Lillian walked into the house in time to see her parents pretending they weren’t spying from the front window. “Before you say a word, yes, I did get a ride home in William Tronnier’s automobile.”
“Be careful, Lil,” her daddy warned. “I’m sure he’s a very nice man, but people like him…well, they have different expectations.”
“I don’t want you to get hurt,” Mama added. “I have no idea why he’s giving you all this attention, but it can’t be good.”
Her mama had stepped over the line with her last comment. Lillian spun around to face her. “Why do you say it can’t be good? You don’t think he’s merely a nice man who wants to do a girl a favor?”
Mama and Daddy exchanged a knowing glance before Mama took her by the arm and led her to the sofa. Daddy disappeared to another part of the tiny house. “There are some things that you learn from experience. I was once courted by a young man of means. I thought he liked me for who I was, but he just saw me as a temporary diversion between more suitable young women.”
“That was a long time ago, Mama. Besides, a couple of rides home in an automobile don’t constitute courting.”
Her mama lifted a finger in the way that annoyed Lillian. “Mark my words. Either he feels sorry for you or he wants something a girl from his social class won’t give him.”
“Mama!”
“I know it sounds harsh, but it’s better to learn this now than to find out later the hard way.”
Daddy reappeared at the doorway. “When’s supper going to be ready? I’m starving.”
Mama hopped off the sofa and scurried toward the kitchen, her voice trailing her as she went. “It’ll be ready in two shakes of a bunny’s tail.”
Lillian rose and started to follow, but Daddy stopped her. “Your mama is just trying to protect you. She knows what it’s like to be a young girl with a broken heart.”
“You didn’t break her heart,” Lillian reminded him.
“No, but I was right there after it happened.” He offered a self-satisfied grin. “In fact, when I saw her in distress, I swooped down and claimed her for me. I was glad to do it, too. I couldn’t have found a better woman, even if I’d gone looking in the upper class.”
“Daddy, that’s all good, but this has nothing to do with looking for someone.” Why couldn’t her parents get it through their heads that she and William Tronnier were not seeing each other?
“Speaking of looking for someone, what’s wrong with Walter Adams? He’s a hardworking man, and he would be better suited for you.” Daddy rubbed his chin as he pondered his suggestion. “In fact, I think he’d be very understanding about you working.”
Walter Adams didn’t have a gentlemanly bone in his body. “I’m not interested in Walter.”
“He might not be as handsome as Mr. Tronnier, but you should look past all that. If you’d like, we can invite him over one evening so you can get to know him better.”
“No, Daddy, I’ve known Walter long enough to know that he’s not a good match for me. Besides, I can’t see myself ever wanting to be with Walter.”
“Don’t say no so fast, Lillian. Age tends to advance quickly, and as the years go by, you may not have the luxury of being so picky.”
The next morning, Mama entered Lillian’s bedroom and swished open the curtain. “Time to get up and ready for church. I’m ringing bells, so I have to be there early for our final rehearsal.”
Lillian slowly sat up in bed. She felt as if she’d been hit by a steam locomotive. “Where’s Daddy? Is he ready yet?”
Mama laughed. “He’s still sawing some Z’s. Give him another five minutes before you try to get him up. Ever since it’s cooled off at night, he’s been more difficult to wake up. Maybe if I yank the blanket off the bed and hide it, he’ll be more agreeable to join the land of the living.”
Lillian watched Mama leave for church before she stood and pulled on her own robe. At least Mama had made the coffee. She poured herself a cup and sat down at the table to enjoy a couple of sips before making an attempt to wake Daddy.
She was about to go get him up when she heard the sound of movement in the hallway. When she glanced up, she saw him trudging toward her. “Where’s your mama? Has she already gone off to church?”
Lillian nodded. “Want some coffee?”
“Sure.” He limped toward the table.
“Are you hurting?” she asked as she poured the coffee and added cream and sugar.
“A little.” He rubbed his leg. “Sometimes I can almost kid myself into thinking I might be able to go back to work someday, but then on days like this, I wake up feeling like it happened yesterday.”
Lillian knew there was no point in getting her hopes up about Daddy going back to work. The doctor had said he’d never be able to hold a job that required any standing or walking for long periods of time, and that was the only type of work Daddy knew how to do.
“I’d get a job at the bank if they’d hire me, but you know how it is. All those jobs are held by relatives and friends of the old bankers.”
She offered him a look of sympathy as she set the coffee cup in front of him. “Eggs?” There were two eggs in a small bowl in the icebox.
He nodded. “Scrambled, if you don’t mind. And some toast. When are you getting paid again?”
“I got paid yesterday,” she replied.
“Good. You can give your mama some money to get some decent food. I’m getting sick of potatoes and onions.”
Lillian was sick of a lot of things, but she didn’t mention it. Instead, she prepared the eggs and toast for her daddy and then served him.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” He shoveled a forkful of eggs into his mouth and watched her as he chewed and swallowed.
“I might fix myself a piece of toast after I get ready for church. Do you feel like going?”
“No, but I’ll go to make your mama happy. She hates when I miss church—especially when she’s ringing bells.”
An hour later, Lillian and her daddy were on their way. Fortunately, their church was only a couple of blocks from their house. A group of people hovered near the door. When she got close enough to see their faces, she spotted someone she never expected to see.
William knew the instant Lillian saw him. Her face lit up with recognition before doubt and distrust covered her like a shield. Her father didn’t seem to know what was happening. He hobbled up the three steps and edged past the few people who stood in his way, while Lillian hung back.
“What are you doing here?” she asked in a loud whisper.
“Same thing as you. Worshipping God.”
“I’ve never seen you here before.” She diverted her gaze. He glanced over his shoulder and saw her father chatting with Walter Adams.
“That’s because I generally attend church with my family,” William replied, pulling her attention back to him. “But I thought—”
“You thought you’d come to this side of the tracks where all the poor people worship God.”
Instead of arguing with her, which he knew would be pointless, William countered her with what he knew was true. “We all worship the same God, so what does it matter?”
She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Walter pulled away from Lillian’s father and approached them.
“Hey there, Lillian,” Walter said in a husky voice, “I’ve been thinking me and you might should get together sometime.”
William pulled back in astonishment. That took some gall.
“It’s very sweet of you to think about me, Walter, but I don’t think our getting together is a good idea.”
Walter now seemed stunned. “But I thought…your daddy…well—”
“Now run along and find a seat near the back, Walter. Those pews are always the first to fill up.”
William had to hand it to Lillian. She sure didn’t pull any punches if she wasn’t interested. Then it dawned on him—she’d never spoken to him like that.
“Would you mind if I sit with you and your father?” he asked.
“Suit yourself.” Lillian barely glanced at him before setting out for the front of the church toward her father.
As they sat down, her father extended his hand. “I would stand, but I have a gimp leg. I’m Frank Pickard.”
“William Tronnier. Pleased to meet you,” William said as he shook Mr. Pickard’s hand. “I don’t expect you to stand. I just thought it would be nice to visit Lillian’s church this morning.”
“It’s a fine church,” Mr. Pickard said as he nudged Lillian. “Isn’t it, Lil?”
“Yes.” Lillian fumbled with her Bible and squirmed in the seat between the men.
Occasionally, William spotted some of the other church members leaning forward and staring at him, until he turned around and met their gazes. All of them offered brief smiles and quickly looked away. Some of them probably knew who he was, but many didn’t. Regardless, he was sure they wondered what he was doing there.
As the pastor preached his sermon, William thought about how similar the service was to his own. His mother was in the bell-ringer group at his own church, and when they started playing a familiar tune, he leaned over and whispered this to Lillian. She gestured for him to be quiet, so he did as he was told.
Finally, when the service was over, William stood and helped both Lillian and her father to their feet. “This was very nice—almost exactly like the service at my church.”
“Only the people at your church dress much smarter, I’m sure,” Lillian blurted.
The instant she said that, her father gave her a stern look. “Where are your manners, Lillian Pickard?”
“That’s all right,” William told Mr. Pickard. “I can’t say I didn’t expect something like that. It’s really my fault, showing up uninvited.”
“Well, the way I was brought up, you should never have to wait to be invited to any church,” Mr. Pickard said. “The Lord’s house is for His believers, no matter who you are.”
“Thank you.” William extended his elbow toward Lillian. “Would you like to go outside?”
“It’s cold out, and I don’t intend to leave this building until it’s time to go home.”
“Oh, that reminds me. I’d like to offer you and your parents a ride home.”
Lillian shook her head. “That isn’t necessary, Mr. Tronnier.”
“William.”
She rolled her eyes and sighed. “William. Like I said, that isn’t necessary. We are perfectly capable of walking home. We do it every week.”
“Your father’s leg…well, I think he might enjoy a ride in this cold weather. And your mother too.”
“That sounds like an excellent idea.” The female voice behind William sparked his attention. It sounded similar to Lillian’s voice, only slightly huskier. He turned around. “Mrs. Pickard?”
“Yes, you must be William Tronnier. I would love a ride home in your automobile. I’ve only ridden in one once, although my husband has been in several.”
William noticed Lillian pulling away, but she didn’t leave. “Then it will be my pleasure to take you all.”
“You can stay for dinner afterward. We’ve been a little lean lately, but I put aside a chicken for Sunday’s meal.”
William was taken aback by her open admission of the family’s lack of food. “I couldn’t…I mean, I’m sorry, but I can’t stay for dinner.” He shuffled his feet. “My mother is expecting me home for our own family meal.”
When he looked over at Lillian, he instantly knew she could see right through him.
“Well, if your mama wants you home for dinner, that’s where you should be,” Mrs. Pickard said. “As soon as my husband finishes chatting with his friends, I’m ready to go home.”
William helped two of the Pickards into his automobile. Lillian resisted any assistance, so he left her to do what she wanted. But he was more determined than ever to get to know her better.
“Oh, this is fun,” Mrs. Pickard said as he pulled away from the church. “Does this thing go very fast?”
“Faster than a horse,” William said. “And I don’t have to worry about it tiring out.”
“One of these days perhaps Frank and I can purchase an automobile.”
Silence fell among the Pickards. William suspected that Mrs. Pickard had a tendency to dream of a future she wasn’t likely to have, and her family appeased her by not arguing.
He pulled up to the front of their cottage, got out of the automobile, and helped the elder Pickards out. “Have a good day, folks. See y’all soon.” He glanced at Lillian, who abruptly turned and stomped toward the front door.
“Lillian!” Her mother ran after her and grabbed her by the arm. “Where are your manners?”
“Oh, sorry.” Lillian squared her shoulders, lifted her chin, and forced a smile. “Thank you for your generosity in giving us a ride home in your fine automobile, Mr. Tronnier.”
He had to stifle a chuckle. Lillian’s pride was hilarious and very attractive.
“I enjoyed driving you.” He waited until the Pickard family was inside their house before taking off for home.
All the way back to the farm, he thought about how to appeal to Lillian. She was an enigma, caught between her pride and her manners.
His parents arrived home right behind him. Mom was the first to hop out of the buggy. “I thought you went into town to spend the day with the Pickards.”
“I thought so too, but my timing might have been off.”
“You did go to church, didn’t you, son?” Pop asked.
“Yes, of course. It was a very nice sermon.”
Pop grinned. “I find it interesting that you mention the sermon since we all know the reason you went to town had nothing to do with church.”
William shared a look with Pop before turning his attention back to Mom. “Mrs. Pickard plays the bells in her church.”
“I would love to talk to her. I suspect we have quite a bit in common.”
“I’m sure you do.”
As the Pickard family sat down to their chicken dinner, Mama didn’t waste any time before jumping on the topic of William Tronnier. “What a sweet young man. He went to an awful lot of trouble to see you, Lillian. Perhaps I was mistaken about him.”
“Don’t assume that, Helen, just because the boy visited our church one time.”
“At least he came,” Mama argued. “Not everyone does. I think it says something about him and his upbringing.”
“Anyone can go to church.”
As her parents discussed William, Lillian considered bolting from the table and running to her room. Why did they feel it necessary to go on and on about something that didn’t matter anyway? It wasn’t like she’d ever allow her head to be turned and leave them to fend for themselves. And they certainly couldn’t make it without her.
Their voices buzzed as she thought about how she’d never be able to realize her own dreams. But that’s all they were…dreams. When she was younger, she’d imagined herself dressed in her mother’s wedding gown and walking beside her daddy down the aisle of the church toward a dashing groom.
“Don’t you think so, Lillian?” Mama’s voice startled her from her thoughts.
“Don’t I think what?” Lillian lifted her glass and sipped some tea.
“You weren’t listening to a word we were saying, were you?”
“Sorry, Mama, but I have a lot on my mind. Mr. Joachim is already talking about the Christmas season.”
“Oh my. Isn’t it a bit early for that? It’s barely October.”
“Apparently he thinks he needs to get started on it or we might miss out on some business. Sears has already started promoting their Christmas mail order.”
“This isn’t Sears we’re talking about,” Daddy said. “Joachim doesn’t have to compete with that giant.”
“He seems to think that getting a head start on it will lock up some business. We’ll be decorating, and he wants me to make a display with gift ideas.”
“Who has room to store gifts now, even if they do buy them?” Daddy said. “That’s ridiculous.”
Mama shrugged. “If we had a bigger house, I might consider it.”
Lillian shook her head. “Most people don’t have a bigger house, so I think it’s a waste of time to start this early, but he’s the boss.”
“Yes, he is the boss,” Daddy agreed. “And you have to do what he says.”
“Mama, I’ll give you the household money from my pay envelope after we finish eating.”
“Good. I was thinking I might pick up some ham hocks and greens for supper one night.”
“Just don’t spend too much on it,” Daddy advised. “I don’t want to run out of food and get stuck with potatoes and onions again.” He made a face.
“Frank! You should be thankful you have any food at all. If it weren’t for Lil—” Mama cut herself off and glanced down. “We are blessed to have food on our table, no matter what it is.”
Daddy cleared his throat. “Yes, of course we are.”
The tone at the table had changed from lively to somber at the mere hint of Lillian’s having to support the family. She knew Daddy’s pride had been wounded, and she would have done anything to make it better.
Lillian walked to work the next morning with dread. She suspected that Mr. Joachim would be waiting by the door, with boxes of store decorations beside him, ready to pounce on her before she took off her jacket.
To her surprise, she arrived before he did. She had to fish around in her purse for the key. Once inside, she prepared the store to open.
Mr. Joachim didn’t show up before the first customer, either. As she rang up Mrs. Gooch’s order, she found herself worrying about her boss. This wasn’t like him at all—especially not right before the holidays—and it annoyed her, since he’d probably come in barking orders and asking why she wasn’t doing whatever it was he wanted her to do.
It was practically noon before he finally walked through the door looking haggard. “My wife got sick after church, and we were up all night.”
Lillian instantly felt remorse for her earlier thoughts. “Do you need to go back home and take care of her? I can manage without you for a few more hours.”
“No.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Her sister came to help, so I can stick around here all day.”
“If you need to leave, I understand.”
He looked her in the eyes and started to smile, but he caught himself before it happened. “We have work to do. Christmas is coming whether we’re ready or not, and I don’t want to miss out on any business. This is the time when we can make enough to get us through the worst of times.”
“Times have been very good lately,” Lillian reminded him. “Everyone is talking about it.”
“Yes, but mark my word, it’s just a cycle. We have good times and then we have bad. Nothing will ever stay the same.”
William loved nothing more than helping out on the farm. Pop tried to give his sons less strenuous tasks by hiring some laborers to do the hard work, but William wanted to be out in the fields with the rest of the men.
“So tell me what you see in this girl,” his brother Amos said as they walked along the rows where they planned to plant soybeans in the spring. “Mom says you’re completely smitten.”
“She says that?” William walked in silence for a few seconds, until he finally stopped and turned to face his brother. “I s’pose she’s right. In fact, I haven’t been able to get Lillian out of my mind since I first talked to her at the Jordans’ party last year.”
“Do you think she feels the same way?”
“Hard to tell. She’s very guarded.”
“I wonder why.”
“It’s hard to say. I’m thinking there’s some pride involved, but I don’t know for sure.”
“I would think any girl would be proud to be seen with you,” Amos said as he started walking again.
“That might be the problem. She might be embarrassed about her own situation. Her dad had to quit work, so he depends on her to support the family. I’d suspect her income to be very meager.”
“Pride gets people into all kinds of trouble.”
“Or people use it to keep from getting their hearts into trouble.”
Amos smiled and nodded. “You just have to show her that your heart is right with the Lord and let Him lead the relationship.”
“That’s the problem,” William said. “There isn’t a relationship. All I’ve done is taken her home from work a couple of times, and I took her family home from church once.”
“Maybe you can visit her at home sometime. Get to know her parents and show them you’re a decent guy.”
William nodded. “That’s probably a good idea. They seem nice enough, and they didn’t mind getting a ride home from church. Her father’s leg was injured at the factory, and from what I understand, he’s not likely to go back.”
“Seems he’d be able to do something else…like a job that allows him to sit. A desk job, maybe. Perhaps at a bank.”
“You and I both know how tight the banking business is. He’d have to have some connections to get on with one of them.”
“True,” Amos agreed. “Maybe we can get Pop to pull some strings for him.”
“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea right now, though. Mr. Pickard hasn’t given me any indication he’s interested, and I don’t even know if banking is something he’d like to do.”
“Banking is definitely something I wouldn’t want to do.”
“Same here,” William said. “Well, looks like we’re on the right track with next year’s crop rotation. The soil looks good, so we should be able to get it fertilized and ready for planting as soon as spring comes.”
Lillian worked on the display between customers. Her mind wandered as she worked, and before she realized where her thoughts had gone, she found herself thinking about William Tronnier. His surprise visits had quickened her pulse each time, which annoyed her. How dare he continue to pursue her when she’d made it clear she wasn’t interested.
“Lillian!”
She nearly fell off the small stepladder at the sound of her name. Josephine Finley stood behind her, arms folded, a scowl on her face. “Where did you move the cold cream?”
“It’s in the same place it’s always been, Mrs. Finley. On the second aisle from the left.”
“When you say left, are you facing the back or the front of the store?”
Lillian felt her pulse in her head and had to take a deep breath. Some people tried her patience more than others, and Mrs. Finley had always been one of them. “Facing the back…” She pointed. “Over there.”
“You should have said so to begin with.”
Lillian climbed off the ladder and headed in the direction of the beauty aisle. “I’ll get it for you.” Lillian continued toward the beauty products and stopped. “It’s right here.”
Instead of getting a jar, Mrs. Finley planted a hand on her hip and stared at Lillian. “When did you start seeing one of the Tronnier boys?”
“I—I haven’t been seeing any of the Tronnier boys.”
“Well, then, who was that at church yesterday? He certainly looks like the middle Tronnier boy.”
“He was. But I’m not seeing him.” Lillian tucked her hair behind her ear and wished she’d stayed on the ladder.
“Then what was he doing at our church? He and his family attend somewhere else.”
“I suppose he was worshipping God, just like we were.”
“Young lady, I’ve known your mother since long before you were born, and I just happen to know she wouldn’t appreciate your smart-aleck mouth.”