The warm golden glow of the sun setting spread over the town and Emmie, making both stunning to Landon. Emmie was already beautiful, and downright angelic in the sunset colors.
“Does this walk have a purpose, Landon?”
“Yes. There is a house I discovered on the way to the store that I’m considering purchasing, and I wanted to know what you thought of it.”
She shot him a quizzical glance.
“You’ve lived here all of your life, and I thought you could tell me the history of the place.” And he wanted her reaction to it before he made an offer. It wouldn’t do if she hated it.
“I can try to be helpful. Even though I have lived here a long time, I don’t know everything about this town.”
Landon stopped in front of the Victorian house that he wanted. The place with its green, rose, and blue painted accents struck him as happy. “This is it. I like the big porch, but it needs a swing and a few rocking chairs like you have at the boardinghouse. What do you think?”
“In primary school, I had a friend who lived here. One day, I spent the afternoon with her. It’s a splendid house with a lot of rooms. I don’t remember many details about the inside. I do know there is a large pantry because we played hide-and-seek and I hid in it.”
“When did they move?”
“It was the oddest thing. One day she was at school and the next day she wasn’t. Overnight they moved and no one knew where they went. After that, a lot of people have lived here. There are rumors of it being haunted.”
“Do you believe that?” This was something he didn’t expect from her.
“No. I do believe in houses where windowpanes are not glazed properly, and the wind is able to send sounds through the cracks. That’s probably what happened here a few times.”
“That’s something I’ll check before making an offer.”
“Why do you need such a big house to begin with? Most of my friends who are married start with smaller houses.”
“I have no intention of ever moving. My parents lived in the house I grew up in since they were married. It’s a great tradition to carry on. Putting down roots in this town is important to me.”
“Why? When so many leave the places they were raised, why would you want to stay?”
“The world is not as exciting as one would think. I traveled all over while purchasing items for my father’s store. I missed home. Because of that, I decided I would marry, stay in one town, and have a large family. That’s why I need a big house, so everyone will be comfortable.”
“But you don’t even have a wife—”
“Not yet. But I soon will. That is if she will have me.” He moved closer to her and touched her arm.
Emmie’s bottom lip trembled, her eyes watered. She broke away from him. “I need to get back. They’re lighting the lamps and Granny will need me.” She took off at a fast clip.
“Wait up. Do you think the house will work?” He scurried to catch up. He’d done something wrong. Again.
“I’m sure you and your new bride will be happy in the house.”
It’s not fair, God. Why did Landon have to have such lovely brown eyes? When had Emmie fallen so deeply in love with him? And now, she couldn’t have him. Julia would live in that wonderful house while Emmie settled in Kansas with the no-name farmer and his children.
She rolled in bed and kicked her grandmother.
“What’s wrong with you tonight? If you’re going to be like this to sleep with, you’ll be on a pallet on the floor.” Granny yanked the sheet straight.
“I’m sorry. I can’t sleep. I’ve been thinking about Mother’s letter. Granny, did you love Grandfather right away, or did you come to love him?”
Granny sat up. Her gray hair shined like silver in the moonlight. “I knew that man was the one for me the moment I laid eyes on him. He had the deepest laugh. It settled in and claimed my heart.”
“What if I never feel that way about the man father has picked out for me?” She swung her legs off the bed and stood. “I don’t know what to do.”
“You don’t have to marry anyone you don’t love. That’s not how this family works.”
Emmie crossed the small room to the window and stared at the moon. “What about the commandment to honor thy parents?”
“Your father isn’t going to demand you marry the farmer. If you wrote and said you wanted to stay in Trenton, he’d give you his blessing. He wants the best for you. That’s what a good father does for his children.”
“Not go to Kansas? I don’t know. I would miss my family.”
“Think about it. They’ve been gone several months, and I haven’t seen many tears streaking down your cheeks. Now, get back in bed, and be still. The morning will be here soon enough.”
As Emmie crawled under the sheet, the thought of Rooster crowing under her old bedroom window made her smile. Would Julia appreciate the wake-up call? She fell asleep thinking about Landon and his house.
Emmie woke up with a headache. She’d overslept. Rooster hadn’t woken her. That’s right. She wasn’t in her own room. She rolled over in the empty bed. Granny wasn’t in the room. She must have let Emmie sleep. At least she hoped she hadn’t been told to get up and then rolled over.
She pushed back the sheet and jumped out of bed. In a flurry, she took care of her morning routine despite the fact nothing was normal. Her brush sat on Granny’s dresser, not her own. Father, I need to get this grumpiness out of me before I leave this room. Please help me. A sense of peace settled over her. Last night, she’d been shown the house of her dreams with the man she’d fallen in love with, but he wasn’t meant for her.
In the morning, light illuminated last night’s foolishness over Landon’s behavior. Crying to Granny wouldn’t change things, but her advice was sound. Once Emmie arrived in Kansas, she could decide on her own to marry the widower or not. Now that Landon would be moving into a big house with Julia, she’d ask him if he’d take in Walter and Milton. They could learn to pick up their rooms and eat in the café. Surely, Landon would understand her need to leave, and she wanted herself and Granny on that train by next week.
She tried hard to ignore the rock-crushing ache in her heart as she stepped into the kitchen.
There was her grandmother snuggled in Walter’s arms.
“Granny!”
Walter stepped back from her grandmother as if Emmie had struck him with a burning log.
“Now, Emmie. Settle down. I’ve something to say to you.” Granny took her by the hand and navigated her to the kitchen chair. “You see, Walter and I are in love. I’m not leaving Trenton. He’s asked me to marry him, and I said yes. You’re welcome to stay here with us or catch a train to Kansas. It’s up to you.”
Emmie sprang to her feet. Tears stung her cheeks as she ran from the kitchen, the screen door banging behind her. It wasn’t fair. After all she’d done to marry Walter off, he’d fallen in love with Granny right under Emmie’s nose.