Blowing on Dandelions (26 page)

Micah stared at the gathering throng of people. He hadn’t expected the dance to take place in the square outside his new building, but the general consensus was to stay here rather than move to the usual location. He ran a hand over his freshly washed hair and rocked back on his heels. Butterflies danced in his stomach, feeling as though they had razors for wings. He hadn’t been this nervous since he’d given Emma a handmade Valentine’s card the year he turned thirteen.
Emma.
He waited for the sharp pain that always arose at the memory of his wife, but he only experienced a tender sadness. Incredible. He’d never forget Emma—didn’t ever want to forget. But how could this new feeling for Katherine have done so much toward helping him heal?

More men had arrived after the lumber was delivered, and the sounds of hammering and shouts of encouragement rang in the air. In no time at all, the walls were up and the second-floor joists spanned them. The workers all promised to return on Monday to finish the framing, including the roof. Micah still wasn’t positive he’d use the upper story for a home, but it would come in handy no matter what he decided.

The work the men had accomplished astounded him, as well as the compassion poured out by this town. More specifically, by Pastor Seth. He’d been God’s hands extended these past weeks, and the framing of Micah’s new building proved he’d done so again.

How could Micah possibly remain angry at God when his heavenly Father continued to express His love in such tangible ways? Sure, he still had questions and concerns and knew he’d need to sort through his feelings of loss and abandonment, but for the first time in two years he saw a ray of hope.

People he didn’t know had spent hours helping—not only on his building, but setting up tables and food for the social this evening. The early evening air remained warm, and the sun wouldn’t set for another three hours, giving plenty of time for socializing.

Micah’s palms grew damp at the thought of dancing with Katherine. He hadn’t danced for years and would probably step all over her dainty shoes if he tried, but the lure was too great to resist.

But first, he had to find her. He scanned the swelling crowd of colorfully dressed people, hoping to spot her dark gray dress and blond hair. Women sashayed in on the arms of their husbands or beaus, and children ran screaming and giggling, weaving among the tables. A group of men cleared a space in his new building while another set chairs in a circle around the outer walls. It appeared they were placing benches outside the big double doors.

Katherine had been in evidence during supper, but he hadn’t enjoyed a minute alone with her—not with her mother glaring daggers. Katherine had sent him an apologetic smile followed by a shrug that sent his heart soaring. At least
she
didn’t appear upset with him.

A blond woman in a powder-blue dress caught his eye, making Micah catch his breath. From a distance it appeared to be Katherine, but she’d been wearing a gray dress a couple of hours earlier with her hair drawn back in a knot. He turned and followed the woman with his gaze. Her hair was down, caught in a clip at her neck, allowing a riot of golden curls to cascade down her back. He hadn’t realized how long those tresses were. Her trim hips swayed slightly, causing the full skirt to flow around her ankles. He shook his head, unable to tear his eyes away but hating to stare.

She paused, then stopped and slowly turned, raising her hand to touch a curl that framed the side of her face. Micah’s heart lurched. Katherine. He’d never seen anyone so beautiful in his life.

Shivers ran up Katherine’s spine. Someone was watching her. She turned and looked back the way she’d come. Micah stood on the far side of the small clearing, holding his hat in his hands, his mouth agape. Deep admiration shone on his freshly scrubbed face.

He must have returned to the house in the past hour or so, possibly slipping in and out while she took care of her own preparations in her room. Gone were the soot-stained clothing and old work boots. In their place were dark trousers, a white shirt, a five-button vest, and a neatly done tie. The clothes must be another kind gesture from Pastor Seth, as Micah didn’t have the funds to replace what he’d lost.

Micah’s hair shone, and his face was cleanly shaved. The muscles of his upper arms tightened the fabric of his thin cotton shirt, and Katherine’s heart skipped a beat. He had never looked so handsome.

He wended his way between the people gathering in small groups and stopped a short stride away, bowing low and smiling. “I must say, you’re lovelier than I’ve ever seen you.”

She curtsied and laughed. “Thank you, kind sir. And I might say the same about you. But handsome, not lovely, if I’m to be perfectly accurate.”

One corner of his lips twitched, then he extended his arm. “May I escort you, madam?”

She slipped her hand through his bent arm and thrilled as he drew her close. “Have you seen the children?” She hated to squelch the moment, but if she weren’t careful, she’d forget caution and fall right into his arms. With the possibility that gossip might have already started, she needed to be vigilant—not to mention the added threat of Mama, who’d kept an eagle eye on almost every move she and Micah made recently. She hadn’t seen her family yet and prayed she’d have time alone with Micah before they appeared.

They strolled toward the shade of a large, towering oak and paused close to its trunk, shadowed by the branches. Micah gestured to a bench. “Would you care to sit for a minute until the dancing starts?” He gave her a devilish grin that sent tingles through her. “I’m not the best dancer in the county, but I’d sure like to give it a try, Katherine.” His voice dropped low as he spoke her name. “I haven’t been able to think of much else these past couple hours.”

Katherine’s breath caught in her throat. “I’m afraid I’ve had the same difficulty. I’d be honored to share a dance—or two.” She took a seat and waited for him to settle beside her. “Now tell me, are things all right between you and Zachary?”

The light dimmed from his face. “As good as can be, I expect. We talked after he bolted from the room, as I’m sure you did with Lucy.”

She nodded but didn’t reply. She’d been longing to know how Zachary had responded ever since that night.

Micah leaned closer, and his shoulder touched hers. “He listened, but I don’t think he liked hearing that I care for you, even if we remain friends.” He frowned. “I tried to get him to open up about his feelings for Beth, but he was mute as a rock.”

She gently probed. “You object that he might be interested in her?”

He hunched a shoulder. “She’s five years older than he is.”

Katherine touched his arm. “You’re right, Micah, although he’s nearly fifteen. Boys tend to develop an interest in women by that age, you know.”

His face relaxed. “He seems smitten with her.”

“Yes, Lucy mentioned that. But when she talks about Zachary she lights up, somehow. I’m afraid my little girl doesn’t know her own heart. Sometimes she appears to root for Beth; at other times there’s a bit of jealousy peeking out.”

She furrowed her brows. Any serious relationship between herself and Micah could make it difficult for Lucy and Zachary. They couldn’t allow that to happen, at least not until they were certain the children weren’t interested in a relationship with one another. It had been hard enough for her to avoid a physical relationship with Daniel once she recognized she loved him. If they’d lived in the same house, it might have been nigh unto impossible.

Her heart sank at the thought. Lucy was only thirteen and needed to wait at least two more years before she was old enough to court. Katherine must stick with that decision, no matter the personal cost to herself.

She gazed up at Micah. “Our children’s futures come first, before our own. And even beyond that, there’s Mama.”

He raised his brows a fraction. “What about her?”

How could she tell him the truth? The last thing she wanted was to hurt him, but she couldn’t allow him to believe she didn’t care or that the children’s feelings were all that held her back. The Bible taught that truth set a person free. She surely hoped it would this time. She drew in a short breath. “She doesn’t like you.”

He chuckled, his eyes twinkling. “And you think you’re revealing something I didn’t already know?”

Katherine touched Micah’s hand, and his fingers wrapped themselves around hers. “She’s here to stay, Micah. Mama will live with me until God takes her home. I can’t imagine trying to have any kind of future together unless she changes her way of thinking. It would be too difficult living with that level of animosity. It’s hard enough now.”

“I am not giving up and walking away. Your mother may be here to stay, but
I
am not going anywhere either, Katherine. Until then I’ll choose to trust God is in control.” The words were spoken quietly, with a deep reverence and conviction.

“I agree, although I will admit it’s going to take a mighty big miracle where Mama is concerned. I just wish …” Tears rushed to the surface.

He brushed a drooping curl from her face, tucking it tenderly behind her ear. “What is it? Please tell me?”

“I’m not sure … It seems disrespectful somehow—”

“The way your mother treats you.” The words were a statement, not a question, and said with such certainty they caused Katherine to start.

“I’m ashamed it’s so obvious.”

“I hate seeing the hurt she causes.” A dark cloud swept over his features. “I want to ask how she could treat her own flesh and blood that way, but I doubt she would listen. It would probably make matters worse.”

Katherine nodded. “Yes, more than likely. She has always treated me this way, but I still haven’t figured out why she seems to have taken a dislike to you.”

“I think she sees me as a drain on you—someone who can’t pay his way and with a son to provide for. A man she assumes will never amount to anything.” His profile looked set in stone. “But I’m determined to not let that stop me. I shall treat her with kindness, regardless of her actions. Our children won’t be young forever, and I want your mother on our side when the time comes.”

Katherine could swim in the warmth of his eyes and drown in the passion coloring his voice, never coming up for air. “Thank you for that. I’ve never figured her out, and I have wondered if I’ve been unfair at times. Yes, she is prickly and oftentimes unkind, but recently I’ve gotten a glimpse of a lonely woman with very few friends. I want to help her, but I have no idea how. She has never allowed me to get close, and that hurts as well. Mrs. Roberts has been working hard to befriend her, but Mama seems afraid to allow a relationship to develop.” She wasn’t sure if she was conveying the strength of her mother’s fear.

Micah’s jawline was firm, determined. “I’m sorry, Katherine, but I don’t agree. She is a smart woman and should be able to see what she’s doing when her tongue runs amok.”

“Mama has her own set of rules. One is that she must be in control—and if I hesitate or don’t always agree, she assumes it means I don’t love her or that I’m angry. What she doesn’t understand is that I have my own thoughts, my own desires, my own needs. It does not mean she’s wrong or that I’m criticizing her, but we don’t always have to agree.” She heaved a sigh. “I so wish she could see that, but I doubt it will happen.”

She shook her head in frustration, then touched his arm. “You said you are choosing to trust God. Does that mean you’re no longer angry at Him?” Hope surged through her, and she didn’t even care that someone might notice that he was holding her hand.

“Not as much. It’s still hard for me to understand why Emma died, but I think He is starting to crumble the walls I’ve built. I have blamed God for everything that’s happened over the past couple of years, growing bitter and closing myself off from good, caring people who tried to show me His love.”

He waved his free hand toward the new building a short distance away. “God sent Pastor Seth to talk to me so many times, but it took the labor and sweat of the men of this community to show me that He hadn’t forgotten me. It was love in action that broke me. I never expected anything like this. I have a ways to go in trusting Him completely, but I’ve made a giant stride in that direction.”

She squeezed his fingers. “I am so grateful. What an amazing gift. He has given me second, and even third, chances before, as well.”

Micah rubbed his thumb across the top of her hand, sending shivers up her arm. “You never know. If God can soften my heart, He’s big enough to change your mother, too.”

Katherine laughed. “I know, but when she’s on one of her rampages, it’s hard to remember that. I shall try, though. Truly I will. And I’ll start praying for her more. I think I stopped doing that after she moved in with us. I didn’t realize, until now, how long it’s been since I truly asked the Lord to intervene in her life—in our lives.”

A gentle silence settled around them, blanketing Katherine in peace. No matter what might come in the future, even if Micah could never share her life as more than a friend, she knew she’d be all right. Nothing could happen that would rattle her faith. Nothing and no one.