his shoulder. “Let me ask you a question.” The twinkle in her eyes let Anne know right away that she was up to tricks.

“And what might that be?” He turned to face her.

“I realize you have work waiting for you back in Dallas, but is it truly urgent?”

He turned from the window. “Just the usual running of the store.” He tugged at his shirt collar again. “Why do you ask?”

“When was the last time you took a Sabbath rest?”

“A Sabbath rest?” He pulled his shoulders back and stood aright. “I’m a good Christian man. I observe the Sabbath. But this is only Wednesday, a workday.”

“You’re misunderstanding my question. I’m not making an accusation. Just wondering if or when you’ve had a season of rest and reflection. There’s truly no lovelier place in the world than the Texas Panhandle.” She put her finger on his chest. “I would like you to consider the possibility that the Lord has brought you to Groom for a sabbatical from your labors. A holiday.”

“Holiday?” He snorted. “I don’t take holidays.”

“Well, then, it’s about time you did. I can tell from the wrinkles on that brow that you’ve not relaxed in a month of Sundays. Stay awhile. Rest. Soak in your surroundings. Spend time with the girls.” She paused and looked him over. “I don’t mean to be rude, but you’re as skinny as a rail. Someone needs to fatten you up.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“You just leave that part to me. Stay on through the weekend and I’ll serve up some meals like nothing you’ve ever tasted. I’ll send you back to Dallas on Monday fat and sassy. Then you’ll have plenty of energy to do all the work you need.”

“Monday?” He shook his head.

“Well, of course. You’ll stay for the wedding Saturday night so that Anne can work her magic for the bride and groom. You wouldn’t travel home on Sunday, of course. You did just tell me you’re a good Christian man, did you not?”

“Well, I suppose I could…” His words drifted off and he appeared to be thinking about the idea. Then, just as quickly, his expression shifted and he was back to the old Uncle Bertrand once again. “How the devil did you manage this, woman?”

“Manage what?” She batted her eyelashes.

“How did you manage to convince me to stay through the weekend? I had no intention of staying more than a night or two. Not that I had actually planned to stay at all. I’d come to fetch the girls and take them to my place straightaway. And now you’ve got me completely discombobulated.”

“I’ve been told I have that effect on men. Er, people.” She giggled. “But why fight it? Just stay and rest. Looks like it’s going to take at least a day or two to iron out those wrinkles on your forehead. I’ll be right back with my ironing board. You stay put.”

Anne did her best not to laugh, though everything inside of her wanted to do so. Emily looked her way, eyes wide. So did Kate, who whispered, “Is she really going to iron his forehead?”

Anne shook her head and continued to bite her lip. Until Uncle Bertrand looked her way.

“I will thank you to never mention Cornelia Witherspoon’s name in my presence again. Do we have an understanding?”

“W–what?” She felt the color drain out of her face. “I–I’m sorry, Uncle Bertrand. How was I to know… ?”

“You don’t know, and you will never know. But you will never mention her name to me again. Understood?”

Behind Uncle Bertrand’s back, Emily mouthed the words “Cornelia Witherspoon! Cornelia Witherspoon!” Anne glared at her.

“I promise, Uncle Bertrand. You will never hear her name from me again,” Anne managed. She wanted to ask questions but knew better. For now, silence was the best response.

After a long day of final repairs on the track, Jake stopped at the store to purchase some supplies and a little gift for Emily, who’d dropped more than a few hints about a certain item she needed. While there, he also decided that a new shirt was in order. A fella could never have too many shirts. When he brought his purchases to the counter to pay for them, he couldn’t help but notice several vases filled with the prettiest yellow roses he’d ever seen.

“These are really nice.”

“They’re just in from Tyler,” the clerk explained. “I’ve never seen any quite like them. They’re larger than most and should go on blooming for days.”

“I think I’ll take some home. A dozen, please.”

“Your mother will like those, Jake.” The clerk smiled as she pulled them out of the vase and wrapped the stems in paper. “And they smell wonderful.”

He didn’t want to tell her that the roses weren’t meant for Mama. No, he planned to give them to someone else entirely. Someone whose hand he wanted to hold at least one more time before she left for Dallas. He might have to explain the symbolism of the yellow rose of Texas, but once she heard the story, it would forever link them.

As he left the store, Jake started humming the familiar tune. By the time he reached the road, he added the lyrics.

As he continued down the road toward home, the lyrics of that song rushed over him. Jake did his best to brush aside the pain that gripped his heart when he thought about Anne leaving. Though he could not say what the future held, he did, with all assurance, have faith in the One who held it. And for now, that faith would have to see him through.

Chapter Sixteen

Looking for the perfect place to fall in love? Whether you’re searching for a crab apple tree to carve your initials or an open field of flowers for a romantic picnic, you’ll find the perfect backdrop in the Texas Panhandle. Fellas, if you’re lookin’ to gather up some wildflowers to give that fair lady as a special gift, you’ll find them aplenty in the Panhandle. Rose of Sharon, leadplant, fern bush, Texas red yucca, and Russian sage grow in abundance, as well as a host of other exotic flowers. Yes, this is certainly the place to woo that pretty lady. And if her heart doesn’t come alive in the Texas Panhandle, then send her packin’. It simply wasn’t meant to be.—
“Tex” Morgan, reporting for the
Panhandle Primer

Jake drew a deep breath as he reached the porch and tried to come up with a workable story about the roses. Unfortunately, he didn’t have much of a chance. At the very moment he climbed the steps, Cora, Milly, Pauline, and Ruth all came rushing out of the house.

“See you tomorrow, Anne,” Ruth called out.

“Thank you for letting us help with the wedding plans.” Pauline giggled.

Cora reached Jake first, her mouth falling open as she laid eyes on the yellow roses. “Oh, Jake.”

“You shouldn’t have!” Milly pulled them out of his arms and danced around in a circle.

Jake wanted to slap himself in the head, but that would require dropping the rest of his packages.

“What’s all the noise out here?” His mother appeared at the door. She took one look at the flowers in Milly’s hands and gasped. “Oh, Jakey, they’re lovely. I’m tickled pink.” She laughed. “Or should I say tickled yellow?”

He’d just opened his mouth to explain the significance of the flowers when Anne and her sisters appeared in the doorway.

“What have you got there, Milly?” Anne asked. She took a few steps in Milly’s direction, and her eyes widened as she took in the roses. “Oh. Oh my.”

“Do you like them?” Jake asked.

“Like them? They’re perfect!”

All the ladies grew silent, and Jake shifted his gaze between them. Now what? He’d have to give them to their intended recipient, but he hadn’t planned to make a production out of it.

“Whatever possessed you, honey?” his mother asked.

“Yes, who are they for?” Milly asked, passing them back to him. “Really?”

“Tell us, please!” Cora said.

“Can’t a fella buy roses without standing before the firing squad?” He pulled the roses to himself, trying to work up the courage to turn Anne’s way. He finally managed the task, reveling in the beauty of her smile as he pressed them into her arms. “I just thought our visitor might like to have a little taste of Texas. Sort of a welcome to the state. Texas is known for its yellow roses.”

“So I’ve heard.” Anne’s cheeks flamed pink, almost matching the blouse she wore.

“Oh, Jake, you’re the sweetest boy ever!” Pauline said.

“You need to give our husbands some lessons,” Ruth added.

Milly placed her hands on her hips. “Yes, I daresay they have a thing or two to learn from their little brother.”

“Like how to woo a woman.” Cora giggled. “That’s what you’re really doing, right, Jakey?”

He groaned.

Thankfully, Anne’s sweet expression kept him grounded. Otherwise he would’ve already bolted into the house. A saner man would’ve at least headed to the barn, claiming he had to feed the goats.

Anne gazed at the flowers as if they were the loveliest ones she’d ever seen. “Where did you get these?” She looked over at him, her eyelashes fluttering. Did she mean to stir his heart with that move? Likely not, but it was stirred one way or the other.

“At the general store.”

“Do you think you could get more? Lots more?”

“Well, sure. They have them in abundance. Just got a shipment from Tyler. Why?”

“Do they have them in different colors?”

He nodded. “I saw pink. And red.”

“Oh, that’s perfect.” She reached up and threw her arms around his neck. Jake felt his cheeks grow warm at the unexpected embrace. “We’re gathering fresh flowers for the wedding on Saturday. I’d planned to use wildflowers and a mixture of flowers from your mother’s garden…but I hadn’t yet found any roses, and I know that’s what Virginia’s longing for most of all.” Anne pulled them close to her face. “Oh, they smell wonderful. I can’t wait to get these into some water. Maggie, will you help me?”

“Of course.”

His mother followed Anne into the house, leaving Jake alone on the porch with his four sisters-in-law and Anne’s two little sisters.

“Nice work,” Emily said with a sly grin. “A true hero always brings a lady flowers. I couldn’t have written that any better myself.”

“I do know a thing or two,” he said and then winked.

“It’s perfect, Jake.” Cora sighed. “Perfect.”

“You’re smitten with her, then?” Ruth asked.

He shifted his position, growing uncomfortable inside and out. “I really don’t think we need to be talking about—”

“Oh, c’mon, Jakey.” Pauline laughed. “You know you’re not going to get away with keeping this a secret anyway. You like her, don’t you?”

He leaned against the porch railing, feeling a bit on display. “What’s not to like?” he said after a moment’s pause.

“I knew it!” Emily clasped her hands together.

Kate let out a squeal. “Oh, it’s wonderful.”

“So what happens next?” Ruth asked. “How can we help?”

“You can help by not helping.” He put his hand up. “I don’t want to insult anyone, but this is one thing I need to do on my own. Everyone needs to trust me. And I would be grateful if the six of you could keep this to yourselves, please. The folks in Groom have already been talking about me behind my back for weeks, and I don’t like the way it feels. If I stand half a chance with Anne, this has got to be done right.”

Milly drew near and gave him a gentle hug. “You have my word, little brother.”