When Diana returned home from her stroll with Martin Crabtree, a sweeping glance alongside the house revealed no sign of Brady. An unexpected wave of disappointment coursed through her. Could he have discerned and repaired the roof problem in just the short time she’d been gone? Even as she chided herself for feeling let down, her companion’s voice derailed her train of thought.
“I’m so pleased you accompanied me, Diana.” Coming to a halt at her porch steps, Martin removed his bowler, took her hand, and gave a slight bow. “No doubt I was the envy of all the locals, keeping company with the most beautiful belle in town.” The slanting rays of late afternoon sunshine glistened over golden highlights in his hair, lending added richness to his clear complexion.
Martin certainly knew how to charm a lady. A flush rose over Diana’s cheeks. She’d always wondered how it would feel when a young man sought her company. The fact that the individual was as learned and sophisticated as he, made it even more enjoyable than she imagined. “Why, thank you, Martin. I had a lovely time. Thank you for inviting me.”
“I’ll be staying at Mother’s awhile longer before I leave Hickory Corners again. Perhaps we might go for a stroll another time.” His fair brows acquired a hopeful arch.
Diana saw no reason to discourage him. “I would like that.”
His eyes probed hers, and he gave a satisfied nod. “Then I shall call again. Perhaps we might discuss a decision I’m facing. For now, I bid you good day.”
“And to you, Martin. Thank you for the pleasant time.” She watched him straighten to his full height and turn on his heel. A tip of the head, and he replaced his hat and strode away, his bearing cheerful and confident. Any woman’s dream.
Smiling after him, Diana gathered her skirts and started up the steps, but her wayward gaze darted alongside the house once more. When Brady didn’t materialize after all, her smile wilted.
Diana dawdled over supper, savoring Millie’s succulent roast chicken and light, flaky biscuits. She’d already related the day’s happenings to the older woman, including the sewing session and the walk with her neighbor. Odd, how the housekeeper made so few comments about Martin during the discourse. Diana tried not to make too much of that. She had other things on her mind, like mustering nerve to bring up a different subject.
Millie stood and took her own plate to the sideboard before returning with the teapot to refill their cups. “Me thinks the sewing group will be the high point of your week now. That’s a real answer to prayer.” She set the pot on a trivet on the table and reclaimed her chair.
“You pray about such trivial matters?” Astonished, Diana forked a slice of chicken breast to her mouth.
The housekeeper smiled gently. “Believe me, my dear, nothing that affects His children’s dear ones is a trivial matter to the Lord. He’s concerned about every part of our lives.”
To Diana, the notion sounded far-fetched, yet it struck a tender note in her heart. Did God truly care so much about her? Did He even remember her? Years ago, she’d heard the accounts of various Bible heroes and martyrs of the faith. Once as a child she’d even prayed and asked Jesus to come into her heart and be her Savior. But on her own at boarding schools, those sweet childhood memories faded, gradually losing importance. Most of her teachers had more modern ideals, the sophisticated sort that fit well with city life.
Here in the country, however, surrounded by His handiwork, a person perceived the Creator in a whole different way. Perhaps the time had come to revive some of her former beliefs. Surely her father had a Bible amid all those leather-covered books in his library. She had plenty of time now to read and get reacquainted with the once familiar contents.
Millie’s voice cut across her musings. “Edna and I prayed often for you, especially when we knew you’d be coming back for good. We wanted you to fit in and feel at home.”
“I’m hoping not to miss a single sewing session,” Diana assured her. “There’s so much to learn—about stitching and my new friends.” Pausing in thought, she drew her lips inward momentarily, then released them. “Millie?”
“Hm?” Squinty blue eyes blinked, then focused on her.
“What has Mrs. Crabtree got against Brady Forbes?”
The housekeeper gave a wry huff. “That old biddy? There’s hardly a person in town she doesn’t have something against, except for that faultless son of hers, of course. Seems her lot in life to aggravate decent folks. She’s like a toothache. Some of us hope Martin will yank her off to Capital City for good, to live with him.”
Hoping the attractive young man wouldn’t be too hasty along those lines, Diana squelched a smile. His sudden interest in her was quite intriguing. “But why would she consider Brady riffraff?”
“She said that?” Stray hairs from the older woman’s coronet of braids stirred as she slowly shook her head. “There’s not a finer young man in town, in my opinion—and that includes her beloved Martin.”
Recalling how polite and attentive Widow Crabtree’s son had been on their walk earlier, the end of Millie’s statement baffled Diana. He’d been the perfect gentleman. How could one ask for more? She took another sip of tea.
“Young Brady did have a bit of a questionable past, and that’s the truth,” the housekeeper went on. “After his folks died, he got mixed up with some bad company in Cincinnati. Older ruffian troublemakers who were headed for jail and finally ended up there.”
Diana raised her eyebrows, and her lips parted in surprise.
With an understanding nod, Millie continued. “Seems the judge at the trial took Brady’s youth into consideration and decided discipline and guidance could still salvage him. That’s how he came to live with his aunt and uncle. Been here a good four or five years already, and is turning out fine as can be, if you ask an old lady like me. Edna and Noah just love him to death. He’ll do anything for them—and for anybody else who needs help. He’s more than proved himself.”
“I’m … astounded,” Diana said, though the word scarcely expressed her shock. “I have to admit, he does strike me as having a few rough edges.” He’s not half as polished as Martin, she nearly added. At twenty-four, three years older than Brady, her neighbor’s attributes made her opinion of him take a decided turn in his favor.
“Well, once you get to know him better, you’ll see those as the facets that reflect God’s love and grace the brightest.” Millie’s cheeks plumped into a smile. “He’s quite the wit, too, in case you haven’t noticed. He has a unique gift. He can imitate anybody around town. Plays each one to the hilt, too. You should see him portray old Olivia herself!” The housekeeper laughed until she had to dab at tears with her apron.
“He imitates everyone?”
“Oh, yes. He makes merciless sport of all the girls in the sewing group. But they’re all so used to it, they pay him no mind.”
Diana frowned. Elsa had alluded to the same thing. Could it be that Brady hadn’t set out purposely to embarrass her at all last summer? She’d arrived at the gathering awhile after it was under way, only to walk in on his portrayal of her. In retrospect, it had been rather comical, too. She shouldn’t have stomped off in a dither.
Still, she couldn’t ignore how much more at ease she felt in Martin’s presence. He seemed so worldly wise and treated her like a real lady.
Brady, on the other hand, had a teasing way about him that made her feel self-conscious and tongue-tied. Much less sure of herself. Thoughts of him were as hard to shake as a summer cold.
Diana stifled a smile. Scarcely a week ago she’d expected she’d languish away in this little hamlet with no hope of attention from any respectable bachelors, and already she found herself comparing two completely opposite men … both of whom fascinated her in entirely different ways. The summer was turning out far more interesting than she ever imagined. Who knew what lay ahead?
“That’s it, Dear Heart. I can’t eat another bite.” Uncle Noah leaned back in his chair and patted the vest straining over his slight frame.
Aunt Edna feigned indignation as she rose to clear the table. “Not even a slice of your birthday cake?”
“It’s your favorite,” Brady added, enjoying the interplay between the two. He truly admired their loving relationship—as constant in the privacy of the house as it was at church. One day he hoped to emulate the godly example they’d set for him … assuming he ever found a woman with whom he’d consider a lifetime commitment. Presently that hope seemed quite slim. Or had, until recently.
“Well,” the white-haired minister drawled, “mayhap a smidgen wouldn’t hurt. Never could resist that chocolate cake of yours.”
“I figured that’s what you’d say.” With a conspiratorial wink at Brady, she carted the remaining food to the kitchen.
He sprang to his feet, stacking soiled plates and gathering utensils. From the day he finally rid himself of the chip on his shoulder, he’d made a habit of helping out in as many ways as possible. Another of their examples he liked to follow.
“I hear you’ve taken on another sideline of late,” Uncle Noah said, blue eyes twinkling when Brady and his aunt returned with the dessert. “Roofing, is it?”
“Just another of my many talents,” he quipped, accepting the slice of cake passed his way. “Miz Sanderson’s roof had a leak she needed fixed.”
“I’m surprised you found the time.” The older man sampled his own chunk of the rich sweet. “Seems Nate’s been working you night and day for awhile now.”
Brady swapped furtive glances with his aunt, but maintained a relaxed expression as he contemplated the newly finished desk now gracing the minister’s study. “The project’s done now, Uncle Noah. I’ll take you to see it as soon as you are through.”
“Can’t say as I’m up to hoofing down the street just now,” he returned with a pained look. “Not after tramping about the countryside calling on sick folks all day. My rheumatism’s kicking up again. Must be a storm on the way.”
“It’s not at the shop,” Brady assured him. “Just next door.”
“Next door? At the church?”
“Yes, so hurry and finish,” Aunt Edna coaxed, her own pride on the verge of popping her apron strings. “You’ve really got to see this.”
He looked from one to the other and back. “With both of you set on getting me over there, I’m getting a mite curious. Remember, though, it takes a lot to surprise a man my age.” Taking a last gulp of coffee, he brushed crumbs from his hands and stood. “Lead the way.”
Shortly thereafter, standing before the gleaming example of Brady’s finest workmanship, the normally eloquent man stood speechless for the first time in his life. “I … don’t know what to say.” He blinked wetness from his eyes, then grabbed Brady in a back-thumping hug, while his wife stood on the sidelines, mopping tears with her apron.
It took Brady a few seconds to speak past the lump in his own throat. “Happy birthday, Uncle Noah. This is only a fraction of what you deserve. I owe you and Aunt Edna my life. Likely it’ll take that long to repay you both.”
The older man held him at arm’s length and shook his head. “Love doesn’t charge for its services, Lad. Your aunt and I couldn’t be more proud of what you’ve become since allowing God to direct your life. And as sure as this magnificent desk will outlast the three of us put together, I know He has some wonderful plans for you ahead. You’re going to make some fortunate young woman a good husband one day soon.”
“A good husband, indeed,” Aunt Edna echoed. Moving closer, a secret smile on her guileless face, she hugged the two of them.
The older woman emitted faint scents of lavender and roses, and Brady inhaled deeply. His aunt kept sachets of dried flowers in her armoire … lacy, frippery things made by Diana Montclair. Now that he thought about it, those enticingly feminine fragrances seemed to fill up a room, whenever Diana was present.
He liked them. A whole lot. In fact, a guy could get used to such fripperies, if he set his mind to it.
Even as he smiled inwardly, Brady felt his spirit plummet like a broken kite. The problem was what a gal like her would have to give up, if she chose a guy with so little to his name. He ought to back off and let that foppish Martin have her.
Diana set the Bible on the bedside table and lay back on her pillow. The Psalms were pleasant enough reading, but her active mind kept drifting to the events of the day. Had it been only this afternoon Brady Forbes had been right here in her bedroom? His presence had so filled the air around them, it left very little air for breathing. She could still see the mischievous sparkle in those blue eyes, still envision his playful grin.
Considering the poor start he’d had in life, did any of the rough character of his youth remain hidden to surface again? Was that the mysterious quality about him that she found so disconcerting? So … utterly fascinating?
Diana shifted to a more comfortable position, propping an arm beneath her head. Better to direct her thoughts toward a safer, more predictable route. Martin Crabtree. Now there was a fine example of manhood, a person of means and culture, who would make something of himself. Diana had seen him only a few times in her life, yet she could never imagine Martin doing anything one might find scandalous. She chuckled. More than likely, he’d be so predictable and practical he’d be an absolute bore.
What had gotten into her anyway, with so much of her time suddenly claimed by thoughts of those two bachelors? Her teachers affirmed that the domestic skills she’d learned at school would enable her to make someone a worthy bride, but Diana didn’t really know if that was what she wanted for her life. There had to be more to one’s existence than courtship and marriage and raising babies. Many intellectuals alleged that women would eventually enter fields once forbidden, fields other than domestic ventures and teaching. Soon there would be women doctors, women lawyers, and who knew what else? With all her father’s resources behind her, Diana knew she could get the required training for whatever she wanted. All she had to do was figure out what that was.
But in the meantime …
A smile tickled the edges of her lips.