Threads of Love (40 page)

“I’ll make some coffee,” Tessie told Charlie as they exited the child’s bedroom.

“Sounds great,” he replied, walking toward the fireplace to jostle the logs, hopeful that a little more heat would quickly be forthcoming. “Wish John had thought to get this place warmed up a bit before we returned,” he called out toward the kitchen.

“John doesn’t even have a key to the house, Charlie,” she replied.

“If I’d been thinking, I would have wired him. Doc Rayburn could have let him in. Oh well, I didn’t think of it, so we’ll have to abide the chill for a bit.”

“Maybe this will warm you up,” Tessie said, handing him a hot cup of coffee.

Taking the cup, he patted the sofa cushion. “Sit down here, next to me,” he instructed.

Obediently she seated herself and stared into the fire, her hands wrapped around the steaming cup of coffee. “It’s so good to be home. It seems as though I’ve been gone for months instead of a few weeks,” she said, still staring toward the fire.

“Tessie, if you’re not too tired, I’d like to talk a little,” Charlie stated, hoping she would allow him to continue.

“As long as I can just sit and listen. I’m not sure how much I’ll add to the conversation,” she replied with a smile.

“I’ll expect only a few words here and there,” he responded. “On the train, when I told you I loved you, I meant that with all my heart. I also meant what I said about it taking us a little time to heal our wounds. What I would like is for you to accept this,” he said, pulling a ring box from his pocket.

“Oh Charlie,” she stammered, “you told me I wouldn’t have to think…”

“Let me finish. I purchased this ring for you before Christmas. Then with all the problems, I wasn’t sure you’d ever agree to be my wife. I’ve kept it with me since the day I purchased it, hopeful that one day you would accept it. I bought this ring for you. I want you to be my wife, but we need more time. All I’m asking is that you wear this ring as a symbol of our agreement to determine if we’re truly meant for each other. If that doesn’t happen, you may keep the ring—my gift to you. However, I do feel reasonably certain I’ll be placing a wedding band on your finger in the future. Can you agree to my proposal, Tessie?”

She nodded her agreement, holding out her left hand and watching as he slipped the ring on her finger.

“You’ve made me very happy, Tessie,” he said, pulling her close and tenderly enfolding her in his arms. “I don’t know what I would have done, had you not agreed.”

The mantel clock struck nine, just as he rose from the sofa. “I think, perhaps, I’d better get back over to the Harvey House and make sure they haven’t given my room to someone else. Besides, we both need some sleep,” he said, walking with her toward the door. “I’ll see you in the morning,” he called back as she stood in the doorway waving, cold air rushing into the entry.

Two days later, Charlie and Tessie enrolled Addie as Mrs. Landry’s newest student at the small schoolhouse several blocks away. Throughout the day, Tessie found herself thinking of the child. In the midst of examining a patient or cleaning her instruments, her mind would wander to Addie and how her day was going. Shortly before the school bell clanged to announce the end of the school day, Charlie arrived at the door.

“I wanted to be here and see how she made out,” he told Tessie. “Think I’ll wait out here on the porch.”

“Charlie, it’s cold,” she protested.

“I know, but I want to see her face. I’ll know how it went when I see her face,” he replied.

Tessie smiled and grabbed her coat, pulled it tightly around her, and sat down in the other chair. “I hope she comes quickly,” she told him with a grin.

No more had Tessie uttered the words than Addie came skipping down the sidewalk, a smile from ear to ear, holding the hand of another little girl. “Hi,” she called out to the couple sitting on the porch “This is my new friend, Ruth,” she announced, pulling the youngster up the steps to meet Tessie and Charlie.

“I’d say things went well,” Charlie whispered to Tessie and held out his hand to meet Addie’s new friend.

In the months that followed, Tessie’s medical practice continued to grow, and Addie flourished in the new world unlocked to her. Their days were busy, but Charlie was still required to travel much of the time, and both of them missed him.

It was an especially lovely spring day when Tessie decided to meet Addie after school. Charlie was expected to arrive, and they would walk over to the station and meet him.

“What a pleasant surprise,” Charlie exclaimed, walking into the station and giving Addie a big hug while kissing Tessie’s cheek. “To what do I owe this unexpected event?”

“It’s such a beautiful day; I met Addie after school. We thought it would be nice to greet you here at the station and walk to the house with you,” she replied, pleased she had made the decision.

“Just let me drop my bag off with Mrs. Winter in the hotel, and we can be on our way.”

They walked slowly, enjoying each other’s company as well as the budding trees and flowers. “Is someone sitting on the porch?” Addie asked, squinting to get a better look.

“It does look like there’s someone in one of the chairs,” Charlie replied as they continued moving toward the house.

“It appears to be a woman and baby. Probably someone with a sick child waiting to see me,” Tessie stated, quickening her step.

“No,” Addie said, coming to a halt. “It’s Lydia.”

“It is Lydia,” Tessie answered, attempting to conceal her fear. “I wonder what she’s doing in Florence,” Tessie said, looking toward Charlie.

“Well, she does have a sister here,” Charlie reminded her.

“Yes, I know, but she’s been gone all this time without a word, and now suddenly she appears on the front porch.”

“Don’t get alarmed. Let’s just remain calm and welcome her,” he said, opening the gate, although he noted that Addie hung behind not overly anxious to see her sister.

“Bet you’re surprised to see me,” Lydia said rising from the chair and adjusting the small child on her hip. “This here’s Floyd Jr.,” she announced to the three of them.

“Well, he certainly is a fine-looking boy, isn’t he?” Charlie observed, glancing at Tessie for confirmation.

“Yes, he is,” Tessie replied. “How have you been, Lydia?”

“Well, right now I’m hot and tired. Any chance I could get something to drink and maybe a bite to eat?” she inquired. “Hi, Addie,” she said to her sister without so much as a hug, brushing by her to follow Tessie into the house.

It was obvious that Lydia wasn’t going to divulge what was on her mind until she was good and ready. She had always been deceptive, and although Tessie had been slow to learn that lesson, she was on guard. Quickly, she prepared cold drinks and arranged some cookies and biscuits on a plate. Returning to the parlor, she found Charlie and Lydia engaged in polite conversation. Addie had disappeared from sight.

“Here you are, Lydia,” Tessie stated, offering a glass of lemonade and the plate of cookies.

“I was hoping for something a little more substantial than cookies but guess they’ll do for now,” she answered, quickly devouring several.

“So how are things going with you and Addie? Must be okay since you didn’t put her in an orphanage or get rid of her,” Lydia stated, slapping the baby’s hand when he reached toward the plate of cookies. Tessie inwardly winced at the punishment.

“They’re going fine, Lydia. I’ve grown to love Addie very much; she’s like my own child. I’ve often wondered how things turned out for you and Floyd.”

“Well, it ain’t been no bed of roses; that’s for sure. Floyd was gone all the time with his sales job, and me, I was home alone with the baby. Then one day Floyd tells me he’s met up with someone else, and he’s leaving me. I’ve been trying to make it on my own, but with Floyd Jr., I just can’t. That’s why I’m here,” she announced.

“Why?” Tessie asked, still unclear what the connection might be.

“Because I need someone to take care of Floyd Jr. so I can work. I figured Addie ought to be good for that. If she watches him careful, she could handle him even if she is deaf. So I came to take her off your hands,” she stated, as if those were the words Tessie had been waiting to hear.

“Take her off my hands? What are you thinking, Lydia? I’m not going to allow you to take Addie. It was you that made the decision to leave her, and here she’ll stay,” Tessie snapped in response.

“You’ve no right to her. She’s my blood, my sister. If I say I’m taking her, that’s how it will be, and I don’t think there’s much you can do about it,” Lydia retorted.

“Ladies, women,” Charlie interrupted. “I think we all need to calm ourselves a bit. Lydia, I’m sure you’re tired after your journey from—where did you come from, Lydia?”

“From Kansas City, and I used about all my money just getting here,” she answered.

“Whereabouts in Kansas City?” Charlie questioned. “I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Kansas City myself.”

“Not where we were living, I’m sure,” she replied, going into detail about the row of shacks where they lived along the riverfront. Charlie listened intently and questioned her for details that she seemed pleased to pass along, wanting all of them to know the poverty in which she had been forced to live.

“Well, I’m sure you and Floyd Jr. are both tired. Why don’t I take you down to the Harvey House and get you a room? There’s plenty of time to discuss this tomorrow after you’ve had a good night of rest,” he counseled.

“I’m not going to change my mind about this no matter if we discuss it now or in the morning. Besides, I can’t spare the money for a hotel room,” she said, looking around the house as though the accommodations there would be just fine.

“Well, I’ll be more than happy to pay for your room, Lydia,” Charlie offered. “I’ll talk with Mrs. Winter and have it put on my bill, your meals too. That way you don’t have to worry,” he said, leading her toward the front door.

“Mrs. Winter? Is that old fuddy-duddy still around? Are any of the women I worked with still there?” she inquired excitedly, never giving another thought to Tessie or Addie.

“Is she gone?” Addie asked, peeking around the corner.

“Yes, for the moment anyway,” Tessie responded. Addie flew into her arms and clung for dear life.

“You won’t let her take me, will you?” the child tearfully questioned. “I don’t want to go with her. She doesn’t care about me; she just wants me to watch her baby. I don’t know anything about taking care of babies, do I?” she asked, hoping that particular fact would change the situation.

“I don’t want you to worry about this, Addie. Charlie is coming back, and we’re going to find a way to work things out. Charlie always has good ideas, and I’m sure he’ll think of some way to convince Lydia you should stay with me,” she soothingly answered, just as Charlie entered the front door.

“Did you get her settled?”

“I’m not sure settled is the word,” he answered. “I got her a room, but she found a couple of waitresses she had worked with before. When I left, she was busy drinking coffee and visiting with them. I’m afraid poor Floyd Jr. is in for a night of it. She’ll probably keep him up until all hours while she gossips with the women.”

“Tessie said you always have good ideas and that you’ll figure out a plan so Lydia will go away. You can do that, can’t you, Charlie?” Addie interrupted, her voice trembling.

“Addie, I can’t promise to make Lydia leave, but I’ll do everything I can possibly think of to keep you with Tessie—and me,” he added. “I think it might be better if we cancel our plans for dinner at the Harvey House this evening. How about going to the café downtown? They have some pretty good food, too.”

“I think that’s an excellent idea,” Tessie responded, and Addie shook her head affirmatively.