by Linda Ford
“Sounds like fun,” Lonnie said. Both he and Teddy looked disappointed that they wouldn’t be able to play the game.
Wyatt rubbed his chin. “Well, let’s see now. I think I’d like to be part of this fun. There’s no reason we can’t travel home after dark.”
“Really?” Cora smiled up at him. “You’d do that for me?”
Wyatt nodded, looking at her in such a way that Lilly wondered if he even remembered the rest of them were in the room.
“Hello,” Lonnie said. “We’re still here, you know. Hey, can Teddy play, too? You know, with his crutches and all?”
Teddy gave Caleb a pleading look. “I can, can’t I, Papa? I’ll be careful. Besides, even if I fall I won’t hurt myself.” He sat up straight and looked around importantly. “I’ve fallen lots of times and I’m okay.”
Caleb raised his eyebrows and met Lilly’s glance. Of course, he wasn’t okay, but that wasn’t because he’d fallen. “I guess you can join in on the fun.”
“Then let’s get supper done.” Rose set the table while Cora sliced a loaf of bread and Lilly dished soup into each bowl.
Teddy sat between her and Caleb and it felt exactly as it should. The family around the table. Even if Caleb and Teddy weren’t truly a part of the family. But she’d enjoy the evening without worrying about what tomorrow might bring.
By the time the meal ended and the dishes were done, the sun filled the sky with streaks of red and pink and orange.
“Let’s go,” Cora said, and all but Ma and Pa hurried outside to the corn patch.
Cora and Wyatt disappeared into the rustling stalks.
“You’ll have to stop giggling,” Lilly called. “Or we’ll know where you are.”
Rose slipped away as silently as a shadow.
Lonnie went with Teddy, the clump of moving crutches letting everyone know which direction they were headed.
Lilly and Caleb glanced at each other and then Lilly slipped away. At first the rustle of leaves signaled her path, but then she drew back out of sight, stilling her breathing so she could listen. To her right she detected a movement and she jumped out. “Boo!”
It was Rose she frightened, and they giggled and tiptoed away in opposite directions.
A few minutes later she did the same to Lonnie and Teddy, who screamed. Next, she leapt out at Cora, and giggling, the two collapsed into each other’s arm. Then Cora went off to stalk Wyatt through the corn plants.
Lilly stood still. Where was Caleb? She hadn’t heard him since they’d entered the corn patch. She tipped her head to the left. Did she detect a noise? It had to be Caleb since she knew where the others were, so she eased in that direction. She was an expert at this game. She’d sneak up on him and give him a fright.
At the thought she pressed her hand to her mouth to silence her laughter.
Inch by inch she moved forward, guided by a faint rustle, her own noise so muffled she hoped he wouldn’t hear her. To her right, the sound of the others laughing and screaming and crashing through the plants helped cover her approach.
Then the guiding sound stopped. She held perfectly still, holding her breath. Where was he? Something tickled her ear. A spider? She shuddered and brushed at the side of her head.
The tickle moved to her other ear. She shuddered. Had she walked into a nest of spiders? Were they crawling all over her? How she abhorred the creepy crawly creatures.
She couldn’t stand it any longer. Not caring who heard her, she pushed away from the nearest plant and turned around to see what she’d run into.
“Boo.”
Her heart crashed against her ribs. Her lungs refused to work. “Caleb. I thought you were a spider.” Her voice trembled, revealing just how much he’d frightened her.
“Gotcha good.”
Her heart and lungs and emotions released in a whoosh. “You scared me.” She shoved him hard.
“Whoa.” He stumbled backward, clinging to her arms to keep from falling, but to no avail. He went down like a ton of potatoes, taking her with him.
She lay sprawled across his chest, looking into his eyes, made twice as dark by the fading light. “You are one awfully big spider,” she managed.
He brushed her hair back.
“Please tell me there isn’t a spider in my hair.”
“Only me.” He trailed his finger along her cheek to her chin and let it linger there.
Her heart fought for the next beat and the one after that, as if it had gotten lost in the warmth and tenderness of his touch. She wanted to feel him stroke her face again. Wanted to turn her face into his palm and kiss it. Wanted to—
“I can’t get up until you do.” His words cut off her fantasies.
“Of course.” She scrambled to her feet, her mind in total disarray. What had she been thinking?
Only that she wanted him to hold her. Only that she longed to open her heart and soul to him and let him see every fear, every hesitation, every ache of longing.
He pushed to his feet. “That’s better.” He caught her upper arms and pulled her to his chest. “When I kiss a girl, I prefer to do it standing on my two feet.”
“Kiss a girl?”
“I mean you.” He caught her chin and lifted her face toward him. “Unless you object.”
“Object?” She could think of no reason she wouldn’t want his kiss. In fact, she’d been wanting it for a long time. Maybe all her life. “No, I’ve no objection.”
“Good.” He lowered his head slowly, as if savoring the anticipation as much as she was.
She closed her eyes and breathed in his scent, his nearness. And then his lips caught hers, firm, full of today and tomorrow. And forever? Never mind silly questions right now. All that mattered was this moment, when time stopped to allow them to give and take of this kiss.
She wrapped her arms about his waist and pressed her palms to his back, reveling in the power and warmth she was feeling.
And then it ended. He broke off, but he didn’t move away. She stayed safe and secure in the shelter of his arms. Their foreheads touched and they breathed in unison, as if their entire beings had found union in the kiss.
“Lilly,” he murmured.
“Yes, Caleb?” His name was sweet nectar on her tongue.
“I shouldn’t have done that, but I can’t say I’m sorry.”
“Nor can I.” She and Karl had kissed, but it had been a mere brushing of their lips. Cold and lifeless. In no way comparable to this.
“Papa.” Teddy’s call jerked them apart. “I can’t find you.” The corn plants rustled nearby.
Caleb brushed his knuckles along her jawline. “I have to say I really like playing in the cornfield. I’ll never forget it.” He lowered his hand slowly and then responded to Teddy.
“I’m over here. Come find me.” He eased away from Lilly, leaving as silently as he’d come.
She stood rooted to the spot until Teddy and Lonnie came crashing through the plants. Then she slipped away, not wanting to see anyone until she had her senses about her again.
Would that ever happen?
She felt as if Caleb’s kiss had forever changed her.
* * *
Caleb stepped into the dark cornstalks. He needed to consider what he’d done.
He’d kissed Lilly. Likely he shouldn’t have, but he sure didn’t regret it. She’d come readily enough into his arms and lifted her face for the kiss.
He closed his eyes and made himself take slow, easy breaths, though they did nothing to still the racing of his heart. He’d kissed a woman before. After all, he’d been married for more than six years. But he couldn’t recall a kiss that had claimed him so completely that he could barely recall his name.
A rustling nearby signaled someone’s approach. He held his breath, not ready to des
ert his thoughts. Rose tiptoed past, unaware of his presence, and he let a fraction of tension ease from his limbs.
His name? Right. He was Caleb Craig. A widower with a five-year-old son who had a leg that didn’t work. He was in the employ of the Caldwells, feuding neighbors of the Bells. He had to keep the job to earn enough money to take Teddy to a special doctor.
He recited the long list of reasons he could not let one kiss influence his thoughts. But all the reasons failed to quench the longings the kiss had awakened. It had the power to erase every rational thought from his mind. He wanted a new beginning and a love to fill his life with passion and meaning.
He shook his head. What he wanted and what he could have were not the same.
His nerves tensed as the cornstalks behind him rustled and Lonnie and Teddy jumped out yelling, “Boo.”
Teddy giggled madly. “We scared you, didn’t we?”
“You sure did.” He scooped Teddy into his arms and tickled him as the boy squirmed and laughed. This was all that mattered. Taking care of his son. He could not allow anything to make him forget that. Especially the yearnings of his foolish heart.
The play continued for a bit longer and then Wyatt yelled out. “It’s time for us Williamses to head home.”
Caleb called out, too. “It’s time for little boys to go to bed.”
“Aww,” Teddy answered.
Caleb met the boy at the end of the corn patch and together they headed for the house.
As Caleb prepared the poultice for Teddy’s leg, his thoughts continued to war inside his head. He could imagine himself and Teddy living here. If not for the fact Teddy needed to see a special doctor, Caleb might consider staying in the area.
But some things would remain the same. He would still have to deal with his failure to protect those he loved.
Rose and Lilly entered the house a short time later as Caleb prepared to remove the poultice from Teddy’s leg.
Lilly hurried to his side. “How is it?”
He looked into her gaze as she bent close. The air between them grew still. A longing as fierce as a winter storm gripped his heart at the blue welcome he saw in her eyes. The kiss had changed him. Perhaps it had changed her, too. But there were barriers he couldn’t ignore. He tried to remember what they were, but the details eluded him at the moment. He knew he would recall them later and wonder how they could have slipped his mind.
She looked at Teddy’s leg. “I’d like to try some different exercises tonight if you have no objections.”
“None at all,” Caleb said. She could have asked him to dance a jig in the middle of the room and he’d have had no objections. Thankfully, she didn’t, for he really had no wish to make a fool of himself. He’d come perilously close to doing so as he’d stood there in the cornstalks all moon-eyed.
He blinked and focused on what she was doing.
She had Teddy sit on the side of the bed and press his foot to the floor. “Does that hurt?”
Teddy shook his head and patted Blossom.
She pushed on his ankle. “Try and keep me from moving your leg.”
He pushed back.
She did it in every direction. “Very good.”
She had him lie back and then she did the original exercises. “All done. Good job.”
Mrs. Bell watched from her chair. “I see progress.”
Lilly nodded. “I do, as well.”
Caleb wanted to ask what they saw, but he didn’t care to discuss it in front of Teddy. “Son, it’s time to get ready for bed.” It was past bedtime, but he wouldn’t have robbed his son of the pleasure of that particular evening.
A smile tugged at Caleb’s lips. Had Teddy had as much fun as his papa had? He hardly thought it possible.
“Can Lilly do Tiny’s story with me tonight?” Teddy asked.
“’Fraid not, son. It’s much too late.”
“Ahh.”
“We’ll do it again tomorrow,” Lilly promised, smiling at them both.
“Okay.” Teddy settled into bed.
As soon as Teddy had prayed and bid good-night to all the Bells, Caleb turned to Mr. Bell.
“Sir, may I walk outside with Lilly? I’d like to ask her about—” He tipped his head toward Teddy.
Mr. Bell nodded. “’Tis a fine evening for a stroll.”
Lilly hurried over to get a shawl.
Rose cleared her throat. “Don’t suppose you’d like company?”
Caleb hesitated. He could hardly say no.
Lilly pulled the shawl close and didn’t answer immediately. Then she nodded. “You’re more than welcome to join us.”
Rose laughed. “No, thanks. I was only teasing.”
Lilly gave her sister a tight smile. “One of these days your teasing will get you into a heap of trouble.”
“Not a chance.” Rose grinned as Lilly and Caleb stepped into the night.
A gibbous moon lit the yard, gilding every leaf and branch in silver.
“It’s a beautiful evening,” Lilly said.
“I like your game of playing in the cornstalks.” His voice rumbled in his chest, deepened by his memory of the other game he and Lilly had played in the corn patch.
They walked along the path that led to the barn and beyond.
“Do you mean the game of chasing and scaring each other?” Her voice was deceptively innocent. “Or were you referring to another game?”
“Both.” He caught her hand and turned her about to face him, placing his hands on her upper arms. He resisted the urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her again. There were things that needed to be said. In the moonlight he could not read her eyes, so he was unable to see if she was longing for the same things he was. “I can’t promise you anything but the here and now.”
She nodded. “It’s all I’ve ever had.”
The words troubled him. Her pessimistic attitude was in such contrast to her assurance that a person could choose to live life to the fullest. Or was it? Perhaps she was simply being realistic and forging ahead despite the challenges of life.
“I’m sorry I can’t offer more, but Teddy—well, Teddy has needs that must come above everything else.”
“Of course they must. But his leg is improving.”
His grip on her arms tightened. “What do you mean?”
“Those new exercises required he use his muscles and he did.” She flashed a smile. “The muscles are responding to the treatments we’ve been doing.” She planted her hands on his arms and squeezed. “Isn’t that great?”
Hope leapt within his heart. Could it be possible? The flame of hope died as suddenly as it had sparked. Doctors had suggested that they’d seen positive changes before, but Teddy still didn’t walk on that leg. He wasn’t about to see Lilly’s observation as a cure just yet.
He patted Lilly’s shoulders. “It’s a real good start.” He needed still to keep his sights set on his goal of taking Teddy to the special doctor.
It was time to end the evening, so he turned back to the house, tucking Lilly in at his side.
He paused at the door. “It’s been a lovely evening. Thank you.”
“And thank you, too.” They stood inches away from each other.
He wanted to kiss her again, but he feared doing so would make him lose all sense of his priorities. Still he ached to hold her and claim her lips. Feel again the depth of emotion that had rocked his world.
No, he must remain guarded, keep his head on straight. Not be led from his path by his heart.
“Good night, then.” She opened the door and stepped inside, and he followed.
He’d waited too long, argued with himself until she’d taken the choice from him. He should have been relieved. Not filled with stinging disappointment as he was.
Chapter F
ifteen
Lilly hurried into the bedroom, where Rose had already prepared for the night.
“How was your moonlight walk?” Rose asked, smiling as she teased her sister.
“We discussed Teddy. Did you see how the strength is coming back to his leg?”
“Don’t get your hopes up.”
Lilly didn’t know if Rose was referring to Teddy’s leg or to the possibility Caleb would see the improvement in his son and decide to stay. She took her time hanging her dress and pulling her nightie over her head. She didn’t want to discuss the evening with anyone. It seemed Caleb only meant to enjoy a quick kiss and move on. He had even dismissed the notion that Teddy’s leg was getting better, as if he needed to cling to that excuse for leaving.
Well, she should be relieved. At least he was being honest about not offering her anything more. And he was honorable enough not to kiss her again.
To her dismay, she wished he had. Even knowing he meant to move on. Even knowing her heart would break in a thousand pieces when he rode away.
Rose sat up on one elbow and watched Lilly. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Lilly purposely misunderstood her. “How would I be hurt if Teddy’s leg doesn’t fix itself? I never offered any assurance to Caleb or myself.”
“You know I’m not talking about that.”
“How could I know that?”
Rose chuckled. “Because we know each other so well. I meant Caleb, and you know that.”
Lilly wouldn’t give Rose the satisfaction of admitting it.
Rose sighed. “I see the way things are between you two and I’m afraid. You’ve been hurt before.”
“I thought we’d decided Karl didn’t matter.”
Rose gave her a hard look. “You always say you’re happy with things the way they are. You don’t want to change for fear life could get worse.”
“Uh-huh. So?” She crawled between the covers and picked up her Bible, hoping Rose would take the hint and drop this subject.
“It’s just your way of avoiding dealing with something painful. You hide from it.”
She opened her Bible. “I got over Karl a long time ago.”