by Janice Hanna
Chapter Ten
There’s an old saying about the moon—that when it soars clear and bright, completely free of shadows or clouds, it’s known as a lover’s moon. Just one large ball of yellow-white, cradled by a perfect night sky. Here in the Texas Panhandle, we see some of the prettiest lover’s moons imaginable. They glow like heavenly orbs, lighting up the night skies and offering a well-lit path into the arms of the one you love. Truly, there’s no better place to get moony-eyed than under a lover’s moon. So if you’re gazing at one tonight, why not grab your lady and let the moonlight lead the way? —“Tex” Morgan, reporting for the Panhandle Primer
The night wore on, with Aunt Bets in rare fashion. Jake could only stand so much of her chronic complaining before he finally had to take his leave. He used the animals as his excuse but decided—after feeding them—that an evening walk would be just the thing to clear his head. The night skies shone clear and bright and the moon hovered overhead, a large white ball casting plenty of light across the property.
He headed out to the barn to check on Frances, giving her one last brushing and a gentle talking-to. Then he headed out across the field, following the fence line. He paused on several occasions to gaze heavenward and, as he often did, usher up a few heartfelt prayers. Tonight he had one thing on his mind in particular. His aunt’s behavior had really upset him, and the feelings he harbored inside needed to be dealt with.
“Lord, I know You created her in Your image, but…” He sighed, unsure of what to say next. “Just show us how to deal with her.” An unsettled feeling came over him as he realized how those words must sound. “No, show us how to love her like You love her.” The words to a familiar hymn flitted through his mind, and Jake found himself humming as he headed back to the house.
When he arrived at the steps leading up to the front porch, he noticed Anne seated on the porch swing with Kate sleeping in her lap. He spoke a quiet “hello,” and Anne let out a little gasp.
“Oh, Jake! You scared me.”
“I’m sorry. Sure didn’t mean to do that.” He climbed the steps and leaned against the post, observing her face under the glow of the full moon. She’d been pretty enough in the daylight, of course. But something about the glow of the moon gave her an ethereal quality.
She laughed. “Mama always called me skittish. Guess it’s true.”
He gestured to the empty spot next to her. “Do you mind?”
“Of course not. I would move over a bit, but…” She gestured to Kate, who continued to sleep soundly.
“No need.” Truth be told, he liked the fact that the spot next to her wasn’t very big. Jake eased his way down onto the swing then shifted his gaze to the skies. “Didn’t mean to interrupt your moonlight reverie.”
“Moonlight reverie.” She chuckled. “Have you been taking notes from Emily? That sounds like something she would say.”
“No.” He paused for a moment, his gaze still heavenward. “I suppose there’s a bit of a writer in me too. I used to love to listen to my father’s poems as he read them aloud. There’s something so majestic about the written word. Just…” He turned to her and shrugged. “Sorry. You probably didn’t take me for the bookish sort.”
“I daresay I don’t know you well enough to assume what sort of things you might enjoy.”
No, she didn’t know him at all, did she? But he would surely like to remedy that.
“I can’t believe how big and bright that moon is tonight.” She lifted her thumb and closed one eye, as if trying to block it out.
“That’s funny.”
“What?”
“I used to do that too.” He settled back against the swing. “I’ve always figured that if you could block something as big as the moon with just a finger, then getting over life’s problems shouldn’t be much of a hurdle.”
“Interesting way of looking at it. I’ll have to remember that.”
They sat in delicious silence for a moment. Jake relaxed, enjoying the glow of moonlight because it afforded him the opportunity to sneak a peek at Anne every now and again.
“So, are Bets and Leo still inside?” he asked at last.
Anne nodded. “Yes.” She sighed. “Last I heard, she was telling him how the cow ate the cabbage. Poor dear soul. He just sat there, taking it from her. But your mama gave her a bit of correction. Not sure Bets took it well, but it did end the argument.”
“God bless my mama. She knows just how to deal with the tough ones.”
“I admire her for that. Despite my Christian upbringing, I feel my hand begin to twitch every time someone like Bets enters the room. I just want to…” She chuckled. “This is going to sound awful, but I just want to knock some sense into them.”
Jake laughed. “Good thing you resisted the urge. I have a feeling Aunt Bets could take you down. There’s a lot of strength behind those ugly words she uses.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I tend to think she’s driven by weakness, not strength.”
The front door flew open and Emily rushed past them.
“Emily, it’s late,” Anne called out. “I thought you were nearly ready to go to bed.”
“I was, but I forgot something,” Emily hollered. “I took my writing tablet out under the tree this afternoon while I was burying the dolls, and I left it there. I’ll just die if I lose it.” She ran like a banshee across the lawn then returned a few moments later, gasping for breath.
“So you found it, then?” Jake pointed to the tablet in her hand.
“Yes. Oh, I don’t know what I would’ve done if I’d lost it. I’d have to reconstruct my story, and that would have been tragic. Now that Aunt Bets is here, I have a great new character to add. You’re not going to believe what twists and turns my story is about to take.”
“I can only imagine.” Jake chuckled and tried to picture the look on his aunt’s face should she read about herself in a book. Then again, she probably wouldn’t recognize herself as being evil. Most folks in her position didn’t.
“Well, I’m glad you found it.” Anne gave Emily a stern look. “Now head inside and get dressed for bed. I’ll bring Kate in momentarily.”
“Sure you will.” Emily looked back and forth between Jake and Anne then laughed. “You’ll be out here all night long…swooning.”
“Emily Denning!” The shock in Anne’s voice was evident.
Jake did his best to hide the laughter that threatened to erupt.
Emily disappeared into the house, the door slamming behind her.
“Jake, I’m so sorry.” Anne sighed. “I honestly don’t know what to do with her. She’s always making more out of things than she should.”
“She’s an observer of life,” Jake said. “Adding a little color and shine to the dull parts.” Not that sitting here with Anne was a dull part.
“I will say, she notices everything.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Even as a little bitty thing, she always seemed to know when Mama was upset about something. And when she got sick—Mama, I mean—Emily seemed to know it. Mind you, she was quite young at the time.”
“I see. And now that she’s older, she takes what she sees and turns it into stories?”
“Well, let’s just say she takes what she sees, embellishes it, and writes it into stories.” Anne laughed. “So you’d better beware if she happens to tell you that you’re going to be the hero in her next tale.”
“Oops.” He laughed. “Too late.”
“No doubt she’ll either turn you into a pirate or a renegade of some sort. She’s got quite the imagination.”
“An imagination is a good thing.” His smile quickly faded.
“What’s wrong?”
She placed her hand on his arm, and his heart skipped a beat. Still, how much could he tell her without giving away too much of his personal story? He didn’t want her to know that more often than not, he served as the brunt of everyone’s joke.
Jake shook his head. “I was that boy who always got accused of be
ing a dreamer. My brothers never thought I’d amount to much. Said I had an overactive imagination.” He paused, deep in thought. “That imagination got me through some rough times, though. No doubt it’s the same for Emily.”
“She’s been through some rough times all right. More than any ten-year-old should ever have to go through.”
“I feel her pain. But she’s handling it pretty well, I guess.”
“It comes out in those stories of hers.”
Jake thought about his words before voicing them. “Some people act out their pain—like Aunt Bets. Other people transfer it to the written page. I’m not sure which is the better answer.”
“I suppose the better answer is to let God have it.” Anne sighed. “It’s just hard. Really hard.”
“I understand. More than you know.”
He understood something else too. That when you stared at a girl in the moonlight—even a girl you’d only just gotten to know—it did something to your heart, something he’d never before experienced.
Oh, if only this lover’s moon could last forever.
Anne rested against the back of the swing, content and peaceful. How she enjoyed these quiet conversations with Jake. He seemed to understand her in a way that others did not. How could such a thing be possible with someone she’d only known for a couple of days? The moon cast a heavenly glow and she stared up at it, for once completely at peace.
Until the front door opened and Aunt Bets bolted out of the house.
“Just see if I ever set foot in your house again, Maggie O’Farrell,” Bets called out. “I will not be spoken to in such a way by my own sister.” She turned and glared at Anne. “It would seem she treats total strangers better than she does her own family.”
Anne sat in shocked silence, unable to think of a response. Jake reached for her hand and squeezed it, letting her know his take on the matter.
“Aunt Bets, Mama is likely exhausted after a long day,” he said after a moment. “Come back tomorrow and everything will be better.”
“I will not come back tomorrow,” she said, placing her hands on her hips. “Or the day after that, or the day after that. I will not come back until she offers the necessary apology.”
Jake sighed.
So did Uncle Leo, who stood in the doorway. “Bets, we’re going home.” His voice spoke of weariness. “I’ve had enough.”
“Humph.” Bets grabbed her skirt with both fists and shuffled down the porch steps. Then she and Leo disappeared into the darkness.
Anne wanted to speak but only found tears. How dare that spiteful woman lash out at her? Why, they hardly knew each other. What about offering the benefit of the doubt?
The tears came with abandon. She cried—not just because of the harsh words that had been spoken, but because of the situation she now found herself in. Oh, how she longed for life to go back to normal, for peace to reign.
After a few moments, the tears dried up. Only then did Anne realize that Jake was still holding her hand. Embarrassment swept over her. “Oh, I–I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He laced his fingers through hers. “If anyone deserves a good cry, you do. And trust me, I needed the time to pray.”
“To pray?” She looked his way, brushing aside the tears on her cheeks.
“Yes. To pray that God would restrain me from taking off after her and giving her a piece of my mind.”
“You would do that for me?”
“Of course.” Jake gazed so deeply into her eyes that she almost felt he could read her thoughts. “You’re one of the sweetest girls I’ve ever met.”
“Th–thank you.” She couldn’t help but smile at those words. They served as an ointment, soothing her troubled soul. Yes, he certainly knew just what to say to make a girl feel better about life.
The front door opened and Maggie stepped outside. Anne felt Jake’s hand pull away from hers, and he stood.
“Is Bets gone, then?” Maggie crossed her arms at her chest.
“Yes, and she says she’s never coming back.”
“I’m not that lucky.” Maggie sighed as she took a few steps across the porch. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. But she certainly challenges me at every turn. I honestly don’t know what to do sometimes.”
“Let’s not let it ruin our night.” Anne smiled at Maggie, her heart quite full. “In spite of the unpleasant outbursts, this has still been one of the loveliest days of my life. Being here in Groom…” A lump filled her throat, and she could not continue.
Kate stirred, and Anne eased her into a sitting position. She’d just started to stand and sweep her sister into her arms when Jake took care of that for her. As he carried Kate across the porch and into the house, Anne was struck with a mixture of pain and joy. How often had she seen Papa lift Kate and carry her to bed—before the drinking got so bad?
Don’t think about the sadness, Anne. Only look at what’s in front of you tonight.
What she saw tonight in the glow of the moonlight suddenly made the pain of her yesterdays drift far, far away.
Chapter Eleven
Want to view the latest fashions from the runways of Paris or nibble the tastiest hors d’oeuvres from the best French chefs? Looking for the most exquisite silver service or the finest cut-crystal for that next soiree? Look no further than the Texas Panhandle, where money—and good taste—abound! Rub elbows with silver barons at the opera, discuss the price of beef with millionaire cattlemen at glorious galas, or dine with well-to-do business owners at the finest restaurants. There’s never a shortage of societal events here. Milliners from Manhattan, couture dressmakers from Paris, entertainers from around the globe…they’re all headed to the Texas Panhandle. Why? They’re following the scent of money, of course! —“Tex” Morgan, reporting for the Panhandle Primer
The next morning Jake left for work early. Anne busied herself around the house, trying to be useful. She made up the beds and tidied her sister’s mess on the rolltop desk. Then she headed to the kitchen to help Maggie.
“So I see you met Virginia and her best friend yesterday,” Maggie said. “Tell me what you think of them.”
“Virginia reminds me a lot of myself.”
“I was going to say the same thing. She’s our schoolteacher, you know.”
“Oh, is she? I wondered why she lived here alone.”
“Yes, she lives in the house the school board provides. Though, of course, that will change once she and Cody get married. His parents left him a large spread on the west end of town.”
“I see. Will she go on teaching?”
“Yes. I can’t imagine anyone doing a finer job, and I know Cody won’t mind if she continues working. She’s a wonder with the children.”
“I think it’s admirable that she’s given her life to that. She seems very levelheaded, and I enjoyed getting to know her.”
“Now that Amaryllis is something to behold, isn’t she?” Maggie began to chuckle. “In all my life I’ve never seen a dress like the one she wore yesterday. I’d fall flat on my face.”
“So would I. If that’s high fashion, I’ll suppose I’ll stick to what I’m already wearing.”
“Oh, honey, I just love pretty things. They’re wonderful to look at. But I made up my mind years ago that the loveliest things a woman could own were her words. They show off much nicer than a new dress.” She winked. “Though I love a pretty dress too.”
“Me too.” But those days are behind me.
Knocking sounded at the door—a constant rapping that spoke of urgency.
“Gracious.” Maggie fussed with her hair. “I look a mess. Hope it isn’t the reverend or his wife, come to call unannounced.”
Anne followed her into the parlor and on to the front door, where they found Milly, Pauline, Ruth, and Cora. The women offered a warm welcome as they entered the house.
“Well, hello, girls.” Maggie gave each of them a hug. “What brings you out so early?”
“We need to talk to Anne.” Milly drew n
ear and slipped her arm over Anne’s shoulders, making her wonder what they had up their sleeves. “It’s very important.”
“Yes, it couldn’t wait,” Cora said.
“Hmm. Well, don’t you girls go and get her riled up about something, you hear?” Maggie disappeared into the kitchen, muttering something about female nonsense.
Anne looked at Milly. “What’s happened? Something about the train? Has the track been repaired?”
“Gracious, no,” Milly said. “At this rate, we’re hoping the track won’t be fixed anytime soon.”
“And why is that?”
“Because…” Pauline began to chew the fingernail on her index finger. “We, um…we’re worried about Jake.”
“Worried about Jake. Why?”
“Well, see…” Ruth fidgeted with her necklace. “We might as well confess…we’ve been trying to match him up with Cassie Martin for the past several months. She’s a dear girl, though a bit overbearing at times.”
“Not that I blame her,” Cora said. “She’s inwardly insecure because she’s a bit larger than most girls her age.”
“She has a lovely face,” Ruth said.
“Oh, yes, she does,” Pauline added. “And very pretty eyes.”
“But, see, here’s the problem.” Milly gazed directly into Anne’s eyes. “She’s got her heart set on marrying Jake.”
Anne eased her way onto the sofa, completely perplexed. “And this is a problem because…”
Milly took her by the hand. “You don’t know?”
“I don’t. Why should I care who marries Jake?” Anne asked, feeling her heart begin to flutter.
“Come now.” Milly laughed. “I know a girl who’s smitten when I see one. And it’s clear that Jake is equally as smitten with you.”
“We’ve just come to admit the error in our ways,” Cora said. “And to ask for your forgiveness. Of course, we can’t really be held to blame because we’d never met you until Saturday night, but even so…”
“Ladies, let me put your minds at ease. My thoughts are on my sisters, nothing else.”
Pauline coughed. “I see.”
