Ashley Merrick - India_Bride of Indiana

by Ashley Merrick

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “I am.” Smith grinned. “But if things don’t work out, you know where to find me.”

  India smiled. She knew that Smith was just trying to lighten the mood. She watched as the song ended and another one began and Olivia tried to get Richard to stay on the dance floor, but he shook his head and headed back to the table. He was looking all around and then saw her standing next to Smith and she saw him frown.

  “It was nice talking to you,” India said as she headed toward to table and to Richard.

  “You’ve been talking to that Smith fellow quite a bit tonight,” Richard commented as India reached the table.

  “I just ran into him when I was getting another glass of wine. While you were busy dancing with Olivia.”

  “You got another glass of wine?” Richard sounded surprised.

  “I guess I was thirsty,” she said.

  “Yes, well. Do you want to finish it? Or are you ready to head home?”

  India took a small sip of the wine, set it on the table and then pushed it away. It tasted sour to her now and she didn’t want any more. She just wanted to go home.

  “I’m ready to go.”

  They said their goodbyes and then drove home. Neither one of them spoke much. It was late and India was feeling a bit foggy from the wine and confused about Richard. He was just so hard to read. She had no idea if he had feelings for her or not, and the thought of telling him how she felt was terrifying.

  * * *

  When they arrived home, India went inside while Richard brought the horses to the barn and settled them for the night. While he was doing that, India decided to put a kettle of water on the stove for a cup of hot tea. It gave her something to do and she thought the warmth of the tea would be soothing. She knew that Richard liked a cup of tea as well, so she went ahead and poured one for both of them and added sugar to both. He came inside just as the tea was ready to drink.

  “I made us some tea.”

  “Oh, thank you.” Richard shrugged off his coat, hung it in the front hall closet and then joined India in the kitchen. The air seemed electric and a strange energy surged around them as India leaned against the kitchen counter and sipped her tea.

  “I had a really nice time tonight,” she said finally.

  Richard nodded and took a sip of his tea, and then set the cup down on the counter. He took a deep breath and then pulled her close to him, held her face in his hands and looked deeply into her eyes.

  “I couldn’t stand it when you were dancing with him. The thought of you in someone else’s arms and not mine was unbearable. Do you have any idea how special you are to me, how important you are?” His voice was ragged as he asked the questions.

  India shook her head and then whispered, “No. I have no idea how you feel about me.”

  Richard leaned in and lightly brushed his lips against hers, and then pressed a bit harder and India sank into him. He pulled back briefly and smiled. “Well, now you know.” He crushed his lips against hers then and moved his hands to her back and neck, pulling her snugly against him. They stayed like that for a long time, kissing passionately and discovering each other for the first time as husband and wife. When they took a brief break, Richard admitted, “I’ve wanted to do that for a very long time.”

  “So have I,” India said and the admittance took her by surprise. She’d only just recently realized her feelings for Richard, but they’d been there all the time, simmering under the surface. He pulled her in again for another kiss and shifted slightly, causing his cup of tea to fall into him, the hot liquid pouring out onto his thin shirt. Instinctively, he jumped back and ripped his shirt off while India reached for a cloth to attend to him and to the spill. She stopped short and gasped when she saw his bare chest and the angry scars that ran along one side.

  A tortured look came into Richard’s eyes as India took a step toward him and pressed the cloth against his skin to wipe up the wetness. As soon as her fingers brushed against his scars, he flinched and took a step backwards. “This was a foolish idea. Take a good look because it’s the last time you’ll see these scars. I’m hideous. I don’t blame you for being repulsed. I repulse myself.”

  “I’m not repulsed!” India exclaimed. “Not at all, Richard, I…”

  But he cut her off. “I’m sorry, India. This was a mistake. We both got caught up in the moment and you had more wine than you should have. Your judgment was obviously impaired. We’ll move on from this, and go back to the way things were. It will be like this never happened.”

  “Are you sure that’s what you really want?” she asked in a small voice.

  “It doesn’t matter what I want. It’s what has to be. Good night, India.” He turned and left her then, walked up the stairs, holding the cloth and damp shirt over his scarred chest. She wanted to run after him, but she sensed that the moment wasn’t right. Instead, she cleaned up the rest of the spilled tea and then went to bed herself, and with tears running down her cheeks, she drifted off into a restless sleep.

  Chapter 20

  When India came downstairs the following morning, she wondered if the night before had really happened as she remembered it. It felt a bit like a bad, hazy dream. But then she saw a piece of the broken teacup on the kitchen floor and was reminded that it was all very real. She bent to pick up the chipped piece and put it in the trash. Then she set about putting water on the stove for coffee and making toast and scrambled eggs for breakfast. Jim and Mary were going to bring the children to church, so they would meet them there and then go back to Richard’s parents’ for Sunday dinner.

  She was just pouring coffee when Richard came downstairs and greeted her as he usually did, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened between them the night before—as if she still couldn’t feel the imprint of his lips on hers. She looked away and pushed a mug of coffee towards him.

  “Coffee’s ready, and there’s eggs and toast if you’re hungry,” she offered.

  “Thanks. I’m starving, actually.”

  She scooped eggs and buttered toast onto two plates and then sat down at the kitchen table with him. Neither of them spoke much as they ate. When they finished, India cleared the plates and Richard pulled on his boots to go outside.

  “I’m going to take a walk in the fields. I’ll be back in about an hour or so and then we can head off to church.”

  He left and India decided to draw a hot bath for herself. She heated up several pails of water and then brought them into the bathroom and poured them into the big clawfoot tub. She added some more water to bring the temperature down just a bit and then she sank into the tub and closed her eyes. She stayed like that for a good thirty minutes or so, just floating in the warm water, her mind and thoughts empty. Finally, when the water cooled, she grabbed her washcloth and gave herself a good scrubbing before toweling off and changing into a clean dress to go to church.

  Richard drove them into church and they took their usual seats. Julia and Sammy waved to them from the row in front. They were seated with their cousins and Jim and Mary. India focused on the sermon and enjoyed the music. The chorus sang several Christmas carols that lifted her mood. It was hard to feel down this time of year. After the service as they filed out and paid their respects to Pastor Jonathan, he asked India how she was settling in. She told him how much she’d enjoyed his recent sermons.

  “Thank you. I’m so glad to hear that.” He looked thoughtful for a moment and then said, “You know, if you’re interested in getting more involved with the church, we have several ministries that might be of interest.” He went on to tell her about the knitting ministry, how they made shawls to give to the sick, and how the choir could always use new members.

  “I’m afraid I’m quite tone deaf. You wouldn’t want me anywhere near your choir,” India joked.

  “That’s quite all right. We’re open to other ministries as well if you think of a way to serve. In fact, we have a large room in the basement that could be used for
something. Someone mentioned possibly a thrift shop or something, but no one has come forward with a plan as of yet. I just wanted to let you know that we’d welcome your ideas and your gifts, however you’d choose to offer them.”

  “Thank you, Pastor. I’ll think about that. I would like to get more involved.”

  As they walked outside, India looked back at the church and got a glimpse of the area the pastor was referring to. The basement was somewhat raised and had small windows looking out. From what she could see, it appeared to be a large room indeed, that spanned the length of the church. There was plenty of room for a thrift shop or who knows what else. India wasn’t sure if the idea of a thrift shop was really calling to her. But what? She was feeling drawn to that space, though, and sensed that there was something she was meant to do there.

  She had to get her thoughts off of Richard. So, for the rest of the day while they enjoyed a lively Sunday dinner at Richard’s parents’ house, India’s mind was spinning, thinking of various ideas and then discarding each one in turn. Finally, while they were in the kitchen helping Kay clean up the dishes, the perfect solution came to her when she saw Kay dump a basket of rolls in the trash.

  Kay chuckled when she saw the expression on India’s face. She clearly thought that India was dismayed by the waste. But, she wasn’t. Not completely. She was inspired.

  “I know it’s shameful to toss out perfectly good bread, but Tom and I can only eat so much before it goes bad, and I’ve already packed up the rest for the others to take home.”

  But India wasn’t paying attention. She finally had an idea that she was excited about, and it was all thanks to Richard’s mother and Ray Brannigan, whom she planned to speak to before their women’s group meeting on Wednesday. She would have to talk to the pastor before then too, of course, so if everyone agreed, then she could present her idea to the women’s group as well. Though with or without their support, India was determined to go forward with her idea. She was excited to have something worthwhile to focus on. She didn’t want to say anything to anyone, though, until she spoke to Ray Brannigan. She was fairly certain the pastor would approve of her plan, but without Ray’s involvement, it would be difficult to make it happen.

  After dessert, she decided to tell one person. She was dying to tell someone and she knew Laura would want to be involved and might want to come with her when she went to see Ray Brannigan. As excited as she was about her idea, she was a little nervous to see him by herself. As soon as the opportunity presented itself, she pulled Laura aside and told her what she was thinking.

  “That’s brilliant. I think Ray Brannigan will love this idea and I’m happy to go with you for moral support. It’s your idea, though, so you should be the one to present it to him and then to the women’s group if he agrees.”

  “If you’re sure?” India was still feeling a bit nervous about presenting her idea publicly.

  “I’m sure. I’ll be right there with you. But it’s your idea and your passion for it will come through.”

  Chapter 21

  The next few days passed uneventfully. Things were almost the way they used to be between Richard and India, though there was still an undercurrent of tension that India sensed every now and then, when Richard glanced her way with one of his impossible to read expressions and she would wonder what he was thinking.

  Finally Wednesday rolled around, and India first stopped by the church to run her idea by Pastor Jonathan. As expected, he approved wholeheartedly and said he expected that she would be able to easily recruit additional volunteers from the parish if she needed them. With his approval, she then met Laura at Brannigan’s, a half hour ahead of their meeting time. They walked in together and India somewhat nervously asked Alfred, the host at the front desk, if Mr. Brannigan was available to meet with them briefly. He was an older gentleman and India recognized him from their prior women’s group meetings. He went off to check and came back a few minutes later.

  “He can see you in your meeting room, if you want to go in there,” Alfred said as he resumed his post behind the front desk.

  They headed into their usual meeting room. Sammy ran off to the corner to play with the toys there while Laura and India joined Ray Brannigan at a side table. They sat across from him, and he leaned forward and rested his head in his hands.

  “What can I help you ladies with today?” he asked with a curious gleam in his eye.

  India took a deep breath and then told him what she had in mind.

  “I was thinking about what you said the other night at the hotel event,” she began.

  “What did I say?” he asked.

  “You were telling Richard what a shame it was that you often have to throw out so much food. I have an idea. If you are open to it, that might put some of that food to good use.”

  “I’m all ears.” He leaned forward and looked intrigued.

  “What if we collected any food that you were going to throw out? Nothing rotten, of course, but food that you aren’t able to sell in the restaurant. Day-old bread, vegetables that are going soft, meat that is still good to eat but not good enough for you to serve your customers. What if we took that food and gave it to people who needed it, who were going through a tough time and who are hungry. There are people struggling in our community and this could be a bridge of sorts to help them through those tough times. The times that are worse than usual, but that are almost always temporary.”

  “That is a commendable idea, but how would you do it? Where and when?” he asked.

  “We have the where, the the when is up to you. Pastor Jonathan has agreed to let us use the church basement. In addition to the food that you give us, we were thinking that we could also take in donations from parishioners. We could have a storage room of dry good that people have donated as well, and even shoes and clothes for children that people are willing to pass on.”

  “I’d be happy to help you with that. It will be a help to me, too. It really kills me to throw good food out.”

  “We’re going to talk to the women’s group about this today and see if they’d like to get involved,” Laura added.

  “What if they say no?” Ray asked, his concern evident.

  India smiled. “We’re doing this with or without the support of the women’s group.”

  “Fantastic.”

  “What days are best for you?” India asked. “We thought we might check with a few other places too, and start with a general pickup of items maybe two or three times a week?”

  “Mondays and Fridays seem to be the days. I toss out what’s left from the weekend on Monday and on Friday I’m clearing out the week and getting ready for the weekend.”

  India looked at Laura. “All right. We’ll start with Monday and Friday pickups and maybe have the pantry open in the early afternoon for a few hours. Maybe twelve or one to about three. Then I can collect Julia after school.”

  “That sounds like a good plan. You ready to start this coming Friday or Monday?” he asked.

  “Maybe we should do Monday. Then we can have the pastor make the announcement at church on Sunday.”

  “Good luck, ladies. I’m happy to be a part of this. I’d better head upstairs now or your group won’t have their lunch on time.” He grinned and stood to leave.

  “Thank you, Mr. Brannigan. We’re excited to work with you on this.”

  “Please, call me Ray. After all, we’re business partners now.”

  * * *

  After he left, Laura turned to India and said, “Well, that went well. Don’t you think?”

  “Yes. I’d expected and hoped that he would like this idea. Now we just have to present it to the women’s group. Something tells me they might not be as easy to convince.”

  “I think most of them will be,” Laura said. “Olivia is the unpredictable one. Just the fact that it’s your idea might be enough to make her difficult. But, like you said, we don’t need her or the women’s group to make this happen.”

  “True. But it wou
ld be a lot easier if we had their involvement. We could take turns picking up food and scheduling weekly shifts. Spread the work around so everyone feels involved and no one is taking too much on.” India was hopeful that the women’s group would like her idea.

  After everyone arrived and they’d had their meal, Olivia called the meeting to order.

  “So, I am pleased to announce that we have more than met our fundraising goal from our recent event. In fact, we quadrupled it, in large part due to the Blake Wagon Company’s very generous donation. Now we need to think about our next venture. Does anyone have any suggestions?” The room was quiet while everyone looked around, waiting for someone to speak up.

  “Doesn’t anyone have an idea for us to focus on next?” Olivia asked again.

  India raised her hand and Olivia looked surprised.

  “It seems as though our newest member has something to say. India, could you please stand up and present your idea to the group?”

  India stood and her legs felt wobbly. It was one thing to present her idea one on one with Ray Brannigan, but quite another entirely to present it to a roomful of people, all of whom were staring at her expectantly. She took a deep break and then in a sometimes-shaky voice, she told them about her idea.

  “And I thought we could call it the South Bend Food Pantry,” she finished.

  The room was silent and then Olivia spoke, with an irritated edge to her voice. “Don’t you mean the Women’s Group Food Pantry?” she challenged her.

  India’s nervousness disappeared as her temper flared. “No. This is bigger than the women’s group. The church is donating the space, Brannigan’s Restaurant and others are donating the food. Volunteers will be donating their time. This is a community effort and the name should reflect that.”

  Olivia pursed her lips, her displeasure evident.

  “Well, it’s a commendable idea, but I don’t know if the women’s group can approve this. We have to consider all ideas and if we do decide to go forward, we will have to decide who will be in charge. If it’s me, we’ll have to change the days. Fridays and Mondays are not convenient for me.”