As Love Blooms

by Lorna Seilstad

  Obviously well trained, Edward proved to be an accomplished dancer. It was too bad she could only allow him three dances. If she permitted him more, she’d be cut off from this group entirely, and with the progress she’d made in one night, she didn’t want that to happen. She couldn’t wait to share the news with Reese.

  Reese. She frowned. She was dancing in the arms of one handsome man while thinking about another.

  “Someone will think I stepped on your toe.” Edward smiled down at her.

  “I’m sorry. I was lost in thought.”

  “I noticed. I’m amazed you didn’t miss a step, however.” He leaned in a bit closer. She could feel his breath fanning her cheek. “You handled that dinner conversation perfectly. I’m impressed. You’re quite good at manipulation, Miss Gregory.”

  She lowered her lashes. “I prefer being thought of as an actress. Thank you for your help.”

  “My pleasure. Now that I’ve helped you meet your goal, I hope you’ll help me meet mine.”

  “And what is that?”

  “I’ll tell you later.” The pace of the music quickened. “For the moment, I simply want to enjoy this dance with you. I’m glad we have an understanding.”

  A what? Tessa’s corset drew tight. “Edward, I hope you don’t think I’ve been leading you on, but I—”

  “Whoa, Tessa. That’s not what I meant. You’re a lovely young woman, but I have a girl back at college I’m crazy about. The understanding to which I was referring is our ability to mutually aid one another in reaching our goals.”

  Tessa exhaled a slow breath. “Thank goodness.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Did I say that aloud?”

  He grinned. “It’s all right. I know what you mean.”

  An hour later, Tessa had danced with two of the other young men at the party, including nasally William Riley, who was surprisingly light on his feet. Edward then claimed her for a two-step to “Baby Rose,” which he said seemed like the perfect dance for a lady gardener. Later, when “Court House in De Sky” was played, she met his gaze across the room and smiled. But unless he wanted their last dance of the evening to be another two-step, he’d have to take his turn with Catherine, the birthday girl.

  She took the opportunity to sneak away with Catherine for a few moments to see the young woman’s chrysanthemum seedlings. Tessa praised the tiny plants and complimented her hostess on meeting the chrysanthemums’ every need. She promised to visit again once the plants had grown more.

  Edward claimed her for the last song, “Garden of Roses.” Catherine had kept the theme of the songs she’d chosen well distributed throughout the program, and this final waltz with its sweet and sweeping melody ended the evening perfectly.

  As the last notes died in the air, she stepped away and looked up into Edward’s dark eyes. For a brief moment, desire sparked in them. Cheese and crackers, she didn’t want to encourage that—not yet anyway.

  But Edward schooled his features, and they said their goodbyes to the rest of the guests. Once they were outside, Tessa turned to her escort. “So, what is it that I can do to help you?”

  “It’s quite simple, really, and I believe it will help us both.” They stopped at the waiting automobile.

  “Mr. Ferrell, you have piqued my curiosity.” Henry held the door while she slid into place.

  Edward sat down beside her and arched his dark eyebrows. “Good. I think we will make excellent partners.”

  Partners? A stitch of excitement mingled with a sharp stab of guilt. Reese was her partner—at least in the park—but somehow she didn’t think he would like her connecting in any way to a man like Edward. He would probably be skeptical of Edward’s motives, and a part of her would agree, but what Reese couldn’t understand was the importance of connections among those of society. Edward had the connections to help her. He’d been an excellent companion this evening, and he’d already helped her twice. She needed to respond in kind.

  Reese would probably not agree with her decision. He’d already cautioned her about these men sometimes being more than they seemed. But she could handle it, and he didn’t even need to know. Actually, he had no right. She could balance both worlds and Reese would never know.

  She laid her hand on Edward’s arm. “What do you need me to do?”

  13

  After planting the last of the hen and chickens, or Papaver somniferum, Reese stepped back from the Gates Ajar and eyed the structure. He could almost picture what it would look like when it was done. Almost. Maybe some of Tessa’s imagination was rubbing off on him.

  He glanced at her as she knelt with a pointed hand spade, embedding Joseph’s coat plants on the staircase. When the small plants matured, the foliage would make a deep burgundy, textured carpet on the stairs.

  She’d been unusually quiet the last two days. He’d tried to start a few conversations, but he stumbled over his words. Why had it always been easier for him to do something other than put two sentences together? Up until now, though, speaking with Tessa had been easy. Suddenly it seemed especially hard. Why?

  Deep down, he knew the answer. Something had happened between them the other day, and instead of seizing the moment, he’d run from it. As much as he liked Tessa, something held him back. Something made him not trust her completely, and he’d been taught not to tinker with a young woman’s affections. If he was going to start something, it wouldn’t be to steal a kiss. It would be to win her heart.

  Still, he’d been angry with himself ever since that night, and he didn’t know how to fix the rift now. Maybe he should go ahead and tell her how he was feeling about her—about them.

  Tessa pushed up from her position and wiped her hands together. “It’s going to be beautiful. Don’t you think?”

  He nodded. “I think Mr. Nussbaumer will be pleased we finished it so soon.”

  “Speaking of finishing soon, I’ll be leaving early today.”

  “Oh?” What else could he say? She didn’t answer to him. She could come and go when she wanted.

  “Did I mention my visit to the Ladies’ Gardening Society the other day? The speaker that day, Leroy Boughner, enlisted the club’s help in creating vacant lot gardens in Saint Paul, and I volunteered to help in the effort. I’m meeting Mr. Boughner this afternoon.”

  She was meeting a man? Alone? He swallowed hard. “Anyone else coming?”

  She giggled. “I doubt it. I can’t imagine the ladies I met actually working, but one can hope.”

  “Vacant lot gardens sound like a great idea. Where are you starting?”

  “Oh, somewhere on University.” She pushed her straw hat up and wiped her brow with a handkerchief. “Anyway, I’ll see you tomorrow.” She started down the sidewalk.

  “Tessa, wait. I’ll walk you to the depot.” And I’ll get as much information about this Boughner fellow as I can.

  “No need. I’ll be fine.” With a flick of her wrist, she waved goodbye and hurried off.

  He stood there and watched her go, then kicked a dirt clod across the ground. Why was he so stupid?

  For the second time this week, he’d let her get away.

  Sitting in the backseat of Aunt Sam’s Oldsmobile, Tessa giggled and pulled on her sleeve protectors. What would the women from the Ladies’ Gardening Society say if she showed up wearing overalls and a straw hat? Although she’d been sorely tempted to shock them all, she’d chosen an appropriate outfit. Even stuffy Eleanor Bates would approve of the moss-green day dress she wore with its intricate embroidery work.

  Henry slowed the motorcar, and Tessa looked around the vacant lot for Leroy Boughner or any of the ladies from the club. She spotted a man who could be Mr. Boughner lifting crates full of seeds from the back of a Maytag Light Delivery Car.

  She grabbed her basket of garden tools and hopped out as soon as Henry stopped.

  “Miss Gregory,” Henry called. “It’s not ladylike. Let me help you out.”

  She waved her fingers in the air. “Sorry. See you
in an hour or so.”

  The uneven ground on the vacant lot made it difficult for Tessa to hurry, but she did her best. Charlotte and Hannah were supposed to join her, but she wanted to have things well in hand before they did. That way, they’d see she could manage on her own.

  Mr. Boughner spotted her. “Miss Gregory, you’re right on time.”

  She eyed the crates. Onion sets, cauliflower and cabbage seedlings, and seed packets filled them. “It looks like we’re going to be busy.”

  “We sure are. It’s a good thing we’ve got another volunteer.” Mr. Boughner motioned to the man carrying a crate toward them.

  Tessa’s breath caught. “Reese?”

  He set down the crate with a thud. “It sounded like a worthy project. Thought you could use some help.”

  “We certainly can.” Mr. Boughner picked up a shovel. “It will take three of us quite a while to get these in.”

  “I think Tessa’s got more than three volunteers here.” Reese took her by the shoulders and turned her around.

  A dozen ladies, led by Catherine Chattingworth, marched across the grass. Tessa recognized them from the Ladies’ Gardening Society. How had Catherine convinced the women to lend a hand?

  The ladies lined up in front of Tessa, and Catherine smiled. “So, tell us what to do first. We’re all going to get dirty today. Right, ladies?”

  Only a few of them nodded. Clearly not everyone was here by their own free will. But she had a job to do. She had to make them believe in this cause and their value to it.

  Tessa drew in a deep breath. It was time to step on stage.

  As hard as it was to believe, Tessa’s speech had worked. There were no more disdainful glances at the garden tools, and some of the ladies actually looked excited. The exuberance was catching, and once Catherine picked up a hoe, the others followed suit.

  Tessa turned to Mr. Boughner. “Where do you want us to start?”

  He laughed. “You’re the boss, Miss Gregory. You decide.”

  She glanced at Reese, who gave her an encouraging nod. Could she do this? Could she really organize all these women? Most of them didn’t know a weed from a flower.

  After dividing them in three groups, she assigned one group to Reese, one to Mr. Boughner, and one to herself. She then directed each group to plant one of the cool weather–tolerant vegetables in the boxes. She and her group took the onion sets.

  “Look at that.” Reese leaned against his hoe when they neared one another. “You got all of those ladies organized and working like they’ve been gardening all their lives. I still can’t believe you got Mrs. Hammerston to dirty her hands. I got the distinct feeling she’d never touched a watering can, let alone a spade. How did you get to be such a convincing speaker?”

  “Don’t tell anyone, but I was acting.” She patted the soil around the last of her onion sets.

  Reese offered her a hand. She took it and let him pull her to her feet. Heat sizzled through her at the contact. He locked his blue eyes on hers and held them.

  Please, Lord, make him see me as more than a friend.

  He let go of her hand and inclined his head to the right. “I think those two ladies are searching for someone in charge. I think that would be you.”

  Tessa turned and smiled. “Those are my sisters. If you’ll excuse me.”

  He took hold of her wrist. “I’d like to meet them, Tessa.”

  “Oh, Reese, my sisters can be overwhelming. Hannah’s an attorney, and she might cross-examine you. And Charlotte, she’s a chef, and by the time she’s done, you’ll probably feel like your goose is cooked.”

  “I’m sure it wouldn’t be that bad, and if they’re anything like you, I’m sure I’d love them.”

  She blinked. What had he said? If they were like her, he’d love them? Love?

  If he loved her, he had a pretty strange way of showing it.

  “Tessa, sorry we’re late.” Hannah took her hands. “How are things going?”

  Tessa’s mind whirled. Why couldn’t she form a coherent thought? Now of all times.

  Charlotte laid a hand on her shoulder. “Is all this too much for you to handle?”

  “Are you kidding? Look at all these ladies.” Reese motioned around him. “Tessa organized all of them.”

  “Of course, Catherine Chattingworth deserves the credit for getting them here,” Tessa said.

  Hannah smiled. “Aunt Sam said you attended Catherine’s dinner party birthday celebration with Edward. Did you enjoy yourself?”

  Don’t look at Reese. Play it cool. Maybe he didn’t hear.

  “A dinner party?” Reese stepped back and jammed his hands into his pockets. “You didn’t say anything about that.”

  Cheese and crackers, now what was she going to do?

  “Tessa, aren’t you going to introduce us?” Hannah used her eyes to motion to Reese.

  “Hannah and Charlotte, this is Reese King. Reese, these are my sisters, Hannah Cole and Charlotte Brooks.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. King.” Charlotte offered him a pleasant smile. “And how do you know our Tessa?”

  Tessa squeezed her eyes shut. Don’t let him tell them. Don’t let him tell them.

  “We both enjoy gardening.”

  Good answer, Reese.

  “How did you meet?” Hannah asked in a much too sweet voice.

  Oh great, she was onto them. “Reese sort of got me out of a jam at Como Park.”

  “A jam?” Hannah’s tone switched to big sister.

  Why had she admitted that?

  “Nothing serious.” Her oak tree, Reese, steeled her with his gaze. “Something involving pansies. Do you both like flowers as much as your sister?”

  Excellent, Reese. Change the subject. But he was still no match for the two of them.

  “Why don’t we let Reese get back to work?” Tessa said. “I’ll show you what we’ve done, and then you can decide where you want to work.”

  “Very well. It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. King.” Charlotte dipped her head.

  Hannah smiled. “And hopefully we’ll get a chance to speak again soon.”

  No need, my dear sisters. Reese and I are just friends, and if it’s up to Reese, it looks like that’s how it’s going to stay.

  Reese tossed the last of the crates in the Maytag Light Delivery Car and scanned the garden for Tessa. Only a few ladies remained, but she wasn’t one of them. A few moments ago she’d been speaking with Catherine Chattingworth, so where had she gone?

  Then he noticed her sisters had also disappeared.

  “Lost something?” Mr. Boughner collected a bunch of rakes and tossed them in with the crates.

  “Someone.” Reese handed Mr. Boughner the last of the rakes. “Did you see Miss Gregory leave? I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.”

  Mr. Boughner chuckled. “I figured you didn’t show up to volunteer by chance. She and her sisters got in some fancy car a few minutes ago.”

  Was this a sign that it wasn’t the right time to make his intentions clear?

  No. He’d come here today with that purpose foremost in his mind, and he wasn’t stopping yet.

  After saying goodbye to Mr. Boughner, Reese rushed to his Model T, cranked the engine, and hopped in. If he hurried, he might catch her before she went inside. Knocking on that Summit Avenue home uninvited wouldn’t be his favorite thing to do, but he’d do it.

  He wasn’t going to let Tessa slip away again.

  Lights sparkled in the mirror above the soda fountain, casting a sugary spell over the patrons. With a grin on her face, Tessa slurped the last bit of her root beer float from the glass. She eyed the frown on her sisters’ faces and giggled. They were so easy to annoy.

  Hannah exhaled through disapproving lips. “Really, Tessa. When are you going to grow up?”

  “Hopefully never. I like having a good time. You remember fun.” She let her spoon clink against the glass. “Oh wait, you were the responsible big sister. Maybe you don’t remember having
fun.”

  Charlotte tried to suppress a smile but failed. She laid her hand on Tessa’s arm. “Tell us more about that handsome Mr. King. He seemed to know you fairly well—at least well enough to call you by your given name. You said you met at the park. Have the two of you seen each other often?”

  Like an unruly vine, Tessa’s stomach tangled. How was she going to get out of this? She didn’t want to lie or even twist the truth. Think, Tessa. “You think he’s handsome? I hadn’t noticed.”

  Charlotte chuckled. “How could you not?”

  “Why, Lottie, you’re a married woman. Shame on you.”

  “I may be married, but I still have eyes. Speaking of which, Mr. King’s eyes were the first thing that struck me. What color would you say they were, Tessa?”

  Her lips curled. “I think they match the denim of his trousers.”

  “So you have noticed?” Hannah grinned and slipped a slice of strawberry into her mouth. “He seems like a nice young man, and I know he brought you home the other day. Why don’t you go ahead and answer Charlotte’s question?”

  Tessa sighed. She might as well get this over with.

  “We’ve been working together at Como Park.” As briefly as she could, she explained how she and Reese were planting an Arts and Crafts garden using her garden design. “When it’s finished and Mr. Nussbaumer expresses his pleasure, Reese is going to tell him the truth about the whole thing.”

  “Oh, Tessa, you’re taking a big chance.” Hannah dabbed her lips with her napkin. “What if things don’t go as you want?”

  “What could possibly go wrong?”

  “Mr. Nussbaumer could dislike what you’ve done behind his back, for one thing.”

  Charlotte folded her hands on the table. “I think what Hannah’s worried about is this whole thing backfiring.”

  Tessa shook her head. Why couldn’t her sisters have a little faith in her? “You both worry too much. It’ll be fine.”

  “And what if Mr. King’s interest has grown from your garden designs to designs on you?” Hannah asked. “What are you going to do then? It would hardly be appropriate to spend all day, every day, unchaperoned with a man who has expressed an interest in stepping out with you. I guess Charlotte and I could take turns—”