When she laughed, Anna joined in. Sometimes, Kathleen could be fun.
They turned onto the path leading to the lake and Anna quickened her stride. Larkin and Abigail would be there. Would Jeremiah? He promised before he sat with Kathleen at church. He’d be there. Why not? He probably made plans with Kathleen.
Voices rang out. And laughter. Anna ran ahead around the gentle curve where she saw her friends. There must be twenty people. She laughed and turned. “Come on, Kathleen. We’re late. I think everyone’s already here. The Bollens and the Leonards. There’s Larkin and Tuck, and some of the other fellows and girls, too. This should be lots of fun.”
“Anna, wait.”
What for? Anna stopped until her sister caught up.
“Maybe this would be a good time for you to behave like a lady.”
Anna stared at her sister. Was she trying to help or hinder? “I know, Kathleen. I intend to.”
“Good.” Kathleen smiled. “Mama said I should help you. She’s counting on it.”
Which meant Kathleen would tattle if she did anything unladylike. Anna turned away and walked as fast as she could toward the others. Larkin had a pole in her hand. Good. She intended to fish.
Someone had brought a wagon. Probably the Bollen brothers. They had the tailgate down with a tablecloth spread on it. Anna ran over and left her basket with the rest.
“Anna, come on.” Larkin waved.
Anna trotted across the ground toward her friend. “Hey, I see you have a pole, too.”
“Of course, that’s what you do at a fishing party.”
A group of young men sat on the bank, talking and casting out their lines. Tuck laughed at something Frederick, the engineer who carried logs on the Shay engine, said. They seemed to be awfully good friends. As close as she and Larkin.
Larkin nudged Anna. “Want to join them?” Her dark eyes sparkled.
A slow grin spread across Anna’s face. “Sure.”
“Anna.” Kathleen’s call stopped her in her tracks.
What now? Anna turned toward the wagon where Kathleen and some of the other girls stood.
“You need to come and help. Did you see this fish?” Kathleen pointed to the makeshift table and a bucket sitting on it.
Anna sighed. Fishing with the men wasn’t the most ladylike thing she could do. If she didn’t help, Kathleen would tell, and Mama might send her away before Christmas. She turned to Larkin. “I want to fish, but Kathleen’s going to tell Mama if I don’t act like a lady.”
“I’ll help.” Larkin’s gentle smile sympathized. “It’ll be fun. You’ll see.”
“I know. I just wanted to fish.” Anna flashed a quick grin. “Maybe later.”
Anna took over the job of cooking the fish the men had cleaned. Tuck seemed to be having a good time with his friend. He pulled a fish in while Anna watched. She ached to run across the grass to sit beside him. They’d laughed and talked that first time when they scarcely knew each other. Now look at them. One almost-kiss and they scarcely spoke.
Larkin helped set out food while Anna arranged the pieces of fish in a cast-iron frying pan. She crouched beside the fire pit someone had fixed and set her pan across the hot rocks at the base of the fire. While the fish heated, she glanced toward the lake. Tuck’s place was empty. Her pan sizzled and spit hot grease, making her jump. She grabbed the spatula to turn the fish.
She sensed his presence just as his hand covered hers. Tuck. She turned toward him.
“Hey Little Bit, be careful there. Why don’t you back up and let me do this?”
She met his gaze. “I can do it. This is woman’s work.”
He chuckled. “Not outside on the ground over an open fire. Besides, you’re too close. Your skirt might catch fire. You back up now just a little.”
Anna slid her hand from under his and missed the contact. Her heart spoke with a mind of its own. She scooted back while he deftly scooped the fish and turned each piece. She loved him. No, she didn’t. How could she? Papa wanted her to go to school. She didn’t have time to fall in love. But she did love him, with all her heart. She’d never forget Tuck as long as she lived. She’d love him forever.
“There you go.” He looked at her with a wide grin and stood, holding out his hand.
She slipped hers into the warmth of his and allowed him to help her stand. Her heart fluttered dangerously and broke in two when he looked away—toward Kathleen.
“Be careful.” He glanced back at her, concern in his eyes. “Tuck your skirt out of the way if you’re going to cook, okay? I don’t want you hurt.”
“I should have worn my trousers.” She clamped her hand over her mouth. Tuck didn’t want a tomboy. He wanted a woman like Kathleen. One who knew how to act like a lady instead of run around in men’s clothing, fishing, and helping Papa in the woods all the time.
His laughter rang out, and he cuffed her jaw. “That’s my Little Bit. You remind me of my sister, you know? I like that.”
Anna stared after him. His sister! How could he make such a remark then turn and walk away? Her foot hit the ground and her arms crossed. He walked straight toward Kathleen and stopped with a smile on his face. Tears burned Anna’s eyes and her shoulders slumped. Why wouldn’t he prefer her sister’s company? Kathleen was beautiful, and she always acted like a lady.
Chapter 8
Anna ran up the stairs to her bedroom in their house in town. Although the cabin in the woods should seem more like home since they spent more time there, it didn’t. This house was where they spent every weekend and where she kept most of her belongings. Here, she didn’t have to share a bedroom with Kathleen. Since Tuck had started paying so much attention to Kathleen, sometimes just looking at her sister was a chore.
It had been two weeks since the fishing party. Maybe today she could stop thinking about Tuck and Kathleen. Larkin always made shopping fun, and they’d be looking for Christmas gifts, which would be even more fun. Her soft green dress lay on the bed where she’d placed it before lunch. She dressed and started to smooth her errant hair back into place when a deep voice drifted up the stairs and through her open doorway. Tuck. Her heart thudded. Here? At their house? He must have only now arrived in town from the logging camp.
Anna knelt beside the floor vent in her room and bent low to hear.
“Certainly. We’ll go into the parlor where it’s private.”
At Papa’s words, Anna straightened. What would Tuck have to say to Papa in private? A problem at camp? She stood and peeked out her door. Assured no one else was upstairs, she crossed the hall to her parents’ room, which was above the parlor. She slipped inside and closed the door without a sound then knelt beside the heating vent on Mama’s side of the bed.
“I’ve secured the land I’ll need for my farm, and Willum has started building a small house for me. If I need more room later, I can add on.”
Tuck had land and a house of his own? Weight pressed against Anna’s heart. But how could she have known? They’d spent so little time together, and when they did, their conversation had been fun, lighthearted. There was so much she didn’t know about him, but she wanted to know everything. If only he wanted to court—oh my!
She clamped a hand across her mouth, her eyes opened wide. Could he be asking Papa’s permission to court her? Then why had he been acting so friendly with Kathleen? Her stomach leaped and her heart pounded.
“… to court your daughter.”
Anna almost fell on the vent. What had she missed?
“Let me get this straight.” Papa’s voice rose through the vent. “You want to court Kathleen, not Anna?”
After a pause, Tuck repeated the one name. “Anna?”
Anna pressed against the vent. Don’t pick Kathleen, please don’t.
Silence filled the room before he spoke. “Isn’t she a little young? I understood she’d be going away to school in a few months.”
“Yes, that’s true.” Papa’s deep sigh sounded, then a rustle below as if the men stood. “
All right, you have my permission to court Kathleen if she agrees.”
“Thank you, sir. I think she will.”
Anna didn’t wait for Tuck to leave. She ran to her room, grabbed her coat, hat, and mittens then rushed down the back stairway to the kitchen and out the door. For a moment, she stood in the backyard, lost. Where was she going? What should she do? He didn’t love her.
A sob caught in her throat. She’d fallen in love with Tuck. How long ago? Since October and it was December now. Two months since she’d knocked him to the floor at Larkin’s party. Time didn’t matter. She loved him as she’d never loved before, and she could never tell him now.
Larkin. They were going shopping. She’d be waiting at her house, wondering what had happened. Anna held her skirt just high enough to run without hindrance. So what if ladies didn’t run? She’d never be a lady now. Not ever. Her vision blurred before she realized she was crying. Of their own accord, her feet slowed to a walk, and she brushed the tears from her cheeks with her woolen mittens. More took their place, so by the time she reached Larkin’s house, sobs shook her shoulders.
Larkin let her in. She tossed her own coat aside and led the way upstairs. In Larkin’s room, Anna fell into her friend’s arms and cried even harder. “How could Tuck do this to me?”
Larkin rubbed soft circles on her back. “Oh Anna, I’m so sorry. First school and now this. But maybe you won’t go away, and maybe Kathleen will tell Mr. Tucker no.”
Anna took a shuddering breath as she pulled back. “He chose my sister. That’s what matters. I want to go to school now. Maybe I’ll marry someone back East and stay there.”
“But your family?”
“Papa might miss me, but Mama and Kathleen won’t. I’ll go, and I’ll never come back.”
Tears glistened in Larkin’s eyes. “Oh Anna, where is your faith?” She picked up her Bible from the bedside table and flipped pages toward the back. “Here it is in Romans. It says, ‘All things work together for good to them that love God.’ Don’t you believe that means you?”
Anna stared at the scripture verse while conflicting emotions ran through her soul. Anger, fear, jealousy, remorse, and love were a few she recognized. Finally, she nodded. “I know you’re right. I’ve been acting like a spoiled brat. But if Kathleen and Tuck fall in love and get married, I’ll have to stay away. I couldn’t bear to watch them together.” She lifted a moist gaze to her friend. “A person can’t help who they love, can they? Not Tuck, but not me either.”
With a soft smile, Larkin shook her head. “No, they can’t. But this verse also tells me God has the perfect man picked out to be your husband. ‘All things work together for good.’ That means if Kathleen and Mr. Tucker marry, it’s for your good as well as theirs. Isn’t that right?”
A sigh escaped Anna’s lips. “Yes, you’re right, as usual. Maybe someday my heart will stop hurting so much and then I can accept this. Come on, let’s go to town.”
Anna walked beside Larkin, but her mind wouldn’t shut out the sound of Tuck’s voice asking to court Kathleen. Her heart still felt as if a log had fallen and crushed it. Would she ever get over Tuck? Any other man would have to be very special to take his place in her heart.
Garrick stepped out of the feed store as they neared it. “Hey, what are you two up to?”
Larkin stopped, so Anna did, too. “Just Christmas shopping.”
“Really?” Garrick looked at Anna. “You look like you’re going to a funeral. Where’s the happy girl we’re used to seeing?”
Anna shrugged. “I guess she grew up.”
“What’s wrong, Anna?”
“Nothing.” She turned from his questioning gaze. Garrick was the big brother she’d never had. He’d protected her more than once, even took blame when the rock she threw at a bird broke a neighbor’s window. She didn’t want to burden him with this, too.
“Did Kathleen do something to you?”
Tears filled Anna’s eyes just when she thought she’d used them all. She shook her head, then nodded. “If you must know, Jeremiah Tucker came to the house before I left and asked Papa’s permission to court Kathleen.”
Garrick’s eyebrows shot up. “You heard him?”
Anna nodded. “Yes, and Papa said yes.” Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she covered them with her mittens. “Kathleen doesn’t love Tuck. I do, but he wants her. Oh, it doesn’t matter anyway. Papa’s sending me away. Kathleen’s perfect, and she’s staying here.”
Jeremiah stepped off the Wilkins’ front porch. He should be walking on air, but he felt as if his feet were dragging through six-inch-deep mud. He had permission to court Kathleen if she agreed. She hadn’t been home, but he’d talk to her tomorrow at church. That didn’t concern him, but Anna did. How could he spend time with Kathleen without running into Anna? He couldn’t. When had she become more to him than a substitute sister?
He turned and walked toward the lake, his mind and emotions roiling. He should be happy. He’d just been given the opportunity to win the hand of the prettiest girl in Tumwater. Or so everyone else seemed to think. Why had her father asked if he’d meant Anna? A man should want his oldest daughter to marry first.
Jeremiah shook his head and stood at the lake, taking little note of his surroundings. He might as well go to town and pick up a few things from the mercantile. Retracing his steps, he broke into a run. Maybe the exercise and the cold wind would clear his mind. A few minutes later, he slowed to a fast walk and concentrated on Kathleen. Beyond her outward appearance, she seemed attractive inside. Her manner was gentle. She worked hard at camp just as she had at their fishing party. She was—
Jeremiah slowed to a stop, his gaze locked on Anna. She stood across the street by the feed store with Garrick and her friend, Miss Whitworth. His heart ran faster than he had. What was wrong with him? A glimpse of Anna turned him into a smitten schoolboy.
Garrick held his arms out to Anna, and she fell against him for a tight embrace.
Jeremiah’s stomach twisted. His heart constricted. Anna always sat with Garrick and his sisters in church. He’d seen them together talking before. A harsh, short laugh tore from his throat. He’d fallen in love with a girl who belonged to another. Good thing he’d asked for her older sister instead.
Disgusted with himself, Jeremiah turned away from the cozy scene and almost bumped into E.V., who was stepping off the boardwalk. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
E.V. grinned. “That’s pretty obvious. What’s got your dander up?”
“Nothing.” He heard the growl in his voice even before E.V.’s eyebrows rose.
E.V. looked toward the feed store. “Ah, I see. I thought you were spending more time with Miss Wilkin than mere friendship. What was she doing hugging Leonard?”
“How should I know? It’s none of my business.” Jeremiah took off at a fast walk down the street. So what if they hugged? Pain squeezed his heart.
E.V. fell into step with him. “None of your business? If you have feelings for Miss Wilkin, why don’t you let her know?”
“Because I plan to court her sister.”
“What?”
“I just got permission from her father.” Jeremiah couldn’t resist a quick glance over his shoulder. He breathed better when he saw Anna heading one direction and Garrick the other. He forced a laugh. “Besides, Anna’s only a kid. I’m looking for a wife. I just need to convince Kathleen she wants the job.”
“Job? How romantic.” E.V. stopped and turned as if to walk away.
Jeremiah looked at him. “Where are you going?”
“Somewhere away from this foolhardy path you’re trodding.” E.V. waved over his shoulder. “Good luck, my friend. You’ll need all you can get.”
Chapter 9
Jeremiah sat with Kathleen the third Sunday in a row. Even after two weeks of courting her, his gut instinct was to run. Fine. That’s exactly what he wanted. A woman who wouldn’t tear him up inside if anything happened to her. He glared across the church
where Anna sat beside Garrick. Ever since he saw them hugging in public, they’d sat side by side.
“And ‘the just shall live by faith.’” Pastor Bollen’s voice brought Jeremiah’s attention to the front where it belonged. He forced himself to listen. Better to focus there than across the aisle. A lot better than what he wanted to do. Especially since asking a friend to step out of church for a round of fisticuffs would shock more than a few in the congregation.
He’d lost Anna, and he might as well accept it. No, he’d never had her. Marriage with Anna would never work anyway. She was too young, and crazy as it sounded, he cared too much for her. He’d never been in love before Anna, but he’d get over her.
“Let’s talk about faith now.” Again the reverend’s voice intruded. “The Bible says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”
Another glance revealed Garrick leaning toward Anna while she whispered something to him. Jeremiah looked away and squirmed, bringing a sharp look from Kathleen.
“Sorry,” he whispered.
She smiled.
He couldn’t ask for a sweeter girl than Kathleen. She’d make a perfect wife. Must run in her family. Anna was sweet, too. She was fun, smart, beautiful—and lost to him. He slanted a glance toward Kathleen. His choice was best. Anna had his heart in a twist now, and she wasn’t even his. Kathleen would never do that to him. Maybe he should ask Kathleen to marry him right away. Why wait? Get it settled. Then he wouldn’t be pestered with thoughts of Anna all the time. He gave a decisive nod and settled back with his arms crossed to listen to what was left of the sermon. Before he had time to make sense of the reverend’s words, they were standing, and it was time to go.
He turned to Kathleen. “Would you go for a walk with me this afternoon? I’ll pick you up around two if that’s all right.”
She nodded. “Yes, that would be nice.”
“Fine. I hate to go off and leave you now, but I need to catch up with the other men. We’re all eating together. Since we don’t work in the same area, we try to get together at least once on the weekend.”
Cascades Christmas Page 5