Anna Meets Her Match

by Arlene James

Reeves laughed as he stood. Curious and reluctant to let the evening end, she followed suit. She just hoped Tansy didn’t find out that she’d spent this time with Reeves; otherwise, she’d never hear the end of it. Tansy would forever remind her how she’d blown her one chance, however remote, to have her dreams fulfilled. She would never understand that it was as much her own fault as Anna’s. Then again, what did it matter? Her relationship with her grandmother had never been what she’d wanted it to be anyway. It was too late, surely, to do anything about that now.

  It was nearing ten o’clock when Reeves once again pulled into the driveway of his house. A motion detector set off a light that illuminated the drive and walkway out front, all the way to the mailbox on the street, reminding him that he hadn’t checked the mail yet. Having called Chatam House earlier to say good-night to Gilli and been assured by Aunt Mags that all was well on their end, he felt no need to rush. In fact, he felt a great reluctance to let the evening end.

  He had never talked so easily with anyone else or felt so…not comfortable exactly. Some of his thoughts and impulses about Anna were becoming increasingly uncomfortable. Yet, tonight with her he’d felt a certain rightness, a kind of confidence about himself and his personal life that had been missing previously.

  Funny, he’d never had any trouble when it came to business and his career, but when it came to his personal relationships, he’d always been somewhat uncertain. That ought to come as no surprise, considering his parents’ history. He realized now that he couldn’t know what he hadn’t been taught, but God had provided some very valuable lessons of late, and he meant to put them to good use.

  Punching the button overhead, he waited for the garage door to lift, then pulled the sedan inside before hurrying around to hand Anna out on her side.

  “Hang on a minute, will you?” he said by way of excusing himself.

  Leaving Anna standing, he loped out to the curb, where he drew a handful of papers from the dark interior of the mailbox. He glanced over them on his way back up the drive, finding an electric bill among the advertising circulars, along with a letter. Looking at Marissa’s name on the return address, he sighed inwardly, but the old familiar burn of failure did not come.

  He didn’t realize that he’d halted his steps until the motion detector clicked off the decorative lamp affixed to the brick on the corner of the house, leaving only the light from the garage to illuminate the envelope in his hand. This, he told himself with surprising serenity, was his past. Looking up at Anna, the thought occurred to him that there might well stand his future, and suddenly he wanted to run toward it. Her. Them. Yes, them. Him and Anna. Together. If only she didn’t let Tansy get in the way.

  Setting off with long, sure strides, he slid Marissa’s letter and the other mail into his jacket pocket. Anna had been studying the bare, half-empty interior of his garage with probing intensity, as if the trash cans, tools and lawnmower in the corner might tell her what she would find inside the house. As he drew near, she looked around at him.

  He’d kissed her before and had wanted to since then. Something must have warned her, for she drew back a step, asking, “What?”

  “This,” he said. Taking her beautiful face in his hands, he drew her to him even as he stepped closer to her and bent his head.

  He risked everything on that kiss, blending his lips with hers in gentle urgency banked with a need far deeper than he’d realized and a joy he had not even suspected.

  Yes, he thought. Yes. Yes. Yes.

  Oh, but he could be a slow, foolish man! All these years, not to realize who and what he had in her.

  He did a very thorough job with the kiss. When he had made all of it that he could, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to his heart, while it pounded and he got his breath back.

  “Thank You,” he whispered, eyes shut tight.

  “What for?”

  The light had gone off, the timer having run out, so that they stood in the dark now. He chuckled and turned her face up with a hand spread beneath her chin, trying to make out her expression.

  “I wasn’t talking to you.” The whites of her eyes gleamed, widening. He felt the urge to kiss her again but didn’t, knowing that it would not be wise, and he wanted to be wise this time, very, very wise. He loosened his embrace, turning her toward the door in the back wall. “Come on.”

  Turning on lights as they went, they entered the house through a short passageway open on one side to the kitchen, with the laundry room off the other and the master bedroom at the end. He led her there by the hand. Moving swiftly in through one side of the room, they peeked into the spacious master bath and large closets, then went out the other door into another hallway that soon opened onto the large living area of the great room. She admired the free-standing fireplace that separated living and dining spaces, as well as the study that opened off the opposite wall through glass-fronted French doors. Nearly everything had been covered and taped in preparation for painting, giving the place a ghostly, unreal quality.

  He showed her Gilli’s frilly pink gingham room and the nanny’s room, along with two other bedrooms before pulling down the attic stairs and climbing up to poke his upper body through the opening and take a look around. The place looked clean and new. The ceilings had all been replaced, along with the insulation atop them, and everything below had at last been taped, bedded and plastered. Only some sanding and the painting remained to be done. It was as if the honeybees had never invaded.

  They walked around past the dining area, with its gleaming brass chandelier hanging shrouded over the center of the canvas-draped table and on to the formal entry. It was nothing so grand as Chatam House, of course, but the architect had carved out space enough for an exquisite Louis XVI console table, along with a matching bench and framed mirror, which had been the aunties’ wedding gifts to him and Marissa. It was only here, in this forward space, where the ceiling had not had to come down, so the furnishings remained uncovered.

  Anna ran a hand over the marble top of the table, sighing with pleasure. “I’ve always loved old things. Guess it has to do with growing up in an old house.”

  He considered a moment then asked the question now uppermost in his mind. “Think you’d like living in a new house, say, this house?”

  She shot him an uncertain look, folding her cardigan close. “This is a wonderful house,” she answered carefully. “You can’t imagine how far beyond my dinky old apartment it is or you wouldn’t even ask me that.”

  “We both know that’s not what I’m asking.”

  He leaned a hip against the table and pressed his hands to his thighs. Why wasn’t his heart pounding? he wondered. It had pounded like a big brass drum every time he’d broached, however obliquely, the subject of a possible future with Marissa. How could he now feel so calm, after the spectacular failure of his marriage to Marissa and his initial opinion of Anna?

  Anna-Miranda-the-Brat-Burdett.

  The old refrain sang through his head, childish voices chanting. As if she’d heard them, too, her head came up, her gaze meeting his. Wide and troubled, her sky-blue eyes had never seemed so sad. She shook her head.

  “If you’d said anything like that even a couple days ago, I think I’d have jumped over the moon.”

  He didn’t know if that was a good start or a bad one. Draping an arm across her shoulders, he pulled her around to lean beside him. “And now?” She shook her head again, looking away. “It’s not Tansy, is it?” he asked.

  “You tell me.”

  “You can’t think this is about her money.”

  “No, but something’s put this in your head.”

  “You,” he said. “It’s you.

  Sighing, she let him see her worry. “That’s just it, Reeves. I’m not sure I know how to live a normal life. My whole life’s been about fighting Tansy. I don’t know how to do anything else.”

  He tugged her closer. She leaned her head on his shoulder. It was a nice feeling, a good feeling, a right fe
eling.

  “We’ve been living normal lives, Anna, both of us. This is what the world offers. I think it’s time we started living the lives God means for us to have.” He laid his cheek against the top of her head. “Let’s give it some time, see what He has in store for us. The auction is weekend after next. Let’s get through that and see where we are then? Okay.”

  For answer, Anna shifted and slid both of her arms around his waist. They stayed there like that for several long, sweet moments, until at last she whispered, “Why couldn’t Tansy stay out of it?”

  “Just put Tansy out of your mind,” he told her with some exasperation. “Now, about the auction. Parking’s going to be a premium. I could send the aunties’ car for you, but I have the feeling Chester is going to have his hands full. Why don’t I—”

  She pulled back, frowning. “What are you talking about? Why would you send a car? I’m not going to the auction.”

  “Of course, you’re going. How could you not go?”

  “I’m not on the guest list.”

  “That doesn’t matter. I didn’t get an invitation, either, but I’ve already had my tux dry-cleaned because I know that my aunts would never forgive me if I wasn’t there.”

  “That’s different.”

  “No, it isn’t.”

  “You’re family,” she pointed out.

  He couldn’t believe this. Surely she realized how much his aunts adored her. They would definitely want her there. He wanted her there. He had, in fact, intended to take her as his date, but he could see that would not do. Tansy would undoubtedly be in attendance, and that in itself would give Anna enough reason not to accompany him. Folding his arms, he took the only tack available to him.

  “I can’t believe you would intentionally offend my aunts this way.”

  “You know that’s not—”

  “Hypatia in particular will be very hurt. She already thinks you blame her and the other aunts for Tansy’s manipulations.”

  “I never said that.”

  “What else are they to think?” He demanded, throwing up his hands for good measure.

  Looking resigned, she sighed. “If you really believe I should go…”

  “I know it.”

  She made a face. “All right. I’ll put in an appearance, at least.”

  “That would be best,” he told her, somehow managing to keep a straight face and not break out in a relieved grin.

  “But I’ll get there under my own power,” she informed him smartly. Shooting him a resentful glare, she muttered, “Now I have to find something to wear.”

  He almost told her to be sure to wear those classy heels but bit back the words at the last moment.

  “If you’ll excuse me,” she said, acid dripping from every syllable, “I have to go look through my closet now.”

  Hiding a smile, he let her out through the front door and walked with her to her coupe at the curb, where he offered her the briefest of goodbyes. Standing back, he watched her get in and drive away. Only when the red glow of her taillights disappeared from sight did he turn back to the house, grinning widely.

  It was a nice house, he thought, looking up at the brick and stone facade, but it would be nicer still with her inside it. He could only pray that, whatever happened next, she would eventually feel the same way.

  The invitation arrived at the print shop the first thing Monday morning, hand-delivered by the Chatams’ houseman and driver Chester. With it came a second invitation and an apologetic note from Hypatia, saying that the extra invitation was for Dennis and his wife. Well, Anna thought, that ought to appease her cranky boss a bit. She still wasn’t happy about having to attend the fund-raiser, partly because she’d had to come up with an outfit to wear but mostly because Reeves and Tansy would be there. She could already feel Tansy watching her every move. Every word, every gesture, ever glance would be watched and weighed, especially if Reeves was involved, and he would be.

  She’d spent two sleepless nights thinking about Reeves’s suggestion. She wouldn’t think of it as an almost-proposal. She’d go mad if she allowed herself to imagine, even for a moment, that he might have been sincere. He couldn’t be. He just could not be. She didn’t know how to deal with the possibility that he might.

  More than once, she’d tried to pray about it, but something stopped her. It was as if something blocked her, something at which she didn’t want to look too closely. Perhaps that was because she knew that what was stopping her from taking her problems to God did not come from Him. Something in her got in the way, something she couldn’t bring herself to face even now. Facing Reeves again, while she wasn’t looking forward to it, seemed easier by comparison. Facing Tansy, well, that was just same old same old.

  Surprisingly, Tansy had not shown up on her doorstep over the weekend to complain about her dinner plans going awry, but she would do so. It was just a matter of time. Of much more concern was the echoing silence from the direction of Reeves Leland. A girl could be excused for thinking that a guy who suggested to the point of almost proposing would call, couldn’t she? Even if she had almost turned him down.

  If only he had beat Tansy to the punch, if he’d come to his “understanding” of her before Tansy had tried her heavy hand at matchmaking, if he’d given her any indication that he might actually love her, then she would be the happiest woman in the world. But once again, Tansy had ruined it. Yet, Anna could not prevent herself from hoping and waiting for that phone to ring. When it finally did on Saturday morning, Reeves was not the one she heard.

  “Anna?” Gilli’s piping little voice was unmistakable. “Me and Special miss you.”

  Anna’s heart turned over. “I’m sorry, sweetie.”

  “Ever’one’s too busy to play,” Gilli complained. “They got swings and slides at the park,” she added hopefully.

  Reeves took the phone then. “Sorry to put you on the spot,” he said to Anna, “but it’s a madhouse over here. Gilli’s hoping you’ll meet her in the park, get her out of the way for a while.”

  What could Anna say but, “Of course. I’d be delighted.”

  “Is half an hour too soon?” The poor man sounded desperate. No doubt the Chatam sisters had him running himself ragged with preparations for the fund-raiser.

  “Not at all. In fact, I’m leaving now.”

  Gilli cheered when he related that news to her. Anna grabbed her keys. Not fifteen minutes later, she parked her car near the playground down the hill from the century-old Chautauqua building, where the community supported cultural activities such as plays, chamber music concerts and the occasional ballet performance and art show. Reeves and Gilli had already arrived and were walking across the grass toward the graveled playground, where several other children ran and laughed in the cool spring sunshine. Hailing them, Anna ran down the hill to sweep Gilli into an exuberant hug.

  “What do you want to do first?”

  “Swing!”

  They ran to the swings hand in hand. Anna helped Gilli get situated and started her moving before turning to Reeves. He looked achingly handsome in jeans and a creamy tan pullover. She was prepared to tell him that she’d have Gilli back to the house before her nap time, but instead of heading off toward his car, as she’d expected, he ambled close enough to say, “Thanks for coming. I didn’t think I’d ever get her out from underfoot. Didn’t want to leave her cat. I had to bribe her with you.”

  Anna blinked as he stepped around her and gave Gilli a little shove that had her giggling with glee. “Don’t you have to get back?” Anna asked him.

  “Nope. Not until after lunch. Where were you thinking of eating, by the way?”

  “I wasn’t—” Anna began, only to be interrupted by Gilli yelling, “Pizza!”

  “No pizza,” Reeves said flatly, giving Gilli another shove. She put her head back and laughed as the swing flew a few feet higher. “How about that new deli on the square?” he asked Anna. “I hear they have good sandwiches and salads. Have you been there yet?”
<
br />   “Uh, no, but—”

  “Let’s do that, then.” He turned his attention back to Gilli, saying, “Hold on tight, sugar. This one’s going to touch the sky.”

  He pushed her hard enough to elicit a squeal of delight. When he refused to go any higher, however, she quickly decided that it was time to hit the slides.

  “Come on, Anna,” she cried, racing off as soon as her feet touch the ground.

  Anna glanced at Reeves then followed, and so it went until Reeves declared it time for lunch. Even with her stomach growling, Gilli resisted until Anna promised, “We’ll come back soon.”

  “She’ll remember that, you know,” Reeves warned, taking Anna’s hand, “and if she doesn’t, I will.”

  Anna didn’t know what to say to that, so she merely smiled, her heart swelling. There was some reason why this was not a good idea, but she couldn’t for the life of her remember what it was until they were leaving the deli nearly an hour later and ran into a friend of her grandmother’s. The speculation in that older woman’s eyes told Anna that Tansy would know about this outing before she could even get back home.

  She waited all day, after taking her leave of Reeves and a yawning Gilli, for that knock on her door, but it never came. Bucking up her courage to attend church again the next day, she told herself that Tansy would surely confront her there. Once more, however, she missed her guess. Tansy did walk by after Reeves sat down on the pew beside Anna, but she literally turned her head away without saying a word. Certain this was some new tactic of her grandmother’s, Anna could barely concentrate on the sermon for trying to figure out what her response should be. Noticing her distraction, Reeves asked if she wanted to go somewhere and talk after the service, but Anna feared that was the last thing she should do. She couldn’t think with him standing so close and smiling like that.

  “I—I’m sorry. I can’t.”

  A look of disappointment on his face, he took her hand in his, sweeping his thumb across her knuckles. “You won’t stand me up next weekend, will you, Anna? My aunts want you at that auction, and they’ll be so disappointed if you’re not there.”