by Janice Hanna
Jake, with those captivating dimples. Jake, with his boy-next-door charm. Jake, the one who always seemed to put others first. Jake, the one who’d given her the yellow roses that now sat in the vase on her bedside table.
How could she leave Groom now, knowing he cared about her?
Anne tossed and turned, yanking on the covers until they came loose at the foot of the bed. About a half hour later, she’d come up with a plan. Dallas and Groom weren’t that far apart, were they? Of course not. If the Lord had somehow arranged all of this, then surely He could arrange a plan for them to see each other, at least on occasion.
Anne finally drifted off into a fitful sleep. She awoke some time later to a loud cry. Sitting up in bed, Anne attempted to get her bearings. Through the shadows she made out the room. Everything seemed fine.
Only, someone wasn’t fine. Beyond the closed door, she heard her younger sister’s cries.
“Emily.”
Anne leaped from the bed and reached for her housecoat. She opened the door and stepped into the dark hallway. To her right, she still heard Emily’s wails. Anne felt her way along, keeping one hand on the wall until she reached the door to Emily’s room. She’d just started to open it when Maggie’s soothing voice spoke.
“There, there, honey. It’s going to be fine now. Did you have a nightmare?”
“I dreamed that Mama was still alive.” Emily’s voice trembled as she responded. Gone was the rough and tough rapscallion who told stories of Indian scalpings and bank robberies.
At these words, Anne stepped into the room. Unable to make out anything in the darkness, she took a tentative step forward and bumped into the rolltop desk.
Emily and Maggie gasped in unison.
“It’s just me. Annie.”
“Annie!” Emily’s voice took on a tearful tone. “Oh, Annie, I dreamed about Mama. She was wearing a white dress and looked so beautiful, almost like an angel. But when I tried to reach out and touch her, she wasn’t there. She disappeared like a vapor.”
“Oh, honey.” Anne made her way to the bed and sat at Emily’s feet. She reached for her sister’s hand.
“I wanted to touch her so badly, Annie. And I thought I could…but she wasn’t really there. Why would I dream that? I barely remember Mama.”
“I have to wonder if these nightmares are a result of those stories you write. Or maybe they were triggered because you buried your dolls.”
“I have yet to figure out why you’ve done that,” Maggie said.
Emily shrugged. “Oh, I buried them for a reason. I plan to dig them up before we leave and then interview them. That’s the whole purpose.”
“Interview them?”
“Yes. I want to ask them what it’s like to come back to life. If anyone would know, they would.”
“Ah.” Anne grew silent.
“We won’t really know what life in heaven is like until we get there,” Maggie said. “But from what I’ve read in the Bible, it’s a wonderful place. I’m sure your parents are both very happy.”
“And they would want us to be happy too,” Anne said. “If I know Mama, she would want us to get back to the business of living.”
Maggie gave Emily’s hand a squeeze. “You’re such a brave girl when it comes to the stories you write. I know that, if you pray, God will help you get through this difficult season.”
“It’s easy to be brave on paper.” Emily sighed. “It helps me pretend I can be brave in real life too. Does that make sense?”
“Of course,” Anne said. “But don’t you think it’s time to lay down the stories about massacres and blood and so forth? Maybe you could write something poetic or sweet.”
Emily sighed. “That’s just so boring, Annie. If I’m ever going to sell my stories, they have to grab people by the throat.”
“Then write adventurous tales but leave out some of the blood and guts. I’m afraid it’s affecting your sleep.”
Emily yawned and leaned against her pillows.
“Think you can sleep now?” Maggie asked, running her hand over Emily’s hair.
“Mm-hmm.” Emily offered a hint of a nod, and her eyes fluttered closed.
Anne watched as Maggie rested her hand on Emily’s arm and prayed aloud. “Father, watch over this precious girl while she’s sleeping. Give her sweet dreams and peaceful rest.”
At once Anne’s eyes filled with tears. She turned away, unable to watch the gentle motions Maggie made as she tucked Emily in. Memories of her mother washed over her.
“I’ll just…wait out here.” Anne took a couple of steps into the hallway, hoping Maggie hadn’t witnessed her tears.
Seconds later, the older woman appeared and took Anne’s arm. “I’m wide awake. What about you?”
Anne nodded. It would probably take her hours to fall back asleep, in fact.
“Let’s go into the living room and have a little chat, shall we?”
Though she wasn’t sure she felt up to it, Anne followed Maggie down the dark hallway. Arriving in the living room, the older woman announced that she needed a glass of water. “I’ll fetch it from the kitchen and come right back. Would you like one?”
“That would be nice.”
As Maggie left for the kitchen, Anne took a couple of steps into the shadowy darkness of the living room and bumped into something. Or rather, someone.
“Didn’t mean to startle you.” Jake’s breath felt warm against her cheek. His nearness brought comfort, and she leaned into him.
“Emily had a nightmare,” she whispered.
Anne felt his arm slip across her shoulders.
“Ah. Is she going to be all right?” he asked.
“I think so.” Anne welled up with tears again. “I’m so worried about her, Jake. She’s hiding so much pain, but I don’t know what to do for her.”
He stroked Anne’s hair. “You’re doing it already, Anne. You’re there for her, setting the perfect example.”
Anne began to cry and he held her tight. When the tears finally gave way to silence, Anne sighed. “Some example I’m setting,” she whispered.
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” he whispered in response. “I’ve learned a thing or two from you since you arrived.”
He ran his fingers through her hair once again, and she resisted the urge to reach up and kiss him for saying such a sweet thing.
Just about that time, a light came on the room. Anne took a giant step backward, bumping into the end table and almost knocking over a picture frame. She grabbed it to keep it from falling.
Across the room, Maggie looked at the both of them with a half smile on her face. Thankfully, she didn’t ask any questions. Instead, she handed Anne a glass of water and a handkerchief, rested a hand on her shoulder, and said, “Emily’s a strong little girl inside and out. There’s just something about the middle of the night that makes us more vulnerable.”
“Indeed.” Anne whispered the word and then realized how vulnerable she’d felt in Jake’s arms. Not that he seemed disturbed by the idea. In fact, a boyish smile lit his face as he glanced her way.
“Well, don’t let me disturb you ladies,” he said with a nod. “I’ve got to be up early. Just wanted to check on you.”
“Th–thank you.” Anne offered a nod. As he turned back toward the hallway, she said, “Oh, Jake?”
“Yes?” He turned to face her.
“Thank you again for the roses. They mean so much to me.”
He gave her a quick nod, a quiet, “You’re so welcome,” then disappeared into the shadows of the night.
Chapter Seventeen
One thing I’ve observed about folks in the Texas Panhandle—they have a resilient spirit. I’ve known many a person who turned their grief and heartache into something good. Perhaps I’m more keenly aware of this because we’ve recently faced a death in our family. My dear mother—God rest her soul—left us this past week. And though our hearts are heavy, I can think of no place I’d rather be than in Texas, with my friends gathere
d around me. Perhaps that’s what makes us so strong. Here in the Panhandle, we bear one another’s burdens. This week I’m so grateful for folks willing to stand alongside me with hands extended, ready to carry my load. —“Tex” Morgan, reporting for the Panhandle Primer
After holding Anne in his arms, Jake returned to his room. He got into bed with the memory of that moment still fresh—not that he could sleep. Oh no. Every time he closed his eyes, he imagined Anne in his arms. He could feel her cries, sense her pain. He replayed the event at least a dozen times before finally growing weary. His sleep was light, and when he awoke at six o’clock to rise for work, images of Anne flittered through his mind again.
She had captivated him. No doubt about it.
Jake sat on the side of the bed knowing he should pray but feeling conflicted. The only words that wanted to cross his lips were, “Lord, please don’t take her away.” After several minutes of wrestling through his emotions, he managed a different prayer, one he knew the Lord would answer.
“Father, not my will…but Yours be done.”
Truly they were the hardest words Jake O’Farrell had ever spoken.
Anne awoke on Thursday morning with a headache. She’d been up half the night wrestling with the sheets. But with morning’s light—headache or no headache—she had work to do. Virginia and Amaryllis would be by at nine to begin their flower picking for the garlands. There was no time to give in to her emotions. Not with so much work to be done.
Maggie prepared breakfast and gazed at Anne from time to time. Anne half-expected her to ask about what she’d witnessed last night but was relieved when she did not. Instead, Maggie offered up occasional tidbits about Jake, which Anne eventually found humorous.
“You know, that Jakey is quite a clean boy. He bathes every day whether he needs it or not.”
“O–oh?”
“Yes. And you’ve never met anyone more polite. I daresay I did my finest work raising my youngest boy. Perhaps that’s because the others were already out of the house by then.”
“He is very polite.” Anne offered a bright smile and tried to figure out how to put an end to this conversation.
“Who’s polite?” Emily asked, entering the kitchen.
“Jake.”
“Oh, I know. He bought me a new doll from the store last night so that I can bury it alongside the others.”
“He did not.” Anne couldn’t fathom such a thing.
“Yes, he did.” Kate chimed in as she entered the kitchen. “Emily’s hiding her under the bed so you won’t see her. She’s a beautiful doll with blond hair and pink lips.”
“Did you ask him to buy you a doll?”
“Yes, but I didn’t tell him why.” She wrinkled her nose. “I asked for a gray-headed one with a bun, but he couldn’t find one like that, so I’m going to smear ashes in her hair to make it gray.”
“Are you telling me he bought you a beautiful blond-haired doll as a gift but you plan to bury it? No doubt that’s why you had a nightmare.”
Emily shrugged. “Don’t fret, Annie. I think the bad dream was because Uncle Bertrand showed up. Scared the daylights out of me.” She giggled. “Or should I say the nightlights?”
Anne fought the temptation to roll her eyes. “Well, if you go over to Milly’s this morning, I don’t want you talking about dead dolls—do you understand me? You will scare the children with stories such as that.”
“I don’t talk about death in front of the children.” Emily’s expression grew more serious. “I know better than that.” She grabbed a blueberry muffin from the tray on the table. “Is it all right with you if we leave early this morning? Willy wants to teach me how to fish. I already told him I’m going to catch more fish than him so he’d better watch out.”
“I’m going too,” Kate said. “But I don’t want to touch the worms.” She looked Emily. “Do I have to?”
“Nah. I’ll do that part for you.”
Anne watched the exchange between her sisters, realizing just how tied they’d gotten to Jake’s family. “You two go ahead and get dressed, and then let me fix your hair.”
Less than twenty minutes later, both girls were out the door. Anne went to her bedroom to fetch the vase of yellow roses so she could show them to Virginia when she arrived. She crossed paths with Maggie as she reentered the parlor with vase in hand.
“Those yellow roses are rather special,” Maggie said. “Did you understand the significance?”
“I’ve heard of the song,” Anne said, “but I don’t really know much about the meaning. Never paid much attention. Just figured he wanted to welcome me to Texas, that’s all.”
“Hardly.” Maggie chuckled. “You really don’t know?”
“No.” Anne did have to wonder what all the fuss was about, though.
“I’ll give you a little hint,” Maggie said. “It’s a little song about a fella pining away for a girl. Life’s circumstances have parted them, and it’s breaking his heart.”
“Oh.” Anne hardly knew how to respond. So, Jake had been sending a larger message than she realized. How interesting.
She didn’t have time to think about it, however, because a knock sounded at the door. Anne opened it to find Virginia and Amaryllis engaged in a heated argument about hair ribbons.
“Gracious. What’s this about?”
Virginia tried to explain, but Amaryllis marched past her into the house, clearly agitated.
“Come now, girls. Let’s talk about something of real importance.” Maggie gazed at Virginia. “Any word from your parents?”
“Yes. They are in Oklahoma City today and will be here tomorrow. Mama’s very excited about our plans and can’t wait to help. She especially liked the idea about the fresh flowers. Mama’s always been partial to flowers.”
“Perfect.” Maggie clasped her hands together. “Everything is working out just as it should. Oh, speaking of which—Anne, will you show the girls the yellow roses?”
Anne tried not to read too much into Maggie’s phrasing. Instead, she reached for the vase of yellow roses and held them up. “These were purchased at the general store, and from what I understand, there are lots more.”
“Will these flowers still look good the day after tomorrow?” Virginia asked. “If so, then we’ll need to buy as many as we can.”
Ann nodded. “They will if we keep them cool and in water.”
“We’ll put them in the cellar,” Maggie said. “That should help.”
“And I learned a little trick to keep them fresher longer,” Anne said. “You drop a bit of aspirin powder in the water.”
“Well, for heaven’s sake.” Maggie looked stunned. “I’ve never heard of that.”
“You’re full of wisdom, Anne,” Virginia said. “Have I mentioned that I’m tickled you’re here to help with all this?” She threw her arms around Anne’s neck and gave her a tight squeeze.
When she released her hold Anne offered a smile. “I’ve enjoyed every minute so far, but we still have a lot of work to do. Did you bring baskets for gathering flowers?”
“Yes, they’re on the front porch,” Virginia said.
“I do hope my hair doesn’t get mussed while we’re picking flowers,” Amaryllis said. “And I just filed my fingernails last night. I would hate to get them dirty.” She shivered as she gave them a once-over. “That would be awful.”
Anne resisted the urge to laugh.
“I know where we can get some beautiful calla lilies,” Maggie said. “They would be perfect.”
“Oh, I’ve always loved calla lilies!” Virginia’s eyes sparkled.
“Where are they, Maggie?” Anne asked. “Far from here?”
“Just up the road…at my sister’s place.”
“Ah.” Anne chose her next words with care. “Does she…I mean, did she give permission?”
“Permission?” Maggie paused. “Well, I figure they’re partly mine. I gave her the cuttings for those callas several years ago when mine were in full bloom. Unfort
unately, mine didn’t last the winter, but hers sprang back with a vengeance. They were probably too scared not to. Despite her shortcomings, she’s got a very green thumb. The woman keeps a beautiful garden. Besides…” She leaned forward and whispered the rest. “I asked Leo, and he gave me permission. She has so many, she won’t notice if we take a few.”
“Oh, Maggie, I don’t know.” Anne released a slow breath. “If she catches us…”
“I won’t live to see my wedding day.” Virginia shook her head. “I don’t really have to have calla lilies in my garlands or my bouquet. Truly.”
“Well, of course you do.” Maggie pursed her lips and remained silent for a moment. “And our timing is perfect. Leo told me to come between nine and ten because she’s at her quilting club. So let’s get going before I chicken out.”
The girls followed on Maggie’s heels down the road to Bets and Leo’s. Anne’s heart quickened as they drew near.
“Wait here while I scope out the place.” Maggie gestured for the girls to stand behind a tree while she tiptoed to the garden located a few feet away. She’d no sooner reached the calla lilies than the front door swung open. Fortunately, Leo stepped out.
“It’s fine, Maggie,” he said with a welcoming smile. “She’ll be gone for at least another hour. You ladies take what you like, but don’t take so many that it’s obvious.”
“Bless you, Leo.” Maggie turned to face the girls. “C’mon and join me, ladies. Let’s make quick work of this.”
“If you’re sure it’s safe.” Virginia shifted her empty basket to her other arm and scurried to the side of the house. Amaryllis followed behind her but refused to kneel in the flower beds in her new white dress.
“I’ll stand here and hold the basket while you fill it up.” She fussed with her ribbon sash. “My mother paid a lot of money for this dress. If I get back to New York with grass stains on the skirt, she’ll have my head.”
“Well, we couldn’t have that.” Maggie knelt in the flower bed alongside Virginia. “Look at these different colors of calla lilies. Aren’t they the prettiest flowers you’ve ever seen in your life?”