Taking on Twins

by Mollie Campbell

  Jake swiveled on the hard seat to see for himself. Coralee refused to turn again. She knew exactly what he would see. “Have they approached you? Spoken to you?” Jake’s voice sounded tight and hard as he turned back to her and Coralee prayed that he wouldn’t do something silly like jump out of the wagon and confront the men.

  “No, nothing like that. They just stand there. It seems to me that they’re watching the shop. But I can’t come up with any reason why they would do that.”

  He didn’t respond right away and Coralee worried that he would do something reckless. But his expression turned thoughtful. “Did Mr. Johnson say he would have anyone checking in? They don’t look like the sort to be working with the Association, but maybe he sent them.”

  Coralee shook her head. “No, he said a proctor would arrive to administer the examination if I sent in the paperwork. But nothing else.”

  Jake urged the horse into action, heading toward home. “Well, I’m fairly certain the Association wouldn’t hire men like that, anyway. I’m trying to come up with a reasonable, innocent explanation. We’ll keep an eye on them. If something happens at the shop, anything that bothers you or seems unusual, tell me right away. And I’ll try to stop by often during the day to make sure they stay in line.”

  Coralee looked away, unable to answer. No matter how hard she tried to convince herself Jake’s words meant nothing more than worry for a friend, her too eager heart warmed at his obvious concern and the thought of seeing him more.

  * * *

  All the way to Coralee’s house, Jake kicked himself for not just apologizing at the shop. Coralee had been so happy to see the twins and, to be honest, he was dreading the conversation. So he’d put it off. But the evening wasn’t going to last forever. If she would listen, he would have to explain himself when they got to her house.

  Cecilia met them at the door when they arrived. “Aunt Lily asked me to send you over to the café, Coralee. It’s slow tonight, so she’s working on some new recipes and wanted taste-testers.”

  Coralee turned to him, looking ready to dismiss him. But before she could, Cecilia spoke again, eyes wide with feigned innocence and voice syrupy sweet. “Why don’t you go, too, Jake? Aunt Lily would love more opinions. I’ll keep the twins and get them some supper here. Then you two can enjoy a meal in peace.”

  Jake caught the quelling look Coralee sent her sister and jumped in to answer before she could refuse the offer. He wasn’t going to miss this chance to make his apology. “Thanks, Cecilia. That would be nice. Coralee?” He held out his arm to her, glad when she didn’t protest. She simply threaded her arm through his and let him lead her to Lily’s.

  As Cecilia had said, the restaurant was almost deserted. Jake picked a table near the large front window and held Coralee’s chair before taking his seat. Scanning the room, he tried to find the words he needed to say. He rubbed damp palms on his trousers. This was harder than he’d imagined it would be. All the explanations he wanted to give her sounded flimsy. The last thing he wanted to do was upset her more by making her think he was creating excuses for his behavior.

  His gaze settled on her. Even just sitting there, dressed in a plain work dress with her hair mussed from a busy day, she was beautiful. He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she watched the street. Coralee must have felt him staring. She turned to meet his eyes as he started to speak. “Do you remember when we came here that first time after I got back to town?”

  She tilted her head to one side. “So much has happened since then, hasn’t it?” Her blue eyes stayed locked on his, taking Jake’s breath away. He became aware of familiar emotions welling up between them, almost palpable. A warning echoed through his mind as warmth grew in his heart. As much as he wanted her in his life, he also wanted their connection to stay limited to friendship. But those endless blue eyes drew him in, made him wish there could be so much more between them. He was almost relieved when Lily walked up, breaking the moment.

  “I’m glad to see you made it, Coralee, my dear. And you brought along our Jake, too.” She hugged each of them then rattled off a list of recipes she had prepared. Jake chose a stew that sounded rather interesting and Coralee asked for the roast. Lily headed to the kitchen, promising the food would be out in no time.

  Sure enough, a girl he didn’t recognize brought their food just a few minutes later. Jake snuck peeks at Coralee between bites, admiring her all over again as she watched the few other patrons. Jake had to admit that in spite of his best efforts, he couldn’t help noticing her. She was smart, independent, capable and, to top it all off, beautiful. Any man would pay attention to a woman like that. His heart squeezed hard at the idea that at some point, a man would pay attention. Then she would likely remarry and build a life. Without him.

  “How is the stew?” It was Coralee who finally broke the silence, much to Jake’s relief. His thoughts were going in a direction he didn’t much like.

  “Delicious. Want a taste?” Jake had no idea why he’d asked that. As soon as the words left his mouth, he cringed at how intimate they sounded. But she didn’t seem to notice, just nodded, eyes on his bowl.

  He filled his spoon and reached it across the table, holding his hand underneath so the liquid wouldn’t spill on the clean tablecloth.

  Coralee took the bite he offered, closing her eyes as the taste hit her tongue. “You’re right. That is delicious. Thank you for sharing.”

  Jake couldn’t find any words for a moment. His heart raced and he fought to keep his breath coming evenly. Searching for a distraction, his eyes fell on her empty plate. “How was yours? The combination of spices Lily used sounded quite different from the roast Ma makes.”

  “It was different, but in a good way. I enjoyed it. But then, I’ve always enjoyed adventurous food. Growing up with Lily’s constant kitchen experiments, I guess I had to.” Coralee’s eyes finally regained the happy sparkle he was used to seeing as she shared memories of growing up with her aunt’s cooking.

  They laughed and reminisced about Lily’s past culinary trials until the waitress returned and cleared their plates. A heavy silence settled between them. Jake knew it was now or never. He had to confess his mistakes, even if it hurt her again. “Coralee, I think you’re aware that there are some things I need to say.”

  Her lips had barely parted to reply when a pretty blond woman appeared at their table. She had a hand pressed to her side and was gasping for breath, as if she’d run the length of Spring Hill. Jake’s medical training kicked in and put him on alert. Something was wrong.

  “Oh, Coralee, there you are. Cecilia told me you’d be here.”

  Coralee jumped up and took the woman by the arms. “Alyssa, what’s wrong? Is it your father?”

  “His headache is so bad this time that he won’t eat and he nearly fell when he tried to get out of bed. He just lays there moaning. I didn’t know if I should give him a higher dose of your medicine, so I came to find you. What should I do?”

  Jake stood, ready to jump into action. Both women looked at him. A sudden thought halted the words on his tongue. He couldn’t charge ahead without thinking of Coralee. “Miss, I’m Dr. Hadley. If it’s all right with Coralee, could we visit your father? If we can examine him, Coralee can decide how much of the medication he needs.” He looked to Coralee, thrilled when she consented with eyes shining. Maybe he had finally done something right.

  “Oh, yes. Thank you, Doctor. I’m Alyssa Price.” He tipped his hat as they followed her out of the café and down First Street to a small, neat house. Inside, she led them straight to a darkened bedroom, where her father lay in bed, tossing fitfully. Covered with a heavy quilt even on the warm evening, all they could see of Mr. Price was white hair sticking out every which way. Alyssa woke her father with a gentle voice and light shake.

  “Papa, I found Mrs. Evans and she brought Dr. Hadley along. They’re going to check yo
u over and decide how much of the medicine you need.”

  Jake examined the older man while Coralee asked him questions about his condition. “Mr. Price, how often do you have headaches?”

  His answer was barely audible through clenched teeth. “At least once a week.”

  “How much pain would you say you’re in right now?”

  “More than any other time in my life.”

  Mr. Price’s eyes were bloodshot. Jake had the man watch his finger move back and forth, checking to see if his eyes tracked well.

  Coralee made notes in a small, bound book that she’d borrowed from Alyssa. “And where do you feel the most pain?”

  He pointed to a spot on his head and Jake stepped back to let Coralee take a look before he examined the spot. A bit warm, but not swollen. Painful to even the lightest touch.

  “And any dizziness?”

  Jake was pleased that Coralee thought to ask the question. She had a quick mind, just one of the traits that made her a wonderful apothecary.

  Mr. Price started to nod then raised a hand to his head with a moan. Jake met Coralee’s eyes and he saw her add a note to her list about increased pain upon movement. While Coralee finished her notes, Jake checked the man’s pulse and the rate of his breathing. Then they excused themselves and stepped out of the room to confer.

  “Mr. Price seems fine physically, except for the pain and dizziness. Any symptoms I saw are likely related to the headache. What do you suggest, Coralee?” Jake watched as she paced the hallway, fascinated by the play of emotions on her face as she thought through Mr. Price’s condition. After several minutes she stopped pacing and looked up.

  “From what I’ve learned about the medication from patients, there haven’t been any notable side effects. So I feel it’s safe to increase his dose. Alyssa said they’re out and I don’t have any in my case at home, so I’ll run back to the shop to measure out what he needs.”

  “I’ll let them know we’ll be right back.”

  “No, Jake. You stay here in case Mr. Price’s condition changes. Alyssa is distraught. I hate to think that he might worsen while they’re here waiting on us. I can get there and back just fine on my own.”

  Jake took hold of her shoulders. “I don’t like the idea of you going out there alone. Not with those men loitering by the shop.”

  Coralee’s lips pressed into a tight line. “I’m not a damsel in distress, Jake. I’m sure I’ve blown the situation out of proportion and those men won’t even be around so late in the evening. I’ll be fine.”

  She spun on her heel and marched out of the small house, leaving Jake wavering. He wanted to follow her, but he didn’t want to disregard her request and upset her again. He took a step toward the door then stopped. Heaviness settled in his stomach. He couldn’t destroy the tentative peace between them by acting like he didn’t trust her. With a deep breath, he forced the unsettled feeling away and went back to the bedroom to sit with Mr. Price until Coralee returned. And he had to believe that she would return, safe and sound.

  * * *

  The blood thrummed in Coralee’s veins as she hurried through town toward Holbrook’s. As soon as she stepped out of Mr. Price’s house into the darkness, she knew it would have been wiser to have Jake accompany her. But she had survived on her own too long to start depending on a man again. Jake had just started to treat her as an equal, a capable person in her own right. It would be terrible if a little silly fear diminished his respect for her.

  Trying to focus on something besides the tightness in her chest, she let her mind turn to the dinner they had shared. The emotions that had been stirred up by that intimate time together scared her. She wanted Jake and the twins in her life, but she wasn’t sure she could handle anything more than being his friend. Losing Alan had left her inconsolable for too long. Her mind screamed that taking that risk again was too perilous. But her stubborn heart refused to listen to that logic and kept feeling things she hadn’t felt since before Alan had gotten sick.

  Pushing her shoulders back, Coralee walked with as much confidence as she could manage. Doing this alone would help her prove to herself that she didn’t need Jake. She could have him in her life without relying on him too heavily. Without opening her heart up to more sorrow than it could handle.

  Relief flooded her when she turned onto the street the shop was on and saw that it was completely deserted. No strangers stood in the shadows across from the shop. Whatever reason the men had for being there, they were gone now. Feeling lighter and much more confident, she reached the shop door and turned her key in the lock.

  As the door swung shut behind her, Coralee paused. It must have been her nerves, but she thought she heard a sound like feet shuffling in the back of the shop. After waiting several moments, she didn’t hear anything else. Shaking it off as her imagination running wild, she took several tentative steps, hands outstretched as she tried to find her way in the dark.

  This time, when the shuffling sound came, she was certain she’d heard it. She froze, breath coming in shallow gasps that she tried to keep quiet with little success. Her eyes swung back and forth, but she didn’t see anything in the dark shop. Ever so slowly, she backed toward the door.

  With an abrupt crash, a shadowy shape started moving behind the counter. She fought for air, gasping and frozen in place again. The figure ran through the back of the shop. It felt like an eternity before her feet finally moved. She stepped back, hitting the door with her elbow as she fumbled for the knob without taking her eyes off the intruder. But before she could get it open and run, the dark shape disappeared out the back door, leaving it swinging open to the night.

  The sound of her pounding heart filled Coralee’s ears. Every instinct told her to get out of there. But she had to see what had happened, see if there was anything stolen or damaged. With great effort, she forced her weak legs to step forward rather than turn and flee from the shop. She took slow steps into the room, eyes scanning the back for more moving shadows.

  When she reached the counter, another sensation caught her attention. A whiff of something familiar yet out of place mingled with the usual smell of herbs and soap. A slight popping sound. It hit her in a rush. Smoke. Now she heard the recognizable crackling sound coming from her workroom. She lunged behind the counter. Reaching the open door, her worst fear was confirmed. Holbrook’s was on fire.

  Coralee turned and raced to the front entrance, hands shaking so hard that she could hardly grip the doorknob. When she finally managed to pull it open, she took off racing toward the Price house. The only thought she could register was that Jake would know what to do. She had to get to Jake.

  She was almost there when she heard the church bell start to ring. Of course. She should have sounded the alarm first to alert the town to fire. At least someone else had noticed and sent out the warning. She kept running and clambered into the small house, unable to control the racket she was making. Jake emerged from Mr. Price’s bedroom just as she reached the hallway, Alyssa standing behind him with mouth agape.

  As soon as Coralee caught sight of Jake standing there with worry creasing his face, she broke apart. Falling into his arms, she sobbed, unable to stop long enough to answer his panicked questions. Every ounce of fear and anguish poured out of her. Finally, Jake pushed her back and grabbed her by the arms, shaking her lightly.

  “Please talk to me. Are you all right? You have to tell me what’s happened.”

  His terrified voice snapped her out of the weeping. “It’s the shop.” The words stuck in her throat as it swelled. “Fire.” She’d just managed to croak the word out. As soon as it left her lips, Jake sprang into action. He took Coralee’s hand and they ran back toward Holbrook’s. When they got close, they started to see people gathering. The whole town was drawn to the scene by the sound of the church bell ringing the alarm and the men who were shouting out warnings. />
  Coralee’s heart pounded from more than just all the running. She dreaded rounding the corner where the shop would come into view. How much damage would the fire have done by now?

  Smoke was everywhere as they ran closer, stirred up by a strong wind blowing in from the south. Several men were organizing the onlookers into two lines and passing out leather buckets. Jake looked at her in frustration, voice raised so he could be heard over the noise of the fire and the gathering crowd. “Where’s the fire company? Is this our only means of fighting the blaze?”

  Coralee shrugged. “The town grew so fast, no one has taken the time to get fire equipment. This is the best we can do. I’m going to join the bucket return line.”

  Jake grabbed her hand before she turned away. “Be careful, Coralee.” Intensity burned in his eyes, just as bright as the flames that now licked the roof of Holbrook’s. Her breath caught and all she could do was nod as he released her hand and they moved off to find places in line.

  Coralee joined the women and younger boys in a line that passed empty buckets back to the nearest well to be refilled. The full buckets were then moved down a line of older boys and men to the blaze. Anyone who wasn’t in the lines got drafted to clear furniture and items of value out of the buildings to the north. They tried to save what they could from the businesses that were in danger of catching fire from the flying sparks.

  The work was dirty and exhausting. Coralee’s arms ached, even though she was only passing empty buckets. Soot and sparks flew everywhere, singeing her clothes and hair and covering her in a fine, black dust. Fear and worry formed a heavy rock in the pit of her stomach. She couldn’t slow her racing thoughts enough to pray even a single word.

  Spurred on by the wind, the blaze crossed a gap next to Holbrook’s and moved down the row of closely packed businesses. Shouts rose, warning those clearing out valuables in the next few buildings. Efforts to empty the buildings further down the fire’s path intensified. If they couldn’t save the structures, at least they could save some belongings.