Page 41 of Spilling the Tea

Waylon saw Victoria and another girl when they rounded the corner of some building. She had no idea Mr. Jantz had permitted him to come. He stood on the side, away from the Madaris family, and saw how happy she was to see her parents and brother.

He watched the girl he loved with all his heart. The first thing anyone would notice was her mass of vibrant red hair that flowed down her shoulders. It was an unusual hair color but not for a female-born Madaris. According to her family, she inherited the hair coloring from the first Madaris wife inthe early eighteen hundreds. According to Mr. Jantz, there was usually one redheaded female born in every generation.

Then there was her caramel-colored skin that always seemed to glow and the prettiest brown eyes he’d ever seen. He was convinced she was the most gorgeous female ever created. And one day, she would be his wife—with her father’s blessings. He anticipated that day and would abide his time by building their home. With Milton’s help, he’d framed it already and the walls were up. It would be a spacious single-story dwelling with two bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, plus a vast living room and eat-in kitchen. It would have indoor plumbing for the bathrooms and kitchen, and he’d also designed the cabin so that he could easily add additional bedrooms when their babies were born.

He wasn’t sure what gave his position away. Victoria had been quickly walking toward her parents when, suddenly, she turned in his direction. Surprise and happiness spread across her face. That expression touched him deeply. The proper thing was to acknowledge her parents first, so breaking eye contact with him, she resumed walking toward them. Upon reaching them, she gave them both huge hugs. Then she whispered something to her father, who gazed at Waylon before nodding.

That’s when she crossed the yard to where he stood and offered him her hand. More than anything, he wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her. That was something he was anticipating—their first kiss.

Taking her hand, he said, “Good seeing you, Victoria.” The warmth he felt holding her hand in his touched him deeply.

“And it’s good seeing you, too, Waylon. You look well.”

In a low, husky voice, he said, “And you, the love of my life, look beautiful.”

Her smile widened, and then she looked over her shoulder. “I’m not sure where Felicia Laverne is,” she added, glancing around. “She was here just moments ago. She must have takenMilt to meet her father in the camp’s library. I hope that goes well.”

“I’m sure that it will. I better go help your father load your stuff into the car,” Waylon said, heading to where her parents stood. She began walking beside him.

“I asked Mr. Jantz if you could ride back in the truck with me and Milt,” he added.

“You did?” she asked excitedly. “What did Pa say?”

Waylon chuckled. “He said he would think about it.”

***

“Pa, I would like you to meet Milton Jantzen Madaris,” Felicia Laverne said, smiling proudly.

Milton extended his hand to the man who’d eyed him intensely before accepting his handshake. His pa had always taught him that you could tell a lot about a man by his handshake. A firm one denotes strength, fairness, and honesty. Whereas, a weak grip denotes a person who is easily intimidated, insecure, and has low self-esteem.

Milton was a hardworking, able-bodied, confident man who went after what he wanted. And more than anything, he wanted Felicia Laverne Lee. “Reverend Lee, it’s nice meeting you, and I hope we can have a conversation.”

“About what, young man?”

“About Felicia Laverne.”

Reverend Nolan Lee nodded before switching his gaze from Milton to his daughter. “Your mother has volunteered to help break down the classrooms with some other ladies. I’m sure they will be glad to get your help.”

“Yes, Pa.” Before leaving, she gave Milton a reassuring smile.

Milton returned his gaze to Reverend Lee when Felicia Laverne could no longer be seen. The man was staring at him with an unreadable expression on his face. Then the minister said, “What do you want to talk to me about? Fee?”

Milton raised a brow. “Fee?”

“Yes, that’s Felicia Laverne’s nickname.”

Milton nodded. “Over the summer, Felicia Laverne and I have been exchanging letters.”

“So, you’re interested in her as a girlfriend?” the older man asked.

“No, sir. I’m not looking for a girlfriend. And to be honest, I want more than a wife. I want someone I believe I can trust and who will be my mate and partner in everything. I want someone who will work by my side to grow the ranch I will inherit one day. I want someone whom I can create a family with, and who I believe would be the best mother any child could ever have. But most of all, I want the person I love: your daughter, Felicia Laverne. I truly do love her.”

The minister didn’t say anything, and for a moment, Milton wondered if he’d said too much. However, when it came to how he felt about Felicia, he hadn’t said enough. He never thought he was the type of man who would wear his heart on his sleeve, but he was doing so for her and had no regrets.

Reverend Lee said, “Fee has another year in school. You’re from Texas. How do you intend to make a courtship work when the two of you will be miles apart?”

“With your permission, I’d like to visit her this fall. I understand finishing school is her top priority, but I’d like to marry her next summer.”

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