Boxed Set: Deep in the Heart of Texas

  After all she had faced in her young life—losing her parents, leaving her sister behind for a spell to seek out a new life—he hated to cause her any unnecessary pain.

  The musicians took a break so that folks could fellowship. At that moment, Myles Lott appeared. He smiled down at Catherine, who sat on the quilt eating a plateful of food. “So, our new student has arrived at last.”

  George rose to make introductions. “Miss Catherine, this is your new schoolmaster, Mr. Lott.”

  The youngster looked up with a contented smile. “I’ve come all the way from Boston, sir,” she said politely. “And I’m ever so excited. I will be there Monday morning with bells on.”

  Myles nodded. “I look forward to getting to know you.” He turned his attention to Adeline. “Would you mind bringing her early? I would like to show her around and administer a brief test to see where to place her.”

  “Of course.” Adeline nodded then reached across the blanket to embrace her sister. “I cannot tell you how happy I am to have my baby sister here at last. Our family is complete.” She smiled. “Oh, how good that sounds.” She looked over at George with a shy smile, and his heart lurched.

  “I understand there’s a new opera house going in,” Catherine said.

  “Indeed,” Myles responded. “Do you like to attend the theater?”

  “Oh, I do. Our parents used to take us all the time. When Adeline told me, I was quite excited.” She giggled. “I fancy myself a singer. Do you think they will let me audition?”

  “No doubt Sarah Jo will put you to work immediately.” Myles grinned. “She will give you the starring role and folks will come from all over the county to hear you sing.”

  “Oh, she has the loveliest voice you ever heard,” Adeline chimed in. “Like an angel.”

  Catherine giggled. “That’s a bit of an overstatement, sister.” She smiled at Myles. “Though I do love to sing. And to perform.”

  “Sounds like you were born for the stage.” He gave her a nod. “And I can’t wait to see you up on that stage.”

  George watched this exchange with great curiosity. Looked like Catherine would fit right in.

  Just then Myles looked his way, clearing his throat. “Um, George, I wonder if you would allow me the privilege of taking Adeline and Catherine for a walk. Several of my students are here at the camp meeting, and I would like to make introductions. I believe things will go smoother for Catherine on Monday should she get to know her fellow students in advance.”

  “Of course.”

  “So your students are all churchgoers?” Adeline asked in a voice sweeter than honey.

  “Most of them, anyway.” Myles nodded. “And trust me, if anyone needs to hear the gospel message, those little hooligans do.” He grinned. “You know, of course, that I’m exaggerating. They’re not really hooligans. I love them dearly. Just have to remember that God is still forming them into the people they will one day be.”

  “Indeed,” George said. “I believe He’s still doing that with me, as well.”

  Adeline smiled. “Me, too. We are ever-growing into the people we are to become.” She laughed. “That sounded silly.”

  “Oh no.” Myles shook his head. “On the contrary. I found it to be quite accurate.”

  George extended his hand and helped Adeline rise. After straightening her skirts, she took her sister by the hand and they began to walk with Myles.

  “Thank you, George,” Adeline called back with a smile. “We won’t be long, I’m sure.” She took Myles’s proffered arm, and they set off in search of his students. George watched them, grateful for the reprieve.

  Just a few feet away, Myles paused to introduce Catherine to one of his students, a rambunctious boy named Bruce. Within minutes, they were all laughing and talking about something that Bruce had done in class last week.

  George smiled as he looked on, happy to see them fit in so well with those they met. Hopefully everything today would go as smoothly, particularly the part where he shared his heart with Adeline...and told her that he could not marry her.

  Something Myles said must have embarrassed Adeline, for her cheeks turned pink and her gaze shifted to the ground. She was such a pretty young woman—eyes that sparkled merrily whenever she was tickled by something, which seemed to happen a lot. Cheeks that flushed crimson at happy news. Yes, nearly everything about Adeline was perfect. Just not for George.

  As they walked away, he turned to his mother. “Myles has changed a lot since my days in the classroom.”

  “How so?” she asked, gazing at him with curiosity.

  “He’s softer now, I believe. I don’t mean that in a bad way. He was never harsh. He was just always a little lonely. Kept to himself. Now he seems to have opened himself up to life and to people. I like the transformation I see in him.”

  “Indeed. He is a very nice man.” His mother smiled. “And a wise one, too.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes.” She nodded. “He handled that situation with Marta very well, don’t you think? It took a lot of wisdom to realize he had the wrong woman. And a lot of grace to watch her marry someone else.”

  “Yes.” George shrugged, not sure where she was headed with this.

  “I daresay, a man with wisdom like that could go a long way in life.” She gave him a wink and shifted her gaze.

  George looked at his mother, now catching the meaning of her words. She wasn’t talking about Myles Lott anymore. Oh, no. She’d gone to talking about someone else.

  George smiled. “I have a lot to learn from Myles.”

  “You’ve always been an apt pupil.” His mother’s lips turned up and she gazed into his eyes. “It’s never too late for learning, son. Life itself offers many lessons.”

  “Like now, perhaps?”

  She nodded. “Mm-hmm.”

  “You are a wise woman, Mother, and I appreciate you.” He scooted over to sit next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “Myles Lott isn’t the only great teacher in Poetry. Both of my parents seem to do a fine job of it, too.”

  “Thank you, son,” she whispered. She planted a kiss on his cheek.

  At this moment, Belinda’s mother appeared, her face flushed. “Did you hear our news?” she asked.

  “News?” George’s mother looked up. “No, what is it?”

  “I’m going to be a grandmother. James and Corabelle are expecting a baby!”

  The two women took to talking, but George was distracted. He looked through the crowd until his gaze fell on Belinda, seated next to Corabelle. They were thoroughly engaged in conversation. Then, in a moment too special for words, the throng of people seemed to part just as Belinda looked his way. She gave him a shy smile and a little wave, and his heart leaped into his throat. Both his mother and Belinda’s looked over at him a few seconds later with knowing looks on their faces. Strange how everyone seemed to be able to read his heart these days.

  Then again, it appeared to be an open book. One filled with new and exciting possibilities.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  As the camp meeting progressed, George looked around for Adeline. She and Myles had been gone for some time. As the musicians played their final toe-tapping number, they finally appeared, arm in arm, with Catherine at their side.

  “Oh, I had such a wonderful time getting to know the children,” Adeline said, a look of pure joy on her face.

  “I’m glad.” George rose to greet them.

  “I’m sorry that took so long, George,” Myles said. “Catherine hit it off with Nellie Johnson. Looks like they’re going to be fast friends. The girls have much in common.”

  “Yes,” Catherine agreed with a nod. “I think I’m going to like it here.” She wrapped her arms around her sister’s neck and gave her a warm smile. “Thank you so much for bringing me here, Adeline. We’re going to have a wonderful new life.”

  Adeline nodded, and George noticed a hint of moisture in her eyes.

  “Are you all right?” he whispered. r />
  “Yes.” She nodded. “Just thinking about Mama and Papa. Wondering what they would have thought of this lovely place. I think my mother would have fit right in with all of the ladies. She always had such a way about her. And Papa...” She dabbed at her eyes. “Well, I daresay he would have been up there with his fiddle, playing with the others. Don’t you think, Catherine?”

  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 George. “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.”

  George watched this exchange, his interest piqued.

  “George, 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 George’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. George 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. George 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,” George 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. “George, 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, George. 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 George, 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 talking about Myles Lott here?” George asked, dumbfounded.

  “Yes.” She turned to him, her brow wrinkled. “Oh, George, 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?” George 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, George’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 George’s hands in her own. “George, 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.

  “George, 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, George! 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. George 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. George 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, George, aren’t we silly?” She turned as Myles’s laughter rang out.

  “Yes.” George 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,” George 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.

  George 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 George. 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 George’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 George 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 George and Adeline...for the rest of her life.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  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 George 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.