To Find Her Place

by Susan Anne Mason

  “You didn’t have to. I could tell by the way you talked about him.”

  “Handsome is a distraction I do not need.” Jane gave her friend a stern look as she rose from her seat.

  “If you say so.” Olivia laughed. “Just remember to leave the details up to God. He’s the one who will figure it all out.”

  14

  On Saturday morning, Garrett awoke at six o’clock, more excited than a kid on Christmas morning. He was meeting Ken, the bus driver, at the shelter for the trip to the orchard. Once the children were loaded, Garrett would follow the bus in his own car. Though he would have loved to ride with the others, he needed his car for the rest of the weekend. Besides, if Jane and her mother ended up coming with them, he could at least offer them a more comfortable drive.

  As Garrett navigated the quiet streets, he found his thoughts consumed with Jane. He still had a hard time coming to grips with the idea that her husband had divorced her and married someone else. His fingers tightened on the wheel just thinking about what he’d like to do to the man. What possible reason could Donald have had to abandon his wife like that? And why hadn’t Jane fought the divorce? For her to simply accept Donald’s actions and release him from their marriage seemed contrary to everything he knew of her feisty personality. His gut tightened. There was much more to that story, he was certain of it, but he had no right to ask.

  The fact that Jane was single had added a new edge to their interactions, making his attraction to her harder to ignore. But ignore it he must. For several reasons. For one thing, he was supposed to be working with her as an objective auditor. For another, he might eventually be competing with her for the same job. Third, and most importantly, Jane’s colleagues believed her to be married, and he would never tarnish her reputation by acting inappropriately.

  The best thing he could do was treat Jane the way he treated his sister—with respect and brotherly affection. Maybe then he could get through this assignment with his integrity intact.

  The bus was waiting in front of the shelter when Garrett arrived. By the time he got out, Ken appeared on the sidewalk.

  “Hey there, Garrett,” the big man said. “I got Bertha all cleaned and polished for you. Inside and out.”

  Garrett shook Ken’s hand. “You do realize you’re driving sixteen children, don’t you?”

  A loud laugh vibrated around him. “Yes, sir. But they deserve clean seats too.”

  “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  A taxi pulled up behind his car and Garrett turned. Jane got out, then went to help her mother alight from the other side.

  Warmth curled through Garrett’s chest, much like the grin that spread across his face. “Jane, Mrs. Mitchell. I’m so glad you both could come.”

  Jane assisted her mother onto the sidewalk, then lifted her head to grace him with a wide smile. “We’re looking forward to this. It will be like a mini vacation.”

  Garrett’s attention shifted to her outfit, and he couldn’t help but stare. Today, she wore denim pants rolled up to the ankle over a pair of work boots. A blue blouse and matching cardigan completed her outfit, along with a floral kerchief that held her chestnut hair away from her face.

  She looked . . . completely adorable.

  Garrett forced his gaze away and went to greet Mrs. Mitchell. “I thought you ladies might like to ride in my car. It will be a lot more comfortable than the bus.”

  “That does sound better.” Mrs. Mitchell smoothed her hands over her belted dress, her smile creating a network of lines around her eyes. “Thank you for inviting me, Garrett. I’ve never picked apples before.”

  Jane’s brow puckered. “Now, Mama, you know you won’t be climbing up any ladders.”

  Garrett laughed. “I’m sure there will be some low branches where you can snag a few apples for yourself,” he said with a wink. “And don’t forget the hayride. Everyone loves that part.”

  Mrs. Mitchell looked much better than the last time he’d seen her. Today she seemed stronger, and her pale eyes were bright. If this outing could take her mind off her worries about her son for a little while, then it would be well worth it.

  A rumble of feet and voices, much like a thunderstorm about to erupt, came from the direction of the shelter.

  Garrett turned his head. “Ah, sounds like the kids are ready.”

  Seconds later, the children poured out onto the lawn in one loud, manic mess. The two volunteers appeared frazzled already as they attempted to corral them into some semblance of order. At last, the children stood in a row by the bus, awaiting instructions from Ken, who then ushered them all onto his vehicle, like a captain directing new recruits onto his ship.

  Garrett motioned to his car. “Ladies, shall we?”

  Jane stood staring at the bus, frowning. “I hope we’re doing the right thing. What if something goes wrong?”

  He could almost feel the anxiety rolling off her. “Everything will be fine, Jane. Trust me.”

  Her eyes met his and she nodded.

  As they got into the car, Garrett prayed his confidence would not be misplaced.

  Jane watched the scenery roll by from the back-seat window. She’d insisted that Mama sit up front to enjoy the view. Secretly, Jane wanted a little distance from the man who lately seemed to scramble her thoughts as well as her pulse.

  Back here, she could breathe easier and observe his interaction with her mother without feeling forced to make conversation that often resembled a ping-pong match of wits.

  Now that Garrett knew she wasn’t married, she’d become aware of a subtle shift in the current between them. Without the safeguard that had kept any romance off-limits, Jane now found herself adrift in unfamiliar territory. Suddenly, it was a lot harder to deny her attraction to the man, an attraction that could not be acted on. She twisted the ring still on her finger, reminding herself that everyone else believed she was married, and she needed to act accordingly.

  With the car windows cracked open, a lovely breeze blew around her, and despite her harried thoughts, Jane began to relax. Within minutes, the scenery changed from bricks and cement to gently sloping greenery, interspersed with lines of trees that stretched for miles. In some fields, herds of either cattle or sheep roamed, while in others, rolls of baled hay dotted the vista.

  Garrett kept up a running commentary on what Mama was seeing, and Jane could tell by her delighted response that she was enjoying every moment. How long had it been since she’d taken Mama anywhere other than a doctor’s appointment? Jane swallowed back a rush of guilt. She was always so busy working that she didn’t have time for the simple pleasures in life. But that shouldn’t mean Mama had no fun. She made a mental note to try to plan some outings for the two of them, ones that wouldn’t be too taxing on her mother’s health. The winter would be upon them soon enough, and Mama would be housebound once again.

  Finally, Garrett turned onto a gravel lane where a sign indicated they were entering Wilder’s Orchard and Farms. They drove past a crudely built fruit stand toward a brick farmhouse and a large barn that stood off to the right. In the distance, Jane could make out a tractor attached to a flatbed wagon filled with hay, which she assumed would be used to take them out to the orchard.

  Garrett pulled up in front of the house and shut off the engine. “Welcome to our farm.” He grinned as he got out of the car and came around to open Mama’s door for her.

  Jane stepped outside and breathed in the country air, scented with newly mown grass. There was no bus in sight yet, which gave her a few moments to relax and examine their surroundings. Shoving her hands on her hips, she surveyed the land that stretched from the house to the barn and beyond. “This is amazing.”

  “It sure is,” Mama agreed. “Thank you again for inviting me.”

  “It’s my pleasure.” Garrett closed the door and leaned one hip against the car. “I love sharing the beauty of our farm with others.”

  Renewed optimism flowed through Jane’s veins. There was something freein
g about being surrounded by nature. For today, she would set aside her problems and try to enjoy herself.

  A sudden frenzied barking sounded, accompanied by the swoosh of a black-and-white ball of fur racing across the grass.

  Garrett moved away from the car to intercept the creature hurtling toward them. The dog ran in circles around his legs before Garrett bent to pat the animal, who wriggled with kinetic joy.

  “Hey, Jett, buddy. I missed you too.” He scrubbed the dog’s head.

  The absolute love on Garrett’s face brought a flood of warmth through Jane.

  He straightened with a smile. “This is my dog, Jett.”

  Jane stepped closer and held out her hand for Jett to smell. “What breed is he?”

  “He’s a border collie. Smart, loyal, and great at rounding up errant goats.”

  “Isn’t that supposed to be sheep?”

  Garrett let out a long laugh, his blue eyes twinkling. “Sheep, goats. He’s not fussy.”

  Jane couldn’t help but laugh too as she patted Jett. Garrett’s joy was infectious. He obviously loved it here, so why did he choose to live in the city?

  The farmhouse screen door squeaked open. “I hope my son isn’t keeping his guests standing in the yard.” A tall woman with light brown hair came down the stairs, sporting a wide smile. She wore a flowered housedress and a bulky beige sweater.

  “Sorry, Mom. Jett sidetracked me.” He held out his arms and wrapped his mother in a huge hug. “Mom, this is Jane Linder and her mother, Mrs. Mitchell.”

  “Hello and welcome. I’m Sarah. My husband, Ben, is out in the orchard already.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Wilder.” Jane immediately liked this friendly woman.

  “Please, call me Sarah. Everyone does.”

  “Then I’m Jane, and my mother is Hildie.”

  Sarah came forward to drape an arm around Mama. “Hildie. What a lovely name.”

  “Why, thank you. It sounds better than Hilda. My daddy gave me the nickname and it stuck.”

  The screen door opened again, and two boys ran out, followed by a slim blond woman balancing a young girl on her hip. The boys ran over to Jett and threw themselves on the dog, who didn’t seem the least bit perturbed by the friendly assault.

  “Where are all the other kids?” the older boy asked. He appeared to be about seven or eight.

  “They’ll be here any minute.” Garrett tousled the boy’s hair. “These are my nephews,” he said to Jane. “This is Kevin, and the younger one is Dale.” He turned slightly as the other woman approached. “This is my sister, Cassie, and this pretty one here”—he plucked the girl from her arms—“is my niece, Amanda, or Mandy, as we call her.” He kissed her cheek and she giggled.

  Jane smiled at Cassie. “Hello, I’m Jane, and this is my mother, Hildie.” Up close, Jane marveled at the woman’s fragile loveliness. With her fair hair, clear skin, and wide gray eyes, she resembled the angel Mama put on top of their Christmas tree each year.

  “Nice to meet you,” Cassie said. “We’re so glad you could come. We welcome any help we can get in the orchard this time of year.”

  Jane laughed. “I only hope the children don’t eat more apples than they pick.”

  The sound of an engine rumbled up the lane.

  “Speaking of children,” Jane said, “that must be them now.”

  The bus appeared over a slight hill, and as soon as it stopped, the doors opened and a harried-looking Miss Channing got off with the other aide, Miss Tate, right behind her.

  Miss Tate immediately took charge. “Children, you may get off and line up beside the bus.”

  Amid whoops of laughter, the youngsters all poured out, spilling out like apples from an overturned barrel.

  Jane immediately picked out Martin, who stared wide-eyed at his surroundings, a look of awe on his face. The moment he spied Jett, he shot forward, stopping in front of Garrett.

  “Is this your dog, Mr. Wilder?”

  Garrett placed a hand on the dog’s head, keeping him from jumping toward Martin. “Yes. This is Jett.”

  “Can I pet him?” The pleading expression on the boy’s face tore at Jane’s careful composure. Martin should be living in a home with a family and his own dog to love.

  “Sure. A quick pat and then you have to join the others.”

  “Yes, sir.” Martin knelt down and stroked the dog’s head.

  Jett’s tongue lolled out in apparent bliss.

  “Martin,” Miss Tate called. “Get in line, please.”

  The boy rubbed Jett’s ears one more time, then hurried back.

  Once the children had come to order, Jane addressed them. “Good morning, everyone. This is Mr. Wilder’s family farm. While you’re here, I expect you to obey his instructions and stay where you’re told to go. We want this to be a fun day for everyone. Now, I’ll let Mr. Wilder explain what will happen next.”

  Garrett came over to stand beside her. She couldn’t help but notice how relaxed he seemed, clearly in his element. He’d taken off his jacket, and underneath he wore a blue plaid shirt that complemented dark pants and work boots. Standing with his hands on his hips, he exuded confidence and masculinity.

  “I hope you’re looking forward to picking some apples,” he said to the kids. “I’ll give you a quick lesson once we get there. There are a couple of rules you’ll need to follow. Stay with your group, no climbing the trees, and only use a ladder if an adult says you may.” He clapped his hands together. “Who’s ready for a hayride?”

  Jane raised her hand along with all the kids.

  Garrett turned to her with a wink. “All right, then. I’ll find my dad and we can get going.”

  With his father at the wheel of the tractor, Garrett inspected the group of kids on the wagon and made sure they were all safely seated.

  “All set, Dad,” he called.

  “Aren’t you coming?” Jane frowned at him.

  It appeared she’d saved him a spot beside her. A very cozy spot indeed.

  “I prefer to walk. But I’ll catch up with you in the orchard.”

  He tried not to let the confusion on Jane’s face worry him as he walked beside the wagon. In all likelihood, she would press him with questions once they got there, but he had his answer prepared. One that didn’t go into details as to why the jarring of the tractor ride was not an option for him. No one except Cassie and his parents knew the severity of his war injury. At first, he hadn’t wanted to upset his parents with the truth of his situation, knowing they’d only coddle him. But in the end, he’d had to explain why he couldn’t shoulder the bulk of the farmwork anymore.

  Garrett shook off the negative thoughts and focused on the children. As he’d hoped, they appeared to be having a ball. Some of the younger ones were huddled on the hay in the middle of the wagon, while the older boys swung their legs off the edge, hooting every time Dad turned a corner. Jane and her mother sat together, smiling widely as they scanned the scenery.

  It was the perfect day for apple picking. The sun provided enough warmth to make a jacket unnecessary, and every now and then, a light breeze picked up, bringing with it the scent of ripe apples and fresh hay.

  The tractor passed several rows of trees until they came to the area where they would be picking. His father cut the engine and jumped to the ground.

  “Okay, folks, hop down and gather over by that first tree. Garrett will fill you in on what’s next.”

  “Thank you for the ride, Mr. Wilder,” one of the kids said.

  “You’re welcome. My family is happy to have you here. We don’t even mind if you snack on the apples while you pick.” Dad winked at the kids, who laughed.

  Garrett waited until the group was assembled by the tree. “All right, everyone. Today we’ll be picking McIntosh apples, my personal favorite. I’m going to let Miss Tate divide you into four groups, and we’ll get started. Cassie, you and the kids can join whichever group you wish.”

  Once they were organized, Garrett gave them
a quick lesson in how to tell a ripe apple from ones that weren’t ready to be harvested. He provided them with bushel baskets and taught them how to place the apples gently inside so as not to bruise them.

  “Pick as much ripe fruit off each tree as you can before moving to the next,” he instructed. “If you see apples that are too high, ask an adult to get them for you. Never reach too far. An apple isn’t worth the risk of falling and hurting yourself.” He paused. “Any questions?”

  Murmurs of “no, sir” met his ears.

  “Let’s get started. Remember, at the end we’ll see which team has picked the most baskets. There could be a prize involved.”

  More whoops of glee followed.

  Garrett assigned each group to its own row of trees. Then, once he was sure each of the adult supervisors had everything in hand, he found himself gravitating toward Jane and her young charges. He wasn’t surprised to find Martin with her, along with Denise. Another boy and girl, who looked to be about ten and twelve, rounded out the group. They had placed their basket at the base of the tree trunk and were chatting and laughing, comparing the size of their apples before depositing them in the container. Garrett chuckled to himself. At this rate, they’d be lucky to get two bushels by lunchtime. But as long as they had a good time, that was the only thing that mattered.

  Jane was standing on her tippy-toes, reaching for some of the higher clusters, her expression intent. Once she tugged the large bunch off the branch, her whole face brightened. “Gotcha.” She pulled off the extraneous leaves and placed the fruit in the basket.

  When she straightened and saw him watching her, a flush infused her cheeks.

  “I think you missed your calling in life,” he teased.

  She laughed. “I never knew picking apples could be this much fun.” She rubbed a piece of fruit on her pants until the skin shone and then bit into it. Her eyes closed as she chewed. “That’s the best apple I’ve ever tasted.” When she opened her eyes again, tiny specks of gold sparkled in their depths.

  He’d never seen this side of her. She seemed so at ease . . . so full of life . . . so beautiful.