Love Finds You in Daisy, Oklahoma

by Janice Hanna

  “I don’t have fits of passion,” Gene said, suddenly feeling a pulsing in his neck. “And I don’t write love letters.”

  “Hmm.” Charlie leaned back in the chair and stared him down. “Well, then, I’d say that pretty much changes everything.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  TIPS FOR DEALING WITH UNRULY YOUNG’UNS—My son, Charlie Lawson, is a deputy sheriff over Daisy-way. He’s been living on his own since he turned eighteen, just two years ago. You never met a prouder mama than this one. When I see him, all grown-up and as happy as a lark with that new bride on his arm, my heart just wants to sing for joy. Oh, it wasn’t always sunshine and lollipops. He gave me plenty of trouble as a boy. My solution? I spoke positive words over him. Told him that he was going to do something with his life when he grew up. Planted big dreams inside him. Now I’m watching the fulfillment of those dreams, and let me tell you…there’s nothing more satisfying.

  —Linda-Lou Lawson, Tushka, Oklahoma

  The morning after Sadie broke her news, Rena received another love letter from Gene. This one had been slipped into her Bible, which she had left in the parlor on the end table. She opened the note with haste, her heart in her throat.

  Darling Rena,

  How I wish I had Charlie’s courage! He has been motivated by love to do the very thing I can only think of doing. How will we ever spend our lives together if I cannot summon up the courage to share my heart? Oh, what a fool I am. What a coward! How long will I wait before the words cross my lips? I adore you. I have, from the day we first met. And I will—heaven help me—speak it plain as soon as I am able. In the meantime, I am fondly yours.

  Gene

  She clutched the letter to her chest and practically danced across the room.

  “Rena?” Virginia put down her needlework. “Has something happened?

  She thought about holding back, thought about keeping it to herself. Instead, she thrust the letter into her sister-in-law’s hands and began to waltz around the room. “Nothing is wrong, Virginia! Everything is right. Never more right, in fact.”

  Virginia read the letter then looked over at Rena with tears in her eyes. “This is from the sheriff?”

  “Yes.” Rena took the letter back, skimmed it once more, then folded it and put it back in her Bible. “He’s been sending them for weeks now, but I’ve never had the courage to respond. This time…” She grinned and held the Bible close. “This time I’m going to do it. I’m going to write the loveliest letter you’ve ever seen, one that fully shares my heart. I will not leave him guessing any longer.”

  Virginia wrapped Rena in her arms and gave her a tight squeeze. “You precious thing! I’m going to help you.”

  “You are?”

  “Indeed. Let’s craft a letter so beautiful that it gives him the courage to speak his mind in the open. What do you say?”

  Rena giggled and then nodded. “We have to hurry. The children will be home from school in a couple of hours, and Reuben will be back sooner than that.”

  “He and Charlie have a lot to discuss,” Virginia said. “I daresay he will be with that young man all afternoon and into the evening.”

  “Perhaps. But I must think of a way to deliver this letter once it’s written.”

  “Oh, that’s easy,” Virginia said. “We’ll walk to town and hand-deliver it to the jailhouse. That’s where Reuben and Charlie are meeting, are they not? We can claim we need to tell them something.”

  “I suppose.” Rena snapped her fingers. “Yes, this is the perfect day. Gene has gone to Atoka to deliver an inmate to the county jail. He will be gone most of the day, I think.”

  “Perfect.” Virginia’s cheeks glowed.

  The ladies spent the next hour penning the most exquisite letter known to mankind. Rena felt giddy as she read it aloud the last time:

  Dearest Gene,

  Oh, how long I’ve wanted to write to you, to confess my truest feelings. Your letters have brought me a joy I’ve never before known. They’ve lifted my spirits on the darkest days and given me hope to think that we might one day be as happily matched as our young Sadie and Charlie. Please don’t fret over not having the courage to share your thoughts aloud. I, too, have trouble with expressing my heart. Writing things down has always been my way of sharing my deepest feelings. Perhaps one day soon we will have a heart-to-heart discussion. In the meantime, please know that I return your sentiments—totally, fully, and joyfully.

  Yours truly,

  Rena

  “What do you think?” Rena’s voice trembled as she spoke.

  “I think it’s heavenly,” Virginia said. “And I also think we should deliver it before you change your mind. Are you up to a walk to town?”

  “I—I suppose.”

  “Good thing it warmed up a bit today. Let’s go quickly, shall we?”

  The butterflies in Rena’s stomach almost convinced her to back out. However, the joy she felt as she remembered Gene’s most recent letter bolstered her courage. She would speak her mind through this note, and she would speak it clear. How he responded would be up to him. Oh, but how she hoped he responded by sweeping her into his arms and sharing his affections face-to-face! Wouldn’t that be lovely?

  Rena and Virginia giggled all the way to town. The skies overhead were bright and clear, which matched their mood. They arrived at the jailhouse and Rena drew a deep breath. “How should we go about this?” she asked.

  Virginia paused. “I know. Give me the letter. You go on over to the general store and wait. Pretend to shop.”

  “I really do need a few things from the store.”

  “Perfect.” Virginia grabbed her arm. “I’ll go inside the jail and check on Reuben. He won’t be suspicious at all, particularly if I tell him he needs to come home for dinner at a certain time.”

  “Yes, and please invite Charlie to dinner too,” Rena said. “I think it’s a good idea, since it’s your last night here.”

  “I will.” Virginia released her hold on Rena’s arm. “Now, the big question is, how do I get the letter onto Gene’s desk?”

  “Oh, that’s easy.” Rena smiled as the idea hit. “Tell Charlie that I need my fabric samples back. They’re on Gene’s desk in the back office. You can bring the samples to me and leave the letter in their place.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out the letter, wishing she had sprayed it with perfume. Oh well. Surely Gene would love it, regardless.

  Virginia took the letter and disappeared into the jailhouse. Rena’s nerves nearly got the better of her. For a moment she considered following behind her sister-in-law and putting a stop to the whole thing. Then she remembered Gene’s words, and they gave her the confidence to move ahead.

  She practically danced her way into the general store. Once inside, she gave Mr. Hannigan a cheerful hello, asked how his wife was feeling, and filled her basket with all sorts of items for the children’s home. She found herself singing “‘Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do’” and had to chuckle at the irony of the words. Wasn’t she waiting on an answer from the man she loved? Yes indeed. And perhaps—if all went well—she would soon need a bicycle built for two.

  Rena rounded the shelves at the back of the store, headed up to the register, when Sadie stepped in front of her.

  “Aunt Rena!”

  “Sadie, what are you doing here?”

  “Hiding out from Father while he talks to Charlie.” She shivered. “I can’t even imagine what they’re doing over there, but it’s taking hours.”

  “We’ll know soon enough,” Rena said. “Your mother just went inside to check on them.” She hesitated about saying more, though she knew she could trust Sadie. Instead, she continued to shop, filling her basket to the very top.

  Rena took her purchases to the front counter, where Mr. Hannigan packaged them. By the time she finished, Virginia had swept into the store in a flutter. She pulled Rena and Sadie to the side and giggled.

  “Oh, Rena! I did it. I really did it. And I got aw
ay with it too. You were right. Gene is gone to Atoka.”

  “Got away with what?” Sadie asked, her brow wrinkled in confusion. “Something to do with Charlie and Father?”

  “No, sweet girl.” Her mother patted her arm. “Something completely different.” She gave Rena a wink.

  Rena felt her cheeks grow warm as Mr. Hannigan looked her way. She took her packages, thanked him, and moved toward the door.

  “Wait.” Sadie grabbed her by the arm just as she stepped outside. “What are you two up to? What aren’t you saying?”

  Rena giggled. “Oh, Sadie, you might as well know. I got another letter from Gene today.”

  At once, Sadie’s face paled. She released her hold on Rena’s arm and shook her head. “Oh dear, oh dear.” She began to pace the walkway outside of the store, finally turning to face them.

  “What is it, Sadie?” The joy Rena had been feeling only moments before suddenly dissipated at the look of horror on her niece’s face. “Tell me. Please.”

  “Oh, Aunt Rena. I hate to be the one. Charlie told me just this morning that it would be best if you didn’t know, at least not yet.”

  “Know what?”

  “Those letters…the ones you’ve been getting from Gene?”

  “Y–yes?”

  “They’re not from Gene at all.”

  Rena suddenly felt ill. “O–of course they are. Why, they’re signed with his name.”

  “Yes. I know that. But, Aunt Rena, trust me…Charlie spoke with Gene himself.”

  “How did Charlie even know about the letters?” Rena glared at Sadie, knowing all too well how he must have heard about them.

  “I’m sorry, Aunt Rena. I really am. I told him in confidence. But I can also tell you with complete confidence that the letters you’ve been receiving were not penned by Gene Wyatt. Absolutely, unequivocally not.”

  Rena now shook all over, but she could not blame it on the cold. This news was simply too much to take. “Then…who?” she managed.

  Sadie shook her head. “I haven’t a clue.” She paused. “Well, I have my suspicions but no hard evidence. I had planned to talk with you about it when I arrived home.”

  “I see.” Rena released a slow breath, feeling as if all of the life were draining out of her. So Gene didn’t care for her at all. He hadn’t written those letters. He wasn’t suffering from lack of courage. He probably didn’t even know she cared about him. What a dreadful situation.

  “Oh no!” She let out a cry, which caused Molly Harris—who was just entering the store—to look her way.

  “What is it?” Sadie asked.

  “I wrote a passionate love letter to Gene, and your mother just delivered it.”

  “It’s sitting on his desk as we speak,” Virginia whispered.

  “Stay calm,” Sadie said, putting her hands up. “I’ll just go in there and fetch it. No problem.”

  For a moment Rena experienced a sense of relief. This was followed by the inevitable feeling of letdown at the realization that Gene did not care for her. Oh, what pain rippled through her. She felt it so intensely that she thought she might be ill. But there was no time for illness now. Not with a letter to be retrieved.

  After a moment’s pause, Sadie pointed herself toward the jail, took a couple of steps in that direction, and then turned back.

  “I can’t go in there,” she whispered, tears beginning to roll down her cheeks. “What if Father and Charlie are arguing? What if I walk inside and discover my husband’s dead body laid out on the floor?” She began to weep.

  Rena slapped herself in the forehead. “Fine. I’ll go in. But let’s hurry. We don’t have much…” She’d almost spoken the word “time” when Gene’s car pulled up. He parked in front of the jail, exited the vehicle, gave them a wave, and then disappeared inside.

  “Oh. Help.”

  Rena turned on her heel and began to run toward home.

  Gene waved at the ladies then walked inside the jail. After a long day in Atoka with a particularly difficult inmate, he could hardly wait for a quiet evening. He walked in on Charlie and Reuben Jewel engaged in a heated conversation. Gene quickly excused himself and made his way back to his office.

  Closing the door, he released a slow breath, ushered up a prayer for Charlie and Sadie, then walked over to his desk. As he took a seat behind it, he gave it a second glance. Something looked different, though he couldn’t say what, exactly.

  Ah, yes. The fabric samples had been moved. Likely Rena had come to fetch them. But what was that in its place?

  He stretched his arm across the desk and fetched the gilded envelope. Odd. If his name hadn’t been written on the front, he would have wondered who it belonged to. He reached for the letter opener and, moments later, had the letter unfolded in his hand.

  To say that the words written there took him by surprise would be an understatement. To say they brought an unexpected thrill would be even more so. For, as he read the words Rena had penned, every feeling he’d had locked up inside over the past several weeks came rushing out. He rose and paced the office, only slightly aware of a stirring outside his door. Finally convinced that Charlie and Reuben must’ve gone to fighting, he folded the letter, shoved it into his coat pocket, and opened the door leading to the outer office.

  Sadie stood just outside with her mother at her side. Behind them, Charlie and Reuben looked on, both appearing perplexed.

  “I’m sorry, Gene,” Sadie said, “but I must know. Did you…I mean, did you happen to find a letter on your desk just now?” He had barely started to nod when she added, “I believe it was left there by mistake.”

  In that moment, every hope he’d had drained away.

  He reached into his pocket, pulled out the letter, and held it up. “This letter, you mean?”

  He would’ve said more, but Sadie fainted dead away in front of him.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  TIPS FOR DEALING WITH UNRULY YOUNG’UNS—Sometimes kids just need to be kids. We don’t mean to cause trouble…most of the time. Like that time Henry and Oliver talked me into writing those dumb love letters to Miss Rena and pretending they were from the sheriff. I didn’t mean to make her cry! Guess I was hopin’ she and Mr. Gene would really fall in love. Henry bought the stationery at the general store, and I used my very best handwriting. The funniest part of all was figuring out how to come up with those bee-you-tee-ful words! Shh! That’s my little secret. Well, mine and Henry’s.

  —Josephine Collins, Age Eleven

  Rena arrived home overcome with emotion. She swung wide the door of the house and was startled to see that the children had already arrived home from school. Adding to the chaos, Jonathan was there as well. He took one look at her and rushed to her side.

  “Rena, are you all right?”

  “No.” She shook her head. “I’m not.”

  “Should I fetch the doctor?” He put his palm on her forehead. “You don’t feel feverish. Do you have the flu?”

  “I wish.” She dissolved into tears. “What I have is…fatal!” She began to sob.

  “I’m going for the doctor right now. Whatever you do, don’t move. Just rest until I get back.”

  She tried to speak but could not. He shot through the door, his face ashen.

  The children gathered round, looking terrified. Rena tried to stop the flow of tears, but they would not cease.

  Josephine looked on, her eyes growing large. “Miss Rena, what happened? Did somebody die?”

  “N–no!” Rena drew a deep breath and tried to calm down. She hadn’t intended for the children to see her like this. Still, what could she do?

  Josephine and the other girls grabbed her by the hands and pulled her inside. Seconds later, they were all seated at the dining room table, bawling.

  “W–why are we c–crying?” Lilly wailed at long last.

  “I—I don’t know!” Callie sniffled and wiped her nose on her sleeve.

  Rena did her best to calm down so that she could alleviate their fe
ars. Still, she must confront them. Surely these little monsters had done this. They had written those letters, or her name wasn’t Rena Jewel. Then again, she wasn’t sure what her name was right now. Mud, from the looks of things.

  By now the boys had joined them. Most looked terrified to find her in such a state. They gathered around, and Henry asked if he could do anything to help.

  “Yes.” She sucked in a breath and said, “Tell me who wrote those awful letters, and don’t lie to me!”

  What happened next was proof positive they’d done the deed. She’d never seen a room clear so quickly. In seconds, the only two who remained were Henry and Josephine—and Josephine now wailed louder than ever.

  Rena, horrified to learn the truth, rose from her chair and headed upstairs. She needed privacy. She needed time to think. Moments later, she was closed in her bedroom with the door locked. She flung her body onto the bed and began to cry in earnest.

  She heard a rap on the door and ignored it.

  “Miz Rena,” Henry’s voice sounded. “Please. Can we talk to you?”

  “P–pretty p–please, Miss R–rena,” Josephine added between sobs.

  “No.” She paused to blow her nose. “Not now.”

  They would not go away. One of them—Henry, likely, judging from the knock—was persistent. She finally relinquished and opened the door. Josephine stepped inside the room first with Henry right behind her.

  “Miss Rena…” Josephine grabbed her hand. “Oh, please forgive me. I didn’t mean to make you cry. I never ever thought you would cry. We just thought…”

  “What did you think?” she asked, her harsh words laced with anger. “That you would humiliate me in front of people I’ve grown to care about? That you would get me so upset I would actually want to leave this town and never return?”

  “But you cain’t leave Daisy.” This time it was Henry who spoke. “You just cain’t. Those letters weren’t s’posed to get you to leave. They were s’posed to make you stay!”