He looked around the tearoom at Field-Schlick’s Department Store and chuckled. “I don’t see any elephants.”
Undeterred, she took a deep breath and pressed on. “You and I are much alike. We are both strong willed and civic minded. We are dear, dear friends.”
“And even a bit more?”
“Yes, a bit.” A slight smile slipped through.
“Before you continue, why don’t we walk while we talk?” He stood and pulled out her chair. “I believe you might enjoy the displays in the crystal shop.”
“Even cut glass won’t distract me. We need to discuss this.”
“And we will.” He directed her toward the elevator. It took three attempts before the elevator operator, an elderly gentleman who was hard of hearing, understood what floor they wanted.
After the elderly man closed the wire doors on the elevator car, Sam turned to James. “You know that suffrage is important to me. I have to know where you stand on the issue.”
“Is it that important to you? Must we agree?” He took her hand and squeezed it. “Isn’t this good enough?”
She pulled her hand away. “Why are you against letting women vote? Why do you want to deny women one of the fundamental rights of our democracy?”
Oblivious, the elevator operator stared at the floor indicator over the door.
“Samantha, it isn’t that I want to deny women anything.” The elevator came to a stop. “In fact, the reason I’m against women’s suffrage is quite the opposite.”
She stepped from the car and waited for him. “I’m listening.”
He held up one finger. “First of all, women already have the right to vote in local elections, like that of the school board. I think it’s best for women to be content with that.”
“Why?”
“I don’t want women to be drawn into the dirty pool of politics, and I can assure you it is an ugly place.” He massaged the back of his neck. “Politics is a game of force, and women are not made to be that stern.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Have you met Hannah?”
He motioned her toward the crystal room. Sam wandered among the goblets and bowls while James remained a few steps back. Apparently the idea of bumping a shelf kept him frozen in place.
She picked up a cake stand and ran her finger along the sharp edges of the cut glass. “Go on, James.”
“Right now, many laws give an almost chivalric courtesy to women.” He shifted his weight to his other foot. “They aren’t required to serve on juries, and if they’re charged with a crime, the punishment is much less severe. Equality will destroy these benefits to the fairer sex.”
“So you’re against suffrage for my own good?” She set the cake stand down.
“Yes, and for the good of the American family.” He followed her to the stemware aisle. “I believe that in the majority of homes in America, a certain harmony exists between husband and wife. It is understood that the woman will care for the children, and the husband will provide for the family. Don’t you worry that giving women the right to vote will wake in them a spirit of discontent?”
“They are discontented already because they do not feel like they have a voice.” Her own voice rose as she spoke, and some patrons turned in their direction. She took a calming breath. “I’m sorry. Please continue.”
“I have one more reason, and it’s perhaps the most important one.” He flashed a victorious smile in her direction. Did he honestly believe he’d win her to his side this easily?
“If women are allowed to vote”—he picked up a goblet and held it to the light—“someday they may be expected to bear arms in times of war.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Samantha, I’ve seen the horrors of war, and I do not wish for any woman to endure that.”
“I can understand your reticence, but surely you can figure out a way around that.”
“I could if I wanted to.” He reached around her to place the goblet on the shelf, then settled his hand on her waist and gently pulled her back against his chest. “Women should rely on men. That’s how it should be. You see, I can’t vote for suffrage because it takes away my ability to protect the woman I love.”
Sam’s emotions whirled like a weather vane in a thunderstorm. The heat from his hand seared the flesh at her waist. Why had he gone and turned this civil discussion into a matter of the heart? How could she argue with chivalry—albeit misplaced—especially when he’d declared his love for her?
Love. She too had felt its heady stirrings. Knowing he loved her sent her heart pattering like a schoolgirl’s, but those were emotions, and she was too old to believe love alone was enough to build a lasting relationship. It was a good start, one of the best, but alone it was not enough.
“Do you love me too, Samantha?” he whispered.
She turned in his arms to face him. “I believe I could.”
“But you don’t yet?”
“James.” She placed her hand on his chest. “I won’t let myself love you—yet.”
“Because of suffrage?” Suppressed anger deepened the color of his cheeks. “You’d let this issue keep us apart?”
She swallowed hard. Could she love a man who didn’t share her dreams? Didn’t even support them? But he filled a hole in her life that she’d almost forgotten existed. After all she’d sacrificed for the cause, would she now give up love as well?
“James, the truth is that I don’t know. I need time.”
His eyebrows raised. “To change my mind.”
“Perhaps.” She allowed a smile to form on her lips. “It would make things easier.”
“It would also make it easier if you weren’t so stubborn.” He exhaled a long-suffering sigh. “So what do we do in the meantime?”
She walked toward the door and heard the Field-Schlick Drum and Glockenspiel Corps, the store’s own percussion band, playing in the distance. “We can enjoy today.”
“Let’s enjoy the whole weekend—in White Bear at my cottage.”
“James Ferrell, I’m ashamed of you.”
“Not you alone.” He chuckled. “Bring the whole family.”
The corps must be in a department near them now. Like a music box, the tinkling sound of the glockenspiel fit in perfectly with the crystal.
“If I invited my family, they’d know about us.”
“I think it’s time they did, don’t you?”
Her stomach dipped again. Was she ready for that? Perhaps she’d kept this from them long enough.
As if he sensed her giving in, he pressed on. “And from what you’ve told me, I think all of your girls could use a day at the lake.”
That was true. The stress between Hannah and Charlotte had been palpable as of late, and Tessa was always game for any adventure. Maybe seeing how they got along with James would help her with her choice.
She slipped her arm in his. “For once I agree with you, but don’t get used to it.”
29
Having changed from her overalls, Tessa took the streetcar to Indian Mounds Park, hoping to see Reese. He’d not made it back to Como before she’d left for the day, but the chances of finding him in this expansive park were slim. Either way, the walk would do her good.
Near the largest mound, the view stole her breath. She sank onto a bench and drank in the vista. Like a ribbon of blue taffy, the Mississippi River wound through the valley. Beyond the river, the city of Saint Paul lay nestled in fields of green.
No matter how crazy her world seemed to be, connecting with nature—hands in the dirt, head in the sun—seemed to connect her to God. In moments like these, her soul almost wept for the beauty only God himself could create.
“This is certainly a pleasant surprise.”
She looked up to find Reese studying her. “Are you all right?” he asked.
“More than.” She scooted over on the bench and waited for him to join her. “This place is breathtaking. I was thanking God for his artwork.”
“One of the blessings of park service.” He took her hand. �
��I have some news.”
“Good or bad?”
“I’ll let you decide.” He laced his fingers through hers. “You already know the park commission passed the conservatory project.”
“And?”
He looked down at their clasped hands, the pause growing longer by the moment.
“Reese, tell me.”
“Today Mr. Nussbaumer asked me for my opinion on his plans.” He turned to her and a smile spread across his face.
“You’re going to be his first choice for that position, I’m sure, Reese. You’ve done it.”
“No, you did. It would never have passed without your help.” He kissed her cheek. “But let’s not get ahead of ourselves simply because he asked for my opinion.” He pushed to his feet. “If you come with me to get my things, I’ll fill you in on the rest of my day and you can tell me all about yours. Then we can go out and celebrate.”
As they walked, Reese told Tessa about talking to the current head gardener, who was still recuperating from his illness. From him, Reese learned that the man had never personally been inside Carver’s Cave, although he too had heard of the rooms at the back of the cave. He said his park employed five other workers besides himself, and he wouldn’t put it past any of them to steal from the mounds while he was laid up.
“I asked him if he’d ever noticed anything being taken before he was ill, and of course he hadn’t.”
“What about Nels?”
“Some things I found out today could point in his direction, but nothing concrete.” Reese motioned to the right when they came to a cross in the sidewalk. “The timing is suspect, and some of the other park workers thought he was odd and standoffish, but that hardly makes him guilty.”
“Was he upset when he saw you here today?”
“He wasn’t at this park. Mr. Nussbaumer sent him back to Como. Didn’t you see him?”
“The only man I saw was wearing yellow and was spying on me from the trees.”
Reese took hold of her elbow and stopped her. “Someone was watching you?”
She shrugged. “I was probably imagining it. Maybe the ‘house of the spirits’ spooked me more than I thought.”
“What did you do?”
“I packed up early, went home and changed, and then came here.” She twirled in a circle. “Didn’t you notice the dress?”
“Oh, I noticed.” He grinned. “And I saw the waves in your hair.”
“I’m trying something new.” She patted her coiffure. “Ladies’ Home Journal says only young ladies can wear waves.”
“They look good on you.” His voice became serious. “Listen, Tessa, just in case there was someone watching you, I don’t want you working alone anymore.” He held up his hand when she started to protest. “What if that was Nels trying to figure out if you’re a woman?”
“I thought about that, so I kept my hat on and my head down.” She felt the blood drain from her face. “But what if Nels told Mr. Nussbaumer about me?”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” He held the door for her. “Right now we have a celebration to attend.”
“Ten thousand dollars for a kiss?”
“It’s true.” Tessa giggled at the incredulity in Reese’s voice. The porch swing beneath the two of them, she waited for him to ask for the rest of the story. Their celebratory dinner had been capped off with a vaudeville show featuring Miss Inez Lawson.
“Sure, we enjoyed Miss Lawson, but it’s hard to believe she received that much for a little smooch.”
“Honestly, Reese. Don’t look so doubtful.” Tessa pushed back on the swing and set it in motion again. The sun had dipped long ago, but she didn’t want the night to end. “I read all about her. Miss Lawson was in a taxicab when a party of young people piled in. One girl dared one of the fellows to kiss Miss Lawson.”
“So he paid her ten thousand dollars?”
“No, while Miss Lawson was endeavoring to escape the kiss, she hit her lip on the taxicab.” Tessa took a breath. “She couldn’t perform that night, and she had to get three stitches in her lip. She sued the man for the ten thousand and won.”
“Good for her.” He brought the swing to a halt.
“Why are you stopping us?”
“First, I want you to know I’m proud of you and all the work you did to make this happen. Even if Mr. Nussbaumer doesn’t know the debt he owes you, I do.”
“Thank you.”
He took her hands and pulled her to her feet. “And second, if I’m going to give you a ten-thousand-dollar good-night kiss, I don’t want to do it on that creaky swing.”
The wind shifted, and the cool evening air battled with the heat building inside her. “What if I refuse you?”
He wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her close. “Sue me.” His lips brushed hers, teasing at first, then dominant and possessive.
Refusing him was the last thing on her mind. She melded to him, trusting him with her heart. How had she ever lived without this man in her life?
Reese stood on the stoop of the Swenhaugens’ home, rubbing Lafayette’s saggy ears. The air, Minnesota crisp and cool, made for the kind of night that should be enjoyed. The mosquitoes? Not so much.
The screen door scraped open, and Erik welcomed him. “It’s good to see you, my friend, but what are you doing here?”
“You left a message at the boardinghouse that you had a branch come down and needed help cutting it up, so here I am.”
“I see that, but I expected you’d arrive before the fireflies.” He reached for a lantern. “Still, I won’t turn away the help unless the neighbors complain.”
Erik struck a match and touched it to the wick. The smell of kerosene surrounded them. As they approached the backyard, it was clear why Erik had telephoned. A dead tree, not a branch, had fallen. The tree’s length took up most of the Swenhaugens’ plot.
Erik removed a bucksaw and a small axe from his shed. “Choose your weapon.”
Reese took the axe. “There are a lot of smaller branches to clear before we can get to the trunk.” He hooked the lantern on the branch of another tree and set to work. While he began strategically hacking at the branches, Erik used the saw to cut some of the larger ones. Lafayette found a spot by the house and stretched out.
Erik tossed a branch out of the way. “What were you up to earlier this evening?”
“Tessa and I went to celebrate. The new conservatory project at Como was approved, and Mr. Nussbaumer asked me for my opinion on the new plans.”
“Does that affect your position?”
“It might.” Reese swatted a mosquito. “Mr. Nussbaumer will put one person in charge of it. He has that person narrowed down to Nels Anderson or myself.”
“Sounds promising.” Erik began to saw with a steady back-and-forth motion. “I’m sure the extra money would come in handy if you decide you wanted to take a wife.”
Reese snapped to attention. “I didn’t say anything about marrying Tessa.”
His friend didn’t miss a beat. “You didn’t need to. I’m right, though, yes?”
Reese carried a load of small branches to the burn pile and returned. “All right, yes, I have to admit marriage has entered my mind a couple of times. You’ve met Tessa. You see how great she is. How could I not be thinking about it?”
Erik chuckled. “It happens to the best of us.”
Truth be told, Tessa permeated most of his thoughts these days. He found himself longing to be with her, which he figured was a good thing. Still, marriage was something else.
There was a lot to think about. Tessa made every day an occasion. She kept him thinking, growing, and changing. Most of all, she believed in him.
But she didn’t know the entire truth about him.
He sat down on the log. “Erik, do you think you need to tell someone all about yourself—warts and all—before you commit to them?”
“If you’re anything like me, you’re growing new warts every day.” He laughed. “If you’re
hiding something from her, then I think you’d feel better if you told her, but I’m guessing she already knows you have some flaws.”
Everyone had a few flaws in their character. He had gaping weaknesses in his abilities.
Did she know he lacked the creativity she had in abundance? It had been obvious to his father. He could still hear his father’s words on the day Reese proudly told him he wanted to be a gardener. “You’re a hard worker, son. That should cover up your lack of creativity enough for you to be a good gardener.”
Good. That was the word he’d used. Adequate. Okay. He wanted to be a great gardener like his father, and he wanted his father to see his success. With Tessa by his side, that reality was closer than he ever thought possible.
Erik broke off a branch. “One thing I know, Reese, is that our warts can be jewels in God’s hands.”
Or the wart could be the glaring ugly thing he knew it to be, and Tessa deserved to know the truth about why he’d partnered with her. It had been selfish of him to let her think it was all for her own good.
He sank the axe into the tree trunk. She deserved to know the truth. Why hadn’t he told her all of it already?
Tessa couldn’t believe what Reese was telling her. She stood before a boxwood bush with a pair of shears in her hand. “Mr. Nussbaumer really wants the garden completed in less than a week?”
“That’s what he said.” Reese thrust a shovel into the ground. “He said Nels and I were needed elsewhere.”
“Do you think Nels told him about me?” Tessa pushed her straw hat up. “Reese, I don’t want to get you in trouble.”
“You didn’t mind before.” He dumped a clump of earth next to the hole.
“I’ve always cared, but maybe I care more now.” She patted the earth around the plant. “If it would be better—”
“Tessa, now is not the time to bail on me.” He leaned on the shovel. “I need you.”
The letter from the university popped into her mind. If she didn’t get a position here, her family would expect her to go back to her studies, so she needed this garden to be a success now more than ever.
She picked up the next plant. Once this garden was complete, Reese would finally be able to tell Mr. Nussbaumer about her and how she’d been helping them both.
As Love Blooms Page 22
