Ready to Wed (6 page)

“You say your guest showed up unexpectedly,” said Kenneth. “With no reservation? Do you know where she’s from?”

“Atlanta. Well, Kenneth, she also mentioned a small
town in Georgia. I’m not really sure where she lives now, but she is definitely Southern.”

“So what brings her up north?” Kenneth picked up another muffin. She almost warned him not to spoil his appetite, but then she knew how much he was able to eat sometimes. “Certainly not the weather.”

“Well, that’s a rather interesting question.” Jane turned the gas down under the eggs, then checked the temperature of the waffle iron. “Maybe I should let our guest tell you for herself.”

“Now you’ve got me curious.”

She poured batter into the waffle iron and closed it again. “Well, it’s a curious story.”

“Is it supposed to be a secret?”

Jane tossed him a mysterious grin. “Let me just say this: The main thing that brought her to Acorn Hill was a dream. And she believes the dream came from God.”

“Oh.” He shook his head and his face creased a slight frown.

“Now, don’t be a skeptic, Kenneth. As a man well versed in Scripture, you are well aware that God can give people prophetic dreams.”

“I’m thankful the dream I had last night wasn’t prophetic.”

Jane laughed. “Yes, that is a relief.”

“Good morning,” Louise cheerfully greeted them both
as she entered the kitchen. “Kenneth, it’s a pleasure to see you this morning. Are you joining us for breakfast?”

“Yes, I am. Jane kindly invited me.”

“Belle is in the dining room,” Louise lowered her voice. “She wanted to come in the kitchen, Jane. I explained that we prefer to have the kitchen to ourselves during meal preparation. However, I told her I’d bring her some coffee.”

“Breakfast is on the way,” said Jane as she checked the waffles, which looked just about perfect.

“Would you care to come out and meet our guest?” Louise asked Kenneth.

“Certainly,” he told her as he refilled his cup with decaf.

Jane put the finishing touches on breakfast, setting it on the kitchen table so that she and Louise could transport the warm platters to the dining room table. When they entered the dining room, Kenneth and Belle seemed to be hitting it off, casually chatting about the weather and the church’s slight water problem that he’d been investigating. Finally they were all seated at the table.

“Well, isn’t this lovely,” said Belle happily. “So homey and sweet and everything smells absolutely delicious.” She beamed at Kenneth, who was sitting across from her. “And I’ll just bet you’re the man to say the blessing too. It’s so nice to have a member of the clergy joining us for breakfast.”

As Louise bowed her head, a little alarm went off inside of her. Had Belle already set her sights on poor Kenneth? Of course, he didn’t have on a wedding ring, but as far as Louise knew, no one had mentioned his marital status just yet. Why would they? But perhaps Belle had radar about such things. Louise wouldn’t be a bit surprised.

Chapter Five

S
o, I hear you’re from a small town in Georgia, Belle.” Kenneth passed the platter with egg sand ham across to their guest, and she smiled shyly at him. Carefully made up and dressed in a pale pink pantsuit today, Belle looked very pretty.

“Why, yes, that’s right, Rev. Thompson. Warbler, Georgia. It’s an itty-bitty town in southwest Georgia. I recently moved back there from Atlanta. I’d been in Atlanta about ten years, but I’m just not a big-city girl. At first, I liked all the things there were to do and all the great shopping, but after a few years, all that traffic and noise and hustle-bustle got to me.”

“It must’ve been a great relief to get back to your hometown.” He smiled in a congenial, pastoral way. A completely unsuspecting way, thought Louise as she poured warm maple syrup onto her waffle.

“Oh, I suppose it was something of a relief,” said Belle. “But things had changed there. Most of my friends had moved on, and my parents had relocated to Florida a
couple years back. So, I guess it wasn’t quite what I’d hoped for. Still, it’s a sight better than Atlanta. That’s for certain.”

“Belle is thinking about Acorn Hill for her new residence,” said Louise in a way that suggested she was not completely sure about this idea.

“Really.” Rev. Thompson nodded with a surprised expression. “That’s a pretty big move to make. What motivates you to want to do this? Do you have any friends up here?”

“No. The truth of the matter is, before showing up here, I didn’t know a single soul in this sweet little town. Then I met the lovely Howard sisters and their dear aunt Ethel, who has promised to show me around town today.”

The pastor nodded, but he looked even more confused. “Yes, they are definitely a delightful family.”

“So, I really do think I’m off to a very good start.” Belle smiled happily.

“I still don’t quite understand how you can be so certain that you want to move up here so soon, Belle. Didn’t you only arrive yesterday?” Rev. Thompson asked.

“That’s right.” She winked at Jane. “Oh, I suppose I might as well just spill the beans. After all, the pastor, being a godly man, should appreciate such things, don’t y’all think?”

“Oh yes,” said Jane, trying not to chuckle. “I’m sure he should.”

“Well, it all started with a dream,” she began in a mysterious tone. “A very specific dream that I believe came from God. It was very, very real.” She addressed the sisters. “I didn’t even tell y’all all the details. In that dream I moved to a small town in Pennsylvania, a town named after an acorn. I thought the acorn was symbolic at first. You know the old saying about a great oak tree springing from a little acorn—I thought the acorn had to do with faith. But then I got on the Internet and searched the words
acorn
and
Pennsylvania
, and I found Acorn Hill.”

“Really?” asked Louise.

“Yes. And God showed me something else in this dream. He showed me that I would move here and that I would meet my Mr. Right, and that we would be married on the first Saturday of June.”

“This
June?” Rev. Thompson frowned.

Belle nodded. “In fact, I suppose I should ask you whether the church is available on that day, Rev. Thompson.”

“The church?” He studied her as if she was from another planet. “You mean for your wedding?”

“That’s right.”

“But you don’t know who the groom is yet?”

“Oh, I have some ideas.” She giggled.

Poor Rev. Thompson actually choked on a bite of waffle.
Holding his napkin over his mouth, he coughed several times before he managed to swallow a sip of water.

“I’m sure it must sound a little crazy,” Belle continued seriously. “And I guess I’ll have to get used to people’s reactions. But when God gives you a dream, I believe you should sit up and pay attention. Don’t you think so too, Rev. Thompson?”

“Well, yes, when God gives you a dream, of course, you should pay attention. I suppose,” said the pastor, “that I’m just unsure as to how you make the determination that a certain dream is from God.”

“Faith,” said Belle confidently. “I remember from my Sunday school classes: It’s the substance of things hoped for, not seen. Just like my dream, Rev. Thompson.”

His eyebrows lifted as he picked up his coffee cup and took a slow sip.

“But you never did answer me, Rev. Thompson. Is the church available on the first Saturday of June?”

He slowly cleared his throat. “Actually, it is available. As a matter of fact, it’s not booked for the entire month, which is unusual for this time of year.”

She clapped her hands, then pressed them to her pink-blushed cheeks. “Ooh, that’s just wonderful. Now, Rev. Thompson, I’d like you to schedule the wedding ceremony on that day for me. If you don’t mind.”

“You’re sure about this?” He frowned.

“Sure as the sunshine.”

Louise laughed. “Well, considering the weather lately, that’s not terribly sure, Belle. Not around here anyway.”

Belle turned and smiled knowingly at her. “But, darling, you know that the sun is always shining. Even when the clouds are out and it’s pouring something awful, the sun is still shining. Even in the darkness of night, it’s still shining somewhere. It’s just that you can’t always see the sun. Sort of like faith, don’t you think?”

Louise leaned back in her chair. “Yes, I suppose you’re right.”

Belle smiled at Kenneth again. Louise thought that he was starting to resemble prey that had been caught in the crosshairs. “And, naturally, I’ll expect you to be there too, Rev. Thompson—at the wedding ceremony, I mean.”

He sat up straighter, squaring his shoulders and perhaps putting on his pastor’s hat. “Of course, I’ll be happy to perform the ceremony, Belle. But it’s customary for the engaged couple to come in for a premarital counseling session. I could schedule that too, but it might be tricky without a fiancé to bring along with you.”

“Oh, don’t worry, God is working on that.” She nodded her head. “I have no doubt about it.”

“Yes, well, I see.” Kenneth turned to Jane. “Breakfast,
as always, was delicious, Jane. Thank you for having me.” Then he turned back to Belle. “Pleasure to meet you, Belle. I hope you enjoy your time in Acorn Hill.” Then he stood, excused himself, and left via the back door.

Belle laughed lightly. “Goodness gracious, I certainly hope that I didn’t scare the poor man away.”

“Oh, I don’t think our pastor is too easily scared,” said Louise, though her creased brow indicated that she might not be as convinced as she sounded.

“Well, God certainly does work in strange ways,” said Belle. “But I believe that He is definitely at work.”

Jane began clearing the table.

“He’s surely an attractive man.” Belle seemed to be speaking to no one in particular as she enjoyed another cup of coffee. “And a godly man too. One could hardly ask for anything more.”

“Rev. Thompson is a good and sensible man,” said Louise as Jane retreated with a stack of dishes to the kitchen.

Jane set the dishes into the sink and turned on the water, hoping the noise would drown out any more conversation from the dining room. She had no desire to hear another word about Kenneth’s fine attributes or Belle’s aspirations to lead him to the altar. She chuckled as she rinsed a plate. Poor Kenneth. He thought he’d been simply
coming for breakfast, but probably left feeling like he’d been on the menu. She’d have to apologize later.

Louise came in bringing the rest of the dishes from breakfast. “Our guest is inquiring about Aunt Ethel.”

Jane clapped a soapy hand over her mouth. “Oh dear, I forgot.”

“Forgot what?”

Jane told her about Ethel’s condition. “I promised to take her some breakfast, and she also talked me into showing Belle around town today for her.” Jane gave an appealing look to her oldest sister. “Unless you’d rather do that, Louise. I’ll take Auntie her breakfast and you can go—”

“I’ll take Aunt Ethel her breakfast, Jane.” Louise gave her a stern look, although it appeared to be hiding mirth. “And you can give Belle the tour.”

“Oh, Louie, please.”

Louise chuckled. “Not on your life, Jane. I’ve already had more than enough of that silliness. If you only knew how many times I have held my tongue since Belle arrived. Was it only yesterday? Well, I am sure that even you would be impressed.” She started fixing a plate for Ethel. “Besides, I need to work on our accounts and I should be around in case we get some reservations today.”

Jane groaned. “So there’s no getting out of it?”

“No.” Louise nodded toward the dining room. “And you better get out there and inform Belle before she gives our ailing aunt a telephone call. I already wrote down the phone number for her.”

Belle had just picked up the office phone when Jane found her. “You don’t need to call my aunt,” said Jane quickly. Then she explained about the allergic reaction and how she’d been selected to be Belle’s guide today.

“I hope her reaction wasn’t from last night’s facial.” Belle had a horrified look. “I’d hate to think I made that sweet lady sick.”

“Aunt Ethel has very sensitive skin.” Jane felt like her aunt’s parrot as she repeated that line.

Belle actually had tears in her eyes. “Oh my! I’ve given hundreds of facials, but I’ve never made anyone sick before. This is terrible.”

“Well, Aunt Ethel is special,” said Jane wryly. “So, when would you like to have the town tour? I need to finish up some things in the kitchen, but I could be ready to go in, say, an hour.”

“That’s perfect.” Belle nodded, but she was wringing her hands as if she was still quite distraught over Ethel.

“And I’d like to order some of the items you used on me
last night,” said Jane. “The cleanser and facial mask and moisturizer.”

Belle’s perfect brow furrowed. “Are you just trying to make me feel better?”

“Not at all,” said Jane. “I actually like how my skin feels this morning. I think your products are very nice.”

Belle smiled. “Oh, I’m so glad.”

“Meet me in the foyer in an hour,” said Jane.

“Will do.”

Despite the dream business, Jane liked Belle. Maybe it was her southern charm or just her sweet, big-eyed innocence, but it was hard not to like the optimistic woman. Even so, Jane was not the least bit excited about what lay ahead today. She finished up in the kitchen, and then, remembering how fresh and pretty Belle looked in her pale pink pantsuit, Jane decided maybe she should spruce up a little herself. It might make the events of the day easier. So Jane hurried up to her room and changed into a plum-colored corduroy skirt and shirt, topped with a favorite faded denim jacket that always made her feel younger than her fifty years. She added some jewelry and even lip color and blush. Then she pulled her hair back into a fresh ponytail and tied it with a richly colored scarf in shades of plums and blues. Not bad. Of course, she knew she’d probably look dark and dowdy next to Belle, but it was, at least, an improvement over her breakfast attire.