The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection

by AlLee, Jennifer L. ; Breidenbach, Angela; Franklin, Darlene

  She stared silently at the puppy then nodded, getting to her feet. “Thank you. My brother and sister will be grateful.”

  Taking her hand again, he led her back to where they’d stood the night before. “Can you climb up?”

  “Of course.” She grabbed for a board at her eye level and started climbing until she peered down at him from the platform. “You should have built walls.” She pulled back so he could join her.

  “Remember, we were young. Walls were above our skill level.” He lay back, folding his hands behind his head. “Marcus and I dreamed many a dream right here.”

  She lay on her side, arm bent, head nestled in her hand. “What were his dreams?”

  “To take over your family farm, mostly. That, and to make sure the family was taken care of.” He cut her a sideways glance. “Why do you work so hard, Annie Mae? Is your pa ill?”

  “No, why?”

  “If he’s an able-bodied man, you shouldn’t feel such a burden to take your brother’s place.”

  “I’m the oldest now.” She sat up, focusing on her floral dress rather than him. “It’s my duty to help my parents. Did you know the Robertsons sent their young’uns to Georgia to live with relatives?”

  “Your family would never let that happen.” He would never let that happen.

  She shrugged. “Things happen. You should know that with your pa’s passing.”

  “I suppose, but that’s one reason why I want to court you with the intention of us getting married.” He sat up and stared into her eyes. “We could combine the farms. It would help both of us.”

  Her eyes flashed. “I’m not getting married. Ever. And if I were, I wouldn’t marry just so you could have our farm.”

  Have their farm? How did she get the idea he was after their farm? All he wanted to do was help her. He let out a frustrated growl. Why did she have to be so stubborn?

  Chapter 6

  He almost had her agreeing to a courtship. How could she have been so naïve? Jonathan Mercer was still the tease he’d always been. To use her family’s financial troubles that way was downright cruel.

  Annie Mae sat on her porch steps and stared up at the very same stars she’d gazed upon with Jonathan. A small breeze announced the coolness of autumn approaching. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply of the crisp air.

  She and Jonathan had almost shared a special moment until he opened his mouth and foolishness spewed out. She sighed. It was a good plan, though, to merge the two farms.

  “Time for bed.” Pa stepped onto the porch. “You look troubled. Are the Mercers fine, considering?”

  “Yes. Jonathan said his father’s death wasn’t a surprise. He’d had a bad heart for a while, and since hurting his back … well, they’re coping.” She stared across the yard.

  He sat next to her. “Then what’s ailing you?”

  “Jonathan wants to court me with the prospect of marriage and merging the two farms.” She turned her head to look at him. “That would be a big help to you and to them.”

  “Who said I needed help?” Pa folded his hands and let them dangle between his knees. “Stop worrying about me, daughter. I’m not fifty yet, and I’m in good health. Although his idea does hold merit. What did you tell him?”

  “I wasn’t very nice. I don’t want to marry, Pa. Now that I’m the oldest—”

  “Stop right there, Annie Mae. If I thought for one second that you were seriously contemplating putting your future on hold because of some misguided loyalty, I’d ship you off right here and now so you’d be forced to follow your dreams and not waste your life away here.”

  She gasped. “But if Marcus were here—”

  “He isn’t here. God took him home for reasons only He knows. Sure, life might be easier on me if he were alive, but there’s no guarantee that Marcus would have stayed on the farm. He might have sought a career elsewhere. Sweetheart”—he took her hands in his—“you need to search your heart and put your trust in God. Stop worrying where there’s no need. Do you love Jonathan?”

  She took her bottom lip between her teeth as she pondered his question. Did she? “I care for him, yes, but love … I don’t know.”

  Maybe if she kept her distance from Jonathan for a while, she’d have time to decide. “I think I’ll go to bed.”

  “Think on his question. Don’t marry anyone for less than love, but most importantly, search God’s will for your life.”

  She nodded and went to her room.

  The next morning, Annie Mae pleaded a headache and allowed her mother to take her place at the Mercers’. She set to work with a vengeance preparing breakfast then cleaning house to take the burden off her mother when she returned. If she wanted time to think on Jonathan’s offer, then she needed to keep her distance. She’d see him that evening at the fair awards. That was enough.

  “Get the bandages!” She heard Robby yelling before he raced into the kitchen. “Pa cut himself on a saw.”

  “Is it bad?” Annie Mae’s heart plummeted. This was why she needed to be home and not off caring for a house of her own. You never knew what tragedy would be next on the farm. Someone had to be home in case of emergencies.

  Robby shrugged. “He’s bleeding.”

  “It’s not that bad.” Pa, his shirttail wrapped around his hand, shuffled into the kitchen and sat on one of the straight-backed chairs. “Saw slipped and cut off my pinkie finger.” She stared at him in horror as he handed the severed finger to her. “Put that on ice and get me to the doc.”

  Her stomach heaved, but there was no time to be sick. She grabbed the ice pick, chopped off a chunk of ice from the icebox, then wrapped the finger and the ice in a towel. “Pa, take off that bloody shirt and wrap your hand in this.” She handed him a clean piece of flannel. “Robby, run to the Mercers’ and tell Mama. Take Lulu with you. Stay together.” She narrowed her eyes. “I mean it. You need to be a big boy and listen to me.”

  “I will.” He dashed away.

  Thankful that Pa had taught her to drive a couple of years ago, Annie Mae helped him to the truck then slid into the driver’s seat. Already, the clean cloth around his hand was soaked red. His skin was pale enough to worry her.

  She drove as fast as she dared, which wasn’t very fast to some standards. They pulled into the doc’s yard, and she laid on the horn until he ran out. She explained the situation.

  “Let’s get him inside. I’ll call for an ambulance. Hopefully, we can get the finger attached, but he’ll need blood. I can’t do that here.” The doctor propped his shoulder under Pa’s good arm and helped him into the clinic.

  As soon as responsibility for her father was in the doctor’s hands, the world grew black, and Annie Mae collapsed to the floor.

  When she opened her eyes, she found herself lying on a hospital bed with Ma and Jonathan peering down at her. “What happened?”

  “You fainted.” Ma’s lips twitched. “You don’t like blood, remember? But you did a good job getting your pa here. He’s in the ambulance. I’m going to ride with him to the hospital, and Jonathan will take you home.”

  She shook her head. “I’ll drive myself.”

  “No, you won’t. You’re still woozy. You can retrieve the truck after the awards ceremony tonight.”

  She’d have to spend all day with him? There went her decision to keep her distance.

  After picking up Annie Mae’s younger siblings, Jonathan took the Thompkins family to his place where she kept so busy he had no time to talk to her about her remarks from the night before. If he didn’t know better, he’d think she was working hard to avoid him.

  Now, they stood side by side on the stage at the fair waiting to be awarded their ribbons and prize money. She kept her gaze fixed straight ahead to where his family and her brother and sister sat.

  “It’s too bad your parents couldn’t be here,” he said, cutting her a sideways glance.

  “Uh-huh.”

  “I guess the hospital will keep him for a few days?”

&nbs
p; “Yes.”

  He sighed and gave up trying to have a conversation with her. She was as cold toward him as snow.

  “First place in the hog competition is Jonathan Mercer!” The announcer handed him a check and a blue ribbon.

  “Annie Mae Thompkins took second place in two separate competitions. Her hog Daisy came in second to Mercer’s Belle, and she took second place in Miss Pulaski 1930.” The announcer handed her a check and two red ribbons. “And her lovely mother, Rachel Thompkins, received a blue ribbon for her delicious peach jam! Give these folks a big hand.”

  Annie Mae’s cheeks turned the same color as the ribbons in her hand. Still, she smiled and nodded to the spectators as if she’d won first place. When the presentation was over, Jonathan escorted Annie Mae to the livestock tent to retrieve Belle and Daisy. The rich odors of hay, animal, and manure filled the air. The smell was sweeter to him than flowers.

  He spotted two offers to purchase Daisy and realized he had yet to follow through on his offer of lending the Thompkins a boar.

  “Have you accepted one of these offers?” He pointed at the names tacked to Daisy’s pen.

  “No, I can’t bear to, although, now, with Pa’s medical expenses …”

  “I might have a solution. Not an immediate one, but it will help later and you can use your prize money for the medical bills.” He propped an elbow on the fence. “Like I told you, I could lend you a boar, and you give me pick of the litter. You can sell the rest.”

  For the first time that day she looked at him. “I’d prefer that. I’d have to talk it over with Pa, but I don’t see him saying no.”

  “Neither do I. I’ll take Belle home and pick up the boar and bring it and Daisy over tonight. Will you be all right driving the truck back in the dark?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “I’m not incompetent.”

  “I never said you were.” He ran his hands through his hair. “What have I done to make you dislike me so? How many times do I have to apologize for not being there for Marcus?” He gripped her shoulders and turned her to face him. “I’m here now, for you. What more do you want from me?”

  “Time to sort out my thoughts.” She stepped back. “That’s all. Just time.”

  “How much time?”

  “I don’t know.” Her words were barely more than a whisper, almost lost among the animals’ grunts and snorts.

  “Fine. When you figure it out and stop being afraid, let me know.” He unlatched Daisy’s gate and grabbed one end of the rope tied around the sow’s neck. “Let’s get these animals to the truck.”

  “I’m not afraid, Jonathan.”

  “Yes, you are.” He stomped to Belle’s pen and retrieved her. Without another glance at Annie Mae, he led the way to the truck where two men waited to help load the heavy sows into the back.

  Annie Mae waited in the passenger seat until Jonathan joined her. The ride to the doctor’s office was made in silence.

  Jonathan turned, resting his arm along the back of the seat. “I’ll bring Daisy when I bring the boar. One of these days, Miss Thompkins, you and I are going to have a long talk.”

  She cast him a glance as she slid from the seat. “Thank you for your help.”

  With a mental groan, he backed onto the road. He wasn’t about to let her drive home without him following. Thankfully, a kind neighbor had agreed to take Robby and Lulu home from the fair. One less thing for him to worry about.

  From a safe distance, he followed Annie Mae. She drove hardly fast enough to stir up the dust. At this rate, the children would beat him home.

  After an eternity, Annie Mae pulled into her drive with a honk and a wave. Jonathan headed home to drop off Belle and retrieve Goliath. By the time he returned to the Thompkins farm, Annie Mae’s siblings waited with her on the front porch. He’d passed Pastor Forrest heading home with Ma, Eric, Matthew, and Suzanne.

  He backed the truck as close to Daisy’s pen as possible and opened the gate. He could only pray the animals took to each other and provided some income for the Thompkins.

  “Thank you again.” Annie Mae stopped at his side. “This will be her first litter.”

  “Hopefully, not her last.” He glanced past her to where Robby and Lulu sprinted toward them then climbed on the pen. “Will the three of you be all right alone here tonight?”

  “Yes, Jonathan. No need to worry about us.” Annie Mae’s eyes glittered in the moonlight.

  “That’s the pot calling the kettle black, don’t you think?”

  A ghost of a smile teased at her lips.

  His heart turned a flip. If the young’uns weren’t right there, he’d risk a slap to steal a kiss.

  “I guess it is,” she said. “I’m working on my worrying nature.”

  “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?”

  “I get your point, although your interpretation may be a little skewed.” She leaned on the fence, her gaze locked on the two animals nosing around each other. “I think they like each other.”

  “More than you like me.”

  She whirled around to look at him.

  “I’ve two tickets in my pocket, Annie Mae. I’m picking you up tomorrow and driving into town to take you to the picture show. I’ll not waste the tickets by you saying no.” He gave her a nod and strolled, whistling, to his truck.

  Chapter 7

  Annie Mae fluffed her hair one more time. A waste of time, actually. She couldn’t go to the moving pictures with Jonathan. Who would watch Robby and Lulu? Pa wasn’t coming home until at least tomorrow.

  She plopped on the bed. What was she thinking? She’d vowed to never get married. So why contemplate a date with Jonathan? Ugh. Because she was rethinking her decision, that’s why. Pa was right. It was time to let the worry go and let God handle things. He was way more capable than she. Perhaps marriage and a family of her own weren’t such far-fetched ideas after all.

  She giggled, clasped her hands against her chest, and fell back onto the mattress. Oh, she loved moving pictures. She’d find a way to have her brother and sister cared for while she indulged in a rare treat. Still, it wouldn’t do to fawn over Jonathan too much. Not until she knew for certain that living on her parents’ farm wasn’t what God intended her to do with her life. It wouldn’t be fair to spawn hope in Jonathan’s heart until she was sure.

  The breeze ruffling her bedroom curtains cooled, signaling that late afternoon had arrived. Which meant Jonathan would be there soon, and she had yet to put supper on the stove. She shoved off the bed and thundered to the kitchen. Leftover soup and fresh bread, baked that morning, would fill their bellies.

  “Supper!” she yelled out the back door.

  “Am I invited?” Jonathan entered through the front door, his sister on his heels. “I brought Suzanne to watch the young’uns while we go on our date.”

  The man thought of everything. “There’s plenty of soup. Have a seat.” Thank goodness she’d baked bread that morning. The soup was intended to stretch into tomorrow, but she’d figure something else out. Mama said to never turn away a friend from your table.

  “Do you like musicals?” Jonathan asked, taking a seat at the table. “The tickets are for Chasing Rainbows.”

  “Oh, I’ve wanted to see that.”

  “Ma sent this.” Suzanne handed her a bowl of noodles and cheese.

  “Thank you.” The Lord made sure they had enough food for company. She set the dish on the table as her siblings entered the house, sounding like two bulls charging through a glass house. “Wash up and sit down, quietly. The movie is a telling of life backstage for a vaudeville performer, right?”

  Jonathan nodded, dishing soup into bowls. “I’ve heard good things about the show.”

  She froze as a picture of the two of them, in a kitchen of their own, surrounded by children, appeared in her mind. The scene was very much like the one in front of her, only the children looked like her and Jonathan. She gulped and busied herself in the icebox, using the cool air to
soothe her flaming cheeks.

  By the time supper was finished and the two girls were doing the dishes, Annie Mae had worked herself into an internal frenzy. Jonathan laughed and joked with the children, sending her an occasional wink and heart-stopping grin until she didn’t know whether to plead a headache or enjoy the attention.

  Attention and movie won out, despite her reservations.

  Jonathan opened the passenger door to his truck, revealing a rectangular box of chocolates. “Sweets for a sweet gal.”

  Lordy, things were moving fast. She put her hands to her cheeks. “I … oh, Jonathan.” Tears stung her eyes. “I haven’t made up my mind about … us.”

  “I’m in no hurry.” He waited until she was inside, then closed the door. Once he was inside, he spoke again. “God knows your heart, Annie Mae, and mine. You’ve cared for me since you were a little girl. I’ve seen it in your eyes.”

  “I’ve been so cruel to you.” She focused on the unopened box on the dashboard. “I’ve blamed you for everything that’s happened to me that was out of my control. Marcus. My quilt. Daisy, the pageant.”

  “I know.” He started the ignition.

  She cut him a sideways glance. “Yet, you persist when most men would have given up.”

  He gave a crooked grin. “You’ll come to your senses eventually.”

  She studied his profile as he drove. What made this handsome man heap attentions on a girl reluctant to accept them? She’d had few suitors in her life, choosing instead to stay home and help her parents. Had she really been so misguided in thinking they needed her as much as she thought they did? What would it be like to be more concerned with new fashions and eligible men, like the other single girls in Rabbit Hollow? Maybe it was time she found out.

  Jonathan felt Annie Mae’s softening in the lines of her shoulders and the relaxation of her hand. Ma had told him to give her time, and he intended to, but not until after the show. He’d won the tickets at the fair, a surprise prize, and didn’t intend to let them go to waste.

  He parked in the theater parking lot then hurried to open Annie Mae’s door. He intended to treat her like a princess that evening, kiss her good night whether she wanted him to or not, then leave her alone until she came to him. For however long that took, he would wait.