Tumbleweed Weddings (45 page)

It was.

Murray had seemed rather preoccupied until she kissed him. What had they been talking about before that?

Poe.

Poor Murray. He didn’t want her to meet her secret admirer. He must figure that Poe was going to marry her. Maybe Murray and Poe had even discussed it.

She sank down to the bed. Wow! She couldn’t wait for Thursday to come.

O
n Thursday evening, Tonya paced the living room, stopping in front of the big picture window to gaze out at the driveway. Nothing. She took another turn around the room.

“Why don’t you sit down, sis?” Derek relaxed in the blue chair.

She stopped in front of him. “I’m too nervous.” In fact, she couldn’t believe how nervous she was. Her legs were actually shaking.

He stood. “Here, you can sit in this chair. Then you’ll have a perfect view of the driveway.”

“I can’t sit.” She held her left elbow with her right hand, supporting the cast. She had dressed up for Poe’s big night and was wearing the sapphire necklace and bracelet he had given her. A light-blue dress swirled around her knees as she paced, and a navy cardigan completed her outfit. She had actually managed to get her casted arm in the sweater sleeve.

She glanced out the window again.
Where is he?

Mom walked into the living room. She had also dressed up for the occasion, although a yellow-checked apron covered her green print dress. “Derek, could you come to the kitchen? I need your help.”

“Okay.” Derek glanced out the window. “Hey, I see a car.”

“Really?” Tonya ran to the window and peered out. Her shoulders sagged as she watched Murray’s SUV slowly drive closer. “Oh, it’s only Murray.”

“Ha!” Derek fisted his hand in the air. “I knew Twitch was Poe!”

Tonya faced him. “But he’s not. Murray said he knows who Poe is.” She bit her lower lip. “I bet Poe chickened out, and Murray came to break the news to me.”

“Are you serious?” Derek stared at her. “Murray’s been in love with you for weeks. I think he got the idea from Mrs. Yvette Brandt the Matchmaker.” He winked at Mom. “Remember the secret pal thing?”

Mom’s face tinged pink as she turned around. “I need to check the potatoes.”

Tonya placed her right hand on her hip. “Murray is not Poe. I asked him point-blank, and he said Poe had to tell me himself who he was.” She cocked an eyebrow at her brother. “It’s someone else.”

“Tonya,” Mom called from the kitchen. “You may as well invite Murray in for supper. And Derek, are you coming? I need your help in here.”

“I still think Twitch is Poe,” Derek muttered as he left.

Tonya glanced out the window, and a sigh escaped her lips. She wasn’t going to find out who Poe was after all. Murray parked his car a few yards back on the driveway, but he didn’t get out. She waited. Still he didn’t move.

What is keeping him?

She opened the front door and walked outside. As she descended the porch steps, a cool breeze lifted her hair. Fortunately, they were in the middle of a warming trend, and all the snow had melted.

Murray stepped out of his car and slowly closed the door.

She walked down the driveway toward him.
Why is he just standing there?
But as she walked closer, a sense of relief replaced her disappointment.

And it suddenly hit her.

Murray had the exact same qualities she loved about Poe, and Murray was a flesh-and-blood person. The last few weeks ran through her mind. When she had cried, Murray held her in his arms. When threatened by a drunken man, he pulled her close. When he prayed with her, he took her hand in his, squeezing her fingers.

And now she knew. She didn’t want to marry Poe, that nameless, faceless guy, that man who said he loved her but was too chicken to come out of hiding.

She had fallen in love with Murray Twichell—of all people!

As she walked closer, gazing at his wonderful, in-person face, she knew she loved him. And deep down in her heart, she knew Murray loved her, too. That must be why he looked so nervous. He didn’t want her marrying Poetry Lover Guy. He wanted to marry her himself. And she wanted to marry him.

But how could she tell him?

Murray’s heartbeat drummed in his chest as he watched Tonya walk toward him. She was beautiful with her dark hair swirling around her in the nippy air. She had dressed up for Poe, and Murray felt underdressed, even though he wore slacks with a button-down shirt and his blue jacket.

He kept his clammy hand on the door handle, ready to escape as soon as Tonya discovered his identity. She would be disappointed, perhaps even angry, when her bubble burst.

“Murray, it’s okay.” Tonya put up her right hand like a stop sign as she paused in front of him. “I know Poe chickened out, but it doesn’t matter.”

He raised his eyebrows. “It doesn’t?”

“No, really, it’s all right.” She took a deep breath. “You see, I’ve fallen in love with someone else, so Poe is off my short list. Another man has stolen my heart.”

His lips parted. She had fallen in love? With someone else? He knew everything going on in her life. Who was this other person?

“Murray …” She took a step closer and gazed into his eyes. “These last few weeks have shown me what real love is. It’s not just IMing on a computer and sharing secrets; it’s everyday living, spending time together, talking face-to-face.” Reaching out, she straightened the lapel of his jacket. Her hand lingered there as she continued. “I know we’ve had our differences, and we’ve argued. Most of the time it was my fault, and I’m sorry. But Murray, you loved me anyway, even when I had an ugly spirit. You loved me, even when I had an ugly face.”

Murray’s jaw dropped. “You’re talking about me? I’m the guy you’ve fallen in love with? I’m the guy who stole you from Poe?”

She nodded, and tears glimmered in her dark eyes. “I love you, Murray.”

Wow!
With a whoop, he threw his arms around her and pulled her close. “I can’t believe this, Tonya. I love you, too! I love you—warts and all.”

Her eyes widened. “Poe told you about my warts?”

“Haven’t you guessed by now, Tonya?” He hesitated. “I am Poe.”

“What?”

“Yes. Poetry Lover Guy and Murray Twichell are the same person.” He shrugged. “I figured you wouldn’t date me, so I became your secret admirer. I wanted to discover the real Tonya Brandt.”

Tonya could not shut her mouth. She stared at Murray’s close-set eyes and got lost in the blue. Why did she ever think he was homely? “You are Poe? The person I’ve been writing to all these months?”

“One and the same.” He gazed at her. “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways; I wish we could talk all night and watch the sun come over the horizon together.” He raised his eyebrows, looking a bit unsure. “I hope you’re not disappointed, but it was me all along, Tonya. I can’t believe you didn’t guess.”

“I didn’t!” She threw her arms around his neck, resting her cast on his shoulder, and hugged him. “I’m so glad it was you.”

“You are?”

She pulled back and looked deep into his eyes. “Yes, I am, Murray. There’s so many things I love about you.”

His gaze dipped down to her lips. “You wouldn’t believe how much I love you.”

Tonya had been kissed by a lot of guys, but Murray’s kiss was indescribably the best she had ever received. When they parted, they were both a little breathless. For a long moment, they stared into each other’s eyes until Murray spoke.

“You will marry me, won’t you, Tonya?”

She raised her eyebrows. “You’re asking already?”

Murray shrugged. “We’ve known each other all our lives, and you wanted to get married in June, remember? That’s only three short months away. Then there’s that honeymoon trip to Hawaii.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe how the Lord provided that.”

“I know!”
Thank You, Lord!
“Guess I’d better get busy with the wedding plans.”

“I’ll ask you more formally later, with a ring, and it will have to be somewhere romantic. I’m quite the poet, you know.” He grinned before glancing toward the house. “But first I’ll ask your dad for your hand in marriage. Should I be nervous about that? He might say no.”

“Are you kidding? Dad and Mom love you. They’ll be so happy.”

Murray nodded. “I think you’re right. In fact, they’re smiling at us right now.”

“What?” Tonya whipped around to look at the house. Sure enough, Dad, Mom, and Derek stood at the window. Mom had the phone pressed to her ear.

“Great!” Tonya turned back to Murray. “Mom is on the phone. She’s probably inviting everyone to our wedding.”

“That’s good. We won’t have to send out invitations.” He grinned. “I’ve already spent a ton on postage this year.”

Tonya laughed and grabbed his hand. “Come on, Poe. I’ll introduce you to my family.”

As they walked hand in hand to the house, peace filled Tonya. The Lord had given her a great gift, a man who exemplified the beautiful spirit of Christ’s love. A man who loved not only her outward appearance but also her heart.

Yes, Murray was the man for her—the man who had taught her the thing about beauty.

R
ECIPE FOR
T
ONYA
’
S
T
ERRIFIC
B
ROWNIES

Chocolate Layer:

      6 ounces semisweet baking chocolate

      ½ cup canola oil

      ¾ cup sugar

      1½ teaspoons vanilla

      3 eggs

      ¾ cup flour

      ¼ teaspoon salt

      ¼ cup semisweet chocolate chunks

Cream Cheese Layer:

      8 ounces cream cheese

      ¼ cup sugar

      1 egg

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease an 8-inch square pan; dust with flour.

Melt baking chocolate in a double boiler over boiling water, stirring until melted. Remove from heat and whisk in oil, sugar, and vanilla. Whisk in eggs, one at a time. Stir in flour and salt until just blended. Fold in chocolate chunks.

In another bowl, beat cream cheese with sugar and egg. Spread ? of the chocolate mixture in the baking pan; spoon the cheese mixture over the chocolate layer; spoon the remaining chocolate on top. Drag a knife through to swirl.

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Insert a toothpick to test. Let cool in pan for 20 minutes for warm brownies that you can eat with a fork, or cool completely for terrific finger-held brownies. Enjoy!

This book is dedicated to my Savior, Jesus Christ, who called me to write according to His own purpose, and also to my daughter, Holly Marie Robinson Armstrong, who is a great “first editor.”
Thanks for all your help, Holly!

C
heyenne Wilkins perched on the edge of the red leather chair in the law office of Mr. Barton Griggs, her heart beating an erratic tempo as she listened to the lawyer read her grandmother’s will. Since Grandmother Ingersoll’s death seven months ago, she had been hoping she would inherit some money, but she didn’t expect this.

Mr. Griggs laid his reading glasses on the mahogany desk. “So that’s it.” He raised bushy white eyebrows as his gray eyes glanced from Cheyenne to her dad, Jim Wilkins.

She lifted her hands, palms up. “I have to be married? And have a child?” She exchanged a glance with her dad. He looked just as stunned as she felt.

The lawyer nodded. “I tried to talk your grandmother into putting the money in a trust fund for you, but she had her own stubborn ideas.” Mr. Griggs gave her a sad smile. “She wrote this will shortly after your grandfather died and long after your mother had died. You were a teenager, Cheyenne.”

Dad gave a grudging nod. “I’m sure she thought you’d be married and have two or three kids by the age of thirty.”

“Yes.” Mr. Griggs steepled his fingers. “And even though Florence turned eccentric toward the end, she was in her right mind when she made the will. I can’t find any loopholes to change it.”

Cheyenne’s shoulders drooped. “I’ll never inherit that money. My birthday is next week, and I’ll be twenty-eight.”

The lawyer leaned back in his chair. “You have two years, Cheyenne. Surely you’ll find someone to marry before then.”