The Sound of Rain Page 23

  Chapter

  30

  Mother, we’d better get going if you don’t want to be late for your appointment.” Larkin saw her mother wince as she raised her right arm to style her hair. “I can do that for you.”

  “I know, but I feel so much better, I want to show off.”

  She finally picked up a hand mirror and examined her coiffure from all sides. “Oh, I suppose it’ll do.”

  “I doubt Dr. Endicott will even notice your hairstyle.”

  Mother smiled. “No, but his nurses might.”

  Larkin laughed. “I had no idea you were quite so vain.”

  “Didn’t you? I thought everyone knew.” Mother giggled like a girl and took Larkin’s hand in her own. “Let’s take your convertible. I know it’s too cool to put the top down, but it sounds like fun.”

  Larkin agreed and tucked her mother in the passenger seat. She was grateful for such a quick recovery and tried to be glad that she could go back to Kentucky soon. But thinking of leaving left her blue. She thought she’d have a clearer picture of what she was meant to do by now. What would it mean for her blossoming relationship with Judd? She hoped he would consider going back home or maybe even coming to Logan. Ben could certainly use his help. She supposed she’d have to talk to Judd about the future soon. Maybe that would clarify the situation for her.

  They didn’t have to wait long at the doctor’s office. Dr. Endicott examined Larkin’s mother and then invited both of them into his office.

  “I don’t often say this sort of thing, but I’m astonished at how well you’ve done. When we first discovered the lump, I felt certain it was cancer and you would be facing an uphill battle.” Larkin darted a look at her mother, who refused to meet her eyes. “I expected . . . well, it doesn’t matter now. I’ll want to see you again in six weeks, but I genuinely believe you’re going to be just fine.”

  Mother stood, thanked the doctor, and led Larkin out of the office. Once they were in the car, Larkin turned to her mother.

  “You said it was nothing.”

  “And so it was.” Mother fished a compact out of her purse and reapplied lipstick.

  “But the doctor didn’t think so. Why did you tell us it was nothing serious?”

  Mother looked at Larkin. “Your father knew it might be serious. I suppose that’s why he wrote to you. And I’ll confess I was worried myself. I even wondered what would happen to your father if I . . .” She trailed off and took Larkin’s hand. “But once you arrived, I had the most amazing peace about everything. And now here we are, and I was right to stop worrying.” She touched the tip of Larkin’s nose. “And not to worry you and your brother.”

  Larkin shook her head. “I suppose we could say all’s well that ends well, but I hope you won’t keep things from me in the future.”

  Mother laughed and gave her a pointed look. “Only if you promise not to keep anything from me.”

  Larkin blushed and started the car.

  Judd had been invited to dinner at the Heywards’ house again, only this time it wasn’t business. This time he was courting the boss’s daughter and he thought he might throw up. He tried to think what Joe would tell him, but Joe rarely took anything very seriously and nothing helpful came to mind. He walked over to the hall mirror to check his tie again. Floyd ambled toward him.

  “Must be something important.”

  Judd grunted and smoothed down a curl of hair that wouldn’t cooperate.

  “Job or a girl?”

  Judd glanced at the older man. “Girl.”

  Floyd nodded. “Gonna marry her?”

  Judd froze, then lowered his hands. “Might if she’ll have me.”

  “Kind of thought you looked like a man planning to ask somebody’s daddy a hard question.”

  Judd blew out a breath. “You’re smarter than you look.”

  Floyd chuckled. “Life’ll teach you some things if you let it. Can I give you a word of advice?”

  “Sure, I can use all the help I can get.”

  “Don’t take no for an answer.” Floyd slapped Judd on the back. “From either one of them.”

  Dinner was less painful than Judd had expected. George—he asked Judd to call him by his first name—was friendlier than he’d ever been. Mrs. Heyward—Augusta—was welcoming, and Larkin was . . . well, Larkin, which was more than enough for Judd. After they ate, Larkin helped her mother clear the dishes while George invited Judd into the den.

  “Care for a drink?” he asked, pouring something amber-colored from a sparkling decanter into a stubby glass.

  “Don’t believe I do,” Judd said. He wasn’t sure if he should sit since George was still standing, so he ambled over to the fireplace and admired a photo of Larkin and her parents. He wondered if this was the right time to have that talk with Larkin’s father.

  George stepped up beside Judd. “She’s a fine girl. Maybe a little too wrapped up in dancing and that Pavilion, but a fine girl all the same.”

  Judd stiffened. “I guess anybody who volunteers at a hospital and goes off to Kentucky to help folks can get away with a little dancing now and then.”

  George grunted and swallowed some of what was in his glass. “To be honest, I might prefer it if she stayed around here doing her volunteer work.” He paused. “What about you?”

  “I sure do enjoy having her here,” Judd said, not sure where this conversation was headed.

  “I was hoping you might be thinking to try and keep her around.”

  Judd swallowed hard. He wasn’t going to get a better opening than that. “Well, sir. We haven’t been courting all that long, but I have been thinking about the future. And how I’d like Larkin to be part of that.” His mind raced for the right words. Usually, he had no problem saying exactly what he meant without wasting too much breath, but this evening he was having a rough go of it.

  “Yes.” George nodded helpfully.

  Judd figured he’d better spit it out before he choked on it. “When the time’s right, I’d like to ask Larkin to be my wife.”

  His boss chortled and slapped him on the shoulder. “I was hoping you were headed there.”

  “You were?”

  “Sure thing. Good man like you, moving up in the company, taking on more responsibility. There’s a real future for you at Waccamaw Timber, and the more we can keep things in the family, the better.”

  Judd felt confused. He was talking about Larkin, while Mr. Heyward—George—was talking about the company. He rubbed the back of his neck. He could see that the two were tied together, but he hadn’t fully considered what that meant until now.

  And just like that, a lightbulb went off. If he married Larkin and kept her in South Carolina, she—or perhaps he—could continue being part of Waccamaw Timber. And maybe they would produce an heir to take it on one day. His first thought was to chafe under the weight of such a responsibility, but the more the idea percolated, the more he thought he might enjoy helping to develop the timber company. He’d learned quite a bit already and he thought maybe he could see some ways to improve things—especially for the workers. Yes, if keeping the business in the family through his daughter was what George had in mind, he just might be open to the idea. Could be he didn’t need Joe’s dream anymore. Could be he had a dream of his own.

  George finished his drink and went to pour another. “Sure you won’t join me?”

  Judd let one corner of his mouth lift. “Maybe I will.”

  “That’s right, celebrate a little.” The older man winked and handed Judd a glass that felt cool and weighty in his hand. He liked it. He might even get used to it.

  Judd and Larkin walked down to the beach. She’d grabbed a sweater against the cool of the late March evening but hardly needed it. The glow she felt from her mother’s recovery, the time with Judd, and her father’s apparent approval of their budding relationship was more than enough to keep her warm.

  They passed the shuttered Pavilion and stepped out onto the boardwalk. Judd seemed nervous, wh
ich Larkin chalked up to dinner with her parents. She was still getting used to the fact that her father was not only tolerating Judd’s suit but might even be encouraging it. She hugged herself, and Judd wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

  “Cold?”

  “Nope, I’m just right.”

  They gazed out at the moonlit foam curling at the tips of the waves. Larkin breathed in the sharp salt air. It was cooler here, with enough of a breeze to make her glad for the sweater after all. She’d missed the ocean while in Kentucky, though she was surprised to find it didn’t tug at her heart the way it once had.

  “Larkin, I don’t want you to go back to Kentucky.” The words poured out of Judd like he hadn’t meant to turn them loose.

  “You don’t?”

  He shook his head. “I know working with your brother means a lot to you, but I . . . I was hoping you might want to stick around here.” She saw his Adam’s apple bob. “With me.”

  She laughed lightly. “Why, Judd Markley, what are you suggesting?”

  He grasped her hand and looked into her eyes. “I’m hoping you might consider . . . being my wife.”

  Larkin found she couldn’t quite process the words. She looked blankly at Judd.

  “You don’t have to answer me right now. You can think about it. Think about it all you want. I’m just hoping one of these days, maybe when I have a little more money saved up, you might—” he gulped—“marry me.”

  Larkin laughed, and this time the sound took flight. “Of course I will,” she said. “I just didn’t think you’d ask.”

  She thought she saw moisture—could it be tears?—in Judd’s eyes. He wrapped both arms around her, pulling her snug against him. “And you’ll stay here, in South Carolina, with me?”

  Images of Granny Jane and Kyle sitting in the pews while Ben stood behind the pulpit of the little church flicked through her mind. Now it was her turn to swallow hard. “If that’s what you want,” she whispered. “Where my husband goes, I go.”

  Judd let out a whoop that startled and delighted Larkin. She giggled, but the sound was stifled by Judd’s kiss. She leaned into him with a sigh and tried not to think about Kentucky and everything she was giving up.

  Chapter

  31

  We should tell your parents,” Judd said, leaning back but not releasing Larkin.

  She raised her eyebrows. “I suppose we should, but I’m surprised you’re so eager. What if they don’t approve?”

  Judd tucked her head against his shoulder. “I asked your father for permission.”

  “You did?” Larkin was more shocked now than when Judd proposed. “And he agreed?”

  Judd shrugged. “He might have even encouraged me.”

  Larkin tried to enjoy the feeling of being held in Judd’s strong arms, yet something niggled in the back of her mind. “Daddy’s usually not so . . . cooperative.”

  A deep chuckle rumbled under her cheek. “Don’t I know it? Might be he’s hoping I’ll keep you around here.”

  Larkin stiffened. Of course. Daddy knew she was drawn to his hired mountain man and saw his chance to pull her back home for good—after luring her back with news of her mother. She was partly annoyed that her father was manipulating her and partly confused that he’d want to. Did he dislike his own son so much that he didn’t want Larkin to have anything to do with him? She glanced up at Judd, who was gazing out to sea with a contented look on his face as he tangled his fingers in her ponytail.

  Sighing, Larkin whispered that they’d better head on home. She didn’t understand what her father was after, but she supposed she should be glad that their desires seemed to be coinciding for once.

  After the news of Judd’s engagement to Larkin got around, the men at work treated him differently. He tried not to mind but felt as though everyone were tiptoeing every time he set foot on a job. Even Hank and Chuck acted different.

  On the first Monday in April, Hank swung by the work site around lunchtime. Judd eased down beside him where he sat on a log eating a sandwich. Judd unwrapped two pieces of cold fried chicken and bit into a leg. Larkin had started fixing his lunch several times a week, and he had to admit it was nice to have something other than Vienna sausages and saltines.

  They ate in silence a moment.

  “You and Larkin set a date yet?” Hank asked.

  Judd tried not to grin but couldn’t help himself. “October. I’m ready to marry her tomorrow, but it seems her mother needs at least six months to plan a wedding.” He laughed. “Might be in over my head.”

  Hank ate his last bite of sandwich and dusted his hands together. “You mind if I ask you something straight out?”

  “Nope.”

  “You taking over Waccamaw Timber Company?”

  Judd tossed a chicken bone back in the weeds. Of course Hank would know details like that. “Don’t rightly know.”

  “If you were anybody else, I’d suspect you of marrying that girl to get in with the company.” Hank sighed. “Guess I trust you more than Mr. Heyward, though. Don’t get me wrong. I think Larkin’s lucky to have you, and I’m betting you’d do a fine job of managing the company.” He braced his elbows on his knees and stared at the ground between his feet. “At the same time, I’ve worked with George Heyward a long time and seems like he’s usually working an angle.” He looked at Judd sideways. “Keep an eye out.”

  Judd nodded. “Been through a mine collapse and a hurricane in the past year. I can handle myself.”

  Hank laughed, but it sounded hollow. “Natural disasters got nothing on George Heyward when he sets his sights on a target. You just make sure you don’t find a bull’s-eye painted across your chest one day.”

  Larkin tried to take an interest in choosing colors for her wedding. A few years ago, this sort of thing would have been a dream come true. Colors and clothes and cake and flowers and music, and oh, why did it feel like a gauntlet she had to pass through rather than the joy she’d once imagined?

  “We’ll have roses, of course,” her mother was saying. “Ivory for the base color, but we can spice it up a little. What do you think of burgundy? Or would you rather go lighter and have more of a peachy-orange color? If you can keep a tan, it would look lovely with your skin.”

  “Lighter would be nice,” Larkin said, trying to put some thought into it.

  “I was hoping you’d lean that direction. Now, I called Nell and Patty to see if they could go dress shopping with us tomorrow. We’ll have lunch at the Dunes Club and then shop all afternoon if need be.” Her mother was practically brimming over with excitement. “Won’t this be fun?”

  Larkin smiled, unable to resist her mother’s enthusiasm, especially since she’d given them such a scare. “Yes, it’ll be fun to go shopping with Nell and Patty.”

  Her mother wasn’t really paying attention. “Take these magazines and see if you can find a hairstyle you like. I think you should wear it up, maybe with a small tiara or comb, but that’s up to you.”

  Larkin almost laughed out loud. She was marrying a West Virginia mountain boy, and her mother thought a tiara would be appropriate. She’d much rather put on a nice dress, scoop her hair into its usual ponytail, and stand up in front of the justice of the peace. Judd wasn’t going to know what to make of all this fuss.

  Taking the magazines, Larkin went out and sat on the back steps, where she could soak up the April sun. She glanced at the Debutante Camellia Mother planted the year she had her coming out. She thought how it would be covered in delicate pink blooms in October. She wished she could persuade her mother to let her pick a bouquet of her own to carry down the aisle.

  Then she looked at the shrub more closely. Quite a few of the leaves were yellow, and too many had fallen to the ground. It even looked a bit wilted. Furrowing her brow, Larkin went to the gardening shed for clippers and maybe some fertilizer. She’d have to pay more attention—she didn’t want her camellia suffering because she was too busy to tend it.

  “Our dresses are so pretty. I
can’t believe you just let us pick what we wanted.” Patty gushed as she sat with Nell and Larkin on the Heywards’ screened porch, sipping lemonade and discussing the day’s finds.

  Nell let her head fall back against the cushions. “I feel like a package all wrapped up for Christmas with that luscious coral sash.”

  Patty giggled. “Would that be a present for my big brother by any chance?”

  Nell flushed. “Don’t talk like that unless you think he might, you know, ask me.”

  “Leon has never been quick to catch on, but I’m thinking all this wedding talk might give him an idea.” Patty leaned forward. “Say, Larkin, you and Judd should double with Nell and Leon, maybe give my poor brother some hint about what he should do next.”

  Larkin forced a smile. “Sure, we could do that. Maybe get a hamburger and see a movie.” Not that she wanted to. All this wedding nonsense was giving her a headache. Nearly every day. It all seemed so frivolous, while Granny Jane was sitting in her cabin with a wardrobe that would just about fit in Larkin’s overnight bag. And Kyle had never eaten in a restaurant or seen a movie.

  “Do you think your mother will give in and let you get that tea-length dress?” Patty was eager to continue talking about the wedding.

  Larkin sighed and tried to care. “I don’t see why not, so long as the wedding’s in the afternoon.” She wanted to roll her eyes. Wedding etiquette was beyond frivolous.

  “I thought you were going to have an evening ceremony with a sit-down dinner. That’s what I’d like to do.” Nell looked wistful.

  “That was Mother’s idea, but I’d prefer something simple in the afternoon with just cake and a few light refreshments afterwards. I don’t think Judd would know what to do at a formal dinner.” She felt a genuine smile spread across her face. “And I’m kind of glad about that.”

  “Aren’t you the rebel,” Patty said. Then she wrinkled her nose, looking at the table next to her. “What happened to your green thumb? I thought you could get anything to grow, but this spider plant is positively awful looking. You need to pitch it and start over.”