Love Finds You in Daisy, Oklahoma Read online

  —Rena Jewel, of the Gulfport Mississippi Jewels

  Gulfport, Mississippi, Jewel Villa

  Rena pushed aside the feelings of jealousy that threatened to overtake her as she eyed the vase of gerbera daisies on the foyer table. For a moment, she contemplated snatching one of the brightly colored flowers and slipping up the stairs to her room. With her brother and sister-in-law out of town, no one would be any the wiser.

  Yes, she could bury the beautiful daisy between the pages of her half-written novel and pretend the handsome hero in her story had plucked it from the garden just for her. Better yet, she could imagine that she carried a whole cluster of daisies as she made her way up the aisle toward her husband-to-be. That would make for a lovely tale.

  She began to sing, “‘Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do’” and then smiled as her imagination carried her away to a happy place. After the possibility played itself out, she gave herself a good scolding. What purpose would it serve to steal one of her sister-in-law’s flowers, anyway? Virginia might not know that a flower had disappeared from the bunch, but the Lord would. Besides, the daisy would soon wilt, then serving only as a limp reminder of all Rena did not have—all she would never have.

  Yes, she might as well face the facts. Women with no prospects did not receive bouquets of freshly cut daisies from would-be beaus. They didn’t get invited to dances, and they certainly didn’t receive proposals of marriage. Instead, they created Adonis-like characters in books, giving them broad shoulders, winsome smiles, and elegant good looks. In other words, they lived in an imaginary world to soften the blows of the real one.

  A familiar heaviness wrapped around Rena and she gave herself over to the blues. Moments later, she realized she was still staring at the colorful flowers and humming the same little melody. The song faded and she did her best to shake off her reverie, determined not to let discouragement get her down.

  The housekeeper passed by on her way toward the stairs, her arms loaded with folded sheets. “Everything all right, Miss Rena?” Katy shifted her position to keep the pile from tumbling.

  Rena managed a lame nod then pivoted on her heel, turning away from the daisies on the table. “Yes. Fine. Thank you.” As she made her way through the villa’s grand foyer, she tried to think of something she could do to occupy her time. She could always knit, of course. Reuben would approve of that idea, no doubt. Her older brother had been after her for weeks to finish up the hats and scarves for the Missions Society Christmas benefit, still months away. But with the temperatures outside blazing in the nineties this humid September afternoon, knitting seemed a bit ridiculous. Besides, she didn’t feel like it. In fact, she didn’t feel like doing much of anything these days.

  Rena paused at the large mirror in the front hallway and fussed with her hair. Once again, the heat and humidity had wreaked havoc with it. Loose brown tendrils draped her neck, turning into moist curls. Not that she really minded. Who would notice, anyway? With Virginia and Reuben escorting their daughter off to college in New York, the ornate Gulfport mansion seemed hollow and empty. Glittering chandeliers hung over empty dining tables. Hallways once filled with the sound of laughter now held only framed photographs to capture the memories. Beautiful furnishings, most imported from Europe, sat empty.

  Pushing aside the lump in her throat, she thought about her niece’s departure to Vassar. Though Rena would miss her terribly, there was no point in crying about it. Sadie had the whole world in front of her, didn’t she? And wasn’t she the luckiest girl in all of Gulfport, to be accepted at Vassar? Everyone agreed. Yes, Rena should be celebrating her niece’s good fortune, not mourning it.

  She wandered into her brother’s plush office in search of stationery. Composing a long, heartfelt letter to Sadie would do the trick. Yes, it would ease her mind and help her focus on the thing that really mattered—her niece’s happiness.

  Rena reached Reuben’s ornate oak desk and opened the top right drawer. As she did, she managed to bump a tray of letters sitting on the top of the desk. They hit the wooden floor with a clatter. Katy quickly appeared in the doorway.

  “Everything all right, miss?”

  Rena looked her way, uneasiness setting in. “Just being my usual clumsy self.” She knelt down and scooped up some of the pages, making a bigger mess than before.

  Katy offered her a sympathetic smile. “Let me help you with those.” She eased her ample frame to the floor beside Rena, and the two worked together to gather up the scattered pages.

  Rena’s gaze shifted to an empty envelope addressed to her brother. She held it up, double-checking to make sure it was truly empty. “Have you seen the letter that goes in here?”

  “Where is it from?” Katy glanced her way. “I’ll search through the ones I’ve collected.”

  “It’s from…” Rena paused as she read the words SHERIFF WYATT. “Looks to be from a sheriff in Oklahoma.”

  “Something to do with that missions society of your brother’s, no doubt.” Katy went off talking about how Rena’s brother gave entirely too much time and money to the organization.

  Rena half listened to Katy’s dissertation, stopping her only when she stumbled across the letter that matched the envelope. “Ooh, I found it.” Her heart quickened as she read the passionate note written with large, sprawling strokes.

  Dear Reverend Jewel,

  Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Gene Wyatt. I am the sheriff in the town of Daisy, Oklahoma. I’m writing to you today on behalf of our local Atoka County Orphanage, which your missions organization helped to establish approximately three years ago. The facility currently houses seventeen youngsters, primarily boys, from a variety of backgrounds. They have provided our tiny community with much joy and extemporaneous activity.

  The director, a Mrs. Wabash, has recently informed us that she will be taking her leave. Perhaps she has already written to you about this matter. If she has, I would urge you to overlook any negative comments she might have made about the children. They are a feisty bunch, to be sure, but they are easy to love.

  We will require someone to take Mrs. Wabash’s place, preferably an older female—unmarried, of course. The job is best suited to one who has worked with children in the past and who understands the delicate art of negotiation.

  Our situation here could be described as urgent. We must hear from you as soon as possible with a solution.

  Thank you so much for your assistance in this matter.

  With gratitude,

  Sheriff Gene Wyatt,

  Daisy, Oklahoma

  Rena folded the pages, her hands now trembling.

  “What is it?” Katy leaned over, a look of concern on her face. “Something important?”

  “Oh, yes, well…” Rena shoved the letter back inside the envelope and set it atop the desk. “Something about orphans.”

  “In Oklahoma?” Katy erupted in laughter, and her ample midsection took to jiggling. “Can you imagine living with a bunch of waifs during a bleak Oklahoma midwinter?” She gave an exaggerated shiver. “Sounds like the worst possible punishment for one’s sins.”

  Or the best possible way to escape a life of loneliness when there’s nothing left to do with one’s time but sulk about the dreams that haven’t come true.

  Rena dared not voice her thoughts aloud. Instead, she gave Katy a little shrug before making her way out of her brother’s office, deep in thought. Why was Mrs. Wabash leaving the orphanage? Pressing family matters, likely. But how could she go away and leave seventeen children with no one to care for them? No one to prepare their meals or tuck them in at night? No one to kiss away their scrapes or offer comfort after a bad dream? What sort of woman abandoned precious children of God in their time of desperate need?

  Rena’s heels clicked on the marble floor as she made her way across the spacious foyer. She replayed the words of the letter in her mind: “We will require someone to take Mrs. Wabash’s place, preferably an older female—unmarried, of course.�
� She paused in front of the buffet table, her gaze falling once again on Virginia’s vase filled with flowers. The overhead glow from the chandelier brought out the daisies’ lovely color, and they stirred her heart as never before. In that moment she felt a gentle nudge in her spirit.

  Daisies.

  Daisy, Oklahoma.

  Surely this was no coincidence. The flowers were some sort of heavenly sign. They’d been sitting in this very spot for days, but she’d barely paid them any mind until today. Could it be…?

  Oh, Lord, what are You saying? Would He really ask her to leave the comfort of home and family and travel to a place she’d never been, a place where she might actually make a difference in the lives of seventeen adorable children?

  “‘Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do…’” The words tripped over her tongue, and she couldn’t help but giggle as the possibilities took root.

  One more glance at the vase of flowers convinced her that she must take a leap of faith. With newfound determination, she spun on her heels and headed back to Reuben’s office to locate the stationery. Looked like the only letter she would be writing today was a lengthy one to a certain sheriff in Daisy, Oklahoma.

  Chapter Three

  TIPS FOR DEALING WITH UNRULY YOUNG’UNS—As a relatively new teacher, I don’t have years of experience to offer. Still, I feel I’ve learned enough in my first year at the Daisy Primary School to comment on the topic of child-rearing. Children need discipline, naturally. I do my best to administer it when needed. But children also need to be praised for their good behavior. When my students act up, I take the time to offer a bit of extra attention. When their behavior is good, I brag on them in front of the others. Positive encouragement really does the trick. I’ve learned that we thrive on praise, even as adults.

  —Jenny Jamison, Teacher at the Daisy Primary School.

  Gulfport, Mississippi, Mid-September

  The next two weeks passed at a snail’s pace. Rena could hardly stop thinking about the letter she’d sent to Daisy, Oklahoma. She also found herself fretting over what Reuben would say once he found out. Likely he would frown on the idea.

  Then again, why should she care what her older brother thought? Shouldn’t a thirty-eight-year-old woman be able to make her own decisions without consulting her brother?

  The following Friday morning, Rena had the opportunity to find out, firsthand. She awoke a couple of hours before dawn to the sound of Reuben’s and Virginia’s voices outside her bedroom door. After rising and slipping on her robe, Rena headed to the hall to meet them.

  “You’re home!” She embraced her brother and then turned her attention to her sister-in-law, who leaned against the doorway. Virginia’s normally perfect hair was a mess, and her eyes sagged with weariness.

  “We just arrived.” Reuben yawned. “And what a journey it was. We’ll tell you all about it in a few hours. Right now we both need to sleep. We’re exhausted.”

  “No doubt.” Rena gave him a compassionate look. “How’s Sadie?”

  “Adjusting well, I think. She said to give you her love.” He yawned once more. “Anyway, I’m headed off to bed. See you in a few hours.”

  A few hours might not seem like much to Reuben, but right now they felt like an eternity to Rena. Oh well. She’d waited this long to tell him her news. What were a few more hours, in the grand scheme of things? She passed them by making a list of all the things she would need to purchase from the local department store before leaving for Daisy. Her wardrobe would need some updating. From what she could gather, Oklahoma was colder than Mississippi was in the wintertime. And her favorite dresses might not be the best fit. Perhaps she would need a few simpler ones. And shoes. Definitely sturdy, comfortable shoes.

  Oh, but how exciting this would be! If only Reuben would wake up so that she could tell him all about it.

  He arose just after noon. True to form, he dressed in his usual conservative suit and bow tie and headed straight to his study, foregoing any food. From outside the door, Rena could hear him shuffling through the mail and talking to himself. After pacing the hallway for what seemed like an eternity, she finally worked up the courage to rap on his door.

  “Come in.” Reuben’s voice sounded strained as he responded to her gentle knocking.

  She eased the door open and stuck her head inside then forced a smile. “Reuben, could I speak with you for a moment?”

  “Of course.” He looked up from the stacks of opened mail on his desk. “Is everything all right?”

  “Yes. Quite.” She took a few steps inside the room and eased herself into a chair near the desk. For a moment she said nothing. She gazed at the rows and rows of bookcases and tried to summon the courage to speak.

  “Something wonderful has happened,” she said at last. “Well, I think it’s wonderful, and I hope you agree. I’ve been waiting for you to return to tell you firsthand.”

  He gave her an inquisitive look. “I’m intrigued. Something to do with the missions society?”

  “Yes. How did you know?”

  He thumbed through several papers on the desk, not even looking her way. “Well, I left you in charge of the knitting for our Christmas event, so I would imagine you’ve had your hands full.”

  “Oh, that.” She tried not to let her expression shift much. “No, actually it’s something altogether different. I stumbled across a letter from a sheriff in Oklahoma. Now, mind you, I wasn’t going through your mail. I’d accidentally knocked the tray of letters off the desk.”

  “I see.” He glanced at her, tiny creases forming between his brows. “Oh, I remember the letter now. The headmistress at the orphanage is leaving, and they need someone to take her place.”

  “Yes, precisely.” Rena smoothed her gray skirt with her palms, her anxiety growing. “Have you found someone yet?”

  “No. I sent out a notice to various congregations but haven’t heard back from anyone as of yet.” His attention shifted to the papers on his desk. “Not sure what I’ll tell the sheriff.”

  “Tell him you’ve located the perfect person.” She sat up straighter in her chair. “Someone who would love nothing better than to care for children in an orphanage.”

  “The perfect person?” Now he gazed at her with intention, and she could read the concern written in his eyes. “Who do you mean?”

  “Why, me, of course.” She gave him a playful grin.

  He looked stunned by this statement. “You?”

  “Yes, brother. It’s the perfect solution to their problem.” And mine.

  “Surely you can’t be serious, Rena.” With the wave of a hand he dismissed her idea. “You’ve not spent time with youngsters since Sadie was a child. And these are mostly boys. Troublemakers, I would imagine, based on the wording of the sheriff’s letter. It’s out of the question.”

  Rena’s cheeks grew hot. How dare he answer for her? “It’s not out of the question, and I’m perfectly capable of making up my mind, thank you.”

  “I’m only looking out for your best interests.” Now he gave her his full attention. “I think perhaps the heat has gotten to you. This idea of yours is unrealistic at best.”

  If anything has gotten to me, it’s the knitting, not the heat.

  She rose and paced the office, pausing to gaze at the shelves filled with books. Though she had read dozens of them, the information seemed pointless now. What good was information if one could not act upon it?

  “For years, you’ve been telling me to give of myself to the poor,” she said.

  “Well, of course. That’s why I’ve given you so many opportunities to work with the indigent here in Gulfport. We are a team—all of us, working together.”

  “Reuben, I hope you won’t find this irreverent, but I feel that much of my doing here is just busywork. I’m not changing lives for the better. Yes, I understand the concept. I’m well-read. I’ve studied the books you’ve given me. But I’m not making a difference.”

  “Of course you are.” He appeared to d
ismiss her concerns.

  “I’ll be forty in two years.” Rena’s hands trembled as the reality of her words settled in. “Forty.”

  “Rena, you just turned thirty-eight last month. You speak as if your days on earth are drawing to a close.”

  She paused before saying something she might regret. Truly, if she stayed here—if she remained captive in this overly spacious home in this well-to-do part of town—she might as well see her days come to an end. How could she state such a thing without hurting her brother’s feelings? And what would he say once he heard that she’d already written to the sheriff, offering her services?

  Her brother gave her a sympathetic smile, as if she were a small child in need of a lecture. “Your best days are ahead.”

  As Rena pondered his words, a gripping sensation took hold of her heart. Until this very moment, she’d never contemplated the fact that her best days might be in the future. More often than not, she found herself wondering if any of her tomorrows would be better than her yesterdays.

  Suddenly her emotions got the better of her. “You have no idea what it feels like.” As she turned away from him, Rena shifted her focus to a vase on the mantel of the fireplace and willed the tears not to come.

  “What what feels like?” Reuben stood and took a couple of steps in her direction.

  She refused to look his way; he would worry once he saw the moisture in her eyes. “Knowing that tomorrow will be exactly like today. And yesterday. And all the yesterdays before that.” Her words came out sounding jagged. Cracked.

  “Whatever do you mean?”

  Rena pivoted on her heels and looked him squarely in the eyes, not caring whether he noticed her tears. “You will never understand what it feels like to know that people see you as superfluous.”

  “Superfluous?” He shook his head, clearly confused.

  “Don’t you see?” she whispered. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m the old spinster aunt no one knows what to do with.” Her tears came in earnest now.

  “Spinster aunt?” He raked his fingers through his thinning salt-and-pepper hair and eased his way into his chair. “You speak as if your life is lacking in some way. You’re family, Rena. We’ve never treated you as an outcast or in any way less because of your marital status.”