Free Where the Wild Rose Blooms by Lori Wick

Before 1 met you I wasn't even interested in a home. Are you certain that's all you want changed?"
    Eddie nodded, and Robert took her hand.
    "You'll have your extra fireplace, Eddie. Count on that."
    Eddie linked her fingers with Robert's and thought about his words. Yes, she was certain she could count on having the other fireplace, but suddenly it occurred to her that it was Robert who could be counted on. A sudden peace stole over her. God had sent her a wonderful man.
    Eddie's thoughts were still dwelling on the wonder of it all when Robert put an arm around her and pulled her close.
----

8
    "Is that Clayton Taggart's voice?" Jackie whispered furiously as she darted into the kitchen.
    "Yes" was Eddie's casual reply. "He came to meet Robert." She was making some refreshments for her guests and continued to do so calmly.
    "But I thought he was out of town!"
    "He was, but he made a special trip home because I told him Robert would be here."
    Jackie dropped into a chair as though the world had come to an end. Seeing her face, Eddie wiped her hands and sat down across from her sister.
    "Jackie, will you please tell me why you have such a problem with Tag?"
    Jackie sighed. "I just don't like him."
    "You sound like a five-year-old."
    Jackie's face flushed with rage, but Eddie put a hand in the air.
    "You don't have to buddy up to him, Jackie, but this outrage every time he's near or offers you a ride from school is wrong." Eddie placed strong emphasis on the last word, but the younger girl calmed upon hearing her sister's kind voice.
    "Have you prayed about this, Jackie?"
    "No," she admitted.
    "Then do so," Eddie urged her. "Take some time right now. Robert and Tag are just getting to know each other. He'll probably be here for the better part of the afternoon and tomorrow after church as well. You could join us if you'd come to grips with your feelings."
    Jackie nodded, and Eddie knew she had said enough. She loaded a serving tray with the good china plates
and
cups, and then added napkins, knives and spoons, cream, sugar, butter, a full pot of tea, and some freshly baked scones. Her Aunt Lacey always served tea and scones, and Eddie had a taste for them often. She hoped Robert would enjoy them too. She glanced at the table as she left, but Jackie hadn't moved or spoken. Indeed, Jackie was not even aware of her sister's departure.
    I don't have to have a reason to hate him, she told herself. I just do and that's that! She then remembered her sister's admonition to pray. Jackie sighed in the stillness of the room.
    She knew her attitude was wrong. Her mother was kind to everyone, but her father only bothered with people he liked. She knew her father was wrong to be so hard at times, but what could you do if you just didn't like someone?
    Suddenly Clayton's eyes came to mind, and the way they looked the night her family had gone to the Taggarts' for dinner. At the beginning of the evening they'd been laughing, teasing eyes, but then after the incident in the barn, his eyes had been serious. He still looked at her in a way that told her he thought she was pretty, but the teasing glint and some of the friendliness was gone.
    "It's just as well," Jackie stood and spoke to herself, her decision made. "I don't want to have anything to do with him anyhow."

    Clayton walked back up the road to his house feeling very pleased that he'd made the effort to come home. Robert Langley was as fine a fellow as Clayton had met in a long time. There had been no awkwardness between them, no time of testing; they'd hit it off in the first five minutes. And it had done nothing but good for Claytons heart to see the way Robert looked at Eddie. She was so lovely and sweet, and God had truly blessed her with a man who would obviously cherish all the love in her heart.
    Milly and Elaine were waiting with dinner on the table when Clayton got home, and he was enthusiastic in his telling of Robert and Eddie. Milly thought it was the most romantic thing