“That’s a lot. Of course he would have reason to visit every one of those places. I believe he opened an account at the bank for the earnings he’s made doing odd carpentry jobs. Most likely he simply went in to visit with my father. The two seem to have become friends. You know Pa won’t tell me anything Joe says to him whether he’s a patient or not.”
“Your observations sound logical to me. I must agree that he’s a very interesting old man with some unusual habits, but I think he’s simply enjoying our town more than some of the others he’s visited.”
“You’re probably right. I guess he’ll let us know only what he wants us to know.” The palms of his hands became moist, and he rubbed them together. How could he approach the subject of his feelings and that kiss without sounding dumb?
Faith moistened her lips and tilted her head. “I had a most interesting visit this week with Angela.”
Tom’s head jerked up, and his blood pumped furiously through his veins. “You had what? A visit from Angela?”
“Yes, you know we’ve worked on several projects together.”
Tom’s pulse slowed. Oh, yes, they had done projects together. “So what are the two of you working on now?”
Faith’s eyes sparkled with that teasing look he had seen so often in the past. What was it about this girl that now had him tied up in knots?
“We talked about the Christmas program and your sister’s upcoming wedding among other things. Angela is a delightful person, and I can understand if you have feelings for her.”
Tom’s palms grew slick with more moisture, and he rubbed them across his knees. “I . . . uh . . . I . . . well, I did take her for a buggy ride.” Then his brows knit together. “Why, did she say something else about me?”
“Tom! You know I wouldn’t betray a confidence.”
This was not going like he’d planned at all. Maybe it would be better to leave and let the topic of their kiss come up another day. If Angela did have feelings for him, he’d have to figure out a way to let her know he wasn’t interested. After the other night, Faith had been the one girl to dominate his thoughts and his heart.
“I’m sorry. You wouldn’t do that to a friend.” He stood to leave, but Faith still sat. “I’ll see you at church Sunday.” He strode to the entryway and retrieved his hat. He turned to say good-bye and found Faith behind him.
His heart pounded, and his eyes focused on her lips. He lifted a hand to her cheek. “Faith, you are the best friend a guy could ever have, and I don’t want to lose that.”
She blinked her eyes and gazed up at him, the sparkle no longer there and a question within their depths. He stepped back and jammed his hat on his head. “I think I’d better be going right now.” He pushed through the door and bolted down the stairs.
Once around the corner he stopped to lean against the building. Now what was he supposed to do? He didn’t want to hurt Angela, and he didn’t want to lose Faith as a friend. He’d have to be less attentive to Angela, and somehow make Faith see him as more than a friend. If he’d read her eyes right tonight, perhaps she already did.
He slapped his forehead, almost knocking off his hat. Rats, he should have kissed her a few moments ago and declared his intentions right then and there. He shoved off the wall and headed home. All he could do now was to take every opportunity to woo Faith properly, once he could get up the nerve to do so.
Faith sank down onto the sofa after Tom left. What had come over him tonight? She’d never seen him quite like that. And what he said made no sense. If he wanted to be with Angela, why didn’t he come right out and say so? True, she and Tom had been friends forever, but why did he say he didn’t want to lose that friendship? Nothing made any sense.
She heaved a big sigh and headed to her bedroom. The door to the office was open, so Faith peeked in at her parents. They were huddled over the desk and spoke in low voices. Faith knocked and waited until her mother turned around.
“Oh, Faith, is Tom gone already? He didn’t stay long.”
“I think he must have been tired from his trip.” No sense telling her all that had been said. She entered the room and went to her mother’s side. “Is everything all right?”
Pa glanced up from the columns of figures he’d been studying. “Yes, but we still don’t have enough to purchase that new stove and remodel the kitchen for the bakery.” He removed his glasses and ran his hand down his beard. A sure sign to Faith that all wasn’t as he said.
She bent to kiss his forehead. “Then I’m sure we’ll be all right until we can. Mama does wonders.”
“Yes, she does, but I’m planning on finding someone to clean out the stove pipe and check the stove to make sure it’s safe. After all, we do have the wedding coming up.”
“That sounds like a good idea.” Faith yawned and covered her mouth. “Ooh, I’m more tired than I thought. I’m going to bed.”
Mama hugged her and planted a kiss on her cheek. “Have sweet dreams, my dear. We’ll see you in the morning. Don’t forget, you have that planning meeting in the morning for the Christmas services.”
That reminded Faith once again of her visit with Angela. This business with Tom and Angela gave her a headache. Why did life have to be so complicated?
She undressed then pulled a heavy cotton gown over her head. After buttoning the top around her neck, she crawled between the covers and lay back. Visions of Tom and her growing up danced through her mind in a kaleidoscope of memories. Not much had happened in either of their lives that the other didn’t know. They didn’t have any secrets, or at least she had no secrets from him. Except maybe not letting him know how much she loved him was keeping a secret.
She flopped over to her side and pulled her knees up. Life had become so involved since becoming an adult. The wonderful days of childhood and school and just being together were only a distant memory now. Proper etiquette for young men and women of courting age had taken over. Why did there have to be rules? Why couldn’t she simply come out and tell Tom she loved him and wanted him to kiss her again?
Her eyes opened wide, and she turned back over to stare at the ceiling. The one thing she’d forgotten to do in these past weeks was pray. The Lord had plans for her as well as Angela, and it was up to both of them to find out what those plans might be and then follow.
She scrambled from the bed and to her knees, her head resting on the coverlet and her hands clasped.
Dear Lord, please forgive me for leaving You out of my daily life these past few weeks. I’ve been self-centered and concerned only about my feelings and doing everything Tom asked me to do regarding Joe Fitzgerald. I’m so confused about my feelings for Tom. I really do believe I love him and want to spend the rest of my life as his wife, but I have no idea how he looks at me except as a friend or a sister. His words were sweet, but that kiss was more like one of friendship. I should have seen it as that and not let my hopes get all raised thinking he’d want to court me.
I know You have plans for both our futures, but it sure would be nice to know a little in advance exactly what those plans may be. I pray those plans for me will include Tom, but if they don’t, please, Lord, let me understand and accept that. Show me Your truths and the way You want me to go. I pray in Your precious, holy name. Amen.
Peace filled her heart in the darkened room. She crawled back between the covers, ready to let the events of the future unfold with God’s own timing and methods. She was His daughter, and fathers always wanted only the best for their children. With a contented sigh, she pulled the covers to her chin and closed her eyes.
CHAPTER 18
WHEN TOM INVITED him out to his sister’s ranch for their Sunday dinner, Joe accepted with anticipation of seeing Molly and her husband, Stefan. She’d been at the center of an attempted theft of prize horses from the livery. Micah and Sheriff Bolton had been instrumental in breaking up the ring of horse thieves because of her.
For an apparently quiet town, Stoney Creek had had its share of excitement in the past. If thi
ngs went the way Joe planned, there would be much more excitement in the future, especially in the weeks ahead before Christmas.
Just to be sure he’d have no pain today, Joe had taken one of the pills the doctor had procured. The bouts with his illness were coming closer together but were still manageable with the medication.
Sitting in church now a few rows behind the Whiteman and Gordon families, he once again envied the closeness they had. His one regret in life centered on the fact he’d not had a larger family. As he and Mary Ann were only children, they’d wanted a larger family, but that had not come to pass. Now he had come to feel a part of these two families as they had welcomed him with open arms.
Molly and Stefan had not been into town for church the past two Sundays. He looked forward to time at their ranch today and getting better acquainted with Stefan Elliot, whom he had met briefly at the Whiteman dinner three weeks ago. Stefan had been disfigured while serving in the cavalry in Arizona, and his acceptance of the scars intrigued Joe. Molly had stood by him and helped nurse him back to health.
The service ended, and Joe gathered with other congregants on the lawn. Mrs. Whiteman invited Joe to ride with her family as they were taking a larger surrey to carry everyone. Dr. Whiteman unhitched the horses while the younger girls scrambled aboard with Clara. Joe glanced around for Tom then spotted him on his horse alongside Daniel. Joe shook his head. If Tom was riding, then that must mean Faith would not be coming to the ranch today.
He’d not seen two young people more in love than those two were with each other, but neither one seemed aware of how much the other cared. He only hoped he’d be in town long enough for them to finally see the light and decide to marry.
The drive to the ranch ate up almost an hour, but with pleasant weather today, and the company, the time had gone by rather quickly. As they approached the Elliot ranch house, Sallie Whiteman spoke to him.
“Thank you for accepting Stefan and being so nice to him. So many times people cringe and don’t know what to say or how to act around him.”
“I admire his courage, but he most likely would say it was his duty and what he’d been trained to do. I’ve heard that many a time from soldiers I have met in the past.”
Dr. Whiteman pulled the surrey to a stop near the house. “Yes, Stefan would say that. He loved the military, but I tell you, I’ve never seen a man who has a way with horses like Stefan does. Micah and Levi are good, but even Micah saw the potential in Stefan and urged him to come to Texas and go into partnership with him and Levi. Stefan has charge of all the horse trading and training.”
When the young couple welcomed everyone to the ranch, Joe studied Stefan from afar. The scars were bad, but even so one could tell he’d been a handsome man. However, Joe had never been concerned with outward appearance. God had taught him to look at a man’s heart first, and that’s exactly what he did.
Stefan finally reached out to grasp Joe’s hand. “Welcome to our home. I’m glad you’ve decided to stay in Stoney Creek a bit longer. Micah and Levi have told me even more about you since we met a few weeks ago.”
Joe removed his hat and nodded to Molly, who stood beside her husband. “It’s indeed a pleasure to be here, Mrs. Elliot.”
Pink rose in her cheeks. “Please call me Molly. Everyone else does, and it’s much friendlier.”
“Then I will do so as well. Thank you.”
Sallie Whiteman wrapped her arm about Molly’s shoulders and leaned close to whisper something in her ear as the two walked into the house. Once again a blush rose in Molly’s face. A smile formed in Joe’s heart. If he guessed right from the smile on Sallie’s face and the blush on Molly’s, Molly would soon be adding a grandchild to the Whiteman family.
Tom stood back and marveled once again at Joe’s demeanor. His manner of speaking with both Stefan and Molly belied his initial attempt to appear as a shabby, homeless drifter. Everything about this man brought confusion and question. One thing Tom had noticed in the past two weeks, however, was that Joe no longer attempted to hide his manners or correct speech. Perhaps he was feeling comfortable enough now to drop some of his pretenses and reveal bits of who he really was, or maybe he was planning to leave so they’d never know.
Tom followed Micah and Stefan into the stables to take care of the horses. “Stefan, what do you think of Joe?”
“My impression is that he’s not just a bum traveling the rails. I see intelligence and breeding in his eyes.”
Trust Stefan to give a straightforward answer. “I’ve come to that conclusion myself, but he’s avoided all mentions of his background with the skill of a born businessman, maybe even a salesman.”
Stefan stroked his chin and nodded. “That tells me he doesn’t want his past known and he’s not going to reveal any more of it than he wants others to know. I suggest you let it go. If you haven’t found out about an evil, unlawful background, then simply treat him as you would any other visitor to Stoney Creek.”
Micah slapped them both on the shoulders. “That’s what I’ve been telling him. Now that’s out of the way, let’s get into the house. My stomach’s been grumbling long enough. It’s time for some good cooking from our womenfolk.”
Tom couldn’t agree more. From the aromas wafting in the air from the open door, a spread to fill the belly awaited them. All the children were seated, and Tom stifled a laugh at Grace’s insistence that at age fourteen she should be sitting with the adults at the big table. Hannah wrapped her arms about Grace’s shoulders and leaned her forehead against her daughter’s.
A few seconds later Grace smiled and nodded before heading over to join her younger cousins and brother. With a family this size, it wouldn’t be long before they’d be adding to the adult table.
After everyone was seated, the family grasped hands, but Molly stood up before Papa could offer a prayer. A faint blush bloomed on her cheeks. “Stefan and I have an announcement to make. We haven’t been to church the past few weeks because I felt poorly in the mornings. Looks like we’ll be adding a new little Elliot to our family come spring. We wanted all of you to know.”
She sat back down but not before everyone began offering congratulations. Tom shook his head. His sister did like the spotlight, and this was one way to get it, especially since they’d been waiting for over three years for this moment. After everyone settled back down, they joined hands once again, and his father asked the blessing for the food and for the new baby to join them in about six months.
As his father prayed, Tom breathed a prayer for his relationship with Faith. He needed guidance as to whether or not to tell Faith his feelings and risk the chance of ruining their friendship.
After dinner all of the women but Molly went to the kitchen to help clean up and of course to discuss the latest family news. His sister grasped his forearm.
“Little brother, I sense something is going on. Care to tell me about it?”
One thing hadn’t changed since her marriage. Molly could still read him as easily as ever. There’d be no escaping her until he told her everything. “We need to go somewhere else. I’d ask you to take a ride with me, but that may not be best right now.”
“Oh, pooh, I can still ride if I want to, but let’s walk out to the garden in the back. It’s not that cold yet, so a walk would be nice.”
Tom followed her outside and around to the back where Molly had planted a flower garden with a fountain and a bench in the center. Fall blooms of chrysanthemums and asters filled the area with color. She led him to the bench and patted the seat beside her.
After he sat down, he swallowed hard. Where to begin? Might as well state it right out. “It’s Faith. We’ve been friends forever, but I’m not sure where things are right now.”
“Hmm, something tells me you are beginning to see her as more than a friend.”
“Yes, I suppose I am.” He gazed toward the house before turning back to his sister. “You and Stefan had known each other as children, so how did you know when you loved him?”
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Molly’s features softened with the smile she directed at Tom. “I looked up to him and adored him when we were children, and I really cared a great deal for him while he and Clarissa visited that summer. It wasn’t until he was injured and tried to turn me away that I knew I couldn’t bear the thought of not spending the rest of my life with him. He said he loved me, but the injuries to his hand and face made it impossible for him to return to military duty, and he didn’t want to tie me down with a disfigured husband.”
“Oh, yes, that was when we went back to Louisiana for Grandma Dyer’s funeral.”
“It was, and it’s also the time Uncle Micah talked some sense into him and convinced Stefan he’d be a wonderful horse trainer and breeder. Once that was determined, I told Stefan I’d never leave him and I’d pester him until he loved me back.”
A faraway gleam filled her eyes as though remembering that time back in St. Francisville. He waited a moment to let her memory settle. “Must not have taken long for that to happen.”
Molly’s laughter filled the air, and her shoulders shook. “That was the funniest thing. Once I’d made my declaration, he made his and grabbed me and kissed me in front of everyone there. I thought Papa was going to burst open his seams the way his chest puffed out.”
“Wish I’d been there. I remember how worried Ma was when they came to fetch Pa because you’d been hurt.”
“Stefan was so brave coming after me when my horse ran away. If he hadn’t been there with his father to get me when the buggy overturned, I could have died.” Another smile played about her lips. “Maybe that’s when Stefan decided he loved me.”
She shook herself and patted his arm. “That’s enough about me and Stefan. Have you said anything to Faith?”
“No, not really.” Not told her, but his kiss should have been a clue.
“And?”
There she went again, reading between the words. “I . . . um . . . well . . . I kissed her.”
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