by Lori Wick
“Yes,” Eddie answered. “He gave us the wagon and said he hoped Jackie would still be home.”
Robert grinned. “She was the welcome party out on the road.
“Oh, no.” Addy was swift to catch on. “You fell in the mud in front of them.”
Jackie shrugged, but she was not upset. Suddenly the mud didn’t matter at all. Only last week she’d written Clayton and admitted that she was almost angry that Robert and Eddie had never come to visit, but now here they were, and she felt guilty for not trusting God for this.
“We saw Danny and Lexa with Father, but where’s Sammy?” Eddie wished to know.
“She’s in bed. She’s had a touch of something for a week now, and all she wants to do is sleep. I should go and see if she wants to get up.” Addy went out, and Jackie looked over to see Robert smiling at her.
“We got a letter from Tag last week.”
“Did you?” Jackie smiled and tried not to blush at the sound of his name.
“Yes. He says that you correspond quite regularly.”
Jackie did blush then, but only nodded in return. If the truth be told, they wrote to each other at least twice a week. It was still amazing to Jackie that they never ran out of things to say. And Clayton’s letters had just gotten kinder and kinder with every passing month. He always admonished Jackie to take good care of herself. In turn, Jackie told him not to overdo on his studies, and that he wouldn’t be fit to teach if he burned out during college. His plan right now was to take some summer courses as well, but Jackie wondered if he wasn’t going overboard. He wanted to finish in two years, and he said this was the only way.
“I think we’ve lost her.” Eddie’s voice floated through the air.
“Yes,” Robert agreed. “I think we lost her the moment I mentioned Clay’s name.”
Again Jackie lit up like a candle, and Eddie apologized.
“Forgive us, Jackie; we shouldn’t tease.”
“It’s all right. I’ve always blushed easily when it comes to Clay.”
“Does he know how you feel?” Robert asked the question so gently that Jackie wasn’t offended.
“No, he doesn’t, but that’s all right. It’s just fun to share letters with him.”
Robert’s head turned to his wife. “That’s how I fell in love with Eddie.”
“Oh, Robert, don’t say that,” Jackie begged him. “It hurts too much to raise my hopes.”
Robert looked at her. “Why can’t you hope for it?”
Jackie shrugged. “I just don’t think it’s going to be like that, and that’s okay. I can live with it.”
My, but she’s done a lot of growing up, both Eddie and Robert were thinking. Nothing could ever dim her physical beauty, but she was now starting to be beautiful on the inside as well.
Robert didn’t comment again, but he didn’t think the idea of the two of them getting together was so hopeless. Tag hadn’t actually come right out with it, but Robert had gained an impression from his letter that Jackie was pretty special.
“Hi, Eddie.”
“Oh, Sammy.” Eddie stood as soon as she saw her, her heart breaking a little. She was so thin and pale, and her hair was all over her head. Eddie went right to her. She hugged her, but Sammy needed to sit down. Eddie took the sofa so they could be close. Once Sammy was snuggled against her side, the little girl looked across the room at Robert.
“Hello, Sammy.”
“Hi, Robert.”
“I’m not sure you should be out of bed,” he said gently.
“I had to,” she answered in a tired voice.
“Why is that?”
“I have to ask you a question. How is Travis Buchanan?”
Robert smiled hugely. “Doing well. As handsome as ever, I would say.”
Sammy smiled and sighed and then laid her head against Eddie. Not a minute later, she was asleep. Everyone in the room was forced to hold in their laughter.
“Still not expecting?” Addy questioned Eddie gently when they were alone.
“No,” Eddy sighed, but she was smiling. “I know it has to be in God’s time, but I do wish for it.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Addy replied. “Even the Bible talks about the way children are a woman’s pride and joy. I don’t think we’re in any way imperfect if we can’t have children, but if we can, we should.”
Eddie nodded. “I knew you would feel that way.”
Both women were in Addy and Morgan’s bedroom, and silence fell until Addy asked, “How does Robert feel about it, Eddie?”
“Oh, Mother, he’s so wonderful. He keeps reminding me how long he waited to find me. He says that if we never have children, he’ll still live the rest of his life in contentment with me at his side.”
Addy smiled. “He’s very special.”
“Yes. I only hope that all my sisters find men with half the love and tenderness Robert possesses.”
“I think they will. After all, Sammy has claimed Travis Buchanan, but only when Danny’s not looking.”
They laughed, but then Eddie turned serious, her mind going to her sister.
“She’s still head-over-heels, isn’t she, Mother?”
Addy sighed. “Yes. I think I wrote to you about the way she looked when Clayton left last year.”
Eddie nodded.
“She scared me to death, Eddie. She simply couldn’t eat, and I didn’t think she would ever get over it.”
“What happened?”
“He wrote her a letter. In fact, he wrote two letters. She had made a deal with him that if he wrote, she would reply. So she wrote back, and lo and behold, letters from him just kept coming.
“She’s been so excited at times that she’s read a few to me. I don’t know if this will go anywhere, Eddie, but he has far more care for her feelings than he did when he lived here. I know why he didn’t get that close to her; I mean, Jackie was impossible, but now,” Addy shrugged, “she’s utterly smitten.”
“I can see it in her face when his name is mentioned.”
Someone knocked at the door, and a moment later Robert stuck his head in.
“I wondered where you’d wandered off to.”
“Why, Robert.” Eddie was surprised. “I thought you were having lunch with Father.”
“I was, but he cut it short when I told him in no uncertain terms that we’re not moving to Georgetown and setting up a branch office to my bank.”
The women could only stare at him. Eddie looked crushed, but her mother looked furious. Robert didn’t know what else to say and was a little sorry he’d interrupted them, so he quietly left.
“After all this time, Mother, he still doesn’t accept this change.”
“I know,” Addy replied tiredly. “He usually discusses things with me, but this time he must have just been lying in wait.”
The image so amused Eddie that she suddenly smiled. He was like that at times; he would rehearse his words and spring on someone, sure of what that person’s answer was going to be. Right now it seemed quite laughable to her. Addy suddenly looked over and saw Eddie’s smile.
“It’s not funny, Eddie.” The older woman was still frowning.
“I’m sorry, Mother, but it is. Father is just too outrageous for words. Not a word out of him when we arrive. He greets us like everything is fine and then he pounces on Robert as soon as our backs are turned.” A giggle escaped her. “We might as well laugh as cry.”
Addy shook her head. She was not angry, but neither was she amused. Oh, Morgan, her heart sighed. What am I going to do with you?
24
Robert and Eddie left just over a week after they arrived. It had been a wonderful time, full of memories and fun. Some of the mud had dried up and although the temperatures were cool at night, the family had picnicked in the orchard on two occasions and gone for long afternoon walks. In the evenings they would pop corn and have hot cocoa and then visit until late at night. Even the younger girls had been given grace concerning the normal bedtime h
our.
Nothing else was said about Morgan’s proposal to Robert—not even Addy mentioned it—but it caused some strain for several days. Addy, Robert, and Eddie were all privy to the details and prayed fervently. By the end of the visit all was well. It was impossible to say when they would see the young married couple again, so everyone was extremely thankful for this good time together.
The day they left, Jackie and Morgan saw them off and then went to the store. Jackie was feeling positively ecstatic about their visit and hummed as she worked, but Morgan, even though he’d been all smiles at the stage office, was rather short with her and even abrupt with one or two customers. Jackie noticed it but didn’t have a chance to say anything until near noon.
“Would you like me to run over to the hotel and get us some dinner, Father?”
“No,” he said shortly. “I’m not hungry.”
Jackie stood silently by the desk. All morning he’d spent as much time in the office as possible.
“Maybe next time we’ll get to visit them,” she said softly. Morgan looked at her sharply. Not easily intimidated, Jackie stood facing him.
“What does that mean?” he snapped.
“Well, I know you miss them,” she said kindly, “and I just thought it would cheer you to think about going to see them in Boulder. I know I would enjoy it.”
“Is that so? Well, I for one have no interest in going to see where your sister has made a life for herself, one that does not involve anyone but herself.” This was completely unfair, but Morgan only went angrily back to his work.
Jackie had always known that her father was self-centered, especially compared to her very giving mother, but never was it so clear as right now. She knew her mother’s father had never approved of the relationship between her father and her mother, but that hadn’t stopped Morgan from taking her away and marrying her. He had other ideas now that it was his daughter. Not to mention the fact that he had given his blessing. It occurred to Jackie suddenly that her father did not like things he could not control and that she tended to be the same way.
Jackie could freely admit that she wished Eddie lived closer or wrote more often, but she could see that her sister was happy and blessed, and she wouldn’t have wished anything else for her. And if their home was as large as it sounded, she had plenty to do.
Eddie had also told Jackie of the different people she and Robert ministered to. Her life sounded very fruitful and peaceful. How could their father want any less for his oldest daughter?
“Well,” she said softly when Morgan continued to write, “I’m going across the street to get something to eat.”
Morgan’s head came up as she left, his brow drawn forward as he watched her leave. He knew he’d been unreasonably harsh, but he didn’t feel like apologizing. Besides, why couldn’t Robert set up here? Morgan knew just where and how it could happen. There was an empty store adjacent to his, and Georgetown needed another bank.
“Young and headstrong,” Morgan muttered to himself. “I know what’s best for him and Ed if he would only listen.”
Once again the angry man went back to his accounts.
“The first of July—” Addy commented after lunch that afternoon. “It’s hard to believe the month of June is already gone.” Lexa was working at the store, and Danny and Sammy had gone on an outing with Paddy.
“I’ll be back in school before I can count to ten,” Jackie complained. Addy smiled understandingly but then turned to look at her daughter.
“What is it that you want to do so badly, Jackie, that you want to be finished with school?”
Jackie’s hair swung to one side as she tipped her head in thought. “I don’t know exactly. I like working at the store, but I guess I’d like to travel a bit.”
How this dream would be financed was not mentioned, but Addy said, “Any place in particular?”
“Boulder,” she said without hesitation. “I’d love to see Boulder and Eddie.”
“Would Denver enter into the picture in any of those travel plans?” The question was kindly put.
Jackie hugged the dish she’d just dried against her chest and shook her head. “I don’t think so, Mother. He’s never even hinted at my visiting, and I simply couldn’t go if I wasn’t welcomed by Clayton himself.”
Addy agreed softly but turned away before Jackie could see her face. Jackie’s eyes were so wistful any time his name was mentioned that it almost broke her mother’s heart to watch.
The kitchen was in good shape now, so she left her daughter to go work on the rooms upstairs. Jackie finished drying the dishes on her own and started some baking. It was dreadfully hot, but they were out of bread and Father’s favorite cookies.
She had just put the bread dough together when she saw him. She had no idea how long he’d been standing there, but Clayton Taggart was in the doorway watching her. Jackie moved like a woman sleepwalking. She came around the table and stopped just two steps away from him. All the love she felt inside was written on her face before she could come to her senses.
Clayton watched her blush and said gently, “Hello, Jackie.”
Eight months! She hadn’t heard his deep voice for eight months! Jackie smiled suddenly.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” she admitted and looked away from him, feeling rather flustered. How many times had she practiced what she would do and say if she ever saw him again. Now all of it flew from her head.
“Please,” she nearly stammered. “Sit down. You must be tired.”
“Thank you,” Clayton said, taking a seat at the table. He couldn’t stop looking at her. She was so different from the last time he’d seen her, and that Jackie was the only one he’d been able to visualize.
“Are you... um...I mean,” she stumbled painfully, “would you care for some lemonade? I just made some.”
“Sure, that sounds great.”
Jackie nearly dropped her mother’s good set of hollowware as she moved to the table, but she did finally manage to pour two lemonades. She started to sit down across the table from Clayton, but he pulled the chair out on the end and she sat beside him. It was her father’s chair. Clayton was in the side chair where her mother always sat.
“How is your family?” Jackie blurted, and Clayton told her things she already knew.
“Oh, right. I guess you told me all about that in your last letter,” she said with an embarrassed smile. After that she rattled on, making no sense at all until Clayton came to the rescue. He gently laid a hand over hers.
“Jackie,” he spoke tenderly. “It’s me, Clayton.”
Jackie became utterly still. His touch was doing odd things to her heart. She told herself not to cry, and even managed to obey; however, she could no longer keep her thoughts to herself.
“Oh, Clay, I’ve missed you so much.”
His hand came up then. He tenderly stroked her cheek with the backs of his fingers, and Jackie’s heart melted.
“I was going to be so witty and charming when you came, and now I’ve been an idiot.”
“I don’t think you’re an idiot.” His hand was on hers again.
“How long can you stay, Clay?”
“I’m not certain,” he admitted, keeping himself from adding, It all depends on you.
“Where are you staying?”
Clayton smiled. “I don’t know. I was rather hoping your father would let me crash at Uncle Mitch’s.”
“It’s rented,” Jackie told him. “Maybe I can ask Mother—” she stopped suddenly. “How did you get in here?”
“Your mother let me in.”
“But I never heard the door.”
“You were too busy making something in the bowl over there.”
“Oh!” Jackie’s hands flew in the air, and she dashed back to her bread dough. “I’ve got to punch this down, or we’ll have a monstrosity.”
“Would that be so bad?” He leaned back in his chair and just gazed at her.
“Well, I guess not. Especially if you like
your bread the same size as the town hall.”
Now that was something she would have said in one of her letters, and Clayton felt very heartened. He knew why he’d come, but he didn’t dare tell her that his sole reason was to learn if the girl from the letters really existed.
“I read a story one time,” Jackie now spoke conversationally, feeling suddenly at ease. “It was about a woman who had black hair. It would fall in her face. Naturally she would push it back, even while she baked. The people in the town did not believe any work should be done on Sunday. She wholeheartedly agreed with this, except that she showed up at church one morning with flour in her hair.”
Clayton smiled. “What did the people do?”
“Oh, they were upset, but the pastor was new and he hadn’t heard all the rules the town had imposed on itself. He took one look at her and fell in love, flour and all.”
They both laughed at this, but it was short-lived. Clayton looked at Jackie’s eyes, and Jackie stared back, her hands still buried in the bowl.
“I had to come, Jackie,” he whispered. “Your letters are doing things to my heart, and I had to come.”
“I’m glad you did. My mother asked me if I would ever go to see you. I told her I didn’t think I’d be welcome.”
“You’ll have to tell her you were wrong. You’d be very welcome.”
Jackie just looked at him. “I didn’t remember how handsome you were, Clay. I’d forgotten the way the sun bleaches your hair and the way it falls on your forehead.”
“You were about ten pounds lighter the last time I saw you.”
Jackie looked down at the dough, her hands working again. “I was a little upset.”
Clayton was next to her before she could take another breath. Jackie turned and looked into his face. She loved the fact that he didn’t tower over her. She knew Eddie loved Robert’s height, but it was not for her. Clayton had only to lean in order to press his lips against her forehead. Jackie blushed at her own thoughts.
“You were more than a little upset, Jackie.” Clayton ignored the color in her face and went on. “I’m sorry I was so insensitive.”
“You were so pleased to be leaving, and I felt utterly crushed. It wasn’t anything I could really share with you.”
