Threads of Love (25 page)

“I think I may have made an enemy,” John stated to no one in particular.

“She’ll get over it. Think she needs a few lessons in how to deal with employees,” Charlie stated.

Lydia was irritated that Addie had once again caused her trouble but realized she owed a thank-you to Mr. Banion and the chef. Not wanting to make a spectacle of herself in front of the other employees, she waited until most of them had left the room and then made her way to where John, Charlie, and Tessie were talking. As she approached the trio, she noticed Addie standing close by, Tessie’s hand resting protectively on the child’s shoulder.

“I want to thank you both,” Lydia stated, extending her hand first to Charlie and then to John. “It’s very kind of you to give my sister a job,” she said to the chef.

Pulling Addie beside her and looking directly into her eyes, she stated, “You’ll do a good job, won’t you, Addie?”

The child nodded in agreement and immediately tried to navigate back to her previous position beside Tessie. Lydia firmly gripped her arm, causing the child to grimace, but she made no sound. Tessie felt anger begin to well up inside but knew it would serve no purpose to confront Lydia. It would only make matters worse for Addie, and she certainly didn’t want that to occur.

“I guess it’s about time I get you over to your new home,” Charlie stated. “It’s been a long day, and I’m sure you’re tired.”

“I’m sure we all are. Nice to meet you, John. Good night, Lydia—Addie,” Tessie said, her smile directed at the child.

The little girl looked totally bewildered by the events that had taken place in her midst.
I wonder just how much she understood of all that occurred
, Tessie thought as they left the restaurant and walked down the brick sidewalk.

“Your house is nearby. Makes it convenient for you to be close to the station, although it’s a little noisy when the trains are coming through,” Charlie commented.

“I’m sure I’ll get used to it. I may have to bury my head under a pillow for the first few nights,” she joked.

The night air was warm, and they sauntered down the street until Charlie stopped in front of a white frame house with a picket fence and large porch. There were rosebushes on either side of the gate, and the honeysuckle was in full bloom, its sweet fragrance wafting in the breeze.

“This is it!” Charlie announced, pushing open the gate for his companion.

He watched closely for her reaction, not sure why it was so important to him that she like the dwelling. Her shoulders held erect, he couldn’t detect a single wrinkle in her navy traveling suit as she walked toward the house. Tiny wisps of coppery hair escaped the blue wool hat that she had carefully secured when they disembarked the train. He continued his observation as she peeked around the side of the house and turned to him with a look of delighted expectation.

“It’s wonderful, Charlie. If it’s only half as splendid inside, I’m going to be extremely pleased,” she stated, walking up the front steps, her hips swaying slightly beneath the wool skirt.

“Let me unlock the door for you,” he offered, withdrawing a silver skeleton key from his pocket. With a
click
, the door unlatched, and bowing in a grand sweep, Charlie stepped aside to allow her entrance.

“It’s completely furnished, but if you want to bring your own things, we can remove any of the furniture,” he said in a rush, not sure she would be pleased with the decor.

Charlie bent down and ignited the lamp just inside the front door. The illumination from the frosted globe mingled with the etched mirror hanging in the hallway, giving the room a scintillating luminescence. Everything from the overstuffed floral divan to the cream-colored armchairs were to her taste. The large oak mirror hanging over the fireplace was flanked on either side by wood-framed paintings of the countryside. The kitchen was large enough for a small table and two chairs. There were more shelves than she would ever be able to fill, and the pump over the kitchen sink gave her an unimaginable thrill. A home where she wouldn’t have to fetch water from the well.
What more could anyone wish for?
she thought, until Charlie escorted her into the fully equipped treatment room and office! It was grand beyond her expectations. There were doctors who had been in practice for years but had not enjoyed an office the likes of this.

“Well, what do you think? Sorry you signed that contract?” Charlie asked, feeling assured of her answer.

Not even aware that he remained in the room, Tessie moved through the office in a calculated manner, touching and checking each drawer and cabinet, running her fingers over the instruments while taking a mental inventory. Occasionally she would stop and examine some particular item more closely and then continue. Reaching the bookcase, she opened the oak-and-glass door and removed the books one by one, almost caressing them as she turned the pages.

“It would appear that someone knows how to equip a doctor’s office,” Tessie commented when she had concluded surveying the rooms.

“I was beginning to think you had forgotten I exist,” Charlie replied. “I take it you’re willing to remain an employee of the Santa Fe, and you’re not going to beg me to tear up your contract?” he teased.

“I think I just may be able to force myself to practice medicine here,” she answered with a grin that made her appear much younger than her twenty-eight years.

“If you think you know your way around the place well enough, I’d better get back to the train station. I’ve got some paperwork to take care of before going back to the hotel,” he told her, not wanting to leave but realizing that she was weary.

“I’ll be just fine. I plan to make an early night of it,” she said while she walked with him toward the front door.

“Please say you’ll have breakfast with me,” he requested as they reached the porch, not wanting to leave her until he was sure when he would see her again.

“Since I’ve nothing here to eat, how could I turn down such an invitation?” she answered, though regretting immediately how coquettish she sounded.

Taking her hand, he lifted it to his lips and gently placed a kiss on her palm. “Until morning,” he said, smiling.

Tessie watched after him as Charlie walked down the sidewalk toward the train station, and then she sat down on the porch step. The air was warm, and she leaned back, looking up at the darkening sky, where a few twinkling stars were beginning their nightly vigil.

“Thank You, Lord. I don’t know what plans You have for me in this place, but thank You for sending me here,” she whispered.

T
he morning dawned clear and crisp, a beautiful spring day. Tessie walked out the front door just as Charlie was approaching her new home.

“Beautiful day, wouldn’t you say?” Charlie called as he climbed from his small horse-drawn buggy.

“Oh, indeed it is! I was going to sit on the porch and enjoy listening to the birds sing until you arrived,” she responded.

“Well, I may allow you to do just that,” he replied with a grin. “I thought it would be a splendid morning to eat outdoors. I hope you won’t think me too forward, but I stopped at the Harvey House and had them pack breakfast for two,” he said, producing a wicker basket covered by a large linen napkin.

“What a wonderful idea,” she proclaimed, thrilled at his innovative proposal. “Shall we eat here on the porch?” she inquired.

“I think that’s an excellent choice, Dr. Wilshire,” he responded with a mock formality, causing her to giggle.

Tessie moved a plant from the small table sitting on the porch and covered it with a blue-and-white-checkered tablecloth she found in the kitchen. From the contents of the basket, it appeared the Harvey House took as much care in preparing breakfast as it did the evening bill of fare. The croissants were light as a feather and the apricot preserves divine. Tessie was amazed at the cup of fresh fruit, knowing most of what she was eating would not be ready for harvest in Kansas for months. She savored every bite, and Charlie was pleased that he had been the one responsible for providing her with such enjoyment.

“That was a delightful surprise, Charlie. Thank you for your thoughtfulness,” she said, wiping the corners of her mouth with one of the cloth napkins.

“It was my pleasure. I wish I could extend an invitation for tomorrow morning, but unfortunately, I must get back to Topeka for a few days,” he told her.

Tessie was surprised at the sense of disappointment she felt upon hearing those words. “Will you be back soon?” she asked then chided herself for being so forward.

“Probably a week to ten days,” he answered, “but it’s good to know I’ll be missed.”

“It’s just that I assumed you would be here to introduce me to some of the employees, but you needn’t give it another thought. I’ve been on my own in much more foreign environments than Florence, Kansas, and I’m sure things will go splendidly,” she responded hastily, not wanting to appear overly interested in Charlie’s companionship.

“I don’t think you’ll need much introduction. The railroaders and their families have been anticipating the arrival of a doctor for several months now. I doubt there’s much of anybody in town who doesn’t know you moved in last evening. ‘Course, I’m still hoping you’re going to miss me just a little,” he said with a crooked grin on his face.

“I’m not sure I’d classify myself as moved in just yet. I think I’ll need a few more of my belongings before I feel settled,” she responded, avoiding his last remark.

“I can understand that,” he answered, beginning to place the dishes back into the basket. “I’m afraid I must get back to the station. There are a few things I need to complete before the train arrives, but I hope you’ll agree to see me when I’m back in town,” he said, looking up from the table and meeting her eyes.

“Well, of course, I’ll see you. You’re a Santa Fe employee,” she answered, wanting to avoid a personal commitment. Charlie was a nice man, but things seemed to be moving a little too fast. She had a lot of adjustments to make, and Charlie might cloud her judgment.
I’ll just have to keep him at arms’ length
, she decided.

Charlie smiled and merely nodded at her answer. “I’ll see you when I get back to town, Tessie. Don’t you let any of those single ruffians from town come calling on you while I’m gone,” he added as he pulled himself up into the buggy and waved to her.

He seems mighty pleased with himself
, Tessie thought as she watched the buggy turn and head toward the train station.

Ten days later, a strange voice and loud banging on the front door brought Tessie running from the office, where she had been making notations in a patient’s medical folder.

“Morning, Doc. Hope we ain’t disturbing you, but Mr. Banion gave strict instructions that we were to get these trunks over to you as soon as we got the freight unloaded,” Howard Malone, one of the new employees, explained.

“You’re not disturbing me, Mr. Malone; you are making me immeasurably happy,” she answered, delighted to finally have more than two changes of clothing.

“Where you want ’em?”

“If you’ll just put the two larger ones here in the parlor and those two smaller ones in my bedroom, I’d be very appreciative,” she responded, pointing toward the bedroom doorway.

“Mr. Banion said he would bring over the rest after a bit,” Howard called over his shoulder as he carried the last of the two smaller trunks into her bedroom.

“Rest of it? What else was there?” she questioned when he had returned to the parlor.

“I don’t know, ma’am. He just told us to get these trunks over here, and he would bring the rest,” he repeated. “You need us to do anything else ‘fore we get back to work?”

“No, you’ve been a great help. Thank you again, and please tell Mr. Banion that I appreciate his kindness.”

“Will do, ma’am,” he replied, ambling out the door and back toward the train station.

As soon as the door had closed, Tessie raced toward the bedroom and unlocked both of the smaller trunks. It was like Christmas morning with four wonderful gifts to open.

“This is silly. I know what’s in all of these trunks,” she reprimanded herself aloud, but that didn’t squelch the excitement of finally receiving her belongings. Aunt Phiney and Uncle Jon had carefully packed all of her clothing and personal items in the smaller trunks. The two larger ones had not been unpacked since her return home from Chicago after completing medical school.

“I’m glad they had to pack only these two smaller trunks,” she mused, digging deeper into the second one. Slowly she pulled out the beautiful quilt that she and Aunt Phiney had sewn and lovingly placed it on her bed. It was like greeting an old friend.

“Now I feel like I’m home,” she murmured.

It was almost noon when she finished unpacking the trunks. Undoubtedly she would need to rearrange some of the items, but for the present, she was satisfied. Several times throughout the morning, her thoughts wandered to what other items could have arrived on the train. It appeared everything was accounted for, including her medical books and a few of her childhood toys that had always given her a sense of comfort. A knock at the door sounded just as she was carrying a small stuffed doll to the bedroom. Giving no heed to her appearance, she opened the door and was met by Charlie’s broad smile and an invitation for lunch.