Blowing on Dandelions (23 page)

She nodded. “Thank you. I wasn’t expecting that, but I appreciate it so much.”

A smile tickled his mouth. “I found out what they were doing.”

“You did?” She clasped her hands and raised them to her chin. “Can you tell me?” She didn’t care to assume anything and wouldn’t make the mistake of trying to force this man to say or do something.

A chuckle broke free. “Lucy has been secretly teaching my son to dance. I caught them practicing in the kitchen yesterday, and they spilled the beans.”

“Oh, my!” Katherine gaped, then realized what she must look like and composed herself. “I had no idea. Why didn’t Lucy tell me herself?”

“Zachary said he’d made her promise not to tell, and she kept her word—at her own expense, I might add. Even when she knew we were both angry. I have a lot of respect for someone who keeps their word.”

“Thank you for saying that, Micah.” She could hear her own voice tremble. What a blessed relief to have everything out in the open. But even more than that, to be friends with Micah Jacobs once more.

Micah studied the woman seated nearby. The way she’d said his name sent a thrill of pleasure through his heart. He couldn’t believe he’d been thinking about leaving this place and not looking back. Now it would take something mighty big to force him out. It had been over two years since he’d experienced this type of happiness. “I meant every word, Katherine. You should be proud of your daughter.”

She nodded. “I am. I think your son is a special young man, as well.”

He closed his eyes briefly. What an amazing woman. Humbling herself and asking his forgiveness when she didn’t know how he’d respond, then taking all the blame instead of placing it on his son. “So the pastor came to have tea with Amanda? That was kind of him. It’s not often a grown man has time to spare for a child.”

She nodded, but her expression closed and her gaze shifted from his. “Yes, very kind.”

Micah tensed. Had he said something wrong, or had his first impression been accurate after all? Could Pastor Seth have come courting Katherine? “I imagine it gets lonely for you, being a widow all these years.”

She looked mystified. “Not really. Why do you ask?”

“I don’t know. I thought maybe you and Pastor Seth …” He hadn’t meant to be so bold, but better to find out the truth now than open his heart and then have it trampled.

“Oh, my. Me and Pastor Seth? You thought he’d come calling on me?” She shook her head, loosening a gold curl from her bun and sending it bouncing at the nape of her neck. “No, he came to discuss”—she hesitated as though struggling to find the right word—“church business, that’s all.”

“I see. Well then …” Micah had no idea where to go from here. How foolish that he’d said anything at all. She’d think him an idiot who didn’t know how to carry on a normal conversation.

“Would you care for some coffee or tea?” Katherine scooted forward on the edge of her chair as though she planned to jump from it and flee to the kitchen.

“No, but thank you.” He got to his feet. “I should let you go. I imagine Amanda is wondering where you are, and I’m sure you must have work to do.”

She stood as well. “I do, but you’re welcome to come to the kitchen.” Katherine said it swiftly, turning her head as she did.

“I think I’ll see what Zachary is up to, but thank you for your kindness.” He hated this. Ever since he’d brought up the subject of the pastor, the atmosphere changed. What was going on here that he didn’t understand, and why had she retreated? Precisely when they’d made progress toward being friends again, or maybe even more, she’d taken a step back. He couldn’t imagine what he’d done wrong, or what the pastor had to do with her behavior, but something didn’t set right.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Lucy walked down the hall toward her grandmother’s room, carefully balancing the tray of dessert and coffee. Ma was checking on Grandma, who had only picked at the food on her supper tray. A tasty piece of cake and Lucy’s cream-laden coffee might entice her to eat a bit more.

She neared the room and paused, wondering if Grandma was sleeping after her difficult day. Ma said her ankles and feet were giving her more pain than usual, and she’d been running a light fever again this morning. Three days was a long time to spend in bed. Tiptoeing forward, Lucy pushed open the unlatched door with her foot and waited a moment. A voice drifted out, and she released her breath. Good. Grandma must still be awake.

“Katherine, I am telling you, Lucy cares for that boy, and you are being unfair not allowing them to court.” Her grandmother gave a loud harrumph. “But you always were too harsh with those children. Daniel did a good job parenting, but unfortunately, he is gone. I am so thankful I came here. I can bring some balance into their lives.”

“I am the one who needs to make the decisions concerning Lucy and her prospects. She’s too young to decide such things. I agree that Zachary is a fine young man. If they are still interested in one another in a couple of years, that will be another thing entirely.”

Lucy stood unmoving, not sure if she should back up and flee to the kitchen, or stay and listen some more. Curiosity won out and she decided to stay put—at least for another moment or two. After all, they were discussing her future, so she had a right to listen.

Grandma’s voice rose in pitch and Lucy winced, withdrawing a little. “I declare, you are too stubborn for your own good. I have half a mind to talk to Lucy myself.”

“Now, Mama, we’ve discussed this, and you need to leave the parenting to me. I appreciate that you love my girls, but they are
my
responsibility.”

“One that you do not always handle well, if you ask me.”

Why didn’t Ma tell her to stick to her own business? Lucy wanted to burst into the room and tell Grandma to leave her mother alone—and shout at Ma to quit being so nice. Ma never said rude things to Grandma no matter what she did.

On the other hand, Lucy had to admit Ma
was
a little stubborn. After all, Lucy was thirteen and if she did like Zachary as more than a friend, she was old enough to at least think about courting. Her anger flared, first at her grandmother, then at her mother. Why did Grandma have to treat Ma like she was stupid? And why did Ma treat Lucy like she was a baby? She was sick of it.

Grandma could do without her cake and coffee. Lucy was in no mood to take it to her. She crept backward, careful not to bump the tray on the doorpost.

One thing she knew. If those two kept going at it, she didn’t want to keep living here. It was bad enough having Grandma snipping at Mrs. Roberts and Beth. If Grandma and Ma kept this up, Lucy would move away and live somewhere else. That would show both of them she could control her own life.

Katherine exited her mother’s room without looking back. She’d come so close to snapping at Mama when she’d criticized the way she raised the girls that it scared her. Discord had played too big a part in her life with Mama, and she was determined it wouldn’t continue within the confines of her home if she could help it.

But if things kept going this way, she wouldn’t be able to help it much longer. She’d let fly and say things she shouldn’t. At least things no respectful daughter should say. She was tired. Bone weary of the constant barrage of negative comments and thinly veiled innuendos.

Did her mother actually think she was helping? If only she could understand the hurt she caused and that it pushed Katherine further away. Instead of teaching her something as Mama probably hoped, it made her that much more determined to go her own way—if nothing else, to prove she wouldn’t be bullied. Katherine tried to compose herself. There was no point in allowing this emotion to boil over onto any of the guests or her girls. Somehow she had to keep Mama from frustrating her so much, but she didn’t know how.

Maybe taking a cup of tea in the parlor would help calm her nerves, especially since Mama wouldn’t be there baiting Mrs. Roberts. That kindhearted woman had sacrificed hours waiting on Mama since she’d taken to bed, although how she managed to keep her composure Katherine couldn’t imagine. It was almost certain her mother didn’t appreciate the effort Mrs. Roberts made and highly doubtful she’d be able to keep her comments benign.

Minutes later, Katherine carried a tray with a pot of coffee and tea into the parlor, pausing at the threshold to survey the room. Jeffery Tucker sat at a desk, his back toward her, hunched over a tablet, quill in hand. Mrs. Roberts leaned against the back of the divan, eyes closed and lips slightly open. A snore emanated from her mouth. Beth sat with her head bent over a book, its pages lit by a kerosene lamp on the round, cherrywood table.

Katherine started as her gaze moved to Micah. He lounged in Daniel’s overstuffed chair, the one her husband had frequented while reading his paper. Micah didn’t have a paper spread across his legs, but the same dreamy expression she’d seen on Daniel’s face blanketed his features. What could the man be contemplating that took him to such a faraway place of delight or inspiration?

Pleasure darted through Katherine at the realization that Micah had stayed in the parlor that evening, and a sudden longing swept over her. It had been so long since she’d had the pleasure of a man’s company, much less anything more intimate. It wasn’t the first time she’d daydreamed of sitting close beside Micah, sharing a cozy chat or even …

Katherine pulled her thoughts back, ashamed at where they were headed. Not that there was anything wrong with a kiss or feeling a man’s strong arm around her shoulders, especially for a widow of her age, but she had no right to think that way where Micah was concerned.

She set the tray on the sideboard once inside the door. “Would anyone care for tea or coffee?” She kept her voice low, hating to wake Mrs. Roberts. The poor woman had been at Mama’s beck and call so much of the day she must be exhausted. “Are the children still upstairs?”

Micah looked up. “I believe Lucy said she, Amanda, and Zachary were playing a game. Should I call them back down?”

Katherine shook her head. “Not at all; they’re fine. It will be their bedtime soon, but we’ll let them play for a bit while we have our tea.” She picked up the pot. “Would you care for a cup, Mr. Jacobs?”

“None for me, thank you. I had a second helping of your delicious cake and two cups of coffee after supper.”

She made the rounds, pouring a cup of coffee for Mr. Tucker and tea for Beth. The young woman lifted it to her nose and inhaled. “Ah, peppermint, my favorite. This is precisely the tonic I needed tonight. Thank you, Mrs. Galloway.” She took a sip, then set it aside to tug the sleeve of her dress back down over her wrist.

“Has your aunt had a difficult day?”

“She was up quite early, unable to sleep for worry over Mrs. Cooper.” She touched the locket at her throat. “When I finish my tea, I’ll wake her and insist she go to her room.”

Katherine settled herself in a chair not far from the desk where Mr. Tucker sat bent over his tablet. “May I ask what has you so consumed, Mr. Tucker?”

He jumped, dropping his quill, and slowly turned. “By Jove, I think I’ve finally got it.”

Micah leaned forward. “What’s that, man? Did you lose something?”

“No, I believe I’ve finally found it.” Mr. Tucker ran his hand over his sandy hair, ruffling the waves into even more disarray than usual. “The idea I have been seeking ever since I arrived.” He looked up, brown eyes alight with excitement. “I can’t tell you about it, though, as I have not fully developed the notion yet. But I must say, I think I am on to something.”

Katherine smiled, happy to see her normally reticent boarder so animated. “Can you give us any hint as to what you’re about, Mr. Tucker? We would certainly like to celebrate with you, if we may.”

He regarded her blankly, then swift color rose up his neck. “I don’t … I can’t … I did not mean to say …” He passed his hand over his face and groaned. “Forgive me. I know I must sound like an imbecile. I was so engrossed in my work I wasn’t even aware I was speaking aloud, or that others were in the room who would hear me.” He pushed back his chair, stood, and tucked his notepad under his arm. “I must go to my room now and think this through some more.” He tipped his head. “I bid you all good night.” Without a backward glance he strode from the room, leaving a weighty silence behind.

Beth stared at his retreating form as he disappeared through the door leading to the stairs. “I am completely at a loss as to what he was talking about.”

Katherine chuckled. “You are not alone, my dear.” She turned to Micah. “Mr. Jacobs, can you cast any light on the mystery?”

He lifted a shoulder. “Not a bit, I’m afraid. What does the man do for a living? Do you know?”

“I have never asked him directly,” Katherine murmured. “I should have, I suppose. I assumed him to be a businessman of some sort, based on the type of reading he enjoys. Not to mention the time he spends in town and the hours sitting at that desk. But this is the first time he’s offered a comment of any sort. I’m as mystified as you as to why he wouldn’t elaborate.”

“Well, I won’t worry about it too much tonight.” Beth set her teacup down on the saucer and covered a yawn with her fingertips. “I believe it’s time I woke Aunt Wilma.” She scooted over on the divan and touched the older woman’s arm. “Auntie?”

Mrs. Roberts sucked in a deep breath and held it for a long moment, then released it in a loud, rolling snore.

Beth turned pink right up to the tips of her ears. “Oh, my! She would be so embarrassed.” She turned a distressed face to Katherine. “Should I wake her?”

“Let me try.” Katherine stood and made her way to the woman’s side. “Mrs. Roberts, Beth needs you.”

“What is the trouble?” Wilma sputtered. Pushing a lock of graying hair out of her eyes, she peered at her niece over the top of her spectacles. “Beth, did you drift off to sleep while I was resting? I swear I heard someone snoring in quite an unladylike racket, if you must know.”

“Yes, Auntie. I mean, no, Auntie. I’ve been reading, not sleeping.” Beth closed her book and held out her hand. “But my eyes are quite tired, and I would love to have you walk me to my room, if it’s not too much trouble.”

“Certainly, dear girl. I shall make sure you get there safely.” She got to her feet, swayed for a couple of seconds, then steadied herself.

Beth slipped an arm around her aunt’s waist. “Thank you. That will make me feel much better.” She dipped her head at Katherine and Micah. “Good night. We’ll see you at breakfast.”

Katherine followed the two with her gaze. “Beth is such a dear,” she told Micah. “When she first came, I wasn’t sure if she even
had
a mind of her own, but honestly, I think she takes care of her aunt as much as Mrs. Roberts takes care of her. She’ll make some man a fine wife one day.”

Micah cast a brief glance at the two exiting the room. “Yes, I think she will.”

Katherine’s heart jolted at the words. Could he be smitten with Beth Roberts but unsure how to proceed? Surely not. The girl was twenty and old enough to marry, but a little young to mother a fourteen-year-old son. Katherine tried to squash the sharp prick of jealousy as being beneath her but didn’t quite succeed.

Well, there was nothing like being direct. “If you’re interested in Miss Roberts, you should approach her aunt. It’s not my business, but I think Mrs. Roberts would be open to a suit from a fine man like you.”

“What?” He stared at her, mouth open. “You think
I
am interested in Beth Roberts?”

Katherine’s stomach unclenched at his obvious surprise, and relief swept through her. Maybe she’d misjudged his earlier dejection. “I thought perhaps … you seemed distracted when she left.”

He laughed. “It had nothing to do with her. I was focused on other matters.”

“I’m quite a good listener.” She cocked her head to the side and sent him a tentative smile. “When I’m not scolding, that is.”

Micah relaxed into his chair. “I’m sure you are, but I would hate to bother you with my troubles.”

“Nonsense. As long as we don’t get interrupted by the children, I would love to spend a few minutes talking. But I don’t want to pry if you’d rather not discuss it.”

“It is not a secret or anything terribly personal. I’m anxious about my business and home, I suppose. Some of the pastor’s questions got me to thinking again. I still have no idea what I’ll do, although I plan to fight through and get my business going again if it’s the last thing I do.”

Katherine nodded as waves of guilt washed against her conscience. Was it fair to keep the truth from this man, when he’d admitted his distress? Maybe she could hint at Pastor Seth’s plan. No, that wouldn’t be right. And it might make Micah feel he was an object of pity. Both sides warred in her thoughts, making her almost dizzy with the effort. “I see. I wondered after he mentioned seeing you in town if that might be the problem. You seemed a bit distracted when you got back into the wagon.”