First Street Church Romances_Love's Bittersweet Gift

by Ginny Sterling

  “I’m driving the team, Mama!” he cried excitedly.

  “Yes, you are! It’s been quite a day for you, hasn’t it?” His blond head nodded as he stared at the road ahead watching the horses canter along.

  “I’m a good driver.”

  “So far, yes. There will be more practice in the future for you but this is a good start,” she told him and patted him on the back. They pulled up in front of the tiny house. Climbing out of the buggy, she saw Samuel stumble and Andrew caught him.

  “Come on, buddy,” he teased. “You’re almost there.” The sun was getting low in the sky causing a reddish-orange glow on the horizon. Rebecca rushed to get out of the buggy and open the front door. Embarrassed, she saw the mess that they had left when they had been picked up earlier in the day. The basin with the dish water, the jars laid out on the large table and the unmade beds.

  Turning back around, she stopped at the door and offered to take Samuel. Andrew raised one dark eyebrow at her hesitation. “Something wrong?”

  “I didn’t have time to clean and –”

  “Rebecca, it’s fine.”

  “But it’s not appropriate for you to…-”

  “For me to what? Bring your son inside? To thank you for a wonderful afternoon?” he teased and walked right past her, holding Samuel. The child’s blond head limply lolled on Andrew’s shoulder, his mouth slack. He was deep asleep and barely stirred as Andrew lay him down. He turned and looked at where she stood. The room felt infinitely smaller suddenly and she glanced away nervously.

  “I think I’ll take my leave now,” he said politely and walked towards the door. “Keep it locked, please,” he said, turning again and looking at her.

  “I will,” Rebecca promised. His green eyes looked incredibly dark in the dim light streaming through the window on the far wall. Today had been a day she’d not soon forget. It felt like a family atmosphere and this scared her. He was a stranger. They were barely acquaintances. Sure, they had talked all day, but would it ever be enough for her to forget herself? Forget James and the guilt she felt regarding his death?

  “Thank you,” he murmured, opening the door to head into the dying light. Surprised, she saw him turn back towards her as if he had forgotten something. His hand reached out and gently cupped her chin, pulling her towards him for a kiss. His lips touched hers, sending a shock to her core. It was infinitely sweet, but the promise of so much more. “Thank you for today. I enjoyed the company,” he repeated and ducked outside.

  Rebecca stood there in the doorway, her fingers on her lips. She was stunned at the suddenness of the kiss and how much she longed for another one. Her lips felt warm and shook under her fingertips. Trembled.

  Andrew climbed in the buggy, whistling and snapped the reins, driving off towards town into the darkness. She shut the door slowly and put the latch down, securing it. She knew, deep inside, that she would be thinking of this day for quite some time. She hoped she would see him again, sooner rather than later. Maybe he would take the invitation and she would see him Sunday. That was only two days from now and not near soon enough. Smiling, she pulled off her bonnet and checked on Samuel. Both of them had an exciting day that, perhaps, would change their lives.

  Chapter Four

  Sunday came and Andrew was nowhere to be seen. Rebecca sat on the pew as Samuel fidgeted next to her. She’d waited for as long as possible before making the long walk into Sweet Grove. Every time she heard a horse nearby, she felt her heart skip a beat thinking it was Andrew coming to meet them. Maybe he had simply been running behind? That was not the case. She’d been lost in thought the entire walk, replaying their picnic in her mind and how he’d kissed her. Samuel had raced around her, jumping here and there and showing her rocks that he discovered along the way for his “new rock collection” he was starting. Each pebble he picked up was shoved eagerly into his trouser pockets with such happiness only an innocent child could have.

  “Mama, do you think Andrew will like my rock collection?” he had asked her and it tore at her. Samuel was already bonding with the man who had failed to appear. She was glad that she’d not mentioned them going to the service together. This was exactly what she feared would happen, that Samuel would become enamored of the handsome ranger… not to mention herself.

  The last two days had been spent keeping herself busy just in case Andrew came by. She’d made the preserves and cleaned the house from top to bottom. As soon as she was done cleaning, Samuel would have undone it. But it was still cleaner than it had been Friday night when he walked her son inside. She’d even worked on mending the small pile of clothes that needed repair, simply to have it done and put away in case Andrew stopped by her home. They didn’t have much, but she had put beans out to soak overnight so there was a filling meal.

  Yet, he didn’t show.

  Rebecca stared at the pulpit as the pastor spoke. Unfortunately, she didn’t hear a thing. The wood pew she sat on no longer felt comforting. It felt lonely. Where she was usually able to deal with Samuel’s squirming, Today, it annoyed her to no end. It irked her that, in the blink of an eye, she had let herself befriend someone, opening herself up to hurt again.

  She’d missed James when he passed. It was like losing a friend or an uncle. She’d loved the idea of being in love with someone. This realization came with Samuel’s birth. The love she felt with Samuel was encompassing. She’d give her life for his smile and knew what true love was. It angered her that meeting Andrew Page had made her feel something. It wasn’t love because it was too fast for that… but there was something to him that made her feel alive.

  “Remember, as you leave today, this thought: Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10. Take heart if you are down, be steadfast and know that you’ll be rewarded,” the pastor invited as everyone suddenly stood around her indicating that the service was over.

  “C’mon, Mama, let’s go!” Samuel said quickly, scrambling down from the pew. Rebecca was embarrassed when he began pushing at the man he’d been sitting next to, urging him to hurry on out.

  “Samuel!” she whispered emphatically, grabbing his shoulder. “Do not shove your way through. You’ll wait patiently for our turn.”

  “Will we go see the ducks if I’m good?”

  “Not today,” she snapped and regretted it when she saw his eyes widen in surprise. “I’m sorry, but not today. I need to make some bread and we’ll save some for our next trip to see the ducks, okay?”

  “Mrs. Poe?” she heard called out and turned in surprise to see one of the clerks from the mercantile coming up to her. She’d carried a basket of jars ready to sell on her way back home and felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. What if he didn’t want them? That was her source of income.

  “Yes, Mr. McNeely? How are you today?”

  “Oh fine, fine. I wanted to remind you that you have a package waiting at the counter if you happen to come by today. We weren’t sure if you were expected or not, but I saw you from where I was seated and thought I’d mention it,” he said brightly, spotting the basket she’d removed from under the pew. “Good! Good! You were planning on stopping by. Then, I will see you soon.”

  Rebecca stared at him, openly surprised. Package? What package? By the time she had composed herself and thought to ask the question, he was gone. In fact, most of the church had emptied, leaving herself and a frustrated Samuel.

  “Mama, we are last!” he groaned, rolling his eyes and throwing his head back as if the world depended on them being first out the doors. His little shoulders sagged with mock disappointment.

  “We are leaving. Come, now,” she announced simply and tried to catch up with his little legs as he ran out of the church ahead of her. Stepping out, she quickly guided him down Main Street towards the mercantile. The shop had always been one of her favorites simply because of th
e variety of things they offered. You never knew if you would get sugar, molasses or honey when you needed sweet – but there would be something there waiting for you – you just had to be flexible about it and look at it like an adventure. Beans? It might be lima, pinto, kidney or northern… but you’d get beans. It used to irk James to no end, but she had always thought it was a hoot.

  Stepping up on the wooden boardwalk, she walked inside the building and smiled happily. Sure enough, the interior changed to go with their inventory. Last trip, there were saddles and hats hanging on pegs on the wall. This visit, the saddles were all gone except for one and in their places were wheelbarrows and rakes in a variety of sizes. Today, she had a package waiting for her and she wondered if it was from her family. It’d been quite some time since she’d heard from them, but it wasn’t unexpected.

  “There you are! That was quick and I’m glad you brought some jars today. I’ve about sold all you brought last time,” the clerk informed her as he pushed a set of spectacles up on his nose into place. He was such a nice man, genuine in nature, and easy to talk to. But he wasn’t Andrew. She kept thinking of his green eyes and that tender, lopsided smile when he looked at her. Letting out a heavy sigh, she set the basket on the counter and knelt by Samuel.

  “Do Mama a favor, please?” His head nodded happily and his smile made her heart burst with love. “Let’s pick out something clever to make together, okay? Don’t pick anything up, sweetie. Just point it out and let me talk to Mr. McNeely for a few moments.” Standing, she watched him take off to peruse the aisles, examining every jar and every can.

  “Mr. McNeely, thank you again for letting me know about the package. If I hadn’t planned on bringing in the preserves, it might have been weeks before I found out my parents had sent something,” she said with a smile, unloading the jars from the basket. Each jar lid, she had placed a swatch of fabric and screwed it on tightly in order to give it a finished appearance. She’d seen it done with the apple butter that the mill made and thought it was a nice, professional touch.

  “It’s not from your parents, Mrs. Poe. There was a Texas Ranger here buying ammunition. He insisted that I wrap it up and bill him for it. Said it was a gift for you. Is it your birthday?”

  “What?” she asked, stunned. “A gift?”

  “Yes, Ma’am. He was quite insistent that it be held for you or he’d pick it up when he returned.”

  “Where did he go?”

  “Didn’t say. Let me grab your things and let’s get you settled for payment on these jars. They sure do look pretty today.” He walked down the length of the glass case and knelt down, picking up a burlap bag. “I was gonna wrap it in paper, since he said it was a gift but I didn’t get to it in time. I hope that’s all right.”

  “Of course,” she said absently as she stared at the bag he set on the counter. She wanted to ask what was inside but, instead, pushed back the urge and swallowed hard, touched by the thought. “I brought twelve jars this visit and thought I would bring back the remainder in a week or two. Will that work for you?”

  “Certainly! Let me pay you for what you’ve got and whatever little Samuel is pointing at over there,” he told her with a knowing smile. “I think he found the molasses candies.” Nodding, Rebecca went over and saw that Samuel had, indeed, found the sweets in a basket on the shelf. Patting him on the head, she picked up a few pieces along with a few other necessities. Salt pork, cornmeal, a few eggs and butter. They didn’t have a barn, only a small outbuilding, so keeping a cow was not an option. Nor was keeping chickens. They’d had chickens up until a year ago, but chickens fascinated Samuel as much as the ducks did. The few chickens she had ran off. Apparently, it’s traumatizing to a chicken to have a four-year-old boy that repeatedly wanted to pet it.

  Rebecca loaded her basket with the goods and gingerly put the eggs on top. The small wire cage would offer some protection. But if they bumped against each other, they were sure to shatter and create a mess. Setting her basket on her hip, she took the burlap bag that Andrew had left for her there at the counter and swung it over her shoulder.

  “You could have Samuel carry some of that, you know?” Mr. McNeely told her with a disapproving smile. “He’s old enough to help you out.”

  “I know, and I appreciate it. I have plans for those eggs and I’d like them to make it home,” she admitted with a chuckle. “Besides, he now has a rock collection he’s avidly working on so as long as we don’t dawdle along the way. I will be fine carrying it. Thank you, again, Mr. McNeely.” She hefted it up a bit higher and waited for Samuel to open the door for her. They began the walk back home and she felt her spirit lighter already. She was genuinely touched by the fact that Andrew left something for them at the mercantile. Perhaps, they were not just forgotten or cast off as she had originally thought, but refused to voice out loud. She had taken quite a fancy to the charming ranger.

  Arriving at the house, she put the bag down on the table and returned to her daily duties. She caught herself looking at the burlap bag several times and resisted opening it. The urge to tear into the bag was mighty. But what if she wasn’t supposed to open it at all until he had returned? He’d left specific instructions with Mr. McNeely, so she was hopeful that wasn’t the case. As she scrubbed the wash outside, she glanced at the open doorway that allowed a breeze and it sat there, taunting her.

  Sighing, she wiped her wet hands and forearms on her apron. She called Samuel in, so he could be there to open the bag with her. There was never anything said about it being just for her, so she assumed it was for both of them. As a family, they shared everything anyways so there was nothing hidden between the duo. Pulling back the flap, she stared at the contents. Inside was a small tin of ground coffee along with a jar of honey, a small wooden horse that was carved and stained, as well as a pair of dainty fingerless gloves. The horse Samuel saw right away and yelped with delight, snatching it out of the bag and racing around the room. There was a folded piece of paper in the bottom of the sack that stood out stark against the dark brown bag. He’d left a note!

  Dearest Rebecca,

  I enjoyed our outing together immensely. I have to follow a lead that came through unexpectedly and hope that you’ll think of me until I return. The gloves were pretty and reminded me of you. Maybe we can share a cup of coffee and talk some more when I return.

  Andrew

  The delicate gloves were made of tatted lace and would protect her hands from absolutely nothing. How in the world did they remind him of her? Pretty? They were incredibly intricate and stunning to see. Small flowers had been gently knotted into the lace and, because they were so thin, they were virtually unusable except for maybe special occasions. She carefully pulled the lace glove on her hand and held it aloft. She stared at the gift that something so simple created and made her feel so ladylike.

  Grinning, she gently pulled it off and placed the gloves as well as the note inside a wooden box she kept on the mantle. That box held other things that were special to her. A locket of Samuel’s hair. A handkerchief she had embroidered long ago for James, letters from her parents and, now, Andrew’s note would be tucked inside. The coffee and honey she put on the shelf near the stove and hoped that they would share that cup together, sooner rather than later.

  Chapter Five

  Days turned into weeks. Rebecca found that she had another package left for her at the mercantile. This one held a variety of seed pouches: pumpkin, sunflower and peas. There was another carved horse for Samuel as well as a bar of lemon-scented soap for her. Another sweet note, promising that he was going to return as soon as his job was done. It was thoughtful and touching, just enough to make her yearn for more. She wanted to talk to him, see his smile and, perhaps, have him kiss her again simply to see if it felt as incredible as she fondly remembered.

  Smiling, she found herself touching her lips in memory as she absently strolled down the road towards town. Samuel was beyond ecstatic with his horse and was pretending to gallop with it as he
skipped down the dirt road. Her son had insisted on bringing the horse to church and she had negotiated with him regarding it. If he sat still, he could hold the horse during the service. But if he acted up, he’d lose it the moment they got home. She happily wore the little lace gloves today. They made her feel special. Andrew was certainly good to both of them. If nothing came of it, he’d be a good friend to have in her life. She wanted more than that, but would happily settle for less simply because of how happy she felt thinking of him.

  Rebecca chatted with the other women around her as she took her seat in the pew. The town was openly curious regarding the attention she had received. It didn’t take long for Mr. McNeely to share the news that she’d been left some gifts from a suitor. This had her blushing at the attention as women asked to see the delicate gloves she was wearing today for the first time. Thankfully, the service began and she listened as Samuel sat completely still next to her, his little hand on the horse’s back as it sat between them. As the pastor talked, she leaned down and kissed Samuel’s head as the discussion was on family and what it meant.

  Feeling a tap on her shoulder, Rebecca began to quickly scoot over to allow for the latecomer… except when she glanced up to see who it was, she nearly gasped aloud. Andrew stood there, looking exhausted, and smiled at her. His chin was covered with a thick shadow indicating that he hadn’t shaved in a few days and his clothing was dusty, but he looked perfect to her. He quickly took a seat and nodded his head towards the pastor, in a silent apology for interrupting the service.

  Samuel quickly got up, clutched his horse against his chest protectively. He eyed her warily as he moved past her on the tight pew to put himself in Andrew’s lap. Smiling at him, she ruffled his hair as Andrew picked him up and set him on one knee. He put a finger up to silence the boy. He smiled at her and leaned down to kiss her forehead politely. Giving a slight nod, she turned back towards the pastor. She felt Andrew take her hand, giving it a faint squeeze and she smiled happily as she tried to pay attention to what was being said to the congregation.