Reverie (Hollow Hearts Book 1) (23 page)

As Hetty turned toward the kitchen she saw Elizabeth straightening a few things in the dining room. “Hetty, there you are. I’m afraid I have a bit of bad news. It seems the weather is going to keep away a few of the families who planned to be here. Even those from the nearby ranches can’t get through on the roads.”

“It’s okay, Elizabeth. I’m sorry they won’t be able to join us, but there’s plenty of food for everyone who is coming.” Hetty smiled.

“Do you want me to reset the table? We had planned for nearly 20 to sit down and eat, but I think with me, you, Isaac, Elias, Sol, Catherine, Doc Winters, Mr. Davis and his wife, and Beth from the café, that leaves us at 10 place settings.”

“I think it will be fine just as it is. Maybe we can ask some of the older children, like Jessica, to eat in here with us. I’m sure she’d think it was quite the treat to enjoy dinner with the grownups.”

Elizabeth agreed and seemed to relax. Hetty excused herself to check on Sol in the kitchen.

Within an hour all the guests had arrived. Children were laughing and playing with the games in the library, some even sneaking to shake a present or two under the tree. Doc Winters had taken it upon himself to entertain the crowd with his piano skills. “I haven’t played in years,” he’d said, but everyone seemed to love the holiday tunes he could remember. Guests engaged in lighthearted conversation while they sipped their drinks, and the mood remained festive and happy.

Hetty stood back and watched the guests enjoy themselves. Despite the aches and struggles from the last few days, thanks to the help of Isaac and his family, things had come together beautifully. Hetty said a silent prayer of thanks to the Lord for bringing the community together, not just for the party, but to help the orphanage with its repairs.

Isaac came up beside Hetty. “You seem happy.”

Hetty looked at him, unable to contain her smile. “I am. This has turned into a wonderful evening.”

“Might you honor me with a dance, my lady?” Isaac said, giving her a bow that reminded her of the knights from her favorite fairytales.

Hetty laughed and took his hand. They moved to the center of the floor, Isaac placing his hand around her waist. Holding her firmly with his other hand, he led her in perfect movements. Several guests and children stopped to watch them glide around the floor, and Isaac motioned to the others to join in. Before long several folks, including several children, were dancing along to the piano music. Isaac looked down at Hetty’s face. She smiled back at him and allowed his strong arms to continue leading her in dance. When the song ended everyone clapped and Catherine took the floor.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I believe we are ready for dinner. Please follow me to the dining room,” she said, motioning them to join her. Everyone piled into the dining room, Hetty near the Wheelers and Sol standing nearby.

When everyone was gathered around the table piled high with food, Catherine spoke again, “I want to thank all of you for coming this evening. It’s a special time for us to show you how much we appreciate your support throughout the year. And, despite recent circumstances”—she glared at Hetty—“I believe we can all agree that it’s the community who keeps us able to help these poor orphaned children.” Catherine put on a fake frown in an effort to show sincerity, but Hetty knew this was all part of her act.

“Before we say grace I want you all to know how much work went in to preparing for this evening. Mrs. Calhoun left a very generous sum to the orphanage to see that the children have what they need, and I think she’d be honored to know how much work I put into making tonight as festive as possible.”

Hetty looked down. Catherine hadn’t even acknowledged the effort she and the others had made to give this party to the children. She didn’t care one bit what others did as long as she reaped the rewards.
Foolish woman
, Hetty thought. But she refused to let Catherine’s attitude ruin the rest of the evening. Hetty didn’t need recognition for herself, but she wished Catherine could at least acknowledge what the community had done over the last few days.

After a short blessing, Catherine seized her arm and pulled her aside. Her grip was tight and despite the bandage on her burn, made her arm throb. Isaac caught the exchange out of the corner of his eye.

“Hetty, what do you think you’re doing?” Catherine hissed.

“I was sitting down to dinner,” she said matter-of-factly. 

“Goodness, girl! You don’t eat out here. You and Sol eat in the kitchen. You need to fill drinks and clear the plates. You certainly can’t join us at the table,” Catherine said mockingly. 

Isaac couldn’t stand it any longer. He rose from his chair, drawing the attention of the others at the table, and moved to where Catherine firmly held Hetty’s arm. “Let go of her now,” Isaac said, gritting his teeth. He wanted to remain a gentleman, but Catherine was seriously pushing him to his limits.

Catherine looked up at him in shock before letting go of Hetty’s arm. Hetty rubbed where the hand had gripped her, hoping her burn wouldn’t begin to bleed again.

“Isaac, I was just instructing Hetty in her duties for tonight. Please have a seat so we can begin.” Catherine tried to dismiss his tone with a playful one of her own. By now the entire table had given the altercation their full attention.

“Catherine, I—”

“No, Isaac,” Hetty said. “Please.”

Hetty knew this was her moment. For years she’d felt like less than she was because of this woman’s abrasive words. She’d lived for years at the orphanage just trying to blend into the background, hoping to avoid the harsh remarks Catherine would throw at her. She’d been told she didn’t deserve a family, no orphan did, that it was the Lord punishing her. She’d watched other children cry themselves to sleep after one of Catherine’s verbal lashings. But no more. Hetty felt her veins flow with confidence. She didn’t deserve this treatment. No one did. And it was time she stood up to Catherine. For herself. And for every child in the next room who’d been told a thousand times they were unworthy of family.

Hetty took a deep breath and stepped in front of Isaac. “Catherine, enough. I do not want to cause a scene at this lovely party, but you need to know something. These people”—Hetty motioned to everyone in the room—“these are the people who’ve been up before the sun every day to see that the kitchen gets rebuilt. These are the people who always give what they can to help those beautiful children realize someone cares about them. Every one of them has worked himself to the bone the last few days to make this party as wonderful as it is.”

Hetty stepped closer to Elizabeth. “And frankly, this is my house, and I will not be treated this way by a guest in my home. Sol is my family. Isaac and Elizabeth and Elias and Lottie are my family, too. This community is my family. And I have every right to sit in here and enjoy a meal with my family. If you don’t like it, then you are free to leave.”

Catherine gasped. She looked around the faces in the room, none of which were coming to her defense. With one last huff she spun on her heels and disappeared into the kitchen. Hetty felt the adrenaline run through her.

Elizabeth moved around the table and threw her arms around Hetty. “Oh, my girl. You’ve always been worthy of family. You just needed to realize it for yourself,” she whispered.

Hetty wrapped her arms around Elizabeth. “Thank you,” she whispered back.

Hetty turned toward the other guests. “I’m sorry for the interruption. Please help yourselves. And someone please tell the children they are welcome to join us in here. They are as much a part of the celebration as any of us.”

Everyone clapped and the mood quickly lightened. Suddenly plates were piled high and passed around with all of Sol’s wonderful food. Laughter filled the room and the children, not wanting to miss the fun, shuffled in. Extra chairs were brought in and everyone gathered to enjoy it together. Sol found a place at the table next to Lottie, who still insisted she was his biggest helper. Hetty allowed it all to sink in.
This is my family,
she thought,
all of us together in one place.

As the meal wound down, Isaac found a moment to pull Hetty aside while she was pouring coffee in the kitchen.

“Hetty, this evening was wonderful.”

She smiled at him. “Tonight was exactly what it needed to be. I couldn’t have done it without your help.”

“There is one thing though that would make tonight perfect.”

Hetty looked at him. “Oh?”

Isaac took a deep breath and, there in the kitchen of the grandest home in Hollow, he got down on his knee. “Hetty Grace, I love you. You are an amazing woman and in my heart I believe God chose us for one another. I don’t want to spend another day without you being a part of my family. You managed to repair a heart I didn’t want to admit was broken. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” His eyes glistened with tears.

Hetty looked at Isaac. This beautiful man. This strong good man. This man confessing his love and offering her everything she deserved.
This is what it’s like to trust in love
, she thought. And without even a moment’s hesitation she whispered...

“Yes.”

Isaac jumped from the floor, wrapped his arms around her, and spun her in the air. She giggled as she spun around him, her hair slipping from its braid. When he set her down on the floor he gently kissed her lips, sealing their promise.

“Let’s go tell the others,” he said, lacing his hand with hers.

“Wait, Isaac. Before we do I need to tell you something.”

“Of course. Tell me anything,” he said, running his finger across her lips.

“I lied,” Hetty said bluntly.

“You lied? About what?” Isaac asked nervously.

“This isn’t my house.” She reached into the pocket of her green dress and pulled out a piece of paper. She handed it to him. “It’s yours.”

“I don’t understand,” Isaac said, taking the paper. Hetty motioned for him to read it.

Isaac unfolded the paper and carefully read the words. It was a deed for the house. Made out to Wheeler Fine Furniture. Isaac looked away from the paper and met her eyes.

“I want to be part of your dream, too,” she whispered.

Isaac kissed her again, unable to form any words other than, “I love you.”

Hetty smiled. “I love you, too. I suppose I should have asked if you minded us using your house for a party.” She laughed.

“Not at all. As long as you promise the next party will be our wedding party,” Isaac said, reaching for her hand.

“I promise,” she said, as she entwined her fingers with his.

Elias sat on the quilt and allowed the soft breeze to wash over him. It was a truly gorgeous summer day on the ranch. Leaning back against the tree he watched his family laugh and play, Lottie still attempting to chase old Jasper. “Thank you, Lord, for all of your blessings,” he said, looking up at the sky.

Hetty and Isaac had married on Christmas Eve of last year, just days after his proposal. Elizabeth tried to convince them to wait so she could help plan a big wedding, but Hetty and Isaac had agreed that the didn’t want a big wedding—they just wanted a marriage. They’d spent their first Christmas together in the small house in town enjoying every moment of their full union as husband and wife. The large house once belonging to Mrs. Calhoun had been converted to Isaac’s furniture store and had opened to the community just last week. Elias was proud to see his brother embracing his talents to their full capacity.

After the debacle at the Christmas party, Catherine had left Hollow to pursue other interests, and the orphanage was now being run by a husband and wife who believed the Lord had called them to work with the children. Elias often took Lottie with him when he volunteered his time helping with repairs and upkeep.

Isaac walked over and joined his brother on the quilt. “That girl of yours never tires, does she?”

Elias laughed. “Even back to her old self I’m not sure Mother can keep up. You’ll see soon enough,” he said, motioning to Hetty and her very large stomach, carrying a large pie to the picnic table.

“I look forward to every second of it, brother,” Isaac said, giving a playful jab to Elias’s shoulder.

“Can I ask you a question, brother?”

“Of course.”

“After everything we’ve been through, after everything with Rachel, do you think I’ll find what you and Hetty have?” He asked quietly.

“I believe you will. You just have to have faith,” Isaac said, knowing inside just how much it was easier said than done.

“I’d like to have more kids, you know.” He plucked Isaac’s hat from his head and jumped up to run. “Especially since I know their cousins won’t know a thing about how to catch a fish.”

Isaac jumped up and chased after his brother. “You better hope whoever you find has more speed than you, otherwise your kids will never get away.” He reached for his hat and laughed.

Elias threw his arm around Isaac. “Come on, city boy, let’s eat.” They walked toward the rest of the family, Elias silently praying for his turn to find love.