Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas (29 page)

Her sister nodded and then gave her another tight hug. “This will be a place for new beginnings. I can just feel it!”

“Yes, I agree. It is so fascinating to see what the Lord has done,” Adeline said, gazing back and forth between the schoolmaster and Georg. “How He’s brought us from halfway across the country to this strange and wonderful new place. I feel a bit like one of the Israelites, crossing over the Jordan into the Promised Land.”

“I can see how you might consider Poetry the Promised Land,” Myles said, gazing into her eyes intently. “This has been a place where I’ve found myself again. And a place where people love the Lord and each other.”

“Indeed.” She gave him a shy smile. “The perfect combination.”

Georg watched this exchange, his interest piqued.

“Georg, what did you think of the service?” Myles asked, looking his way.

“I think it was the best by far. Can’t wait for tomorrow. It’s going to be a wonderful day.”

They progressed into a conversation about the upcoming events, but Georg’s thoughts had already shifted. He needed to talk to Adeline... alone. Thankfully, Nellie Johnson showed up just then. She, Catherine, and Myles began an excited conversation about the opera house. Before long, they were speculating about the first performance and giggling up a storm. Georg didn’t know when he’d ever seen a happier bunch.

“I wonder if I could have a moment of your time, Adeline?” he whispered, drawing near.

“O–oh. Of course.” She looked a bit flustered as she responded.

“Could we take a little walk, then?” he asked.

“Certainly.” She turned to Catherine. “Would you mind waiting here, sweet girl? I won’t be long.”

“No, I don’t mind.” Catherine went back to chatting with Nellie. Georg felt sure the child wouldn’t miss them. Not much, anyway.

He and Adeline took a few steps away from the crowd, toward the old cemetery. At first, neither said a word. In spite of his thumping heart, he finally managed an opening line. “Adeline, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“Really?” She paused and turned to look him in the eye. “There’s something I’ve been needing to talk to you about, too. I’ve put it off for days, but I can do so no longer.”

“Well, then, you go first,” he offered.

“No, you.” Adeline reached to take his hands, and for the first time he noticed they were trembling.

“Fine.” He rose and paced the area, praying for just the right words. How did one go about breaking things off with a girl, anyway? He’d never faced this problem before. “You are a wonderful girl,” he said at last. “I’ve been so blessed to get to know you. Truly, I don’t deserve someone like you. You are beautiful inside and out. The love of the Lord radiates from you, and it’s clear you love Him and others in the most unselfish way imaginable.”

“Why, thank you so much. I’m embarrassed to hear such flattery.” She batted those eyelashes again, and he looked away, lest they tempt him.

“Don’t be embarrassed,” Georg said. “You are truly wonderful. I don’t deserve you, to be sure. Though, I must admit that I have been flattered by the very idea that you might one day be mine.”

At this point, Adeline began to cry. When he tried to console her, she put her hand up to stop him. “Georg, please. I cannot let you say another word. In good conscience, I cannot.”

“W–what?” He stared at her, confused. “Why?”

Adeline began to pace. “Oh, I am so sorry, Georg. So sorry.”

“Sorry? About what?”

She shook her head then turned to him with tears streaming down her face. “I’m sorry, but I cannot marry you.”

“W–what?” Had she taken his words as a proposal?

“No.” She then began to pace, finally stopping and turning his way. “There is no other way to say it than to just say it. I cannot marry you because I have given my heart to another.”

“Y–you have?” He shook his head, dumbfounded.

“I didn’t mean for it to happen.” She drew near, her words now coming quickly. “I fought it at first, especially with the gap in our ages. Oh, but Georg, I’ve found him to be the most amiable man, suited to me in every respect. He has taken an interest in my sister and in me. Oh, and have you seen his eyes? Are they not the prettiest eyes in town? And his face...is it not the most handsome?” She continued talking about the physical and spiritual attributes of the man she’d fallen head over heels for—only she never mentioned a name.

“Are we, by chance, talking about Myles Lott here?” Georg asked, dumbfounded.

“Yes.” She turned to him, her brow wrinkled. “Oh, Georg, I’m sorry. I knew this would be hard to hear. That’s why I’ve put off telling you.”

“Has Myles declared himself to you?” Georg suddenly found himself swallowed up by a mixture of emotions—good and bad. He wondered if perhaps the schoolmaster had taken advantage of the situation in some way. No wonder he had been so willing to carry the schoolbooks into town. He wanted to spend time with Adeline.

Hmm. On the other hand, Georg’s actions had been somewhat questionable, too. Had he not led Adeline along over the past couple of weeks, letting her think he would one day propose?

Adeline shook her head. “No. Myles has said nothing,” she whispered. “He’s a true gentleman. In fact, he doesn’t even know of my feelings.” Her cheeks flashed pink. “And maybe I’m childish to hope. Oh, but I pray I’m wrong about that. He is in every way my equal. We are perfectly matched, and it is only a matter of time before he sees it.” She drew near and took Georg’s hands in her own. “Georg, I am so sorry to have hurt you. I knew this news would be hard to hear. You’ve had your heart set on marriage and family, and I’ve pulled the rug out from under you. Can—can you ever forgive me?”

He stared at her in silence and then doubled over—not in pain, but in laughter. Before long, others were looking their way. Still he could not help himself. On and on the laughter came. The whole thing was just too...too funny.

“Georg, are you all right?” Adeline asked, sniffling back the tears. “You must be in shock. Have I wounded you for life?”

He contained his laughter, rose, and looked her in the eyes. “I must admit, your news surprises me,” he said. “But I am not devastated, Adeline. And I cannot help but admit the truth. I, too, care for someone else. Deeply.”

Her mouth rounded in a perfectly formed
O,
and she smiled. “What a conundrum.” She grinned. “What a silly mismatched pair we’ve been, Georg! Oh, but God is good to show us that sooner rather than later. Is He not?”

“He is indeed.”
And my papa said as much.
Georg took her hand and kissed it then gave her a wink. Off in the distance, he caught a glimpse of Myles talking to Catherine and Nellie. The three were engaged in a rousing conversation that involved plenty of laughter. Georg felt sure that Adeline’s future would be filled with much of the same, should Myles ask her to marry him.

“I am not devastated,” he whispered. “I am grateful...for your time, your company, and your kind spirit. My life is better for having known you.”

“I feel the same.” She reached up and gave him a warm hug. “Oh, Georg, aren’t we silly?” She turned as Myles’s laughter rang out.

“Yes.” Georg nodded. “But why are you standing here talking to me, anyway? If I were you, I would set my sights in a different direction.” He gestured toward Myles, and Adeline’s face lit into a smile.

“Yes.” She ran her fingers through her hair and dabbed at her eyes. “I must look frightful.”

“Not at all,” Georg said, turning her to face Myles. “Now go and fetch your fella, Adeline, before I drop down on one knee and propose right here.”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“No, I wouldn’t dare.”
Nor had I ever planned to.
“But go now. I think you have some learning to do.” He gave her a playful wink then watched with a grin as she hiked her skirt and sprinted across the campground, stopping at Myles’s side. The schoolmaster looked his way and waved.

Georg returned the wave, his heart completely free. Now there was just one thing left to be done. He had to find Belinda...right away.

Belinda looked across the campground, searching for Georg. He and Adeline seemed to have disappeared. After a bit more looking, she caught a glimpse of them standing hand in hand at the edge of the cemetery. They faced each other, their expressions quite serious. Belinda’s heart felt as heavy as lead. Then she watched as Adeline threw her arms around Georg’s neck and gave him a warm hug. He returned it, the smile on his face growing wider by the minute. After that, he took her hand and kissed it. Belinda’s heart twisted at the sight of this romantic exchange.

Unable to watch any more, she turned to her mother. “I’m tired. Are we going soon?”

“Yes, let’s get these things loaded up into the wagon and head home. I’m exhausted and need to get a good night’s sleep so I’m fresh for the service tomorrow morning.”

Moments later, Belinda, Mama, Papa, and the twins had the wagon loaded and were about to head home. Off in the distance, she thought she saw Georg Kaufman coming her way. Belinda deliberately hid behind her brothers, who had taken to scuffling in the back of the wagon. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she didn’t even try to stop them. In that moment, she realized she would likely go on hiding from Georg and Adeline...for the rest of her life.

On Monday morning Belinda walked the road to town, moving at a snail’s pace. Truth be told, she was in no hurry to see Georg and Adeline together. Though she tried to quiet her heart on this matter, it would not be still. Seeing them together yesterday still haunted her in some ways, though she did not know what to do about it except leave the matter in God’s hands.

Why was it that leaving things in God’s hands was such a tall order? Seemed like the right thing was always the hard thing. Trusting the Lord, for instance. Rarely did she find it an easy thing to do.

Belinda arrived at the store and was stunned to find John Ogilvie already there, talking with Greta. Every day the truth grew clearer, both to Belinda and to Greta, who had stopped trying to pretend she did not notice his advances. In fact, Belinda now thought she saw amazing possibilities of a future with these two. Eventually, anyway.

“Belinda.” John turned to face her as she walked in the shop. “I slipped away from the butcher shop to tell Greta the news.”

“News?” Belinda’s hands began to tremble, wondering what he might say. “What news?”

“There’s been a wedding.” John waggled his brows as he leaned in close to whisper, “In secret.”

Belinda’s heart quickened and her breath caught in her throat. “Wedding?”

“Yes, after the service yesterday. I happened to come back to the campground because I lost my pocket watch. When I arrived, I saw Reverend Billingsley performing a ceremony. You will never guess who.”

At once, tears sprang to her eyes. “No.” She put her hand up. “Do not tell me. I—I—” She ran to the back room, overcome. She couldn’t bear the news. Not today, anyway. Maybe tomorrow. Or the day after that. Or the week after. But certainly not today.

Greta followed on her heels. “Belinda! Are you all right?”

“No. Yes. I—I don’t know. But this news will ruin me.”

“Ruin your reputation, you mean?” Greta looked confused. “I doubt it, Belinda. People see the hand of the Lord at work here. Don’t fret over that.”

“So you think this is the Lord’s doing?” Belinda looked up with tears in her eyes. “I am surprised to hear that. I thought you, of all people, would understand my plight. Do you not see it? Have I not made it plain?”

“I’m not sure.” Greta looked more confused than ever. “And I thought you, of all people, would find this delightful news, all things considered.” She took a seat on one of the barrels and stared at Belinda. “I’m perplexed. I mean, I know you were keen on Cassie marrying John, but his heart is not broken over this news, so why should yours be?”

“W–what?” Belinda dabbed her eyes and looked at her cousin, trying to make sense of everything. “Are we talking about Cassie here?”

“Why, yes. Who did you think we were...?” Greta clamped a hand over her mouth. “Oh, Belinda! You thought John and I were talking about Georg and Adeline? You thought they were married?”