Tenderness

by Dorothy Garlock

  Jesse opened a notebook and read to her father the data she had recorded about each of the families she visited, including the ages of the children in the family and some personal information.

  “Mr. Merfeld is trouble. I would not like to go there alone.”

  “One of us should go back up there in about a week and check on the young ones. And as soon as I get the government smallpox vaccine, we’ll go up there and innoculate.”

  “When will that be?”

  “Month or so.” He studied his daughter for a long moment, rocking back and forth in his swivel chair. “I had a couple of good visits with Wade Simmer. He helped you out, did he?”

  Jesse felt her face grow hot again and gulped down the last of her coffee before she spoke.

  “He was very helpful. He arranged for me to have an escort each day and a place to spend the night. The hill people are very hospitable and went out of their way to make me comfortable. They gave me the best they had. I liked them, Papa.”

  “Plenty of good people up there. You treat them right and they’ll treat you right. But I wouldn’t want to get on their bad side.” The doctor continued to rock and to observe his daughter. “Simmer is determined to send that darkie to a boarding school for colored.”

  “Boarding schools cost money.” Jesse looked intently at the toe of her shoe.

  “Money doesn’t seem to be a problem. He was asking me if I knew a teacher who would tutor the boy during the summer. I suggested Pauline.”

  “Mr. Harper wouldn’t let Jody darken the door of that schoolhouse and you know it.”

  “I know it and Wade knows it. She can’t teach him at the school, and Mrs. Poole is going away for the summer. She couldn’t teach him there anyway. That woman would have a fit. And, of course, she can’t stay at Simmer’s. I’ve thought of hiring the boy to do jobs around the place. He could sleep in the barn if it wasn’t for that stupid law about darkies being in town after dark. He’d have to go back to Wade’s at night. If Pauline came here to spend the summer on the pretext of giving Todd extra lessons, she could teach the boy. Simmer will pay her.”

  “Is this your idea or his?”

  “Both, I reckon.”

  “Why are you doing this?”

  “Because, as Wade says, the colored man is here to stay. White folk brought them here. They deserve a chance for an education the same as white folk. And the boy is hungry to learn.”

  “You two must have gotten pretty friendly. Do people still think he’s The Looker?”

  “Some do.”

  “You don’t?”

  “Use your head, Jess. Would I have sent you up there if I thought there was one chance in a thousand Simmer was that pervert?”

  “How can you be so sure he isn’t?”

  “You think he is?”

  “No! You know I don’t,” she said in a cool no-nonsense voice.

  Her father chuckled. “Then how can you be so sure?” His low-voiced query hung in the air between them.

  “Well…” He had backed her into a corner and was actually enjoying her discomfort. Her blue-gray eyes flashed him a look of irritation. “He hasn’t spent his entire life in the hills of Tennessee, you know. Why would he be interested in looking at a naked woman?”

  The doctor laughed. “He’s a healthy male. I doubt he’d shut his eyes if the opportunity arose.”

  “I don’t think he’s the type to sneak around to do anything.”

  “That’s all?”

  “That’s all.”

  The doctor noted his usually unflappable daughter’s agitation and changed the subject. “Do you want to talk to Pauline or do you want me to?”

  “The house is full, Papa. Where would she sleep?”

  “Louella… Mrs. Lindstrom suggested we fix up the storage room for Todd so Susan could have his room. It would be plenty big enough after all that stuff is carried to the barn.”

  Resentment boiled in Jesse. “You’ve discussed this with her.”

  “She brought it up after she realized that you and Susan were sharing a room.”

  “I don’t mind sharing with Susan.”

  “I didn’t think you would. Don’t get on your high horse about Mrs. Lindstrom. You’ll see how pleasant it is to have a well-ordered house and dinner ready. You’ll find you’ve gained a new freedom.”

  “I’m not on my high horse. Have you considered our home up to now to be not well ordered?”

  “Now you’re defensive.”

  “I can’t help being defensive, Papa. It’s strange having an outsider in the house. I… don’t think we need her.”

  “I do. When you’re not in the surgery, you’re devoting your time to this house and to your brother and sister. I want you to leave the house entirely in Mrs. Lindstrom’s hands and enjoy yourself for a change.”

  Jesse drew a deep, shaky breath. She was sure that if her spirits dropped any lower she would cry. Shielding the hurt in her eyes with her long thick lashes, she went to the door.

  “I’ll talk to Pauline,” she said just before she went out.

  Jesse lay on her back beside her sister, her arm under her head, and gazed out the window at the starlit sky. She longed for a way to turn off her thoughts so that she could sleep. She resented having Mrs. Lindstrom in the house. Mrs. Lindstrom planned to stay or she would not have already entrenched herself so firmly in the household. Jesse also admitted a worry over her father’s satisfaction with the woman. Yet she couldn’t believe it of herself that she was shallow enough to be jealous of someone her father admired. It was just this woman. There was something disturbing about Mrs. Lindstrom that she couldn’t put her finger on.

  Her thoughts also dwelled on her conversation with her father about Wade Simmer. The reality was that a couple of kisses would mean nothing to a man who had been all over the world, had seen all shapes and colors of women’s legs, or so he had said. Now it was easy to believe he had used her as a means of getting a teacher for Jody. Sudden embarrassment made her want to cry. She had submited to his kiss like a love-starved old maid. Deep inside she was bitterly ashamed. She also wondered why he hadn’t mentioned his visits to her father or their plans to get a tutor for Jody.

  An unwanted thought crept into her mind and she pondered what life with Wade Simmer would be like. Wade would never leave the hills, so his family would live in his house. There would be dogs and horses and… children… long summer days in the open air, long winter nights in a warm bed.

  Her thoughts dwelled on the intimate side of married life. Wade would be a demanding lover. Oh, Lord! What did she know about a lover? What did she know about Wade Simmer?

  Jesse battled the storm of confusion that pounded inside her and came to realize that there was only one course of action. When she saw him again, and there was no doubt she would, she would treat him politely, but coolly. He must never know that she was even mildly attracted to him. She flopped over on her side. The very next invitation she received from a man she would accept. Hastily she qualified the promise to herself by adding unless it came from Edsel Harper.

  As Jesse walked past the bank on her way to the school to catch Pauline before she left for home, Edsel Harper came out the door and called to her.

  “Miss Jesse, do you have a minute?”

  Jesse paused and watched Edsel come toward her. He was not an unattractive man when seen from a distance. He was tall, broad-shouldered and dressed in the latest fashion. Up close, however, one could see that his light hair was thinning, his eyes were close-set, his brows met over his nose and his full red lips were shaped like a woman’s. Edsel’s chin receded sharply, and Jesse wondered why he didn’t wear a beard to cover it. Probably his mother wouldn’t allow it.

  “I was concerned when I heard you had gone to the hills, Miss Jesse. I’m glad you’re back unharmed.”

  “There was no need for concern—”

  “Oh, but there was. Beside all the other undesirables that live in the hills, this man, Wade Simmer, lives ther
e. He’s most likely the man who has been invading the bedrooms of our women folk. I tell you, Papa’s in a regular snit over it.”

  “Why do you say it’s Mr. Simmer? Has anyone seen him crawling into a bedroom window?”

  “Not that, my dear.” He patted her arm. “But he’s been seen in town on the nights women have been molested.”

  “That doesn’t make him the culprit. Papa thinks it’s someone from Fredrick or Grover. Surely a man wouldn’t be dumb enough to do something like that in his own town.”

  “Your papa is absolutely right, but we must include hill people. They are a dangerous lot.”

  Jesse felt her anger rising. “That’s debatable, Edsel, but I don’t have the time right now.”

  “Of course. Of course. By the way, Mama is having a musicale followed by a tea on Sunday afternoon. She asked me to extend an invitation. I would be honored to come and escort you and Mrs. Lindstrom. Mama is quite taken with her. She thinks it admirable the lady has come to take care of her dear friend’s home and children.”

  “Edsel, I’m sure our housekeeper would be honored to have you escort her to your mother’s little social. I’ve made plans to go to a ball game with my brother.”

  “Oh, but couldn’t you—?”

  “No, I couldn’t. Good-bye, Edsel. I hope you have a lovely time with… our housekeeper.”

  Seething at the way Mrs. Lindstrom had whitewashed her job with the family, Jesse proceded down the board walk. She stopped and gazed unseeing at the hats in the window of the millinery shop. How dare that woman tie herself to the family because of a friendship of twenty years ago—a doubtful friendship at that.

  The newspaper office was next to the millinery. Jesse opened the door and went in. Mr. Marsh, the publisher of the Harpersville Gazette, was sorting type. When the bell on the door jingled, he looked up, tilted the visor cap back, and picked up a rag to wipe his hands.

  “Hello, Miss Jesse. How was your stay in the hill country?” t

  Jesse laughed. She liked Ralph Marsh, liked his wife, Geneva, and his two married daughters. He was one of only a few men in town who stood up to Boyd Harper.

  “Very uneventful except for the scarlet fever epidemic, which will probably hit town in the next few weeks. I’ve written a news story telling parents to watch for early symptoms.”

  When she extended a folded paper, he motioned for her to place it on his desk.

  “My hands are inky,” he explained. “I need a printer’s devil to sort this type. My helper got itchy feet and took off last week. I have to break down this week’s edition by myself.”

  “Don’t let me interrupt. We can visit while you work.”

  “And I’ll be putting the A’s in the W’s and the S’s in the L’s. Now if I were rich like some people I know, I’d buy one of those linotype machines. I saw one in Knox-ville. Works slicker than a whistle.”

  “What in the world is a linotype machine?”

  “It’s a machine that makes type out of hot lead. It has a keyboard somewhat like a typewriter. The characters are cast in metal in a complete line the exact width of a column. You can set a whole column in less time than it would take to set ten lines by picking out individual letters. After the type is used, it’s melted down and reused.”

  “Forevermore! I had no idea such a machine existed.”

  “Well, I can forget about it. It costs a lot of money and I’ll not make it here in Harpersville.”

  Jesse picked up a newspaper and read a headline on the front page. LADIES! LOCK YOUR DOORS. She glanced at Mr. Marsh and grinned.

  “Boyd Harper won’t like that.”

  Ralph Marsh grinned back. “I’m sure.”

  “According to Marshal Wright,” Jesse read, “no new attacks have been reported. However, that does not mean The Looker is no longer active. According to the Marshal, the ladies who have had this harrowing experience are reluctant to discuss it, and he has only a very few clues as to the man’s identity.”

  “Sorry business, but you can’t sweep it under the rug and pretend it isn’t happening. The more women folk are aware of it the more precautions they will take.”

  “The Harpers think it’s Wade Simmer.” Jesse looked directly into Mr. Marsh’s eyes to gauge his reaction to her statement. He laughed. “You don’t agree?” she asked.

  “No, I don’t agree. It’s convenient to lay the blame on Simmer. Harpers and Simmers have been at each other’s throats since before the war. It’s been passed down from generation to generation. Boyd’s daddy had Wade’s daddy hanged with only a mockery of a trial. ’Course, there was no doubt that Alvin. Simmer shot Buford Harper. What was covered up was the fact Buford was in bed with Alvin’s wife at the time.”

  Jesse drew in a deep breath. “How awful. I’ve never heard that side of it before.”

  “Few have. That girl was nothing but trouble. Alvin married her in Chattanooga and brought her down here. She was pretty as a picture and wild as a deer. She took off after the killing, leaving Wade with his granny. As far as I know, it’s the last anyone has heard of her.”

  “Why do the Harpers hate Wade? He had nothing to do with that. Heavens, he was just a little boy.”

  “For one thing, Boyd discovered that Wade’s got quite a bit of money in banks in Knoxville and Chattanooga and not a dime in his bank. He’s eaten up with curiosity as to where Wade got the money.”

  “I suppose he thinks he stole it.”

  Ralph’s eyes twinkled. “That’s exactly what he thinks.”

  “My goodness. It’s like Boyd to think the worst.”

  The bell jingled and they both looked toward the door. The man who entered removed his hat quickly when he saw Jesse. He had an engaging grin and a jaunty air when he tipped his head in greeting.

  “Afternoon, ma’am.”

  “Afternoon,” she replied. “I’ll be running along, Mr. Marsh. Give my regards to Geneva.”

  “I’ll do that, Miss Jesse.”

  “Ma’am, don’t let me interrupt,” the young man said quickly. “I’m Ethan Bredlow, looking for a job. I can come back later.” He stood awkwardly on first one foot and then the other, twirling his hat in his hand, a shy smile of embarrassment on his face as he looked from Ralph to Jesse.

  It was hard for Jesse not to return his smile. He had a pleasant face, a headful of curly blond hair and sky-blue eyes that were plainly admiring as she passed him on her way to the door.

  “No need. I was leaving anyway.” He sprang to open the door for her. “Thank you,” she said as she stepped out onto the boardwalk.

  Ethan Bredlow closed the door behind Jesse and turned to Ralph. His expression was quiet and serious, far different from the one he had worn when he had entered the newspaper office.

  “Ralph Marsh?”

  Ralph nodded. “What did you say your name was?”

  “Ethan Bredlow. I would like to speak to you in private.”

  “It’s private here.”

  “Someone may walk in on us. Do you have an office?”

  “What’s this all about?”

  Bredlow handed him a card. Ralph studied it and looked the man in the eye when he returned it. “This way.”

  Seated at his desk with the door ajar so that he could hear the bell if someone came in, Ralph motioned the stranger to a chair.

  “How did you get my name?”

  “I was told to contact you if I should need help.”

  “But it’s been so long—”

  “Your records are on file. Once an agent, always an agent.”

  “What do you want from me?”

  “A job. I hear your printer’s devil left you. I need a reason to stay around for a while.”

  “The only job I can give you is sorting type.”

  “I’ll do it.”

  They were silent while each studied the other. Finally, Ralph said, “I can’t imagine the Bureau being interested in a degenerate who likes to look at naked women.”

  “They’re not.”<
br />
  “Then I don’t suppose you’ll tell me what you’re working on.”

  “You suppose right. Who was the young lady who just left?”

  “Jesse Forbes. She’s a nurse. Her father is Dr. Forbes.”

  “That’s what I thought. Nice-looking woman. How come she’s not married?”

  “How in the hell would I know?”

  “I need to know as much about people as I can. Any new arrivals in town beside me?”

  “None that comes to mind. People come and go.”

  “I hear the doctor has a new housekeeper.”

  “Friend of the family. Knew his wife long ago.”

  “Hmmm… How about the teacher, Pauline Anthony? Know her?”

  “Of course, I know her. It would be hard not to in a town this size.”

  “I take it she’s friends with the nurse.”

  Ralph was suddenly irritated with the whole situation. “Pauline Anthony is a damn nice woman. So is Miss Jesse. She just spent a week in the hill country taking care of sick kids. She just might have been paid a sack of potatoes and a crock of lard for her trouble.” He stood and tossed a greasy apron at the man who sat calmly in the chair. “I’ve got three pages of print to knock down. Are you working or just pretending to work?”

  Ethan caught the apron. “I’m working.”

  CHAPTER

  * 9 *

  “Stay here this summer? I’ve made plans to go home. As a matter of fact, Jess, I’m going to look for another teaching job.”

  Jesse’s mouth fell open in shock. “Pauline! You don’t mean it. You’ve always said you like it here.”

  Pauline continued to wash the blackboard as if she had only seconds to clean it. When she finished, she dropped the rag in the bucket beside the door, took the erasers to the open window and clapped them together to shake out the chalk dust.

  “I did—at first. Now I need a change.” She smiled a smile that did not reach her eyes, which Jesse suddenly realized were sad. “Maybe I’m homesick.”

  “You’ve not been homesick before. Didn’t you tell me that since your mother remarried—”

  “—Oh, yes, I told you that, but—” Her words trailed and the sadness in her eyes intensified.