Goodness. First she walks in to Jonathan’s sister saying he wanted to marry her, then he asks her for permission to court her. What was going on in that handsome head of his?
She studied his solemn face. “I don’t think it’s the right time for this discussion.”
“Perhaps not.” He shook his head. “But, with my family’s future so uncertain, I’d like to finalize any plans that I can.” He glanced up, his eyes bloodshot. “We’ve known each other since we were children. We’ve grown up half a mile apart. I know everything there is to know about you, Annie Mae.”
She doubted he knew how selfish she could be, how insecure she was, or how desperately she wanted to make a difference and save her family from worry. Could Jonathan’s proposal be an answer to prayer? She shook her head. She wanted to marry for love.
“Does that mean no?” He took her hand in his. “Won’t you even consider me?”
“We can talk about that later. Right now, I’m here to help you through this hard time.” She got to her feet and headed for the kitchen where dishes waited. She filled the sink with water and soap. The repetition of washing and the clean smell of the soap helped diminish some of the disappointments of the fair and worry of the Mercer family.
In the background, Jonathan murmured to his family, doing his best to console them, most likely. The man truly did have a kind heart. She exhaled sharply. It wasn’t his fault she came in second place in both competitions. Two red ribbons brought in almost as much money as one blue one. And … there were always the offers to purchase Daisy.
With the dishes complete, she set bread to rise before stepping out the back door and sitting on the top step. Stars glittered like diamonds on a velvet background. Such a beautiful evening for such a tragedy to have occurred. She couldn’t imagine being in Jonathan’s shoes. Her pa was her world.
“Walk with me?” Jonathan came around the corner of the house and held out his hand.
“Sure, if it will make you feel better.”
“It will.”
She slipped her hand into his work-roughened one. Their arms swung as he led her down a path and into the thick stand of trees behind their property. “Where are we going?”
“I want to show you my special place. The place I shared with Marcus.”
Her heart hitched. “Why?”
“My pa told me the other day he thought he would die soon. Said his heart had been fluttering in a strange way, and made me promise not to tell Ma because he didn’t want to live his last days as an invalid.” He stopped and stared down at her. “His death was no surprise. Marcus’s was a surprise to us both. I want to share with you something that meant a lot to him … to me.”
They stopped in front of a giant oak tree. With the help of the moonlight, she could make out a platform nestled where several thick branches met. “This is your thinking place.”
“Marcus and I made many a dream here.” He pulled her close, slipping his arm around her shoulders. “We were young when I promised him to always look after you. It was as if he knew God would take him home early.”
She pulled free of his embrace. “No one could know that. His death was an accident. He shouldn’t have gone hunting that morning. The fog was too thick. I begged him not to go.” She glared. He should have been there. Marcus would have listened to him.
As if he could read her mind, he flinched. “My being there might not have made a difference. Still, you can’t blame me more than I blame myself.”
Guilt over her childish and unfair behavior filled her. “I’m sorry.” She swallowed past a painful throat. “You don’t need this right now. Let’s talk of happy times.”
“Will you be back tomorrow?”
She nodded. “Every day for a few hours for as long as I’m needed.”
“Then tomorrow we’ll climb up there and think of happy times, just as you wish.” He held out his hand again.
She gave him a trembling smile and accepted his hand as a truce. If they could become close friends, despite the sorrow between them, she’d be satisfied until the end of her days. As time progressed and her responsibilities at home became heavier, she could use a friend like Jonathan.
When they returned to the house, she made sure the bread was ready for Mrs. Mercer to bake, glanced around for any last-minute items to take care of, then headed out the door with promises to return midmorning.
“Let me take you home.”
“It’s a short distance, Jonathan. I’ll be fine.”
“It’s dark. I can’t let you walk alone.” He fell in step beside her. “Besides, the walk back will give me time with my thoughts.”
“Who am I to deny you that?” Despite her feelings that he should have done something to keep Marcus from dying, as ridiculous as that sounded, even to her, she found herself enjoying the time they spent together.
After a restless night, Jonathan climbed out of bed and woke his younger brother. “Chores await, my young man. Up and at ’em.”
Eric groaned. “Let me sleep. My head hurts.”
“That’s from mourning. Pa wouldn’t want us to lie in bed all day. Not when there is work to be done.”
“Pa isn’t here.” The sadness in his brother’s voice ripped at Jonathan’s heart.
“That’s no reason to shirk our duties.” Jonathan yanked the blankets off the bed. “Five minutes. That’s all you get.”
He banged on his sister’s door on his way to the kitchen and was pleased to see her already helping Ma with breakfast. “Make a list of what needs done today. Between us five and Annie Mae, we’ll get it done.”
“I need to go into town and make arrangements for the funeral,” Ma said, her shoulders slumping. “We can do that first thing and be back before Annie Mae arrives.”
“I’ll drive you as soon as I’ve fed the livestock. Suzanne, the cow needs milked.”
“Done.” She placed plates on the table. “And I’ve collected the eggs. You don’t need to look over my shoulder, Jonathan. I know what to do.”
He kissed her cheek. “Bless you.”
By the time the chores and the unpleasant task of making final arrangements were done, Jonathan and his mother arrived home to see Annie Mae almost finished making sandwiches out of the fresh bread.
“It isn’t much,” she said. “Egg and tomato, but it will fill your bellies.”
“It’s enough. Thank you.” He hung his hat on a rack by the door, looking forward to alone time spent with Annie Mae in the tree house. Persistence would win over her reluctant heart. She’d followed him around once like a love-struck puppy; he could get her to feel that way again. He grinned. The puppies. “I have a surprise for you.”
Her face lit up. “Really? Flowers?”
“No. Better.”
“You’ve piqued my curiosity. Let’s eat so you can show me.” She set a pitcher of milk on the table, called out the back door for Eric, and waited until the Mercer family was seated before taking a seat herself.
Jonathan led them in a short prayer of thanksgiving, missing his pa more than ever, then picked up his sandwich. “The funeral will be tomorrow. The pastor is going to get the word out to the community.”
“Tomorrow night is when they hand out the prizes and officially close the fair.” Annie Mae sipped her milk. “Will you be up to it?”
He winked at her. “Trying to steal my blue ribbon?”
“Seriously? You know me better than that. I’m through pouting over my loss, thank you very much.”
“Stop teasing, son. Annie Mae is kind enough to help us for a few days. You’ll run her off.” Ma patted his hand. “Eat, so you can go. Suzanne and I will clean up.”
He met Annie Mae’s shy gaze across the table. “Pa would have liked getting to know you better.”
High spots of rose colored her cheeks. “I feel the same.” She gave him a sad smile. “I’m ready to go if you are.” She dabbed at the corners of her lips with her napkin.
He stood and pulled out her chair. Having her around helped him feel better. How was he going to cope when she no longer came each day?
“Are we going to the tree house?” Annie Mae asked when they stepped outside. “I wore trousers under my dress and want to hear all your secrets.” Her lips twitched.
“We will, but first …” He took her hand and pulled her along to the barn.
She laughed behind him as they entered the doorway, the sound like water trickling over rocks in a mountain stream. When he was with her, he could almost forget the trials of the last few weeks.
“Oh, Jonathan. Puppies.” She fell to her knees in the straw next to the litter. “They’re adorable.” She picked up a black-and-white female, rubbing her cheek along its soft fur.
“It’s yours. A thank-you for all you’ve done for us.”
“I haven’t done anything more than any good neighbor would.” She returned the pup to its littermates. “It’s another mouth to feed. I can’t accept it.”
“Think of your brother and sister.” He was willing to play dirty if he had to. He knew she couldn’t resist making Robby and Lulu happy. “Dogs earn their keep. I won’t take no for an answer.”
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?