She acknowledged the greeting with a nod. She appeared unusually sober tonight. “Jones.”
“Everyone ready to have a good time?” Tom asked.
Mae touched her hair and glanced toward Trinity. “I’ll get Lil.”
Still grinning, the name took a moment to register. When it did, Jones turned to note the motorcycle sitting at the hitching rail. “Lil’s going to the party?”
“Yes, she is…Lil? Lil! We’re leaving now!”
Another figure appeared in the doorway and Jones focused on her, trying to remember if he’d seen her around Dwadlo before. She was striking in a practical way. Her red hair shone in the fading sunlight and the freshly ironed calico dress hugged nubile curves. He didn’t recall meeting her in town. Only when she stepped onto the porch and turned to face him was he able to make the connection. “Lil?”
Tom echoed the surprise in Jones’s voice. “Lil Jenkins? That isn’t you, is it?”
“Close your mouths, fellers. It’s me.” She spun on her toe and whirled, the hem of her skirts swirling around those satin slippers. “Don’t this just beat all you’ve ever seen?”
Jones had to admit that he was floored by the stunning transformation. Lil looked downright decent, all clean and perfumed to high heaven. He glanced at Tom, whose eyes were fixed on the woman. “Lil?”
“Aw, come on, Tom, you know it’s me. Quit yore gawkin’. Now are we going to a party or not?” She stepped up and slipped her arm through Jones’s. “Right nice of you to offer me an invite.”
An invite? Jones glared at Tom, and he shrugged. Why, that lowdown, dirty rascal…He’d tricked him into taking Lil to the party!
“Let’s go, gents, and walk slow now. Without my boots I feel like I’m gonna stub my big toe in these flimsy things Mae calls slippers.”
“Stop fussing. You look lovely.” Mae reached over to give Trinity a hug. “I wish you could come. We’ll miss you.”
Trinity nodded. “I wish I could too, but I’ll be fine. I’ll get Benjamin. He was still dressing a moment ago.”
“Poor dear. He really doesn’t want to leave Pauline, but we’ll only be a few doors away.”
“He needs the distraction, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Pauline was asleep for the night. The doctor promised to check on her before he stops in to offer Mary Grace and Luther his congratulations.” She met Jones’s eyes and smiled. “Everyone have a lovely time, now—and bring me back a cup of punch.”
For the briefest of moments Jones allowed his gaze to focus on her. Though she wasn’t dressed for a party, the heat had tinted her cheeks a rosy pink. A single light tendril fell across her forehead. Apparently transforming Lil had not been the easiest goal to obtain. He offered her a smile, which she returned.
Taking her to a dance tonight would have been much more pleasant…but he shook the unwarranted thought aside.
He wasn’t taking anybody but himself.
The Virginia Reel had already begun when the small party reached the Willis place. Jones had reconsidered, deciding that he wasn’t going to embarrass Lil in front of everyone. It wasn’t her fault, after all. She didn’t appear to be aware of the ruse, but Tom owed him one. Maybe two. He didn’t have anything against Lil but he liked his women a little more—soft. Soft and pretty and smelling like Trinity. Or whatever it was that she bathed in.
The small house was overheated. Furniture had been pushed against the wall to form a small dance floor. Women from the church auxiliary were cutting various flavored cakes and pouring red punch. Fisk stood at the front of the room and called the dance, accompanied by a group of men playing fiddles and guitars. By eight o’clock, the roof of the Willis cottage threatened to lift.
Lil proved to be a seasoned dancer. Jones teased her when he whirled her through a second set of four corners. “Where did you learn to dance like this?”
“Shoot, I dance with myself!” she shouted above the din. “Me and the hogs and dogs and cats—we have us a big party every so often. Esau would join in if he could.” She proved to be so adept on the dance floor that Jones didn’t have to worry about entertaining her. The younger men kept tapping his shoulder, wanting to take their turn spinning Lil around on the dance floor.
He wandered to the punch bowl and accepted a cool cup of the refreshing drink, his eyes on the belle of the ball. He glanced up when Tom joined him.
Tom grinned. “Isn’t that something? Who’d have thought Lil would clean up so nice?”
“Curtis”—Jones lifted his cup and took a drink—“you’re a dead man.”
Tom chuckled. “Blame Mae. This was her idea.”
“She’s trying to match me and Lil?”
“No, but she loves Lil and she worries that she needs a man. Mae’s hoping a few of the local yahoos will open their eyes and see Lil for the fine woman she is.” His gaze focused on the dance floor. “Seems to be working out real well.”
“Fisk doesn’t appear to be noticing.”
Tom shook his head. “Fisk isn’t and won’t ever be romantically inclined toward Lil. The two like to annoy each other, but neither one of them is likely to make it permanent. They’re too much alike. Hardheaded as they get.”
Jones focused on a flushed Lil, who was in the middle of a mighty fine two-step with a man who looked to be about her age. “Well now, it looks like she’s opening a few eyes this evening.”
“Yeah.” Tom grinned. “Appears so.” A second man stepped to the couple and tapped the shoulder of Lil’s partner.
“The way I have Lil figured, she doesn’t need a man to make her happy.” Jones took a sip of punch. “She’s content with what God has given her. A man would get in her hair. Hold her down. If I was a betting person I’d say Lil won’t ever marry—not for lack of asking but by personal choice.”
“That a fact? And what about Trinity?” Tom’s tone held a playful edge.
“Haven’t paused to study her.” He turned and smiled at the chubby woman pouring punch. “Hit me again, Miss Lucy. It’s mighty warm in here tonight.” His gaze traveled to Benjamin, who sat on the sidelines with the wallflowers. He was the only man who wasn’t dancing. “Make that two cups,” he told the woman. The poor man had suffered enough.
Briefly he stood in front of Benjamin. “Ready to get out of here?”
The old doc’s eyes brightened and he sat up straighter. “Been ready since we got here.”
Jones lifted the extra cup. “I promised to bring Trinity some punch. I say we leave now before the drink gets warm.”
The gratitude he witnessed in Benjamin’s eyes made the night complete. A good dance, a little punch, and chocolate cake did a man’s soul good.
Lil lifted a friendly hand when Jones motioned that he was cutting out. She flashed a smile and swung into a do-si-do. No expectations. That’s what he liked about that woman.
That and her motorcycle.
Seventeen
Did you enjoy the dance last night?”
“It wasn’t bad. The cake was good.”
Crossing his arms, Jones stared at the rubbish pile. The size was staggering. The railroad’s two derailments last winter had left an untidy heap. The first one had been sheer bad luck, while the other was caused by a runaway engine. The evidence lay before him, piled high as the newly constructed post office. Flies swarmed around the burdensome sight.
Tom shook his head. “Give it up. Searching for a single piece of paper in there would be insane.”
Fisk nodded his agreement. “I ain’t siftin’ through that mess.” A heavy stench still curtained the area.
The blacksmith was right, but the stubborn side of Jones wouldn’t let up. “I thought a bank box might be easier to spot.”
“That’s crazy talk.” Fisk pulled his kerchief over his mouth and tied a knot behind his head.
“Jones, you don’t need to worry about this,” said Tom. “Mae and I can handle anything necessary on this end. There’s nothing holding you back from leaving today.”
Jones
could think of a reason. A toffee-eyed woman who, with a lift of her long lashes, could coil him around her little finger. He couldn’t ride off and leave until he was confident that Wilson’s Falls was hers and that she was financially secure—which she would be unless she married some jackal who took her for every cent she owned. He shook the thought away. She was a burr in his saddle. A responsibility he didn’t need. The deed was her problem. He could leave those trusting eyes behind.
“What time do you plan to ride out?”
The harmless question struck a raw nerve. What was the big hurry to get out of town? His task was to complete his work, and he needed a few more days.
“I’ve changed my mind,” he said. “I’ll hang around until Pauline passes.” Trinity would have Benjamin for comfort, but the old feller was going to take Pauline’s death hard. He’d need a man’s presence to assure him that life would go on—and Jones had taken a liking to him. He couldn’t ride away and leave the old man hurting. Not for another day or two. “The railroad understands my situation. And Doc says Pauline probably won’t make it through the day.”
Tom shook his head. “Strange to think of. Mae’s going to need some time to get over the loss. Pauline’s been like family to her.”
Something deep inside Jones hoped the doctor was mistaken about the end. Pauline was weak, but she could have a few days left—days she and Benjamin could spend getting reacquainted. He chuckled at the thought of the untimely love match. There wouldn’t be much time for old-fashioned courting.
Jones chuckled.
Tom glanced over. “What’s so funny?”
“Benjamin and Pauline. I guess it’s true what folks say: It’s never too late for love.” He glanced at Fisk. “Did you notice anything different about Lil last night?”
Fisk turned sullen. “Noticed she was makin’ a blame fool of herself dancing with every man in the place.”
“Didn’t see you taking a whirl on the floor,” Tom goaded.
“I was busy callin’ the dances.”
“Yeah?” Jones grinned, grateful for the lighter subject. “Well, by the looks of it, she won’t be in your hair as often. The men around her appeared to like the new Lil.”
“New my foot,” Fisk scoffed. “She’d be a burr in any man’s saddle.” He twisted his wedding ring absently. In a brusque tone he admitted, “I shore do miss my departed.”
“Fisk, Tom tells me your missus has been gone awhile and Lil would marry you at the drop of a hat.”
“I ain’t marryin’ that bossy redhead!” Color suffused the blacksmith’s neck. “Rather be tied to a polecat.”
“That can be arranged too.” Tom winked at Jones.
Jones noticed the whole town took delight in teasing Fisk about Lil. He enjoyed it too. The warring couple was a sight to behold. The two fought like dogs and cats and disagreed on everything—from the right way to churn butter to the way Lil dressed like a man. Pig farmer by trade and hoyden by heart—that was Lil. The woman was a might unconventional for most men, but whoever married Lil Jenkins wouldn’t suffer from a single day of boredom. And yet he didn’t see a love match in the making. If the couple fought now, marriage wasn’t going to change the discord. Both Lil and Fisk were smart enough to recognize the fact.
He glanced up as cloud cover drifted overhead. “Fisk, will you take a look at Sue sometime this afternoon? I think she’s feeling poorly today.”
The men turned from the rubble and walked to the mercantile. Mae was standing in the doorway, fanning herself.
“Tom?” Dark circles were sketched around her beautiful eyes, and Jones noted that she looked paler than usual.
“Yes, sweetie?” Tom’s features sobered. “What’s wrong? Is it Pauline?”
Opening the screen door, Mae waved his assumption aside. “She’s sleeping. It’s me. I don’t feel so…”
She wilted like a flower closing for the night and landed on the porch, unconscious.
Chaos broke out when Mae hit the ground. Tom sprang to life and lifted his bride into his arms, carrying her inside. Trinity, who had left Pauline’s bedside for a brief visit with Mae, gaped at the sight of her lifeless form.
“What is it? What’s happened?”
“She fainted,” Tom grunted. He laid his wife down and bent over her, murmuring her name.
A doctor. They needed a doctor. Before she knew it Trinity was running back to the Curtises’ house. Benjamin would know what to do.
The old gent bent over Mae’s immobile form. Trinity stood close by, wiping the patient’s face with a cool cloth.
“Could be too much excitement.” His age-spotted hands made a slow but efficient examination of Mae’s wilted body. Trinity realized how small and helpless her new friend looked in repose. When Benjamin looked up, he shook his head. “It’s been so many years since I’ve practiced.”
“Can you determine anything? Is it her heart? She’s much too young for heart problems.”
“A body’s never too young or too old to give out.” He frowned. “She appears to be fine. No breaks or open wounds. Her breathing is normal. Pulse is fine. I think she just fainted—probably overheated—but when the doc gets here we’ll know for certain.”
“I told her we should just have fruit and not light the cookstove this morning.” Trinity released a short breath. “It’s stifling in here. Let’s get her to a chair and under the fan.” The blades turned slowly in the thick air and provided a small measure of relief.
Tom stooped and carefully placed his hands under Mae’s arms. Trinity took her feet and together they eased her to a chair in front of the window. She murmured, starting to come around.
“I’ll get some water.” Trinity straightened as Mae opened her eyes.
“I’m fine,” she said.
Benjamin knelt beside her chair. “The doc’s just outside of town making a house call. He’s due back any time. You having sickness right now?”
She nodded. “Some. And I’ve felt a little lightheaded lately. Sometimes it’s hard for me to catch my breath.”
“Had any discomfort in your chest? Pains in your upper arms?”
“No. Maybe a little. I just haven’t felt well.” She looked up. “Is it my heart? My father and grandfather both had weak hearts.”
The doc’s features turned somber as a gravedigger’s. “I don’t know what’s happening, hon, but it could be the heat.”
Trinity bit back tears. How serious was it? Mae and Tom had only begun their life together. The good Lord couldn’t take Mae now, not when everything was falling into place for her. Marriage. Happiness. Mae was too young—too vibrant—too wildly in love with Tom.
“Why don’t you all head on out?” said Benjamin. “I want to ask Mrs. Curtis a few questions.” He shooed the party out the door.
Tom paced the porch, brooding as they waited. Trinity looked over at Jones, who was standing to the side with a sober expression on his face. He opened his arms and she stepped into them. When his strength closed around her, she sighed. Heaven must feel like this, she thought, only without the worry. Silence filled the strained void as she trained her eyes on the screen door, willing it to open. Mae’s condition couldn’t be serious. Just last night she had been laughing and even singing while they transformed Lil.
A sudden cry filled the stilted air. Trinity closed her eyes and pressed her face into Jones’s wide chest. The reflex came so naturally that it was several seconds before she realized the impropriety of her actions and stepped back.
Benjamin had discovered her illness. Something so horrid that Mae had cried aloud, unable to hold back her terror.
“It’s her heart,” said Tom. “I’ve been afraid of this. It runs in her family…” He started for the doorway, but Jones blocked his path.
“He’ll be out in a minute.”
Fisk excused himself, ramming his hat down on his head. “I best get back to work.” He looked at Tom and then at Jones. “You’ll let me know…”
Jones nodded. “I’ll be
over as soon as I hear anything.”
The screen door swung open and Benjamin stepped out, tears shimmering in his eyes. “Sorry to be so long. Mae and I talked a little more and I think we have this figured out.” He motioned for the group to come inside. Gripping Jones’s hand, Trinity followed behind Tom.
Tom dropped to his knees in front of the chair and took both of Mae’s hands in his. A smile creased her tear-stained face. Her husband turned to meet Benjamin’s gaze. “Whatever it is we can fix it. Chicago has some of the best medical care around and the most experienced doctors available. We’ll move there.”
Mae shook her head, more tears spilling onto her cheeks. “That won’t be necessary, darling.”
His voice broke. “What is it?”
“It’s your son—or daughter. I’m afraid he or she is acting up a bit this morning.”
“My son…” The words slowly registered, and a grin spread across the width of his face. “My son?”
She held up a warning finger. “Or daughter. Women can be as temperamental as men on occasion.”
Disbelief, pride, and then pure joy erupted in the new papa’s features. He lunged to enfold his wife in his arms. Trinity squealed and threw her arms around Jones’s neck. His grip tightened around her.
Stepping clear of the mêlée, Benjamin coughed and then removed a large handkerchief from his back pocket and wiped his eyes. Wonder shone on his weathered features. Trinity’s thoughts tumbled over and over in her mind. In the darkened bedroom one life was nearly finished—and here a new life was about to begin. Such was the circle of life.
“A baby!” Trinity squealed. And then she was kissing Jones. First it was a short series of ecstatic pecks, and then the kissing slowed and deepened.
Desire flared.
Shock.
Delight. Pure, utter delight.
She pulled back and looked into his dark eyes. Slowly their mouths drew closer and then closed together for another long and thorough embrace.
“Hold it, hold it.” Benjamin held up his hand, and Trinity and Jones reluctantly broke apart. “The doc will have to confirm my diagnosis. It’s been a long time since I’ve informed a man and woman they’re about to be a mama and papa.” His gaze softened. “But I can tell you with firm conviction: This is an hour to celebrate.”
Under the Summer Sky Page 14