Love Finds You in Groom, Texas (34 page)

“Now, I don’t believe that will be necessary.” Maggie patted Emily’s shoulder. “God has an answer for all of this, I’m sure. One that won’t require a burial.”

Jake took Anne’s hand. “Don’t you think—and I don’t mean this in a hurtful way—that he will be relieved?”

“Oh.” Anne paused to think about that. “I never really thought about it from that angle before, but maybe you’re right. He’s never been keen on having children underfoot, and it’s clear he’s got his own work to keep him busy. Perhaps he will see this as positive news.”

Maggie’s eyes grew a little misty. “Anne, there’s something you need to understand about your uncle. I…well, I’ve had a few days to get to know him. I know he’s a crusty old soul on the outside. I daresay you could take an ice pick to him and chip away for hours without making much of a dent.”

“No doubt.” Anne nodded. “But what were you going to say?”

“Like most folks who’ve been wounded, there’s the exterior and the interior. And the two don’t always match. I can see, upon further examination, that the man on the inside is not as cold or hard.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just yesterday we had a marvelous conversation about his store. You did know that he runs a store in Dallas, didn’t you?”

“I knew he had a business, but I don’t know much about it.” She shrugged, unsure of where this conversation was heading.

“Well, he has a store. And he’s been thinking of branching out to neighboring counties, and we talked about his plans to do so.” Maggie smiled. “Funny thing. When you get a man to talking about his dreams and goals, his eyes light up in a way you wouldn’t expect. That’s what I wanted to tell you. He might be an old codger on the outside, but on the inside I saw a little boy with dreams. Someone who wanted to make a difference through these department stores of his.”

“Department stores?”

“Well, that’s what he called them. They’re stores with different departments. There’s a section for clothes, one for shoes, one for household items…. Like a general store, only much larger.”

“Ah. We had a store like that in Denver. I always loved shopping there. Very convenient.”

“I don’t know about the rest of you, but proposing sure makes a fella hungry. Anyone ready for some food?” Jake took a couple of steps toward the house and then looked back. “What do you think, ladies? A little food to celebrate?”

Maggie paused. “Well, there is this little thing I’d like to discuss before we go inside.”

“What’s that?”

Maggie faced Annie. “I’m going to be your mother-in-law soon.”

“Yes, that’s right.” Anne smiled. “And I’m so excited.”

“Well, I’m wondering if it would be inappropriate…I mean, I don’t want to offend you in any way because I know you had a perfectly wonderful mama. But I wonder if you would consider calling me ‘Mama Maggie’ like my other daughters-in-law do.”

“I would be honored.”

“What about us?” Emily asked, crowding into the space between them. “Can I call you Mama Maggie too?”

“Me too?” Kate asked.

“Technically, if you’re Mama Maggie to her, then you’re our Mama Maggie,” Emily said. “Because she’s our sister. And sisters have the same mama.”

Anne’s heart began to twist. For a moment—just a moment—an image of her mother’s face flashed in front of her. But just as quickly it faded, and then all she could see was the heavenly glow surrounding Maggie’s wild red hair.

“What do you think, darlin’?”

“Mama Maggie it is,” Anne said. “And we’ll all call you that. It will simplify matters. Right, girls?”

“Oh, it’s wonderful!” Kate pressed into the spot to Anne’s right and did her best to get her arms around Maggie’s waist.

Maggie swept Kate up into her arms and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “So there you go, little miss.” She turned to Anne. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to ask a favor.”

“Of course.” Anne looked at her future mother-in-law with a smile. “What is it, Maggie?”

“Well, I’ve been thinking.” She ran her fingers through her messy hair.

“Yes?”

“Here are my thoughts.” Maggie’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “You know that Jakey’s my youngest. And he’s kept me company all these years since his brothers got married.”

“Of course.”

“Well, I just love the chatter of voices in the house—all the more since you and your sisters came to live with us. So I got to thinking about a solution that might just work for all of us.”

“O–oh?” Anne drew in a deep breath, trying to anticipate the direction of the rest of this conversation. Would Maggie try to talk them into living with her, perhaps? Ask Jake to give up on his dream of building a home on the family property? She glanced his way, and his eyes grew wide. She could almost read the fear in them.

Maggie’s nose wrinkled and she put Kate down. “Now, listen, Anne. You know I love my son.”

“Well, of course. I love him too.” She gave Jake a shy smile, and he returned it with a wink.

“And I know he loves this place.” She turned to face him. “Don’t you, Jakey?”

He offered a tentative nod.

“It’s been his home, well, forever.”

“Yes.”
Brace yourself, Anne. Here it comes…

“But to be honest, he’s a real mess.”

“W–what?” Jake looked stunned. “Mama!”

“Well, it’s true.” Maggie put her hands on her hips as she faced Anne. “You might as well know, he drags in mud on his boots and eats enough food for two men in spite of his small size.”

“Mama!” he said again.

“He wouldn’t know how to wash a dish if it jumped up and bit him, and he’s never washed an item of clothing in his life. In other words, he’s just like every other male I’ve ever known.”

Jake continued to shake his head, but Anne couldn’t keep a smile from spreading across her face. “So what are you saying, Maggie?”

“Are you trying to talk her out of marrying me, Mama?” Jake asked.

“No, son. Not at all. I just had an idea that might make everyone happy.”

“What’s that?”

“You know what I’d really like?” Maggie asked. She gestured to Emily and Kate. “Daughters.”

“Daughters!” Emily and Kate spoke the word in unison.

“It’s about time, don’t you think? The good Lord blessed me with five sons and I tolerated them the best I could.”

“Tolerated?” Jake looked stunned.

“Well, loved ’em, of course.” She grinned. “But as I said, they’re a lot of work and not much help around the house.” Maggie paused and her eyes twinkled. “I—well, would it be presumptuous to ask if the girls could stay on in the main house with me? It would give you and Jakey the privacy you need and me the companionship I crave.”

A sense of relief flooded over Anne. Still, she didn’t know how her sisters would feel about this. She turned to face them. “Girls, what do you think?”

Emily nodded. “I like it here, Annie. In this house. You’re going to be a
honeymooner
.” She stressed the word and giggled. “If we stay here, I can have my own room…and a writing desk. Imagine the stories I could write in this house!”

Anne fought to keep from rolling her eyes. They’d already had enough stories in one week to fill a half dozen novels. Still, she could well imagine the new chapters Emily could add to her ever-growing story…and she could also imagine the positive influence Maggie would have on Emily’s life.

“Oh, Annie, this is too wonderful to be true!” Kate danced a little jig and laughed.

“Hmm.” Anne turned to face Jake, who gave her a little shrug. No doubt. This was her decision, after all. She took Maggie’s hand. “If Jake and I were going to be living elsewhere, I’m not sure I could have stomached the idea. My sisters and I are so close. But since we’re on the same property and I am going to be newly married…” She felt her face heat up. “I suppose it would be all right.” She was quick to add, “If Uncle Bertrand approves of all this, I mean.”

“Oh, posh, he’ll approve.” Maggie grinned. “I think I know that man pretty well. And in case you haven’t noticed, I’m pretty good at talkin’ folks into things. So I think I can handle one skinny little man whose bark is worse than his bite.”

Anne had to laugh at that image. However, she had to wonder if she would still be laughing once her uncle got wind of the idea. Sure, everyone else was celebrating, but what about him? Would he offer congratulations—or snatch up the girls and carry them off to Dallas without her? A shiver ran down her spine at that last option. She quickly pushed it out of her mind and focused on the good. Yes, today the good surely outweighed the bad. And she would enjoy it while it lasted.

Later that afternoon, Jake slipped back out to the barn to check on Frances. Sure enough, things had progressed rapidly for her. Before long, a new colt had made his arrival, standing to his feet almost immediately. Looked like this day was going to be pretty unforgettable on several fronts.

“What’ve we got there?” John’s voice rang out from behind Jake. “Did she deliver?”

“She did.”

“Well, now, that’s a mighty fine-looking colt.” He patted Frances. “You did a terrific job, Frances.”

Both Jake and John remained with Frances and the newborn for several minutes, making sure they had everything they needed. Then, as they left the barn, John patted Jake on the back.

“So, I understand congratulations are in order.”

Jake nodded. “Yep.”

“I’m very happy for you.” They stepped outside into the sunlight. Jake took a few steps, but his brother stopped him. “Can I ask you a question, Jake?”

“Of course.”

“Were you itchin’ to get hitched because of what we did to you the other day?”

“What?”

“That day we wrestled the feed sack over your head. Is that why you did it, because you felt pressured, being the last single fella in Groom?”

Jake shook his head. “If you want the truth of the matter, I really hadn’t fretted over not finding a gal. Oh, sure, I got a little rankled at all the jesting. And the attention was embarrassing too. But that didn’t make me want to get married.”

“I see.” John nodded. “Well, I feel better, then. From the minute I got the news, I wondered if our jesting had forced you to rush into something you weren’t ready for.”

“No. Something happened to change everything inside of me. Or maybe I should say
someone
happened. God brought that perfect someone right to my doorstep. It’s pretty miraculous, if you think about it. She came all the way from Denver to a place she’d never even heard of before.”

“Definitely sounds like more than a coincidence.” John gave him a brotherly pat. “Well, I just want you to know that I’ll stop ribbing you once you’re married. For the most part, anyway. I’m not sure why we always took such pleasure in getting you riled up. Just started years ago and I didn’t know how to stop it. It was like a freight train barreling down the track.”

“Only now it’s been derailed?” Jake grinned. “Is that what you’re telling me?”

“Yep. Ironic.”

“Well, do me a favor, oh brother of mine. Don’t stop all your joking. I don’t think I could take it if it all dried up. Promise?” He extended his hand and John took it.

“I promise.”

Jake gave him a nod then led the way to the house.

Anne worked alongside Maggie and her sisters in the kitchen, preparing supper. She tried to pay attention to their conversation, but her thoughts kept shifting back to earlier today. Jake’s proposal had swept her off her feet. Oh, that glorious look in his eyes as he’d gazed at her. So tender. So loving. Everything she’d ever dreamed of but didn’t think would come true. And then every prayer had been answered in one swift move—
swift
being the key word.

She paused, wondering for the umpteenth time what Uncle Bertrand would think of this. Likely he would call them impulsive or irresponsible. She would need to come up with a compelling argument for that. For, while they had moved quickly, they had moved in the direction of their hearts. No one could deny that.

The door to the kitchen opened and Jake entered. She couldn’t quite make out the look on his face. He crossed the kitchen and stood next to Emily.

“Young lady, come with me. We’ve got a little business to take care of.”

“Oh no.” Emily almost dropped the dish she was holding. “Did I do something wrong?”