Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas (32 page)

“O–oh?” She brushed away a loose hair, and he reached to take her hand, refusing to let it go. In fact, he promised himself in that moment that he would never let it go as long as he lived.

“Belinda, I...” At that moment, someone bumped into him from behind, knocking him forward. He ended up in Belinda’s arms. Oh, happy day! He could not have planned this any better if he’d tried. Now in a comfortable embrace, he took his fingertip and brushed the loose hair out of her eyes. She gazed up at him, and for the first time he noticed her tears.

“No.” Georg shook his head. “No tears today. This is a happy day.”

“And these are happy tears,” she whispered, gazing up into his eyes. “I promise you. Nothing but.”

“Then cry all you like.” He grinned and drew her even closer. Funny, with the crowd of people pressing in around them, no one paid much attention. Not that he cared. No, even surrounded on every side, he still felt very much alone with the woman he loved. Oh, but he could hardly wait to tell her! If only the words would come.

He garnered up the courage to speak. “I have something to say to you, Belinda Bauer. Should’ve said it ages ago, but I’m a foolish man. I let other things get in the way.”

“O–oh?”

“Yes. And forgive me for not shouting it from the rooftops. That day will come. But I had to say it to you first. Had to let you know—”

Someone next to him let out a whoop and hollered, “Ain’t it grand, folks! Love is in the air!”

Georg laughed. “Well, that’s not exactly what I’d planned to say, but it’s not a bad attempt. Love is in the air and I
do
feel grand. Mighty grand, in fact. Can’t say as I’ve ever felt better, in fact.” He gazed into her eyes. Taking his finger, he traced her cheekbone. Belinda’s gaze shifted to the ground, but he gently lifted her chin so that they were eye-to-eye once again. “You’ve got to look at me when I say this, Belinda. I’ve waited too long, and I need to know you’re hearing every word. It’s too important.”

She looked up, tears now flowing, and nodded. “Y–yes.”

“Belinda, I told you once that I didn’t need a wife. That I was happy as a single man. I was wrong. In fact, I’ve never been more wrong about anything in my life, and you deserve to know it.”

“O–oh?” A smile turned up the corners of her lips.

“I was right about the part where I didn’t need you to fetch me a bride from out of state,” he continued. “In fact, I think I realized that almost from the beginning. In fact, I didn’t need anyone to fetch a bride for me, because the Lord already had.” He leaned in and pressed a tiny kiss on her cheek, and she flushed.

“Aunt Hilde once told me I couldn’t see the forest for the trees,” she whispered. “I think she was right.”

“Me, too.” The crowd finally cleared the street, moving into the restaurant in droves. “I have no idea what took me so long, but Belinda, I’ve got to tell you before I crumble into a thousand pieces...I’m in love with you. I’ve loved you ever since we were kids. I just didn’t know how to voice it.”

“R–really?”

“Really. Every morning when I get to the shop, the first thing I do is look across the street to catch a glimpse of you. For years, we’ve had this street between us. But no more. This is my Jordan, and I have surely crossed it, never to return.” He kissed her wisps of golden hair on her brow, hair that both tormented and delighted him.

“Oh, Georg!” She flung her arms around his neck, her face wet with tears. “What took us so long?”

In that moment, it felt as if heaven and earth collided. Georg leaned down and, with the passion borne of years of waiting, kissed the woman he loved. She responded with the gentlest, sweetest kiss he ever could have imagined. Surely even a poem couldn’t do it justice. Afterward they stood silent, wrapped in each other’s arms.

“I’ve been as slow as molasses telling you all this. But no more. From this moment on, everything moves at lightning speed.”

“O–oh?

He dropped to one knee, completely undeterred by the fact that folks from both sides of the street had now taken notice of him. What did it matter? They were alone in the center of the street. God had arranged the perfect time, the perfect place.

Off in the distance, Georg heard Hilde say something. Then his father. He sensed the eyes of townspeople on him, but he didn’t mind. Not one little bit. No, the only thing that mattered right now was the woman in front of him, the one he planned to spend the rest of his life with.

Belinda’s heart beat so fast, she wondered if she might faint. Could this really be happening? She looked at Georg, stunned. “Y–you’re asking me to marry you?”

“I am.”

By now, half the crowd inside Stanzas was back outside, gaping at the couple, including Greta and Sarah Jo. They looked on, clearly delighted with what they saw.

“Say yes, honey!” Sarah Jo hollered. “Say yes!”

Oh, she would say yes, all right. No doubt about it.

“Well, let me ask properly first,” Georg called out to all who were watching. “Belinda deserves a decent proposal, and I mean to give it.”

She brushed away her tears and focused on the man who knelt before her, the one the Lord had surely sent—not from another state, but from her own backyard. One who had loved her all along. One whose life rhymed with hers.

He looked into her eyes and, with a tremor in his voice, managed to speak. “Belinda Bauer, I love you with my whole heart, and I plan to go on loving you until I’m old and gray. I don’t have much to offer, but what I do have, I give freely. I would be the happiest man in Poetry if you would agree to be my wife.”

Belinda gazed down into Georg’s tear-filled eyes and whispered, “You are the finest man I have ever known, and I would be honored to be your wife. I would love to marry you, Georg Kaufman.”

He jumped to his feet and gave her a solid kiss, and the crowd roared with delight.

Once folks settled down, he whispered into her ear. “That sapphire ring has been waiting in my shop for weeks. Months. Belinda, it was meant for you all along. Would you—would you be happy with it?”

“Would I!” She let out a squeal. “I can’t wait!”

He took her by the hand and sprinted in the direction of the barbershop. Once there, she waited at the door while he raced inside to fetch the ring. She giggled as he opened the box and pressed it on her finger. Sure, it was a little tight, but she didn’t mind. Not at all. There would be no pulling it off this time. No, this time she planned to wear it for the rest of her life.

On the first Sunday in November, a lovely fall day in the town of Poetry, Myles Lott took Adeline Rose Jewett as his bride. The congregation looked on, many with tears in their eyes. Belinda had never seen a more beautiful wedding. Sweet Catherine, who had settled in at school and become Sarah Jo’s prodigy for theatricals, stood up for her sister, wearing a lovely dress that Cassie had made. The bride wore white, an exquisite gown also crafted by Cassie. Corabelle, of course, took care of the veil.

Yes, it was a fine day for a wedding in Poetry. In fact, it was so fine that they decided to do it twice. As soon as Myles and Adeline tied the knot, John and Greta walked the aisle as well. Belinda stood in support of her cousin, with tears streaming down her cheeks as the “I do’s” were shared. She’d never seen Greta look prettier. In fact, her gown, which Hilde had worn on her wedding day years before, held special significance. Oh, if only Uncle Max could have been here to walk her down the aisle. Belinda’s papa had done the deed in his stead, of course, and done it well.

After the ceremony, folks nibbled on cake from Katie Sue’s new bakery, Couplets. Belinda stopped by to chat with Katie Sue, making final arrangements for her own wedding cake.

“Have you settled on a date yet, Belinda?” Katie Sue asked with a twinkle in her eye. “I do hope you’re going to give me some breathing room between ceremonies.”

“Yes, we plan to wed just before Christmas,” Belinda said. “It’s going to be the prettiest winter wedding you’ve ever seen.”

“Here at the church, I imagine.” Katie Sue nodded.

“We haven’t decided yet.” Belinda shrugged. “I have a couple of other ideas, but we’ll let you know. At any rate, we will need the biggest cake you can make. We expect nearly everyone in town to attend.”

“No doubt they will come out to support you,” Katie Sue said with a smile. “You and Georg are both well-loved in Poetry.” Her eyes grew misty. “I know that I have come to love you as a sister, Belinda. And I’m not sure I can ever thank you enough for bringing me here. I’ve never been so happy in all my life.”

“Oh, I love you, too!” Belinda reached over to give her a warm hug. “And I’m tickled that we’re all becoming sisters. I had no idea it would turn out like this, but I’m thrilled that it has.”

“Since we’re sisters and all...” Katie Sue leaned in and whispered, “I guess it’s safe to tell you my secret.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief. “Bucky and I are going to have a baby.”

“No!”

“Yes.” Katie Sue nodded and blushed. “I’ve only known for a few days, but I couldn’t wait to share the news with you. Oh, I’m the happiest girl on earth. And happier still, my parents have decided to move to Poetry. They are going to build a home near ours so that they can be close when the baby arrives.”

“Oh, Katie Sue, all the news is good.” Belinda gave her another hug. “Just be careful who you tell. You know how fast news spreads in this town.”

“News?” Sarah Jo drew near. “Someone has news?” She took one look at Katie Sue and squealed. “I knew it! You’re in the family way! When is the little one due?”

Katie Sue shook her head and laughed. Looking at Belinda, she whispered, “Why fight it?” then engaged Sarah Jo in a conversation, telling her everything.

Belinda left them to their own devices, looking for Georg. She found him sitting with her parents. As she came upon them, Belinda’s heart flip-flopped as always. Something about seeing the man she loved just sent her heart racing.

He looked up, a smile creasing his mouth. “Well, there you are. I thought you’d gone missing.”

“No, just chatting with friends.” She smiled and he rose to sweep her into his arms.

“Well, how about a chat with me?” he whispered. “Want to go for a walk?”

“Do I ever.” She smiled at her mother, who offered up a wink.

Belinda and Georg headed down to the creek, hand in hand. For a while, neither spoke a word. After they sat at the water’s edge, however, Georg broke the ice.

“Belinda, do you remember that day you came running into town and knocked me down?”

“Yes.” She smiled. “I was so embarrassed. But what brought that up?” She gave a little shiver, and he slipped his arm over her shoulder.

“Well, you said something that day that intrigued me. I’ve often wondered about it since but never thought to ask till now.”

“Oh?” She shrugged, the whole thing just a foggy memory now. “I can’t remember. What did I say?”

He grinned. “You said that one day I would thank you for running me down in the street. I’ve often wondered what you meant by that.”

“Oh.” She chuckled. “Well, actually, I was on my way to the post office to mail the letter to Corabelle, asking her to come to Poetry to take your hand in marriage.”

“Ah.” He laughed. “You mean the Corabelle who is happily married to James, of course.”

“Of course.”

“I always knew you would thank me if I ever found the right woman,” Belinda said. “And I suppose that’s what drove me all along... wanting your praise. Your approval.”

He kissed the tip of her nose. “You certainly have it now. Though the road that brought us to this place was not without its pitfalls.”

“True.” She leaned against him and sighed.

“Remember that day in the mercantile when you told me I was lonely?”

“Yes.” She sighed. “I’m sorry, Georg. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings that day.”

“No, it’s not that. I don’t think I was honest in my response, that’s all. I told you that I wasn’t lonely. That my work at the barbershop was enough. But I was wrong. Until I won your heart, I
was
the loneliest man in the world. I just didn’t realize it.”

“And I always argued against marriage, saying the Lord had other plans for me,” Belinda said. “Now I know His plans. No doubt in my mind.”