Heart of Texas Volume 2: Caroline's Child. Debbie Macomber

had served the community, but apparently didn’t have plans to marry. Wade had never questioned them about their relationship. That was their business, not his. He was fond of Frank and Dovie. He found their company delightful and was happy to let Dovie spoil him with a home-cooked meal every now and then. The woman was a wonder with apple pie.

       One of Nell Bishop’s children raced across the room, and Wade’s spirits lifted. He’d sit with Nell, he decided. The widow might feel like odd man out, being there without a date, and since he was alone himself, well, it would work nicely. Nell was a safe dinner companion; everyone knew she wasn’t interested in remarriage. If Wade chose to dine with one of the single ladies, some women in the congregation, Louise Powell and Tammy Lee Kollenborn in particular, were sure to read it as a sign of incipient romance.

       So Nell was the perfect choice. No pressures there. Not only that, he had a great deal of respect and affection for her family. He’d enjoy spending the evening with them.

       But Nell was sitting with her mother-in-law and their table was full.

       Wade had to admit he felt lonely. Everyone present seemed to be part of a couple, and those who were single had found partners. Even Grady Weston had a date, and frankly, Wade was pleased with his choice. He’d long admired Caroline Daniels; she and Grady seemed right together, a thought that had occurred to him more than once since Savannah’s wedding.

       Not until Wade was at the end of the dessert table did he spot the ideal location. He smiled, amused that the vacant seat was at the very table he’d considered moments earlier. The empty spot was next to Cal Patterson. Wade got along just fine with the rancher, although the man had a reputation for being prickly. Cal sat with his brother Glen, but Glen wasn’t paying him any heed. The younger Patterson’s concentration was held by Ellie, and rightly so.

       “Mind if I join you?” Wade asked Cal.

       “Mind?” Cal muttered, sliding his chair over to give Wade ample room. “I’d be grateful.”

       “This is a great way to celebrate the church’s birthday, isn’t it?” Wade asked, digging into his food with gusto. He never ate better than at church dinners.

       “Growing up, I can remember looking forward to the third Saturday in July,” Cal said. “My mom made her special baked beans every year. Still does. Apparently the recipe’s been handed down from one generation to the next for at least a hundred years. If I remember right, it originally came from back East.”

       Wade took a forkful of the baked beans and nodded approvingly. “Mmm.” He chewed slowly, savoring every morsel. “There’s a lot to be said for tradition, especially when it tastes this good.”

       “She only bakes ’em once a year and it’s always for the church.” Having cleaned his own plate, Cal pushed back his chair and folded his arms. Wade’s gaze followed Cal’s. Grady and Caroline stood in the dessert line with Savannah and Laredo. The four were engaged in conversation and appeared to be enjoying themselves.

       “Grady and Caroline make a handsome couple, don’t they?” Wade asked, testing the waters with the older Patterson brother. This couldn’t be easy on him, especially after Cal’s own unfortunate experience a few years earlier. His wedding had been canceled just two days before the ceremony. Cal had taken the brunt of the embarrassment when his fiancée abruptly left town.

       Wade and Cal had shared some serious discussions afterward and bonded as friends. But Cal hadn’t mentioned Jennifer’s name, not in all the time since. The subject of marriage appeared to be taboo, as well. More than once Wade had been tempted to remind Cal not to judge all women by Jennifer’s actions. It might be a cliché, but time really was a great healer. When Cal was ready, Wade believed he’d date again.

       “It’s about time Grady opened his eyes,” Cal said, grinning.

       “About Caroline?”

       “Yeah. Those two have been circling each other for a year, maybe more. If one of ’em didn’t make a move soon, I was going to rope ’em together myself.”

       Wade chuckled, enjoying the image.

       “Seems that every time Grady gets close to making a move, something happens and he takes off like a jackrabbit.”

       Little Maggie Daniels raced past at that moment, and Wade caught her about the waist to keep her from colliding with Nell Bishop’s son. “Whoa there,” he said, laughing. “What’s the big hurry?”

       Maggie covered her mouth and giggled. “Petey was chasing me.”

       “Be careful, understand?”

       Maggie bobbed her head, and Wade pointed to the corsage on her wrist. “Who gave you flowers?”

       “Grady,” Maggie answered with such pride her entire face lit up. Her eyes fell to the pink and white carnations on her wrist. “He yells sometimes.”

       “Does it bother you?”

       Maggie had to think about that a moment before she shrugged. “He bought Mommy flowers, too. She was surprised and so was I, and when Mommy asked him why, he said it was ’cause we’re special.”

       “You are very special.” Wade smiled.

       Maggie’s return smile revealed two missing front teeth. “Mommy likes him,” she said, and Wade had the feeling that she’d decided perhaps Grady wasn’t such a bad guy, after all.

       Petey Bush approached. “Wanna hold hands?” the six-year-old boy asked.

       Maggie looked to Wade for permission. “I think it’ll be all right,” he advised.

       She nodded solemnly and the two children strolled off hand in hand.

       “It’s a sorry day when five- and six-year-olds have an easier time getting a date than we do, don’t you think?” Cal asked him.

       A sorry day indeed, Wade mused.

      * * *

      CAROLINE HAD a wonderful time at the dinner. A perfectly wonderful time, she reflected as they walked out to Grady’s truck. Everything about the evening had been like a dream. Not once had she exchanged a cross word with Grady. Not once had they disagreed. Not once had he yelled at Maggie. There just might be hope for them.

       Maggie, worn-out from the evening’s activities, fell asleep between them in the truck. She slumped against Caroline, her head in her mother’s lap. When Grady pulled up in front of the house, she was still asleep. It seemed a shame to disturb her.

       Grady must have thought the same thing, because he turned off the engine and made no move to get out of the truck. The only light available was from a quarter moon set crookedly in the dark Texas sky.

       Night settled about them. Neither one of them spoke. For her own part, Caroline wanted the evening to last as long as possible. If it never ended, that was fine with her.

       “I had a lovely time,” she finally whispered.

       “Me, too.”

       She assumed he’d open the truck door then and was pleased when he didn’t.

       “It was sweet of you to bring Maggie and me flowers.”

       “It was the only way I could tell you how much—” He halted midsentence.

       “How much…?” she prodded.

       “I like you both,” he finished.

       “Do you, Grady?” she asked, her voice low.

       “Very much.” He brought his hand to the side of her face, and Caroline closed her eyes, delighting in the feel of his callused palm against her cheek. Smiling to herself at how far they’d come, she leaned into his hand.

       “Do you think it’d wake Maggie if I kissed you?” he asked, whispering.

       Caroline didn’t know, but she was prepared to risk it. “I’m game if you