As Time Goes By (The Californians 2) (20 page)

He also wanted to buy Katie's baby something special. She was due in about three months and he had put her through a lot. He thought if he could buy a gift for his new niece or nephew with his own money, he could prove to Kate that he did think of other people besides himself.

With this in mind Sean rose from the table to find Marcail. He had shouted at her today because he'd had a headache. Knowing he needed to make amends, he nevertheless wished his family understood him more. In fact, he wished he understood himself more.

186

Jeff smiled at the sight of Bobbie on the step stool in the storeroom; she wasn't supposed to be up there. But then, it was only her boss who told her that, and since Bobbie saw no reason for the rule, she disregarded it when she felt it necessary.

"You're not to be up there, Bobbie," Jeff stated as he came to stand below her.

"Oh, it's all right. You see, Gilbert just had to run a quick errand and I want to get this done before lunch."

Jeff shook his head as she went back to organizing the unclaimed packages, even as his hands lifted to grasp her around the waist.

Once on the floor Bobbie glared up at Jeff, but he smiled engagingly, which only deepened "her scowl. Sidestepping her, left hopped on the ladder himseIf.

Jeff had been working on the back-room shelves for so many years he was sure he could do it in his sleep. As usual, his mind began to wander and this time it wandered to Bobbie. He had never had a friend like her, and indeed she was a
friend.

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It had seemed for awhile that working with her was going to be very difficult because of the way his heart was changing toward her, but he had fully surrendered his heart to God where Bobbie was concerned, and his heavenly Father sustained him in a way that Jeff never anticipated.

Bobbie had become his friend. It was really that simple. He could touch her arm or even give her a hug in true friendship. There wasn't anything they couldn't talk about. They shouted at each other once in awhile, but there wasn't a week that passed when they didn't laugh themselves to tears over something.

They even had a Scripture memorization contest going. It had been Bobbie's idea, and Jeff, having been raised in the Word of God, thought himself a sure win. But as usual, Bobbie surprised him. They would stand almost nose-to-nose and recite any verse that came to mind. The last person to say a verse won.

left found out
in
a hurry that Bobbie was as competitive as he was. They were evenly matched at the moment, and both hated to be the last one standing there searching his or her memory for a verse.

"That's the lot," Jeff told Bobbie as he came down to stand beside her.

"Thanks, Jeff." As always, she had to tip her head back to see him. "I guess Gil was delayed."

"Well, no matter. Nate will be out of school in a week, and Dad always puts him in charge of the stockroom for the summer."

"I'm glad to hear that. Nate is fun to have around."

"'Speaking of being around, I understand you guys are coming to supper tonight."

"Yep. Are you going to be there?"

Jeff gave a negative shake of his head. "I have a date."

188

',nyone I know?"

"Penny Larson."

"'Penny Larson? I thought she lived down south."

"She does. But she's here to visit her grandmother and

we're going to supper."

"Tell her I said hi."

"/'ll do that. How many more days until Cleve comes?" "He'll be here Friday."

"'This
Friday?" Jeff was surprised.

"'Yes. When did you think it was?"

"I don't know, but I just didn't realize it was so soon. You don't seem very excited."

"I am," Bobbie said, but her voice held no conviction. She met Jeff's eyes for just a moment and then turned away.

They had talked all about Cleve when Bobbie was still undecided, and Jeff had finally told Bobbie outright that her marrying CIeve was a big mistake.

"You don't even know him, so how can you say that?" she had retorted in anger.

"I don't need to know him to see that you're not in love with him." Jeff's voice had been gentle, and Bobble couldn't take it. He had watched helplessly as tears puddled in her eyes.

"I'm sure you've noticed how hard it is for you to get into the office every day, Jeff, because of all the men lined up outside waiting to see me."

"So you are marrying Cleve because you think no one else wilI ask you?"

"You make it sound so cynical, but you don't understand." A single tear slid down her face and Jeff felt something squeeze around his heart. "Plain girls have dreams too, you know. We want families and homes as much as beautiful girls like Sylvia."

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"Oh Bob," Jeff whispered, and reached to hold her, but Bobbie stepped away from his arms.

"Don't pity me, Jeff. I don't need your pity."

But Jeff was not to be put off, and he pursued Bobbie right around her desk and then pulled her into the storeroom so they could talk.

Everything had been cleared up between them before they had gone back to work, but at the time Bobbie's future was still very unsettled.

Bobbie now knew she wasn't to marry Cleve, but she couldn't tell anyone. She felt it a serious matter to tell Cleve first
and in
person, even though she desperately wanted to discuss it with her best friendmJeff Taylor.

For the moment Bobble was spared having to give any more thought to the weekend and Cleve's arrival beuse

Marcail came in.

"Hi, Bobbie."

"Well, hello, Marc. What brings you in right after school?"

"Kate's at the doctor."

Bobbie looked at her with understanding. She and Marcail had discussed this before, and Bobble, even though she didn't share Marcail's fear of doctors, was very compassionate.

"I'm ready now," Marcail said as she took a seat by the desk.

"Ready for what?"

"To hear about the camping trips."

Bobbie smiled. She had completely forgotten that they had been talking about it on Sunday when Kaiflin told Marcail she had to get into the wagon. Bobble had promised her they would talk the next time they saw each other.

191 190 Lori Wick
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191

Bobbie glanced down at the paperwork on her desk and then at the clock. If she kept it short she could still get her work done. Bobbie was just finishing her explation

when Jeff came in and took the other desk chair. "So when can I go with you?"

"Well, we're not going again until after Cleve's visit, but if Kaitlin and Rigg say you can come, then it's fine with me."

"What about me?"

Bobbie blinked at Jeff in surprise. 'Kre you serious?" "Sure. I've been waiting for you to invite me all spring, but since Marc just came out and asked, I figured I'd do
the same.'"

Bobbie looked from one to the other. Why had she never thought to invite them?

"Of course you can come," she said simply. "I'll discuss it with my dad and let you know what to bring."

Jeff and Marcail grinned at each other, and Bobbie was amazed to see how sincere they were. She wondered what it was that they both found so intriguing about her going camping with her family.

What Bobbie was unaware of was the way her eyes lit up when she spoke of waking up in a still forest, or going to sleep with a million stars shining overhead. She made cooking over the fire and hiking through the woods sound magical, easily capturing the attention of anyone listening.

The next day their plans were made. Marcail gained permission from her sister and Jeff asked his mother to fill in for the weekend. Bobbie was glad for something to distract her thoughts until Cleve arrived in six days. Before she knew it, Friday was upon her and the stage from Jenner would be in around suppertime.

Bobbie had the next day off, but she might as well have had Friday off, since she accomplished little. Jeff noticed her restlessness but refrained from commenting.

Around 5:30 Bobbie stood at the shipping office window watching the passengers disembark in front of the stage office. Her anxiety was overwhelming as she waited for that familiar face to appear. Finally Bobbie watched Cleve jump down from the stage, the last person off.

Taking a deep breath, she wiped her damp palms together and opened the shipping office door, completely unaware of the way Jeff and Gilbert moved to watch her from the window she had just vacated.

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193

twenty-nine

"Yes. Would you like to come in and meet my boss?" "Sure. Do you work tomorrow?" "No, I'm off until Monday."

"'Good."
Cleve looked very pleased and Bobbie won dered if maybe he cared for her more than she thought. At one time the thought would have pleased her, but

Cleve spotted Bobbie the moment she emerged from the office, and he watched her approach. He searched her face, although for what he wasn't sure, and tried to smile as she came to stand before him.

At once he knew that staying away had been a mis take. He had been sure that if they were apart Bobble would miss him. Not just miss him, but
long
for his companionship, as he had longed for hers. Her face told him that hadn't happened.

But he had a week in Santa Rosa, and he told himself that maybe it would be enough time to convince Bobble Bradford that she needed to come back to Jenner.

"Hello, stranger," Cleve greeted her without restraint. It was so easy to talk to Bobbie.

"Hi, Cleve, how was the trip?"

"Long and dusty."

"I'm sure it was," Bobbie said with a smile. Cleve was
so
honest.

He didn't touch her. Even though Bobble knew he wouldn't, she was somehow disappointed.

'9,re you off work now?"

"'He
didn't even hug her." "What?"
"'Nothing."

Gilbert turned slightly in the wagon seat to stare at Jeff, who held the reins loosely in his hands and contin ued to mumble to himself.

"What Bobbie does with Cleve is none of our busi ness, Jeff."

"I know that." Jeff answered with a long sigh and then glanced at Gilbert. "But it bothered you too, didn't it?"

Gilbert didn't answer, but then he didn't have to; Jeff could read his thoughts. Jeff told himself again that it was none of their business, but his feelings for Bobbie made him wonder anew how Cleve could have kept from hugging her, even though they were in public.

"They're coming to dinner after church Sunday." "Yeah," Jeff commented quietly.

"You were all prepared to hate him, weren't you?" Jeff gave a small smile. "I guess I was."

'Tknd it wasn't that simple," Gil remarked, and once again the two fell silent for the remainder of the ride, both contemplating the scene when Bobbie brought Cleve in to be introduced.

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"Mr. Taylor, this is Cleveland Ramsey. Cleve, this is my boss, Bill Taylor." The men shook hands and then Bobbie introduced Jeff and Gilbert.

Cleve conversed easily with the men, his manner qui etly charming. He was knowledgeable in the shipping field because of his close contact with Jasper and Joanne, and the Taylors were impressed.

Not a big man, Cleve was a few inches taller than Bobbie, with well-built, broad shoulders and a firm handshake. He was a perfect gentleman with Bobbie, and that was a plus for a man who had points against him before the game even began.

All in all, it was a good first meeting. Jeff did some serious praying as he settled the horse and wagon in the barn for the night. He was going to be seeing Cleve with Bobbie off and on for the next week, and he might very well have to say goodbye to his friend because of Cleve.

'Please, Lord,' Jeff prayed, 'help me to trust You for Bobbie's future. And help her to make the right deci sion.'

"What
are
you staring at, Cleve?" Bobbie asked softly from her place on the front porch.

"You," he answered simply, and she felt her face

warrn.

Supper was over and the two of them were sitting on the front porch. It was a warm summer night and the song of crickets could be heard all around them. Their silence was a comfortable one, and Cleve had enjoyed just looking at the woman across from him before she be came aware of his scrutiny.

"Did you want to ask me something?" Bobble ques tioned him uncertainly when he continued to watch her in silence.

"I think I've already done the asking, Robbie." Bobbie's heart began to pound. She had asked the Lord to help her bring this up at the beginning of his visit, but really hadn't had a clue as to how to go about it. Now Cleve had given her a starting place, and she wasn't at all sure if she was ready.