Where the Wild Rose Blooms (10 page)

"Twenty-four weeks from today," he finally commented quietly. "Nearly six months."

Eddie couldn't tell what he really thought. "It doesn't have to be that day, if you'd prefer another."

"No, I think this is fine. Would you rather I come ahead of the wedding and then leave right after we're married, or come the day before and plan to stay longer afterward?"

Eddie didn't have to think very long. "I'm afraid something will keep you from getting here for the fourteenth, so I'd rather you come early."

"What would keep me from coming?" 1 he snow.

Robert heard the fear in her voice and put his hand over hers. She was his Eddie. Their letters were always so full. They had spent less than 48 hours in each others presence, but he knew this girl. She had told him all about herself, and he likewise, on the pages of their letters. They'd shared every dream and prayer on those pages, and it was no surprise to Robert that he was already in love.

It was an added blessing that her hair was thick and shiny and that her blue
eyes
were huge and rimmed with long, dark lashes, but the girl he loved, he loved from the pages of her letters.

"I thought I heard you come in, Robert," Addy spoke now as she joined them. She sat on the davenport, taking Eddie's other side, and put a loving hand on her daughter's arm.

"Did you discuss the wedding date?"

"Yes. Robert thinks it's fine. Mother, did you know what Father was going to talk to Robert about this morning?"

Addy sighed. "He mentioned it last night. I didn't encourage him, but he seemed to think it was a great idea. Has it ruined your stay, Robert?"

"No, Mrs. Fontaine, but I did have to tell him no. I want Eddie to come home as often as she likes, and I hope you'll visit us in Boulder, but I really do believe that's where the Lord wants us."

"Maybe someday we'll have a home and you can even stay with us," Eddie told her mother and then turned to smile at Robert. He was looking rather surprised.

"I think someday might be sooner than you think" was all he said.

"What do you mean?"

Robert hesitated and Addy stood.

"I think it's time I left you alone."

Robert swiftly came to his feet. "No, no, Mrs. Fontaine, please don't go; I just can't believe I forgot. Excuse me a moment, ladies."

He slipped from the room, and mother and daughter exchanged looks. They didn't have time to talk about it, however, because Robert was right back, a roll of paper in his hand.

"I brought house plans with me. There's a man in Boulder ready to go to work, but I didn't want him to start until I'd checked with you, Eddie."

"Oh, Robert!" Eddie exclaimed when the plans were opened. "Its wonderful."

All three heads bent over the pages as Roberts hand walked them through the downstairs. The entryway was large and ornate. Oak stairs, leading to the second story, rose just 20 feet from the wide front door. Immediately to the left of the entryway was a formal living room. The dining room was off that, and the entire back of the house was pantry and kitchen. A hallway could be taken from the kitchen to arrive at Robert's study or back to the main staircase. You could also reach the top floor from a narrow set of stairs that rose from the kitchen. The second story was beautifully laid out as well and sported four bedrooms. Robert's and Eddie's rooms were across the front of the house, with tall windows looking to the east, and the other rooms looked like they would be airy and spacious as well. Robert had designed the house himself, and Eddie was thrilled.

"What do you think?" Robert wanted to know.

"I think its wonderful."

"Its not too late to change something. Do you have any suggestions?"

Eddie thought a moment, and both Robert and her mother were sure she would say no. She surprised them.

"It might be too costly, but would it be possible to put in another fireplace? Right here in the entryway?"

"A fireplace in the entryway?" Roberts tone spoke of his doubt.

"Well," Eddie became rather self-conscious. "It's probably too expensive, but that area is so large and what better place to warm up than when you've just come in from the cold."

Robert looked at Eddie and then back at the plans. Put like that, he could see that it was a marvelous idea. He turned back to look at her, his eyes intent now on her face. Addy decided it was time for her to leave.

"We don't have to, Robert," Eddie spoke when they were alone. "I won't be upset if you don't like it."

"I'm not building this house for me, Eddie. Before 1 met you I wasn't even interested in a home. Are you certain that's all you want changed?"

Eddie nodded, and Robert took her hand.

"You'll have your extra fireplace, Eddie. Count on that."

Eddie linked her fingers with Robert's and thought about his words. Yes, she was certain she could count on having the other fireplace, but suddenly it occurred to her that it was
Robert
who could be counted on. A sudden peace stole over her. God had sent her a wonderful man.

Eddie's thoughts were still dwelling on the wonder of it all when Robert put an arm around her and pulled her close.

"Is that Clayton Taggart's voice?"
Jackie whispered furiously as she darted into the kitchen.

"Yes" was Eddie's casual reply. "He came to meet Robert." She was making some refreshments for her guests and continued to do so calmly.

"But I thought he was out of town!"

"He was, but he made a special trip home because I told him Robert would be here."

Jackie dropped into a chair as though the world had come to an end. Seeing her face, Eddie wiped her hands and sat down across from her sister.

"Jackie, will you please tell me why you have such a problem with Tag?"

Jackie sighed. "I just don't like him."

"You sound like a five-year-old."

Jackie's face flushed with rage, but Eddie put a hand in the air.

"You don't have to buddy up to him, Jackie, but this outrage every time he's near or offers you a ride from school is wrong." Eddie placed strong emphasis on the last word, but the younger girl calmed upon hearing her sister's kind voice.

"Have you prayed about this, Jackie?"

"No," she admitted.

"Then do so," Eddie urged her. "Take some time right now. Robert and Tag are just getting to know each other. He'll probably be here for the better part of the afternoon and tomorrow after church as well. You could join us if you'd come to grips with your feelings."

Jackie nodded, and Eddie knew she had said enough. She loaded a serving tray with the good china plates
and
cups, and then added napkins, knives and spoons, cream, sugar, butter, a full pot of tea, and some freshly baked scones. Her Aunt Lacey always served tea and scones, and Eddie had a taste for them often. She hoped Robert would enjoy them too. She glanced at the table as she left, but Jackie hadn't moved or spoken. Indeed, Jackie was not even aware of her sister's departure.

I
don't have to have a reason to hate him,
she told herself.
I
just do and that's that!
She then remembered her sister's admonition to pray. Jackie sighed in the stillness of the room.

She knew her attitude was wrong. Her mother was kind to everyone, but her father only bothered with people he liked. She knew her father was wrong to be so hard at times, but what could you do if you just didn't like someone?

Suddenly Clayton's eyes came to mind, and the way they looked the night her family had gone to the Taggarts' for dinner. At the beginning of the evening they'd been laughing, teasing eyes, but then after the incident in the barn, his eyes had been serious. He still looked at her in a way that told her he thought she was pretty, but the teasing glint and some of the friendliness was gone.

"It's just as well," Jackie stood and spoke to herself, her decision made. "I don't want to have anything to do with him anyhow."

Clayton walked back up the road to his house feeling very pleased that he'd made the effort to come home. Robert Langley was as fine a fellow as Clayton had met in a long time. There had been no awkwardness between them, no time of testing; they'd hit it off in the first five minutes. And it had done nothing but good for Claytons heart to see the way Robert looked at Eddie. She was so lovely and sweet, and God had truly blessed her with a man who would obviously cherish all the love in her heart.

Milly and Elaine were waiting with dinner on the table when Clayton got home, and he was enthusiastic in his telling of Robert and Eddie. Milly thought it was the most romantic thing she ever heard, but Elaine had another thought.

"Maybe the Lord will lead you to teach school in Boulder someday, and you can see more of Robert Langley."

Clayton hadn't thought of it, but he smiled his appreciation at his mother. They bowed their heads to pray for the meal, but Clayton was a bit distracted. Why had the thought of teaching in Boulder made him wonder where Jackie would be living by then? He nearly shook his head. He hadn't seen her all day, and thinking of her in that way now seemed odd to him. A moment later he dismissed it; he was probably still just pondering the way she'd responded that night in the barn. Well, he'd done everything he could to make things right. It was up to her if she wanted to have anything to do with him.

1 cant believe you have to leave tomorrow.

Eddie and Robert were walking hand-in-hand along Clear Creek, the sun was sinking in the sky, and the sound of the rushing water caused Eddie to raise her voice slighdy. Robert heard her quite clearly, but as hard as it was for him to leave, he didn't comment. Right now he just wanted to be near the woman he loved, holding her hand and not thinking about a six-month separation.

"Do you think the time will go by swiftly?" Eddie asked.

"That all depends."

"On what?"

"On the time of day. When I'm at the bank, at my desk or even overseeing a tellers window, the hours will fly by, but in the evening when I'll wonder what you're doing and if you had a good day, the time will drag." Robert stopped then and pulled Eddie close with one hand. With his free hand he traced the line of her brows and then drew his fingers down her cheek until he had taken gentle hold of her chin.

"I love you, Eddie, and I don't want you to forget that for one second."

"I won't. You won't forget my love, will you?"