As Time Goes By (The Californians 2)

by Lori Wick

  "You'll have to tell her sometime how much you liked her the very first time you met." Marcail nodded again. May had taken her to school and she had immediately told her sister all about Bobbie Bradford and how nice she had been.

  "She wears glasses, Katie, and they make her awful cute. Do I need glasses?" Kate had told her no, even as she wondered about this woman who worked for her father-in-law. She knew that she and Jeff had been in school together and she knew the Bradfords from church, but beyond that Bobbie was a mystery.

  Sensing that Marcail needed a hug, Kate reached for her. Marcail stood by her older sister's chair, secure in the embrace while Rigg continued to put supper on. They had just sat down to eat when Sean came in the back door.

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  eleven

  The night was cold, but Jeff was in no hurry to get home. He had dropped Sylvia off at her sister's house and was taking the long way home. They had parted on good terms even though an hour ago she had been furious with him.

  Conversation over supper was light and Jeff had been having a great time until Sylvia asked how work had gone that day.

  "It went well. Bobbie is a hard worker and off to a great start."

  "Bobbie?"

  "Bobbie Bradford. She started work at the office today. I told you about it."

  "No, Jeff, you didn't." Sylvia's voice had become very low and Jeff could see she was angry. It always amazed him at how quickly that could happen.

  "I must have forgot. Well, anyway, she's doing great." '`i wasn't aware that your father was in the market for a new employee." She was still furious. Jeff, hoping she would calm down, answered carefully.

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  "He never advertised, but Mom needed a break, and when he found out that Bobbie was coming back into town and that she was experienced, he scooped her up."

  "So you've known for some time that Bobbie was coming back to Santa Rosa?"

  Jeff immediately saw his mistake and struggled to find words that would erase the anger from his date's face. "'Sylvia, I'm sorry that I never mentioned Bobbie's re turn. But we don't talk about my job very often and it just never came up. I wasn't trying to hide anything from you."

  Sylvia saw his sincerity, and knowing that she was overreaching, she tried to calm herself. She knew that her eyes weren't as pretty when she was angry and she never wanted Jeff to find her unattractive.

  With her mass of blonde hair and startling blue eyes, most men did find her attractive. But Sylvia wasn't inter ested in what most men thought, just Jeff Taylor. Jeff of course didn't know that, since she did see other men and always let him know about it. But if she stayed with it long enough, she was sure she could bring him around, was sure she would see that spark of jealousy in his eyes that told her he cared. So far it hadn't happened, but Sylvia was patient. She had let him get away once before when they were just 17. It wasn't going to happen again.

  An image of Bobbie and the way she looked at the lagoon picnic sprang to mind. "You don't suppose she'd come back beautiful, do you?' Sylvia asked herself and then had to work at not laughing at the thought; it was simply impossible. Ladies did not laugh out loud at the supper table, and besides, she didn't want to explain to Jeff what she was thinking.

  Jeff was blissfully ignorant of Sylvia's thoughts as they finished their meal and then parted company an hour or

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  so later. Jeff was tired as he climbed the stairs to bed, but a light glowing faintly from beneath Gilbert's door propelled him to his brother's room.

  "Gil," Jeff opened the door a crack, "are you up?" "Yeah." Gil answered from the bed, where he had lain down with his Bible. He rolled to his side and propped his head on his hand as he watched Jeff drop into the room's only chair.

  "Out with Sylvia?"

  "Yeah, we had supper at the hotel. Their meat loaf is good." Then Jeff fell ilent, staring at the floor.

  "How did it go with you and Bobbie today?"

  Jeff stared at his younger brother. Gilbert had always been able to read his mind, and sometimes it was very disconcerting. This time he had understood, without communication, that Jeff was nervous over Bobbie's return.

  "'I was fine as soon as I saw her and saw that she was okay. Before that I was sure it was going to be awful."

  "She's pretty nice, I'd say, and no one would ever call her lazy." Both men smiled. Before the day was over they had both followed their father's orders and taken large boxes from her or just plain stopped her from lifting one. They were then able to witness a stubborn look cross her face, one that was so cute and determined it made them smile.

  "Definitely not lazy." Jeff agreed and once again stared at the floor, causing Gil to wonder what was on his mind.

  "What's wrong, Jeff? Did she say something that's bugging you?"

  "Do you ever get the feeling that something is going to happen and you're not sure you want it to, but you can't do anything about it?"

  "Not really. What do you mean?"

  "I'm not sure myself, but I'm really afraid I'm going to hurt Bobbie all over again."

  Gilbert was silent until his eyes dropped to the open pages of his Bible. "Can I tell you about what I was just reading, Jeff?"

  "Sure." Jeff seemed almost relieved by the distraction. "I'm in the book of Job right now, and I know you're familiar with the story, but I never read this without marveling at all he went through. He loses everything! And, Jeff, he didn't have a clue. I mean, he had no idea any of this was going to happen! In a very short time, however, his wealth is wiped out, all ten of his children die, and he ends up covered with boils.

  "And then to make matters worse, his own wife is angry because he's still giving his allegiance to God, and this is what he says to her in chapter 2 verse 10: 'Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.'

  "Do you see what I'm trying to say, Jeff? Job made a choice, a quick decision as to how he was going to react to those trials that are far more difficult than most of us will ever have to handle. He decided not to sin and here you are already telling yourself that you might hurt Bobbie.

  "I think you should be saying just the oppositemthat no matter what anyone else says or does, you, Jeff Taylor, are going to do the right thing by Roberta Bradford."

  Staring at Gil, Jeff thought, not even his pastor was able to touch him as Gil just had. Of course it would help if he spent more time reading his BiblemJeff was well aware of that.

  "Thanks, Gilbert," Jeff answered solemnly before going to his own room. He didn't immediately fall asleep. In

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  fact, he prayed for a long time about all his brother had said.

  The next morning found Bobbie and Gilbert working together in the storeroom. Unclaimed packages were stacked on shelves against one wall. Bill's policy was to go through these shelves every other month and clear them for incoming packages.

  At the same time, inventory was done and the sup plies were checked and reordered for the month. Gilbert went from a position on his knees to a step stool, time and again, in order to reach all the shelves and check each box. Bobbie stood beside him making a list of the nearly depleted supplies as Gil called them to her.

  At one point, when Gil was high on the stool, his elbow bumped a small box off the shelf. Bobbie never saw or heard a thing and chose that moment to look up and say something. Gil was off the stool in a shot, but the damage was done; Bobbie's glasses were broken.

  "Bobbie, are you all right?" Gil was nearly frantic as Bobbie kept her head down, leading him to believe she was seriously hurt.

  "Be careful where you step," Bobbie said softly, and it took him a moment to see that she was looking for her glasses. Gilbert found them at her feet and picked them up in two pieces.

  "Bobbie, I'm sorry." He placed them in her hands and watched as she brought them nearly to her nose for examination.

&nb
sp; "It's just that small hinge in the middle. I'm glad it's just the frames; my dad has a little tool to fix them. Unfortunately I'll have to go home to get it."

  "Okay." Gilbert shot out the door to his dad's office. He didn't notice that other than Bobbie turning to watch him go, she stood absolutely still. A few minutes went by

  and Bobbie prayed that Gilbert would come back soon so she could explain she needed his help. It crossed her mind that since no one seemed to understand the extent

  of her eye problem, she might lose her job over this. "Bobbie?" It was Gilbert's voice. "Oh Gilbert, I'm glad---" "No, it's Jeff."

  Bobbie hesitated. For some reason she was reluctant to bother him.

  "Jeff, do you know where Gilbert went?"

  "Yeah, he's in talking with my dad."

  "When he's through, could you tell him I need him?" "Sure."

  Bobbie heard the front door open and then Jeff walk ing away. She looked around her. Everything was very blurry. Well, not the shelf beside her, but that was be cause her shoulder was nearly touching it. Bobbie put her hand on the shelf for balance and then slid her foot carefully along the floor. She was afraid to actually take a step because she had no depth perception and every thing looked so fuzzy and distorted.

  Picking her way along slowly, Bobbie knew she was running out of shelf. She was also completely unaware of the fact that Gilbert and Bill were standing in the door way watching her. Bill was silent and thoughtful as he watched his son approach Bobbie.

  "Did you need me, Bobbie?" Gilbert asked from about two feet in front of her.

  "Is that you, Gilbert?"

  "It's me."

  "Oh, good. I'm sorry I didn't explain---" "You need to go home?'" "Right. But I need--" "I'll take you right now."

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  Bobbie's features washed relief; he understood. He had also come close enough for her to see him. After watching her search his face with anxious eyes, he finally understood that he needed to draw nearer.

  "Thank you." Bobbie smiled into his face, now so near her own, thinking he was the nicest guy on earth. "If you'll take me first to your dad's office, I'll explain."

  "It's all right. He knows all about it." Bobbie need not know that Bill had learned much from his vantage point in the doorway.

  Once out in the front office, Gil left Bobbie standing by the desk while he collected her coat. She heard conversation behind her but was again examining her glasses and paid no attention. When Bobbie's coat was dropped onto her shoulders she slipped into it and felt her arm taken as she was guided out the door. When they had gone about ten steps on the street Bobbie came to a halt.

  "I need to tell you something, Gilbert. You need to be a step in front of me and let me take your arm. That way if you move I can feel it. If you come to a step, you'll need to say something or slow way down.'"

  "I'll do just that, and by the way, I'm Jeff."

  They had maneuvered into position, and Bobbie alst

  tripped when she heard who was escorting her. "Where's Gilbert?" Bobbie asked in a small voice.

  "He stayed at the office. I need to pick something up at Rigg's and I told him I would take you."

  For some reason this was embarrassing to Bobbie. She felt that Gil was aware and concerned about her plight. Not that Jeff was being unkind, but she wasn't sure he really understood. She didn't really care to explain all over again about needing help, but in the next few minutes she wished she had swallowed her pride and explained.

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  "I take it you can find your way from here, Bobbie," Jeff said as he stopped before the mercantile. The shipping office was on a busier street than the mercantile and Jeff honestly believed Bobbie would have no trouble the rest of the way. He was gone before she could say a word. Bobbie found she was more frightened than she had ever been in her life.

  Five minutes passed while she tried to calm herself. She did know exactly where she was, but had never been in this situation before. Maybe she could make it home.

  Bobbie tried to think of where the boardwalk ended, if it was right at the corner of the mercantile or a little before. She held the broken spectacles up before her, thankful that the glass was intact. Moving slowly, Bobbie was able to get her hand on the side of the building. Afraid she would drop her glasses and never find them, they went into the pocket of her coat.

  It was a chilly day and having to move slowly did nothing to warm her. Bobbie was almost to the steps when Rigg and Jeff noticed her from inside the store. They exited the building together and Bobbie was just about to step off into midair when Rigg's hand stopped her.

  "Oh, thank you. Who's there?" Bobbie looked up at

  the blurry features.

  "It's Rigg."

  "Oh." Bobbie wanted to cry with relief. "I know you're terribly busy, Rigg, but I'm in a jam. I didn't explain to Jeff that I needed help getting all the way home, and now he's left. Troy is working at the livery, so maybe you could let him know I need help. I know you're busy." She finished in quiet embarrassment and Rigg led her to the bench in front of his store.

  "Just sit here a minute, Bobbie. Jeff is still here."

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  Rigg wondered how long Jeff would have stood staring at Bobbie if he hadn't given him a shake. He seemed to be transfixed by the sight of Bobbie struggling along. Standing about ten feet away from her, he hurried forward after Rigg touched him.

  "Here, Bobbie, let me help you."

  Bobbie came to her feet and moved down the street with Jeff, wishing as she went that Gilbert had simply taken her home.

  twelve

  Bobbie was shivering uncontrollably by the time they reached the house. She stood just inside her front door and tried to calm down. Jeff had come a little farther into the living room and found himself staring at her once again.

  In truth, Jeff was horrified over what he had just done. He asked himself how he could possibly have left her at the mercantile after witnessing the fact that she hadn't even recognized him in the storeroom, and again as they walked down the street she had thought he was Gilbert.

  Something inside him had nearly torn in two as he had felt her arm trembling on his own on the walk home.

  "I'm sorr) Bobble. I feel ashamed I wasn't more sensitive to your needs."

  "It's all right, Jeff. I should have explained. I need to talk with your father. It never occurred to me that your family didn't realize the problem I have with my vision." Bobbie's voice was soft, almost resigned.

  "It's not going to change your status on the job, Bobie. I can promise you that."

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  Bobbie only shrugged, clearly not believing him, and began to move across the room. That it was familiar to her was obvious, but Jeff was still pretty disturbed, and so he spoke up.

  "Bobbie, if you'll just tell me what you need, I can get it."

  "That's all right, Jeff. You don't need to stay. I'll come back as soon as I repair my glasses."

  Jeff ignored her and deliberately moved to block her path. She stopped and stared up at him, noticing ab sently that she was feeling warmer.

  Jeff brought his face down to what he believed to be

  very close. "Can you see me?"

  "Pretty much."

  Jeff moved again, this time until his nose was no more

  than an inch from hers. "Now?" "Yes."

  "I want you to tell me what you need. I really can be of much more use than I was here in the last hour. So if you'll just tell me what you want, I'll get it."

  Bobbie could see that he was determined. "I need to go into the kitchen."

  Jeff turned his back to her. "Grab hold of the back of my coat." Bobbie grabbed on and was led into the kitchen.

  "Now," she said, "over in the pantry there's a basket with odds and ends in it." She was quiet while Jeff retrieved it.

  "What I need is a small tool that repairs the tiny hinges in these frames." Bobbie reached into her pocket for the glasses, and Jeff seated them both at the tabl
e.

  Jeff nearly pressed the tool into her hand but instead picked up the glasses she had laid on the table. Bobbie

  didn't object, but leaned very close in an effort to see him work. He worked with careful precision, no easy task with Bobbie's nose almost touching his cheek. He no ticed how nice her hair smelled and nearly told her so,

  but just then the back door opened and in walked Troy. "Is that you, Dad?"

  "What happened to your glasses?" Bobbie's question about who he was told him instantly, before he had even looked at her, that she couldn't see. Never was Troy more protective than when his sister couldn't see. Even as a child he could become almost violent if Bobbie were

  threatened when she was without her glasses. "They broke at work." 're you all right?"

  "Yes," Bobbie answered, but would have scowled at her brother had she seen the measured look he was giving Jeff. Although aware of Troy's scrutiny, Jeff felt it was best to ignore it.

  "Got it!" Jeff said with great satisfaction. He meticu lously wiped the fingerprints from the lenses before handing them back to Bobbie.

  "Thanks, Jeff," Bobble said with a relieved smile when she could see again. She then looked at her brother. "How come you're home?"

  Troy shrugged. A family friend had come into the livery to say he thought he had seen Bobbie in front of the mercantile. Troy had been unable to concentrate after that so he took off to find out if it had been her. There had been no sign of her in the shipping office and Troy had nearly run home in a state of panic to find her. She had been out of their life for so long and it had scared him to think that something could happen to her when they had just gotten her back.

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  Troy never answered her, but for the moment Bobbie

  didn't seem to notice his quiet behavior.

  "I need to get back to work."

  "I'll go with you," Jeff said, and trailed silently after her. Troy's gaze had warmed slightly, and Jeff, not in clined to take things personally, figured Troy had been worried about his sister.

  The walk back to the shipping office was equally as quiet as the exit from the house. Wasting no time once she was back inside, Bobbie went straight to Bill's office. She entered when he called "come in" and Jeff walked into the storage room to find Gil.