The service seemed to last for hours but in reality lasted only a little over one. When the final notes of the last hymn faded away, Faith hurried up the aisle to the Whiteman family. She stopped in front of Mrs. Whiteman.
“Thank you so much inviting me to the ranch with your family today. I always enjoy going out there.”
“We’re glad you can go. That was a lovely table you and your mother set for the party yesterday.” She slipped her hand into the crook of Dr. Whiteman’s arm.
“Thank you. I’ll tell Ma you said so.” A hand grasped her elbow. She glanced up at Tom, who now stood beside her.
“The buggy is ready and waiting for us. My breakfast is long gone, and I’m hankering for some good beef and one of Aunt Hannah’s pies.”
At her nod, Tom placed his hand at her waist and guided her outside to where the buggy sat hitched and waiting. A smile wrapped itself around her heart. At least a half-hour ride with Tom all alone. Now she just needed to make good use of it.
Tom assisted her into the buggy then went around to pick up the hitching weight before climbing in beside her. He snapped the reins, and the horse moved forward.
“This is such a beautiful day to be outdoors.” She groaned inwardly. She did not want to talk about the weather.
Tom laughed and his green-tinged blue eyes sparkled. “Yes, it is a beautiful day.” He turned a lopsided grin toward her. “What did you think about Theodore’s surprise for Clara yesterday?”
Wonderful, a topic other than the weather. “I thought it was so romantic. I don’t know how your parents and his kept such a secret. Even we didn’t know the true reason for the party. We thought the mayor was going to make some big announcement about the town.”
“I think everyone else in town thought the same thing.” He laughed again. “I’ll never forget the look on Clara’s face when she realized what was going on. I don’t think she’s ever been that surprised about anything.”
“Oh, really, don’t you think she and Theodore had at least talked about marriage before yesterday? Surely he already knew what her answer would be.” It might have been romantic, but she hoped Clara had known his intentions before yesterday. Marriage was something that usually needed to be discussed before making such an important commitment in public. As for herself, she didn’t care where, when, or how an actual proposal came as long as it came and Tom did the asking.
“They probably did. I know he came to speak with Ma and Pa while Clara was out with Juliet and Alice. I think he wanted the time and place to be a surprise. It never occurred to me that he would choose the party to do it and that the party would end up being in their honor.”
“It’s funny how he decided to be Theodore instead of Teddy when he returned from school.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I was always Tommy until I became a reporter.”
True, but Theodore still seemed too formal for the boy she’d known. Faith had been several years ahead of Theodore and Clara in school, and they had been friends until Faith finished and started helping her mother at the bakery full-time. Since then they’d had little time for each other.
Her hands clenched in her lap. Precious minutes had been wasted on the weather and Tom’s sister. She had to find a way to turn the conversation in another direction.
Tom spoke again. “I’m glad to see Reverend Booker’s church is doing so well. I hope that article I wrote when he first arrived in Stoney Creek had a little something to do that.”
Oh, fine, now he wanted to talk about Angela and her family. Then again, maybe she could get more of a sense of what he thought about Angela. “I think that did help. Angela is such a sweet person, and it’s nice to have someone around my own age. We’re becoming good friends.”
Tom’s eyebrows shot upward. “You are? Really?” At her nod he shook his head. “I guess it does seem logical since you are close in age. You know she finished four years of college before coming out here with her parents.”
Now how did he know so much about Angela? She’d only learned those things when she had been invited by Angela to have dinner with her family. Oh, of course, with Tom at the newspaper, he was bound to know more about everyone in town. Still, that seed of jealousy planted itself deeper into her soul. If she and Angela became rivals for Tom’s heart, how could they possibly remain friends? That was something Faith didn’t care to experience.
CHAPTER 5
ON MONDAY TOM read through his story one more time before giving it his editor. He enjoyed writing about the activities of the Texas legislature, and on his last trip he’d scored an interview with Governor James Stephen Hogg. Tom liked the man, the first native Texan to serve as governor. Tom had no doubt Hogg would win a second term in the upcoming election.
At first they had talked about Hogg’s newspaper background, but then the talk had turned to politics. From what Tom could gather, Hogg planned to support the Railroad Commission created back in 1861 as well as the law to regulate alien land ownership, and that was a good plan. The article Tom held in his hand concerned Hogg’s respect for and defense of law enforcement. Stoney Creek had a good sheriff and two deputies to help enforce the law in the town and surrounding areas. If Tom hadn’t loved journalism so much, he might have joined the Texas Rangers to help keep the law.
At least his real journalistic work had been productive, but his quest for more information about Joe had hit a dead end. The man seemed to be avoiding him, and none of Tom’s careful probing had brought about any more information than what had he had already learned on Friday. Joe was charming and polite but clearly wanted to keep everyone at arm’s length.
Best to forget about the old man for now and stick to news for the Stoney Creek Herald. Satisfied with his completed story, Tom picked it up and strode to Jonas Blake’s office. He knocked on the open door and waited for the man to look up. When he did, he smiled then broadened that to a grin.
“Come on in, my boy. Is that your article on Hogg?”
Tom laid the paper on Mr. Blake’s desk. “Yes, it is, and I have more notes for an article on his ideas for protecting the welfare of our universities.”
“Good, good. Have a seat. I have something I want to run by you.”
Curiosity built in Tom as he sat across the desk from his editor, who leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingertips. Mr. Blake wasted no time in stating his thoughts. “What do you think about having a woman doing some reporting around here?”
Tom shrugged and swallowed hard. “It’s all right with me, but who do you have in mind?” As far as he knew, no young woman around these parts was interested in newspaper work.
“After covering that party on Saturday, I decided we need a real social events reporter. The two of us won’t have time for all that once I take the paper to three editions a week instead of two, and I’m adding a wire service.” He tilted his head to one side and smiled.
Tom gasped. Mr. Blake had always said a twice-a-week newspaper had no need for wire, but now he was going to three editions. A wire service would give him the information he needed for the articles he wanted to write about federal and state politics. “Sounds like a good idea to me.”
Mr. Blake nodded. “That means you can spend more time on state and national news. I think you can handle the extra work.”
“Yes, sir, that would be no problem at all, and I’d enjoy it. But tell me, do you have someone in mind for the social events?” Tom still hadn’t come up with any woman from Stoney Creek who would be interested in such a job.
Mr. Blake leaned toward his desk and opened the left-hand drawer. He pulled out a paper and laid it on his desk. “As a matter of fact, I do. A friend of mine has a daughter who graduated from the University of Texas a few years ago. She’s been looking for a new position for the past few months. Seems the editor of the paper where she’s working now doesn’t approve of female reporters. I don’t have a problem with it, but I wanted to make sure it set well with you before I send the wire telling her to come.”
“It’s fine with me.”
“I thought it would be. She’ll report later this week. Her name is Gretchen O’Neal, and she’s about twenty-seven, I believe.”
Tom nodded. Four years his senior. Could be interesting, but what sort of woman would like working for a paper? He’d never met such a person, but he looked forward to the experience.
After he left Blake’s office, Tom glanced at his pocket watch. Lunchtime already, and he’d have to eat at the hotel today. Normally he’d go home for the noon meal, but today his mother planned to take Alice and Juliet out to Aunt Hannah’s and work on some sewing projects. She’d told him to eat big at noon because she planned leftovers for supper.
He grabbed his coat and headed outdoors. They could go without a coat while they worked inside, but Mr. Blake insisted on proper dress when his reporters went out in public. Tom didn’t mind it in the cooler months, but sometimes a jacket was too much in the heat.
Tom made his way across the street. At least the temperature hadn’t risen much above eighty today, which made the walk to the hotel more pleasant than it would have been in August or even a few weeks ago in September.
Angela and her aunt appeared in the doorway to the mercantile. Tom smiled and removed his hat. “What a pleasant surprise to see you two ladies in town.”
Angela’s cheeks bloomed pink. “It’s such a nice day, we decided to walk into town for a few things we needed. This is my aunt Daisy Booker.” She turned to her aunt. “You remember Tom Whiteman from the train.”
“Yes, I do remember him. Fine job you’re doing with the paper, young man.”
Tom nodded toward the older Miss Booker. “Thank you, and I trust you’re finding our town friendly.”
Although Angela’s aunt spoke to him, his eyes were on Angela and how the blue of her dress set off her eyes, as blue as a cloudless sky on a summer day.
“It was nice seeing you, Tom, but Aunt Daisy and I have shopping to do.”
Tom’s attention snapped back to the conversation. “Of course, I don’t want to detain you. It was nice seeing you again, Miss Booker.”
Daisy Booker laughed. “Thank you, Tom.”
When the ladies departed, Tom blinked. What had happened? He didn’t remember one word of the conversation before saying good-bye to the ladies.
The lovely young woman had indeed tied him into knots. Then he glanced up and the Delmont Bakery sign came into view. A twinge of guilt stabbed his heart. Faith. Or Angela? How would he ever make a choice between the two?
Angela strolled toward home with Aunt Daisy, the meeting with Tom foremost in her mind. He was such a handsome young man and so well liked in the community. Her father had been quite complimentary of him, and her mother hinted more than once that Angela should encourage his friendship.
Aunt Daisy shook Angela’s arm. “I must say I’m quite impressed with young Tom Whiteman. I met his parents at the Gladstones’ party, and they are a very nice couple. It’s a shame they aren’t members of your father’s congregation. But then again, it’s good they are fine Christian people.”
“The church Tom’s family goes to is the first one organized here in Stoney Creek back in 1867 not long after the war. I believe Tom’s family came here several years after that.” The churches weren’t so different in their beliefs, just their denominational affiliation, and that made not a whit of difference to her.
“I see.” Her aunt raised an eyebrow and tilted her head. “Do I detect a note of interest in young Tom?”
Heat rose in Angela’s cheeks. “Tom has taken me for tea and dessert at the hotel, but I’ve been too busy to think about him much.” She had been so occupied with unpacking, learning her way around town, and meeting people that she had not had time to think about attracting a suitor and forming a relationship. But once she did, Tom would be at the top of her list.
“Well, I wouldn’t let a young man like that get away. He’s a fine catch and would make some woman a nice husband.”
Angela gasped. “Aunt Daisy! How can you say that? You don’t even know Tom Whiteman.”
“I know him well enough. He’s single, has a good job, is a Christian, and comes from a fine family. What else do you need?”
“How about love? I would want a man I could love with all my heart. And what about him? He would need to love me back.”
Her aunt shrugged. “I loved a boy with all my heart, but God saw fit to take him from me before we could be wed. I never married, and now I regret not accepting any of the other proposals that came my way.”
Angela bit her tongue to keep from saying anything to hurt Aunt Daisy’s feelings. Her sweetheart had drowned the summer they were to be married. Although she’d been sought after by other men, she’d remained single. Which would be worse? To pine away a lifetime for a love that could never be or to marry without love? Angela had no desire to experience either.
If God had a husband planned for her life, He’d show her and give her clear direction as to what she should do. Whatever lay ahead, the Lord would guide her path.
Faith dropped the curtain on the window of the bakery. Angela and Tom. They laughed and talked a good three minutes, and the green knife of jealousy sliced Faith’s heart. How could her own mousy, drab appearance ever compete with the likes of Angela?
She smoothed the apron over her flower-sprigged cotton dress and reached over to remove the remains of a tea and pastries left by two ladies a few moments ago. Ma’s rolls must have been especially good this morning as only a few crumbs remained on the plates.
A few swipes with a damp rag and the little round table sat ready for the next customer. A few patrons who enjoyed light lunches would drop in, but most of the men and families went to the hotel or the café for a solid meal.
After dumping the dishes into the sink in the kitchen, Faith put on a kettle of water to heat so she could wash them. Ma handled the customers as they came in and Aunt Ruby made the sandwiches and filled any orders for lunches, so Faith had a few minutes to herself.
The only problem was that, during any time she had to herself, she thought about Tom. Such a nice day they’d had at the ranch yesterday. She and Tom had ridden two of Mr. Gordon’s horses down to the creek that ran across the ranch. They’d talked a lot about their past and the fun they’d had growing up in Stoney Creek. A slight breeze had ruffled his red hair, sending several locks to rest on his forehead. Those blue-green eyes had dazzled her as a young girl, and they continued to do so.
“Faith, if you don’t get that kettle of water and pour it over the dishes, it’s going to boil away.”
Faith jumped and grabbed for a towel to lift the steaming kettle. “Thanks, Aunt Ruby. Guess my mind was elsewhere.”
Her aunt grinned, her gray head shaking. “I wouldn’t be surprised at all if those thoughts included one Tom Whiteman.”
Heat filled Faith’s cheeks. “Am I that obvious?”
“Oh, yes, but I can’t say that I blame you. He’s a fine young man. I’ve watched you two since you were young’uns, and I’ve seen the way you look at him lately.”
Faith swished soap in the hot water to make a few suds. “I can’t help it, but I’m afraid Angela Booker has captured his attention now. He talks about her a lot.” Well, that wasn’t exactly true, but if he said anything about Angela, it was too much.
“I see.” Ruby pursed her lips and peered at Faith. “She’s new and shiny like a toy at Christmas, but when it’s all over, it’s the favorite ones the children come back to and play with.”
A toy? Did she want to be an old toy? She sighed and dunked more plates into the water. “I guess an old favorite is better than new and shiny,” she said wryly.
“Now, my dear, you have to have faith like your name. If it’s to be with Tom, it will be. God will see to it.”
“I know, but it sure is hard to sit back and wait. Sometimes God can be just too slow.” Faith shook her head and plunged her hands back into the hot water to wash the last of the dishes.
CHAPTER 6
AFTER MR. BLAKE made his announcement about the female reporter on Monday morning, the news spread quickly, especially since he told his wife, a noted busybody who spread the news through the recently installed telephone exchange. As he went about his business that afternoon, Tom found himself answering a dozen or more questions about the change.
When Tom sat down to dinner that evening, he had expected even more inquiries from his parents and sisters about the new reporter. However, after his father returned thanks, his siblings appeared more interested in the food than the latest happenings in town.
After dinner that night Tom sat with Clara and their parents in the living room. Clara waited for Theodore to come by for an evening stroll since the weather was still mild.
He glanced now at his sister. She wore the silly grin from Saturday’s big announcement of her engagement to Theodore Gladstone. At least he understood why she wouldn’t be interested in the new reporter. Clara’s only thoughts at the moment were on planning a wedding, not a newspaper.
Finally he could stand it no longer and cleared his throat. “Hmm, I say, what did you think of Mr. Blake’s announcement today?”
His mother looked up from her sewing. “I think it’s wonderful. If we didn’t have to keep our telephone free for calls to your father, I’d have been on it talking to neighbors. As it is, I went into town to Hempstead’s, and everyone had something to say.”
Pa closed his book and peered over the rim of his glasses. “What do you think about hiring a female reporter?”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine, although I don’t know what interest a woman might have in reporting news. The wire service is more important. It’s going to be a great asset to our town. We’ll get the news much more quickly. It’ll make my job a lot easier as well. Maybe now I won’t have to do quite as much traveling.”
Christmas at Stoney Creek Page 4
