The brush slipped from her fingers. I didnt know.
Lucky thing, one of the boys got sick right before the plane took off, so she left the children with Matthew. He was devastated. It shook all of us to the core, I tell you. We lost a lot of friends that day.
Matthew lost his wife and the mother of his children. Her chest tightened. She remembered how hed seen her safely home last night. And remembered the loneliness in his eyes. Its strange to be here after being gone for so many years. All the people I know are much older now. So much has happened to them.
And your classmates grown up and married. Nannas eyes sparkled. Everyone except you.
Surely not everyones married. There has to be a few people in this town as smart as I am. She winked at Nannas reflection in the big, beveled mirror.
You mean as misguided. I think your old friend Karen McKaslin isnt married yet. Now, dont get your hopes up. Her wedding is scheduled for sometime this fall.
A mistake. Hope shook her head. Ill have to give her a call and see if I cant wisen her up.
Nanna laughed. Tease all you want. You never know when the lovebug will bite.
Lovebug? Hope reached for a headband on the edge of the nightstand. If love is a bug, then all I need is a good can of pesticide.
Really, Hope. Youre impossible. Nannas hand caught hers, warm and accepting, as always. And no, I wont change your mind. Ill let God do that.
Whats He gonna do? Send a lovebug?
You never know. There are a few handsome men in this town looking for the right woman to share their lives with.
Oh, there are men, all right, but I dont think marriage is what theyre looking for.
Then youve been living in all the wrong places. Nanna winked, then caught her reflection in the mirror. Oh, Hope. Why, this is wonderful. I hardly recognize myself.
You look beautiful, Nanna. Hope brushed her hand gently over a few stray wisps, guiding them into place. What do you want for breakfast?
My day nurse Kirby is taking care of that.
Well, she has enough to do taking care of you.
Yes, but the real question is, can you cook? Nanna looked terribly skeptical. I know how you live, always traveling
Thats because Im always working.
If you had a husband and a family, you would have more to do with your time than work. Nanna pressed a kiss to Hopes cheek, one of comfort and love. Go ahead, make breakfast. Im a brave woman with good digestion.
Im not going to poison you.
And be careful of the sink handle. Its been leaking something fierce. And that right front stove burner is wobbly. I mean to talk to someone in town about it today.
Have a little faith, Nanna. Im all grown up. I think I can figure out a faucet handle and an ancient stove.
Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.
Relax. Hope helped Nanna lean back into her pillows, then reached for the quilt to cover her. Im not going to burn down the kitchen.
You almost did once, you know.
I was seventeen years old. Hope pressed a kiss to Nannas brow. How fast time passed. And it was passing faster every day. You get some rest, and Ill be right back with some scrambled eggs.
Now this I have to see, Nanna mused.
Hope pulled the door closed and hurried downstairs, her heart heavy. Nanna was wrong, she didnt need the pain of marriage. Shed watched her parents up close and personal, and shed sworn never to live like that. Ever.
Even now, remembering, her stomach tensed and she laid her hand there. The ulcer still bothered her from time to time. Usually whenever she thought about her family.
Yes, singleness was one gift from the Lord she intended to cherish for the rest of her life.
Matthew, you have to take my place on the Founders Days planning committee. I cant do everything. Matthews mother herded three little boys into her living room. Building blocks clattered and sounds of glee filled the air. I dont mind keeping the triplets over the summer, you know that. But these three are a lot to keep up to. Youre going to have to do some things for me.
The committee meetings are during the day, and you know I cant take off work. Ive got a roof to put on the McKaslins hay barn
You can work it out. Youre self-employed. Mom pressed a kiss to his cheek. Tell you what, Ill sweeten the deal. Ill keep the boys past supper every night if youll take over this one tiny, little obligation for me.
Im a carpenter. I dont know the first thing about committees.
Nonsense, a smart man like you. The meeting is this morning, from ten-thirty to eleven-thirty at Karens little coffee shop. Oh, those boys are a busy bunch, arent they? Mom took off at a run. Ian, dont climb up the fireplace. No, not even if youre a fireman.
There was a twinkle in her eye. The planning committee, as far as he knew, consisted of the towns oldest citizens.
If Mom wasnt playing matchmaker, she was still up to something. If only he knew what.
Manhattan, Montana crept into sight around the last bend. Hope hadnt seen this place since she was seventeen. Last night, when shed driven through with Matthew, it had been dark and late, the streets deserted.
In the light of day, she saw that much was different from what she remembered. Businesses had changed hands, new stores had come in, but the character and the small-town feel remained.
It was the closest thing to home shed known in her entire life.
Its good to be back, isnt it? Why did Nanna sound triumphant? I always knew you belonged here, Hope, and not in your parents world.
What does that mean, exactly? Hope braked as an elderly man jaywalked leisurely across the wide, two-lane street.
It means youre the kind of person who needs roots, like me. To plant them deep and watch your life grow. Nanna tapped her fingers against the dash. Turn here. Right there in front of the blue shop.
Hope eased Nannas old sedan into a parking spot. The hand-painted sign on the row of shops read Field of Beans. Im not a tree. I dont have roots.
You know darn well what I mean, youre being stubborn. Nanna opened her door. Kirby, dear, bring those crutches. I can handle the steps by myself.
Hope saw the nurses exasperated look in the rearview. Dont tell me shes always like this?
Usually shes worse. The young nurse hopped out of the car, hurrying to help.
Hope listened to her grandmother issue orders to Kirby as she situated the crutches beneath her arms. Nanna might be injured, but her spirit remained unscathed. Hope stepped out into the fresh spring morning to lend Kirby a hand.
Already the sun was hot, and dust mixed in the air. She smelled freshly ground coffee and baking muffins. Nanna, is there anything you want from the store?
Oh, no, you dont. Nanna wobbled to a stop. Youre coming to the meeting with me. You can do your errands-running later.
But you have Kirby
Kirby has to go fill some prescriptions for me.
I have to run over to Zachs garage and rescue my Jeep. Then I have to grocery shop. Hope took hold of her grandmothers fragile elbow. Dont worry, Ill help Kirby get you inside
But you have Kirby
Kirby has to go fill some prescriptions for me.
I have to run over to Zachs garage and rescue my Jeep. Then I have to grocery shop. Hope took hold of her grandmothers fragile elbow. Dont worry, Ill help Kirby get you inside
Look, theres Matthew Sheridan crossing the street. Nanna took a stronger step. It looks like hes heading for Karens coffee place, too. Good. Ive been needing to speak with him.
What you need to do is concentrate or youre going to fall off those things. Maybe we should get the wheelchair from the trunk
Dont you dare. Theres only three stairs, and Im starting to get the hang of these crutches. Nanna hobbled forward, then stopped in the middle of the first board step. Why, Matthew. The man Ive been looking for.
Me? He strolled to a stop on the sidewalk above, his face shaded by the brim of his Stetson. Nora Greenley. I cant believe youre up and around.
Its hard to keep an old warhorse down, Nanna quipped as her fingers caught Hopes sleeve. Matthew, I have a terrible problem up at the house. Now, I could have called the McKaslin boy, but I hear youre a better carpenter. I need some work done on my kitchen.
Id be happy to come take a look. He held out his hand, palm up. It was a strong hand with calluses thick on his sun-browned skin. Do you need help up these stairs?
I can handle the stairs. You talk a minute with my granddaughter and find a time she can show you the kitchen. Nanna was suddenly busy crutching up the steps and avoiding Matthews gaze. Hope, be a dear and handle this for me.
You know I cant say no to you, Nanna. But Hope did feel suspicion burn in her heart. What was her grandmother up to?
Kirby will see me in, dear. Just make sure you come and join me. If I need help, Id hate to interrupt the meeting. You understand.
I understand. Was that a twinkle in the older womans eye? Nanna knew better than to try to fix her up with poor Matthew Sheridan, didnt she? Try to behave until I get in there, Nanna.
You know me. Her crutches creaked against the board walkway.
Thats what Im afraid of. Hopes chest felt tight watching the frail lady ease her way over the threshold and into the café, as determined as an Olympic athlete.
Matthew leaned against the wooden rail. Looks like Noras keeping you busy.
Busy? Im running like a madwoman. Its not even lunchtime and shes exhausted me. Hope couldnt quite meet his gaze. She remembered what Nanna had said about his wifes death. She remembered the loneliness in his eyes. I guess she wants some work done on her stove and sink.
Well, I dont pretend to be the best in town when it comes to appliances, but I can take a look at that sink. Matthew splayed both hands on the weathered rail. Im roofing the McKaslins barn this week. I can drop by, say, Monday morning, if thats no problem.
That will be soon enough, Im sure. I didnt notice any leak when I washed the dishes this morning. I have this funny feeling theres no real hurry. I think Nanna wanted to try to get the two of us together.
I had that feeling, too. He shrugged one shoulder uneasily, looking off down the street. Did Zach get your Jeep fixed?
Its repaired and waiting for me. Thanks again for helping me out. It would have been a long miserable walk.
No problem. He tipped his hat, a polite gesture. Well, I better get going. Dont want to be late for my first committee meeting.
Youre on the planning committee?
My mom talked me into it this morning. She extorted me, is more like it. A wry grin touched his mouth as he took a step toward the open door. Shes taking care of my sons, so Im in a bind and she knows it. Its a shame when you cant trust your own mother.
Or grandmother. Hope hated that she had to follow him toward the gaping door. A bad feeling settled hard in her stomach, the kind that foretold disaster.
What does that mean? he asked. Sunlight brushed him with a golden glow, highlighting the wary slant to his eyes. The wry grin faded from his mouth. You dont think my mom and your grandmother
I sure hope not, but at this point do we give them the benefit of the doubt?
I dont know, my moms been kind of sneaky lately. Matthew shook his head. And obviously off her rocker. She knows youre only visiting. Maybe its coincidence.
Lets hope so, or my grandmother is in big trouble, and I dont care how fragile she is.
Somehow, I doubt shes in much danger. Matthew caught the edge of the open door and gestured for Hope to go first.
You havent seen my temper. Laughing, she breezed by him.
The wind caught her long curls and brushed the silken tips against the inside of his wrist. His grip on the door faltered, but she didnt seem to notice that the bell overhead jingled furiously. She smelled like spring, like new sunshine and fresh flowers.
Isnt it marvelous that Hope has agreed to take my place on the committee? Nora Greenleys voice rang like a merry bell above the clash of conversation in the homey little café. Matthew, that means the two of you will be working side by side. Doesnt that sound terrific?
Nanna! Shock paled Hopes face. But
You know Im not well, dear, and the doctor wants me to get as much rest as possible.
Yeah, but A fall of black hair cascaded across Hopes face, hiding her profile as she leaned her grandmothers crutches against the wall. Embarrassment stained her creamy complexion. She looked at him helplessly.
Its all right, Hope. Im getting used to the manipulative behavior of old women with nothing else to do but interfere in my business. He gave Nora a wink so shed know he wasnt mad. Well, not too mad.
Watch who youre calling old, young man. But Noras eyes were laughing at him, as if she were enjoying this far too much. Helen is calling the meeting to order. Shes about to announce Hope is taking over my position. I cant tell you what a relief it is. Hope, dear, come sit down here between me and Matthew
It was too late to escape. Helens voice rose above the sound of the coffee grinder at the counter. And only two unoccupied chairs remained close by. If he wanted to escape, he would have to excuse himself through half of the crowded café.
Hope shot him an apologetic look as she took one of the two remaining chairs. Her hair, unbound and rich, tumbled across her shoulders, catching the sprinkle of sunlight through the curtained window. Her curls shone like polished ebony.
Now, if Nora is settled, Helen said as the room silenced. Ill let her tell about how her wonderful granddaughter, whom we havent seen in quite a few years, has agreed to take her position on our committee. Nora
I didnt agree to anything, Hope leaned close to whisper. Just so you know.
Oh, I know. He did. He knew how his mother thought. Mom figured that enough time had passed since losing Kathy and that he ought to get on with his life. The boys needed more than a housekeeperthey needed a mother to love them. And he needed a wife.
But what she didnt know, what she couldnt accept, was that Kathy had been his whole heart.