Country Bride: Country Bride / Woodrose Mountain

“I might be able to make it up to you, though,” Linda murmured, fussing with the cuffs of her long-sleeved blouse.

“Whatever it is will have to be good.”

“It is.” Linda brightened and pulled a slip of paper from her purse. “I got this information from a friend of a friend, so I can’t confirm how accurate it is, but I think it’s pretty much for sure.”

“What’s for sure?” she asked when Linda handed her the paper. A local phone number was carefully printed on it.

Linda’s sheepish look departed. “It’s Mrs. Jackson’s number—she’s the manager of the apartment complex on Spruce Street. They may have a vacancy coming up next week. If you’re the first one to apply, you might have a decent chance of getting it.”

“Oh, Linda, that’s great!”

“Am I forgiven?”

Kate laughed. “This makes up for a multitude of sins.”

“I was counting on that.”

* * *

Kate called five times before she got through. Mrs. Jackson seemed surprised to be hearing from her.

“I thought you were marrying that Rivers chap,” the elderly woman said. “Can’t understand why you’d want to rent an apartment when you’re engaged to that man. The whole town says it’s just a matter of time.”

“Mrs. Jackson,” Kate said loudly, because everyone knew the old woman was hard of hearing, “could I look at the apartment soon?”

“Won’t be cleaned up for another day or two. I’ll let you know once it’s ready to be shown, but I can’t help feeling it’s a waste of time. Don’t know what’s wrong with you young women these days. In my day, we’d snap up a good man like Luke Rivers so fast it’d make your head spin.”

“I’d still like to see the apartment,” Kate said.

“Saturday, I guess. Yes, Saturday. Why don’t you plan to come over then? I’ll need a deposit if you decide to take the place.”

“Will a check be all right?”

“Good as gold when it’s got your name on it,” Mrs. Jackson said, chuckling. “Don’t suppose you have any season or month you’re particularly partial to for weddings, would you?”

“No, I can’t say I do.”

“Well, me and Ethel Martin think you and that Rivers fellow will tie the knot in April. April seems a mighty nice month for a country wedding.”

“I’m sure it is,” Kate said, clenching her teeth.

“Good. Now listen, soon as the word gets out, someone else’ll be wanting that apartment, so if you aren’t here by noon Saturday, I’m going to have to give it to whoever shows up. You understand?”

“I’ll be there before noon.”

“See you then.”

“Goodbye, Mrs. Jackson.”

“You keep thinking about April, you hear?”

“Yes, I will,” Kate murmured, rolling her eyes as she replaced the receiver.