“Patient and doctor relationship confidentiality forbids me to do so.”
“That’s what I counted on.” Joe pulled a slip of paper from his pocket and handed it to the doctor.
Dr. Whiteman studied the prescription before placing it on his desk. “Let me know if your pain becomes worse, and I’ll make sure you get a stronger dosage.”
Joe stood and extended his hand to a confidante for the second time that day. Each one knew only half his secret, and that’s the way he wanted it to stay. “Thank you for your time, and I’ll drop back in when you have the prescription ready.”
After shaking hands with the doctor, Joe waved goodbye to Hannah and strolled back out to the street. His body ached as weariness settled in his bones. Time for some rest before dinner. He’d accomplished the two major tasks on his list for today, and that filled him with joy and satisfaction. Two men he trusted knew two different parts of his secret, and because of their honesty and adhering to the rules of their professions, the secrets would remain exactly that.
Tom studied the schedule before him. Mr. Blake had given him another out-of-town assignment. He’d be gone for a few days covering Governor Hogg’s bid for reelection. Even with the new wire Mr. Blake wanted firsthand information from Tom of his impressions of the race.
He tucked the schedule away in his satchel. His bag sat packed and ready to go on tomorrow’s train, but first he wanted to see Faith and let her know he’d be gone a few days. He also wanted to see whether she’d learned anything more about Joe.
After bidding good-bye to his parents, Tom grabbed his hat from the hall tree and squared it on his head. As he walked toward the Delmont house, he envied the close relationship between his mother and father. They had married as soon as Pa returned from the war in 1865 and had celebrated twenty-seven years of marriage this past June.
Theirs was the kind of love he wanted with a woman, but so far his heart hadn’t given him a clue, and God had been silent as well. He liked Angela, and he wanted to know her better. He’d known Faith so long she’d become like one of his sisters.
Tom hesitated at the top of the stairs to the Delmont home above the bakery. Faith might be helping her mother with preparations for the next day at the bakery. Maybe this wasn’t a good time.
His hand lifted to knock. He’d come this far and might as well finish and take his chances. After the second rap Faith opened the door. A bibbed white apron covered her greenish-blue dress, and her brown eyes opened wide in surprise. Tom’s heart skipped a beat. For some reason this time her beauty hit him full force. He swallowed hard as she smiled.
Tom snatched off his hat. “Hello, Faith. Am I interrupting, or do you have a few minutes for a visit?” His fingers clutched the hat brim. Since when had Faith’s presence made him this nervous?
Faith stepped back and pulled at the strings of her apron. “I always have time for you, Tom. Come in. Mama and I were just finishing the pies for tomorrow.” She lifted the apron over her head and wadded it over her arm.
Mrs. Delmont appeared behind Faith. “Good evening, Tom. Faith and I are done, so you two go on and visit a spell. Would you like anything to drink or eat?”
Much as Tom would have loved a few of Mrs. Delmont’s cookies, he shook his head. “No, I’m fine, thank you.”
She nodded, smiled, and then left them alone.
“It’s a nice evening. Could we sit on your balcony and talk?”
“Of course.” Faith reached for a shawl on a peg by the door and wrapped it around her shoulders. Then she stepped around Tom and out onto the balcony, which ran across the back of the building. She lit a lantern and set it in the middle of a small table, and then she sat down and waited for Tom to join her.
The evening had cooled but not so much as to be uncomfortable. Hanging baskets of Boston fern hung from the eaves of the balcony, and pots of bright yellow and bronze flowers sat along the railing. Tom pulled up a chair and sat. Before too many more days the white wicker furniture would be stored away until warmer weather next spring, but tonight the two chairs and table offered a pleasant place to chat.
For some reason he couldn’t fathom, Tom’s hands shook as he clasped them between his knees. “Mr. Blake is sending me on another trip to cover the state election campaign, so I’ll be gone until Saturday.”
Faith’s eyebrows raised and her head tilted. “Oh, that should be interesting with all the candidates who want to oust Hogg.”
“It will be, but I’ll also have a chance to hear more about the presidential election as well. With Mr. Cleveland determined to serve a second term and Harrison just as determined to stay in office, I should have lots of information to write about.” Why in the world was he discussing politics? Get to the real purpose of the visit.
“Faith, the important thing is that while I’m gone, I want you to be eyes and ears for me and watch Joe carefully. For some reason I have a feeling he’s up to something, but I can’t quite put my finger on what it might be.”
“Couldn’t Miss O’Neal do that for you?”
“Not really. She’s a reporter, and Joe doesn’t seem to trust her any more than he does me. You’ve become a friend, so he might open up to you.” Besides, he didn’t want Gretchen nosing around and come up with a story before he did.
“I see. If that’s what you need me to do, I will, but have you ever considered he might really be just an old man who wants to travel around and see the country before he dies?”
“Maybe, but I feel it in my bones. There’s a lot more to his story than he’s revealed since he’s been here.”
Faith bit her lip and appeared hesitant about something. Tom sat back in his chair and peered at her. What went on in that pretty head of hers? “What are you not telling me?”
“I had a visit with Joe Sunday afternoon.”
“And you didn’t tell me? What did he say? What did you find out?”
“I . . . I’m sorry. I didn’t think about it until now. He told me he learned carpentry from his father and that he had no family.” She paused a moment. “Funny thing is, he had me talking about my family and the town before I could ask more about him.”
“He’s good at that, but at least we know more than we did. Don’t know that it helps much, but it’s something.”
A comfortable silence developed as he studied her. A few tendrils of hair had escaped from their pins and trailed down her neck. Heat from the kitchen had given her cheeks a rosy glow that enhanced her natural beauty, and her brown eyes glowed in the lamplight. What would it be like to caress those cheeks and run his fingers through her dark hair?
Heat began in Tom’s neck and ran up to his face. He jumped from his chair. “I . . . um . . . I better be going. Have some work to do before leaving tomorrow.” He didn’t really, but something had changed, and he had no idea what to do about it.
“All right. I probably won’t be able to see you off at the station tomorrow. We’re usually pretty busy that time of day.” She stood and moved to stand beside him on the top step. Her face turned up to his.
“I understand, and thanks for the information about Joe. We make a good team.” His hand rose and his fingers slid across her cheek. Before he had his wits about him, he leaned down and brushed her lips with his. “You’re a beautiful woman, Faith Delmont.” Before she could react, he pulled away, shook his head, and raced down the steps.
His heart pounded.
What in the world had possessed him to kiss Faith?
CHAPTER 15
FAITH LEANED AGAINST the balcony rail and stared after Tom until he disappeared into the night. Her fingertips brushed her lips. What had just happened? That was the first time Tom had ever come even close to doing anything romantic. And now not only had he said she was beautiful, he’d kissed her!
Her heart pounded in her chest. Whatever it meant, she had thoroughly enjoyed the touch of his lips on hers. She fanned her face with her hand as the heat rose in her cheeks. This was much more than a simple kiss, or at l
east it was to her. Tom had left so suddenly. Maybe it’d been a mistake and he’d regretted it immediately.
Those thoughts would get her nowhere. She shook them off and doused the lamp. She stepped inside the house and closed the door behind her. Tears filled her eyes. She loved Tom with all her heart. If this was an indication he might return that love, she’d be the happiest girl in Stoney Creek.
Her mother appeared in the hallway. “Oh, is Tom gone already?”
“Yes. He’s leaving town tomorrow and wanted to say good-bye.” And to ask her to keep an eye on Joe, but Mama didn’t need to know that.
“That was nice of him.” She stopped in front of Faith and touched her cheek. “You’re blushing, my sweet. What happened?”
Faith flung her arms about her mother’s neck. “Oh, Mama, I’m so confused.” Tears began to fall, and she sobbed.
Mama patted her back and held her close. “What has you confused, my dear?”
“I . . . I don’t know what to do about Tom.” She released her mother and stepped back to swipe the tears from her cheeks. “I love him, but I’m not sure how he feels about me.”
“I see. Let’s go into the parlor where we can talk.” She held Faith’s hand and led her to the sofa. “Now tell me all about it,” she said as they sat down together.
“I’ve known Tom practically all my life. He’s always been so nice to me and paid some attention to me as well, like those times when Mrs. Whiteman’s friends from Louisiana came to visit and we would go to the theater and parties together. Then he was off to school, and I was so afraid he’d find a pretty girl there and bring her back to Stoney Creek as a bride. But he didn’t, so I still had hopes for us.”
“Have things changed between the two of you?” Mama reached over and held Faith’s hands.
“I don’t know. Since Angela Booker came to town, he’s been with her a lot. They even went for a buggy ride together last Sunday, and he took her to our favorite place.”
“I imagine that hurt you.” She squeezed Faith’s hands. “I’ve seen him with her a time or two, but I had no idea you felt anything more than friendship toward Tom. You two are always laughing and having such fun together. Although I had hoped you two would be together some day, you seemed more like a sister to him.”
“That’s part of the problem. We’ve known each other so long and done so many things together that I have felt more like his sister, but now my heart says otherwise.”
Tears trickled from the corners of her eyes and stained her cheeks. “He kissed me tonight . . . just a quick one, but I liked it and wanted him to do it again. Instead, he jumped like he’d been shot and ran off down the stairs like the sheriff was after him.”
Mama smiled and pulled Faith close to her side. “Honey, I’m sure he was just as surprised by what he did as you were, and he had to get away to think about it.”
“I guess that may be it, but why would he even do it in the first place?”
“I think he cares more about you than he realized. It may have been a spur-of-the-moment type of kiss, but I believe it came from his heart.”
Faith bit her lip and remembered his words about her being beautiful. He’d never said anything like that before. She turned and hugged her mother. “Oh, Mama, I do hope it did.”
“Remember that God has a plan for all three of you. Be patient, and He’ll reveal that plan to you, Tom, and Angela in His timing.”
Mama was right as usual, but patience was one virtue Faith sorely lacked. She rested her head on her mother’s shoulder. “May I take time tomorrow to see him off at the train?”
“Of course you can. Aunt Ruby and I can handle things.”
“Thank you.” She wiped her cheeks and faced her mother. “Tell me your impression of Joe Fitzgerald.”
“And why would that be of any importance to you?”
“It’s a long story, but essentially Tom asked me to keep an ear open to learn what I can about Joe. Tom is suspicious of the old man and who he says he is.”
“Why, Faith Delmont, I can’t believe you’re probing into a man’s private life. Joe is a nice old man down on his luck, and it’s none of your business who he really might be or where he comes from.”
Faith swallowed hard. She should never have said anything about Joe, but it had spurted forth from her mouth before she even had time to think about it. “I’m sorry, but he is mysterious, sort of, and I don’t really know anything.”
Mama lifted Faith’s chin and peered at her. “All right, but promise me that you won’t get too nosy and cause Joe any harm.”
“I do promise, Mama.” And she’d keep it, but that didn’t mean she’d stop asking questions and trying to find out more about him, for Tom’s sake.
Mama patted Faith’s shoulder and stood. “I’ll hold you to it. Now, it’s time to get to bed. We have an early morning.”
Faith continued to sit as Mama left the room. She’d go to bed in a minute, but she wanted to savor the moment when Tom kissed her.
A few minutes later she sighed and made her way to her room. After undressing and pulling her gown over her head, she sat on the edge of the bed. She’d keep her promise to Mama, but the identity of the old man did whet her curiosity. She pulled the covers back and crawled beneath them with a vow to be even more observant of Joe in the future.
Her fingers caressed her lips again. Tom had kissed her.
Despite the dark of the evening Tom sat on the porch at home. The memory of the kiss with Faith lingered in his thoughts. He’d never had any romantic notions like that toward her before even though he had considered courting her. Then tonight she’d looked so beautiful in the lamplight with her eyes so full of life and sparkle that he’d been overcome with emotion.
A groan escaped into the night air. What if he’d ruined their friendship? What if she had no such feelings toward him? If only he could see her tomorrow and get an idea of what she might be thinking now, but she’d said they’d be too busy at the bakery for her to see him off on his trip.
The glow from the lamplight revealed a figure on the walk in front of the house. He peered out into the dim light. “Joe, is that you?”
“Why, yes, it is. I didn’t expect anyone to be up so late. It’s a nice fall evening for a walk about town.” He took a step away. “Good evening, Tom. Have a nice night.”
“Joe, wait, I need to talk with you a minute.” He had an inexplicable urge to talk to him about Faith. Now why would that be? How could Joe know what he should do about Faith?
Joe stopped and turned back to Tom. “Can’t it wait until tomorrow?”
“No, it can’t. I really need some advice. Ma and Pa are already in bed, so I don’t want to disturb them.”
Joe hesitated a moment before answering. “I see. I suppose I can spare you some time.” He walked up to the porch and joined Tom.
“Now what’s on your mind, young man? What’s so urgent it can’t wait until tomorrow?”
“I’m not sure where to begin. It’s about Faith Delmont.” Tom clasped his hands between his knees and leaned forward, thankful Joe couldn’t see so well with just the light from the lamp at the street.
“Ah, an affair of the heart, is it?”
Even though Joe’s face wasn’t clear, Tom sensed the old man’s smile. “I guess it is,” Tom admitted. “We’ve been friends all our lives, and we’ve done all kinds of things together and with each other’s families. She and my sister Clara have been good friends for as long as I can remember, and I guess Faith has been like a sister to me.”
“And things have changed?”
How could this man be so discerning? “I’m not sure, but I think they have.”
“May I ask your feelings for Miss Booker?”
Angela? How did Joe know about Angela? “Why do you ask that?”
Joe leaned toward Tom. “I saw you take her in your buggy for a ride last Sunday, and most times that means a young man may be courting a young woman. Is that not the case?”
�
��No, yes, oh, I don’t know. I do admit I had a notion to court her, but now this with Faith makes me stop and think. She’s more what I would want in a wife.” Tom’s heart leaped in his chest. Where had those words come from? He’d had too many unexpected thoughts and actions for one night.
“Interesting. Have you said anything to Miss Delmont?”
“Um, no, I didn’t want to spoil our friendship, but I . . . I . . . sorta . . . kissed her good night.” Another groan. How dumb did that statement sound? Good thing he hadn’t added the bit about telling her she was beautiful.
Joe chuckled. “I think maybe you gave her a hint of your feelings tonight. How did she respond?”
Heat filled Tom’s face once again. “Well, I’m not sure. You see, I ran off soon as it happened.”
This time Joe laughed out loud. “My boy, you have a thing or two to learn about young women.”
“Yeah, I guess I do. I sure hope I didn’t ruin our friendship with that kiss, and it wasn’t a real kiss. I kinda brushed her lips with mine.” Could this be any more humiliating?
Even in the darkness Joe’s head shaking was obvious. “Son, I’m sure Miss Delmont is just as confused as you are at this point.”
Before Tom could respond, a man ran up the sidewalk yelling, “I need to see the doctor right now!”
Tom stood and grabbed the man by the arms. The man shook and tears streamed down his cheeks. “Slow down, Mr. Kirk. My pa’s asleep. What’s the emergency?”
“It’s my wife, the new baby’s coming, and it’s too soon. Please get your pa. I need him to come help her.”
The fear in the man’s eyes gripped Tom’s heart. “I’ll go get him. Joe, get him some water while I wake up Pa.”
He left the two men, raced up the stairs, and pounded on his father’s door. “Pa, Pa, Mr. Kirk is here, and he says his wife needs you. He says the baby’s coming early.”
The sound of the bed creaking and then his pa’s voice filtered through the closed door. “I’m up, Tom. I’ll be dressed and down in a minute.”
Christmas at Stoney Creek Page 11