Love Finds You in Sunflower, Kansas

by Pamela Tracy

  “She’s not married, and she’s only been back a couple of years.”

  Before Joe could say anything else, his dad came out the door and went to Kyle, giving him a quick hug. “Good to see you. Joe said you two had run into each other.”

  “I’m glad we did, or I might not have gotten up the courage to come to town.”

  Dad nodded. “Lots of things to get straightened out, that’s for sure. You have plans tomorrow morning?”

  “Just helping around the farm.”

  “Think you can stop by the church around nine?”

  “Why?”

  “Missy’s working the lunch shift, but she wants to talk to you, so I suggested an early morning meeting.”

  Kyle nodded. “I’ll be there.”

  Both Joe and his dad watched as Kyle headed for his truck, jumped in, and drove down West Kump Avenue. They watched as his vehicle slowed at the bar on the corner. Its parking lot was as filled as the café’s. The biggest difference was the lack of children exiting cars and being caught up in parents’ arms, the absence of whole families coming together.

  “No answers there,” Joe’s dad said softly.

  “He knows that.” Still, Joe was relieved when Kyle sped up and turned at the intersection. Both men stood for a while.

  “I don’t envy you,” Joe finally said. “Tomorrow’s meeting is not going to be fun.”

  “No, it’s not, but life isn’t always fun. It’s ups and downs and everything in between. Still, now that Kyle’s back in town, maybe some healing can take place and some fears can be alleviated.”

  “Like Marlee’s?”

  “That I don’t know.” Dad leaned against the car, resting his crutch against the door handle and looking up to where the stars were already starting to show their faces in the darkening sky. “But I can tell you one thing. I’ll be praying about it, and God’s timing is spot-on.”

  “Willa told us you’re getting married.”

  Dad laughed. “I knew when I left her alone with the two of you, she’d tell. What do you think?”

  “I think it’s great. I think God’s timing is spot-on.” Joe swallowed. He meant the words. He really meant them.

  “I haven’t felt this good since…” The words tapered off.

  “I know, Dad.”

  His father nodded. “I was married to your mother for thirty-five years. I loved her. I’ve been asking God could there be someone else. I, personally, didn’t think so until Willa arrived. I knew the minute I saw her at the baggage claim there was something special about her. On the drive home from the airport, I was thinking that this was a woman I’d never be bored with. By the time I pulled into the driveway, I knew I wanted to be pulling into the driveway with her the next twenty years if she’d let me.”

  “Love at first sight,” Joe agreed.

  His dad picked up his crutch and positioned it under his arm before heading toward the café. He chuckled. “Hard to believe, isn’t it?”

  Joe held open the door and followed him to the table where Willa and Annie waited.

  “Not at all.”

  * * * * *

  Saturday, Annie woke up way too early and headed for Max’s house, more specifically, his basement. What she really wanted to do was work on the last of her bracelets, but her time in Bonner Springs was running out. Four hours later, she finished.

  She hadn’t found the coins.

  She had, however, found a calendar from 1952 as well as some rusty old toys that probably had been Max’s at one time.

  She knew better than to call her sisters. With the time difference, she’d be calling them during the rushed prep time. Fountain Hills was one of the busier shows—and she had to trust them to handle it for her.

  With time on her hands—she knew they wouldn’t be eating at Max’s this morning as he had an early morning appointment and Margaret’s idea of breakfast was a Pop-Tart—she headed back to Margaret’s and settled in her room to work on her jewelry. When she finished with that, she began to pack. From his box on the dresser, Boots made a few mewling sounds and then fell asleep.

  How could the kitten be so content when in a little over twenty-four hours, Annie would be on her way home?

  She should feel a whole lot more excited.

  “Honey?” Annie’s mother poked her head in the door, taking in the neatly stacked jewelry supplies and half-packed clothes. “Oh, good, you’re awake. Feel like coming with Margaret and me into town to do a little shopping?”

  Two hours later, her mother had picked out her wedding dress—a sensible blue, not-quite-to-the-calves-length creation. Annie dutifully sent photos from her cell phone to her sisters’ cell phones. Everyone approved, and Cathy immediately called to say that she’d seen a purse in the booth right next to theirs that would be a perfect match.

  Her mother nodded. “That can be my something new to go with my something blue.”

  “How’s everything?” Annie asked Cathy as she carried the phone to a bench located outside the changing room and sat down.

  Beth took over the conversation. “I didn’t realize how much fun this is. Cathy’s a natural. Half the time, I think people are buying the jewelry because they think it’s a bidding war. She puts it on, looks admiringly at it, says how great it looks, and then talks as if she’s going to buy it. Pretty soon, they’re practically pulling it off her finger or wrist.”

  “But she doesn’t know the name of the gems, where they’re mined, or their history.”

  “No one’s complained.”

  “Sales are good?”

  “We’ve taken in over six hundred so far.”

  Annie checked her watch. It was just past noon. Cathy and Beth had only been doing business for three hours. Unheard of.

  “What did you sell?”

  “Two bracelets and some rings.”

  After ending the call, Annie did a little dance and then went to find her mother and Margaret, who were more than ready for lunch. Apparently Max had called and was already at a fast food restaurant near his museum.

  “About time,” he said.

  It took all afternoon to go through the Wyandotte County History Museum, as Max was not only slow moving—thanks to the crutch—but also a wealth of knowledge. By the time they left, Annie could have passed a test on the Shawnee, Delaware, and Wyandotte Indians, felt like she knew the Founding Fathers, and had a sudden urge to buy a quilt after looking at all the ones on display.

  “We’ll do the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame next time you come,” Max said. Turning to Annie’s mother, he asked, “When are we getting married?”

  He’d asked this question at least a dozen times already.

  “Exactly one week.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Cathy takes her final at ten thirty. She and Beth have two o’clock flights. They’ll arrive at four.”

  Mom reached over and took Annie’s hand. “Are you sure you need to go back to Arizona, just to turn around and come back here?”

  “I need to get home, see how work’s going and some other stuff. Plus, I have a show the weekend you’re getting married. I’ve either got to find someone to work it or cancel.” Annie hadn’t agreed to fly out with Beth and Cathy next week, so she’d not purchased another plane ticket. If all went well finding a replacement for her next weekend bazaar and with OhSoClean, she was hoping she could get back to Bonner Springs a bit earlier, like Wednesday.

  “I could sure use your help getting Max’s backyard ready for the wedding,” her mother continued.

  “I can’t believe you’re not getting married in the church,” Margaret grumped.

  They’d had this conversation already also. Max and Elizabeth had been married in the Bonner Springs church. Mom didn’t want to get married in the same place. She wanted a new beginning for both of them. Plus, they wanted a small wedding. Max’s backyard limited the number of people who could attend. They’d have a reception that night at the church. Everyone would be invited.

  “You
going out with Joe tonight?” her mother finally asked.

  Annie had checked her phone a dozen times. For a cell phone that usually spewed out a hundred calls a day, her BlackBerry was uncharacteristically quiet.

  “He hasn’t called.”

  “Saturdays are busy,” Max said. “Lots of people wait until the weekend to bring their pets in.”

  “Did you know that twenty percent of people prefer their pets’ company to their spouses’?” her mom asked.

  “You didn’t learn that in your criminal justice class, did you?” Annie asked.

  “Ah, no,” Mom admitted. “I read it in one of the vet magazines at Max’s house.”

  Max leaned over and kissed her. “You don’t have to worry about that, honey. I’ll always prefer your company.”

  “You don’t have a pet,” Margaret said.

  “I take care of animals for Joe all the time. That counts,” Max reasoned.

  For once, one of her mother’s statistics gave Annie pause. Wherever Joe was right now, Jacko was certainly with him. And Annie hoped they were both with Kyle. That was why she didn’t call him.

  It wasn’t until the evening meal—chicken prepared by Annie’s mom—that Joe finally showed up. He looked tired and somewhat subdued. Margaret immediately stood up, made him a plate, and put it in the microwave.

  Joe sat down next to Annie. Jacko licked her hand and curled up at her feet. He looked exhausted, too.

  “We spent all day at Blue Sunflower Farm,” Joe explained. “I think he herded children all day.”

  “That’ll do it,” Margaret said.

  “Everything all right?” Max asked.

  “Two gilts gave birth. Each had ten piglets. Each wound up with five dead. Cliff and I spent all afternoon trying to figure out why.”

  “Did the gilts fight each other or something?”

  “No, Dad, that’s the first thing we looked for, no sign of that. Neither mama was overweight. I didn’t see any moldy feed, not that it’s the season or that Cliff would let that happen.”

  Annie’s first thought was to say, “This might not be dinner table conversation,” but stopped. Those words were what her father would be saying. Joe was a vet. He was talking about his day just the way she and her sisters talked about their days. She reached down and gave Jacko’s head a caress. Something else her father wouldn’t allow: a dog at the table.

  “I’m sorry,” Annie said.

  Joe looked at her and smiled. Suddenly, Annie thought she could listen to pig stories—both happy and sad—all evening.

  “They asked about you,” Joe said. “Cliff was surprised you weren’t with me. I’m going back out there tomorrow after church. Want to come with me and see the piglets? We’re invited for lunch. You can leave from there to the airport.”

  “I’d love to see Blue Sunflower Farm one more time,” Annie said, “That’s a good idea.”

  The microwave dinged. Joe stood, got his plate, and then sat down before asking Annie, “So, what did you do all day?”

  “We went shopping for a wedding dress.”

  Joe raised an eyebrow. “This soon?”

  Everyone nodded.

  “The wedding’s next Saturday,” Max said. “I know it’s fast, but why wait when it’s what we both want?”

  “I’m pretty sure I’m free. I’ll check my calendar when I get out to the truck.”

  “Good. You’re the best man whether you’re free or not.”

  “Sometimes it has to be pleasure before business,” Annie said. “I’m still trying to figure out what to do. I have a show next weekend. My sisters can’t work it, they’ll be here.”

  Everyone looked at her.

  “Honey, we can wait a week or two. It’s not—”

  “Are you kidding?” Annie shook her head. “I’d a million times rather be at your wedding than sitting in a booth by myself selling jewelry.”

  “So you’re going to cancel?” Joe asked.

  “You won’t be able to get your money back?” Mom said gently. She’d worked alongside Annie a few times, especially early on.

  “I’m not worried about the money. Life happens.” Annie smiled a wry smile. “The problem is that the people who put on these shows have long memories, and next year either I won’t have a spot or I’ll have a spot next to the booth selling onion-scented candles.”

  Mom started to say, “Honey, really, we—”

  Annie held up a hand. No way was work more important than her mom’s wedding. “No, I’m sitting here thinking. I’ll find someone to work it. Maybe Rachel. She’s come along once or twice. She’s not comfortable in a crowd, but she needs the money and I’ll offer to pay her a percentage, just like I do when she handles the website. At least she knows what each gem is.”

  “Go call her,” her mother urged.

  As if cued, Annie’s phone sounded. Picking it up off the table and checking caller ID, she said, “It’s Cathy.”

  * * * * *

  Annie took her phone and headed out to the living room. Jacko didn’t even give Joe a Do-I-have-permission look, he simply followed Annie.

  Joe understood completely. He’d follow Annie just about anywhere, too.

  Instead, since the call might be private, he kept eating.

  “What!” Something had Annie excited. So excited that her voice rose and everyone in the kitchen heard her words.

  “You’re kidding! Janice from the Jack and Janice Morning Show?”

  “She’s about to get married, too,” Willa said.

  Margaret set down her fork. “Who?”

  “It’s a show back home. The Jack and Janice Morning Show. They’ve been in the area for years. I’ve met Janice a time or two. She’s friends with one of the ladies from church. I doubt she’d remember me, though.” From the living room came, “My flight gets in at six. Yes, tell her I’ll meet her. Yes, thanks, bye.”

  Joe kept eating.

  Annie came flying into the room. “Janice from the Jack and Janice Morning Show was at the Fountain Hills craft show. She stopped by my booth and looked at the jewelry.”

  “That’s great,” Willa said. “What else?”

  “She wants to order some special items to use as gifts for people in her wedding, and she wants me to be on her show sometime this week. I’m supposed to meet with her tomorrow evening to discuss the details. She’s leaving on an eight o’clock plane to research some honeymoon locales. I’m arriving at six. We’ll meet right in the terminal at seven. Oh man, I wish I could update my website right this minute.”

  “This could be your big break,” Willa said.

  “My fingers are itching,” Annie gushed. “I wish I had more of my stuff here. I could work all night putting things together. I can hardly wait to get home.”

  What Joe heard, though, was Annie really saying she couldn’t wait to leave.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Sunday morning the ladies didn’t head over to Max’s house for breakfast. Instead, they vied for bathroom privileges and checked out what each other was wearing. Annie had never seen her mother so content.

  In the week Annie had been Margaret’s guest, she’d gotten to know the older woman and realized that for Margaret, having a full house was equivalent to a blooming garden. Nothing made her happier.

  She was already planning how to make room for Beth and Cathy, even though Max had plenty of room.

  Annie hadn’t brought any church clothes so she was wearing her best pair of jeans and one of her mother’s shirts.

  Why had she really stopped going to church? How had prayer stopped being a natural part of every day? Annie knew part of the answer. Time management or, rather, time mismanagement. OhSoClean took up forty to sixty hours a week, especially when they first started. Then, when the jewelry business took off, Annie poured all her spare moments into designing jewelry.

  In Annie’s world, she pushed God aside one step at a time. Then she’d pretended she hadn’t noticed His apparent absence.

  “I’m
sorry, God,” Annie whispered. At least that was better than a constant drone of please and help. It felt better, too. “I’m sorry, God. I didn’t even realize how empty my life had gotten without You in it. I thank You for bringing me to this place. For introducing my mother to Max.”

  Annie gulped. When her mom married Max, Annie would, in essence, become somewhat of a preacher’s daughter.

  If someone had mentioned this last week, Annie would have shrugged it off. Beth would have laughed. Maybe she’d still laugh. Her emotions were raw, thanks to Charles. Only Cathy would smile and say, “Awesome.”

  The sister who always seemed happy, always seemed to glow, was the one who knew the Lord intimately. Cathy prayed a lot.

  Today, thinking about going to church, and praying, and the changes that were about to happen in her life, Annie felt both awe and fear.

  Awe that the Lord had blessed her so much; fear that somehow she wasn’t worthy.

  Heading out of the guest room, she cornered Margaret by the front door and said, “I need a Scripture about prayer.”

  “You’re going to need to narrow that down a bit. The Bible spends a good deal of time on prayer.”

  “I want one,” Annie confessed, “dealing with someone who didn’t pray enough but changes.”

  “I’ll tell you my favorite, then. It’s in Second Chronicles, the seventh chapter. It says, ‘If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.’”

  Annie repeated it to herself and then smiled. “It’s about change and how change is good.”

  “Exactly,” Margaret agreed. Putting her arm around Annie’s shoulders, she whispered, “And you better change your shoes, because we need to leave for church.”

  Annie looked down. Instead of tennis shoes, she wore bedroom slippers.

  “Not that God cares, mind you,” Margaret said. “But I doubt if my nephew plans on giving you much time to change your shoes. He’s going to want all your time, since you’re flying out today.”