A
Bride for
Tom
Ruth Ann Nordin
Wedded Bliss Romances, LLC
A Bride for Tom
Bride for
Tom
Ruth Ann Nordin
Wedded Bliss Romances, LLC
A Bride for Tom
“Did she make this herself?” She took out the cameo in the shape of a butterfly.
“She stayed up late.” He took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. “It looks like you two got along great yesterday.”
“Yes. I like her. Tell her thanks for me, will you?” She put the cameo back into the box and set the lid back on it.
“I’ll be sure to do that.”
“Would you like to come in?”
He fiddled with his hat. “I-I don’t know.”
“I promise that Peter and Margaret aren’t hiding in there,” she teased.
He blushed. “Yes, well, about that, um...”
She couldn’t believe this was the same Tom Larson who had kissed her or lassoed cattle. “Are you sure you won’t have something to eat before you go back home? My mother and I can even tie you to the chair and feed you in case you get the shakes.”
Laughing, he put his hat back on and put his hands into his pockets. “Right. I forgot about that.”
“Well, I guess I can’t blame you for suspecting that something was up. But I’m going to see Peter tonight.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.” She decided she might as well tell him the truth and see if anything would come of it. “I’ve decided I’m not marrying him.”
“Oh?”
She thought she caught a spark of interest, so she pressed further. “I thought about it and I don’t think that we suit each other. So I’m just going to let him know.”
He took a step forward and tripped.
She managed to catch him before he fell face first on the porch. She stumbled back until he stood up.
“Oh gosh. I’m sorry.” He reached out and took the dented box from her. “Here. Let me fix that.”
As soon as she remembered that the cameo had a pin stuck to the back of it, she said, “No. It’s just a box.” She took it back and opened it. Sure enough the pin was sticking out. All she needed was for him to jab himself with it. She adjusted the cameo so that the pin was safely out of the way. As she did, she saw a note. She glanced up at Tom who was straightening his hat. “Will you have a seat in the parlor? I’ll put this away in my bedroom and then be right out to see you.”
He nodded and followed her into the house.
She expected him to trip over the threshold but he didn’t. Instead he turned to shut the door and ended up walking into the hat rack. She hid her laughter by covering it up with a cough. It was a good thing he didn’t bump into things when he was doing his job. “I’ll be right back.”
He steadied the hat rack and set his hat on it.
“Jessica? Is that you?” her mother called from the kitchen.
“Yes,” she replied. “We have company.”
“Really? Who?”
“Tom Larson,” she quickly answered before she hurried to her room.
She knew what was coming even before she heard the footsteps coming her way. She set the box on her dresser and took out the note. It was from Jenny, just as she suspected.
Tom would kill me if he knew I wrote this, but he’s sweet on you. Won’t you consider him instead of Peter? It’d be nice to have you for a sister-in-law.
Jenny
She hid the note before her mother appeared in her doorway.
“Jessica, what is that boy doing back here?”
“I invited him for dinner.” Jessica took off her bonnet and brushed her hair. She couldn’t believe she was actually trembling with excitement. She’d never felt this flustered over Peter.
Her mother shook her head. “With things all up in the air about Peter, do you think this is wise?”
“Oh, I spoke with Margaret today and we agreed that Peter would be much better off if he married his mother.”
“You didn’t say those words!” she hissed and glanced over her shoulder as if afraid Tom could hear them. She quickly entered the room and shut the door.
“No, we didn’t use those exact words, but you have to admit that he doesn’t love me, not the way he should.”
Her mother sighed. “I admit that he seems a little too devoted to his mother.”
“A little? He won’t sneeze without her permission.” Jessica examined the ribbons Tom had given her. She finally picked one and put it in her hair.
“Marriage can seem long with a man attached to his mother’s apron strings. Perhaps Peter isn’t ready to get married yet.”
“I agree, he isn’t.”
“And are you sure that Tom is ready?”
“Well, he is itching to get his own place, and that place happens to be a good distance from his parents. Jenny told me all about it. She said that he’s even started plans on making a house out there.”
“I have to get to know this boy. You can’t be rushing for the altar yet, young lady.”
Jessica pinched her cheeks to make them a rosy color.
“I insist that you court for a year.”
She stopped and looked at her mother. “A year? But he’ll be doing next year’s harvest by then.”
“Well, you’re not marrying him this winter. You have to get to know him first. You have to make sure he’s the right one.”
That was true. “Let’s see. What about June? The planting will be done by then.”
“What about next winter?”
She groaned. “That’s a long time.”
“Only to a young woman. Time goes faster as you get older. The year will pass before I have time to blink.”
“What about early September? Right before the harvest?”
The woman crossed her arms. “I suppose that’s close enough to a full year. Alright.”
She smiled and got ready to leave the bedroom.
Her mother stepped in front of the door. “This conversation is hypothetical. You haven’t even called off your engagement to Peter.”
“I’ll do that after dinner.”
“And you don’t know that things will work out with Tom. Sure, he’s a good boy, but you have to get to know him.”
“That’s what this next year is for.”
“And,” she continued as Jessica reached for the doorknob, “you have to wait and see if he wants to marry you. Don’t go putting the cart before the horse.”
Jessica paused. Her mother was right. She couldn’t be sure what he wanted until he told her. “Then I’ll have to find out.”
“Make sure you do.” She stepped aside. “Now, you go pay attention to him while I finish up with dinner. But in the future if he comes over, you will have to be sure that he arrives when you’re done helping me in the kitchen.”
“I didn’t ask him to come by. He just showed up.”
“I know, but you need to do some cooking to show him that you’ll be a good wife. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. That’s how I got your father to marry me.”
“Your point is noted.”
“Good. There will be plenty of time to visit with him after the meal.”
“Is that all?”
Her mother seemed to think it over before she nodded. “Yes.”
Jessica opened the door and left the room, only having a vague notion of how to proceed. She found Tom looking out the window. She stepped forward and cleared her throat.
He turned his head in her direction and almost bumped into the rocking chair beside him.
“You know, we’re going to have to do something about your anxiety,” she said as she walked up to him. “I promise I’m not scary.”
He laughed. “I’m not scared of you.”
She shot a questioning look at the way he gripped the chair. His knuckles were turning white.
“Alright. Maybe I am...a little bit,” he admitted.
“You weren’t scared the last time you kissed me. Of course, that was when you thought I had Margaret and Peter hiding in this house.”
He chuckled. “That is silly, isn’t it? I don’t know what I was thinking.”
She grinned. “Is that the only way I can get you to kiss me?”
“W-What do you mean?”
“Well, you never did answer my question.”
“Y-Yes, I did.”
“Not really. I asked you if I wasn’t engaged, would you have kiss me? All you said was that I was engaged so it was pointless to answer the question. Now I’m not engaged. So...” She took a step closer to him so that they were almost touching. “Would you have kissed me that day if I hadn’t been engaged?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know.” Clearing his throat, he took a step back. “I guess it would have depended on how things went.”
She forced aside her irritation and took another step forward. “Let’s say things went well. Let’s say you had a lovely meal and we had a wonderful conversation. What then?”
He backed up again and this time his back hit the wall.
At least she had him cornered. She approached him. “You’re hard to nail down, Tom. All I asked was a simple question.”
“No. No, it isn’t an easy question.”
“Sure it is. It’s a yes or no question.”
“But...I mean...there are too many ways you can take that answer, and depending on how you take that answer, things could be bad.”
“Bad? Bad for who?”
“For me.” He blinked. “Or you. Or Peter. Or-”
“You know what I think?” she interrupted, feeling like this had gone on long enough. Really, he’d let this continue all night if he could, and she wanted her answer right now.
“No.” He cleared his throat. “What do you think?”
“I think you talk too much.” Then, in a bold move that surprised her for she would never have done such a thing with Peter, she closed the gap between them and kissed him.
She felt his shock before he relaxed and finally returned her kiss.
She pulled back and asked, “Now, if I hadn’t been engaged, would you have kissed me that day?”
A smile widened on his face. “You bet.” He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “And this is just how I would’ve done it!”
She closed her eyes and enjoyed his kiss.
Chapter Twelve
Jessica took a deep breath and knocked on Connie James’ door. She already tried the apartment where Peter was living, but since he wasn’t there, she thought he might be here. And as soon as he opened the front door, she realized she was right.
“Oh, good evening, Jessica,” he said. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Is that Jessica?” his mother called from another room.
“Yes.”
“Good! Tell her to come right in!”
“Well, you heard Mother. Come on in.”
Jessica hesitated. “I don’t think so, Peter. I need to speak with you alone. Maybe...” She didn’t want to take him to her house where her mother would feel compelled to serve him a drink or snack. She glanced at the rocking chairs on the porch. “We should talk out here.”
“But it’s chilly out.”
“It’s not too bad. I’m only wearing a shawl.”
He looked uneasy. “Yes, but you don’t catch ill as easily as I do.”
She sighed. Maybe she should just tell him here. It wasn’t like she had a long message for him. All she needed to do was tell him that she was going to marry Tom Larson instead of him. Really, the whole thing could be said in less than a minute. Straightening her back, she said, “Never mind. What I have to say won’t take long anyway. You see, I-”
His mother ran up to the door before Jessica had a chance to continue. She reached out and grabbed Jessica by the hand. “I’m so glad you’re here! I was ready to send Peter on a search for you. Now come along. I have something very important to discuss.”
“But-” Jessica began.
“This simply can’t wait. I’ve been at my wits’ end trying to find the best solution. You have to help. Peter keeps saying that it’s up to me, but I don’t know what to do. I’m a complete mess, I tell you!”
Jessica glanced back at Peter who shut the door.
Connie led her to the kitchen and showed her two sets of napkins. “For our wedding reception, I don’t know which pattern to go with. Which do you think would compliment my pink dress better: the flower petals or the whole rose? You do know which pink dress I’m talking about, don’t you? It has those little white pearls along the neckline.”
She stared at the woman in disbelief. “I said I wanted plain pink napkins.”
“These are pink.”
“But they have pictures sewn into them. The plain ones were cheaper.”
Connie shrugged. “What do you care? I bought them.”
“We already have patterns on the tablecloths!”
“Which is why we need something on the napkins as well. That Maureen had colorful leaves sewn onto her daughter’s napkins, and I won’t let her show me up.”
“I don’t care how Maureen does things. This is my wedding and-” She stopped. Wait. This wasn’t her wedding. Not anymore. Calming down, she continued, “Actually, you know what? It doesn’t matter. In fact, there’s not even going to be a wedding.”
Peter’s eyes grew wide.
Connie pressed a hand to her heart. “I will not allow you to elope.”
“Mother’s right. We need to do things the right way.”
“Then feel free to do them however you wish, but I am not getting married. I...” Now, this part wasn’t going to be easy. “I have decided Peter—” she glanced at him—“I mean, you—” she returned her gaze to Connie—“and I don’t make a good match. I don’t believe this is a cordial arrangement.” There. She said it.
Connie gasped and motioned for Peter to catch her before she fell back.
He dutifully did as prompted and looked at Jessica. “I don’t understand. We are a good match.”
“No, not really.” She glanced at the way he helped his mother sit down and fanned her. She bit back the urge to insist he was already married to his mother and said, “I fancy Tom Larson.”
“Tom Larson?” he repeated, dumbfounded.
“The farmer’s son?” Connie asked.
“Yes. Tom Larson.” She fingered her shawl, wondering if this was a good time to make her exit. She certainly wasn’t going to be popular with these two anymore. “I thank you both for your kindness and hope you well in life.”
As she made her way out of the kitchen, Connie called out, “Peter, stop her!”
Jessica rolled her eyes as he obeyed. Getting out of this trap of a marriage to Peter James was the best thing she ever did for herself. Tom might be clumsy, but at least he could think for himself!
Peter caught up to her as she reached the front door. “I’m sure we can work things out. Maybe we could meet tomorrow and further discuss this.”
“No, Peter, there’s nothing to discuss.”
“But Mother worked so hard on putting this wedding together. You will disappoint her.”
Her face flushed in anger. “Your mother is exactly why this will never work. You don’t love me, nor do I love you. You need to find a woman you want instead of letting your mother pick her for you. Now, please, let me go home.”
He looked as if he were going to protest but nodded. “Very well.” He opened the door just in time for Connie to run out of the kitchen.
Connie grabbed Jessica’s arm and, with big tears forming in her eyes, said, “Surely, you want a life better than what a farmer can give you. Peter’s going places. He’s already gotten a fine promotion at work.”
“Mother—” Peter began.
“You can’t do this to us, Jessica.” The woman choked on a sob and brought a handkerchief to her mouth. “However will I find another daughter-in-law who my friends will approve of?”
Jessica rolled her eyes, though the woman was too busy sobbing to notice. “Ma wants me home.” Then she quickly slipped out the door before Connie could grab her again.
***
Tom whistled all the way home. Jessica was going to actually let him court her! She even kissed him. Did life get any better than this?
As soon as he got home, he figured he should talk to his father. If he was going to be taking a bride, he needed a home to bring her to. There was no way he was going to stick around this place. Not with his irritating little brothers hovering around to cause trouble or embarrass him.
Once he unsaddled the horse and put him in the stall for the night, he ran into the kitchen where his mother and sister were washing dishes.
“You’re late,” his mother said. “I got a plate of leftovers on the table if you’re still hungry.”
“Oh well, I ate at Jessica’s,” he replied.
Jenny stopped drying a plate. “So the evening went well then?”
“It sure did. I’m courting her now!” His chest puffed up with pride. Imagine...someone like him courting someone like Jessica.
“Good,” Jenny said. “I think she’d be a fun sister-in-law.”
Their mother groaned. “No one is married yet. Don’t go jumping the gun.”
“Who’s jumping the gun? If she agreed to let him court her, then it’s a done deal.”
“Jenny.”
Noting the warning tone in their mother’s voice, Tom asked, “Where’s Pa? I want to talk to him about getting my own house.”
“He’s in the parlor playing cards with your brothers.”
“Great!” He hurried down the hall and stopped as soon as he reached the threshold of the entertainment room where his pa, Dave, and Joel studied their cards in silence. “Pa, can I talk to you?”
Joel looked up from his hand. “How rude, Tom. You can see we’re in the middle of a game.”
“But this is important. Pa?”
Their father glanced up and nodded. “Alright. Come on in and pull up a seat. We got room for one more.”
Joel grumbled under his breath but moved to make room for his brother at the round card table.
Tom shook his head. “I’d rather talk to you alone.”
That statement got both Dave and Joel to turn from their cards in interest.
“Pa?” Tom asked.
His father nodded and threw his cards down. “The pot is all yours,” he told Dave and Joel.
“Yipee,” Joel muttered to Dave. “Whatever will we do with unlimited peanuts?”
Ignoring the sarcastic remark, his father walked with Tom outside so they could have some privacy on the porch.
Once they sat in their chairs, Tom spoke. “You remember Jessica Reynolds, don’t you?”
“Yes. She was the only new person who’s been out here.”
“Well, she and I are courting!”
“Sure,” Joel called out, obviously not believing him.
Startled, Tom jumped out of his chair and saw that the parlor window was open. Oh great! Just what he needed: more teasing from his little brother. “Can’t we get rid of him?”
“Dave, close the window,” their pa called out.
Tom waited until Dave complied before he turned back to his pa. Satisfied, he sat back down and continued, “So, when can I get that house that you were talking about?”
“I suppose in a month once the harvest is over.”
“And I can pay you back, a little at a time?”
He nodded. “That’d be fine.”
Tom slapped his knee in excitement. “Great!”
“Now, you just started courting the girl when? Tonight?”
“Yep.”
“Well, I can tell you’re anxious to marry her, but you can’t rush into this. Marriage is a lifetime decision.”
“I know.” And Jessica was the right one. He just knew it!
“And you’re not going to propose until next summer at the soonest.”
He frowned. “That long?”
“That’s when planting will be done. Then you can marry after the harvest.”
“But that’s too long.”
“You only say that because you’re young.”
“How old were you when you married Ma?”
He sighed and dug out his pipe. “That’s beside the point.”
“If memory serves, you were eighteen.”
“People married earlier back then.” He lit his pipe and started smoking.
“That’s not true. Some eighteen year olds marry today.”
“But you’ve only known her for what? A week?”
Shifting in his chair, he shrugged. “About that. Maybe longer.”
“I grew up with your ma. We were friends before we learned how to walk.” A smile crossed his face and he got that nostalgic look in his eye that alerted Tom that he’d be in for a good hour’s worth of memories if he didn’t bolt. “I still remember when I first realized I loved her. We were twelve and-”
“I think Ma’s calling for me.” Tom stood up and straightened his vest. “Thanks for the talk, and I can’t wait to get started on that house. Bye.” Then he entered the house before his father could call him back out.
As he passed the parlor, Joel snickered behind his cards.
He stopped. “I can’t wait until I’m out of here.”
“Me neither,” Joel replied. “It’s hard living with the way you smell, not to mention how loud you snore. Maybe I’ll finally be able to get a good night’s sleep around here.”
“You ever wonder why Ma and Pa never had any children after you were born? It’s because they didn’t want to make another mistake.”
Joel gasped. “Ma! Tom’s being mean again!”
“What? You can give out the insults but you can’t take them?”
“I can handle them just fine. I don’t want you to run out of ideas, that’s all.”
He rolled his eyes. “You got anything to add, Dave?”
Dave glanced up from his cards and smiled. “Gin.” He set the cards down and grabbed the peanuts from the center of the table. “I’m going to my room to read.”
“You’re no fun, Dave,” Joel replied.
“Really,” Tom agreed. “You’re much too serious.”
Dave shrugged and left the parlor.
Joel’s eyebrow rose. “Think you can beat me at Gin?”
Tom snorted. “Of course, I can.”
“Fine. Prove it.” He picked up the cards so he could shuffle them.
Tom sat in the seat Dave had been in and got ready for the next hand.
Chapter Thirteen
A week later when Tom arrived at her house, Jessica asked him if he wanted to take a quick stroll through the park before supper. “The air isn’t too chilly yet, and I do love the smell of the fall weather, don’t you?”
He furrowed his eyebrows. “You notice the way things smell?”
She adjusted her shawl before she stepped out of the house. “Well sure. Don’t you?”
“No. Not really.” He rubbed the back of his neck and lowered his head.
She thought he took a moment to sniff himself. “Um, Tom, are you alright?”
“What?” His head snapped back up and he straightened. “Oh, yes. I’m fine. It’s just something Joel said. Anyway, let’s go for a walk.”
She chuckled as she shut the door and joined him down the porch steps. He was so odd in some ways, and yet, she couldn’t help but enjoy that about him. He didn’t pretend to be something he wasn’t. He was simple and easy to please. After dealing with Peter and his mother, she learned that simple and easy to please were ideal traits.
They turned down the sidewalk that led to the park, and she said, “I’m glad you could get the afternoon to come see me.”
“It’ll be easier to come to town during the winter.” He paused. “Unless it snows a lot. I hope it doesn’t snow a lot.”
“I hope it doesn’t either.”
As they reached the park, he glanced her way. “Next month, my family’s going to help me build a house. You saw one like it. Remember Neil’s place?”
“Yes.”
“It’ll be like that.”
She grinned. “You already said that.”
“Oh, did I?” His cheeks grew red.
“I don’t mind. I like hearing about—” She stopped herself before she said our home. Her mother was right. She had no business rushing things or assuming he’d propose. Still, she thought it was pretty much a done deal, and it was just a matter of time before they exchanged vows. Ideally, the vows would be exchanged in a small gathering of people with nothing more than a potluck supper afterwards. After Connie James, she had no desire for anything elaborate ever again. Clearing her throat, she said, “I like hearing about your home.”
“It’ll be close to water, and there will be lots of land all around. Well, you know what it was like out there.”
“Yes.” She scanned the colorful leaves on the trees and thought of having an apple tree. She’d always wanted an apple tree where she could pick fresh apples in her own yard. “Do you have any apple trees out there?”
“I don’t know. There are a couple of trees in the section of land I’m going to buy.”
“Oh. When I was a little girl, I hoped to make fresh apple pie for my husband.”
“Pie? Well, if there aren’t any apple trees out there, I’ll make sure to plant some,” he quickly said.
She hid her grin. So she was right. The formality of a proposal would come soon enough. And now she had to learn to make pie as well as her mother did.
“Jenny’s anxious to see you,” he stated. “I should take you back out there once the activity dies down.”
“I like Jenny. It’d be nice to see her again. Will you tell her I said hi?”
He nodded.
Jessica glanced away from Tom and halted her steps.
Pausing, he turned back and asked, “What’s wrong?”
She winced. It was just her luck. In all the time Peter was courting her, she never once ran into his mother in the park, and now that the engagement was over, her first trip out here would lead her to Connie James. And Connie was with Maureen. Looking at a confused Tom, she said, “Maybe we should go back. I think that supper might be ready sooner than I thought.”
She managed a slight turn before Connie called out to her. “Jessica, dear? Is that you?”
Jessica rolled her eyes. The woman knew very well it was her! Great. Now she was trapped. “Let’s get this over with,” she whispered to Tom before she headed down the path to meet up with Connie and Maureen.
“Who are they?” he asked as he picked up his pace to keep up with her.
“The woman wearing the green dress is Peter’s mother.”
He slowed. “His mother?”
The two women were quickly approaching, so all she could do was offer an apologetic smile.
“Jessica,” Maureen began, “you look good this afternoon.”
“Yes, you certainly do,” Connie added.
Taking a deep breath, Jessica forced her feet to remain still. “Thank you. You two look good as well.” She knew the introductions had to be made, so she motioned to Tom. “This is Tom Larson. Tom, this is Connie James and her friend, Maureen Brown.”
Maureen gave a curt nod. “How do you do?”
Tom shifted from one foot to the other. “Um, I’m fine. I guess.”
Her eyebrows rose. “You guess you’re fine? Don’t you know either way?”
“Well...” He cleared his throat. “I am. I’m fine.”
Connie shot Maureen a look that Jessica knew didn’t mean well for Tom. She cleared her throat then said, “Tom is taking a break from harvesting. It’s a lot of work for farmers this time of year.”
“Yes,” Maureen replied. “Farming is a necessity those on the lower end must bear.”
“Peter got a job promotion, you know,” Connie told Maureen.
She gasped in surprise. “Did he now?”
“Yes. He has his own office and everything.”
“My, my, my. That boy is certainly going places.”
“That he is.” Connie clasped her hands and smiled. “He makes a mother proud.”
“And proud you should be, Connie.”
Jessica glanced around them, wondering if there was anything—another person passing by or an animal—that might serve as a good distraction...or as a means of escape. She actually preferred the latter.
Maureen turned to Tom. “Have you given thought to real work?”
“I already do real work,” he said, his cheeks growing pink.
Jessica couldn’t decide if he was angry or embarrassed, but it didn’t matter. “He does work hard,” she spoke up. “Peter goes in at eight and leaves at five, but Tom works from sunup to sundown.”
“No time for a wife then,” Connie remarked, giving Jessica a pointed look.
“And for minimal pay,” Maureen added.
“Do you really believe you can support a wife and any children you may have?” Connie asked Tom.
Jessica could only stare at the woman in horror. Not for a single minute did she ever think Peter’s mother could be this rude!
Tom looked taken aback by the question before he cleared his throat. “My father owns a farm and has done a fine job of raising me and my five siblings.”
Maureen looked him up and down in obvious disapproval. “At least your clothes don’t have any holes in them.”
Jessica scrambled for something to say but her mind drew a complete blank.
“Why would we have holes in our clothes?” Tom asked.
Maureen looked as if his question surprised her. “Don’t farmers’ wives spend their free time sewing patches onto their children’s pants?”
“No.”
“Well, just what do they do?” Connie asked.
Before he could answer, a squirrel darted across his path. He was in the process of shifting to his other foot when he tripped on the squirrel and fell forward.
Maureen gasped and stepped back just in time for the startled squirrel to leap onto Connie who lost her balance and fell on her rear end in a puddle. The squirrel bounced off Connie’s hat and raced up the nearest tree.
Jessica clasped her hand over her mouth to stifle her giggles.
“Oh! Are you alright?” Tom asked, reaching out to help Connie up.
“Don’t touch me!” she shrieked and slapped his hand away.
Maureen offered her a hand, which the woman accepted, and helped brush the leaves off her wet skirt. “You should change at once.”
Red faced, Connie nodded. “Yes. I must.” She adjusted her hat and straightened her shawl. Lifting her chin up, she told Tom and Jessica, “It seems that I am in need of a new dress. Good day to you both.”
“Well, shoot, my ma doesn’t bother changing when squirrels jump on her. She just laughs and plays in the fields with them,” Tom replied. “Says it’s good for the soul to get along with the critters.”
Jessica glanced at Tom. Was he being serious?
Maureen blinked. “She doesn’t do such a vile thing.”
He shrugged. “You wanted to know what farmers’ wives did.”
Connie huffed. “There’s no need to be flippant.” She shot Jessica a meaningful look. “Peter is always polite.” Then she pressed forward and hobbled down the sidewalk with Maureen who talked to her in soothing tones.
After a moment, Tom said, “I probably wasn’t as gentlemanly as I should have been.”
Jessica burst out laughing. “Are you kidding? That was great.” Then she quickly sobered. “Your ma doesn’t allow critters into the house, does she?”
“That depends on what you call a critter. Some days she says that my brothers are no better than a pack of wild animals.”
She smiled. “Who knew you had it in you?”
“Had what in me?”
“That you had such wit.”
A slow grin crossed his face. “There’s lots you don’t know about me.”
“I look forward to finding out more then,” she shyly replied.
“Mind if I take your arm?”
“No.”
He took her by the elbow, and they continued their walk.
Chapter Fourteen
Jessica’s mother rolled her eyes when Jessica lifted her new veil for her to inspect. “You’ve only been courting for one month. It’s much too soon to think of weddings.”
Jessica set the veil back on her lap. “He’s going to propose. It’s just a matter of when.”
“And ‘when’ isn’t going to happen any time soon.”
Jessica turned her attention back to pulling the pink thread through the needle.
Her mother crossed the parlor and fiddled with the curtains. “I notice you put in red and pink roses.”
“Of course. I asked him what he thought of those colors, and he said they were fine.”
“You didn’t tell him what you were doing with those colors, did you?” She put a hand on her hip and studied her daughter with a disapproving look.
“No. I just said I liked those colors together, that’s all.”
“Hmm...” Her mother didn’t look convinced.
Shrugging, she tied the thread and got ready to add more to the rose she’d just started on her veil.
“The poor boy doesn’t stand a chance.”
She gasped. “Why would marrying me be a burden to him?”
“I didn’t say it would be a burden. I feel bad because he doesn’t have a chance.”
“Why would he want a chance to avoid marriage to me?”
“You know what I mean.” She chuckled as she shook her head. “I hope you’re letting him believe that he’s the one leading this relationship.”
“You know I do. I learned from watching you. You made Pa think he made the big decisions around here.”
“He did make the big decisions.”
“Deciding what to eat for supper is not a big decision,” Jessica said.
“It sure was. It made a huge difference as to how long I spent in the kitchen each day.”
Jessica laughed. “If you say so.”
Before her mother could protest, there was a knock at the door. Her mother glanced out the window. “We’re not done with this conversation, young lady.”
“Who is it?”
“Margaret.”
“Oh good! I want to talk to her about putting those red roses back onto her bridesmaid gown.”
Her mother groaned but opened the front door. “Come on in, Margaret. The bride is right over there.”
“The bride?” Margaret entered the parlor and looked at Jessica. “Did Tom propose already?”
“No,” her mother said. “But he certainly would have if Jessica here had her way.”
“He’s planting apple trees for me,” Jessica told Margaret.
Margaret’s eyes grew wide. “Is he really?”
Jessica’s mother frowned. “Just what is so important about that?”
“Nothing. It’s just nice to have fresh apples, that’s all,” Jessica quickly answered.
Giving a loud sigh, her mother said, “In this case, I suppose ignorance is bliss. I’ll be in the kitchen.”
“I’ll join you soon,” Jessica promised. She glanced at her friend. “Will you stay for supper?”
“I suppose I can.” Margaret took off her coat and hung it on the hook by the door.
“She stayed up late.” He took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. “It looks like you two got along great yesterday.”
“Yes. I like her. Tell her thanks for me, will you?” She put the cameo back into the box and set the lid back on it.
“I’ll be sure to do that.”
“Would you like to come in?”
He fiddled with his hat. “I-I don’t know.”
“I promise that Peter and Margaret aren’t hiding in there,” she teased.
He blushed. “Yes, well, about that, um...”
She couldn’t believe this was the same Tom Larson who had kissed her or lassoed cattle. “Are you sure you won’t have something to eat before you go back home? My mother and I can even tie you to the chair and feed you in case you get the shakes.”
Laughing, he put his hat back on and put his hands into his pockets. “Right. I forgot about that.”
“Well, I guess I can’t blame you for suspecting that something was up. But I’m going to see Peter tonight.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.” She decided she might as well tell him the truth and see if anything would come of it. “I’ve decided I’m not marrying him.”
“Oh?”
She thought she caught a spark of interest, so she pressed further. “I thought about it and I don’t think that we suit each other. So I’m just going to let him know.”
He took a step forward and tripped.
She managed to catch him before he fell face first on the porch. She stumbled back until he stood up.
“Oh gosh. I’m sorry.” He reached out and took the dented box from her. “Here. Let me fix that.”
As soon as she remembered that the cameo had a pin stuck to the back of it, she said, “No. It’s just a box.” She took it back and opened it. Sure enough the pin was sticking out. All she needed was for him to jab himself with it. She adjusted the cameo so that the pin was safely out of the way. As she did, she saw a note. She glanced up at Tom who was straightening his hat. “Will you have a seat in the parlor? I’ll put this away in my bedroom and then be right out to see you.”
He nodded and followed her into the house.
She expected him to trip over the threshold but he didn’t. Instead he turned to shut the door and ended up walking into the hat rack. She hid her laughter by covering it up with a cough. It was a good thing he didn’t bump into things when he was doing his job. “I’ll be right back.”
He steadied the hat rack and set his hat on it.
“Jessica? Is that you?” her mother called from the kitchen.
“Yes,” she replied. “We have company.”
“Really? Who?”
“Tom Larson,” she quickly answered before she hurried to her room.
She knew what was coming even before she heard the footsteps coming her way. She set the box on her dresser and took out the note. It was from Jenny, just as she suspected.
Tom would kill me if he knew I wrote this, but he’s sweet on you. Won’t you consider him instead of Peter? It’d be nice to have you for a sister-in-law.
Jenny
She hid the note before her mother appeared in her doorway.
“Jessica, what is that boy doing back here?”
“I invited him for dinner.” Jessica took off her bonnet and brushed her hair. She couldn’t believe she was actually trembling with excitement. She’d never felt this flustered over Peter.
Her mother shook her head. “With things all up in the air about Peter, do you think this is wise?”
“Oh, I spoke with Margaret today and we agreed that Peter would be much better off if he married his mother.”
“You didn’t say those words!” she hissed and glanced over her shoulder as if afraid Tom could hear them. She quickly entered the room and shut the door.
“No, we didn’t use those exact words, but you have to admit that he doesn’t love me, not the way he should.”
Her mother sighed. “I admit that he seems a little too devoted to his mother.”
“A little? He won’t sneeze without her permission.” Jessica examined the ribbons Tom had given her. She finally picked one and put it in her hair.
“Marriage can seem long with a man attached to his mother’s apron strings. Perhaps Peter isn’t ready to get married yet.”
“I agree, he isn’t.”
“And are you sure that Tom is ready?”
“Well, he is itching to get his own place, and that place happens to be a good distance from his parents. Jenny told me all about it. She said that he’s even started plans on making a house out there.”
“I have to get to know this boy. You can’t be rushing for the altar yet, young lady.”
Jessica pinched her cheeks to make them a rosy color.
“I insist that you court for a year.”
She stopped and looked at her mother. “A year? But he’ll be doing next year’s harvest by then.”
“Well, you’re not marrying him this winter. You have to get to know him first. You have to make sure he’s the right one.”
That was true. “Let’s see. What about June? The planting will be done by then.”
“What about next winter?”
She groaned. “That’s a long time.”
“Only to a young woman. Time goes faster as you get older. The year will pass before I have time to blink.”
“What about early September? Right before the harvest?”
The woman crossed her arms. “I suppose that’s close enough to a full year. Alright.”
She smiled and got ready to leave the bedroom.
Her mother stepped in front of the door. “This conversation is hypothetical. You haven’t even called off your engagement to Peter.”
“I’ll do that after dinner.”
“And you don’t know that things will work out with Tom. Sure, he’s a good boy, but you have to get to know him.”
“That’s what this next year is for.”
“And,” she continued as Jessica reached for the doorknob, “you have to wait and see if he wants to marry you. Don’t go putting the cart before the horse.”
Jessica paused. Her mother was right. She couldn’t be sure what he wanted until he told her. “Then I’ll have to find out.”
“Make sure you do.” She stepped aside. “Now, you go pay attention to him while I finish up with dinner. But in the future if he comes over, you will have to be sure that he arrives when you’re done helping me in the kitchen.”
“I didn’t ask him to come by. He just showed up.”
“I know, but you need to do some cooking to show him that you’ll be a good wife. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. That’s how I got your father to marry me.”
“Your point is noted.”
“Good. There will be plenty of time to visit with him after the meal.”
“Is that all?”
Her mother seemed to think it over before she nodded. “Yes.”
Jessica opened the door and left the room, only having a vague notion of how to proceed. She found Tom looking out the window. She stepped forward and cleared her throat.
He turned his head in her direction and almost bumped into the rocking chair beside him.
“You know, we’re going to have to do something about your anxiety,” she said as she walked up to him. “I promise I’m not scary.”
He laughed. “I’m not scared of you.”
She shot a questioning look at the way he gripped the chair. His knuckles were turning white.
“Alright. Maybe I am...a little bit,” he admitted.
“You weren’t scared the last time you kissed me. Of course, that was when you thought I had Margaret and Peter hiding in this house.”
He chuckled. “That is silly, isn’t it? I don’t know what I was thinking.”
She grinned. “Is that the only way I can get you to kiss me?”
“W-What do you mean?”
“Well, you never did answer my question.”
“Y-Yes, I did.”
“Not really. I asked you if I wasn’t engaged, would you have kiss me? All you said was that I was engaged so it was pointless to answer the question. Now I’m not engaged. So...” She took a step closer to him so that they were almost touching. “Would you have kissed me that day if I hadn’t been engaged?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know.” Clearing his throat, he took a step back. “I guess it would have depended on how things went.”
She forced aside her irritation and took another step forward. “Let’s say things went well. Let’s say you had a lovely meal and we had a wonderful conversation. What then?”
He backed up again and this time his back hit the wall.
At least she had him cornered. She approached him. “You’re hard to nail down, Tom. All I asked was a simple question.”
“No. No, it isn’t an easy question.”
“Sure it is. It’s a yes or no question.”
“But...I mean...there are too many ways you can take that answer, and depending on how you take that answer, things could be bad.”
“Bad? Bad for who?”
“For me.” He blinked. “Or you. Or Peter. Or-”
“You know what I think?” she interrupted, feeling like this had gone on long enough. Really, he’d let this continue all night if he could, and she wanted her answer right now.
“No.” He cleared his throat. “What do you think?”
“I think you talk too much.” Then, in a bold move that surprised her for she would never have done such a thing with Peter, she closed the gap between them and kissed him.
She felt his shock before he relaxed and finally returned her kiss.
She pulled back and asked, “Now, if I hadn’t been engaged, would you have kissed me that day?”
A smile widened on his face. “You bet.” He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “And this is just how I would’ve done it!”
She closed her eyes and enjoyed his kiss.
Chapter Twelve
Jessica took a deep breath and knocked on Connie James’ door. She already tried the apartment where Peter was living, but since he wasn’t there, she thought he might be here. And as soon as he opened the front door, she realized she was right.
“Oh, good evening, Jessica,” he said. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Is that Jessica?” his mother called from another room.
“Yes.”
“Good! Tell her to come right in!”
“Well, you heard Mother. Come on in.”
Jessica hesitated. “I don’t think so, Peter. I need to speak with you alone. Maybe...” She didn’t want to take him to her house where her mother would feel compelled to serve him a drink or snack. She glanced at the rocking chairs on the porch. “We should talk out here.”
“But it’s chilly out.”
“It’s not too bad. I’m only wearing a shawl.”
He looked uneasy. “Yes, but you don’t catch ill as easily as I do.”
She sighed. Maybe she should just tell him here. It wasn’t like she had a long message for him. All she needed to do was tell him that she was going to marry Tom Larson instead of him. Really, the whole thing could be said in less than a minute. Straightening her back, she said, “Never mind. What I have to say won’t take long anyway. You see, I-”
His mother ran up to the door before Jessica had a chance to continue. She reached out and grabbed Jessica by the hand. “I’m so glad you’re here! I was ready to send Peter on a search for you. Now come along. I have something very important to discuss.”
“But-” Jessica began.
“This simply can’t wait. I’ve been at my wits’ end trying to find the best solution. You have to help. Peter keeps saying that it’s up to me, but I don’t know what to do. I’m a complete mess, I tell you!”
Jessica glanced back at Peter who shut the door.
Connie led her to the kitchen and showed her two sets of napkins. “For our wedding reception, I don’t know which pattern to go with. Which do you think would compliment my pink dress better: the flower petals or the whole rose? You do know which pink dress I’m talking about, don’t you? It has those little white pearls along the neckline.”
She stared at the woman in disbelief. “I said I wanted plain pink napkins.”
“These are pink.”
“But they have pictures sewn into them. The plain ones were cheaper.”
Connie shrugged. “What do you care? I bought them.”
“We already have patterns on the tablecloths!”
“Which is why we need something on the napkins as well. That Maureen had colorful leaves sewn onto her daughter’s napkins, and I won’t let her show me up.”
“I don’t care how Maureen does things. This is my wedding and-” She stopped. Wait. This wasn’t her wedding. Not anymore. Calming down, she continued, “Actually, you know what? It doesn’t matter. In fact, there’s not even going to be a wedding.”
Peter’s eyes grew wide.
Connie pressed a hand to her heart. “I will not allow you to elope.”
“Mother’s right. We need to do things the right way.”
“Then feel free to do them however you wish, but I am not getting married. I...” Now, this part wasn’t going to be easy. “I have decided Peter—” she glanced at him—“I mean, you—” she returned her gaze to Connie—“and I don’t make a good match. I don’t believe this is a cordial arrangement.” There. She said it.
Connie gasped and motioned for Peter to catch her before she fell back.
He dutifully did as prompted and looked at Jessica. “I don’t understand. We are a good match.”
“No, not really.” She glanced at the way he helped his mother sit down and fanned her. She bit back the urge to insist he was already married to his mother and said, “I fancy Tom Larson.”
“Tom Larson?” he repeated, dumbfounded.
“The farmer’s son?” Connie asked.
“Yes. Tom Larson.” She fingered her shawl, wondering if this was a good time to make her exit. She certainly wasn’t going to be popular with these two anymore. “I thank you both for your kindness and hope you well in life.”
As she made her way out of the kitchen, Connie called out, “Peter, stop her!”
Jessica rolled her eyes as he obeyed. Getting out of this trap of a marriage to Peter James was the best thing she ever did for herself. Tom might be clumsy, but at least he could think for himself!
Peter caught up to her as she reached the front door. “I’m sure we can work things out. Maybe we could meet tomorrow and further discuss this.”
“No, Peter, there’s nothing to discuss.”
“But Mother worked so hard on putting this wedding together. You will disappoint her.”
Her face flushed in anger. “Your mother is exactly why this will never work. You don’t love me, nor do I love you. You need to find a woman you want instead of letting your mother pick her for you. Now, please, let me go home.”
He looked as if he were going to protest but nodded. “Very well.” He opened the door just in time for Connie to run out of the kitchen.
Connie grabbed Jessica’s arm and, with big tears forming in her eyes, said, “Surely, you want a life better than what a farmer can give you. Peter’s going places. He’s already gotten a fine promotion at work.”
“Mother—” Peter began.
“You can’t do this to us, Jessica.” The woman choked on a sob and brought a handkerchief to her mouth. “However will I find another daughter-in-law who my friends will approve of?”
Jessica rolled her eyes, though the woman was too busy sobbing to notice. “Ma wants me home.” Then she quickly slipped out the door before Connie could grab her again.
***
Tom whistled all the way home. Jessica was going to actually let him court her! She even kissed him. Did life get any better than this?
As soon as he got home, he figured he should talk to his father. If he was going to be taking a bride, he needed a home to bring her to. There was no way he was going to stick around this place. Not with his irritating little brothers hovering around to cause trouble or embarrass him.
Once he unsaddled the horse and put him in the stall for the night, he ran into the kitchen where his mother and sister were washing dishes.
“You’re late,” his mother said. “I got a plate of leftovers on the table if you’re still hungry.”
“Oh well, I ate at Jessica’s,” he replied.
Jenny stopped drying a plate. “So the evening went well then?”
“It sure did. I’m courting her now!” His chest puffed up with pride. Imagine...someone like him courting someone like Jessica.
“Good,” Jenny said. “I think she’d be a fun sister-in-law.”
Their mother groaned. “No one is married yet. Don’t go jumping the gun.”
“Who’s jumping the gun? If she agreed to let him court her, then it’s a done deal.”
“Jenny.”
Noting the warning tone in their mother’s voice, Tom asked, “Where’s Pa? I want to talk to him about getting my own house.”
“He’s in the parlor playing cards with your brothers.”
“Great!” He hurried down the hall and stopped as soon as he reached the threshold of the entertainment room where his pa, Dave, and Joel studied their cards in silence. “Pa, can I talk to you?”
Joel looked up from his hand. “How rude, Tom. You can see we’re in the middle of a game.”
“But this is important. Pa?”
Their father glanced up and nodded. “Alright. Come on in and pull up a seat. We got room for one more.”
Joel grumbled under his breath but moved to make room for his brother at the round card table.
Tom shook his head. “I’d rather talk to you alone.”
That statement got both Dave and Joel to turn from their cards in interest.
“Pa?” Tom asked.
His father nodded and threw his cards down. “The pot is all yours,” he told Dave and Joel.
“Yipee,” Joel muttered to Dave. “Whatever will we do with unlimited peanuts?”
Ignoring the sarcastic remark, his father walked with Tom outside so they could have some privacy on the porch.
Once they sat in their chairs, Tom spoke. “You remember Jessica Reynolds, don’t you?”
“Yes. She was the only new person who’s been out here.”
“Well, she and I are courting!”
“Sure,” Joel called out, obviously not believing him.
Startled, Tom jumped out of his chair and saw that the parlor window was open. Oh great! Just what he needed: more teasing from his little brother. “Can’t we get rid of him?”
“Dave, close the window,” their pa called out.
Tom waited until Dave complied before he turned back to his pa. Satisfied, he sat back down and continued, “So, when can I get that house that you were talking about?”
“I suppose in a month once the harvest is over.”
“And I can pay you back, a little at a time?”
He nodded. “That’d be fine.”
Tom slapped his knee in excitement. “Great!”
“Now, you just started courting the girl when? Tonight?”
“Yep.”
“Well, I can tell you’re anxious to marry her, but you can’t rush into this. Marriage is a lifetime decision.”
“I know.” And Jessica was the right one. He just knew it!
“And you’re not going to propose until next summer at the soonest.”
He frowned. “That long?”
“That’s when planting will be done. Then you can marry after the harvest.”
“But that’s too long.”
“You only say that because you’re young.”
“How old were you when you married Ma?”
He sighed and dug out his pipe. “That’s beside the point.”
“If memory serves, you were eighteen.”
“People married earlier back then.” He lit his pipe and started smoking.
“That’s not true. Some eighteen year olds marry today.”
“But you’ve only known her for what? A week?”
Shifting in his chair, he shrugged. “About that. Maybe longer.”
“I grew up with your ma. We were friends before we learned how to walk.” A smile crossed his face and he got that nostalgic look in his eye that alerted Tom that he’d be in for a good hour’s worth of memories if he didn’t bolt. “I still remember when I first realized I loved her. We were twelve and-”
“I think Ma’s calling for me.” Tom stood up and straightened his vest. “Thanks for the talk, and I can’t wait to get started on that house. Bye.” Then he entered the house before his father could call him back out.
As he passed the parlor, Joel snickered behind his cards.
He stopped. “I can’t wait until I’m out of here.”
“Me neither,” Joel replied. “It’s hard living with the way you smell, not to mention how loud you snore. Maybe I’ll finally be able to get a good night’s sleep around here.”
“You ever wonder why Ma and Pa never had any children after you were born? It’s because they didn’t want to make another mistake.”
Joel gasped. “Ma! Tom’s being mean again!”
“What? You can give out the insults but you can’t take them?”
“I can handle them just fine. I don’t want you to run out of ideas, that’s all.”
He rolled his eyes. “You got anything to add, Dave?”
Dave glanced up from his cards and smiled. “Gin.” He set the cards down and grabbed the peanuts from the center of the table. “I’m going to my room to read.”
“You’re no fun, Dave,” Joel replied.
“Really,” Tom agreed. “You’re much too serious.”
Dave shrugged and left the parlor.
Joel’s eyebrow rose. “Think you can beat me at Gin?”
Tom snorted. “Of course, I can.”
“Fine. Prove it.” He picked up the cards so he could shuffle them.
Tom sat in the seat Dave had been in and got ready for the next hand.
Chapter Thirteen
A week later when Tom arrived at her house, Jessica asked him if he wanted to take a quick stroll through the park before supper. “The air isn’t too chilly yet, and I do love the smell of the fall weather, don’t you?”
He furrowed his eyebrows. “You notice the way things smell?”
She adjusted her shawl before she stepped out of the house. “Well sure. Don’t you?”
“No. Not really.” He rubbed the back of his neck and lowered his head.
She thought he took a moment to sniff himself. “Um, Tom, are you alright?”
“What?” His head snapped back up and he straightened. “Oh, yes. I’m fine. It’s just something Joel said. Anyway, let’s go for a walk.”
She chuckled as she shut the door and joined him down the porch steps. He was so odd in some ways, and yet, she couldn’t help but enjoy that about him. He didn’t pretend to be something he wasn’t. He was simple and easy to please. After dealing with Peter and his mother, she learned that simple and easy to please were ideal traits.
They turned down the sidewalk that led to the park, and she said, “I’m glad you could get the afternoon to come see me.”
“It’ll be easier to come to town during the winter.” He paused. “Unless it snows a lot. I hope it doesn’t snow a lot.”
“I hope it doesn’t either.”
As they reached the park, he glanced her way. “Next month, my family’s going to help me build a house. You saw one like it. Remember Neil’s place?”
“Yes.”
“It’ll be like that.”
She grinned. “You already said that.”
“Oh, did I?” His cheeks grew red.
“I don’t mind. I like hearing about—” She stopped herself before she said our home. Her mother was right. She had no business rushing things or assuming he’d propose. Still, she thought it was pretty much a done deal, and it was just a matter of time before they exchanged vows. Ideally, the vows would be exchanged in a small gathering of people with nothing more than a potluck supper afterwards. After Connie James, she had no desire for anything elaborate ever again. Clearing her throat, she said, “I like hearing about your home.”
“It’ll be close to water, and there will be lots of land all around. Well, you know what it was like out there.”
“Yes.” She scanned the colorful leaves on the trees and thought of having an apple tree. She’d always wanted an apple tree where she could pick fresh apples in her own yard. “Do you have any apple trees out there?”
“I don’t know. There are a couple of trees in the section of land I’m going to buy.”
“Oh. When I was a little girl, I hoped to make fresh apple pie for my husband.”
“Pie? Well, if there aren’t any apple trees out there, I’ll make sure to plant some,” he quickly said.
She hid her grin. So she was right. The formality of a proposal would come soon enough. And now she had to learn to make pie as well as her mother did.
“Jenny’s anxious to see you,” he stated. “I should take you back out there once the activity dies down.”
“I like Jenny. It’d be nice to see her again. Will you tell her I said hi?”
He nodded.
Jessica glanced away from Tom and halted her steps.
Pausing, he turned back and asked, “What’s wrong?”
She winced. It was just her luck. In all the time Peter was courting her, she never once ran into his mother in the park, and now that the engagement was over, her first trip out here would lead her to Connie James. And Connie was with Maureen. Looking at a confused Tom, she said, “Maybe we should go back. I think that supper might be ready sooner than I thought.”
She managed a slight turn before Connie called out to her. “Jessica, dear? Is that you?”
Jessica rolled her eyes. The woman knew very well it was her! Great. Now she was trapped. “Let’s get this over with,” she whispered to Tom before she headed down the path to meet up with Connie and Maureen.
“Who are they?” he asked as he picked up his pace to keep up with her.
“The woman wearing the green dress is Peter’s mother.”
He slowed. “His mother?”
The two women were quickly approaching, so all she could do was offer an apologetic smile.
“Jessica,” Maureen began, “you look good this afternoon.”
“Yes, you certainly do,” Connie added.
Taking a deep breath, Jessica forced her feet to remain still. “Thank you. You two look good as well.” She knew the introductions had to be made, so she motioned to Tom. “This is Tom Larson. Tom, this is Connie James and her friend, Maureen Brown.”
Maureen gave a curt nod. “How do you do?”
Tom shifted from one foot to the other. “Um, I’m fine. I guess.”
Her eyebrows rose. “You guess you’re fine? Don’t you know either way?”
“Well...” He cleared his throat. “I am. I’m fine.”
Connie shot Maureen a look that Jessica knew didn’t mean well for Tom. She cleared her throat then said, “Tom is taking a break from harvesting. It’s a lot of work for farmers this time of year.”
“Yes,” Maureen replied. “Farming is a necessity those on the lower end must bear.”
“Peter got a job promotion, you know,” Connie told Maureen.
She gasped in surprise. “Did he now?”
“Yes. He has his own office and everything.”
“My, my, my. That boy is certainly going places.”
“That he is.” Connie clasped her hands and smiled. “He makes a mother proud.”
“And proud you should be, Connie.”
Jessica glanced around them, wondering if there was anything—another person passing by or an animal—that might serve as a good distraction...or as a means of escape. She actually preferred the latter.
Maureen turned to Tom. “Have you given thought to real work?”
“I already do real work,” he said, his cheeks growing pink.
Jessica couldn’t decide if he was angry or embarrassed, but it didn’t matter. “He does work hard,” she spoke up. “Peter goes in at eight and leaves at five, but Tom works from sunup to sundown.”
“No time for a wife then,” Connie remarked, giving Jessica a pointed look.
“And for minimal pay,” Maureen added.
“Do you really believe you can support a wife and any children you may have?” Connie asked Tom.
Jessica could only stare at the woman in horror. Not for a single minute did she ever think Peter’s mother could be this rude!
Tom looked taken aback by the question before he cleared his throat. “My father owns a farm and has done a fine job of raising me and my five siblings.”
Maureen looked him up and down in obvious disapproval. “At least your clothes don’t have any holes in them.”
Jessica scrambled for something to say but her mind drew a complete blank.
“Why would we have holes in our clothes?” Tom asked.
Maureen looked as if his question surprised her. “Don’t farmers’ wives spend their free time sewing patches onto their children’s pants?”
“No.”
“Well, just what do they do?” Connie asked.
Before he could answer, a squirrel darted across his path. He was in the process of shifting to his other foot when he tripped on the squirrel and fell forward.
Maureen gasped and stepped back just in time for the startled squirrel to leap onto Connie who lost her balance and fell on her rear end in a puddle. The squirrel bounced off Connie’s hat and raced up the nearest tree.
Jessica clasped her hand over her mouth to stifle her giggles.
“Oh! Are you alright?” Tom asked, reaching out to help Connie up.
“Don’t touch me!” she shrieked and slapped his hand away.
Maureen offered her a hand, which the woman accepted, and helped brush the leaves off her wet skirt. “You should change at once.”
Red faced, Connie nodded. “Yes. I must.” She adjusted her hat and straightened her shawl. Lifting her chin up, she told Tom and Jessica, “It seems that I am in need of a new dress. Good day to you both.”
“Well, shoot, my ma doesn’t bother changing when squirrels jump on her. She just laughs and plays in the fields with them,” Tom replied. “Says it’s good for the soul to get along with the critters.”
Jessica glanced at Tom. Was he being serious?
Maureen blinked. “She doesn’t do such a vile thing.”
He shrugged. “You wanted to know what farmers’ wives did.”
Connie huffed. “There’s no need to be flippant.” She shot Jessica a meaningful look. “Peter is always polite.” Then she pressed forward and hobbled down the sidewalk with Maureen who talked to her in soothing tones.
After a moment, Tom said, “I probably wasn’t as gentlemanly as I should have been.”
Jessica burst out laughing. “Are you kidding? That was great.” Then she quickly sobered. “Your ma doesn’t allow critters into the house, does she?”
“That depends on what you call a critter. Some days she says that my brothers are no better than a pack of wild animals.”
She smiled. “Who knew you had it in you?”
“Had what in me?”
“That you had such wit.”
A slow grin crossed his face. “There’s lots you don’t know about me.”
“I look forward to finding out more then,” she shyly replied.
“Mind if I take your arm?”
“No.”
He took her by the elbow, and they continued their walk.
Chapter Fourteen
Jessica’s mother rolled her eyes when Jessica lifted her new veil for her to inspect. “You’ve only been courting for one month. It’s much too soon to think of weddings.”
Jessica set the veil back on her lap. “He’s going to propose. It’s just a matter of when.”
“And ‘when’ isn’t going to happen any time soon.”
Jessica turned her attention back to pulling the pink thread through the needle.
Her mother crossed the parlor and fiddled with the curtains. “I notice you put in red and pink roses.”
“Of course. I asked him what he thought of those colors, and he said they were fine.”
“You didn’t tell him what you were doing with those colors, did you?” She put a hand on her hip and studied her daughter with a disapproving look.
“No. I just said I liked those colors together, that’s all.”
“Hmm...” Her mother didn’t look convinced.
Shrugging, she tied the thread and got ready to add more to the rose she’d just started on her veil.
“The poor boy doesn’t stand a chance.”
She gasped. “Why would marrying me be a burden to him?”
“I didn’t say it would be a burden. I feel bad because he doesn’t have a chance.”
“Why would he want a chance to avoid marriage to me?”
“You know what I mean.” She chuckled as she shook her head. “I hope you’re letting him believe that he’s the one leading this relationship.”
“You know I do. I learned from watching you. You made Pa think he made the big decisions around here.”
“He did make the big decisions.”
“Deciding what to eat for supper is not a big decision,” Jessica said.
“It sure was. It made a huge difference as to how long I spent in the kitchen each day.”
Jessica laughed. “If you say so.”
Before her mother could protest, there was a knock at the door. Her mother glanced out the window. “We’re not done with this conversation, young lady.”
“Who is it?”
“Margaret.”
“Oh good! I want to talk to her about putting those red roses back onto her bridesmaid gown.”
Her mother groaned but opened the front door. “Come on in, Margaret. The bride is right over there.”
“The bride?” Margaret entered the parlor and looked at Jessica. “Did Tom propose already?”
“No,” her mother said. “But he certainly would have if Jessica here had her way.”
“He’s planting apple trees for me,” Jessica told Margaret.
Margaret’s eyes grew wide. “Is he really?”
Jessica’s mother frowned. “Just what is so important about that?”
“Nothing. It’s just nice to have fresh apples, that’s all,” Jessica quickly answered.
Giving a loud sigh, her mother said, “In this case, I suppose ignorance is bliss. I’ll be in the kitchen.”
“I’ll join you soon,” Jessica promised. She glanced at her friend. “Will you stay for supper?”
“I suppose I can.” Margaret took off her coat and hung it on the hook by the door.
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