Orchard Hill Volume Two

by Kara Lynn Russell

  The girls behaved like angels all the way back to Joseph’s. Hope knew it wouldn’t last, but she’d take it while she could get it, because her head was pounding, she was late for practice again, and she didn’t know what to do about Oliver.

  She’d just quit the team and avoid him, but if she quit, then Abby probably would, too. Her niece was having so much fun that Hope hated to disappoint her.

  Practice was in full swing when they arrived. That night they were just taking turns batting while everyone else fielded the balls. Pastor Isaac pitched to each person until he was satisfied they had the hang of things. Then, he sent that person back to the field and called someone else up to bat.

  Abby was chosen to bat right away, and Hope was sent out into right field—with Jordan and Oliver. Could this evening get any worse? She was stuck between the creepy guy that liked her and the dreamy guy that didn’t.

  Oliver merely acknowledged her with a nod, but Jordan flashed her a big, cheesy grin and said, “Hey there, Hope. I’ve been waiting for you.”

  She said nothing and gave him what she hoped passed for a smile.

  No one was hitting any balls out their way, and after a few minutes, Jordan began to pace back and forth on the grass. “I hate being stuck out here. Nothing ever gets this far. How about we just skip this practice, Hope, and go get something to drink?”

  “No thanks.” She really wished someone would hit a ball out here so Jordan would concentrate on the practice more.

  “What about after practice then?”

  Hope noticed Oliver turn toward them slightly. Was he listening in? “I don’t think so, Jordan. You wouldn’t believe the day I’ve had. I just want to go home and get ready for bed.”

  Jordan responded with a smirk. “Going to bed early, huh?” He looked like he was going to say more, then stopped. Hope followed his gaze and saw Oliver glaring at them. What was his problem?

  “Maybe another time then,” Jordan finally said. “That book club isn’t my thing, but we could do something else, couldn’t we?”

  Hope pretended to consider. “I don’t know. Oh, yes, I’ve got it. I’ve been meaning to take my nieces to see that new kid’s movie. You know, the one with the pink flying ponies. We could do that.”

  She had to stifle a giggle when she saw Jordan’s reaction. He was even more horrified by this suggestion than her last. She really didn’t want to go out with him, but she didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Hope decided the nicest thing she could do was to point out how unsuitable they really were for each other.

  “I need to get some water,” mumbled Jordan as he sprinted off the field. Boy could she make them run today, Hope thought.

  When he was gone, Oliver jogged over to her. “Why did you do that?” he asked, scowling.

  “Do what?” She had no clue what he was mad about now.

  “Let him down so easy when he asked you out. You’re going to have to give him firm ‘no’ or he’s never going to leave you alone.”

  Hope narrowed her eyes at him. “This way he’ll figure out that we have nothing in common. No one gets hurt then.”

  “Believe me, Hope, that guy doesn’t care whether you have anything in common or not. Just tell him ‘no.’”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “Listen, I appreciate you helping me out with the girls, but don’t tell me who I can and can’t date. Or are you just surprised that someone out there actually wants to spend time with me? Not every man finds me as repulsive as you do.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You know what I mean. You do everything you can to avoid me. Today you practically ran out of the house when I hugged you to say ‘thank you.’”

  Oliver opened and closed his mouth several times, but no words came out. She thought he was repulsed by her?

  Isaac called him up to bat, and he didn’t have to explain himself to her. “Just watch yourself around Jordan,” Oliver told her before he ran in. “He’s not a nice guy.”

  ****

  Oliver couldn’t sleep. Insomnia was a problem that rarely bothered him, but tonight his mind just wouldn’t shut off. Every time he closed his eyes he saw Hope’s face, streaked with tears, eyes filled with panic. He’d always seen her as so together, so in control. For the first time, he considered that her life might not be as perfect as it seemed.

  He hadn’t heard about her dating anyone since he’d moved to Orchard Hill. Why was that? Why was a gorgeous, sweet woman like Hope still single? And why were she and her brother taking care of their nieces?

  He wasn’t likely to get answers to any of those questions at this time of night. Oliver sat up and turned on his bedside lamp. He picked up his uncle’s Bible from the nightstand and traced the letters of Gabe’s name embossed on the cover. The gold leaf that had once highlighted them was long gone. He still hadn’t opened it. Part of him wanted to open the book, hoping that Gabe had left some sort of message for him, some sort of sign. But the rest of him dreaded the possibility that there would be nothing, that the book would be as empty of Gabe as this world now was.

  He wasn’t ready, Oliver decided, and tossed the Bible back onto the nightstand. Some folded sheets of paper fell from the book, and he leaned down and picked them up. It was a church bulletin. Oliver opened it, noting the date. He skimmed through the order of service and realized the bulletin was from his confirmation. Gabe had kept this?

  Was this the message he was looking for? If it was, what did it mean? He supposed it meant that his uncle loved him, but he already knew that. Oliver took a closer look at the bulletin. A favorite verse was listed for each student. His was from Ephesians, but he didn’t remember what it said.

  He rose from the bed and rummaged around in his bookcases until he found his own neglected Bible. He looked up the passage, Ephesians 1:18 and 19.

  “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”

  He read the verses several times, then read the preceding verses and the following ones as well. What special meaning had this verse had for him when he was a teen? He didn’t even remember choosing it. Had he just picked a verse randomly? That was something a boy of that age would do.

  Oliver stuck the bulletin into his own Bible, marking the place, and then put the book on top of Gabe’s Bible on the nightstand. This wasn’t getting him anywhere, and sleep still eluded him. He had a group of young tee-ball players to face in the morning, so he better try to get what rest he could. As he finally drifted off, the words of the verse echoed in his head. ‘The eyes of your heart may be enlightened,’ ‘the hope to which you have been called,’ and ‘the riches of his inheritance’ were the last things he thought of.

  ****

  Hope had the odd feeling that she was being watched. She looked around the gathering space of the church where the congregation met for coffee and fellowship after the service. She didn’t see anyone looking her way. Maybe she was imagining things.

  “We haven’t done anything together this summer,” said Sarah, another newcomer to Orchard Hill. Though they’d only known each other since the beginning of the last school year, Hope and Sarah had quickly bonded. They made an odd pair from a visual perspective. Hope was tall and lean with long brown hair and classic features. Sarah’s short stature, generous curves and carelessly styled short red hair was a contrast. But the women shared a love of books, a faith that sustained them, and a passion for helping children—plenty of common ground on which to build a friendship.

  “I know. I’ve been trying to put in some extra time with Dori, Lucy and Belle. But I’m sure we can plan something. What do you want to do?”

  “How about a picnic and swimming? Know any good spots?”

  The crawly sensation of being watched returned. She scanned the room.

  “Is something wrong?” asked Sarah.

  Hope shook hers
elf. “No, I guess I’m just imagining things. You were saying…?”

  Before Sarah could repeat herself, Misty Green elbowed herself between them. “Good morning girls. How are you today?”

  Hope and Sarah responded politely and Misty continued. “Hey, Hope, you aren’t seeing anyone now are you?”

  “Well, no.”

  “Then I have a marvelous idea for you.”

  “You do? What?”

  “You’re on the softball team with Pastor Isaac, aren’t you?”

  Hope shot a puzzled look at Sarah and said, “Yes, I am.”

  Misty put her arm around Hope. “I was thinking in church today that you two would make just the cutest couple. Have you ever thought about him?”

  “About Pastor Isaac?”

  “About dating Pastor Isaac.”

  Hope felt her jaw drop open in shock. She snapped her mouth shut, and then choked out, “No, of course not.”

  Misty winked at her. “Well, maybe you should. He’s quite a catch, you know.”

  “Misty, really, I’m not interested…”

  “Now, don’t say that until you’ve given it some thought.”

  Hope was horrified, but Sarah laughed. “Misty, if you want to play matchmaker, see if you can find someone for me. Hope doesn’t need any help.”

  The older woman studied Sarah thoughtfully. “Hmmm. I’ll see what I can do.”

  A tall man with a fringe of brown hair waved from across the room and began to move toward them.

  Misty’s eyes widened in alarm. “Umm, I’ve got to check on the coffee, see if we need more. If you’ll excuse me…” She slipped away from them and through the crowd.

  Hope let out a sigh of relief. “Of all the embarrassing…”

  “Oh, don’t let her bother you, Hope. She just wants to make people happy.”

  “Then let her make someone else happy. I don’t have time to worry about whether or not I’ve got a date for Saturday night.”

  “With all you have on your plate right now, a Saturday night date may be just what you need,” teased Sarah.

  “Very funny,” Hope responded with uncharacteristic sarcasm.

  Refusing to be daunted, Sarah elbowed her in the side. “It might sweeten your disposition a little.”

  Actually, Hope was known for her sunny disposition. There weren’t many people she allowed to see her “down” side. “Maybe we should find a date for Oliver, then,” she told Sarah. “Now there’s someone whose disposition needs some sweetening.”

  “Has he been giving you a bad time at softball practice again?”

  “Yes. It wasn’t enough to yell at me every time I was a minute late, now he’s started screening my potential dates for me. Not that I need any help to see that Jordan Schmidt doesn’t even make the ‘potential’ list.”

  “Jordan Schmidt asked you out?”

  “Twice. How do you know him?”

  “I went out on a blind date with him a few months ago. I’m sure I told you about it. Maybe you’ve just forgotten because it was the most boring date on the planet. We spent the entire evening discussing him. He didn’t ask me out a second time. I got the feeling I didn’t meet his standards.”

  “If Jordan Schmidt has standards, he certainly keeps them a secret,” Hope replied sourly.

  “My, you are a grump this morning. Who’s got you in this mood?”

  “Men. Two men. Oliver and my brother Joseph.”

  “We’ve already discussed Oliver. What’s up with Joseph?”

  Hope blew out a breath of frustration. “The usual. He won’t let me take more responsibility for the kids.”

  “He seems to be handling everything OK.”

  “Of course, he seems that way. He’s too proud to ever admit he needs help.”

  “It must run in the family.” Sarah laughed again, and Hope reflected that she seemed to be giving her friend an awful lot of amusement this morning.”

  “Enough of this,” Sarah declared. “We can’t solve any of those problems here and now. Let’s get back to planning a picnic.”

  Before the women could set any details, Pansy interrupted them. “Hope, I’ve heard that you’re a pretty good gardener.”

  She shrugged. “I like to garden. I don’t know that I’m especially good at it.”

  “She’s being modest,” Sarah insisted. “She has beautiful flower beds in her yard.”

  “I knew it,” exclaimed Pansy, as if she’d just uncovered some deep, dark secret. “I’d like you to come over and have a look at my hollyhocks, if you don’t mind.”

  “Why? What’s wrong with them?” asked Hope.

  “They’re positively droopy this year. Maybe you can suggest something.”

  “You may have to tie them—”

  “And my delphinium. You should see them. They’re looking so faded this year.”

  “Maybe you should try—”

  “Not to mention the hostas. I really wish you’d come over and look at them. Maybe Tuesday afternoon.”

  “Well, I guess—”

  “Wonderful. I’ll be expecting you at two o’clock.”

  Sarah, not being included in the conversation, had begun to look around. “Isn’t that Misty’s father coming this way? I thought he was only staying for a couple of weeks.”

  “Good gracious, it is,” cried Pansy. “You’ll have to excuse me girls. I need to…to…see if there’s enough coffee.”

  “Misty already checked on that,” Sarah told her.

  “Well, then I’ll just go check it again,” said Pansy and hurried away.

  Sarah shook her head. “Those two sure are acting strange. I wonder what’s up.”

  Shrugging, Hope replied, “Who knows?”

  TITLE

  Orchard Hill: volume Two

  Chapter 4

  On Tuesday Hope went to look at Pansy’s plants, as they’d agreed. Pansy took her all over her yard. The flowers looked fine to Hope, but she gave whatever suggestions she could. They were just finishing up when she saw Oliver striding across the lawn toward them.

  “Hello Mrs. Parker, Hope,” he greeted them, barely looking in her direction. “Here’s the hammer you asked for.”

  Pansy accepted the tool he held out to her. “Thank you, Oliver. You’re such a good neighbor.”

  “It’s no problem, but I don’t understand why you need it. Isn’t your son a carpenter?”

  “Yes, well…he’s been working so much lately that I hate to ask to use his tools. He’s very busy.”

  “OK,” Oliver replied. “I’ll see you…”

  “No, no,” insisted Pansy. “Let me get some lemonade to repay you, Oliver. And you, too, Hope. It’s comforting for an old lady like me to have young people to call on when in need.”

  Oliver was the last person she wanted to sit around sipping lemonade with. “I really should go.”

  “Nonsense. Lemonade and cookies will only take a minute. You two go sit on the patio. I’ll be right back.” Before either of them could protest, Pansy hurried away, into the house.

  Hope looked at Oliver, who was looking away from her. This was going to be one awkward half hour or so. “I’m going to sit,” she said and walked over to the patio. Oliver followed her but still didn’t speak.

  She sank into one of the lawn chairs and was surprised when Oliver did, too. She thought he would have taken the opportunity to bolt for his own place.

  More uncomfortable silence. Where was Pansy with the cookies and lemonade? Was she making them from scratch or something?

  “I guess I owe you an apology, Hope,” said Oliver abruptly, breaking the silence.

  She was stunned. “You…you do? What for?”

  “I didn’t mean to give you the wrong impression the other night. You don’t repulse me.”

  “I just wanted to thank you. I hope you don’t think I was coming on to you or something.”

  “No, I know you wouldn’t do something like that. Besides, you’d hardly need to resort to such extreme measu
res. You must have guys lining up to take you out.”

  Now she was beyond shocked. “Me? You’re kidding, right? You’re just trying to make me feel better.”

  “No, I’m not. I honestly can’t imagine that you’d ever have trouble finding a date.”

  “I suppose I wouldn’t, if I wanted to date guys like Jordan.”

  At the mention of his name, Oliver’s face darkened. “I still think you should tell him to get lost.”