Jessie (14 page)

Not once did he waver from his goal when he prayed, knowing that God's will was best. He continually asked God to restore him to his family or at least allow him to be a father once again. He knew there were folks all over the world who had prayed for something for years. If Seth was tempted to grow weary of asking God for his family, he reminded himself that a week was a very short time.

Jessie could not believe she'd told Rylan she needed a week. Not 24 hours into that time, she found herself so curious about her husband that she would have gone back to Rylan and recanted had she not had a store to run.

As the days went by, she watched the girls to see if she had been truly right about their interest in men. What she saw was unmistakable. They seemed captivated by men. They paid more attention to what they did, how they stood and spoke, and whether or not they were noticed by them. For Jessie it was a chilling revelation, knowing how innocent and vulnerable they were.

When she wasn't thinking about the girls, Jessie thought about Seth in a way she hadn't for years. The feelings were so varied that she could barely think straight. Part of her believed she would never let him get close to her, and part of her recalled sweeter times.

She could tell from Rylan's words that he believed Seth had changed. Well, she wasn't the same either. There had been plenty of time to think about what had gone wrong in her marriage, and even though she would never believe that leaving was the right thing to do, a part of her understood.

Another very small part of her had been glad. She had grown up with quarreling parents and did not want that for Hannah. She thought time apart might do them some good. Never did it occur to her that he would stay away. It certainly never entered her mind that she would have their second child in his absence. She still remembered looking down into Clancy's newborn face and realizing that she was going to be raising her alone. She had been forced at that point to put Seth from her mind and carry on.

Jessie continued to mull all of this over during the week she had asked for, thinking at times she was going to take leave of her senses. Had not Bri made a visit one evening, she might have done just that.

“How are you?” Bri asked as soon the girls went to bed. She had been there since the store closed, just waiting for this moment.

“Most of the time I'm fine, and at other times I think he can't possibly be back.”

“He's been careful about that,” Bri said.

“How exactly?”

“He hasn't wanted to be seen and cause problems for you and the girls if you don't want him in town.”

Jessie had all she could do to keep her mouth shut. She been hoping for a glimpse of him, and here he was keeping out of sight.

Bri correctly read her thoughts and asked, “Did you think he would be around when you said to wait a week?”

“I said I didn't want to talk to him for a week, but I thought we might at least spot each other.”

Bri nodded with understanding and then asked, “What were you hoping to see?”

“I don't know. Just how he looks, how he seems.”

“Well, I certainly don't have a comparison, but he's a good-looking man, and he's been very kind.”

“You've met him?” Jessie asked.

Bri blinked. “He's living with us, Jessie. Rylan didn't tell you?”

“No, I guess it didn't come up. I should have figured as much but didn't.”

For a moment it was silent in Jessie's living room. Bri watched her friend, well able to imagine what her heart was going through.

“I'm praying for you,” Bri decided to tell her just then.

Jessie gave a small smile and didn't comment. This was the one area where she and Bri ran out of things to say to each other. Or rather she ran out of things to say.

“I need to go while it's still light out,” Bri said, and both women stood. They hugged, and Jessie thanked her friend for coming. At the storeroom door she watched Bri until she was out of sight, knowing she would be fine, and then returned to the apartment. She felt a need to be near her girls and slipped into the bedroom to sit for a while. She was still sitting there in the dark when she felt tired enough to turn in and sleep. Readying for bed, she willed herself not to dream all night.

Just as Rylan said he would, he returned a week later. It was closing time just like before, and once again he waited for Jessie to send the girls upstairs.

“How are you doing?” Rylan asked as soon as they were alone.

“Fine, I think. I've had lots of questions go through my mind.”

“Seth has told me that he wants you to know that he'll answer any of your questions, but he said to warn you that it's not a pretty story.”

This had not occurred to Jessie. She thought for a moment before asking, “He's not wanted by the law or anything like that, is he? I wouldn't want the girls subjected to that.”

“I'll let him tell you everything.”

Jessie nodded but then panicked and grabbed Rylan's arm.

“Rylan, you love my girls—I know you do! Am I doing the right thing? Do you think Seth will hurt them like he hurt me? Will he win their hearts and then leave?”

Rylan looked into her desperate eyes and spoke from his heart. “I don't think so, Jessie. We've spent most of the week together, and he's not the same man who left here. I certainly can't make you any promises, but I don't think Seth Redding is that selfish man anymore. I could tell you why I feel that way, but I think that's for him to do.

“And Jessie,” Rylan added to reassure her, “I'll talk to him. I'll make sure he understands that this has to be forever or not at all.”

Jessie nodded, relief washing over her. Her friend had understood, and for the moment, that was the most important thing to her.

“I'll let you go,” Rylan said next. “Is there a time you want him to come?”

Jessie thought fast, the reality of actually seeing him still hitting her.

“He should come tomorrow. The girls will be at the Rathmans' all day. He and I could talk then.”

“I'll tell him.”

Jessie nodded, but for a moment they both stood there. Not until Hannah's voice floated down the stairs with a question for her mother did either move.

“Here, Rylan,” Jessie said, heading to the storeroom. “Go out the back here. It will be closer for you.”

Rylan followed her, glancing up the stairs as he went past them and waving to the girls when he found them sitting at the top.

“Will they have heard us?” Rylan asked at the door, his voice very low.

“No. The upstairs is funny in this building. Sound from down here is almost nonexistent, even on the stairway.”

Rylan nodded and stared at her. “Will you be all right?”

“I think so. Thank you, Ry, for everything.”

Rylan nodded and said, “I want the best for the three of you. Seth too.”

Jessie nodded and thanked Rylan again, her mind on so many different things, even knowing that most of them would have to wait. She had questions, dozens of them, but now was not the time. Rylan went on his way, and Jessie headed upstairs to her girls, glad she had slept dreamlessly the night before. She was sure to get little sleep tonight.

Chapter Seven

S
ETH HAD RUN OUT
of things to see along the creek bank. He didn't want to go back to Rylan and Bri's until Rylan arrived home, but waiting on this last day was turning out to be more than a little painful. Finding a grassy place to sit at the back of the church, he waited for Rylan to come, questions filling his mind. What if Jessie wouldn't even see him? What if he wasn't afforded even a glimpse of the girls?

For a moment, Seth's mind fell back, back to the day he truly saw himself for the first time, the lostness and sinfulness of his heart. He'd been hearing about the cross and the saving blood of Christ, but until that day he hadn't understood how much he needed that blood and the salvation it offered.

“Are you all right?”

Seth started. Rylan was just 15 feet in front of him, but he hadn't seen or heard him approach.

“I think so,” Seth spoke truthfully and pushed to his feet. “How is Jessie?”

“She's all right. Come on inside, and I'll tell you what she said,” Rylan invited. Before the men could even start toward the house, Franklin Vick, the oldest of the Vick children, ran up.

“Pastor Rylan,” he said, panting hard. “My dad needs you. He thinks Jeb Dorn broke his leg.”

“Is Jeb at home?”

“Yes, he's in his shop.”

“Thanks, Franklin. Tell your dad I'll be right along.”

Rylan went inside long enough to tell Bri where he was needed, and then he and Seth started that way. It was not what either man had expected the next few hours to look like, but questions concerning Seth and Jessie would have to wait.

The ankle bone was set. It was not a serious break, but it was certainly going to put Jeb off his feet for some weeks. Jeb was Token Creek's most successful furniture maker. He'd been working on a tall shelf that was a rush order, sanding it smooth for staining, when he'd stepped back and lost his balance. The leg had twisted in an odd way, and his ankle could not bear the weight. Jeb had shouted until an elderly neighbor heard him. The neighbor found Patience, and she had run to the Vicks' house for help. Doctor Ertz had come and gone, and Chas Vick had also gone home.

Rylan and Seth helped a pale and panting Jeb into his bedroom. Patience trailed behind and was there when Jeb addressed Jessie's husband.

“I'm surprised to see you, Seth.”

“I've been in town a week but keeping pretty quiet.”

“Have you seen Jessie?”

“No. She might see me soon. Rylan spoke with her for me. He hasn't had a chance to tell me what she said.”

“She'll see you,” Rylan said.

Seth nodded.

“It's been a long time,” Jeb put in, no censure in his voice, but his eyes were naturally full of questions.

“Too long,” Seth agreed.

“Are you here for a while, Seth?” Patience asked, her voice a little cautious.

“If Jessie will let me, yes.”

“When will you see her?”

Seth looked at Rylan.

“She said to come by tomorrow.”

Seth nodded, his heart slamming painfully in his chest. He felt afraid and off balance right now, and might have mentioned that to Rylan, but Jeb's comfort was more important.

“Is there anything else we can do for you, Jeb?” Rylan asked.

“No, but thank you, Ry.”

“I'll check back tomorrow.”

The Dorns thanked their pastor and friend before Patience saw them to the door. It was growing dark out, and Rylan felt as if he hadn't seen Bri all day. Nevertheless, he didn't rush the walk home, but laid things out in plain terms for Seth. Jessie was willing to let him into the lives of her girls, but only if he was there to stay.

Seth listened quietly, working to take it all in. When they arrived at the house, he only visited with his hosts for a few minutes before excusing himself and heading to the room Bri had offered him. He sat on the bed for the next two hours and prayed and thought about the day. It made perfect sense to him that Jessie would not want him involved with the girls if he was only going to disappear again. What she didn't know, and would have to find out in time, was that Seth had no intentions of leaving. His wife and girls were in Token Creek, and if only he was given the chance, he would never be separated from them again.