“I do hope you all are teasing!” Evangeline scolded, blushing to the tips of her toes.
“Why?” Hutch asked her. “Don’t you think I’d make a good lover?”
Evangeline shook her head and said, “Now you all are just being plain ridiculous with your teasing!” Almost roughly Evangeline began to straighten the curtains in Jennie’s bedroom. “Why, I’ve never heard of such a thing! Starting terrible gossip and ruining my reputation just to keep Hutchner from being bothered by an admirer.”
She gasped, however, when Hutch took hold of her shoulders and turned her to face him. “I’d be a good lover for you, Evie,” he said. His voice was low and shamelessly seductive. “And I’ll be gentle and—”
“Hutch!” Evangeline exclaimed—though she found she was simultaneously chagrined and delighted. “Stop that this minute!”
Hutch smiled triumphantly and released Evangeline.
“Now, don’t think I’m naive to the way married people tease others. I’ve got married sisters of my own.” She looked to Calvin, grinned, and winked. “And a couple of very mischievous brothers-in-law to boot. Furthermore, I know you are all just having your jollies at my expense…but really! To tease about such a thing!”
Hutch’s handsome brow furrowed a little. “I bet Heather Griffiths would be glad to have me for a lover. What makes you think I wouldn’t be good enough for you?”
Jennie and Calvin burst into laughter, and when Hutch smiled and winked at her, Evangeline realized the entire scene had been played out simply to make Jennie feel better. Therefore, she thought she’d forgive Hutch his taunting.
“Oh, I’m sure you would be, Mr. LaMontagne,” Evangeline told him then. “But I’ve got supper to tend to.”
Evangeline hurried to the bed, kissed Jennie on one cheek, and said, “I’m so glad you’re feeling better, Jen. I’ll make sure supper is something that won’t be too much for your stomach, all right?” She stood then, glancing from Calvin to Hutch and back. “Meanwhile, you two little devils go on about your mischief. Just keep an eye on our Jennie while you do.”
Evangeline hurried to the kitchen, anxious to escape any more teasing, for her stomach was in a tangle of mixed emotions. The thought of Hutch—of having an intimate relationship with him—had not only caused her to blush and feel flustered but also caused her heart to soar! It was obvious he was as thoroughly woven into her dreams and desires as ever he had been when they were in Boston—more so! And that realization was frightening.
Evangeline knew she would be leaving in a few weeks. After Jennie had the baby and had recovered well enough, Evangeline would return to Meadowlark Lake—to her life of being the spinster older Ipswich sister, fodder for Floyd Longfellow’s attentions. It wasn’t as if Hutch were going to suddenly find himself in love with her the way Calvin had Jennie. It wasn’t as if he were going to suddenly drop to one knee and ask her to marry him. No. He would go about his life in Red Peak, and she would return to hers in Meadowlark Lake.
And so Evangeline went about preparing supper for Jennie and the men. She tried to think only of Jennie—of her need for something soothing and not too hard on her stomach. Soup was always a good choice for anyone who wasn’t feeling quite up to snuff. And so Evangeline decided a nice, hearty vegetable soup of potatoes, carrots, dried basil, and any other vegetables on hand would do.
“Sorry about that all that in there,” Hutch said from behind her suddenly. “But it did cheer Jennie up, you know.”
“Oh, I know,” Evangeline said, trying to make her voice sound as normal and unaffected as possible.
She heard a chair slide away from the table—heard Hutch let out a heavy sigh as he sat down.
“She worries me so much,” he confessed. “When the doc told Calvin Jennie would have to stay in bed until the baby came, I’ll be honest with you, Evie—it put me in mind of your mother. And that frightens me.”
At once Evangeline’s embarrassment evaporated into empathy. She turned and offered a reassuring smile to Hutch. “I know. I thought of the same thing when her letter arrived telling me what Doctor Swayze’s orders were,” she confessed. “She mentioned to me that she also thought of my mother.” She looked away a moment. “It actually took quite a bit of courage for me to come here to be with her, because I was afraid that something might happen to Jennie or the baby…or both.” She looked back to him, again offering a comforting smile. “And today’s events didn’t do anything to strengthen my backbone.”
Hutch shook his head and agreed, “Mine either.” His expression brightened, however, and he added, “She seems pretty perked up now though, doesn’t she?”
“She does. Maybe she was just overly tired,” Evangeline agreed. “We’ll get some warm soup in her and make sure she goes to sleep early. Rest is the best thing for her.”
“I sure am glad you’re here, Evangeline,” Hutch sighed, raking a hand through his hair. “Calvin and I…well, we may have appeared like we were handling everything all right, but the truth is, both of us were about one more day away from having to be put in the insanity asylum, you know?”
“You both did wonders, and you are still doing wonders,” Evangeline assured him. “I’m just happy I can help.”
“I am still offended, however, though,” Hutch said then.
“Offended about what?” Evangeline asked as she pumped water into the sink to rinse some carrots for the soup.
“That you don’t want to take me for your lover,” Hutch answered.
He chuckled, and Evangeline couldn’t help but giggle as well. Turning around, she playfully flung a carrot at him, saying, “You stop talking about such things, Hutch!”
The carrot hit Hutch in the chest, and he caught it as it began to tumble to the floor. Drying the wet vegetable off on his shirt, he bit the end off and started chewing. “Mmm!” he sighed. “I love a good carrot.” He continued eating the carrot for a few moments, and Evangeline returned to her task.
Nevertheless, when Hutch had finished the carrot, he said, “But I don’t understand it. Jennie once told me that you were sweet on me when you were a girl. How come the idea of taking me as your lover horrifies you so much now?”
Evangeline’s cheeks turned as red as red as roses. Whirling around to face Hutch, she shrieked in a whisper, “She told you? Jennie told you that I…that I used to…that I…”
“Oh, it was a year or so back,” Hutch began to explain, “before you two took to exchanging letters and such. I’m guessing she thought the two of you would never see one another again.” He shrugged. “It was right after her and Calvin moved out here. We were talking about Boston and the things we missed, and Jennie said how much she missed you. I told her I always thought you were the prettiest little thing in the city, and she told me that you had eyes for me once.” He exhaled a heavy sigh, leaned back in the chair, and added, “I guess I didn’t grow up pretty enough for your liking, hmm?”
“I already told you I think you’re handsome,” Evangeline confessed, blushing a deeper shade of scarlet and turning back to her vegetables. “I told you when you met me at the train station and we were on our way here.”
Hutch grinned. “No, you didn’t. You told me I was taller than you remembered, not that I was handsome.”
Evangeline had to be careful not to cut herself with the paring knife she was using to coin up the carrots. Her hands were trembling so from the conversation Hutch was driving.
“Fine then,” she said. “You’re very handsome.”
“But not handsome enough to be your lover?” he baited.
Shaking her head and continuing to coin carrots, Evangeline said, “Well, your teasing manner has certainly gotten worse over the years.” She paused, mumbling, “And I can’t believe Jennie told you that I was sweet on you when I was a girl.”
“Oh, don’t be angry with her,” he chuckled. “It’s all in fun.”
“I’m not angry with her,” Evangeline admitted. She smiled. “I could never be angry with Jennie
.”
“I still don’t see why you won’t help me out where that Heather Griffiths is concerned though,” Hutch continued to tease. “She’s like a burr under my saddle.”
Evangeline exhaled a heavy sigh, choosing to ignore Hutch’s baiting this time.
There was silence between them for a time, and then Hutch said, “After supper, let’s take a deck of cards in and play rummy with Jennie on her bed, all right? I mean, if you won’t agree to take me as your lover, the least you can do is play cards with me.”
“All right,” Evangeline giggled.
Hutch smiled, amused by how easy it was to ruffle Evangeline Ipswich’s feathers. He watched her as she continued to cut up vegetables for the soup she was preparing for supper. Land sakes, she was a good cook! Hutch truly could not remember eating food as delicious as the food and meals Evangeline had been preparing since she’d arrived.
And the food she prepared wasn’t the only thing delicious about her. Though he’d never forgotten the Ipswich family—especially the eldest and prettiest of the daughters—he’d been nearly knocked off his feet by the ethereal beauty he’d met at the train station. The moment Evangeline had turned and looked up at him, Hutch had been smitten—mesmerized—bewitched. And it wasn’t just because Evangeline Ipswich was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen either—though she certainly was. It was something about her smile, the sparkle to her emerald eyes when she looked at him, something about her very soul that drew him in—as if he’d been mucking around in the mud all his life, and then suddenly…the mud was gone and only the beautiful quench of a fresh summer stream remained.
The truth was, if it hadn’t been for the fact that Evangeline was in Red Peak to spend time with Jennie—well then, Hutchner would make a grab for her heart. But with Jennie so tired and feeling so poorly—with Calvin and Jennie both needing Evangeline’s care—it wouldn’t be right to let himself act so selfishly.
Nonetheless, once the baby had arrived safely, Jennie had recovered, and all was well, Hutch was determined to try to win Evangeline Ipswich for himself. And he figured there wasn’t any harm in laying a little groundwork by teasing her here and there, having some good conversations over suppers and things.
He watched as she tucked a stray strand of raven hair behind her ear and thought how much he would enjoy it if he truly were her lover.
*
“You play rummy better than any old granny I ever knew!” Calvin exclaimed to his wife.
Jennie laughed. “And I don’t cheat,” she assured him. Glaring at her brother, she added, “Not like some people in the room used to.”
“Hey, I don’t cheat!” Hutch defended himself.
He was sitting on a chair next to Jennie’s bed. Bending over and studying his cards a moment, he reached out, laying three aces on the bed. “I just win,” he playfully gloated.
“Oh, come on, Hutchner!” Calvin moaned. “Give another fellow a chance, will you?”
Evangeline giggled from her position at the foot of Jennie’s bed. “The game’s not over yet, Calvin. Don’t lose heart,” she encouraged.
“But he’s already won three hands,” Calvin reminded. “And Jennie won the two before that.”
“Evangeline let me win those two,” Jennie said, winking at Evangeline.
“I did not,” Evangeline fibbed.
“Well, I think it’s adorable that Evie let Jennie win,” Hutch said, drawing a card. “I never met anybody in all my life who cheated for other people to win a game.”
Evangeline sighed with a moment of pure contentment. It was a lovely evening—a lovely moment. The fire in the bedroom’s small hearth had died down to just embers now—beautiful, glowing embers that kept the room just the right kind of warm. Friends were gathered around enjoying an entertaining game of cards, and everyone’s stomachs were warm and full of soothing, nourishing soup.
Jennie, specifically, had looked much better after having eaten her first bowl of soup. Evangeline was so glad that the soup seemed to revive her friend, for it had been a worrisome day. But now Jennie seemed full of vim and vigor and was laughing wholeheartedly at the playful comments Hutch and Calvin were ever exchanging.
However, as wonderful moments always seem to do, this one came to an abrupt end all at once.
Jennie gasped and looked up to Evangeline.
“Evie?” she said. “Something’s wrong, I think.”
“What do you mean?” Evangeline asked, tossing her cards aside and leaning forward to place a hand to Jennie’s forehead.
“Well, I’m embarrassed to say,” Jennie began, blushing, “but I think I wet the bed.”
“Really?” Calvin said, fairly leaping up from his place next to his wife.
Quickly Evangeline climbed off the bed, went to Jennie, and lifted her covers.
“I think maybe it’s your waters, Jennie,” Evangeline said, attempting to remain calm—especially in appearance.
“My waters?” Jennie exclaimed as a look of panic suddenly owned her expression. “But it’s too early! The baby isn’t due for at least two more weeks!”
Evangeline forced a smile. “Lots of babies come early or late, Jennie. Don’t worry.” She looked up to Calvin, though she continued to speak to Jennie. “Calvin will just run on over and fetch Doctor Swayze, and he can have a look at things. Isn’t that right, Calvin?”
Calvin was as pale as a sheet, eyes wide with worry and fear.
“Y-yes…yes, that’s right,” he stammered. Forcing a smile of encouragement to Jennie, he stroked her hair and said, “I’ll just run on over to fetch Doc Swayze, all right?”
Jennie nodded, though Evangeline noticed the tears welling in her eyes. “All right,” she managed.
“I swear, Jennie,” Hutch said, stroking his sister’s cheek with the back of his hand. “The things you’ll do to keep me from winning at rummy.”
Jennie laughed a little, smiling at her brother with appreciation.
Jennie’s smile faded almost instantly, however, and she said, “Evangeline…I don’t feel good! And there’s…there’s some pain starting.”
Again Evangeline spoke in the calmest voice she could muster, forced a soothing smile, and said, “Well, good! That means that maybe the baby really is on its way! He’s tired of waiting to meet his mama and daddy.” Still forcing a smile, she nodded to Calvin, reiterating, “You best fetch Doctor Swayze, Calvin. You’ll want to be back so that when the baby comes you can be the first after Jennie to hold it.”
Calvin nodded and without another word headed out of the room.
Evangeline then looked to Hutch and asked, “Would you run to the kitchen and fetch a bowl of cool water and a cloth for Jennie’s forehead, Hutch. Please?”
Hutch did not look as entirely undone as did Calvin, but Evangeline read the worry in his eyes all the same.
“You bet,” he said with a nod. Looking back to Jennie, Hutch also offered an encouraging smile. “I’ll be right back, Jen. You just try to relax, all right?”
Jennie nodded, saying, “I will.” But once Hutch had left the room, her hand struck Evangeline’s with the force of a rattler striking as she took hold of Evangeline’s hand. “I’m in a great deal of pain, Evie,” she whispered.
“Having a baby is a painful experience, Jennie. You know that, don’t you?” Evangeline asked.
“I do,” Jennie nodded. “But this pain…I’m not sure it’s what it should be. It doesn’t seem to be subsiding at all. And my back hurts so much that I’m sure I’m going to throw up.”
“Well, I’ll get a bowl for you, just in case,” Evangeline said. “But don’t worry, Jennie. Calvin will bring Doctor Swayze, and soon enough your baby will be here, and we can all cuddle and hold it, kiss it, and rock it, and—”
Jennie cried out in agony, startling Evangeline and bringing tears to her own eyes. Thoughts of her own mother—the sounds of her crying out when she’d been having Evangeline’s baby brother, Gilbert—pounded through her mind mercilessly, driving
remembered and renewed heartache through her body. Her mother and baby brother had died not long after Gilbert was born, and Evangeline’s secret fears that the same might happen to her treasured friend Jennie and her baby caused her hands to begin to tremble.
Still, she knew she had to be strong—for Jennie—for the baby. And she said, “Breathe, Jen. Just take long, easy breaths. Doctor Swayze will be here any moment.”
Jennie panted a bit, inhaled a deep breath, and then exhaled a heavy sigh. “It’s passing now, I think. I think it’s passing.”
“Oh, good!” Evangeline said. “Good. Now just try to relax.”
Evangeline knew that the pain was doing just what Jennie felt it was doing; it was passing. But she further knew that the pain would return—perhaps stronger the next time—and she didn’t know what to do to prepare Jennie for it.
Hutch arrived with the bowl of water and the cloth.
“Just wet the cloth and wring it out for me please, will you, Hutch?” Evangeline asked. She was still holding Jennie’s hands and trying to keep her calm.
“Of course,” Hutch mumbled. He did as Evangeline had instructed and then handed the cool, moist cloth to her.
“There you go,” Evangeline soothed as she placed the cloth to Jennie’s face a moment. “There. Doesn’t that feel good?”
“It’s coming on again, Evie!” Jennie cried out, however. “I can feel it coming on!”
“It’s all right, Jennie,” Evangeline said. “It’s the natural way of things, so try to remain as calm as you can. The pain will come, and then it will go again, all right?”
Jennie nodded, and Evangeline could see that she had gritted her teeth—determined to be more courageous through this next pain.
Goose bumps suddenly erupted over Evangeline’s shoulders and arms as she felt Hutch’s warm, callused hand slip beneath her hair and rest at the back of her neck. Looking up at him, she could see the deep concern on his face. He was worried about his sister.
“Thank you for coming here,” he said quietly. He grinned a little, adding, “Can you imagine Calvin and me trying to do this on our own?”
The Romancing of Evangeline Ipswich Page 7