“Yes, Sir!” He squatted down again and got back to sorting the bottles.
“Now where was I?” Jesse said under his breath, and resumed work on his latest order.
~*~
The diner was reasonably quiet, and they sat waiting for their coffee.
Jesse leaned in and spoke quietly. “There’s gossip going around about us,” he said, then leaned back and waited for an answer.
“Gossip?” Victoria’s heart thudded. Whatever could it be?
“Johnny asked if we’re getting married,” he said as he leaned in again.
Her eyes opened in astonishment. It was the last thing she expected Jesse to tell her. “Oh my. That is not good. I can talk to him tomorrow at school.”
He shook his head. “Don’t say anything. We’ve already had a talk. I don’t think he’ll breach the subject again. Apparently the word is we’re stepping out together. It came from his parents.”
It was even worse than she thought. “I’m going to lose my job,” she said, terrified of exactly that happening. “I can’t afford for that to occur. I’ll never get another placement. Not ever.” Tears were forming at the back of her eyes, but she wouldn’t let them fall.
Jesse reached across and covered her hand with his. The moment skin met skin, warmth filled her. “What am I going to do?” She was now filled with despair. “Would it help if we stopped seeing each other?”
He shook his head. “I really don’t want to do that. I really like you.”
“I really like you too,” she near whispered. “It is so unfair. If our roles were reversed, you could see whomever you wanted, even get married and it wouldn’t matter.”
“It is exceedingly unfair, I agree.”
“I guess it’s too late to pretend I’m a male teacher?”
The tiniest bit of a smile touched his lips, and had the circumstances been different, she knew he’d be grinning right now. It simply wasn’t fair. They liked each other – a lot – and because of antiquated rules, she couldn’t so much as socialize with a man who took an interest in her.
“If it would help, I’d suggest we get married right now.” He looked serious, and if she didn’t know better, she’d think he was serious.
“How would that help?”
He frowned. “At least it would stop the gossip, and people would leave us alone.”
“But I’d still be out of a job.” She brushed a stray tear from her eye.
He squeezed her hand. “It wouldn’t bother me to support you. In fact, I’d be happy too.”
Her heart rate kicked up, and Victoria didn’t know what to say to that. “That all sounds very nice,” she said gently. “Unfortunately it won’t help my students.”
He leaned in again. “What do you say? Why don’t we get married? I could go see the preacher tomorrow and make the arrangements.”
“Darn it, Jesse! You’re not listening to me. That isn’t going to help. My students need a teacher. From what I’ve been told, it’s taken years for the town to secure a teacher. Me. And now that is in jeopardy.” She sighed. “If I marry you, the children are right back where they started – including Johnny.”
“I have big plans for that boy.”
She sympathized with him. Johnny was a smart boy and could go a long way with the right help. “There is no other option. We have to stop seeing each other.”
~*~
It had been two weeks since their last conversation, and the last time they’d spent time together.
Victoria was miserable. She pined for Jesse almost every waking moment, and barely slept at night. She had black shadows under her eyes, and concentration was difficult.
She’d never met anyone like him, and was certain she never would again.
Why on earth had she suggested they stop seeing each other?
For one, to ensure she retained her teaching position. The children of Grand Falls needed an education.
They’d gone for years without having formal education, and that just wasn’t right. Johnny Ambrewster was a prime example. Thirteen years old and he had the most basic of reading and writing skills.
He was one of the lucky ones. His mother had taken the time to teach him in her spare time. She was a gem amongst a pile of rubble. Most of the parents around here had the most basic writing skills, if they could write at all, and were therefore unable to help their children.
Johnny was also good at arithmetic because he needed that skill on the farm, and had learned over the years.
She could see why Jesse had chosen him – apart from his other skills, the boy was calm under difficult circumstances. He’d proven that the day of Maude’s accident.
She closed her eyes and rested her head on the pillow, but sleep was elusive, as it had been since that last evening they spent together. She pulled the covers up under her chin, then rolled to her side.
It made no difference. The sun was already rising in the sky, and so far she’d had not one skerrick of sleep. How did she expect to teach her students without being completely rested?
She might as well give in, and get up.
Victoria stoked the fire and got it burning nicely. The kettle was now close to the boil so she’d be able to make a cup of tea. She was looking forward to it.
While she waited, she put together a batch of biscuits, and slid them in the oven. It might still be Spring, but it was certainly chilly at this hour of the day.
She’d enjoyed her cooking lessons with Mrs Baker, and was now proficient at several recipes. It would be a nice surprise for the lady whom she’d become quite close to over her time here so far.
At least she hoped it would be.
Checking the oven, the biscuits were done. They had a nice brown color to them, and their aroma was rather enticing.
She pulled the tray from the oven and placed them on the counter to cool.
With the sun now up over the horizon, she threw back the drapes to let in the daylight. It beat the soft glow of lanterns any day.
“Oh!” Victoria gasped as she glanced out the window. Standing across the road and staring toward her was Jesse. He looked as deflated as she felt.
Had it been anyone else standing there, it would have been creepy, but she knew exactly how Jesse was feeling.
She opened the front door and invited him in, her heart beating wildly in her chest. Was this even the right thing to do?
“I, I’ve just taken biscuits out of the oven, and the kettle is about to boil.”
He took a step toward her and looked as though he was about to hug her, but stopped himself. She knew she shouldn’t be, but Victoria was beyond disappointed. She had longed for his touch for so long, and now he was this close, he was still keeping his distance.
She motioned for him to enter the kitchen and sit. If nothing else, she would always be a good hostess.
She put butter on the table, and set plates and cutlery for three. Mrs Baker should be up soon.
Pulling mugs from the cupboard she turned to him. “Coffee or tea?”
He grinned. “Have you forgotten already? I only drink coffee.”
She nodded. Of course she knew. It would be unlikely he’d change his drinking habits in such a short period of time. At least in reality it was short. To her mind, it felt like months.
She poured the coffee and sat it in front of him, pushing the sugar bowl closer, then placed a plate of biscuits in the center of the table.
Victoria sat in the chair nearest him. She wasn’t sure why she did that – she’d managed to keep her distance all this time, but now he was here, she had to get as close as possible. It was the craziest thing she’d done in a long time. Except perhaps distancing herself from him.
“I supposed you’re wondering why I was standing outside,” he said, picking up a biscuit, ready to add butter.
She stared at him momentarily. “I was actually, but thought it rather rude to ask. Since you brought it up…” She smiled but felt like crying. All she wanted was to be held by him.
He nodded gently. “I’ve been standing there every morning since our last time together, hoping you’d come outside.” His hand slid across the table and he covered her hand. It almost felt like he was holding it there so she couldn’t take it from him.
“Oh.” She wasn’t sure what to say. That was a very big statement he’d made. At least in her mind it was. His words told her he’d missed Victoria every bit as much as she’d missed him. It almost made her cry.
“I’ve regretted our last moments together,” he said. “Regretted that I didn’t argue with you, and didn’t fight to stay together.”
He stared at their entwined hands. “I can’t sleep, Victoria. Every waking moment is spent thinking of you. I have to read and re-read my recipes, sometimes throwing the mixture out because I can’t concentrate and have messed it up.”
She knew how he felt. The same thing was happening to her. She swallowed. “I don’t know how we can fix it,” she said quietly.
“I love you, Victoria. Marry me.”
Her jaw dropped in the exact way her mother had told her was extremely unladylike. She couldn’t help it, this was one of the moments when jaws had a mind of their own. “I love you too,” she whispered, “ But there seems no solution in this instance.”
“Good morning.” Mrs Baker entered the kitchen and Jesse snatched his hand away so quickly the motion almost burned her skin.
She had that look about her. The one that said I know exactly what you two are up to and you’d better cut it out.
Jesse looked guilty beyond redemption, and she felt just as bad. How much had Mrs Baker heard she wondered.
“I wondered how long it would take before you came calling,” she said, staring at Jesse.
He seemed to slink down in his seat. “Good morning, Mrs Baker,” he said in response. She didn’t seem surprised.
“Ah, Victoria. You’ve made biscuits. How are they Mr Pendleberry?”
“Very nice, as a matter of fact,” he said, then took a mouthful of his coffee.
Mrs Baker nodded thoughtfully. “Perhaps when you are married, Victoria will make them for you.”
Jesse near spat his coffee out across the table.
Chapter Eight
Jesse wasn’t sure where his energy suddenly came from, but he felt wide awake.
Mrs Baker’s words had startled him – there was no other way to put it. Victoria gaped at the woman, then her face formed a grin.
For someone who had warned him off Victoria, this was a complete turn-about.
His business had become quite busy over the past weeks. Once word had got around town, the good citizens of Grand Falls had frequented his store.
He was absolutely certain the word of Mrs Baker and her friend Mrs Davis had a lot to do with it. Those two seemed to be quite influential around here.
Jesse was not complaining. He and Victoria were meeting at the diner later, and would discuss where to go from here. It was not everyday you got the blessing of the woman who’d originally blocked their relationship – before it even began.
He was bottling Ginger Tonic for a customer, when the bell over the door tinkled. “Good morning, Mrs Baker,” he said, then glanced at his pocket-watch. “Ah, it is afternoon. Good Afternoon to you then”, he said smiling. “I’m afraid your order isn’t ready yet. I’d planned for Young Mr Ambrewster to deliver it after school.”
“I’m not here for that, Mr Pendleberry.” She pursed her lips and waved an unsealed letter across in front of him. “This letter arrived today – I’m just back from collecting it.”
He tried to read the sender but she continued to wave it about.
“The letter is from the Director of Education,” she said. Her expression was grim, and he was certain it was confirmation Victoria had lost her job because of the unrelenting gossip.
“I’m sorry it’s come to this,” he said quietly. “Victoria loves her job, and adores her students.”
“My dear Mr Pendleberry, you do not understand.” She clutched the letter against her chest. “I do wish Miss Hudson was here now, since it concerns you both.”
That confused him. Why would she wish Victoria to hear bad news. Despite that, he pulled his pocket-watch out again and checked the time. “It will be their lunch break in five minutes. Would you care to take a stroll to the school?”
She stared at him for what seemed forever, but finally nodded her acceptance. “Why not?” she said, and clutched the letter to her chest again.
“Why not indeed?” he asked, and guided her out the door, locking it behind him.
Mrs Baker hooked her arm through his as they made their way to the school. She said not a word, but held her head high.
Dread filled him, but Jesse didn’t want Victoria to hear the news alone. They were in this together, and if she lost her job because of it, he was more than prepared to support her.
He had asked her to marry him after all.
They had yet to go and see the preacher, or make any sort of plans, but that was on the agenda for tonight. Perhaps now it would be a rather somber affair. Instead of celebrating their engagement, it seemed they would be commiserating over Victoria losing her job. A vocation she adored.
As they rounded the corner, the children came streaming out of the school carrying their lunch pails. They sat quietly on the rocks and wooden seats scattered about.
There was no sign of Victoria.
“Where’s Miss Hudson,” Jesse asked, feeling concerned as she usually followed them out.
Anna pointed toward the front door to the school. “She’s making a mug of tea. She’ll be out soon.” She pulled the lid off her lunch pail and began to eat.
“Thank you, Miss Meyer,” Jesse said. He always made a point of addressing young people by their proper names, believing it far more respectful.
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He was anxious to hear what was in the letter, but if it was bad news, as he suspected, it was better left unread.
Taking the few steps to the schoolroom felt like one hundred steps. His legs felt so heavy from the stress of it all. “Victoria,” he said once they were inside. “Mrs Baker has news for us.”
Victoria turned around slowly and faced them. “What is it?” she asked quietly, then moved toward them. Jesse pulled her into an embrace. It felt so good to have her in his arms again, and for just a moment he forgot about the impending dread.
Once again, Mrs Baker waved the envelope through the air. “I have received a letter from the Director of Education,” she said matter of factly.
“Oh no!” Victoria was mortified and he pulled her closer. His heart thudded in his chest, but he knew no matter what, he would stand by her.
“I wrote to him some time back,” Mrs Baker said, and glanced up at them. “It is my duty you know, since I am the one who has tried for some years to get a teacher for this town.” She pursed her lips as if to say there will be no further discussion on the matter.
“I explained how much in love you two were, and how terrified you were, Victoria, of the students once again being left without a teacher. It was my concern too.”
She glanced up from the letter and stared at them. “He totally agrees with me.” She let her words trail off and stared at the pair. “The Minister has agreed to allow you to marry, and for Victoria to keep her position of schoolmarm.”
Victoria looked up at Jesse as tears streamed down her face. He pulled her close and kissed her, then whispered in her ear. “Let’s get married now,” he said, and cradled her against him.
~*~
The plan had been to meet at the diner that night and decide their future.
Now they had the blessing of both Mrs Baker and the Minister of Education, it would be far easier. They sat opposite each other, holding hands, and staring into each other’s eyes.
Victoria couldn’t believe how that horrid train ride had changed her life. She wondered what she would be doing right now if Jesse hadn’t sat across from her in the
carriage. And how it would have all panned out if they hadn’t bumped into each other again on the platform.
If he’d stayed on the train, and gone even one more station along the track, they would not be sitting opposite each other planning their marriage now. Nor would they be thinking about the rest of their lives together.
She sighed. What had she done to be so lucky as to have met Jesse Pendleberry?
Jesse glanced up at her and smiled, then patted her hand. “It is a bit like that, isn’t it? I feel like we’re in the middle of a fairytale. When I woke up this morning, I had no idea we would be sitting here planning our wedding. Did you?”
She shook her head. “I honestly thought I’d never see you again. I was broken-hearted at the thought of it.” She swallowed hard, and tears came to her eyes. “I thought I’d lost you forever.”
He lifted his hand and gently wiped her tears away. “I always hoped we’d find a way. I was not prepared to lose you, no matter what it took.” He lifted her hand and kissed it. “I love you far too much to contemplate losing you.”
“Oh, Jesse,” she said, tears streaming down her face now. “I love you more than you’ll ever know.”
Mrs Baker came and stood by their table. “What’s this then? I thought you’d be happy?”
Jesse pulled out a kerchief and handed it to Victoria. “Happy tears,” he said. “I never did thank you, Mrs Baker for all you’ve done. None of this would be possible without your help.”
She glanced at him and nodded. “True love always finds a way. I knew from that first moment you two were meant for each other.”
She handed them each a menu. “Are you ready to order, or are you just going to sit here gazing into each other’s eyes?” She grinned, and Victoria’s heart soared. How could they ever thank this wonderful lady for what she’d done for them?
Without thinking, she stood and wrapped her arms around Mrs Baker, who was more like a mother to her than a friend. “Thank you,” she whispered. “We wouldn’t be together if it wasn’t for you.”
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