Love Finds You in Daisy, Oklahoma (37 page)

The conversation took a turn, and before long she heard some news that shocked her.

“Molly, you’re getting married?”

Molly nodded. “Yep. Ain’t it grand? James and I aren’t wasting any time, either. We’re getting married next Sunday after church.”

Off she went, talking about the wedding, their living arrangements, and the empty field she planned to donate to the children’s home. Rena found herself so confused by all this news that her thoughts were in a whirl.

What an odd day this was turning out to be. Nothing like she’d expected.

When they arrived at the depot, Rena looked around. “Where’s Gene? Is he meeting us here?”

Carolina shook her head. “No, he’s really busy today. He did ask us to stop by the jail on our way back, though. He wants to say hello to Janelle. He hasn’t seen her since they were youngsters.” She laughed. “Oh, what trouble those two used to get into. Janelle’s mama and I were best friends and spent hours together with Gene and Janelle playing at our feet. They were a handful, those two.” She went on a tangent talking about Gene and Janelle. This only served to get Rena more depressed.

The three o’clock train arrived right on schedule. Rena looked on as a woman—a beautiful woman with blond, coiffed hair—stepped off the train. Behind her appeared the cutest little boy with blond curls and an impish smile. The woman turned to give the youngster a hug then exclaimed, “We’re here, Danny-boy! We’ve arrived in Daisy.”

The youngster let out a shout, scaring the porter.

Rena took a couple of steps in her direction, following behind Carolina. She hadn’t imagined Janelle to be this lovely. In fact, she hadn’t spent much time at all thinking about the woman’s appearance.

Carolina swept Janelle into her arms and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek. “You darling girl. You’re the spitting image of your mama at this age.”

“Do you think?” Janelle smiled. “What a lovely compliment.”

Rena stepped up and introduced herself. “Welcome to Daisy, Janelle.”

“I’m so happy to be here. I’ve had the strangest feeling from the start that God was drawing me here for these boys and girls.” Her gaze shifted to the children, who approached—albeit shyly. Quite a difference from the way they’d greeted Rena just seven short months ago.

She didn’t have time to think about it for long, however, because the sound of voices hollering behind them interrupted her thoughts.

“Rena!”

She turned to see Old Man Tucker doubled over to catch his breath.

Her heart quickened. “James, what is it?”

“S–something’s h–happened at the jailhouse. It’s G–gene and the boys. They—they need you.”

Without giving another thought to the new director or any of the people gathered around her, Rena hiked up her skirts and began to run. She raced all the way to the jail, friends and loved ones trailing along behind her. When she arrived, she flung wide the door and raced inside with all of the children on her tail. Then she heard Gene’s voice calling out to her from one of the cells.

“Rena!”

“Gene!” She hurried to the jail cell and was confused to find him locked inside. “What’s happening?”

He groaned. “It’s those boys of mine. They locked me in and ran off with the key.”

“W–what?”

“Yes.” He turned to Jonathan, who had appeared at Rena’s side. “Could you find Charlie? He’s the only other one who can get me out of here.”

“Sure.” Jonathan took off for the door, with Jenny following.

Rena looked after them for a moment then turned her attention back to Gene. He looked through the bars and smiled when he saw Janelle. “Well, this is a fine how-do-you-do. Quite a welcome, I’d say. How are you doing, Janelle? Good to see you again.”

She stuck her hand through the bars and shook it. “Gene Wyatt. Obviously you’re still the same rapscallion I knew as a kid.”

“Obviously.”

“Nothing new there.” She giggled.

“Some things never change, Janelle.” Gene raked his fingers through his hair and sighed.

Rena couldn’t be sure, but she thought he winked afterward. Of all the nerve! Why would he wink at another woman?

Gene gazed at Rena with a pout. “Hold my hand?” He extended his right hand through the bar.

She reached out to take his hand, more confused than ever.

At this point Carolina appeared with Jacob and William at her side. “Lookee who I found!” She extended her hand and revealed the key, which she used to open the door to the jail cell. A resounding cheer went up from the crowd.

Instead of stepping out, however, Gene gestured for Rena to join him.

“You want me to come…in there?” she asked.

He nodded, a smile curling up the edges of his lips.

Something was definitely amiss. Rena felt it. Still, the man she loved wanted her to join him inside the jail cell. In front of half the town, no less.

She didn’t want to, but the crowd pressed her in. Seconds later, Rena found herself behind bars, locked inside with Gene. Nothing about this made sense. Out of the corners of her eyes, she caught a glimpse of Sadie and Charlie entering through the front door. Sadie’s impish smile spoke of mischief, for sure. What were these folks up to?

Gene cleared his throat and Rena turned her attention back to him. He did a couple of little funny dance steps then extended his hand. She paused, wondering if, perhaps, he’d lost his mind.

“W–what are you doing?”

“Dancing,” he said. “And singing.” He lit into “‘Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do…’” then paused. Gene took Rena by the hand and added, “I’m half crazy, all for the love of you.”

Embarrassment swept over her, hearing him sing this in front of half the town. “Half crazy in love?” Rena asked. “Or just half crazy?”

He chuckled then dove back into the song. “‘It won’t be a stylish marriage—’”

“Speaking of weddings,” she interrupted, excited to give him the news. “I just heard that Molly and James are getting hitched. Can you believe it?”

He put a finger over her lips and continued the song. “‘We can’t afford a carriage….’”

“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that,” she said, interrupting him again. “Did you know that James is selling his work truck? The one he used on the farm? I think it would be perfect for the children’s home. Don’t you agree?”

Gene put his finger over Rena’s lips again, which only served to make her mad. He seemed to be oblivious to this, because he kept singing: “‘But you’ll look sweet upon the seat of a bicycle built for two.’”

At this point, the front door of the jailhouse opened. The crowd parted, and Jonathan and Jenny came inside riding on a…what was that? Rena gasped. “Oh, Gene! Is that what I think it is?”

He nodded and repeated the line, “‘I’m half crazy all for the love of you.’”

“You—you said that.” She giggled.

“Yes, I said it,” he whispered. “But I’ve got a few other things to add.” His voice now wavered as he sang, “‘It won’t be a stylish marriage….’”

At this point he stopped singing and dropped to one knee, which brought about a rousing cheer from the onlookers, especially Sadie and Charlie. Rena’s heart nearly stopped as she pieced it all together. She’d been had…by all in attendance, from the looks of things. Oh, but what a lovely way to be duped!

The next few seconds were a blur. Through the whoops and hollers of the children she made out a few words: “Love. You. Marry. Me?” He gazed up at her with such tenderness that her heart took to dancing.

As she whispered, “Oh, yes!” he rose and swept her into his arms. Then, with the residents of Daisy looking on, she gave him a kiss he wouldn’t soon forget.

T
IPS FOR
D
EALING WITH
U
NRULY
Y
OUNG
’
UNS
—A
special thanks to the new editor of the
Atoka County Register,
Jonathan Brewer, for allowing me to post this special article, which will appear in print on my wedding day. If anyone had told me back in October that I would marry on a beautiful midsummer day in Daisy, I would’ve said they were crazy. But here I am, ready to become Mrs. Gene Wyatt. I write this article today to thank the people of Daisy, who have shown such grace and mercy to our boys and girls at the Atoka County Children’s Home. When I think of how far we’ve come together, I can’t help but praise the Lord. Things will be different soon, but God has been preparing my heart all along. I will no longer have seventeen children under my care. I feel sure that Janelle Bradford, the new director, will thrive in her role, particularly since she will be caring for only the boys. Turns out she’s quite a wonder with them. Perhaps that’s why they’ve taken to her like flies to honey. As for the girls, well, Lilly and Callie are simply beside themselves at the news that they are to be adopted by Molly and James Tucker. I’ve never seen children so smitten. And Josephine? That darling girl—who reminds me so much of myself as a youngster—has already picked out her room in our home. The idea of raising a daughter makes me giggle with joy. I will still dedicate several hours a week to the children’s home, of course. How could I not? I’ve heard from so many of you, who are willing to share in the load of raising the children. The residents of Daisy will link arms and hearts to see that the task is done right. Together, we will raise these children up in the way they should go. And when they are old…well, we pray they will not depart from it.

—Mrs. Gene Wyatt, Lover of Small Children and Blissful Daisy Resident

Gene stood on the front porch of the children’s home, watching the children play baseball at the new park next door. James Tucker served as pitcher, with Jonathan taking the role of umpire. Molly looked on from the sidelines, cheering as each child hit the ball.

Glancing at his pocket watch, Gene smiled. Any minute now, Rena and the other ladies would appear from inside the house, dressed and ready for a wedding unlike any ever seen in Daisy.

Just off the porch, the dog—that crazy, playful mutt—ran amok through the bed of flowers Molly had worked so hard on. The ladies would have a fit, he knew, but it seemed rather ironic—a dog named Daisy, tearing up the daisies in a town called Daisy.

“Shoo, now!” Gene called out.

The pup bounded up the porch steps and tried to leap into his arms. He brushed him away. “Not today, Daisy. Go play with the kids. Get on out of here.”

As the dog loped away, Gene began to hum the familiar melody to “A Bicycle Built for Two.” He stopped when he saw Jonathan crossing the yard in his direction.

“You getting nervous?” Jonathan joined him on the porch.

“A little,” Gene said with a grin.

“I’m watching your every move, you know.” Jonathan leaned against the porch railing. “Since I’ll be doing this myself in a couple of months.”

“What?” Gene took a couple of steps in his friend’s direction. “Are you saying—?”

“That Jenny and I are engaged? Yep. As of last night.” Jonathan nodded. “We would’ve announced it sooner, but this is your day. Well, yours and Rena’s. We’ll let folks know soon enough.”

Gene slapped Jonathan on the back. “Well, congratulations!”

“Thank you.” Jonathan paused. “You know, it’s funny…sometimes we miss the very thing that’s been in front of us all the while. I was so caught up with the paper, the children’s home, the fight for right, that I almost didn’t see Jenny as the blessing she is. I see her now, though.” His eyes twinkled. “And I like what I see. Love it, in fact.”

Gene couldn’t resist the grin that followed. “I understand, trust me.”

“Have you been inside?” Jonathan gestured toward the front door.

“Are you kidding?” Gene feigned a look of terror. “With all those women in there getting ready? They would’ve had my head.”

“No doubt.” Jonathan laughed. “Better not risk it.”

“Shouldn’t be long now, anyway.” Gene glanced down at his pocket watch once again. “Rena told me to be ready at ten sharp. We’re getting married right here on the front porch. That was her idea.”

“It’s a good one.” Jonathan squinted against the morning sunlight. “And I see the ladies have set up the cake and punch on the picnic tables in the park. Another great idea, to have it outdoors.”

“Yes, Rena’s a wonder when it comes to creative ideas.”

The front door opened and Rena’s brother stepped outside, dressed in his robe and collar. He looked at Gene and smiled. “I think it’s about time. You want to gather the children? Rena is fretting over them.”

“I’ll do that.” Gene walked down the steps and across the yard. When he arrived at the park, he found himself caught up in the children’s ball game. Gene was completely taken aback by the sight of Calista, the mayor’s daughter, standing on the sidelines next to Molly.

Josephine—that precious little girl who would soon become his own—tossed the ball into the air and then caught it. She turned to her one-time adversary and gave her a curious look. “Calista, do you know how to play baseball?”

“Baseball?” Calista turned up her nose. “Of course not. That’s a boy’s game.”

“I used to think that too,” Josephine said. “But then Henry taught me how to play. Now I’d rather play baseball than play with my dolls or anything else.”