Boxed Set: Deep in the Heart of Texas: Hurricane, Mismatched in Texas, Christmas at the Crossroads

by Janice Thompson

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  On Monday morning Belinda walked the road to town, moving at a snail’s pace. Truth be told, she was in no hurry to see George and Adeline together. Though she tried to quiet her heart on this matter, it would not be still. Seeing them together yesterday still haunted her in some ways, though she did not know what to do about it except leave the matter in God’s hands.

  Why was it that leaving things in God’s hands was such a tall order? Seemed like the right thing was always the hard thing. Trusting the Lord, for instance. Rarely did she find it an easy thing to do.

  Belinda arrived at the store and was stunned to find John Ogilvie already there, talking with Greta. Every day the truth grew clearer, both to Belinda and to Greta, who had stopped trying to pretend she did not notice his advances. In fact, Belinda now thought she saw amazing possibilities of a future with these two. Eventually, anyway.

  “Belinda,” John turned to face her as she walked in the shop. “I slipped away from the butcher shop to tell Greta the news.”

  “News?” Belinda’s hands began to tremble, wondering what he might say. “What news?”

  “There’s been a wedding.” John waggled his brows as he leaned in close to whisper, “In secret.”

  Belinda’s heart quickened and her breath caught in her throat. “Wedding?”

  “Yes, after the service yesterday. I happened to come back to the campground because I lost my pocket watch. When I arrived, I saw Reverend Billingsley performing a ceremony. You will never guess who.”

  At once, tears sprang to her eyes. “No.” She put her hand up. “Do not tell me. I—I—” She ran to the back room, overcome. She couldn’t bear the news. Not today, anyway. Maybe tomorrow. Or the day after that. Or the week after. But certainly not today.

  Greta followed on her heels. “Belinda! Are you all right?”

  “No. Yes. I—I don’t know. But this news will ruin me.”

  “Ruin your reputation, you mean?” Greta looked confused. “I doubt it, Belinda. People see the hand of the Lord at work here. Don’t fret over that.”

  “So you think this is the Lord’s doing?” Belinda looked up with tears in her eyes. “I am surprised to hear that. I thought you, of all people, would understand my plight. Do you not see it? Have I not made it plain?”

  “I’m not sure.” Greta looked more confused than ever. “And I thought you, of all people, would find this delightful news, all things considered.” She took a seat on one of the barrels and stared at Belinda. “I’m perplexed. I mean, I know you were keen on Cassie marrying John, but his heart is not broken over this news, so why should yours be?”

  “W–what?” Belinda dabbed her eyes and looked at her cousin, trying to make sense of everything. “Are we talking about Cassie here?”

  “Why, yes. Who did you think we were...?” Greta clamped a hand over her mouth. “Oh, Belinda! You thought John and I were talking about George and Adeline? You thought they were married?”

  “Y–yes!” Belinda drew in a couple of deep breaths, trying to calm down. Oh, how wrong she had been. How blissfully, gloriously wrong! At once her spirits lifted. She paced the room. “Oh, I feel so foolish. Crying over the wrong wedding.” She stopped to dry her eyes. “Are you telling me, then, that Cassie and Doc Klein have married? Really and truly?”

  “Really and truly.” Greta giggled. “And I have it on good authority they plan to leave later this week for a honeymoon in Dallas.” She leaned in close and whispered, “They spent last night at Stanzas. Isn’t that romantic? And doesn’t it all just sound wonderful?”

  “Yes. Oh, Greta!” Belinda flung her arms around her cousin’s neck. “This is the best news I’ve heard in my entire life.”

  “It is?” Greta hugged her back. “Well, I’m glad you’re happy about it.” She released her hold on Belinda as she gave a little giggle. “To be perfectly honest, it’s the best news I’ve ever had in my life, too. Want to know why?”

  “I think I can guess.” Belinda gazed at her cousin with joy. “But tell me anyway.”

  “John has declared his intentions.” Greta’s eyes filled with tears as she whispered the words. “He has asked to court me, and I have agreed. Mama is all for it, so I am now officially being wooed by a man I care deeply about. Can you believe it?”

  “Oh, I can! I can! And I’m delighted.” Belinda reached to embrace her. “When did this happen, Greta? Tell me everything!”

  “At the camp meeting. He went to Mama personally.” Greta giggled. “I wish you could’ve seen the look on her face.”

  “No doubt she liked the idea.”

  “Very much. Turns out she’s known for some time that John was interested in me. Or hoped, anyway. So she was quite happy for the confirmation.”

  “Oh, this is the happiest news in the world! I want to celebrate, to shout it from the rooftops!” Belinda let out a cry of sheer delight, which John must have taken as a cry of fear because he came running. She impulsively threw her arms around his neck. “Oh, you dear, dear man! I could just kiss you right here and now!”

  He backed away immediately, his eyes wide.

  “I think not.” Greta slipped her arm around John’s waist. “If there’s any kissing to be done, leave it to the two of us, all right?”

  “Oh, of course! I didn’t mean...” Belinda began to giggle. “I’m sorry, John. But Greta just told me...well, you know.”

  “Ah.” He drew Greta close and planted a kiss on her forehead. “I take it you’re fine with our news, then?”

  “Oh, I’m more than fine with it. I’m ecstatic.” She turned to John with a smile. “Isn’t it funny, how God works? You came to me looking for a match, and your perfect match was right here all along.”

  “Interesting how we sometimes miss the obvious,” he said, gazing into Greta’s tear-filled eyes. “But I’m so glad we figured it out. I wouldn’t want to waste another moment.”

  Belinda dropped onto one of the barrels, overcome with relief. “I’m delighted for the two of you.” She paused a moment, deep in thought, and then looked up with a grin. “So, Cassie and Doc Klein are married.”

  Greta nodded. “Indeed. And I daresay she will open that sewing shop in short order. What do you think of that?”

  “I think it’s marvelous.” Belinda giggled. “I do hope she and Corabelle can work something out. Corabelle’s in the family way, you know.”

  “Oh, yes! Everyone in town knows.” Greta laughed. “Your mother is beside herself.”

  “Yes, she’s going to become a grandmother for the first time. It’s all she talks about now.”

  John pulled his pocket watch out and held it up. “I found my watch, by the way, in case you were wondering.” He glanced at it then looked up. “Ladies, I must go. I have a busy day ahead of me at the butcher shop.” He pressed the watch into his pocket and took Greta’s hand in his and kissed the back of it, causing her cheeks to turn bright pink.

  “Come to see me on your lunch break,” Greta whispered. “I’ve brought sandwiches from home.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  As John and Greta made their way to the front of the store, Belinda watched in dazed curiosity. So, those two were in love after all. Oh, what joy that brought to her heart! And how delightful!

  Minutes later, the store filled with happy customers. At one point, Belinda gazed over at her desk, staring at the words Marriage Broker. Perhaps this would be a good time to close up shop, so to speak. To put an end to her matchmaking days. Sure, the mayor still wanted a wife. They’d talked about sending off a letter. But what did the Lord want? She pondered this as she waited on folks right and left.

  Around ten in the morning, Prissy came into the shop, bubbling over with what appeared to be anticipation. She drew near to Greta and Belinda and whispered, “Have you heard the news?”

  “About Cassie and Doc Klein?” Greta said. “Yes, isn’t it wonderful?”

  “Indeed. But that’s not what I’m talk
ing about.” She looked around to make sure no one was listening in. “I meant the news about Adeline Rose.”

  Belinda’s heart flip-flopped. So, it had happened after all. George and Adeline had tied the knot. They had secretly married.

  “Has she decided to leave?” Greta asked, her eyes wide.

  “No, on the contrary,” Prissy said. “She is completely smitten. In love. Beside herself. I could hardly make sense of her words just now, but she is definitely planning to stay. Forever, I mean. And she’s particularly thrilled because her sister has started school. They will have a whole new life here.”

  Belinda began to weep at once, and Prissy reached for her hankie. “Oh, I know! The news is all good today, isn’t it! Overwhelming, in fact. Well, you go ahead and cry those tears, Belinda. Tears of happiness are nothing to be ashamed of. I have it on good authority that Myles Lott shed a few tears himself.”

  “Myles Lott?” Belinda looked up, stunned. “Myles...crying? W–why?” She shook her head, perplexed. “In what way does this affect him?”

  “Why, in every way!” Prissy stared at her, clearly stunned. “He is in love with Adeline and will take on a fatherly role with Catherine. So he is in every way affected.”

  “Wait.” Belinda put both hands up, completely confused. “Are you saying that Myles Lott and Adeline are...”

  “Courting?” Prissy asked. “Well, yes. That’s what I’ve been saying all along. I’m sorry if I didn’t make it clear. I thought you would be thrilled with this news.”

  In that moment, Belinda felt like her heart came dancing out of her chest. She wanted to sing. She wanted to shout. Adeline and Myles Lott were a couple! That meant George was... The minute she thought about George, tears sprang to her eyes.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Belinda.” Prissy clamped a hand over her mouth. “I see the dilemma now. You are concerned about how this will affect your business. Are you worried about what people will think?”

  “No!” She spoke the word triumphantly. “Never again will I worry about what others think, trust me. From this moment on, I focus only on what the Lord thinks. He, alone, matters. The opinions of man—or woman—do not.”

  “Well, I am convinced the Lord is behind these most recent unions,” Greta said with a nod. “It appears as if the pieces to the puzzle are coming together for our little town.”

  “Much like the rhyme in a poem,” Prissy said with a giggle. “Interesting, eh?”

  “Indeed.” Belinda nodded.

  “What did you call it again, Belinda?” Greta asked. “Poetic justice?”

  “Yes. Poetic Justice.” She smiled. “Each gets what he deserves, right or wrong.” She paused, wondering just where that left her. Only time would tell. But one thing was sure and certain. She would see George this afternoon and tell him how she felt. She would cross the Jordan into the Promised Land.

  ***

  “Everything all right today, George?” Charlie Grundy asked.

  “Yes.” George continued to peer through the barbershop window.

  “Looking for something. Or...someone?” Charlie asked.

  “Not exactly.”

  Charlie cleared his throat. “Listen, I heard about Adeline and Myles Lott. That’s rough news, my friend. I’m sorry for your broken heart.”

  “My broken heart?” George turned to him with a broad smile. “Oh, no. My heart is not broken, I assure you. I am the happiest man in Poetry today.”

  “I feel sure there are many other happy men here, as well,” Charlie countered. “But what has motivated such happiness on your end?”

  “I am a man transformed!”

  Charlie nodded, looking at his reflection in the mirror. “Now that I understand.” He turned and looked at George. “But you seem the same as always to me. Externally, anyway.”

  “The work has taken place here.” George laid his hand over his heart. “And trust me, you might not see it on the outside, but the transformation is complete all the same. I am in love, Charlie Grundy. I am head-over-heels-could-write-a-poem-about-her-wish-I-could-sing-but-can’t-carry-a-tune-in-a-bucket in love!”

  “Whew!” Charlie looked at him, stunned. “Well, that is something. Do you mind if I ask who the lucky girl is?”

  “The same one I’ve loved for years.” George nodded at Charlie and then went back to the window, staring out onto the street. In that moment, he noticed something rather odd. The Reverend and Marta Schuller stood in the center of the street, talking with Cassie. Ah, they must be discussing last night’s wedding ceremony.

  Or something else entirely. Corabelle entered their circle and they all stood in the center of the street in a huddle, whispering together.

  “What’s all that about?” George asked. Something was surely underfoot. He could sense something coming but couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

  Charlie dropped a couple of coins into his palm. “Perfect day,” he said as he headed to the door. “Yep. It’s a pert near perfect day in Poetry.”

  George pondered that last statement. To be sure, Charlie wasn’t exactly a poet. Still, his words had a certain rhythm to them. And the words were dead-on. This was the perfect day in Poetry...the perfect day to tell a certain woman just exactly how he felt.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Just before noon, Belinda found herself overwhelmed with customers at Poetic Notions. With so many women in town, the workload was higher than ever, for with women came the need for things like bolts of fabric, canned goods, cleaning supplies, and so forth. Not that Belinda minded. She would rather fill her days ordering these goods than pipe tobacco and shaving mugs.

  With most of her orders made and the customers taken care of, she stepped out onto the front porch to shake out several of the rag rugs. As she snapped them, the dust pieces floated through the air, catching on the breeze. She glanced across the street at the barbershop, where George was wiping down his front window. At just the right moment, he turned to face her, as well, from his side of the street. Oh, how she wanted to cross the Jordan and run to meet him, especially with the news about Adeline and Myles Lott.

  In that moment, Belinda’s heart quickened. George gave her a shy smile and she returned it, not moving an inch. Though they didn’t speak a word, her heart felt as if it might burst. She longed to run straight into the middle of the street, to cross the great divide, and run directly into his arms.

  She giggled, thinking of how brazen that would be—to declare your love for someone in such a public way. And yet she couldn’t help but think that was exactly what it might take to get the deed done. Otherwise, the two might be destined to spend their days staring at each other from opposite sides of the street.

  Just then a loud banging noise caught Belinda’s attention. It came from the south end of the street. She peered off in the distance, trying to figure out what the noise was, but could not decipher it. The banging grew nearer. And nearer. Before long, it was so loud that Greta came out of the shop to see about it. Aunt Hilde joined her. From across the street, George stopped his work, put down his rag, and stepped into the street, gazing in curiosity.

  Minutes later, folks poured out of Stanzas, all with eyes wide to catch a glimpse of whatever might be happening. Corabelle came out of the hat shop, carrying something in her hand. Something white. Belinda couldn’t be quite sure what it was.

  In that moment, Cassie arrived on the street, panting. “Just in time.”

  “Just in time for what?” Belinda asked.

  “You’ll see. But don’t go back inside, whatever you do.”

  Belinda, now fully engaged, watched as the noise grew nearer. She gasped as she laid eyes on Peter and Sarah Jo, coming down the street with cooking pots and metal spoons in hand. They used the spoons to beat the pots, creating that loud rhythmic banging.

  Belinda gasped as she looked at Sarah Jo, who was done up in the most beautiful white dress she’d ever seen. And Peter was dressed like something from a storybook, in a strange-looking suit and, of all thin
gs, an ascot. His hair, what was left of it, anyway, was immaculately combed. And the smile on his face spoke of mischief.

  Aunt Hilde began to laugh at once. “I don’t believe it. I simply don’t believe it.”

  Belinda watched in awe as Corabelle met Sarah Jo in the middle of the street and pinned on the tiny white hat with its long veil. She gasped as the picture was complete. “Oh, Greta, look. Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?”

  Cassie drew near and whispered, “I made the dress last week. Talk about a short order! What do you think?”

  “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Belinda confessed. “Your work is the best I’ve ever seen.” She gazed at Cassie with new eyes. “And by the way, I understand that congratulations are in order.”

  “They are.” Cassie grinned. “Oh, it’s the best news in the world. And I’m the happiest woman ever!”

  She disappeared into the crowd, likely in search of her new groom.

  By now, people had come from all corners of the town. They lined Main Street. Every shopkeeper. Every hotel guest. Every worker from the outlying areas. The banging of the pots and pans had drawn them all.

  Peter stood in the center of the street, looking quite dapper. He removed his hat and gave a sweeping bow then gestured to his bride-to-be, who gave a silly little curtsy.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” Peter shouted. “Fine friends of Poetry, Texas—we have an announcement to make.”

  A couple of the men from the barbershop let out piercing whistles and the crowd grew silent.

  Peter’s face was lit in a smile. “For some time now, I have claimed that the life of an old bachelor was the life for me, but that is no longer the case.”

  “You’ve been bit, haven’t you, Peter?” one of the older men hollered out.

  “Yes, I’ll be the first to admit it,” Peter said with a grin. “I’ve been bit. And I’ve never been happier in my life.” He drew near to Sarah Jo and took her hand. “I am the happiest man in the world, and I want to share it with the people I love. This woman—Sarah Jo Cummings—has done me the honor of agreeing to marry me.”