Where the Wild Rose Blooms (31 page)

Robert and Eddie left just over a week after they arrived. It had been a wonderful time, full of memories
and fun.
Some of the mud had dried up and although the temperatures were cool at night, the family had picnicked in the orchard on two occasions and gone for long afternoon walks. In the evenings they would pop corn and have hot cocoa and then visit until late at night. Even the younger girls had been given grace concerning the normal bedtime hour.

Nothing else was said about Morgan's proposal to Robert—not even Addy mentioned it—but it caused some strain for several days. Addy, Robert, and Eddie were all privy to the details and prayed fervently. By the end of the visit all was well. It was impossible to say when they would see the young married couple again, so everyone was extremely thankful for this good time together.

The day they left, Jackie and Morgan saw them off and then went to the store. Jackie was feeling positively ecstatic about their visit and hummed as she worked, but Morgan, even though he'd been all smiles at the stage office, was rather short with her and even abrupt with one or two customers. Jackie noticed it but didn't have a chance to say anything until near noon.

"Would you like me to run over to the hotel and get us some dinner, Father?"

"No," he said shortly. "I'm not hungry."

Jackie stood silently by the desk. All morning he'd spent as much time in the office as possible.

"Maybe next time we'll get to visit them," she said softly. Morgan looked at her sharply. Not easily intimidated, Jackie stood facing him.

"What does that mean?" he snapped.

"Well, I know you miss them," she said kindly, "and I just thought it would cheer you to think about going to see them in Boulder. I know I would enjoy it."

"Is that so? Well, I for one have no interest in going to see where your sister has made a life for herself, one that does not involve anyone
but
herself." This was completely unfair, but Morgan only went angrily back to his work.

Jackie had always known that her father was self-centered, especially compared to her very giving mother, but never was it so clear as right now. She knew her mothers father had never approved of the relationship between her father and her mother, but that hadn't stopped Morgan from taking her away and marrying her. He had other ideas now that it was
his
daughter. Not to mention the fact that he had given his blessing. It occurred to Jackie suddenly that her father did not like things he could not control and that she tended to be the same way.

Jackie could freely admit that she wished Eddie lived closer or wrote more often, but she could see that her sister was happy and blessed, and she wouldn't have wished anything else for her. And if their home was as large as it sounded, she had plenty to do.

Eddie had also told Jackie of the different people she and Robert ministered to. Her life sounded very fruitful and peaceful. How could their father want any less for his oldest daughter?

"Well," she said softly when Morgan continued to write, "I'm going across the street to get something to eat.

Morgan's head came up as she left, his brow drawn forward as he watched her leave. He knew he'd been unreasonably harsh, but he didn't feel like apologizing. Besides, why
couldn't
Robert set up here? Morgan knew just where and how it could happen. There was an empty store adjacent to his, and Georgetown needed another bank.

"Young and headstrong," Morgan muttered to himself. "I know what's best for him and Ed if he would only listen."

Once again the angry man went back to his accounts.

"The first of July—" Addy commented after lunch that afternoon. "Its hard to believe the month of June is already gone." Lexa was working at the store, and Danny and Sammy had gone on an outing with Paddy.

"I'll be back in school before I can count to ten," Jackie complained. Addy smiled understandingly but then turned to look at her daughter.

"What is it that you want to do so badly, Jackie, that you want to be finished with school?"

Jackie's hair swung to one side as she tipped her head in thought. "I don't know exactly. I like working at the store, but I guess I'd like to travel a bit."

How this dream would be financed was not mentioned, but Addy said, "Any place in particular?"

"Boulder," she said without hesitation. "I'd love to see Boulder and Eddie."

"Would Denver enter into the picture in any of those travel plans?" The question was kindly put.

Jackie hugged the dish she'd just dried against her chest and shook her head. "I don't think so, Mother. He's never even hinted at my visiting, and I simply couldn't go if I wasn't welcomed by Clayton himself."

Addy agreed softly but turned away before Jackie could see her face. Jackie's eyes were so wistful any time his name was mentioned that it almost broke her mother's heart to watch.

The kitchen was in good shape now, so she left her daughter to go work on the rooms upstairs. Jackie finished drying the dishes on her own and started some baking. It was dreadfully hot, but they were out of bread and Fathers favorite cookies.

She had just put the bread dough together when she saw him. She had no idea how long he'd been standing there, but Clayton Taggart was in the doorway watching her. Jackie moved like a woman sleepwalking. She came around the table and stopped
just two
steps away from him. All the love she felt inside was written on her face before she could come to her senses.

Clayton watched her blush and said gently, "Hello, Jackie."

Eight months! She hadn't heard his deep voice for eight months! Jackie smiled suddenly.

"I can't believe you're here," she admitted and looked away from him, feeling rather flustered. How many times had she practiced what she would do and say if she ever saw him again. Now
all
of it flew from her head.

"Please," she nearly stammered. "Sit down. You must be tired."

"Thank
you," Clayton said, taking a seat at the table. He couldn't stop looking at her. She was so different from the last time he'd seen her, and that Jackie was the only one he'd been able to visualize.

"Are you ... um ... I mean," she stumbled painfully, "would you care for some lemonade? I just made some."

"Sure, that sounds great"

Jackie nearly dropped her mother's good set of hollowware as she moved to the table, but she did finally manage to pour two lemonades. She started to sit down across the table from Clayton, but he pulled the chair out on the end and she sat beside him. It was her father's chair. Clayton was in the side chair where her mother always sat.

"How is your family?" Jackie blurted, and Clayton told her things she already knew.

"Oh, right. I guess you told me all about that in your last letter," she said with an embarrassed smile. After that she rattled on, making no sense at all until Clayton came to the rescue. He gently laid a hand over hers.

"Jackie," he spoke tenderly. "Its me, Clayton."

Jackie became utterly still. His touch was doing odd things to her heart. She told herself not to cry, and even managed to obey; however, she could no longer keep her thoughts to herself.

"Oh, Clay, I've missed you so much."

His hand came up then. He tenderly stroked her cheek with the backs of his fingers, and Jackie's heart melted.

"I was going to be so witty and charming
when
you came, and now I've been an idiot."

"I don't think you're an idiot." His hand was on hers again.

"How long can you stay, Clay?"

"I'm not certain," he admitted, keeping himself from adding,
It all depends on you.

"Where are you staying?"

Clayton smiled. "I don't know. I was rather hoping your father would let me crash at Uncle Mitch's."

"It's rented," Jackie told him. "Maybe I can ask Mother—" she stopped suddenly. "How did you get in here?"

"Your mother let me in."

"But I never heard the door."

"You were too busy making something in the bowl over there."

"Oh!" Jackie's hands flew in the air, and she dashed back to her bread dough. "I've got to punch this down, or we'll have a monstrosity."

"Would that be so bad?" He leaned back in his chair and just gazed at her.

"Well, I guess not. Especially if you like your bread the same size as the town hall."

Now
that was
something she would have said in one of her letters, and Clayton felt very heartened. He knew why he'd come, but he didn't dare tell her that his sole reason was to learn if the girl from the letters really existed.

"I read a story one time," Jackie now spoke conversationally, feeling suddenly at ease. "It was about a woman who had black hair. It would fall in her face. Naturally she would push it back, even while she baked. The

people in the town did not believe any work should be done on Sunday. She wholeheartedly agreed with this, except that she showed up at church one morning with flour in her hair."

Clayton smiled. "What did the people do?"

"Oh, they were upset, but the pastor was new and he hadn't heard all the rules the town had imposed on itself. He took one look at her and fell in love, flour and all."

They both laughed at this, but it was short-lived. Clayton looked at Jackie's
eyes,
and Jackie stared back, her hands still buried in the bowl.

"I had to come, Jackie," he whispered. "Your letters are doing things to my heart, and I had to come."

"I'm glad you did. My mother asked me if I would ever go to see you. I told her I didn't think I'd be welcome."

"You'll have to tell her you were wrong. You'd be very welcome. "

Jackie just looked at him. "I didn't remember how handsome you were, Clay. I'd forgotten the way the sun bleaches your hair and the way it falls on your forehead."

"You were about ten pounds lighter the last time I saw you."

Jackie looked down at the dough, her hands working again. "I was a little upset."

Clayton was next to her before she could take another breath. Jackie turned and looked into his face. She loved the fact that he didn't tower over her. She knew Eddie loved Robert's height, but it was not for her. Clayton had only to lean in order to press his lips against her forehead. Jackie blushed at her own thoughts.

"You were more than a little upset, Jackie." Clayton ignored the color in her face and went on. "I'm sorry I was so insensitive."

"You were so pleased to be leaving, and I felt utterly crushed. It wasn't anything I could really share with you."

"I understand."

"And now," Jackie admitted painfully, "you're here to find the girl in the letters. Well, I don't know if you will, Clay. I mean, I just get all flustered when you're around, and I can't seem—"

She cut off when he placed two fingers over her mouth.

"I want you to listen to me. Will you do that?"

Jackie could only nod.

"Like I said, my heart is changing. For all I know, yours is too. I'm here to see if there's something between us, Jackie, not to hurt you or pressure you in any way." Clayton finally moved his hand. "I felt it was best to be right up-front."

Jackie nodded. "Thank you, Clay." She looked away to pick up the towel for her hands and then back at him. "I'll go and find Mother now and ask her if you can stay."