Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas (24 page)

“So how’s it going with that pretty young thing from Boston?” John asked.

“Oh, fine, I guess.” Georg thought he saw a woman’s reflection in the window and headed that way for another glance outside. Unfortunately, it was just that new woman, Cassie, walking with Doc Klein toward his office. Georg prayed John wouldn’t turn his gaze this way and see them together. He’d already had an earful about Cassie Bly today and didn’t need to hear any more.

“Everything all right over there?”

Georg quickly returned to John’s side, wiping the shaving cream from his face. “Sorry. I have a lot on my mind this afternoon.”

“I guess you do.” Now clean-faced, John stared at his reflection in the mirror. “I have to tell you, my world was a lot less complicated without women in it.”

“Amen to that.”

“Why do we try so hard to win them, when they only bring us heartbreak?” John raked his fingers through his hair and sighed. “Not that I’m complaining. Cassie didn’t seem like my match, anyway, so it’s best that it didn’t happen.”

“Oh?” Georg sat in the chair next to him and gazed at him intently. “How do you know if someone is the right person for you? I mean, how do you really, really know it?”

“Can’t answer that.” John shrugged. “I can only tell you that when it’s not right, you’ll have an uneasy feeling about it. I should’ve picked up on that uneasiness from the start with Cassie, but I think I was just swept away by how pretty she was. Or
is
, rather. She’s a beautiful woman, no doubt about that.”

“That she is.” Georg glanced out of the window once more, watching as Cassie and the doctor crossed the street arm in arm. He diverted the conversation. “Well, I must say, the town is now filled with blushing brides and confused grooms.”

“To say the least.” John rose and pulled off the apron. “But if I’m being honest here, I’d have to say I still want that.”

“Want what?”

“Want a blushing bride.” John shrugged, and an embarrassed look came over him. “Is that too much to ask?”

“No.” Georg shook his head. “It’s not too much to ask. And I’m sure God has the perfect woman out there. Perfect for you, I mean. My father once told me that God is in the business of bringing the right woman to the right man. So I suppose sometimes it’s just a matter of waiting.”

“Yep.” John dropped a handful of coins on the counter. “I think you’re right. And who knows...maybe I won’t have to go very far to find what I’ve been looking for.” He glanced across the street in the direction of Poetic Notions then turned back with a suspicious smile. “Maybe she was right here all along.”

The clean-shaven butcher reached for his hat, gave Georg a nod, and headed for the door.

Belinda set off from Poetic Notions ready to do business with the Lord about her aching heart. She carried her lunch pail in one hand and her heart in the other. At least it felt that way. As she passed Stanzas, she nodded at Cassie Bly and Doc Klein, seated in the restaurant. They waved from the other side of the glass. Then, as she happened upon Rhyme and Reason, she glanced inside and found Peter arranging books. He nodded in her direction. She happened by Sonnets and Bonnets, resisting the urge to go inside to look at hats or to gab with Corabelle, as she was wont to do. No, Belinda had other things to take care of today, things that could not wait.

She rounded the corner past the lot where the walls were now going up on the opera house. One day it would stand glorious, but today it was a reminder of all the changes of late. Though they had seemed good before, today those changes just felt...wrong.

Belinda made her way south then east, knowing she would feel better as soon as she landed at the creek. Somehow being near water always made things right. She thought of Adeline, living in Boston. Wondered what it would be like to live so near the sea, where the waves pounded away every trouble. Oh, how wonderful that sounded. How glorious! If Belinda closed her eyes, she could almost envision the sound of the waves. Taste the salty seawater. Feel the pull of the tide.

On the other hand, if she kept her eyes open, she might just make it to the creek in one piece. Stepping off the street, she picked up speed, eventually kicking up her heels and running. Oh, how many times had she done this as a girl—run all the way home from town. She’d been called a tomboy for it, no doubt, but Belinda didn’t care. In fact, she’d rarely given much mind to what others thought of her.

My, how times had changed. These days, she worried nearly every day that folks would think she was off her rocker.
Lord, am I off my rocker?

Her pace slowed as she neared the creek. By the time she got there, Belinda was breathless and ready to eat. She consumed the sandwich in short order and ate the apple as well. Then she leaned back and closed her eyes, ready to pray. Trying to get her mind still was a different matter altogether.

After a few moments, her troubled thoughts settled, and she rose to her feet, pouring out her heart to the Lord. She told Him how sorry she was for barging into people’s lives, and for the pain she’d caused Myles and some of the others. Then she got to the nuts and bolts of her conversation with God: Georg Kaufman.

“Lord, how was I to know? I didn’t! I had no idea that I...” Belinda paused. “That I care for him. I’m as surprised as anyone. Maybe more so.” She thought about those words a minute, realizing just how true they were. She picked up the pace, her feet now moving in time with her heartbeat. “It’s not like I did this on purpose, Lord. I would never hurt him. I don’t want to hurt Adeline either, Lord. Oh, but if You could see fit to sending her back to Boston, that would be lovely.”

She stopped pacing and exhaled. “I’m sorry, Lord. That’s not my business. Of course, I’m the one who brought her here in the first place, so here I go, trying to intrude again. Trying to tell You what to do.” She groaned and her mind began to wander. “Oh, maybe You did bring her here on purpose, Lord. I am not clear about all of that yet. Maybe she’s supposed to be here and I’m just not seeing it. Either way, I ask You to show me what to do. I need your help, Lord! More than ever!”

She told the Almighty all of her feelings, good and bad, as she continued to pace. After some time, she settled onto the grass, exhausted. Wrestling with God was taxing, to say the least. And though she hadn’t yet heard Him answer in an audible voice, Belinda did feel somewhat better for getting her feelings—her true feelings—out in the open.

She thought once again about that hymn, “It Is Well with My Soul.” How could she get to the place where all of this felt well when it clearly was not? The words ran through her mind once again and she gave herself over to them:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Belinda pondered those words at length, finally ready to let go. Ready to give her heart fully to the Lord, regardless of the outcome. Finally, blissfully, peace fell over her like a comforting cloud. Her anguish seemed to roll away, much like the sea billows in the song. Her mind could rest easy in the words, “It is well with my soul,” which she now whispered.

As the anxiety lifted, Belinda grew sleepy. Her eyes drifted closed and she relaxed, drawing in a breath of fresh air. Resting under the shade of her favorite oak, Belinda found herself whispering a prayer for forgiveness.

“Lord, I am so sorry. Truly. I don’t want to hurt anyone else, especially not Georg. Or Adeline. She’s done nothing to deserve my censure. And she’s certainly been through enough pain in her life without experiencing any at my hand. Forgive me, Lord, please. And if I am to marry Georg...” She paused, feeling a smile begin. “If I am to marry Georg, You will have to take care of the details, Lord. Just show me what to do, Father.”

Belinda closed her eyes and rested. After some time, she jolted and realized she’d fallen asleep. With a gasp, she sat up, believing it must be well after one o’clock. She scurried back into town, her empty lunch pail clattering at her side as she ran.

Once in town, she headed in the direction of Poetic Notions. However, just as she reached the bookstore, she took note of Georg and Adeline coming out of the restaurant across the street. She quickly darted into Rhyme and Reason to avoid them.

Inside, it took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. She contemplated what she would tell Peter, should he ask why she’d stopped by. Just as quickly, she knew how she would remedy this. She needed a poem. A love poem. One sure to win the heart of the man she loved. Peter wouldn’t have to know who it was for. He knew so little of love, anyway, being an old bachelor and all. Still, he knew poetry and would be the best to advise her.

Belinda heard a giggle coming from the back of the store. A suspicious giggle. She stood as still as a mouse, hand clamped over her mouth. Oh, how she wanted to bolt out the door—but at just that moment, Georg and Adeline passed by on the boardwalk, arm in arm. She ducked down to avoid being seen through the glass, her heart thumping madly.

She heard another giggle behind her. Now her curiosity was duly piqued. What in the world was going on here? She heard soft words being spoken and was reminded of the time when she’d stumbled upon Mama and Papa alone in the parlor, whispering words of love to each other. Oh, how embarrassing that had been!

A few seconds later, Belinda recognized a familiar female voice speaking in a soothing tone. “Why, Peter Conrad, I haven’t been kissed like that since I was a girl!”

Belinda clamped a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing aloud. Sarah Jo Cummings! A few more giggles erupted and Belinda did her best to reach for the door handle...but in doing so, she managed to drop her lunch pail, which went clattering across the floor. She scrambled down to pick it up, somehow falling flat on her belly, her skirts twisted in a knot.

Peter appeared a few seconds later, staring down at her with a stunned expression on his face. “B–belinda. I, um...I’m so sorry. I didn’t hear you come in.”

Clearly.
“Oh, I, um...” She tried to stand but got twisted up in the fabric. The lunch pail fell once again, making a terrible noise.

“May I help you?” The tips of Peter’s ears were as red as could be, and he wore a suspicious smile.

“Oh, no,” Belinda said, rising to her feet. “Actually, I just stopped in to...” She looked around the shop, finally noticing a book of poetry by John Keats. “I’ve been meaning to buy this book for some time now, you see. I’ve been wearing you out with writing love poems, and I thought the classics might be of help to me. So, would you put this on my account, please?”

“Indeed.” He took the book and walked to the register. “Will that be all?”

“Mmm, yes.” She nodded, anxious to be on her way.

At that moment, Sarah Jo appeared with an armload of books. She placed them on the front shelf and began to arrange them in a colorful display.

“Well, hello, Belinda,” she said with a suspicious smile. “I didn’t realize we had a guest. Peter and I were just...” She bit her lip and then said, “Talking about poetry.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, I am his apt pupil.” Sarah Jo’s eyes twinkled merrily.

“Um, yes.” The tips of Peter’s ears turned even redder, though Belinda hadn’t thought that possible. “We were talking about the great Robert Browning and his views on poetry, to be sure.”

“And what were his views?” Belinda turned her question to Sarah Jo, who paled.

“Gracious, I can’t remember. You tell her, Peter.”

He nodded. “Browning said, ‘God is the perfect poet.’ Truly, only the Lord can compose a life. And he does it in perfect rhyme, perfect meter. His ways are vastly beyond our own.”

“Ah. Lovely.” Belinda fought to think of how she could escape before making a bigger fool of herself.

Sarah Jo sighed. “Is he not the most brilliant man you have ever met in your life? Peter, I mean. Not Browning.”

Belinda couldn’t help but smile. “Indeed he is. Not to diminish Browning’s intelligence, of course. I’ve found that all poets are quite witty.”

“Truly.” Sarah Jo gave Belinda a curious look. “Why did you say you came in again, honey?”

“Oh, to buy this book,” Belinda said, trying to keep her voice steady. “It’s something I should have purchased ages ago.” She began to ramble about the book, and before long her words sounded silly even to her own ears. Still, she dared not speak about what she’d just overheard coming from the back room. Surely her laughter would get the better of her.

“We got a new shipment today,” Sarah Jo said, gesturing to the books in front of her with a smile. “So there will be many more to look at once I get these shelved. Thank you for stopping by.”

“Y–you’re welcome.” Belinda stumbled out of the store, wondering how and when Peter and Sarah Jo had finally fallen for one another. Obviously Sarah Jo had known all along, but Peter had not.

Or had he? Maybe his vehement denial of feelings for Sarah Jo was really nothing more than a ruse, a way to convince himself otherwise.