Dr. Grade came by a little after 9:00 and said that Jeff no longer needed someone to sit with him around the clock. He also said he could sit up and even walk if he felt like it, but unless Santa Rosa experienced a heat wave, he was not to leave the Bradford home.
An hour later the house was empty except for Jeff and Gil, who was helping his older brother shave and clean up.
“I went to see Sylvia last night, Jeff.”
“You did?” Jeff wiped the remaining soap from his face and looked at his brother in surprise. The simple act of cleaning up seemed to exhaust him, but he perked up at Gil’s words.
“You might be angry with me, but I was worried about how you came to be in that part of town, so I went over to the Boggs’ to get some answers.” Jeff’s eyebrows nearly rose to his hairline, but he kept silent.
“I couldn’t figure out how you happened to be where Troy found you if you were on a date with Sylvia, so I went to see her and she told me everything.”
“Everything?”
“I think so, and probably some you don’t know. She said she practically threw herself at you to get you to propose.”
“There was nothing practically about it, Gil,” Jeff said softly and with regret. “She pulled my head down and kissed me.” This time it was Gilbert’s brows that rose as he gave a long, slow whistle.
“But you’re right,” Jeff continued. “I didn’t know she did it to get me to propose.”
“There’s one more thing you should know. She’s coming to see you today.” As if on cue, the men heard a knock downstairs at the front door.
“If that’s Sylvia she’s going to want to see me alone, but I want you fairly close by because I don’t think it looks right.”
“Are you sure you’re up to this? I can tell her you need to sleep.”
“No, I’ll see whoever it is.”
“You’re angry.”
“No, Sylvia. Honestly, I’m not.”
“Then I still don’t understand why we can’t see each other anymore.”
Jeff was nearly drained, but Sylvia seemed oblivious to that fact. He took a breath and tried again.
“Sylvia, I’m not going to be seeing anyone. I think my priorities have been messed up for a long time and I want to cut back on some of my social activities and rethink my purpose on this earth.”
“So all I am to you is a social activity!”
Jeff’s eyes slid shut in defeat, an action that Sylvia didn’t miss.
“I’m sorry, Jeff, I didn’t mean that.” This time she was sincerely contrite. “I told myself all the way over here that I was never going to get mad again, but it happens so easily.”
Jeff nodded and managed a compassionate smile. Sylvia reached and touched his arm briefly before pulling on her gloves.
“Well, I’ll see you around,” Sylvia said with a false cheerfulness.
“I’m sure we’ll see each other at church. Take care of yourself.”
“You too. And Jeff, I’m really sorry.”
“Thanks, Sylvia.”
Gilbert let a very quiet Sylvia out the front door. She had smiled and thanked him for telling her about Jeff, but the usual sparkle was gone from her eyes.
Gil stepped quietly up the stairs to check on his brother, but just as he expected, Jeff was sound asleep.
twenty-four
Jeff was remarkably improved by Friday morning and Dr. Grade said he could go home anytime. The problem was that only Maryanne was present and she had no way of getting him there. Jeff wasn’t too concerned because he knew someone in his family would be by to see him and he would bum a ride home then.
Jeff navigated the stairs carefully and without assistance, nearly scaring a year off Maryanne’s life when he walked slowly into the kitchen.
“Are you sure you should have done that?” Maryanne eyed him with concern when her heartbeat returned to normal.
“Yeah. I didn’t try to gather my gear, but I figured you’d forgive me for that.”
“I’ll think about it.” Maryanne teased him and Jeff saw instantly from whom Bobbie inherited her sense of humor.
“Speaking of forgiveness,” Jeff said softly, “have you ever forgiven me for Bobbie’s being away from home for five years?”
Maryanne turned slowly from the stove. She looked at the young man at her table and felt something stir inside her. When Bobbie first returned, Maryanne had known some very real fear that he would somehow hurt her again. Suddenly she knew better.
Breakfast was forgotten for the moment as Maryanne retrieved two coffee mugs and the coffeepot, and joined Jeff at the table.
“I’m glad you asked me that, Jeff,” she began in quiet sincerity, “because it’s obviously been on your mind. Had I known, I’d have talked to you a long time ago about it.
“Bobbie told me how well your talk went and what she said to you. And I have to tell you, Jeff, Jake and I believe as she does, that she was in Jenner because God wanted her there.
“I missed her, Jeff, more than I can say, but in some ways we were closer during those years than we might have been if she’d been living beneath this roof.
“But, Jeff—” Maryanne didn’t raise her voice but her eyes grew urgent, almost pleading as she leaned forward across the table—“I need to tell you something that Bobbie didn’t. She came to know Christ at Jasper and Joanne’s. Now tell me, Jeff, how could I wish her back from that? When she left here she believed like my daughter Alice still does, that God would never send anyone to hell. And 5½ years is a long time, but Bobbie came back a new creature in Christ.
“Do you understand what I’m saying, Jeff? I forgave you long ago. What happened that day at the lagoon was awful, but so was what happened to Joseph in the book of Genesis, and look at the way God used him. And look at the way He saved my Bobbie.”
Maryanne Bradford’s eyes filled with tears and Jeff felt a stinging sensation behind his own. He had asked and she certainly told him. It was becoming more and more clear to him all the time why Bobbie was the way she was. There was no pity in this house.
“I too wish I’d come to you a long time ago, Mrs. Bradford. You’ve lifted a burden from me that’s been weighing me down for a long time. I should have ignored my fear and come to you years ago. Thank you.”
Maryanne smiled at him—a smile so like Bobbie’s that Jeff found himself grinning at her. She had already had her breakfast, so after putting a full plate in front of Jeff, she sat and visited with him. It didn’t take long for the subject to come around to Bobbie.
“I know this is none of my business, but have you ever met Cleve?”
“No. Bobbie has told us about him, but the only ones who know him are Jake’s brother and sister-in-law.”
“Do they like him?”
“It’s hard to tell in letters, and I probably shouldn’t try to read between the lines, but I almost get the impression that Joanne wants Bobbie to marry Cleve so she’ll make her permanent home in Jenner. Has Bobbie talked to you about Cleve?”
“A little, and I can’t say as I really like the guy, which is unfair on my part, but I can’t get Kaitlin’s face out of my mind.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean the way she looked after she said yes to Rigg’s proposal. She was radiant, but Bobbie’s not. She could be talking about her dog for all the emotion she shows when discussing Cleve, and I just—”
Jeff left the sentence hang. He wasn’t sure what he would wish for Bobbie, and besides, he must have upset Mrs. Bradford because her eyes were filled with tears again.
“Don’t stop on my account,” she said as a single tear rolled down her cheek. “It’s just that I’m afraid that Bobbie is only considering Cleve because she thinks no one else will ever ask her.” The words were accompanied by yet another teardrop, and Jeff, who had suspected something like this, felt he could cry himself.
“Is it true, Jeff, that no one would want my precious Bobbie? I’m sorry. That was unfair of me.”
?
??I don’t mind your asking,” Jeff told her sincerely. “I understand how you feel. You want Bobbie to be loved. The more I get to know her the more I like her and want that for her too. But there’s something very important missing in Bobbie’s relationship with Cleve, and I can’t get past that whenever I think of her married to him.”
Maryanne used the corner of her apron to dab at her eyes, thanking God as she did that Bobbie had a friend who cared so much. Bobbie would be hurt if she knew she was being discussed, and Maryanne said as much to Jeff.
He told his hostess that he would be praying for all of them and the subject shifted to ways of making Jeff comfortable in the living room until his family came.
Maryanne gathered all of Jeff’s belongings and was again visiting with him when May and Bill arrived. Jeff was growing tired so they bundled their son into the wagon right away and headed for home.
Maryanne changed the bedding on her daughter’s bed and cleaned the room. It wasn’t until she was done and on her way out the door that she realized she would miss having Jeff around.
Another thought assailed Maryanne at the same time, and she immediately wished it had never come to mind. She took herself off to her own bedroom to pray. She stayed on her knees until she had given her daughter, Cleveland Ramsey, and Jeff Taylor all to the Lord.
twenty-five
Jeff was out of work for two full weeks, but long before those weeks elapsed it became apparent that the forces of law in town were not going to locate Jeff’s attackers. An officer had come to question Jeff the same night he went home, but other than finding evidence of a struggle and a piece of fabric from Jeff’s jacket, they told Bill there was not enough evidence. With so little to go on, including no identification of the assailants, they would have to consider the case closed.
Bill stayed in Jeff’s room after the officer left and Jeff shared with his father why he had been walking home alone. Bill’s face showed grave concern and then relief when Jeff revealed he had told Sylvia he couldn’t see her anymore.
“I’ve been living for myself for a long time, Dad, and I think it’s time I stopped. I could have died the other night, and I think maybe God used the attack to get my attention.”
Bill had held his son in a long, unembarrassed embrace. They continued to talk for the better part of an hour. Jeff, having just arrived home, was very tired when his father left the room, but was also experiencing more peace than he ever had in his life.
The doctor cleared Jeff for work one week after he arrived home, but things were going well at the office and May asked Jeff to humor her by staying home an extra week.
By the last weekend of Jeff’s confinement he was like a caged animal. It was Bobbie’s half-Saturday at the office, and on Bill’s request she agreed to go and see Jeff as soon as she got off work.
“Your father tells me you’ve begun to pace.” Bobbie’s voice came from the edge of the room and Jeff peeked over the newspaper he had been reading.
“I can’t imagine what he’s talking about,” Jeff commented with extreme nonchalance. “I’m finding I could enjoy the lifestyle of the idle rich.”
Bobbie spoke as she turned and walked toward the door she had just entered. “Then I guess you don’t need company. I’ll see you tomorrow or Monday at work.”
Bolting out of his chair, Jeff raced across the room and pressed the door shut when Bobbie tried to open it. She turned and leaned against the wood, and then cocked her head to one side as she looked at the man above her.
“I take it you’re feeling better?”
“Much,” Jeff answered with a grin, thinking she was the most adorable thing he had ever seen.
“And perhaps you would like some company?”
“Are you going to make me beg for it?”
“Oh, now that’s a wonderful idea. You could get on your knees and for once I’d be taller.”
Bobbie put one hand to her mouth, her eyes brimming with laughter, when Jeff dropped to one knee and took her hand.
“Will you please tarry awhile and talk with me, Miss Roberta Bradford?”
It was too much for the small blonde. She dissolved into giggles and then followed him into the living room, laying her coat across a chair on the way to the couch. After they were seated together Bobbie removed her glasses to rub her nose. This particular action always drew Jeff’s attention because she never complained about wearing them or said they hurt, even though it was distinctly clear they weren’t the most comfortable.
“The office was busy this morning. Half the time was spent telling people that you hadn’t been hit by a runaway stage or mowed down in a gunfight. It’s been like that for days.” Bobbie shook her head. “It’s amazing to me how the facts get tangled. It wasn’t like that in Jenner.”
“You mean not everyone knew everyone else’s business?” Jeff was amazed.
“Of course they did, but they had their facts straight.” Bobbie’s dry tone made Jeff smile.
“How are you at checkers?” Jeff asked a moment later.
“Fair,” Bobbie said with a mischievous grin. “It all depends on who’s on the other side of the board.”
“Who do you usually play?”
“My dad or Troy.”
“And do you win?”
“Now that would be telling!” Bobbie said, and then accompanied Jeff to the kitchen, where he set up the game. Jeff and Bobbie found themselves evenly matched.
When Jeff took too long to make his move, Bobbie would begin drumming her fingernails on the table. The scheme worked every time. Thinking she was merely distracting him, Bobbie was unaware of how drawn Jeff was to her beautifully shaped nails and exquisite small hands.
Jeff, on the other hand, found that nothing could distract his opponent from her move. She would cock her head in the way he found so adorable and study the board as if the checkers themselves were going to talk to her.
Jeff thought that if he bent over and kissed Bobbie’s exposed neck, it would definitely snag her attention! Jeff suddenly sat up a little straighten. He was so shocked by the direction his thoughts had taken that when it was finally his turn, he just sat in flabbergasted surprise.
“Jeff-rey,” Bobbie called in a singsong voice for the second time.
“Oh,” was all he said, and Bobbie could see he was returning from miles away.
“We can stop if you’re tired.” Bobbie’s voice had become very soft, and she tried to read Jeff’s mood from the look on his face. He was staring at her so strangely.
After a moment Bobbie’s hand went to her hair in a self-conscious gesture and then traveled to her glasses to finger the frames. Her movements pulled Jeff back to the present—the movements and the disturbingly vulnerable look on Bobbie’s face.
“Well now,” Jeff said with a shake of his head, his tone light, “I was certainly out of things just then.”
“We can quit, Jeff.”
‘There it was again,’ Jeff thought, finally putting his finger on the look. How many times had he seen Bobbie look at him with that expression of tender concern? But there was also a hesitancy in that look which told Jeff she was afraid her desire to help would be rejected.
“I’d like to finish the game.”
“Okay,” Bobbie agreed, “it’s still your move.” She wasn’t at all sure what had bothered him just then, but his light tone told her he was either all right or didn’t want to talk about it.
“Did Sylvia come into the office this week?”
“No, I don’t think so—that is, I didn’t see her. Hasn’t she come to visit you?”
“No, she hasn’t, but that’s because we’re not seeing each other right now.”
“Oh Jeff, I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s all right. I’ve been burdened for a good while that I need to begin focusing on things other than my social life. It seems as though that’s all I’ve lived for lately.”
His words surprised Bobbie, but she didn’t show it. She had been under the impression that he and Syl
via were quite serious, and now he had just labeled her under his social life. Bobbie was learning that there was really quite a lot about Jeff that she didn’t know.
“I’ll be praying for you, Jeff.”
“Thanks, Bobbie.”
Jeff won the checkers game and then May, who had stayed in the background during their visit, fixed them something to eat. Nate came home early from the shipping office and Marcail was with him.
“My birthday is coming up in two weeks, Bobbie, and we’re going to have a party. Can you come?”
“I’d love to, Marcail, but I think you should check with Kaitlin.”
“I already did. It’s going to be here at May and Bill’s, and Katie said I could ask whoever I want.”
“Are any of your friends coming?”
“You’re my friend, Bobbie.” Marcail stated this as though it was the most obvious thing on earth.
Bobbie hugged her. “I realize that, but I just wondered if this was a family party or a party with a bunch of giggling little girls.”
“It’s a family party.”
“Oh,” Bobbie said with a disappointed face. “I really wanted to be one of the giggling little girls.”
Marcail must have thought this was wonderful, since she threw her arms around Bobbie’s neck and gave her a mighty squeeze.
Only Nate noticed how quiet Jeff had been through the entire exchange and the way he watched Bobbie. Jeff’s eyes studied her face when she wasn’t even aware of his scrutiny.
“Here we go again,” Nate mumbled so no one heard him, but he couldn’t have been too upset, since it didn’t keep him from reaching for another slice of gingerbread and the pitcher of cider.
twenty-six
Bobbie went straight to Riggs Mercantile on her next half-Saturday because the next day was Marcail’s tenth birthday party. She had wandered around for a good 20 minutes when Rigg appeared at her side.
“Hi, Bobbie, how are you?”
“I’m fine, Rigg, but I’d be even better if I knew what your sister-in-law would like for her birthday.”