Adam grinned and nodded. “I know. I may just give you a call.”
Ginger's eyes lit up, then Joe dragged her out of the pub.
Adam downed two more beers.
Digging into his pocket, he pulled out money for the additional drinks and laid it on the bar. I'll write to her. I'll tell her how happy I am for them both. Stumbling, he walked to the door and stepped outside. Hands in his coat pockets, he walked toward his apartment, determined she'd never know how he felt. He'd opened up to her once. Never again.
Chapter Thirty-Six
LAUREL HEADED UP THE STAIRS TO CHANGE OUT OF HER SUNDAY DRESS. IT was too nice a day to spend indoors. She planned on working in the flower garden, and if time allowed, she'd throw in a line at the creek. She'd become a fairly good fisherman, and the stream running along their property had nice rainbow trout.
Robert told her he'd be working on the house but would try to find time to join her. She'd be glad to see it completed. At least then she and Robert would be able to spend more time together.
Laurel considered their wedding and the move to their new home. She was eager for it to happen, but the idea of sharing a house with Robert's family dampened her enthusiasm. In all her girlhood dreams, she'd never once envisioned living with her husband's family.
“Hey, Laurel,” Brian called from the bottom of the stairs. “We're goin' to the lake! You want to come? Mama's packing a picnic lunch with fried chicken, and Daddy said we could go fishin'.”
Laurel stopped at the top landing and looked down at her little brother. “Mmm. Fried chicken sounds good. Who's going?”
“Everybody. Even Alex and Mattie are meeting us there.”
“All right. I'll go. When are we leaving?”
“Mama said I'd better get a move on, so I guess right away.”
“I have to talk to Robert first.” She was almost sure Robert would go. “Tell Mama and Daddy I'll meet you there.”
“OK.” Brian started to move away, then stopped and looked up at Laurel. “Daddy said I could use his fishing pole. I betcha I catch a big one.” He grinned, then skipped off.
Laurel went on in to change her clothes.
“Laurel,” Jean called from outside her door.
“Come in.” Laurel finished buttoning her blouse.
Jean peeked in. “We're leaving. Brian said you'd be down later?”
“Yes. I was supposed to meet Robert at the creek, but I'll run over and see if he wants to go to the lake instead. I'm sure he will.”
“All right. Don't be too long. We'll wait lunch for you.”
Jean closed the door, and Laurel heard the squeak of the stairs as her mother headed down. She pushed her feet into casual shoes and tied them, then walked to the bureau and picked up her brush. The wind had made a mess of her hair.
Her eyes fell on Adam's most recent letter. He'd congratulated her and Robert on their upcoming wedding. She hadn't expected Adam to be as pleased as he'd sounded.
She pulled the brush through her hair and put it into a ponytail. Grabbing a towel from the closet, she laid it out and set her swimming suit in the middle of it. She rolled up the towel with the suit and headed for the door.
Her spirits high, she walked through the empty house, out the back door, and headed across the field to Robert's. The cows and their calves grazed. Chewing contentedly, they gazed at her as she passed. The two horses and three sheep they'd acquired paid no attention but nibbled grass.
Mountains, some still topped by snow, stood framed by a deep blue sky. The nearby forests shaded bushes heavy with green berries. They'd ripen soon. Laurel looked forward to fresh pies. They'd already used the berries they'd canned last fall.
When Laurel reached the gate separating the Hasper's land from the Lundeen's, she stopped and leaned on it. Robert was kneeling on the roof of their home, nailing down wood shingles. The sleeves of his cotton work shirt were rolled up, revealing muscular arms. His coffee brown hair was damp with sweat, and his dark eyes were serious as he concentrated on his work. He placed a nail on a shake, then swinging his hammer accurately and powerfully, he drove it through the shake. Still not aware of Laurel's scrutiny, he took another nail, set it, and pounded it in. He's good, Laurel thought, pride welling up.
The sun felt hot. Laurel could imagine how hot and thirsty Robert was. A swim at the lake would be just the thing. Stepping through the gate, she ran toward the house and called up to him.
He looked down at her, surprise on his face. “Hi, there. I didn't expect to see you so soon.” He sat, bending his knees. “I thought I was coming to your place.”
“The family went to the lake. We're invited. You want to go? Mama made a picnic lunch—fried chicken.”
“How can I refuse?” He grinned. Leaving the nails, hammer, and shakes where they were, he walked to the edge of the roof and climbed down a ladder. “I'm glad to see you,” he said, giving Laurel a kiss. He pulled a handkerchief from his back pocket and wiped perspiration off his forehead. Tucking it back in place, he said, “I'll change and tell Mama we're going.”
A few minutes later, seated in the front of Robert's truck, the couple headed for the lake. “I've been thinking I needed a day of fun,” Robert said with a smile. “Too much work can ruin a man.”
“I have to agree.”
“The minister gave a good sermon this morning,” Robert said. “He almost always has something to say that inspires me. I have a lot to be thankful for.”
“Me too. Sometimes I start thinking about what I'm missing in life, and I get to feeling restless. But I think God wants us to be thinking about our blessings and be thankful.” Laurel shook her head. “I get so frustrated with myself—especially when I get caught up in the whatifs.” She chuckled. “I can make myself dizzy.”
She studied the distant mountains. “I mean, look at that view. It's glorious. I remember when I stood up to my father and told him I wouldn't move here. I acted like a spoiled brat that day. It was killing Daddy to leave his home, and I could only think about me.
“When I think about the beatings Jesus took and how he hung on that cross and died for us, I'm ashamed at how selfish I am. He never took his eyes off God.” Laurel gazed at a field ablaze with bright pink fireweed. “I want to be like him.”
“Don't be so hard on yourself.”
Laurel rested her head against the window frame. “I almost didn't move here with my family.” She smiled at Robert. “I'm glad I did. Even though I have wonderful memories of growing up in Wisconsin—the farm, family, and friends, now I can't imagine living anywhere else.”
Robert reached across the seat and clasped Laurel's hand. “I can't wait to have our own family.”
