Boaz's Wager

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  Boaz chuckled. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “Oh.” She let out an uneasy laugh. “No, you didn’t scare me. I mean, I didn’t think…” She shrugged then cleared her throat. “I’m just glad everyone’s alright.” Glad for the excuse to change topics, she turned to Hannah who was wiping her eyes with the sleeves of her dress. “You want to stir the mashed potatoes?”

  Sniffling, she nodded and went over to Eva.

  “I’ll finish getting ready and help you,” he told her before he headed down the hall to her bedroom where he got dressed every day.

  Forcing her gaze off of his retreating figure, she took Hannah’s hand and led her to the kitchen. “I had four older brothers, and they used to stare at me, too.”

  She tilted her head to look up at her. “They did?”

  “Yes. And they thought they were being funny. I thought they were being mean.”

  “They were being mean.”

  “I don’t know why big brothers think it’s fun to make little sisters cry, but you want to know something?” She helped Hannah up on a chair so she could get the spoon from the worktable and start stirring the potatoes.

  “What?”

  “When they grew up, they were very kind to me. Whenever I needed anything, they helped me out. It’ll be the same for you and Leroy. Right now you’re children, and being children, you’ll have your fights. But when you grow up, you’ll be friends.”

  “No, we won’t.”

  “It’s true. One day he’ll be the first one to protect you if you ever need it.”

  Though Hannah didn’t seem convinced, she stopped crying and helped Eva with the rest of the supper. By the time Rachel and Herb arrived, the mashed potatoes, corn, and pot roast were on the table.

  “Everything looks wonderful,” Rachel said as everyone sat down.

  Eva smiled and motioned to the food. “Help yourself.”

  The meal progressed smoothly. Or at least Eva thought it did until she realized she and Rachel were doing all the talking. By the time they were eating the rhubarb and berry pie, she realized Boaz and Herb weren’t even looking at each other. What in the world had happened? She thought everything was fine earlier that day. Why would Boaz offer to invite Herb and Rachel over if he didn’t want Herb to be there?

  Was it because of her and Rachel? Maybe he cared so much for her that he wanted to please her by having her friend over? She immediately pushed the thought aside but then thought it might be the answer. Ever since they married, he’d been kind and thoughtful. True, he worked at all hours, sometimes coming home later than he expected, but it wasn’t because he didn’t want to be with her. It was the nature of his job.

  If nothing else, they shared a good friendship, one she had no doubt would grow deeper over time. And maybe it was this friendship that compelled him to have Herb over, even knowing things would be awkward. Such a realization touched her immensely. She had no idea anyone would do something so kind for her.

  “Can we play now?” Leroy asked after he finished the last of his pie.

  With a glance around the table, Eva saw that he and Hannah were finished. “You and Hannah need to wash up first.” She got up and wet a cloth in a bowl then came back to the table and cleaned their hands and faces. Noting that the others had also finished, she added, “Rachel and Herb, would you like to go to the parlor?” She hesitated to add Boaz in her question but looked at him with a silent message that he could go, too, if he wanted.

  “I’ll stay and help you,” Boaz said.

  “I’ll get my violin and be back,” Herb replied as he helped Rachel from her chair. “I’ve been practicing the old sheets of music I found.”

  Eva glanced at Boaz who, if she saw correctly, grimaced. Her gaze went to Rachel who seemed as if she was on the brink of laughter. Deciding to ignore her friend, she told Leroy and Hannah they could go play and started collecting plates to take to the sink.

  As she turned to head back to the table, Boaz came over with a stack of dishes. “I can get everything.”

  “I don’t plan to wash the dishes until they leave.” If he was going to talk to Herb in the parlor, it’d be one thing. But since he had no desire to do that, that left Herb and Rachel waiting for them. She waited until Boaz placed the dirty dishes on the worktable before she decided to speak. “We don’t have to listen to Herb play the violin if you don’t want to.”

  “It’s fine. He brought it over.”

  “While that’s true, it doesn’t mean he has to play it.”

  “You like listening to it, don’t you?”

  “Well, yes,” she replied, not comfortable with lying. He already knew she did anyway. “But if you’re not up to it, I can wait.”

  “No. You do a lot around here. You deserve to hear him play.”

  “I appreciate that, but if it makes you uncomfortable—”

  “It doesn’t.”

  His sharp tone didn’t go unnoticed. She stared at him for a moment and saw the flicker of remorse in his eyes.

  “I’m sorry,” he said in a softer voice. “I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.” He waved to the parlor. “You go ahead and visit with them. I’ll put the rest of the dishes over here.”

  “I don’t know…”

  “You’re going to wash them after they’re gone, and there’s a lot of dishes. The least you can do is rest up before you do all that work.”

  Before she could answer, he walked back to the table. With nothing else to say, she went to the parlor.

  “How do you make different notes?” Leroy asked.

  “I move my fingers along the strings,” Herb replied as he traced the neck of the violin.

  “Can I play it?”

  “I’m afraid not,” Eva spoke up as she came further into the room. “This isn’t a toy. It’s a musical instrument that plays some of the most beautiful music known to man.”

  “Better than the organ?” Leroy asked, a skeptical eyebrow raised in silent protest.

  “I think so. But everyone has their preferences.” She glanced around the room. “Where’s your sister?”

  “Oh, she’s playing out there.”

  She went to the open window and peered out to see Hannah running around the yard, chasing a butterfly. “She shouldn’t be out there by herself.”

  “I’m sorry, Eva,” Rachel said. “I told her it was fine.”

  She smiled at her friend. “It’s alright. I recently discovered that she’ll leave the yard if Leroy isn’t watching her.” Turning back to the window, she called out for Hannah to come back in.

  Though she expressed her disappointment, she obeyed.

  “You can chase butterflies tomorrow when I take you and your brother out for a walk,” Eva assured her. “Now, come and sit with me while we listen to some wonderful music.”

  As much as she tried to curb her excitement, she was anxious to hear Herb play again. He had such a marvelous gift. It was a shame he was stuck in a small town where his talent would never be properly appreciated. But he seemed happy enough and that was what mattered.

  She sat in a chair and pulled the little girl onto her lap. Leroy sat on the floor by her feet, and the three turned to Herb.

  “Should we wait for Boaz?” Rachel asked.

  “No, we shouldn’t,” Herb replied, a slight edge to his voice.

  Eva glanced at Rachel but she was holding the sheet of music up so he could see it. Was it possible that Herb had figured out Boaz wasn’t acting like his normal self because of her, because he thought she might be harboring feelings for Herb just because he could play the violin? It was absurd, of course. His playing the violin had nothing to do with her feelings for him. Surely, a grown man should understand that.

  As Herb began to play, Eva turned toward him but had a hard time focusing on the music, though it was just as wonderfully uplifting as before. Her gaze kept going to the doorway and from time to time, she thought Rachel was struggling to keep a straight face. She knew exactly what Rachel was t
hinking. Boaz was definitely jealous and was having a hard time with the fact that Herb was here—taking Eva’s attention from him.

  Avoiding her friend’s amused snicker, she forced her attention back to Herb and smiled as he continued the beautiful melody. It was such a shame to be in the presence of such talent but not to be able to fully enjoy it. She had a mind to go to the kitchen and demand Boaz put his feelings aside and be polite to his friend. But now wasn’t the time. Not when they had company over and the children were still up. And besides, she had to carefully think through what she wanted to say.

  Herb made it through a third musical piece when Boaz finally made his appearance. But he didn’t join them. Instead, he went outside. From the window, she saw that he had chosen to sit on the porch. It took all of her resolve to remain seated. And it certainly didn’t help when Rachel chuckled.

  Herb stopped playing and looked at his wife. “Is something funny?”

  “No.” Though she made it a point to look contrite to Herb, she glanced at Eva and winked.

  With a sigh, Eva rose to her feet. “Herb, you play better than anyone else I’ve ever met. Truly, I can’t recall a time when anyone has done a violin as much justice as you do.” She couldn’t be sure, but she thought she heard Boaz groan.

  Rachel giggled but quickly covered it up with a cough.

  “I’m sorry, Herb, but I need to tuck the children into bed.” Granted, it wasn’t their bedtime, but she was in danger of dragging Boaz into the house by his ear and scolding him for being so rude when they had guests and didn’t want them to witness it. “I hope you understand.”

  He glanced at the window. “Yeah, I understand.” Despite his disappointment, he lowered the violin and collected the music.

  “I really mean it, Herb,” Eva said in a lower voice so Boaz wouldn’t overhear them. “You are incredibly talented. I hope you’ll keep playing this type of music. It’d be a shame to waste your ability on square dances and such.”

  “Thank you, Eva. And I know it’s not you.” He glanced at the window and shook his head. “Come on, Rachel. Maybe I can play the last piece for you.”

  “I’d love to hear it, Herb.” Rachel turned to Eva and whispered, “You insist that Boaz tell you what’s going on. It’s time he took you to bed and made you his wife.” Then, despite the hint of red in her cheeks, she added, “It’s a lot more fun than listening to music.”

  Eva’s jaw dropped but she quickly shut her mouth as Rachel grabbed her bonnet and drawstring purse. Following them to the door, she thanked them for coming, pretending she didn’t notice the awkwardness between them and Boaz as they said their good-byes.

  She waited until they were out of earshot before she turned her attention to Boaz. “We need to talk.”

  Not waiting for an invitation, she sat next to him. Since Leroy and Hannah had decided to play in the yard, she figured it was safe enough to talk on the porch. Folding her hands in her lap, she focused on Boaz who kept his eyes on the children. She knew he did it in an effort to avoid the conversation, but they were going to have it whether he liked it or not.

  “Why did you treat Herb and Rachel with such disdain?” she asked, congratulating herself on managing to speak in a calm tone.

  “I didn’t treat them with disdain,” he replied, still not looking at her. “I just didn’t feel like listening to him play the fiddle, that’s all.”

  “If he’d been playing at a square dance, I would say it was a fiddle, but when it’s playing beautiful music, it’s a violin.” She shook her head. What was she doing? Arguing over the petty details wasn’t going to solve anything. Forcing her attention back to the issue, she added, “Herb is your friend. Listening to him play is a matter of respect.”

  “And you sure do respect him an awful lot, don’t you?” he snapped, finally turning his pointed gaze in her direction.

  “I appreciate his music.” When he gave a slight scowl, she added, “I can’t help it if you don’t. He’s worked hard and deserves to be told his hard work has paid off.”

  “How unfortunate for you that I never picked up a fiddle and learned to play it.”

  “I don’t care if you play one or not.”

  “That much is obvious.”

  “Are you jealous?”

  “What?”

  “You heard me. Are you jealous?”

  “No. I don’t want to play the fiddle. I have more important things to do with my time.”

  Again, she had to force herself to stick with the issue. To call a lovely instrument a fiddle just didn’t sit well with her. Not everyone shared her love of fine music, and she’d often been called a snob because of it. It’d always been a sore spot with her. And though Boaz hadn’t come out and called her a snob, it was too easy to insinuate that he was suggesting it. She released a deep breath then said, “That’s not the point. The point is, it bothers you that I like listening to Herb play the,” she grimaced, “fiddle.”

  “I invited him over here tonight. I knew he was going to bring that thing over. Why would I do that if it bothered me?”

  “Because you’re a proud man and the last thing you can do is admit the truth.”

  “The truth?”

  “Yes. You’re afraid.”

  “Afraid of a fiddle?”

  “Afraid of what it represents.”

  “And what would that be?”

  “That you want our marriage to be more than a friendship.” As soon as she said those words, she had the urge to take them back. While it had become apparent that this was true, she didn’t think she’d be bold enough to be the one to say it. She’d been trying to get him to do that. Despite the heat rising in her cheeks, she continued, “You have no need to worry. I have no interest in Herb beyond a friendship and the love we share in music. My feelings don’t go any further than that. So you have no need to worry when I listen to him play the violin. I’m not secretly pining for him.”

  Deciding she’d said enough, she stood up and headed right back into the house before he could reply. She didn’t realize her hands were shaking until she tried to pour a cup of coffee. What they’d just shared was a discussion that was long overdue, and it was one that took them to a crossroads. The question was, what was the smartest move she could make next to get them to where they needed to be?

  Chapter Eighteen

  Eva took one of the sheaths out of the bag and placed the bag back into the top drawer of the dresser. Releasing her breath, she placed the sheath on top of the dresser and went back to brushing her hair. Yes. This was the best time to broach the subject. If she didn’t do it now, then who knew when a more appropriate time would develop? She just confronted Boaz about his being jealous of Herb. There was no going back from it.

  She almost put her hair into a braid but decided against it. She’d wear it down this time. It gave her a much softer look and maybe it would better appeal to him. She hadn’t heard Boaz enter the house. Maybe he wanted to give her time to calm down before he came inside. Or maybe he was thinking over what he wanted to say.

  Either way, she needed to make the most of this moment while she had it. Biting her lower lip, she debated whether or not to go to the couch without any clothes on. It was similar to what Patty had done, except Patty hadn’t gotten the results she wanted. After a quick debate, she decided she couldn’t do it. Maybe Patty was that bold, but she wasn’t. She could, however, undo a couple of her shirtwaist buttons and give him ideas on what he could do with her tonight.

  Yes. It was subtle and it might not scare him off before she had a chance to suggest they use the sheath. Once she loosened a couple of buttons, she slipped the sheath into her pocket then checked on Leroy and Hannah to make sure they were asleep. Just as she closed their door, she heard Boaz come into the house. She took a deep breath and headed for the parlor. Despite her fast pace, she had to fight back her apprehension. What if he said he wasn’t interested? What if he said even a sheath wasn’t enough, that they would have to abstain completely from m
aking love?

  No. She wouldn’t think about it. She’d just approach him and hope for the best. He did find her attractive. There was no denying the desire in his kiss. He did want her. It was just a matter of convincing him he could act on it.

  She entered the parlor and saw that he was staring out the window.

  He turned around. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I shouldn’t have acted the way I did while Herb and Rachel were here.”

  Feeling better by his soft tone, she offered him a smile. “In the future, I hope you won’t get upset if Herb plays his violin.”

  “I won’t.” Returning her smile, he added, “I suppose it was silly of me to be jealous of a violin.”

  “Yes, it was. And now that you know you don’t have to be, things won’t have to be so tense when we do something with them in the future.”

  “No, they won’t. I promise. Tomorrow I’ll apologize to Herb for the way I acted.”

  “I think he’ll like that.” She took another deep breath and gestured to the couch. “I have an idea. It’s something we can try, if you’re interested.”

  Though he glanced at the couch, he didn’t make a move to it. “You want to give me suggestions on how to apologize to him?”

  Laughing, she waved him forward. “No, silly. I have something else I want to discuss. If you don’t want to talk in here, we could talk in the bedroom.” Even as she managed to keep her tone light, her face flushed at the suggestion.

  Avoiding eye contact with her, he hurried to the couch and she forced aside her disappointment. He didn’t know she had a sheath. Maybe when he did, he’d be willing to go to bed with her.

  In the past, she sat in the chair across from him, but tonight she settled next to him. Before he could slide further down on the couch, she reached for his hand and squeezed it. Never in a million years did she think she’d have to chase her husband in order to initiate lovemaking. But here she was and she was the one who was trying to get him into bed with her.