Eddie nodded, and Robert went to tell the others. Thankfully, only Addy and Morgan came to the door with them.
“We’ll be over to join you for lunch tomorrow after church,” Robert informed them. “Eddie’s tired, and I think we need to sleep in.”
“All right, Robert,” Morgan agreed with him. “I’m not sure we’ll even make it out ourselves, but we’ll look for you around noon.”
Addy hugged them both, and Travis came through the front door to tell them that the sleigh was ready. Just minutes later they were on their way.
The hotel staff was very accommodating, and one of the men came out to stable the horse for the night. Robert had seen to the baggage that afternoon, so without fuss they walked up the oak staircase to the second floor of the hotel. Room 6 was spacious, with two double beds and a private bath. Several lanterns were lit, and Eddie preceded Robert into the room. Robert closed the door and leaned against it. He stared at Eddie where she had stopped at the corner of the bed.
For a time they didn’t speak, but then Eddie, feeling self-conscious, began to move around the room. She went to the windows and glanced down at the alley below, but it was too dark to see outside. She inspected the chandelier, peeked into the closet and bathroom, and then moved to sit on the edge of the far bed. Robert pushed off from the door and moved to sit on the bed opposite her. He stared at her for several more seconds before he shared the thoughts of his heart.
“Every day I confidently run a large bank in a booming town with a certain measure of ease, but here, now, with you, I feel completely unsure.”
“Unsure about me, or about this night?”
“This night. I’m 29 years old, Eddie, but you’re the only woman I’ve kissed who wasn’t my mother, aunt, or cousin. I’ve saved myself and I’m not sorry, but this is the first time in a long time that I haven’t known exactly what to do.”
Eddie shrugged as an adorable grin covered her mouth. She wasn’t very sure herself, but the hard worker was coming to the fore.
“Well.” Her voice was bracing. “It can’t be too complicated.” She shifted a little, and the mattress bounced beneath her. “I mean, we love each other, and I think we start with a kiss, and we both enjoy that.” Again she shrugged and smiled.
Suddenly Robert wanted to laugh with hysterical joy. She was unlike anyone he’d ever known. He stood just long enough to take her hand in his and bring her over next to him to sit on the bed. They settled in, side-by-side, and just talked. Robert relaxed and Eddie leaned against him, her adoring eyes on his face as they shared their thoughts from the day. There was no pomp or ceremony when they began to kiss and hold each other, just warmth and caring.
“I love it when you kiss me,” Eddie told him, blue eyes twinkling into gray. “For a moment there I thought you were going to suggest we each take a bed.”
Robert chuckled low in his throat and kissed her again. He should have known that God would honor his desire to stand righteously before Him on his wedding night. After all, God had given him Eddie, and at the moment Robert could find nothing over which to be more thankful.
The time after Sunday dinner the next day was a little busier than Eddie had hoped for, but there was much to be packed before she, Robert, and Travis left the next morning. The trunks were readied, the newlyweds spent some time with Uncle Mitch, and they also went to see Clayton. Eddie wanted to cry when they parted, but Clayton reminded her that he would be living in Denver in the fall, and just maybe there was a chance he could get to Boulder later in the year.
This did comfort Eddie some, but her throat was still tight. As she left, all she could do was pray that she would make it through this separation from her family and friends. She also asked God to help Clayton and Jackie grow closer. Jackie needed someone, and so did Clayton. It seemed so ideal to the young bride that her sister and friend should form a friendship.
That evening Robert and Eddie spent a wonderful few hours with Eddie’s whole family. Travis was with them as well, and it was a night full of memories to be cherished. Travis went back to Mitch’s for that last night, and Jackie took the small room off the kitchen so Robert and Eddie could take the bedroom she’d shared with Jackie all these months. When they were settled in the room, all the changes in Eddie’s life overwhelmed her. Wondering how she was going to leave them all, Robert held her as she cried.
“What if one of them dies before I can see them again?” she sobbed.
“You know where they’re going,” Robert comforted her. “You’ll see them in heaven someday.”
“Not my father,” Eddie whispered fearfully. “I’ve never been sure about him.”
“But he must be placed in God’s care as well, Eddie. It’s the only way you’ll have peace.”
Eddie continued to cry, and Robert prayed softly, his mouth close to her ear. Eddie calmed some and then kissed him with a kind of tender desperation. For a time their departure was forgotten.
In the morning only Morgan went with them to the stage office. Eddie was trembling slightly, but God had touched her heart early that morning as she’d read the Word and prayed, and peace surrounded her. She was going to hurt over this departure, but this was what she had longed after and prayed for for months. She was Robert’s wife, and it was right and good. Knowing that, she trusted God to take her on her way.
That afternoon Clayton picked the girls up from school and was not at all surprised to find them rather subdued. Milly had gained permission to stay and be with Danny for a time, and as it happened they all climbed out ahead of Jackie. She was just moving to step down when Clayton turned and spoke to her.
“Are you all right?”
Jackie sat back against the seat and looked at him. To his utter astonishment, he watched as tears filled her eyes. Clayton worked at not responding with the surprise he felt.
After a moment Jackie said, “I just can’t believe she’s gone. I gave her the bib as a joke, but she probably will have a baby, and I won’t be there to be a part of it. There was talk that we might be together at Christmas, but if Eddie’s about to have a baby—” Jackie cut off and turned away. Clayton’s voice came gently to her.
“Don’t borrow trouble, Jackie. Eddie and Robert may not have children right away. It’s impossible to know. And maybe your father will decide that all of you need to go and visit them this summer. So much can happen between now and then.”
Sniffing, Jackie scrubbed at her face. Clayton watched her helplessly. Finally she turned back.
“Will you go and see them when you go to Denver this fall?”
“I don’t know. I’d like to, but it all depends on my finances and studies.”
Jackie nodded and glanced out over the snow-covered mountains and then down the canyon before looking back at him. He was still watching her. She hadn’t wanted to talk about this on Saturday, and somehow he’d known that. Jackie thought he must like her some, but she was afraid to find out that she might be wrong.
“You had better get inside,” Clayton said, breaking the silence, “or we’re both going to freeze.”
“Would you like to come in?” Jackie offered, feeling as though her heart had stopped.
“I’d love to,” Clayton answered, his eyes drilling straight into Jackie’s and causing what little breath she had left to lodge in her throat. “But I have some survey reports to chart before I leave town on Thursday.”
Jackie told herself to make light of it. Tell him you didn’t mean it anyhow and that he’s still a pest, but the words would not come.
“I hope you’ll ask me again,” Clayton added, his eyes now smiling tenderly.
Jackie only nodded, her eyes still held by his.
“I will, Clayton. Thank you for the ride.”
He watched as she climbed from the sleigh and then as she went toward the door. She turned and lifted a hand before she slipped inside, and Clayton managed to wave back in return. He was thankful that the horses knew the way home; he couldn’t see anything but Jackie’s hu
ge blue eyes and the way they’d filled with tears.
15
The Fontaines found that spring did not come as swiftly to the Rocky Mountains as it did to New England. March passed into April and April headed toward May before there was any real sign of the snow leaving. They had a week of nearly hot weather, where the snow melted into rivers of water, but then they had a blizzard again the last week in May. Not until the first week in June did Georgetown begin to burst with new life, and when it got started there was no stopping it. Wildflowers bloomed in every direction, and the sight and sounds of local birds began to fill the air.
School was down to just four days when Miss Bradley gave the class an assignment. They were told to bring samples of the area’s plant life to class for the following two days. They were divided into teams, and the goal was originality. Anything brought in that all the teams found counted for only a few points. Plants or flowers that just a few teams located were worth a little more. Foliage that no other team produced was worth nearly enough points to win the whole competition.
Paddy, Jackie, Milly, Danny, and Sammy had been assigned to a team, and they came from the schoolhouse with plans to start the hunt that very afternoon. To everyone’s delight, Clayton was waiting for them. He’d not been home for well over a month, and the girls were not only excited to see him but ready to enlist his help.
“We need you, Tag,” Sammy told him without any explanation. Clayton looked to Milly, who in her excitement, had left out many of the details.
“Aren’t you supposed to do this on your own?” he finally questioned them.
“We will,” Danny explained, “but our mothers are never going to let us go up on the ridge by ourselves. I mean, Paddy’s with our team, but he might not be able to come. I know if you take us in the wagon, we can all go.”
Clayton’s eyes scanned the group. Sammy’s face was filled with entreaty. Milly looked ready to argue if he said no, and Lexa was looking at some of the boys who rode horses to school and were now leaving. Jackie hadn’t said anything during the conversation, but she was watching him with eager eyes.
“All right,” Clayton said.
Shouts and cheers filled the air, and as the girls climbed in, Milly began to give orders like a drill sergeant.
“Okay, Tag. We’ll drop the Fontaines at their houses so they can change. Then we’ll rush to our house so I can change. Then we’ll go pick them up. We know just the place we want to go, but we’ve got to be sneaky or we’ll be seen.”
“Why, pray tell, do we need to be sneaky?” Clayton’s voice was dry with humor, but his sister was utterly serious.
“Clayton! This is a competition. If the others see where we go, we won’t find anything unusual.”
Clayton nodded, still not sure he understood. No one had bothered to explain the rules to him. He did as Milly asked, however, and it wasn’t more than 30 minutes before they were back to get the Fontaine girls. Lexa was on another team and not all that interested in the hunt so she stayed home, but the rest had dressed in work clothes, and each had a basket. Addy came out to wave them off and warn them not to be overly late.
Not until they’d pulled away from the house, though, did Danny lean close and say, “We’re not going to the ridge.”
“We’re not?” Clayton asked, trying not to laugh at her conspiratorial tone.
“No. We only said that to throw the other kids off track. We want to go way down the creek to the meadow.”
“All right,” Clayton whispered back and Danny beamed at him.
“You’re a good sport, Tag.”
“Thank you, Danny. So are you.”
The plan would have been ideal if several other groups hadn’t thought of it. Clayton heard the girls sigh. He knew they were feeling let down. Surprisingly, Jackie, who usually said little in his presence, was the one to make everyone feel better.
“There are thousands of varieties out here, you know. We can go along the creek bed and probably still come up with something new. All of our houses are surrounded by plant life. We can always go home and try there.”
“Yeah,” Sammy said. “Let’s start here and then try at home.”
With that they piled from the wagon and walked through the grasses that would be knee–high by late summer. Although she was very aware of Clayton’s presence, Jackie did nothing to show it. However, he was suddenly beside her, the others now racing on toward the banks of the creek.
“How are you?” Clayton asked politely.
“I’m fine. How was your trip?”
“Profitable. The land was extensive, far more than the owner thought, and we found an extra rock outcropping, ideal for mining. Which,” Clayton added with delight, “brought in extra finances for everyone’s pocket, including mine.”
“So your schooling is all set?”
“Just about. I’ll have to put in some time this summer, but it won’t be outrageous.”
“Where will you live?” Jackie suddenly asked.
“With my grandmother, as long as it works out.”
“What could go wrong?”
They were at the creek now, and Clayton stopped by the water, a small tree at his back, his face reflective. “Nothing wrong exactly, but I’m not sure how far it is to the school, and my grandmother may have certain house rules that won’t work for me. I’m not anticipating trouble, but I am trying to keep my mind open.”
Jackie nodded. She wanted to say more, to be witty and amusing—anything to keep him talking—but no words would come. Feeling suddenly very shy with him, she knelt and began to pull flowers from the ground. Clayton took his cue from her and moved off a little way to do the same. While he was working over the grasses, it came to him very suddenly and without regret that Jackie was not the woman for him. At times his heart had dreamed of her taking an interest in him and even growing old enough to know her true feelings, but now he could see it was not going to work.
Clayton thought about Eddie and once again realized how he missed her. Although not in love with her, he did know she was the type of woman he was looking for. Maybe in a few years Jackie would be like that, but by then he would be away from Georgetown for most of the year. Depending on the available teaching positions, he might never live in Georgetown again. As he fingered a tiny bloom, Clayton felt an incredible peace steal over his heart. At one time he would have mourned not having something deeper with Jackie, but now it was all right.
He chanced a look in her direction and found her back to him. Clayton rocked back on his heels and just stared at the back of her. It was amazing, but now he felt utterly detached. Jackie could even fall in love and marry someone else right now, and Clayton would say nothing more than congratulations. He still cared, but then he cared for all of the Fontaine girls.
Clayton now looked over to see how the others were doing and rose to join them. He hadn’t taken two steps when Jackie cried out.
“It’s in my collar! What is it? I’m going to get stung!” She was frantic in a matter of moments, and Clayton rushed to her side.
“What is it?”
“I don’t know,” she howled. “I’m afraid to touch it.”
Clayton saw what looked like a flutter of wings at her throat, and risking the sting, he reached up and plucked at the insect’s legs.
“A grasshopper,” Clayton said with relief and tossed it to the side. “Are you okay?”
“What’s the matter?” Danny shouted from way along the creek line. Jackie turned in alarm. Milly and her sister had stopped to stare at her. She’d been screaming like she was on fire. Her face now reddened with embarrassment, and she turned swiftly away.
“It’s nothing,” Clayton, seeing her embarrassment, called to the others. He turned to Jackie. “Are you all right?”
She wouldn’t look at him. “Yes, Clayton.” She sounded angry. “I’m fine. Just leave me alone.”
Clayton hesitated for only a moment. Turning to join the other girls, he realized he’d come to his new resolve jus
t in time. He saw then that he’d been walking around Jackie as if on eggshells. Well, no more kid gloves. He was a kind, fair man, but he wasn’t doing her any favors by putting her on a pedestal. From now on he was going to treat her like he did everyone else.
“I just don’t understand,” Milly admitted to her parents when Clayton was out one week. “First he tries to be kind to her, and she hates him. Then she’s kind back, but now Clayton acts like he doesn’t care one way or the other. He’s back to teasing her. Jackie laughs more than she ever has and watches him whenever she doesn’t think anyone notices, but Clayton’s not making any effort to get closer to her.”
Elaine sighed gently and made herself leave the dishes. Kevin was already at the table with Milly, so she joined them.
“May I tell you something, Milly?”
“Sure, Mom.”
Elaine sat quietly for a moment and then began. “I think your father would agree with me if I told you that I’m not a very complicated person. I lived in the same house from the time I was born until I married your father. I had a father, mother, and brother who all loved me. I had my share of crushes on members of the male population, but nothing like what I felt when I met your father. I had some adjustments when he wanted to move from Denver to Georgetown, but our life here has been wonderful. I have you and your brother, and I have God’s Word and your father. Your father and I have remained faithful to each other, and God has repeatedly blessed us. It hasn’t always been easy, but God has taken care of us and we’ve kept our eyes on Him.
“I grew up next door to a girl whose name was Nadina. Some of the boys from church were attracted to Nadina, but she was always interested in the wild boys at school. We were fairly close, but she never wanted to talk about Christ or the things of the Bible. I realized later that my parents struggled with how close we were, but they prayed for me daily, and with God to strengthen me I was spared much heartache.
“Nadina and I haven’t had any contact for years, but my mother used to keep me informed. Nadina never married but had babies with several different men. She eventually left them all, her children included, and went to California. The last I heard, she’d committed suicide.”