A Patchwork Romance

by Jacobs, Ann

  She gave him a smile as big as if she thought he’d hung the moon. “Thank you. Trina will love these. I wouldn’t have volunteered to get them printed for her if her handwriting weren’t so atrocious.” She looked over the three pages of labels, shaking her head when Jared offered to print off some more. “These will be more than enough. Thank you again.”

  At first he didn’t see the connection between her asking to use his computer and Trina’s penmanship, but then he realized the issue wasn’t labels. It was pride. Althea had salvaged Trina’s pride by offering to do the labels, but then she’d compromised her own by asking for his help.

  His mind wandered to his plan to get Althea the facility she needed to start her co-op. He’d thought Harriet was nuts to worry that he’d be stepping on Althea’s toes, but now he wondered if she’d be as thrilled as he’d first imagined. He had a feeling her prickly pride might get in the way.

  ▪ ▪ ▪

  Later that morning, Althea stood in her shop, staring at the brightly colored labels Jared had helped her make. Paper. That was all they were. She shouldn’t look at them and see another erosion of her hard-won independence.

  She’d been her parents’ daughter, Bill’s girlfriend and then his fiancée. First as a child, then as a woman, she’d leaned on others until they died and left her. The losses had left her empty and shattered her life’s direction. She’d hurt so much for so long, and when the worst of the pain had faded she’d sworn to depend only on herself, maintain her independence at all costs.

  Now her brother was acting like the enraged father of a teenager, and Jared was unwittingly undermining her resolve never to rely on others. Althea shook her head, set the labels down, and started to rearrange bolts of fabric on the shelves.

  She couldn’t ignore the lessons she’d learned so painfully. If she did she’d risk history repeating itself.

  Her anger bubbled over, threatening to explode. Jim had no business butting in her business as though she were still eighteen and none too bright. She’d deal with him later.

  Tires crunched on the gravel outside. Althea looked out the window and saw Trina loaded down with a large, rectangular box. She hurried to help her. “I’ve got the door. Come on in.”

  Trina set the box on the counter and smiled. “You get the first dozen jars, not counting the batch I put away for Joe and the kids. Did you make the labels?”

  “Yes, I did. With Jared’s help. I think you’ll like them.” Althea opened the box and held a clear glass jar of garnet-toned jelly up to the light.

  “My. You’re gettin’ fancy, aren’t you?” Trina grinned from ear to ear as she separated a label from its backing and fastened it to a jar of jelly. “Color and everything. I like the blackberry bush in the background. It adds a nice touch.”

  “Thank Jared. He has the latest thing in software, and a color laser printer, too.” Althea would feel better if she’d been able to do the labels herself, even simple black-and-white ones, without having to ask for help.

  “I will, if I ever run into him. You tell him for me.”

  “All right.”

  Trina looked at her jelly and then at the rest of the labels. “I’d better go. I’ve got eight dozen more jars out in the truck. I promised Maude over at Uncle Ed’s General Store that I’d drop them off today, so I need to hurry so I can start another batch when I get home. Berries are real plentiful this year. Me and the boys picked almost five gallons yesterday.”

  When she thought about picking blackberries, Althea could practically feel their evil spines digging into her flesh. Unfortunately, the idea of eating fresh blackberry cobbler made her mouth water and overwhelmed her reluctance to put her hide in jeopardy just to get the main ingredient. “I may go pick a few myself, after I close up shop.”

  “It’d be more fun if you get your man to help. There used to be plenty of berries up on Big Bear Mountain. If I were you I’d tempt him with a pie, or maybe some fresh blackberries with homemade ice cream.”

  Althea’s hunger for a high-calorie treat made with wild blackberries was turning into a serious craving, especially with Trina feeding her appetite with talk about pies and sundaes. “I just might. Go on, get your selling done and hurry back to your jelly-making.”

  She’d have it out with her meddling brother and then go see if Jared was up for battling berry brambles with her. Good thing it didn’t get dark much before nine o’clock this time of year.

  ▪ ▪ ▪

  At five, Althea closed the shop and headed for Jim’s place. When she pulled in the driveway behind her brother’s truck, she noticed Mary and the baby resting on the old-fashioned swing Jim had secured to the porch ceiling.

  “How’s my new nephew?” she asked as she climbed the five, broad steps.

  Mary smiled. “He’s precious.”

  “That he is.” Looking down at him, Althea decided little Jimmy looked tiny but healthy. “How are you feeling?”

  “Tired.” Mary leaned over and brushed a kiss across her son’s downy head. “Happy, though.”

  “Where’s Jim?”

  “Taking a walk with Gracie. That little girl about wore me out today.”

  Althea didn’t doubt that. “When will they be back?” Now that she was here, she wanted to get the confrontation over.

  Mary shrugged. “Soon, I guess. Jim always wants his supper before six o’clock. I’d better go inside and get it ready. You’re welcome to join us.”

  When Mary moved carefully and deliberately, Althea saw pain etched on her face. In the kitchen, she set the baby in a cradle and started fixing food. To Althea’s way of thinking, Mary needed to be in bed, not standing up and fixing meals for Jim. “What can I do to help?” she asked.

  “Nothing. I’ve got everything ready but the biscuits.” When Mary bent and put the pan in the oven, her round face turned chalky white and she shook all over.

  “What’s wrong?” Althea hurried to her and steadied her as best as she could.

  Mary sank into a chair and sighed. “I’m gettin’ there, but I reckon I still shouldn’t try to do very much.”

  “You definitely shouldn’t try to cook yet.” It burned Althea to realize Jim apparently didn’t have the sense to keep Mary down until she was fully recovered. Damn it, she’d had a cesarean section less than three weeks ago, not to mention the stroke that had precipitated it or the out-of-control blood pressure that had caused the stroke. A considerate husband wouldn’t let his wife do any work at all. “Surely Jim could put together a few meals.”

  “He did, up ‘til a few days ago. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be okay.” Mary sounded more confident about that than Althea felt.

  She had to do something or her conscience wouldn’t let her forget it. “At least let me set the table for you.”

  “All right. You know where the dishes are. You’ll stay to supper, won’t you?”

  “I don’t think so.” Althea doubted she’d be welcome after saying what she intended to say to her meddlesome brother.

  Just then Jim stepped through the back door, Gracie perched on his shoulders. Althea looked him straight in the eye. “Jim, I need to have a few words with you.”

  Jim met her gaze. As he set his daughter down, he managed an intimidating scowl. “Gracie, you run on to your room now.”

  The little girl’s pout was painfully familiar. “Don’t wanna.”

  Mary looked puzzled when she turned to her little girl. “You mind your daddy now, Gracie.”

  Gracie’s lower lip trembled, the way Althea had noticed it always did before she burst into full-scale tantrums. Tonight she sounded downright meek. “Do I have to?”

  “Yes you do. Go on now. Play with your dolly ‘til suppertime.” Patting Gracie on her blonde head, Mary gently shooed her out of the kitchen. Then she turned to Jim. “What are you plannin’ to say to Althea that your daughter ought not to hear?”

  Jim pulled a chair out from the table and straddled it. “This. My sister’s makin’ a fool of herself
with Jared Cain. I guess that’s what she’s wantin’ to talk about, right, Althea?”

  “I want to talk about you meddling in what should just be between me and Jared. About you goin’ to his place and threatening him. Damn it, Jim, you might as well have stuck both barrels of your shotgun in his face.”

  “More than one person’s told me they saw Cain’s fancy sports car outside your cabin late one night. I’ve heard they’ve driven by other times and seen your SUV was gone. If you want your sinnin’ to stay between the two of you, you should be more careful to make things look right.” As though to emphasize his words, he slammed his fist on the table, so hard some pot liquor spilled out from the bowl of green beans.

  Why couldn’t folks mind their own business? Althea wanted to scream, but she managed to hold on to her temper. “You want to listen to gossip, go right ahead. The point is you’re my brother, not my keeper. You’ve got no right judging—”

  “I’ve got every right. Ma and Pa expected me to look after you ‘til you get married. Never thought I’d have to say my own sister was acting like a cheap tramp.” Jim looked mad enough to chew nails.

  “I’m no such thing. Jared’s the only man I’ve ever…I mean, he’s…”

  “It just takes one, sister. Don’t you remember what Ma used to tell you?”

  When had Jim turned into such a sanctimonious prude? “I suppose you stayed pure as snow on the mountaintops in winter ‘til you married Mary?”

  Jim had the decency to turn red in the face. Apparently he’d spotted something interesting on the linoleum floor, judging from the way he kept staring at it. Finally he shot Althea a disgusted look. “I’m a man, damn it. We’re talkin’ about you.”

  “No we aren’t. Not anymore. Jim, you leave Jared alone—and keep your nose out of my business.”

  He shot her a look full of venom. “What happens if you get knocked up, girl? Ever think about bringin’ up a kid with no pa?”

  Althea refused to dignify that question with a reply.

  Jim stood, a fierce expression on his face. “I’ve said it all, girl. Either you marry Cain or you quit sinnin’ with him. You’re makin’ me ashamed you’re my sister.” He punched the air as though to emphasize his words.

  “Jim, you calm down now.” Mary laid a work-roughened hand on his shoulder, then turned to Althea. “He means well, you know. He’s just…”

  “I’m tired of hearin’ from half the folks who live around here that my sister’s behavin’ like a slut.” He shook off Mary’s hand and started to pace back and forth across the worn floor.

  Mary moved in front of him. That stopped him, and made him look her in the eye. “We didn’t wait for our wedding night, honey,” she said softly. “Do you think I’m a slut?”

  “Be quiet, Mary. This isn’t about us.”

  Hands on her ample hips, Mary held her ground. “Well, we did the exact same thing you’re having a tizzy fit over Althea doing.”

  “She’s right, Jim.” Determined not to show her brother how much his opinion stung her, Althea blinked back her tears.

  Jim faced down his wife. “It’s not the same. We didn’t flaunt it for everybody to see, and we never slept together before we’d decided to get married.”

  “Maybe Althea doesn’t want to get married. Did you ever think of that?” Though she spoke softly, Mary commanded their attention.

  “Every woman wants to get married,” Jim said.

  Althea looked him in the eye. “I don’t. Did you ever think that losing Bill might have made me realize it hurts too much when you love somebody and then lose them? I’ve got the right to enjoy a man without tying myself to him for life, no matter what you say.”

  Jim laughed, a humorless sound that made Althea want to cry. “So that’s what you’re doing? Enjoying Jared Cain?”

  “If I am, it’s not your concern. Don’t you dare go talking to Jared again about our relationship.” Heartsick, Althea moved toward the door. “I’m sorry if you don’t like the way I’m living, but it’s my life. I’ll be seeing you.” With that she practically ran to her car and sped away.

  By the time she got to Jared’s place, she couldn’t hold back her tears.

  Chapter Seventeen

  If there was anything he hated, it was seeing a woman cry. Jared stepped out on the porch and pulled Althea into a loose embrace. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

  “Jim.” She buried her face against Jared’s shoulder. “I’m so mad at him, I want to scream.”

  He patted her back, wishing to hell she’d stop trembling. He didn’t have a clue as to what he could say to make her feel better. “It can’t be all that bad, can it?”

  She just sobbed harder.

  Maybe if I can get her to explain… “What did Jim do that has you so upset?”

  “He said I’m a loose woman because I don’t want to fall in love and get married.”

  Jared hardly thought having one lover in twenty-seven years of living would qualify a woman as loose, even by the strict standards some people apparently adhered to, here in the mountains. By Atlanta’s more liberal code, he figured Althea would qualify for sainthood.

  Her arms tightened around his waist. “Jim won’t understand why I couldn’t take it if I fell in love with you and then lost you the way I lost Bill.”

  So that was why she was working so hard to keep their relationship strictly physical. Keeping one hand on her shoulder, Jared took a step back and lifted her chin until he could look into her teary eyes.

  “What makes me think you’d lose me?”

  “I’ve lost everybody I ever loved. My folks…Bill…”

  He stroked a tear off her cheek. Do you think I’d run out on you? Don’t you know me better than that?”

  She managed a sad smile. “I don’t think you’d go on purpose. But I still might lose you.”

  “Did you ever think you might not? That we might have years and years together that would make the little risk worthwhile?” He paused to let that sink in, then continued. “Look at me, honey. I’m not a cop, and I don’t do things that are likely to put me in front of a criminal’s gun. Chances are, I’ll live to a ripe old age and die in my bed.”

  The hopeful look on her face made him choke up. She might not want to love him, but she did. Love showed in the way she looked at him, the way she reached up and caressed his cheek.

  “If only we could see into the future…”

  “Life wouldn’t be much fun without its little surprises, now would it?”

  That question coaxed out another smile, and then she brushed at the damp spots her tears had made on his shirt. “Sorry about that,” she murmured.

  “Think nothing of it. Let’s go inside and see if I can help you forget about the run-in with your brother.”

  While she sat at the kitchen table, he bathed her tear-streaked cheeks with a warm, damp towel.

  “Do you like blackberries?” she asked as he set the towel in the sink.

  Better blackberries than tears, he thought. “Sure. Why?”

  “If we can find some to pick, I’ll make us a cobbler for dessert. Trina told me they’re plentiful this year.” This time Althea’s smile wasn’t tinged with sadness. “By the way, she told me to thank you for making her labels.”

  “Tell her she’s welcome. She’s right about there being a lot of berries.” Just yesterday he’s spotted a huge bramble a hundred yards or so up the mountainside, so full of berries that some of the branches were bent nearly to the ground. “Come on, I know where we can find some. We’ve got maybe an hour to pick them before it gets dark.”

  Metal pots in one hand, Jared led the way to the berry bramble. “See them?” he asked when they rounded a bend in the path.

  Althea seemed as happy when he handed her a cooking pot as Marcie had been when he gave her the diamond tennis bracelet he’d asked Laura to pick out for her birthday last year. He hoped he’d managed to calm Althea’s fears about getting involved, because he was feeling more deeply invol
ved with her every day.

  As eager as a kid, he grabbed a berry-laden cane and reached for the biggest ripe blackberry. “Ouch, damn it.” He’d forgotten about the thorns. “Watch out, sweetheart, these things stick.”

  She dropped a handful of berries into her container and reached carefully for more. “I know.”

  “Mom used to send me out berry picking. I’d forgotten about the thorns and how scratched up I’d be when I got home. It’s crazy, but the scrapes always made the berries taste sweeter.” He picked a berry, plopped it into his mouth and savored the tart-sweet taste.

  She laughed. “You won’t have any to take home if you keep eating them, my mom used to say. Ow!”

  When she stepped back, he noticed a cane had caught on one leg of her thin slacks. “Hold on and I’ll get you loose.”

  It was easier said than done. Every time he got one thorn untangled, another one managed to embed itself in Althea’s pants leg. Finally he freed her, but not before they each had suffered several more sharp pricks.

  “Stay back and let me finish the picking. I don’t want you looking like a pincushion.”

  “You’re getting scratched, too,” she pointed out.

  He kissed her nose then grinned. “My jeans are thicker than those slacks you’re wearing. Besides, I’ll be careful.”

  No sooner than he’d picked up his half-filled container and turned back to the berry bramble, she joined him as though she hadn’t heard a word he’d said.

  “You don’t obey very well.” He couldn’t get mad, though. The determined look on her face made him want to hug her.

  When she dropped a berry into her nearly full pot, she shot him an impish smile. “No I don’t. Fill up your pan now, because I can hardly wait to eat a big bowl full of these berries.”

  Wild blackberries, sumptuous and sweet, promised to be well worth the scrapes and puncture wounds their spiny canes inflicted during the harvesting. Jared had the feeling that if he could ever get past Althea’s prickly defenses, he’d find her love sweeter and infinitely more satisfying than just the physical fulfillment she gave him so freely.