As Time Goes By (The Californians 2)

by Lori Wick

  "Great," Jeff said softly, and warning bells went off in Sylvia's mind.

  "You didn't say that very enthusiastically."

  "Didn't I?" Jeff was truly surprised. He then went on to describe every detail of the camping experience, and Sylvia couldn't help but wonder if Jeff knew how his eyes softened just a bit whenever he mentioned Bobbie's name. In fact he made it sound like an endearment.

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  Their supper together was relaxed, but when Jeff saw Sylvia home she was quiet. Jeff, who was equally silent, didn't seem to notice. Once at the house Jeff suddenly seemed to realize how preoccupied he had been.

  "I'm sorry, Sylvia, I don't seem to be very good corn pany tonight."

  "It's not happening for you, is it, Jeff?"

  It took him a moment to understand Sylvia as she gazed at him with her heart in her eyes. A look of pro found remorse passed over Jeff's features and Sylvia did her best to smile.

  "It's all right, Jeff. You can't force something you don't feel."

  "I do care for you, Sylvia."

  '`i know you do," she said with soft regret. "I also know that there's someone who already holds your heart, and I wonder when you're going to open your eyes and see that."

  Without giving Jeff a chance to speak, Sylvia went up

  on tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

  "Goodbye, Jeff."

  Jeff didn't move or reply even after Sylvia went into her sister's house and shut the door. He stood motion less for the space of a few heartbeats.

  "My eyes are open, Sylvia." Jeff's voice was hushed as he walked away from the house. "But hers aren't, and i don't know what to do about that."

  Sylvia leaned against the closed door and shut her

  eyes tightly. 'It's time for me to go home.' "Sylvia, is that you already?" "It's me."

  As Time Goes By 237

  "How was your date?" Sandra asked kindly as Sylvia joined her in the empty living room.

  "It was fine." Sylvia's voice was quiet. "But I won't be seeing Jeff again."

  Sandra was silent as she digested this new informa tion. A few months ago she would have scathingly asked what Sylvia had done this time to drive Jeff away. But Sylvia's sudden maturity made this question unneces sary.

  'a.re you all right?" the older woman finally asked.

  "I will be. I think I should tell you now that I've decided to go home in a few weeks."

  "So soon?" The question alone spoke volumes as to the changes Sandra and Carl had seen in Sylvia since she returned from Aunt Velvet's.

  Sylvia could only nod and the women shared an embrace. It had been a long time coming, but Sylvia Weber was finally growing up.

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  thirty-seven

  The next four weeks were taken up with preparations for Troy's wedding and his moving into the small house that Kaiflin and Marcail had lived in when they first arrived in Santa Rosa. Carla had been ecstatic to find that it was free to rent just two weeks before the date. The church reception was not planned until three weeks after the wedding, so Maryanne and Mrs. Johnson dug into their attics and trunks to find needed household goods.

  It was a rather ragtag collection of bedding and kitchen supplies when it was put together, but Troy and Carla only had eyes for each other.

  With only the ]ohnsons, Bradfords, and Pastor Keller in attendance, the ceremony was as simple and quiet as the young couple hoped it would be. The newlyweds were headed a few hours north for their honeymoon.

  Troy's absence from the house made it feel empty. Bobbie's heart seemed a little empty too, and even though the void was not directly related to Troy, it did have something to do with seeing him and Carla stand before Pastor Keller and become husband and wife. Bobbie coveted the title of wife.

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  Unbidden, Jeff's face came to mind, and Bobbie shook her head to dispel the vision. Jeff belonged to Sylvia. He hadn't talked much about his dates with her lately, but Bobble suspected they were becoming quite serious with the way Jeff seemed to be putting more and more space between himself and Bobbie.

  Bobbie longed to talk with him, but knew she couldn't be close friends with a married man, and that it would be easier in the long run to start thinking of Jeff in that light right now.

  What Bobbie didn't expect was that her feelings would be stronger than she was, and that the reception, held at one of the large homes where Maryanne worked, would end in humiliation for Bobbie.

  "I can't believe Mrs. Walcott let us use her home and garden." It was the fifth time Maryanne had made such a statement, and as before, Jake smiled to himself and keptquiet.

  "Do we have everything? Where's Bobbie? What time is it?" Jake was not given a chance to answer any of these questions, and actually he didn't even try.

  Maryanne was quiet on the way to Walcotts', but as soon as they arrived she began giving orders like a woman possessed. Jake listened to her for a few minutes before stepping in.

  "Mary," he said softly, "everything is going to be fine, and if you don't stop telling Bobbie to be in four places at once, she's going to run away.'"

  Stopped short over her husband's words, Maryanne apologized to her daughter and prayed for calm. Things were a little smoother from that point on, and when the guests began to arrive, everything was in place.

  242 240 Lori Wick As Time Goes By 241

  The Walcott mansion was a tall, broad, two-story house with a backyard garden which was the envy of Santa Rosa residents. The kitchen and summer porch at the rear of the house made a garden reception a dream.

  Tables and chairs were scattered all over the lush grass and faced the long tables set up outside the kitchen door for the finger foods, cakes, and fruit drinks. Guests could roam about at will or sit next to the flowerbeds, whose riotous colors only enhanced the occasion for which the church family was gathered.

  Carla was radiant and Troy's smile nearly stretched off his face as he stood beside his wife. The Johnsons mingled with Jake and Maryanne while Bobbie ran back and forth from the kitchen to the beautiful garden all afternoon.

  By the time the guests began to leave, the gift table was laden and the food tables were nearly bare. Cleanup was a momentous task and Bobbie was again involved. She had just pushed a wheeled cart into a rather secluded dining room where Mrs. Walcott kept her large platters, in the bottom drawer of a buffet, when she felt her glasses fall from her face.

  Quickly reacting this time, she grasped both pieces as they slid down her front. She had been standing for at least five minutes trying to put them together on her own when she heard someone enter the room.

  "Your mother told me I might find you in here." "Oh, hi, Jeff. She now knew his voice so well. My glasses came apart. I know how to fix them when they

  break like this, but I just can't get it."

  "Here, let me have a go."

  Bobbie surrendered the glasses to his capable hands, and as always drew very close to watch him work. Jeff was able to snap them back together, and Bobbie waited

  while he wiped the lenses before placing them gently back on her face.

  He leaned close as he always did when helping her with her spectacles, and even after the lenses were in place he stayed bent over her, their noses nearly touchg.

  Jeff smiled as Bobbie's eyes focused on him. Bobbie smiled back, thinking how much she had missed being close to him. When Jeff did not immediately move away, Bobbie acted without thought. She put one hand, almost a caress, against the side of Jeff's face and pressed her lips to his.

  As though completely forgetting that she had no right to do such a thing, Bobbie did not immediately check herself and step away, making the moment she did realize she was actually kissing Jeff the most embarrassing thing to ever happen to her.

  Jeff's gaze was very tender as Bobbie broke the kiss and took a hasty step backward, but she didn't notice. With one hand to her throat, she began to stutter.

  "Jeff, I'm s-sorry. I c-can't think what c-came over m-me."

  "B
obbie, honey--"

  "No, Jeff, don't say anything. I'm just so sorry." Bobie turned away from him then, and when she looked back, there were tears in her eyes. "Sylvia will never

  forgive me," she whispered.

  "Bobbie, please--"

  Jeff stopped and didn't follow her when she rushed past him and out of the room. He found himself looking around and thanking God that the room had provided privacy. The last thing they had needed was witnesses. Jeff exited the room determined to find her and clear things up, but she was nowhere to be found.

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  242 Lori Wick

  He went to her house that evening just before supper, but ]ake told him that Bobbie had gone to bed exhausted. Jeff determined to pin her down the next day at church, but she avoided him nicely, and when he went to her house on Sunday afternoon, Maryanne said she was at her sister's.

  Feeling frustrated, Jeff left telling himself there was always tomorrow. And unless Bobble had quit her job when he wasn't looking, she would have to face him at the office in the morning.

  thirty-eight

  .Bobbie's Sunday was miserable as she walked over half of Santa Rosa. Never had she handled anything so badly as her mistake with Jeff. Running from him was the worst thing she could do, but the blood drained from her face every time she thought of facing him with an apology, or working with him on a daily basis.

  It was her thought life that had gotten her into trouble, of that she was positive. Very recently she had imagined herself kissing Jeff on more than one occasion, and when he had bent so close, Sylvia had been the farthest person from her mind. She hadn't even tried to stop herself.

  Again Bobbie found herself having to confess how much she had enjoyed it. If only he hadn't fallen for Sylvia. Jeff was sure to marry Sylvia. If only, Bobble thought, and then stopped herself. She would never keep going if her life was a series of if onIy's.

  There was no choice about her job--she would have to quit, of course. Fear of running into Jeff kept her from going to see Mr. Taylor that very afternoon. Bobbie tried to push away the pain that returned again and again on her walk.

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  244 Lori Wick

  Maryanne had not lied to Jeff. Before going on a long walk to think and pray, Bobbie had gone to see her sister for a brief visit. In no less pain when she finally returned home, Bobbie had at least told God all she felt, and she knew what must be done.

  Her parents had questioned her about being gone so long, but in fear of starting tears that would never stop, Bobbie had not answered. Neither Jake nor Maryanne had pushed the point, but they watched with concern as Bobble played with her supper and ate no breakfast the following morning.

  "Bobbie," Maryanne stopped her daughter as she was headed out the door for work. "If you're not feeling well, you can stay home."

  "I know, Morn, and I know you're wondering what's going on, but I just can't talk about it right now. I hope when I get home tonight I'll be able to explain every thing."

  Maryanne, feeling she had no choice but to accept her grown daughter's answer, was very concerned. "I'll be praying for you, Bobble."

  Those words were nearly her undoing. How easy it would be to run to the protective arms of her parents! And then Bobbie stopped short. She was done running a long time ago. She squared her shoulders with renewed purpose.

  "Thanks, Mom, I appreciate that." Kissing her mother's cheek, Bobbie headed toward the door and called over her shoulder, "I'll see you tonight."

  thirty-nine

  "Yousure know how to avoid a man."

  Bobbie started at the sound of Jeff's voice and felt her face flush. Overcome with regret, she didn't say any thing for a few moments. A wonderful friendship had been ruined. They would never be comfortable with each other again, and it was all her fault.

  That Jeff was extremely glad to see her was totally lost on Bobbie. Drowning in her own hurt, she failed to notice how Jeff's eyes sparkled with tenderness and warmth.

  "Bobbie--"

  "Please, Jeff, just let me say how---"

  "Hello, Jeff; hello, Bobbie." Bobbie was interrupted by May's sudden entrance to the shipping office. She held Marcail's hand, and Bobbie, without delay, forgot her own problems at the sight of the white-faced little gift.

  "It seems that Kaitlin chose today to have her baby, and I told Marcail it would be a good idea if she came here for a few hours."

  "That's a great idea. Come over and have a chair, Marc." The words were spoken by Jeff, and with his

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  hand on the little girl's shoulder, she was escorted up to Bobbie's desk.

  May left quietly and a few minutes later Bill entered the office. Bobble was speaking with Marcail and didn't hear the exchange between father and son, but when Bill went into his office Jeff suggested that Bobbie and Mar-cail take a ride with him.

  Once in the wagon, Jeff and Bobbie's eyes met over the top of Marcail's head and it was with mutual, unspoken understanding that they decided to put their discussion off and concentrate on their young charge.

  Marcail had said little, and as Jeff headed the wagon in the direction of the lagoon, Bobbie asked God to give her the words to comfort and help Marcail.

  Kaitlin spat a sentence at Rigg in furious Hawaiian. It was the second time she had said it to him, and for the first time he was glad he couldn't speak the language.

  "I can't push anymore, Rigg, I just can't do it," Kate panted after the last hard contraction.

  Rigg mopped her brow and kissed her cheek. No one had ever told him it would be like this. No one had ever mentioned that his wife would be in agony for hours and he would be powerless to help.

  Rigg had not previously known the meaning of the word "frustration" until Doctor Grade had come, checked on Kaitlin, and left, telling them it would probably be some hours yet. He had told them where he could be found and his manner had been kind, but Rigg, unsatisfied, had followed him to the door.

  "Isn't there anything you can do for her?"

  "I'm afraid not, Rigg. First babies take time."

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  Rigg found out in a hurry that those words had been an understatement. It felt to him as though Kate had been in labor for days, and he wasn't even the one in pain.

  "Oh no," Kate gasped as another contraction began. Rigg looked at his mother on the other side of the bed to see if she was as worried as he was, but the smile she gave him was one of serene acceptance.

  Illumination flooded Rigg's heart as he realized that his mother had gone through this exact process to have him. Kate needed him right now, so there was no time for talk, but when this was all over, and Rigg prayed it would be soon, he told himself he was going to thank Mabel Riggs Taylor for giving him life.

  "You were really on a date here?" Marcail asked in childish wonder. "What did you do?"

  "Well," Bobbie explained, "the other kids were here as well, and we had a picnic lunch under the trees. Then we sat around and talked. The whole church came later to go boating."

  "Can we go boating?"

  "Not today, but I think we might be able to arrange something later on," Jeff had answered from the place where he was sitting with his back against a tree. He was amazed at the relaxed way Bobble talked about the day at the lagoon, without giving any hint of the disastrous events that followed.

  He was also amazed how strong his feelings were for her. They were both doing a good job of pretending there was nothing they needed to discuss. Jeff was sure Mar-cail didn't suspect a thing. She was growing visibly more

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  relaxed by the second, and that fact was directly related to Bobbie's sensitive care of her.

  "I think it might be getting close to lunch. Shall we go back to my house to eat?"

  "I don't know, Bobble. Maybe I should go and check on Katie."

  "I think it would be best if we didn't go over there right now."

  "Why, Bobbie? Why did May take me away? What are they doing to Katie that they don't want me to kno
w?"

  Bobbie's arms went around the little girl. "They're not doing anything to her Marcail, but it's hard work having a baby, and it's not the best idea to have a lot of people around."

  "But there were a lot of people around, even Dr. Grade." "Marc," Bobble said softly, "Dr. Grade is there to help Katie. He's there to take care of her."

  Marcail was certain she was going to return home and have Rigg tell her that Kate was dying, but she didn't mention any of this to Bobble.

  "The people at the house are there for a reason. And even though I'm sure Katie wishes you could be nearby, she also sees that it would be easier if you were else where. It would be the same as if you wanted to go to work at the livery with Sean. He'd like to have your company, but you couldn't really help him with his job, and it would be easier for him if you weren't there.

  "Having a baby is work. If Kate is worried about you, then she won't be able to work as well as she needs to."

  Some of the tension that had returned to Marcail's face drained away, and they got in the wagon to head for the Bradfords. Jeff was careful not to look in the direction of his brother's place as they rode through town, but he couldn't help but wonder if his sister-in-law was all

  As Time Goes By 249

  right. He prayed for all concerned and tried to turn his mind back to the situation at hand.

  Sean came out of his cha'tr in the kitchen as though someone had jerked him up on a string. His sister had just let out a bloodcurdling scream, and he waited, his breath held, for some noise to issue from the bedroom.

  Black spots dotted his vision a moment later when he heard a baby cry. He sat back down with a thud, hoping he wouldn't faint. A baby! His sister had had a baby!

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  forty

  Sean watched May emerge from the bedroom, wiping her eyes.

  ' girl, a big beautiful girl."

  Her words started the young man's own tears. Kate had confided in him one day that most men wanted boys, but that Rigg had wanted a daughter. She had said it was her deepest desire to give him that wish.