Year of Jubilee

by Peggy Trotter

  Glory, what to do now? What to say? “I’ll a…let you get ready and I’ll…” he cleared his throat, “do something else. Uh, I’m sorry.”

  He strode to the door, stepped into the hallway and closed it with a click. Oh, lands, what a mess. Here he’d been congratulating himself for escaping Rosemary this morning. He’d gone from the pan to plop into the fire. Well, he supposed the chaise would be his bed for the duration. Short of telling his family about the arrangement, there was no other option.

  He rubbed the back of his neck and took the stairs two at a time to join everyone, hoping Jubilee didn’t decide to rat him out. Not only would that stir up major complications and a flurry of pointed questions, but it’d get back to Rosemary and his former best friend, Dale. He’d already been made a fool once. He’d like to escape another round of that.

  * * *

  Jubilee inhaled a shaky breath and lowered herself to the chaise. The odd piece of furniture had only a back on one end and a long armrest along the backside. But Jubilee’s mind wasn’t on that so much as it was the sleeping situation. How was this going to work? Would she survive two weeks sharing this room with Rafe?

  Telling his parents wouldn’t be an option. She had no desire to divulge the details of their marriage and its actual state. She gave a shuddering sigh and placed her hand on her throat. They’d have to share the room. Perhaps he could…. She glanced at the chaise. It was very small. Rafe was very large. She swallowed. Oh, dear.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Jubilee rose, pulled her brush from her satchel, and walked to the dresser where an oval looking-glass hung on the wall. Pulling her thick hair out of the braid, she brushed it through and studied herself in the glass.

  A mirror was a luxury Jubilee wasn’t used to. She stared long and hard at her face. Jennie had said she was beautiful. Beautiful? She sighed. No, definitely not. What had Esther said on her wedding day? Oh, yes, pretty as a spring day. Had she spoken of the flowers I held or me? She leaned forward toward the reflection. It seemed important all of a sudden that she was, at least, attractive. Her eyes appeared too big. Her skin tanned too dark. Her hair too thick. Her body too thin. She quickly re-braided her hair and turned from the mirror. I am who I am.

  She brushed the lint from her blue dress. Such a plain garment, but well made with her own hands. It would have to do. She would have to do. Her chin tilted up. No use putting off the inevitable. She opened the door and ambled downstairs.

  A head popped around the corner.

  “Oh, there you are,” Sarah exclaimed. “I wondered if I’d missed you coming down. Everything’s ready.”

  She grabbed Jubilee’s hand and pulled her through the kitchen, to the left, and out the back door to the right side of the house. Everyone congregated near makeshift tables under two red maples. More food covered the surface than Jubilee had ever seen. And a whole lot of people stood about, smiling.

  “Here she is,” Sarah announced gleefully.

  Everyone hushed and gathered at the tables while joining hands. Jubilee found Rafe on one side with a gentle smile, and Sarah, grinning, on the other. Everything grew still, even the children, and Jubilee peeked around in the midst of Will’s prayer of thanks for the food, and then quickly bowed her head.

  When the prayer ended, Rafe guided her to a spot on a backless bench, and to Jubilee’s relief, she noticed Sarah next to her. The two women across from her smiled. They resembled each other with long, blonde hair and green eyes.

  “I’m Phoebe and this is Anna. This is my husband, Isaac.” She motioned to a huge bear of a man with a wild, reddish beard. “Over there is Anna’s better-half, Amos.”

  She winked at Jubilee, and put a hand up to guard a conspiratorial whisper from her sister, but spoke plenty loud. “I’d watch out for Amos. He’s the practical joker.”

  Anna grimaced and giggled. “Sadly, yes. The night he proposed to me, he put a slimy slug in a jewelry box and left it on the table, knowing I wouldn’t be able to resist it.”

  A look of revulsion swept over her face and she shook her head. “Of course I didn’t. I flung the box and the nasty thing landed on my arm. It was disgusting.” She leaned forward. “I despise slugs, and he knew it.”

  Those who’d caught the story laughed, Jubilee included.

  A brown-haired, delicate woman on the other side of Sarah groaned. “Must we have such talk around the dinner table every time? Ugh. How disgusting.”

  Phoebe giggled. “And that would be Mollie, who gags at about anything, which makes the dinner table stories even funnier.”

  Rafe added, “She’s Forrest’s wife and has three boys and one tomboy, if you get the meaning.” He leaned over toward Mollie. “How many snakes are you up to?”

  Jubilee turned her head to observe Mollie’s face pale. “Seven, thank you very much.” Then she pointed at the child’s table, teeming with giggles. “And my children know if they hide one more snake on me, they’re in for some serious whippings.”

  The children’s snickers broke out louder, with a lot of pointing, while others covered their mouths, eyes huge.

  Phoebe grabbed a roll as the basket went by to add to her plate of ham and potatoes. “So, we’ve got to know what side of the fence you’re on, Jubilee. Gagging or non-gagging?”

  The two women giggled and looked at Jubilee.

  Jubilee glanced at Rafe before answering softly, “Non-gagging.”

  Phoebe stood and clapped her hands while Anna shouted, “Alas.”

  Jennie shook her head disapprovingly. “Oh, girls, really. Show some manners.”

  Jubilee added corn to her plate.

  Amos spoke up for the first time. “And now you know who the quiet ones are and who the loud ones are.”

  Anna gave him a mock shocked face, and an elbow thump to his ribs. “He’s just trying to steal you from our camp. Tell us, Rafe, is she quiet or loud?”

  Jubilee blinked and glanced at her husband, who had an open smile.

  “Well, she’s quiet. But she’s curious.”

  Amos made his dark eyebrows dance up and down. “Curious, huh? Well, that could be dangerous. This one can’t resist a jewelry box, that one,” he said, pointing towards Mollie, “can’t resist a covered pail in the middle of the yard.”

  Mollie’s mouth flew open. “You put that snake in there.”

  Amos held up both hands, one big paw clamped around a piece of fried chicken.

  “It wasn’t me. Just my idea.” He pointed to his temple with a wink.

  “Amos Breckenridge,” Mollie said, flustered. “You are in big trouble.”

  Forrest, Mollie’s husband cut in. “Children, children, stop all this fussing and fighting. And I’m talking to the ones at the adult table.”

  Everyone laughed and dug into their dinners.

  “So, Jubilee, Mom told us you were raised in an orphanage. What was that like?” Sarah inserted.

  Jubilee finished chewing and shrugged one shoulder.

  “It was okay. We worked hard and sorta leaned on one another. Life wasn’t awful or anything. I learned a lot of things. Sewing, gardening, cooking, stuff like that. When I got older I was bound out to an elderly widow.”

  “How in the world did you ever meet Rafe?”

  Jubilee swallowed around a lump. She glanced at Rafe. What should she say?

  Rafe jumped in. “She married Colvin.”

  A collective gasp sounded from the occupants of the table. Heat flew up Jubilee’s neck to her face. The food she’d consumed converted into a large weight in her stomach.

  “It wasn’t a very good marriage, so we really don’t want to talk about it.” He glanced at Jubilee. “As you know, Colvin wasn’t much of a fine human being. And you already know he’s passed, and I bought his farm.”

  Jennie snorted. “My older brother was never known for his compassion. I’m afraid his son inherited his bad nature, God rest his soul.”

  Anna tilted her head with her hands together at her mouth. “Did you
fall in love with her, Rafe, when you went to the farm? How romantic.”

  Jubilee clenched her hands and looked at her plate. Maybe it was best for them to think that.

  Phoebe cooed, “How sweet. Look, she’s so shy. Oh, Jubilee.” She reached across the table and touched her hand. “We’re so glad you’re with us. What a difficult time you’ve had.”

  Anna nodded. “And even though he’s my little brother, and it pains me a bit to say this, Rafe’s a great guy.”

  “Hey,” Rafe protested.

  Jubilee giggled. Despite the rocky conversation, she enjoyed the meal and Rafe’s family. They told stories about one another and the laughter continued until her stomach ached. After the dishes were put aside, a large box was brought out and put in front of Rafe and Jubilee.

  Addie, Everett’s wife handed her an envelope.

  “This is a gift to the both of you from all of us for your wedding. We hope you enjoy it.”

  Jubilee could barely shut her mouth long enough to open the card. It was lacy and painstakingly homemade. Someone had sketched a bouquet of roses on the inside and included a poem by Addie, wishing them the best. Encouraged by Rafe, she opened the large package. To her surprise, a gorgeous set of china dishes, edged with beautiful pink roses, rested in the box, complete with a matching teakettle and perfect, delicate teacups.

  A lump formed in her throat. “Oh, my.”

  “That’s great,” Rafe filled in while Jubilee collected herself. “We haven’t gotten any yet. Thank you.”

  “Oh, yes. I’ve never seen anything so lovely,” Jubilee breathed. “Thank you so much.”

  Everyone saw how taken she was with the fine set, and they smiled and laughingly congratulated themselves on their idea. Jubilee found moisture forming in her eyes. These people, who were almost strangers, had been so very kind. She pressed her lips together to keep from bursting into tears. As soon as possible, she excused herself and made her way to the bedroom. Once inside, she sat on the bed and fanned her hot face with her hands. A knock sounded at the door.

  “It’s Sarah. May I come in?”

  Wishing for a few more moments alone, she stood and called, “Of course.”

  The door opened and Sarah peeked in.

  “I wanted to make sure you were all right.”

  Jubilee nodded, wiping the moisture from her eyes.

  “Oh, what’s wrong?” Sarah approached and put her arm around her shoulders.

  Jubilee shook her head. “I’m just so surprised by the beautiful gift. You all really shouldn’t have.”

  “Oh, of course we should have. We always get a special gift when someone gets married in the family. It’s like a tradition. I’ve already got my dishes picked out, and I don’t even have a suitor.”

  Both girls giggled. Sarah led her to the bed and they sat down.

  “You remind me of my best friend, Cara. She’s kinda quiet, and she’s small, and she’s so funny. You’ll get to meet her tomorrow at church. I was so sad when Rafe left, but now he has you, and he seems so happy. I feel like I already know you.”

  Jubilee smiled. Even though Sarah was only sixteen she seemed more mature, and Jubilee felt a connection with her.

  “Thank you for being so kind. I was very nervous to come. There’s so many of you.” She smiled and gave a one-shouldered shrug.

  Sarah threw up her hands. “Oh, getting back to that, I’d better get back downstairs. The men wanta play that baseball game, and I want to get on a team. They always act like only they know all the rules, which gets tiresome, but it’s still fun. You better come and play with us.”

  Sarah pulled Jubilee from the bed, escorted her down the stairs, and out into the yard. The men and the bigger kids organized into teams. Rafe laid out pieces of wood in a diamond shape while a couple of the children cried and begged to play. But Addie and Mollie corralled the smaller ones and began a wild game of duck, duck, goose under the maples, carrying the infants in their arms as they ran. Jubilee begged off playing, citing she’d rather watch and learn the game.

  “We’re the Knickerbockers,” one of the older boys yelled and raised his hands.

  “We’ll be the Brown Shoes,” a smaller child chorused.

  “There’s no such thing,” the older argued.

  It wasn’t long before the bat and ball came out. The men hit the ball lightly, with the field spotted with much younger players, and made a great show while sliding into the bases, overplaying their triumphs. Finally the kids ran off to the creek to cool off, and the men smacked the ball to their fullest ability. Jubilee marveled when Rafe stepped up and hit it farther than any of his brothers.

  “I always said Rafe could play,” his father inserted as they clapped and whooped.

  A wagon drew into the driveway, and an older man alighted from the seat. He assisted a lady down. Will and Jenny rose with a cry of delight, and escorted the couple closer. They appeared to be about the same age as Rafe’s parents.

  “You’ve just got to meet Rafe’s wife,” Jennie exclaimed as they approached.

  Jubilee jumped up.

  “This is Jubilee Tanner,” she presented her when they all were facing one another.

  “Oh, my, aren’t you a young beauty,” the woman exclaimed. “I’m Dottie, this here’s my husband, Herbert Weaver. We’re from Rafe’s church where Herbert pastors. I can’t tell you how fine it is that Rafe has found such a nice young lady.”

  “Thank you,” Jubilee murmured.

  “My goodness, that boy was all broke up when he left here,” Herbert exclaimed.

  “Now, Herbert, none of that.” Dottie patted her husband on the chest.

  “Well, we’re right glad he’s back to his old self. Oh.” He gasped as Rafe hit a ball further than the last. “My, Rafe sure is a strong one.”

  The men, one by one, gathered beside the maple trees with the pastor and his wife to shake hands and greet one another.

  “Well, I guess you should know, Will and Jennie. We spread the word, and instead of you all getting a bunch of company tonight, we’re having a church dinner tomorrow after the service. A bit of a celebration for the newly married couple.” He rapped Rafe on the back. “Glad to see this feller so happy.”

  Rafe gave a tight smile, and his eyes met Jubilee’s. They all sat around the table and brought out the desserts, including cherry pie, and reminisced and laughed until past dark. The Weavers said their goodbyes at last, and the mothers collected their children while the fathers fetched the wagons. Most of the younger ones were already asleep inside the house.

  Soon, everyone except Rafe’s parents, Sarah, Grandma Lou, who lived with the Tanners, and Rafe and Jubilee, were pulling away in their wagons. They waved to the departing families.

  “Where do they all live? Do they have far to go?” Jubilee whispered to Rafe.

  “Naw, their houses are just right down the road. We all farm the same patch of land together…well, they do,” Rafe amended.

  Everyone made their way into the house, proclaiming exhaustion, and Jubilee had to admit she was tired, too. Rafe’s family went their separate ways, calling out goodnights. Jennie hugged Sarah and Jubilee again, and helped her mother to her room. She had no option but to climb the stairs with Rafe to ‘their’ room.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  As soon as the door closed, Rafe turned to her with a soft apology. “I’m really sorry about this arrangement. I just couldn’t say anything, I mean…you know.”

  Jubilee gave a small nod, her hand working nervous circles in her skirt.

  “I plan to sleep on this thing,” he motioned to the chaise, “if that’s agreeable to you.”

  “Maybe I should sleep there. The chaise is…small.”

  Rafe shook his head.

  “No, this is my fault. I should’ve figured something out…somehow.”

  Rafe stood thinking, with Jubilee equally still, but neither had another option. Rafe moved toward the trunk at the end of the bed.

  “The trunk should h
ave some blankets, pillows and such.” He searched the wooden container.

  He pulled out a blanket.

  “Will you need a blanket?” Her voice sounded small.

  Rafe cocked his head. She was right. It’d be a bit chilly as morning broke, but right now this room was stifling. She wandered to the window at the end of the room and pushed the window sash up a few more inches. Rafe headed for the chaise with a blanket, a sheet, and an extra pillow, sensing her eyes on his every movement.

  “Look, I’ll step out for a bit and you can…” he cleared his throat, “…prepare for bed. I’ll be back in about twenty minutes.”

  With that he threw the blanket and sheet on the chaise and exited.

  * * *

  Jubilee hung her head. This was going to be so difficult. But, knowing she only had a few minutes, she closed the curtains and doused the light before quickly unbuttoning her dress and sweeping the garment off. She hung it on a peg next to the door, then grabbed the nightgown and popped it on. The bed screeched in protest as she lunged onto the mattress and yanked the covers up to her chin.

  Time seemed to stop. Her rapid breathing slowed. She grew drowsy. Quiet footfalls sounded on the stairs, the doorknob turned, and the door opened a fraction. Rafe spoke just outside the room.

  “Are you ready?” His voice rose barely above a whisper.

  Wanting to yell ‘no,’ she instead whispered back, “Yes.”

  A huge shadow entered the room. Only the moonlight lit the room, but Jubilee’s eyes, accustomed to the darkness, followed his form across the room. Obviously his eyes hadn’t adjusted, as he ran his leg into the trunk and gave a sharp intake of breath. He moved slower, feeling his way to the chaise. A bubble of laughter formed, and Jubilee pulled the quilt over her mouth as if he could somehow see her smiling at him.

  But the smile swept from her face when he reached down and removed his shirt. O…oh. She yanked the covers higher over her head. Underneath, she could hear the swish of clothing as he removed his britches. More rustling, and Jubilee hoped he’d settled into his comfy bed for the night. When all was quiet, she pulled the blanket down and, indeed, his large frame was stretched out across the chaise, covered with a sheet, his head propped up on the tall back. His feet stuck over the end at least a foot-and-a-half. He looked terribly uncomfortable.