Annie Mae fluffed her hair one more time. A waste of time, actually. She couldn’t go to the moving pictures with Jonathan. Who would watch Robby and Lulu? Pa wasn’t coming home until at least tomorrow.
She plopped on the bed. What was she thinking? She’d vowed to never get married. So why contemplate a date with Jonathan? Ugh. Because she was rethinking her decision, that’s why. Pa was right. It was time to let the worry go and let God handle things. He was way more capable than she. Perhaps marriage and a family of her own weren’t such far-fetched ideas after all.
She giggled, clasped her hands against her chest, and fell back onto the mattress. Oh, she loved moving pictures. She’d find a way to have her brother and sister cared for while she indulged in a rare treat. Still, it wouldn’t do to fawn over Jonathan too much. Not until she knew for certain that living on her parents’ farm wasn’t what God intended her to do with her life. It wouldn’t be fair to spawn hope in Jonathan’s heart until she was sure.
The breeze ruffling her bedroom curtains cooled, signaling that late afternoon had arrived. Which meant Jonathan would be there soon, and she had yet to put supper on the stove. She shoved off the bed and thundered to the kitchen. Leftover soup and fresh bread, baked that morning, would fill their bellies.
“Supper!” she yelled out the back door.
“Am I invited?” Jonathan entered through the front door, his sister on his heels. “I brought Suzanne to watch the young’uns while we go on our date.”
The man thought of everything. “There’s plenty of soup. Have a seat.” Thank goodness she’d baked bread that morning. The soup was intended to stretch into tomorrow, but she’d figure something else out. Mama said to never turn away a friend from your table.
“Do you like musicals?” Jonathan asked, taking a seat at the table. “The tickets are for Chasing Rainbows.”
“Oh, I’ve wanted to see that.”
“Ma sent this.” Suzanne handed her a bowl of noodles and cheese.
“Thank you.” The Lord made sure they had enough food for company. She set the dish on the table as her siblings entered the house, sounding like two bulls charging through a glass house. “Wash up and sit down, quietly. The movie is a telling of life backstage for a vaudeville performer, right?”
Jonathan nodded, dishing soup into bowls. “I’ve heard good things about the show.”
She froze as a picture of the two of them, in a kitchen of their own, surrounded by children, appeared in her mind. The scene was very much like the one in front of her, only the children looked like her and Jonathan. She gulped and busied herself in the icebox, using the cool air to soothe her flaming cheeks.
By the time supper was finished and the two girls were doing the dishes, Annie Mae had worked herself into an internal frenzy. Jonathan laughed and joked with the children, sending her an occasional wink and heart-stopping grin until she didn’t know whether to plead a headache or enjoy the attention.
Attention and movie won out, despite her reservations.
Jonathan opened the passenger door to his truck, revealing a rectangular box of chocolates. “Sweets for a sweet gal.”
Lordy, things were moving fast. She put her hands to her cheeks. “I … oh, Jonathan.” Tears stung her eyes. “I haven’t made up my mind about … us.”
“I’m in no hurry.” He waited until she was inside, then closed the door. Once he was inside, he spoke again. “God knows your heart, Annie Mae, and mine. You’ve cared for me since you were a little girl. I’ve seen it in your eyes.”
“I’ve been so cruel to you.” She focused on the unopened box on the dashboard. “I’ve blamed you for everything that’s happened to me that was out of my control. Marcus. My quilt. Daisy, the pageant.”
“I know.” He started the ignition.
She cut him a sideways glance. “Yet, you persist when most men would have given up.”
He gave a crooked grin. “You’ll come to your senses eventually.”
She studied his profile as he drove. What made this handsome man heap attentions on a girl reluctant to accept them? She’d had few suitors in her life, choosing instead to stay home and help her parents. Had she really been so misguided in thinking they needed her as much as she thought they did? What would it be like to be more concerned with new fashions and eligible men, like the other single girls in Rabbit Hollow? Maybe it was time she found out.
Jonathan felt Annie Mae’s softening in the lines of her shoulders and the relaxation of her hand. Ma had told him to give her time, and he intended to, but not until after the show. He’d won the tickets at the fair, a surprise prize, and didn’t intend to let them go to waste.
He parked in the theater parking lot then hurried to open Annie Mae’s door. He intended to treat her like a princess that evening, kiss her good night whether she wanted him to or not, then leave her alone until she came to him. For however long that took, he would wait.
The pink dress she wore fluttered around her knees as he escorted her inside, drawing the attention of several men lounging in the foyer. He glared at them, putting his hand protectively on the small of her back, catching a whiff of rose-scented toilet water. He prayed it didn’t take her long to make up her mind. For the first time, the idea of her choosing someone else threatened his peace of mind. If she decided that staying on the farm wasn’t something she wanted after all, she might accept courtship from others. If she did, what could a hog farmer have to offer that the others couldn’t? He eyed the men’s suits then his brown woolen pants, and rushed Annie Mae to their seats.
“Would you like some popcorn? Candy? A soda?” He mentally counted the coins in his pocket.
“I’m fine, thank you.”
He sat next to her, wanting to put his arm around and pull her close. Instead, he kept his hands in his lap.
“I haven’t been to the movies in a long time,” she said, smiling. “Thank you. This is a real treat.”
“There’s no one else I wanted to bring.” He stretched his legs under the seat in front of him then drew them back up. He needed something to do with his hands. “I think I will get some popcorn.” He bolted to his feet and up the aisle.
What was wrong with him? He’d known Annie Mae for most of his life. Why was he acting like a nervous schoolboy?
“Who’s the looker you came in with?” One of the men from the foyer, a college student from the looks of him, leaned against the refreshment stand. “I haven’t seen her around here before.”
“She isn’t from around here.”
“Where’s she from?”
“I’d rather not say.” Jonathan placed his order, paid the cashier, and turned to leave.
The man smirked. “Is she your girl?”
“Not yet, but she’s going to be.”
“So, she’s fair game for now.”
Jonathan gritted his teeth. “I suppose.” He marched back to his seat, offering the popcorn to Annie Mae.
She took a few pieces and popped them in her mouth as the lights dimmed and the curtain rose. Seconds later, her soft laughter warmed his heart as she enjoyed the short cartoon preceding the show. The fact that he could take her away from her worries, even if only for a few hours, filled him with immense joy. He wanted to ease her cares for the rest of his life.
Raucous laughter exploded behind them, followed by rude comments. Annie Mae started to turn until Jonathan put a hand on her arm, stopping her. “Ignore them.”
She scowled. “They’re making it difficult.”
“They want your attention.”
“For heaven’s sake, why?”
“One of them likes you.”
“They’re acting like children.” She stiffened and focused her attention on the screen as the main attraction started.
“Pretty lady, come sit with me.” The man behind them leaned over the seat.
“No, thank you.”
“You heard her. She’s not interested.” Jonathan put his arm around Annie Mae. Maybe not the way he’d wanted to get closer to her, but if he could get the man to leave her alone, he’d find another way to make a tender gesture that had nothing to do with an arrogant jerk.
“Please stop kicking my seat.” Annie Mae turned to glare.
The man leered at her. “I will if you sit next to me.”
“You’ve been drinking! Jonathan, can you smell the whiskey? Let me have your soda, please.”
He handed it over.
Annie Mae stood and promptly upended the drink on the fool’s head. “Oops. My apologies. I guess you’ll need to leave now.”
The man said a few choice words and stormed from the theater.
Annie Mae laughed and resumed her seat, handing Jonathan the empty cup. “That felt wonderful. Let’s watch the show.”
That was the most amazing thing he’d ever seen her do. For the first time in a long time, he’d caught a glimpse of the Annie Mae not weighed down by the responsibility she heaped on herself. This time, he put his arm around her and pulled her close out of admiration and affection.
After the rest of the movie passed without incident, Jonathan stood and offered his hand to help Annie Mae from her seat. Keeping her hand in his, and a wary eye out for a lurking man covered with soda, he led her to the truck.
On the drive home, Annie Mae opened the box of chocolates and offered him one. “The movie was wonderful.”
He opened his mouth and she popped the candy in.
“I enjoyed it. Thank you for coming with me. You were amazing, by the way.”
“You mean the jerk behind us? Marcus taught me how to take care of myself. He said if a man didn’t treat me like a lady, then I shouldn’t treat him like a gentleman. Sorry about your soda.”
“From the grin on your face, I don’t think you’re very sorry at all.”
“It was the best thing I could think of.” She sighed. “Do you think this is how the city folks live? Going to the theater on a regular basis? I could go every night.”
“Then it wouldn’t be as special.”
When they arrived at her house, he was relieved that none of the children were waiting on the porch. He helped Annie Mae from the truck then put his hands on her shoulders. “I’m going to kiss you now.”
Her eyes widened.
“I hope you won’t slap me, but I’m betting it would be worth it.”
“I won’t slap you,” she whispered.
He lowered his head, kissing her with all the tenderness in his heart, before pulling back. “Now, I’m going to respect your wishes and give you time. Good night, Annie Mae.” He climbed into the truck and drove away, praying he hadn’t just made the biggest mistake of his life.