“Ian.”
He startled as Harlan hissed his name. “Oh.” It was time to leave. He looked around to find Grace staring at him, a small smile playing at her soft, pink lips. “Oh,” he said again, realizing that he probably looked about as idiotic as any one man could.
Grace held out her arm and he took it, helping her back through the carpet of grass and around the side of the parsonage. The preacher’s words floated over their heads, stating a noon meal would be served followed by the cutting of the wedding cake.
Ian didn’t need to look behind him to know that the crowd who had just witnessed his best friend’s wedding was headed their way. The murmur of the men’s voices and the rustle of crinoline followed them and grew louder with each step.
“We’re sitting at the family table inside,” Maddie said, blushing with the words. It wasn’t an embarrassed color, more of a delighted flush at the knowledge that she had joined her life with another.
Ian was happy for them, so very happy. He climbed the stairs with Grace at his side. She felt elegant on his arm, complete, as if a piece of himself long missing had finally found its way home again.
The inside of the house invited with warmth and style. The furniture wasn’t what he’d expected, but then he clamped down on that thought. That made it seem as if he thought everyone in Arkansas was uncouth; that wasn’t the case at all. He was just surprised at the fine things and treasures scattered throughout, and the beautifully crafted furniture that bespoke of an unexpected sophistication.
The dining room table had been set for the family. Three other tables had been placed in the parlor so everyone could be close. The promised wedding cake was set up on a table draped with a white cloth. Candles on beautiful silver holders winked at him, their flames seeming to know his secret.
Harlan had said that Maddie wanted everyone to eat outside and enjoy the beautiful day, but Prissy, the Sinclairs’ feisty, cocoa-skinned housekeeper had set her foot down and said she wasn’t toting all that food outside.
Reluctantly, Ian let go of Grace’s arm and allowed her to move about, searching for her place at the table. With a groan, he realized that in all the time he had been walking right next to her, he hadn’t said one word to her. He was worse than a school boy with his first crush. But the truth of the matter was he wanted to get her alone, talk to her all night and until the dawn, and find out everything he could about this woman he had fallen in love with. Yes, might as well admit it. He was in love with Grace Sinclair. He had never been one to believe in the nonsense of love at first sight, but his grandmother had always told him that God made someone for everyone, and one day he would meet his true love. He just never thought it would be today.
There was that word again. Love. But he loved Grace as surely as if he had known her his entire life. It was like destiny, or fate, or. . .God’s plan for his life.
But he had no idea what God was thinking when He gave him this. Trust in the Lord, the Bible said. And he was trying.
He surely didn’t want the first words out of his mouth to be a declaration of that love. She would think him mad and avoid him for the rest of the evening. Come to think of it, that might not be a bad plan. How was anything supposed to come of this love when he lived hundreds of miles away?
“Do you mind if I sit here?” He pointed to the chair directly in front of him, only then realizing that he had placed himself across from the bride, and Grace was heading for the seat next to his. Easton Sinclair had taken his spot at the head of the table, with Prissy sitting opposite him. If anyone else found it strange they didn’t say as much, and Ian suspected that the housekeeper had more than a working relationship with the family.
He was secretly thrilled to be sitting so close to Grace.
Once everyone was settled, Prissy stood and made her way to the kitchen, directing the host of young girls who were serving them. When all the guests had a plate, she returned to her seat. Easton asked for everyone’s attention and said a heartfelt blessing over their food.
Light conversation started up all around him, but he kept quiet. It was time he got himself in hand before he said something to embarrass them all.
He forked up a bite of his perfectly fried chicken. It was halfway to his mouth when Maddie spoke. “So Ian, Harlan tells me you’re a preacher.”
He lowered his fork and smiled at the bride. “That’s right.”
Up went the fork again.
“That must be fascinating,” Maddie added.
Fork down. Ian nodded. “It can be.” He raised his fork once again.
Before it touched his lips, Maddie said, “And you’ve just been accepted at your first church?”
Fork back down. He smiled at Maddie. “That’s right. The First Church of Albany.”
Something brushed against him under the table. He moved out of the way as best he could before trying for the bite of chicken once again.
“So. . .” Maddie started.
Whack!
What could have only been a swift kick sent pain racing up his leg. The bite of chicken he had managed to finally put in his mouth was sucked back and down his throat without the benefit of chewing. He sputtered and coughed, reaching for his water glass to wash down the ill-fated hunk of chicken.
“Don’t just sit there, Grace, do something.” Maddie jumped to her feet then sat back down as Grace sprang up.
She patted him between the shoulders, softly at first, then with increasing strength until he didn’t know which hurt worse, his throat, his leg, or his back.
Her arm swung back again, but he caught her hand in his own before she could make contact another time. “I’m fine now. Thanks.” His voice cracked at the end and his words were more of a croak than English, but Grace seemed to accept it and gently pulled her fingers from his grasp.
That in itself was a good thing. Her skin was soft, and she smelled so sweet he suspected if he spent any more time holding her hand he would assuredly embarrass them both.
Instead, he allowed her to move back to his side and return to her place at the table. Ian ducked his head over his meal and tried to concentrate on getting his food down. Chew, chew, chew, swallow. He could do this. Then after he ate he would figure out what he’d do with this crazy love he had for the woman at his side.
“About your church,” Maddie started again.
“He doesn’t want to talk about the church,” Grace interrupted.
“Oh, I think he does.” This from Maddie.
“He doesn’t.” Grace’s tone turned stiff.
“Girls.” Easton Sinclair didn’t raise his voice at his daughters. Ian couldn’t help but wonder if they did this sort of thing often. He was an only child, and the banter and teasing between siblings always fascinated him.
“Maybe we should talk about something else,” Maddie said, her voice sweet and compliant.
Ian was ready for her to start gushing about the wedding; instead she turned her attention to him and said, “Doesn’t Grace look beautiful today?”
He swallowed before answering even though he didn’t have any food in his mouth. The moist chicken had somehow turned dry in the time since this conversation had started.
He glanced toward Grace, barely looking at her as he answered. “Very beautiful.” In fact, she looked more beautiful than he had ever seen any woman look in his entire life. Ever. Wait, he had already said that. But she did look. . .beautiful.
“The two of you would make such a good couple,” Maddie gushed. “Don’t you think so Harlan, dear?”
His best friend shook his head then raised his napkin to his lips. Ian had seen that move too many times to count. It was Harlan’s way of hiding his mirth and pretending that everything was fine. “I think it best that I bow out of the conversation.”
“Oh no, my friend.” It wasn’t really the conversation he wanted to have, but Ian was stuck with it all the same. And if he had to participate then Harlan did, too. “What do you say? Would we make a good couple?”
> Whack!
Again with the swift kick to the back of his calf, but this time he could tell that it was from Grace and had not been intended for anyone else.
He smiled at his friend and without looking away from him, reached under the table, and clasped Grace’s hand in his own.
He wouldn’t think about how easy it was for him to find her, as if he had some sort of previous knowledge of where she was. Nor was he going to think about the softness of her skin.
He gently squeezed her fingers. She squeezed back, in warning or affection, he wasn’t sure. Maybe a little of both.
Harlan’s eyes twinkled as he gave a pointed nod toward Ian and the spot where the table concealed their intertwined fingers. Ian hadn’t realized it until that moment but he had leaned in a little to be closer to Grace. And she had done the same.
He straightened quickly and she followed suit, but it was too late. Everyone at the table had seen and they all were forming their own ideas about the matter.
“Oh I think the two of you would make a fine couple,” Harlan said with a smile.
The bride and groom stood on the front porch, gazing out at the remaining guests. Maddie had changed into a traveling dress, this one darker blue, but just as beautiful as the one she wore to get married. Harlan looked as handsome as ever. Perhaps that’s what happiness did to a person, made them more attractive than they had been before. If that was the case, then Grace had to be glowing with happiness. She was so very aware of every move Ian made the entire time they sat at the dinner table side by side. She had wanted to turn to him, whisper in his ear that maybe later they could go for a walk and talk about. . .things. But all she could see down a road like that was heartache. Maddie had already said that he was going back to New York soon. Despite Grace’s immediate feelings for the man, nothing could come of it.
“All the single girls get on one side of the yard together. I’m going to throw my bouquet.” It was a fairly new tradition that Maddie had heard about from a traveling salesman. Grace thought it had a certain charm, but seemed a little on the silly side all the same. Yet she went to stand good naturedly with all the other single women.
“One. . .two. . .” Maddie counted down. “Three!” She reared back and threw the bouquet toward Grace.
Instinctively Grace raised her hands and caught the bundle of flowers before they smacked her in the face. From her place on the porch, Maddie jumped up and down and squealed as if she had just received the best news of anyone in the world. “You’re getting married next!”
Chapter 2
The next to get married. The words rang in Grace’s ears as her sister and Harlan prepared to leave. That was the tale: if a single woman caught the wedding bouquet, then she would be the next to get married, but Grace knew better. She knew everyone in the town, and though the men all seemed nice enough, none of them were for her. None of them sent her heart fluttering like Ian McGruer. Bouquet or not, she would be an old maid. She wasn’t happy about it, but that was simply the way it was.
Grace watched her sister go, her heart heavy. She couldn’t remember a night without Maddie. They were more than merely siblings. Maddie was her best friend. Now she was off with her husband on a two-day honeymoon. Monday, they would be back, but nothing would ever be the same.
She felt his presence before he spoke. How could she be so in tune with someone that she could know he was there without even seeing him?
“Can we go for a walk?”
“No.” She shook her head. That was the last thing she needed to be doing, walking and talking with Ian. Wanting more, for things to change.
“Please, I just want a chance to talk to you.”
How could she tell him no? She nodded, and he offered her his arm.
Together they walked down the lane that led toward the field separating the main house from the adjacent land where Harlan was building a house for Maddie.
Colorful wildflowers washed the field in a variety of colors: red, purple, white, and yellow.
“I picked Maddie’s flowers from here,” Grace told him, needing to break the silence between them. It wasn’t necessarily an uncomfortable silence, but she needed to say something to disrupt the intensity. Never before had she been with someone she had just met who she felt like she had known forever. Never before had words not been necessary in getting to know another.
“And you caught the bouquet. . .”
She shook her head. “Silly superstition. Besides, she wasn’t supposed to be facing the crowd when she tossed it.”
“You think that matters?”
“I think she threw it to me on purpose.”
They walked in silence for a bit longer then Ian cleared his throat. “Can you feel it, too?”
“This. . .” she trailed off, unsure what name to give the unlikely miracle that was happening between them.
“I don’t know what to call it but. . .I saw you at the wedding, and I just knew.” He stopped and turned to face her, taking both of her hands into his.
“What did you know?” she whispered.
He gave a nervous chuckle. “That you were the one God made for me.”
She closed her eyes and took a deep shuddering breath. “I know, but—”
He shushed her words, placing one finger over her lips. “You don’t have to say anything. I know how impossible this is. And knowing that you feel the same. . .” He gave a bittersweet laugh. “Well, knowing that you feel like I do doesn’t help at all. In fact, I think it’s worse.”
“What do we do about this?”
“I have no idea. I almost feel like God is playing some kind of trick on me.”
“God doesn’t play tricks on people.”
“Really? Tell that to Job.”
She gave a small nod. “So now we’re back to what to do.” She couldn’t see any answer. There was none. He was leaving, she was staying, and that’s all there was to it.
Maybe God was playing a trick on him. But if the joke was on him, it was on her as well.
“I don’t think there’s anything for us to do. I’m taking over my church this weekend. People in Albany are depending on me.”
“I figured my life would be here, with my father. Helping him with his church.”
“That’s noble.”
“I’ve just always thought that’s what God has planned for me.”
“Too bad He doesn’t send a burning bush or angels these days. I could sure use a definite idea about what He wants.”
She could only nod.
“I love you,” he said. “I know that sounds mad, but it’s true. And though there’s nothing that can come of it, I just wanted you to know.”
Grace squeezed his fingers and closed her eyes against the threatening tears. “I love you, too.” And there wasn’t one thing they could do about it.
Grace left Ian standing in that field of wildflowers and went back into the house. It seemed unnaturally quiet without Maddie underfoot. Or maybe it was the stab of jealousy that had her feeling so down. There. She admitted it. She was jealous of her sister. Jealous, jealous, jealous. Long ago, Grace had settled herself to the fact that she would never marry. But was it Maddie’s marriage or Ian McGruer’s clear blue eyes that had her wishing things could be different?
“Gracie, is that you?” Her father called from the parlor.
“Yes, Pa.” She started for the room, passing through the kitchen to check on the cleanup. Ever efficient, Prissy and the teen girls she had hired for the occasion had everything under control. Prissy waved away her offers of help before Grace could even voice them.
She flashed the woman a grateful smile then made her way to the parlor.
“Well, I guess that’s it,” Pa said as she came in and settled herself down on the settee. He had his pipe in one hand and yesterday’s paper in the other. “I think everything turned out fine. You?”
Grace nodded. “The cake was a big hit.” Last Christmas Harlan had promised Maddie a big white wedding cake, like was
all the rage these days. But that was because he didn’t want his bride to get any ideas about serving gingerbread cookies instead.
“I’m happy for Maddie,” Grace said, not realizing until the words were out how melancholy they sounded.
“But you’re feeling a little sorry for yourself.”
It was hard hearing her father say those words out loud. “Yes,” she finally whispered.
“That handsome Scotsman wouldn’t have anything to do with it, would he?” Her father raised his glass of lemonade and eyed her carefully over the rim.
“Why—why would he have any part in this?”
Pa smiled and shook his head, then looked down into his lap as if it held all the answers. “A blind man could see what was going on between the two of you.”
Grace sighed and shook her head. “There’s nothing to see.”
He sat up a little straighter in his seat. “It may have been a long time ago, but I remember what love looks like.”
“Like it matters.”
“What’s that mean?”
“He lives in New York, and my place is here.”
Her father tapped one hand against his chin in a thoughtful gesture. “That may well be,” he said. “Yesterday. But today, I think things are a bit different.”
Different didn’t even begin to describe it. “But—” She changed her mind about her protests and shook her head instead.
“Where is he now?”
“At the house, I suppose.”
“Harlan and Maddie’s house?”
Grace nodded. “Where else would he be?”
Pa shook his head. “He can’t stay there. The house isn’t even finished yet.”
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