Josephine (10 page)

“What, a hard time?”

“Would you stop? This is serious.”

“All right, the serious Adam is here. What do I get?”

Jo walked over to where he was seated. When she was standing in front of him, she said, “Close your eyes.”

“You aren’t going to hit me over the head with something, are you?”

She giggled. “No.”

“Good.” He closed his eyes.

Once he did, Jo leaned down and gave him a soft kiss on his golden cheek. She whispered, “Thank you, Adam.”

He opened his eyes and studied her slowly. “What was that for?”

“For being you.”

He studied her again. “I’m not complaining, but I’d like to understand.”

“Trudy let a man into her house while her mama wasn’t home today, and he tied her up and robbed them.”

“What!”

“Yes.”

“Was she hurt?”

“Just her dignity.”

“Did someone get the sheriff?”

“Yes.”

“Maybe he’ll be caught, then.” Adam asked, “Is that why you looked so sad when you came in?”

She nodded. “She is in so much trouble.” Jo added, “And Mrs. Waterman was there and told Trudy the engagement was off.”

“Trudy’s engaged to Mrs. Waterman?”

Jo rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe you asked that with a straight face.”

He grinned. “Well, is she?”

“No, you woodenhead. Trudy’s engaged to Bert Waterman.”

“Little Bert Waterman who used to cry all the time?”

“Yes.”

“Then Trudy
is
engaged to Mrs. Waterman. I remember her. Never had a kind word to say about anyone but her son. Didn’t Bert enlist?”

“No. Mrs. Waterman wouldn’t let him.”

Adam whistled. “Trudy may be better off without those two.”

“But she loves him, Adam. Or at least she did before she met Dred Reed.”

“Dred Reed. Why is that name familiar?”

“He’s one of the soldiers staying with Mrs. Oswald. You were introduced to him on Sunday.”

“Ah.” Adam remembered. “And that’s who robbed the Carrs?”

Jo nodded.

He shook his head sadly. “Did he know Trudy’s mother wouldn’t be home?”

“Yes, because Trudy told him.”

Adam stared at her in disbelief. “Trudy told him?”

“She invited him to the house. She just wanted to sit on the porch and talk.”

“But she got trussed up and robbed instead.”

“Yes.”

“She was lucky to have gotten off so lightly. The results could have been far more disastrous. Do you understand now why I insisted on playing chaperone?”

“I do. That’s why I kissed you.”

“Well, you’re welcome.”

The moment lengthened and suddenly Jo thought it best she get going. “Well, I’m going to go to my room, write to Papa and Dani, then go to sleep. My first appointment tomorrow is at seven.”

“A.M.?”

“Yes. Some of my clients like to get their hair done early so they can get on with their day.”

“Well, I won’t be up at seven. Your mother has been encouraging me to be a lazybones and I’m taking full advantage of it.”

“Enjoy it while you can because once you’re up and around, she’s going to work you like she works everyone else who lives here.”

Jo went to the doorway, then looked back and said, “Thanks again.”

“Anytime. Get some rest.”

She nodded and left him alone.

Adam sat there for a moment. The effects of Jo’s softly bestowed kiss continued to touch him like sunlight. The brief brush of her lips against his cheek had been innocent, yet so stirring. Adam realized he had a serious problem; in spite of his wishes to the contrary, his feelings for Josephine Best were growing stronger by the day, and he had no idea how to stop them.

Jo finished her letters, then put them away. She’d take them to the post office on Monday. Readying for bed, she changed into her nightclothes and put a mobcap over her hair. She then doused the light and fell back onto the bed. The darkness was calming, comforting. She could feel all the tension drain away. What an evening! Poor Trudy would probably never be allowed out of the house again until she turned thirty-five. The gossip was sure to be hot and thick, and by the time the story reached its zenith, who knew how inaccurate the details would turn out to be? Once again, Jo thought back on how she and Trudy once thrived on gossip, and the glee they’d always derived from gloating over someone else’s misery. The shoes were on the other feet now, and they pinched mightily.

Jo’s thoughts slid to Adam. That little spark of attraction she had for him hadn’t gone out. The way he looked at her sometimes made her think he had a tiny spark burning for her, as well, but with him it was hard to tell. Who knew how the mind of a Casanova really worked? Because Jo had no answer for that question, she thought it best to continue to look upon Adam as a friend; that way, her feelings wouldn’t be put at risk.

ten

Bea
Meldrum stopped by late Saturday morning to check on Adam’s ankle. She had him sit on the bed in his room so he could be comfortable, then carefully began undoing the bandages. “Let’s see what we have here,” she said as she worked.

She had packed the wound with a mixture of herbs to aid the healing. They formed a thick green patch over the wound. Bea touched the skin gingerly, trying not to disturb the herbs. “Well, Adam, I think you’re healing nicely.”

Adam thought so, too. To his untrained eye, the wound and seared flesh around it appeared no healthier than before, but the fire in the ankle had lessened considerably and the swelling in his foot and toes had started to subside. “How long before I can stand on it again?”

The white-haired Bea shrugged. “A week? Maybe two. It’s hard to tell. You’ll know when it’s time. Could be months before it heals all the way through, though.”

“The doctors thought they were going to have to amputate some of my toes.”

Bea shook her head. “Toes look all right to me.” She then studied the greenish-black herb mixture spread over the wound again. “We’ll change the paste in a few days.”

She gently rewrapped the ankle with a clean white rag. When she was done, she gathered up everything and headed to the open door. “I’ll stop by next week and see how things are doing with you then.”

Adam nodded. “Thanks, Mrs. Meldrum.”

“You keep resting yourself.”

“Yes, ma’am, I will.”

Adam lay back on his pillow. His wound had been serious enough to get him discharged from the Army. As a result, his future rested solely with him. Returning to Canada was an option; he had extended family there, and the war had no major impact on their everyday lives. Yet there was no real reason to return. His mother had died two years ago; Jere was still riding with the cavalry, and until the war ended, no one could make firm plans about anything. If the truth be told, he’d rather stay here and help Mrs. Best. He knew she was perfectly capable of running her household without the benefit of a man’s help or interference, but he also knew that Daniel and Mr. Best would rest easier knowing their ladies had a man about the place, even one who couldn’t walk without the aid of crutches. Another factor to consider: in spite of the war, and Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, slaves were still being sold in the South and fugitive slaves continued to stream north. Wherever fugitive slaves fled, slave catchers followed. Adam assumed Mrs. Best still had her Underground Railroad station open, so the danger of slave catchers showing up at her door remained a real threat.

He wondered what she would say to such a proposal. Soon as he healed, he’d be able to earn his keep by doing whatever chores she needed a hand with. He and Jere had inherited quite a sum of money when their mother died, and both shares were sitting in the bank in St. Catharine’s, Ontario, waiting to be withdrawn. The funds made finding employment unnecessary for now and would enable him to contribute to the Best household, as well. Of course he didn’t imagine Mrs. Best would actually take any money from him, but as a gentleman, Adam was duty bound to make the offer.

Becoming a temporary member of the Best family presented one problem, though: Jo. How was he going to keep his feelings from growing if he was living under her parents’ roof? But then again, daily contact might make the novelty of a grown-up Jojo wear off, thus placing her back into the role of Daniel’s little sister where she rightfully belonged. Adam thought the plan sounded good on paper. But on paper, men could fly.

That afternoon, when Mrs. Best brought up Adam’s lunch, he used the visit to talk with her about extending his stay.

She heard him out, mulling over his reasons for a moment, then nodded. “I think that’s a wonderful idea, Adam. Although we Best women are a fairly resourceful group of females, men do serve a purpose, so it never hurts to have one around.”

Adam chuckled. “Thanks. I think.”

Her dark eyes twinkled. “You’re welcome. I think Jo and Belle will be pleased that you’re going to be with us for a while, as well.”

Adam was certain Belle would be, but he thought Jo might be a bit more wary. In spite of their mutual pledge to become friends again, he knew that their real relationship was still forming. “I’d like to contribute in any way I can. Once I heal, I can work on the property, do the planting.”

She held up her hands and laughed. “Hold on a moment. Your eagerness is appreciated, but let’s get you well first.”

Adam dropped his head. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Once we get you back on your feet, you may regret all that offering.”

“I doubt that. I can’t wait.”

“Well, don’t rush matters. Let yourself heal.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Cecilia went to the door.

His voice stopped her. “Mrs. B.?”

She turned back. “Yes?”

“Thanks.”

“None needed. You’ve been a son to me most of your life, Adam, and I loved your mama very much. She’s up in heaven smiling down knowing she raised such a fine young man.” She smiled softly. “I’ll check in on you later.”

Adam nodded; his heart was full knowing he’d made the right decision.

At church on Sunday, everyone was whispering about the absent Trudy and her mother, Barbara. Some had the decency to shut their mouths when Jo came near, but others like Mrs. Waterman seemed to relish relating what she’d witnessed at the Carrs’ house on Friday night to anyone who would listen.

Jo walked by the Dragon Lady during the fellowship time after the service and heard her exclaim to a small group of women, “The little ninny actually invited the bounder in! Can you believe that? I, of course, put my foot down about my Bert marrying her. Who knows what really happened before he robbed her.”

Jo’s temper simmered, but before she could defend Trudy’s honor, Cecilia Best and Vera Firestone stepped forward.

Cecilia said, “Corinne, you’re not being very Christian.”

Mrs. Waterman sniffed. “Being Christian has nothing to do with this. If it had, Trudy would not have done something so disgraceful and outrageous.”

“We were all young once,” Cecilia countered. “Who here didn’t make a mistake during those years?”

The gaggle of women surrounding the Dragon Lady appeared visibly uncomfortable and Jo wondered what secrets they were harboring. She also applauded her mama for taking Trudy’s side, but Jo wondered if Cecilia would be quite this understanding had Jo been the one in the middle of this mess instead of Trudy. Jo didn’t want to think about that.

Cecilia continued, “Now, I think it best we support the Carr family during this ordeal, not gossip about them.”

Mrs. Waterman drew herself up. “Who do you think you are, trying to lord over us?”

Jo could see the anger flash across her mother’s face.
Uhoh,
Jo said to herself and quickly looked around the church grounds in an effort to locate Belle just in case reinforcements were needed to keep Mrs. Waterman from being turned to stone. Vera Firestone, however, placed a restraining hand on the volatile Cecilia’s arm before asking Mrs. Waterman, “Corinne, you and I grew up together, and I seem to remember a certain disheveled young woman whose daddy caught her on a hayride with a young man her family didn’t approve of. The incident caused quite a bit of gossip back then. Do you remember that young woman’s name? Didn’t she have to go and stay with her grandmother or some other relative until the talk died away?”

Corinne went stiff as a post.

From the quiet knowing burning in Vera’s eyes, everyone knew that the hay-riding young woman had been Mrs. Waterman. Jo wanted to cheer from the rooftops but knew better than to make a sound.

When Corinne finally spoke, she snapped, “No. I don’t recall such a girl.” Then she stormed off, yelling, “Bertram! Let’s go!”

Watching her leave, the still-simmering Cecilia snarled under her breath, “Fat old bat!” Then she said to Jo, “You didn’t hear that, Josephine.”

Jo smiled. “Hear what, Mama?”

Cecilia turned to the women who were still standing there stunned, and said to them, “See you next week, ladies. Come, Josephine.”

The grinning Jo followed her mama to their buggy.

The sniffles Belle had contracted a few days prior prevented her from attending church, so only Jo and her mother were able to visit with Mrs. Oswald’s soldiers. When they arrived, Dred Reed’s thievery and flight were the main topics of conversation; all the men were upset by his actions and were concerned the community’s good will toward the soldiers might now be withdrawn.

George, seated beside Jo in the parlor, spoke for the other men gathered around when he said, “If we could catch that bounder and bring him back we would.”

The men mumbled agreement.

Jo asked, “Did the sheriff come here?”

“Yes,” George replied. “He asked several questions, but we could answer only those that pertained to Dred’s stay here. None of us knew him before we arrived.”

“Well, I hope they do catch up with him, and soon,” Jo said.

As the afternoon visit with the soldiers lengthened it became apparent that Dred’s actions had changed attitudes. According to Mrs. Oswald, none of the young women who’d been visiting the men on a regular basis had shown up since the robbery, and none showed up today. The loss of their company saddened Mrs. Oswald and her charges, but they all understood.

As Jo and her mother were leaving, George stepped out onto the porch with them. He said to Mrs. Best, “I’d like to pick a time to call on Josephine.”

“When would you like to call?”

“Tomorrow?”

Mrs. Best chuckled. “Why not? You can come to dinner.” She then looked to her daughter. “Is that all right with you, Jo?”

“Yes,” Jo said. She truly wanted to change George’s thinking. “That would be fine.”

Cecilia declared, “Then dinner it shall be. We’ll expect you around, say, four, George?”

George, who couldn’t seem to take his eyes off Jo, replied, “Four is just fine.”

Once they were back home, Mrs. Best started dinner. Jojo went to her room and changed out of her Sunday clothes and into an everyday skirt and blouse. After giving her hair a final pat, she left her room and went next door to check on Belle.

Jo knocked.

A hoarse-voiced Belle called back, “Come in,” then broke out into a loud series of coughs.

Jo opened the door gingerly. “I don’t know if I want to come in. I’ve no desire to catch whatever you have.”

Belle, lying in bed, cracked, “I thought sisters were supposed to share everything.”

“Almost everything,” Jo countered sagely. She stepped inside, however, then took a seat on one of the overstuffed chairs. “How’re you feeling? Can I bring you anything?”

“No, I’m fine. I’m going to wallow a bit more today, then tomorrow, it’s back to work. I’m almost done with the Ann Arbor trousseau. I can’t afford to get behind now. How was church?”

Jo told her all that happened, including the startling piece of gossip about Mrs. Waterman. She said to Belle, “You should have seen the Dragon Lady’s face. I thought she was going to drop her teeth. She went so stiff you could’ve used her for a shovel.”

“Well, good. Maybe she’ll keep a civil tongue in her head from now on.”

“Mama called her a fat old bat.”

Belle’s laugh was cut short by another bout of coughing. She blew her nose on a handkerchief, then said, “Your mother is both descriptive and correct.”

Jo changed the subject then. “Guess what?”

“What?”

“George is coming to dinner tomorrow.”

“We’re not going to have to hide the valuables and the silver, are we?”

Jo rolled her eyes. “That isn’t funny, Belle Best.”

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist. I’m sure George is the complete gentleman he appears to be. Does Adam know?”

“No. I haven’t spoken with him yet.”

Belle took a moment to study her young sister-in-law before asking, “How are you and Adam getting along?”

“We’re fine” was all Jo would say. She didn’t elaborate further because Belle knew Jo too well, and Jo didn’t want to talk about Adam or the muddled feelings he evoked. At least not yet.

As if to prove the point, Belle said with all sincerity, “When you’re ready to talk, I’m here. All right?”

Jo didn’t feign ignorance, or try to deny Belle’s insightfulness. Jo simply replied, “Thanks.”

Jo left Belle to her sniffles, then went across the hall and stuck her head in Adam’s open door. He was reading. “Hello,” she called cheerily.

“Well, hello to you, too. How’re the soldiers?”

“They’re all well.”

“Any word on that bounder, Reed?”

She shook her head. “Nothing so far. Everyone at church was gossiping about Trudy, though.”

“It’s to be expected. It is news in this little bitty town.”

Jo sighed. “I know.”

Adam had noted how lovely she looked this morning in her purple gown with the white lace inset. Her thick hair was done up elaborately but fashionably, and her dark unblemished skin glowed with health and beauty. She was by far the most radiant young woman he’d ever had the pleasure of knowing.

“George is coming for dinner tomorrow.”

Her voice broke Adam’s trance, and he responded testily, “Why?”

Jo’s hands went to her hips. “Because he likes me and I like him.”

“How much do you really know about him?”

Jo’s jaw tightened. “We are not going to have this conversation, Adam Morgan.”

“Just asking.”

“And I expect you to be nice to him.”

“Bea’s confined me to my room, remember? I doubt you’ll have to worry about me spoiling your fun.”

“That didn’t stop you last time.”

And it probably won’t again,
he said to himself. “What time is he coming?”

“Around four.”

“He won’t be after the silver, will he?”

Jo wanted to sock him. “You are a cad.”

“But a handsome one, don’t you think?”

Jo threw up her hands, turned on her heel and stormed off.

Adam smiled, but as soon as he was alone, the smile faded. George coming to dinner was not the best news he’d heard today. Was Brooks seriously pursuing Jo, and if so, to what end? Marriage? Adam couldn’t see her marrying such a provincial fellow. The man for her needed to be well educated, well traveled and able to walk proudly at her side. But stranger things had been known to occur. The idea of Jo being some other man’s sweetheart didn’t sit well, though. Not at all. By all rights, Adam should be the one keeping her company; he’d known her first and had the stronger claim, even if he hadn’t known she’d grow up to be so fetching. No, he couldn’t have her, but the male in him didn’t want her sharing her smile with anyone else, either.