Love Blooms in Winter

by Lori Copeland

  Thirty

  Lil approached, wiping her nose with a less-than-clean handkerchief. Apparently, even the tough hog farmer couldn’t bear the sight. Mae stood up and hugged her friend. “Oh, Lil. There’s nothing left!”

  “Don’t have a come apart.” Lil stiffened, stepping back and squaring her shoulders. “We can rebuild. Weren’t no one hurt, so we should be praising instead of grumbling. Accidents happen in a world where everything’s changing faster than a cricket’s yodel.”

  Nodding, Mae understood the reasoning. Not so many years ago Dwadlo was nothing but a spot in the road. The town would rebuild—had to rebuild. Homesteaders depended on the community for supplies and mail service. Her eyes scanned the steaming wreckage. Poor Joanne. Her herring now decorated snow drifts and more wreckage than anyone wanted to look at.

  Mae looked again down the road into town. If Tom had jumped clear of the train, he’d have had plenty of time to walk back by now. He wouldn’t give up until the last moment. But more than an hour had passed since the train derailed, and there was still no sign of him or Fisk. Lil seemed to read her mind.

  “He jumped, Mae. Wouldn’t you?”

  “Yes, but I’m not that dedicated to my work.”

  “No one’s that dedicated.” Lil put her hands on her hips. “He jumped, I’m tellin’ ya. So did Fisk. They had to.”

  Nodding, Mae stiffened. “We should ride down the road, Lil. It’s possible they are out there lying in a snowbank and freezing to death. Maybe he broke a leg when he jumped. Same with Fisk.” She struggled to stand upright. “Have Esau lift me onto his back—”

  But the words had no sooner left her mouth when she saw them. Four men striding toward town, three of them with ripped and dirty jackets and one without a coat. Suddenly her ankle didn’t hurt at all. With a cry of relief, she took off running toward them. Fisk had a missing boot, and Tom’s hair stuck out in all directions. When she lunged at him he caught her in his arms and hugged her so tightly the air left her lungs. Cold lips searched and found each other, and instant warmth flared between them. Mae couldn’t get enough of Tom Curtis or the thrill that shot through her when he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss. Thank You, God! Tom was alive and well! The thought made the day’s horrific events seem petty.

  When lack of breath finally made them come up for air, Mae stroked his wind-chapped cheek. “It’s…it’s good to see you, Mr. Curtis.”

  “Same goes for you, Miss Wilkey. I’ve been worried half out of my mind about you. I wasn’t sure you’d made it to safety.”

  “We all did. Everyone is accounted for. No lives were lost.”

  Tom eased her to the ground, his gaze on the devastation, and he groaned. “We lost the town, not to mention another locomotive.”

  She pressed her fingers against his lips. “But you’re alive. That’s all that matters.” No longer would she hide her true feelings for the man who still held her.

  “I hope the railroad sees it that way.” Arm in arm, the two started for the rubble after Fisk, the engineer, and fireman.

  Lil approached riding Esau. She met the blacksmith’s defiant glare. “What happened to you? You look like you’ve been hit by a train.”

  “Ha-ha. My sides are splittin’ with laughter,” he growled.

  “Suppose I cain’t offer you a ride?”

  His gaze traveled the animal and then rested on a pair of scuffed red boots. “How would I git up there?”

  “If’n you’re asking to climb aboard, I’ll get you up here.”

  He kept his eyes fixed on the road. “Don’t need your help.”

  “Good enough. How far have you walked?”

  His pace slowed and he appeared to rethink the offer. He glanced at his frozen sock and then up at her. “How do I get aboard?”

  A shout went up when Esau’s long trunk encompassed Fisk’s waist and swung the man up onto his back. Mae burst out laughing at the look of fear that crossed the blacksmith’s face. Terror softened into a slow grin.

  When Esau let go of Fisk, he wrapped his arms around Lil. Mae glanced at Tom. “I don’t believe it.”

  “Neither do I.” He laughed and kissed Mae on the cheek. “We have work to do.”

  With his arm around her to give her sore ankle some support, they walked beside the elephant and listened to Fisk and Lil discussing the situation above them.

  “Well now, this ain’t half bad,” Fisk said. “ ’Pears to me like you been trainin’ the animal to snag you a man.”

  Flashing a smug grin, Lil agreed. “ ’Pears that way.”

  Mae bit back her own grin. Maybe blessings came in bunches and love bloomed in winter. Fisk, until now, had refused to ride the animal, but today—well, today was a new beginning not only for her but, God willing, the entire town. Lil glanced down at the fireman and engineer. “How about you two? There’s room for all.”

  The men started backing away, each holding up a protective hand. “Thanks, but no thanks, ma’am,” the engineer said. By then the fireman was well on his way down the road.

  Mae smiled up at Lil. “You two go on. It looks as though you have a full load to me.” After Fisk’s wife passed, Mae had wondered if they would get together. This might be just the push they needed.

  The entourage slowly walked up Main Street, and Mae felt Tom tense at the sight. Folks milled about, searching through the rubble as they tried to salvage any belongings they could find. Tears of sadness for the material losses were shed, but tears of joy mingled with the knowledge that the good Lord had spared every life.

  Tom’s tone was sober. “This is worse than I imagined, but there is good news for these folks, besides the fact that there were no injuries or deaths.”

  “What’s that?”

  “The railroad will pay for everyone to rebuild. Everything will be brand new.”

  Mae thought about what he’d said. They could rebuild bigger houses and more businesses. Life might be changed, but that didn’t necessarily mean it was all bad.

  She continued clinging to him until she spotted Jake standing on the sidelines. Her conscience hurt. He must have seen her passionate reaction to finding Tom. She had embarrassed Jake in front of friends and clients. Squeezing Tom’s hand, she whispered, “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  She caught up with the lawyer as he walked to the large elm they had carved their initials in when they were in grade school. Today the branches were torn and broken, fragile and bare, a mute memorial of their childhood love. Her gaze traced the crooked heart with the initials JM and MW scratched in the wood.

  Sitting down beside him, Mae huddled deep into her cloak, longing for a way to ease his hurt, and for the first time her situation struck home. She, Jeremy, and Pauline were homeless, and Jake was too, and all they shared would be a faded memory. Crushing reality settled over her. “I’m sorry you witnessed that kiss. I was…I was just so relieved to see him.”

  He didn’t look at her but instead fixed his gaze on the falling snow. She couldn’t read his expression, but knew she had caused him great pain. His ways were different than hers, but she still remembered long summer afternoons of sunshine and swimming in the creek. Summer nights when they walked and talked about dreams of a future together.

  “I’ve come to ask your forgiveness, Jake.”

  “For what? Falling in love with another man?”

  “For not being completely honest with you. Do you remember the day we met?”

  He nodded. “I remember. Fourth grade. My family moved here from Charleston. Father survived the war, and he and mother tired of city life and moved to the area. I’m not sure what brought them to Dwadlo or what eventually led them to Pine Grove.”

  “Do you recall that we had the same dreams, the same wants in life?”

  Leaning back against the tree, he faced her. “I do. You wanted six children and a big garden.”

  She smiled, recalling carefree days when nothing happened that a warm hug, a couple of cookies, and a glass of cold milk could
n’t cure. “You wanted to plant potatoes. That was your dream. Planting potatoes.”

  “I couldn’t get enough of them when I was a kid.”

  She took his hand. “I think we’ve both changed.”

  “I agree. I eat all the potatoes I want at the café now. I’ve become a successful lawyer. I’d say that I’ve done quite well for myself.”

  “I’d say that too, but I’d also say that love is a seed, a very delicate seed that needs watering and nurturing. True affection can’t bloom without care. It becomes dormant—or dies. Love blooms most when both parties work to make it a beautiful thing.” She eased the burdensome ring off her finger once again and placed it in his hand. “I’m afraid we make terrible gardeners, Jake. We haven’t cultivated our love. We permitted it to die.”

  He took a deep breath. “Yes, I suppose you’re right. I’ve known it for a long time, but I didn’t want to face the truth.”

  She shifted, bracing against the elements. Where would she sleep tonight? How would she keep Pauline and Jeremy warm? “I don’t know how or when it happened. I didn’t mean to fall in love with Tom. It just happened.”

  “He shares your devotion?”

  She shrugged her shoulders. Their shared kiss was a powerful indication that he didn’t think of her as his sister, but he’d never voiced exactly what he thought of her. Of them as a couple. She could be putting too much credence in one kiss from a man who’d just escaped death. Truthfully, he might have kissed a donkey in relief. Rubbing warmth into her arms, she said, “We haven’t discussed our feelings, but I think he shares an attraction. Perhaps not with the same hope for a future together, but my woman’s intuition tells me that he feels something more than friendship.”

  Nodding, Jake said softly, “He’s in love with you, Mae.”

  “Do you think so?” Her eyes searched his. “Honestly?”

  “I’ve watched a growing attraction for you from the moment I met him. He looks at you as though you’re water to a thirsty man.”

  She reached out and hugged him. “Thank you! I’d like to believe that.”

  “Believe it.” He leaned his head back, closing his eyes. “I’m a man and I know the look well. He looks at you the way I should have. You’re right, Mae. We have changed. We are more like brother and sister. We could never have made each other happy.” He opened his eyes and looked at her. “I’m moving to Philadelphia.”

  “Oh?” His statement came as no big surprise. Jake wasn’t meant for Dwadlo; he was destined for the big city. This town didn’t inspire his mind or stretch his intellect. She still loved him the way she loved Jeremy, but he needed bright lights and elegant culture. Women would flock to this smart, savvy man, and he deserved someone who would appreciate him for who he was. A good man, but not her man.

  “I’ll be leaving in the morning. If Fisk has a chance to round up some of his stock, I’ll purchase a horse from him.”

  Leaning back, Mae rested her eyes. A numbness settled over her bones. “I wish you nothing but happiness, Jake.”

  “Thank you. I wish you the same, Mae. Tom’s a good, solid man.” He looked her in the eye. “I should have ended our relationship long ago.”

  She nodded. “I suppose you’ll open an office in Philly?”

  “Yes. As soon as possible. A new start—that’s what I need.”

  “You’re a fine lawyer.” She noticed that he didn’t ask her about her immediate plans, but then he’d never really cared about what she wanted, and she couldn’t have told him anyway. She had no home, no job. Just a boy and Pauline to feed and clothe.

  She and Jake could talk about their childhood all afternoon, but their adulthood could be summed up in a few short sentences. It hardly seemed fair, but then sometimes life wasn’t fair.

  God never intended it to be.

  Thirty-One

  Dale waded through ankle-deep rubble, shaking his head. When he approached Tom, the man had tears in his eyes. “Everything is gone.”

  Surprised that he was finally speaking directly to him, Tom nevertheless reached out to steady the pastor. “You can rebuild.”

  “I’m not worried about material possessions. It’s the memories, Tom.” Dale’s eyes swept the devastation. “So many memories of my mother, my childhood. Gone.”

  “Memories are stored in the heart,” Tom reminded him. “Nothing can take those away from you.”

  The man nodded, tears openly streaming down his cheeks. “Can you sit a spell? I’d like to tell you something.”

  The invitation was too good to ignore, regardless of circumstances. “Sure.” They found comfortable seats by the store’s broken steps. For a moment they sat in silence before Dale began.

  “I want to thank you, Tom.”

  “Thank me?” A humorless chuckle escaped him. “What on earth do you have to thank me for?”

  “Your goodness.” The pastor’s eyes softened. “I know that doesn’t sound very manly, but the word fits you. You are a good man. I’m aware that I’m a bit eccentric, and I haven’t tried hard enough to get to know you. I’m sure you’ve noticed that I’m basically a shy man. The only time I can find my tongue and express my feelings is in the pulpit. I don’t like my personality, but the good Lord saw fit to make me this way, and I’m not in the habit of doubting His work. Casual conversation comes hard for me, even with people I know well. And I guess my mother spoiled me rotten….or so I’ve heard.” He lifted his head and offered an apologetic smile. “I became accustomed to the pampering, but I want you to know that I’m deeply indebted to you for the personal risk you took in trying to save our town.”

  The man sitting beside him, quietly struggling to express himself, touched Tom. Every man had his flaw. And Dale’s could be worse.

  “You have a lot of friends here, Dale. Mae thinks the world of you.”

  “She’s the daughter I’ll never have,” he confessed, wiping away his tears with his hand. Tom reached into his back pocket, pulled out a clean handkerchief, and offered it to him.

  “I appreciate your thanks, but they’re not necessary. I’m sorry your store and home are gone.”

  “I’ll rebuild.” He blew his noise loudly. “You?”

  Him? Tom didn’t know where he’d go or what he’d do. Life was suddenly a big mess. Since coming to Dwadlo and meeting Mae, nothing was the same. He thought he’d had everything all figured out. Work for the railroad until he couldn’t board a train anymore.

  Maybe God had a different thought.

  He reached over and slapped Dale on the back. “What say you and me help these folks get settled for the night?”

  Nodding, Dale reached to shake his hand. “I appreciate…and love you.” He paused to wipe his nose. “It’s okay for a man to tell another man that he loves him, isn’t it?”

  “It’s okay for this man.” Smiling, Tom firmly shook his hand. “You’re a good man, Dale. Don’t let yourself ever tell you any different.”

  Returning to the accident site, Mae spotted Tom among a crew of men clearing timber from the railroad station. She supposed they would rebuild the platform first so that once new rail was down the train could arrive with supplies. There would be a massive town rebuilding project, but she was confident the residents of Dwadlo were up for the challenge, and with the grace of God they would succeed.

  Straightening, Tom waved her over with a big grin on his face. She carefully picked her way through the rubble to reach him.

  “Look!” He bent and lifted a wooden crate. “Root beer and not a single broken bottle!”

  Shaking her head, she smiled. “The blessings just keep flowing.” What else could she say?

  “Hey.” He waded through debris to take her arm and move her carefully over the carnage toward the general store. “I have something I want to show you.”

  “More root beer?”

  “Just follow me.” They made their way up, over, and through broken boards and shattered glass. They were clear of the train station now, but rubble stood deep in
the streets. The General Store sign was upside down in the middle of the road. Dale, with a broom in his hand, quietly swept glass from what remained of the porch steps. In the background, the store and post office were in complete rubble. The gut-wrenching sight pierced her heart. Nothing looked familiar. Canned goods littered the ground. A roll of white butcher paper was caught in bare tree limbs. The barrel that had held ice, sarsaparilla, and root beer had been blown into an empty field. “Come on.” He urged her up the store steps and past Dale to where the postal cage once stood. On top of a small wooden box, the telegraph machine sat.

  Her jaw dropped. “Oh, how could that be?”

  “Can you believe it? It doesn’t seem to be damaged—and the line’s still up.” He stepped to the machine to peck out a message, and her mind absorbed the familiar cadence.

  COULDN’T STOP TRAIN STOP LOST ANOTHER LOCOMOTIVE AND CARS STOP NO INJURIES STOP PLAN TO STAY AND HELP REBUILD STOP WILL HAVE THE STATION UP AND RUNNING WITHIN A MONTH STOP SEND TWENTY-FIVE TENTS IMMEDIATELY, PLUS FOOD, CLOTHING, BLANKETS, AND WORKERS MORE ROOT BEER STOP AND A WEDDING CAKE STOP

  Closing her eyes, she experienced an overwhelming sense of gratitude. It warmed her to her toes. No wonder she loved this man. With all the things on his mind, he had the forethought to order Joanne a wedding cake. “That is so kind, Tom, but Joanne doesn’t need a cake. She needed the herring.”

  “She has her fish.” He pointed to what was left of two barrels and the herring that lay everywhere. “Folks can help themselves.”

  The most miserable night of Mae’s life was nearly over. A few folks still had homes and took in as many as they could, but Pauline had refused to be separated from Mae and Jeremy, and so the three of them, Tom, and a pack of dogs and cats huddled around a blazing campfire that drove away the worst of the chill but failed to completely thaw frigid bones. Mae’s twisted ankle no longer bothered her; brutal winter weather was the enemy. The citizens of Dwadlo struggled to survive the overnight temperature, praying for dawn’s light.

  When a weak sun crested the skyline, Mae was thankful they had gathered supplies from the work site. Coffeepots were simmering, and by midmorning the townsfolk had found enough edible food to feed the children. Adults had to wait for the supply train.