Angela's Hope (Wildflowers)

by Banicki, Leah

  Angela was on the counter duty waiting on a customer when Clive arrived and threw the door open. He let out a gusty laugh at her surprised look and scooped her up from behind the counter.

  “How’s my pretty Red today?” Clive gave her a bear hug and swung her around a bit and made her squeal. Angela grabbed her head to make sure her hair was secure when he plopped her down.

  “I am good, you old fool.” Angie proclaimed. Her cheeks burned bright when she saw Ted behind him. It looked like he meant to approach her for a handshake or a hug but stopped short awkwardly. Angie nearly sighed in exasperation. She wasn’t sure what she wanted him to do but just waiting around for him to do something might just kill her, she decided in her head.

  “Hello Ted.” Angie’s voice was low and she jumped when she realized there was a customer present. Clive stared at her awkward display of nerves in front of Ted. She ran quickly around the counter and got back to work. Ted stayed in the room and watched her work a few minutes leaving her in a perpetual state of blushing.

  “Clive, you should get yourself upstairs.” Angie warned after the customer left. “There is a Quackenbush you have not yet met.” Clive let out a hoot and jumped up the stairs two at a time.

  “The baby came?” Ted asked and leaned on the wood counter. Just a few inches away from Angie making her feel a bit self- conscious...

  “Yes, five nights ago, a little boy, Silas. He is a dear one that can holler like a champ.” Angie and Ted laughed together.

  “Amber is well then?”

  “Yes, she was weak at first but is stronger now.” Angela could not look him in the eye just now, his gaze very intense on her.

  “I have some letters from Corinne for ya. I stayed with her and Lucas a few days while Clive was off for a weekend trip while we were there. He said he had some errands to run to a few friends off yonder. I have found Clive to be quite a character, maybe the most interesting person I know.” Ted smiled, clearly thinking about something.

  “I appreciate the letters. How are Corrine and Lucas?”

  “They are dandy, both kind and accommodating. Corinne gave me at tour of the place and Lucas gave me some help discerning where some good land was still available. I am looking for a place to settle once I have enough... A few miles outside of Oregon City is a nice area to raise some dairy cows or sheep I’m thinking. I love farming of any kind.” Ted actually blushed when he realized how much he was sharing. “Sorry to carry on Miss, I mean, Angela. I should just give you your letters and get to unloading the chickens.” He smiled attractively and corrected, “Your chickens.”

  “I would like my chickens but you can carry on all you like.” Angela said with a shy smile.

  “You are easy to talk to, sweet girl.” Ted said before he swung the door open and the bell jangled right along with her skipping heartbeat.

  Gabe bounded down the wooden staircase and joined her. He asked about Ted then joined him to unload the crates of chickens and feed. A short while passed and the chickens, a little weathered and scrawny, pranced around their new place, fifteen hens and a rooster. Angie was hoping the rooster would behave and not get everyone up too early. Any more sleep disruptions may just do everyone in.

  Though Angela has been reading all about how to care for the chickens both Gabe and Ted gave their advice willingly. Angie was all ears and allowed for all the help she could get. Her hopes for a thriving egg business was born.

  Sunday arrived after two weeks with the child and everyone was ready for a good Sunday meeting. Angela held the baby while Amber ate her breakfast. Gabe took the little one when Angela wanted to fuss with her hair after Silas’s chubby little hands pulled on the front of her hair and sent it into disarray. She cared little for the fuss as he had wormed his way into her heart for certain. His perfect little lips and fingers and even his loud cries are all part of the miracle that was Silas.

  The weather was windy and the family was bundled against the chill in the air as they walked the two blocks to the church. Once they arrived the Henderson’s gave Angie a hearty wave. Bradley waved for her to come and sit by him, reminding her about the strange night by the water.

  I have never dealt with Bradley, she said to herself. He needed to get a firm grasp of the truth. She was not interested, simple as that. She walked over.

  “You are looking pretty today. I heard the youngin’ has been keeping you all up late nights. My Ma came for a visit the other day. I know you been busy helping at the store but I look forward to seeing ya soon.” Bradley was running away with his words again.

  “I am sorry Bradley, I would like a chance to visit here soon. I will be sitting with the Quackenbush family but perhaps later today you can stop by. I need to have a word with you.” She gave a quick smile to make her words sound less forced. His puppy dog grin said volumes to Angie that he did not understand her still. She would have to do better later. She would ask Amber and Gabe for advice.

  “I will be glad to, my Angela.” Bradley said sweetly.

  Angela walked away before she caused a scene. Was it right to be angry with someone during a church service? Not everyone had the same set of smarts but she was starting to doubt that Bradley had any.

  I am sorry, Lord, she prayed in her head. That was not nice of me to think so poorly of Bradley.

  She had more to pray about on the subject but the service started and she forced herself to pay attention and sing along.

  When the church service ended Bradley interrupted a conversation she had with the minister’s wife to tell her he would be by at three that afternoon. Angela tried to keep her face neutral. The minister’s wife chuckled a little when he was gone.

  “He seems attentive.” The pastor’s wife said with a grin spread across her face.

  “Yes, obnoxiously so.” Angela said a little too quickly. She immediately felt guilty for saying such a negative comment but had no words to make it better.

  “I can tell he is more interested than you are. I suggest that you break it to him gently.”

  “I told him I only wanted to be friends. Then he said he wanted to marry me and take me to Sacramento! I barely know him. I am sure he wasn’t listening to me.” It felt good to Angela to share with someone. Not sure if her advice would help but to have someone trustworthy to talk was nice at that moment.

  “Well my only advice is to make sure he hears you.” She was smiling and patted Angie’s shoulder. It was a gesture of understanding.

  * * * * *

  A knock on the door frightened everyone in the room. Gabe was napping in the chair and Amber was near to sleeping in her rocking chair with some yarn sitting in her lap, her hands had been still for quite a while.

  Angela looked at the clock on the mantle to see 2:45. -- Bradley!

  She stepped fast and light across the floor and opened it before he knocked again and woke up Silas.

  “Shhh…” Angela said in a hushed tone and mouthed the words ‘the baby is sleeping.’

  Angela pointed for him to go back and down the stairs. Angela grabbed her coat and joined him.

  When they were downstairs she led him out to the back fenced area. She needed to feed and check on the birds.

  “We will need to keep our voices down but I am glad you came.” Angela sat on the bench and gestured for Bradley to join her. He had been wearing a silly grin since he arrived. It was completely distracting Angela.

  “I told my parents today. I was too excited to wait.” Bradley blurted out.

  “You have news?” Angela went along with it but was wording in her mind how she was going to be frank with him about her lack of feelings.

  “About our engagement, Angela darling.” Bradley grabbed her hands and kissed the top of each one.

  “Our… Engagement?” Angela forced her voice to stay at a loud whisper. She wanted to yell all of a sudden. “You didn’t tell you parents that we are engaged. Why would you lie like that?”

  “Angela, I told you my intentions a few weeks ago. We have
an understanding.” Bradley’s face was perfectly serious for a moment.

  “I have an understanding that you are out of your wits!” Angela pulled her hands away from his and paced around the yard.

  “I would agree, I lose my senses whenever I think of you, my pet.” Bradley’s voice was syrupy and he reached for her to pull her back to the spot on the bench next to him. She stayed out of reach. He frowned for a half-second.

  “You have no right to call me darling, Angel, or my pet, Bradley. Let me speak clearly. I …am…nothing… more… than… a… friend…to…you…” Angela felt good for saying it but when she saw the silly incoherent grin on his face her hopes failed.

  “I understand Angela, I have not proposed properly, but I will. I promise.” He jumped up and grabbed her hands again, she failed to escape and he tried to hug her. She ducked in time and twisted away from him.

  “I think you better leave, Mr. Henderson. You are taking advantage and I do not appreciate it.” Angela was so mad she could scream.

  “I will come back soon. I am sorry to be so forward today. I promise not to tell anyone else about our understanding until I have asked you properly.” Bradley gave a wave and left Angela alone in the yard with her chickens. She threw her arms up in a shrug and fed the chickens. She told them all about Bradley.

  “You just met him… Yes I know. He is a bit dim.” She filled up the water contraption and spread feed around as the birds clucked and pecked at the ground near her feet.

  “Do you always talk to your chickens?” A familiar voice said from the back doorway. “I came to see you but I saw I was not the first. Bradley Henderson passed me as he was leaving.” Ted was leaning on the doorpost looking handsome in his black wool coat. His blond hair had been recently trimmed.

  “Yes Bradley was here, being a nuisance.” Angela threw a handful of seed on the ground harshly. Perhaps a little too harshly, she grimaced a little.

  “One shouldn’t pelt the chickens with the feed like that. They won’t lay eggs if ya scare them.” Ted’s chuckle took her mind off Bradley’s idiocy and she acted like she is about throw seed on Ted. He held his hands up in mock surrender.

  “Thank you Ted, I will try and be gentle from now on.” Angela said sarcastically. She was feeling more and more comfortable around Ted. He was the kind that listened. She appreciated that about him.

  “Come, they have enough now. Come tell me if I need to teach young Bradley how to stop being a nuisance.”

  “Well I am not sure I should say. Is it gossip to share news about someone being foolish?” Angela had a frown for a moment to think on it.

  “Well, is he being foolish in a way that can harm someone?” Ted asked.

  “Well, no… maybe. I mean it’s complicated. I am not sure to be honest. Perhaps I can tell you in confidence if you promise under threat of…”

  “Death?” Ted filled in her pause.

  “You know I wouldna’ kill anyone…” Angela smiled and pretended a slug into his shoulder.

  “Then how about I just say that I keep it to myself, but I will give you advice if you should tell someone else.” Ted said thoughtfully, Angela nodded and decided to share. Ted was good listener anyway.

  “Well, Bradley is interested in me, romantically.” Angela said, realizing how bad of an idea this was instantly.

  “That is not foolish at all.” Ted said and grinned very slowly.

  Angela swallowed hard and muttered. “It isn’t?”

  “No, I know a few folks wise enough to have that same issue?”

  Angela felt a heat coarse through her and hit her stomach. She felt a strange ill sensation for just a moment.

  She somehow forgot what she was saying then began to blurt out everything.

  “Well, he, uh… he told me a few weeks ago when he asked me to dinner with his family that he wanted to take me to Sacramento. But I told him I only wanted him as a friend. But he wouldn’t listen and then told me we were getting married. I said no again and asked him to take me home. Then today he said he told his parents we are engaged, and I told him he was out of his mind and asked him to leave. I think he is going to buy me a ring now.” Angela blurted it all out in one breath.

  “I see.” Ted said quietly. Angela wasn’t sure how the next moment actually happened but in a moment he reached out to her shoulder and he took one step and then she was in his arms. His kiss was warm with the breeze from the bay brushing past her, his arms around her shoulder and one hand in the hair at the back of her neck.

  Then the kiss was over. Angela was briefly sad as she stepped forward toward him but then teetered back when her senses returned.

  She stared at Ted who suddenly was wearing a look she had never seen. Was it happy, or passionate or perhaps a bit cocky?

  “You look pleased.” Angela said suddenly.

  “I am.” His grin made her stomach dance a jig again.

  “So when did you decide to do that?” Angela asked boldly.

  “Well, I’ve been thinking on it for a while now.” Ted blushed and the cocky look faded a bit, replaced by the shy Ted she has seen a lot lately. “Did I scare ye off?” he asked, a hint of vulnerability was back in his voice, but he kept his eyes on Angela, not looking away.

  “Do I look scared off?” Angela had a moment of triumph herself realizing he was nervous, about her.

  “No, actually you are looking quite pleased yourself. I am thinking about kissing you again, now.” Ted took a step forward but Angela held up her hands.

  “Now wait Mr. Greaves.” Angela gave him a questioning look. “I know you are a good young man, but I am not the kind of girl that goes around kissing a young man without knowing his intentions.”

  “Ah, it is back to Mr. Greaves.” Ted took a nervous breath and then let it out slowly. “Come sit, Angie.” He led her back to the bench she so recently sat on with Bradley Henderson. “I apologize for what I said just now. I guess I’ve been feeling rather foolish lately and today was me attempting to overcome…” He struggled a moment to find his thought.

  “Yer nerves.” This time Angie finished his sentence.

  “Yes” His face was serious as he desperately tried to find what to say. “I am normally pretty quiet.”

  Angela nodded her agreement. “There is nothing wrong with that. You are quiet but not dim-witted.” Angela smiled and liked the smile he returned.

  “I don’t know if my words make any sense but I will just say what I mean and hopefully you can understand.”

  “I am listening, Ted.” The way Angela said his name gave him the courage to speak.

  “I think you are special. Not just pretty or smart, but something different and wise and confusing and…” He paused again and just shrugged. “I just enjoy talking to you more than anyone I have ever met. I guess the kiss was just my way to get past the words I don’t know how to say”

  Angela was silent for a moment.

  “Now have I scared you off?” Ted asked again. His hand on hers was feeling infinitely more intimate than it had while in Bradley’s hand.

  “No, ye haven’t.” Angela just stared in his eyes and let the moment be intense between them. This blond quiet young man was making a good impression without saying much at all.

  They sat and watched the chickens for a few minutes without saying anything. Just letting the moment be quiet and wonderful on the outside while they both let the butterflies and nerves jump around on the inside.

  “Just so you know I was listening about Bradley… I have a suggestion.” Ted said to break the moment up. The nerves were getting strong again.

  “Oh?” Angie laughed.

  “Yes, tell Clive. If Bradley cannot get some sense from Clive then there is truly no hope for him…Oh and one more thing. You should not be alone with him anymore.”

  “You think so?” Angela lifted an eyebrow. Wondering suddenly if Ted was jealous of Bradley.

  “Yes, anyone that optimistic scares me. Optimistic people are too capable of getting thei
r way. I have my own foolish plans for courting you that would be very inconvenient if you were suddenly wed to him.” Ted said with a laugh.

  “I can see how that would be inconvenient.” Angie laughed as he leaned in for another kiss, just a small promise; a peck really.

  A throat clearing broke up the kiss almost before it began. The two young people both nearly jumped into the air when Clive strolled out into the backyard.

  “Ted, you lost me five dollars.” Clive said then chuckled and slapped his leg. “The chickens are looking healthy.” He said to Angie. Ted and Angie were both recovering from the surprise of the interruption.

  “Five dollars?” Ted said rubbing his hand over the back of his neck. His nerves were jumpy but he tried to hide it. His voice gave it away, though.

  “Yes. I had you down for next month.” Clive winked at Angela, whose blush was purple across her cheeks.

  Ted and Angela looked at Clive then each other, a question between the two but they were clueless.

  Clive decided to finish the tease and fill them in on the joke.

  “The warehouse has been running a bet about when you two shy kids would finally get over yourselves and start courtin’. Gabe wins. He is one lucky…” Clive shook his head and laughed again when he saw that Ted had his face covered with his hand and Angela actually had her jaw dropped.

  “We all saw you two sparkin’ since November.” Clive laughed again and gave a punch in the shoulder to Ted. “Headin’ up to see everyone. You two coming up here in a minute?” His voice had the smallest amount of censure. Like they had been bad children and needed to behave themselves. Clive was gone a minute later.