Read Online The Bluebird and the Sparrow by Janette Oke - Free Book Online Page B

three ladies were at the door ready to meet him. He let his gaze travel from one to another.
    “How lovely you look,” he said with sincerity, including more than Glenna in his comment. “I will be the envy of every gentleman in town tonight.”
    Glenna smiled on her mother and sister and took Parker’s proffered arm. “You tease,” she laughed, “but we love it.”
    Each lady was carefully handed up into the buggy, and then they were off. In spite of her dark mood, Berta found herself enjoying the drive into town.
    They were escorted into the hotel dining room by the attendant and seated at a table with fine white linen and gleaming silver.
    “My,” exclaimed Mrs. Berdette in appreciation, “I wasn’t aware that we had such elegant dining in our town. It’s been years since I’ve sat at such a table.”
    Parker did not bother to explain that he had made special arrangements at his father’s hotel.
    Berta’s eyes grew larger with each course of the meal. What an awful lot of trouble to go to just to impress a girl’s family before asking for her hand in marriage, she thought to herself. Well, it will do little to sway me.
    And she steeled herself for what she was sure would come.
    But the evening continued with no mention made of upcoming wedding plans. Parker included all three of them in his lively conversation, bringing laughter with his amusing tales and good-humored comments.
    The evening passed much more quickly than any of the three would have liked. Before she knew it, Berta was being escorted from the dining room with its glowing candles and reflecting mirrors.
    “This has been a delightful evening,” Mrs. Berdette exclaimed sincerely.
    “We must do it again,” said Parker. “Soon.”
    So he is going to wait until we get home before he states his intention? thought Berta. That’s really not very sporting of him. What are we to say after being plied with veal cutlets and fresh peach pie?
    But Parker did not even invite himself in when they reached the house. Glenna did. “Aren’t you stopping?” she asked sweetly when he seemed to be saying his good-night at the door.
    “Not tonight,” he answered her. “I’ll be by to pick you up for church in the morning.”
    They all expressed their thanks and moved on into the living room after Parker took his leave.
    “What a fine young man,” her mother exclaimed as she drew off her gloves.
    “Isn’t he wonderful?” said Glenna, her eyes full of love. “I am just so—so blessed.”
    Berta frowned and went to poke in the fireplace. The flame had gone out, but it was warm enough in the evenings now that they didn’t need it. She had no intention of building the fire again. Still she poked. And as she poked she puzzled. What had the evening been all about? Certainly it had been—enjoyable. A special treat for three women who rarely got out. But what had it really been about?
    She was still shaking her head in puzzlement as she went to her room to remove her best gown and put on her robe.
    Little girl, she mentally addressed her young sister, you are far more blessed than you even know.
    ————
    The question was eventually asked. Parker chose to talk with Mrs. Berdette in private before he took Glenna out for another special dinner. Berta was let in on the secret, but Glenna was totally unsuspecting.
    “She thinks it is simply a birthday dinner,” Mrs. Berdette confided to Berta, and she beamed at the thought of the pleasure ahead for her younger daughter.
    Berta tossed her head. “Surely she’s not such a simpleton as that,” she exclaimed. “Everyone else in town has smelled it coming for months.”
    “Glenna is sweetly naïve,” her mother contended.
    Berta let the comment pass.
    “So how long is he willing to wait?” she asked her mother.
    “Not long, I’m afraid. He wishes to be married in August.”
    “August! That hardly gives us time to prepare,” protested Berta.
    “Time enough,” said her mother.
    “Why is he in