“Yes, Cleve, I have noticed that they have a very close relationship. Jeff is going camping with Jake and the kids the weekend after this, and something tells me things might come to a boil,” Maryanne shrugged noncommittally. “But then I’ve been wrong before.”
“Honestly, Cleve, this has been some kind of a miracle—I mean your coming here and talking with Pastor Keller.”
“Yeah,” he agreed with a smile.
Every evening Bobbie and Cleve had spent time in the Word. Bible lessons that had been no more than stories to Cleve now had personal application. The look of wonder, and often conviction, that Bobbie saw on his face was at once joyful and sobering.
“I’ll be praying for you, Cleveland.”
“And I’ll be praying for you.” They hugged each other, and Cleve told her how excited he was to go home and tell Jasper and Joanne of his salvation.
“Give them my love.”
Jeff and Gil came from the shipping office just as the stage arrived, and all the men shook hands. Jeff’s arm dropped around Bobbie’s shoulders in a familiar fashion and that was the last sight Cleve had of Bobbie as the stage pulled out of town.
“How long, Lord?” Cleve said inside the empty stage. “How long before they discover their true feelings for each other?”
thirty-four
Things did not “come to a boil,” as Maryanne had predicted, but Jeff did find out in a hurry that what he had always suspected was true: Going camping with the Bradfords was going to be fun!
Marcail shared his feelings and was in the shipping office every day to question Bobbie.
“Bobbie, did you get my bedroll all set?”
“I sure did. We’re going to sleep in the back of the wagon and we’ll share the blankets.”
“How about Jeff’s?”
“Good question, how about Jeff’s?” Jeff asked as he joined the ladies at the desk. He was equally as excited and did nothing to hide it.
“We’ve got you all set too,” Bobbie told him with an indulgent smile that might not have been as well-received if he hadn’t been so enthusiastic about this outdoor excursion.
“Now let me get this straight,” Jeff questioned her for at least the tenth time. “We leave Friday at about 5:00 and we have an hour, maybe an hour-and-a-half, before we reach the place where we camp.”
“Right.” Bobbie couldn’t hide her smile. He was so much fun to watch. Of course she remembered acting the same way when her father had first taken her and Troy. They must have driven him nuts with their nonstop questions and chatter. Jeff and Marcail were almost as bad.
Everyone planned to meet at the Bradfords’, with the exception of Sean, who usually worked until 6:00 at the livery. Joey Parker came with Kaitlin and Rigg to see Marcail off, and Bobbie thought he was the sweetest little boy she had ever encountered. But her attention didn’t linger on Joey for very long as she watched Kate, thinking that she looked tired and uncomfortable.
Bobbie’s eyes misted just a bit when Rigg helped her down from the wagon with extreme care, but then she felt like giggling at the way Kate waddled, her stomach going before her like the prow of a ship. Kate stopped in front of Bobbie and the younger woman couldn’t hide her grin.
“I walk like a duck, don’t I?”
Bobbie’s hand covered her mouth, but her eyes told Kate she was about to laugh. “I’m sorry, Kaitlin.”
Kate smiled. “Don’t apologize. You can’t do anything that Rigg hasn’t done already, including quack like a duck when he walks behind me.”
“He really does that?”
“Well, he did. But one day I burst into tears and he stopped.” Kate gave a mighty sigh. “A man thinks he knows the woman he’s married, but then she gets pregnant and cries for no reason, or craves fried chicken at three in the morning. And the heat—it’s enough to drive me crazy!”
“This isn’t a very hot summer.”
“It is if you’re pregnant,” Kate assured her.
Bobbie nodded, remembering that Alice had said something about that as well.
“We’re all set,” Jake called from his place beside the wagon.
Bobbie watched Marcail hug her sister. “You listen and obey Marc,” Kate told her. “Stay close to the others so they don’t lose you.”
“I will.” Marcail was squirming with excitement, making Kate laugh. Rigg snatched her close for an instant when it looked like she had forgotten to hug him, and they all watched as she scrambled into the back of the wagon.
Jeff was talking with Maryanne as Bobbie climbed aboard, and she heard part of their conversation.
“I just assumed that the whole family went.”
“I’ve never cared for camping and I’m also a person who loves solitude, so I don’t mind having the house to myself for an entire weekend.”
She grinned at Jeff before moving to kiss her son and daughter goodbye, and then she went to her husband. Jake wrapped her in his arms and they kissed, unembarrassed, for a long time. He whispered something in Maryanne’s ear that made her smile and then took his seat and picked up the reins.
They were waved out of the yard with smiles and laughter, and when Bobbie turned back to settle in for the ride, she found both Jeff and Marcail staring at her from their places nearby in the back of the wagon.
“What?” Bobbie asked with a raised brow.
“Nothing.” Jeff answered as they both kept smiling.
Bobbie shook her head and thanked the Lord for these good friends. She also prayed that this weekend would be all that they hoped it would be.
One hour and twenty minutes later Jake brought the wagon to a stop under a huge oak tree. The creek was in plain view some 30 feet away, and the sound it made as it tripped lightly over the rock-filled bed was immediately comforting to Bobbie.
Jake and Troy went to work setting up camp, and Jeff also pitched in, doing with quiet efficiency whatever he was instructed. Bobbie and Marcail had disappeared somewhere and Jeff figured they were collecting firewood.
Camp was swiftly put into shape, with bedrolls, fishing tackle, provisions box, and rain ponchos all unloaded. They were stacked neatly under the wagon or next to the huge logs that were laid out in a triangle around the spot where the fire would be built.
It was during the building of the fire that Jeff became confused. Troy appeared at his side with an armful of logs.
“Where are Bobbie and Marc?”
“Oh, they probably went to change,” Troy told him nonchalantly, and even though Jeff was unsure what he meant, he didn’t need to ask because the girls materialized at that moment, both wearing pants.
Troy headed back into the surrounding woods and Jeff was left staring at the girls as they put their other clothing under the wagon seat. Jake’s voice came low to his ears from where he had come close with his own armload of wood.
“I’ve been getting jeans for Bob to wear camping since she was a little girl,” Jake began, having seen the look on the younger man’s face. “She’s always very discreet about it and Bobbie asked Kaitlin’s permission before she found some for Marcail. But, Jeff,” Jake stopped until he was sure he had his attention, “if you’re offended, Bobbie can go and change right now.”
Jeff’s gaze swung once again to the girls. Bobbie’s pants were very baggy, and in fact he could only see them from the knees down because of the oversized man’s shirt she was wearing. Marcail’s shirt stopped just below her hips, and she would have looked like a boy standing there if it weren’t for the fat black braid that hung down her back.
“No, she doesn’t need to change, although I appreciate your giving me a moment to get used to the idea.”
Jake’s look was understanding as he asked Jeff to build the fire. Thinking he had put a strain on the evening, Jeff was grateful for something to do.
Bobbie and Marcail were as ladylike as always, and supper was a mixture of delicious food and laughter. They used the provisions from home for that meal, but Troy and Jake set out snares for the meals
the following day. Bobbie planned to be up early to do some fishing. Jeff told himself he would join her, but she and Troy left camp so quietly that Jeff and Marcail slept through it.
Brother and sister sat side-by-side on the creek bank and talked in low tones.
“I thought Carla was going to come this weekend,” Bobbie commented just as she felt a tug on her line. Troy didn’t answer for a minute because his mind was still working on the fact that Bobbie hadn’t lost her touch. She was one of the best anglers he knew.
“It’s her dad’s birthday and they’re having a special dinner tonight.”
“Why didn’t you stay?”
Troy chuckled softly. “I love Carla, but I’d much rather go camping than attend a birthday party.”
Tears flooded Bobbie’s eyes when her brother confided that he loved his girlfriend. She turned her face quickly back to the water, but Troy noticed.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing.”
“You like Carla, don’t you?”
“Oh Troy, she’s wonderful! Please don’t mind me.”
They were quiet for a moment. Two more fish were snagged, one for each of them, and then Troy spoke quietly.
“I liked Cleve.”
“I like him too, Troy, but like isn’t enough to build a marriage on.”
“No, I guess it isn’t.”
“Are you and Carla going to be married?”
“Yes.”
“What are you waiting for?”
“I want to put a little money away.”
“How does Carla feel about that?”
“She wants to be married right away. She says she can go to work if we need the money, but I don’t want my wife working.”
“Oh, I can see why you must feel that way. Your own mother has worked out of the house for years, and you can see how miserable she and Dad are.” Bobbie’s voice was sarcastic in the extreme, and Troy just stared at her.
“And of course,” she went on relentlessly, “it’s much easier to say goodbye to your future wife on her parents’ front porch than in the privacy of your own home where you can hold her all you want.”
“Well, I guess you told me,” Troy muttered good-naturedly, but Bobbie could see her words had affected him. They were quiet again while Bobbie brought in three more fish in quick succession.
“How do you do that?” Troy asked in some exasperation, but she only laughed. They talked on in close companionship for another few minutes before they were joined by Jeff.
He was unshaven and a little fuzzy around the edges. Bobbie didn’t think she had ever seen him look so cute.
“Good morning,” Troy greeted him.
“Hi.” His voice was gravelly from lack of use.
Bobbie smiled. “How did you sleep?”
“It took me awhile to fall asleep, but once I went out, it was for the night.” Jeff rubbed his back and Bobbie asked what was wrong.
“I think I missed one of the rocks under my bedroll, and it left a permanent dent in my back.”
Troy and Bobbie laughed without compassion. They laughed again a few minutes later when Jeff looked in the creel and told Troy he was impressed with his fishing ability.
“What did I say?” he asked after the laughter died down.
“Tell him, Bobbie,” Troy prompted her.
Strangely enough, Bobbie was a little embarrassed. When she didn’t say anything, Jeff sat down beside her and took the pole from her hands.
“You really should have brought Gil along. He’s the best fisherman in the family. But then I’m not sure he could compete with you, Bobbie, since I’m sure you must be the one who caught most of those fish.”
Thinking that Jeff never took long to catch on, Bobbie didn’t look at him. She was still angry with herself for the way her face heated up, and knowing that he was staring at her profile just caused her face to flush all over again.
“I’ll take these back,” Troy said after a moment. “When you catch more you can string them.” Bobbie and Jeff were silent as they listened to the sound of Troy’s footsteps. Bobbie glanced over at Jeff to find him still staring at her. She returned the look and wondered what he was thinking. She didn’t wait long to find out.
thirty-five
“You were embarrassed in front of me just now. I want to know why.” Jeff’s voice was undemanding, but Bobbie knew he would sit right where he was until he had an answer.
“Come on, Bobbie,” he coaxed after a moment. “There isn’t anything you can’t tell me.”
“It’s just my pride, Jeff,” she admitted quietly.
“I don’t understand.”
Bobbie ran a self-conscious hand through her hair, wishing she had taken a comb to it. “It doesn’t matter that our friendship isn’t a romantic one, Jeff; no girl likes to be caught with her hair uncombed, wearing denim pants, and catching fish so well that she’s mistaken for a man.” Bobbie shrugged apologetically. “Like I said, Jeff, it’s just my pride.”
Jeff stared at her incredulously. Was she serious? It took him a moment to see that she was. “I don’t think there’s anything you could do, Bobbie,” Jeff replied softly, “that would cause you to be mistaken for a man.”
It was Bobbie’s turn to stare. Jeff returned her scrutiny, their eyes meeting with questions and a hesitancy that had never been present in their relationship before.
Bobbie watched as Jeff’s eyes dropped to her mouth, and her throat went dry. With his free hand he reached out to touch the corner of her mouth with a single finger, just brushing it with a single caress. He shook his head slowly as he spoke in a whisper.
“Maybe the most adorable thing in Santa Rosa, but definitely not a man.”
Bobbie didn’t know what to say. She turned her head back to the water and Jeff did the same.
“I don’t seem to be doing very well with this pole. Maybe I’d better give it back to you.”
Bobbie took the offer for what it was, a chance to return the conversation to comfortable ground. They fished for another 20 minutes and then headed back to camp for breakfast with three more fish.
Once again Jeff believed the rest of the weekend would be awkward, but all was fine. The day passed in friendship and laughter and both Jeff and Bobbie were relieved that the uncomfortable moment on the creek bank had passed without harm.
As the sun sank lower in the afternoon sky, Bobbie told Marcail to gather her things for their Saturday night bath. Jake accompanied the girls and sat well out of sight with his gun, but close enough to assist if they should call.
He had brought his Bible along, but the laughter and splashes he heard made him put his head back against the rock where he had sat down, and smile. Bobbie was always so much fun, he mused. Marcail must have thought so too, since her laughter seemed to be nonstop.
Not until this weekend did Jake notice the way Bobbie and Jeff treated each other. Maryanne had mentioned her observations to him, but he thought little of it. Jake had the distinct impression that something wasn’t quite right when they returned from fishing, but the rest of the day went on in such a normal fashion that Jake doubted his own thoughts.
In fact, he put the whole thing out of his mind until he came back with the girls. He had never given any thought to it before, but a woman with wet hair needed to have privacy. At least Jake began to think so as he noticed Jeff watching Bobbie attentively.
Since Bobbie’s hair was short and curly she didn’t do much to it until it was dry, and then all she did was fluff the waves up to make them a little fuller. With her hair in close damp curls all around her head, she looked like she had just come from her bath, which she had, and that seemed very personal to Jake.
He watched his daughter and Jeff closely for a time, but there was nothing intimate about their actions. They shared light banter and their legs were nearly touching as Marcail sat in Jeff’s lap so Bobbie could brush her hair.
Jake could make no sense of it. He and Maryanne hadn’t acted that way until af
ter they were married. Jake entertained thoughts of speaking to Jeff, but prayed instead. The Lord gave him an unexpected peace and he let the matter drop in his mind.
Bobbie prayed for just such a peace several hours later. Supper was over and it was quite dark. Everyone was in his bedroll. Marcail was sound asleep beside her, but slumber simply would not come for Bobbie. Replaying the scene from the creek again and again in her mind, the words of a friend from church spoken weeks before haunted her.
“Bobbie, if you’re not going to marry Jeffrey Taylor, let him go so one of us can.”
Bobbie had laughed and made some remark that made the whole group of girls roar, but Bobbie didn’t feel like laughing now. Earlier in the afternoon Bobbie and Jeff had talked about his date with Sylvia.
“We had fun,” Jeff had told her. “Sylvia has changed lately, and we talked about things we’ve never discussed before. We have another date Monday night.”
Bobbie had been glad for him. She knew from Jeff’s own admission how badly he felt about not seeing her, but they both had known it was for the best. The only person who hadn’t known was Sylvia. Jeff and Bobbie had both prayed she would come to a peace about that. Now it seemed Sylvia had.
It also seemed that Jeff and Sylvia were going to be seeing each other again, and in Bobbie’s mind that could only mean matrimony. But if that were the case, then why had Jeff talked to her and touched her as though she were someone special? Not just special, but special?
This and many other questions kept Bobbie awake far into the night. The next morning she was so sleepy that she figured it must have been the wee morning hours before sleep finally claimed her.
She was by nature a morning person, but today all she did for the first half-hour was sit and stare into her coffee cup. She heard the teasing remarks from her family and Jeff, but all she could do was smile.
“Are you all right?” The question came from her father after Troy and Jeff went to the creek to clean up.