The Promise of Palm Grove

by Shelley Shepard Gray

She smiled right back, not even caring that she probably looked decidedly dreamy. “I did. I mean, we did.”

  “I’m glad.” He smiled at her and then nodded his greetings to both Mattie and Sara. “Girls, come on in and I’ll introduce you to everyone.”

  Everyone? There had to be at least a hundred people milling around. “There’s no need for that,” Leona said quickly. “We’ll just hang out with you and your friends.”

  Looking a little sheepish, he said, “I don’t think that’s possible. Everyone is really looking forward to meeting all three of you.”

  Leona liked how Zack automatically included her girlfriends in his statement. So far, she’d noticed him doing things like that a lot. It seemed he never wanted anyone to ever feel left out.

  As they walked farther inside, and she realized that there had to be almost thirty people in the living room alone, she looked at him curiously. “When Violet said that your family was having a couple of people over for cards, I thought maybe you’d have six or eight. At the most.”

  He looked a little pained. “It started out that way.”

  “Started?”

  “Things got a little out of hand fairly quickly.”

  “Only a little?” Leona teased.

  He shrugged. “When word spread that you, Sara, and Mattie might be here, a lot of people decided that they would like to stop by.” He smiled over at Mattie and Sara. “I hope you girls are hungry. There are more pies, cakes, cookies, and other snacks here than you can imagine. It seems every lady who walked through the door decided to bring dessert.”

  “Except the three of us.” Leona frowned. “I didn’t even think to bring anything.”

  “You shouldn’t have brought anything but yourselves. You’re the guests.”

  “But so is everyone else who is here.”

  “I meant, you’re the only ones who are living in a B and B.”

  “Ah.” Because she couldn’t argue with that point, she let the subject drop. Just then, Danny and Jeremy joined them along with some of the people Mattie and Leona had met on Siesta Key. Mattie and Sara began chatting with everyone.

  Leona was relieved that both of her girlfriends looked happy to be talking to Danny’s and Jeremy’s friends. Almost right away, Mattie was laughing at something and Sara was smiling at one of the girls.

  Next thing she knew, Leona found herself smiling, too.

  Zack noticed. “What brought on that smile?”

  Meeting his gaze, she realized that he was staring at her. Like her sudden smile meant something to him. “I was a little worried that they might feel left out if you and I spent much time together. But now I think they’re going to be all right. I’m relieved.”

  Looking in their direction, Zack nodded. “I promise, Sara and Mattie will have fun. We’ve got a real nice group of friends and neighbors.”

  “Thank you again for inviting us.”

  His gaze warmed before he shrugged off her thanks. “No reason to thank me. Like I said, I’m glad you could come over.” After a moment’s pause, he rested his palm on the small of her back.

  That gentle touch both calmed her nerves and heightened her awareness of him—as if she needed any reminding! Realizing he was waiting for a response, she said, “I’m glad, too.”

  He smiled. “Let me introduce you to some people.”

  Before she could answer, he guided her into the kitchen, where Violet and a couple of other ladies were setting out fruit kabobs. “Everyone, this here is Leona.”

  Most of the women smiled gamely in her direction or said hello, but one of them stopped what she was doing as they approached. One look into her eyes told Leona that she had to be Mrs. Kaufmann. She had the family’s blue eyes and likeable, easygoing manner.

  Zack winked at Leona as the lady walked around the kitchen counter to greet her. “Get ready,” he warned in a tender tone. “My family is a bit enthusiastic.”

  Leona flashed a grin his way before holding out her hand to the lady who approached.

  “Hello, dear. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”

  Leona smiled as they clasped hands. “By the looks of your eyes, I’d guess you are Mrs. Kaufmann. I’ve never met another group of people who have such striking eyes.”

  “Thank you for the compliment. It’s nice to meet you, Leona. Now, please, call me Ginny.”

  “Danke, Ginny.”

  Ginny looked around the crowded area. “Did your girlfriends make it here, okay?”

  “Oh, yes. They’re with some of Zack’s friends.” She smiled at the other women who were listening shamelessly. “I can’t believe you’re hosting such a big party.”

  Looking vaguely like she was hiding a secret, Ginny shrugged. “It doesn’t usually work out like this, but word of our get-together spread like wildfire tonight. I hope you and your friends will enjoy yourselves. We’re happy you came.”

  “Danke. I’m sure we will.”

  Ginny’s eyes lit up. “Now, dear, how about I introduce you to some of our—”

  “I’m going to take her to the backyard first, Mamm,” Zack interrupted.

  “Oh, all right.”

  After giving his mother a meaningful look, Zack took Leona’s elbow and guided her through the people and out the back door.

  Once they were outside, Leona exhaled. There were far fewer people on the deck and patio than there were out front or in the house. Someone had lit little torches and a fire pit, too, so there was a soothing glow against the twilight sky.

  It was pretty and also fairly quiet. She looked at Zack in surprise. “Why did you bring me out here?”

  “For a couple of reasons.”

  “Oh?”

  “Well, I wanted to make sure you were all right.”

  She smiled a little self-consciously. “I’ve been to parties before, Zack. I think I can handle myself just fine.”

  “I wasn’t concerned about that.”

  “What were you concerned about?”

  “I was thinking that a lot has happened to you lately.”

  “You could say that,” she hedged, hoping he wasn’t going to make her relive Edmund’s surprise visit all over again.

  But instead of turning judgmental, his expression softened. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m not being critical.”

  “Oh?” She knew she sounded tongue-tied, but she felt that way. There was that same pull between them again. That pull she’d never felt before and wasn’t sure she wanted to fight.

  While she simply stared, he stepped closer, then reached out and took her hand. Ran his thumb lightly along her knuckles. “I’m sure it had to be difficult. Are you all right?”

  “I’m all right.” And she was. Especially since Zack was holding her hand and looking at her like everything she thought mattered to him a great deal.

  His expression, his touch, the way he honestly cared about her, it all combined and made her shiver. He was being wonderful, and it was so different from how Edmund had treated her, it was almost overwhelming.

  Seeing her response, his blue eyes narrowed. “You don’t have to tell me a thing, but I want you to know that I care.”

  Feeling even more emotional, she dropped his hand and leaned against the back wall of the house. She needed a bit of space between them. Otherwise, she was going to be completely drawn into everything he was saying.

  If she did that, she would be even more heartbroken when she left Pinecraft.

  “Leona? I didn’t mean to make you upset.” After a beat, his voice hardened. “Or does thinking about Edmund make you upset?”

  “Nee. He was . . . he was fine.”

  “Then what is wrong?” Reaching out, he took her hand again. This time folding it between both of his own. “You look like you are about to cry.”

  It was his concern, ironically, that was making her feel choked up. He was treating her the way she’d always hoped Edmund would treat her but never had.

  “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “It’s just that for
the last few days, everything has been really stressful.”

  “I can only imagine. I’ve never been engaged, but—”

  She cut him off. “It isn’t because of what happened with Edmund. It’s because of you.”

  “Me?”

  “I don’t mean to embarrass you, but I guess you can tell that I really am glad we met. I’ve liked spending time with you.”

  “You know I’ve felt the same way.” He looked at his feet. “Gosh, I’ve been half worried that you thought I was being too forward, being at the same restaurant you were, inviting you to the beach”—he winced—“showing up at your B and B with a bag of fruit. I’m not usually so pushy or awkward.”

  “I haven’t thought you were awkward at all. I’ve liked everything you’ve done.”

  “So what is wrong?”

  “Edmund and I are officially through. He’s on the bus back to Ohio now, and I have a feeling he’s probably already told all thirty people on that bus how horrible his former fiancée is.”

  “Surely not.”

  “No, I’m afraid so.” Closing her eyes, she added, “Then, unfortunately, he’ll tell more stories when he gets home. I’m going to have a hard time showing my face anywhere in Walnut Creek when we get back.”

  “No one would ever believe bad stories about you.”

  She opened her eyes and gazed up into his again. “You sound so certain.”

  “That’s because I am.” He exhaled. “Leona, I don’t want to scare you, but I’m really enjoying your company. A lot. I wish you didn’t have to leave Sarasota in just a couple of days.”

  The right thing to do was nod and say something appropriate. Or say nothing! Saying nothing would be a very good idea.

  But instead, Leona blurted out what was spinning in her head. It was completely inappropriate. And completely too bold.

  “I’ve been wishing for that, too, Zack,” she admitted. “Actually, I’ve started to wish for a whole lot of things where you are concerned.”

  When his body tensed, Leona feared she’d just said the absolute wrong thing.

  Chapter 24

  I didn’t know your family was so popular,” Melanie told Effie as they stood in her home’s front lawn. “Everyone is here.” She giggled. “Even Josiah.”

  Effie’s stomach churned, but she tried her best to act like Melanie’s statement wasn’t a big deal. It kind of was, though, because this was the first time that so many people her age had come to one of her family’s get-togethers. It did seem as if half their school was standing on the lawn and driveway.

  It was also the first time that Josiah Grimm had paid her much attention. The idea that he’d come to her house was thrilling.

  So were the smiles he’d been sending her way.

  Not that she was about to let Melanie know about that, though. “Josiah is here?” she asked, trying to keep her voice particularly calm and unaffected. “I haven’t seen him yet.”

  But of course she had. She’d noticed the cutest boy in their class the minute he’d arrived.

  “You haven’t talked to him yet?” Looking a bit like she was harboring a secret, Melanie circled her hand around Effie’s elbow. “Let’s go say hi, then. He’s over there with Jennifer, and half the kids from our class.”

  Effie didn’t want to do that. Actually, she would have liked to do just about anything other than walk toward half the class, with another thirty people observing her. But it wasn’t like everyone didn’t already know she had Perthes disease and had to wear braces.

  “All right.”

  “Do you need help walking?” Melanie asked.

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “Oh? Gut.”

  Effie was relieved that Melanie hadn’t stayed by her side while she plodded over to the other kids—honestly, nothing was more embarrassing than that—but now she felt just as conspicuous as she made her way over to the kids. Her gait wasn’t smooth, it was choppy. And she even had her crutches—her mother’s orders, since she was bound to be on her feet for hours tonight.

  As she got closer, she saw more and more kids watching her walk. Some looked sorry for her. Others embarrassed. Others, like Melanie, looked a little unsure. Almost as if they weren’t sure whether they should offer her a hand or not.

  The only good thing about the short journey was that Josiah was simply staring at her face, watching her.

  When she finally got near them, she called out a greeting. “Hi, everyone.”

  “Hey, Effie,” Beth said. “Thanks for having a party.”

  She grinned. “You’re welcome.” She didn’t bother to explain that the party was actually just an excuse for Zack to introduce Leona to everyone. “If you all get thirsty or hungry, you should come inside. There’s tons of lemonade, pop, and food.”

  Josiah smiled again, just like he had that one day in class. “Danke, Effie.”

  Feeling a little braver, she smiled right back.

  Melanie noticed. And, just as everyone was starting to talk and Beth was asking Effie about the rumor she’d heard about Zack having a girlfriend, Melanie’s voice rose. “I hope you won’t think I’m being rude or anything, but I’ve been wanting to ask you something.”

  “What?” Effie was completely taken off guard.

  Melanie smiled at Jennifer C. before turning back to Effie. “Are your legs ever going to be normal?”

  Immediately, a new, ugly tension filled the air. Jennifer C. looked horrified, Beth’s eyes turned to saucers, and a couple of other kids looked embarrassed.

  Effie had no idea what to say. Helplessly, she looked around for one of her brothers or Violet. They’d always been her rescuers during situations like this. But now, of course, she was completely alone.

  “I don’t know,” she finally said. Because, well, she didn’t. Her legs were stronger now, a lot stronger, but she didn’t know if she would ever be completely free of braces and crutches. A lot depended on how her hips handled her growing body.

  “Really, Melanie?” Josiah said.

  Melanie turned to him. “What?”

  “You know what.” He sounded almost mad.

  “Oh! Did I embarrass you, Effie?” Melanie asked. “Sorry.”

  But it was obvious—at least to Effie—that Melanie wasn’t sorry for hurting her feelings. Instead, she was sorry that the most popular boy in their class had heard her be so mean.

  Exchanging pained glances with Beth, Effie felt more alone than she ever had in her life. Even Beth wasn’t saying anything. No one wanted to become the new target of the popular girls’ attention.

  What she needed to do was get away. Feeling her neck turning bright red, she mumbled, “I’m just going to go inside for a minute.”

  Josiah hurried to her side. “Great. I’ll come with you.”

  “That’s okay. I mean, you don’t have to.”

  He lowered his voice. “Don’t let Melanie get you down. She’s being pretty ugly.”

  She stared at him in surprise. “Nee, she’s really pretty, Josiah.”

  He leaned toward her ear. “You know what I mean. She can be ugly inside.”

  His comment was a little shocking, but it was also honest. Melanie was the type of person who could do the sort of things that made her seem rather ugly.

  Effie looked up at him and smiled. And when he looked at her, his gaze steady and sure, but now with a bit of warmth settled in it, she felt like maybe she actually already was “normal.” Maybe she needed to finally trust her brother, listen to his words, and remember that everyone had something about themselves that they wished they could change. She would be extremely selfish if she started imagining that her problems were greater than everyone else’s.

  Still looking at her, Josiah said, “Were you serious about there being a ton of food inside?”

  “I was. Are you hungry?”

  “Yeah.” At last, he grinned.

  “Oh, look out!”

  Effie dragged her attention away from Josiah with a start.

 
; She looked behind her and saw someone had brought their dog. And that dog looked like a cross between a Labrador and a Mastiff. It was huge, really friendly, and bounding right toward her.

  It barked happily, then lunged . . .

  Right as Effie inadvertently stepped backward on a sprinkler head.

  The puppy barked again. Josiah darted from her side and reached for it as it barked happily, obviously thinking Josiah was joining in a game.

  Unfortunately, Josiah’s rescue came too late.

  The dog’s jump and her subsequent shift in weight was too much for her hip joints and muscles. In seconds, her left leg gave out.

  She fell hard, the metal sprinkler head hitting the fleshy part of her arm with a sharp pinch. And since she’d refused to wear her braces, opting for her crutches, there was nothing to brace her legs—or her bones—for her fall.

  “Effie? Effie, are you okay?” Josiah said after calling out for help with the dog.

  Effie knew she wasn’t. She was on the ground, her leg was in terrible pain, her arm was stinging, and her muscles felt pulled and out of sorts. But the worst of it had been hearing the snap of the bone as her leg hit the ground.

  She couldn’t help it; she cried out in hurt and frustration and disappointment.

  Josiah knelt on the ground next to her. “Don’t worry, help’s on the way,” he said.

  His promise was sweet, but Effie also knew it hardly mattered. She was going to have to go to the hospital again. Tears blurred her vision, so she closed her eyes. She knew what had happened.

  She’d broken her leg again.

  THE CRY WAS shrill and piercing. And the commotion that followed was even louder as a kid about Effie’s age ran up to Zack and Leona in the backyard.

  “Zack, Effie fell.”

  “Where is she?”

  “On the ground in the front yard.”

  He bit back a sigh. Effie was really going to need to be more careful. They’d all told her not to wear herself out. When her muscles started tiring, accidents happened. “She’ll be all right,” he said. “I bet she’s already on her feet.” And no doubt completely embarrassed.

  But the girl shook her head. “Nee, Zack, you don’t understand. She’s hurt bad!”

  “How bad?”