When the final Amen was said to bless the meal, the folks dispersed, and the Gracin girls hurried to their stations, hoping to keep the food line moving at a reasonable pace. Given the parishioners’ contributions to the meal, Cherise grinned from ear to ear, silently planning her turn at the table. Meanwhile, the Gracin girls – with the exception of Frances, who was considered an adult – ushered families and helped youngsters to load their plates. Groups headed to different spots on the meadow grass to sit on blankets with friends and partake of the meal.
When Michael and Frances walked through, Tariana busied herself with setting up the dessert table. From the corner of her eye, she noticed them join a group of young friends, and Tariana let out a sigh of relief. Could she avoid them all day? She doubted it. Her sister had spent most of the week at the infirmary, learning how to help Michael with the therapy required to strengthen his leg. One thing Tariana had learned from her recent character reveal was that she was a coward, and that did not sit well with her.
Cherise grabbed her arm. “Leave the sweet treats to chance. Let the ones who finish the main course first have first dibs on the sugar feast.” She leaned in. “Except for us. Grab your choice now, and we’ll bring it to the blanket with our meal.” They giggled and indulged.
Over the next half hour, the girls downed fried chicken, mashed potato, cabbage, a thin strip of ham smothered in applesauce, raw carrots, celery, and cucumbers. Tariana could not resist the turkey platter, and she added a chunk of the dark meat and bread dressing and poured the thick, rich gravy over the top. She’d run out of room on the plate, making it look more like a mountain of gluttony than the ladylike portions she’d seen Frances take, but Tariana supposed her sister had a wedding dress to fit into shortly, and starvation was the price one paid to be a beautiful, slim bride.
When Tariana noticed folks starting to gather their things and pack them into their wagons, she took it as a signal to start the games.
She scanned the area for Jamie.
When she spotted him with a bunch of friends, she headed over to remind him about the tournaments of which he was in charge. Laughter filled the air as she drew near, and she noticed a stunning brunette who was the focus of attention, eating up the admiration of numerous fellas like a starved puppy. She was tall, slender, and had enormous eyes that seemed to draw you in – at least, it appeared to have that effect on the men. When the girl spoke with that southern drawl, Tariana could almost see her subjects’ knees buckle beneath them.
Tariana stopped her advance when Jamie noticed her. Before he left the group, he took the girl’s gloved hand and kissed it.
She was armed and ready when he joined her. “Really? Gloves?” Tariana said. “Where does she think she is, at a tea party for the Queen?”
“Cattiness is your least praiseworthy attribute,” Jamie answered. “Are we ready for the games?” Jamie distanced himself, and she felt annoyed with the direction their friendship was headed.
“Are you still mad at me?” Tariana asked.
“Not at all, but I have resigned myself to accept a few truths about my childhood friend that I appear to have overlooked.”
“Such as?”
“Let’s not go there today. This is supposed to be a fun social event.”
“If it’s about Tuesday, it all worked out in the end. Look for yourself.” She pointed at the engaged couple. “Soon, we won’t even notice Michael’s limp, and his memory returned after only two short days. Frances is by his side, and the wedding is back on track.” When his expression did not change, she became bewildered. “Can we go fishing next week?”
“I’m busy.” The way he’d said it got her dander up.
“Too busy to fish. Since when?” Tariana noted his quick glance in the newcomer’s direction. “Jamie Sackerton – are you interested in the new girl?”
“Along with ten other males chomping at the bit to ask her out.”
“Well, maybe, you’d have an in if you volunteered to teach her to play Corn Hole,” Tariana said, her voice edging on sarcasm.
“That’s a splendid idea. I’ll rescue her from the masses and announce the game for everyone to come and play.”
Tariana watched Jamie walk back, pull the girl aside, and speak to her. A moment later, she paraded with him to the row of games that had been set up. A foreign, uncomfortable feeling seized Tariana as she watched him cozy up behind her and cup her hand in his. When the bag was aimed just perfectly, he helped her throw the corn bag. Her first toss was a bullseye, and she jumped into his arms as if she’d conquered the great skill on her own.
Jamie noticed Tariana staring, and he responded by lifting the girl off her feet and swinging her around, only stopping when he was facing the opposite direction. He was flaunting his silliness – for her benefit?
The girl’s drama continued until Tariana thought she’d be sick. It was then she recognized the green monster settling into her heart again, and she groaned. A prayer escaped her lips, “Oh, Lord – it’s Jamie.” The boy next door who’d been there all along. He’d never once entered her mind as a possible suitor. She repeated her father’s words in a whisper: “He’s been here my entire life.”
“Who’s been here your entire life?” Cherise asked, shimmying up behind her.
“No one,” Tariana said, a red flush covering her face. “We have games with the children now. Let’s go.”
After an hour of organizing children of all ages into five different kinds of races – including individual and teams – Tariana was exhausted. When the music started up, the folks came from all directions, moving toward the cleared area with rows of benches parked along the sides and the back. Most were ready to sip their lemonade and listen, but some still had enough energy to bring their sweethearts into the middle of the area and stomp their feet in the dirt.
Tariana dropped to the ground under a large tree, and she watched Michael and Frances enter first, lost in one another’s gaze. Shortly after, Jamie led the new girl into the center, and the two of them danced. Her constant giggling irritated Tariana, but Jamie appeared to like it. He smiled, and nodded attentively at the woman in his arms. Tariana could not take her eyes off them, and a sense of grief replaced the anger.
Mr. Hawkery from the local store stood above her, but she didn’t even try to stand. When his hand stretched out with a letter firmly gripped between his fingers, she glanced up at him.
“For me?”
“Haven’t seen you in town of late, and when your sister mailed the first letter to St. Louis on your behalf, she asked that if anything came back from that address, that I please pass it only to herself or you.”
“Evelyn said that?”
“Her words. So, I held it back, much to my better sense, when your father came for mail. I ran to get it, seeing you were here today. I know your family has experienced a difficult week. The wife and I have been praying.”
“That’s very kind of you, sir.”
He roared with laughter, the stern lines on his face replaced with cheerfulness. “No – what you did for that brood of youngsters just now was kind. My Tally had a wonderful time.” He tipped his hat. “Good day to you, Miss Gracin.”
The letter was from The Lovelorn. She’d forgotten to check the newspaper that week. Its arrival was bad timing since Michael was no longer an issue.
She tore it open. There was a brief explanation at the top that cases not included in the newspaper column were sometimes answered regardless, and hers fell into that category.
Tariana straightened her back against the tree, thinking that perhaps The Lovelorn’s wisdom might help with her next stab at romance – if that was even in the cards. The note read:
Dear Obsessed in Oregon,
You rightly signed your letter, and I am encouraged that deep down, you know the folly of your pursuit. You must face your madness, confess your disloyalty, and turn your attention toward the birds that roost nearby who are obviously unaware of your fickle and treacherous heart. L
ove is found in many forms. Surely, there is one who climbs high enough to perch on your lofty pedestal. I agree you are, indeed, a fraud who has been tricked by a master con-artist. Don’t be surprised to awaken only and discover it is you who have sabotaged your chance at love.
Yours Truly: The Lovelorn.
Tariana lifted her eyes from the paper, and the first thing she observed was not Michael – her first infatuation and the instigator of this desperate call for help – but Jamie in the arms of another woman. The Lovelorn had been correct in her concluding comment – Tariana had conned herself, damaging any chance of finding happiness with the patient man God had planted next door. Jamie had been there the entire time and she’d missed it.
Chapter 8
Jamie’s head was spinning, and not just from twirling the Texan party-girl around in circles. Her voice pierced his ears with high intensity, and on occasion, she snorted when she laughed. On the brighter side, he had to admit, that he enjoyed her tales of life on the ranch back home and her refreshing perspective of Oregon City, the land west of the mountains that he called home.
The once-level ground beneath them had started to furrow from their four feet kicking up the dust for so long. The fiddler in the band was feeling energetic, and he played more fast tunes than slow – not that Jamie wanted slow either. Angelica tended to cling to his neck, causing him all levels of discomfort, including breaking out in a cold sweat. Her perfume assaulted his nostrils, and if it weren’t for the possibility of making Tariana jealous, he’d pawn the Texan off on the eager line of gents watching their every move.
He finally pushed back from her embrace and said, “I’m ready for a cold drink. How about you?”
“That’s a marvellous idea, James.” He hated how she persisted in calling him by his Christian name. James was his father. He liked the way Jamie sounded outdoorsy and relaxed, which was more like his personality.
“Wish you’d call me Jamie. All the folks hereabouts do.”
“My parents would be appalled. Nicknames are for the common riff-raff.”
“Who do you think you’ve been dancing with all afternoon?”
“You might have a bit of riff-raff in you, but you are far from common,” she said, fanning her flushed face. Jamie wondered if girls could muster up that redness on a whim.
He scooped some punch into a tumbler with a ladle and handed her the drink. “How long are you visiting your cousin, Miss Scinch?”
“Not sure. Mama wanted me to see another part of this great country before I settled into marital bliss with Clifford J. Parksview, and then I’m guaranteed wealth and prestige for the rest of my life.” Her voice cracked, and Jamie wondered if her future plans were enough to provide her with the happiness she craved.
The prospect of the Texas-tart belonging to someone else sent waves of relief through Jamie.
“You’re promised to another?” Jamie asked.
“I suppose,” she said as she shimmied closer, “but he is a long way from here. I shouldn’t worry about him if I were you.”
“Yes.” A sudden idea jumped into his head like a playful kitten on an unsuspecting ball of yarn. Would Angelica be willing to toy with him enough to make Tariana jealous? It could be easily done, and it would, perhaps, open her eyes to notice him, the boy next door whose heart she held without even knowing it. Friends can also be lovers. It had been done successfully for generations. He thought of the recent fiasco with Michael and endeavored to toss the idea to the wind.
“What is that mischievous glint I see lurking behind those big brown eyes? Pray tell – I am always up for a little fun.” Jamie caught a glimpse of Tariana in the woman, and warmed to her.
He kicked the leg of the table and moved off to the side, unwilling to voice his scatterbrained idea. Hadn’t he learned anything from the chaos Tariana had triggered by playing with other people’s feelings? At the same time, he had no idea if she felt the slightest interest in a romance with him. Maybe this was a way to find out. What harm could it do? He was a free agent, and could socialize with whomever he chose.
“See, it’s this way: I have a girl…well, sort of. The same as you have a fella,” he said. “I sure would like to know if I have a chance with mine. We’re best friends, but I’ve never told her I wanted more.”
“Why not? Lose your nerve?”
“No,” he said. “It’s complicated.”
Angelica moved in closer and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’ll play your game. You aren’t half-bad to look at.”
“Thanks…I think.”
He noticed Tariana come out of the church, carrying a load in her arms. She glanced their way, and he tightened his hold on Angelica while the woman boldly kissed his lips. Surprised, Jamie pushed her away, but only after he noticed Tariana storming off toward the wagon. The whole charade served to sear his conscience.
“I should go help Tariana. It’s my job today.”
“You go on, lover-boy – she’s seen enough for now.” Angelica headed for the other young men who didn’t seem able to take their eyes off her. She could kiss them all. He certainly didn’t care.
Jamie hurried to intercept Tariana on her way back to the social room attached to the church. “Let me help. I can carry the boxes out. Didn’t know we were starting so early. The party is not nearly over. You haven’t even danced with me yet.”
“Dance with you?” She stood erect, her hands on her hips. If eyes could ignite a fire, he’d be burning. “Don’t you think kissing a girl you barely know, at the church picnic, is rather brazen? I am disappointed in you, Jamie.”
“She’s new in town,” he argued. “Just trying to show her a good time.”
“Well, don’t let me stop you. I can carry the supplies to the wagon. My plan is to drive the rig out of here and head home. The day has left a sour taste in my mouth.”
“Now, Tariana, don’t get all riled up. What about that dance?”
“Dance with Miss Texas – you make a good pair.”
Jamie panicked as he watched his plan backfire. “How about that fishing trip you mentioned earlier? I think I can find some free time.”
“I’ve changed my mind.”
Tariana disappeared inside the building.
He groaned, knowing he’d lessoned his chances of winning her over. He heard his name and turned to see Michael heading his way.
He reached out to shake Jamie’s hand. “I am told you saved my life, but I haven’t caught up with you since I left the infirmary. How can a man say thank you for a second chance at life?”
“No need,” Jamie said. “Anyone would have done the same thing.”
“But you were the one who did, and I am in your debt.”
“Just happy to see you suffered no lasting injury. You’re moving around on that leg really good.”
“Yes. And my memory has returned, having won me the right girl. You won’t find a happier gent in all of Oregon City.”
“I suppose tasting a lick of death makes a man’s perspective change.”
“Do you enjoy working on the Misty Marion?”
“I do,” Jamie said. “I’m learning all kinds of practical trades, but for me, the satisfaction is in seeing the pieces come together that make up the whole, knowing she’ll soon be riding the waves, and I had a part in making that happen. Well, it makes a man proud.”
Michael slapped him on his back, buddy-style. “You are a good lad. Thanks again for the dip in the water.”
Jamie watched him walk away, knowing he was no longer a threat to his pursuit of Tariana. She’d learned her lesson and seemed to be moving forward, but not in the direction he wanted. Fishing? She always wanted to go fishing, and he’d have given anything to have her swinging on his arm that afternoon instead of the Texan.
At work the next week, Jamie continued to be the local hero, and Michael issued orders from behind a desk, saving his leg from too much exertion. Jamie didn’t like being the center of attention, and he dodged the fellas whenever possi
ble. Not only had he saved Michael’s life, but he’d singlehandedly hogtied the prettiest girl at the 4th of July event, and everyone wanted to know his secret. In his opinion, Angelica was not the loveliest girl at the event, nor did he want to tell anyone of the cheap display they’d put on for Tariana’s benefit. It didn’t help that the woman dogged him every time their paths crossed in town, and purposely fed the grapevine to ensure that Tariana would hear of their imaginative merrymaking.
Later that day, the boss sent him to his father’s shop, the local blacksmith, to pick up an order. On the way, he caught the young Texan girl’s eye as she stood outside of Mindy’s Dress Shop, her arms laden with packages.
Angelica called out to him. Jamie felt confident the entire town had heard her bellow as many curious eyes fixed upon them. He couldn’t ignore the struggling girl, and he crossed the street to unload the packages, taking them from her hand to his.
Jamie sighed. He couldn’t recall how long she said she’d be visiting in Oregon City.
“Didn’t you pack enough clothes for your visit?” he asked.
“A girl always needs more, and your boutiques carry different selections. Shopping is quite a wonderful pastime.”
“Where’s your cousin?”
“She had to work this morning. I don’t know how that girl has time for such things.”
“Folks need to work to live. Surely your father does, too?” Jamie asked.
“It’s expected of men, but women were created to be spoiled, not soiled.”
Jamie was befuddled. The woman talked nonsense. He knew many hard-working women and respected them for it. “I’m in a hurry, Angelica – where can I bring these packages?”
“To my cousin Christy’s, of course. And then, surely, you have time for tea,” she stated more than asked.
“No, I’m afraid not. I am working, on my way to pick up an order.”
“Phooey,” Angelica said, popping open her parasol. “I’ve only been here five days and already hate the word ‘work.’”
“Then, I suppose you shall return to your wealthy suitor in Texas a more obliging, happier woman.”
Obsessed in Oregon (Yours Truly: The Lovelorn Book 8) Page 6