Love Finds You in Daisy, Oklahoma (18 page)

“There now. Apologize to Lilly and take your seat.”

He refused. Instead, he started punching William again, this time giving his brother’s right eye a real shiner.

“That’ll show you!” Jacob hollered from the floor, where he’d pinned William.

Gene grabbed Jacob by one foot, lifted him—upside down—and left him hanging.

“Anything you want to say to your brother?” Gene asked.

“Yeah. He’s a snot-nosed, rabbit-eared thief who was gonna take my helping of cranberry relish. And that ain’t all. He’s a—”

Gene righted Jacob and slipped a hand over the boy’s mouth before he said something they’d all be sorry for. William sat on the floor, nursing his swollen eye and muttering under his breath.

Gene’s mother rose and walked to the kitchen. She returned a minute later with a raw beefsteak in hand, which she passed to William. “You know what to do with it,” she said with a nod.

The unhappy boy placed it over his eye and took his seat once more. Using his free hand, he scooped a large serving of cranberry relish, taking the last of it. A crooked smile lit his face.

From the end of the table Rena sighed then took a bite of her roll.

They somehow settled back into their meal. Gene kept a watchful eye on Jenny, who kept a watchful eye on Jonathan, who appeared to be keeping a watchful eye on Rena. This couldn’t have gone any better if he’d planned it. Maybe Jonathan wasn’t interested in Jenny at all.

Not that Jenny looked his way. No, the only one paying him much attention today was Oliver, who repeated his every word—a parrot in dungarees.

Finally Gene could take it no more.

“Can’t you think of anything original to say?” he asked.

“Can’t you think of anything original to say?” Oliver echoed.

Gene sighed and turned his attention to Rena. “Best meal I’ve eaten in ages. Now, where’s that pumpkin pie I rescued when I first arrived?”

“Where’s that pumpkin pie I—” Oliver didn’t get to finish because Gene clamped a hand over his mouth.

“This one gets no pie unless he’s quiet.”

Thank goodness, that shut the youngster up once and for all. Rena and the other ladies sliced pieces of pie—pumpkin, pecan, and cherry—and before long, the children were smacking their lips and offering up contented sighs. Gene took a cautious bite of his pecan pie. Turned out, it wasn’t half bad.

By the time the meal ended, he was stuffed full. He rubbed his belly and looked around at the messy table. Jenny rose and began to clear the dishes, so he decided to help her. Perhaps this would put the two of them alone in the kitchen.

No such luck. After just a few minutes, Jenny headed off to the parlor to play board games with his mother, Jonathan, and the children, while he and Rena worked side by side in the kitchen.

“You wash, I’ll dry?” she asked.

He nodded. “Yep. Sounds good to me.”

He was elbow-deep in soapy water as she chattered on and on about how wonderful the day had been.

“Were we at the same table?” he asked. “Because my memories of the event are a little different from yours.”

She flashed a smile so sweet that it stopped him in his tracks. “Oh, but don’t you see? We were all together. In one place. Together, to celebrate God’s goodness. Sure, the boys were a handful, but at least they were safe and happy and well-fed.”

He wasn’t sure how to respond to that. Gene stopped his work and scrutinized her. She seemed more relaxed today, almost like a different person. But how did one go about saying such a thing without causing offense? And there was something about her physical appearance too. She looked…extra pretty. He shifted his gaze to the dishes and started scrubbing once again, now deep in thought.

Perhaps the change in appearance had something to do with her statement about God’s goodness. Yes, she certainly seemed content. Thank goodness for that. Perhaps she wouldn’t run off before the new director arrived in May. That would certainly ease his mind on many levels.

“What?” she asked after a moment. “What is it?”

He paused, lifted a soapy finger, and pointed to her light brown hair, which hung loose around her shoulders. “I
knew
there was something different about you today.”

“Different?”

“Yes.” He pointed again and then pulled his hand back, remembering his mother’s words about pointing being impolite. “I know what it is. You’re wearing your hair down. You never do that. It’s always up.”

Her eyes widened, and she reached up to touch the length of her hair. “Oh my. I meant to put it up after we finished cooking. And then, of course, the children distracted me. You heard what they did, didn’t you?”

He sighed. “It might be easier to tell me what they didn’t do. I’m sure the list of evil deeds is growing as we speak.”

“Let’s just say they’re rowdy and leave it at that.”

The overhead light happened to pick up the various shades of her hair at that very moment, distracting him.

“Sheriff?” She gave him a curious look. “Is everything all right?”

“Oh, yes. Of course.”
If only you hadn’t worn your hair down. I might’ve stood a chance at paying attention to what you’re saying.
“What were we talking about again?”

“I was about to explain why the boys had me so distracted. You’re probably not going to believe this….”

“Try me.”

“Well, it’s the strangest thing. They—”

“You’re wearing lace.” Had he interrupted her again? From the look on her face, yes, he had. But, still, he would be remiss in not pointing it out. The woman never wore lace. Nothing frilly. Only sensible brown or gray dresses. Nothing like this soft white blouse she wore today.

He pointed to her blouse. “Don’t think I’ve ever seen you in lace before. And that blue skirt. You don’t usually wear blue.”

“Oh, that.” Her cheeks turned the prettiest rosy-pink. “You’re right. I’ve been trying to wear more practical clothes because of the heavy work involved, but this is a holiday, a day to celebrate.”

“Well, then, you should celebrate every day.”

“O–oh?”

Gene felt the strangest sense of wonder pass over him as she smiled. He didn’t get to revel in the feeling for long, though, because the boys and girls ran through the kitchen to the back door, jarring him back to his senses.

“Whoa, Nellie!” Gene dropped the dishes into the sink and blocked the door. From the ends of his fingers, soap bubbles dripped onto the floor. “Where are you going?” he asked.

“Miss Jenny said we could play in the piles of leaves in the backyard,” Callie said.

“Aw, she just wants an excuse to be alone with Mr. Brewer,” Henry threw in, rolling his eyes.

Gene fought to keep from responding to that comment. His mother entered the kitchen and glanced his way. “Don’t pay them any mind. They’re prone to exaggeration.”

“No doubt.” Gene wasn’t sure what to say.

“You’re making a mess, son.” His mother gestured to his soapy hands. “Almost as big a mess as you made in putting together that pecan pie.”

He groaned.

“Better get back to work. I’ll go out back with the children.” She looked between Gene and Rena. “If you two can handle the work in here, I mean.”

“We’re doing just fine,” Rena’s happy-go-lucky voice sounded. “Have fun out there.”

The children disappeared through the door and Gene returned to his labors at the sink. He and Rena worked side by side, occasionally pausing to gaze out the kitchen window at the piles of leaves and the children who danced through them.

“I’ve always loved Thanksgiving Day because of the changing of the leaves,” Rena said. “We had some beautiful magnolia trees in our front yard in Gulfport. I used to love them so.”

“Why do you say
had?
Did a hurricane blow them away or something?”

“Actually, yes.” Her expression shifted, and he could read the sadness in her eyes.

“Ah. Sorry. Didn’t really think you’d say yes. We don’t see hurricanes up this way. Just tornadoes.” The moment he spoke the word, visions of Brenda arose. He did his best to shove them back down.

“Actually, I’m pretty sure I just saw a tornado whip through right here.” She drew so near they were practically touching, as she pointed at Callie through the window. “See? She’s stirring up the leaves like the wind.”

“Um, yes.” Gene paused, wondering if the delightful smell of perfume Rena was wearing had somehow affected him. He couldn’t seem to think straight today.

Rena’s eyelashes fluttered a bit and then she went back to work, drying the large turkey platter. “I’ve been waiting for this day ever since I got here. The children deserve a special day like this, don’t you think? I know they’re a handful, but they’re so precious.”

Precious
wasn’t exactly the word he would’ve chosen, and he did have to wonder if Rena was being sensible in her approach to the children. Did she not realize how easily they could turn on her? Perhaps someone needed to fill her in before the boys and girls took advantage of her generous nature once more.

“Couple things you should know.” Gene pointed to Josephine. “That one right there…she’s a snitch.”

“Meaning she tells on the others?”

“Yep.” He nodded. “Thrives on it, in fact. She doesn’t always get her stories straight, but she’s happy to tell you who committed the offense.”

“Oh, but she’s such a darling little thing. And she’s been through so much. She lost her parents in a house fire, you know. If you really take the time to get to know her, you will see a scared little girl in need of a mother. That’s all she’s crying out for—the attention every child deserves.”

“Hmm.”

“Getting to know the children is key.” A dreamy-eyed expression settled onto Rena’s face. “For instance, I’ve been getting to know Lilly and Callie. You might be surprised to hear that Callie writes letters to her mother, though her memories are fading. Don’t you find that endearing?”

“I had no idea. Mrs. Wabash never told me.”

“It’s true.” Rena gazed at Callie. “Poor little thing has a whole drawer full of them. I found them when I was putting clothes away.” Rena’s eyes misted over. “I want so desperately to make a difference in their lives, Gene. I hope I can.” She dried a plate and set it on the counter.

“You already are.” Should he tell her that she was the only director thus far who’d actually fallen in love with the children? That they seemed to be responding to her in a way he’d never seen before? That her kindness and gentle nature had taken everyone by surprise…even him?

Gene had just opened his mouth to share these thoughts when Rena gestured toward the twins. “They’re the cutest little things, aren’t they? That red hair and all those freckles.” Her nose wrinkled. “But I have a hard time understanding them. The brogue is thick, but the curls are thicker. They’re long overdue for a haircut, but Joe refuses to touch them. I did my best with Wesley’s hair, but he’s not happy with the outcome. Not sure I am, either.”

“Certainly looks better than before.”

“Thank you. I’m still learning, of course.”

“Of course.”

“I’ll tell you someone else who’s overdue for a haircut, and that’s Oliver.”

Gene fought the temptation to repeat, “And that’s Oliver.” Instead, he chuckled. “Good luck in getting him to sit still long enough to cut his hair. He’s slipperier than a worm avoiding the hook.”

Rena chuckled. “You have such a quaint way with words.” She finished drying another plate and added it to the stack.

He felt his smile fading. “I’m not a city fella, if that’s what you mean. Just a good old country boy from Oklahoma, and right proud of it.”

Her cheeks turned pink, and he could read the concern in her eyes. “Oh, I wasn’t poking fun. I…well, I think your way of speaking is…” She paused. “Cute.”

“Cute, eh?” He found himself smiling again. “Ain’t been called ‘cute’ since I was a boy. But I can’t say as I mind, as long as you smile like that when you say it.”

Her eyelashes fluttered a bit, but the smile never diminished. Yes, indeed. She could call him anything she liked.

An odd silence grew between them. Gene needed to figure out a way to break it. “What are you planning for Christmas?” he asked after a moment.

“For the children, you mean?” She seemed to come alive once more. “They’ve absconded with the Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalogue and have nearly worn it out. I plan to contact my brother with a list. Perhaps our friends and church members in Gulfport can meet the need for Christmas gifts. I’m sure they would like the opportunity to try. And anything they don’t come up with, well…” Her words drifted off.

“Well, what?” he asked.

She reached for a dishcloth and started drying a drinking glass. “I don’t mean to sound presumptuous, but I have some money put away. I wouldn’t be opposed to the idea of providing Christmas for the children. It would be my honor, in fact. The more I get to know them, the more I see the particular needs, especially for clothing and shoes. It’s just a matter of listing the right sizes. My brother and sister-in-law can take care of the rest. And if they can’t, I can.” She put the glass down and reached for another.

“Still, I hate to see you spend your own money on them.”

“What else is it good for?” She began drying a large kettle.

“True.” He released a slow breath, contemplating her words. He and Brenda had never had more than a couple of nickels to rub together, so he truly could not relate to Rena’s financial status. Still, she didn’t seem to mind spending it on the children, a trait he found admirable.

“I’m going to make new dresses for the girls for Christmas, but I’ll need to order clothing for the boys. I could use your help with that.”

“Of course.” He paused and gave her another look. “You’re a very kind woman. Has anyone ever told you that?”

She smiled. “Well, some of the folks I worked with at the missions society said something similar once. I’ve always loved tending to the needs of others.”

“It suits you.”

“I had little else to do back in Gulfport, to be honest. I spent most of my days rather bored.” She chuckled. “Those days are behind me.”

“They sure are.” He paused. “Before you arrived, I wondered what sort of life you would be leaving to come here.”