Tenderness (17 page)

Jesse had not seen the stone-and-log house in the daylight and was surprised that it was larger than she had remembered. Almost
all the houses in the hills had tin roofs. Wade’s house was roofed with cedar shingles. It was neat, the grounds surrounding
it well tended. The barnyard was on a lower slope than the house. The runoff went downhill and away from the clear creek that
at one time had been the occupants’ only source of water. The house sat there among the trees, amid railed fences and wild
rosebush hedges, as if it had always been there.

“This is nice. Not at all what I expected.” Susan’s eyes were bright. “I thought everyone up here lived in tumbled-down shacks.”

Wade was waiting when they reached the yard behind the house. He patted Molly on the rump as he passed to help Jesse from
the buggy. His hand clasped her gloved one tightly; his eyes looked directly into hers. She was so breathless that she just
barely managed to speak.

“Where’s Todd?”

“In the barn with the new pups.”

Pauline got out on the other side, but Susan, flirt that she was, moved over so Wade would lift her down.

“I’ve heard all sorts of untrue things about you, Mr. Simmer. That you were ugly and mean—”

“From your sister?” Wade’s smiling eyes lingered on Jesse’s face, which was turning a light pink.

“Not that you were ugly or mean. She said that—”

“Susan. You’re making me wish I hadn’t brought you along.”

Wade chuckled. “That would have been a shame. I can’t have a pretty girl thinking I’m mean. I need all the friends I can get
in Harpersville.”

“You’re not ugly either.” Susan tossed her head and smiled up at him.

“It’s kind of you to say so.” Wade reached for the picnic basket. “Come in the house, ladies. Jody and Todd will tend to Molly.”
Then to Jesse, “I hope you intended for me and Jody to share what’s in this basket.”

“Why do you think she packed so much?” Susan, ahead, turned to walk backward so that she faced them and saw the “wait until
I get you home” look on her sister’s face. “Uh-oh,” she murmured, and turned to walk ahead with her chin lowered and her hand
over her mouth to stifle a giggle.

Jesse could tell that Pauline was pleasantly surprised when she stepped into Wade’s house. She looked with interest at the
scrubbed wooden floor, the table covered with an oilcloth, the neatly arranged cookpots that hung over the stove, and the
rows of books in a glassed-in bookcase.

Susan, with unabashed curiosity, went to the bookcase to look at the book titles. She touched the heavy glass pitcher and
goblets that sat on the oak buffet, looked closely at the picture of the Dutch windmill on the handsome wall pocket. After
touching the high-backed rocking chair and putting it in motion, she went to the doorway to look into the other part of the
house.

“I like your house,” Susan said. “Old Ghost-face has got ours so gussied up we can’t even sit in the parlor anymore.”

“Thank you, but who is Old Ghost-face?” Wade had hung his hat on the peg beside the door and had set the basket on the counter
between the kitchen cabinet and the sink.

“That’s a story that will take some time to tell.” Jesse moved to halt Susan’s recounting of the family situation.

Wade didn’t like the fluttery uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. He blamed it partially on the fact that he seldom
had people in his home other than a neighbor who dropped by occasionally. Having three women in his kitchen was unnerving,
especially if one of them was a woman who had been constantly in his thoughts and dreams for days, weeks, for a year or more.

He felt as if he were standing on the edge of a high cliff. One false move and all he yearned for would be lost to him forever.
He would know before the end of the day if he had a chance with Jesse. His eyes constantly strayed to her even as he removed
a large baking pan from the oven.

“This old fellow didn’t burn up after all.”

Susan came to stand beside him and peer in the pan when he lifted the lid.

“We have turkey only on special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

“This
is a special occasion.” Wade spoke quietly, and over Susan’s head his eyes met Jesse’s in silent yearning.

“Let’s go see the puppies, Susan.” Pauline had seen the look that passed between Wade and her friend.

“Now? I was goin’ to—”

“Now.” Pauline pushed Susan gently toward the door.

A
rosy flush flooded Jesse’s face and her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. Her mind groped like a bat in bright daylight
for something to say.

Wade saved her from trying to erase the sudden silence.

“I’m glad you brought the teacher.”

“She’s a good teacher and likes a challenge. Knowing that Mr. Harper would be furious if he knew she was teaching Jody makes
it all the more exciting for Pauline.”

Wade came close to her. All his senses were focused on the woman standing before him. He remembered the day he had stopped
her in the road. She had smiled at him, the sun shining on her glorious hair. Before the day was over he had known that she
would be his only love, his only joy, the all-consuming factor in his life. He was not half good enough for her, and God knew
he had tried to get her out of his thoughts. She had stuck there like a burr; whether he was awake or asleep, she was there
in the back of his mind.

“Right now the teacher is the farthest thing from my mind.”

Jesse’s heart began to surge wildly; she couldn’t speak, but she smiled up at him. With his dark unruly hair and his dark
skin, he was good-looking as all men are who have character stamped on their faces. His air of competence set him head and
shoulders above other men. It was hard for Jesse to use these words even in her mind. She just knew that when Wade was around
everyone was aware of him, even if he was standing still and not saying anything.

Her eyes found his, and they were soft with amber lights. When he smiled back at her, his face was younger and free of the
somber expression it usually wore. She knew immediately that this was a turning point in her life. Nothing would ever again
be the same.

“I’m glad you’re here, Jesse.” His hands gripped her shoulders. It wasn’t what he had meant to say, and he held his breath
as he waited for her to say something.

“I’m glad to be here. We’d better get dinner on so I can make my rounds,” she whispered, her lips barely moving, her eyes
lost in his. The hands on her shoulders tightened and he stared at her.

“You’re really glad you’re here?”

“Yes.” Jesse felt her heart jump out of rhythm. When he lowered his face and pressed his lips reverently to her forehead it
was so sweet that she wanted to cry. This big hill-country man was capable of incredible tenderness. Her eyes were moist when
they met his.

He gripped her hand and led her to the door, then stopped. “I’ll take you on your rounds. I take it you didn’t intend for
your brother and sister or the teacher to go with you.”

“I’d planned to leave them with Mrs. Frony or Granny. Todd hasn’t had scarlet fever.”

“It would be a good time for Jody to get acquainted with them. This is his territory. He’s more comfortable here.”

“Do you want to send him north someday?”

“He can’t stay here in these hills and amount to any more than what he does now. He’s heard about track meets and he wants
to compete. He also wants to learn. He’s got to get in there and fight for what he wants. I need to find a place where he
can get the education he needs.”

“Jody is lucky to have you. You’re a very special men, Wade Simmer.”

Jesse walked beside him. They were at the barn door before she realized it. Inside the cool, dim barn, he gave her fingers
a gentle squeeze and released them.

Todd came from one end of the barn holding a fat, wiggling pup in his arms.

“Looky, Jesse. Jody s-says maybe I c-can have him when he don’t need his mamma any m-more.”

“I’ve been after Papa to let you have a dog.” Jesse stroked the puppy’s head.

“Susan s-said old Ghost-f-face won’t l-l-let m-me h-have him.” Todd’s stuttering always became worse when he was upset.

“Don’t worry about that now. Enjoy the puppy. It will be a while before he can leave his mamma, and in the meantime I’ll talk
to Papa.”

When Jesse and Wade reached the stall, Pauline was holding one of the pups and Jody was on his knees beside the mother, stroking
her head and crooning to her.

“Hello, Jody.” The boy’s glance was brief, but Jesse saw his scowl.

“Howdy,” he mumbled.

“How many pups did Delilah have?”

“Six.”

Jesse saw the frown on Wade’s face. No doubt he had instructed Jody on how to act toward her and Pauline and the boy was pouting.
It suddenly occurred to her that Jody was jealous and frightened that she was a threat to his security here with Wade. She
made a mental note to speak to Wade about it.

“Where’s Susan?”

“I’m up here, Jess. Up here in the hayloft.” Susan’s head appeared over the edge of the loft floor. She had lost her hair
ribbon and spikes of straw stuck to her hair. “I’ve wondered what a hayloft was like since Mary Sue told me it was where she
and Jeff Stealy… uh-oh—” She paused when she saw the stern look come over her sister’s face. “I’d better come down.”

Jesse had stepped back to look up at her sister and had come up against Wade’s chest. She could feel his silent laughter.

“Mercy me,” Jesse murmured. “What will I ever do with that girl?”

“She’s a corker, isn’t she?” His hand moved up and down her arm, and Jesse’s thoughts scattered like dry leaves in a windstorm.

Not wanting to leave the touch of his hand, but knowing she must because she saw her sister watching from the loft, she moved
away from him to speak to her brother.

“Take the puppy back to its mother, Todd. Maybe Jody will let you hold it again after we eat. I must get started on my rounds.”

“Where do you plan to go?” Wade asked as they left the barn.

“I want to visit the little Gordon girl; she was very sick. Papa wants me to urge Mrs. Merfeld to come in when it’s time for
her baby. Then I’ll see Granny and Mrs. Bailey. Papa also wants me to put a notice in the store. Two weeks from now we’ll
be there to vaccinate for smallpox.”

“Would you like me to take a notice to Coon Rapids? The school is closed for the summer, but I could leave word at the church.”

“It would help. I’ll ask the Gordon and the Merfeld children to spread the word. We want to inoculate as many as we can that
day. Papa thought two weeks would be enough time to get the word around. He’s getting the vaccine from the Public Health Department.”

Jesse and Pauline set the table and laid out the contents of the picnic basket: deviled eggs, bread, cheese, sliced ham and
several dozen cry-baby cookies.

As Wade sliced the turkey, he watched Jesse out of the corner of his eye. He had never even touched her hand until three weeks
ago. Now all the beauty he had ever dreamed of was summed up in her. He had to be careful or his rough ways would scare her
away.

“I told Todd to wash, but he didn’t do it very well. And… he threw water on me.” Susan came storming into the kitchen, letting
the screen door slam.

Jesse glanced at the few wet spots on Susan’s dress. “You’re not hurt. Come fill this pitcher and fill the water glasses.”

Todd came in wiping his hands on his pants. The front of his shirt was wet. He looked at Susan and poked out his tongue.

“S-Susan threw w-water on me.”

“You did it first, bird-brain.”

“I-I-I didn’t.”

“Hush, both of you,” Jesse said. “Where’s Jody?”

“On t-the porch.”

Jesse saw the worried look on Wade’s face.
He was afraid of what the others would do when Jody came to the table.
She imagined that Jody was worried too. She went to the door.

“Hurry, Jody. We’re ready to sit down.” When she turned, Wade was holding out a chair for her. He indicated for the others
to sit down and went to the head of the table. Pauline and Susan sat on one side, Todd and the empty place was on the other.
“We’ll wait for Jody.”

The boy came in with a rebellious look on his face. Jesse recognized it as a defense against what he was afraid would happen
when he sat at the table with Wade’s white guests.

“Sit down there by Todd, Jody,” Wade said.

“It’s a good thing you’re not eating at our house,” Susan sat primly, her hands in her lap. “Papa makes us wait if we’re late.”

“T-This ain’t our h-house, blabber-f-face.”

“I’m just telling him… block-head.”

Jody looked down at his plate and said nothing.

Jesse sent Wade a look of apology. He was gazing at her. On his face was a look of patient waiting, and in his eyes a shadow
of longing. It was as if he was unaware of what was going on around him.

“My granny always said the blessing.” He spoke quietly about the pleasant memory. His eyes held Jesse’s.

“Would you like me to do it?”

When he nodded, she held her hand out to Pauline on one side and to Jody on the other. When Jody didn’t respond, Todd reached
down and clasped his hand and brought it up to rest on the table and held his other hand out to Wade. Hesitantly, Jody put
his hand in Jesse’s. She bowed her head.

“Dear Lord, we thank Thee for this food, and for allowing us to be here today with our friends, Wade and Jody. Bless this
house and keep it safe. Amen.”

Silently, Jesse thanked God for her little brother’s compassion and understanding.

“I-I want turkey. I g-get those old d-deviled eggs at home. Wait’ll y-you eat Jesse’s cry-b-baby cookies, Jody. They’re r-r-really
good.”

The dishes were passed. Susan chattered about the colt she had seen in the pasture behind the barn. Todd asked questions about
the geese and the pups. Wade answered all questions patiently. Pauline watched and listened as if she could hardly believe
she was here in the hills in a comfortable home.