Read Online Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas by Janice Hanna - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Janice Hanna
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his response. “I would ask that you turn your attentions to the other men. Perhaps one day I will require your services. When that time comes, I will let you know.”
“Promise?” She gave him a hopeful look.
“I promise.”
“Wonderful!” She reached up to give him a warm embrace then pulled back, embarrassed. “I’m so sorry. Don’t know what came over me. I’m just so grateful you’re not mad at me.” She turned and headed for the door, pausing only for a moment to look back. “Don’t give up hope, Georg! I know God has matrimonial plans for you. I can feel it right here.” She put her hand on her heart, gave him a wink, and then sprinted toward home as fast as her legs could carry her.
The minute Belinda disappeared from view, Georg dropped into a chair and raked his fingers through his hair. So Corabelle and James were engaged. Engaged . To be married in two weeks. The news still stunned him. All week he’d dreamed of wooing her. And the ring was meant to seal the deal. Clearly the Lord had other plans.
He stood and began to pace the room, ranting all the while. “Lord, I am a sensible man. A sensible man. I do my best to behave rationally and not step out ahead of You. I need to ask for Your forgiveness, Father. Clearly, this was not Your will. But I got so caught up...” He paused, thinking of Corabelle’s beautiful green eyes and her flirtatious smile. “I got so caught up in the idea of having a wife like her that I actually believed it was Your plan. I don’t need a wife, Lord. I don’t. I’m doing just fine here on my own. Wouldn’t You agree?”
“I’m not altogether sure I do.”
Georg stopped dead in his tracks and turned to discover his father standing in the open doorway of the shop. Oh no.
“So, we’re arguing with the Almighty about the need for a wife? Or would it be...the lack thereof?” His father entered the room with a crooked grin on his face.
“No, I...”
“Listen, son. This is something I should have told you years ago. When the time is right for you to marry, you won’t have to go looking for a wife. Trust me when I tell you this. The Lord will drop her in your lap. You’ll turn around...and there she’ll be.”
Georg sighed and dropped into a chair. “I suppose. But until then, I think I’ll just keep my eyes focused on the business. Can’t go wrong there, can I?”
“Keeping your eyes on the business is a good thing,” his father said, reaching for an apron. “But I’ll tell you the truth. It’s a lonely life for the man who is married to his work.”
Georg never had a chance to carry through with the conversation. The moment he opened his mouth, a rush of customers streamed through the door. In that moment, he made up his mind to do exactly what he’d said he would do: focus on his work. Nothing more, nothing less.
Chapter Eight
The morning after Corabelle married James, the men came from all corners of the county to inquire about Belinda’s services. First it was Myles Lott, the schoolmaster. Belinda couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm as he approached her desk. Who knew the forty-something bachelor had always longed to wed? As his student, she’d never contemplated the possibility. Still, he looked particularly intrigued by the idea. Excited, even. Belinda promised to search for the perfect woman, one suited to the life of a schoolteacher’s wife. And Myles agreed to locate a poem from among the many books in his classroom to use as enticement. She knew he would come up with the perfect verse to win a woman’s heart.
Next came Charlie Grundy, the blacksmith. The poor fellow had lived a lonely life, with few bridal prospects. Of course, his rough exterior could be to blame. Belinda would have to find someone special to accomplish this goal. She knew better than to ask Charlie to compose a poem. Perhaps Peter could help with that one. Or maybe she could come up with something herself. It would really have to be something,
“Promise?” She gave him a hopeful look.
“I promise.”
“Wonderful!” She reached up to give him a warm embrace then pulled back, embarrassed. “I’m so sorry. Don’t know what came over me. I’m just so grateful you’re not mad at me.” She turned and headed for the door, pausing only for a moment to look back. “Don’t give up hope, Georg! I know God has matrimonial plans for you. I can feel it right here.” She put her hand on her heart, gave him a wink, and then sprinted toward home as fast as her legs could carry her.
The minute Belinda disappeared from view, Georg dropped into a chair and raked his fingers through his hair. So Corabelle and James were engaged. Engaged . To be married in two weeks. The news still stunned him. All week he’d dreamed of wooing her. And the ring was meant to seal the deal. Clearly the Lord had other plans.
He stood and began to pace the room, ranting all the while. “Lord, I am a sensible man. A sensible man. I do my best to behave rationally and not step out ahead of You. I need to ask for Your forgiveness, Father. Clearly, this was not Your will. But I got so caught up...” He paused, thinking of Corabelle’s beautiful green eyes and her flirtatious smile. “I got so caught up in the idea of having a wife like her that I actually believed it was Your plan. I don’t need a wife, Lord. I don’t. I’m doing just fine here on my own. Wouldn’t You agree?”
“I’m not altogether sure I do.”
Georg stopped dead in his tracks and turned to discover his father standing in the open doorway of the shop. Oh no.
“So, we’re arguing with the Almighty about the need for a wife? Or would it be...the lack thereof?” His father entered the room with a crooked grin on his face.
“No, I...”
“Listen, son. This is something I should have told you years ago. When the time is right for you to marry, you won’t have to go looking for a wife. Trust me when I tell you this. The Lord will drop her in your lap. You’ll turn around...and there she’ll be.”
Georg sighed and dropped into a chair. “I suppose. But until then, I think I’ll just keep my eyes focused on the business. Can’t go wrong there, can I?”
“Keeping your eyes on the business is a good thing,” his father said, reaching for an apron. “But I’ll tell you the truth. It’s a lonely life for the man who is married to his work.”
Georg never had a chance to carry through with the conversation. The moment he opened his mouth, a rush of customers streamed through the door. In that moment, he made up his mind to do exactly what he’d said he would do: focus on his work. Nothing more, nothing less.
Chapter Eight
The morning after Corabelle married James, the men came from all corners of the county to inquire about Belinda’s services. First it was Myles Lott, the schoolmaster. Belinda couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm as he approached her desk. Who knew the forty-something bachelor had always longed to wed? As his student, she’d never contemplated the possibility. Still, he looked particularly intrigued by the idea. Excited, even. Belinda promised to search for the perfect woman, one suited to the life of a schoolteacher’s wife. And Myles agreed to locate a poem from among the many books in his classroom to use as enticement. She knew he would come up with the perfect verse to win a woman’s heart.
Next came Charlie Grundy, the blacksmith. The poor fellow had lived a lonely life, with few bridal prospects. Of course, his rough exterior could be to blame. Belinda would have to find someone special to accomplish this goal. She knew better than to ask Charlie to compose a poem. Perhaps Peter could help with that one. Or maybe she could come up with something herself. It would really have to be something,
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