Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas (28 page)

As the lively music drew to a close, one of the singers from Terrell stood and began to sing one of the great hymns by Fanny Crosby, a melody quite familiar to Belinda. Still, she could not help but draw parallels as the mighty chorus of believers began to sing together:

Jesus, keep me near the cross;

there a precious fountain,

free to all, a healing stream,

flows from Calvary’s mountain.

Belinda closed her eyes and listened to each word, thinking about how far she’d wandered from the Lord’s leading of late. How she’d gotten ahead of Him on so many occasions during the past few months. Still, He somehow, mercifully, made all things right again, turning her blunders into something beautiful. Weren’t Corabelle and James a fine example? And what about the Reverend and Marta Schuller? Weren’t Prissy and Charlie Grundy a delightful couple? And who could argue the fact that Bucky and Katie Sue were blissfully in love? Yes, the Lord had certainly taken her messes and straightened them out just fine.

With her heart and mind renewed, Belinda now sang the chorus with great abandon.

In the cross, in the cross,

be my glory ever;

till my raptured soul shall find

rest beyond the river.

That last line, of course, made her think of the hours she’d spent at the edge of the creek, pouring her heart out to the Lord. He alone saw her deepest cries. And He alone knew her recent struggles. How she’d wrestled with her feelings for Georg. How she’d struggled to get past feelings of envy toward Adeline.

Belinda closed her eyes and listened as the next verse was sung.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,

love and mercy found me;

there the bright and morning star

sheds its beams around me.

She whispered a prayer, thanking the Lord for His mercy in her life. Again, her voice rang out, this time louder than before.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,

bring its scenes before me;

help me walk from day to day

with its shadow o’er me.

The final verse was sung quietly, prayerfully. Belinda kept her eyes closed, still reflecting on the words.

Near the cross I’ll watch and wait,

hoping, trusting ever,

till I reach the golden strand

just beyond the river.

As the chorus repeated, Belinda felt like lifting her arms to the skies and turning in circles. Perhaps folks would think her daft, but she didn’t care. She’d made such a silly fool of herself already, what did it matter? And here, with the evening shadows falling, no one would be the wiser, anyway. Wasn’t that what these camp meetings were all about, anyhow? To encourage followers of the Lord to express their love to Him in a deeper way than before?

There, in the dark, with stars just beginning to twinkle overhead, Belinda knelt on the quilt and poured out her heart to the Lord as never before. Yes, she spoke to him of her wounded heart, but beyond that, she offered herself to Him afresh.

As the service progressed, Georg wrestled with feelings of guilt. Every time he attempted to tell Adeline that he would not be asking for her hand in marriage, she turned her attentions to her sister. Clearly, his news would devastate her. And yet he could no longer string her along. To do so went against everything he believed, particularly on days like today, when he was gathered with fellow believers to lift up the name of the Lord.

Lord, I have to tell her, but I’m going to need Your help to know how. And when. Give me wisdom, Father.

Georg wrestled with his emotions in part because he hated the idea of hurting Adeline. After all she had faced in her young life—losing her parents, leaving her sister behind for a spell to seek out a new life—he hated to cause her any unnecessary pain.

The musicians took a break so that folks could fellowship. At that moment, Myles Lott appeared. He smiled down at Catherine, who sat on the quilt eating a plateful of food. “So, our new student has arrived at last.”

Georg rose to make introductions. “Miss Catherine, this is your new schoolmaster, Mr. Lott.”

The youngster looked up with a contented smile. “I’ve come all the way from Boston, sir,” she said politely. “And I’m so excited. I will be there Monday morning with bells on.”

Myles nodded. “I look forward to getting to know you.” He turned his attention to Adeline. “Would you mind bringing her early? I would like to show her around and administer a brief test to see where to place her. If that doesn’t inconvenience you, I mean.”

“Of course.” Adeline nodded then reached across the blanket to embrace her sister. “I cannot tell you how happy I am to have my baby sister here at last. Our family is complete.” She smiled. “Oh, how good that sounds.” She looked over at Georg with a shy smile, and his heart lurched.

“I understand there’s a new opera house going in,” Catherine said, with a bright smile following.

“Indeed,” Myles responded. “Do you like to attend the theater?”

“Oh, I do.” Her eyes sparkled. “Our parents used to take us all the time. When Adeline told me, I was quite excited.” She smiled. “I fancy myself a singer, and I often perform theatricals for my sister to pass the time.”

“She is quite good,” Adeline added.

“Do you think they will let me audition?” Catherine asked. “I can think of nothing more exciting than to be upon the stage in front of the masses.” She spoke the words dramatically, causing all to chuckle.

“No doubt Sarah Jo will put you to work immediately.” Myles grinned. “She will give you the starring role and folks will come from all over the county to hear you sing.”

“Oh, she has the loveliest voice you ever heard,” Adeline chimed in. “Like an angel.”

Catherine blushed. “That’s a bit of an overstatement, sister.” She smiled at Myles. “Though I do love to sing. And to perform.”

“Sounds like you were born for the stage.” He gave her a nod. “And I can’t wait to see you up on that stage.”

Georg watched this exchange with great curiosity. Looked like Catherine would fit right in.

Just then Myles looked his way, clearing his throat. “Um, Georg, I wonder if you would allow me the privilege of taking Adeline and Catherine for a walk. Several of my students are here at the camp meeting, and I would like to make introductions. I believe things will go smoother for Catherine on Monday should she get to know her fellow students in advance.”

“Of course.”

“So your students are all churchgoers?” Adeline asked in a voice sweeter than honey.

“Most of them, anyway.” Myles nodded. “And trust me, if anyone needs to hear the gospel message, those little hooligans do.” He grinned. “You know, of course, that I’m exaggerating. They’re not really hooligans. I love them dearly. Just have to remember that God is still forming them into the people they will one day be.”

“Indeed,” Georg said. “I believe He’s still doing that with me, as well.”

Adeline smiled. “Me, too. We are ever growing into the people we are to become.” She laughed. “That sounded silly.”

“Oh no.” Myles shook his head. “On the contrary. I found it to be quite accurate. And I have it on good authority—my mother—that I was a little hooligan once myself. I daresay I grew up all right, though.”

“Truly, you did.” Adeline’s cheeks flushed.

Georg watched the two of them and then extended his hand and helped Adeline rise. After straightening her skirts, she took her sister by the hand and they began to walk with Myles.

“Thank you, Georg,” Adeline called back with a smile. “We won’t be long, I’m sure.” She took Myles’s proffered arm, and they set off in search of his students. Georg watched them, grateful for the reprieve.

Just a few feet away, Myles paused to introduce Catherine to one of his students, a rambunctious boy named Bruce. Within minutes, they were all laughing and talking about something that Bruce had done in class last week.

Georg smiled as he looked on, happy to see them fit in so well with those they met. Hopefully everything today would go as smoothly, particularly the part where he shared his heart with Adeline...and told her that he could not marry her.

Something Myles said must have embarrassed Adeline, for she giggled and her gaze shifted to the ground. She was such a pretty young woman—eyes that sparkled merrily whenever she was tickled by something, which seemed to happen a lot. Cheeks that flushed crimson at happy news. Yes, nearly everything about Adeline was perfect...just not for Georg.

As they walked away, he turned to his mother. “Myles has changed a lot since my days in the classroom.”

“How so?” she asked, gazing at him with curiosity.

“He’s softer now, I believe. I don’t mean that in a bad way. He was never harsh. He was just always a little lonely. Kept to himself. Now he seems to have opened himself up to life and to people. I like the transformation I see in him.”

“Indeed. He is a very nice man.” His mother smiled. “And a wise one, too.”

“Oh?”

“Yes.” She nodded. “He handled that situation with Marta very well, don’t you think? It took a lot of wisdom to realize he had the wrong woman. And a lot of grace to watch her marry someone else. He kept his emotions in check and didn’t make a fool of himself, as many would have done.”

“Yes.” Georg shrugged, not sure where she was headed with this.

“I daresay, a man with wisdom like that could go a long way in life.” She gave him a wink and shifted her gaze.

Georg looked at his mother, now catching the meaning of her words. She wasn’t talking about Myles Lott anymore. Oh, no. She’d gone to talking about someone else.

Georg smiled. “I have a lot to learn from Myles.”

“You’ve always been an apt pupil.” His mother’s lips turned up and she gazed into his eyes. “It’s never too late for learning, son. Life itself offers many lessons.”

“Like now, perhaps?”

She nodded. “Mm-hmm.”

“You are a wise woman, Mother, and I appreciate you.” He scooted over to sit next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “Myles Lott isn’t the only great teacher in Poetry. Both of my parents seem to do a fine job of it, too.”

“Thank you, son,” she whispered. She planted a kiss on his cheek.

At this moment, Belinda’s mother appeared, her face flushed. “Did you hear our news?” she asked.

“News?” Georg’s mother looked up. “No, what is it?”

“I’m going to be a grandmother. James and Corabelle are expecting a baby!”

The two women took to talking, but Georg was distracted. He looked through the crowd until his gaze fell on Belinda, seated next to Corabelle. They were thoroughly engaged in conversation. Then, in a moment too special for words, the throng of people seemed to part just as Belinda looked his way. She gave him a shy smile and a little wave, and his heart leaped into his throat. Both his mother and Belinda looked over at him a few seconds later with knowing looks on their faces. Strange how everyone seemed to be able to read his heart these days.

Then again, it appeared to be an open book. One filled with new and exciting possibilities.

As the camp meeting progressed, Georg looked around for Adeline. She and Myles had been gone for some time. As the musicians played their final toe-tapping number, they finally appeared, arm in arm, with Catherine at their side.

“Oh, I had such a wonderful time getting to know the children,” Adeline said, a look of pure joy on her face.

“I’m glad.” Georg rose to greet them.

“I’m sorry that took so long, Georg,” Myles said. “Catherine hit it off with Nellie Johnson. Looks like they’re going to be fast friends. The girls have much in common.”

“Yes,” Catherine agreed with a nod. “I think I’m going to like it here.” She slipped her arm around her sister’s waist and gave her a warm smile. “Thank you so much for bringing me here, Adeline. We’re going to have a wonderful new life.”

Adeline nodded, and Georg noticed a hint of moisture in her eyes.

“Are you all right?” he whispered.

“Yes.” She nodded. “Just thinking about Mama and Papa... wondering what they would have thought of this lovely place. I think my mother would have fit right in with all of the ladies. She always had such a way about her. And Papa...” She dabbed at her eyes. “Well, I daresay he would have been up there with his fiddle, playing with the others. Don’t you think, Catherine?”