He laughed. “And how do you feel about that? Have you come to any conclusions yet? Or have you even had a chance to think about it?”
She’d done almost nothing but think about it since the night before, but she wasn’t about to tell him that. She didn’t want him thinking she was that easy to sway. “I’m still considering it,” she said. “After all, I know so little about you.”
He leaned back on the porch swing. “My full name is Alexander Calhoun Bingham, Calhoun being my mother’s maiden name. Her name was Virginia, and my father’s name was Harlan. They both passed away, and I was raised by my grandparents. I have no siblings. I’m twenty-two years old, I stand six foot even, and my favorite color is green. I enjoy roast chicken, and I’m absolutely passionate about chocolate cake. I like reading novels, but I find the newspaper a bore. I prefer dogs to cats, I dislike cows quite a bit, and I very much like gazing up at the stars. What else can I tell you?”
She smiled and shook her head. “That’s all very nice to know, but what sort of person are you? What are your good qualities, your bad habits—what’s your personality like? Those are things that can only learned over time, don’t you think?”
“Do you really feel that knowing about my personality is more important than knowing how I feel about chocolate cake? Is it possible that your priorities have become just a little bit confused?”
Meredith laughed. “I guess that’s possible, but I would like the answer to my question.”
“Questions, you mean. There were several of them. Let’s see.” He looked contemplative. “My good qualities? I’m generous to a fault, but since it’s to a fault, perhaps I should have listed that as a bad quality. I appreciate art and beauty, which is why I’m here with you tonight, so I can appreciate you. I enjoy trying new things, and I’m not squeamish or cowardly about them. As far as my bad qualities . . .”
“Yes?” she asked when he didn’t go on.
“Oh, you don’t want to hear more. Let’s focus on the important things, like cake.”
She nudged his shoulder. “I do want to hear more. You must plead your case before me, you realize, so I can decide if this friendship can go any further.”
He sighed. “You’re right. Well, my biggest fault is that I don’t know how to make my own cake. Icing that one in your kitchen yesterday was the closest I’ve ever come.”
“You did a very good job. Come on, though—there must be something else.”
He flicked a bit of grass off his pant leg. “I have been known to become frustrated rather easily, and I’m quick to judge. However, those things are easily countered by my charm and wit, don’t you think?”
“Most likely. I’m willing to explore that possibility.” She glanced at the horizon and noticed how dark it had become. “I’m sorry, Alex, but I really should go in. I hope your trip tomorrow goes well.”
“Thank you. Having Jonathan along will make it more tolerable at least.” He rose, then paused. “May I write you?”
She blinked a few times, although she didn’t know why she was surprised. He’d said he wanted to marry her—wanting to write her wasn’t anywhere near as shocking. “Of course.”
“Excellent. Thank you.” He reached out and took her hand, then bent down and brushed his lips across her cheek. “Goodnight.”
She watched him walk away until he had completely receded into the darkness. She could still feel the gentle touch of his lips, and it sent a thrill through her. That’s what she could never explain to Luke, that rush of feelings, that heady emotion. It was entirely different from anything she’d ever experienced with him.
***
“My mother thinks she’ll never survive the next two months,” Cissie said, taking a spot on the couch in the Atwells’ parlor. “She thinks Jonathan’s already had quite enough college, and doesn’t think he needs anymore.”
“I’m sure she missed him quite a bit,” Meredith replied. “Mothers get particularly attached to their sons.”
“But I’m not here to talk about Jonathan.” Cissie leaned forward and clasped her hands on her knee. “Tell me about Alex! You were supposed to come over this morning and tell me all about it, and I waited for hours, but you never came.”
Meredith laughed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize there was a set time.”
“I’ve been watching for you since Jonathan and Alex left for the train station. But never mind all that. What did he say? What did you say?”
“Well, he asked if he could write me.”
Cissie squealed. “And of course you said yes!”
“I said yes.”
“Oh, this is so exciting. I can just imagine what your home will be like, what your children will look like—”
“Cissie!” Meredith glanced around to make sure they weren’t being overheard. “I’m not sure you should be talking about children.”
“Why not? One must plan for these things, you know.” She sat back, a dreamy look on her face. “I really couldn’t be happier for you. And if Edward ever gets up the courage to ask me, we’ll both be married. And yes, having children.”
“I don’t see how writing a few letters is promising to marry him,” Meredith replied. “I haven’t given him a definite answer, and he hasn’t actually come right out and asked. He’s just hinted. Quite a lot. But just hints.”
“A man wouldn’t hint unless he was serious. He’d be too scared of making the wrong impression.” Cissie grinned. “You and I should have a double wedding. We like the same colors, we have the same friends—it would be so simple. We could hold the wedding party in your side yard, and of course we’d have to do it in the spring when the apple blossoms were in bloom. What do you think?”
“I think you’re trying to plan a wedding when neither groom has actually proposed.” Meredith shook her head, amused but a bit dismayed. “I don’t want you getting your hopes up for something that may never happen, Cissie. You might miss out on all kinds of good things in the meantime.”
“What good things? I can’t think of anything better than marrying Edward.” Cissie tilted her head to the side. “Are you still sweet on Jonathan? Is that why you’re a little cautious about heading into an understanding with Alex?”
“I’m cautious because I just met him! Cissie, it’s Monday afternoon. I met him Saturday afternoon. That’s forty-eight hours, and I can’t make this kind of decision or commitment that fast. Jesse even takes longer than that to decide if he’s going to buy a horse, and you can always sell a horse if you change your mind.”
“I knew from the first moment I met Edward that we’d get married someday.”
“And yet he still hasn’t proposed.” Meredith sighed. “Cissie, I believe in love—I really do. And yes, Alex is everything I’ve ever wanted. But I need a little more time, maybe even seventy-two hours, before I can decide how I feel. And when I do, you’ll be the first to know. Or maybe the second, because I probably ought to tell him.”
Cissie giggled. “You’re right. Okay, I’ll try to be patient. I just want to see you as happy as I am. Or as happy as I’ll be when Edward finally asks me. Good gracious, I just might end up asking him one of these days. I’m not sure how much longer I can go on like this.”
“I’ve heard of women proposing to men,” Meredith said. “It’s not common, but it is done.”
“I actually think my mother would skin me alive. She’s not progressive at all. I keep telling her that it’s time for women to become more involved in the world, in law making and everything, and she looks at me like I’ve sprouted blue hair or something. No, all I can do is keep dropping hints and hoping that Edward will pick them up. He’s not quite as intelligent as I might like, even though I love absolutely everything else about him.”
“He’d take good care of you. I know that.”
“He really would. He’s so thoughtful.” Cissie gave a sigh, then stood and smoothed her dress. “I promised Mother I’d go shopping with her this afternoon, so I need to leave. I just couldn’t wai
t another minute to talk to you. Let me know as soon as you hear from Alex, all right?”
“I will, but who knows how long it will be. Chances are, he’ll head back into class and forget all about this little weekend vacation.”
“I doubt that, Meredith. I very highly doubt that.” With a wiggle of her fingers and a flounce of her skirts, Cissie was out the door, leaving Meredith to wonder just how long it would actually be until she heard from Alex, and if she really should be writing him at all.
Chapter Six
My Dearest Meredith,
No doubt you’re surprised to hear from me so soon. I have a confession—I started missing you as soon as I left your house on Sunday night, so I started writing this letter before I ever left the Camerons’. I’ll no doubt work on it a bit on the train and finish it up once I’m back at school. Writing has always been a good way for me to sort out my thoughts.
And have my thoughts ever needed to be sorted out! I wasn’t expecting any of this to happen—you caught me completely off guard when I saw you at the general store. Now here you are in my life as the most wonderful surprise I’ve ever received. Your eyes have so many expressions—I can’t wait to spend more time with you and see just what all those expression are. I believe I’ve seen surprise, shock, and amusement so far, all the things I’ve been feeling myself. I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to see love in those eyes.
Again, though, I’m rushing ahead. I’m sorry. I’d resolved to give you time to think things over, and yet, here I am making plans and telling you about them before you’ve even had a chance to decide if you’re interested in exploring a relationship. I’ve always been the sort who pursued the things I wanted, and I want very much to get to know you better. I’ll slow down, I promise.
Well, the train ride is over now. I thought about continuing my letter on the way, but the track seemed bumpier than usual, and I was certain you wouldn’t be able to make out anything I wrote. Jonathan and I are back at school, and my room seems empty and boring. Of course, it was empty and boring before I left, but after spending a weekend with such pleasant people, returning to real life is difficult.
I can’t explain how much I’m looking forward to being done. When I was home at Christmastime last year, I asked Grandfather if I could leave college and start working for him immediately, and he told me that he needed to make sure that I had an education that would get me through life, not just through a few years. I trust his wisdom in this—he’s never steered me wrong before. It’s just difficult to be patient when I fail to see how understanding the ancient Greeks will make me more of an asset in the shipping business.
I’m going to tell you a secret, which you must keep. I noticed several pretty young women on the train, a few more at the station, and a few more beyond that as I returned here. It seemed that pretty girls were everywhere, like some sort of advertisement had gone out for them all to congregate in my path. And yet, do you know what? Not a single one of them was prettier than you.
I’ll go now and leave you to your day. I hope you find time to write me back. I’ll be waiting.
Alex
***
Meredith folded up the letter and slid it into the pocket of her skirt. Her cheeks were warm, and her heart was beating much faster than it had been a few minutes before. She glanced around, wondering if everyone on Main Street could see her reaction.
Alex Bingham certainly wasn’t shy about telling her his thoughts. That was better than leaving her guessing as to his intentions, but she wasn’t quite sure it was proper. Then again, as long as he wasn’t being rude or inappropriate . . .
She didn’t know what to think. She needed some advice.
She took the horse’s reins from the hitching post outside the general store and mounted, then turned in the direction of Grandma Mary’s house. It had been a little while since she’d visited, and she knew her grandmother would give her a listening ear.
The road was still a little moist from the rain that had fallen the day before, but it wasn’t muddy enough to cause her any difficulty. The horse’s hooves carved chunks out of the ground and threw them every which way—when she glanced back at the call of a bird, she noticed the trail of clods they’d left in their wake. It wouldn’t be long at all before passing wagons would crush them all to bits and smooth them back down again.
When she arrived at Grandma Mary’s, she led her horse around to the side of the house and looped the reins around a post near the watering trough. Then she climbed the stairs to the porch and rapped three times on the door before opening it.
“Grandma?” she called out, sticking her head inside.
“Come in, child,” the elderly woman called out from her customary spot by the fireplace. “What a nice surprise.”
Meredith pulled the door closed behind her and crossed the floor to take a seat. It was a warm day, so the fire had been allowed to burn down to just a few embers. The soft glow they created was comforting and reminded her of her grandmother herself. She took a seat in the wooden rocking chair near her grandmother’s upholstered one and exhaled deeply.
“You look a little worried,” Grandma Mary observed as she snipped off her thread. “What’s troubling you?”
Meredith paused before answering. No one in her family knew what was going on—she hadn’t wanted to say anything until she knew for herself. But she couldn’t hold this in forever, and Cissie was hardly an impartial listener.
“Do you remember Alex Bingham, the young man who came to my birthday party?”
Grandma Mary looked up from the needle she was rethreading. “Yes. He seemed very nice, even if he did keep you out on the porch too long.”
“He is nice, and he did keep me out on the porch, and that’s why I came to talk to you.”
Grandma Mary set her sewing to the side and turned her full attention to her granddaughter. “What’s going on, child?”
“It seems that he’s interested in me. In courting me. He asked me before he left if he could write me, and I got his first letter today. He says he hasn’t stopped thinking about me at all.”
“It’s only been a week since your party. He hasn’t had time to stop thinking about you.” Grandma Mary fixed Meredith with a look. “How do you feel about this young man?”
“I’m not entirely sure. He seems funny and intelligent, he’s certainly good-looking, and he makes my heart beat faster. Those are all good signs, aren’t they?”
“I’d say they are. And what of his character?”
“He seems as though he has a good head on his shoulders and a solid outlook on life. Time will tell about the rest, I suppose.”
Grandma Mary shook her head. “I must say, I’m a bit surprised. I always thought you’d end up with Luke.”
Meredith’s eyes flew wide. “You did?”
“Seemed pretty obvious to me. Haven’t the two of you been friends forever now?”
Meredith’s gaze wandered to the things on the mantel, bits and pieces of her grandmother’s life. “Yes, and I thought that’s all we were. But then he said . . .”
“What did he say, child?”
Meredith brought her eyes back to her grandmother’s. “He said he’s in love with me, that he has been for years. And I didn’t know. I just thought we were dear friends. Does that make me horribly stupid?”
Grandma Mary laughed. “Goodness, no. It just means that you were thinking about other things. I actually believe it’s somewhat rare for two people to fall in love at the exact same time—generally speaking, one of them figures it out before the other one does.” She held out her hand, and Meredith took it. “Don’t rush into anything with this Mr. Bingham fellow, child. Luke has been there for you time and time again—that kind of devotion is a precious gift.”
“I know it is, Grandma, and I don’t want to hurt him. But what if I can never feel about him the way he wants me to?”
“Feelings develop. They begin as little seeds, and depending on how they’re watered, they
can grow into rich, healthy plants. You may not realize it now, but your feelings for Luke are just waiting to be watered.”
Meredith wasn’t so sure about that. Luke was wonderful—there was no doubt about it—but he just didn’t make her heart sing, and she couldn’t imagine that he ever would.
“Thank you, Grandma. I’d best get back. Do you want me to take any messages to Mother?”
“No, but you could pass along this blue thread. I promised it to her the other day.” She handed Meredith the spool, and Meredith slid it into her pocket. Then she bent down and gave her grandmother a kiss on her wrinkled cheek.
“I love you, Grandma. See you later.”
“I love you too, child. Remember to keep your head on straight.”
“I will.”
As Meredith rode back home, she couldn’t help but think about Luke. Just exactly how many people in this town had been planning on the two of them getting married, anyway?
Chapter Seven
Dear Alex,
I was a little surprised to hear from you so soon, but it was a good surprise. Life went back to normal pretty quickly after my birthday, and your letter reminded me that yes, I did have a wonderful weekend filled with unexpected treats, and I hadn’t imagined the whole thing.
The day after you left, I received some news I’d been waiting for—Mrs. Crosby here in town has asked me to work with her in her dressmaking shop. The women in my family are quite skilled seamstresses, if I have the right to brag, and this is a fine opportunity to make myself useful. The things in her shop are fancier than anything I’ve sewn before, but she says she believes I’ll learn quickly. I’m eager to see what she has me do first. Someday, I want to sew as well as my mother. She made the dress I wore to my party.
My uncle gave me the most wonderful book for my birthday, and I’ve been reading it every chance I’ve had. It’s called Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Have you read it? It’s fascinating. Of course, many of the things that happen in the book could never happen in real life, but that’s the fun of it—imagining what could be. I’ve never thought much about what it’s like in the ocean until I started reading this book, and now it’s taking up all my thoughts.
Meredith's Mistake (Grandma's Wedding Quilts Book 4) Page 4
