Love Finds You in Groom, Texas (23 page)

“You know, that Jakey is quite a clean boy. He bathes every day whether he needs it or not.”

“O–oh?”

“Yes. And you’ve never met anyone more polite. I daresay I did my finest work raising my youngest boy. Perhaps that’s because the others were already out of the house by then.”

“He is very polite.” Anne offered a bright smile and tried to figure out how to put an end to this conversation.

“Who’s polite?” Emily asked, entering the kitchen.

“Jake.”

“Oh, I know. He bought me a new doll from the store last night so that I can bury it alongside the others.”

“He did not.” Anne couldn’t fathom such a thing.

“Yes, he did.” Kate chimed in as she entered the kitchen. “Emily’s hiding her under the bed so you won’t see her. She’s a beautiful doll with blond hair and pink lips.”

“Did you ask him to buy you a doll?”

“Yes, but I didn’t tell him why.” She wrinkled her nose. “I asked for a gray-headed one with a bun, but he couldn’t find one like that, so I’m going to smear ashes in her hair to make it gray.”

“Are you telling me he bought you a beautiful blond-haired doll as a gift but you plan to bury it? No doubt that’s why you had a nightmare.”

Emily shrugged. “Don’t fret, Annie. I think the bad dream was because Uncle Bertrand showed up. Scared the daylights out of me.” She giggled. “Or should I say the nightlights?”

Anne fought the temptation to roll her eyes. “Well, if you go over to Milly’s this morning, I don’t want you talking about dead dolls—do you understand me? You will scare the children with stories such as that.”

“I don’t talk about death in front of the children.” Emily’s expression grew more serious. “I know better than that.” She grabbed a blueberry muffin from the tray on the table. “Is it all right with you if we leave early this morning? Willy wants to teach me how to fish. I already told him I’m going to catch more fish than him so he’d better watch out.”

“I’m going too,” Kate said. “But I don’t want to touch the worms.” She looked Emily. “Do I have to?”

“Nah. I’ll do that part for you.”

Anne watched the exchange between her sisters, realizing just how tied they’d gotten to Jake’s family. “You two go ahead and get dressed, and then let me fix your hair.”

Less than twenty minutes later, both girls were out the door. Anne went to her bedroom to fetch the vase of yellow roses so she could show them to Virginia when she arrived. She crossed paths with Maggie as she reentered the parlor with vase in hand.

“Those yellow roses are rather special,” Maggie said. “Did you understand the significance?”

“I’ve heard of the song,” Anne said, “but I don’t really know much about the meaning. Never paid much attention. Just figured he wanted to welcome me to Texas, that’s all.”

“Hardly.” Maggie chuckled. “You really don’t know?”

“No.” Anne did have to wonder what all the fuss was about, though.

“I’ll give you a little hint,” Maggie said. “It’s a little song about a fella pining away for a girl. Life’s circumstances have parted them, and it’s breaking his heart.”

“Oh.” Anne hardly knew how to respond. So, Jake had been sending a larger message than she realized. How interesting.

She didn’t have time to think about it, however, because a knock sounded at the door. Anne opened it to find Virginia and Amaryllis engaged in a heated argument about hair ribbons.

“Gracious. What’s this about?”

Virginia tried to explain, but Amaryllis marched past her into the house, clearly agitated.

“Come now, girls. Let’s talk about something of real importance.” Maggie gazed at Virginia. “Any word from your parents?”

“Yes. They are in Oklahoma City today and will be here tomorrow. Mama’s very excited about our plans and can’t wait to help. She especially liked the idea about the fresh flowers. Mama’s always been partial to flowers.”

“Perfect.” Maggie clasped her hands together. “Everything is working out just as it should. Oh, speaking of which—Anne, will you show the girls the yellow roses?”

Anne tried not to read too much into Maggie’s phrasing. Instead, she reached for the vase of yellow roses and held them up. “These were purchased at the general store, and from what I understand, there are lots more.”

“Will these flowers still look good the day after tomorrow?” Virginia asked. “If so, then we’ll need to buy as many as we can.”

Ann nodded. “They will if we keep them cool and in water.”

“We’ll put them in the cellar,” Maggie said. “That should help.”

“And I learned a little trick to keep them fresher longer,” Anne said. “You drop a bit of aspirin powder in the water.”

“Well, for heaven’s sake.” Maggie looked stunned. “I’ve never heard of that.”

“You’re full of wisdom, Anne,” Virginia said. “Have I mentioned that I’m tickled you’re here to help with all this?” She threw her arms around Anne’s neck and gave her a tight squeeze.

When she released her hold Anne offered a smile. “I’ve enjoyed every minute so far, but we still have a lot of work to do. Did you bring baskets for gathering flowers?”

“Yes, they’re on the front porch,” Virginia said.

“I do hope my hair doesn’t get mussed while we’re picking flowers,” Amaryllis said. “And I just filed my fingernails last night. I would hate to get them dirty.” She shivered as she gave them a once-over. “That would be awful.”

Anne resisted the urge to laugh.

“I know where we can get some beautiful calla lilies,” Maggie said. “They would be perfect.”

“Oh, I’ve always loved calla lilies!” Virginia’s eyes sparkled.

“Where are they, Maggie?” Anne asked. “Far from here?”

“Just up the road…at my sister’s place.”

“Ah.” Anne chose her next words with care. “Does she…I mean, did she give permission?”

“Permission?” Maggie paused. “Well, I figure they’re partly mine. I gave her the cuttings for those callas several years ago when mine were in full bloom. Unfortunately, mine didn’t last the winter, but hers sprang back with a vengeance. They were probably too scared not to. Despite her shortcomings, she’s got a very green thumb. The woman keeps a beautiful garden. Besides…” She leaned forward and whispered the rest. “I asked Leo, and he gave me permission. She has so many, she won’t notice if we take a few.”

“Oh, Maggie, I don’t know.” Anne released a slow breath. “If she catches us…”

“I won’t live to see my wedding day.” Virginia shook her head. “I don’t really have to have calla lilies in my garlands or my bouquet. Truly.”

“Well, of course you do.” Maggie pursed her lips and remained silent for a moment. “And our timing is perfect. Leo told me to come between nine and ten because she’s at her quilting club. So let’s get going before I chicken out.”

The girls followed on Maggie’s heels down the road to Bets and Leo’s. Anne’s heart quickened as they drew near.

“Wait here while I scope out the place.” Maggie gestured for the girls to stand behind a tree while she tiptoed to the garden located a few feet away. She’d no sooner reached the calla lilies than the front door swung open. Fortunately, Leo stepped out.

“It’s fine, Maggie,” he said with a welcoming smile. “She’ll be gone for at least another hour. You ladies take what you like, but don’t take so many that it’s obvious.”

“Bless you, Leo.” Maggie turned to face the girls. “C’mon and join me, ladies. Let’s make quick work of this.”

“If you’re sure it’s safe.” Virginia shifted her empty basket to her other arm and scurried to the side of the house. Amaryllis followed behind her but refused to kneel in the flower beds in her new white dress.

“I’ll stand here and hold the basket while you fill it up.” She fussed with her ribbon sash. “My mother paid a lot of money for this dress. If I get back to New York with grass stains on the skirt, she’ll have my head.”

“Well, we couldn’t have that.” Maggie knelt in the flower bed alongside Virginia. “Look at these different colors of calla lilies. Aren’t they the prettiest flowers you’ve ever seen in your life?”

“They are.” Virginia clasped her hands together and sighed. “Oh, I can hardly wait to see my bouquet! Yellow roses and calla lilies? I’m so blessed. And those garlands are going to be divine. I can see them now!”

As they worked, the conversation continued. Before long, however, the tone shifted. Perhaps the late morning heat had something to do with it. Amaryllis eventually retreated to the porch swing, claiming that the heat was affecting her delicate skin. Not that Virginia seemed to mind. She and Anne continued to talk as if they were old friends.

“Can I ask you a question, Anne?” Virginia looked up from her basket of colorful flowers.

“Of course.”

“I don’t mean to pry. Heaven knows it’s none of my business. But I’m curious about your mama. Why did she…? I mean, how did she… ?”

“How did she pass?” Anne finished the sentence for her.

“Yes.” Virginia dropped another flower in the basket then rose and brushed the dirt from her skirt. “How did it happen? Was she ill?”

“No.” A lump rose in Anne’s throat, making it hard to speak. “She was the most beautiful woman you ever saw. In fact, she was so beautiful that Papa paid a famous painter to have a portrait done just a year before she died. She’d never been sick a day in her life.”

“What happened, honey?” Maggie asked.

“It happened when she was expecting Kate. She was perfectly fine until those last few days. Then she got terribly sick. The doctor called it…” She shook her head, trying to remember. “Eclampsia?”

“Eclampsia. Yes.” Maggie nodded. “I had a touch of that with John. You should’ve seen my ankles. They were, well…” She paused and shook her head. “Go ahead.”

“At first the doctor was hopeful. But Mama got so sick that he finally decided Mama would have to have surgery to deliver the baby.”

Virginia’s eyes widened. “I’ve read about that. Cesarean section.”

“Yes.” Anne rose and began to pace. “I remember seeing Kate for the first time that April morning. She was such a tiny little thing. The doctor said she was only five pounds, but she was a scrapper. He felt sure she would grow big and strong.”

“And she has.” Maggie’s words rang out. “She’s a wonderful, healthy girl.”

“Yes.” Anne could still remember how frantically she’d prayed for the tiny newborn. More than that, though, she remembered her fears for her mother. “I wanted to go in and see Mama, but they wouldn’t let me.” Anne shook her head, the tears now coming. “The next day the doctor told Papa that she had an infection. I was young and silly and didn’t think much of it. I remember saying a prayer in passing, but I didn’t really plead with God to save her.” Anne shook her head. Her voice lowered to a whisper. “I always felt that if I’d prayed harder, God would have answered me. Sometimes I think it’s my fault….”

“Oh, honey.” Maggie rose and pulled Anne into an embrace. “Don’t finish that sentence. I don’t let anyone speak untruths in my presence, and to say that you were in any way responsible would be wholly untrue. Your mother’s death had nothing to do with you. You were a child, distracted with your new baby sister and the usual things a child is distracted by. God doesn’t hold you accountable.”

“In church they said we have to pray without ceasing. And I know that my prayers weren’t as strong as they should have been. I’m not sure why I’ve carried so much guilt over this, but I have.”

“We don’t serve a God who slaps our hands when we make mistakes. Sure, it would be ideal if we got it right all the time, but then why would we need His grace and mercy?” Maggie ran her fingers through Anne’s hair, bringing a sense of comfort.

“Oh, Anne.” Virginia looked her way with tears in her eyes. “I had no idea the depth of the struggles you’ve been through. If I ever lost my mama…” Her gaze shifted downward to her basket. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“No, it’s fine.” Anne offered a smile. “No reason you should have to walk on eggshells because of what I’ve been through. That’s the point, really…to get on with life.”

“You’re such a strong, brave girl.” Maggie tightened her hug. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Thank you,” Anne said. “But I must confess, it’s been a lot harder to pray since the night my mother died.”

Virginia rose with her basket in hand. “Oh, Anne.”

“No, it’s true. I keep trying, but it mostly just feels like my prayers are rising as high as my bedroom ceiling and then bouncing back down.”

“They’re going much further, trust me.” Maggie gave a nod. “Even if it doesn’t feel like it. So you keep praying, honey. Don’t stop. Promise me?”

Anne nodded. She pulled out her tiny cross necklace, which she fingered as she spoke. “I’ve worn this little cross every day since my mother died. It was hers. And I’ve wanted to believe that God still cares. But somewhere between feeling guilty for not praying hard enough and being angry that the Lord took her away from me, I just…” Her words drifted off.

“Your faith just shriveled up.” Maggie patted her on the arm. “Oh, Anne, don’t you see? You’re human. We all feel guilty for things we shouldn’t, and we all go through seasons where we’re angry at God.”

“Really?” Anne could hardly believe it. “I never met anyone who ever said that before. I just tucked away what I was feeling and didn’t tell anyone. I hid this little cross under my blouse and tried to forget what I used to believe. And besides, I felt like such a hypocrite.”

Maggie gave her a compassionate look. “I think the greatest way you could honor your mother right now would be to take that little cross and start wearing it on the outside again. Don’t be afraid to trust God, even with the things that make no sense.”

Anne rose and joined Virginia. Together they helped Maggie to her feet. Just then, Leo stuck his head around the front door. “Would you ladies like some lemonade before you leave?”

“No thanks, Leo,” Maggie said. “I think we’d better hurry. Bets could be along anytime now. Besides, if she saw our empty lemonade glasses, it would be a dead giveaway. She would give you fits over it.”

“I know how to wash a glass.” He winked.

“Still, it’s too risky.” Maggie shook her head. “But thank you for the offer anyway.”

“How can I thank you enough?” Virginia climbed the steps to the porch and gave Leo a warm hug. He looked a bit taken aback but hugged her in return.