Love Finds You in Groom, Texas (19 page)

“I see.” Anne smiled.

“Well, if you’re coming to Dallas, you really must look me up. I am on several committees and always out and about. Here, let me give you my number so you can ring me when you arrive.”

“That would be wonderful.” Suddenly Anne felt her tensions about moving to Dallas lift a bit. If this wonderful woman lived there, perhaps they really could be friends.

She took the slip of paper Cornelia gave her and pressed it into her pocket. “I must be honest and say that I haven’t been looking forward to living in Dallas. I’m going to miss Colorado so much.”

“Oh, Colorado is a magnificent place. I’ve visited there on a couple of occasions. But I think you’ll find that Dallas is teeming with every good thing—theater, restaurants, even the opera. Why, we have access to some of the best stores in the country.”

Anne flinched at her words. They reminded her too much of her former life. “I’m not sure I’ll be seeing many of those things. My situation has changed a great deal over the past few months, and luxuries…well, they’re a thing of the past.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Anne. Still, you will love Dallas. We have the prettiest parks and several lakes. And folks in Dallas are wellconnected. We have the best railroad station in the South, if I do say so myself.” She paused and gazed into Anne’s eyes. “Tell me why you’re not looking forward to your stay in Dallas. Does it have something to do with this relative of yours?”

Anne realized she had laid her secret bare. She nodded. “He’s a prominent businessman. He runs a department store, I believe.”

This seemed to get Cornelia’s attention. She sat on the edge of the bed. “Oh? And what might his name be?”

“Bertrand Denning.”

At this news, Cornelia very nearly toppled from the bed. As she clutched the quilt, her hand began to tremble. “Bert Denning is your uncle?”

“Yes.”
But I’ve never heard anyone refer to him as Bert before.

“Well, if that doesn’t beat all.” Cornelia rose and paced the room. She finally paused long enough to say something. “I’ve known Bert for years. Simply years. Our paths have crossed at many social functions.”

Anne could hardly believe her good fortune. “I can’t believe it! Well, maybe you can tell me more about him. I know nothing about his home or anything. And we’ve all found it strange that he’s never married.” Anne shrugged. “We’ve always wondered about that. Though he does have a bit of a nasty disposition, so I can see how a woman would be put off by him.”

“Is it getting warm in here?” Cornelia rose and paced the room. “Feels like it. I should open these windows.”

“It’s not too bad.” Anne shrugged. “Anyway, I think it’s wonderful that you know him. Maybe you can advise me on how to deal with him.”

“Deal with him?” Cornelia turned back to her. “He needs dealing with?”

“Well, he’s such a sour old grump, and I’m going to be living with him.”

“Oh, I see.” The edges of Cornelia’s lips turned up. “So that’s the plan. You and your sisters were on your way to live with the sour old grump when life sent you on a little detour.”

“Yes, that’s it. Not that we want to be going to Uncle Bertrand’s house, I assure you, but we have no choice. But now that I know you’ll be nearby, maybe it won’t be so awful. Especially if you know him. Maybe you could come over and—”

“I won’t be coming over, honey.” Cornelia sat and took Anne’s hand. “That won’t happen. But I will be nearby, if you need a female to talk to. You can always come to me.”

Anne stopped cold at that last revelation. Clearly something had transpired between Uncle Bertrand and Cornelia Witherspoon. But what?

One thing she could no longer deny—there was more to her uncle than she’d known till now. Hmm. Better not let Emily find out. She’d turn his story into a book—likely one he wouldn’t much care to read.

Chapter Fourteen

Tired of living in the frigid North or humid South? The Texas Panhandle, with its temperate climate, is the perfect compromise. Sure, we have our share of moderate winter snows, but they are beautifully balanced by warm, lazy summer days with low humidity. Springtime is beautiful here, with light showers watering the foliage. And our autumns can’t be beat. Best of all, sunny skies prevail year-round. If you love the sunlight—and bright, cheerful smiles from your neighbors— the Panhandle is the place for you. —
“Tex” Morgan, reporting for the
Panhandle Primer

On Tuesday morning, Anne and Maggie met Virginia at the church.

“I just love it in here,” Anne said as she made her way up the center aisle. “It’s so quaint.”

“Yes, small-town churches are likely quite different from the one you attended in Denver.” Maggie paused to run her hand over the back of a pew. “Oh, but I do love it here. The Lord has spoken to my heart on many occasions in this place, so I will always cherish it.”

“There’s no comparison between the buildings,” Anne said. “But I do think I like this best. I certainly prefer the message I heard on Sunday.”

“I’ve been hoping and praying the town would grow so that I could see an influx of children for our Sunday school program,” Virginia said. “It would be wonderful to think of a way to bring in more tourists.” She offered Anne a smile. “You’re the creative one. Maybe you could come up with some ideas.”

“Yes, that’s a wonderful idea,” Maggie said.

“If only I had the time. I’ll be leaving soon, you know.”

“True.” Virginia’s expression shifted to one of sadness. “I keep forgetting that. It seems like we’ve known each other for years and that we’ll go on being friends for a lifetime.”

I would love that.

Anne startled to attention. “Well, let’s get busy talking about your wedding.”

A concerned look crossed Virginia’s face. “I don’t know what’s keeping Amaryllis. She was supposed to join us but wanted to stop off in town at the store first.”

“She can add her thoughts when she arrives.” Anne took a seat on the front pew and reached for her writing tablet. “Virginia, tell me about your dream wedding. What have you always longed for?”

“Oh, everything you’ve already suggested.”

“But what else? What’s missing?”

“Hmm.” Virginia paused. “Up in New York, of course, there would have been a lovely dance afterward. The bride and groom would have a special dance together—and the father of the bride would have a dance with the bride as well.”

“I’ve seen this done in Denver. It’s quite touching. But how do folks in these parts feel about dancing? Is it allowed?”

“I’ve danced a jig or two in my day.” Maggie kicked up her heels, and the girls laughed. “Why, when I was a young filly, my papa used to play the fiddle and we’d dance all over the place. My oh my, but these feet could move!”

“Do you suppose the reverend would allow a dance to take place at the church?” Virginia looked plenty unsure.

“If it’s on the lawn, I can’t see that he would mind.” Maggie gave her a little wink. “You just leave that part to me. Bets will have a fit, of course. She doesn’t believe in dancing.” Maggie began to chuckle. “I daresay a little dancing might just set her free. Loosen up her joints. Get her back to living once again.”

“Get who back to living once again?”

Anne turned, stunned to see Bets standing behind them at the back of the sanctuary.

“Um, well, I…” Maggie ran her fingers through her always-messy hair. “Life is for the living, Bets. That’s all I’ve got to say about it.”

“Humph.” Bets marched up the aisle toward them, her mission clear.

Maggie squared her shoulders and stared her sister down. “The girls are putting together plans for the wedding and they’re talking about hosting a little dance on the church lawn afterward. Doesn’t that sound lovely?”

“Lovely?” Bets began to fan herself. “Dancing is sinful, just like that loud piano playing we have to tolerate every Sunday, which is exactly why I’ve come to speak to the reverend. Figured it’s about time I gave him a piece of my mind.”

“Don’t give him too much of it,” Maggie said. “Or there might not be enough left for levelheaded thinking.”

Anne bit back the laugh that threatened to erupt.

“Maggie!” Bets’s face turned red. “Apologize at once.”

“I don’t see the point in apologizing for speaking the truth. And as for your comments about the music, I daresay the Bible has a lot to say about offering up musical praises to the Lord.”

“Perhaps, though a bit quieter would be better.”

Maggie placed her hands on her hips. “I suppose someone forgot to tell King David that dancing is sinful. I recall reading a biblical passage just yesterday about how he danced and praised the Lord when the ark was returned to Jerusalem. He found it cause for celebration. And we find Virginia and Cody’s marriage cause for celebration too, which is why we plan to ask for permission for a dance after the ceremony.”

Bets shook her head. “There will be no dancing on the church grounds. The reverend won’t allow it. And if he dares to defy me on this…”

“You’ll what?” Maggie took a step closer. “You’ll ruin a perfectly lovely wedding? Why can’t you just relax and enjoy life, Bets? Why do you always have to be so cranky?”

“I’m not cranky. I’m just practical. Someone has to be. There are rules to be followed, you know. Not that you’ve ever followed one, but good folks do.”

“Cranky folks press their ridiculous rules on others and weigh them down.” Maggie shook her head. “I understand rules. But I also understand that there’s a time to celebrate. And a wedding is the perfect opportunity to kick up your heels, make merry. How are we ever going to know how to celebrate in heaven if we don’t practice here?” She began to dance a little jig, and within seconds Bets was fanning herself again.

“Merciful heavens, Maggie. How you do go on. You’ve always been such a free-spirited thing. If Mama had lived to see one of her daughters kicking up her heels in the house of God…”

“She would have joined in the dance.” Maggie stopped and stared her sister down. “And you’ll be better off if you just relax those rules you’ve created in your head and join in the dance as well.”

“I’ll go to my grave with holy feet.” Bets crossed her arms at her chest. “They will walk undefiled into heaven.”

“Not mine.” Maggie started to dance once more. “Mine are going to dance their way past those pearly gates, even if it means I have to baptize ’em on the way in. And I feel certain Saint Peter will join me in the dance. In fact, he’s probably up there with his toes tapping right now.”

“Heathen words.” Bets shook her finger in Maggie’s face. “You will not have your way on this, Maggie. And these girls…” She turned to Anne, squaring off, face-to-face. “They might be young, but they’re not going to bring in these kinds of changes. Groom is a respectable place, and respectable people don’t dance.”

Maggie did a little jig in the aisle.

Anne drew in a deep breath, knowing she now had to face Bets on her own.

“Listen here, young lady.” Bets stood so close, Anne could feel the woman’s breath on her cheek. “You might do things differently in the big city, but we’re a bit more dignified here. So you can take your ideas and you can…”

“Betsy Ann, you bite that tongue. Don’t say another word to that wonderful young lady. She’s done nothing but help.” Anne and Bets both turned as Leo’s voice sounded from the back of the sanctuary. He took long strides up the aisle toward them. “And another thing.” He narrowed his gaze. “I say it wouldn’t kill us to change a few things around here. Just because we’ve always done things a certain way doesn’t mean it’s the right way.”

“But…”

He paused and gazed into her eyes. “Besides, I remember a time not so many years ago when you would run into my arms for a waltz around the room. What happened to that girl? Where is she now?”

Bets’s eyes filled with tears. She shook her head, and her gaze shifted to the ground. “That was a lifetime ago, Leo. Things are different now. I’m different now.”

“Well, it’s a pity. And I said our lives could stand a bit of shaking.” He pointed at Anne, who felt a little shiver run down her spine. “If having this young woman in Groom has caused you to quiver a little, all the better. I say more power to her.”

Anne tried not to let the edges of her lips turn up, but inside her heart was singing. Looked like Uncle Leo had waited awhile to speak his mind, but now that he’d opened this can of worms, Aunt Bets seemed determined to avoid them. She hiked her skirt, turned on her heel, and stormed down the aisle, muttering something about men.

“Don’t fret over her, ladies,” Leo said with a curt nod. “You just leave her to me. Things are going to be different around here from now on.
I’m
going to be different.”

Maggie let out a raucous “Praise God” and kept on dancing.

Virginia gave him a hug. “Oh, thank you so much. I’ve been so worried about what she would think and the influence she might have on others.”

“Well, worry no more. You just enjoy your big day. It only comes around once.” He sighed and mumbled, “Then you have to live with that person for the rest of your mortal life,” as he headed down the aisle.

“She reminds me so much of my uncle Bertrand.” Anne plopped onto the front pew and wiped away the beads of sweat on her forehead. “Always in such a bad mood. I’ve never understood it. Why do some people feel like they’ve got to bring everyone else down? It’s so unkind.”