Just Above a Whisper

by Lori Wick

  She started the coffee as usual and then began mixing eggs and ham. The coffee was brewed and sending its aroma around the house and the eggs were nearly done when Reese realized that Conner usually made an appearance by now.

  Not wishing to intrude but wanting his breakfast to be hot, Reese slipped across the wide hallway and peeked into the study. She was surprised to find it empty. Being as quiet as she could manage, Reese checked all the downstairs rooms. Conner Kingsley was nowhere to be found.

  Reese stood at the bottom of the stairs, knowing she could never do it. She bit her lip, hoping he would suddenly appear at the top of the stairs and put Reese’s mind at ease. It didn’t happen.

  Reese slipped back to the kitchen and made sure the fire was safe, going to the window to see if he was out by the barn. She then used the front door to save time. This was a job for Doc MacKay.

  Leaving a very sober Reese at the bottom of the stairs, Doc went quietly up the staircase, not thrilled with this invasion of privacy but willing to check on Conner, not just out of concern, but for Reese’s sake as well.

  “Conner?” Doc called quietly after coming to a closed door. He knocked softly before opening it. A large figure lay in the bed, but there was no sound or movement.

  “Conner?” the doctor tried again, this time approaching the bed. Not until he touched the banker’s shoulder did Conner stir.

  “I’m sorry,” Doc MacKay wasted no time in saying. “Reese was concerned when you didn’t come downstairs.”

  “What time is it?”

  “Nearly 8:00.”

  “Oh,” Conner groaned a little, shifted on the mattress, and attempted to clear his throat. “I didn’t get to sleep until early this morning, and Troy wasn’t here to wake me.”

  “Why don’t you rest a bit more?”

  “I should get to the bank.”

  “Not if you’re unwell.”

  “I’m not; I’m just tired.” Conner scrubbed at his face, feeling as though he’d had no sleep at all. “Maybe Reese could run over and tell Leffler I’ll be there later.”

  “I’ll take care of it,” Doc assured him. “Can I get you something? Reese has breakfast and coffee ready.”

  “Tell her I’ll be down later, after I’ve slept some more.”

  “All right.”

  Slipping back out the door and closing it, the older man made his way to the stairs where Reese still waited on the bottom step. That man kept his voice low when he stopped beside her.

  “He didn’t sleep well. He wants you to go to the bank and tell Mr. Leffler that he’ll be in later today.” Reese opened her mouth to say she would be happy to, but the doctor continued. “I’ll take care of that. I think you should just go about your chores on this level, and when he comes down, fix him something to eat.”

  “He didn’t want anything right now?”

  “Just sleep.”

  Reese nodded, but she felt helpless. It was her nature to do more. What if he called for help? No one would hear him.

  “What’s the matter?” Doc asked.

  Reese told him where her imagination had run.

  “He assured me that he’s not ill, Reese. We’ve got to take him at his word.”

  “But he doesn’t know you that well. For all he knows, telling you that might give you ideas of bleeding him.”

  The doctor had to admit that Reese had a point, but he would still not go back upstairs.

  “What if he doesn’t come down at all?” Reese finally asked.

  “If he’s not downstairs by the time you’re ready to leave for the day, come and get me.”

  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.
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br />   “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.

  Thirteen

  “How was Linden Heights?” Conner asked of Troy when the afternoon train arrived and that man came straight to the bank.

  “Everyone and everything is fine. Your family sends their love.”

  “That’s good to hear. How is my niece?”

  “She was at the meetinghouse yesterday, looking a bit pale but holding her own.”

  “Good.”

  “They want to know when you’re going to visit.”

  Conner looked surprised.

  “What is that look about?” Troy asked.

  “I just didn’t think I’d be here long enough to need a visit home.”

  “I just went,” Troy reasoned.

  “You’re a father and a grandfather,” Conner reasoned back.

  “In other words, you don’t have anyone special enough to visit in Linden Heights.”

  “Precisely.”

  “And what about here? Any reason to stay longer?”

  Mr. Leffler interrupted them just then, but the look Conner gave Troy told him they would be getting back to this subject.

  Lillie heard a noise in the kitchen as she was turning in for the night. It was not a new house so such noises were not that unusual, but when it sounded again, she realized Gerald was up and felt she needed to check on him.

  Carrying the candle in front of her, Lillie made her way back downstairs and saw a glow coming from the kitchen. When she stepped into that room and found her husband at the table, she nearly set her nightdress on fire.

  “Victor!” she all but shouted.

  “Shh,” he hushed her, agitation in his every move.

  “You’re here!” Lillie’s voice had lowered some, but her husband was still tense.

  “Sit down,” he ordered, coming to take the candle from her.

  Lillie did as she was told, unable to stop staring at her spouse. He was thinner and ill kept. Victor Jenness prided himself on his appearance, and Lillie was more afraid of this than anything else.

  “Where have you been?” Lillie suddenly found her voice. “And why did you leave?”

  “Have you seen the bank?” he shot back with a question of his own. “They’ve changed my office around. They had no right!”

  The light in her husband’s eyes now snagged Lillie’s full attention. He had always been an intense man, a passionate man, but right now he looked beyond reason. And it was a look Lillie recognized.

  “I’ve been around town the past few days,” he spoke, his voice low with rage. “Do you know where Reese Thackery is working? At the big house! They questioned me and made me feel like a fool, but what do they have the bank’s indentured servant do? Work for the bank owner. Hypocrisy.”

  “She’s free, Victor,” Lillie put in gently. “They gave Reese her papers. She works there, and they pay her.”

  “What? That can’t be right. We could have kept her for almost two more years! It was an excellent idea.”

  Lillie had never understood the plan to begin with so she didn’t comment, but she had never seen it as such a great idea, especially when it meant having Reese coming to her house. Lillie shuddered at the very thought.

  “What’s the matter?” Victor asked, and for the first time Lillie realized he hadn’t even asked about their son.

  “Nothing,” she murmured quietly. “Where have you been?” she tried again.

  “Around” was all he would offer.

  “Would you like something to eat?”

  “No, I’ve got to go.”

  “But you just got here,” Lillie argued. “And what was this business you had to see to?”

  “Don’t you understand?” Victor suddenly stood. “I was the finest bank manager this town has ever known. They’re trying to take my bank, and I won’t allow it.”

  “They just want to talk to you, Victor. Just come to bed now and go see them in the morning.”

  The change in Victor’s face was frightening. He came toward Lillie as though he would harm her.

  “Did they speak to you about me? What did they say?”

  “Victor!” Lillie snapped at him, coming to her feet as well. She had never let anyone bully her, and she wasn’t going to start now. Her husband saw the set of her chin and backed down a bit.

  “Every time they talk to me,” Lillie began, only slightly ca
lmer, “they ask how you’re doing. They came to the house out of concern because you said you were ill. They’ve only wanted to see how you’re doing and to discuss bank business with you.

  “If you’ve done nothing wrong, then go and see them. And if you have committed a crime, turn yourself in.”

  “Of course I’ve done nothing wrong,” Victor told his wife, his voice quiet and controlled, “but I don’t owe them any kind of explanation.”

  “They own the bank, Victor.”

  The look Victor gave his wife could only be labeled as superior.

  “They changed my office around. I was the best bank manager this town has ever known.”

  “Victor,” Lillie began again, but he cut her off.

  “Tell no one I was here, not even Gerald. I don’t want him burdened with all of this.”

  “All of what?”

  “I’ll get my job back, Lillie. Just see if I don’t.”

  He was to the door before she could anticipate him.

  “Victor,” Lillie rushed that way, but he’d slipped outside and into the night. Lillie went as far as the backyard, but he seemed to have disappeared. She whispered his name a few more times, but there was no answer.

  Going back inside, she saw that he’d forgotten his hat. He never went out without his hat. Lillie didn’t want to cry until she saw it abandoned on the table.

  When at last she climbed the stairs again, it was not for sleep. She lay awake all night on her bed, reminding herself that she had no choice but to go to the bank.

  “Maddie,” Jace called on Monday morning, having been to town and brought the mail back. “Are you around?”

  “Upstairs,” she called down to him, and Jace went that way.

  “I’ve got mail,” he announced when he found her in his old bedroom.

  “Anything interesting?” Maddie asked. Having added things to an old trunk, she was pushing it back against the wall.