“Is that a fund-raiser for the hospital?” asked Jane as she poured herself another cup of coffee.

  “Yes. For a new MRI machine. The hospital really needs it.”

  “I’d like to participate too,” said Jane.

  Alice grinned. “I already signed you up. And I suggested to Louise that if she doesn’t wish to walk, she can always be a sponsor.”

  “Good for you.”

  “Would you like to join Vera and me today?”

  “No. I think I’ll putter around the yard some more. I still haven’t enjoyed enough of this great gardening weather yet.”

  Alice hung up her dish towel. “Well, enjoy.”

  “You too.”

  Jane took her coffee and the newspaper outside and sat down at the table. She had placed it quite near the garden, in a spot where it could get both morning sun and some dappled shade in the afternoon. Without bothering to open the paper, she simply sat there breathing in the scented air of warmed earth and green things growing. Divine.

  “Morning, Jane,” said a male voice.

  She turned and waved. “Come join me, Kenneth. It’s lovely out here.”

  He looked tentative. “Is it safe?”

  She chuckled. “Do you refer to a certain guest?”

  He nodded.

  “She’s gone off to Potterston with Aunt Ethel to search for wedding things.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yes, seriously.”

  He sat down in the other chair at the table, then suddenly got a hopeful expression. “Does that mean Belle has found her man?”

  “I’m not sure what it means. But if you’re asking if there is a specific fiancé in the picture yet, well, the answer is no.”

  “Oh.”

  “Don’t worry, Kenneth. If it’s any comfort, Belle’s list of potential mates is getting longer.” Then she told him about the twins, omitting the part about their being almost inseparable.

  “So, you think there’s some actual marriage potential there?”

  Jane shrugged. “I don’t know. I think they had fun bowling last night, but I didn’t see either of the brothers leaping at the opportunity to spend time with her today. They seemed happy to go off on their own.”

  “Someone should tell Belle that most bachelors run the other way when they see a woman with marriage in her eyes. She might try being more subtle.”

  “Subtle?” Jane laughed. “Somehow that word just doesn’t fit our Belle.”

  “No,” he agreed, “I think you’re right.”

  “Everything okay with the church basement now?”

  “Yes. The sealer Fred gave me seemed to do the trick. It looked much better this morning.” He looked more closely at Jane. “And you seem to be better too. Is that due to the sunshine?”

  “Yes, it’s definitely good medicine.” Then she frowned.

  “But something is still troubling you?”

  She pressed her lips together as she tried to decide whether she wanted to tell Kenneth about Justin’s impending visit.

  “I can see that you’re worried about something, Jane.”

  She nodded. “You’re right.”

  “I’d love a cup of decaf if you have any made.” He smiled hopefully.

  “There is still a full pot left over from breakfast.” She slowly stood. “I’ll get it for you.”

  “And, see, that will give you time to decide whether to divulge your troubles to your pastor and friend.”

  “I’ll be right back.” As she walked to the house, she wasn’t sure that she really wanted to tell Kenneth about her problem. But she wasn’t sure that she didn’t. Besides, she reminded herself, before long everyone in Acorn Hill would know. Justin’s visit might even replace Belle as the talk of the town, at least briefly, anyway. Wouldn’t it be easier to tell Kenneth about this now, rather than to wait until Justin made his appearance? Who knew what Justin might say to people? Goodness, she thought as she filled the thermos pitcher with decaf, how would she introduce Justin to Kenneth and all her other friends?

  With her hands full, Jane shoved open the screen door with her foot so forcefully that it slammed against the wall. Oh, why couldn’t the past remain just that—the past?

  Chapter Fourteen

  By the time she returned, carrying the thermos and a cup, she knew she should simply get her disturbing news out into the open. She remembered how her father often said that the best way to do something uncomfortable was to do it quickly. Whether peeling off a Band-Aid, taking foul-tasting medicine or righting a wrong, it was usually best to just get it over with.

  “Here you go,” she said as she set a cup in front of Kenneth, then filled it.

  “I’ve just been observing Wendell’s antics.” He nodded over to where the cat was rolling in the dust, enjoying the sunshine as well as a dirt bath.

  “Silly kitty,” said Jane as she sat and refilled her own cup. “And usually he is so dignified.”

  “Guess we all need to let down our hair sometimes.”

  “Even you?”

  He chuckled. “Well, I don’t think I’ll get caught rolling in the dirt, at least not in public, but yes, even me.” He held up his cup. “Thank you.” Then, as he continued looking at her with an even gaze, she knew this was his gentle hint that now was her time to share.

  “I think I’ll just get right out with it,” she began quickly. “My ex-husband is coming to Acorn Hill.”

  Kenneth looked momentarily surprised, then, returning to his unflappable pastoral countenance, he simply nodded.

  “And the question on my mind, as well as my sisters’, is why is Justin coming?”

  “You don’t know why?”

  She shook her head, then took a sip of the hot coffee.

  “Obviously, he is coming to see you. Right?”

  “Well, yes, I suppose. His letter was quite brief.”

  “He communicated through a letter?”

  She explained the letter, the road trip and the reservation that he had made with Louise.

  “He’ll be staying here at the inn?”

  She frowned. “Yes. I wasn’t pleased.”

  “That could be awkward.”

  “Louise was caught off guard by his call.” Jane gave him a sheepish look. “I hadn’t even told her he was coming.”

  “But he’s still staying at the inn?”

  “I guess so.” Jane made a face. “I’m considering going AWOL.”

  “But you won’t.”

  She shrugged. “That’s probably not the most mature way to handle it.”

  He smiled. “Probably not.”

  “So, now you know,” said Jane. “That’s what’s been troubling me the past few days.”

  “I can imagine that would be unsettling.”

  “Very.”

  “How do you feel about your former husband, Jane? What is his name again?”

  “Justin.”

  “Right, how do you feel about Justin?”

  “In what way? I mean if you’re asking if I’m still angry with him, the answer is no. I’ve forgiven him. What’s past is past. But are you asking if I still have feelings for him, if I still love him?”

  “Do you?”

  “I don’t think so. I mean I do care about him. How can you not care about a person you were once married to? Alice suggested that perhaps Justin might be ill, and I’ll admit the thought of that makes me sad. I really do hope he’s okay.”

  “Naturally.”

  “Maybe he wants me to donate a kidney or something.” She gave a weak smile.

  “I’m sure you’d consider it, Jane.”

  She nodded. “You know, Kenneth, I would.”

  “So, can you guess why he’s coming here?”

  “That’s just it. I can’t.”

  Kenneth seemed to ponder this for a long moment. Finally he said, “Maybe he still loves you, Jane.”

  Jane sat there without responding. She was feeling the warmth of the sun on her head, listening to a bird singing sweetly in a nearby maple tree. She considered what Kenneth had just said to her.

  “You have to admit that it’s a possibility,” he persisted. “Justin might still love you, Jane.”

  “Yes, that’s what Alice said. And Sylvia. Even Louise hinted at it.”

  He smiled at her. “And it wouldn’t be surprising, Jane. You’re a wonderful person. I’ve told you before that I thought he was a fool to let you go.”

  She felt herself blushing. “Well, I think we were both foolish.” She laughed. “We weren’t young when we married. I actually thought of myself as rather sophisticated at the time. Now I look back and think I was so naive, so foolish, really.”

  “Perhaps you’ve both matured since then.”

  “That has occurred to me.”

  “God does give second chances, Jane.”

  She took a quick sip of coffee, avoiding Kenneth’s gaze. In truth, Jane wasn’t the least bit convinced she wanted a second chance, even if God was the One offering it to her. Naturally, she could not say this to Kenneth. Not only did it sound irreverent and disrespectful, but she also knew that Kenneth and God were like partners, on good speaking terms. Still, it troubled her to feel this way, as if she were being rebellious and willful. She didn’t like feeling that she might be putting herself at odds with God. And yet, it troubled her even more to think that God might want her to give Justin a second chance.

  “Uh-oh,” said Kenneth, glancing out toward the street. “That looks like Belle’s car parking. I thought you said she and Ethel were going to Potterston today.”

  “I thought they were,” said Jane. “Now that Auntie is feeling better, she’s insistent on helping Belle with the planning.”

  He took a final sip of coffee. “You’ll excuse me if I make a quick retreat, won’t you, Jane?”

  “Of course.” She grinned. “The runaway groom.”

  He firmly shook his finger at her as he stood. “I am not the groom.”

  “Not yet, you aren’t.”

  “Jane Howard,” he said in a mock warning tone. “You are wicked.”

  “Later,” she called as he hurried off around the back way.

  “Hello, Jane,” said Ethel as she and Belle made their way toward her.

  “Hello, ladies,” Jane said as she stood to meet them. “You look like you’re doing much better, Auntie.”

  “Why, yes,” Ethel said, patting her smooth cheeks. “Thank you.”

  “Was that Rev. Thompson?” asked Belle as she eagerly peered over Jane’s shoulder in the direction Kenneth had headed.

  Jane avoided answering Belle by asking a question of her own. “Why are you back so soon?”

  “We need a model,” said Ethel.

  “A model?” Jane frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “We were in town, speaking to Sylvia to get some pointers on wedding gowns, and we were about to head to Potterston when it occurred to me that this would go much more quickly if you could come with us to try on bridesmaid dresses. That way you can stand next to Belle and I can stand back and decide which dresses go together best.”

  Jane wanted to point out that picking out dresses was impractical when no groom had stepped up to the plate. But not only did that sound mean, she would probably get Belle’s typical response, “God will provide.”

  “I really need to stick around the inn today,” said Jane.

  “Nonsense,” said her aunt. “Louise and Alice are both here.”

  “But I have my garden to—”

  “Your garden will wait.” Ethel gave Jane a commanding look. “I am your aunt, Jane. And I have been ill. I would think you would show me some cooperation.”

  “But, Aunt Ethel,” tried Jane. “I just don’t see the point of—”

  “The point is that Belle has a wedding to plan. She came to Acorn Hill because God gave her a dream.”

  “I know.” Jane’s exasperation rose to the surface. She turned to Belle. “I don’t want to offend you, Belle, but I am having difficulty with this. I mean if you actually were engaged or at least if there was a particular man involved, it might be—”

  “There is a particular man involved,” said Ethel.

  Jane was surprised. “Who?”

  Her aunt glanced about as if to see if anyone was around to listen, which was not the case. “Well, if you must know, Jane. We think it might be Wilhelm.”

  “Wilhelm?” Jane felt a stab of empathy for the poor man. “And what makes you think it’s him?”

  Ethel held up one finger. “For one thing, Lloyd thinks that it’s possible. He and Wilhelm chatted, and Wilhelm was quite impressed with Belle.” Then she held up a second finger. “And tonight, Lloyd, Wilhelm, Belle and I plan to play bridge.” Then she held up a third finger. “Finally, Belle and I were just in town and we ran into Wilhelm’s mother.”

  Jane glanced at Belle, who seemed embarrassed. “What did you think of Mrs. Wood?”

  “She seemed nice.”

  Jane turned back to her aunt. “And how did Mrs. Wood react to Belle?”

  “She was very kind to Belle.” Ethel nodded so firmly that her chins gave a shake. “She seemed to approve, Jane.”

  Jane thought that unlikely, since Wilhelm’s mother seemed quite content for her son to remain a bachelor for the rest of his days. Still, several people had noticed the interest Wilhelm seemed to have taken in Belle. Unless he was simply being polite. It was hard to know. Jane turned her attention back to Belle.

  “How do you feel about Wilhelm?” she asked.

  For the first time, Belle seemed unsure. “I’d like to get to know him better.”

  Suddenly Jane felt sorry for Belle. She was getting in over her head with all this wedding nonsense. And with Ethel in charge, Belle might be drowning before long. Still, Jane was not about to let herself be dragged around Potterston, trying on bridesmaid dresses today. She would put her foot down.

  “It seems to me,” she began, directing this more to Belle than her aunt, “your time might be better spent narrowing down who your groom is going to be, rather than running around trying to pick out dresses. After all, a marriage is supposed to last a lifetime, and a wedding dress is just for one day.”

  Belle’s eyes lit up. “You are absolutely right, Jane.” She turned to Ethel. “I think I should take your niece’s advice, Ethel.”

  “You don’t want to pick out your wedding gown?” asked Ethel.

  “Oh, I do,” said Belle, “in good time. But at the moment, I think I should focus my attention on my prospective husband.”

  Ethel was clearly at a loss. She switched her purse to the other arm. “So, then, shall we go pay Wilhelm a little visit? I could use some tea.”

  “How about if we go visit the pastor first?” suggested Belle.

  Aunt Ethel’s eyebrows arched, then she glanced uneasily at Jane. “Do you know where he was going?”

  “I couldn’t say,” admitted Jane.

  “Well, I would like to get another little peek at the chapel,” said Belle as she linked arms with Ethel. “I’ve been trying to imagine big pink bows at the end of each row, but I’d really like to see it again just to be sure.”

  “Good idea,” said Ethel. “We’ll make notes of these details.”

  And off they headed toward the chapel. Jane hoped that Kenneth would have the good sense to stay out of their way. Or perhaps he should just nicely but firmly let Belle know that he did not wish to be on her list.

  Jane briefly toyed with the thought of paying Wilhelm a visit too. She wasn’t sure if he was fully aware of Belle’s intentions. On the other hand, how could he not be aware? Everyone in Acorn Hill must be aware by now. Finally, she told herself that Wilhelm was a big boy. Goodness, he’d been a bachelor since forever. What were the chances of him accidentally stumbling into marriage now? And certainly his mother would put her foot down if he seemed the least bit inclined to make a mistake. Besides, what if he was seriously interested in Belle? No, she decided, Wilhelm did not need her protection.

  Instead she went inside, then slipped into her overalls and Crocs. She grabbed her garden gloves and her straw hat before she headed back out to lose herself in the sunshine and growing things. She could not imagine a better distraction from disturbing thoughts of marriage, ex-husbands and ill-conceived weddings.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Sunday may have been a day of rest for most folks in Acorn Hill, but it was clear that Belle and Ethel had big plans for their day. For starters, Ethel joined Belle for breakfast at the inn, carrying a little notebook full of wedding ideas that she and Belle discussed freely in front of the discreetly amused guests. It also seemed Ethel wished to get a better look at the Johnson twins. Perhaps she thought she might have the power to break up the set and present Belle with the “better” half. But it was clear that the brothers were not interested in matrimony. In fact, Jane thought she detected real fear in their eyes as they finished up breakfast. And when Louise invited them to church, they politely excused themselves by saying that they wanted to get on the road as quickly as possible.

  “Florida awaits,” proclaimed Don, giving Belle an uneasy glance.

  “That’s right,” agreed Ron. “One more stop in South Carolina to visit our aunt Rae, and then it’s straight to Miami.”

  “By Tuesday, we’ll be hitting the beach.”

  “After that we’ll head out for some fishing and exploring.”

  The others wished the men well. More than ever, it seemed that Ethel was doggedly determined to find a match for Belle, although Belle seemed unaffected by the twins’ hasty departure. Perhaps they had not been to her liking. But as the sisters were cleaning up in the kitchen, they overheard their aunt going over the list of potential targets. It seemed she had broken the list into sections. The sisters had no idea what these sections represented. Perhaps simply their aunt’s own personal likes and dislikes.

  Later in church, Ethel and Belle sat next to Wilhelm and his mother. After the service, Belle and Ethel monopolized Kenneth’s attention.

  Finally it was afternoon, and all the guests except Belle had checked out. The inn was quiet, and the sisters gathered on the front porch with iced tea and gingersnaps. Belle was spending the day with Ethel.