Tenderness

by Dorothy Garlock

  Edsel stood as if frozen. His eyes narrowed, his lips were pressed so tightly together they looked like a thin red line. The hands holding his hat shook.

  “You’re making a terrible mistake.” When he spoke his voice was low and controlled. “A mistake you’ll regret for the rest of your life.”

  “If my marrying Wade is a mistake, it’s my mistake.”

  “You’ll be sorry for this,” he said quietly. “Mark my words, Jesse,” he said, deliberately leaving off the polite “Miss” he had always used.

  He looked at her with eyes filled with hatred. Then he turned on his heels and left, closing the door softly behind him.

  Jesse stood motionless with her hands clasped in front of her. Suddenly she realized what had evaded her before. There was something deep and evil working in Edsel Harper. His eyes had glowed as he looked at her breasts although the dress she wore was not tight-fitting. It was as if he couldn’t take his eyes off them.

  Susan bounded into the room.

  “You sure told him off, Jess. Old Louella is mad as a hornet. She said your behavior was disgraceful! You are ruined in this town… and on and on. Well, la-de-da! I thought it was… heavenly. It’s about time someone put that stuck-up toad in his place.”

  “Did everyone hear?”

  Susan nodded happily. “Papa got up in the middle of it and went into the surgery. I’m not sure, but I thought I saw a grin on his face before he shut the door.”

  “I lost my temper, Susy. Heavens to Betsy, three times in the last two weeks I’ve lost it.”

  “He’s a nasty old thing anyhow. Jeff Stealy found a dirty magazine in the back of his buggy. Mary Sue and I just got a peek when he took it away from us. There were pictures of naked women—”

  “For goodness sake. When did this happen?”

  “A week ago. Edsel’s buggy was behind the bank. Jeff saw some papers sticking out from under the seat in the back. He pulled them out and found the dirty magazine. He’s had fun showing it around to the boys, but he won’t let me and Mary Sue see it.”

  “I hope he didn’t show it to Todd.”

  “He didn’t. He said Todd was too young to appreciate it. Imagine old Edsel having a dirty magazine.” Susan wrapped her arms about her sister’s waist. “Jess, did you mean it when you said you were going to marry Mr. Simmer?”

  “With all my heart I meant it. I’m going to marry him someday. But don’t worry. I’ll not go and leave you and Todd with Mrs. Lindstrom.”

  “Does Papa know?”

  “He knows.”

  “Could Todd and I come with you?”

  “And leave Papa at the mercy of Louella? No, I’ll not leave until she’s gone.”

  “She wants to marry Papa. I know she does.”

  “Don’t worry about Papa. He’s smart enough to see through her sooner or later.”

  “I wish she’d go.”

  “So do I, but we’ve got to trust Papa, Susy. We both know that he’d never do anything to hurt his children. He hired her to relieve me of the household chores. But he’s bound to realize she’s more trouble than she’s worth. We’ve got to wait it out. I’ll make you a bet that she’ll be out of here by Christmas.”

  “Christmas! We gotta put up with her that long?”

  “Maybe not. Where’s Pauline?”

  “She took a few of the dishes to the kitchen. But when she heard what you were saying to Edsel, she laughed, and Ghost-face said that you and Pauline were two of a kind. Pauline ran up to her room giggling all the way.”

  “I want to talk to her.” With Jesse’s arm across Susan’s shoulders they walked to the foot of the stairway. “Keep an eye on Todd,” Jesse said in a low voice. “See that he stays out of Louella’s way. I’m sure she set up the arrangement for Edsel to call on me; and after what happened, she may take her spite out on Todd.”

  “If she does, I’ll fix her wagon!”

  The door of Pauline’s room was ajar. Jesse pushed it open. Pauline was taking down her hair.

  “May I come in?”

  “Do.” Pauline burst into laughter. “I’ve never enjoyed anything as much as hearing you put down one of the mighty Harpers, especially Edsel. I’d love to have seen his face when you called him a sappy, stuck-up jackass.”

  “I lost my temper.” Jesse closed the door and sat down on the edge of the bed. “It really riles me when people talk about Wade in such a nasty way; they don’t even know him.”

  “It’s the Harpers’ town. They control the money so people listen to what they say. Jesse, there’s no way I’ll stay here another school year.”

  “Not even if The Looker is caught?”

  “Face it, Jesse.” Exasperation was on Pauline’s face and in her voice. “If he’s caught, he’ll brag about all the naked women he’s fondled. He might even name them, too. I couldn’t bear that.”

  “I don’t believe Marshal Wright would allow that to happen.”

  “We’ll see. I looked at each of the men who were at the school today and none of them looked back at me as if he knew what was under my dress. Of course, if it was a man with a wife, he’d have no need to look at naked women.” Pauline’s laugh was more of a snort. Then in a lighter vein, she said, “You sure blew away your chances with the Harpers tonight. When word gets out that you’re going to marry Wade Simmer, they may tell all the people they give loans to that it would be better to doctor someplace else.”

  Jesse snorted in disgust. “Where would they go? When they’re sick they want a doctor. Papa would be the first to say that if they want to go to Frederick, or Knoxville, let them go.” Jesse went to the door. “Tomorrow I’m going to be seen with Wade by half the people in this town. I’ll be proud to be seen with him. If they are so narrow-minded that they turn against me, I’ll not lose any sleep over it.”

  “You’ve got a lot of hurt coming, girl,” Pauline said seriously. “It would be better if you married Wade right away and moved to the hills.”

  “I’ll not go and leave Todd and Susan with Louella. And I’ll not let the people of this town run me out like a dog with its tail between its legs. I’m sure that not all the people feel about Wade as the Harpers do. I’ll stay here and hold my head high. I’ve nothing to be ashamed of.”

  “Good for you. It sounds like we’ll have an interesting summer.”

  The family attended church as usual on Sunday morning. Jesse, Susan and Pauline sang in the choir. Doctor Forbes and Todd sat in a pew toward the back of the church. Just before the service was to start, Mrs. Lindstrom came in, looked around and sat down beside Todd.

  “That old biddy wants people to think she’s part of the family,” Susan whispered to her sister.

  “I wonder why she’s here?

  “Last Sunday she went to the Methodist church and managed to get herself on the bazaar committee.”

  “I hate her!”

  “You shouldn’t say that… in church.” Jesse grinned and picked up the hymn book.

  If the people in the congregation were incensed because Jesse had been seen with the notorious “hellion” from the hills, they didn’t show it. Much to Jesse’s relief, they greeted her as usual. Most of them owed Doctor Forbes in one way or another, either in money or gratitude. The gratitude extended to his daughter.

  Jesse had spent nights in their homes when they had had serious illnesses. She or the doctor had always come as quickly as possible when there had been an emergency. Jesse was as handy as the doctor at stopping blood and stitching wounds. Both of them gave generously to the church. If she strayed a little, it was forgivable. She would soon see her mistake and be back in the fold.

  When the service was over, Louella left immediately. Doctor Forbes and Todd stayed inside to visit for a few minutes and the girls inquired about choir practice before they left the church. Outside, Susan scanned the area. Louella was nowhere in sight.

  “She’s hurried home to impress Papa with what a wonderful, reliable housekeeper and cook she is,” Susan said as she
walked alongside her sister.

  “That means we’ll have a good dinner on the table.”

  “I can hardly wait to go to the ball game.” Susan moved ahead of Jesse and Pauline and turned to walk backward. “Can I walk with you and Mr. Simmer? Pauline, are you and Mr. Bredlow going to walk with them?”

  “I doubt Sir Galahad will show up. He’s all talk,” Pauline answered drily.

  “He’s handsome as sin. Mary Sue almost swooned when she saw him. When Jeff was having trouble with his bicycle chain, Mr. Bredlow fixed it”

  “Hurrah for him. I’m glad he’s good for something. As far as I’m concerned, he’s a masher, a lecher and a blow-hard.”

  “What’s a lecher?” Susan asked, still walking backward.

  “Ethen Bredlow!”

  Jesse could see Pauline’s lips in a tight line and her chin raised.

  “I wish I’d asked Ethan and Wade to dinner.”

  “Ha! I’m extremely glad you didn’t.”

  Susan whooped with laughter. “Old Ghost-face would’ve had a cow if you did it without telling her at least a week ahead. She had one when I made a picnic for me, Mary Sue and Jeff. I said I’d go ask Papa if we could take a picnic down by the creek and she shut up. She doesn’t want us to tattle to Papa.”

  They went up the steps to the porch.

  “I love the smell of honeysuckle,” Jesse said and broke off a small bloom to tickle her nose.

  The meal Louella had prepared was delicious. She had baked a hen, made cornbread dressing and chicken gravy, mashed potatoes, creamed peas, scalloped corn, apple-walnut salad, and pickles. Peach cobbler completed the meal.

  And Louella was on her best behavior, as well. She was gracious even when Todd dripped gravy on the tablecloth.

  “Accidents will happen.” she said lightly. “More dressing, Doctor?”

  “Don’t mind if I do, Louella. You outdid yourself with this meal.”

  “Thank you. When I was a child at home, Sunday dinner was always special. We used the best china, silver and, of course, the lace tablecloth. It was my duty to keep the silver polished and I took great pride in doing so.” She looked meaningfully at Susan who, when her father was not looking, tightened her lips and rocked her head in a haughty manner.

  They had just finished eating when the knocker sounded on the front door. Susan reached it a half dozen steps ahead of Louella, who stood in the hallway with a disapproving look on her face. It turned into a scowl when Susan threw the door wide.

  “Hi, Mr. Simmer. Hi, Mr. Bredlow. Come in. We’re done with dinner. Jesse and Pauline just went upstairs to take off their cor… to change into something… to get out of their church clothes.”

  “Howdy, Wade. Howdy Ethan.” Doctor Forbes came out of the dining room. “Come into the parlor. Susy, get the gentlemen some lemonade.”

  Hollis and Ethan sat on the settee. Wade perched on a chair, his hat in his hand. He wore a soft white shirt open at the neck and tan britches. His shoes were polished as was his belt buckle. Ethan also wore a soft white shirt but had added a black string tie.

  “Doc, we just came from Ike’s. Jody is running a high fever,” Wade said worriedly.

  “Is the vaccination infected?”

  “Doesn’t appear to be. It’s about the size of a dime and has a white scab. We put one of those celluloid bubble things over it to keep him from bumping it.”

  “It’s normal for him to run a fever and even have a few spots, but I’d better go over there and and take a look. Is Ike giving him plenty of liquid?”

  “He says he hasn’t eaten much for a couple of days, but takes the water all right.”

  “Can I g-go?” Todd slinked from around the corner where he’d been listening.

  “Say hello to our guests, Todd.” Doctor Forbes smiled fondly at the boy who was already standing beside him.

  “H-howdy, Mr. S-Simmer. Howdy, Mr. Bredlow.”

  “Howdy, Todd,” Wade said. That he seemed genuinely glad to see the boy and that his face lost some of its remoteness when he smiled at him was evident to Doctor Forbes.

  “I want to g-go see Jody. He’s my friend. If he’s s-s-sick, it’s my fault. I talked him into l-letting Papa vaccinate him.” He looked quickly at Wade. “I-I-I ain’t told no-nobody ’bout Jody b-being at Ike’s.”

  “We knew you wouldn’t tell and get Jody in trouble. We’ve had secrets before, haven’t we?”

  “Yeah.” Todd winked at Wade.

  “I thought you wanted to go to the ball game, son.”

  “To heck with th-the ball game, Papa. I want to see J-Jody. I could b-b-bring him water and put a wet cl-cloth on his h-head like Jesse does when I get a f-fever.”

  “We’ll go see him together. We’ll have Mrs. Lindstrom fix up a basket of lunch and a big jar of lemonade for Jody and Ike. How’s that?”

  “Jody’ll l-like that.”

  Wade felt a stirring around his heart. He had never dared hope that he would be a welcome guest in the doctor’s home or that Jody would be treated so decently. He heard footsteps on the stairs and glanced at Ethan, who had heard them too. He was on his feet, alert as a deer, Wade thought. The man was in love. There was no doubt about it.

  Susan brought the lemonade.

  “The reason it took me so long was old Ghost… ah… Mrs. Lindstrom made me squeeze the lemons.”

  “I thought there was something special about this lemonade,” Ethan said after taking a sip. He turned the full force of his charm on the young girl and she blushed to the roots of her hair.

  Wade stood when Jesse came into the room. She was lovely in a soft pink shirtwaist and a light blue walking skirt. She came directly to him and took his hand in a possessive, intimate way.

  Wade’s eyes flicked from her face to her father. Here it comes. Here is where I get thrown out on my ear..

  “He knows,” she said simply and hugged his arm to her. “I wish I had thought to ask you and Ethan to dinner.”

  “It’s all right. I’m not the least bit hungry.”

  Hollis got to his feet. “Well, son, it seems you and I are not needed here. Where’s Pauline?”

  Jesse glanced at Ethan. “She went through the kitchen and out the back door.”

  Ethan jumped to his feet. “That blasted woman makes me so mad I could spit nails!” He took off down the hall toward the kitchen.

  Doctor Forbes laughed. “She’s sure got him all bumfuzzled. He’s like a love-sick calf.”

  “Ugh! I g-guess they’ll get a-a-II k-kissy and mushy.”

  “What do you know about mushy, son?”

  “Mary S-Sue and Jeff k-kiss when they think no-nobody’s lookin.’ Phew! I bet it’s aw-awful.”

  “It’s not awful at all. Kissing feels pretty good sometimes. You’ll learn all about it when you’re a little older.” He turned to Jesse and Wade. “Have yourselves a good time at the ball game. Come on, son, we’ve got to battle old Ghost-face for a lunch basket.”

  Jesse’s mouth dropped open and so did Todd’s and Susan’s. They stared at him in astonishment. Doctor Forbes grinned devilishly.

  “I ain’t no dummy, ya know. Come along, Susan. Jesse and Wade don’t need you in here,” he said over his shoulder as he went out the door.

  As soon as they were alone, Jesse raised her face to Wade’s. “Are you going to kiss me, Wade?”

  “And go all mushy?” he teased.

  “Sure. I like being mushy with you.”

  “Sweetheart—love—” The words were a groan. “I’ve thought of nothing but kissing you since I kissed you out there on the porch.”

  He kissed her then, taking away what breath she had. His mouth was firm, his body was hard and smelled of cool green forests. She clutched his arms for support when her knees went weak. He was so male yet so tender and sweet.

  She was dazed. “I don’t think we’d better kiss again while we’re here in the house. I’ll wait until we can go to that cool green place beside the creek where we had our picnic the day I le
ft the hills. Remember?”

  They were standing close together, her hands on his shoulders. His trembling arms made her aware of how big he was, how strong, yet as vulnerable as a young lad.

  “How could I forget? I was in heaven and hell.”

  “Hell?”

  “So afraid you’d think I was just hill trash being fresh with you.”

  “I didn’t think that at all. Right from the start I felt safe with you and wanted you to go with me when I made the rounds the next day.”

  “I thought that if I stayed away from you, I would forget how sweet you are and how much I wanted you to like me.”

  “Oh, Wade, I would have sat there on that blanket all day if we hadn’t run out of food,” she said with a chuckle in her voice.

  “Next time we’ll have things to do beside eat.”

  “Promise?” She smiled into his eyes.

  “I swear it,” he replied and kissed her nose.

  Ethan caught up with Pauline by the clothesline that stretched across the back of the property.

  “Pauline!” he called and ran the few steps it took to reach her. He was hot and angry. “You’re the damndest woman I ever met. Where the hell are you going?”

  “Don’t swear at me, Ethan Bredlow. Where I go is none of your business.” She stood proud and defiant. “Come near me and I’ll kick you.”

  “We were going to the ball game with Jesse and Wade.”

  “We? You’re ahead of yourself, mister. I never said I’d go with you.”

  “Then don’t go with me, damn it. Go with Jesse and Wade and I’ll tag along.”

  “Why?”

  “Why what?”

  “Why do you keep… hanging around?”

  “Because I like you, you muddle-headed female. Is that such a sin?” Ethan shouted so loud that she flinched.

  “The only reason you like me is that I haven’t fallen at your feet in a swoon.”

  “I never wanted you to fall at my feet. I wanted your friendship. What’s happened to make you so cold? You’re beautiful when you smile, which is seldom when you’re with me. You’re intelligent and have a sense of humor. You’re also compassionate or you wouldn’t be helping Jody. I sense that you’ve been greatly disappointed in a man, or that some man has hurt you.”