by Linda Ford
A knock sounded on the door as Madge and Sally cleaned the kitchen. Louisa and Mother had moved to the living room to write letters to the cousins and aunts back east.
Madge’s heart clamored up her throat and clung there. Perhaps Judd had come calling.
“Who could that be?” Sally asked.
But Madge rushed to answer the knock, paused to calm her expression, then threw open the door. “Judd,” she whispered. He was Judd. He wore the cowboy hat she remembered, his hair a dark fringe around the crown. He wore the shirt and pants she’d seen him in at their first encounter. And his beard was gone. She stared. Yes, strong chin and jawline, just as she remembered.
Sally had followed. “Justin? You look so different.”
Judd jerked off his hat. “May I come in?”
Sally nudged Madge aside. “Don’t worry about her. She’s just surprised to see you without your beard.” She hissed at Madge, “Stop staring.”
Madge jerked her gaze to the window but in truth saw nothing through it. She felt Judd in every pore. Breathed in a scent of shaving soap and prairie wool. What was he doing here? Why had he come as Judd?
“Sally, your sister seems to have forgotten her manners.” Judd’s voice rang with amusement.
Madge tried to pull herself together. It didn’t do for him to see how much he surprised her. Practically tipped her off her feet, in fact.
“Invite me in. I’ll explain everything to the whole family.”
“Come along. Mother and Louisa are in the front room.” Sally led the way.
Judd hesitated, waiting for Madge. She pulled herself together and followed Sally.
“This ought to be good,” she whispered before they entered the room.
Louisa and Mother glanced up from their letter writing and gasped.
“Why, look at you,” Mother said. “You look so strong and…”
“Tall,” Madge said, suddenly enjoying the discomfort in Judd’s face and the confusion in Louisa’s.
“I have a confession to make.”
“Not only is his beard gone, but his cough and limp are all better, too.”
Judd sent a pleading look in her direction. “You aren’t helping.”
She giggled as joy began to paint her insides sunshine bright. Could this mean what she hoped it did? That he had settled his problems with George without wreaking havoc?
At his demanding nod, she sat down and folded her hands demurely.
“First, I must apologize for leading you to believe I was Justin Bellamy. My real name is—”
Madge couldn’t stop staring at him and at the way he gave her quick, darting glances. She wondered if she made him nervous. The idea provided a great deal of pleasure.
He explained who he was and why he had felt he had to hide his true identity. “I confronted Mr. Gratton tonight.”
Madge jerked forward so hard her neck protested. “You did?”
He nodded. “After much prayer, it seemed the right thing to do.”
Their gazes locked as they exchanged silent messages of acknowledgement. He’d listened to her. Her heart could barely contain her joy.
Mother cleared her throat.
Madge slid her gaze away, knowing her cheeks were as red as they felt. Sally’s giggle confirmed it.
“He said all the right things. How he hadn’t meant to lose Mother’s money and was too ashamed to tell her face-to-face. He said he’d lost his mother’s money, as well.”
“Do you believe him?” Mother asked.
“I don’t know. I’m not prepared to dismiss all my doubts.”
Mother nodded. “Sometimes caution is wise.”
“And what are your plans now, Justin?” Louisa giggled. “Whoops. I mean Judd.”
“I’m not certain. I used to think I wanted to go back to being a cowboy, but it no longer feels right.”
Mother smiled. “I’m sure you’ll find what works for you.” Her smile touched Judd, then angled toward Madge.
Madge lowered her eyes, lest Mother see how much she wanted to be part of his plans for the future.
“Can we offer you tea?” Mother asked, signaling to Sally to prepare it.
“Not today, though I’ll gladly join you another time if I’m welcome.”
“Of course you are. Anytime.” Sally and Louisa murmured agreement.
Judd got to his feet. Madge stared at him. So tall. So handsome. All cowboy.
He faced Mother. “I’d like to take Madge for a drive, if that’s okay with you.”
“Why, it’s just fine with me.”
“Madge?” Judd reached for her hand.
She put her fingers in his firm palm and let him lead her from the room, wondering if her feet actually touched the floor.
He settled her in his car and drove from the yard.
“Where are we going?” She asked the question only in the hope he might believe she was thinking straight. In reality she didn’t care where they went.
“To the Cotton place. There’s something I want to show you.”
“What?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
She turned to look out the side window, hiding her smile from him as memories of previous visits to the Cotton place danced through her mind. She had high hopes this visit would be even better.
A few moments later they stopped in front of the house. Judd raced around and opened the door for her, took her hand, pulled it around his elbow and pressed it to his forearm.
A thrill of expectation rippled through Madge. She longed to turn immediately into his embrace, but Judd had something else in mind and led her toward the house. “I’m so pleased to hear you resolved things with George.”
Judd squeezed her fingers. “At first I only wanted to please you so you would spend time with me. But then I really felt I had to trust God. I intend to keep an eye on George.” He chuckled. “It’s not like God needs my help. Maybe I’m still learning exactly what trust means.”
“Oh. I haven’t told you how God answered my prayer.” They reached the house, but rather than go inside, they sat on the step, much as they had done not very long ago. She gladly snuggled close to his chest, reveling in his nearness. “Something you said gave me an idea.”
“I don’t recall saying anything profound.”
“I guess it just comes naturally for you.” She giggled and nuzzled her cheek against his shoulder.
He squeezed her tight. “Maybe you are too easily impressed. Exactly what did I say?”
“You asked what the banker would want with another house he couldn’t sell or rent.”
“I did? Must have slipped out unnoticed. If I remember correctly, I was somewhat distracted by a certain pretty miss.”
She sat up, breaking from his arms, and pretended shock and hurt. “You’ve been seeing someone else?”
He blinked, startled by her question, then he grabbed her in mock fierceness. “I have eyes for no one but you.” He sobered as he looked deep into her soul.
She grew still. Searched his gaze, and found love and belonging in his heart. With a sigh that came from the depths of her being, she leaned toward him.
His eyes darkened to midnight, and he caught her mouth in a gentle kiss.
Several intense heartbeats later she snuggled against his chest. “I was about to tell you how God answered my problem before you interrupted me.”
His chuckle rumbled below her ear. “Some delays are worth it.”
“Umm.” For a moment she didn’t speak, so content she was loath to move.
“About the mortgage?” he prompted.
“Oh. Yes.” She sat up and faced him so she could keep her thoughts in order, though at the look in his eyes and the way his gaze kept dropping to her mouth, her mind seemed full of peanut butter.
“The mortgage?”
“I told you George had offered me a car in exchange for the work I did. Even though I had no idea what sort of car it would be, I hoped it would prove a bargaining chip with the ban
ker. I wanted to offer him a trade for two or three months’ payments.”
Judd nodded. “Good idea.”
“You should have seen the car.” She laughed, then described it. “Banker Johnson saw me drive up and was already drooling by the time I got to his office. I explained I didn’t have enough money for the whole payment. He kept looking outside to the car. When I casually suggested I might be able to trade something, he almost jumped from his chair.” She savored the feeling of victory for another moment. “In the end I walked out with the mortgage in my hand—free and clear—and he got the car he drooled over.” She shivered playfully. “Isn’t that great news?”
He pulled her to his chest and held her so close they breathed as one. “It’s the best news.”
She wondered at the way his voice caught, then forgot everything but the sweetness of his embrace.
With a deep sigh he eased her back. “Come inside. I want to show you something.” He pulled her to her feet and kept his arm about her as they went into the kitchen.
He’d tidied since she’d been here last. Dust no longer layered every surface. The table gleamed, and the floor—she gasped. “It’s clean enough to eat on.”
“I pulled up the old linoleum and found a very nice wooden floor beneath. You like it?”
“It’s beautiful. But why are you going to all this work on someone else’s house?”
He led her to the table and held a chair for her. She sat, though she wondered at his delay. What did he have to show her that required she sit? Tension trickled across her shoulders.
“Look at the paper.”
She pulled the newspaper toward her. A page of notices and advertisements. Nothing to hint at the cause of Judd’s barely concealed excitement. “Exactly what am I supposed to notice?”
He tapped one ad. “Read it.”
She read aloud: “‘Property to be sold for back taxes. Farm with house and barn. Excellent property. Taxes to be paid by cash or service to the municipality. For more information or to take possession please contact…’” She glanced at Judd. “I don’t understand. Notices like this appear all the time.”
“Not like this. Finish reading the ad.”
“‘Property formerly owned by Jacob Cotton.’ It’s this place.”
“Yes. I’m getting it.” He pulled her to her feet. They stood in each other’s arms, yet with inches between them. He searched her face as if desperate for her reaction.
“You’ll be living here? So close?” Her joy began as a tiny bud and blossomed to a full-blown wildflower. She knew her feeling was evident in her eyes. She didn’t know how to keep it under control and buried her face into his shirtfront to hide it.
His arms tightened around her. “I hoped you’d like the idea.”
She did. Oh, how she did. To have him so close she had only to run across the fields to visit him. He could do the same to see her. They’d be able to attend church together, go on outings.
He eased back to look in her face. “Madge, I love you. I want to marry you and share my life and this place with you.”
Her joy caught in her throat. Tears stung her eyes.
Judd’s expression grew uncertain. “Surely you guessed how I feel. Shoot. I should have waited.”
She found her voice. “No need to wait. I love you, too.”
“You’ll marry me?”
Reality hit with the suddenness of a clap of thunder, shuddering through her. She pressed her lips tight to stifle a cry. Sniffing back tears, she shook her head. “Judd, how can I? Who will take care of my family?” And what about Louisa? Yet it hurt like mad to refuse him.
His smile turned to stone. “You said the mortgage was paid.”
“But we still have to eat. Pay for gasoline. They count on me to earn the cash.” And what about Louisa? The question again thundered through her head.
He dropped his arms and stepped away.
“Judd.” Her voice protested even as her heart ripped like torn paper. “We’ll be close.”
He strode to the window and stared out, his shoulders heaving as if he’d run ten miles.
Madge pressed her knuckles to her mouth. Had she lost him? Agony like a deep cut filled her. Lord, help him understand.
Slowly he turned. She expected anger, hurt, disappointment. Instead he smiled—a look of such patience and hope she couldn’t believe her eyes.
He crossed the room and held out his arms.
Without hesitation she let him pull her to his chest. She shuddered as she thought how close she’d come to losing him.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have reacted like that.”
She clung to him. How she longed to be able to find such comfort any time she wanted it. But she couldn’t abandon her family. She must explain the turn of affairs to Louisa before she could accept his offer of marriage.
Judd shifted so her cheek lay in the hollow of his shoulder. “I think we’ve both forgotten a very important fact—God is in control. He will provide an answer. It surprises me we should forget when we’ve both experienced His help in just the past few hours. Madge, my sweetheart, I am going to pray and trust God to give us a solution because—” He turned her to search her face.
She thrilled at the warmth of his love, clearly visible in every line and feature.
“Because I don’t want to waste one moment of being together and loving you.”
Hope and trust grew as she met his look. “I, too, will pray.”
“God will provide a way.”
She nodded. Judd’s complete assurance left no room for a shadow of doubt.
He kissed her again and then took her through the house, showing her the things he had done. Besides dusting and cleaning and removing curled and cracked linoleum, he had repaired broken window frames and rehung a sagging screen door.
“Everything looks so good.” She longed for the day she could share it with him as his wife. Although she couldn’t imagine how it would be possible with her family needing her, but she would do as Judd advised—trust God.
How sweet to have him tell her those words. Almost as sweet as hearing, “I love you.”
One day soon—God willing—she’d hear them every morning when she wakened.
Chapter Fifteen
Five days had passed since Judd’s proposal. He’d attended church with them as Judd Kirk. His presence was sweet torture for Madge, as nothing changed to make her feel she could accept his offer of marriage. And how she longed to. Every thought, every breath ached for it. Even as she hung sheets, she thought of the joy she would get hanging sheets of her own.
Judd reminded her to trust and pray. How she laughed at his urging. “Ironic how my words are being quoted back to me.”
He grinned. “Just proves how well I listen. I’ll make you a very good husband. Always ready to heed your advice.”
“If it suits you.” She struggled to keep her voice teasing when she really wanted to wail against the need to wait.
Monday morning arrived and with it, laundry to do. Not needing to make a mortgage payment, she’d cut down on her customers. She still owed George and Grace for the car, and for that she worked two afternoons a week. Even with reduced customers she kept busy. Of course, she stole as much time from her work as possible to run over to the Cotton place.
Sally put some wet sheets through the wringer. “When are you and Judd getting married?”
Thankfully she bent over the washtub so she could keep her face hidden from Sally. Surely if her sister saw her, she would see the longing. Forcing false cheerfulness into her voice, she answered, “I don’t have time.”
Sally grew still. “I never thought marriage to be considered an obligation you had to schedule in.”
Madge hoped her sister would drop the conversation.
Instead Sally shifted to study Madge more closely. Madge kept her head over the tub, even though she had no more need to. Finally she couldn’t bend anymore without ending up sore, and she straightened and made a show of arching her b
ack, pressing her hands to her hips.
Still Sally waited.
“What?” Madge asked.
“Will you ever see me as anything but your little sister, too young to be counted an equal?”
The question caught Madge by surprise, and she stared at Sally. “What are you talking about?”
“You know. And you don’t fool me. You think you have to keep doing this job.” She pointed toward the washtubs. “Even though you found a way to pay off the mortgage, you can’t stop being in charge. You can’t believe I could do this job. You—you—”
Madge gaped. She’d never seen her sister so upset.
Sally planted her hands on her hips and drew in a deep breath. “You think you have to stay here and look after us. As if you can take Father’s place. As if—” Sally began to build up steam again. “As if I couldn’t do my share. Fine.” She spun on her heel. “Forget marriage with a fine man like Judd, and stay home and be a martyr if that’s what you want.” She stomped toward the house and slammed the door after her.
“Sally?” Her little sister had a temper? Who would have guessed it? She turned back to the laundry, then paused and stared at the wringer. Sally thought she could manage? Could she? She’d accused Madge of trying to replace Father. She wanted to deny it, but a sliver of truth caught at her protests and dug in with a vengeance.
She thought of the decision to sell the land and keep the house, the arrangement for a lowered mortgage, even the deal to trade the car for the mortgage. Then there was the sale of the horses and all but a milk cow. Everything had been at her suggestion, with Mother’s approval. Madge groaned. She was guilty of thinking she had taken Father’s place. It gave her a sense of control, as if she could single-handedly keep the depression away from their door. And, too, it made Father feel close. Perhaps she strove for his approval even though he was gone.
Judd had urged her to pray and trust God. She had prayed and thought she trusted. But in this area she felt she must work. She hadn’t even considered the family might not need her as much as she thought they did. But even if they could manage without her, there remained the problem of Louisa. How could she face her sister knowing she had taken Judd away?
