Love Finds You in Groom, Texas (13 page)

“Well, her bark is certainly something to behold.” Anne paused and put her hands on the counter. Leaning forward, she drew in a deep breath and tried to regain her composure. “I feel like I’ve been assaulted. Maybe Emily was right. There do seem to be ruffians and renegades in this part of the country.”

Maggie erupted in laughter at this. “That’s a good one, Anne. You’re right. My sister is a real pill. Don’t know why she’s always got her knickers in a knot. But I do know that somewhere, underneath that crusty exterior, lays a woman I love.” She reached for her apron and lifted it to wipe the mist from her eyes. “Not saying she’s easy. I’m just saying I’ve got to love her. The Bible says I have to.” At this, Maggie started laughing again.

Before long, they were all chuckling. After a couple minutes, however, Bets’s voice rang out from the parlor. “I wish you would hold it down in there. A body can only take so much racket.”

Maggie put a finger to her lips, still giggling in silence. Anne couldn’t help but join in. Oh, what a fun way to deal with such an unlovely person.

Maggie finally got herself under control and fixed a tray of cookies.

“Jakey, do me a favor and take this tray of snickerdoodles out to your aunt and uncle. We’ll be out shortly.”

“She won’t eat them,” he said. “She never eats sweets before a meal.”

“I know she’ll fuss about it, but Leo will eat them. And from the looks of that man, he hasn’t had a decent meal in months. The least I can do is feed him so he has the strength to fight her off.”

Jake chuckled as he took the tray then squared his shoulders and headed back into the parlor.

“That’s my boy. Always willing to go the extra mile for people.” Maggie gave Anne a knowing look. “A gentleman all the way.”

Anne’s gaze shifted to the ground so that Maggie wouldn’t see the unavoidable smile. “Well, Bets’s husband seems like a fine man.”

“I’ve never really understood their relationship. And it’s true she wears the pants in that family.” Maggie eased her ample frame into a chair at the table. “It wasn’t always that way, honey. They were young once. In fact, there was a time they made a really handsome couple.

Bets was always a pretty girl.”

“Really?”

“Yes, before the bitterness took hold. Lots of fellas were drawn to her back in the day. Why, she was as pretty as you are.”

Anne felt her cheeks turn warm. “I’ve never considered myself pretty. Not even close.”

“Oh, but you are. And I’m sure lots of fellas have given you a second glance. And a third. and a fourth.”

Anne’s heart twisted as the words were spoken. They brought back memories that she didn’t care to relive.

“Oh, I’ve struck a chord with those words, haven’t I?” Maggie rose and placed her hand on Anne’s arm. “Have I said something I shouldn’t?”

Anne paused for a moment, unsure of how much to share. She finally managed the words, “I almost had a beau once.”

“Almost?” Maggie sighed. “Was it unrequited love?”

“No, he genuinely cared for me.” The twisting sensation in her chest escalated, making it difficult to breathe.

“What happened…if you don’t mind my asking?”

“He had aspirations of moving up in his father’s business, and he…” Anne realized she’d started a story that she simply couldn’t finish. Not without betraying her father’s problems. How could she go about sharing that the man she thought she’d one day marry had left because he’d found out her father was a gambler? That his parents didn’t see her as a fit bride-to-be because of her father’s shame?

“Honey, are you all right?” Maggie gave her a curious look.

“Oh, yes. I…well, let’s just say that it didn’t work out.”

“Well then, all I can say is that the Lord must’ve prevented you from a life of misery. I’ve always said it’s better to remain unmarried than to marry the wrong person.”

“Like Aunt Bets and Uncle Leo?” Anne asked. “Is that what made her so bitter? She married the wrong man?”

“Oh, honey, I don’t think so. not really. Like i said, there was a time—years ago—when they went together like bread and jam.” Maggie rose and attended to her cooking once more. “Only problem is, they’re both stubborn old fools. Neither wants to admit the other is right, no matter the situation. It’s just pure selfishness.”

“But they’re still a match made in heaven?”

“More likely made somewhere else,” Emily’s voice chimed in. Anne turned to see both of her sisters now standing in the kitchen.

“I’m not sure that’s the case, either,” Maggie said.

“But Maggie!” Emily spoke in an exaggerated tone. “Your sister is really mean.”

“I know, honey.”

The incredulous look on Emily’s face shared her thoughts on the matter. “She’s a textbook villain. Beady eyes and everything. And have you ever seen such a long nose? I do have to wonder if she and Uncle Bertrand might be twins. Perhaps they were separated at birth and raised in different states. Or maybe…” She snapped her fingers. “Maybe they were raised in a carnival, and when they got old, they parted ways so that no one would figure out their secret.”

Anne grabbed Emily’s arm and shushed her. “Honestly, how you do go on. You shouldn’t talk about people like that.”

“How can I help it? Right after you left the room, she called me an orphan train child.” Emily’s face grew tight, and the wrinkles between her eyes deepened. “I wanted to double up my fist and take her down, but figured I’d leave it to her husband. He looked pretty mad at her too.”

“Good gracious.” Anne fanned herself. “See what you’ve done?”

Maggie stroked Emily’s hair. “Honey, I apologize for Bets. She’s a real pill, one I have to swallow regularly. But she’s my sister, and there’s only so long you can avoid your own family.” Maggie shrugged. “Anyway, let’s finish cooking this meal. Hopefully it will serve as a lovely distraction.” At that proclamation, all the girls went to work preparing a tasty meal. Likely it would be the only easy thing to swallow tonight.

Jake entered the kitchen, still shaken from the awful words his aunt had spoken to Anne a few minutes earlier.

“Everyone all right in here?”

Emily looked his way. “As all right as one can be after being brutally attacked with words.” She pouted. “But don’t worry. I’m plotting my revenge. This story will have a proper ending.”

“Proper in whose eyes?” Anne leaned down to look her sister in the eye. “Honey, I know you’re angry. I am too. But we need to extend God’s grace to her. That’s the only way to win her over.”

That’s right.” Jake drew near. “I’ve learned that the only way to deal with Bets when she’s like this is to get her talking about something else—to distract her. And along the way, God gives me plenty of opportunities to extend grace.”

“You go right ahead and offer grace. I’ll be in my bedroom, looking for another doll to name after her. Then I’m going to bury it in the backyard.” Emily marched out of the room and let the door slam behind her.

Jake couldn’t help but notice the sad expression on Anne’s face. “Are you all right?”

“I will be.”

He rested his hand on her arm to offer comfort. “if it makes you feel any better, she’s like that to everyone, not just you.”

“Though she did go out of her way to make you feel unwelcome,” Maggie said, “and I’m awfully sorry about that.”

“And
I’m
sorry about Emily. Sometimes I think she’s almost as hard-hearted as…well, as someone like Bets.”

“Don’t be too quick to fret over your little sister. Children are resilient. Besides, I love her just like she is. Emily is a keen and honest observer of the world around her. Now that she’s discovered O’Farrell’s Honor, she’s in a place where there are discoveries to be made every day—good and bad.” Maggie smiled. “Besides, she reminds me of myself as a youngster. I like a sweet girl same as everyone else, but give her a little sass. She has an adventurous spirit.”

“She does at that.” Jake paused to think about that. “I think we all have a lot to learn from her. I know I do, anyway. She’s able to speak her mind better than most.”

“You can say that again.” Anne sighed.

Jake leaned her way and smiled. “She’s able to speak her mind better than most.”

Anne turned, eyes wide, and he found himself face-to-face with her. What a fabulous predicament. For a moment he thought she might lean back. Instead, the edges of those beautiful lips turned up in a delicious grin.

“What do you say we get back in there and pour a little sugar and cream into Bets’s tea?” His mother’s voice interrupted the moment.

Jake startled to attention. “But she doesn’t take sugar and cream in her tea.”

“Exactly. I wasn’t referring to the real thing. Just a touch of grace, my child. Just a touch of grace.”

He wanted to respond but found himself captivated by Anne’s beautiful smile. He didn’t have to go into the parlor to find a touch of grace. Why, he was staring it in the face right now.

Chapter Ten

There’s an old saying about the moon—that when it soars clear and bright, completely free of shadows or clouds, it’s known as a lover’s moon. Just one large ball of yellow-white, cradled by a perfect night sky. Here in the Texas Panhandle, we see some of the prettiest lover’s moons imaginable. They glow like heavenly orbs, lighting up the night skies and offering a well-lit path into the arms of the one you love. Truly, there’s no better place to get moony-eyed than under a lover’s moon. So if you’re gazing at one tonight, why not grab your lady and let the moonlight lead the way? —
“Tex” Morgan, reporting for the
Panhandle Primer

The night wore on, with Aunt Bets in rare fashion. Jake could only stand so much of her chronic complaining before he finally had to take his leave. He used the animals as his excuse but decided—after feeding them—that an evening walk would be just the thing to clear his head. The night skies shone clear and bright and the moon hovered overhead, a large white ball casting plenty of light across the property.

He headed out to the barn to check on Frances, giving her one last brushing and a gentle talking-to. Then he headed out across the field, following the fence line. He paused on several occasions to gaze heavenward and, as he often did, usher up a few heartfelt prayers. Tonight he had one thing on his mind in particular. His aunt’s behavior had really upset him, and the feelings he harbored inside needed to be dealt with.

“Lord, I know You created her in Your image, but…” He sighed, unsure of what to say next. “Just show us how to deal with her.” An unsettled feeling came over him as he realized how those words must sound. “No, show us how to love her like You love her.” The words to a familiar hymn flitted through his mind, and Jake found himself humming as he headed back to the house.

When he arrived at the steps leading up to the front porch, he noticed Anne seated on the porch swing with Kate sleeping in her lap. He spoke a quiet “hello,” and Anne let out a little gasp.

“Oh, Jake! You scared me.”

“I’m sorry. Sure didn’t mean to do that.” He climbed the steps and leaned against the post, observing her face under the glow of the full moon. She’d been pretty enough in the daylight, of course. But something about the glow of the moon gave her an ethereal quality.

She laughed. “Mama always called me skittish. Guess it’s true.”

He gestured to the empty spot next to her. “Do you mind?”

“Of course not. I would move over a bit, but…” She gestured to Kate, who continued to sleep soundly.

“No need.” Truth be told, he liked the fact that the spot next to her wasn’t very big. Jake eased his way down onto the swing then shifted his gaze to the skies. “Didn’t mean to interrupt your moonlight reverie.”

“Moonlight reverie.” She chuckled. “Have you been taking notes from Emily? That sounds like something she would say.”

“No.” He paused for a moment, his gaze still heavenward. “I suppose there’s a bit of a writer in me too. I used to love to listen to my father’s poems as he read them aloud. There’s something so majestic about the written word. Just…” He turned to her and shrugged. “Sorry. You probably didn’t take me for the bookish sort.”

“I daresay I don’t know you well enough to assume what sort of things you might enjoy.”