Hearts Aglow (30 page)
She glanced around. “Please don’t tell anyone else – promise? This town is so full of gossips.”
“Of course I’ll keep quiet.”
“His brother Calvin has been arrested in Indianola for killing a man.” Deborah stared at the garden patch and began to hoe again. “Some say it was self-defense, but others say it wasn’t. If his brother hangs, Christopher said he would be obligated to return to his family in Kansas City.”
“And what about you?” His tone wasn’t accusing or otherwise harsh.
Deborah continued working, unwilling to meet his gaze. “He didn’t want me to feel that I had to wait for him. He wasn’t even sure he’d return to Perkinsville.”
“Why not?”
She stopped and leaned the hoe against the fence. Pushing back her sunbonnet, Deborah wiped perspiration from her forehead. “His mother may need him to stay in Kansas City. His father is pretty useless. He’s taken to drinking because he can’t bear being an invalid. Christopher’s mother suffers greatly.”
“I see. Well, I reckon I can’t fault a fella for somethin’ like that.”
“No.” She gazed past him to the railroad tracks. She thought of Christopher leaving the town by means of the train. She couldn’t help but wonder where he was now. Maybe he was sitting at his brother’s side in some trial. Maybe he was pleading for his brother’s life.
“I’m sorry he’s gone,” Rob said, drawing her attention back to him. “I reckon that must be powerful hard for you.”
She nodded. “It is, but I’m trying to just put those feelings aside and focus on the work that needs to be done. Garden can’t hoe itself and the clothes can’t wash themselves.”
“If it’s any help,” he said with a smile, “I feel pretty certain the doc will come back. You two are intended to be together.”
“And how would you know about such matters?” she asked with a teasing smile.
“That’s part of God’s blessing on me, I guess,” he said, his tone becoming serious. “I think on a matter long enough, and pretty soon, I’m not just thinkin’ about ideas for fixin’ the problem, but I’m seeing the problem already done in my head. It’s like a vision or something.”
“That sounds amazing.” Deborah put her hand on Rob’s knee. “You’ve picked up your reading so quickly, and just look at the gift you have for memorizing Scriptures. I think God has a definite path for you.”
Rob nodded. “I do, too. Will you come see me in Houston?”
“Absolutely,” Deborah promised. “However, I may well go off to get some training myself.”
He looked at her oddly. “Like what?”
“Medicine. I’d like to continue my studies and become a real doctor. Since Christopher may not return for some time, I’ll probably need to find another doctor to train me.”
“I don’t know that I like the idea. I hope you’ll be givin’ it a lot of prayer and thought.”
“I will,” she promised. “There might even be a doctor in Lufkin who would take me on once he knows about the details of my previous training.” She gave a shrug as if it were all of no consequence.
“We will just have to wait and see.”
“Seems like you should give this a whole lot more thought.”
“But don’t you worry. I’ll make sure the business won’t suffer. G.W. now handles the office and business affairs quite capably. The exercises he’s been doing to strengthen his leg have really improved his usage of the limb. It won’t be long at all before he’s fully capable of doing just about anything he wants. Uncle Arjan knows the logging business, and even with you off training to be a preacher, he’ll hire the workers needed. Vandermark Logging will go on as it always has.”
“Still, I’d hate to see you goin’ away again. I know Ma would, too.”
“I know. It’s not ideally what I want,” Deborah admitted. “I had planned that Christopher . . . Dr. Clayton would continue to train me. I suppose those who didn’t feel it appropriate are happy now.”
Rob studied her for a moment. “Just make sure your choices aren’t about running away.”
His comment took her off guard. “Why would you say that?”
“Seems to me you were quite content to be here until the doc up and left. I’d hate to see you change all your plans just because you feel out of sorts with him.”
The conversation was taking a turn she’d rather not travel. She took the hoe back in hand. “But what about you? Have you thought to talk to Pastor Shattuck about being a preacher?”
“Yes. He’s the one who told me about the seminary. We talked and prayed about it.”
“What about Mara?” She knew her brother was more than a little sweet on the preacher’s daughter.
“Well, she knew God had a plan for me before I did. Fact is, she told me that once I get done what God has for me to do, we’ll get married.”
Deborah laughed. “She did? Well, that’s quite a proposal. I would never have expected Mara to speak so boldly.”
“She’s full of surprises,” Rob admitted with a grin. “I can’t say that I mind, though. I like a woman knowing her own mind and heart. I’m even happier that she looks to know God’s, as well.”
Deborah considered the young woman for a moment. “And have you asked her to wait for you?”
“Didn’t have to,” Rob replied. “She told me she’d be here waiting when I got back.”
“Well, it sounds like you’ve truly considered all of this. I have to admit, I used to wonder if you’d ever settle down.” She grinned. “I never figured you’d do it in such a big way.”
He hopped down from the fence and gave her a hug. “I guess it’s time I go talk to Ma and the others.” He started to go, then stopped. “Say, you ought to know that Jake’s pretty sweet on you. He’s always askin’ about you.”
Deborah shook her head. “I know. I’ve made it clear to him that I have a beau.” She frowned, thinking of Christopher’s letter releasing her from their courtship. “But I guess that’s changed.”
“You think the doc will forget all about you?”
“Could be. He didn’t ask me to wait for him. In fact, it was just the opposite.” She moved back to the garden row.
“I’m sorry,” Rob said. “Don’t give up on him. You don’t know yet what God has planned, but you two worked real well together. I can’t believe God would just send you off in different directions. Findin’ another person who understands your heart . . . well, it isn’t easy.”
“No, it certainly isn’t,” Deborah agreed. She looked at her brother. “Please don’t speak to others about it. I’m not really ready to discuss it. Please just pray for me to know exactly what God has in mind.”
“You were mighty quiet at supper,” Jake said, finding Deborah alone on the front porch.
The last person she wanted to deal with was Jake, but she didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Lifting her closed fan, she waved it from left to right. “It’s so much cooler out here than inside – don’t you think?”
He took the chair beside her and turned it around. Straddling it, he leaned forward against the back of the chair. “I suppose you ain’t exactly wantin’ to jaw with me.”
She smiled. “It certainly isn’t personal. I don’t feel like speaking with anyone. I’m not good company tonight.”
“I find that hard to believe,” he said with a smile. “My granddaddy used to say that sometimes when a fella felt like he couldn’t find the words, it was ’cause he needed someone to help him.”
“And you’re offering to direct me? Is that it?”
His smile broadened. “Sure, why not? You and me, we’ve been talkin’ on and off for some time now. You know you can trust me. I’m the honorable sort.”
Deborah couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, I suppose you are.”
“So why not share your worries with me?”
She looked at him and had to admit she found his expression endearing. He tried so hard to impress. “It’s not so much worries. I’m really not sitting here fretting as much as thinking. It seems my life is changing once again, and I just want to be sure I know where God wants me to be.”
“Seems to me what with Him bein’ God, He’s able to put you where He wants you to be without you havin’ to think overmuch on it.” He sobered. “ ’Course, my ma used to say that God didn’t force us, so I suppose a fella could make a bad choice and go somewhere God didn’t want him . . . or her.”
“It’s true,” Deborah admitted. “My mother used to tell me that God has a perfect way for each person, but sometimes we don’t care to know what that is. I honestly want to know, but it seems that just when I start to figure it out, everything changes.”
“Like courtin’ Dr. Clayton?”
Deborah stiffened. “I’d rather not talk about Dr. Clayton.”
“Why is that?”
“Because it’s a private matter. I wouldn’t feel comfortable talking to you about it.”
Jake grinned again. “Why, ’cause you know I’m wantin’ to court you myself?”
Deborah looked at him and lowered her fan. “That’s one very good reason for us to change the topic of our conversation.”
“I think you’re afraid to step out with me.”
“I am not.” Deborah hadn’t meant to sound so indignant. She softened her tone. “So how are you enjoying your new job?”
He looked for a moment as if he wouldn’t allow for the conversation to change course, then shrugged. “It’s hard work. But I surely appreciate your family takin’ me on.”
“I wish things had gone better for your folks,” Deborah said, thinking how sad it all was that Jake should have to leave the only home he’d known. “I know you must miss them.”
“I do,” he admitted. He got off the chair and walked to the end of the porch. “I always figured to take over the ranch when my pa passed on; instead, it’s gone to strangers.”
“Who bought your family’s land?”
Jake shook his head. “I don’t know. Some fella from up Chicago way. He was buying up a bunch of ranches. Told my pa the drought wouldn’t last forever and when the rains finally came, he’d own a good piece of Texas.”
“So he has the luxury of waiting for the rains, but your father didn’t.”
Frowning, Jake turned away. “No.”
“I’m sorry, Jake. I really am. I can’t imagine how I’d feel if we suddenly lost our land. For all the years I was away from here, I always knew I’d come home one day.” She got up and walked to where Jake stood staring off across the yard. “Still, you did say that you believed God was able to put you where He wanted you. Maybe that’s here. Maybe there’s another kind of life God wants you to experience.”
Jake turned and Deborah was more than a little aware of how close he stood. “Could be He sent me here because of you. Ever think about that? Maybe I lost one family – one home – because I’m gonna have another.” He winked. “And maybe you’re gonna be a part of it.”
On Saturday the fourteenth, Euphanel and Rachel decided to host a sacred-harp gathering for the community. They posted notices around town at the commissary, mill, and new dress shop encouraging everyone to attend, whether they could sing or not. The ladies felt that the heat of summer, coupled with the worry over drought was enough of an excuse to have a party.
Zed thought it was a good idea, as well. He talked of tempers running high at the mill and even some conflicts with his new partners. He donated scrap wood to build temporary tables and moved the benches from the ball diamond. By the time things were set in place in the grassy park area beside the church, it looked like the party might rival the Texas Independence Day celebration.
Most folks seemed happy to break their routine, as well, and by the time the singing began in the early evening, Euphanel was convinced that most everyone in the community was present. She was pleased to see that while some folks were surprised by the blacks joining in the sacred-harp choir, no one said anything to suggest it was inappropriate.
“My, you look lovely,” Mr. Longstreet told her. He took hold of her hand and raised it to his lips. “I do hope there will be a chance to share a private moment.” He kissed her hand, leaving the onlooking Rachel to gasp at his boldness.
“Euphanel, I need to see you about something,” she told her friend.
Mr. Longstreet looked perturbed but said nothing as Rachel led Euphanel away from his company. Euphanel was more than grateful for her friend’s attentive action.
“Thank you. I swear, the man has gone out of his way to charm me.”
“Maybe he doesn’t realize you’ve already been charmed elsewhere,” Rachel smirked.
