Love Finds You in Groom, Texas (11 page)

Thoughts of gratitude nearly overwhelmed her as the service came to a close. By the time the reverend led them in the final prayer, Emily was already whispering in her ear. “Anne, we’re going to have a church social.”

“Yes, that’s what Maggie said.”

“I’ve never been to a social before. Not on the lawn, anyway. What do we do?”

“Hmm.” Good question. The large, fancy church they had attended in Denver rarely hosted social events. How did one eat lunch on the lawn?

The answer came sooner rather than later. Before she knew it, Anne was on the lawn helping Maggie spread two beautiful quilts and lay out the food in preparation for their picnic.

“When did you cook all this, Maggie?” she asked, looking at the platters of sliced beef and the loaf of home-baked bread.

“Most of it was already done before you arrived yesterday,” Maggie responded. “But I baked the bread this morning before you woke up.”

“Heavens, do you ever sleep?”

“Of course.” Maggie laughed. “But I love to cook. It’s what I’m known for around these parts. You know what they say, honey. ‘The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.’ ” She gave Anne a wink. “How are your cooking skills, honey?”

“Not very good, I’m afraid.” Anne began to fan herself, suddenly very aware of the heat.

“We’ll be ready to eat in a few minutes,” Maggie said. “Better go find those sisters of yours.”

“I’ll do that.” Anne looked around, trying to figure out where Emily and Kate had gotten off to. She found them visiting with John’s children on the church’s front porch steps. Anne moved their way but didn’t quite make it, because Virginia took hold of her arm.

“I do hope you can stay till Saturday night,” the bride-to-be said. “There are so few girls our age here, and I’d love to have you at the wedding.”

“That would be lovely, but…” Anne pursed her lips as she saw Emily arguing with John’s oldest son, William. Emily doubled up her fist and looked as if she might take a swing at the unsuspecting boy. Anne wanted to holler, “What do you think you’re doing, you little hooligan?”—but decided that would be inappropriate.

Amaryllis hobbled their way. Off in the distance, Jake crossed the lawn with two plates of food in hand.

“Looks like Jake is extra hungry today.” Amaryllis smiled. “I do love a man who loves his food.”

“If I know him, he’s taking a plate to his mother,” Virginia said. “He tends to her needs. Some around these parts call him a”—she lowered her voice—“a mama’s boy.”

“Mama’s boy or not, I think he’s about the handsomest thing I ever did see.” Amaryllis frowned. “Though I do have to wonder if he will ever work up the courage to leave home, if he’s tied to her apron strings. That might be problematic. I mean, I’m sure I’ll love my mother-in-law, but to live with her? Out of the question.”

“Silly girl. You’ve gone and gotten yourself married already?” Virginia laughed. “First you have to get him to look your way.”

“Oh, I’ll manage,” Amaryllis said. “If I can get him to look away from his family obligations for a minute or two.”

Anne found herself wanting to join the conversation. She respected a son who cared for his mother’s needs. If her mother had lived, Anne would have been just as dedicated.

Virginia quirked a brow. “Sometimes a baby birdie just needs a little nudge out of the nest.” She giggled. “You’re awfully good at nudging, Amaryllis. You’ve had years of practice.”

The blond’s cheeks turned pink. “Well, you can’t blame a girl for trying, now, can you? And still I remain unattached.” She laughed. “Certainly not for lack of trying on my part. Or my mama’s. It’s a crime, I tell you.”

They all had a good laugh at that one.

“You’re a beautiful girl,” Virginia said, “with some magnificent features.”

Amaryllis batted her eyelashes. “I do boast a rather small waistline, and Mama says my eyes are sapphire blue.”

“Sapphire?” Anne took another look. Maybe sky blue, but definitely not sapphire blue. She’d seen blue sapphires once, and they were a different shade altogether from Amaryllis’s eyes.

Anne silently scolded herself for thinking such things.

“Well, your eyes match that beautiful gown, to be sure. You must tell everyone about your dress,” Virginia said, pointing to Amaryllis’s gown. “It’s the latest style, I hear.”

“I must admit, I’ve never seen anything like it,” Cody said as he approached. His grin let Anne know his take on the silly gown.

“Oh, it’s the latest fashion.” Amaryllis giggled. “They call it a hobble skirt. Want to guess why?” She tried to take a few steps forward but almost fell.

Cody extended his arm and she took it, her cheeks flaming pink.

Virginia laughed. “I love fashion too, Ami, but this one is just plain silly.”

“Do you thing so?” Amaryllis tried again to walk, this time holding Cody’s arm. “I daresay I could catch a fellow’s eye in this one, and isn’t that the point?”

“You could catch his eye, all right,” Cody said. “As he stooped to pick you up off the ground, once you tumbled in the dirt.”

“Then I’ll have to deliberately fall in one young man’s direction.” Amaryllis glanced over at Jake, who had settled onto the quilt next to his mother. For whatever reason, Anne found herself rankled by the young woman’s words. Did girls from the East always come across this flirtatious and silly?

Laughter rang out again, and before long Virginia and Amaryllis were deep into a conversation about high fashion, talking about shoes and hats and other such nonsense, which prompted Cody to say that he needed to talk to Jake about the broken section of railroad track. Anne didn’t blame him for leaving.

Watching the two young ladies—and listening to the way they chatted about things that really didn’t have much to do with the real world—put Anne in mind of her days back in Denver. For a short season of her life, before Papa’s drinking had gotten too bad, she’d spent some time in that world. Silly females, with little to do but fuss over their hair and clothes. How ridiculous it all seemed now.

Memories of a beautiful blue dress flooded over Anne. She’d worn it to the party following her graduation. What a special night that had been, and how one young man had hung onto her every word—silly as those words now seemed.

Off in the distance another young woman approached, this one the polar opposite of the others. Where Amaryllis was tiny in the waist, this girl was quite broad. Still, she had a pleasant smile and the loveliest cheekbones.

“You must be Anne.” The girl extended her hand. “I’m Cassie Martin. I just had to come and meet you in person.”

“O–oh?” Anne shook Cassie’s hand.

“Yes.” Cassie giggled. “You’re the luckiest girl ever! You get to stay in the same home with Jake O’Farrell. I would die a thousand deaths to spend so much time that close to him.”

Anne wondered why the local girls felt the need to go on about Jake. Oh well. Before long, he would be a distant memory.

She looked at him again, taking in his broad shoulders and boyish smile. A distant memory, yes…but a lovely one.

She snapped to attention, remembering why she’d headed this way in the first place. “Excuse me, ladies, but I need to fetch my sisters. It’s time to eat.” She nodded her head in acknowledgment then took a few steps in Emily’s direction, arriving just in time to stop another quarrel between Emily and William.

“I daresay you will never marry if you’re this mean to boys,” Anne said, taking Emily by the arm.

“I don’t want to marry them. I just want to write about them.” Emily turned around and stuck out her tongue at William, who responded by lifting his fist. “Though, I can assure you, the boys in my story are far more mature than dumb Willy over there. He’s nothing but a nuisance.”

“Funny. I was just going to say the same thing about you.” Anne led her away from the group and nodded for Kate to follow them.

Jake puzzled over the thoughts that had flitted through his head as he’d watched the interaction between Anne and Amaryllis moments before. They were different in nearly every respect—Anne with her dark hair and ivory skin, Amaryllis with her blond hair and sun-kissed face. Both came from money—one could ascertain as much from their clothing—but only one acted like it. The other, well, she charmed him with both her modesty and her devotion to her sisters. Dedication to family—especially when one’s family had been through crisis—was so important.

And now, watching Anne approach with her younger sisters in tow, he realized just how wonderful she could be. Maybe when she got a bit closer, he would ask her to sit next to him. If he could work up the courage. Yes, that’s exactly what he would do.

“Jake, would you be so kind as to refill my lemonade?”

“Excuse me?” He startled to attention. Amaryllis now stood at his side. How long had she been there?

“It’s deplorably hot out today, and I’m melting in this dress. Would you refill my lemonade glass for me, please? I’m afraid I’ll be the laughingstock of the congregation if I go hobble up to that table one more time. I’ll probably trip all over myself, and then what would happen?” She paused to bat her eyelashes. “Someone would have to sweep in and rescue me.”

“I’m happy to refill your drink.” Jake rose and brushed the crumbs from his pants. “But don’t worry about what people will think. Folks around here won’t make fun of you.” He reached to take her glass, and her fingers lingered on top of his for a moment as an uncomfortable silence rose up between them.

His older brother Joseph approached on Jake’s right and slapped him on the back. “What do you mean, telling this pretty little lady that we don’t make fun of each other? I thrive on making fun of you, little brother.”

“As do I,” John said, giving him another slap on the back.

“What’s happening here?” Jeremiah asked, approaching from behind.

“Jake was just telling Amaryllis that folks in Groom don’t make fun of others.”

“Now that’s a keen one!” Jedediah doubled over with laughter. “We live to make fun of Jake here. And he makes it so easy. I’m surprised he hasn’t noticed. Looks like we’re falling down on the job.”

Jake drew in a breath and silently counted to ten. He wouldn’t let the others see his temper flare, no matter what. Not in front of the ladies, anyway. However, he might just take his brothers down a notch or two once they got back home.

“I was explaining to Amaryllis that we would not poke fun at her for being thirsty,” Jake said. “That’s it.” He strode to the table and reached for the ladle inside the bowl filled with lemonade. Moments later he returned to find Amaryllis standing alone. She appeared to be struggling to sit in that ridiculous dress of hers. After a few moments, she gave up altogether.

“I guess it’s too hot to sit anyway.” She giggled.

“I’m so sorry they subjected you to that,” he said. “My brothers are…” For whatever reason, no words would come. At least no words he could say in front of a lady.

“I have brothers,” Amaryllis said with a smile.

“Ah. Then you do understand.” He handed her the glass of lemonade.

She released another playful giggle and fussed with the tendrils of hair at the nape of her neck. “I do wish I had a fan. Is it always this warm in Texas?”

He laughed. “You haven’t seen anything yet. Just wait until August. That’s the hottest month of the year.”

“Our summers in New York are milder. Or perhaps I just stay indoors more. We don’t have these lovely wide-open spaces like you do here.” Her sigh caught him off guard for a moment. “I do love it here. Truly.”

“I do too.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Jake caught a glimpse of Anne seated next to his mother, with her younger sisters nearby. He’d missed out on the opportunity to sit next to her, thanks to Amaryllis and that cup of lemonade.

A peal of laughter rang out. His mother must’ve said something funny, because Anne was all giggles. He found himself captivated by her broad smile. With the exception of those few minutes under the setting sun, he hadn’t yet seen her this carefree. Oh, what he would give to see that smile more often. And those gorgeous brown eyes of hers were sparkling as she laughed.

Stop it, Jake. She’s leaving in a couple of days. Guard your heart.

He watched as she rose and headed to the punch table. Perfect opportunity to make a move.

“Jake?” Amaryllis reached out and touched his arm. “I don’t believe you’ve heard a word I’ve said, have you?”

“Oh, I…” He tugged at his collar. “I do find the heat to be bothersome. Maybe I need a bit of lemonade myself.” He turned on his heels and headed straight to Anne.

As he approached, she looked his way and her smile broadened. He loved having that effect on her. If drawing closer brought such a lovely smile, he’d have to go away and come back over and over again.

Emily’s voice resonated from the porch steps, distracting him. Jake turned to see what all the fuss was about.

“You have to do what I say,” Emily hollered at young William. “I’m the boss.”

“Why are you the boss?” William put his hands on his hips and glared at her.

“Because I’m the oldest!” Emily yelled in response.

Jake sighed. How many times had he heard that logic from his older brothers? He’d been bossed around hundreds—no, thousands—of times. And he’d taken it without a fight.