Texas Whirlwind

by Bonnie Blythe

  “I think they wanted the pink one,” Emma said with a smile.

  “Huh?”

  “Just kidding. I think they’re hungry.” She peeled a banana. “Time to baptize the new stroller.” Emma gave each a piece of the fruit. Their tears disappeared as if by magic. She kissed each their heads. “You were so patient, poor little things!”

  Travis wrestled the empty box into the trunk of the car. He expelled a breath. “Where to next?”

  She looked up at the sky. “That way. If we walk along that side, the sun will be behind us. I don’t want the girls to get too warm after their fevers.”

  He winked. “Yes, Dr. Hayes.”

  “Very funny.”

  Emma wiped the girls’ faces and hands before setting off toward the direction she’d chosen. They drifted in and out of several stores, including one for books, two that sold kids’ clothing, and back to the Baby Boutique for a mega-package of diapers she’d forgotten the first time around.

  Travis enjoyed himself more than he wanted to admit. Emma charmed him with her relaxed and easy going company. Lucy was definitely one of those high-maintenance females. He cringed at the disloyal thought, remembering he wasn’t supposed to be comparing the two women.

  At least this time I didn’t say it out loud.

  After storing their purchases in the car, Emma gave the girls a diaper change. For lunch, Travis took them to a little café situated near an over-sized chess game at the corner of the block. Several people stood around, staring at the huge chess pieces, chins in their hands, as if pondering their next move.

  That’s exactly what I should be doing. The surge of forgotten emotions that hit him at Emma’s arrival was shadowed by the knowledge that he had unfinished business with Lucy.

  Once they ended lunch, they strolled along the boardwalk, shadowed by a docked cruise ship. The twins fell asleep. Emma seemed content just to walk. Travis had to restrain himself from putting an arm around her.

  She decided to shop for a car another day and they headed back to where they parked. Travis secretly hoped to be a part of that excursion as well. When they arrived back at Emma’s house, he let his gaze drift around the room while she got the girls settled. The living room was done in warm tones with a large chintz sofa and two overstuffed chairs.

  A white brick fireplace anchored the space, while potted palms had been tucked into the corners. Travis noticed the tops of curio cabinets and bookshelves were crammed with figurines and other pretties—no doubt to keep them from busy little fingers.

  He smiled, noting the distinct presence of children. Board books overflowed from the coffee table, pink and yellow fleecy blankets draped the corner of the couch, and a laundry basket filled with brightly colored toys took center stage. He wondered what Emma’s parents would make of the cluttered changes to their fancy house.

  Travis sat down on the couch just as Emma entered the room. She eased down next to him. He noticed her fair skin had been burned a little by the sun. Her pink nose and cheeks looked adorable.

  “I can’t remember having such a nice time,” she said. “Thank you, Travis. Your help made all the difference.”

  “Glad to be of service, ma’am,” he said, tipping back his Stetson. He pulled it off and set it on the coffee table.

  “You know, I don't think I've seen anyone else in town with a cowboy hat, except maybe the guy who drives that horse and carriage for the tourists.”

  He grinned. “That's 'cause all the cowboys are up north of the coast. This hat was a gift from my granddaddy who grew up in West Texas. Since I spent a few summers helping out on his ranch, I picked up some of his ways, too, I guess. If I was a true Galvestonian, I'd dress more like Jimmy Buffet.”

  Emma laughed. “Do you mean you actually own a Hawaiian shirt?”

  “Yes, Ma'am. More than one. This is more of an artsy, beach town. Gotta look the part.”

  Emma smiled, then raised her arms above her head in a long stretch. “If I’m this tired, I wouldn’t be surprised if the girls don’t wake up until after dinner.”

  Travis tried to avoid the notion of taking a long afternoon nap with her. “I’m, uh, plumb tuckered out myself. I don’t know how you moms keep up that kind of pace every day.”

  “Helps to have a handy man around.”

  “I reckon that’s what God made husbands for. To assemble and carry around the baby equipment.”

  Emma gave a soft laugh, then looked up at him, blushing a deeper pink. Travis knew their conversation was heading for uncomfortable ground. He decided to change the direction. “Have you found a church since you’ve been back?”

  She shook her head. “Too busy trying to get the girls settled into a routine.”

  “Well, in that case, I’d like to formally invite you to my church home. Good Shepherd Fellowship on Maple Street.”

  “The same place you went back in high school?”

  “Yep. Been there ever since.”

  “Wow.” Emma clasped her hands in her lap. “What time does the main service start?”

  “Eleven o’clock.”

  “I’ll think about it. Thanks, Travis.” She lowered her gaze. “Would you like to stay for dinner?”

  Although Travis was sorely tempted, he decided to leave on a good note, before he managed to ruin the entire day with a wayward remark. He stood. “I’d like to, but I need to get home and finish up some office paperwork.”

  Emma came to her feet and walked him to the door. “Thank you for everything today.”

  “Maybe, um, I can be of help when you get a vehicle. Taking a fellow along to a dealer can sweeten the deal for a lady.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Oh, I almost forgot. Wendy got an appointment for you with Dr. Winthrop. He's the specialist I mentioned.”

  “When is it?”

  “A week from Monday, ten o'clock.”

  She nodded. “Thank you, Travis.”

  “I'd like to come with you to the appointment, if that's okay. To talk one-on-one with him.”

  She studied his face. “Can you get away from work then?”

  “It's no problem. I’ll make arrangements.”

  “All right. That sounds good.”

  Travis regarded her for a moment, noting the way golden tendrils of hair had worked their way loose from her braid, and the way her blue eyes looked up at him with warmth.

  Overcome by a sudden desire to kiss her, his gaze dropped to her lips. He grabbed hold of the door frame in an attempt to restrain himself. If he kissed Emma now, he’d destroy her trust. He’d just be a two-timin’ rascal, not fit to be around her sweet twin girls.

  Travis choked out a goodbye, which sounded harsh to his ears, and clumped down the steps to his truck without looking back.

  When he returned home, Travis walked in the door and tossed his keys onto the side table in the tiny hall. The late afternoon sun slanted through the white sheers at the windows—the same sheers that had been there for as long as he could remember.

  When his mom died shortly after he graduated from med school, Travis learned that only a small balance was left on the mortgage. Staying in the house he grew up in made an inexpensive place to live while he began the long process of paying off school loans.

  The little yellow two-bedroom cottage was situated in an older neighborhood of middle-class homes. Many of the neighbors now were couples just starting out, or old-timers who’d lived here nearly all their lives. The more affluent families had long since left for the suburbs of Houston.

  The house suited him for now, as he felt reluctant to take on any new debt. Travis looked around, wondering what Emma would think of it. Then he remembered she’d been there many times when they’d been dating. Nearly everything had remained the same. Same rose-papered walls, same overstuffed furniture, now shiny with wear, same watercolor pictures on the wall, painted by his mother.

  His mom had loved Emma.

  Travis shook his head to clear it. He needed to change the d
irection of his thoughts. Collapsing onto the cushions of the green velvet sofa, he put his head in his hands. “Please, Lord,” he whispered. “I need Your wisdom.”

  5

  And the LORD changed the wind.

  —Exodus 10:19

  Emma stirred and stretched, not surprised when her arms came in contact with two little bodies. Katrina and Kendra lay snuggled against her side. They ended up in bed with her more often than not. She didn’t mind a bit. At first, she had them sleeping with her, figuring they needed the extra comfort, especially after losing their birth family.

  She wondered what emotions and hurts were bottled up inside the girls. Were they aware of the hardships they’d endured in their young lives? Did they still ache for their parents, or did their new life of comfort eclipse the pain?

  She looked at their little hands—hands that used to be balled into fists all the time, now open and relaxed in sleep. Was that a sign they felt secure? She wished for such security in her own life—wished for an absence of worry and doubt. She smiled. Not gonna happen, especially with two little ones running around. Emma closed her eyes. Thank you for the twins, Lord. Help me to raise them right.

  Trying not to disturb the girls, she slipped from the other side of the bed and stretched again. She glanced at the clock, surprised to see it was only seven. Not being a morning person, she usually didn’t get up until closer to eight—which was probably why she’d never remained at jobs for long. Maybe I’ve finally found something I can be good at.

  Emma took a quick shower, glad when she emerged to find the girls still sleeping. They must be worn out from their adventure yesterday. On the heels of that thought, Travis came to mind. Her smile faded.

  Emma went to her closet and pulled out the first garment her hand came to, anxious to turn her mind elsewhere. She didn’t want to think about him or the old attraction he still held for her. Travis belonged to someone else and she had no plans to get involved with anyone anyway. After all, hadn’t she just become unengaged? A relationship on the rebound wasn’t what she needed just now.

  As soon as she finished dressing in a gauzy pink summer dress, the girls woke. Once Emma had them bathed and dressed, she spent the next hour making waffles for breakfast. As she helped feed the twins, her mind went back to her engagement with Stephen.

  He was as blond and blue-eyed as herself, but there the similarities ended. Stephen was a very organized, motivated person with more goals than Emma could count. Looking back, she could now admit she’d been attracted to him because her weaknesses were his strengths—and he’d wanted to organize her life as well. At first, she’d enjoyed the feeling of having someone make decisions for her, of being taken care of, but the moment he forbade her to adopt the girls, she dug in her heels and resisted. She found out Stephen was a nice guy until his will was crossed.

  Emma looked down at her bare ring finger and sighed. People could prove to be so two-faced. Even her mother and father said one thing and did another. They spoke of tolerance and acceptance, and yet harshly judged her relationship with the Lord. How could she ever be sure of anyone?

  Travis had gone above and beyond to help her, but she found she distrusted even his motives. She had never asked him to come rushing to her house. She was glad he had—maybe a little too glad—and not just because of the girls. She took a bite of soggy waffle and reminded herself she wasn’t going to think about Travis.

  Katrina pointed to the pitcher of orange juice. “Mwen swèf.”

  Emma noticed the little girl had regained her beautiful smile. She wondered what the twins thought about. It had to be so horrible to lose their mother and then be torn from their father. But they seemed to trust her. She shot up another prayer—one of hundreds—for help to raise her girls healthy and happy.

  After breakfast, she spent time combing out the twins’ hair with a pick and corn rowing it into neat braids. When she finished, she sat with them on the couch and read to them, loving the sound of their piping voices as they pointed to the pictures and identified each image in Kreyòl.

  After three books, Emma glanced at the clock. It was ten-fifteen. She remembered Travis saying his church service began at eleven. An overwhelming desire to see him swept through her. She took a deep breath, reminding herself not to become dependent on him or anyone else.

  Still, she’d planned on finding a church, wanting her girls to be part of a loving and supportive church family. She’d attended with Travis when they’d been in school together. Emma had enjoyed it then and would probably like it now.

  Glancing at the clock again, she nibbled on her bottom lip. She looked at her dress. With a pair of nice sandals it would be perfectly acceptable Sunday wear. The girls each had darling little confections of dresses in their closet, dresses they’d never worn.

  Not wanting to examine her thoughts further, she picked up the girls and took them to their room. While they giggled and tumbled around on the bed, she managed to get the outfits on them. Katrina’s dress was pale yellow with a yellow tulle skirt, accented with tiny yellow rosebuds. Kendra’s was of the same style but peach colored. They looked adorable. Emma swiped away a few sentimental tears as she scooped them off the bed and took them to the car.

  She found the church without any trouble, but despite her early start, she’d managed to arrive five minutes late. Maybe this way I can slip into the back unnoticed. Taking a deep breath to calm her fluttering heart, she got the girls from the car and approached the building.

  Built in the early nineteen hundreds, the church was a small structure with clapboard siding and lancet windows of stained-glass. A tall white spire reached up past the live oak and mesquite trees lining the street. A riot of daylilies, salvia, Texas Gold columbine, and plumeria lined the pathway to the entrance.

  When she came up to the door, an usher opened it and smiled as she entered. After shaking his hand and receiving a bulletin, Emma entered the sanctuary. Open beam work arched upward, giving the space an exalted feeling. The original oak pews were filled with about a hundred worshippers.

  A man stood in the pulpit giving church announcements. Emma’s eyes scanned the area, looking for Travis. She spotted him—next to Lucy. Straightening her shoulders, she headed for a back pew.

  Kendra let out a scream. “Poupe!”

  Emma cringed and leaned over to grab Kendra’s doll that had fallen to the floor. When she raised her eyes, she found most people had turned to see the cause for the disruption. Naturally, they’d mistake the meaning of the word.

  Pushing the poupe into Kendra’s hands, Emma scrambled into the pew. When she dared to look up, she saw Travis rise from his pew near the front and begin walking toward her. Her breath hitched in her throat. Now I really have everyone’s attention.

  It was a small congregation and everybody could see what everybody else was doing. That included Lucy. She glared at Emma with undisguised annoyance.

  While the man in front renewed his efforts at bringing the church up to date with the announcements, Travis dropped onto the seat next to Emma. She gave him a scared smile, desperately worried she might disturb the service further.

  “Emma, I hoped to see you here today,” he said with a heart-melting grin. “And just in case you did come, I came prepared.” He reached into an inside pocket of his suit jacket and pulled out two lollipops.

  Kendra and Katrina gave him beaming smiles and lunged for the candy. The noise of candy wrappers made Emma want to slink back out the door and go home.

  The man up front said it was ‘shake and howdy’ time. The congregation came to their feet and began to chat, introducing themselves to newcomers, and shaking hands all around.

  Emma sensed Travis’s gaze upon her. Keeping her eyes fixed on the girls, she said, “You should’ve waited til after the service to give the girls candy.”

  “Travis! Introduce me this instant!”

  She looked up to find an elderly woman addressing them. She recognized her as Charlotte Evans. From her precisely-c
oiffed white hair, to her erect figure, Charlotte hadn’t changed a bit. Emma put out her hand. “I’m Emma Hayes. Do you remember me?”

  Charlotte took her hand in a warm clasp, her face spreading into a smile. Then her brow raised a notch and she looked over at Travis. “Well, now I do, and I seem to remember you hanging around the Taylor household quite a bit in those days.”

  Emma felt her face heat. “How are you?”

  The older woman waved her hand in a dismissive gesture as if to say talking about herself bored her. “I see you’ve changed quite a bit. You have two children now.”

  She smiled and introduced the girls. They stared at Charlotte with wide eyes while never pausing to take their lollipops out of their mouths.

  “Where’s your husband, missie?”

  Emma cleared her throat, remembering Charlotte's direct manner. “Um, I’m not married, Mrs. Evans. I’m single and I adopted these girls from Haiti.”

  Charlotte’s faded blue gaze swerved and came to rest on Travis. “Hmmm.”

  Music swelled from the small band assembled on the side of the platform at the front of the sanctuary. Apparently it was the cue for everyone to return to their seats. Before Emma could sit down, Lucy appeared, putting a hand on Travis’s arm. He made quick introductions.

  Emma tried not to stare, but found it hard to look away from the cool green depths of Lucy’s eyes. She wished she could let her know she had no designs on Travis. Besides, who'd noticed a moth with such a butterfly in their midst?

  “Travis, come sit down,” Lucy urged with a little tugging motion on his arm. “The service is starting.”

  He opened his mouth to speak. Charlotte interrupted him. “Yes, go sit with Lucy. I’ll take care of Emma here.”

  Keeping her gaze lowered, Emma waited until she sensed they’d gone. Finally, she looked up at Charlotte.

  The elderly woman winked at her and leaned close. “No doubt that rascal will get all worked up over being dismissed like that, but he’s got to learn to finish what he started. Lucy means marriage.”