4

Though her daddy tolerated the Sunday visitor, Olivia’s momma was not so agreeable. Many heated arguments occurred that summer in the Buchanan household as Sarah saw her daughter’s love growing for the young Jake even as her husband’s admiration grew for him. In her desperation, Sarah decided to take Olivia away in a trip. A graduation gift. A chance to see the Big City. They would stay the summer in St. Louis with Sarah’s cousin who had assured her there were many young men who would love to call on the fair Olivia.


So the first Sunday in June, Jake and Olivia said good-bye. With his heart breaking, Jake did the unthinkable. Standing next to Olivia on the front steps, smelling the lilac perfume she always wore, Jake breathed deep, inhaling her scent, determined to remember it always, then leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “I love you Olivia. Please come back to me.” Olivia wiped the tears from her eyes and nodded yes. She would come back.


Jake worked hard all summer. Long days in the Oklahoma heat. Humid days that all that was required to break a sweat is a deep breath. He never received a letter from Olivia. She wrote him faithfully. But Sarah intercepted each letter.

Every penny earned that summer went into the bank. He and his Grandpa were used to living simply, bare necessities. Bread, a little meat and vegetables from Grandpa’s garden were all they needed. Neither man had ever drank, so there was never money spent on liquor, nor on tobacco. Jake saved every penny.


Then summer was over. Livie had not written. He had not seen her in three months. Was he still loved? Soon came the first Sunday in September. In a melancholy mood, Jake decided to take a walk. Colt was home for the army for a week. He would soon be sent to a help keep the peace in some foreign, forgotten country. Jake stopped by Colt’s house and asked him if he’d like to walk, too. Down the road they went, remembering old times, games of kick-the-can, football highlights for high school then they turned the corner and saw the finery gathered at First Church. The Annual Pie Auction.

The women were setting out the chicken for lunch. Children were playing chase in the yard. Out of the back door came the ladies bearing their pies. Out came Olivia. In her white cotton dress, flowing in the breeze, she looked like an angel. Her dark hair fell in waves down her back. The green ribbon holding her dresses made her eyes sparkle. But she wasn’t smiling. She was looking around. Looking for someone.

She was looking for Jake. And he knew it. “Later, Colt,” Jake mumbled. And once again began walking over the railroad tracks. Colt knew his friend was walking to a new life. So was he. Colt went back home and packed his duffle bag for his trip back to Fort Collins. Life’s always changing, Colt mumbled to himself.


Never again will they separate us, Jake thought. I’ve waited and she has come back. As he walked across the church lawn, all talking ceased as they watched the determined young man stride towards Olivia. His work had hardened his muscles and aged him from childhood to manhood. Olivia saw him coming and started walking towards him. And she began to smile.




They met under the First Church sign. Jake fell to his knee, took her gloved hand in his.




“Olivia, you came back. I’ve waited for you,” and he paused. . .”I love you. Let me be your husband.”



In that moment, on a warm September afternoon, their stories became one. One month later, despite her mother’s wails and objections, Jake became Olivia’s husband. Matthew was there too and, although he wanted to protest, he saw in his daughter his own determination and knew that there was no use in arguing with her. She was going to marry Jake. At least he was employed. He had money, Matthew knew he had been saving his salary. And he would do his best to make sure Jake was always employed so that his daughter would be well taken care of.