Just Above a Whisper (29 page)

This was not what she wanted to hear, but Reese still nodded and let the matter drop. She could have used some time in the buttery, but that room seemed too far away. Keeping to the kitchen where she washed tablecloths and napkins and did some baking, Reese worked, half-listening for steps on the stairs.

“We’re glad you could join us,” Douglas told Doc MacKay during dinner. “It’s been a few weeks since we could talk.”

“It has, and I’ve made a decision about that matter we talked about a few months ago. My nephew is going to join me here as soon as he can. If he likes it and settles in with the townsfolk, I’ll go to live with my brother in South Carolina.”

“How soon will it be?” Alison asked.

“No one’s in a big hurry, so we’ll wait and see how it all comes together.”

“Well, whenever it does,” Douglas said with a smile, “it will be our loss and your family’s gain.”

Doc smiled at the compliment, almost hoping it wouldn’t transpire too swiftly. He wasn’t in a hurry to leave Tucker Mills and its wonderful inhabitants, but the cold winters that visited the area made staying very hard.

He wasn’t a young man anymore, and an old back injury was growing more and more difficult to deal with, especially in freezing temperatures. For the moment, however, he would enjoy the time he had. Be it six months or two more years, he knew this was where God wanted him.

Reese’s arms were buried in the washtub when Conner finally came downstairs. He was dressed but without his coat, and although he looked a bit pale, his eyes were bright and he seemed alert.

“How are you?” she asked, very real concern in her face and voice.

Conner was surprised by this but didn’t allow her to see.

“I’m fine, thank you. Just a bit hungry.”

“I’ll make you something right now.”

“I’d be happy to fix something for myself,” Conner offered. “I don’t need to interrupt you.”

Reese found herself suddenly interested. “What would you fix?”

Conner hadn’t expected that and was at a sudden loss for words. He spotted some bread and cheese on the table and was going to mention that but instead looked up to find Reese just holding laughter.

Conner smiled a little before saying, “I guess I will interrupt you, Reese. If you would be so kind.”

“I’ll just be a few minutes,” Reese told him and went to work as soon as he exited to the dining room.

Reese was longer than a few minutes, but it was worth the wait. She delivered a bowl of fluffy eggs with ham, a berry pastry, and a potato and cheese dish. She went back for the coffeepot as soon as she’d set the food down, refilling Conner’s mug and making sure the cream was in reach.

“You’re not very afraid of me these days,” Conner observed, knowing he would not have mentioned it if Troy had been at the table with him.

“No, I guess I’m not,” Reese agreed, even going so far as to look at him.

“Why is that? What changed?”

Reese had been thinking about that very thing and was able to give a logical answer.

“I wish I could say that I had prayed through it or claimed Scripture and understood that fear is a serious sin, but it didn’t happen like that.”

“How did it happen?”

“You’re just not like that,” Reese said, knowing it was a strange comment.

“Like what?”

She shrugged a little, looking for words that would explain.

“Not like Mr. Zantow?” Conner helped.

“No.” Reese was back to whispering again. “You’re nothing like him.”

“Was he difficult all the time?”

Conner saw the brief shake of her head before she added, “Just when he’d been drinking.”

“And is that what you waited to see? If I would get drunk?”

“I must have. I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t believe Douglas. He assured me it was all right. He said he’d send Alison or Hillary here, but I was still frightened.”

“Maybe Alison and Hillary haven’t been through the things you have.”

“I hope not,” she said. “I wouldn’t want that for them.”

Conner had many things he could have said to that, but he didn’t know if they’d be welcome. He wanted to tell her how sorry he was for the way she’d been treated, and that he was glad she felt safe here.

“Oh!” Reese suddenly saw what she had done. She jumped up from her place at the table, her eyes large as she looked at Conner. “I didn’t mean to sit down. I’m sorry.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Conner tried, but Reese still looked upset.

“I need to let you eat,” she declared just before exiting with more haste than needed. Once in the kitchen and away from Conner Kingsley’s eyes, Reese put a hand to her forehead. She didn’t know what had come over her. She hadn’t even felt herself sitting down. They were talking, and for the first time he wasn’t her employer but just another person who seemed to care what she felt and thought.

Reese shook her head, still thinking about what she’d done.
You have work to do
, she finally told herself.
He didn’t seem upset, so you need to drop it. Get back to work
.

Reese took a deep breath and then took her own advice.

“I’m headed to the bank,” Conner said a short time later.

Humming quietly, Reese’s hands were back in the washtub. “All right. I’ll leave food for your tea and your meals tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

Conner began to turn away but came right back.

“Charisse Violet?” he asked.

“No.” Reese’s reply was nothing if not thankful.

Conner laughed a little and went on his way.

“I’m headed to the meetinghouse in a few minutes,” Reese informed Mrs. Greenlowe on Sunday morning.

“All right,” the lady agreed from her place at the stove.

“Did you want to come?”

Not turning from the stove for a moment, Reese waited, looking at her landlady’s back. When she did turn, it was only her head, speaking to Reese in profile.

“Not today, Reese. Thank you.”

“Should I check with you again or wait for you to ask me?” Reese had to get this settled.

“You can ask,” Mrs. Greenlowe simply said, turning back to the stove and giving Reese the impression that she was done talking about it.

Reese walked slowly to the meetinghouse, not even concerned whether she was late. She prayed all the while for Mrs. Greenlowe, her heart aching for that woman to know Christ.

When I moved in, Lord, I was just glad to have a place. It took some time for me to realize that I might have a chance to speak with Mrs. Greenlowe about You. I thank You for her interest. I ask You to give her more. I think her heart is searching. You rescued me. You saved me when I was drowning in pain. I know that Mrs. Greenlowe’s life is easier than mine was, Lord, but if You could just soften her … touch her and let her know how much she’s loved
.

Reese knew if she kept on, she would be in tears. She made herself think about changes she might make in her own life and ways she could be a better example. Not until she got to the meetinghouse, found it rather full, and took a seat very near Conner Kingsley, did she realize how arrogant she had been.

I told Mr. Kingsley that I needed only to see his behavior and the fear went away
, Reese prayed.
I’m so self-sufficient at times that I forget the great work You do in my heart. It’s only been a few weeks— not even a month. I know I wouldn’t be sitting here if You hadn’t worked in my heart
.

Thank You, Lord, for saving me. Thank You for saving me each day. Help me to be such a light to Mrs. Greenlowe that she can’t help but see it. Change me until everything about me says I’m Your child
.

Douglas was speaking this whole time, and Reese had missed it. She turned her attention to the front, but not before she noticed Conner watching her. He waited only until she looked his way and then nodded in greeting. Reese softly greeted him the same way, seeing again that only God could have done this.