“Tuck?” Anna smiled at him. “Are you going to the lake this afternoon?”
His heart melted at the sparkle in her dark eyes, the endearing tendril of hair blowing across her face. He resisted the urge to catch it and tuck it behind her ear. Instead, he grinned. “Miss a chance to go fishing? Now, what do you think?”
“You’ll be there.” She laughed. “I will, too. I plan to catch more fish than you do, you know.”
“Ha, as if that’s possible.” His heart pounded. “Hey, I need to catch someone. I’ll see you later.”
“Okay.” A crease between her eyes told him she didn’t want him to go.
He resisted the urge to stay with her and ran up the steps just before Kathleen disappeared through the door. “Miss Wilkin?”
“Yes?” Kathleen turned with her eyebrows lifted.
Jeremiah ignored the buzz of male voices behind him. He’d probably shocked his friends, but he had a goal to fulfill. More than anything, he wanted a family. Kathleen could give him that without danger of losing his heart. He’d already suffered more loss and pain in his life than he wanted. He could learn to care for Kathleen, but not too much.
He pulled his hat from his head. “Would you mind if I sat with you this morning?”
Kathleen hesitated only a moment before a smile crossed her face. “I would be honored by your company, Mr. Tucker.”
She slipped her hand through his arm, and he felt no more than her gentle presence. Perfect. He nodded with his best smile. “Please, call me Jeremiah.”
“Of course.” She seemed pleased by his invitation. “I’ll expect you to call me Kathleen from now on.”
Anna’s foot hit the ground and her arms crossed. How could Jeremiah do such a thing? I need to catch someone. Who might that be? None other than Kathleen! To walk away in the middle of their conversation just so he could smile and offer his arm to her sister. Oh! Again, her foot stomped.
“Anna, is something wrong?” Larkin stopped beside her.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t see you.” Anna turned from the scene at the door to force a smile for her friend.
Abigail and Elizabeth joined them. “Hi, Anna. Are you sitting with us this morning?”
Garrick waved then walked toward the church with Jeremiah’s friends.
Anna sighed. “I suppose I might as well.”
“Are you all right?” Larkin persisted. “You seem so sad this morning. Aren’t you excited about the fishing party?”
“Oh yes, of course. I’m fine. Maybe we’d better go in and find a place to sit. Church will be starting soon.” At least Larkin didn’t press for a more honest answer. What could she say? Oh, I’m just jealous of my sister because she’s so beautiful every man in the territory falls at her feet. Even Tuck, who almost kissed me, is at this very moment sitting beside her. Mama will be thrilled of course. Papa, too. Kathleen is so perfect, she’ll be the perfect wife.
The perfect wife for Jeremiah. A sob caught in her throat. She would not cry. No matter how angry or hurt she was, she would not let anyone know she cared.
She latched on to Larkin’s arm when they reached the door. “I haven’t done very well being a lady. I need to try harder.”
Larkin patted Anna’s hand. “Oh Anna, you’re exactly the way God made you. You don’t need to change a thing.”
Spoken like a true friend. Anna smiled. “Thank you. When I need lifting up, I know who to come to. You’re my best friend, Larkin.”
Larkin nodded. “Always.”
Anna didn’t want to look when she walked past the pew where Jeremiah and Kathleen sat. She tried not to—and lost. One glance told her everything she needed to know. Jeremiah held his Bible in his lap, a satisfied smile on his face. So he thought he’d caught the best fish in the sea, did he? If he only knew Kathleen, he wouldn’t think that. Anna loved her older sister, but there were times when they didn’t get along. Humph. Like now.
Anna sat beside Abigail and tried to pay attention. She sang the right words to the songs. She closed her eyes during prayer, and she sat quietly while Reverend Bollen preached. She even caught a few words before her mind wandered again. Maybe she should try harder to be a lady. Mama said ladies should walk, not run. She could do that. What else did a lady do? She should know. She’d heard the rules all her life, but at the moment every one of them fled her mind. She sighed. How would she ever change if she couldn’t even remember what to do?
“Let us stand.” Reverend Bollen’s voice and the rustling across the church brought Anna’s mind to the present. She stood and bowed her head for the closing prayer.
An hour later, Anna slung her fishing pole over her shoulder and turned to her sister. “Aren’t you taking a pole?”
Kathleen stood just outside the open door of the shed with her umbrella. She rolled her eyes. “No, Anna. Just because we’re going to a fishing party doesn’t mean I have to act like you.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’m going to visit, not fish.”
Anna shrugged. “Suit yourself. I plan to fish. And don’t tell me ladies don’t fish, because the other girls will. You’ll more than likely be the only one who doesn’t.”
Kathleen’s laughter trilled behind her as she headed toward the street, picnic basket in one hand and umbrella in the other. “I seriously doubt it.”
Anna let her bonnet hang down her back, and she didn’t carry an umbrella. Larkin said it wouldn’t rain, and she usually knew. Of course, Kathleen had to have both bonnet and umbrella. A little rain might muss her hair. Then who would sit with her at church?
No, she would not think about Jeremiah sitting with Kathleen. Why had he done such a thing, anyway? It didn’t make sense. Anna clutched her smaller basket that held a bowl of potato salad and another of baked beans and willed her mind away from Jeremiah. The food should keep well now the weather had turned cooler. After all, November would soon be past.
“I told Jeremiah I’d catch a bigger fish than he does.”
Kathleen looked toward Anna’s fishing pole. “I don’t know why you’d want to even try. It certainly isn’t ladylike. How do you ever expect to catch a husband if you’re continually trying to outdo men? Besides, impaling a worm and throwing it in the lake is so barbaric.”
Anna laughed. “Papa says the worm doesn’t feel a thing. God made them for bait.”
“Oh really?” Kathleen’s eyebrows lifted. “Mama told me God made worms to loosen the soil in our garden. That’s still a lowly job, but at least he doesn’t have to die doing it. And no one has to force him to.”
“Maybe.” Anna shrugged. “Could be God made worms to do both jobs. Besides, fishing’s a lot more fun than gardening.”
“Not for the worm.” Kathleen met Anna’s eyes with a twinkle in hers.
When she laughed, Anna joined in. Sometimes, Kathleen could be fun.
They turned onto the path leading to the lake and Anna quickened her stride. Larkin and Abigail would be there. Would Jeremiah? He promised before he sat with Kathleen at church. He’d be there. Why not? He probably made plans with Kathleen.
Voices rang out. And laughter. Anna ran ahead around the gentle curve where she saw her friends. There must be twenty people. She laughed and turned. “Come on, Kathleen. We’re late. I think everyone’s already here. The Bollens and the Leonards. There’s Larkin and Tuck, and some of the other fellows and girls, too. This should be lots of fun.”
“Anna, wait.”
What for? Anna stopped until her sister caught up.
“Maybe this would be a good time for you to behave like a lady.”
Anna stared at her sister. Was she trying to help or hinder? “I know, Kathleen. I intend to.”
“Good.” Kathleen smiled. “Mama said I should help you. She’s counting on it.”
Which meant Kathleen would tattle if she did anything unladylike. Anna turned away and walked as fast as she could toward the others. Larkin had a pole in her hand. Good. She intended to fish.
Someone had brought a wagon. Probabl
y the Bollen brothers. They had the tailgate down with a tablecloth spread on it. Anna ran over and left her basket with the rest.
“Anna, come on.” Larkin waved.
Anna trotted across the ground toward her friend. “Hey, I see you have a pole, too.”
“Of course, that’s what you do at a fishing party.”
A group of young men sat on the bank, talking and casting out their lines. Tuck laughed at something Frederick, the engineer who carried logs on the Shay engine, said. They seemed to be awfully good friends. As close as she and Larkin.
Larkin nudged Anna. “Want to join them?” Her dark eyes sparkled.
A slow grin spread across Anna’s face. “Sure.”
“Anna.” Kathleen’s call stopped her in her tracks.
What now? Anna turned toward the wagon where Kathleen and some of the other girls stood.
“You need to come and help. Did you see this fish?” Kathleen pointed to the makeshift table and a bucket sitting on it.
Anna sighed. Fishing with the men wasn’t the most ladylike thing she could do. If she didn’t help, Kathleen would tell, and Mama might send her away before Christmas. She turned to Larkin. “I want to fish, but Kathleen’s going to tell Mama if I don’t act like a lady.”
“I’ll help.” Larkin’s gentle smile sympathized. “It’ll be fun. You’ll see.”
“I know. I just wanted to fish.” Anna flashed a quick grin. “Maybe later.”
Anna took over the job of cooking the fish the men had cleaned. Tuck seemed to be having a good time with his friend. He pulled a fish in while Anna watched. She ached to run across the grass to sit beside him. They’d laughed and talked that first time when they scarcely knew each other. Now look at them. One almost-kiss and they scarcely spoke.
Larkin helped set out food while Anna arranged the pieces of fish in a cast-iron frying pan. She crouched beside the fire pit someone had fixed and set her pan across the hot rocks at the base of the fire. While the fish heated, she glanced toward the lake. Tuck’s place was empty. Her pan sizzled and spit hot grease, making her jump. She grabbed the spatula to turn the fish.
She sensed his presence just as his hand covered hers. Tuck. She turned toward him.
“Hey Little Bit, be careful there. Why don’t you back up and let me do this?”
She met his gaze. “I can do it. This is woman’s work.”
He chuckled. “Not outside on the ground over an open fire. Besides, you’re too close. Your skirt might catch fire. You back up now just a little.”
Anna slid her hand from under his and missed the contact. Her heart spoke with a mind of its own. She scooted back while he deftly scooped the fish and turned each piece. She loved him. No, she didn’t. How could she? Papa wanted her to go to school. She didn’t have time to fall in love. But she did love him, with all her heart. She’d never forget Tuck as long as she lived. She’d love him forever.
“There you go.” He looked at her with a wide grin and stood, holding out his hand.
She slipped hers into the warmth of his and allowed him to help her stand. Her heart fluttered dangerously and broke in two when he looked away—toward Kathleen.
“Be careful.” He glanced back at her, concern in his eyes. “Tuck your skirt out of the way if you’re going to cook, okay? I don’t want you hurt.”
“I should have worn my trousers.” She clamped her hand over her mouth. Tuck didn’t want a tomboy. He wanted a woman like Kathleen. One who knew how to act like a lady instead of run around in men’s clothing, fishing, and helping Papa in the woods all the time.
His laughter rang out, and he cuffed her jaw. “That’s my Little Bit. You remind me of my sister, you know? I like that.”
Anna stared after him. His sister! How could he make such a remark then turn and walk away? Her foot hit the ground and her arms crossed. He walked straight toward Kathleen and stopped with a smile on his face. Tears burned Anna’s eyes and her shoulders slumped. Why wouldn’t he prefer her sister’s company? Kathleen was beautiful, and she always acted like a lady.
Chapter 8
Anna ran up the stairs to her bedroom in their house in town. Although the cabin in the woods should seem more like home since they spent more time there, it didn’t. This house was where they spent every weekend and where she kept most of her belongings. Here, she didn’t have to share a bedroom with Kathleen. Since Tuck had started paying so much attention to Kathleen, sometimes just looking at her sister was a chore.
It had been two weeks since the fishing party. Maybe today she could stop thinking about Tuck and Kathleen. Larkin always made shopping fun, and they’d be looking for Christmas gifts, which would be even more fun. Her soft green dress lay on the bed where she’d placed it before lunch. She dressed and started to smooth her errant hair back into place when a deep voice drifted up the stairs and through her open doorway. Tuck. Her heart thudded. Here? At their house? He must have only now arrived in town from the logging camp.
Anna knelt beside the floor vent in her room and bent low to hear.
“Certainly. We’ll go into the parlor where it’s private.”
At Papa’s words, Anna straightened. What would Tuck have to say to Papa in private? A problem at camp? She stood and peeked out her door. Assured no one else was upstairs, she crossed the hall to her parents’ room, which was above the parlor. She slipped inside and closed the door without a sound then knelt beside the heating vent on Mama’s side of the bed.
“I’ve secured the land I’ll need for my farm, and Willum has started building a small house for me. If I need more room later, I can add on.”
Tuck had land and a house of his own? Weight pressed against Anna’s heart. But how could she have known? They’d spent so little time together, and when they did, their conversation had been fun, lighthearted. There was so much she didn’t know about him, but she wanted to know everything. If only he wanted to court—oh my!
She clamped a hand across her mouth, her eyes opened wide. Could he be asking Papa’s permission to court her? Then why had he been acting so friendly with Kathleen? Her stomach leaped and her heart pounded.
“… to court your daughter.”
Anna almost fell on the vent. What had she missed?
“Let me get this straight.” Papa’s voice rose through the vent. “You want to court Kathleen, not Anna?”
After a pause, Tuck repeated the one name. “Anna?”
Anna pressed against the vent. Don’t pick Kathleen, please don’t.
Silence filled the room before he spoke. “Isn’t she a little young? I understood she’d be going away to school in a few months.”
“Yes, that’s true.” Papa’s deep sigh sounded, then a rustle below as if the men stood. “All right, you have my permission to court Kathleen if she agrees.”
“Thank you, sir. I think she will.”
Anna didn’t wait for Tuck to leave. She ran to her room, grabbed her coat, hat, and mittens then rushed down the back stairway to the kitchen and out the door. For a moment, she stood in the backyard, lost. Where was she going? What should she do? He didn’t love her.
A sob caught in her throat. She’d fallen in love with Tuck. How long ago? Since October and it was December now. Two months since she’d knocked him to the floor at Larkin’s party. Time didn’t matter. She loved him as she’d never loved before, and she could never tell him now.
Larkin. They were going shopping. She’d be waiting at her house, wondering what had happened. Anna held her skirt just high enough to run without hindrance. So what if ladies didn’t run? She’d never be a lady now. Not ever. Her vision blurred before she realized she was crying. Of their own accord, her feet slowed to a walk, and she brushed the tears from her cheeks with her woolen mittens. More took their place, so by the time she reached Larkin’s house, sobs shook her shoulders.
Larkin let her in. She tossed her own coat aside and led the way upstairs. In Larkin’s room, Anna fell into her friend’s arms and cried even harder.
“How could Tuck do this to me?”
Larkin rubbed soft circles on her back. “Oh Anna, I’m so sorry. First school and now this. But maybe you won’t go away, and maybe Kathleen will tell Mr. Tucker no.”
Anna took a shuddering breath as she pulled back. “He chose my sister. That’s what matters. I want to go to school now. Maybe I’ll marry someone back East and stay there.”
“But your family?”
“Papa might miss me, but Mama and Kathleen won’t. I’ll go, and I’ll never come back.”
Tears glistened in Larkin’s eyes. “Oh Anna, where is your faith?” She picked up her Bible from the bedside table and flipped pages toward the back. “Here it is in Romans. It says, ‘All things work together for good to them that love God.’ Don’t you believe that means you?”
Anna stared at the scripture verse while conflicting emotions ran through her soul. Anger, fear, jealousy, remorse, and love were a few she recognized. Finally, she nodded. “I know you’re right. I’ve been acting like a spoiled brat. But if Kathleen and Tuck fall in love and get married, I’ll have to stay away. I couldn’t bear to watch them together.” She lifted a moist gaze to her friend. “A person can’t help who they love, can they? Not Tuck, but not me either.”
With a soft smile, Larkin shook her head. “No, they can’t. But this verse also tells me God has the perfect man picked out to be your husband. ‘All things work together for good.’ That means if Kathleen and Mr. Tucker marry, it’s for your good as well as theirs. Isn’t that right?”
A sigh escaped Anna’s lips. “Yes, you’re right, as usual. Maybe someday my heart will stop hurting so much and then I can accept this. Come on, let’s go to town.”
Anna walked beside Larkin, but her mind wouldn’t shut out the sound of Tuck’s voice asking to court Kathleen. Her heart still felt as if a log had fallen and crushed it. Would she ever get over Tuck? Any other man would have to be very special to take his place in her heart.
Garrick stepped out of the feed store as they neared it. “Hey, what are you two up to?”
Larkin stopped, so Anna did, too. “Just Christmas shopping.”
Mountain Christmas Brides Page 11