Read Online Love Finds You in Groom, Texas by Janice Hanna - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Janice Hanna
Ads: Link
She told the girls about the different types of food Maggie was known for, and the older woman’s cheeks turned pink.
“Oh, go on with you.” Maggie fussed with her hair. “I just do what every other woman in these parts does. I care for my family. That’s a woman’s greatest joy.”
Anne found herself feeling that strange feeling again, this time a tightening in her chest adding a bit of physical pain to the emotional. Why did she find herself so affected by Maggie’s mothering skills? Why, she’d known dozens of great mothers in Denver, including Charlotte’s precious mother. None had caused this kind of reaction.
Anne found herself so caught up in her thoughts that she almost missed a joke one of the children was telling. She managed to catch the tail end of it and offered a smile, just in case anyone happened to look her way.
Yes, someone happened to be looking her way. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Jake offering her another boyish grin. Gracious, a girl could get used to that.
“If you think this is delicious, you should see what Maggie cooks up for Christmas!” Ruth said. “There’s ham and turkey and the best sweet-potato casserole you ever tasted.”
“Then I want to stay till Christmas!” Kate licked her lips and everyone laughed.
Still, Anne could see the potential for disaster with this situation. In spite of the overwhelming welcome, she needed to stay focused. In just a few days, O’Farrell’s Honor would be nothing but a distant memory. She and her sisters would be living in Dallas at Uncle Bertrand’s home. Likely the only Christmas dinner to be served there was one around a painfully quiet table with servants spooning out the food.
Oh, but when she smelled that chicken-fried steak, when she heard the laughter of the children, Anne could almost picture herself one of the O’Farrell’s Honor brides.
She stifled a laugh. How funny would that be—to be a bride in a town called Groom?
Gazing across the room at Jake, she had to conclude that there were worse fates to befall a female in distress.
Chapter Seven
If you’ve traveled from state to state, you’ve likely witnessed hundreds of sunsets. The colors of the setting sun over the Grand Canyon are magnificent, to be sure. And the snowcapped Rockies are quite a sight to behold in the evening’s afterglow, as well. But there’s nothing like the north Texas plains, springing to life under the colors of the near-night sky, to capture the imagination. There simply are no words to describe the variety of vivid reds, golds, and purples as the vibrant day gives herself over to the shadows of night. No matter where you travel, where you roam, you’ll never find a sunset like the one you’ll find at home…in the Texas Panhandle. —“Tex” Morgan, reporting for the Panhandle Primer
After supper, Anne helped Maggie and the other women clear the table. She offered to wash the dishes, but Maggie wouldn’t hear of it. Likely because Anne couldn’t stop yawning.
“Go on outside and take a walk,” Maggie said. “Feast your eyes on that gorgeous Texas sunset. Then get on back in here and tuck yourself into bed for the night.”
The idea sounded simply delicious. Anne gazed up at Maggie, wanting to pour out her thanks but unwilling to speak even a word. What was it about this place? This woman?
She knew, of course. The overwhelming sense of family. The laughter of children, coupled with the disciplining they received from loving parents.
“Yes, you go on outside and soak up that sunset, Anne,” Maggie said. The older woman fussed with Kate’s disheveled curls. “I do believe this young lady could stand to have her hair washed.” Maggie glanced Anne’s way. “Would it be all right with you if I took care of that?”
“Why, of course.” Anne nodded.
Maggie’s eyes filled with tears. “Must sound silly, but it’s been years since I’ve helped a little one with her hair.” She clasped her
“Oh, go on with you.” Maggie fussed with her hair. “I just do what every other woman in these parts does. I care for my family. That’s a woman’s greatest joy.”
Anne found herself feeling that strange feeling again, this time a tightening in her chest adding a bit of physical pain to the emotional. Why did she find herself so affected by Maggie’s mothering skills? Why, she’d known dozens of great mothers in Denver, including Charlotte’s precious mother. None had caused this kind of reaction.
Anne found herself so caught up in her thoughts that she almost missed a joke one of the children was telling. She managed to catch the tail end of it and offered a smile, just in case anyone happened to look her way.
Yes, someone happened to be looking her way. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Jake offering her another boyish grin. Gracious, a girl could get used to that.
“If you think this is delicious, you should see what Maggie cooks up for Christmas!” Ruth said. “There’s ham and turkey and the best sweet-potato casserole you ever tasted.”
“Then I want to stay till Christmas!” Kate licked her lips and everyone laughed.
Still, Anne could see the potential for disaster with this situation. In spite of the overwhelming welcome, she needed to stay focused. In just a few days, O’Farrell’s Honor would be nothing but a distant memory. She and her sisters would be living in Dallas at Uncle Bertrand’s home. Likely the only Christmas dinner to be served there was one around a painfully quiet table with servants spooning out the food.
Oh, but when she smelled that chicken-fried steak, when she heard the laughter of the children, Anne could almost picture herself one of the O’Farrell’s Honor brides.
She stifled a laugh. How funny would that be—to be a bride in a town called Groom?
Gazing across the room at Jake, she had to conclude that there were worse fates to befall a female in distress.
Chapter Seven
If you’ve traveled from state to state, you’ve likely witnessed hundreds of sunsets. The colors of the setting sun over the Grand Canyon are magnificent, to be sure. And the snowcapped Rockies are quite a sight to behold in the evening’s afterglow, as well. But there’s nothing like the north Texas plains, springing to life under the colors of the near-night sky, to capture the imagination. There simply are no words to describe the variety of vivid reds, golds, and purples as the vibrant day gives herself over to the shadows of night. No matter where you travel, where you roam, you’ll never find a sunset like the one you’ll find at home…in the Texas Panhandle. —“Tex” Morgan, reporting for the Panhandle Primer
After supper, Anne helped Maggie and the other women clear the table. She offered to wash the dishes, but Maggie wouldn’t hear of it. Likely because Anne couldn’t stop yawning.
“Go on outside and take a walk,” Maggie said. “Feast your eyes on that gorgeous Texas sunset. Then get on back in here and tuck yourself into bed for the night.”
The idea sounded simply delicious. Anne gazed up at Maggie, wanting to pour out her thanks but unwilling to speak even a word. What was it about this place? This woman?
She knew, of course. The overwhelming sense of family. The laughter of children, coupled with the disciplining they received from loving parents.
“Yes, you go on outside and soak up that sunset, Anne,” Maggie said. The older woman fussed with Kate’s disheveled curls. “I do believe this young lady could stand to have her hair washed.” Maggie glanced Anne’s way. “Would it be all right with you if I took care of that?”
“Why, of course.” Anne nodded.
Maggie’s eyes filled with tears. “Must sound silly, but it’s been years since I’ve helped a little one with her hair.” She clasped her
Similar Books
