“I'm sure. Say, you want some popcorn or something?”
“No. I'm not hungry.”
The theater turned dark, the curtains were pulled back, and lights flickered on the screen. Numbers flashed, counting down from ten to one. Music swelled, and the title The Thin Man blazed across the screen, then pictures of Myrna Loy and William Powell were shown. Intent on enjoying the movie and ignoring Robert's nervousness, Laurel relaxed her shoulders and settled back.
The movie was surprisingly good, leaving the audience spellbound one minute, frightened the next, and then laughing. She was sorry to see it end. “That was wonderful!” she told Robert. “Did you like it?”
“Yeah. It was good.” He still seemed distracted. “Would you like to walk a ways before the next movie starts?”
“I could use a stretch,” Laurel said, allowing him to take her arm and escort her outside. The air was cold, but it felt good after the small, stuffy theater. Both Laurel and Robert were quiet. Tension lay between them, and Laurel was glad when it was time to return to their seats.
The second movie was charming, but Laurel was thankful when it was over. She hoped Robert would tell her what was troubling him. “Shirley Temple's so cute,” she said, searching for a conversation topic. Robert made no reply. “Don't you think?”
“What? What did you say?”
“Oh, never mind.” Frustrated and annoyed, Laurel walked fast. She got to the truck ahead of Robert and didn't wait for him to open the door. She climbed in, and when he took his place behind the wheel, she stared ahead, silent.
It took him three tries to start the truck, but finally the engine sputtered to life and they headed home. Robert remained quiet. Laurel sulked. The truck lights glistened off ice layered on the road. “I'll be glad for spring,” Robert finally said. Laurel nodded but didn't add anything. They pulled into the driveway and parked.
Laurel reached for the door handle, but instead of opening it, she asked, “Robert, have I done something to make you angry? You're not acting like yourself.” She looked at him. “I wish you'd tell me what's wrong.”
Robert turned to Laurel. “You haven't done anything. It's just …”
“What?”
“I've been thinking.” He fell silent again.
“About what?”
He took Laurel's hands in his. “You know I'm crazy about you. I have been ever since I first met you on the train to Seattle.”
“I know,” Laurel said, unable to look at Robert, afraid of what he was going to say. Finding courage, she met his gaze. His eyes were tender, filled with affection. She wished she'd left well enough alone. Why can't things stay the way they are?
“Laurel, I love you. I want to marry you.” Before she could answer, he continued, “I've already talked to your father, and he thinks it's a good idea. I know all about Adam and that you still have feelings for him, but … he's gone.”
Laurel's heart constricted. Adam was gone, and Robert was here. What should she do? How did she really feel about Robert? I'm not in love with him, but I do love him. He's a fine man. I'd be a fool to wait for Adam.
“I know you're not in love with me,” Robert continued. “Do you think you can learn to love me?”
Suddenly, compassion flowed through Laurel. She treasured Robert. Along with Celeste, he was her best friend. She smiled. “I do care for you, Robert.” She caressed his hands, then turned them palm up. “Calluses. You work hard. I know you'd take good care of me. You're kind and decent.” Laurel hesitated, then said, “I'd be proud to be your wife.” As she said the words, Laurel was stunned. She'd meant them, and not until she'd spoken, did she understand how much Robert meant to her.
Wearing an astounded expression, Robert asked, “Really? You mean it?”
Laurel laughed. “Yes. Of course I do.”
He caught her to him, holding her tight. “I was afraid to even dream you might say yes. Thank you, Laurel. Thank you.” Gently caressing her hair, he touched his lips to hers, then quickly released her.
Looking into Robert's eyes filled with passion and devotion, doubts swept over Laurel. Could she love him enough?
“As soon as weather permits, I'll start on the house. It'll be a fine home.” He kissed her hands. “It'll be wonderful! You'll be close to your family, and we'll have a farm and maybe even a passel of kids.” He blushed, then chuckled. “Well, we can talk about all that later. Let's go in and tell your folks!”
Laurel waited while Robert went around to open her door. The kiss hadn't been anything like the one she'd shared with Adam. She knew she didn't feel the same about Robert as she did Adam, but was that wrong? Wasn't a relationship built on stability, respect, and commitment better than one based on passion and dreams?
Chapter Thirty-Three
ROBERT HELD ON TO LAUREL'S HAND WHILE HE WALKED OFF THE DIMENSIONS of their new home. “We'll have to make it bigger than the first house. I was thinking we ought to have our rooms upstairs. Mama and the girls can stay downstairs.”
“Oh. I thought we would be downstairs and everyone else would be up.”
“Well, it probably won't be long before Mama has trouble getting up and down the stairs.”
“Of course,” Laurel said. “I should have thought of that.” She considered it a moment and at the same time tried to sort out her rising sense of insecurity. “What if we had our room downstairs and put the girls upstairs? That way I'll have better access to the kitchen.” She looked at Robert. “I'll feel like a guest if I'm living upstairs.”
Robert thought a moment, then scratched his head. “I don't know. I'll think about it.” Pointing, he said, “We'll have the kitchen right along here. I figured we could have a big back porch so you'll have room for your washing machine.”
“I don't have a washing machine.”
“We'll get one,” he said confidently. “And I thought we ought to have a large front room since there are so many of us, and when the children come along …” He squeezed her hand. “You do want children, don't you?”
“Of course. As many as God gives.”
“I'd also like to put in a fireplace so the kitchen stove isn't our only heat. It'll help warm the upstairs too.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Laurel said, beginning to feel a little left out of the process. Robert's ideas were good, but he hadn't asked her what she wanted. It seemed he cared more about what his mother wanted.
“Since our room is going to be upstairs, I thought we ought to put an extra bedroom up there for our kids. My sisters will be off raising their own families by the time we'll need their room.”
“Maybe, by that time we can move into it. It's easier for stoking fires and such,” Laurel said, feeling her resentment rise. He'd acted as if she'd said nothing about wanting a room on the main level.
