Betwixt Two Hearts (Crossroads Collection)

by Amanda Tru

  “Insecure?” Penny asked. “I’ve only met her once. She seemed more than confident. She’s got some high-powered job with the Minnesota Department of Education, doesn’t she?”

  “That doesn’t mean anything. She thinks she has to be perfect, and she can’t—none of us can—so she tries harder and harder. She’s going to have a nervous breakdown one of these days.” Violet slapped the table for emphasis. “She’s one of those who blames herself for her parents’ divorce—and her mother’s next divorce, and the one after that. And her mother is one of those who let her do it. And now Laurie’s making Nellie feel guilty for not being a better daughter.”

  “How do you know all that?” Penny asked.

  “She told me.” Aunt Violet smiled complacently. “People like to confide in me.”

  And have their confidences betrayed. David cleared his throat. “I should get going. I hope Eleanor enjoys the party anyhow.”

  “She’s not going to enjoy it,” Brittany snapped. “She’s going to be spending the entire evening with her family and a hundred of their friends, all of whom are wondering where she’s been and why she’s not teaching. She’ll have to talk about it and listen to their opinions, all night. She won’t have a single person on her side, for support, or just to be a buffer.”

  David looked at her. She’d worked the entire conversation around to that single statement. She wanted him to know that.

  “Why didn’t she just say so?” He asked Brittany, ignoring the other two women. Eleanor had said she was desperate for a date, but she hadn’t explained. Maybe he hadn’t given her a chance.

  “She felt guilty,” Brittany said. “She liked you, and she knew she’d been wrong to… you know.”

  David ignored the fascinated stares of Penny and Violet. “Do you think… would it help if I went there? Or would that make it worse?”

  “It would be good,” she said. “If nothing else, she could use a friend there.” She smiled. “A masculine friend. It would be nice if he was well-dressed, handsome, intelligent and charming, especially if he stayed close to her and gave people the impression that she’s happy and healthy.”

  He nodded. “I can see that. Is a tuxedo necessary or will a suit be good enough?”

  The dress was just a little too short. Not immodest, but about one inch shorter than she’d like. She loved it, otherwise. After four months in blue jeans, Eleanor hardly recognized herself in the midnight blue velvet and lace sheath. Had Laurie remembered how much she liked the style, with a bateau neckline and three-quarter length sleeves, or was it a lucky guess? She tugged at the hem, turning in front of the mirror. At the last minute, she’d pulled the bobby pins from her updo and brushed out her hair. She liked the way the long silver earrings peeked when she moved her head.

  The dress was gorgeous, but the shoes… Eleanor tottered over to the bed and picked up her purse. Brittany would appreciate this. She snapped a picture in the mirror and sent it before she could change her mind.

  Eleanor: What do you think?

  The answer was immediate.

  Brittany: Nice! New dress?

  Eleanor: Birthday gift from Zack and Laurie. Earrings and shoes, too!

  She propped a foot on the bed to take a picture, nearly falling over in the process. Brittany responded before she could send it.

  Brittany: When is your birthday?

  Eleanor sent the picture of her shoe and tapped a reply.

  Eleanor: Not till April, but they decided to give it to me now so I could wear it to the party.

  She waited a few minutes, but Brittany didn’t reply. She didn’t have to. They were both thinking the same thing: Laurie wanted to make sure she was dressed appropriately for the party.

  “You look beautiful!”

  Her mother had said it at least six times, but the mournful note in her voice detracted from the compliment.

  “We all look beautiful!” Eleanor gathered Laurie and her mother into a hug. “Thank you for the dress. I love it. And I’ll try not to break my neck in these heels. That would ruin the party.”

  “No ruining the party,” Laurie said. “I think we’re all ready.”

  Eleanor surveyed the elegant banquet hall. The musicians were warming up and the caterers, in their black and white uniforms were putting the final touches on the food. “Laurie, this is incredible. The flowers, the tables… and that ice sculpture! I can’t believe how perfect it is. You should be an event planner!

  Laurie laughed. “I’m pretty happy with my real job.” Her pink cheeks and sparkling eyes betrayed her pleasure.

  “I think the guests are starting to arrive,” Eleanor’s dad said, “but it’s only six o’clock.

  “Oh, no! We aren’t ready!” Laurie’s voice rose.

  Kathy put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s perfect. You have it all set up, and now you need to enjoy it. Don’t fuss.”

  “I don’t think I know him.”

  Eleanor turned at her father’s voice and looked at the man strolling toward them. She caught her breath.

  “Do you know him, Eleanor?” Laurie glanced at her.

  “Yes, I do.” She hastened toward him, warm with gratitude and pleasure.

  He reached out to take her hands, and he smiled.

  It was the smile that did it. Eleanor stumbled, staggered, and fell.

  She never hit the floor. David scooped her up and cradled her in his arms. “Are you okay?”

  His voice was low, and he was asking about more than her ankles. She smiled into his warm, deep, wonderful hazel eyes. “I am now.”

  “Can you walk?” Her family was nearly upon them, calling anxiously.

  “I think so.” She slid to her feet. Before she could move away or respond to her parents, he drew her close and kissed the top of her head. He held her like that as the others fell silent.

  “Thank you.” She breathed the words, hoping he’d understand all of her gratitude. A few seconds later, he released her, leisurely, and turned to meet her family.

  He held out his hand. “I’m David Reid, the man your daughter has fallen for.”

  “This is nice. The fireplace and couches remind me of Uncle Gary’s cabin.” Eleanor glanced back at the dining room. “And that area’s so elegant, all crystal and china. I think I like this better.” She dropped onto the couch. “Laurie does know how to throw a party.”

  David sat next to her, close enough that she could feel his warmth. “The food was amazing.”

  Eleanor turned to look at him. “I can’t even begin to tell you how grateful I am. If you hadn’t been here, it would have been one long series of questions and criticism, and not just from my own family.” She waved a hand toward the dining room. “All of those people share my parents’ priorities. They seem to think we’re some kind of scholarly dynasty.”

  “But you like the work you’re doing now, don’t you?” David asked.

  “I really do. Uncle Gary says he’ll pay for me to take a couple classes at the technical college if I’m sure I want to stay.”

  “Are you sure?” His voice, deep and quiet, gave the question a deeper meaning.

  “Yes.” Her own voice was a whisper.

  He tipped his head toward the party. “Will they be very upset?”

  She nodded. No point in denying it. “When I quit teaching, they took it as a personal rejection. And it’s not fair. I’m walking on eggshells, trying to make them see I still believe in what they do, but they don’t think my work—what I want to do—is as important, and they don’t hesitate to say so.” She leaned against the cushions. “They’ve never even asked me about what I do. They’re just upset because I’m not doing what they think I should do.”

  They sat without speaking for a few minutes, gazing at the gas fire. Music and laughter drifted from the dining room, filling the silence.

  David stirred. “It’s easy to assign relative values to work. People have been doing it forever, even in the church. There’s a whole chapter in 1 Corinthians devoted to that
problem.” He pulled his phone from his jacket pocket and handed it to her. “I’ve been dealing with some of my own issues there. I made a wallpaper for my lock screen, for when I start second-guessing myself.”

  Eleanor tapped on the phone and read the words aloud.

  “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”

  David took the phone and slid it back into his pocket. “I’m going to finish my seminary classes, but I don’t think I’m going to be a regular pastor. I’m not sure what my ministry will look like, and I’m not going to jump into anything until I’m positive.”

  “What about the rest of it? Do you still want to get married and have children?”

  He nodded. “I do. That hasn’t changed.”

  “So…” Eleanor ran a finger across the nap of her velvet skirt. “Are you going to ask the agency for another match?”

  He shifted, bringing their shoulders into contact. “No, I don’t think so. That was an awful lot of work. I think I might just keep trying with the match I got.”

  Eleanor caught her breath. “You didn’t get a very good match,” she whispered.

  “I think I did.” He turned her to face him. “I think I got a perfect match. I know it’s not what you were looking for, but I think we are a good match. We can be friends, and I think we can be more than friends. I want to try. Will you give me a chance, Eleanor, please?

  His eyes, warm and earnest, searched her face. She pushed back a strand of hair, tangling it in her earring, and he worked it free, smoothing the hair behind her ear and moving his hand to cradle the back of her neck.

  Eleanor gazed up at him, into those beautiful warm eyes. They held promises of things she’d not dared to hope. He saw her for who she was, not who he thought she ought to be. He’d seen the worst in her and still saw the good. And David Reid was the best man she’d ever known.

  “Yes. Let’s try.” Eleanor touched his cheek with her fingertips. “I’d like to try. I’d like that a lot.” She moved her fingers to touch his lips. “And we are friends already. I think we can start working on the next step.”

  He drew her closer and kissed her. Happiness and anticipation flowed through her. The future was bright. She’d met her perfect match.

  The End

  1. In the beginning of the book, Eleanor feels like she can’t measure up to the rest of her family, all of whom are successful and confident. It’s not a deep, soul-crushing sense of failure but a nagging inferiority complex that prevents her from believing she really fits in. Have you ever felt like that?

  How did you get past that self-doubt and take your place in your family, church or group of friends?

  If you are still feeling that way, how are you trying to change the situation?

  2. All her life, Eleanor has expected to follow in her parents’ footsteps, as her brothers did, but now she’s realizing it’s not what she wants to do. They don’t understand—they think she’s absolutely wrong—and put pressure on her. Eleanor knows they care about her and want the best for her. She doesn’t want to hurt their feelings or be estranged from them. She values their work and wants to honor them. It can be hard, as a child grows into adulthood and chooses to “disobey” or reject their parents’ values and guidance.

  How can we—as the child or the parent—work through these situations in a way that glorifies God and preserves relationships?

  3. Eleanor has run away to “find herself,” but David has his life mapped out. He’s working as an engineer, going to seminary, and intends to become a pastor. He wants a wife and children, and he wants them now! Those are all good things.

  Have you ever made plans—all good things—and later realized that you should have been more open to God’s direction?

  How could David—or you—have done that?

  4. Eleanor dreaded the prospect of her parents’ anniversary party because she knew she’d spend the evening answering questions from a hundred guests. Even though she knew it was really a matchmaking agency, she signed up for Betwixt Two Hearts just to find a date—a presentable man to act as a distraction and buffer, so people wouldn’t keep telling her she should come home and go back to teaching. She let her desperation lead her into deceit.

  How would you have advised or helped her?

  Can you think of any examples from Scripture in which a person acted rashly because they were afraid?

  5. Once she fully understood how wrong it was, she knew she had to tell David the truth. It was hard, not just because she had to confess to her sin, which is always painful, but because she liked him. She knew that when she told him the truth, their budding relationship would be over. He would leave with a poor—but accurate—opinion of her. Our sin has consequences.

  Have you ever experienced lasting consequences from a sin that was forgiven by God? How do you deal with that situation?

  Does living with the consequence ever cause you to worry that the sin wasn’t really forgiven?

  6. David formed a lasting opinion of Angela’s character based on her behavior. Afraid that she was pursuing him, he avoided even public, casual conversation with her. Even when she wanted to come to church (admittedly, to impress and be with him), he only thought of how he could evade her. On the surface, this was a sensible precaution. We think it’s wise. But no one in her life was seeing her. Larry listened to her—not even for very long—and realized she needed help.

  How can we, as ordinary Christian people, watch for people who are hurting, in trouble, or who might need professional help with mental health issues?

  How do we listen to people like Angela, who look like they might be trouble?

  7. David eventually realizes that he may not be called to be a pastor. He still plans to live a life of service and ministry, but he’s more open to God’s leading, realizing that although his gifts might not be what he thought they were, they are the ones God gave him and still important for God’s kingdom. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

  Sometimes, we value one job or gift over another. This was true in David’s mind as well as for Eleanor’s family. It can lead to discouragement or pride.

  How can we respond when we see this happening in our church, family, or community?

  8. Violet Anderson values family history as well as living relationships. It grieves her that the younger generations only look forward and aren’t interested in their ancestors. She’s never married or had children of her own, but she tries to hold the extended family together. They are all getting married (gaining in-laws) and having babies, too busy to make the extended family a priority.

  Is the extended family a dying institution?

  Looking at Scripture, what instances can you find of this?

  9. Many families have an Uncle Olof. Do you? Alzheimer’s and dementia are common problems, painful for the victim and their loved ones. Eleanor is uncomfortable with lying to Uncle Olof instead of encouraging him to remember people. She finds it “creepy” that little Sarah doesn’t mind him thinking she’s his sister and calling her Violet while they play checkers.

  Do you have a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s?

  How would you engage with a person in Uncle Olof’s condition?

  www.catheswanson.com/

  Cathe Swanson lives in Wisconsin with her husband of 34 years. They enjoy spending time with their grandchildren and being outdoors, kayaking, birdwatching, hiking, and fishing, but summer is short in Wisconsin, so it’s important to have indoor hobbies, too. Cathe has been a quilter and teacher of quiltmaking for over 25 years, and she enjoys just about any kind of creative work, especially those involving fiber or paper. The long winters are perfect for writing and reading books! Cathe enjoys writing stories with creative plots and eccentric characters of all ages. Her books will make you laugh and make you cry—and then make you laugh again.

  www.cathes
wanson.com/

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  The Great Lakes Series

  Baggage Claim

  Snow Angels

  Hope for the Holidays

  Christmas at the Unity Plenkiss

  The Glory Quilts Series

  The Christmas Glory Quilt

  The Swedehearts Glory Quilt

  Introducing Kari Trumbo

  By Cathe Swanson

  Thank you for reading my story, The Swedehearts Glory Quilt. I’ve enjoyed telling the Anderson family’s stories in the Glory Quilts series because, while the characters are fictional, the Swedish Minnesota culture and traditions are part of my own heritage.

  I had so much fun meeting Kari Trumbo, another native Minnesotan, through this Crossroads collection! Kari’s historical and contemporary books have themes of forgiveness and renewal, strong characters and vivid settings.