Just Above a Whisper

  On Tuesday morning the breakfast aromas wafted up to him as Conner descended the stairs. Troy’s efforts in the kitchen had been fine, but they hadn’t smelled as enticing as this. Cutting through the dining room to get there faster, Conner came to a complete halt on the threshold of the kitchen. There he was greeted by a sight that brought him to a standstill. Reese faced away from him, her hair hanging straight down her back, thick and dark red, and the top of her head not many inches below his own. Conner backed out before he could be spotted. He went in search of Troy, who was in the study.

  “What’s the matter?” Troy asked when he saw Conner’s face.

  “Reese is in the kitchen.”

  “Yes, I just spoke to her.”

  “She’s tall.”

  “I told you that,” Troy reminded him.

  “She’s taller than my sisters.”

  “Yes,” Troy smiled, wondering what the younger man had been expecting. “Did you meet her?”

  “No, she seemed busy.”

  “Well, come on, I’ll introduce you.”

  Conner trailed along, suddenly feeling much younger than his years. He didn’t know exactly why he’d not gone in and introduced himself. She had just been such a surprise.

  “Reese,” Troy began congenially, “I want you to meet Conner Kingsley. Conner, this is Reese.”

  “Hello,” Conner said in a way that Reese could not hear. Her own greeting was equally soft, her eyes watchful.

  “We won’t stay in your way,” Troy said, not sure what he was seeing between the couple. “About ten minutes until breakfast did you say?”

  “Yes,” Reese replied, finding her voice by looking at Troy. She glanced back at Conner, but he didn’t try to speak again.

  Conner exited the kitchen and decided to wait in the dining room. That only worked, however, until Reese came in, was startled by his presence, and nearly dropped a dishful of food. Conner decided to wait in the hall until Troy joined him.

  “Did Reese seem all right to you?” Conner asked, not having to be worried about being heard.

  “I think so. You might have been a surprise to her.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Well, you were surprised by her height. She’s probably not accustomed to many folks in Tucker Mills being taller than she is. And if she does know some, she’s used to them by now.”

  “But you think she’ll be all right?”

  “Certainly,” Troy said dismissively. “She’s a very capable young woman. And from what I can see, nothing much discourages her.”

  Conner chose to take Troy’s word for the matter. After all, he’d had several days of dealing with her, and Troy’s character judgments were exceptional.

  What the men did not know was that Reese wasn’t all right. She nearly set her apron on fire before finishing the final touches on breakfast, and just as soon as she was able, she went down to the buttery to stand alone and gain control of herself. She even heard Troy calling for her, probably to say thank you, but she couldn’t make herself move.

  When she did move, it was after she’d heard the front door open and close, and the house became silent. Waiting a bit longer to be sure, she scooted back up to the kitchen, checked to make sure she’d not left a fire unattended, and then headed out the front door.

  Panic of the most severe type rode hard on her heels. She had to speak to Douglas, and it had to be now.

  Nine

  “I’ve got to see Douglas!” Reese shouted breathlessly into Alison’s surprised face.

  “He’s in his study,” Alison said, stepping back when Reese rushed in.

  “Douglas!” Reese began calling, going toward the study door.

  Douglas had heard the commotion and was headed that way. He opened the door only to have Reese step quickly inside. Alison stopped at the threshold, but Douglas approached their guest.

  “Reese, what is it?”

  “Have you seen Mr. Kingsley?” Before Douglas could answer, Reese exclaimed, “He’s huge, Douglas! He’s gigantic! What am I going to do?”

  Douglas started to speak, but Reese was too distraught to notice.

  “What am I going to do?” she repeated, wringing her hands.

  “Reese, why don’t you sit down,” Douglas suggested, only to have Reese’s agitation grow.

  “Douglas, you don’t seem to understand. He’s huge! I won’t be able to do a thing. I always felt I could stop Mr. Zantow, but it’s not going to work this time.

  “And what do you really know, Douglas? What do you truly know about this man? What if he gets to drinking?”

  “Reese, I want you to sit down,” Douglas commanded firmly, and Reese had enough presence of mind to obey. She sat in the chair as directed and visibly trembled.

  Looking at her, both Douglas and Alison were reminded of the morning she’d come to them, terrified of something that had happened and desperate for answers.

  “He’s huge,” she whispered now. “It seemed like the perfect job, but I don’t know if I can stay. He’s so large.”

  “Did something happen? Did he speak to you in a belligerent way or act threatening?”

  “No, he just stood there. So tall!” Reese could have gone on, but Douglas put a hand on her shoulder.

  “You need to trust me on this, Reese,” Douglas began before she could grow more upset. “Conner Kingsley is a fellow believer in Christ and is not going to harm you. It’s the very last thing he would do.”

  Reese looked up at Douglas, not really seeing him.

  “Why would God do this, Douglas? Why would He ask me to work for a man who scares me?”

  “I can tell you something wonderful about that, Reese,” Douglas began gently. “God’s plan for you is perfect, and right now, His plan is that you took that job, or it wouldn’t have happened. You feel fear right now because you don’t know Conner, but you can trust me, Reese. He’s never going to hurt you. So you can keep your job, and you’ll have to begin working on your fears of him.”

  Douglas found his arm gripped with a nearly bruising hold.

  “So you think I should go back?” Reese looked as panicked as she felt.

  “Yes. I wouldn’t send you if there was danger, but I know these men won’t harm you.”

  “You would send Alison or Hillary?” Reese felt desperate enough to ask.

  “Absolutely,” Douglas told her, and Reese saw the peaceful truth in his eyes.

  For a moment silence fell on the room, leaving each with his own thoughts. Reese was the first one to speak, her voice resigned.

  “I might as well go. When Mr. Kingsley sees the way I act around him, he’ll only fire me.”

  “That’s his choice. That’s not the type of man I know him to be, but if he wants to do that, then we’ll ask God to find more work for you.”

  Reese finally noticed Alison at the door. Tears were standing in the older woman’s eyes.

  “I’m sorry I made you cry, Alison.”

  “Don’t worry about me. I’m just hurting for you.”

  “I didn’t mean to rush in like that.”

  “Come on,” Alison said. “I’ll walk you back.”

  “And I’ll pray before you go,” Douglas offered. “Father in heaven, we thank You for Your plan and Your perfect and holy ways. You know all about Reese’s fears, Lord, and You understand because she has been hurt. Protect her now from the temptation to let her fears take over. Help her to give Conner a chance. Help her to see that he’s a godly man and a fair employer.

  “Thank You, Lord, for this wonderful job You provided. Help Reese’s mind to be full of good works and not her fears. Help her to know she can turn to You at all times and come to us whenever needed. Thank You for this opportunity to turn to You in need. In Your Son’s name I pray. Amen.”

  Reese was still trembling when she left, Alison at her side, but that wiser woman simply talked to Reese all the way back to the house, asking her about what she would prepare for dinner and what cleaning she had to do.
br />   Alison didn’t press Reese to take her indoors to see the house, although she was curious, but gave her a hug to send her on her way.

  Reese remembered everything Douglas had prayed for and prayed the prayer again. Then she made herself go back to work.

  “Is that Reese?” Conner asked of Troy from the desk chair. Troy turned to the window to see two women walking past; one was indeed Reese.

  “Yes, it is. Does she look upset to you?”

  Conner didn’t comment. Reese was upset, and Conner did not have a good feeling about this. She could certainly come and go as she liked, as long as the agreed-upon work was getting finished, but for some reason this scene, coming on the heels of their introduction, was out of the ordinary.

  “Did you want me to check with her?” Troy offered.

  “No, but I need to warn you about what I’m thinking: She’s more afraid of me than you first thought.”

  Not about to argue, Troy nodded and then watched Conner go back to work on the papers they had found in the vault. The older man hoped he was wrong, but either way, Conner clearly didn’t wish to speak of it anymore.

  Lillie’s hands shook as she opened the letter that Doyle had handed her that morning. She had more shopping to do but cut it short to go home and read her husband’s handwriting.

  Lillie, it began simply.

  I’m sorry to have left town so suddenly, but I was called away on business. I hope you were not unduly distressed. Please inform Mr. Leffler that I shall be in touch soon, and please give Gerald my regards.

  Take care of yourself,

  Victor

  Lillie’s hands continued to shake as she read the brief missive two more times. It didn’t say why he left or when he would return, but it meant that as of at least a few days ago, he was safe. Lillie sank into a chair in the parlor and tried to find comfort in the only news she had.

  She had been so torn between fear and anger; fear that she would never see him again and Gerald would be utterly lost for answers, and anger that he would leave without telling them.

  Lillie knew in an instant what she must do. She must head to the bank. It would be best to tell Gerald right away, but if he wasn’t home, she would go directly to the green and see the man who had visited her twice.

  It might not take all suspicion of her husband away, but it certainly meant something that he planned to be in touch. Lillie would be making a request of them this time. She would ask to be informed as soon as they’d heard.

  “Hello, Mrs. Jenness,” Mr. Leffler greeted her from behind the counter as soon as she walked into the bank. “May I help you?”

  “Hello, Mr. Leffler,” Lillie began, sounding slightly more cordial than she had in the past. She stepped closer to the counter, dropped her voice, and did not take her eyes from the teller. “I’m here to see that gentleman over there, the smaller man, but I can’t remember his name.”

  “Mr. Thaden?”

  “Yes. I need to tell him something.”

  “I’ll tell him you’re here.”

  Mr. Leffler slipped over to the alcove and had a word with Troy. He was swift to come toward Mrs. Jenness, a smile on his face.

  “Hello, Mrs. Jenness. How are you today?”

  “I’m well, thank you.”

  “Please come over and meet Mr. Kingsley, my business partner.”

  Troy took care of the introduction and then asked the lady to be seated. Troy took the chair next to Lillie, and Conner took the seat behind the desk. Nevertheless, Troy handled the questions.

  “What can we do for you?”

  “I’ve had a letter.” Lillie reached into the small bag she carried, took the paper out, but didn’t hand it to either man. “It’s from my husband, and he says he’ll be in touch with Mr. Leffler soon.”

  “Does it say he’s all right?” Troy checked right away.

  “It would seem that he is. He said he was called away on business and that he hoped we hadn’t worried.”

  “I’m glad to hear he’s well, but I was wondering about Mr. Jenness’ other business. Where might he have gone on such short notice?”

  “He’s not in another business, and in truth, I don’t know where he might have gone,” Lillie told him. She hadn’t expected this question but wasn’t overly surprised that he’d asked it. She’d been asking the same question herself.

  “Might he have gone to see a relative?” Conner inserted, hoping he could be heard.

  “They all live far away,” Mrs. Jenness answered, appearing as uninformed in all of this as she truly was.

  A moment of uncomfortable silence fell among the three, all of them aware that customers had come in, some looking their way.

  Troy stayed focused on Mrs. Jenness, and she eventually spoke again.

  “I would ask a favor of you,” she began, her eyes darting back and forth to each man. “As you asked of me, I would like to know when my husband is in touch. Would you allow Mr. Leffler to do this?”

  “Certainly. We’ll inform him of what your letter says as soon as he’s free, and I’m sure he won’t have any objections to easing your mind.”

  “Thank you for coming in, Mrs. Jenness,” Conner told her sincerely.

  Troy saw her to the door, still ignoring looks that came their way. When she was gone, he waited only for the customers to exit to speak with Mr. Leffler about the nature of her visit.

  Reese asked herself what she’d been thinking when she told Troy that she would stay for dinner. She warned Mrs. Greenlowe that she might not see her most days, and now she stood, waiting for the sound of the front door, hoping not to die of fright.

  She stood by one of the kitchen windows as the men came in and went right to the table. She thought one of them might have prayed but couldn’t be sure. She was just beginning to relax when she heard her name called. Reese forced herself to move.

  “Yes?” she asked at the door, hoping to control her emotions.

  “May we have some butter, Reese?” Troy asked.

  “Yes,” Reese agreed, turning to see where she’d left it and taking it to the table.

  “Did you eat, Miss Thackery?” Conner tried but didn’t think he was heard. In fact, Reese was headed out of the room when Troy’s voice stopped her.

  “Reese, did you eat yet?”

  “No,” she answered, eyes on the table. “I’ll eat in a little while.”

  “All right.”

  Reese exited the dining room as soon as she was able and took up her place by the window again. There was a chair nearby and she sat, thinking that nothing was worth this. If she couldn’t calm down, she needed to give up this job. Her heart was pounding, and her face was flushed. She had been afraid just being in the same room with Conner Kingsley, and that wasn’t fair to either of them.

  Reese was in the midst of working this out, trying to be logical and remembering verses about God’s love and care, when Conner walked into the kitchen, dishes in hand. He set them on the worktable. Reese made herself stand and thank him.

  “It’s I who should be thanking you. That was a very good meal.”

  It was quiet enough to hear him this time, and for a moment Reese wasn’t so afraid. However, all she could manage was a nod.

  Watching her, Conner felt compassion stealing in. He didn’t know what it was about him that she feared, but he was sorry for her. Knowing firsthand how crippling fear could be, he simply said, “Have a good afternoon.”

  Reese managed another nod before Conner went on his way. His plate in hand, Troy came in as well, thanked her, and moved off.

  Not until the men were outside, walking back to the bank, did they speak of her again.

  “Was it any better?”

  “No. She didn’t even speak.”

  Troy wished he had an answer. This never occurred to him. She was a strong woman—he was sure of that. What was it about Conner that put her so far off track? They were almost back to the bank when Troy had a thought.

  “Go see Dooner.”

&nb
sp; “What will he do?”

  “He might know something and be of help to you.”

  Conner stood still for a moment, not sure if that was a good idea. Before the men entered the bank, a number of townsfolk passed by. Some greeted him and Troy, and some only stared, but no one looked afraid.

  “I’ll see you later,” Conner said, a hand to Troy’s shoulder before he stopped. “I don’t know where he lives.”

  “Leffler will know,” Troy said, smiling a little.

  Conner shook his head and went inside for directions. Reese Thackery’s reaction to him had him more rattled than he realized.

  Reese decided to work on the upstairs after lunch. She hadn’t dusted there the day before and knew it probably needed some attention. What she hadn’t counted on were unmade beds. First in one bedroom and then another. Reese had to smile as she bent over to tuck the covers into place. Both men were well dressed and seemed to have no item in their lives out of place. Their unmade beds told another story.

  Conner had at least pulled the covers back into place a bit. Not so Troy. Clearly he’d tossed them off with little regard for where they landed in order to climb from the bed. And the chest of drawers in each room was in no better shape. The tops were littered with various items, none of which Reese stopped to study. She dusted around the interesting contents of a man’s pocket and tried to make things as neat as possible.

  Reese knew from the original cleaning of this house that the extra doors in both rooms were built-in closets. Both doors were shut, however, and the housekeeper didn’t venture there. In fact, she tried not to linger long at all. Feeling a bit like she was invading their privacy, Reese finished the rooms as swiftly as she could and went on with the rest of her work.