He nodded. They both faced the moon, letting the silence of the night engulf them.
Chapter Fifteen
Sunday morning Janie woke to a plethora of aches and pains. She moaned as she stretched her burning shoulder muscles. The clock announced seven o’clock, and she knew she needed to move. After service today was the church picnic, and she still needed to make her famous coleslaw.
Rolling from the bed, she hurried downstairs. The red light on her answering machine blinked, and she pushed the button and listened as she gathered ingredients from the refrigerator.
Doc’s voice echoed in the room. “Sorry to call so late, but when I drove past your house at midnight and you weren’t home, I became concerned. Can you call me when you get in? If not, I guess I’ll see you at the picnic tomorrow.”
The message ended, and Janie picked up the phone to dial Doc’s number. The receiver in her hand, she changed her mind. Why did he need to know what she was doing? He was worse than her father.
Placing the phone back on the cradle, she lifted the cabbage head and cut it into huge pieces. Chopper in hand, she chopped the pieces into shreds. Stopping briefly, she flipped the radio on. Inspirational music drifted through the air, and Janie swayed with the tune.
Hands covered in cabbage and carrot shreds, she groaned at the ringing phone. Wiping her hands on a towel, she picked up the receiver and wedged it between her ear and her shoulder.
“Hello?”
“Hello, sweetheart. How are you?”
“Hi, Dad. I’m fine.”
“I heard you didn’t come home last night.”
Janie lifted her head, and the phone dropped onto the counter. Grabbing it quickly, she said, “Sorry, I dropped the phone.”
“That’s okay, I still have my hearing.”
“Dad, who told you I wasn’t home last night?”
“Doc told me.”
“Well, he lied.”
“Now, Janie, I don’t believe he—“
“Dad, I was home. Yes, I got home late, but I was home. And why is it any of Doc’s business what I do.” She heard papers shuffling over the line and realized her father was not just talking to her on the phone but he was working as well. “Dad, I know you’re busy, and I know you have something on your mind, so just say it already.”
“Well, I do wish you used a tad bit of tact, but since you’ve forced my hand.” She could almost see him shrug before he continued, “Are you being promiscuous?”
The swift intake of breath escaped before she could control it. “Dad!”
“I know you’re twenty-five and you’ve been primarily alone, and this nice looking young man has blown into town and started being friendly, but that is no reason to give your charms away. Don’t you remember what I told you?”
“Yes, why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free.”
“Precisely. If you really like a guy you should withhold your favors and play hard to get. That way he thinks he has to work harder, and if he doesn’t want to work for you, then he doesn’t deserve you.”
Janie allowed her father to finish. When he did, she said, “You should stop listening to Doc.”
“Why? He has always had your best interests at heart.”
“That may be true, but in this case he is way off-base.”
“So you don’t like this stranger?’
“I won’t say that.”
“But you haven’t…?” He let the question linger.
“No, I haven’t.”
“Good. I guess my work is done.”
Janie sensed a goodbye coming and rushed to say, “Are you coming to the picnic today?”
The line went silent, and she had her answer even before he spoke. “Not this year, dear. But I promise to watch the service online, and I’ll catch highlights of the picnic on the local news station.”
“Okay,” she said. Dejected, she lowered her head.
“Talk to you later?”
“Yes.”
“Love you.”
“Love you, too,” she said.
The line when dead, and Janie dropped into a chair. Coleslaw ingredients littered the countertop. Despair overwhelmed her, and tears coursed along her cheeks. Angrily, she swiped them away and glanced at her hands. She had removed her gloves before chopping the cabbage. Multiple skin grafts had done little to make her skin look normal. She rubbed her fingertips and sighed. The doctors had said she would be lucky if the feeling returned.
The night of the fire, she had touched the blazing hot knob and entered through the back door. She had rushed to the bedroom, placed her hands on her father’s arms, and dragged him from the inferno, not realizing he was on fire. Outside in the crisp night air, screams had rent the air and a firefighter had rushed toward them throwing a blanket over her father and patting his engulfed clothing. People had screamed and had pointed until she had looked down and noticed that her winter gloves had ignited.
The flames had been put out, but not before they’d done irreparable damage to her hands. The burn doctor had explained that when she’d touched the scorching doorknob, she had killed all her nerves, and that was why she’d never noticed the pain of them being on fire.
Drawing in a ragged breath, she counted herself lucky that the doctors had been partially wrong. She had regained most of her feeling. In the beginning, the pain had been so excruciating she had prayed daily for God to take the feeling away. But as the pain diminished to a more tolerable level, she’d been glad He hadn’t listened to her pleas.
The phone rang and Janie reached for the receiver. “Hello?” she answered wearily.
“Janie, its Trevor. Everything okay?”
She covered the phone mic and cleared her throat. When she returned to the line, she said, “Sure is. I’m just finishing my dish for the picnic.”
“Yeah, about that. Can I come over and use your kitchen?”
Without thinking, she said, “Sure.”
“You see, I have this idea… did you say, yes?”
“Yes. Just come over. I’ll leave the back door unlocked, if I need to get in the shower before you make it.”
“Sounds good. Be there in a few.”
Janie hurried to finish the slaw. Carrying her gloves, she raced upstairs, shuffled through her closet for her church clothes, laid them out on the bed, and dove in the shower. The hot spray washed away the tear streaks and relaxed her sore muscles.
Finished, she tugged on a skirt and placed her arms in a ruffled blouse. As she buttoned up the shirt, she heard whistling below.
Gloves on, she descended the stairs and peeked into the kitchen. Trevor wore a pair of khaki pants. His collared shirt lay open at the neck, exposing a portion of his smooth chest. He’d laid his hat on the table and his blond hair curled at the nape of his neck. While she gawked, she must have moved into the room because he glanced around and smiled in her direction.
“Good morning, darling.”
“Good morning.”
“Hope you don’t mind that I pilfered through your cabinets. I needed a pan large enough to cook my famous baked beans.”
She leaned against the island. “Can I do anything to help?”
“Thanks, but I think I’ve got it under control.” He sat on a stool and smiled broadly. “I love the toes.”
Janie blushed furiously and tried to hide her exposed feet behind her leg. She was a sucker for fancy nail polish but was too embarrassed to wear it anywhere but her toes. The sparkly blue color she wore matched his shirt and his eyes.
“Thank you,” she muttered shyly.
“So tell me how this picnic thing works.”
Janie continued to fight her surprise over Trevor staying in town. Obviously, he was determined to wait until she brought about his peace.
“Hey, anyone there?” he asked, waving his hand in front of her eyes.
She blinked.
“You looked a thousand miles away.”
“I was.”
“Are you going to your
happy place so you can tell me about this picnic, or what?”
Unsure how to properly describe the event, Janie said, “Oh, it is just a casual get-together of parishioners.”
****
The picnic was not a casual get together of parishioners. It was an annual homecoming for anyone who had ever attended the community church.
When Janie had said they needed to arrive thirty minutes before service started, he’d thought she was joking but she’d been right. Even a few minutes later and they wouldn’t have had a seat. The church house was packed, leaving standing room only.
“I need to go to the choir loft,” said Janie.
“I’ll save a seat for you.”
“Don’t. It’s not that I don’t want to sit with you, but I’ll probably have to stay put so there will be seats for everyone else.”
She had been correct. He was sandwiched between Sally and the end of the pew. Someone Trevor presumed was Sally’s father sat on the opposite side between Sally and her beau.
He offered the gentleman a smile, and the man sneered at him. On impulse, he introduced himself. “Trevor Jacobs, nice to meet you.”
The man took his hand reluctantly. “Sally’s father, Barry Todd.” He released Trevor’s hand and said, “Heard you were in the service.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I was, too. Didn’t see any real combat, though. Ran a couple of overseas missions that we had to keep hush-hush.” He leaned in front of Sally and crooked his finger. When Trevor closed the distance, he said, “I never told anyone, but I was injured.”
Trevor cocked his brow.
“I sure was, lost a toe. It got blown clean off. ‘Course like I said, I was never brave enough to tell anyone. I admire you.”
Shocked, Trevor couldn’t speak. Then it was too late as the preacher stepped to the podium and opened with prayer.
The service was rousing, not a dry eye remained in the house. The preacher told about his youngest daughter, Cassidy. At twenty, she had volunteered as a missionary in a foreign country and had been given a job as a teacher in a local school. Two weeks after she’d arrived, a riot broke out. Shots were fired and Cassidy, who was working at the school, had used her body to shield her students. A week later she’d sent a letter to her parents, describing the experience. The preacher read:
“It was as if a bright light surrounded me from which no bullets penetrated. When the assault ended, and everyone remained unharmed, the men put their guns on the ground and fell to their knees. They were arrested and received strict judgment. Now we visit them in jail and share the Lord with them.”
The preacher refolded the letter and placed it between the pages of his Bible. “Every day, we are given opportunities to shine our light, whether to a stranger or someone we know. What we do with those opportunities affects not only us but also those in our path. Now close your eyes as we pray.”
Service ended and ladies filed into the kitchen to gather their dishes. Trevor stumbled along with them, meeting up with Janie halfway through the hallway. She was hugging the preacher’s wife.
“Even though the danger has passed, I can’t help but worry.”
Janie and the middle-aged woman bowed their heads, and Trevor hung back.
“Thanks, Janie.”
Janie nodded and smiled in his direction, motioning him forward. “Let’s get our dishes and head outside.”
Bowl in hand, Trevor followed Janie. The front lawn sported several tables covered with food, lots of camping chairs, and masses of people.
“You drop your beans here, and I’ll put my slaw on the salad table, then we’ll get in line.”
Trevor lowered the glass dish on the table, lifted the foil top, and inserted an oversized spoon. Someone bumped his elbow, and he reached for the table edge to keep from landing in the food.
“Hello there.” Telah pushed into his side and touched his arm. A smile covered her face as if she was pleased with herself. “Haven’t seen you around in awhile. How are you enjoying Pearl Valley?”
Trevor wobbled back in place, fighting the awkwardness at her continued touch. “It’s a nice place but I haven’t seen much of it.”
“I figured that would happen. You can’t expect to see much more than charity events hanging around with Janie. Such a shame you won’t get to discover the richness of our community.”
Janie stood by the salad table, arranging dishes. People stopped and spoke to her, and she flashed a brilliant smile.
Telah released her grip and stroked the length of his arm. “If you ever want a tour, I would be happy to escort you.”
“Thanks, Telah,” he said as he pulled away from her touch and left her gawking while he went to stand beside Janie.
“Are we ready for the line?” he asked.
“I’m ready if you are.”
They stood with their arms crossed at the end of the food line. His belly groaned in protest as they approached the corner and reached for an empty plate. Trevor lifted a spoon and prepared to dish out a smooth-looking concoction. Janie stalled him.
“I wouldn’t.”
“Ah, come on. You forget I was in the military. My standards are low.”
“Okay, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
By the time they covered all the tables, he had two full plates of food plus a full dessert plate. The aromatic smells teased his senses, and his mouth watered.
Janie held a napkin close to her mouth.
“What are you doing?”
“Preparing.”
“For what?” he asked.
“For when you spit out Mrs. Purvis’ beef and corn dish.”
Confused, he asked, “Are you going to catch it?”
“No, but I’ll be busy catching my own flying food.”
“What are you eating?”
“Cold mashed potato salad.”
He cocked his brow.
“I promised Mrs. Green I would try it.”
Trevor waved away her flimsy concerns and decided to taste Mrs. Purvis’ dish first. He held the spoon aloft. The acrid smell of burnt corn followed by a hint of oily beef made his eyes water. If Janie hadn’t been watching his every move, he would have left the entrée on the plate, but with her curious stare focused on him, he stuck the bite in his mouth.
Sweet and vinegary assaulted his tongue in a fight for dominance. He scrunched his nose in an effort to hold back his bile; all the while Janie laughed and pointed. Unfortunately, they had garnered the interests of several picnic-goers. At the risk of drawing more attention, he launched from the chair and careened into walls and people before reaching the church restroom.
Mouth clean, he exited to find Janie propped against the wall opposite the entrance.
“Go ahead and gloat.”
“Well, I did try to warn you.”
“Who eats that vile stuff?”
She stifled a laugh. “Generally a couple of us take a spoonful and feed some to the dogs lingering under the table.”
“Now, you tell me. It’s a wonder I’m still alive.”
She placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’m impressed that you tried it.”
“It was the least I could do,” he said, bowing at the waist. When he rose, he bumped the top of his head against her chin, and she cried out. A stream of blood coursed from her lip. He rushed back into the bathroom and wet a towel. When he returned, he dabbed the split in her lip. He stilled his hand, and her eyes grew large as he bent forward and planted a warm, chaste kiss on the corner of her lip.
She drew in a swift breath, stepped backward, lost her footing and tripped over the uneven floor. She stumbled, her arms flailing until she landed against the wall with a loud thump. Hysterical laughter erupted from her.
Trevor reached her side and helped her straighten. “Are you okay?’
“Never better.”
Chapter Sixteen
Janie pretended like the split lip and the subsequent kiss meant nothing, and they rejoined the picnic. After eating, Tre
vor joined some of the guys in a game of basketball. He didn’t move much, but he was an excellent shot from any position, and the players put the ball in his hands more often than not.
“He’s a hottie,” said Morgan as she saddled up beside Janie. When Janie didn’t respond, Morgan added, “Did you know Telah was all over him?”
Janie bristled and said, “What?”
“Didn’t you see her? If she could have shared his clothing right there at the table, she would have. She is positively shameless. Babbling about him only getting to see the town if he got away from you. She even offered to show him around. But I got to give him credit, he kept his gaze glued to you, and he didn’t even give her a second look. And let me say, she was plum furious about it. She’s been walking around talking about him practically all day. Spouting lies, she is.”
Aggravated by Telah’s behavior, Janie formed a plan.
Morgan kept talking. “Since Tim up and ran off with another woman, Telah has been hunting a replacement. I feel sorry for any man she gets her claws into, yes siree. If she catches one, she won’t be letting go anytime soon.”
Trevor bounced on his one foot, waiting for the ball. Sweat glistened on his brow and covered the back of his shirt. Teenage girls hung courtside, offering to hold shirts for any man who wanted to remove theirs. The preacher frowned at their behavior, and they moved off to other activities.
Janie moved closer to the court and silently cheered. Trevor was an impressive athlete. Even with one leg, he confidently maneuvered around the court. Pride swelled in her breast. That man, there on the court, had given her her first kiss. Wonder what her father would think about that?
“What are you mooning over?” asked Telah as she stopped next to Janie.
“What?”
“You’re practically drooling over here, and I wanted to know why.”
“No reason.”
“You are such a bad liar. Ever since school, when you found that baby bat and took it home but told everyone that you hadn’t.”
“I didn’t lie about that.”
“Oh, yeah, I remember. You took it to a bird sanctuary or some such nonsense.”
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