by Janice Hanna
“Th–thank you.” Rena hardly knew what to say in response. But as she heard the word “rooted,” she thought about Tree. His name, funny as it was, served as a constant reminder that planting your roots down deep was a good thing.
Molly coughed but did not join in the conversation. She was listening, though. Rena was sure of it.
“So there you have it. This is the dawn of a new day,” Carolina said. “And you’re opening up to the sunlight.”
“It’s a new day, for sure,” Rena said. “But, to be honest, I’m confused about something.”
“What’s that?”
Using the back of her hand, she brushed a hair out of her eyes. “Well, here we are in April. A new director is set to arrive next month.”
“W–what?” Molly looked up, her eyes wide. “Are you leaving?”
Rena shook her head. “If you’d asked me six months ago, I would’ve said yes. In fact, back then I didn’t think I would last the whole seven months. But now…” She paused. “Now I can’t imagine leaving. Ever.”
“Well, write to that new director and tell her not to come,” Molly said. “You just stay put.”
“I’ve thought about that from so many angles.” Rena was unsure of how much to share. She wondered—though the words had never been voiced aloud—if she and Gene would one day marry. If so, would she stay on at the children’s home or take on a different role?
“I think it would be best to let her come and meet the children and then decide,” Carolina said. “We’ll never know otherwise.”
Rena nodded. “I think it’s for the best. But if I don’t stay on as director…” Her words faded away. “Anyway, I’m just confused. Don’t know what to do.”
“The Lord will show you,” Carolina said. “Just as He shines down on those beautiful flowers, He will shine down on you and give you what you need when you need it. In the meantime, rest easy. Stay rooted.”
“Rooted.” Rena echoed the word. Pulling up roots would be too painful now. Not that she planned on doing so…but even thinking about it brought a degree of pain.
As she pondered the what-ifs, a voice rang out from behind her. “Yoo-hoo, pretty lady! Turn around and lookee who the cat dragged in!”
Rena couldn’t quite place the voice. She turned and gasped as she saw the three sisters from the train approaching. “Oh my goodness!” Rising from the garden, she brushed the dirt from her hands. “I don’t believe it! I simply don’t believe it.”
“Well, believe it,” Mamie said, wrapping Rena in a huge bear hug. “We promised you a visit, and we never lie.”
“We’re a little late on making good on our promise this time,” Amy added, “but we always come through.”
“Oh, you ladies more than came through at Christmas,” Rena said. “I could hardly believe your generosity.”
“Think nothing of it.” Jamie fussed with her hat, a large purple velvet number with tall pink feathers. “It was our pleasure.”
Rena took Mamie’s extended hand and made quick apologies for her appearance. “Well, you’ve made my day. But, please, forgive my dress. I’ve been working in the garden all morning with the children.”
“My dear, you look positively radiant.” Mamie fanned herself. “Make no apologies. Life in Daisy must agree with you.”
“Oh, well, I…”
“Yes,” Amy added. “Why, you’re simply glowing. Not at all the pale, frightened young woman we met on the train. You’re much more robust, and I think the color in your cheeks becomes you.”
Rena didn’t know whether to be insulted or flattered by the fact that she’d just been called a young woman. And robust, at that.
“The caterpillar has morphed into a butterfly,” Mamie said with a smile. She gave Rena’s hand a squeeze.
Carolina rose and stood beside them. She was soon joined by the children and Molly, who stood off at a distance.
Rena made quick introductions and the trio of sisters responded, going on about how much they’d grown to love Rena on their train trip back in October. Her heart swelled with joy as they lavished her with praise and kind words about her love for the children.
Lilly, Callie, and Josephine chimed in, sharing their love for Rena, as well.
“Well, of course you love her, you blessed girls.” Mamie knelt at their level. “What’s not to love?”
Josephine reached over to finger the little silk bird on Mamie’s hat. “Ooh, pretty!”
“Do you like that bird, sweetie?” Mamie asked. When Josephine nodded, she added, “I’ve been trying to think of a name for him. What do you think?”
“I think he looks like…” Josephine paused and appeared to be thinking. “Polly!”
“Oh, it must be a girl bird,” Amy said, drawing near.
“Polly it is.” Mamie rose and straightened her skirts. She began to fan herself, her rosy cheeks now glowing.
“Could I offer you ladies some lemonade?” Rena asked.
“Yes, that would be lovely.” Mamie fanned herself then glanced at the house. “So, this is the house, then?”
“Yes. As you can see, it’s being renovated,” Rena said. “I’m happy to show you around. Let’s go inside and get some lemonade.” She quickly dismissed the children to play then led the ladies inside. Carolina and Molly followed behind the sisters, who still carried on about their trip from Tulsa.
When they reached the front porch, Mamie turned to Rena and smiled. “We’ve hardly stopped talking about the orphanage since the day we met you on the train. That’s why we’re here, in fact.”
“I can’t believe you would come all the way from Tulsa just to see the children’s home.” Rena shook her head, still overwhelmed by their kindness.
“We wanted to surprise you,” Amy said. “So we took a chance in coming without contacting you first. I do hope you’re not put off by that.”
“Of course not.” Rena gave her a warm hug. “I’m just so glad you’re here.” She led the way inside, and before long the women were oohing and aahing over the parlor, with their glasses of lemonade in hand. From there, she led them into the dining room.
Jamie gave the room a scrutinizing glance. “I can see that much has been done in the parlor, but these dining tables are in bad shape.”
“Yes, well, in due time we will get new tables, perhaps.”
“Do you have a carpenter in Daisy?” Jamie asked. “One that you trust?”
From behind Rena, a familiar voice rang out. “James Tucker is a mighty fine carpenter.”
She turned to discover Molly entering from the kitchen with her own glass of lemonade. “Really?” Rena asked.
“Yes. You should see some of the pieces he’s done. Why, there was a time when he talked of opening a store in town. I’ve seen every hand-crafted piece in his home and they’re lovely…all of them.” The sweetest look crossed her face for a moment and then vanished. “Anyway, he’s the best.”
“I had no idea.” Rena shook her head, still perplexed by this news.
“Well then…” Mamie crossed her arms over her ample chest and grinned. “It’s all settled. We will commission this, this…”
“James,” Molly said. “James Tucker.” She took a sip of her lemonade.
“Yes, this James Tucker to build one large table, big enough for everyone to sit together.” Mamie scrutinized the room. “And new chairs too. It would be our pleasure to cover any costs.”
“R–really?” Rena could hardly believe it.
“On one condition.” Mamie narrowed her gaze. “You must invite us for dinner once he’s done.”
At this, all of the sisters took to talking at once. Rena joined in, overjoyed. Out of the corners of her eyes she noticed Molly slipping out of the room. Seconds later, she heard the front door close. No doubt she’d gone back out to the garden, or perhaps she’d headed home for the day. Rena would have to remember to thank her later. In the meantime, she listened as Mamie, Amy, and Jamie filled her ears with ideas for transforming the kitc
hen. Heavens! What a blessed day this was turning out to be!
Gene approached the front porch, ready to head inside for some lemonade. He noticed Molly seated on the porch swing alone.
“You might not want to go in there.” She gestured to the front door. “Rena’s got some friends inside, and they’re louder than the choir on Sunday morning.”
“Ah.” He joined her on the swing. “Guess I’ll wait a few minutes, then.” From inside, raucous laughter rang out. “I see what you mean. They sound like a fun bunch.”
“They’re enough to give a person a headache.” Molly took a swig of her lemonade. “All that chatter was affecting my nerves.”
“Ah.” Gene wasn’t sure how to respond. He looked her way and noticed a half smile. Was she teasing about the women inside? They sat together for a couple of moments until the laughter from inside the house died down.
“Think it’s safe to go in now?” he asked.
“I wouldn’t risk it.”
He grinned. “Maybe you’re right.” Gene paused, feeling a strange prompting to say more. After thinking it through, he decided to give it a go. “Molly, I haven’t taken the time to properly thank you.”
“Thank me? For warning you about the women, you mean?”
“No.” He chuckled. “I’m grateful for your help with the garden. It’s lifted Rena’s spirits so much, and I know the children love it.”
Molly remained silent.
“I know it’s a sacrifice to spend time with the children. They are a handful.”
“That they are.” She took another sip of her lemonade.
“Not a day goes by that I don’t thank the good Lord for bringing Rena here. She’s been wonderful with the boys and girls. They’ve come a long way.”
“And have a long way yet to come.”
“I’ll be the first to admit, I haven’t always done the best job with my own boys. I’ve been at such a loss. I guess you could say it was easier to do nothing at all.”
“I think we can all see where doing nothing was getting you.” She narrowed her gaze.
“True.” Just one word, but he hoped she would see it as a peace offering.
Molly looked his way, this time with genuine kindness in her eyes. “Gene, you’ve said too little where the boys were concerned. But maybe I’ve said too much. I’m afraid my words haven’t been very helpful.” She paused, and then her voice intensified. “It’s just been hard to hold my tongue with these children wreaking havoc.” She sighed. “Not that I’ve actually held my tongue much. But there’s a reason for that. I want to help. I really do.” She paused and gave him a sympathetic look. “I think, maybe, that’s all I ever wanted. To be needed.”
His heart softened at once. “Molly, I do need you. I need everyone to band together to raise my boys.”
“When Brenda was alive…” Molly paused and shook her head.
“What?”
“Well, she seemed to care about me. She never took offense when I offered suggestions.”
Suggestions. Is that what you call them?
“Anyway, she seemed to lean on me for advice. But after she, well…”
“Go ahead.”
“After she passed, I tried to keep on giving suggestions the way I always had, but you didn’t receive them the same way. So I suppose I got mad.”
“I had no idea you and Brenda spoke about the boys,” he admitted. “To be honest, I didn’t play a large role in their discipline while Brenda was alive, and I know it shows. The boys don’t respect me as a disciplinarian because I never really taught them how to. But I suppose it’s time.”
“Past time.”
“Yes, I suppose so.”
Molly rose and passed her empty glass to him. “If you’re going inside, would you mind taking this in for me? Don’t think I can stand the noise, to be quite honest.”
“I would be happy to.” He reached to touch her arm. “And Molly…”
“Yes?”
“Thanks for sharing what you did about Brenda. I still miss her. Very much.”
“Me too.” Molly’s eyes misted over for a moment. Then she turned away and headed down the porch steps, muttering, “Better get back out to the garden. Heaven only knows what those children have done in my absence.” Moments later, she disappeared around the side of the house.
Gene decided to brave a journey inside the house. His mother and the trio of ladies sat in the parlor, talking. The moment she saw him, his mother stretched out her hand. “Gene, come here. We’ve got guests.” She proceeded to introduce him to the three sisters. Gene wasn’t sure which was the funniest—their outlandish hats or their rhyming names.
“So, you are that handsome fellow Rena’s been bragging on.” Mamie rose and wrapped him in a warm embrace. “Well, she didn’t lie, now did she?”
“Heavens, no.” Jamie fanned herself. “You are quite handsome.”
Gene felt his face grow hot. “I, um, well, I came inside to get some lemonade.”
“Looks like you’ve just had some,” his mother said, pointing to the empty glass in his hand.
“Oh, this wasn’t mine. It was Molly’s.”
“Rena’s in the kitchen,” Mamie said. “She’s gone to fetch some cookies. Homemade too.”
“Mmm. I’m starving.” Amy wiggled her thinly plucked brows.
“I’ll go check on her.” Gene took several steps toward the kitchen, grateful for the excuse to leave. He entered the kitchen moments later and had to smile when he heard Rena singing, “‘Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do.’”
“I’ll give you my answer,” he said from behind her. “The answer is yes. I would love a kiss.” Gene set Molly’s empty glass on the counter.
Rena spun around, her cheeks the prettiest shade of pink. “Oh, I…” With soapy hands, she attempted to fix her mussed hair. She ended up with bubbles on the edge of her face. Gene drew near and reached out his fingertip to brush the tiny bubbles away. Then, just for fun, he stole a kiss. She swatted him with a dishcloth. “Not in front of the company!”
“They’re in the parlor. And I have a feeling they would be thrilled to know we’re in here kissing. Want me to go and tell them?”
“No!” She swatted him again and then laughed.
“I’m not sure what’s happening with all the women around here today.” He reached for the pitcher of lemonade and a fresh glass.
“What do you mean?”
“I can’t quite figure them out. There are several brightly dressed women in the parlor, one delightful woman singing in the kitchen, and a very subdued Molly Harris out in the yard tending to the garden.” He took a swig of the lemonade, and the cold liquid quenched his thirst at once. “Speaking of Molly, I actually had a pleasant conversation with her just now. Is it just me, or is she changing?”
Rena chuckled. “We’re all changing. According to your mother, we’re blooming like the daisies in our garden.”
“I guess that’s one way of looking at it,” Gene said with a smile. The woman standing before him now was not the same frightened lady who’d stepped off that train back in October. She really had bloomed.
Rena’s eyes sparkled. “I’ll give you another piece of news—Molly secretly adores Lilly. And Callie too. She’s smitten. And I even caught her saying something nice to Henry yesterday.”
“What has bewitched her?”
“Love, Gene.” Rena giggled.
“Love?”
“Yes. Don’t you see? She’s been won by love.”
She took a couple of steps in his direction, and he swept her into his arms. “Won by love.” He repeated the words, unable to think of any other response.
“Isn’t that how we’re all won over?” she whispered. “Some people just need an extra measure of love. Molly’s one of them. And Josephine too. I’ve simply fallen in love with that little girl, and she’s responded to it in the most amazing way.”
“If I didn’t know any better, I would say you plotted all this in that book y
ou’re writing.”
Her face turned red. “Oh, please…let’s don’t mention my book.” She groaned. “I put away that notebook weeks ago and haven’t seen it since.”
“Well, get it back out,” he whispered. “Because I’ve got a feeling there are chapters left to be written.”
“O–oh?” Her eyelashes took to fluttering, nearly taking his heart with them.
Gene’s heart filled with joy, and he leaned in to kiss her. Yes, there were certainly chapters left to be written. The very next one, he would pen himself. With the Lord’s help, of course. However it panned out, Gene felt sure it would be a doozy.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
TIPS FOR DEALING WITH UNRULY YOUNG’UNS—A great deal of thought and prayer has gone into the raising of my young son, Daniel. He is a precious boy, though he does try my patience at times. Since his father passed away four years ago, I’ve learned to lean on the Lord and trust that He will—as the Bible says—be the father to the fatherless. Perhaps that’s why I feel so strongly about coming to Daisy to work at the orphanage. In loving those boys and girls, I will be displaying the Father’s heart to them and giving my son the family environment he longs for. I cannot say what lies ahead, only that I trust God to lead and guide every step of the way.
—Janelle Bradford, Incoming Daisy Resident
Gene spent the next four weeks putting together a special plan, one that only he and Charlie knew about. Rena was so distracted by preparing for the new director’s arrival this afternoon that she hadn’t picked up on anything. Not that he could tell, anyway.
Every time he thought about the new director, Gene paused. Perhaps he should’ve written to her at Christmas, encouraging her not to come. Still, he had a feeling that her services would be needed, especially if he carried through with his current plan.
On the third Saturday in May Gene finally got word that the last piece to the puzzle had just arrived in Daisy. He could now move forward with this plan of action.