Chapter Ten
Jane took advantage of the continued sunshine on Friday, working happily in her garden for several hours after breakfast. She almost felt like her old self again as she puttered away. It was truly amazing how such a small amount of fair weather had perked up all her plants and flowers, as if they'd simply been waiting for the right moment to pop out and put on a cheerful springtime show.
“Your garden looks lovely, Jane,” said Belle as she came over to where Jane was brushing off a metal table and chair set that she planned to place near the flower garden.
“Thank you,” said Jane, standing up straight. “Don't you look pretty, Belle.” Today, Belle had on a lavender warm-up suit. It looked far too nice for actual athletic activity, and her sneakers, also lavender, did not appear to be designed for running.
“I thought I'd be more casual today,” said Belle. “I think sometimes I can intimidate folks, but I'm just one of those girls who like to dress up.” She chuckled. “Even when I was itty-bitty, my mama said that I would throw a fit if my clothes weren't coordinated. If I had on a pink dress, my socks and everything else had to be pink too. Isn't that silly?”
Jane smiled. “I guess it's just the way God makes us. We're all wired differently.”
“And you must be wired to create beauty,” said Belle. “Goodness gracious, Jane, it seems that everything you touch turns out to be pretty. I had no idea that you were the one who did most of the interior decorating for the inn. Louise just informed me. I'm hoping that when I get married and settle down in Acorn Hill, you'll bring some of your expertise my way and help me to set up a beautiful home too.”
“I'm happy to give you decorating tips,” said Jane cautiously. “But I find that couples need to be in agreement about things like color and style, or decisions can get tricky, especially with newlyweds. Speaking of which, any idea who the lucky guy is yet?”
“No, not really,” Belle looked embarrassed as she waved her hand, almost as if the groom were inconsequential. “Although, I must admit, I do have my favorites.”
Jane was tempted to ask who, but figured she could probably guess. At least it appeared that Lloyd Tynan was not on the short list. Belle had entertained Jane and her sisters during breakfast, telling them about bingo and how everyone there seemed quite curious as to her relationship with Lloyd, as well as the whereabouts of Ethel. “Why you'd have thought I'd murdered the poor woman and buried her out back in the garden,” Belle had told them. Fortunately for Ethel, it sounded as if everything was clarified before the evening ended. Lloyd made it perfectly clear to everyone, including Belle, that his loyalties remained with Ethel. And Alice even made a special point to go over to the carriage house and share this happy news with their aunt following breakfast.
“Are those tulips?” asked Belle, pointing to the rain-beaten blooms that were trying to resurrect themselves.
“Yes. Sadly, they haven't enjoyed the weather much. Usually, they would be over by now, but it's been a cold spring.”
“That reminds me,” said Belle. “I got to thinking that maybe I could hire you to help with my wedding. I know you're friends with Craig and all, and you have such a knack for decorating. Would you be interested, Jane?”
Jane didn't know how to respond. It seemed ridiculous to plan for a wedding that might not even happen. Still, she didn't want to hurt Belle's feelings. “I suppose I could help,” she said weakly.
“Oh, that would be splendid!” Belle clapped her hands. “Now, the main thing is there must be lots of pink.”
Jane nodded as if this were a new concept with Belle. “Pink.”
“Yes. As long as it's pink and pretty, I know I will love it.”
“Well, that's simple enough. However, I think you should know that Craig will need to order your flowers at least a week in advance. And considering that next weekend is Memorial Day weekend, that might be cutting it close, Belle. Are you sure you want to take the risk of ordering expensive flowers before you even know who the groom is going to be?”
“Oh, Jane, it's not a risk, not when God is doing the planning. I simply need to walk in faith. God will provide when the time is right.”
“Okay then.” Jane turned her attention back to the table, giving it a halfhearted scrub with the brush.
“Well, I know you have things to do, and I wanted to take a little walk through town, so I'll leave you to it.”
“Enjoy,” called Jane. She couldn't help but shake her head as she returned to her task.
Finally, it was past noon, and Jane knew she should make her way back inside, clean herself up and get busy with other household tasks. She had a lot to do to get ready for the full house that Louise expected for the weekend. Shopping, baking, some flower arrangements —all things she loved to do. Besides, being busy was a relief to her. It gave her less time to obsess over Justin and why he was coming to see her, a concern that was becoming more and more difficult to push into the recesses of her mind.
“Jane,” Louise's voice called from the front hall later that afternoon.
“In the kitchen,” called Jane.
“Oh, I'm glad you're back,” said Louise.
“Everything okay?” asked Jane as she put a package of butter in the fridge.
“Well, I, uh… ”
Jane closed the door and turned to look at her sister. She was not accustomed to hearing Louise flustered like this. “What is it, Louise?”
“Well,” Louise actually wrung her hands. “I don't know how to say this.”
“Please,” commanded Jane, “just say it.”
“Well, Justin called.”
“Oh.” Jane felt a strange mixture of relief, curiosity and irritation. She tried to imagine what she thought Louise had been about to say—probably something terrible, like Alice had been in a car wreck. Somehow the news that Justin had called didn't seem quite as catastrophic as Louise's expression suggested.
“You were out, so I asked if I could take a message. When he identified himself, I was quite taken aback.”
“Understandably.” Jane returned to unloading groceries, a good way to avoid Louise's penetrating gaze.
“He said he'd sent you a letter and wondered if you'd received it.”
“I did.”
“Indeed. Well, I was unable to confirm that information because you didn't mention it to me.”
“I was going to, Louise.” Jane heard the trace of irritation in her own voice and regretted it.
“Nonetheless,” Louise sighed, “Justin asked if I could reserve a room for him for Memorial Day weekend.”
Jane spun around and looked at her sister. “You didn't, did you?”
“Well, I was so surprised, Jane. I really didn't know what to say. Perhaps if you had given me some warning I might have reacted better.”
“You gave him a reservation?” asked Jane. “To stay here? In the inn? To sleep under the same roof that I do? To invade my personal—”
“I'm so sorry, Jane. As soon as I hung up the phone I knew it was a mistake.”
“Did he leave you a number, so you could call him back?”
“No.” Louise sadly shook her head. “He said he was on the road.”
“Just great.” Jane ran her fingers through her hair in frustration.
“I'm sorry, Jane, but, really, it would have gone much better had I known of this upcoming visit. How long have you been aware of it?”
“Just a few days.”
“But you knew he was coming here?”
“I knew he was coming to Acorn Hill. I didn't think he expected to stay at the inn.” Jane got an idea. “Hey, maybe I'll be gone that weekend.”
“But we need you to cook, Jane. We're booked.”
“Why weren't you booked when Justin called?”
“I had two rooms left.”
“Why did you give one to him?”
Louise's lips pressed tightly together, and Jane could tell she was getting irate. “I don't tell falsehoods, Jane.”
“I know. I'm sorry. I don't expect you to lie, Louise. I just thought perhaps you could have dissuaded him somehow. What about Belle's parents and that whole wedding business?”
“That is the following weekend.”
“Oh, right.”
“As I said, I'm sorry, Jane. But I was in a difficult position.”
“I know, Louise. Actually, I would have told you about his letter last night when I told Alice, but you had gone to bed.”
“What's wrong?” asked Alice as she came in through the back door. At this moment, Louise and Jane were standing on opposite sides of the kitchen table, looking tense.
“Justin called,” said Jane. “Louise took the call and had no idea what to do.”
“Do about what?” asked Alice.
“Justin wanted a room for Memorial Day weekend,” explained Louise.
“You didn't give him one, did you?”
Louise let out an exasperated groan. “I'm getting the feeling you two are against me.”
Alice went over and put an arm around Louise. “Of course we're not, Louise. I just hoped, for Jane's sake, that Justin might find other lodging during this visit.”
“As I informed Jane, I'm not accustomed to telling falsehoods. If someone asks me for a room and a room is available, I book it.”
“Poor Louise,” said Alice kindly, “you got caught in a tight spot. And anyone in your shoes would've done the same thing.”
Jane sighed as she put a carton of cream in the fridge.
“There must be a way to undo this,” said Alice. “Can you call Justin back and suggest that other accommodations might be more suitable?”
“He didn't leave a number. He was calling from the road.”
Jane stopped her busy work and faced her sisters. “What now?”
“Well, we have a week,” said Alice. “Right, Louise?”
“Exactly.” She nodded. “Justin said he plans to arrive here next Friday.”
“Terrific.” Jane rolled her eyes. “I suggested to Louise that I might skip town.”
“We need her to cook,” said Louise.
“I could do the cooking and prep work ahead of time,” said Jane quickly. “Then Alice could take care of serving and whatnot. Right, Alice?”
Alice looked uncertain. “I suppose.”
“I got the distinct feeling he was coming here to see you, Jane. Or is there someone else in Acorn Hill that he has an interest in?”
“Perhaps God sent Justin a dream and he is coming here to meet his darling wedding Belle,” said Jane.
Alice laughed. “Oh, Jane!”
Louise began to chuckle too. “Nice try, Jane,” she said, “but you know good and well Justin is coming here to see you. What I would like to know is, why?”
“That's a very good question, Louise. I wish you had asked him.” Jane returned her attention to unloading the pantry items.
“Jane is perplexed over this,” Alice said to Louise. “She doesn't know anything more than we do right now. Only that Justin is coming and that he wants to talk to her.”
“That's odd,” said Louise.
“Yes,” agreed Jane with her head still in the pantry. “Very odd.”
“But I've come to a conclusion,” said Alice. “After Jane told me about Justin last night, I prayed about the whole thing. And although I don't know Justin's purpose in coming to the inn, I do know the purpose of the inn.”
The kitchen got quiet. Jane removed her head from the pantry and looked at her sisters. Alice was smiling, and Louise had a thoughtful expression.
“A place where one can be refreshed and encouraged,'” said Louise, reciting the first line from the plaque that hung by the front door.
Jane nodded, then contributed the second line: “A place of hope and healing…'”
“‘And a place where God is at home,'” finished Alice. “And maybe Justin simply needs a sample of those things in his life.”
“Maybe.” Jane continued putting things away. But what if Justin wanted more than just a sample? What if Justin was coming here for the purpose of reuniting? She wondered if Alice could be right. What if Justin had changed? What if their relationship could be as good as it had been back in the beginning? What would she say to that?
Chapter Eleven
Friday afternoon, Jane was setting out some freshly baked cookies to greet the new guests when Belle made an appearance.
“Good afternoon, Jane. My, those smell just heavenly. I caught a whiff of something delicious clear up in my room.”
“You've changed your outfit,” said Jane as she arranged the cookies into a pleasing design on the silver platter. Belle now wore a silky pink dress that made her look as if she was going to a party or perhaps planned to be the guest of honor for a wedding shower, although Jane hadn't heard of such plans. “Very pretty,” said Jane.
“You've changed too,” said Belle with a twinkle in her eye. “I didn't want to say anything, but those were the most curious things you had on your feet, Jane. Whatever do you call them?”
“Crocs,” said Jane. “And my aunt Ethel feels the same way about them. She calls them duck feet.”
Belle giggled. “Well, I have to admire a girl who goes around looking like that in public. You must have a much better self-image than I do.”
Jane chuckled. “Or else I just don't care.” Then she pointed down to her more conservative loafers. “But my sister Louise prefers I dress more properly in the house.”
“Oh, Jane, did you hear the news?” asked Belle in a lowered voice.
“News?” Jane frowned. “Have you received a proposal of marriage?”
“Oh no, nothing like that. But Louise mentioned that a couple of single men just checked in. They're twins.”
“Twins?”
Belle nodded, her eyes wide. “That just increased the percentage of available men in Acorn Hill by, well, I'm not terribly gifted at math, but I would venture to guess about ten percent.”
Jane smiled. “Yes, that's probably about right.”
Belle clapped her hands. “I can't wait to meet them.”
“Perhaps the cookies will lure them down,” said Jane. “And since it's nice and warm today, I think I'll go whip up a pitcher of lemonade as well.”
Jane was just putting ice into the pitcher when she heard a voice calling, “Hello,” from the back porch.
“Come in,” Jane called back, wiping her damp hands on a dish towel.
“Hi, Jane,” called Sylvia Songer as she let herself in. Sylvia was Jane's best friend in Acorn Hill and the owner of Sylvia's Buttons, a fabric and needlework shop. She was a gifted seamstress and a fabric artist. She held a folded quilt. “I just had to show this to you, Jane. I finished it last night. To celebrate, I had Justine come in to watch the shop for me this afternoon.” Then Sylvia unfolded a quilt of intricate sunflowers against a geometric background of varying shades of blue.
“Oh, it's beautiful, Sylvia.” Jane fingered the fine craftsmanship. She reached over and hugged her good friend. “It's so great to see you. I've been about to call you dozens of times these past few days and—”
“Why haven't you?”
Jane shook her head. “Something always comes up.”
Sylvia pushed a strand of strawberry blonde hair off her forehead and made a funny face. “Like the guest Lloyd brought into my shop yesterday?”
“Belle?” Jane whispered, nodding her head toward the dining room to warn Sylvia that a certain guest might still be in there.
“Want to run out for a cup of coffee?” asked Sylvia as she began to refold the quilt.
“Sure,” said Jane. “Just let me put this lemonade out and I think I'm good to go.”
Belle was sitting at the dining-room table with a wedding magazine. “Maybe the twins will like some of this,” said Jane as she set the pitcher on the sideboard. “You might even want to take it out on the front porch, it's so nice out.”
“What a lovely idea.”
Jane almost sugge
sted to Belle that she hide the wedding magazine from the twins, but Belle was in command of her campaign, and maybe the magazine was part of it. “I'll see you later, Belle,” she called as she went back to the kitchen and rejoined Sylvia. The two of them slipped out the back, and Sylvia put her quilt safely back into her car before they headed toward town on foot.
“So what did you think of Belle?” asked Jane after they were a block from the inn.
“Besides her being odd?”
“She is awfully sweet,” said Jane. “It's hard not to like her.”
“I suppose. But all that wedding mumbo jumbo, and she doesn't even have a fiancé?” Sylvia shook her head. “What's with that?”
“Did she tell you about the dream?”
“Sort of, but it still didn't make sense.”
“No. I don't think it makes sense to anyone,” said Jane, “except for Belle.”
“Well, I'll tell you one thing, the bachelors in this town are starting to run when they see her coming. The word has spread that she's on a manhunt. Craig Tracy actually ducked into my shop to hide this morning when he saw her walking his way.”
Jane laughed. “I can just imagine him crouched between the bolts of calico and baskets of yarn.”
“Yes, it was pretty comical. I told him he was being silly and that Belle wasn't going to grab him and drag him down the aisle. But he said she was a formidable force that he'd just as soon avoid.”
“I'm worried about her ordering those wedding flowers from him,” said Jane. “I mean, what will she do if there's no wedding? Will Craig be stuck with them? Or will Belle have to pay the bill?”
“I say have the girl pay up front. Speaking of which, did you know that Belle asked me if I could make her a wedding gown as well as four bridesmaid dresses and have them all ready for her by the first weekend of June?”
Memories from Acorn Hill Page 30