Luke stepped outside the store. The street filled with people ready to celebrate the birth of their country. Red, white, and blue bunting, flags, and banners decorated the buildings and the bandstand that had been erected in what was to be the first city park. He loved the holiday that marked the summer events.
His hopes of seeing Dove today rose when he spotted her family’s carriage down by the church. It had been a long week for Luke as he took over the duties of storekeeper for his father, and he looked forward to being closed today. He strode toward the church where many of his friends gathered and passed two new buildings that stood near completion as the town kept growing and expanding. Today they would celebrate the coming of the telegraph and a newspaper to their town. Getting the news sooner through both the telegraph and the paper would be a welcome change for Barton Creek.
Martin waved and hurried to him. “Good to see you, friend. Sarah has talked with Dove, and they’ve made some arrangements for us to eat together at noon. Mr. Morris and Mr. Haynes are already cooking up the beef they’ll serve.”
Luke laughed. Food and Sarah, the two things Martin appreciated the most, were foremost on his mind. “Sounds good to me. Let’s see what else is going on.”
They strolled back up Main Street. Businesses had closed for the day, and a spirit of celebration filled the air. Alice ran out to join them.
“Isn’t this the most exciting day? There’s so much more going on this year.” She hugged herself and spun around.
Luke grinned and tweaked her hair when she stopped. “Yes, it is a fine day, but that isn’t all that has you in a merry mood. Planning to meet someone today?”
A deep pink rose in her cheeks. “Maybe,” she said hopefully. “Ma said I didn’t have to keep an eye on Will all afternoon and keep him out of mischief. He’s going to be with Mrs. Porter and her family. Ma will be down in a little bit. She’s anxious to get to the park and see what desserts the ladies are bringing.” She spotted a friend and waved. “See you boys later.” Alice laughed and ran a few steps then slowed to a more sedate walk before glancing back at them and giving them a big grin.
“Your little sister is growing up. She’s become a very pretty young lady.”
Luke grinned. “That she is.” If he could find a way to make it possible for her and Eli as well as for himself and Dove to be together with his mother’s approval, then both of them could have reason to celebrate.
They turned and headed back to the church. Both he and Martin greeted many of the people who bustled about getting ready for the major events of the day. As a storekeeper and a banker, he and Martin knew almost all of the citizens of their town. Today, every rancher and farmer for miles around had come to celebrate not only the holiday but also milestones for the town.
He’d be glad when the train spur made its way from Guthrie to Barton Creek. That would save several hours every few weeks when supplies could come straight to their town. Luke’s head filled with ideas of what he and Pa could do to make Anderson Mercantile the premier merchandise center of the area.
As they passed land marked off for the new park, Ma waved at Luke. He waved back then stopped short when he spotted Mrs. Morris setting pies and pastries on the table not far down the line from where Ma oversaw the cakes and cookies. Please, Lord, let Ma be civil and not make a scene today.
Dove searched the crowds for Luke and Martin. Sarah had said to be at the park to meet them for the noon meal. The dedication of the park and the official opening of the telegraph were to be the highlights of the day just before the meal line would open. It had been five days since they talked, and that occasion was far too brief.
Sarah grabbed her arm. “There they are. I see them over by the bandstand.” She pulled Dove along. “Come, let’s join them. The festivities will begin soon. I hope they’re not too long. I can smell that meat cooking from here, and my stomach is calling to be fed. If Mayor Frankston gets to talking, no telling how long he’ll be.”
She talked so fast, Dove had a hard time keeping up. Luke was right about Sarah, but her heart was as big as all outdoors, and that counted a lot for Dove. She shaded her eyes and finally spotted Luke and Martin where Sarah indicated. The two young men waved and met them at the edge of the park where a crowd had gathered to hear the speeches.
When Luke smiled at her, Dove’s knees weakened and her heart thumped against her ribs, and she grasped Sarah’s arm to keep from falling. She gathered her wits about her and stepped to Martin’s side.
Martin bowed. “How nice to see you lovely ladies this morning. You’ll join us as we enjoy the program?”
Sarah batted her eyelashes at Martin. “It will be our pleasure.” She placed her hand in the crook of Luke’s elbow as he offered it to her. Dove did the same with Martin. If she could be more open with her feelings like Sarah, perhaps Luke would be more attracted to her. But being what Aunt Clara called a coquette didn’t fit in with the way Dove had been taught.
At that moment, Aunt Clara strolled by on the arm of Doc Carter. Dove hid her smile. Doc Carter was one of the more eligible older men in Barton Creek, and he couldn’t have found a more charming companion than Ben Haynes’s aunt. Aunt Clara spotted Dove and gave her a broad smile as well as a knowing wink. Heat rose in Dove’s cheeks. Nothing got by Aunt Clara.
Dove gazed around at her surroundings. So many changes since she had come to live in Oklahoma Territory. Most of them she liked, but some didn’t add anything to the town. The saloon that had opened in the middle of town offered a good example of that. It stood about halfway between the jail at one end and the church at the other. Somewhat like halfway between heaven and hell.
Luke stood beside Sarah, but he stared at Dove. “Let’s stay here for the speeches. There’s some shade here, but then you ladies have your parasols, so that may not matter.”
“Oh, this will be perfect. We can see the stage quite well, and I’m sure we’ll be able to hear without a problem. This is so exciting. Just think, we can send messages on that wire they put up over there. Pa says he bets the first one to use it will be the bank. Is that right, Martin?” Sarah’s words gushed forth like the water from the pump in a kitchen.
Luke stepped closer to Dove and bent close to her ear. “My pa already has an order ready to send out for merchandise for the store. I’m to take it over soon as the office opens Monday morning.”
Dove giggled. “I wish I could be there to watch it. Pa is planning to wire down to Ft. Worth and inquire about the cattle market there. He and Mr. Haynes may take the herd to Texas instead of Kansas this year.”
Martin touched her arm. “Here’s Mayor Frankston and his wife. The program should start soon.”
Luke stepped over to stand beside Sarah, and Martin chose to stand on her other side. Dove peered around them at Luke. He winked at her and mouthed the word, “Later.” Joy filled her so that even her toes tingled with the anticipation of that “later.”
She looked forward to the afternoon, when she and Luke would take their turns manning the booths with games for the children. The one with tin cans to knock over and the grab-bag ones were her favorites.
Bea covered the plates on the table with a cloth and noticed Emily Morris down the way with her part of the desserts. Bea clenched her teeth. This was a day for celebration, and she refused to let her feelings get in the way of a good time. Emily may have a right to be here, but Bea would not seek the woman out. If their paths happened to cross, she’d speak, but that was all. She planned to keep her promise to never say a word against the Morris family in public, although most of the townsfolk did know her feelings.
Making that decision, she turned her attention to the crowd, seeking to find Luke. Lily Porter stopped at the table. “Looks like we have plenty of desserts to sell, and that meat smells delicious. I hope the mayor isn’t long-winded today.”
“I do too, and I do want to thank you for keeping an eye on Will for me. Alice and Luke have been so helpful in the store this past week that I wanted to be sure they had a holiday.”
“I’m glad to do it, Bea. Will is the perfect playmate for Jimmy. They’ve been having fun down at the games, and I’m on my way to get them now. I’ll send him to you when we get ready to eat.”
The woman hurried away to get her charges. The generosity and love of the citizens during Carl’s illness amazed Bea. Every night this past week someone had brought dinner. So many times she’d taken care of others, and now being a recipient of such care from folks warmed her heart.
Bea craned her neck and spotted Martin and Luke. Dove and Sarah were with them, but Dove was obviously with Martin and Sarah with Luke. Sarah was a nice girl. Maybe Luke would turn his attentions to her and give up on the idea of Dove.
“What are you thinking, my dear?”
Bea jumped and whirled around. “Carl, you scared me to death. What are you doing out in this heat?”
“I came to hear the mayor’s speech and to see the ribbon cutting for the new park. This is a great day for Barton Creek. And I feel fine.”
She kissed his cheek. “I’ve been so worried about you, but today you do look much better. You have some color in your face. The rest that Doc Carter suggested must be working.”
“It’s been only a week, but I do feel almost like a new man, even if I can’t stand lying around.” He peered over her shoulder. “I see Luke and Martin with Dove and Sarah.”
“Yes. Don’t Sarah and Luke make a nice-looking couple? She’d be the perfect wife for him when he returns from the university.”
“Now dear, be careful about making plans for your boy. He may have entirely different ideas.”
“And what could be better than what we want for him? He’ll learn more about business and be a better helper when he returns from college.” Anything she could do to get him away from Dove would be best for him.
“That may be true, but it must be what he wants to do.” He turned her around. “Look, the mayor’s ready to start. Let’s move closer so we can hear.”
She walked with Carl to a place nearer the stage, but she never let Luke out of her sight. Mayor Frankston held his hands up for quiet and began to expound on the convenience of having the telegraph service. When she saw Luke glance over to Dove, her heart lurched in her chest. She’d seen that look before. Her boy was still interested in the Indian girl. Getting him out of town was even more important now.
Luke’s stomach rumbled and reminded him of his hunger. He glanced at his pocket watch; the time showed half past noon. The smells of the meat cooking over a wood fire tempted the taste buds. He just might buy two plates of the beef Mr. Haynes and Mr. Morris cooked.
Finally Mr. Frankston completed his speech and acknowledged the editor of the newspaper and the man who would send the telegraph messages. He then cut the ribbon for the new park. A cheer went up from the crowd, which soon scattered around the grassy area.
Luke grabbed Sarah’s hand. “Let’s get over there and get our plates of food now before the line gets too long.”
Sarah reached for Dove. “Let us find a place to eat, and you boys bring our plates to us. Whatever they have will be fine with me. I’d like for us to have a place under one of the trees. Come, Dove, let’s go find a good spot.”
Dove glanced back at Luke and shrugged but followed Sarah across to the park. Luke headed for the concession stand, where the men set up the serving line for the meat and beans with a hunk of homemade bread. He’d never seen meat cooked like this until Becky Haynes’s birthday last winter. Mr. Haynes had told him that was the way they prepared meat on a cattle drive. It had been cooking since early morning, and the aroma filled the air.
After they had purchased the plates, Luke led Martin to the park area, where he spotted Dove and Sarah. Luke sat in the space Sarah had left between her and Dove, and Martin sat across from him. Sarah winked at Luke then turned her attention to Martin.
Luke had to admit, the town had done a fine job with the park. The gazebo structure in the middle was the perfect size for a small band, and a concert had been planned for this evening before the fireworks. He looked forward to hearing the rousing patriotic tunes of John Philip Sousa.
He handed a plate to Dove. Her cheeks glowed with color as her hand touched his. That same spark traveled up his arm as when he’d held her hand before. He searched his brain for a topic of conversation but came up against a blank wall. Martin had no such problem as Sarah launched into one of her long-winded exhortations.
Dove finally opened the door for their own conversation. “How is your father getting along? I saw him a little while ago, and he looks like he feels better.”
“Yes, Doc Carter put him on bed rest, and it seems to have helped. He told Pa about some diet he’d learned about in the hospital in Philadelphia, where he was before he came west, and Pa is beginning to look much better.”
His father looked as healthy as he had before his illness, a good sign that he’d be able to be back in the store soon. However, Luke had enjoyed being in charge, and now he looked forward to the day when he could take over more of the responsibilities. This week should prove that he had the capabilities to run the place as much as his father.
As though reading his mind, Dove said, “I know you’ve been running the store while he rested. How do you like it?”
“I enjoy it. Pa plans to buy the space next door when the post office moves to its new building, and I’m to become a partner with him. We’re planning to expand the type of merchandise we carry and separate the food supplies from the hard goods like tools and equipment and even have a section just for soft goods like clothing. He’s even purchased land to build us a house so that we can use our second-floor dwelling as part of the store.” There he went, rambling on again, and most of it he’d already told her before. He sounded worse than Sarah. Dove must think him to be the most self-centered person alive.
“That sounds like you have your life ahead well-planned. Ma thinks I should go to school and learn to be a teacher. I like that idea, but leaving Barton Creek would be difficult.”
Luke’s heart sank. If Dove left town, he’d never get to see her. So much could happen if she went away. She might even find someone else and fall in love. He shoved that idea aside in a hurry. That was one possibility he didn’t even want to consider on such a fine day.
Conversation buzzed around them like flies. Excitement filled the air. He and Dove had the whole summer ahead to make plans and be together, or at least he hoped they would with Sarah and Martin’s help. He cleared his throat. “I’d miss you if you had to leave, but teaching is a fine profession. I heard Mr. Fleming say that the school would be divided into two groups in the next year or so because they needed to separate the older students from the younger ones. I suppose teachers are needed everywhere.”
Dove pushed the food around her plate. “I’d miss Barton Creek and seeing you, Luke, but it may be the best opportunity I’ll have to be of service, and a teaching position may even have to be away from here.”
Luke could think of no answer to that thought. With the way so many people in town viewed her and her brothers, she was right in saying she may have to teach in another town.
Luke grabbed Dove’s empty plate and carried the dishes for all four of them to the clean-up area. He was glad he hadn’t pulled that committee. His work would come later with the booths and games for the children and young people. He turned and headed back, eager to rejoin the group. The sound of music from the town hall carried outside. Luke didn’t want to think anymore about the possibility of Dove leaving Barton Creek, and a round of dancing sounded like a good alternative.
He held Sarah’s arm as they crossed over to the town hall. He spotted his mother standing near Emily Morris. She appeared to be talking, and her face was pleasant, not twisted with hatred. Hope sprang in his chest. Perhaps his prayers were being answered and his mother was beginning to soften.
When he and Sarah entered the hall, several couples already swirled and turned on the floor. One of them was Eli and Alice. The look of pure joy on Alice’s face reinforced the hope that things could be different in the future.
A finger poked his arm. He jumped. “Aunt Clara, I didn’t see you come up.”
“I didn’t think so. You’re following Dove around with your eyes like she was a prize piece of beef.”
Heat burned Luke’s cheeks, and his chest tightened. If Aunt Clara had been so observant, probably his mother had too. He’d have to be more careful.
The elderly woman patted his arm. “Of course I know all about your little scheme with Martin and Sarah. I only wish you didn’t have to go to such tactics to be with Dove.”
Luke’s eyes opened wide. She nodded her head. “Yes, I know all about your plans.”
“How . . . how did you know?”
“A little Lucy bird told me.” Then she grinned. “Your secret’s safe with me. I admire Emily Morris and that precious girl. I’d never do anything to hurt her. Besides, we have a little something cooked up for you. Are you doing anything right now?”
Luke raised his eyebrows. “Just the dancing. Just what are you planning?”
She smiled, and he detected a hint of conspiracy as she leaned closer. “You’ll see. Just go over to the park and stand near the gazebo, and I’ll be back soon.”
The plump little woman walked away, her skirts swaying with each movement. He hid a smile as she headed straight for Doc Carter. Those two would make a fine pair.
The tension between Luke’s shoulders relaxed. If Aunt Clara had anything to do with it, he and Dove would be together despite his mother’s opposition.
“Watch out. Aunt Clara has something up her sleeve,” Luke reported when he rejoined their group. “She wants us to wait here for her.”
“What do you think it is?” Dove tingled with anticipation.
“She said to meet her by the gazebo.”
“I think I can guess,” Martin said.
They stepped outside, and Martin pointed down the street. There was Aunt Clara seated beside Doc Carter in the Haynes’s three-seated surrey. The doctor slapped the reins on the team, driving the surrey toward them.
Aunt Clara waved them over. “Come on!” she called. “We’re going to take you two young couples for a ride.”
Dove gasped. “For a ride? All six of us?”
Sarah grabbed her hand. “Come on; it’ll be fun!” They ran together to the surrey.
Aunt Clara greeted them. “As you can see, I’ve borrowed the Haynes’s three-seater, so we can all fit at once. When we’re out of sight of town, you two couples will switch partners and have your time together.”
Dove blushed, but Sarah only giggled. Aunt Clara clapped her hands. “Now hop aboard. I’ve already told Mellie and Ben what we’re doing. Doc and I will be the proper escorts or chaperones or whatever for the four of you.”
She shooed them to hurry up and get aboard. Luke shook his head and helped Sarah into the middle seat then climbed up to join her. Dove let Martin lift her up to the back row. How Aunt Clara managed to do the things she did to make others happy always came as a surprise. This time Dove was grateful to be on the receiving end.
Once away from town, Doc stopped the carriage. Aunt Clara glanced over her shoulder. “Now, switch.”
Luke traded places with Martin and settled beside Dove. She grinned at him, and his answering one bode well for the afternoon. At the moment she didn’t care whose idea the ride had been, only that it worked.
He reached for her hand. “Isn’t Aunt Clara crazy?” He grinned.
“Crazy like a fox,” she agreed.
She glanced back at Sarah and Martin. They sat with their heads close together, and he clasped her hands in his. How nice it would be to have that ease around a boy. Her cheeks flushed warm. That behavior was not fitting for her and Luke, at least not yet, but she could dream.
Luke swiped his right hand down his trouser legs, his left one still holding hers. “I’ve been wondering about what you said awhile ago. What if something happened and you didn’t go off to school?”
She smiled and ducked her head. “Like what?” she said. “The only reason I’d stay here would be if I were to marry. Then I’d have no cause to leave Barton Creek. I could stay here and teach my own children.” Dove jerked back. Her thoughts had become words, and those words had slipped out without any warning. What must Luke think of such brazen talk?
He laughed. “Now that’s as good a reason as any I’ve heard.” Then he covered her hand with both of his, his expression now very serious.
“How I wish to be the one to marry you and keep you here. I can only pray that when you’re finished, you will come back.”
Words now failed her. His desire was the same as hers. Joy filled her heart at the realization that he did care for her, much more than she had imagined. But until Mrs. Anderson changed her attitude, it would be a long time before Luke could ask to court her with the intention of marriage.