Love Finds You in Groom, Texas (7 page)

Anne tried to keep her gaze on the terrain, particularly when they turned off onto a road that led away from town. Still, their hand-some driver captivated her thoughts every time she looked to her right. Before long, Anne found herself looking for excuses to glance his way.

Their rescuer might not be a cowboy with a six-shooter strapped to his side, but he was mighty handsome. He almost had what she liked to call a ‘mama’s boy’ face—soft, with kind eyes. But those broad shoulders spoke of hard work…and the strength in his arms as he’d lifted their luggage proved this was no child.

Anne listened in as her sister carried on about cheating at cards. Likely Jake thought they were all a bunch of hooligans out to cause trouble. Maybe he wouldn’t even want to take them to his family’s ranch. What would she and her sisters do then?

No, thankfully he appeared to be set on getting them to their destination. And if the expression on his face was any indication of things to come, she could hardly wait to meet the rest of the family.

“My mother’s going to think she’s died and gone to heaven when she claps eyes on the three of you,” Jake said.

Anne turned to Kate to make sure she didn’t overreact to his words. Thank goodness, the youngster didn’t appear to notice his reference to heaven, instead listening to Emily chatter nonstop.

They’d no sooner pulled the car up to the front of the house than a robust woman with the wildest head of red hair Anne had ever seen bounded from the front door. She stood with hands clasped at her ample bosom as she waited for everyone to get out of the car. Then she drew near.

“Have you brought me visitors, Jakey?” Her voice was laced with excitement.

“Sure have, and they’re of the female variety. These fine ladies are in need of a room for a few days.”

“Oh, girls!” His mother laughed and extended her arms in their direction. “The good Lord blessed me with sons. Looks like I’ve got some adopted daughters now.” She pulled Anne into a soft embrace and planted a tender kiss on her cheek. “Welcome to O’Farrell’s Honor. I’m Maggie O’Farrell.”

“Headmistress and mother to all,” Jake added with a nod.

“Mother to all?” Emily’s eyes sparkled at this news. “Really?”

“It’s an expression, honey.” Anne gave her sister a warning look. No point in stirring up wishful thinking on Emily’s part.

“Oh. Another expression.” The youngster sighed.

“I’m so blessed that you’ll be staying a few days, and I hope you’ll feel the same.” Maggie fussed with her apron strings. “You’ve come to the right place. There’s plenty of room for all of you.”

“Oh, we won’t require much room,” Anne said. “I’m sure we can all bunk together.”

“Oh.” Maggie’s bright smile faded. “Well, I suppose that would be all right. But let me show you around. Might make more sense for each of you to choose a room of your own.”

She led the way up the porch steps, where a large dog—something of the collie variety—met them.

“Oh, look! A dog.” Emily extended her hand, and the dog licked it. Then the animal jumped up and put both paws on Emily’s chest.

“That seals the deal,” Jake said. “Ginger is smitten with you.”

“Ginger?”

“Yes, I think she likes you.”

Kate hid behind Anne’s skirts. “You can come out, Kate,” Anne said. “She’s a nice dog. She won’t hurt you.”

“Are you sure?”

As if to prove the point, Ginger took a few cautious steps in Kate’s direction. The dog’s tail wagged merrily all the way.

“Don’t get too attached to that pooch or she’ll follow you everywhere,” Maggie said. “Just this morning I had to shoo her out of my kitchen. She’d gotten ahold of a slab of bacon and was going to town. I lost that fight, by the way. Ginger’s the fastest eater around.”

Kate looked stunned. “I’ve never heard of a dog being inside a house before.”

“Well, around here folks are pretty relaxed about such things, though you would rarely find one in a kitchen. Dogs are part of the family. Horses too, but I don’t imagine you’ll ever find a horse in my house. Hope not, anyway.” Maggie laughed until tears filled her eyes. She dabbed at them with the corner of her apron. “Oh, that’s a good one. A horse in the house. Can you imagine?”

Anne couldn’t. But then again, she couldn’t picture a dog in the house, either. And she could only imagine what Uncle Bertrand would say about such a thing. As the cheerful conversation continued, Anne found herself overcome with emotion. Something about being in a situation this homey touched a part of her she’d worked hard to bury. And for the life of her, she couldn’t keep the lump from rising in her throat.

Hopefully it would pass. In the meantime, she would do her best to enjoy her stay in Groom with this remarkable family. And though she hadn’t prayed much during the past few weeks, she might offer up a short thank-you to the Almighty for giving her a few extra days away from Uncle Bertrand. Perhaps this whole thing was part of some heavenly plan.

No. She’d given up on thinking the Lord wanted to save her from pain ages ago. This visit to the town of Groom was just a fluke. But she might as well enjoy it as long as she could.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Anne turned to Maggie and offered a smile. Maggie responded by wrapping Anne in her arms and giving her another warm hug. Strange… Though she’d never met the woman until today, it felt as if they’d been friends forever. And as Maggie whispered, “So happy to share my home with you, sweet girl,” Anne found her eyes filled with tears once again. She swiped them away, forced a smile, and followed the others into the house.

Chapter Six

Beef, chicken, fish…what’s your pleasure? You name it, we’ve got it in abundance in the Texas Panhandle. I’ve had the rare privilege of traveling north to south, east to west, in search of some of the greatest food this corner of Texas has to offer. In Amarillo I dined on buffalo steak. It was fried catfish in Cisco. The sirloin couldn’t be beat in Groom, and the home-made chili left me begging for more in Abilene. Still, nothing compares to the luscious banana pudding lovingly made by a certain pretty gal I eventually asked to marry me over in Carson County. She takes the prize, at least in my book. And speaking of the prize, keep an eye out for those ladies in Dumas. I hear they’re cooking up something special for this year’s county fair. —
“Tex” Morgan, reporting for the
Panhandle Primer

Maggie talked a mile a minute as she stepped inside the ranch house. Anne followed her, gasping as she took in the beautiful home. Though a bit more rustic in design, its size rivaled their house in Denver. And she’d never seen such beautiful woodwork.

“Jake, just leave their bags here for now,” Maggie instructed, her words coming faster now. “I’ll show these precious girls around, and they can decide on their rooms.” She led them from one bedroom to the next, chattering all the way. Anne liked the feel of the place. Maggie’s fingerprints were all over this house.

The strangest sense of nostalgia came over Anne as she took in her new surroundings. She felt the sting of tears in her eyes. In the years since Mama’s death, she’d been strong in nearly every sense of the word. What other choice did she have? But in this moment, walking from room to room with a total stranger, Anne felt more vulnerable than she had in years. How could a place she’d never seen until today feel like home? And how could she stop the emotions that threatened to barrel over her as she considered that possibility?

Anne squared her shoulders and kept walking, determined to keep things under control.

“This first bedroom was where the twins slept when they were young.” Maggie flashed a smile as she glanced Anne’s way. “Since you’re the oldest, maybe you would like this space. It’s a bit larger than the other rooms.”

“That would be lovely.”

“Jakey, c’mon in here with the bags, please.” Maggie placed her hands on her ample waist as she hollered out the instructions. “This is where…” She paused and shook her head. “Land sakes, I didn’t even ask your name.”

“Anne. I’m Anne Denning, and these are my sisters, Emily and Kate.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Maggie turned back to the door. “Jakey, bring Anne’s bags in here. She’s the pretty one with the beautiful brown curls.”

At once Anne felt her face turn hot. Gracious. Were people in Texas really this forward? Besides, she’d never thought of herself as pretty, so that woman’s words didn’t even fit.

Jake arrived a few seconds later, carrying her bag. As their eyes met, she shifted her gaze back to the room to keep from staring at him. Why she hadn’t noticed his boyish dimples before? Likely because he hadn’t flashed such an appealing smile till now.

“Let’s keep moving,” Maggie said. “Plenty of house left to see.” She led the way to another bedroom. As soon as they opened the door, Emily came to life.

“Oh, I like this one. It’s perfect for me!”

“Perhaps, but it’s not very feminine, is it?” Maggie chuckled. “My oldest, John, slept here. I never could get that boy to keep his room straight when he was young.”

“Is that a writing desk?” Emily pointed to a rolltop desk.

“Yes.” Maggie stepped inside the room and ran her fingers along the curved top. “It belonged to my father. It was left to me after he passed. Truly one of my most cherished possessions.”

“Your papa died too?” Kate looked at her, wide-eyed.

“He did, honey.” Maggie’s eyes misted over. “Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him. Sometimes I imagine he’s up in heaven sitting at a desk just like this one, writing me a letter. Oh, he was a wonder with words. Maybe I can show you some of his poetry.”

“That would be lovely,” Anne said, nodding.

“Could I—I mean, would it be all right if I used this desk?” Emily asked. She squared her shoulders. “I’m a writer too.”

“You are?” Maggie looked pleased at this news.

“Yes, and I’m writing the most thrilling book about a Texas cowboy.”

“Don’t get her started on that, Mama.” Jake’s voice sounded from outside the door. “She’ll fill your head with tales of card cheats and Indian attacks.”

Maggie chuckled. “I do love a child with an imagination. Jake was always the same way as a youngster.”

“I’m not a child.”

Emily’s expression tightened, and Anne sighed. How would she ever turn this sister of hers into a young lady? It would take a miracle.

Maggie patted Emily on the shoulder. “No, you’re not a child, are you? A big grown-up girl you are, one who deserves a rolltop desk for her writing. Yes, I do believe this was all meant to be. This will be your room for the next several nights, Emily, though it’s not very girlish, I’m afraid.”

“Oh, I don’t mind. Who needs girlie stuff?” Emily lunged onto the bed then turned and faced a large painting on the far wall of the room. She rose and walked toward it, her mouth agape.

“What is it, Emily?” Anne asked.

“A sign! First the writing desk, and now the painting of a cowboy.”

“Ah, I see.” Anne stared at the painting, marveling at the colors of the sunset and the detail in the cowboy’s weathered face.

Maggie took a few steps toward them and ran her finger along the edge of the frame. “Jakey was only sixteen when he painted this picture of his father. Isn’t it something else?”

“Mama, it’s not right to brag.” Jake stepped into the room, holding Emily’s bag.

“How can I help but brag?” Maggie asked. “When your child is talented, you have no choice but to recognize it.”

“I’m not sure ‘talented’ is the right word.” He placed Emily’s bag on the end of the bed. “It’s just a hobby.”

“I’ve never seen anything like it.” Anne couldn’t take her eyes off it, in fact. She turned to Jake. “You’re an artist?”

He shrugged. “It’s not a very good likeness, to be honest.”

“It’s exquisite.” Emily ran her finger over the painting. “And I’m sure it will provide the perfect inspiration for my story.” She gave him a coy smile. “Among other things.”

Why, you little flirt!
Anne took hold of Emily’s upper arm and gave it a little pinch.

“Ouch!” Emily turned to glare at her. “What was that for?”

“You know.” Anne gave her a warning look.

“Now, where shall we put the little miss, here?” Maggie knelt down and brushed Kate’s hair behind her ears.

“I want to stay with Emily.” Kate’s lip began to quiver. “P–please?”

“Of course, honey.”

Jake brought Kate’s bag to the room as well and then mumbled something about having to get cleaned up for supper.

Not that Anne had had time to think about it—or him. Maggie led the way to the kitchen, still talking nonstop. “I do hope you’re hungry. I’m making enough food to feed half the folks in the Pan-handle. The whole family’s coming for supper.”

“The whole family?” Emily grinned. “All of the cowboys?”

“And their wives and children,” Maggie added. “My boys have the most wonderful wives. I can’t wait for you to meet them. There’s Ruth—she’s married to John. Oh, and Cora, married to Jeremiah. Then there’s Milly, Joseph’s wife. I really think you’re going to like her, Anne. You remind me a lot of her. Oh, and I almost left out Pauline. She’s Jedediah’s bride.” Maggie chattered a mile a minute about her family.