“How very sweet of her. I’ve only seen your mother at the store and in the bakery, but she’s always been very friendly, and she did call on Aunt Daisy to welcome her to Stoney Creek. I’ve heard she’s a very good cook.”
“You heard right about that. Ma loves to cook.” He spread the blanket on the ground under one of the oak trees and set the basket near the edge. This was going even better than he had imagined, but he preferred some topic instead of his family and his mother’s cooking.
Angela sat beside Tom, and they gazed out at the creek. “Have you lived anywhere else but Stoney Creek, Tom?”
“No, not really. My folks came here when I was a young child, so it’s the only home I remember. Pa came to replace the doctor who was retiring. He had a big family as well, so his house and offices fit our family perfectly.”
“I think I’ve met most of your family, but my goodness, they are a large group. What with the Whiteman and Gordon families merged and all the relatives, you could fill a church all by yourselves.”
“And there’s more in the future what with Clara marrying the mayor’s son and then Daniel, Alice, and Juliet coming up as well.”
Angela removed her hat and let the ribbons trail through her fingers. “And what are your plans, Tom? Do you want to keep working for the newspaper?”
“I’m not sure at this point. I like working for Mr. Blake, and this is my hometown, but I’ve thought about what it would be like to work for a larger newspaper in Dallas or Houston.”
He leaned back on one elbow and grinned up at Angela. “That’s enough about me. Tell me more about yourself.”
“We’ve lived in three towns since I was a little girl and now Stoney Creek. When Father feels God leading him to another church who offers a call, he’ll move. I don’t mind though. I love getting to know different parts of the country and making new friends.”
“I can’t imagine moving so much.” He broke off a piece of grass and rolled it between his fingers. “Have you thought about your own future and what you might do?”
Angela pulled her legs up under her skirt and rested her chin on her knees. “I’ve been reading about a woman named Lottie Moon, who is a missionary in China. Her work sounds fascinating. It’s a wonderful way to serve the Lord.”
Tom sat up straight. “Sure, but it’s on the other side of the world. There should be plenty to do right here in America and most certainly Texas.”
“Yes, my father says Texas is a great mission field. I’ll serve God wherever He calls me to go.” If it happened to be here with Tom, that might not be so bad. Time would tell where their relationship was headed. “Have you given much thought to where God might want you to serve?”
“I agree it’s important to pray about what God wants us to do with our life. Unless God leads me in a dramatically different direction, I think I’d be content to stay right here in Stoney Creek for the rest of my life.”
“It’s good to be content with the life God has given you.” Angela wished she had that same emotion. Ever since she’d read about Lottie Moon, she’d felt a stirring inside. As much as she was interested in Tom and as much as she liked Stoney Creek, she cared more about what the Lord wanted for her future. Would He ask her to stay, marry, and have children? Or would He ask her to go to a strange place and experience a life she couldn’t even imagine?
With her thoughts and emotions in a jumble, Angela decided she needed to spend more time with the Lord in deciding which direction to go. But for now she would enjoy this time with Tom.
Faith stood beside her horse in a grove of trees up creek from where Tom and Angela sat. How could he have brought her to their favorite spot? Of course it wasn’t private or anything, but it had been special. Tears blurred her eyes, and she blinked them back.
After seeing them together yesterday at the festival, she’d hoped that maybe Tom would bid on her box for the auction. She’d been delighted when he did, but then one of Micah Gordon’s cowhands had outbid him. The dinner had been pleasant enough, but it hadn’t been Tom.
Now here Angela and Tom were here on what looked like a picnic. They appeared to be in a serious conversation under her favorite tree. Were they making a commitment to each other? They hadn’t known each other long enough for that. Still, the idea rolled around in her head and caused her stomach to tie itself in knots.
Faith leaned her head against her horse’s flank. Tom had only greeted her in passing at church this morning. She should have known he had other plans for a Sunday afternoon as nice as this one. Why had she decided to ride out to the creek today? The stately trees, rolling meadow, and gurgling creek all faded to the background. All that occupied her senses was the sight of the couple now seated under a tree . . . one of her favorite trees.
Jealously rose like bile and threatened to cut off Faith’s breath. She bit her lip and breathed deeply to bring some calm back to her body. It had been bad enough when they had come to the booth yesterday, and now they were here together again.
Faith didn’t want to see anymore. She swung her leg up over her horse and turned back toward town taking care she wouldn’t be seen by Tom or Angela.
After leaving her horse with Willy at the livery, Faith walked back up Main Street. Not ready to go home, she strolled past the bakery and down to Pecan Lane, her heart filled with jealousy. When she reached the boardinghouse, Joe stood at the edge of the path in front of the house.
Maybe if she got him to talk with her, she’d have more information for Tom, and he would take more notice of her. “Hi, Joe, are you out for a walk?”
“Just getting back. I saw you coming down from town and decided to wait for you.” He opened the gate in the fence lining the front lawn. “If you’re not going anywhere in particular, come sit a spell with me.”
That was one invitation she wasn’t about to refuse. “Thank you, I believe I will. Lead the way.”
Joe settled in one chair on the wide porch and Faith in the other. Joe said nothing for a minute or two, and Faith searched her mind for a question to ask or anything to start a conversation.
“Is something troubling you, dear girl?”
Faith jerked back and her eyes opened wide. “Why . . . why would you ask that?”
“I see it in your eyes. Have anything to do with Tom and Miss Booker? I saw them together at the festival yesterday and then again leaving in the buggy when I came out of the boardinghouse earlier.”
Heat filled Faith’s cheeks. “I guess. Angela’s a wonderfully sweet girl. I can see why Tom would want to get to know her.”
“So you like her, but not the idea of her being with Tom.”
How did this old man see and know so much? No one else knew of her pangs of jealousy whenever she saw Tom and Angela together. Or did they?
“I’d rather not talk about that right now if you don’t mind.”
“Don’t mind at all, but I’m here if you need to.”
His smile softened her heart, but what could a stranger say to help this situation? “Thank you, Joe. I’ll remember that.”
A lot of questions filled her head, but they were not the ones she wanted to be asking while sitting with Joe. She cleared her throat and was seeking another topic for conversation when he spoke up again.
“I really like your town, Miss Delmont. It’s a thriving community, but still has that hometown, family feel to it that makes a person feel welcome. Even the ones who doubted me a bit have been friendly the past week or so.”
This was more like it. Faith leaned forward. “I noticed you’ve been busy doing carpentry work. From what I’ve seen, you’re good at it too. Where did you learn the trade?”
“My pa taught me everything I know. He made most of the furniture and things for our home.” He held out gnarled hands spotted with the signs of old age. “Can’t do as much with ’em as I once did, but I’m getting by.”
“What about your family? I imagine your parents are both gone by now, but what about brothers and sisters?”
&
nbsp; A faraway look came into his eyes and Joe stared into space. Faith waited, and after a moment he jerked his head then shook it. “Don’t have brothers and sisters and no children of my own either.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Joe. I have only one brother, but I miss him terribly. He married and moved to New Orleans to be a doctor there.” Questions flooded Faith’s mind, but good sense bade her think before she jumped in and appeared nosy.
“Tell me some more about your family, Faith. I take it you’ve lived here most of your life.”
“Yes, I have. In fact, the doctor who was here before Doc Whiteman delivered me in our home above the bakery.” A smile tickled her lips. How clever to direct the questions back to her.
“Tell me, if Mayor Gladstone could do anything he wanted for this town, what do you think it would be?”
Where had that question come from? And how would she know what Mayor Gladstone wanted for this town? “Um . . . I suppose it would be for the railroad to hurry up and complete the new line through here that will take a train up toward the northern part of the state. It’s supposed to be completed by next spring, and then we’ll have a direct route to Colorado.”
“And what would you want most, Miss Faith Delmont?”
She laughed. “That’s easy. Aside from Tom, we need a new stove for Mama in the kitchen and a bigger place to serve our baked goods.”
“Business is good then?”
“Well, yes and no. We spend a lot of money on repairs, and Mama does a lot of cooking for people who can’t do it for themselves. Like when Mrs. Olson had her twin boys to add to four other young’uns and had to stay in bed. Mama took a meal over to their house every night until Mrs. Olson was on her feet again.”
Faith glanced toward the street and sucked in her breath. The buggy carrying Tom and Angela had turned onto Pecan Lane in the direction of the parsonage. A stab of jealousy pierced her heart.
Joe turned to stare in the direction her gaze pointed and shook his head. Faith stood and held out her hand. “Thank you, Joe. I’ve enjoyed talking with you, but I best get back home. Mama will most likely start worrying about me.”
“I’ve enjoyed it too, Miss Delmont. Tell your ma I sure liked that pecan pie Mrs. Hutchins bought for our Sunday dinner.”
“I will. Hope we can talk again sometime. Bye now.” Faith hurried down the sidewalk to the street. One thing for sure, she didn’t want Tom to see her out this time of day. She had news for him, but it could wait until tomorrow or even the next day. Tears once again threatened, but she blinked them back. She was not going to cry over Tom Whiteman.
CHAPTER 14
JOE SIGNED HIS name on the letter he planned to send back to his lawyer. This should take care of all the business he’d left behind when he’d begun his journey. As soon as he heard back from Stanley Baxter, he could begin dealings with the lawyer here in town.
Satisfaction at making the right choice filled Joe’s heart. The Lord had been good to him in so many ways and had blessed his life even with the tragedies that had happened along the way. The Lord had been on every step of this journey begun last summer and would continue to walk with Joe the remainder of the way, however long that might be.
He sauntered down the stairs at the boardinghouse. The only sounds in the house came from the kitchen where Emma Hutchins prepared something for dinner. This time he didn’t stop to tell her he was leaving but strolled out to the front sidewalk and opened the gate.
He inhaled the brisk fall air, and a hint of cold weather to come filled his lungs. Tom had said they didn’t get much snow in this area, but freezing temperatures and ice were common. Joe hoped he’d enjoy decent weather for the remainder of his time here, as he’d be going home to ice and snow soon enough.
Not many people filled the streets of Stoney Creek this afternoon. Mondays were normally slow days anyway after a busy Saturday when one could barely walk or ride in town. Soon the fall decorations would give way to Christmas and truly signal the end of Joe’s stay in Stoney Creek. He had come to love the town, and his only wish for now was to be here long enough to see some of his desires for the town come to pass.
He stopped in at the bank to see Mr. Swenson. The bank president stood in the lobby conversing with another patron. Joe waited until he had ended his conversation then approached. “Mr. Swenson, do you have a moment?”
“Certainly.” The bank president waved Joe toward his office in the back.
Once behind closed doors, Mr. Swenson asked, “What can I do for you, Joe?”
“I’m impressed with your discretion, Mr. Swenson, and wondered if I could ask you a favor. I need to send a letter home, but I’d rather not have the whole town chattering about it. Would you consent to send this letter for me using the bank’s return address? I would compensate the bank, of course.”
“Certainly. I will insert it into an envelope with the bank’s return address. No questions about it will arise. We can trust James Hempstead, but no telling who might be at the general store when I post it. Until we actually get that post office for Stoney Creek, our mail isn’t all that private.”
Just as Joe had anticipated, Mr. Swenson asked no questions and readily agreed to Joe’s unusual request. Just one more indication that Joe could trust the banker with the rest of his plan when the time came to put it into action.
Joe stood and extended his hand. “Thank you. I appreciate your discretion.”
“I’m happy to be of service.”
Joe appreciated the firm grip of the banker’s hand. Everything in his dealings with Mr. Swenson had proven him to be reliable and trustworthy, and he looked forward to more dealings with the man.
After leaving the bank, Joe stood on the boardwalk. Parts of Main Street had been laid with bricks and stone and made for less mud in the rains, but it also made for more noise from wagon and buggy wheels and the clip-clop of horseshoes. Several people greeted Joe as he made his way back to the boardinghouse.
He needed to make one more stop, however. When the Whiteman house came into view, he stepped up his pace. On the street in front of the house he stopped and gazed at the structure. He well remembered his first night in town spent at the Whiteman home. The welcome, the food, and the fellowship with the family had been like none he’d experienced on his cross-country trip. Truly, he felt like he’d come home.
He entered the center reception room of the clinic to be greeted by Hannah Gordon. “Good afternoon, Joe. Are you here to see the doctor?”
“If he isn’t busy, I’d like to have a few minutes of his time.”
“He isn’t busy. I’ll let him know you’re here.” She disappeared through a door.
A few minutes later, Doc Whiteman waved Joe into his office. “What’s on your mind this afternoon, Joe?”
“Nothing much.” He followed the doctor into his office. “Nice to see Hannah in her nursing duties.”
“She’s a real blessing. Comes in on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Mrs. Gordon cares for her children in the summer. In the winter months Hannah brings them into school then works with me until they get out. A real nice arrangement.” He sat behind his desk and nodded toward a chair. “Have a seat, and tell me what I can do for you.”
With the doctor’s well-known reputation for integrity, anything said in this room would be kept in strict confidentiality. “I’ve run out of some medication I’ve been taking. My doctor at home gave me a good supply, but I’ve been gone longer than I expected. He gave me the prescription order, but I didn’t want to raise questions with the apothecary in town or let word get out about my illness.”
Dr. Whiteman leaned forward with his forearms resting on his desk. “What type of medication are you taking?”
“It’s for the pain that sometimes comes with my condition. The doctor says it’s cancer and I don’t have much longer here on this earth.”
The doctor didn’t change expression. He simply nodded and asked, “Where is this cancer located?”
“In my col
on. Had surgery earlier in the summer, but the doctor couldn’t get it all. He gave me about six months, and that six months will up around the first of the year.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, real sorry. From what I’ve seen, cancer can be quite painful. I can understand your need for pain medication. Let me have your prescription, and I’ll take care of it for you.”
“I do appreciate it. Hasn’t been a very bad pain up until now, but the bouts with it are coming closer together.”
“I imagine they are.” Dr. Whiteman’s eyes narrowed, and he pursed his lips. “Don’t you have family back home wondering about you and where you are?”
Joe grinned. “I figured you’d be asking that. I think a lot of people would like to know more about me if their questions are any indication.”
That brought a chuckle from the good doctor. “Yes, they would. My wife and son are among those I know who are curious. I’m surprised you’ve been able to keep the information hidden from Tom or Miss O’Neal.”
“Oh, that’s been tough, for certain. Those two are very good at their jobs, and I believe Faith Delmont is on the hunt for the truth herself, but I’ve become an expert at evading their questions. As to your question, no, I don’t have any family worrying about me. My wife and I were only children. We had one daughter who would be about Miss Hannah’s age now and even had beautiful red hair, but she died in a tragic accident ten years ago, and then my wife passed on three years ago.”
“That’s sad news, and I’m sorry for your loss.” He leaned back in his chair. “I know you say your doctor gave you six months, but he can’t be sure. According to our Lord, your days were numbered before you were born, and only He knows the time you are to die.”
“That’s true, but I’m weaker now than I was back in June, and I think the good Lord is preparing me for what lies ahead. At least I know where I’m going, and I’ll see my beloved Mary Ann and Rebecca. Until then, I have things I want to get done. I believe I can trust you not to reveal any of this, even to Mrs. Whiteman.”
Christmas at Stoney Creek Page 10