Wishing on Buttercups (25 page)

Jeffery couldn’t sit still. The hours since he and Beth had talked yesterday had dragged, and he’d been haunting the parlor hoping to catch a glimpse of her again. He’d assumed she’d be around this afternoon after their friendly parting, but Mrs. Roberts and Dr. Marshall had returned minutes ago with no sign of Beth. Could she still be seeing Wentworth? The thought sickened him.

Footfalls pattered up the outside steps, and the front door flew open. Beth launched herself over the threshold, panting and clutching an envelope. “Aunt Wilma? Katherine? Is anyone here?” She slammed the door shut but didn’t appear to notice.

Jeffery stepped into the foyer and touched her arm. “Is anything wrong?” He moved to her side. “Do you need to sit down?”

“Nothing. Everything.” Her eyes closed for a second. “I need to see Katherine or Mr. Jacobs. Are they home?”

A skirt rustled behind them, and Katherine appeared in the doorway. “What’s all the fuss about?” She laid her hand on her stomach. “Are you all right, Beth?”

Mrs. Cooper appeared behind her with Mrs. Roberts and Caleb right on her heels. Mrs. Cooper stared at the envelope. “Did you receive bad news, my dear? You are quite pale. Wilma, I do believe your niece could use a cup of that tea we were sharing in the kitchen.”

Mrs. Roberts nodded at Mrs. Cooper. “I’ll be right back. Take care of her, Frances.”

“Of course.” She ushered Beth to the sofa and settled her into it.

Jeffery followed, wishing he had thought of the tea or even leading her to a chair. The three women who’d descended on the parlor seemed to have things well in hand. “Maybe we should leave you ladies to deal with this. I’m not sure I’m needed.” He eyed Dr. Marshall.

Caleb shook his head. “I was thinking the same.”

Beth’s chin rose. “No. Please don’t go. You need to hear this too.” She patted a place on the sofa. “Sit down, all of you.” She turned to Katherine. “Is Mr. Jacobs at home?”

“No, he’s at work, and then he’s going to pick up the children from school, but that won’t be for another couple of hours.” Katherine smiled at Mrs. Roberts, who set a cup of tea on the table near Beth’s elbow. “Take a sip of tea, gather your thoughts, and as soon as you’re able, tell us what happened.”

Beth drew in a shaky breath. “Thank you.” She held up the envelope. “This is addressed to all of us. Well, excepting Mr. Tucker, I suppose.”

Jeffery had no desire to sit. He wanted to rip open the envelope and discover what had distressed Beth so. But it wasn’t his place. She said it didn’t concern him directly, but she wanted him to stay. He wished he’d had the nerve to take the seat beside her.

Mrs. Roberts edged onto the sofa beside her niece. “What’s this all about?”

“I bumped into Mr. Lansing in town.”

Jeffery stiffened. “Lansing? Did he accost you again?”

“No,” Beth managed, “but he gave me this. Or rather, he had the sheriff hand it to me, as he was planning on coming out here to serve it, he said. I don’t understand, but it sounded ominous.”

“Have you opened it?”

“No. He said I should give it to Mr. Jacobs, so I hesitated to read it.” She held out the missive to Katherine. “He’s suing us.”

Mrs. Cooper erupted. “The nerve of that low-down, calculating, miserly snake of a man. Suing us? Whatever for?”

Katherine held up her hand. “Give me a moment, and we’ll see.” Her face had paled but her voice was calm. She perused the document, then raised troubled eyes. “Micah needs to see this, as I’m certainly no lawyer, but it doesn’t sound good.”

Jeffery stepped close to her side and held out his hand. He hadn’t planned to share this information, but it seemed the right time to do so. “My father is a retired judge, who comes from a family of statesmen. Maybe I could help?”

Her brows rose, but she gave him the paper without comment.

Jeffery took it to a lamp and took his time, digesting each word. Finally, he raised his head. “Mrs. Jacobs, in short he’s suing your business, but naming you and Mr. Jacobs, for damages to his person and mental faculties after the … ah … incident with the paint can. Mrs. Roberts, he’s suing you for harassment and assault with intent to do bodily damage. Beth is named along with you, although it doesn’t specify why. Possibly because you were there when it happened, although I’d be more apt to believe it was because Beth rejected his advances.”

Mrs. Roberts waved her hand in the air. “You were there also, Mr. Tucker, and you aren’t named.”

“No, ma’am, I’m not. I don’t think he could come up with a reasonable charge against me, or I’m sure he would have. Your and Beth’s names are simply linked together, but I’m guessing any judge worth his salt will dismiss the allegation against Beth.”

Mrs. Roberts slumped into the sofa. “I could be ruined.” She turned to Katherine. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t be thinking of myself right now. This is my fault. If I hadn’t struck the man, your home and business wouldn’t be at risk.”

Katherine gave a stiff shake of her head. “Nonsense. It all started when Micah accidentally toppled that paint can, but we compensated him by not charging a full week’s board, which he accepted. We even asked if he’d care to stay longer, and he declined.”

Beth slipped her fingers over her aunt’s. “I laughed at his misfortune. I was as much to blame as you, Auntie.”

Mrs. Cooper snorted. “Hogwash. Everyone who was there laughed. The man made a comical sight with that bucket upside down on his hat and green paint dripping off his chin. He had every right to be upset, but it is ridiculous to cause such a fuss. And Wilma should have beaten him within an inch of his life for laying hands on you in that restaurant. She merely did her duty as your guardian and protector.”

Jeffery tucked the letter into the envelope. “I agree. No judge would fault Mrs. Roberts for her actions. I believe she should be commended.” He stepped away from the window and extended the missive to Katherine. “You will want to show this to Mr. Jacobs when he arrives. If there is anything I can do to help …”

A heavy foreboding settled over the room. This was the first time in years that Jeffery could recall wishing his father lived nearby. But the thought only lasted for a moment. He didn’t want his parents meddling any more than they’d already done, trying to make him return home and take up his father’s practice or live on the family’s wealth. He needed to handle this himself and show Beth he was more than a drifting writer with only a few prospects.

Not for the first time Beth wished she could have time alone with Jeffery. His calm demeanor and caring attitude soothed her nerves. Why had she ever thought him intrusive or obnoxious? Her thoughts flitted to Brent. Would
he
take the time to speak reassuring words to the others or simply whisk her off to some secluded place where they could be alone? But Brent had been caring since he returned, even if he hadn’t evidenced any desire to meet the other boarders in her home. She could only assume that was a result of Aunt Wilma’s animosity toward him. “What do we do now? Should we try to find an attorney?”

Jeffery perched on the edge of an overstuffed chair. “I have no idea if there is a law firm in town. It’s possible Mr. Lansing has secured the only one, although not probable.” He grimaced. “Where there’s a need, there are typically more.” He swiveled toward Katherine. “You have lived here for years, Mrs. Jacobs. What is your recommendation?”

Katherine didn’t reply, and Beth glanced at her, wondering at the lengthy silence. The pink in her cheeks had faded. Beth got swiftly to her feet and hurried to her landlady’s side. “Are you all right?”

She placed her hand over her belly. “I feel a little sick to my stomach.”

Frances grunted. “I am not a bit surprised. This business is enough to sicken anyone.” She peered at her daughter. “But it is not at all like you, Katherine, to wither under pressure, no matter how troubling. You need to lie down.” Frances cut off her daughter’s protest. “I know you are a grown woman, and the mistress of this house, but
I
am still your mother, and I know what is best.” She rose and took Katherine’s hand. “Come along. We cannot take any chances with you in such a delicate condition.”

Aunt Wilma emitted a sharp cry, and Beth gasped. Could Mrs. Cooper be implying …?

Her aunt rushed to Katherine’s other side and placed a protective arm around her waist. “I had no idea. Why didn’t you tell us? You should not be doing as much work as you do, or waiting on any of us.” She cast an anxious look at Frances. “You haven’t said a word.”

Frances lifted her chin. “It was not my place to speak about such things.”

Katherine gave a strangled laugh. “
I
haven’t said a word to anyone except Micah. Not even to Mama or the girls. Mother, how did you know?”

Frances smirked. “I am not an imbecile, Daughter, nor am I blind. I will admit I did not know for certain until now, although I had my suspicions for a while. If you will remember, I gave birth to two children myself.” She eyed Jeffery with amusement. “I beg your pardon if we are causing you embarrassment, Mr. Tucker, but it will be apparent soon enough that my daughter is with child. I see no reason to beat around the bush.”

Jeffery tipped his head, but Beth was certain she saw a smile creep onto his face. “I have two younger siblings, ma’am, and a mother who has a fondness for being frank as well. Pray do not concern yourself with injuring my sensibilities.”

Beth stepped forward, all thought of the impending trouble from Isaac Lansing suspended. “I can set the table or help prepare the meal if you’d like.”

Katherine shook her head. “Lucy and Amanda can take care of the table, thank you.” Then she smiled. “I suppose I could allow you to help this one time with supper preparation, if you truly don’t mind. The bread is already baked, as well as a cake set aside. Lucy can get jars of applesauce from the pantry when she gets home, and I have vegetables to go in the stockpot for soup.”

Beth nodded. “I’ll get started right away while Aunt Wilma and Mrs. Cooper get you settled.”

Jeffery moved to her side. “And I will assist if you’ll advise me what to do. I might not be the best cook, but I can fetch and carry. That is, if you’ll permit me the honor of helping?”

Pleasure warmed Beth’s heart. “That would be lovely, thank you.” She wanted to hold on to this happiness and forget the worries the letter from Mr. Lansing had stirred. Then a cool breeze blew over her spirit, dispelling the warmth. If only this additional trouble hadn’t happened right when things seemed to be improving.

She headed for the kitchen with Jeffery on her heels. No sense in worrying about what she couldn’t change. The Bible mentioned there being enough trouble in the current day without worrying about tomorrow, and she needed to take that to heart. She’d had more than enough anxiety over things she couldn’t control in her life. Surely it wasn’t a sin to enjoy some time with Jeffery and allow the business with Lansing and even the problems with Brent to be forgotten—at least for now.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Jeffery watched Beth’s graceful form move ahead of him toward the kitchen and had to rein in his thoughts. Shame coursed through him. This woman wasn’t his fiancée or even someone he was courting. He had no right to imagine their relationship, which had yet to evolve into anything deeper, was more than casual friendship.

He averted his gaze and tried to concentrate on the document he’d read. Surely Lansing would know the Jacobses weren’t wealthy people, and he didn’t stand to gain much by pursuing his suit. It was spite, pure and simple. He’d met men of a similar nature. They hated to be thwarted, ridiculed, or held in low esteem—and it had been apparent from the first that Isaac Lansing had the highest regard for his own person, whether warranted or not.

They arrived in the kitchen and Beth halted, hands on her trim hips. She tipped her head to the side, resembling a princess surveying her kingdom. “I’m always surprised by how perfectly Katherine maintains this room. I don’t know how she keeps up with all the work, even with Lucy’s and Mrs. Cooper’s help.”

Jeffery moved over to the cupboard where a stockpot rested. “I’m quite certain you will do an admirable job in your own home someday.” He gave her a warm smile.

She busied herself at the washbasin. “I imagine I’ll live with Aunt Wilma until I’m old and gray.” Her light laughter tinkled musically across the kitchen. Happiness filled every corner of the room.

“I’m guessing some fortunate man might have other ideas,” he quipped back.

Her laughter stilled. “Somehow I doubt that, but it’s kind of you to say so. The vegetables are laid out and clean; they simply need chopping. Are you handy with a knife?”

He smirked. “Yes, I believe I can handle that task.” He moved up beside her and peered into the basin. “Do you want me to cut them in the basin or into the pot?”

“The pot, I think.” Beth scrunched up her nose. “I guess I should have asked more questions, but I don’t think it will hurt to toss them all in at once. Katherine has the stock ready to go. I’ll scrub the potatoes while you slice the carrots and onions.” She giggled. “I hate chopping onions; they make me cry.”