Reclaiming His Past (18 page)

Chapter Nineteen

“C
an you believe the nerve of that man?” Jessica marched along the creek's edge. “To presume that I'm in love with him... What arrogance!”

Jane relaxed on the quilt they'd spread out across the grass, the smooth tree trunk providing support for her back. Tom's fishing pole bobbed in the slow-moving water. Normally Jessica was disposed to adore her brother-in-law, but today his grin infuriated her.

“Surely he didn't arrive at that conclusion for no reason.” Jane rubbed a spot low on her stomach. Having freed her hair from its sophisticated twist after arriving home from church, she'd draped a crocheted shawl around her shoulders, the pastel pinks, yellows and greens a riot of color atop her plain white dress.

Jessica stopped her constant motion to study her twin. While radiant with her increasing pregnancy, she bore obvious signs of fatigue. The delicate skin beneath her eyes appeared bruised. Strain bracketed her drooping mouth.

Sitting cross-legged on the quilt's corner edge, Clara ceased playing with her dolls and gazed up at Jessica. “Are you getting married, Auntie?”

“No. Probably not ever,” she muttered.

“You don't mean that,” Jane said.

Setting aside her ire—and underlying hurt caused by Grant's casual, firm dismissal of any possibility of a relationship with her—she knelt before Jane, balancing herself with her fingers splayed in the short grass.

“How are you feeling?”

Out of her peripheral vision, she saw Tom lay his pole on the rocks and get to his feet.

Jane gave her a wan smile. “Tired. Achy. Ready to meet this baby.”

When Tom stood over them, concern wreathing his features, she laughed softly. “You're both hovering like I'm about to go into labor any minute. We have three weeks to go.”

“Sometimes babies come early.” Kneeling on her other side, Tom gingerly smoothed the hair from her forehead, his gold wedding band vivid in the overcast gray day. Then he bent to drop a kiss on her stomach. “Be a good girl,” he murmured, smoothing the white fabric, “and let your ma get some rest.”

Her throat suddenly thick with confusing emotion, Jessica stood and transferred her attention to the clearing where Tom and Jane's small cabin stood surrounded by towering trees. They didn't have much in the way of material possessions, but they were rich in ways that couldn't be measured.

“It could be a boy, you know.” Jane's voice deepened with playful affection.

“Clara has made her wishes plain. She would like a sister to play with,” he pointed out. “Isn't that right, my little bird?”

“Right!”

Jessica tuned out their conversation. Her sister had been blessed with a loving, attentive husband, a man she'd secretly loved for years before he'd finally noticed her. They were building a fine life together.
A life you'd like to mirror. With Grant.

Her heart stuttered in her chest.

Don't torture yourself.

“Clara—” Jessica forced herself back to the present “—why don't you and I clean up this mess and afterward I'll read you a book?”

“Do I have to take a nap?”

“I'm afraid so.” Stacking the food containers in the basket, she said, “But if we get this cleaned up quickly, I can read you two books.”

Popping up, Clara eagerly pitched in to help.

“You don't have to do that,” Jane inserted.

“You could use the rest.”

“Jess.”

“What?” She paused to stare at Jane.

“Someday God will bring the man He's chosen for you into your life. You'll know when it's right.”

She bent her head to evade her twin's perceptive gaze. Caring about Grant felt right, but the circumstances were all wrong.

* * *

After cleaning up the lunch dishes, reading not two but three books and singing a handful of silly songs before Clara drifted off to sleep, Jessica headed home. She was ready for a nap herself. How Jane was able to manage the needs and wants of a small child, in addition to the farm's everyday demands, she had no idea.

The sight of her aunt and uncle's wagon in the yard was not an unwelcome one. However, she'd been planning to escape to her room for the remainder of the afternoon. No chance of that now.

The assembled group turned to regard her as she untied her hat ribbons and set it on the hutch. “Ah, there you are,” Alice greeted her with a smile. “How is Jane today? I didn't have a chance to speak with her after services.”

“As well as can be expected.”

Jessica came to stand beside the chair her uncle Sam occupied. Aunt Mary sat alone on the couch. Grant leaned against the mantel, a coffee mug in his hand.

He looked strange. Not angry, exactly. Or upset.

Resigned. That's the word.

“What's going on?”

“Jessica,” her mother admonished, teacup rattling in its saucer as she shifted on the cushion.

Mary patted the empty space beside her. “Come sit. We have good news.”

Holding in a sigh, she complied, willing her gaze not to stray to Grant. She pinned a bright smile to her face. “Tell me.”

“Caleb and Nathan came to us with Grant's dilemma. As you know, we have several rooms that aren't being used. We offered Grant one of them, and he's accepted.” Mary beamed.

A born nurturer, Mary had already taken in Caleb's adolescent sister-in-law, Amy. Adding a stranger with a murky past wouldn't faze her.

“I see.” Jessica quieted the protest brewing inside. “And Caleb's okay with the arrangement?”

“He's the one who suggested it,” Sam said between bites.

Not for Grant's benefit, she was certain. Her cousin would've moved him into his own cabin if it meant getting him away from her.

Deliberately searching out Grant's gaze, which was unreadable, she said, “You'll be in good hands. My mother and aunt learned to cook from my grandmother. Their skills in the kitchen are evenly matched.”

His mood somber, he looked from Sam, who was quietly eating his cobbler, to Mary. “I appreciate your willingness to take me in. I'll be paying for room and board, as well as pitching in with daily chores.”

“You don't have to pay us.”

His jaw set in stubborn lines. “I insist. I don't know for how long I'll be staying. Could be weeks. Maybe months. If at any time you decide our arrangement isn't working, let me know and I'll move on.”

Mary scoffed at that suggestion. “You're welcome to stay for as long as you'd like.”

“If we must lose you, at least you'll be with family.” Alice's tone held a hint of sadness, and Jessica realized her mother had grown attached to Grant, too.

“I'll never forget your kindness.” Frowning, he drained his cup of its contents. To Mary, he said, “If it's all right with you, I'll stay this last night here. It'll give me time to get my things together and clean up the room.”

“Certainly. You can come tomorrow after work. I'll have supper on the table.”

Sam finished off his dessert and stood. “It's settled, then. You'll move in tomorrow.”

Hands woven tightly in her lap, Jessica fixed her attention on the floor. Her insides churned. Amid the goodbyes, she escaped to her room and shut everyone out, reminding herself that this was what she'd wanted all along.

* * *

At the livery the following morning, Grant's attempts to banish Jessica from his thoughts failed. He'd anticipated spending his last evening in Jessica's home conversing with her, playing their instruments or relaxing on the porch and stargazing. She'd made it clear, however, that she wished to be left alone. So he'd filled the hours with chores. After assembling his meager belongings, he'd stripped the bed and replaced the soiled quilt with a fresh one. He'd swept and mopped the floor. Then he'd gone to the barn and mucked out the stables until his muscles burned and his back ached. Unlike Jessica, his feline friend had craved his company, curling up on a hay square to watch him work. The hopeful part of him had thought Jessica might join him at some point. Around eleven, he'd heard a footstep, but it was Alice bidding him good-night.

“Parker, we got a customer.” His boss's statement brought him back to the present.

Looping a bridle over a peg in the tack room, he went to greet the gentleman and handle the transaction. Warring continued to oversee the money exchanges. He didn't trust Grant not to pocket some of the coin. He did trust Grant's capability with the horses. Being around the magnificent animals felt as natural as breathing. They didn't intimidate him. He'd calmed more than one ornery beast with soothing words and a firm hand. And while he enjoyed the work and being outdoors, he yearned for something more challenging. Less repetitive.

Once he had their newest boarder brushed down, watered and fed, he scrubbed the soap sliver over his hands at the wash barrel and bid his boss good evening.

He strolled along Main Street, nodding at those who acknowledged him in passing. Folks were starting to tolerate his presence. Acceptance from an established, respected family like the O'Malleys went a long way in convincing others of his decency. His work at the livery brought him into regular contact with the townsfolk. He wasn't so much of a mystery anymore.

Nearing the mercantile, he slowed to study a handwritten sign taped to the window glass. He smiled as he read the words advertising Jessica's desserts. He was proud of her for pursuing her dreams. She possessed the talent and work ethic necessary for success.

The bell jingled. A woman emerged onto the boardwalk, her profile hidden by her hat. A bouncy red ponytail trailed between her shoulder blades.

Head bent, she was tucking something into her reticule and didn't notice him.

He gave her hair a playful tug. “Raking in the profits already?”

“Grant.” Sidling away from him, she looked at him, her widened gaze raking his dusty clothing. “I thought you finished at five.”

“We had a late customer.” He gestured in the direction of the barbershop, the last business on this side of the street. “You going home? I can accompany you. I have to pick up my things before heading to your aunt's.”

She hesitated. “I've concluded my errands.”

Grant got the distinct feeling she didn't want him around. After last night, how could he doubt it? Had she deliberately come to town at this time in the hope of avoiding him?

“You know what? I forgot something at the livery.” Jerking his thumb over his shoulder, he made to leave. “I'll see you around.”

“Grant—”

Whatever she'd been about to say was lost amid the thundering of horse hooves rounding the corner. They recognized Tom simultaneously. Moving into the street, Jessica waved her hand in the air.

He pulled up sharply on the reins, flecks of dirt spraying her skirts as the horse pranced sideways. “Jane's water broke. She's having regular pains.” Worry stamped his features. “I've come to fetch Doc.”

Grant joined them. Jessica's freckles stood out in stark contrast to her milk-white complexion. “Where's Clara?”

“I dropped her at your ma's. Could you stay with her so Alice can be with Jane?”

“Of course.”

With a jerky nod of thanks, Tom prodded his mount's flank and continued on to the doctor's home.

Grant resisted the urge to hug her. Lower lip caught in her teeth, she looked torn.

“I can watch Clara if you'd like to go with your ma.”

Her green eyes flicked to his. “That's kind of you to offer, but she doesn't know you. She may be frightened or upset. A familiar face will help keep her mind off things.”

She started in the opposite direction Tom had taken, her skirts rippling with each long stride, the flowers on her hat quivering. He kept pace with her, determined to help whether she wanted it or not. He couldn't leave her alone. Not when she was consumed with worry.

“I didn't realize Jane's baby was due already.”

“It's not. Not for another three weeks.”

They crossed the bridge and entered the shaded lane. “She's healthy and strong,” Jessica broke the silence. “Until now, her pregnancy has proceeded normally. She was so tired yesterday. I wonder if she has overdone it.”

Hearing the tremor in her voice, he sought to dispel her apprehension. “Would her husband have allowed that? Is he the oblivious type or one to notice details?”

“Tom's attentive to my sister's needs. With this being their first, he's been vigilant to make sure she's been eating enough and getting the proper rest.”

“What about Clara? Does he help with her?”

“Oh, yes.” A small smile eased her features. “Clara's mother died when she was only two. Her father, Tom's brother, sought solace in the bottle, leaving Tom to care for her. He's been her primary caretaker for years. He oversees bedtime and pitches in with the meals when he's not out in the fields. He's a good father.”

“Sounds like your sister made a good match.”

“She did.” Her countenance darkened again as she became lost in thought.

Searching for a distraction, he asked her to tell him the story of how Jane and Tom got together. She launched into the surprising tale. The lengthy account served to pass the minutes until they reached the cabin.

They found Alice and the little girl at the kitchen table. The smell of chicken and dumplings warmed the cozy space, and his mouth watered. Cathead biscuits, green beans sprinkled with bacon crumbles and corn on the cob rounded out the meal.

Jessica bent to give Clara a hug. “Clara, this is my friend Grant Parker. You met him at church. Can you say hello?”

With springy brown curls, big green eyes and a rosebud mouth, she looked like a doll he'd seen in the mercantile.

She eyed him with curiosity, but her manner was subdued. “Hello.”