“Here’s Princess,” Clayton commented.
The girls’ kittens were no longer content in their arms, and the two from Clayton’s lap were swiftly making their way toward supper. A minute later all four were eagerly lined up along their mother’s side, and purrs of contentment rumbled throughout the stall. The three watched for a few minutes, and then Sammy jumped up to explore the rest of the barn. Jackie rose as well, and Clayton followed slowly.
“How many horses, Tag?” Sammy asked.
“Just three.”
Sammy skipped on ahead, and Clayton caught up with Jackie. She veered off to look in one of the stalls, and Clayton, acting instinctively, took her arm.
“Watch that pitchfork, Jackie. I must have forgotten to put it away.”
Jackie jerked her arm from his touch and stepped away. Clayton was bending to put the fork against the wall when Jackie spoke in the voice he was accustomed to hearing.
“I’m surprised you didn’t look forward to seeing my foot stabbed.”
Clayton’s head whipped around, but his face was in the shadows so Jackie couldn’t see his shocked expression. He felt as though someone had thrown cold water over him; indeed, he nearly gasped. It was startlingly clear to him at that moment that his teasing had gone too far. He never dreamed she was taking him seriously. At last, his voice came softly, soberly, from the shadows.
“Contrary to what you obviously believe, Jackie, I’m not a monster.” With that, Clayton turned to join Sammy. They talked about the horses and then visited the kittens again before Clayton hung the lantern back in place and blew it out. He did so without thought until he heard a small gasp and a voice of panic.
“Sammy? Where are you, Sammy?”
“I’m right here. The door’s this way.”
“What’s the matter?” Clayton asked but was ignored.
“I can’t see!” Jackie finally cried, and Clayton, hearing that she was on the verge of panic, moved back to the lantern. It flared into life a moment later, and Clayton found Jackie gripping Sammy’s small arm frantically.
“It’s okay now, Jackie. The light’s on.” Sammy’s soft voice floated through the barn, but it took a moment for Jackie to relax her hold. When the older girl found Clayton’s eyes on her, her chin went into the air. Her look dared him to laugh, but she need not have worried. Clayton was not cold or aloof to Jackie, nor did he dare show any pity, but where she was concerned, all teasing was gone.
6
Early the next morning Kevin and Clayton said goodbye to Elaine and Milly and rode out together. Though they were not going to the same mine, they were headed in the same direction for several miles. They left town in silence, but it wasn’t long before they started to share. Clayton spoke of the way Jackie had responded in the barn, and his father was sympathetic.
“She really thought I would enjoy seeing her hurt, Dad. I can’t tell you how much that bothered me.”
“She seems rather sensitive,” Kevin commented. “She hides behind a lovely face and a nonchalant manner, but I sense that she could be hurt quite easily.”
“I wouldn’t have agreed with you before last night, but I think you must be right. Do you suppose people have used her?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, gotten to know her just because she’s pretty and then hurt her in some way?”
“It’s hard to say.”
“It’s strange,” Clayton went on. “She acts so spoiled, but I don’t think Morgan spoils any of his girls.”
Kevin had to think on this for a moment. Finally he replied, “I know what you’re saying, Clay, but Morgan does something worse—he’s led Jackie to believe that she should look out for herself and no one else. I know Morgan is a good family man, and I can see that he cares, but his main concern seems to be himself.”
Clayton nodded. His father had put his finger on the very thing that had eluded him. Morgan gave the appearance of being a righteous man, but Clayton could see that something was missing. He prayed for Morgan Fontaine right then, asking God to show him the way of true righteousness found in Christ alone.
“How long will you be out?” Kevin suddenly asked.
“I really should be gone for about a month, but I’ll be coming back next weekend to meet a friend of Eddie’s.”
“A man friend?”
Clayton smiled. “Yes. Someone she’s quite taken with.”
Kevin frowned.
“What did I say?”
“Nothing, except watching the two of you over dinner last night, I thought maybe…”
Clayton was already shaking his head. “Eddie is just a friend, and besides, she was in love with Robert Langley before we even met.”
“Well, he’s a blessed man. She’s a very special young lady.”
“That she is.”
“Of course, maybe you were thinking she would make a nice sister-in-law.”
The younger man didn’t feign ignorance. “Jackie is still very young.”
“But young ladies grow up.”
“Be that as it may, I’ve got a teaching career to pursue.”
“Oh, speaking of which,” Kevin now reached into his breast pocket, “I’ve a letter here from your grandmother.”
“How is she doing?”
“Well.”
“Does she speak of Denver?”
“Yes. She says it’s hot, but she still managed to gather the information I needed about a certain training college.”
Clayton brought his horse to a standstill and stared at his father, who had stopped as well. The older man shifted lazily in his saddle, pushed his hat back on his head, and grinned at his son.
“Do you mean it?” Clayton finally managed.
“Certainly. It’s too late for this fall, but a year from now.... Are you willing to wait?”
“I’ll wait,” Clayton told him without a moment’s thought, his voice almost breathless. “The time doesn’t matter; just knowing it’s really going to happen is all I need.”
Kevin heeled his mount forward, a smile still splitting his beard. Clayton moved with him, a hundred questions swarming in his head. When had his father written about his desire to teach? When had the letter arrived from Denver? And why had he waited until now to tell him? How much did it cost? Was his grandmother helping? Maybe he could live with her.
It was all such a blur in his mind that Clayton couldn’t voice a single word. A glance at his father told him he was still feeling very pleased with himself. Clayton let his eyes slide shut for just an instant.
I’m going to school, Lord. I’m going to teach. I prayed, and I waited on You. Thank You, Lord. Thank You with all my heart.
Eddie climbed up onto the double bed beside Jackie, but she did not touch the lantern. Jackie had already closed her eyes, but a moment later she realized something was wrong. She opened her eyes to find Eddie sitting and staring at her.
“Aren’t you going to turn out the light? I’m tired.”
“He’s probably going to fall in love with you.”
“Who?” the younger girl frowned in confusion.
“Robert.”
“Why would he do that?”
“Because all the men who meet you fall in love with you.”
It did seem that way, so Jackie didn’t deny it, but she did try to reason with her older sister.
“Eddie, Robert already loves you.”
“That’s because he’s never met you.”
Jackie now pushed herself up against the headboard. “Do you really think he’s coming all this way just to lose interest?”
Eddie dropped her eyes. She was always the sure one, but tonight she wanted to panic. Robert was coming the day after tomorrow, and she was ready to snap under the pressure.
“Eddie?”
The older girl looked up.
“Do you think I would try to take your boyfriend?”
“No, Jackie!” Eddie was horrified. “I didn’t mean that at all. It’s just that we met for such
a short time, and I’m afraid he’s forgotten what I really look like. And I can’t help but ask myself if you’d been there that day if he’d have fallen in love with me in the first place.”
Jackie leaned forward in a rare show of affection and hugged her older sister. She spoke with her arms holding her tight.
“Robert Langley loves the woman who writes the letters you’ve shared. He might have been attracted that day at Aunt Lacey’s, but his real love for you has come through your letters.”
Jackie wasn’t sure where the words had come from, but Eddie looked relieved. She admitted, “At first it felt like he would never get here, but the time has flown. I just don’t know if I’m ready.”
“You’re ready. I know you are.”
They fell silent for a time until something compelled Jackie to ask, “Eddie, what are you really afraid of?”
Eddie sighed deeply. “I think I’m afraid that he’ll ask me to marry him, and I’ll know it’s right. Then I’ll be torn between two worlds.”
Jackie didn’t need her to elaborate. She had thought of this same thing many times herself. Where would they all end up? Her father and Uncle Mitch had been separated for years and by many miles. The war had torn families apart from coast to coast. Where would they all be in ten years’ time? Jackie reached for Eddie again and they clung together. Neither one wanted to cry, but suddenly separation felt imminent.
At that moment the door opened with a low groan. Addy came in without rebuke and joined them on the bed.
“It’s getting late.” Her voice was hushed.
“We were just talking,” Eddie told her.
Addy nodded. She reached and brushed a wayward curl from Jackie’s cheek and then tenderly stroked Eddie’s.
“He’ll be here before you know it, and then you’ll know your heart. He’ll either be everything you remember and more, or your heart will be cold.”
“What if his heart is cold toward me?” Eddie couldn’t keep the tremor from her voice.
Addy smiled. “If that was the case, then he wouldn’t be taking a southbound stage to see you.”
Both girls suddenly smiled at their mother. When Addy stood they lay down, dark heads finding comfortable places on the pillows, and their mother tucking them in like they were young. Addy moved to Jackie’s side first, pulling the covers high and then bending to kiss her. She received a surprisingly tender hug for her efforts before moving to Eddie’s side. They kissed and embraced as well, before Addy turned the lantern down and moved to the door. Her soft “Good-night, my darlings” floated over them like a warm caress.
Once in the hall, the door closed behind her, Addy trembled from head to foot.
He’s going to come and claim her heart, Father, and I don’t know if I can stand the separation. He’s going to take my Eddie, and even though I see the love in her eyes whenever Robert’s name is mentioned, I’m not ready to let her go.
Morgan had fallen asleep in his chair downstairs, but Addy didn’t go back down. She moved further along the upstairs hallway and into their room to ready for bed. Her movements were laden. She was tired, and that always produced exaggerated emotions. She knew that sleep was her best option right now. As her own head lay on the soft pillow, and the light quilt settled around her, Addy said another prayer.
Help me to remember how far You’ve brought us, Lord. Help me to remember to trust as I’ve done before. You love Eddie more than I do. Help me give her to You. Robert too. And bless Morgan, Lord. As always, help him see that this time on earth is like a speck in light of eternity.
“One minute I feel like I just wrote that letter, and the next it feels like an eternity has passed.”
Addy smiled but didn’t comment. It was no good telling Eddie to sit down, for she would only pace on.
“Is it unkind of me to be glad that the girls won’t be home for several hours?”
“No, dear.” Addy’s voice was calm as she went on with her quilting. “Your father and I certainly don’t want you children with us 24 hours a day.”
Eddie suddenly sat down so close to her mother that she was nearly stabbed with the needle.
“Mother, were you terribly afraid of that part of marriage?”
Addy looked into her eyes. “A little. But I love it when your father takes me in his arms. And if you and Robert love each other, you’re going to love that too.”
Eddie’s smile was dreamy. “He took my hand before he left Aunt Lacey’s.”
“And what if he wants to do more than hold your hand this time?”
“Well,” Eddie’s brow furrowed in thought. “If he’s asked me to be his wife, and I’ve agreed, then it’s all right.”
“How much is all right?”
“Oh.” Eddie finally understood her mother’s full line of thought. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s all right if he holds your hand.”
“All right,” Eddie agreed. “What about kissing?”
“Well, it’s like you said, it depends on whether or not he’s declared his intentions.”
Eddie nodded, clearly ready to talk. “Okay, let’s say he’s asked and I’ve accepted. What then?”
Addy’s eyes came off her sewing again. Suddenly her daughter sounded very young, but what other time would she have asked about this? Morgan had never even allowed the girls to date.
“I think that if you plan to be husband and wife, then you can hold hands and hug and kiss, but I must warn you, Eddie, it’s very easy to go too far. Until you become husband and wife before God, you must show restraint. Robert will certainly desire you, and I assume he will be respectful as well, but you must be fair with his feelings. The time to stop is long before you sense things are spiraling out of control.”
Eddie nodded, her eyes intent on her mother.
“The place to find out about the intimate side of marriage is in your bedroom on your wedding night, not in some buggy parked in the shadows of the woods. God will honor you both if you will obey Him in this area of your lives.”
There was a note of fierceness in her mother’s voice that Eddie had never heard before, and it caused her to ask a question she would normally never have broached.
“Did you do it the right way, Mother … with Father?”
“No, Eddie, I didn’t,” her mother told her with a sigh. “I saved myself for your father, but not for our wedding night, and I will regret that for all of my life.”
Eddie saw in that brief sentence how hard it had been for her. The younger woman leaned close and kissed her mother’s cheek. Just as she drew back, a knock sounded at the door. Eddie’s eyes flew to her mother.
“It could be Father.”
Addy smiled. “Your father wouldn’t have knocked.”
Eddie’s eyes were huge as she rose slowly and walked from the living room. Her hand was slick with perspiration as she opened the door. There he was, taller than she remembered and so handsome in a dark suit and white shirt that it took her breath away.
“Hello, Eddie.” His voice was mellow and kind.
“Hello, Robert. Won’t you come in?” Eddie stepped back and let him enter. His bag bumped the wall as he moved in, and Eddie hoped he would be comfortable in the room they had prepared for his arrival. She expected him to at least glance around and see what he could of the house, but he turned and his eyes came immediately back to her. The warmth she saw in them made her blush.
“When I left your aunt’s home in New York, I took your hand. You blushed then.” Robert’s voice was warm with remembrance. “My head was on nothing but business and then there you were. I’ve never been so glad that I got the wrong address. I never did make that appointment, but I didn’t care.”
Eddie’s blush only deepend. She gave a self-conscious laugh, and her hands gripped the fabric of her dress. “I can’t seem to help myself.”
“Don’t apologize.”
Not wanting to seem so young and naive, Eddie shrugged a little and cast about in her mind for something to
say. “How was your trip?” came out in a sudden rush.
“Fine, now.”
“What does that mean?”
“Only that I wasn’t certain what I would find, but I need not have worried. You’re everything I remembered and more.”
Eddie’s breath caught in her throat. Those had been her mother’s very words.
“Would you like to come in and meet my mother?”
“Very much.”
Eddie gestured with her hand, and Robert placed his small black bag in the entryway and preceded her through the door into the living room. Eddie looked at his dark suit and noticed how his broad back filled the jacket. Her heart raced as she thought of his words to her.
If I doubted my feelings for you, Robert Langley, I doubt them no more. I am a woman in love.
7
Eddie watched as Robert laughed at a comment from Lexa and mentally shook her head. How could she have thought he was coming all this way only to fall in love with Jackie? He’d been laughing and teasing all of her sisters since they’d come home from school, but the eyes that turned tender with love were for her alone.
“All right, girls,” Addy admonished, sticking her head in the door. “Come help me with dinner.”
Robert rose as the four younger Fontaine girls stood, but Eddie kept her seat.
“What about Eddie?” Sammy wished to know as she exited, but Addy told her youngest only that Eddie had the evening off. Robert sat back down when their footsteps died away, his eyes immediately finding Eddie’s.
“Your sisters are fun.”
“They like you too,” she told him and then looked away. “I actually thought you might come all this way and decide you might prefer one of them to me.”