Elise grabbed the damp cloth off the back of the high chair to wipe them just as Katie shoved the remaining food off her tray. “Oh-oh,” she said, peering at the mess on the floor.
“No—no, Katie!” Elise said.
Eyes wide, filling with tears, lower lip protruding, Katie turned toward Elise. As she wiped her daughter’s hands and face, Elise regretted her tone. Had she been unnecessarily harsh because of the pent-up emotions swirling inside her?
Beside her, David knelt on the floor, gathering the mess in his napkin. “No damage done,” he said, rising to his feet. “Callie is wise not to have rugs in here.”
He tapped Katie’s nose. She grinned, grabbing his finger with both hands. The tender expression on David’s face as he gazed down at her daughter melted Elise’s frozen heart. No matter what stood between them, David cared about Katie.
If only Elise understood what had happened to destroy what they’d had.
Callie came in with dessert. A lopsided cake. The top layer looked ready to slide off the base.
“I thought about hiding this in the kitchen but decided I shouldn’t be ashamed of it.” Callie sliced a wedge of chocolate and laid it on a plate. “I figure if God can love us, imperfect as we are, then this cake’s imperfections make it perfect.”
As Elise thought about what Callie had said, she studied that cake. Once they all were served, she took a bite. “It’s delicious.”
“Which proves that what’s on the inside is all that matters.” Callie poured the coffee. “It took me a while to understand that striving to an impossible standard makes me miserable.”
Tears sprang to Elise’s eyes. She quickly dropped her gaze to her plate, moving moist crumbs around with her fork. She’d failed God. She’d failed her parents. She’d failed Katie. Her daughter would grow up without a father.
Against her will, her gaze darted to David. “I admire you, Elise,” he said softly. “More than you’ll ever know.”
Elise’s hand knotted in her lap. Why had he said such a thing? Yet hurt her time and again.
David turned to Callie. “You’re right about cakes, about most things. But if a doctor doesn’t live to a high standard, people die.”
“That’s true,” Callie said, “but doctors are human. Only God is infallible.” She cocked her head at David. “What took you away from Peaceful?”
“A family emergency.” David rose, laid his napkin on the table. “I need to go. Thanks for the delicious meal, Callie.”
With that he strode out of the room. Each step echoed in the silence, then the soft click of the closing door.
“Wasn’t that strange?” Callie said.
Elise kept her gaze on her plate. Though David’s answer had been vague, he’d given Callie the reason for his absence but hadn’t confided in her. The truth pressed against Elise’s lungs until she could barely draw a breath. Whatever they’d once shared was over.
She glanced at Callie’s and Jake’s stunned faces then looked at the cake, tilting precariously. Perfection might not be the goal, but with its foundation wobbly, one more cut, one more slice, and that cake would topple. Just like her dreams.
Chapter Five
The whir of the treadle machine lured Elise to the sewing room where her mother Sarah worked to transform yards of gorgeous cream silk into a bridesmaid’s dress. Dust motes danced in a beam of late afternoon sunlight streaming through the window, setting the yellow walls aglow.
Instead of fulfilling her parents’ dreams, Elise had given them their worst nightmare. Thankfully they loved Katie and were Elise’s staunchest supporters. Now. Still the reminder of her failing clung to Elise like her shadow.
A smile on her plump face, auburn hair shot with silver, Mama peered up at them over wire-rimmed glasses. “I’m almost finished with your dress. If you’ll put the hem in, I can start Katie’s.”
“I’ll hem it tonight when Katie’s asleep.” Elise skimmed a hand over the fabric, shimmering with the luster of pearls. “This is the most beautiful gown I’ve ever owned.”
Mama’s smile drooped. “I’d thought seeing you in this dress might prompt David to propose.”
Elise stiffened. “That’s not going to happen.” She raised her chin. “If it did, I’d refuse.”
“I can’t imagine what’s gotten into him.”
“I suspect he finally realizes I’m not the woman for him.”
“Now, Elise—”
“You need to accept the truth. David’s out of my life.”
With a sigh and the defeated expression of someone seeing her hopes and dreams spiraling away, her mother clipped the last thread and pulled her dress away from the machine.
“Katie and I are off to Twite Hall,” Elise said.
Off to face David Wellman. This time she’d be prepared. This time she wouldn’t let him hurt her.
* * *
Head down, hands in his pockets, David tramped toward Twite Hall, grappling with the pain he’d caused Elise when all he wanted to do was protect her.
Twice between his house and the hall, he’d been waylaid by those who loved her.
Elise’s father had stormed out of his barbershop and warned David to stay away from Elise. “She won’t find someone else as long as you’re hanging around,” Langley had said.
A block on down, as protective as a mother hen, Callie had stopped him outside Mitchell Mercantile. “I’ve got a prescription for you, doctor,” she’d said. “Heal Elise’s broken heart.”
Callie’s tone had brooked no excuses. He had no answers. His world had flipped off its axis. He couldn’t get his bearings. He was a hollow man with no plan for tomorrow. Even if he had the remedy to heal all the heartache he’d caused, Elise would see the prescription as too little, too late, a bitter pill impossible to swallow. She’d never accept a man like him.
He hated how much he’d hurt her. Leaving town would be kinder than that crazy push and pull sizzling between them. Yet he dreaded the day when he’d no longer spend time with her.
Inside the hall, Elise waited. One look into those warm brown eyes David got lost in, eroded his resolve to protect Elise from himself. An intense longing for what Jake would soon have—a wife and family—rose up inside him, pounding with the tempo of a well digger’s drill. Yet he’d keep his distance, lest he’d mislead Elise into believing they had a future.
Flossie popped out of her office. “Well, Doc Wellman, if you aren’t a sight for sore eyes.”
“Hi, Flossie.”
“Knew you’d come back. You’re a doc. Docs don’t shirk their duty. Leastwise most don’t. In ’92 I heard tell of a doc in Indianapolis who refused to treat consumption. Reckon he forgot he took that there Hippocratic Oath.” She shook her head, as if mystified, then peeked at Katie inside the wicker carriage. “How’s that precious baby girl? Cootchie, cootchie coo,” Flossie said, baby talk spilling out of her faster than an underground spring.
Wearing a proud smile, Elise picked up Katie. “Getting bigger every day. Wave bye-bye for Miss Twite, sweet girl.”
Brown eyes shining, Katie flapped four tiny fingers and babbled a greeting. David memorized every tiny movement, knowing he’d soon leave and wanted to take with him the images of this precious child and her mother.
“That’s a nifty trick, little lady.” Flossie trailed a finger along Katie’s arm, and then turned to Elise. “Loretta Frederick stopped by. All hunched over, her back in a horrible twist, probably from hiking the woods, toting that rifle. Pains bad when she’s not gunning for rabbits or weeding her garden.”
“Poor thing.”
“Would you teach her six-year-old Sunday school class? Would only be a couple weeks at most.”
David’s gaze darted to Elise. Surely she wouldn’t take on anoth
er thing.
“I, ah—”
“I told Loretta I would before I remembered Sunday’s the Twite reunion. My niece will pitch a fit if I don’t help that morning. Land’s sake, don’t know if I’m coming or going.”
About to warn her against taking on more, David turned to Elise, but she was already nodding.
“Sure, I’ll do it,” she said.
“You’re a lifesaver! Loretta left the supplies in the Sunday school room.”
“I’ll pick them up today.”
“Thanks. Better get back to my tatting. Heard Callie’s got a new batch of unwed mothers over at Refuge of Redeeming Love. I’m making tatted-trimmed bonnets for their babies.” Flossie held out a tiny white bonnet edged with tatting.
“That’s beautiful,” Elise said.
“Can’t have babies doing without just ’cause they don’t got daddies.” She patted Elise’s arm. “Thanks for helping Loretta out.” With a wave, Flossie disappeared inside her office.
Elise had a servant’s heart, but how could she take on more?
Sometimes Elise was her own worst enemy.
* * *
Elise lowered Katie in the pram. As she turned toward the carriage handle, she bumped into David. He steadied her with a firm hand on her arm, studying her like a specimen under his microscope, bringing a flush of heat to her cheeks. “Excuse me.”
All too aware of the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed, that unruly hank of blond hair falling over his forehead, the specks of gold in his gray eyes, everything within her reacted, going from wary to attraction so intense, her stomach fluttered like a love-struck schoolgirl.
She might be attracted to him, but he wasn’t the man for her. Though mere inches away, he held himself aloof, kept secrets. She’d once believed David might one day become Katie’s daddy. Well, no matter. She could provide all the bonnets her daughter needed.
Brow creased, eyes probing, David took a step closer. “Did I just hear you agree to teach Sunday school?”
At the bewilderment, even accusation in his tone, Elise squared her shoulders. “I couldn’t turn Flossie down.”
“Why? You have a child to care for, a full-time job and a party to plan. Now you’ll have to prepare a lesson before Sunday. You’ll make yourself sick.”
Since when did he start caring again? Why didn’t he return to his medical practice and concentrate on helping his patients, the thing he’d been trained to do, instead of watching her every move? After courting for months then his sudden withdrawal, his pretense of caring had her reeling.
“What I do isn’t your business. How dare you give me advice? You can’t manage your own life.”
The glint in his eyes dimmed, leaving a hollow, lost expression. “You’re right. I’m sorry I interfered.”
Without a backward glance, he walked toward the kitchen, leaving her standing there. As much as she wouldn’t admit the truth to him, she’d spoken without thinking, agreeing to take on a task she had no time to handle. Why couldn’t she say no and stop volunteering when she barely kept up with the demands of her child and job?
With a sigh, she peeked inside the pram, heart melting at the sight of her precious daughter sleeping sweetly. As she parked the carriage in the corner, a desire to cuddle Katie in a rocking chair rose up inside her. Yet, across the way, stacks of rumpled tablecloths and napkins waited.
One glimpse in the kitchen had turned Elise’s stomach. Before she could prepare food, she’d have to scrub every surface. Flossie had understated the hall’s condition.
Preparations for the reception were wearing her down. When she had decided to give a reception, she hadn’t realized how much work a party involved. Instead she’d jumped in without thinking it through. Without David’s help she’d never pull off the party. She had to find a way to make peace between them until after a week from Saturday.
As she walked toward David, wondering how to smooth the waters, she noted the fresh scent in the air, the sheen on the planks. “Did you mop the floors?”
“I shoved everything off to the side this afternoon. I thought you might want to put Katie down.”
The hard shell around her heart softened. David had thought of Katie. “That’s very considerate.” She glanced back at the carriage. “She’s been fighting her nap. She’s worn out and has fallen asleep. For now.”
A smile lifted the corners of his lips. “She’s a good baby.” Then as if he’d forgotten to keep things impersonal, he swept a hand. “Does this arrangement work? I can move the tables if you’d prefer another way.”
Polite yet like a stranger, giving no indication they’d courted. She’d prefer anger to his studied indifference.
“I thought Callie and Jake could sit here in the front with family and members of the wedding party.”
With that plan, she’d have to join David, facing the entire town, but what choice did she have with both of them in the wedding? “Before I can prepare food, I need to have an idea of the number of people who’ll attend. Looks like enough seating for…”
“Over one hundred. With the congregation and others in town, I figure we’ll need at least that many.”
“That means a lot of food,” she said with a quiver in her voice. How would she manage? Thankfully Callie’s unwed mothers volunteered to bake the wedding cake and any additional sheet cakes they might need. “Perhaps the Ladies Circle will help me.”
“I’ll help.”
“Cook?”
“No reason I can’t follow a recipe. I’ll buy groceries, too. I can do that while you’re at work.”
“My mother credits Jake for repairing Papa’s and my relationship so she insists on handling expenses.”
“I’ll offer to give her a hand with the shopping.”
Her stomach knotted. If David offered to shop, Sarah wouldn’t mince words. No doubt would demand the specifics of his family emergency and the reason he’d stopped coming around. Or worse, what if Sarah played matchmaker? She’d seen David as the perfect husband for Elise and father for Katie.
“I’m sure my mother would prefer to shop alone.”
Gray eyes turned to pewter, the hue of the first wave of thunderclouds. “I won’t be kept from doing my part.”
Biting back a sigh, her gaze roamed the stark room. “Even without shopping, there’s plenty to do. I’m not sure how to decorate this room. The congratulatory banner I painted should be dry by Thursday. I could use your help hanging it.”
“Great idea. I’ll bring tacks and a hammer.” He glanced toward the pram. “We’d better get busy before Katie wakes up. Where do we start?”
She waved a hand at the linens. “With the room mopped, once I press the tablecloths and napkins, we can cover the tables.”
A cry came from the pram. David pulled out his pocket watch. “It’s getting late. Let’s meet tomorrow night at the same time. While you iron, I’ll clean the stove and counters.”
“All right. Seems like circumstances kept us from accomplishing much. But Mama should be able to keep Katie Wednesday so we can work late.” Her heart skipped a beat. That meant she and David would spend the next evening in close proximity. She wouldn’t refuse his help, not with David tackling a mess she’d dreaded.
But something didn’t make sense. He’d claimed a family emergency kept him away but Elise knew his family. Surely he’d share the details with her. Had that been an excuse?
What mess was David hiding?
Chapter Six
Wednesday evening, Elise found David, punctual as always, waiting for her outside Twite Hall. The concern in his eyes brought tears to hers. “Sorry, I’m late. Katie didn’t want me to leave.”
“I can do this alone, Elise. I know leaving Katie day and night is hard for you.”
/>
“I keep telling myself it’s only for ten more days.” She exhaled a long breath. “She stopped crying as soon as I was out of sight.”
“How did you know?”
“I stood outside the open window and listened.”
David chuckled, the sound oddly comforting, as if he knew children, knew their resilience. “The separation is probably harder on you than on Katie. Katie will lead some lucky man around by his nose one day.”
Forcing up the corners of her mouth, Elise’s throat tightened. She hoped her precious daughter had better success with men than her mother.
Inside they gathered buckets, sadirons and the ironing board in the storage room and carried them to the kitchen. David lit the stove and pumped water into a bucket, then scrubbed the stove of debris.
While she waited for the sadiron bases to heat on the stove, Elise dampened the linens with her fingers, and then rolled them up. Ironing all those linens would take hours. At least she wouldn’t have to round up table coverings. Or buy things she couldn’t afford.
She grabbed the ironing board, ready to position it between the table and a chair back. “Let me do that for you,” David said, taking the padded board from her.
“Thank you.” The man was closemouthed but a hard worker.
David scrubbed the stove until the monstrosity gleamed, then filled another bucket with hot sudsy water. As he washed the countertops and sink, his muscles bunched beneath his shirt. Her heart stuttered in her chest. How many times had she felt the strength of those muscles when he’d held her close? Seen them when he’d lifted Katie above his head?
Tearing her gaze away before she scorched the cotton, she focused on keeping the hot sadiron moving. As the heat met the damp fabric, wrinkles vanished with a hiss. The first section smoothed, she moved to the next. When the iron cooled, she carried it to the stove, sidestepping David as if his touch could burn her, released the handle from the base, and then attached the hot one.
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