Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas (8 page)

The Saturday after the picnic, Belinda sat at the edge of the creek, beneath the shade of her favorite oak tree, with her bare legs dangling over. Dipping her toes in the water was a familiar, comforting pastime. Here, she could think clearly—and pray. She held a fishing pole in her hand, as always. Something about coming to the creek for a little quiet time always put her in a better frame of mind. Besides, she had a lot to think about today. She and Georg planned to meet in town to visit Peter Conrad at his bookshop. He would advise them about the poem, and Georg’s relationship with Corabelle could move forward as planned.

Pushing thoughts of the poem out of her mind, she attempted a prayer. “Lord, I know You see all things. You know what’s going to happen long before we do. Father, I ask You to work a miracle here.” She focused her prayers on Georg and Corabelle, of course, but threw in an extra one for Samuel Bromstead and the widow Hanson. Surely if just one couple could be happily matched, her business would begin to blossom. Men would come from out of the woodwork to find wives. And the town, of course, would thrive as a result.

After she whispered a soft “Amen,” her thoughts shifted back to Georg. They had been friends for so long...all the way back to grade school. Oh, the merciless teasing he’d endured from the little girls. He wasn’t like the other boys; he didn’t tease or cajole. No, Georg Kaufman had always been the kindhearted one. The one who got overlooked at game-playing time. The one you knew you could count on if you were in a jam.

And now the poor fellow was subjected to torment of a different kind.

“Poor Georg.” Belinda sighed as she thought about his plight. All week he’d been forced to watch James and Corabelle’s growing relationship. He’d endured it like a champ. But today all of that would change. With Peter’s help, Georg would craft a beautifully written poem, one guaranteed to win any woman’s heart.

A squeal rang out and Belinda turned, surprised to see Corabelle running her way.

“W–what happened?” Belinda dropped the pole and scrambled to her feet, fearing the worst.

“Oh, Belinda!” Corabelle paused to catch her breath. “I—I can’t believe it! He—he—asked me to marry him!” She stuck out her left hand and showed off a delicate opal ring. “Isn’t it beautiful? I’m getting married! I’m really, truly getting married!”

Belinda scrambled to her feet, overcome with joy. “Really? Oh, this is marvelous!” She could hardly believe it! Even without the poem! “Georg actually proposed?”

The color drained from Corabelle’s face and her lips curled down in a pout. “Not
Georg
, silly.
James.
Your brother!”

Belinda felt as if her stomach had plummeted to her toes. James... proposed? Could such a thing really be possible? She tried to force a smile but could not, for happy as she was to have Corabelle join the family, there would be one whose heart was supremely broken over this news.

Corabelle’s grabbed Belinda and gave her a tight squeeze and then laughed. “We’re going to be sisters! And you have to help me with the wedding. I’ve got the dress, of course, but I know nothing about the rest of it. Flowers. Cake. Veil. I have nothing ready!” She squeezed Belinda’s hand. “Please say you’ll help me.”

“I suppose I could help....” Belinda’s voice drifted off as she found herself distracted. In her mind’s eye, she could see the look on Georg’s face when he received the news. She pulled on her shoes and laced them up, trying to stay focused.

Corabelle grinned from ear to ear. “Oh, thank you, thank you! If I hadn’t come to this wonderful place, I would never have met your James. And now I have! I’m so blissfully, gloriously in love! I’ve never felt this way before. Why, it’s the happiest feeling in all the world.”

“I’m sure you’re right.” Belinda swallowed the lump in her throat. She couldn’t help but wonder how Georg would feel about all of this, however. Perhaps the word had already spread through town. Or would by day’s end.

Swallowing her pride, she rose, grabbed her fishing pole, and tagged along on Corabelle’s heels. Once at the house, the feisty New Yorker spent a good hour making plans for her big day. Mama was beside herself with glee at the whole thing. She chattered on and on, clearly thrilled with it all.

“We want to marry right away,” Corabelle explained and then blushed. “James says there’s no reason to wait.”

“But you two hardly know each other,” Belinda argued. “Surely you don’t mean to rush things.”

“Your papa and I met in May and married in June,” Mama said with a girlish smile. “Honey, when you find the right one, there’s no disputing the fact. All the waiting in the world won’t stop the hands of time.”

“Yes, but...” Belinda wanted to argue. Wanted to say, “But if you wait, perhaps you will see that you’ve snagged the wrong groom.” Instead, she kept her thoughts to herself, pasted on a smile, and joined the conversation about the ceremony.

“You will stand up for me, of course!” Corabelle said, turning Belinda’s way. “I have you to thank for this...for all of this!” On and on she went, talking about the wedding, which would take place at the church in two weeks.

Two weeks. Two short, sweltering-hot, midsummer weeks. Two weeks to keep Georg from taking back the money he’d given her for Corabelle’s train ticket. She would need that money to secure another bride—from who knew where—for Georg. Surely someone
somewhere
would want to marry the town barber.

After lunch, Corabelle and James went off for a ride in the buggy. Belinda used this opportunity to sneak into town. Speaking with Georg was critical. She had to tell him herself, though the very thought of it made her ill. She made her way onto Main Street, dragging her heels all the way. Oh, how she dreaded sharing this news.

As she arrived at the barbershop, Georg happened to walk outside to sweep the front porch. “Belinda.” He turned to her with a smile. “You’re early. I thought you were coming at four thirty. Peter isn’t expecting us till then.” He grinned. “You’ll be so proud of me. I’ve been working on the poem. The ending is really coming along, so I think Peter will have a strong foundation.”

“I see.” She drew in a deep breath. “Georg, I have something to tell you. Are you busy?”

“No. In fact, there’s not a whiskery man in town, apparently.” He grinned. “Business has been slow today. I finished up with the mayor over an hour ago but haven’t seen anyone since.”

“Ah. Well, I’m here to talk about Corabelle.”

His eyes lit up at once. “I’m so glad you brought her up. You’re not going to believe what I’ve done. I went off to Terrell yesterday afternoon and fetched a ring.”

“You didn’t.” Belinda began to fan herself as a wave of dizziness passed over her. She pushed aside her fears as best she could.

“I did!” He raced to the back of the store and came back carrying a small velvet box. “A man can’t very well propose without a ring, can he?”

His hand trembled as his fingers uncurled, revealing the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen. Belinda felt her heart plummet to her toes as she stared at the lovely silver band with a shiny blue stone. She couldn’t help but gasp at the ring’s beauty. “What is that stone, Georg? I’ve never seen anything like it.”

His hand continued to shake as he extended it her way. “A sapphire. The jeweler said there’s nothing like it in this area, so Corabelle will be able to wear it with great pride. No other woman in the county has a ring like this.”

Belinda took the ring in her hand and held it out, examining the stone’s many facets. She’d never seen anything so beautiful in all her life.

“Try it on,” Georg whispered. He looked around then grabbed the ring and pressed it onto her left ring finger, though he had to struggle a bit to get it past her knuckle—probably swollen from the heat.

Belinda gasped once more, this time astounded by the feelings that came over her with such a lovely ring on her finger. What would it feel like, to wear a ring like this...forever? She could only imagine.

Belinda pondered this and a great many other things as she stared at the exquisite stone. Oh, how she hated to tell Georg the news, especially now. She looked up, wishing she could mask the tears that sprang to her eyes. “Georg, listen, I have something to tell you.”

“What? It’s the wrong color? I should have purchased a diamond. I knew it.”

“No, the color is perfect. The ring is quite unique—and beautiful, to boot.” Belinda extended her hand, more than thrilled with his purchase. “It’s about Corabelle.” She squeezed her eyes shut and whispered a prayer. Opening them, she forced the words out. “James proposed and they’re getting married in two weeks at the church.”

“W–what?” Georg’s face took on an ashen look. “I think you’d better repeat that.”

“James and Corabelle are engaged. There’s just no other way to say it. The wedding is planned. We’re...well, we’re all invited. The whole town.”

Georg slumped down onto the bench in front of the barbershop. Belinda watched the tips of his ears turn red. For a moment, he didn’t say a word. Then, finally, he extended his hand. “I guess I won’t be needing the ring, then.”

She reached to pull it from her finger, but her breath caught in her throat as she realized it was stuck. “Oh, Georg!”

“What?” He rose to his feet and grasped her hand. “Don’t tell me it’s—”

“I’m trying. Hold on a minute. Please.” She wrestled with it, unable to get it to budge.

“Here, I know.” Georg turned to the right and then the left, making sure no one was watching. Then he took hold of her arm and led her into the empty barbershop. “I’ll lather it up. The soap will help it come loose.”

“Are you sure?” She continued to fight with the stubborn ring but couldn’t get it past her knuckle. “Ugh! This is so humiliating! I always told Mama I had a boy’s hands. Now I have the proof.”

“Don’t be silly,” Georg argued. “That ring is very small. I knew it would have to be sized, most likely.”

“Still.” Belinda shook her head, more embarrassed than anything else. She watched as Georg took some of the minty lather and worked it into her finger, the slippery stuff now encompassing the ring on every side.

“Let’s try this one more time.” Georg grasped the ring and pulled it. Unfortunately, it came flying off with such speed that it shot across the room and landed in one of the shaving mugs on the other side.

Belinda sprinted that way and dished it out. Holding it up with her lather-covered hand, she grinned. “Your ring!”

“Yes.” He frowned. “My ring that I no longer need.”

“Don’t be silly, Georg.” She shook her head, determined to make the best of this. “God has the perfect woman for you, and I plan to find her. Just give me a little time and I’ll make good on that, I promise.”

“I really don’t think you need to bother,” Georg said, looking more disheartened than ever.

“Oh, but I must! You paid for Corabelle’s train fare, and I can use the money to bring someone else.”

Georg put his hand up and she stopped talking right away. “Belinda, listen. I appreciate your help, but I think it’s clear we’re getting ahead of the Lord on this. You go right ahead and help the other men, those who feel called to marry. As for me...well, I do believe I was right, that day in the mercantile.”

“Oh?” She shook her head, not remembering.

“You asked how I would feel if you told me the Lord had laid it on your heart to find me a bride. Do you remember how I responded?”

A rush of emotion came over Belinda, along with a wave of guilt, which niggled at her conscience. “Y–yes.” She whispered the word.

“What did I say?”

“You asked me to seek Him again for further explanation because you were quite happy in your current state.” She sighed as she glanced his way, ready to dispute his words. “But I told you then...and I’ll tell you now...you are a lonely man, Georg Kaufman. And I will find the woman of your dreams, if you’ll just give me one more chance. As I’ve said before, it’s all a matter of science. Merged with faith, of course. Your perfect complement is out there. I know it!”

He opened his mouth as if to speak but then closed it right away. After a moment’s silence, he gave his response. “I would ask that you turn your attentions to the other men. Perhaps one day I will require your services. When that time comes, I will let you know.”

“Promise?” She gave him a hopeful look.

“I promise.”

“Wonderful!” She reached up to give him a warm embrace then pulled back, embarrassed. “I’m so sorry. Don’t know what came over me. I’m just so grateful you’re not mad at me.” She turned and headed for the door, pausing only for a moment to look back. “Don’t give up hope, Georg! I know God has matrimonial plans for you. I can feel it right here.” She put her hand on her heart, gave him a wink, and then sprinted toward home as fast as her legs could carry her.

The minute Belinda disappeared from view, Georg dropped into a chair and raked his fingers through his hair. So Corabelle and James were engaged.
Engaged
. To be married in two weeks. The news still stunned him. All week he’d dreamed of wooing her. And the ring was meant to seal the deal. Clearly the Lord had other plans.

He stood and began to pace the room, ranting all the while. “Lord, I am a sensible man. A sensible man. I do my best to behave rationally and not step out ahead of You. I need to ask for Your forgiveness, Father. Clearly, this was not Your will. But I got so caught up...” He paused, thinking of Corabelle’s beautiful green eyes and her flirtatious smile. “I got so caught up in the idea of having a wife like her that I actually believed it was Your plan. I don’t need a wife, Lord. I don’t. I’m doing just fine here on my own. Wouldn’t You agree?”