by Janice Hanna
He wasn’t the only one having a hard time keeping his eyes off a woman. Uncle Bert had snagged an extra glance at Maggie as well. She’d pretended not to notice, of course, but Anne felt sure she knew exactly what she was doing. Looked like Emily wasn’t the only one with acting abilities.
Anne wanted to laugh. No, she wanted to dance a jig—the kind of jig Bets wouldn’t have allowed just a few short days ago. The kind she would go on dancing forever in her heart.
Jake watched the goings-on with some degree of humor as everyone made their way into the kitchen. In one day, he’d acquired a bride-to-be, learned that her uncle would be building a store in town, and discovered that his mother had feelings for Bert Denning. Not bad for a day’s work.
As he gazed across the sea of people and into the eyes of the woman he loved, a lump rose in his throat. Don’t cry, Jake. They already think you’re a mama’s boy. You don’t want ’em to think you’re a sissy too. He released a slow breath and managed to get his emotions under control just as his four brothers approached.
“Looks like our courtin’ advice paid off, little brother.” Jeremiah slung an arm around his shoulders. “And I, for one, couldn’t be happier.”
“Same here,” Joseph added.
“Because I’m not gonna be the last single fella in town?” Jake asked.
“No.” Jeremiah’s expression grew serious. “Because if anyone deserves this, you do.”
Jake thought about his brother’s words as he glanced Anne’s way. She offered him a shy smile as she ran her fingers over the little cross necklace. He’d never seen such a look of contentment on a face before. With a very full heart, he eased his way through the crowd and wrapped her in his arms.
Anne smiled as Jake planted a kiss on her cheek. She held tight to the little necklace, complete peace washing over her.
Uncle Bert drew near and spoke in a soft voice. “I’ve been noticing your cross for days, Anne, but I keep forgetting to say something about it. Do you know the story behind it?”
“It was my mother’s.” She smiled as she fingered it.
“Yes, but did you realize it was once my mother’s?” he asked.
Anne gasped. “No. I had no idea.”
“Yes. My mother passed it down to your father when he married. He, in turn, gave it to his new bride. So I think it’s only fitting that she passed it on to you.”
“Amazing.” Maggie drew near and gave the cross a close look. “And just think, Anne—one day you can pass it to your daughter.”
Anne’s felt her face grow hot. Heavens. Would she one day have a daughter? Jake pulled her closer and placed a kiss on her temple.
“C’mon, everyone. Let’s have some cake and ice cream.” Maggie went to work at dishing it up. Anne offered to help, but Maggie wouldn’t hear of it. “Not today, honey. This is your day. Yours and Jake’s.” She gave her son a wink.
Emily approached and embraced Anne. “Isn’t it interesting, Annie? My story really is coming true.”
“Really?”
“Yes. After we talked the other night, I sat down and rewrote the scary parts. I made them nice.” She shrugged. “Well, mostly nice. I did leave in one Indian scalping and added a train derailment. Couldn’t leave that out. But don’t you see? Much of it actually came true.”
“Who could have known?” Anne bent and gave her sister a kiss on the cheek. “But I’ll have to agree with Uncle Bert that you were born to write.”
“Want to hear about the one I’m writing next?” Emily giggled. “I think you’ll like it.”
“Sure. Why not. What’s happening in your next story?”
“Well, there’s a beautiful lady named Annie who marries a handsome cowboy…and they have seven baby girls.”
Anne swallowed hard. “Seven?”
“Maybe six. But they all live together on a big ranch in Texas.”
“I see.” Jake cleared his throat. “And, might I ask, are you patterning your characters off anyone you know in real life?”
She nodded. “Of course. Any writer worth her weight in salt knows there’s just a tiny line between fiction and reality.”
“And sometimes that line gets a little blurry, I understand.” Jake grinned. “Not that I’m complaining.”
“Me either.” Anne laughed and then looked again at Emily. “What happens after that, honey? Do they all live happily ever after?”
“I dunno.” Emily waggled her eyebrows and laughed. “I guess that’s up to you.”
“I see.” Anne gazed at Jake, her heart swelling with joy. “If I get to choose, I’ll go with the happily-ever-after ending. Even if it is a little sappy.”
“Sappy is good.” Jake gave her another kiss on the cheek. “I can live with sappy.”
“Good.” Anne slipped her arm around his waist in response. “Because I have a rather sappy idea I’d like to pass your way when you have the time to talk it through.”
“What’s that?”
“Oh, just a little idea I had about opening up a wedding chapel on the road leading to town.” She gave him a wink.
“A wedding chapel?” Kate squealed. “Oh, how lovely.”
“What a delicious idea!” Emily chimed in.
“This is the town of Groom, after all,” Anne said. “It makes sense to have a wedding chapel.” Her excitement grew. “I can see it now. People will come from all over the place to get married in Groom. What a novelty it will be. We’ll have a beautiful outdoor area with a gazebo…and an inside area, too. What do you think?”
“I think I’d like to be the first groom to walk that aisle,” Jake said. “If you like the idea.”
“I guess we’d better get busy, then.” Maggie laughed and looked toward Bert and her sons. “How long do you think it will take us to put up this chapel she’s talking about, boys?”
“I don’t know.” John shrugged. “Maybe a month or two.”
“Maybe less,” Joseph added. “If we ask for help from our neighbors.”
“I think that’s a fine idea.” Maggie crossed her arms and appeared to be thinking. “That’s just what we’ll do. We’ll plan it just like the old barn raisings we used to have when I was a child. How does that sound?”
“Perfect.” Anne felt the edges of her lips curl up as a satisfied feeling swept over her.
“Anne, what do you think of this?” Uncle Bert’s eyes sparkled. “What if we added a department in the new store for bridal needs?”
“Bridal needs?”
“Things like fine china or glassware.”
“And silver,” Maggie added.
“And table linens and other things of interest to a bride-to-be,” Bert continued. “What do you think?”
“We could put it all together in one department?”
“Yes, and you could work there, if you like. Who knows. Maybe you’ll drum up customers for the wedding chapel. We could lean on each other.”
“Interesting idea. Most of the brides will be from out of state, I suppose.” She smiled as something occurred to her. “Now that Jake and I are getting married, there aren’t any single men left in Groom.”
“Oh, that’s right,” Jake said as he sliced the cake. “I’d almost forgotten about that.”
“I know of one,” Emily said as she stuck her spoon into her bowl of ice cream.
“Oh? Who’s that?” Anne asked.
She pointed across the table. “Uncle Bert. He’s not married, and now that he’s planning to stay, he’ll be a Groom resident.”
“Ooh, Uncle Bert!” Kate clasped her hands together.
They all turned to look at him, and his eyes widened.
“I’ve decided I’m going to write a romance novel with you as the main character, Uncle Bert.” Emily lips turned up in a sly grin. “You can be the hero. How does that sound?”
“Oh, well, I don’t know about that,” he said. “I’ve been an old codger far too long to think about adding a love interest to my story.”
“Those are the best
stories of all,” Emily said. “The ones with the surprise endings. In my story, you’re going to marry…” She paused and then looked at Maggie with a grin. “A wonderful woman who loves to cook and who has a heart of gold.”
Maggie cleared her throat. “Anyone else want coffee? Or cake?” She looked at Bert. “Anything at all?” She clamped a hand over her mouth after she uttered those last words, and she held it there until everyone in the room stopped laughing.
Bert quirked a brow, and his handlebar mustache twitched. Anne almost laughed but quickly swallowed it. No point in bringing further embarrassment. Still, she found it wildly ironic—as Emily would say—that Jake had passed the “last single man in Groom” mantle to her uncle. Wildly ironic, indeed.
About the Author
Award-winning author Janice Hanna, who also writes under the name Janice Thompson, has published more than sixty books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books, and more. Her passion? Romantic comedies! Janice formerly served as vice president of the Christian Authors Network (christianauthorsnetwork.com) and was named the 2008 Mentor of the Year by the American Christian Fiction Writers organization. She is passionate about her faith and does all she can to share the joy of the Lord with others, which is why she particularly enjoys writing.
Janice lives in Spring, Texas, where she leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends, and two mischievous dachshunds. She does her best to keep the Lord at the center of it all.
www.janicehannathompson.com
www.freelancewritingcourses.com
Author’s Note
Those of us who live in Texas are mighty proud of our state. Our praises are often as exaggerated as her size…and there’s no greater place to brag about than the Texas Panhandle. As a child, I visited a cowboy museum in Amarillo, Texas, which is nestled in the heart of the Panhandle not far from Groom. When I grew up, I longed to visit that region once again.
I got my wish in 1990, when our family vacationed at Palo Duro Canyon. I’d never seen anything as breathtaking. The colors of the canyon walls caught me off guard. After all, I’d lived in Texas for most of my life and didn’t know such a place existed. My daughters were all in elementary school at the time. I remember pulling our car up to the edge of a low spot at the Red River. The girls got out of the car and walked through the river in their bare feet. I still have the photo…and, yes, the water looks red against that hard, red clay.
I can honestly say that Love Finds You in Groom, Texas, has been my favorite historical romance novel to write. I hope readers enjoy both the whimsy and the moments of depth. I also hope they see my passion for sharing the tale of a God who interrupts our ordinary lives to give us extraordinary opportunities—both to love and be loved.
I would be remiss not to thank those who helped with this story: Rachel Meisel, my awesome editor at Summerside; Chip MacGregor, the wonderful agent who champions my work; Connie Troyer, my delightful copyeditor; Jay O’Brien, who responded to my questions about ranching in the Panhandle; and my wonderful critique partners, Martha Rogers and Janetta Messmer. May God richly bless you all!
Want a peek into local American life—past and present?
The Love Finds You™ series published by Summerside Press
features real towns and combines travel, romance,
and faith in one irresistible package!
The novels in the series—uniquely titled after American towns with romantic or intriguing names—inspire romance and fun. Each fictional story draws on the compelling history or the unique character of a real place. Stories center on romances kindled in small towns, old loves lost and found again on the high plains, and new loves discovered at exciting vacation getaways. Summerside Press plans to publish at least one novel set in each of the fifty states. Be sure to catch them all!
NOW AVAILABLE
Love Finds You in Miracle, Kentucky
by Andrea Boeshaar
ISBN: 978-1-934770-37-5
Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas
by Sandra D. Bricker
ISBN: 978-1-934770-45-0
Love Finds You in Romeo, Colorado
by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry
ISBN: 978-1-934770-46-7
Love Finds You in Valentine, Nebraska
by Irene Brand
ISBN: 978-1-934770-38-2
Love Finds You in Humble, Texas
by Anita Higman
ISBN: 978-1-934770-61-0
Love Finds You in Last Chance, California
by Miralee Ferrell
ISBN: 978-1-934770-39-9
Love Finds You in Maiden, North Carolina
by Tamela Hancock Murray
ISBN: 978-1-934770-65-8
Love Finds You in Paradise, Pennsylvania
by Loree Lough
ISBN: 978-1-934770-66-5
Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida
by Debby Mayne
ISBN: 978-1-934770-80-1
Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana
by Melanie Dobson
ISBN: 978-1-934770-74-0
Love Finds You in Revenge, Ohio
by Lisa Harris
ISBN: 978-1-934770-81-8
Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas
by Janice Hanna
ISBN: 978-1-935416-16-6
Love Finds You in Sisters, Oregon
by Melody Carlson
ISBN: 978-1-935416-18-0
Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio
by Annalisa Daughety
ISBN: 978-1-935416-17-3
Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire
by Lauralee Bliss
ISBN: 978-1-935416-20-3
Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska
by Loree Lough
ISBN: 978-1-935416-19-7
Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida
by Sandra D. Bricker
ISBN: 978-1-935416-25-8
Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana
by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss
ISBN: 978-1-935416-29-6
Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon
by Miralee Ferrell
ISBN: 978-1-935416-63-0
Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania
by Cerella D. Sechrist
ISBN: 978-1-935416-64-7
Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa
by Melanie Dobson
ISBN: 978-1-935416-66-1
Love Finds You in Pendleton, Oregon
by Melody Carlson
ISBN: 978-1-935416-84-5
Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico
by Lena Nelson Dooley
ISBN: 978-1-935416-74-6
Love Finds You in Lahaina, Hawaii
by Bodie Thoene
ISBN: 978-1-935416-78-4
Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington
by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss
ISBN: 978-1-60936-000-9
Love Finds You in Calico, California
by Elizabeth Ludwig
ISBN: 978-1-60936-001-6
Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio
by Serena B. Miller
ISBN: 978-1-60936-002-3
Love Finds You in Deadwood, South Dakota
by Tracey Cross
ISBN: 978-1-60936-003-0
Love Finds You in Silver City, Idaho
by Janelle Mowery
ISBN: 978-1-60936-005-4
Love Finds You in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
by Sandra D. Bricker
ISBN: 978-1-60936-027-6
Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe
by Irene Brand and Anita Higman
ISBN: 978-1-60936-004-7
Love Finds You in Hope, Kansas
by Pamela Griffin
ISBN: 978-1-60936-007-8
Love Finds You in Sun Valley, Idaho
by Angela Ruth
ISBN: 978-1-60936-008-5
Love Finds You in Camelot, Tennessee
by Janice Hanna
ISBN: 978-1-935416-65-4
Love Finds You in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
by Melody Carlson
ISBN: 978-1-60936-110-5
Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa
by Melanie Dobson
ISBN: 978-1-60936-135-8
COMING SOON
Love Finds You in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
by Annalisa Daughety
ISBN: 97-8-160936-212-6
Love Finds You in Branson, Missouri
by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry
ISBN: 978-1-60936-191-4
Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming
by Miralee Ferrell
ISBN: 978-1-60936-277-5