Bittersweet

by Jannine Gallant

  She nodded. “I hope this weather holds for the picnic on Saturday.”

  “Are you going?”

  “Yes, it’s time I had some sort of social life again.”

  He was quiet for a minute, staring down at her. When she raised her chin and met his gaze, he cleared his throat. “May I take you, then?”

  Her heartbeat accelerated. The way he was looking at her made her stomach jump. “I don’t know how long Emily will behave, Daniel. I don’t want to cut your day short. Anyway, Doc Fredericks offered to drive both Aunt Fay and me into town.”

  “They might prefer going without you.”

  She smiled, pleased to have an excuse for agreeing with him. “That’s true. Aunt Fay seems quite smitten with the good doctor. If you’re sure you don’t mind, I would be happy to accept your offer.”

  “I’m certain. Come on. I’ll walk you home.”

  “You don’t need to. With all this starlight, I can see perfectly well, and we have Shadow.”

  “I don’t like letting you wander around alone at night.”

  “Honestly, we’ll be fine. Goodnight, Daniel.” Rising on her toes, she kissed his cheek. Feeling suddenly shy and awkward, she stepped back.

  He raised his hand and touched the spot where her lips had rested. “Goodnight, Tess.”

  * * * *

  “Your wish came true,” Daniel said, slapping the reins to urge the horses into a trot.

  Tess looked at him curiously. “What wish?”

  “The weather.” He nodded up at the cloudless sky.

  “It certainly is a glorious day for a picnic.” She leaned back against the wagon seat and hugged Emily to her chest. “Of course any day spent away from that wretched garden is a treat. I swear the weeds grew faster than the beans this week.”

  “They always do.” He smiled down at her and sniffed deeply. “Whatever you have in that basket sure smells good. It’s making me hungry.”

  “Fried chicken. A picnic isn’t a picnic without fried chicken.”

  “Then I’m glad I let you bring the food. What else do we have?”

  “Potato salad, some cucumbers, and those cinnamon cookies you like so much.”

  “I’ll be the luckiest man at the picnic. I’m coming with the two most beautiful girls in town and the best food.”

  “I agree Emily is the most adorable baby by far, but there are plenty of girls a whole lot prettier than her mama.”

  He raised one brow and looked at her curiously. “Who for instance?”

  “Lottie, of course, and the Jaffee twins have turned into real beauties.”

  “They look the same, so they only count as one. Anyway, you’re prettier.”

  A spurt of pleasure surged through her. “No I’m not. You’re just prejudiced in my favor. What about Lottie?” she asked, remembering her sister’s remarks the previous Sunday.

  “Lottie is very attractive, but I’ve never been partial to blondes.”

  “Blondes, ha! You’ve never been partial to any girl I can remember.”

  “Oh, there have been a few.”

  “The ones at the saloons don’t count.”

  Daniel’s cheeks darkened. “You had better watch your mouth, smarty. You don’t know as much as you think.”

  Tess smiled, enjoying their banter. “Fine, I won’t tease you anymore.”

  “That’s a relief. He turned the horses down the track leading along the creek. “It looks like quite a turnout.”

  “I should say so. Most of the town and half the countryside must be here.”

  Picnic baskets dotted colorful quilts and blankets scattered across the grass. Men and women gathered in groups, talking, and children ran up and down the creek banks playing tag. A horseshoe pit was dug in an out of the way area, and a lemonade barrel stood in the shade of a clump of willows.

  “Where do you want to sit?” he asked.

  “I suppose we should look for my folks.”

  Daniel helped her down from the wagon seat, and she waited while he unhitched his team and turned them loose to graze. Tucking their blanket and basket beneath one elbow, he offered her his other arm.

  Tess shaded her eyes and looked toward the creek. “Where did Shadow go?”

  “He’s over there.” Daniel pointed to a shallow area where several dogs were staring intently into the water.

  “I don’t want to know what they’re doing,” she said with a shudder.

  He grinned. “I don’t blame you.”

  They walked down the slope and along the creek, waving now and then to people they knew. When they reached the area where most of the quilts lay, Tess took a long look around.

  “Oh, there’s Mama’s blanket. I wonder where she is.”

  “I see Nora over by the lemonade barrel. Shall we join her?”

  Tess nodded, and he dropped the picnic basket and Emily’s bag on Nora’s red blanket. Taking their time and stopping frequently to talk to friends, they sauntered along the creek bank. It felt wonderful to be off the farm, socializing with acquaintances. Having Daniel at her side eased the pain of no longer being half of a couple. Tess pushed the intruding thought aside, determined not to let memories of other gatherings spoil her pleasure.

  “I could use some of that,” she said, eying the lemonade barrel. Chunks of ice and slices of lemon floated on top, cool and tempting.

  “There you are!” Nora said. “I was beginning to wonder if you’d changed your mind about coming when I saw Fay and Doc Fredericks arrive without you.”

  “Daniel brought us.” Tess took the brimming dipper from his hand. She sipped the cold lemonade and sighed in delight. “It’s wonderful. Have some.”

  He drank, then handed Nora a dime. “What is the ladies auxiliary raising money for this time?”

  “New hymn books. Some of the ones we have are falling apart. We’re going to auction off pies later.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me, Mama? I would have baked one.”

  “You have your hands full with Emily, and we had plenty of volunteers.”

  “I could have made time,” Tess said in exasperation. Sometimes it bothered her that her parents were so protective. It was time everyone realized she could manage on her own.

  “Don’t argue with your mama and hand over that baby. I think Wesley and Lottie are over at the horseshoe pit. Why don’t you leave Emily with me and take a walk.”

  “Are you trying to get rid of us?”

  “Yes, I am. I don’t get near enough time alone with my grandbaby.”

  Tess smiled. “Fine, I’ll come find you before she gets hungry. ’Bye ’bye, sweetie. Be good for Grandma.”

  Threading their way through the crowd gathered along the creek, Daniel and Tess headed in the direction of the horseshoe pit. They stopped once to greet Mary Riedel and her sister, Enid, then moved on after chatting for a few minutes.

  “Do you want to watch the game?” he asked.

  “Sure, you go ahead and play if you like.”

  He shook his head. “You know I’m no good at horseshoes, not like Rory was.” Tess glanced up at him, relieved to see his relaxed expression hadn’t changed. Sometimes she wondered if Daniel resented his older brother, who was always faster and more accurate at games.

  “We’ll both watch then. There’s Lottie with Simon Jaffee, and my goodness, is that Pa playing?”

  “It is, and he just threw a ringer. Nice shot, Wes,” Daniel called.

  Wesley smiled and winked at Tess. “Your old man is showing these young pups how the game is played.”

  “Good for you. Hello, Lottie,” Tess said as her sister hurried over with Simon in tow.

  “Hello there.” Lottie smiled up at Daniel. “I didn’t know you two were coming together.”

  “It would have been silly for both of us to drive, and Aunt Fay didn’t really want my company.” Tess was determined to get along with her sister today and searched for something pleasant to say. “What a lovely dress. Is it new?”

  Lottie n
odded and ran her finger down the line of jet buttons. “Mama and I just finished it.”

  A cheer went up from the men gathered around them. Tess looked over and saw Wesley raise his fist in a victory salute.

  “I didn’t know Pa was such an expert at horseshoes. Are you going to play, Simon?” she asked.

  “I’m down for the game after next. Our new sheriff is your father’s next victim.”

  “Really? When did he get into town?”

  “Yesterday. Hank introduced him to us earlier.” Lottie nudged her with an elbow. “Take a look, Tess. Isn’t he simply divine?”

  She followed the direction of Lottie’s gaze and studied their new sheriff with interest. He was a tall man with dark hair, a curving mustache, bold features, and chocolate brown eyes. He smiled at something Wesley said, and Tess drew in her breath. He was definitely handsome. He was also very good at horseshoes.

  “If he can shoot a gun as straight as he throws, we have ourselves a winner,” Daniel said.

  She nodded. “The way he moves reminds me of Rory.”

  “You mean the way he swaggers.”

  She smiled at Daniel’s description, but her attention focused on Nathan Swift.

  “I think he’s actually going to beat your pa,” Simon said. “That means I’m going to have to play him next.”

  Daniel smacked him on the shoulder. “Good luck.”

  Simon grimaced. “He’ll kill me.” He marched off to his fate as Wesley congratulated the victor.

  Tess frowned at her sister. “You could have given him some encouragement. And I must say, you weren’t very tactful, mooning over the sheriff in front of Simon.”

  Lottie shrugged. “There’s no point in prolonging a doomed relationship”

  “You’re not planning to see him again?”

  “No, I’ll tell him after the picnic. I don’t want to spoil the rest of the day.”

  “Have you got your eye on our new sheriff?” Daniel asked.

  Lottie smiled at him. “Maybe, maybe not. I like to keep my options open.”

  He shook his head. “Some lucky man is going to have his hands full with you, Lottie.”

  She touched his shirtsleeve. “Why, Daniel, this could be your lucky day.”

  Annoyance stabbed Tess, but she was distracted when a cheer erupted from the crowd around the horseshoe pit. Swift threw a final ringer to end the game and held up his hands. “No, that’s enough for me. I came here to meet folks not to play horseshoes.”

  “Then come meet Daniel and Tess,” Hank said, leading him over. “I’ll introduce you.”

  Tess’s hand was swallowed up in Nathan Swift’s firm clasp. It tingled at the contact.

  “I’m sorry about your husband, ma’am.” His gaze held hers. “I’ll do my best to catch the man who killed him.”

  She nodded. “Thank you, sheriff.”

  Swift released her hand and shook Daniel’s. The two men studied each other and exchanged polite greetings before Hank led the sheriff away.

  Tess watched them go. “I have a good feeling about him, Daniel. Hank seems to like him.”

  “He does. He stopped by the house last night to tell me Swift arrived.”

  “Well, I think he’s exactly what we need. Something tells me he’ll be the one to settle this business with Craven.”

  “Let’s hope so. What do you say we dig into your chicken dinner? I’m hungry.”

  She looked up at the sun shining directly overhead. “Goodness, it’s nearly noon. Poor Emily must be starving.”

  “Do you mind if Simon and I join you?” Lottie asked.

  “Of course not. We dropped all our things on Mama’s blanket. We’ll go get Emily and meet you there.”

  They hadn’t gone far when she saw Nora coming toward them. Emily held out her little arms, and Tess scooped her up and gave her a big hug.

  “Did she give you any trouble?”

  “Of course not. She was an angel. She only began fussing a little bit ago,” Nora said.

  “I’m not surprised. You’re hungry, aren’t you, sweetie?”

  “Do you need to nurse her?” Daniel asked.

  “I should. Otherwise she’ll be too cranky to eat.”

  “Let me grab our blanket. There’s a shady place at the bend in the creek where you can have a little privacy.”

  Relief flooded her. “Thank you, Daniel. You take such good care of us.”

  She followed him along the creek bank until they reached the spot he had in mind. He spread the blanket for her, and she settled on it with Emily.

  “I’ll see you when you’re finished,” he said.

  “You don’t have to go. Stay and keep me company, unless you’re too hungry to wait.”

  “My stomach can last a few more minutes.” He stood with his back to her, stared down at the water, and kicked a protruding tree root.

  “You can turn around now,” she said, a note of humor in her voice. His discomfiture surprised her.

  Slowly Daniel turned, his face red with embarrassment. Tess draped Emily’s pink blanket over her shoulder, covering the baby’s face and everything else completely. He snapped a twig off a nearby elm and twirled it between his fingers. “Why do you look so comfortable while I feel like a complete fool?”

  “I don’t know. I didn’t think my nursing Emily would bother you. You’re always so comfortable around her.”

  “This is different.”

  She laughed. “You’re being silly, Daniel. I know your feelings toward me are perfectly innocent.”

  “Can we talk about something else?”

  “All right,” she answered. “How is Star?”

  “She’s a runt but healthy enough. Bertha has recovered completely.”

  “Good, and the corn?”

  “I finished replanting yesterday.”

  “I should have known. You wouldn’t have come otherwise.”

  “Probably not.” He leaned against the trunk of the elm and crossed his arms over his chest. After watching her for a minute in silence, he asked, “Are you going to tell me what Lottie is up to?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s not like your sister to flirt with me.”

  She hesitated. “I shouldn’t betray her confidence.”

  “Since when has Lottie confided her secrets in you?”

  Tess didn’t want to give Daniel any ideas, but honesty won out. “If you really must know, Lottie has decided to make you her next in an ever increasing line of suitors.”

  “You’re joking. Why would she be interested in me?”

  “Because you’re a handsome, eligible man. That’s all the reason Lottie needs.”

  He grinned. “I’m flattered. Imagine, Lottie Gallagher chasing after me.”

  “You look pretty pleased about it,” she said sharply.

  “Are you jealous?”

  Tess’s breath caught, and her chest tightened. “Should I be? Lottie can’t change our relationship, can she?”

  “No, Tess. No one will ever change the way I feel about you and Emily.”

  A weight eased inside her. “Then I guess I don’t mind if you’re pleased. Are you finished, sweetie?”

  “What?”

  “I was talking to Emily.”

  “Of course you were.” He smiled self-consciously.

  “I need to burp her, and then we’ll be ready to go.”

  She buttoned her dress with one hand and adjusted Emily against her shoulder with the other. After patting her back for a minute, Emily burped. Tess stroked her daughter’s soft hair, her heart bursting with love.

  “All set?”

  She nodded, and Daniel pulled her to her feet. He picked the blanket up off the ground, and they headed back toward the rest of the group.

  Tess looked up at him. “Please don’t tell Lottie what I said earlier. She’ll be angry with me, and I’m trying my best to get along with her today.”

  “Oh, I won’t. I can’t say any girl has ever pursued me before. I’m
looking forward to it.”

  “You’re horrible!”

  “I’m joking. You know me better than that. Anyway, I think you’re wrong. I think Lottie has her eye on Nathan Swift.”

  “Lottie has her eye on every handsome man within fifty miles.”

  “You thought he was handsome, did you?” Daniel kicked a loose stone in the grass.

  Tess wondered why her opinion of the sheriff mattered to him. “I would be lying if I said I didn’t.”

  “He looks a little rough around the edges to me.”

  She laughed. “A lot of women find that attractive.”

  “I suppose they do. Rory was the same way.”

  “Yes, he was.” Her smile was wistful as she pictured her husband’s ruggedly handsome face. She glanced up at Daniel. “You look like a finely honed version of Rory.”

  “Maybe God took a piece of sandpaper to me and rubbed extra hard.”

  She squeezed his hand. “Whatever he did, the finished product came out pretty nice.”

  “Even without the rough edges?”

  “Even without. Speak of the devil, there’s Nathan Swift with Hank and Mary. It looks like our little party has grown.”

  “It sure does. I hope they didn’t get into your cinnamon cookies.”

  They joined the others on the scattered quilts. Nathan fit in well with the group. He didn’t hesitate to voice his opinion, but he wasn’t intrusive about it. By the end of the day, Tess was impressed with his air of confidence and strength. Though she never spoke to him directly, she felt his deep brown eyes resting on her more than once. Knowing he was watching her sent a tingle of awareness down her spine.

  By three-thirty, Emily sagged against her in exhaustion but fought sleep. “I should take her home,” Tess told Daniel. “If she doesn’t nap, she’ll be miserable all evening.”

  “I’m ready to leave whenever you say.”

  “Let’s go then.”

  He collected their picnic basket and blanket while Tess changed Emily’s diaper. After saying their goodbyes, they headed back to the wagon. By the time he hitched up the team, Emily slept against Tess’s shoulder.

  She stroked the baby’s back. “Now she falls asleep. It just figures.”

  Daniel gave the harness strap a final tug and looked over at her. “Do you want to stay?”

  “No, if we went back to that crowd, she would wake up again. Anyway, I’ve had enough socializing for one day.” She scanned the creek bank over Emily’s head. “Where’s Shadow?”