Promise of Tomorrow (8 page)

Thirteen

May 23, 1889

In the weak morning light filtering through her window, Alaina felt the pull of a thousand emotions. She lay as still as possible, praying the children wouldn't wake so she might have time to sort through her feelings before helping them get dressed for the day. She focused on a spot on the ceiling and sank into prayer, laying all her struggles at God's feet. Silent tears slipped from her eyes as she reviewed everything that had occurred in the last few days and the terrible secret Jack had revealed. She prayed God would heal his heart.

Learning of Don Kelly's death had left her breathless with hurt for Jack. Her admiration of him had gone up a notch, just as the knowledge of all that he'd faced as an orphan had sketched a greater empathy for him in her heart. It had cost him so much to share with her his private shame, for she knew that his father's suicide had been a wrenching grief that wouldn't heal.

When Jack's tears had finally stopped, she had helped him to his feet and scrambled for something to say, but Sam had chosen that moment to open the door and holler down for her. She'd been torn then, wanting to give Jack the reassurance he so needed, but the sound of Missy's crying forced her to choose.

Jack's gentle shove and his whispered, “I've got to get back anyway,” had helped.

She'd hesitated long enough to rise on her toes and touch her lips to his cheek before rushing up the steps, saddened to see the slump of his shoulders as his steps took him away from her.

That had been two days ago.

She worried over his extended absence yet knew instinctively that he would drive himself to finish his work for Mr. Fulton until it was completed. But it wasn't fair to Missy and Sam. They were growing restless and worried about their father.

She couldn't help but see that it was one more time when people meant less to Jack than his drive to have money. Now, though, she understood the basis for his drive to succeed. On one hand, she still felt slighted by him, but on the other, she understood how growing up poor and watching his father lose everything, drink by drink, had scarred him.

Alaina wanted so much for God to give her peace about her relationship with Jack. His approval. It seemed like all opposition had been unleashed on them since their engagement. An involuntary shiver made her teeth click. She wiped the moisture from her face and tried to dissolve the gripping knot of fear in the pit of her stomach. More than God's direct answer, she feared His silence.

Sam stirred and bounced to his feet, balled fists working at the sleep in his eyes.

Alaina had to smile at his display of enthusiasm for the day. “Good morning, Sam. Did you sleep well?”

He blinked around the room, his gaze settling on her. He gave her a solemn nod and poked at Missy. The girl grunted. Her hair spilled out behind her along the pillow next to Alaina. By the looks of the curls, it would take quite a while to get the tangles worked free.

Within minutes, Missy, too, bounded to her feet and began a stream of chatter as she dressed.

“Missy, stand still so I can button you,” Alaina admonished the girl.

“I have to go out,” Sam said. “
Now.
”

Freed from Alaina's ministrations, Missy reached to snap Sam's suspenders into place. “I'm ready.”

Alaina showed the children from her room and pulled on her day dress. They made short work of the trip to the outhouse and reentered to find her mother working on breakfast. Alaina leaned in to plant a kiss on her mother's cheek.

“Miss Alaina,” Missy popped around her elbow. “Sam has dirt all around.”

“Well, it sounds like Sam needs to wash up. Let me get some water heated.”

“I can take care of myself!” Sam stormed at his sister. “Stop bossing, Missy.”

Alaina silenced Missy's reply, “Let's try not to fight.” She put Missy to work setting the table as the water heated.

Charlotte served up the oatmeal with a grim smile for each of the children and a kiss on the top of Alaina's head.

“I want some syrup,” Missy declared.

Alaina fetched the can and allowed each a spoonful of brown sugar and a dollop of syrup. The soothing scent of the maple and the velvet texture of the oatmeal soothed Alaina and helped her focus.

“Why hasn't Jack told us about Daddy?” Missy asked.

Alaina gestured for the girl to eat and shook her head. “Jack has to work, just like your father would have to work if he were feeling better.”

Missy scooped up another spoonful and aimed it at her mouth, but one more question slipped out. “Will Daddy lose his job? Mark Rosenfelt's daddy lost his job after he hurt his hand.”

“I don't know, Missy. Why don't we make it a matter of prayer?”

Charlotte remained quiet through the meal but spoke up as Missy scraped the last of the oatmeal from her bowl. “Why don't you help me, Sam, while Miss Alaina helps Missy get cleaned up?”

The boy nodded and shoveled in the last bite.

Alaina smiled her gratitude at her mother and took Missy to her room. She brushed the gnarls out of the long, wheat-colored hair and braided it to prevent further tangles.

“My mother used to do the same thing.” Missy yawned into her hand.

Alaina's fingers stilled. It was too easy to forget how much grief Missy and Sam had already experienced in their young lives. She closed her eyes and forced away the last vestiges of her own melancholy, remembering an oft-stated phrase of her old Sunday school teacher.

“Those who too often look inward, seldom look upward.”

No matter the problems she might have, Sam and Missy needed her full attention.

❧

Jack stopped at his place long enough to clean up before heading over to Alaina's. They had reason to celebrate. He'd pulled a lot of long hours between his job, working to prove his theory, and checking on Frank, but his burden had lifted considerably when he'd passed his plans to Mr. Fulton during a break in his shift.

Clarence Fulton had stroked his face as he read over the papers, and when he'd raised his eyes to Jack's, his smile had been huge. “I think you're on to something. Let me pass these up to someone who would know more about such things, and we'll get back to you.” Clarence squinted at the calendar on his desk. “We should hear something back by the end of the month, I'd say. How does that sound?”

Elation had carried Jack through the rest of the long, hot shift and all the way home. As he splashed water onto his face to soothe his hot skin, he felt buoyed by thoughts of the time he would get to spend with Alaina. And Sam and Missy, of course. He combed his hair in the small mirror over his shaving stand, noting his need for a trim, then snapped his suspenders into place.

When he arrived at the dispensary to check on Frank's condition, the edge of his happiness faded somewhat. Frank's skin was flushed with fever.

When Frank saw Jack, he waved him over. “Miss the mites. They behaving themselves?”

Jack grinned. “Hello to you, too.”

Frank grunted. “You have any idea what it's like lying flat on your back like this?”

“I wish I did.”

Frank frowned. “Don't talk foolish.”

Jack hitched his chair closer to the edge of Frank's bedside. “I see you're not feeling well.”

“Doc says the fever could kill me or make me better. Sobering words.” Frank's jaw worked, and his Adam's apple bobbed. “I'm all Sam and Missy have, Jack.”

“You'll pull through this. Only the good die young.”

His friend scowled. “Then you'll surely outlive me by a few centuries.”

Jack laughed.

The levity shattered Frank's scowl and seemed to improve his temperament. “I really appreciate Alaina watching Missy and Sam for me.”

“You know how much she loves children.”

Frank threw off his thin blanket. “You'd better make that woman yours soon, or someone else is liable to claim her.”

Jack clamped his hands together. “Sooner rather than later, I'm hoping. If I get this promotion, we'll be set.”

“Promotion or not. . .” Frank's brows lowered. “Why you looking so smug?”

“Congratulate me. I just turned in the papers stating my theory to Mr. Fulton. I'm on to something, Frank. It's really going to work.”

Instead of words of praise, Frank gave him a hard look. “You're not listening to me, boy. Get your head off invention. Lying here's made me think about a whole lot. You included. And I'm telling you, you'd be better off with Alaina than with anything a promotion or that invention will get you.” Frank shifted and winced, his face losing some color, his voice roughened from pain. “Be glad when the burns heal up and these ribs let me draw in a decent breath.”

“I'll bring Missy and Sam by. They'll be glad to see you.”

“How long's it been since you saw them?”

Frank's question brought a surge of anger. “A while. I had some work to do and—”

“Tell them I miss them and I love them.”

Jack could see the tension in Frank's face and body and knew his friend must be in a great deal more pain than he allowed others to see, but it didn't give him a right to try and tell him what to do.

Frank grimaced. “Even Alaina?”

“Alaina what?”

“Tell her you love her. Daily, Jack. Time's too short.”

Jack winced at the sharp edge of rebuke in Frank's tone.

“She's too precious to be ignored.”

“I don't ignore her.”

Frank's eyes burned into his. “You mean, you don't think you do.”

Fourteen

Jack bounded up the steps to Alaina's. Laughter spilled through the closed door, putting a smile on his lips. He almost hated to knock and interrupt the flow of joy. A high-pitched squeal rent the air, followed by another, and he imagined Alaina chasing Sam and Missy, as he had witnessed her play with the Hensley children so many times. Longing to be a part of the scene, he knocked, and the door opened to reveal the wide smile of Charlotte Morrison. “Mrs. Morrison,” he nodded and held his breath as he watched her smile wither and her eyes lose the luster of joy.

“You're here for the children?” She neither opened the door in invitation nor slammed it in his face.

He exhaled. “I thought Alaina might walk with me for a bit.”

Charlotte stared back over her shoulder, then retreated enough for him to see Alaina crossing the room as she worked to untie her apron. He didn't miss the warning glance Alaina gave her mother. For her part, Mrs. Morrison seemed resigned, more than angered, by Jack's arrival.

“I'll ready the children and meet you outside,” Alaina directed him. She yanked the apron over her head and brushed back a few tendrils of hair that had pulled loose.

He retreated a step and nodded. “I'll be here.”

It only took a few minutes before she appeared with the children. She had changed from her work dress into her best blue, worn patches evident around the elbows and cuffs. How he wanted to purchase an entire new wardrobe for her for a wedding gift. Alaina's eyes would shine with excitement and delight over the materials. She could have all the ruffles and frills, bustles and trains she wanted.

The children ran straight to the maple tree and began to give chase. When Alaina came level with him on the last step, he captured her hand in his. The coolness of her skin sent a spark of awareness through him.

“I have good news. I turned in the papers to Mr. Fulton today.”

They turned when Missy squealed. Sam jumped out at his sister again, and Missy screamed with fright.

Alaina laughed, her eyes on the children, but Jack couldn't take his eyes off her. When she caught his gaze, something flared in the depths of her burgundy-brown eyes. “They're as happy to play as I am to hear your good news. We can set a date.”

“Mr. Fulton said I should know by the end of the month, and I'm sure the announcement about the promotion will be soon. We'll set a date after I know more. We'll be financially secure.”

The spark in her eyes lost its luster. “Of course. We'll wait.”

Jack released a frustrated breath at the flat tone in her voice.

Missy chose that moment to barrel into Alaina. The child pressed her face into the folds of Alaina's skirts. Missy remained there only a few seconds before beckoned by her brother to play chase again.

Alaina watched the children circle the maple. “I think Mother is actually enjoying their presence,” she murmured. “You should have seen the way she carried on with them before you arrived.”

“Perhaps grandchildren will endear her to me if nothing else will.” Jack tried to keep his tone light.

Alaina gasped and glanced at him, then away. Fire flamed in her cheeks.

Maybe he was playing the fool thinking he could wait to marry Alaina. She often said how content she would be to be poor. . . . But when his mind skittered to the leaky roof and mice in his sad shack to his mother's final days, surrounded by dirt and filth and wearing rags, he knew he would have to bide his time. He lifted his face to the sun and tried to reabsorb the lightheartedness he'd felt upon arrival. “Why don't we go for a picnic in the mountains?”

“A picnic?” Missy, closest to them, stopped so fast she slipped on the rain-soaked grass.

Sam stooped to help her up. “A picnic?” But his expression was anxious.

Jack didn't understand Sam's reaction and lifted an eyebrow at Alaina.

Alaina held his gaze. “Isn't there somewhere else we should go?”

He caught the direction of her thoughts and gave Sam's hair a tousle. “Sure. We'll eat, and then we'll go by and see your papa. How's that sound?”

But Sam didn't respond. He stared off into the distance. Missy drew closer to her brother.

“I think we should save the picnic for later,” Alaina suggested.
They're worried
, she mouthed to him.

Jack acquiesced. “To the hospital then.”

❧

When they arrived, they were told Frank was sleeping and they could not visit. A nurse did tell Jack that Frank's fever had broken. A good sign, she had assured them.

Missy and Sam sagged in disappointment at not being able to see their father.

Alaina hoped the picnic would put a sparkle back into their eyes.

Jack, seeming to sense the importance of diverting Missy and Sam's attention, grabbed their hands and began chattering about visiting the grocer to buy candy. “But first. . .” Jack's hand snaked out and tousled Sam's hair. He withdrew and, quick as a wink, lunged back into a boxer's crouch, hands fisted.

The boy responded to the fun immediately and let out a flailing, sloppy right hook that Jack easily blocked.

Alaina watched the fun with amusement.

Missy rolled her eyes and planted her little hands on nonexistent hips. “I'm hungry.”

Jack dove in toward Sam and caught the boy around his waist. He raised the boy over his shoulder and winked at Alaina. “Well, now that Sam is out of the way, I guess there'll be more for us to eat. Right, Missy?”

Sam squawked and began to kick his feet in protest.

Jack laughed and let the boy slide to the ground.

Nothing could hide the shine of joy in Sam's eyes, and Alaina was reminded, again, how much she loved Jack's fun side. If only she could lift the burden of his need for the promotion or to make the invention that would line his pockets with the money he so desperately wanted to lavish on her. No matter how many times she stated her contentment, it seemed to fall on deaf ears.

Alaina combed her fingers through Sam's mussed hair, but the boy grimaced and pulled back.

“Best let her spiff you up, Sam. Women like to do that sort of thing.”

Alaina cocked an eyebrow at him. “Oh?” She let her gaze slide over Jack's hair. A sudden longing to straighten the lock flopped on his forehead brought immediate heat to her cheeks.

He noticed. “Do I need spiffing?”

She raised her chin. “I'm sure you do, but I'll not be the one doing it.”

Jack leaned in close to her ear. “A shame. I'll make sure not to be spiffed when we marry. Then you can spend the day getting me straightened out.”

She gasped and felt the receding heat of her previous blush flare back full force. But she couldn't quite quell the tingle of excitement his outrageous comment stirred. To be his wife. Her heart raced with the thrill of it.

Her gaze caught his and held. She felt herself wrapped in the warmth of his blue eyes. A small smile crooked the corners of his mouth. His hand closed over her forearm and slipped down to cradle hers. When he lowered his head a fraction, she tilted her head back even more. The touch of his lips brought a sigh to her throat.

“Yuck!”

Alaina's eyes flew open.

Jack's face, so close to hers, split into a huge grin, and he turned toward a disgruntled Sam. “Oh yes, little man, you should try it sometime,” Jack admonished Sam with a playful swipe at the boy's shoulder.

“When you're much older,” Alaina added, sending a warning look at Jack.

Jack's head jerked back, and he released a stream of hearty laughter.

Alaina stamped her foot and crossed her arms. “Jack Kelly, you're incorrigible.”

He brushed the hair from his forehead and shrugged. “Got to teach him what courting a beautiful woman is all about.”

Missy pulled on Jack's free hand. “Momma used to do that to Papa. It makes me miss her.”

“I didn't mean to make you sad, Missy.” He squinted up at the sky. “Why don't we get to picnicking before it rains again?”