Year of Jubilee (12 page)

“Here she is,” Sarah announced
gleefully.

Everyone hushed and gathered at the tables
while joining hands. Jubilee found Rafe on one side with a gentle
smile, and Sarah, grinning, on the other. Everything grew still,
even the children, and Jubilee peeked around in the midst of Will’s
prayer of thanks for the food, and then quickly bowed her head.

When the prayer ended, Rafe guided her to a
spot on a backless bench, and to Jubilee’s relief, she noticed
Sarah next to her. The two women across from her smiled. They
resembled each other with long, blonde hair and green eyes.

“I’m Phoebe and this is Anna. This is my
husband, Isaac.” She motioned to a huge bear of a man with a wild,
reddish beard. “Over there is Anna’s better-half, Amos.”

She winked at Jubilee, and put a hand up to
guard a conspiratorial whisper from her sister, but spoke plenty
loud. “I’d watch out for Amos. He’s the practical joker.”

Anna grimaced and giggled. “Sadly, yes. The
night he proposed to me, he put a slimy slug in a jewelry box and
left it on the table, knowing I wouldn’t be able to resist it.”

A look of revulsion swept over her face and
she shook her head. “Of course I didn’t. I flung the box and the
nasty thing landed on my arm. It was disgusting.” She leaned
forward. “I despise slugs, and he knew it.”

Those who’d caught the story laughed,
Jubilee included.

A brown-haired, delicate woman on the other
side of Sarah groaned. “Must we have such talk around the dinner
table every time? Ugh. How disgusting.”

Phoebe giggled. “And that would be Mollie,
who gags at about anything, which makes the dinner table stories
even funnier.”

Rafe added, “She’s Forrest’s wife and has
three boys and one tomboy, if you get the meaning.” He leaned over
toward Mollie. “How many snakes are you up to?”

Jubilee turned her head to observe Mollie’s
face pale. “Seven, thank you very much.” Then she pointed at the
child’s table, teeming with giggles. “And my children know if they
hide one more snake on me, they’re in for some serious
whippings.”

The children’s snickers broke out louder,
with a lot of pointing, while others covered their mouths, eyes
huge.

Phoebe grabbed a roll as the basket went by
to add to her plate of ham and potatoes. “So, we’ve got to know
what side of the fence you’re on, Jubilee. Gagging or
non-gagging?”

The two women giggled and looked at
Jubilee.

Jubilee glanced at Rafe before answering
softly, “Non-gagging.”

Phoebe stood and clapped her hands while
Anna shouted, “Alas.”

Jennie shook her head disapprovingly. “Oh,
girls, really. Show some manners.”

Jubilee added corn to her plate.

Amos spoke up for the first time. “And now
you know who the quiet ones are and who the loud ones are.”

Anna gave him a mock shocked face, and an
elbow thump to his ribs. “He’s just trying to steal you from our
camp. Tell us, Rafe, is she quiet or loud?”

Jubilee blinked and glanced at her husband,
who had an open smile.

“Well, she’s quiet. But she’s curious.”

Amos made his dark eyebrows dance up and
down. “Curious, huh? Well, that could be dangerous. This one can’t
resist a jewelry box, that one,” he said, pointing towards Mollie,
“can’t resist a covered pail in the middle of the yard.”

Mollie’s mouth flew open. “
You
put
that snake in there.”

Amos held up both hands, one big paw clamped
around a piece of fried chicken.

“It wasn’t me. Just my idea.” He pointed to
his temple with a wink.

“Amos Breckenridge,” Mollie said, flustered.
“You are in big trouble.”

Forrest, Mollie’s husband cut in. “Children,
children, stop all this fussing and fighting. And I’m talking to
the ones at the adult table.”

Everyone laughed and dug into their
dinners.

“So, Jubilee, Mom told us you were raised in
an orphanage. What was that like?” Sarah inserted.

Jubilee finished chewing and shrugged one
shoulder.

“It was okay. We worked hard and sorta
leaned on one another. Life wasn’t awful or anything. I learned a
lot of things. Sewing, gardening, cooking, stuff like that. When I
got older I was bound out to an elderly widow.”

“How in the world did you ever meet
Rafe?”

Jubilee swallowed around a lump. She glanced
at Rafe. What should she say?

Rafe jumped in. “She married Colvin.”

A collective gasp sounded from the occupants
of the table. Heat flew up Jubilee’s neck to her face. The food
she’d consumed converted into a large weight in her stomach.

“It wasn’t a very good marriage, so we
really don’t want to talk about it.” He glanced at Jubilee. “As you
know, Colvin wasn’t much of a fine human being. And you already
know he’s passed, and I bought his farm.”

Jennie snorted. “My older brother was never
known for his compassion. I’m afraid his son inherited his bad
nature, God rest his soul.”

Anna tilted her head with her hands together
at her mouth. “Did you fall in love with her, Rafe, when you went
to the farm? How romantic.”

Jubilee clenched her hands and looked at her
plate. Maybe it was best for them to think that.

Phoebe cooed, “How sweet. Look, she’s so
shy. Oh, Jubilee.” She reached across the table and touched her
hand. “We’re so glad you’re with us. What a difficult time you’ve
had.”

Anna nodded. “And even though he’s my little
brother, and it pains me a bit to say this, Rafe’s a great
guy.”

“Hey,” Rafe protested.

Jubilee giggled. Despite the rocky
conversation, she enjoyed the meal and Rafe’s family. They told
stories about one another and the laughter continued until her
stomach ached. After the dishes were put aside, a large box was
brought out and put in front of Rafe and Jubilee.

Addie, Everett’s wife handed her an
envelope.

“This is a gift to the both of you from all
of us for your wedding. We hope you enjoy it.”

Jubilee could barely shut her mouth long
enough to open the card. It was lacy and painstakingly homemade.
Someone had sketched a bouquet of roses on the inside and included
a poem by Addie, wishing them the best. Encouraged by Rafe, she
opened the large package. To her surprise, a gorgeous set of china
dishes, edged with beautiful pink roses, rested in the box,
complete with a matching teakettle and perfect, delicate
teacups.

A lump formed in her throat. “Oh, my.”

“That’s great,” Rafe filled in while Jubilee
collected herself. “We haven’t gotten any yet. Thank you.”

“Oh, yes. I’ve never seen anything so
lovely,” Jubilee breathed. “Thank you so much.”

Everyone saw how taken she was with the fine
set, and they smiled and laughingly congratulated themselves on
their idea. Jubilee found moisture forming in her eyes. These
people, who were almost strangers, had been so very kind. She
pressed her lips together to keep from bursting into tears. As soon
as possible, she excused herself and made her way to the bedroom.
Once inside, she sat on the bed and fanned her hot face with her
hands. A knock sounded at the door.

“It’s Sarah. May I come in?”

Wishing for a few more moments alone, she
stood and called, “Of course.”

The door opened and Sarah peeked in.

“I wanted to make sure you were all
right.”

Jubilee nodded, wiping the moisture from her
eyes.

“Oh, what’s wrong?” Sarah approached and put
her arm around her shoulders.

Jubilee shook her head. “I’m just so
surprised by the beautiful gift. You all really shouldn’t
have.”

“Oh, of course we should have. We always get
a special gift when someone gets married in the family. It’s like a
tradition. I’ve already got my dishes picked out, and I don’t even
have a suitor.”

Both girls giggled. Sarah led her to the bed
and they sat down.

“You remind me of my best friend, Cara.
She’s kinda quiet, and she’s small, and she’s so funny. You’ll get
to meet her tomorrow at church. I was so sad when Rafe left, but
now he has you, and he seems so happy. I feel like I already know
you.”

Jubilee smiled. Even though Sarah was only
sixteen she seemed more mature, and Jubilee felt a connection with
her.

“Thank you for being so kind. I was very
nervous to come. There’s so many of you.” She smiled and gave a
one-shouldered shrug.

Sarah threw up her hands. “Oh, getting back
to that, I’d better get back downstairs. The men wanta play that
baseball game, and I want to get on a team. They always act like
only they know all the rules, which gets tiresome, but it’s still
fun. You better come and play with us.”

Sarah pulled Jubilee from the bed, escorted
her down the stairs, and out into the yard. The men and the bigger
kids organized into teams. Rafe laid out pieces of wood in a
diamond shape while a couple of the children cried and begged to
play. But Addie and Mollie corralled the smaller ones and began a
wild game of duck, duck, goose under the maples, carrying the
infants in their arms as they ran. Jubilee begged off playing,
citing she’d rather watch and learn the game.

“We’re the Knickerbockers,” one of the older
boys yelled and raised his hands.

“We’ll be the Brown Shoes,” a smaller child
chorused.

“There’s no such thing,” the older
argued.

It wasn’t long before the bat and ball came
out. The men hit the ball lightly, with the field spotted with much
younger players, and made a great show while sliding into the
bases, overplaying their triumphs. Finally the kids ran off to the
creek to cool off, and the men smacked the ball to their fullest
ability. Jubilee marveled when Rafe stepped up and hit it farther
than any of his brothers.

“I always said Rafe could play,” his father
inserted as they clapped and whooped.

A wagon drew into the driveway, and an older
man alighted from the seat. He assisted a lady down. Will and Jenny
rose with a cry of delight, and escorted the couple closer. They
appeared to be about the same age as Rafe’s parents.

“You’ve just got to meet Rafe’s wife,”
Jennie exclaimed as they approached.

Jubilee jumped up.

“This is Jubilee Tanner,” she presented her
when they all were facing one another.

“Oh, my, aren’t you a young beauty,” the
woman exclaimed. “I’m Dottie, this here’s my husband, Herbert
Weaver. We’re from Rafe’s church where Herbert pastors. I can’t
tell you how fine it is that Rafe has found such a nice young
lady.”

“Thank you,” Jubilee murmured.

“My goodness, that boy was all broke up when
he left here,” Herbert exclaimed.

“Now, Herbert, none of that.” Dottie patted
her husband on the chest.

“Well, we’re right glad he’s back to his old
self. Oh.” He gasped as Rafe hit a ball further than the last. “My,
Rafe sure is a strong one.”

The men, one by one, gathered beside the
maple trees with the pastor and his wife to shake hands and greet
one another.

“Well, I guess you should know, Will and
Jennie. We spread the word, and instead of you all getting a bunch
of company tonight, we’re having a church dinner tomorrow after the
service. A bit of a celebration for the newly married couple.” He
rapped Rafe on the back. “Glad to see this feller so happy.”

Rafe gave a tight smile, and his eyes met
Jubilee’s. They all sat around the table and brought out the
desserts, including cherry pie, and reminisced and laughed until
past dark. The Weavers said their goodbyes at last, and the mothers
collected their children while the fathers fetched the wagons. Most
of the younger ones were already asleep inside the house.

Soon, everyone except Rafe’s parents, Sarah,
Grandma Lou, who lived with the Tanners, and Rafe and Jubilee, were
pulling away in their wagons. They waved to the departing
families.

“Where do they all live? Do they have far to
go?” Jubilee whispered to Rafe.

“Naw, their houses are just right down the
road. We all farm the same patch of land together…well, they do,”
Rafe amended.

Everyone made their way into the house,
proclaiming exhaustion, and Jubilee had to admit she was tired,
too. Rafe’s family went their separate ways, calling out
goodnights. Jennie hugged Sarah and Jubilee again, and helped her
mother to her room. She had no option but to climb the stairs with
Rafe to ‘their’ room.

As soon as the door closed, Rafe turned to
her with a soft apology. “I’m really sorry about this arrangement.
I just couldn’t say anything, I mean…you know.”

Jubilee gave a small nod, her hand working
nervous circles in her skirt.

“I plan to sleep on this thing,” he motioned
to the chaise, “if that’s agreeable to you.”

“Maybe I should sleep there. The chaise
is…small.”

Rafe shook his head.

“No, this is my fault. I should’ve figured
something out…somehow.”

Rafe stood thinking, with Jubilee equally
still, but neither had another option. Rafe moved toward the trunk
at the end of the bed.

“The trunk should have some blankets,
pillows and such.” He searched the wooden container.

He pulled out a blanket.

“Will you need a blanket?” Her voice sounded
small.

Rafe cocked his head. She was right. It’d be
a bit chilly as morning broke, but right now this room was
stifling. She wandered to the window at the end of the room and
pushed the window sash up a few more inches. Rafe headed for the
chaise with a blanket, a sheet, and an extra pillow, sensing her
eyes on his every movement.

“Look, I’ll step out for a bit and you can…”
he cleared his throat, “…prepare for bed. I’ll be back in about
twenty minutes.”

With that he threw the blanket and sheet on
the chaise and exited.

* * *

Jubilee hung her head. This was going to be
so difficult. But, knowing she only had a few minutes, she closed
the curtains and doused the light before quickly unbuttoning her
dress and sweeping the garment off. She hung it on a peg next to
the door, then grabbed the nightgown and popped it on. The bed
screeched in protest as she lunged onto the mattress and yanked the
covers up to her chin.