Jessie Page 3

  "Yes, sir."

  26"How was your day?" the older man asked, coming from the kitchen with a dishtowel in his hand. "I've got some stew here if you're hungry"

  "I've eaten, but thank you. How did your pie social go?" Seth remembered to ask.

  "It was fine. Most everyone sent an extra piece home with me, so if you've a hankering for pie, just name the type."

  Seth laughed, but in truth pie sounded good. He chose a piece of peach crumble, and Pastor English took mince.

  "How is Jessie today?" the pastor asked, assuming that's where Seth had been.

  "Very well. She just fed me chicken and dumplings."

  "I've heard she's a very good cook."

  "She seems to be good at everything," Seth said.

  "She certainly knows her way around that store, but then I guess that's to be expected."

  "Have you lived here long, Pastor English?" Seth asked. "I have. I've known Jessie since she was a girl."

  There was no threat in the words, but Seth was reminded that even though Jessie lived alone, she was not alone in this town. Seth had no plans to dabble with her heart or do anything that they both didn't agree on, but this gave him pause.

  The conversation ranged to a few other topics before they turned in. Pastor English mentioned what he was studying for his sermon, but Seth only half-attended. As with the rest of his waking moments since arriving in Token Creek, his mind was on Jessie.

  Tuesday rolled to an end, and Jessie knew what she had to do. It was hard, but she reminded herself that she had a business to run and that was the bottom line. She watched Seth lock the front door, and the moment he turned to her, she spoke.

  "I've had you do everything in the back, Seth. Unless you want to

  27learn the workings of the store or do some painting, I don't have more work for you."

  "You would teach me how to run the store?" Seth asked. "If you're interested."

  "As a matter of fact, I am, but just last night Pastor English mentioned some work he hoped to get done around the church and the parsonage. He won't let me give him anything for staying there, so I want to lend him a hand. He also said he'd heard that workers are needed and they're paying well at the foundry. I thought I might check into that."

  "Fair enough," Jessie forced herself to say, not wanting him to know that she wished he would just stay at the mercantile. "I'll settle with you tonight, and you can come back if you want."

  "You don't need to settle with me now," Seth said, but Jessie was already headed to the cash register. She returned with the currency in her hands, but Seth did not reach for it.

  "I'll be back," he said.

  "But if you don't make it..." Jessie began, but stopped when Seth shook his head.

  "I'll be back."

  "Seth." Jessie began to look impatient. "You probably won't be back this week, and that way we'll be settled."

  "I'll be back this week," he said, watching her.

  Jessie's look told him she was not happy, but Seth still did not reach for the money.

  "You like to have your own way, Jessie Wheeler. You know that, don't you?"

  Jessie's mouth opened in surprise. She had never seen herself that way, but it was the very thing her mother used to say about her father. The memory was not a happy one, and soon the surprise gave way to anger.

  "It's just the way I do things, Seth. Take the money!"

  Seth's brows rose in amusement, but there was also a good measure of stubbornness thrown in.

  "I'll be back," he said quietly as he turned away. Unlocking the door

  28he'd just latched, he slipped outside and walked from the store without a backward glance.

  Jessie didn't know when she'd been so surprised and frustrated. Just barely remembering to relock the door, Jessie returned the money to the till, nearly throwing it in. She wasted no time milling about the store but made for the stairs. Half of her hoped she would never see Seth again, and the other half hoped he would come back just so she could deny him entrance. It was not a good start to the evening.

  "Well, Seth," Jeb spoke to the hot, sweating man who had just come from the foundry midmorning on Friday. Jeb had been cutting past the building and on his way home and caught Seth as he came outside. "You done at Jessie's already?"

  Seth took a long drink from the bucket and ladle outside, even as he shook his head no. When he'd slaked some of his thirst, he explained.

  "I'll be back there, but this was good money and just for a few weeks. But hot," Seth said, looking at Jeb from a face that was thinner than the last time he'd seen him.

  "Definitely hot."

  "Why did I think you would have moved on by now," Jeb said, no censure in his voice.

  Seth smiled a little before saying, "My plans may have changed." "Does that have anything to do with a certain mercantile owner?"

  "Well, it certainly doesn't have anything to do with this foundry work," Seth said dryly, using his sleeve to wipe the sweat from his brow.

  Jeb smiled at his tone but wasn't done.

  "Does Jessie know?"

  "That I'm staying around town for her? Probably not. That last time I saw her she was mad at me, so we'll have to see how it goes."

  29"What happened?" Jeb asked, but then put his hand up before Seth could answer. "Let me guess, you wanted her to do something different concerning the store."

  Seth studied the older man before asking, "What is that about?"

  "I don't know. Her father was the same way. In most ways she's easygoing, but when it comes to working the store, there is only one way. And no one can really argue with her since she and her family have always made such a success of it."

  Seth looked as though he were pondering something, and Jeb wondered what he was thinking. Seth seemed decent and hardworking, and Jessie was no one's fool, but Jeb was determined to have his say.

  "Jessie doesn't need me to cosset her, but I want you to know that I care about her, as do many others."

  "I can see that," Seth said, but didn't comment on his intentions toward Jessie. They were not altogether selfish, but some certainly were.

  "I'm glad it's clear to you," Jeb said, his eyes watching the younger man.

  Until that moment, Seth had not taken Jeb's full measure. Seth had gauged him to be very kind, like an older uncle who visits the family once every few years, but there was more to him than that, and the serious eyes watching him made that clear.

  "I'd better get back to work," Seth said.

  "I have to get along too," Jeb replied. "I'll see you around, Seth."

  The younger man waved and headed back inside the foundry. He still looked hot, but a small amount of his confidence had evaporated, and that gave Jeb Dorn no small amount of peace.

  "Did you miss me?" Seth asked, leaning on the counter five minutes after Jessie opened the store on Saturday morning.

  Jessie looked up to find his face very close, his warm gray eyes telling her he was much too pleased with himself.

  30"Why would I miss you?" she asked, working hard not to smile. "Isn't it obvious? I'm a wonderful, charming person."

  Jessie couldn't stop the smile that peeked through, and Seth's own satisfied smile told her he'd seen it.

  "Are you here to work or to lean on my counter?"

  "I need a work shirt. I ruined one of mine at the foundry," he said. "I'm also here to work if you can give me a quick lesson on how things run."

  A lot of things Jessie wanted to say from their last encounter slipped from her mind. She was amazed at how glad she was to see him again. When he hadn't come in all week, she'd assumed he was gone, and that had been hard.

  "Jessie?" Seth said when she didn't speak. She caught herself, and only just in time. Two customers came in together, and Jessie recognized one of them as someone who always meant business.

  "You do know how to make change, don't you?" Jessie asked, keeping her voice low.

  "Yes, ma'am," Seth said with yet another pleased smile.

  "
Well, try to keep up, and for goodness' sake, don't offend anyone."

  Seth didn't comment. He was amused by the look she gave him and also the way she made a beeline for a woman in a garish hat.

  "Good morning, Mrs. Theel. What can I help you find?"

  Seth watched Jessie in action until he noticed a pile of mail waiting to be sorted. Stepping behind the counter, he knew he was headed into the deep end but figured there was no better way to learn.

  31

  July 1873

  "WHAT'S ON THE AGENDAfor tonight?" Seth asked when the clock showed minutes to closing. It was the sixth Saturday Seth had worked at the mercantile. He spent his weekdays at the foundry, building up a nice bankroll, and had even found a room at the boardinghouse. He hadn't pressed Jessie in anyway, but their awareness of each other was hard to ignore. At the moment they were both behind the main counter, but Seth was the only one working, straightening a jewelry display that no one had taken time with during the day.

  "The normal," Jessie answered.

  Seth stopped long enough to face her and ask, "Which is?" "I find something to eat and then fall into bed."

  Seth nodded in full understanding. He could have mustered some energy if he tried, but he knew just what she meant. The activity in the store on Saturdays was nonstop. It wasn't a great weight when all you did was stock shelves, but dealing with people was exhausting.

  "How about tomorrow?"

  "I don't have any plans. Do you?"

  "Only to see you."

  "You sound as though that's a foregone conclusion."

  32Without warning, Seth cupped her cheeks in his hands and kissed her. He took his time about it, and when he was done Jessie felt flushed all over.

  "It is a foregone conclusion," he said quietly, gently kissing her one more time. "I'll see you tomorrow, Jessie."

  By the time Jessie had found her voice, he was long gone.

  Jessie walked downstairs and through the storeroom early the next day. She didn't really have anyplace to go, but she was sure if she lay around as she usually did, Seth would be waiting. He was far too confident about himself in her opinion; the kiss had certainly proved that. She assumed that when he came, he would sit out back and wait for her. Well, by that time she would have already enjoyed her walk along the creek line and be back home. She would enjoy knowing that he would sit in the heat for nothing.

  Jessie mulled all of this over as she let herself out the back door. Not until she had the door locked and the key in her pocket did she find Seth leaning against the back of the building, quietly watching her.

  "Good morning," he said, his eyes a bit knowing.

  "What are you doing here already?"

  "Catching you before you can get away."

  Jessie's chin came up. She'd been caught in the act but wasn't about to admit it.

  "You're much too sure of yourself, Mr. Redding."

  "And you're not very honest, Miss Wheeler. You are as attracted to

  me as I am to you. When are you going to admit that to yourself?" Jessie didn't look at him for a moment, and when she did, her face reg istered

  pain. Seth, who had been keeping his distance, came closer. "What's wrong, Jessie?"

  "I am attracted to you, Seth," Jessie said, her voice sad. "There's no getting around that, but there's also no getting around the fact that

  33you're passing through. If we get involved, I'm going to someday find myself alone, possibly with a child, while you finally make that move to Texas."

  Seth knew he'd asked for it. He told her she wasn't honest, and she'd surprised him by giving him as honest as it gets.

  "I wouldn't do that," Seth said, but Jessie was already shaking her head.

  "I don't think you would mean to, but it could still happen."

  Without permission Seth took her in his arms. He held her close, his heart clenching with feelings that were new for him. Jessie hugged him in return and admitted to herself for the first time that she wanted him to stay forever.

  "Walk with me," Seth invited, taking her hand and stepping away from the door.

  Jessie told herself to refuse, but she couldn't do it. Even knowing that spending more time with him would only lead to heartache, Jessie let her fingers link with his and went along.

  "Is that Jessie and Seth?" Patience asked Jeb as they walked home from church. The couple was at a distance, and Jeb squinted that way.

  "It looks like them."

  "Have you talked to Jessie lately?"

  "Not since I helped her out last Saturday."

  "How did it seem between them?"

  "There was lots of teasing and fun, but I didn't get the impression that they had much of a relationship beyond the store."

  The Dorns watched Seth slip an arm around Jessie and pull her close. Both wondered if this was something new or if Jeb had completely missed the signs.

  34"I'm going to catch the morning train," Seth told Jessie at the end of the day. They were in Jessie's living room late Sunday night, standing close. They had spent every hour together that day, their eyes saying things that their mouths refused to voice. "But I'll be back."

  The smile that slanted across Jessie's mouth was sad, as were her eyes.

  "I mean that," Seth said, his hands caressing her shoulders.

  "At the moment I'm sure you do, but Texas is a long way from here, and you know firsthand the way plans change."

  Seth took her in his arms. Never had he dealt with a woman the way he'd dealt with Jessie. All his life if he had found a woman desirable, and certainly one as alone as Jessie, he would have found a way to make their relationship intimate. But not Jessie. The idea of leaving her alone with his child was too much for him. No one before Jessie had ever talked so plainly about it, and it was not something he could ignore.

  "I'll be back,herepeated, kissing her this time with greater insistency, but making himself pull away.

  Jessie didn't see him downstairs. She watched him leave the apartment, her eyes swimming with tears, but hadn't the strength to go after him. At the moment she didn't feel she had the strength to do anything ever again.

  Through swollen eyes, Jessie opened the store on Monday morning, hoping beyond hope that it would be a slow day. On warm days she propped the door open wide, but on the chance that she would notice the whistle when the train left the station, she kept the door shut this morning.

  She'd not taken any extra time on Saturday evening to clean up, so she was in an aisle putting things to rights when she heard the door. She knew she should at least call a greeting or head to the front but had no energy to act on the thought. It took a moment for her to realize

  35she wasn't alone. Seth was standing ten feet away, watching her. Jessie pushed to her feet and stared at him.

  "I bought my ticket," he said quietly, his voice rough from lack of sleep. "I was in my seat and my bag was stowed, but I couldn't go." Jessie licked her lips and told herself not to cry.

  "Marry me," he said quietly.

  Jessie was in his arms as fast as she could move across the floor. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him for all she was worth. When they broke apart, Seth laughed.

  "Should I take that as a yes?"

  "Yes!" Jessie said and pulled his head down to kiss him again.

  "You're getting married?" Jeb asked, his face showing his surprise as he looked at the young couple on his sofa.

  "Yes," Jessie said, her face aglow. The day in the store had been the longest of her life. Long before suppertime she had wanted to run to the Dorns and tell them the good news, but she made herself wait until closing.

  "Congratulations," Jeb finally said, realizing he was genuinely pleased. "When is the day?"

  "That depends a little on you, Jeb," Jessie said, her eyes searching his. "We want to go away for a few days. I thought we could close the store at noon on a Saturday and get married that afternoon, but then we want to stay away until Wednesday."

  "And I would work on that Monday and
Tuesday?"

  "Right."

  "Which ones?"

  "You tell us," Seth said, wishing it could be this Saturday.

  "Patience will be home in about half an hour," Jeb said, consulting his watch and knowing how pleased she was going to be with this news. "Can you wait so I can check her calendar?"

  The couple willingly agreed, Jessie settling a little closer to Seth's

  36side. The three of them talked until Patience made an appearance, and much to Seth and Jessie's delight, Jeb agreed to mind the store in just two weeks.

  "Who is going to marry you?" Patience asked, having already hugged her husband's young cousin.

  Seth and Jessie looked at each other, having completely forgotten this necessary portion of the agenda. Their surprised looks made the older couple laugh, which got all of them to laughing.

  Patience was ready to put coffee on and serve an impromptu dessert, but Seth knew that Pastor English did not stay up very late, and they wanted to talk to him that night. With excitement filling them and a little bit of fear that he would say no, they didn't linger with the Dorns but headed for the parsonage.

  "Are you coming up?" Jessie asked when Seth walked her home a few hours later.

  "Do you want me to?" Seth asked, studying her face in the swiftly fading light.

  Jessie nodded, and Seth stared at her. He knew that many people would say he couldn't love this woman in less than a month's time, but they were wrong. He loved her completely, and for that reason he found himself shaking his head no.

  "We'll be married in less than two weeks," he said, more for himself than for her.

  Jessie sighed, not sure if she appreciated the gesture or not. She had never been in love before, and in her mind this was perfect. "I love you," Jessie said, wanting to say it over and over.

  "I love you too," Seth said, having second thoughts about waiting but then hearing a door slam and a man's voice somewhere behind them. Jessie had a reputation in this town, and he would not damage that.

  "I'll see you in the morning," Seth said, giving her a swift kiss and moving on his way.

  37Jessie sighed as she unlocked the back door and then shut it behind her, but this time it was one of contentment. She would see him in the morning and every morning for the rest of their lives.