Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
J enny lay beside Wyatt in the back of the pickup until dawn lit the eastern sky. For most of the night they talked and dreamed, though at some point they finally slipped into a light doze.
They awoke to a gaggle of marsh wrens whistling in the trees. She almost feared the arrival of daylight would dissolve their newfound intimacy, like the sun burning away the morning mist.
Her muscles ached as she rolled into a sitting position to look down at Wyatt, who still stretched out on his back, staring at the sky.
“I don’t want the night to end,” he said. They were both bleary-eyed and achy, but happy.
“It’s election day,” she said, tracing the back of his hand, and he gave her the world’s bleakest smile.
“Yeah. It’s gonna be embarrassing.”
She leaned down to plant a quick kiss on his mouth, determined to put a bright face on this. “You made that lady from Cape Canaveral publicly commit to farmland zoning reform, so in a way, you’ve already won.”
“Hmmm,” he grumbled, but his eyes fairly worshipped her. They were in love and they were together. No matter how bad a beating he took at the polls today, nothing was going to pull them apart.
They began their day at church, kneeling in prayer and gratitude for having found each other again. Then Wyatt drove her to the grove. They were both grubby after a night in the back of the pickup, and constantly bumped elbows while vying for use of the sink in her compact bathroom. Wyatt’s gaze continually travelled over the old, cracked tiles as he brushed his teeth, probably already thinking of ways to knock out walls and make this space more livable for the two of them.
That was fine with her. He’d agreed to move to the grove! He was going to give it a chance, and that was all she could ask. She couldn’t stop smiling as they cleaned up, and then Wyatt drove them to the elementary school to cast their votes.
The parking lot was surprisingly full for an off-year election. Inside, the cafeteria had been set up with patriotic bunting draped over the tables. The elderly man who staffed the check-in table didn’t recognize Wyatt as he handed each of them a ballot, but others in the cafeteria did. A few people even wandered over to shake Wyatt’s hand and wish him luck.
Their footsteps echoed along the vacant corridor as they headed to the cafeteria,
Jenny slid behind one of the privacy screens set up on a table that served as a makeshift voting booth. Her heart squeezed with pride as she darkened the circle beside Wyatt’s name. Wyatt might consider this a humiliating day, but his bold campaign had forced Mindy Bannerman to make promises for ag reform, and that alone was a victory.
The entire process took less than three minutes, then they headed outside, where the glare of sunlight was blinding after the dim hallways of the school, and Wyatt surprised her with a question.
“My parents are hosting an election night party to watch the results come in,” he said. “Would you like to come?”
She shaded her eyes to look up at him. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” he affirmed. “We’re getting married. You and I are now a team, and if my mom can’t accept that, we’ll watch the results come in from your place.”
The last thing any woman wanted was to drive a wedge into her man’s family. Wyatt loved his parents and it wasn’t fair that he was being forced into this position . . .but this was Donna’s decision, not Wyatt’s.
“Of course I’d like to come,” she said. “This day is going to be stressful enough without announcing our engagement yet. Can we keep that part quiet for a while?” She wanted to savor their engagement before confronting the inevitable storm of disapproval from Donna.
Wyatt agreed, which was a relief, because she was going to be as welcome as the thirteenth fairy at Sleeping Beauty’s christening.
Wyatt called his parents to let them know he was bringing Jenny. His dad took the call, and the news didn’t go over well.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” his father asked, his voice heavy with concern.
“Yeah, I am,” he said. “Can you break the news to Mom? If it’s not okay, call and let me know and we’ll watch the election results from Jenny’s place.”
That was pretty definitive, but he was done denying Jenny. The ball was in Donna’s court.
“I’ll call if it’s going to be a problem,” his dad said.
That call never came, and at six o’clock he and Jenny drove to his parents’ house. An old Garth Brooks song crooned on the radio to cover the awkward silence, but the jittery shaking of Jenny’s leg was a dead giveaway she was anxious.
“Relax,” he said as he slowed his car to parallel park on the leafy street across from the house. Cars were already lined up down the street, and his uncle’s van was parked in the driveway.
“That’s my Uncle Brian getting out of the van,” he said. “You’ll like Brian. He and his wife run a photography studio over in Tampa.” His aunt and uncle sent him a friendly wave, then their teenaged kids got out of the van. Ethan landed on the ground with a flying leap, then went to the back of the van, while his sister, still all coltish arms and legs, followed.
Brian opened the back of the van, and Wyatt’s heart stilled. They were unloading Lauren’s hope chest.
Wyatt jogged ahead to intercept him. “What’s going on?”
Brian straightened after setting the chest back on the driveway. “Donna called me last week asking for the chest back, and I promised to bring it over the next time I was in town. We don’t mind, do we, Becks?”
Becky nodded vigorously. “We totally don’t mind. Your mom can have it back. Forever, if she wants.”
“I’m sorry if we jumped the gun,” Brian said.
Wyatt swallowed back his frustration as Jenny drew near, gazing at the hope chest in curiosity. There wasn’t time to explain because his mother was already heading down the drive.
“Welcome, welcome,” she said to the Tampa gang, although her eyes devoured the hope chest. She leaned down to run a hand across the cedar lid like she was greeting a long-lost friend. She deliberately ignored Jenny.
Wyatt enfolded Jenny’s hand in his. “Brian, Cindy, this is Jenny Summerlin. She runs an orange grove south of town.”
If Brian or his aunt were surprised, they hid it well as they greeted Jenny, then introduced their children. Jenny responded in kind, but Donna ignored them all as she knelt to open the chest, taking inventory of the items inside.
His dad finally came outside to draw Donna away from the chest so Wyatt and Brian could carry it inside.
“Let’s set this down in the study for now,” he said to Brian. The party was already underway and there’d be time to lug it upstairs later. The chest landed with a thud in the darkened study. Brian headed into the main room, leaving Wyatt alone with Jenny.
“Come here, Mrs. Rossiter,” he murmured, drawing her into his arms. Sounds from the party down the hall leaked through the open door, but he wanted to savor these last few moments with Jenny before joining the others. He cradled her face in his hands, kissing her long and deep as she melted against him. How long should they keep their engagement secret? It was Jenny’s call, but tonight was their first step in getting his mother accustomed to the reality of their relationship.
“Ready?” he asked, and she gave him a brave nod before leaving the study.
Her hand tightened in his as they neared the kitchen. Who wouldn’t be nervous about walking into the lion’s den?
And yet, Jenny’s natural buoyancy sprang to the surface as soon as she recognized Elbert Davies, the kindly old fertilizer salesman who knew half the people in the county. They joined others in the family room, where the television was tuned to a cable access news station waiting for the election results that would start reporting later tonight. He linked hands with Jenny as they mingled with others. There wasn’t going to be any doubt about where she stood in his affections after tonight.
Donna was doing her best to appear cheerful even as she continued to ignore Jenny. “Can I get anyone more chili?” she asked as she gathered a few empty bowls. “Don’t be shy. It’s going to be a long night.”
Truer words were never spoken. At seven o’clock the first results began trickling in. Although the vote for Commissioner of Agriculture had been the only item on the local ballot, other places in the state had special elections for school board replacements, tax assessments, and a judge who had died in office near Jacksonville.
The early returns for the ag race weren’t good. Mindy Bannerman jumped to a fifteen-point lead, but only six percent of the vote was in.
“Don’t anyone start panicking,” Donna said. “Before this night is through my son will be planning his move to Tallahassee.”
“That’s right,” Brian said. “The cities always report first, so of course the Cape Canaveral lady is ahead. Pretty soon the rural votes will start reporting.”
“Absolutely,” Elbert said. Then the old fertilizer salesman unwittingly poked a sore spot when he made a comment to Jenny. “If the election goes in Wyatt’s favor, maybe you could move to Tallahassee and work at an orchard up there.”
“Jenny wouldn’t want to move to Tallahassee,” Donna instantly said. “It’s too far north to grow oranges.”
Elbert continued, oblivious to the landmine he was stumbling into. “They have orchards up near Tallahassee. Peaches. I think even pears or apples could grow up there. It wouldn’t be too hard to shift your focus if you want to stay in the business.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Donna said. “No woman should follow a man unless she’s got a ring on her finger.”
Wyatt held his breath as everyone in the room turned to stare at Jenny’s left hand and she shifted uneasily. “I’ll probably be staying in oranges,” she said. “Pierce County suits me just fine.”
“Hey, aren’t you getting married?” Becky asked. The young girl’s expression was quizzical as she glanced between Wyatt and Jenny. He couldn’t flat out lie to everyone in the room, but he needed to buy time.
“What makes you say that?” he asked carefully, looking at Becky but monitoring his mother in the corner of his eye.
“I heard you calling her ‘Mrs. Rossiter’ in the study. I just figured you were getting married. Wait! Are you already married?”
“No!” he said. Donna looked ready to faint, and he hurried to reassure her. “Mom, I’m not married.”
“Then why did you call her Mrs. Rossiter?” Donna asked.
Wyatt turned to Jenny, who looked like a deer caught in the headlights. He wouldn’t announce their engagement without her consent. Donna still looked like she was going to be ill.
Jenny slid a little closer to his side, and everyone in the room gaped at them. “Yeah, we’re getting married,” she admitted.
The moment of stunned silence was followed by some tepid applause. Most of the people here seemed happy for him, but plenty sent worried glances in Donna’s direction.
Old Elbert Davies approached them first, drawing Jenny into a hug. “Congratulations,” he said warmly. “A good marriage is the greatest blessing anyone can have. I’m glad you two are on your way.”
Others crowded around, but in the far corner, his parents sat quietly, his mom staring at the carpet with a blank expression.
Then, amazingly, Ed patted Donna’s hand and left her. He managed a smile for the two of them as he approached. “Congratulations, son. And Jenny. The two of you are well-matched.”
“Oh, Ed, I really appreciate that,” Jenny said, her voice a little wobbly.
Wyatt pulled his dad into a hug. “Thanks, Dad,” he choked out but kept his eyes on Donna. A few of the neighborhood women stood beside her, looking like they didn’t know if they should offer her congratulations or condolences.
He kept Jenny anchored by his side as more well-wishers came forward to congratulate them. His dad soon rejoined Donna, who busied herself loading the dishwasher. The amount of noise she made banging and slamming around in the kitchen wasn’t a good omen.
He wouldn’t try to pacify her. It wouldn’t work, and it was time to move forward with the life he wanted with Jenny. It’s what Lauren would have wanted for him.
He smiled down at Jenny. “Want something to drink?”
She declined and nodded toward the television. “It looks like more results are coming in.”
Mindy Bannerman’s lead was widening, but it didn’t matter. He might have lost an election, but he’d won a wife. Donna hadn’t yet rejoined the party. After straightening up the kitchen, she headed upstairs, his dad close behind.
That was okay. His mother deserved privacy while working through this, and Jenny deserved his support. They both were exactly where they ought to be.
The party continued while election results trickled in. By eight o’clock Wyatt was behind by twenty-three percentage points. The announcer pointed out that it was too early for Mindy Bannerman to start celebrating because she was the natural choice to sweep the city vote, most of which had already reported. Rural county results always trickled in last.
By nine o’clock her lead shrank to twelve, and by ten o’clock he was only down by six points, with eighty percent of the precincts reporting. “Come on, rural Florida,” Uncle Brian shouted at the television set. “We’re counting on you to turn this thing around!”
A few neighbors from elsewhere on the street dropped in as the end drew near. Even though he’d known most of these people all his life, losing would still be embarrassing. Nobody wanted an audience when they failed, but at least it wasn’t a complete shutout. He was doing way better than he had any right to expect.
Tension coiled, making it impossible to sit. Too many people were casting surreptitious looks at him. He sprang to his feet and drew Jenny up with him. “Let’s go outside.”
She seemed to understand and followed without question. The steady hum of crickets in the backyard was a relief after the boisterous atmosphere inside. He walked to the tire hanging from the old oak tree and held it steady while Jenny climbed into it.
“My dad kept this swing so his grandkids can play on it,” he said, giving her a gentle nudge. He nodded to the supply shed bordering the line of trees that framed the yard.
“We built that shed together,” he said. Actually, the entire family built the shed. Wyatt had been twelve and Lauren only nine. His dad could have easily built the prefabricated shed on his own, but he wanted his kids to learn, so it took three weekends in which the whole family worked to assemble it.
“The hardest part for me was nailing the wall joist in place. I botched it three or four times, and Dad was always patient as he pulled the nails and had me try again until I got it right.”
“Your dad is a good man,” Jenny said.
His mom was too, though Jenny had seen precious little of that from Donna recently. His mom had been there for every hour of the shed project and insisted Lauren help, too. Lauren was a girly-girl, but Donna wanted Lauren to learn to take care of herself.
This had been a great place to grow up. He’d always imagined a big backyard like this where he’d show his own kids how to build a shed or host backyard barbecues for everyone on the street. He never wanted to live on an orange grove far away from neighbors, but they would make it work. He pushed Jenny on the tire swing, wondering how much money they could cobble together to upgrade the bathrooms in the farmhouse.
A cheer went up from inside the house, and his father opened the porch door. “The race is getting closer,” Ed called out. “You’re only down by two, with ninety percent reporting.”
Wyatt’s heart began to thud. How many percentage points could he eke out of those last remaining rural counties? The population was puny compared to the cities, yet he was sweeping the rural vote and it might be enough.
Jenny clambered out of the swing. “Let’s head back inside,” Jenny urged, her expression looking cautiously optimistic.
His gut felt a little queasy as he followed her inside. The television blared the weather report for tomorrow, but everyone’s gaze fastened on the numbers scrolling along the bottom of the screen. It currently reported on the local races, with the statewide elections up next.
The weather report was over, and the feed cut to the announcer at the desk.
“Okay, folks, it’s all over,” the announcer said. “The state of Florida has just elected a political outsider from the rural heartland to be our next Commissioner of Agriculture. Congratulations to incoming Commissioner Wyatt Rossiter.”
A roar broke out, arms hugging him. Was this really happening? All around him people cheered and clapped, but he stared at Jenny, dumbstruck.
“Congratulations,” she said, and he broke away from the others to clasp her to him.
He was moving to Tallahassee.
He was moving to Tallahassee! This was unbelievably wonderful, and the most surprising moment of his life.
“Looks like you’re moving to the big city, son!” his father boomed, and his mother beamed.
Jenny’s smile was brave. Not radiant, not elated, just . . . brave.
Not everyone here was overjoyed with his win.