Somehow she got through Blake’s special without hitting a wrong note, and he sang the words perfectly. But it was with vast relief she took her place beside her younger sister, anticipating the rousing sermon to follow. Surely that would prevent her mind from straying. To her dismay, however, Pastor Burgess gave one of his quieter devotionals based on the Lord’s Prayer. Leah could only wince with chagrin at the trespasses her wayward mind so easily committed.
The meeting ended much too soon. Compressing her lips together, she tiptoed to the organ during the minister’s closing prayer, then played softly while the congregation drifted outside.
“So,” her sister said, slender brows elevated as she joined Leah at the organ. “Will tells me you’ve been helping to keep our guest soloist entertained during his stay in the area.”
“Come on, Nan,” Leah answered defensively, trying to remove the eloquent expression from her sister’s oval face. “I played a few hymns for him while he sang. Then he came to dinner. That’s all. But the least I could do was invite him to eat with us. The man did drive me all the way home, and Mother always makes so much.”
“Do tell. And will there be a repeat today?”
“Honestly! What is the difference, pest? The pastor requested some solos while Blake’s around, and I happen to be the organist here, you know.”
“So, it’s Blake, is it? That didn’t take long.” Nancy studied her nails as if trying to contain her smile.
Leah merely rolled her eyes heavenward.
“Ready, hon?” Tim asked, stepping to Nancy’s side. “I brought the buggy to the end of the walk.”
She nodded. “Well, keep us posted,” she tossed over her shoulder as she matched her pace with her tall husband’s long-legged strides.
“Don’t be a stranger, sis-in-law,” Nan’s auburn-haired mate called back with a toothy grin on their way to the door. “Come visit us sometime.”
“I will. Soon.” They did make a rather sweet couple, Leah decided, watching after them. Tim was easily a head taller than Nan. She’d hoped Nancy would have made her an aunt by now, but so far her petite frame revealed no evidence her sister was in the family way.
“And Mother’s almost finished Prissy’s dress for the wedding,” Martha said, passing the platter of fried chicken across the table to Leah when she and Blake arrived after practice. “She’s written out dozens of invitations, and Pa’s intent on seeing we have enough smoked ham for the guests.”
“It’s amazing how quickly a special event can be orchestrated,” Leah remarked almost to herself. She speared a succulent breast portion, then passed the meat on to Blake.
He nodded his thanks.
“Well,” her mother cut in, “I’m sure Priscilla’s thrilled to be a bridesmaid in her big sister’s wedding. She’ll look very grown up in the lovely gown. And what a pretty touch it will be, with Leah attired identically at the organ.”
“Yes. I’m getting a little nervous,” Marty confessed. “I hope everything will go smoothly. Have you chosen a song, yet, Blake?”
“I’d be happy to do a favorite, if you have one.”
“Hm. I never thought of that. I’ll try to choose one this afternoon so you and Leah can start working on it.” Martha frowned in concentration.
“This young lady hardly needs practice,” he said smoothly, bestowing a warm smile on Leah. “She knows every hymn in the book and plays them flawlessly.”
Leah felt her face heating up under his admiring gaze.
“Sis always did like pounding on the player piano when the rest of us were out seeing to chores,” Willis said teasingly. “That or dabbling in her paints. Anything to keep her hands soft.”
“Why, I never—” Leah sputtered, while Marty scowled at her brash fiancé.
“He’s only joshing you, dear,” Mother said placatingly. “We all know how hard you work around here—particularly since your father took ill. Why, you’ve had hardly any chance to socialize. The only place you ever go is to church, and then you come directly home.”
“Sure, sure,” Will admitted, helping himself to another drumstick. “But she’ll have plenty of time for herself and for socializing once she leaves.”
“You’re going somewhere?” Blake asked, tipping his blond head in curiosity.
Leah swallowed the mouthful of food she’d been chewing. “Well, naturally I won’t be staying here after the wedding.”
“What?” Her mother’s face turned as white as the lace shawl she wore over her gown. “Why, that’s preposterous, daughter. I never heard of such a thing!”
“Oh, Mother,” Leah crooned.
“Well, you have a nice room right here. Upstairs,” she went on, not to be deterred. “Just because there’s going to be a wedding, that doesn’t mean everything else has to change. There’s no reason at all why things can’t continue on as they always have. You know how tongues would wag if you should go off on your own, a young unattached woman. It simply isn’t done. And we can certainly still use your help.”
“Please,” Leah said pointedly, “if you don’t mind, I’d really rather not discuss this right now.” She sent Marty a silent plea. “Does your mother need any help with the baking for the reception?”
Her friend shook her head. “She’s already arranged for three of my aunts to lend a hand. But thank you for offering.” The slender bride-to-be glanced up as the mantel clock bonged twice. “Oh. I’m afraid Mom wants me home early for a fitting. I hope you don’t mind, Leah, if I don’t stay to help with dishes.”
“Not in the least. I can manage.”
“I’ll fill in for you, Martha,” Blake offered as she and Will got up to leave.
Leah shot him a surprised look. “That’s not necessary, really.”
He merely grinned. “I’ve no previous commitment to run to. I don’t mind helping. Not at all.”
“My, how very thoughtful,” her mother said graciously, despite her worried frown. Obviously she was still shocked by Leah’s announcement. She rose and carried some of the used dishes to the sink. “I’ll leave you two to deal with the rest, then, while I take a tray to my husband. And Leah, see if your young man would care for some sliced peaches with cream.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, praying Blake hadn’t picked up on the slight slip of her mother’s tongue. He was not her young man. Nan must have been filling that graying head with absurd notions.
“Do you prefer I wash or dry?” Blake asked when the table had been cleared after dessert. “I’m quite capable of either, I assure you.”
No doubt, Leah concluded, seeing as how you live alone. But she held her peace. “I’ll wash, thank you. You can set things on the sideboard.” With him towering above her, she handed him a linen towel, tied a long apron over her cranberry gown, then plunged her hands into the soapy dishpan. Anything to keep from losing herself in the bewitching twinkle in those blue eyes.
“Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?” he asked casually, shifting his weight onto one foot. “For instance, what plans have you made for after your brother’s wedding?”
If it had been anyone else, she’d have balked at what she considered prying. But Blake’s manner exuded sincerity and real interest. And other than the way her silly pulse would go all aflutter whenever he was this close, she saw little harm in confiding in him. The fact was, she really wished she had someone to give her advice. She rinsed the plate she’d been scrubbing, then inverted it on the draining towel for him.
“Actually, the last thing I ever imagined I’d have to face was leaving Laurelwood,” she answered in all candor while she worked. “The thought never once entered my mind. I love this place and its memories of a lifetime. I’d hoped it would always be my home.” She emitted a resigned sigh. “But, of course, that will soon change, after all. I can’t see a reason to stay. I’d only be in the way of newlyweds who deserve their privacy.”
“Perhaps, but where will you go?”
“I’ve already inquired after some posit
ions in town. With living quarters provided.”
“But you’d be away from your family,” he said, stacking the plate he was drying atop others.
“There are worse things, aren’t there? I doubt you dwell with your married brother.”
A wry grin spread across his lips. “You’ve got me there. But I’m—”
“A man,” she finished. “Right?”
“Something like that. I admit it sounds presumptuous, coming from you.”
“I’ll be fine, Blake. Truly. There’s no reason at all for anyone to be concerned. I’ll get by.” At her nod of emphasis, a curl tumbled free from the cluster atop her head, right into her eye. Soapy up to her elbows, she resorted to trying to blow it out of her way.
Blake reached over and plucked it off her forehead, then appeared at a loss as to what to do next. He finally tucked it behind her ear, then shrugged rather awkwardly, the tips of his own ears reddening.
Leah had to giggle. “Thanks.” But the tiny spot where his knuckles had brushed her skin still tingled from his touch. She averted his gaze and fixed her attention on the dirty dishes.
Blake had never felt anything so silky, so soft. His eyes focused on that wayward curl, just one of dozens of shiny ringlets crowning Leah’s head. She was so very lovely. So talented. Her confidence in her ability to handle unexpected situations utterly fascinated him. In fact, there was nothing he did not like about her… and that scared him to death.
He’d known her such a short time, and yet so often she breezed across his mind like a soft wind singing through the trees. It was one thing to pack his belongings and head for Wisconsin, knowing she’d be safe and looked after. But away from her family, the home she loved?
A woman needed to be protected. Cared for. Loved.
He filled his lungs. Knowing just how easy it would be for a man to grow to love someone like Leah Somerville, he shored up his own defenses… because so far, he hadn’t met any man good enough for her.
Chapter 5
During the slow drive home, Blake’s mind refused to relinquish thoughts of Leah. He stabled the horse and strode toward the three-story structure overlooking the lake. No wonder her mother had been in such a dither over her daughter’s decision, he mused, mounting the steps to the porch and verandah that stretched across the entire front of the building. Laurelwood couldn’t possibly be the same without Leah’s willing hands… hands more prone to hard work than anything else since her father had his spell. And if she didn’t even socialize outside of church, that would account for the obvious lack of suitors. The eligible men around here must be too dumb to see she was worth waiting for. As far as he was concerned, her smile alone could light up a room.
He let out a troubled breath. Willis, for all his rambunctious ways, had what it took to keep things running smoothly—or would have, in time, with a practical wife like Martha to settle him down.
But Martha wasn’t Leah.
“Oh, Mr. Malone,” the wiry desk clerk said as Blake entered the Lake House. “There’s a message for you.”
“Thanks.” With a thin smile, Blake took the missive to his upstairs room. There, in the rather simple surroundings, he slit open the envelope and removed the embossed stationery, moving to the window for light as he read:
Dear Mr. Malone:
Please come by my office at your earliest convenience to discuss offers made regarding your grandfather’s estate.
With best regards, I remain,
Hayden Lane, attorney
With mixed emotions, Blake refolded the document and tucked it back into the envelope. Offers. Maybe one of them would pan out. Difficult as it was to conjure up a mental picture of strangers taking over Gramps’s property, there wasn’t much point in hanging onto it himself. It would just deteriorate from neglect when he left it behind to return to the mill.
For a fleeting moment, Blake contemplated what it would be like to sell the Wisconsin enterprise to his younger brother and stay here. But Blake couldn’t see himself being just a farmer—or laboring for somebody else to build up that person’s business. Besides, Matt probably wouldn’t stay in Eau Claire to compete alone against the big lumber companies, not with the latest gold strikes in Colorado and Nevada enticing so many adventurous men to head farther west and try their luck.
Blake shook his head. What had gotten into him? Best he see to selling Gramps’s property and get out of here so life could get back to normal.
But normal, he strongly suspected, would seem incredibly empty now. Empty and bland. Next thing to dead.
Leah and Marty stepped away to admire their handiwork in the newly decorated bridal chamber.
“I’m glad my grandmother chose the Wedding Ring pattern for the quilt she made for my hope chest,” Martha mused. “I love the soft, pretty colors.”
Leah nodded. “It does look lovely. Especially on the new bedstead Willis bought. The whole room looks different.”
“I feel rather badly that your mom insisted on vacating the master bedroom,” the slender blond said quietly. “It really wasn’t necessary.”
Leah giggled. “As if my brother’s room is fit for human habitation! Now, that would be stretching things a mite.”
“You know what I mean.”
Sobering, Leah gave her friend’s shoulder an affirmative pat. “But perhaps Mother’s right, and it really will make her life easier, caring for Daddy downstairs. She truly feels he’s gaining strength and that he’ll soon be able to go out on the porch for short periods. And it certainly will eliminate her having to go up and down the steps several dozen times a day.”
“I’m just glad he’ll be able to be at our wedding, since we’ll be having the ceremony here. I hope it won’t be too awfully crowded. At least we’ll spare him the noise and confusion of the reception.”
“Mm,” Leah agreed. “Too bad it isn’t summer, though. We could have it outside in the yard, instead of in the church basement.
“Well, there’s one advantage we haven’t mentioned. He’ll get to hear Blake sing up close, rather than from a few rooms away.”
Leah worked hard not to reveal that even the mention of the man’s name set her heart racing. “Well, as Daddy always said, ‘Things have a way of working out, somehow, when the time is just right.’ God’s been very good to us all. Now, let’s put up those gorgeous curtains your mother made….”
Later, when Marty had gone home and the rest of the family were in their beds for the night, Leah’s weary sigh broke the quietness. Crossing the room, she took the painting of Laurelwood out from behind the wardrobe, where she’d propped it out of harm’s way to dry completely. She held it at arm’s length for a critical assessment. Knowing the house was in its glory when surrounded by variegated green grass and a riot of colorful flowers, she’d chosen a late spring/early summer setting for the scene, including lilacs and roses and every other flower which, in turn, graced the yard. She came close to adding some mountain laurel, even though none grew near the property, but decided against it. In any event, this was how she would always remember home—at its very prettiest.
She had yet to hear if she’d secured employment at any of the three possible places where she’d applied, and time was going too quickly. The wedding was barely a week away. But she tried to concentrate on something else her father had always said, how the Lord never takes something away from one of His children without replacing it with something better. Many the times he’d lectured the family on needless worry. So in her solitude, Leah read her Bible and sought the Lord’s will in prayer… pointing out that she was approaching some dire need. Surely something would turn up. The time couldn’t be any more right.
The gowns were all finished, the food preparation well in hand, and Marty was going to help decorate the living room for the ceremony. All that remained was the rehearsal, to make sure everyone knew their places. Blake had come by twice to practice Wesley’s “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” and stayed for supper both times.
The fac
t that Leah could act more at ease around him in no way bridled the heightened consciousness she felt whenever he was present. Once, after having caught an unfathomable expression on his face when she’d inadvertently caught him staring, she’d even dreamed about the man, imagining he had a romantic interest in her, of all things. But now that final papers for his grandfather’s place had been signed and the deed transferred, she knew Blake Malone’s days in the area were numbered. Leah did not permit herself to think of what it would be like after that. When he went away for good. She’d survived a similar heartache, and likely would again.
Putting the painting back into its place, she undressed and slipped on her warm night shift, then crawled into bed. What would become of Blake? Of her? Why was the future always kept hidden?
Blake arrived early the night of rehearsal. He could not stay away longer. He knew Leah had not as yet found employment, and she’d made it clear she was more determined than ever not to remain at home after the wedding. Even her parents had reached the point of acceptance. If she did find a respectable position, they would not try to keep her from taking it. Well, he had given the matter serious prayer and hopefully had come up with his own solution. And to ensure that it was of the Lord, he’d borrowed Gideon’s action— of throwing out a fleece, like the story in the sixth chapter of Judges. If he actually managed to find Leah alone and she offered him a cup of tea, he would present his case. If not, well… he kind of hoped there wouldn’t be an if not.
Bounding up the steps to the front door, he rapped, his insides feeling like a tree that had been notched and was awaiting the final chop before falling.
And there she was. Standing in the open doorway, smiling, the ecru lace on her violet gown making her eyes darker than ever. “Blake. My, you’re early. Do come in.”
“Good day, Leah. You look lovely, as always.” He followed her inside. Into the quiet house. His eyes made a lightning swift circuit of the confines. Empty. Deserted. “Uh, where is everyone?”
Where the Heart Is Romance Collection Page 4