The House at Rose Creek

by Proctor, Jenny

  A soft summer breeze lifted Kate’s hair from her temples, blowing it across her cheek and into her eyes. She pushed it away, tucking it behind her ear. Andrew looked up at her and smiled his crooked half smile.

  “Besides,” she said. “It’s hot in Raleigh.”

  “Miserably hot,” Andrew agreed. They looked at each other, and that wordless communication that mystified Kate so fully passed between them.

  In an instant, he was close, pulling her into an embrace, holding her face with his hands. Suddenly, the emotional strain of the past few days, topped with the intensity of the moment with Andrew, caught up with Kate. Tears spilled onto her cheeks and his as they kissed.

  “Kate, are you all right?” Andrew asked. “What’s wrong?”

  She smiled and wiped the tears away, shaking her head. “I don’t know. I guess it’s just been a long couple of days. I mean, yesterday morning I was in my office working, thinking I might not ever come back to Rose Creek at all. And now, here I am, not forty-eight hours later, back in Rose Creek permanently, with you, with the house saved . . . I guess it’s just a bit overwhelming.”

  “So you’re here for good? You’re not going back to Atlanta?”

  “Only to pack up and move,” she said, smiling. “I’m glad the house was saved, but even if things hadn’t worked out, I’d still be moving back. I need to be with my family. This is home. This is where I want to be.”

  “This is where I want you to be too,” he said. “What happened, Kate? Why did you come back?”

  “I wasn’t happy the entire time I was in Atlanta,” she said. “I was trying to be, but everything felt so empty. My heart was still here in Rose Creek, with you and my family. But I was so scared and angry and hurt by Leslie’s comments; I think my pride wouldn’t let me consider the possibility that I’d made another mistake by leaving again. But then I spoke with Linny, and she was so disappointed in me, and then you came and left. Seeing you walk away like that, I was a little surprised by the intensity of my reaction. I yelled at Steve for being a jerk, and then Blanton told me my work was terrible, and . . . I don’t know. I was pretty low. But it was good to hit rock bottom. It was there that I realized I couldn’t give up on what was most important. It was time to stop running and hiding from what’s hard.”

  They stood side by side against the car. Kate leaned her head on Andrew’s shoulder and watched the fireflies rise from the grassy hillside beside the parking lot. Fireflies were one of her favorite parts of summer. As a child, she and Leslie would stay up late on summer evenings to chase them all over the yard and capture them in canning jars with air holes punched in the lid. They would keep them in their rooms late into the night and watch their mysterious little bodies light up. Uncle Grey always told them it’s how they talked to each other, how the males would find the females. The flickering lights were simply the fireflies’ form of elaborate courtship. Eventually, one of the girls would feel guilty about keeping the little bugs separated from their potential soul mates and would run to the window, slide open the heavy sash, and send the fireflies dancing back into the night. The memory made her suddenly grateful that she was in Rose Creek. There weren’t any fireflies in the city.

  “Can I ask you something?” Andrew asked.

  “Sure.”

  “You mentioned your religion—that your aunt is afraid it might divide your family. Is it your religion, then?”

  Kate lifted her head and looked at Andrew. She’d never been so sure of anything in her life. “I tried not to think about it while I was gone. I was afraid to, you know? But then, when I felt so low yesterday, I decided if there was ever a time I ought to give praying a try, this was it.” She shrugged her shoulders. “So I did.” She smiled again when she saw Andrew’s response. He was elated.

  “That’s really wonderful,” he said. “I’m so happy for you.”

  “Andrew, I wanted to ask you if you would do the baptism. It can be you, can’t it? It doesn’t have to be the missionaries?”

  Andrew was visibly touched by her request. “I would be honored to do that for you,” he said. “Thank you for letting me be a part of it.”

  He kissed her again and said good-bye, promising to call her in the morning.

  As Kate drove home to the farmhouse—her farmhouse—she knew everything was going to be different.

  When she arrived home, she sat down at the kitchen table and soaked in the peace and stillness of her home. It was a relief, she reflected, not to have the fear of losing the house looming over her. But better still was the peace she felt on the inside. Though she was just as much alone in the house as she had been the month before, it didn’t feel the same. She was alone, yes—but not lonely. Her heart, which was once empty, was now brim full.

  Chapter 35

  A week later, after church, Kate worked to prepare dinner for all of her family. They were coming at Kate’s invitation to celebrate the farmhouse’s victory. Even Leslie was coming with the children, mostly to appease Linny, who hadn’t veiled her threats in the slightest. Whatever Leslie’s reason for being there, Kate was glad they would all be together. Though it made her nervous thinking about it, she planned to tell her family about her decision to be baptized. She’d hesitated at first, wondering if it would be better to wait instead of sullying the happy mood of their celebration with an announcement she was sure would leave her family in shock. But they were all together so infrequently she didn’t want to miss the opportunity to let them know how she felt. At least she would have Andrew there for support.

  Kate opened the oven and checked on the pot roast. It was nearly perfect, cooked just as Mary had taught her. The potatoes were boiling, the green beans cooking on the back of the stove, and the rolls rising. For the time being, there was nothing to do in the kitchen but wait.

  “I couldn’t have done what you did.”

  Kate jumped, startled by the voice in the doorway. She turned and saw Leslie standing there with her arms crossed.

  “I couldn’t have done it,” she said again. “I wouldn’t have known what to say about the house; I wouldn’t have been able to stay so calm. Not like you did.”

  “I didn’t realize you were at the meeting,” Kate said, wiping her hands on her apron.

  “I stayed in the back,” Leslie said.

  “Oh.”

  “I’ve got to bring the children inside.” Leslie turned and went out to her van.

  Kate moved to the kitchen table and sat down. It was the closest thing to an apology she could expect, and it was enough. In time, Kate was certain that all would be well between her cousin and her. She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer of gratitude. Andrew arrived just minutes after Leslie and the children came inside. Sam and Teresa were next, with Kenzie asleep in Teresa’s arms.

  “Does that child ever do anything but sleep?” Kate asked as she greeted them at the door. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen her awake!”

  “It’s the long drive on the mountain roads,” Teresa responded. “Knocks her out every time.”

  Teresa settled the sleeping toddler on the couch in the family room then stood to greet Andrew, who was talking to Sam. The two men had met briefly at the county commissioners meeting the Thursday before, but it was Teresa’s first time meeting him.

  “It’s nice to finally meet you,” she said. “Thanks for all of your help with the house. It would have been sad to see anything happen to this place.”

  “The pleasure was all mine,” Andrew said. “It’s an amazing house that deserves to be protected.”

  “Yeah, old houses are pretty great,” Sam said. “But it helps when you get to kiss the girl at the end of the night too, right?”

  Andrew blushed as Sam slapped him good-naturedly on the back. He glanced at Kate, who was kneeling by the stairs in deep conversation with little Emily. “It certainly doesn’t hurt,” he said.

  Linny blustered into the house and headed straight for the kitchen. There, she placed a large chocolate layer cake
ceremoniously on the counter. Kate followed her in.

  “Linny, you made your chocolate cake,” she said excitedly. Andrew appeared in the doorway behind her. “Andrew, you will never eat a chocolate cake better than this one.”

  “Oh, now hush. It’s not anything special,” Linny said. “I just thought with us being together, the occasion warranted an extra bit of chocolate. Andrew,” she continued, “can you help Sam get Charles in the house? He doesn’t get around much these days and will need help from the car.”

  “Sure thing,” Andrew said.

  Kate hoped Charles would be polite, especially to Andrew. She watched as the three men slowly climbed the porch stairs and made their way into the family room. When Charles was settled into the large leather chair by the window, having greeted each of the children, he turned back to Andrew.

  “You’re the Mormon?”

  Andrew barely flinched, taking the question in stride. Kate had a harder time hiding her embarrassment.

  “Yes, sir, I am,” he answered, extending his hand in greeting. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “I’m not sure how I feel about Mormons.” Charles sat motionless, hands still in his lap. Andrew dropped his hand, sliding both of his into his own pockets.

  “Well, I guess that’s all right. I’m not really sure how I feel about you yet either. Are you a baseball fan?”

  Charles looked at him, face still gruff. “I like baseball. You a Yankees fan?”

  Andrew shook his head and cringed. “Atlanta Braves all the way.”

  “Hey,” Charles said, smiling. “That’s good. I hate the stinkin’ Yankees.”

  Kate watched in amazement as the two men sat on the couch and started rattling off every possible statistic regarding the Braves’ previous season, as well as any and all predictions regarding the upcoming year.

  “Charles, you’re not being mean, are you?” Linny called from the kitchen.

  “Only to the Mormon,” Charles called back, laughing quietly at his own joke. “Hey, Linny, this here Mormon is a Braves fan. How ’bout that?”

  Kate shrugged her shoulders in Andrew’s direction then went to the kitchen to finish dinner.

  Bryan arrived just a few minutes later, surprising everyone by bringing a woman with him. “Everyone,” he said, entering the family room. “I’d like you to meet my fiancée, Susanna.”

  “Fiancée?” Leslie reached them first, hugging her brother tightly. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

  “I like surprises,” Bryan said. He smiled broadly as the family gathered around, showering the two of them with warm greetings and well wishes. Susanna seemed a perfect extension of Bryan’s rugged, outdoor appearance. She wore khaki cargo pants and Tevas, hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. Kate thought she’d probably never worn a stitch of make-up, though she was still very pretty. Pretty and perfectly suited to Kate’s carefree, adventure-loving cousin.

  “Looks like today is a day for announcements,” Andrew said to Kate, sliding his arm around her waist.

  She took a deep breath. “Yeah, I guess so.”

  Bryan was the only member of Kate’s family who Andrew hadn’t yet met. After the introductions, Kate invited everyone into the dining room.

  “Everything looks lovely, Kate,” Teresa said. “You didn’t have to go to all this trouble.”

  “Oh, it was no trouble at all,” Kate insisted. “I’m glad you could all come.”

  When everyone was seated, Kate remained standing behind her chair. Andrew gave her a brief nod of encouragement.

  “So,” Kate began, “first of all, congratulations to Bryan and Susanna. I’m so happy for you both.” She smiled at the new couple. “In the spirit of making big announcements,” she continued, “I guess you’ve all probably guessed that I am moving back to Rose Creek permanently.” She glanced at Leslie, studying her face for a reaction, but was unable to discern a lot.

  “And,” Kate continued, pushing forward before her courage failed her. “I’ve decided to join the LDS Church. I’ve decided to be baptized—next Sunday, actually, if you would all like to come,” she added.

  Kate looked around the table. Her family members were silent.

  It was Charles who spoke first. “Baptized? You mean you’re goin’ to be a Mormon?”

  “Yes, Charles, of course that’s what she means,” Linny hissed.

  “Um, well, that’s great news about you moving back,” Sam said, apparently choosing to ignore the second part of Kate’s announcement. “So you’ll live here in the house?”

  Kate nodded. “I fought so hard to keep it. It just doesn’t feel right not to stay.” She looked at Leslie again, this time forcing eye contact.

  Leslie shrugged her shoulders as if to say, “It’s your life . . . not mine,” and looked away, finding some reason to tend to her children.

  “What do you want to be Mormon for?” Charles asked. It was a question she was sure they all felt like asking. Kate was actually grateful for Charles’s willingness to just spit it out.

  Kate looked at Andrew, relying on his emotional support, and said simply, “I believe it’s true.”

  Bryan looked at Andrew. “I guess you have something to do with this?”

  “Kate and I have talked about it a great deal, and I’ve tried to answer her questions as best I can, but her decisions have been made independently,” Andrew answered.

  “Yeah. I’m sure,” Bryan said sarcastically. “Worked out nice for you though, didn’t it?”

  “Bryan, it wasn’t like that,” Kate said. “I didn’t even know Andrew was Mormon the first time I met with the missionaries. I’m not doing this for him. This is for me. It’s because I want this.” Kate looked around the table at her family and dropped down into her chair. “Why does it matter anyway? It’s not as if we’ve all been a hugely religious bunch as it is. It isn’t going to change anything.” Kate was growing frustrated with her families’ lack of response.

  “It’s just a lot of change, dear,” Linny said. “First you’re home, then you disappear and are gone again. Now you’ve come back, you’ve quit your job . . . It’s only natural for us to be a little . . . cautious in accepting your new religion.”

  “I’ve been doing some research, Kate,” Leslie finally spoke up. “I’ve read all sorts of things online. I don’t think you have any idea what you’re getting into. Secret temples, plural marriage—it’s weird stuff. You need to see this stuff I’ve read.”

  Andrew found Kate’s hand under the table and held it tightly.

  Sam finally spoke. “You’re an adult, Kate. You’re obviously capable of making your own decisions. But we just want you to know we don’t think this is a good idea.”

  Kate shook her head. “Wait, we? Who’s we? You’re speaking for everyone, Sam? Have you all talked about this?”

  “We’re concerned about you, Katie,” Linny said. “Of course we’ve talked about it.”

  “Mormons don’t have the best reputation,” Bryan said, reaching for the serving spoon of the mashed potatoes. “Can I go ahead and eat? I’m starving.”

  Kate rolled her eyes. “This is so ridiculous,” she said under her breath. The conversation died as everyone passed the food around the table. Kate couldn’t believe her family had actually talked about her interest in the Mormon Church behind her back. How many times had Leslie called Linny, she wondered? How many times had she called to read one more story off the Internet, one more accusatory, condemning paragraph?

  “We’re not judging you,” Sam finally said. “We just want you to open your eyes and see beyond the here and now of Andrew and what you think is the best choice. Will you just read some of the things we’ve found? It really is quite disturbing.”

  Kate slammed her fork onto the table. “Is this really what you’ve all spent your time doing? Researching reasons for me not to join a certain church? Who asked you to do such a thing? And how do you even know these things you are reading are true? Sam, if you needed open heart surgery, would you go
see a podiatrist? Of course not! So why, when you’re looking for information about the Mormons, would you go anywhere but to a Mormon? You have questions? Ask them. Right here and now when there’s someone willing to answer—someone who will tell you the truth instead of some trumped-up website trying to lead people astray.” Kate sat back in her chair, annoyed with herself for getting angry and irritated at the subversive attack from her family members. She knew Leslie and Linny were leery of the Mormons from her previous conversations with them. But she had not expected anything beyond indifference from Sam and Bryan. She was shocked at how readily they’d jumped on the criticism bandwagon. Kate toyed with her food, suddenly unable to eat, wishing instead to leave the table all together.

  “My best friend in high school was Mormon.”

  Kate looked up at Susanna, who had been sitting quietly next to Bryan. She had been silent through the entire religious exchange. But now she spoke, offering Kate a shy smile. “My best friend was Mormon,” she repeated. “And there was never anything weird or unusual or disturbing about her. She’s the nicest person I’ve ever known.”

  Kate immediately loved this girl—this courageous, kind person whose words were like the balm of Gilead. The rest of the family looked awkwardly at each other, suddenly aware of their judgments and criticisms.

  “I’ve got some news, if it’s all right for me to change the subject,” Teresa said, tentatively looking at the others surrounding the table. When no one objected, she said, “Sam and I are having another baby.”

  “I knew it,” Linny shouted. “Didn’t I tell you that, Kate? I told you I thought they were having another one!”