by Janice Hanna
The grandfather clock gonged and Anne glanced at it. Ten o’clock. As the second hand moved in steady pace, she felt the ticking down of her time with Maggie and Jake. It suddenly felt like an ultimatum. Despite her best internal objections, the clock ticked on.
“Let me get you a cup of coffee and we’ll talk more sensibly.” Maggie nodded and pointed to the sofa. “Have a seat. I’ll be right back. And don’t you dare go off with these girls while I’m in the kitchen. I have five grown sons, all in better shape than you, and they’ll find you in a hurry.”
His eyes widened, though for a moment Anne almost thought she saw a hint of a smile. He sat down on the sofa, looking more perplexed than anything. Seconds later, Ginger leaped up into the spot beside him.
“What the devil is this?” Uncle Bertrand’s lips tightened and he pushed the dog away. Ginger nuzzled up against him, licking him on the arm. He yanked it away, mumbling something about how animals were meant to stay in the yard or the barn.
“Oh, Ginger doesn’t like the barn, Uncle Bertrand,” Kate said. “She’s scared of the goats.”
“Scared of the goats? What good is a dog that’s afraid of animals? I would think a farm dog would be trained to—” He never got to finish his sentence. Ginger weaseled her way across his lap and plopped down, closing her eyes.
“She likes you!” Maggie said as she reentered the room with a cup of coffee in hand. “Well, that’s a good sign. Dogs have a good sense about them. If Ginger likes you, you must be a good fella. Perhaps I was too quick to jump to conclusions.”
Emily turned, but not before rolling her eyes. Anne flashed her a warning look. No point in getting their uncle more riled up than he already was.
He took a slow sip of the coffee then set the cup on the end table. After a few moments of awkward silence, he finally spoke. “Perhaps I could stay a day or two until I can figure out how best to handle this.”
“Really, Uncle Bertrand?” Anne drew near but fought the temptation to give him a hug.
“Perhaps, but if I’m going to stay, I’d better head over to the hotel to see about getting a room. And I’ll need to call the store to let them know.” He paused and gazed down at his suit. “I do wish I’d brought a change of clothes.”
“We’ve men’s clothes aplenty around here,” Maggie said. “So don’t you worry about that. We’ll keep you well dressed.” She winked. “How do you look in overalls?”
“Overalls?” He grunted. “Haven’t worn them since I was a boy.” He gave her a curt nod. “I’ll just head over to the hotel now, and we can speak more about your plans later today.”
“Oh, that reminds me. There’s a woman staying there who knows you.” Anne joined him on the sofa. “Her name is Cornelia Witherspoon. Does that sound familiar?”
“Cornelia?” His eyes widened. “I…why, yes, it does. Cornelia and I were good friends at one time, but then things changed. I haven’t spoken to her in nearly a year.” He reached for his cup, which now trembled in his hand.
“I see.” Maggie narrowed her gaze. “Well, I’ve been told that my matchmaking skills are sharper than an arrow. Found brides for nearly all my boys. Would you like me to—”
Bertrand rose, splashing coffee onto his pants leg. “No.” He placed his cup on the end table and began to pace the room. “That will not be necessary. I won’t be in need of a matchmaker, I can assure you—and Cornelia Witherspoon is the last person I would…” He paused to look out the window. “What the devil is that?” He pointed to a spot beneath the trees where Emily had placed several little crosses.
“That’s where I buried Kate’s dolls,” she explained.
“Is this the kind of child I’m taking into my home? One who performs burials in the yard?”
Emily nodded, her face lighting with a smile.
He turned back to face Maggie. “And to go back to what you were saying earlier, your matchmaking services will not be required. Cornelia Witherspoon is a married woman.” At that revelation, he turned back to the window, said something about the heat, and tugged at his collar.
A hint of a smile turned up the corners of Maggie’s lips. She walked over to Bertrand and placed her hand on his shoulder. “Let me ask you a question.” The twinkle in her eyes let Anne know right away that she was up to tricks.
“And what might that be?” He turned to face her.
“I realize you have work waiting for you back in Dallas, but is it truly urgent?”
He turned from the window. “Just the usual running of the store.” He tugged at his shirt collar again. “Why do you ask?”
“When was the last time you took a Sabbath rest?”
“A Sabbath rest?” He pulled his shoulders back and stood aright. “I’m a good Christian man. I observe the Sabbath. But this is only Wednesday, a workday.”
“You’re misunderstanding my question. I’m not making an accusation. Just wondering if or when you’ve had a season of rest and reflection. There’s truly no lovelier place in the world than the Texas Panhandle.” She put her finger on his chest. “I would like you to consider the possibility that the Lord has brought you to Groom for a sabbatical from your labors. A holiday.”
“Holiday?” He snorted. “I don’t take holidays.”
“Well, then, it’s about time you did. I can tell from the wrinkles on that brow that you’ve not relaxed in a month of Sundays. Stay awhile. Rest. Soak in your surroundings. Spend time with the girls.” She paused and looked him over. “I don’t mean to be rude, but you’re as skinny as a rail. Someone needs to fatten you up.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You just leave that part to me. Stay on through the weekend and I’ll serve up some meals like nothing you’ve ever tasted. I’ll send you back to Dallas on Monday fat and sassy. Then you’ll have plenty of energy to do all the work you need.”
“Monday?” He shook his head.
“Well, of course. You’ll stay for the wedding Saturday night so that Anne can work her magic for the bride and groom. You wouldn’t travel home on Sunday, of course. You did just tell me you’re a good Christian man, did you not?”
“Well, I suppose I could…” His words drifted off and he appeared to be thinking about the idea. Then, just as quickly, his expression shifted and he was back to the old Uncle Bertrand once again. “How the devil did you manage this, woman?”
“Manage what?” She batted her eyelashes.
“How did you manage to convince me to stay through the weekend? I had no intention of staying more than a night or two. Not that I had actually planned to stay at all. I’d come to fetch the girls and take them to my place straightaway. And now you’ve got me completely discombobulated.”
“I’ve been told I have that effect on men. Er, people.” She giggled. “But why fight it? Just stay and rest. Looks like it’s going to take at least a day or two to iron out those wrinkles on your forehead. I’ll be right back with my ironing board. You stay put.”
Anne did her best not to laugh, though everything inside of her wanted to do so. Emily looked her way, eyes wide. So did Kate, who whispered, “Is she really going to iron his forehead?”
Anne shook her head and continued to bite her lip. Until Uncle Bertrand looked her way.
“I will thank you to never mention Cornelia Witherspoon’s name in my presence again. Do we have an understanding?”
“W–what?” She felt the color drain out of her face. “I–I’m sorry, Uncle Bertrand. How was I to know… ?”
“You don’t know, and you will never know. But you will never mention her name to me again. Understood?”
Behind Uncle Bertrand’s back, Emily mouthed the words “Cornelia Witherspoon! Cornelia Witherspoon!” Anne glared at her.
“I promise, Uncle Bertrand. You will never hear her name from me again,” Anne managed. She wanted to ask questions but knew better. For now, silence was the best response.
After a long day of final repairs on the track, Jake stopped at the store to purc
hase some supplies and a little gift for Emily, who’d dropped more than a few hints about a certain item she needed. While there, he also decided that a new shirt was in order. A fella could never have too many shirts. When he brought his purchases to the counter to pay for them, he couldn’t help but notice several vases filled with the prettiest yellow roses he’d ever seen.
“These are really nice.”
“They’re just in from Tyler,” the clerk explained. “I’ve never seen any quite like them. They’re larger than most and should go on blooming for days.”
“I think I’ll take some home. A dozen, please.”
“Your mother will like those, Jake.” The clerk smiled as she pulled them out of the vase and wrapped the stems in paper. “And they smell wonderful.”
He didn’t want to tell her that the roses weren’t meant for Mama. No, he planned to give them to someone else entirely. Someone whose hand he wanted to hold at least one more time before she left for Dallas. He might have to explain the symbolism of the yellow rose of Texas, but once she heard the story, it would forever link them.
As he left the store, Jake started humming the familiar tune. By the time he reached the road, he added the lyrics.
“There’s a yellow rose in Texas, that I am going to see;
Nobody else could miss her, not half as much as me.
She cried so when I left her, it like to broke my heart,
And if I ever find her, we nevermore will part.
She’s the sweetest little rosebud that Texas ever knew;
Her eyes are bright as diamonds; they sparkle like the dew;
You may talk about your Clementine and sing of Rosalee,
But the yellow rose of Texas is the only girl for me.”
As he continued down the road toward home, the lyrics of that song rushed over him. Jake did his best to brush aside the pain that gripped his heart when he thought about Anne leaving. Though he could not say what the future held, he did, with all assurance, have faith in the One who held it. And for now, that faith would have to see him through.
Chapter Sixteen
Looking for the perfect place to fall in love? Whether you’re searching for a crab apple tree to carve your initials or an open field of flowers for a romantic picnic, you’ll find the perfect backdrop in the Texas Panhandle. Fellas, if you’re lookin’ to gather up some wildflowers to give that fair lady as a special gift, you’ll find them aplenty in the Panhandle. Rose of Sharon, leadplant, fern bush, Texas red yucca, and Russian sage grow in abundance, as well as a host of other exotic flowers. Yes, this is certainly the place to woo that pretty lady. And if her heart doesn’t come alive in the Texas Panhandle, then send her packin’. It simply wasn’t meant to be.— “Tex” Morgan, reporting for the Panhandle Primer
Jake drew a deep breath as he reached the porch and tried to come up with a workable story about the roses. Unfortunately, he didn’t have much of a chance. At the very moment he climbed the steps, Cora, Milly, Pauline, and Ruth all came rushing out of the house.
“See you tomorrow, Anne,” Ruth called out.
“Thank you for letting us help with the wedding plans.” Pauline giggled.
Cora reached Jake first, her mouth falling open as she laid eyes on the yellow roses. “Oh, Jake.”
“You shouldn’t have!” Milly pulled them out of his arms and danced around in a circle.
Jake wanted to slap himself in the head, but that would require dropping the rest of his packages.
“What’s all the noise out here?” His mother appeared at the door. She took one look at the flowers in Milly’s hands and gasped. “Oh, Jakey, they’re lovely. I’m tickled pink.” She laughed. “Or should I say tickled yellow?”
He’d just opened his mouth to explain the significance of the flowers when Anne and her sisters appeared in the doorway.
“What have you got there, Milly?” Anne asked. She took a few steps in Milly’s direction, and her eyes widened as she took in the roses. “Oh. Oh my.”
“Do you like them?” Jake asked.
“Like them? They’re perfect!”
All the ladies grew silent, and Jake shifted his gaze between them. Now what? He’d have to give them to their intended recipient, but he hadn’t planned to make a production out of it.
“Whatever possessed you, honey?” his mother asked.
“Yes, who are they for?” Milly asked, passing them back to him. “Really?”
“Tell us, please!” Cora said.
“Can’t a fella buy roses without standing before the firing squad?” He pulled the roses to himself, trying to work up the courage to turn Anne’s way. He finally managed the task, reveling in the beauty of her smile as he pressed them into her arms. “I just thought our visitor might like to have a little taste of Texas. Sort of a welcome to the state. Texas is known for its yellow roses.”
“So I’ve heard.” Anne’s cheeks flamed pink, almost matching the blouse she wore.
“Oh, Jake, you’re the sweetest boy ever!” Pauline said.
“You need to give our husbands some lessons,” Ruth added.
Milly placed her hands on her hips. “Yes, I daresay they have a thing or two to learn from their little brother.”
“Like how to woo a woman.” Cora giggled. “That’s what you’re really doing, right, Jakey?”
He groaned.
Thankfully, Anne’s sweet expression kept him grounded. Otherwise he would’ve already bolted into the house. A saner man would’ve at least headed to the barn, claiming he had to feed the goats.
Anne gazed at the flowers as if they were the loveliest ones she’d ever seen. “Where did you get these?” She looked over at him, her eyelashes fluttering. Did she mean to stir his heart with that move? Likely not, but it was stirred one way or the other.
“At the general store.”
“Do you think you could get more? Lots more?”
“Well, sure. They have them in abundance. Just got a shipment from Tyler. Why?”
“Do they have them in different colors?”
He nodded. “I saw pink. And red.”
“Oh, that’s perfect.” She reached up and threw her arms around his neck. Jake felt his cheeks grow warm at the unexpected embrace. “We’re gathering fresh flowers for the wedding on Saturday. I’d planned to use wildflowers and a mixture of flowers from your mother’s garden…but I hadn’t yet found any roses, and I know that’s what Virginia’s longing for most of all.” Anne pulled them close to her face. “Oh, they smell wonderful. I can’t wait to get these into some water. Maggie, will you help me?”
“Of course.”
His mother followed Anne into the house, leaving Jake alone on the porch with his four sisters-in-law and Anne’s two little sisters.
“Nice work,” Emily said with a sly grin. “A true hero always brings a lady flowers. I couldn’t have written that any better myself.”
“I do know a thing or two,” he said and then winked.
“It’s perfect, Jake.” Cora sighed. “Perfect.”
“You’re smitten with her, then?” Ruth asked.
He shifted his position, growing uncomfortable inside and out. “I really don’t think we need to be talking about—”
“Oh, c’mon, Jakey.” Pauline laughed. “You know you’re not going to get away with keeping this a secret anyway. You like her, don’t you?”
He leaned against the porch railing, feeling a bit on display. “What’s not to like?” he said after a moment’s pause.
“I knew it!” Emily clasped her hands together.
Kate let out a squeal. “Oh, it’s wonderful.”
“So what happens next?” Ruth asked. “How can we help?”
“You can help by not helping.” He put his hand up. “I don’t want to insult anyone, but this is one thing I need to do on my own. Everyone needs to trust me. And I would be grateful if the six of you could keep this to yourselves, please. The folks in Groom have already been talking about me behind my back f
or weeks, and I don’t like the way it feels. If I stand half a chance with Anne, this has got to be done right.”
Milly drew near and gave him a gentle hug. “You have my word, little brother.”
“I won’t tell a soul,” Pauline said as she gave his hand a squeeze.
“Neither will I,” Ruth added.
“You know me, Jake.” Cora sighed. “I’m not very good at keeping secrets…but I promise to do my best. Will that do?”
“For now.” Jake turned his gaze to Emily and Kate. “Okay, now…what about the two of you?”
Emily nodded. “As long as I can write about it in my book afterward.”
“Will you change the names of the characters?”
She grinned. “Of course. I always do.”
“Fine.” He looked at Kate. “You won’t tell anyone, will you?”
“Tell them what?” she asked and then winked.
“Perfect.”
As he took those first few steps across the porch toward the front door, Jake couldn’t help but hum “The Yellow Rose of Texas” once more.
As Anne climbed into bed Wednesday night, her mind reeled. First the beautiful yellow roses from Jake. Then the cryptic hints from her little sisters. She’d gotten the message, of course.
He cares about me.
And I care about him too.
She pulled the covers up and rested her head against the pillow. The more she thought about Jake, the more conflicted she felt. How could she possibly give her heart—even a piece of it—to someone she would likely never see again?
Anne tried to sleep. Ironically, the sound of a train off in the distance roused her from a near slumber. A train?
Oh yes. The track. Workers had finished the repairs on it. Not that she planned to board a train tonight, but the very idea that she could leave now if she chose to sent a thousand thoughts running through her mind. Just a few short days ago she had considered turning around and going back to Colorado. But now…
She sat up in bed, her thoughts shifting to the one person who had caused both her heart and her mind to shift gears—Jake.
