Ready to Wed (17 page)

“I didn’t actually sleep in the whole time,” she admitted. “I just hoped to avoid Belle and Ron and Don today. I’m in serious need of a day of rest.”

“I think the twins were heading out to look for antiques,” said Jane as she brushed crumbs from the tablecloth. “And Belle will probably be occupied with my aunt today. I saved you some breakfast, if you’re interested.”

“You’re a saint.”

“Go ahead and sit down and I’ll get it for you. Coffee or tea?”

“Coffee,” she said eagerly. “Black, please.”

“You got it.”

Jane made the silver tray look pretty, setting a vase with a rosebud in it, before she took it out to Shelby. “I think you should have the inn mostly to yourself,” she said as she filled the coffee cup and left the carafe for her guest. “At least for the morning.”

“Wonderful.” Shelby sighed. “I have a big, fat novel to read, and I thought I might stroll around later on, maybe get some lunch.”

Jane made some recommendations for eating in town, then told Shelby to have a peaceful and relaxing day. “And just leave your breakfast things right here when you’re done, we’ll take care of them.”

“Thank you.”

Jane joined Alice in the kitchen. “So, what are your plans today?” she asked.

“Vera and I are going to take a long walk. We’ve decided to do the walkathon this summer, and we need to get into better shape.”

“Is that a fund-raiser for the hospital?” asked Jane as she poured herself another cup of coffee.

“Yes. For a new MRI machine. The hospital really needs it.”

“I’d like to participate too,” said Jane.

Alice grinned. “I already signed you up. And I suggested to Louise that if she doesn’t wish to walk, she can always be a sponsor.”

“Good for you.”

“Would you like to join Vera and me today?”

“No. I think I’ll putter around the yard some more. I still haven’t enjoyed enough of this great gardening weather yet.”

Alice hung up her dish towel. “Well, enjoy.”

“You too.”

Jane took her coffee and the newspaper outside and sat
down at the table. She had placed it quite near the garden, in a spot where it could get both morning sun and some dappled shade in the afternoon. Without bothering to open the paper, she simply sat there breathing in the scented air of warmed earth and green things growing. Divine.

“Morning, Jane,” said a male voice.

She turned and waved. “Come join me, Kenneth. It’s lovely out here.”

He looked tentative. “Is it safe?”

She chuckled. “Do you refer to a certain guest?”

He nodded.

“She’s gone off to Potterston with Aunt Ethel to search for wedding things.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, seriously.”

He sat down in the other chair at the table, then suddenly got a hopeful expression. “Does that mean Belle has found her man?”

“I’m not sure what it means. But if you’re asking if there is a specific fiancé in the picture yet, well, the answer is no.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t worry, Kenneth. If it’s any comfort, Belle’s list of potential mates is getting longer.” Then she told him about the twins, omitting the part about their being almost inseparable.

“So, you think there’s some actual marriage potential there?”

Jane shrugged. “I don’t know. I think they had fun bowling last night, but I didn’t see either of the brothers leaping at the opportunity to spend time with her today. They seemed happy to go off on their own.”

“Someone should tell Belle that most bachelors run the other way when they see a woman with marriage in her eyes. She might try being more subtle.”

“Subtle?” Jane laughed. “Somehow that word just doesn’t fit our Belle.”

“No,” he agreed, “I think you’re right.”

“Everything okay with the church basement now?”

“Yes. The sealer Fred gave me seemed to do the trick. It looked much better this morning.” He looked more closely at Jane. “And you seem to be better too. Is that due to the sunshine?”

“Yes, it’s definitely good medicine.” Then she frowned.

“But something is still troubling you?”

She pressed her lips together as she tried to decide whether she wanted to tell Kenneth about Justin’s impending visit.

“I can see that you’re worried about something, Jane.”

She nodded. “You’re right.”

“I’d love a cup of decaf if you have any made.” He smiled hopefully.

“There is still a full pot left over from breakfast.” She slowly stood. “I’ll get it for you.”

“And, see, that will give you time to decide whether to divulge your troubles to your pastor and friend.”

“I’ll be right back.” As she walked to the house, she wasn’t sure that she really wanted to tell Kenneth about her problem. But she wasn’t sure that she didn’t. Besides, she reminded herself, before long everyone in Acorn Hill would know. Justin’s visit might even replace Belle as the talk of the town, at least briefly, anyway. Wouldn’t it be easier to tell Kenneth about this now, rather than to wait until Justin made his appearance? Who knew what Justin might say to people? Goodness, she thought as she filled the thermos pitcher with decaf, how would she introduce Justin to Kenneth and all her other friends?

With her hands full, Jane shoved open the screen door with her foot so forcefully that it slammed against the wall. Oh, why couldn’t the past remain just that—the past?

Chapter Fourteen

B
y the time she returned, carrying the thermos and a cup, she knew she should simply get her disturbing news out into the open. She remembered how her father often said that the best way to do something uncomfortable was to do it quickly. Whether peeling off a Band-Aid, taking foul-tasting medicine or righting a wrong, it was usually best to just get it over with.

“Here you go,” she said as she set a cup in front of Kenneth, then filled it.

“I’ve just been observing Wendell’s antics.” He nodded over to where the cat was rolling in the dust, enjoying the sunshine as well as a dirt bath.

“Silly kitty,” said Jane as she sat and refilled her own cup. “And usually he is so dignified.”

“Guess we all need to let down our hair sometimes.”

“Even you?”

He chuckled. “Well, I don’t think I’ll get caught rolling in the dirt, at least not in public, but yes, even me.” He held up his cup. “Thank you.” Then, as he continued looking at
her with an even gaze, she knew this was his gentle hint that now was her time to share.

“I think I’ll just get right out with it,” she began quickly. “My ex-husband is coming to Acorn Hill.”

Kenneth looked momentarily surprised, then, returning to his unflappable pastoral countenance, he simply nodded.

“And the question on my mind, as well as my sisters’, is why is Justin coming?”

“You don’t know why?”

She shook her head, then took a sip of the hot coffee.

“Obviously, he is coming to see you. Right?”

“Well, yes, I suppose. His letter was quite brief.”

“He communicated through a letter?”

She explained the letter, the road trip and the reservation that he had made with Louise.

“He’ll be staying here at the inn?”

She frowned. “Yes. I wasn’t pleased.”

“That could be awkward.”

“Louise was caught off guard by his call.” Jane gave him a sheepish look. “I hadn’t even told her he was coming.”

“But he’s still staying at the inn?”

“I guess so.” Jane made a face. “I’m considering going AWOL.”

“But you won’t.”

She shrugged. “That’s probably not the most mature way to handle it.”

He smiled. “Probably not.”

“So, now you know,” said Jane. “That’s what’s been troubling me the past few days.”

“I can imagine that would be unsettling.”

“Very.”

“How do you feel about your former husband, Jane? What is his name again?”

“Justin.”

“Right, how do you feel about Justin?”

“In what way? I mean if you’re asking if I’m still angry with him, the answer is no. I’ve forgiven him. What’s past is past. But are you asking if I still have feelings for him, if I still love him?”

“Do you?”

“I don’t think so. I mean I do care about him. How can you not care about a person you were once married to? Alice suggested that perhaps Justin might be ill, and I’ll admit the thought of that makes me sad. I really do hope he’s okay.”

“Naturally.”

“Maybe he wants me to donate a kidney or something.” She gave a weak smile.

“I’m sure you’d consider it, Jane.”

She nodded. “You know, Kenneth, I would.”

“So, can you guess why he’s coming here?”

“That’s just it. I can’t.”

Kenneth seemed to ponder this for a long moment. Finally he said, “Maybe he still loves you, Jane.”

Jane sat there without responding. She was feeling the warmth of the sun on her head, listening to a bird singing sweetly in a nearby maple tree. She considered what Kenneth had just said to her.

“You have to admit that it’s a possibility,” he persisted. “Justin might still love you, Jane.”

“Yes, that’s what Alice said. And Sylvia. Even Louise hinted at it.”

He smiled at her. “And it wouldn’t be surprising, Jane. You’re a wonderful person. I’ve told you before that I thought he was a fool to let you go.”

She felt herself blushing. “Well, I think we were both foolish.” She laughed. “We weren’t young when we married. I actually thought of myself as rather sophisticated at the time. Now I look back and think I was so naive, so foolish, really.”

“Perhaps you’ve both matured since then.”

“That has occurred to me.”

“God does give second chances, Jane.”

She took a quick sip of coffee, avoiding Kenneth’s gaze. In truth, Jane wasn’t the least bit convinced she wanted a
second chance, even if God was the One offering it to her. Naturally, she could not say this to Kenneth. Not only did it sound irreverent and disrespectful, but she also knew that Kenneth and God were like partners, on good speaking terms. Still, it troubled her to feel this way, as if she were being rebellious and willful. She didn’t like feeling that she might be putting herself at odds with God. And yet, it troubled her even more to think that God might want her to give Justin a second chance.

“Uh-oh,” said Kenneth, glancing out toward the street. “That looks like Belle’s car parking. I thought you said she and Ethel were going to Potterston today.”

“I thought they were,” said Jane. “Now that Auntie is feeling better, she’s insistent on helping Belle with the planning.”

He took a final sip of coffee. “You’ll excuse me if I make a quick retreat, won’t you, Jane?”

“Of course.” She grinned. “The runaway groom.”

He firmly shook his finger at her as he stood. “I am not the groom.”

“Not yet, you aren’t.”

“Jane Howard,” he said in a mock warning tone. “You are wicked.”

“Later,” she called as he hurried off around the back way.

“Hello, Jane,” said Ethel as she and Belle made their way toward her.

“Hello, ladies,” Jane said as she stood to meet them. “You look like you’re doing much better, Auntie.”

“Why, yes,” Ethel said, patting her smooth cheeks. “Thank you.”

“Was that Rev. Thompson?” asked Belle as she eagerly peered over Jane’s shoulder in the direction Kenneth had headed.

Jane avoided answering Belle by asking a question of her own. “Why are you back so soon?”

“We need a model,” said Ethel.

“A model?” Jane frowned. “What do you mean?”

“We were in town, speaking to Sylvia to get some pointers on wedding gowns, and we were about to head to Potterston when it occurred to me that this would go much more quickly if you could come with us to try on bridesmaid dresses. That way you can stand next to Belle and I can stand back and decide which dresses go together best.”

Jane wanted to point out that picking out dresses was impractical when no groom had stepped up to the plate. But not only did that sound mean, she would probably get Belle’s typical response, “God will provide.”

“I really need to stick around the inn today,” said Jane.

“Nonsense,” said her aunt. “Louise and Alice are both here.”

“But I have my garden to—”

“Your garden will wait.” Ethel gave Jane a commanding look. “I am your aunt, Jane. And I have been ill. I would think you would show me some cooperation.”

“But, Aunt Ethel,” tried Jane. “I just don’t see the point of—”

“The point is that Belle has a wedding to plan. She came to Acorn Hill because God gave her a dream.”

“I know.” Jane’s exasperation rose to the surface. She turned to Belle. “I don’t want to offend you, Belle, but I am having difficulty with this. I mean if you actually were engaged or at least if there was a particular man involved, it might be—”

“There is a particular man involved,” said Ethel.

Jane was surprised. “Who?”

Her aunt glanced about as if to see if anyone was around to listen, which was not the case. “Well, if you must know, Jane. We think it might be Wilhelm.”

“Wilhelm?” Jane felt a stab of empathy for the poor man. “And what makes you think it’s him?”

Ethel held up one finger. “For one thing, Lloyd thinks that it’s possible. He and Wilhelm chatted, and Wilhelm was quite impressed with Belle.” Then she held up a second finger. “And tonight, Lloyd, Wilhelm, Belle and I plan to play bridge.” Then she held up a third finger. “Finally, Belle and I were just in town and we ran into Wilhelm’s mother.”