Ready to Wed (11 page)

“Really?”

Jane removed a piece of chicken from the grill and quickly sliced it into strips, neatly arranging these on their individual salads. Then she brought the salads and bread and joined Kenneth at the table, waiting as he said grace.

“You didn’t answer me, Jane. Alice didn’t really think Lloyd would be interested in Belle, did she?”

She chuckled. “Well, she said that he truly seemed to like her, enough to make Alice uncomfortable. But you know how she’s sensitive to people’s feelings. I suppose she felt bad for Aunt Ethel.”

“Can’t say that I blame her.”

“Oh, I’m sure it was harmless flirting. Lloyd was probably flattered by the attentions of a young, pretty woman.”

“And he was probably just being the congenial mayor.”

“Also, to be fair, Aunt Ethel had called Lloyd, asking him to help with Belle. She so wanted to be the one to take Belle around and introduce her to everyone. She’s quite taken with Belle.”

“Yes, I can imagine that. How is your aunt feeling anyway?”

“She says that she’s better, but she still looks rather frightening.”

“Poor Ethel. Maybe I should pay her a visit this afternoon.”

“Maybe not. I don’t think she cares to be seen, not until her face goes back to normal. I know that she doesn’t intend to let Lloyd see her like this.”

“Understandable. Ethel does care about appearances.” He took another bite. “By the way, this is delicious, Jane.” He winked at her. “Anytime you want to make a donation to church, you just let me know.”

“Okay, now that I’ve gotten you all relaxed about Belle, I think it’s only fair to warn you.”

He looked up in mild alarm. “About what?”

“Well, as far as I can see, and Alice confirmed it, Belle has placed a certain Acorn Hill cleric at the top of her eligible-bachelors list.”

“Oh my.” He shook his head. “Is there any way to get my name off her list?”

Jane shrugged and took another bite.

“Perhaps you could dissuade her, Jane?”

“She’s a pretty determined gal. I think if anyone is going to dissuade her, it’ll have to be you.”

“I was afraid you were going to say that.”

“Don’t you think straightforward is usually the best approach?”

“Yes. And that is exactly how I would advise someone else in my shoes. Funny how things change when you are the person in an uncomfortable position.” He frowned. “I just don’t want to hurt her feelings. Despite not wanting to be on her list, I do think she’s a sweet and sensitive person. I think she means well. And I’m sure that she believes her dream is from God. And, as you pointed out, who am I to judge?”

“I don’t really see that it would hurt her feelings, Kenneth. After all, she wants to marry God’s pick for her. Surely, she must understand that there will be some rejection involved. I mean, going about looking for a husband like this is bound to result in a few disappointments. But she shouldn’t take it personally.”

“You’re right.” But even as he said this, Jane got the feeling he wasn’t convinced.

“But you still don’t want to tell her?”

“I don’t even know how I’d go about it. What do I do? Simply walk up and say, ‘Belle, I have no intention of marrying you’? That seems presumptuous.”

“Yes, I see your point. Well, perhaps just let life take its course, and if marriage comes up, which I’m sure it will, be honest and kind to her.”

“Most definitely.” He grinned. “In the meantime, you’ll excuse me if I lay low?”

“That’s a long time to lay low, Kenneth. She will probably be on the hunt for a good two weeks.”

“Too bad I couldn’t go on vacation for a couple of weeks.”

“Chicken.”

“Certainly,” he said, “I’d love some more chicken.” “Oh, you!” But she got up and took another piece off the grill, sliced it and placed it on the remainder of his salad. “Thank you.”

“You know, Louise and Alice were discussing Belle’s wedding tactics, and they came to a rather interesting conclusion.”

“What’s that?”

“Well, there are people who get married for what seem the right reasons, but still many of those marriages end in divorce. Then there are others whom you’d never expect to make it to their first anniversary, and they stay happily married for years.
Sometimes there really seems to be no rhyme or reason to marital success. I wonder if it’s just the luck of the draw.”

“That’s a rather cynical view, Jane.”

“Perhaps I’m being negative.”

“I happen to believe that marriage really was designed by God.”

“Yes, of course you would.”

“Catherine and I were very happily married before she passed away, and so I have good reason to believe that a godly marriage has a much greater chance of succeeding than a marriage where God is left out.”

“So, you think Belle should have a successful marriage?”

“I think if she does indeed marry a godly man, and if they are genuinely in love, well, yes, I would think her chances would be better than average.”

“But you don’t want to be that man?”

He shook his fork at her. “Jane, Jane, Jane.”

“So, do you think that my marriage would’ve succeeded if Justin had been a godly man? Not that I was such a godly woman when we married. I had rebelled against my roots, you know. Perhaps that in itself destined us to failure.”

“Not necessarily. I’ve known couples who were wed without having God in the picture at the time. Then one comes around, perhaps the other one does too, and they end up being happily married for the rest of their days.”

“So what you’re saying is that without God, marriage is tricky.”

“You do have a way of boiling things down, Jane.”

“Just call me a poached philosopher.”

They chatted a bit longer and were just finishing up lunch when they heard Belle calling out. “Jane, dear? Are you in there?”

“Excuse me,” Kenneth jumped to his feet, dabbed his lips with the napkin, then whispered a thank-you and made a hasty exit.

Jane laughed as she cleared their salad plates. “Coming, Belle,” she called as she went through the swinging door to find Belle in the dining room.

Belle held up a little brown bag. “Wilhelm mixed me up the most delicious batch of tea, and I hoped I might beg some hot water from you.”

“Of course,” said Jane. “Usually we have it out in the dining room, but without many guests, I sort of forgot. Let me get it for you.”

“Oh, thank you,” gushed Belle.

“I’ll be just a few minutes.” Jane took the thermos pitcher and retreated to the kitchen. She turned on the teakettle and quickly disposed of any evidence that Kenneth had just eaten lunch with her. Of course, she knew that Belle had no idea, but even so, Jane felt guilty.

“Here you go,” said Jane as she set the pitcher on the sideboard. “Enough water here for a whole pot if you like. And as you can see, the teapot and cups and sugar and whatnot are right there. Do you need cream?”

“No, I never put cream in tea.” Belle opened the bag and held it toward Jane. “Just smell that. Isn’t it heavenly?”

Louise came into the dining room. “Did I hear talk of tea?” she asked hopefully.

“Belle has a special blend,” said Jane.

“That’s right,” said Belle. “Would y’all care to join me?” She held out the packet for Louise to sniff.

“It smells like peaches,” said Louise, “and spices?”

“That’s exactly right,” gushed Belle. “It’s called Southern Belle. Wilhelm named it after me.”

“Wasn’t that nice,” said Louise, suddenly curious if Wilhelm might be taken with a certain southern Belle. Louise had been telling Wilhelm for years now that he would be quite a catch for the right woman. Was Belle that woman?

“Won’t you have some?” asked their guest as she filled the teapot with hot water. “Both of you.”

“If you’ll excuse me,” said Jane. “I’ve got something I need to tend to in the kitchen.”

“I’d love to have some tea,” said Louise as she set out two cups.

Soon the tea was brewed, and they both sat down at the
table. Louise waited as Belle filled her cup, then she took a cautious sip. It was a bit too flowery for her taste, but refreshing.

“Oh, this is simply wonderful,” said Belle. “I’ll have to tell Wilhelm to keep it on hand for me.”

“And what did you think of Wilhelm?” asked Louise. “Alice mentioned that he seemed to like you. Any possibility that he might be the one?”

“Well, it’s hard to say. Although I do think Wilhelm seemed interested in getting better acquainted. He was quite friendly. Then, when Lloyd asked me if I played bridge and I said that I do, Wilhelm seemed pleased. Lloyd even suggested that we might set up a bridge night this weekend. Lloyd and Ethel and Wilhelm and me. I said that sounded nice, and Wilhelm seemed quite agreeable.”

“That sounds promising.”

“I suppose.” Belle frowned. “Except that I don’t want to give Rev. Thompson the wrong idea.”

“The wrong idea?” Louise’s eyebrows lifted.

“I don’t want him thinking I’ve set my sights on Wilhelm.”

“Oh, I’m sure no one will think that, Belle. It only makes sense that you should get acquainted with the eligible bachelors of Acorn Hill.”

“Yes, I suppose that’s true.” Belle brightened. “Besides, it might not hurt to make the pastor feel threatened by Wilhelm.”

“Threatened?”

“Oh, you know what they say about jealousy. Or maybe I’m thinking of distance, but I do think it makes the heart grow fonder. Sometimes people need a little push to help them realize what they might be missing.”

“I see.” Louise finished her tea and thanked Belle for it. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some office work that I need to tend to.” She paused before she left. “Oh, and although we don’t normally invite guests staying at the inn to join us for dinner, since you’re our only guest at the moment, you’re more than welcome to join us again tonight.”

“No, but thank you very much.” Belle carried her teacup back to the sideboard. “I actually have plans for tonight.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Lloyd invited me to join Ethel and him for bingo this evening.” She clapped her hands together. “I just adore that game. Oh, Louise, I’m feeling so at home here already. It’s just wonderful. And Lloyd mentioned that they’ll be serving hot dogs and chili tonight. So I won’t need to bother you about dinner. But thanks so much anyway.” She picked up her purse and package of tea. “And y’all have a good evening.”

Louise wondered if she should make some attempt to stop Belle and tell her that Ethel was most certainly not going to bingo or anywhere else tonight. But it was too late.
Belle was already on her way up the stairs. She probably needed to put her feet up after traipsing around the town in those high-heeled shoes all day. Louise couldn’t even begin to figure out how she did it.

Louise felt she had a minor dilemma on her hands. Should she tell Ethel that Lloyd had invited Belle to bingo? Or would Ethel even care? After all, it was Ethel who wanted to take Belle under her wing to start with. Surely, Belle had no designs on Lloyd. As Louise checked the inn’s e-mail, she decided this really wasn’t her problem. Let Lloyd and Aunt Ethel sort it out. Despite everyone’s attempts to draw Louise into Belle’s strange wedding scheme, this guest was not Louise’s personal responsibility.

Chapter Nine

H
ow is our wedding Belle doing?” asked Alice as the three sisters ate dinner.

“She seemed happy as a clam when I saw her just a few minutes ago,” said Jane. “She was on her way to bingo night.”

“Bingo night?” Alice blinked. “I’m surprised she figured that one out already.”

“Lloyd invited her to go with Aunt Ethel and him,” offered Louise as she dished out some salad.

“But Aunt Ethel is home,” said Alice.

“I know,” said Jane as she passed the platter of pasta to her. “I just took some dinner over to her. She still looks pretty bad.”

“Poor Auntie,” said Alice. “I suggested aloe vera. It worked wonders for me when I got bee stings. But she wouldn’t hear of it. She doesn’t want anything to touch her face until the rash clears up, and she’s worried that she may be scarred forever.”

“She won’t be, will she?” asked Louise.

“No, her reaction wasn’t that severe,” said Alice.

“So, just for clarification,” said Jane, “is Lloyd still taking Belle to bingo tonight, without Aunt Ethel?”

“That’s my assumption,” said Louise.

“Now that you mention it,” said Alice. “I do believe his car was in front.”

“Don’t you think that is a bit odd?” asked Jane.

“Oh, Jane,” said Alice. “It’s not as if he and Belle are on a date. I’m sure Lloyd was just being friendly and—”

“Going out with a woman who’s on a manhunt,” added Jane.

“But look at their age difference,” said Alice. “Goodness, Lloyd practically could be her grandfather. I’m sure he’s simply trying to make Belle feel at home.”

“But what about Aunt Ethel?” asked Jane. “How is she going to feel when she finds out?”

“Perhaps she knows,” suggested Alice hopefully. “I’ll bet she encouraged Lloyd to take her.”

Louise looked at Jane. “What do you think? You were just over at our aunt’s house. Was she aware of this little development?”

Jane shrugged. “I don’t know for sure. She did mention being disappointed that she wasn’t going, but I think she said something about Belle’s missing out as well. She may have assumed that Belle wouldn’t be going either. Or maybe I’m wrong. I couldn’t really say.”