Part 31 (2/2)
She sat abruptly on the window seat, glanced aside and observed the row of angelic-faced porcelain dolls. Here she was back in the bosom of her family, back in this room, back in her chair like a pretty, useless, lifeless doll!
Angry at Luke, angry at life and at her helplessness, she lashed out and swept a doll from its resting place and smashed it against the floorboards. Another followed and another, until only two remained, staring at her as though they knew how crazy and helpless she really was. Turning, she kicked the lifeless broken bodies across the floor.
”Annie!” Her mother appeared in the doorway, Charmaine on her heels.
”Go away!” Annie flung herself on the bed and cried tears of frustration and anger. ”Leave me alone!”
Charmaine backed out of the room, but Mildred came to stand beside her bed. ”I'll leave you alone after I've had a word with you.”
”Oh, Mother, please, what could you say that you haven't said already?”
”Maybe that you need to pick yourself up and decide what you want out of life.” She stuffed a scented handkerchief into Annie's fist. ”You were happy before, Annie. Don't let anything stop you from getting what you want. Even if it's him.” Her lip curled a little at the p.r.o.noun.
Annie wiped her eyes and nose. ”Are you telling me to go after my husband?”
Her back was straight and her eyes didn't quite meet Annie's, but Mildred spoke the words all the same. ”I'm telling you to live your dream.”
The door closed behind her a moment later.
Annie curled on her side and thought about her dream.
After Charmaine had gone, after Annie heard the sound of the stove lids clanking in the kitchen, she pulled herself together and went to her writing desk. She pulled out a piece of paper and uncorked the ink. She hadn't given up. Not by a long shot.
Dear Luke, You taught me courage when I was afraid. You showed me I could do things I only dreamed of. You gave me confidence to stand up and walk in front of people without shame. Which one of us is the cripple now? Who was hiding behind their fear today? You are cordially invited to my birthday celebration. I think you know the day-and the place.
With love,
Annie
She found Glenda wiping the kitchen floor. ”Glenda, will you please do me a favor?”
”Of course. Are you all right?”
”I am now. Will you please deliver this to my husband at the livery?”
Glenda took the letter with a smile.
”Oh, and these-” she extended the two remaining dolls ”-are for Gwen and Gerta.”
”They'll love them. Thank you.”
Five days later, on the day of Annie's birthday, the sky was a vivid blue. Fleecy white clouds hung above the mountains in the distance, but the air here was clear and clean.
”You surprised me by wanting a birthday party,” her father said, tucking her hand in the crook of his arm and leading her across the verdant lawn. ”I'm glad you're feeling up to it.”
”Actually, it was Mother who convinced me.”
”Your mother?” he asked in disbelief.
”Well, not in so many words, of course, but because she got me to thinking about the rest of my life.”
Friends and neighbors arrived, Burdell and Diana and their family, the Renlows, Lizzy and Guy, even Dr. Martin and Glenda's family. Annie had invited Luke's Uncle Gil, and he surprised her by showing up wearing the s.h.i.+rt she'd made him, with Mrs. Krenshaw, the librarian, on his arm.
Burdell set up the croquet hoops and Annie tried her hand at the game for the first time. She enjoyed herself, but underneath the surface was the underlying question of whether or not Luke would come. She was working on not worrying when the crowd grew quiet. Turning to observe the source of their attention, she saw the rider stop at the gate and dismount.
Tall and handsome, black hair s.h.i.+ning in the sunlight, Luke opened the gate and walked forward. Annie's heart hammered and welcoming joy spread through her like a healing balm. She took a few steps to meet him, then a few more.
She met him halfway, a giddy bubble expanding her chest.
”Happy Birthday, Annie,” he said.
”Thank you.”
”I have presents for you.”
She glanced at his empty hands. ”Where are they?”
”Want me to take you to them?”
Wrangler placidly munched gra.s.s along the fence. ”Go for a ride, you mean?”
”Uh-huh.”
”All right.”
He took her hand and led her out the way he'd come, out the gate, then walked her all the way to the flower cart at the edge of the yard and helped her on the horse's back. He climbed up behind her.
”Where are we going?”
”Home.”
Her heart leaped with joy at the words. She turned and waved at her family who were all watching. They returned the wave, even her mother.
Luke wrapped his strong arms around her and Annie leaned into him, feeling safe and protected within his embrace. The horse moved beneath them, nudging Luke's chin against her hair. Could he forgive her? Could she make it up to him for allowing him to suffer their loss without her?
Their home came into view, a thin curl of smoke trailing from the rock chimney. Instead of leading the horse to the house, Luke led him to a gra.s.sy area on the hillside above, tethered him and lifted Annie down. Annie noted something colorful spread on the ground and several items hidden beneath blankets.
”What is this?” she asked.
”A private birthday party,” he replied. ”Look, I bought you a rug.”
<script>