Year of Jubilee

by Peggy Trotter

  “Everett, you don’t understand.”

  His brother snorted. “What don’t I get? That yer acting addled? Yeah, I think I got a handle on that one.”

  “Everett…I don’t want to discuss this.” A warning throbbed through Rafe’s voice.

  “You never do. You lit outa here like a fox with his tail set fire. I told you that fancy pants Rosemary was no good. Why, she never thought of anyone but herself. Then you up and left.”

  Rafe gritted his teeth. “Everett. Be quiet.”

  “You beat all, you know. I’m the eldest and I’ll have my say. Now Jubilee seems to be a good woman, and you best be taking care of her. I won’t twiddle my thumbs while you make a shambles of your vows.”

  Rafe could stand no more. He pulled back hard on the reins and turned fiery eyes upon his brother. “My marriage isn’t real!”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Everett’s mouth snapped open and his eyes grew large. He brought his feet down onto the floorboards of the wagon and sat up straight.

  Rafe sighed and turned his gaze to the road. “I married her because she had nowhere to go.”

  A smile stretched slowly across Everett’s face. “Well, that’s perfect.”

  Rafe reached up and wiped his jaw with both hands before turning to his brother. “Everett, I understand you’re the eldest and all, and I should respect that. And for the most part, I do, but you have way too many opinions about how your family ought to live their lives. Just do me a favor and leave my private life alone.”

  Everett still grinned. “You don’t even know, do you?”

  Rafe leaped down from the wagon and started to walk back the way they’d come.

  “Where are you going?” Everett called.

  Rafe turned enough to yell an answer to Everett, who now stood in the wagon watching him. “You go get the gunny sacks we need for the wheat. I’m heading to the farm to do something productive.”

  His brother’s laughter followed him as he strode away. Rafe gritted his teeth and refused to give in to his carnal desire of connecting his fist with Everett’s face. I’m addled? More like Everett’s lost his cookies. One minute he berated him for not spending time with Jubilee, the next gave him the business about leaving the farm. Yeesh.

  Rafe growled and kicked a clod of dirt. How’d he let Everett make him blurt out the real state of his marriage? He slowed and set his hands deep into his pockets. Now he’d tell the rest of the family. Soon the whole story would leak out and be all over town.

  He didn’t need that grief. And neither does Jubilee. His tread slowed to a stop in the middle of the road. She’d been so soft and pliant in his arms last night. So broken. He ran his hand through his hair before swiping the back of his neck in frustration.

  He spun. He couldn’t do that to her. The wagon jangled a piece down the road now, and Rafe began to jog to catch up. Somehow he’d have to convince Everett not to let his secret out to the rest of the family.

  * * *

  Jubilee fell into the ladies’ pattern of work each day. Monday was washing day, Tuesdays were for gardening, Wednesdays, baking, Thursdays, cleaning the house, and Fridays for sewing. The ladies fussed about a guest who insisted on doing her part, but they seemed pleased, nonetheless.

  By Friday, the ladies gathered on Anna’s back porch, a stone’s throw from Rafe’s parents. The huge wooden frame stretched out the beautiful log cabin quilt while the ladies surrounded the brown and red pattern, stitching and chatting. They spent the morning applying small stitches to the face of the covering as the children ran about the yard. They lunched under the maples and were soon back sewing.

  “Sure enough.” Jennie stared at her needle through the glasses perched on the end of her nose. “Rafe tied a string through a piece of corn and watched that poor hen gobble it up. Why, I think he waited near fifteen minutes for one of them hens to be stupid enough to grab it. No sooner had that red layer gulped the kernel down, when Rafe jerked it clean out of her gullet.”

  The ladies laughed and grimaced.

  “I don’t know where these boys get their ideas.” Jennie laughed. “But, thankfully, he grew outa that stage. Everett used to grab the hens by both legs and spin them round like a pitcher’s windup. Gracious, those hens were dizzy. Poor, pitiful chickens. All my boys earned their whippings, that’s for sure.”

  Jubilee smiled, visualizing a mischievous blond boy with snapping green eyes. A shadow crossed her heart, realizing she’d never have an opportunity to raise a child. Her hands stilled at the thought.

  “All right, I think it’s time, don’t you, Anna?” Phoebe stood and brushed her skirt off.

  Anna gave a grin. “Most certainly.”

  “Jubilee?”

  Coming out of her sad reverie, Jubilee looked up, surprised to see seven smug smiles on the ladies’ faces around the rack. “What?”

  Anna rose and motioned her to follow. “Come on. We’ve got a surprise for you.”

  “We’ll slave away out here on this project, you girls don’t worry none,” Jennie joked as Anna and Phoebe pulled Jubilee into the house.

  “I hope you aren’t angry with us,” Anna began, “but we thought you’d enjoy an evening alone with Rafe.”

  “Just the two of you,” Phoebe chimed in as they guided her to Anna’s bedroom.

  Jubilee’s heart fluttered. What were they talking about? “I…no, really, it’s not necessary, I mean…”

  Anna laughed. “Oh, Jubilee, you’re so sweet. I understand exactly why my little brother fell for you. You two have been hard at work all week, and deserve some time together.”

  Jubilee compressed her lips. Oh, gracious. Now what?

  Anna pulled a white skirt and matching shirtwaist from a peg and held the outfit up. “What do you think?”

  Jubilee’s eyes swept the garments. “They’re lovely.”

  Anna smiled and Phoebe clasped her hands against her lips as her eyes danced.

  “They’re yours,” Phoebe blurted.

  A full twenty seconds ticked by as Jubilee stared at the glorious creation. Anna’s face lost its smile, and she folded the skirt and blouse over her arm. “Don’t you like it?”

  “Oh, yes, I do. You’ve already given me so much.” Jubilee wavered, her gaze taking in the crisp new outfit with delicate lace and layers of ruffles.

  Anna looked at Phoebe. “Well, at least let us tell you our plan. And if you don’t want to follow through, it’s your choice.”

  Jubilee blinked at them and settled on the edge of the bed. “All right.”

  “We’ve planned a picnic outing for you and Rafe this evening, complete with a handsome carriage—borrowed, of course, but it’s new.” Anna’s face began to reflect her original enthusiasm.

  “Isaac and I rented it a few weekends ago. Wait until you sit in the green velvet seats,” Phoebe chimed in.

  “Oh, my.” Jubilee brought her hands up to her cheeks. The room seemed terribly warm. She cleared her throat. “You see, it’s like this. Um, well, I mean, Rafe…”

  Both sisters’ brows came down. My, I’m making a mess of this.

  “If you’re worried about Rafe, don’t. Our mother will take care of him.” Anna’s voice was firm.

  “The problem is this.” Jubilee searched for something to say, anything to convince these ladies to cancel the picnic without casting blame upon Rafe. After gnawing her lip, she burst out in a rush, “I don’t think Rafe will want to take time away from helping in the fields.”

  Pickle juice. That was lame.

  Both ladies relaxed and tipped their heads back in relief.

  Anna fanned herself and laid the dress on her bed with care. “My stars, if you’re worried about Rafe missing a little work, don’t. We have plenty of hands around to finish pulling and burning a few stumps in the new field. Shoo. You scared me for a minute. I thought you didn’t want to go.”

  Jubilee gave a tremulous smile. This wasn’t good. No, not good at all. The sisters began measuring her and ch
atting about the wonderful location of the picnic on the banks of the Ohio. Phoebe assured her she’d love a night drive in the carriage, lit by the light of the stars.

  Jubilee swallowed as they fitted the dress to her body. She and Rafe. Alone. On a romantic picnic. She blinked to keep her eyes from filling with tears, extending her arms while the ladies measured. Rafe wasn’t going to understand this and most likely wouldn’t like the forced outing one bit.

  I’m just his business partner. She’d have her first picnic as someone’s business associate and not as a cherished wife. A shiver went through her as she pictured herself with Rafe under a starry sky. And, for a brief moment, she imagined endearing love burning in his eyes as he leaned toward her.

  “Ow,” Jubilee cried.

  Phoebe’s covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh Jubilee, I’m so sorry I poked you with a straight pin. Are you all right?”

  “Yes,” she said over the lump in her throat. That’s my payment for dreaming about something I can’t have.

  * * *

  “What?” Rafe pulled one last time on the chain, trying to get enough slack to unhook it.

  They had a double team of draft horses connected to the stubborn tree trunk, but thus far had managed to yank only one free from the ground. Several more stumps waited to be pulled. Rafe’s dad and the younger boys were some fifty feet south, burning small branches.

  “You’re supposed to go to the house.”

  Rafe glared at Everett. “It’s not near on dinner time yet. I thought you wanted this field done.”

  “Mom wants you back up home.”

  Rafe looped his gloved fingers into his pocket and struck a relaxed pose to take a breather. “What for?”

  Everett shrugged and attempted to look innocent, and Rafe narrowed his eyes.

  “How do I know? Head home and you’ll soon find out.”

  Rafe bent to work the huge hook loose once more. Failing, he stood. “Who else is supposed to go? Does she have a job to be done?”

  Everett shouted a command at the big horses, and they backed up. He unfastened the chain and pitched the heavy links into a pile, the lead falling with loud clunks. Then his eldest brother leaned over to grab the axe from Rafe’s hand. “I don’t know. Just git.”

  Rafe grunted. If it weren’t for the fact he needed Everett to keep his mouth shut about the true state of his marriage, he’d unload a bit of his frustration on his oldest and bossiest brother.

  “Fine.” His voice clipped as he spun on his heel and strode to the house.

  No one questioned him as he walked away, and Rafe found that odd. By the time he reached the yard, he’d decided it was just as well. He could use a good drink of water and another axe from the barn. First though, he’d better check with his mother and find out what in the Sam Hill was going on.

  His boots echoed on the wooden back porch. He pulled the door open and, without stepping in, hollered for his mother.

  “Come in, Rafe.”

  He sighed. “I can’t, Mom. I’m filthy.”

  “I’m in the pantry.”

  “Mom.” He tried again with a little more volume. “I’ve got soot all over me.”

  “I know. Come in.”

  He glanced down at his blackened shirt. Seriously? Never in his born days had he been allowed to walk across the clean kitchen floor in such a state. With a groan, he reached down and removed his boots. This had better be important. His socks weren’t much cleaner, so he tugged them off, too. He tiptoed barefoot through the kitchen, trying to keep his body from touching any surface.

  His mother backed out of the pantry backside first. “Oh, there you are. Right on time.”

  Rafe stopped. “Right on time? For what?”

  “Your bath.”

  Rafe coughed. “My what?”

  “Bath? You do recall the word?” Her eyes flicked up and down him as she grinned.

  Rafe shook his head. “Mom, what do you need done? I gotta get back to the fields. I’m not taking a bath now. I’ve got more work to do.”

  Jennie laughed. “No, son. You don’t. I’ve got your clean clothes here and your new boots under the chair. Here’s the soap and towel. You need to be ready to roll at six.”

  Rafe’s mouth slid open. He scanned the large pantry, filled with the sink-to-your-neck tub, full of water. His clothes lay in an orderly pile on a ladder-back chair. “What’s going on?”

  “I thought I was perfectly clear.”

  Rafe closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Mom, out with it.”

  Jennie huffed. “Fine. You’re not any fun, you know that? We’ve got a carriage rented for you and Jubilee to take an evening picnic. Anna and Phoebe are busy getting her ready. There. Sure would’ve been more enjoyable if you’d have just gone along.”

  “What?”

  “Honey, you’re being a little dense. A pic–nic.” She stretched out the last two words as if explaining to a small child.

  “Mom, there’s not going to be a picnic. Jubilee understands I need to get some work done while I’m here.”

  Rafe held in a groan when a flash of iron entered his mother’s eyes. He was more than familiar with that look.

  “Now you listen, Rafe Tanner.” Jennie seemed to grow two inches. “You won’t disappoint that endearing girl. I’ve never seen a person with such a sweet, gentle spirit, and she’s happily jumped in and assisted in all chores around this household since she arrived. You’ll not only go on this picnic, my youngest son, you’ll be charming, romantic, and loving. And if Jubilee so much as mentions you failed in any of these areas, I’ll personally haunt you for the rest of your stay. Am I clear?”

  A smile tugged at Rafe’s lips.

  Jennie pointed her finger in his face and squinted her eyes, now lit with humor. “I’m serious, Rafe.”

  He threw back his head and laughed. “Yes, mother.”

  “Now, get in that tub.” She started to shut the pantry door, and then whipped it open again. “And don’t splash all over the floor.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Rafe eyed the carriage, brand spankin’ new, black as night with a green velvet seat, and then turned his eyes upon the audience of his entire family.

  “Go ahead, Rafe. Propose to her. Just like you did when you asked her to marry you.” Jennie smiled and clenched her hands together in anticipation.

  Rafe cleared his throat and fumbled with the ring in his pocket, which his mother had presented to him directly after his bath. This has gotten out of hand.

  “Now, Mom. This is embarrassing.”

  “Embarrassing?” His mother’s tone chided him. “Rafe, I missed everything, including the wedding. The least you can do is re-enact the proposal.”

  Rafe eyed his family members one by one, hating the knowing grins. He flicked his eyes to Jubilee, who stood immobile like a beautiful porcelain doll. Even Rafe’s dad had an expectant grin on his face as he gestured with his head to go ahead. To repeat the actual event, if memory served correctly, he’d mutter some gibberish about a ‘business arrangement,’ and how marrying would save both of their reputations. My family ought to love that.

  He turned to Jubilee with a deep breath, his Adam’s apple jumping.

  “Get on one knee, Rafe,” Anna’s voice chimed in. “Surely you did that. I think we’ve got him all flustered.”

  Rafe stretched his neck a bit with unease. Flustered was right. He bent down, and grabbed Jubilee’s left hand. Her dark eyes grew huge and reflected her nervousness.

  “Jubilee, will you marry me?” Rafe pulled the ring from his pants pocket and returned his gaze to hers, waiting.

  A long silence ensued as she searched his face. And, for a moment, the world seemed to contain only him and her. A rush of emotion thickened his throat, and he found himself almost wishing it were real. Her cheeks flushed, haloed by ringlets of hair carefully coifed by his sisters. The darkness of her complexion contrasted against the white creation she wore, giving her an exotic look. Her mouth slightl
y parted in surprise and her eyes drew him in as they always did. Never had he witnessed a woman so lovely.

  “Well, answer him, girl.” Rafe’s father chuckled.

  “She’s so in love she can’t speak, poor child.” Jennie laughed.

  At that statement, Jubilee blinked and raised her head, as if realizing where she was. Glancing back to him, she answered without hesitation.

  “Yes.”

  The family clapped around them as Rafe slid the ring onto her third finger. The fine sapphire had belonged to Jennie’s aunt, reset in a band of silver. He stood as Jubilee fingered the new piece of jewelry, a look of awe on her face.

  “Now, kiss her,” Phoebe squealed.

  Rafe put up his hands. “I think you all have seen enough.”

  “Come on, ya big baby,” Everett said, his eyebrows dancing. “Lay one on her.”

  “That’s a private matter, not something we do in public,” Rafe replied firmly. That’s not something we do at all.

  “This is not in public, Rafe. This is family.” Jennie was almost pleading.

  “Come on. Kiss her.”

  That dadblasted Everett.

  Soon everyone echoed the mantra and clapped to the beat. “Kiss, her. Kiss her.”

  Before he could change his mind, he grasped Jubilee’s waist and brought her against him and pressed his lips to hers. Her body stiffened and she resisted his arms, but he held her as his mouth moved over her soft lips. Just as he sensed her begin to relax, she whimpered. The memory of her past rushed upon him and he abruptly released her, grabbing her as she stumbled back.

  He searched her face, and he couldn’t help but direct his attention to her swollen lips. As he brought his gaze to hers, he froze. Was it fear in those beautiful brown eyes? He clenched his jaw. Why had he allowed himself to be goaded into kissing her? And what was worse, he’d enjoyed every second. I’m nothing but swine.

  “Oh, Rafe. How romantic,” Sarah murmured, starry-eyed.

  Rafe tried to shake off his self-hatred. He guided Jubilee’s reluctant body toward the carriage. “We’re off.”

  * * *

  Jubilee’s legs turned to apple butter as Rafe settled her into the plush seat. She still trembled. He’d kissed her. Actually kissed her. And it hadn’t been horrible, it had been…enchanting. She touched her lips as he went around the back of the carriage to climb in on the drivers’ side. He climbed in and released the brake.