A Run for Love (16 page)

“Wonderful.” Rachel hugged herself, twirling in a circle. “See you later. I have a lot of homework.”

Tori smirked at him as the front door closed.

“What?” Jesse asked.

“You were sure acting like a protective father there.”

Jesse raised his eyebrows. “I will not allow her to go with a young man I haven’t met. I don’t know the Cahill family, do you?

“No. I don’t think so.”

“There you are.”

Still smiling, Tori opened the paper Rachel had given her, her eyes shifting back and forth as she read. Her smiled turned to a frown.

“What is it?” Jesse moved to her side to peer at the paper.

“Miss Evans wants to see me tomorrow after school. Something about Michael.”

“Maybe it’s good news.”

“Maybe. I guess I’ll have to wait and see.” She folded the note and tucked it into her pocket.

“Do you want me to go with you?”

“No,” she said, distracted. “I’ll handle it.”

The older students’ school occupied a double lot at the corner of Main Street and Cedar. A good-sized building, since the townspeople didn’t want to add onto it as the town grew. Eight teachers covered all the subjects for four years of high school. Penelope Evans taught English and History and also acted as a counselor to the young people.

Tori entered Michael’s classroom a little after three o’clock. She knew Penelope to be a pretty woman in her mid-thirties. Tori had met her at a faculty meeting when the school first opened. The town council was thrilled when Miss Evans accepted the position of Head High School Teacher. She came with excellent references, a graduate of a Normal School, a college dedicated to training teachers. Since Tori had attended the same school, she and the teacher had a lovely chat after the meeting.

“Hello, Tori.” Penelope rose from behind her desk to greet her. She gave her a warm and friendly smile.

Tori relaxed, Penelope gave no indication of a serious problem. “I got your note. Is everything all right with Michael?”

Penelope’s small delicate hands indicated the chair in front of her desk. “Have a seat.” She perched on the edge of her desk, her hands resting on the polished wood.

“Michael is a very smart young man.” Their eyes connected. “I have every confidence he will go far in life. Of course, getting more education will be very important for him.”

Heat crept up Tori’s face. “I agree with you, but I’m afraid there isn’t money for Michael to go to college. He’s hoping to work a couple of years when he graduates to put money aside so he can pay his own way.”

“I’m glad to hear he’s anxious to continue his education, which brings me to the problem I want to discuss with you.”

Tori leaned forward in her chair as the teacher cleared her throat and continued. “I believe Michael could qualify for a college scholarship. I am in touch with several foundations always on the lookout for bright students to sponsor.”

Tori beamed at her. “How wonderful, I’m sure Michael would be thrilled to have a scholarship.”

“What I thought as well, which is why I’m confused at his lack of interest in getting the paperwork to me.”

Tori leaned back and frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“Neither do I.” She fiddled with the timepiece pinned to her blouse. “Let me try to explain. I gave Michael the application for the scholarship a few weeks ago. He seemed excited at the time, but so far he hasn’t returned the application to me, and the deadline is a few days away.”

“Does he understand how important the paperwork is, and the deadline?”

“I’ve talked to him a few times. He repeatedly says he has it all filled out, and that he only has to finish the five page essay, which is a required part of the application. But every time I ask him about it, he shrugs and says it’s not done yet.”

Tori shook her head. “I don’t understand, but I’m glad you let me know. I’ll speak with Michael tonight.”

Both women stood. “Thank you. I’m fond of Michael, and I know he would do well in college. I hate to see him lose this opportunity.”

Tori strolled past the newspaper office, absorbed with thoughts of Michael. Too late she saw Mrs. Boswell striding toward her. She glanced left, then right, hoping for an escape. No such luck, since the town-bully-disguised-as-community-leader already had her in her sights.

“Mrs. Cochran, just the person I wanted to see.”

Tori got a whiff of lavender as the older woman whipped a small notebook out of her reticule, and flipped through pages of notes.

“How are you, Mrs. Boswell?” Tori reconciled herself to having another unwanted job foisted on her.

“I’m fine. I wanted to make sure you’re ready for our meeting tomorrow night. You may bring the cookies again. This will be the final planning session for our Ladies League for Decency march.”

“I’ll try, but I’m a little busy right now.”

“Nonsense, I will expect you at eight o’clock. You have young children in your charge. You must make sure they have a decent place to grow up.” She stared down her nose, a remarkable feat since Tori stood an inch or so above her.

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll try.”

“And bring along your handsome husband. He helped so much last time.”

“I’ll ask him.”

“Wonderful. Then I will expect the two of you, along with your marvelous cookies, at eight o’clock sharp.” She made a mark in the notebook, then snapped it closed and nodded. After taking a few steps she turned back. “Oh, Tori. Make it seven-thirty again, so Mr. Cochran can set up the chairs for us.”

“Yes, Mrs. Boswell,” Tori mumbled.

She complained at length to herself as she walked home. It was impossible to refuse Mrs. Boswell, and Tori hated being bullied. But the only other way to handle it was to be downright rude.

Why is it bullies never mind being rude?

But first she had to deal with Michael and his strange reluctance to turn in the paperwork for a scholarship, then see Jesse about tomorrow’s meeting. She’d bet he wouldn’t be too thrilled.

Tori knocked on Jesse’s door, then walked in without waiting for a response. He sat behind his large desk, reviewing paperwork with a client. The slender brunette, somewhere in her twenties, seemed familiar. She twisted a handkerchief she’d used to dab her eyes. Not wanting to disturb them, Tori wandered to the back of the house, studying the parlor and then the kitchen she was in the process of decorating.

The carpenters Jesse had hired had done an excellent job. The kitchen now included a huge window above the sink with a view of a small garden area. Long wooden counters with several shelves lined one wall, with a china closet built into the opposite one. A large walk-in pantry occupied space at the far end. A Beacon wood cook stove and a modern sink completed the room. She could make some pretty good meals in this kitchen.

While she mused about different colors to use in the room, voices drifted from the front of the house, and then the front door closed. She turned as Jesse walked into the room.

“Hi, honey, what are you doing here? I’m not complaining, mind you,” he added, wrapping his arms around her from behind, then nuzzling her neck.

“Did I see Miriam Fenwick in your office?” She broke from his grip and turned.

“Yes, you did. Her father recently passed on, and she needed some advice on his estate.”

“She’s very pretty.”

“Is she? I hadn’t noticed.” He gazed around the room.

“Liar.” Tori laughed, and poked him in the side.

He pulled her back to nibble on her ear. “Now, honey, you know when you’re near, I don’t notice anyone else.”

Rolling her eyes, Tori pulled away a second time and straightened her hat. “I want to talk to you about something.”

“Well, since there’s no furniture to sit on, why not come into my office?” Jesse put his hand on her lower back to escort her down the hall. “Unless you want to sit on the bed. We could have our discussion there,” he whispered in her ear.

“The office is fine.” A shiver ran down her spine.

Tori settled in her seat, trying to forget her urges. “Something’s wrong with Michael.”

“Is he sick?” Jesse’s brows furrowed.

“No. It’s strange. Remember the note Rachel brought home? Well, I saw his teacher Miss Evans at the school today. She said Michael has a very good chance of getting a scholarship for college.”

“That’s great.” Jesse leaned forward in his chair.

“I agree. And I would have thought Michael would be excited also.”

“Isn’t he?”

After she filled in the details, Jesse sat back and tapped his pencil on the desk. “That doesn’t sound like Michael. And you’re sure he wants to go to college?”

“Rachel tells me college is all he ever talked about before my brother died. His father’s greatest desire was to have him go. Henry even managed to put away some money for school, which we lived on before we came here.”

“Do you think Michael’s worried about making money?” Jesse stopped the tapping of his pencil as their gazes locked.

She shook her head. “He knows we’re doing all right without him contributing.”

“Have you talked to him yet?” His pencil resumed the steady rhythm, which for some reason comforted her. Or maybe it was having someone to discuss her problems with. Someone who cared—a lot.

“No. I came right here after I left the school.”

“Maybe we’re making something out of nothing. He may have a reasonable explanation why he’s delaying. Talk to him and find out what he has to say. If something appears wrong, then we can worry about it.”

Tori felt a flush of pleasure at Jesse mentioning
we
can worry about it. He still continued to take on her problems, even though she tried to shut him out of her life. His help eased her tension, but scared her at the same time. Tears gathered as a longing to have everything the same as before she lost the baby swept over her.

Jesse reached across the desk to take her hand. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing.” She blinked rapidly.

“Don’t say nothing. I can see you’re upset. Is it Michael?”

“Yes,” Tori lied. “But I’m fine.” She rose and headed for the door.

“Oh, by the way,” she added, “I saw Mrs. Boswell on the way home. She reminded me she has another meeting tomorrow night. She expects us both at seven-thirty, so you can set up chairs again, and I can put out cookies.”

“What?” Jesse groused. “That woman keeps me busier than my law practice. She seems to think I’m some kind of personal servant.”

“Don’t shoot the messenger. I’m just passing on the word.” Tori smiled briefly, still fighting sadness. “I do admit she is a force to be reckoned with.”

“I could think of much more colorful words to fit Mrs. Boswell, but I won’t say them in front of a lady.” His face softened, and so did her heart. This time her smile was genuine.

Tori left Jesse’s house and crossed the path to her own. She’d laughed more in the last couple of weeks with Jesse than she had for the long dark weeks before. Maybe she
was
healing.

Michael stood, red-faced, hands fisted at his sides, leaning toward Tori. “I don’t want to go to college. I told Miss Evans, but she keeps bugging me about it.”

“But Michael, why? You always wanted to go. What changed your mind?”

“Nothing. I don’t want to go, and I don’t want to talk about it anymore.” He turned and slammed out of the house.

Tori turned to Rachel. “What was that all about? Do you know?”

“No. I’ve never heard him say he didn’t want to go to college. He’s doing well in school, too. I heard Miss Evans say he would be valedictorian for his graduating class. It’s a mystery to me.”

A tapping on the front door and the sound of it opening, interrupted their conversation. Tori returned to washing dishes, then heard Jesse’s voice. Jesse and Rachel bantered back and forth as they entered the kitchen. Tori smiled. Rachel no longer flirted with older men. Instead, she looked forward to parties and outings with her friends.

That brought to mind Rachel’s request for a new dress for Maggie Carter’s party Saturday night. She deserved it. She worked hard at her studies and at the restaurant after school. Somehow she would find money to buy new dancing shoes to go with the dress Jesse paid for.

“How’s my girl tonight?” Jesse asked as he pulled her to his chest and gave her a playful kiss.

“Jesse, stop it.” She wiggled away from him. “Rachel’s here.”

“Nope. She went to her room to do homework. We’re all alone,” he said, nuzzling her neck.

Tori playfully elbowed him in the stomach.

“Umph. You must be feeling better, honey.”

Tori turned back to the sink. Reaching overhead, she grabbed a dish towel and threw it at Jesse’s head. “Here, you might as well dry.”

Jesse dried dishes and put them away as she washed. After working in companionable silence for a while, she dumped out the wash water and held out the coffee pot and looked at Jesse.

“Sure, I can stand a cup.” He settled himself at the table. “I saw Michael rushing out of here. Did you talk to him about the scholarship?”

“I did, and it’s still a mystery.” Tori poured two cups of coffee and set them on the table, along with cream and sugar. “Pie?”

“If it’s one of yours, darlin’, the answer is always yes.”

She cut two pieces of apple crumb pie and sat across from Jesse.

“All he would tell me is he doesn’t want to go to college. But when I pressed him, he claims he doesn’t have any plans beyond high school except to get a job. Then he got angry and stormed out of the house.”

Jesse stared off into the distance. “I know this sounds silly, but maybe it’s kind of a male thing.”

“What do you mean?” Her forkful of pie stopped halfway to her mouth.

“I don’t rightly know, to be honest. But since neither you nor Miss Evans could get anywhere with him, I think I’ll throw my hat in the ring and see if I can find out what’s going on in his head.”

She sighed and pushed away her empty plate. “I hope you can get some answers. I admit I’m at a loss.”

“I’ll take time to talk to him tomorrow.” Jesse stood and removed their empty coffee cups and plates and put them in the sink. “Now it’s time for courtin’.”

She yawned and arched her back to stretch. “I’m too tired to walk tonight.”

“Then we’ll have to sit in the parlor and snuggle in front of the fire.” He took her by the hand and led her to the next room.

Jesse leaned against the doorway of the hardware store across from the high school, watching a steady stream of students come out. A warm day, he loosened his tie and removed his jacket. He hung the light jacket over his shoulder with one finger as he waited for Michael.

When he spotted Michael in a group of girls and boys, he pushed away from the doorway and called to him.

The boy closed his eyes and his shoulders slumped a bit. He didn’t try to dodge him, but left his friends and ambled toward him.

“Hi, Michael. How about joining me for a soda at the drug store?”

“Sure.” Michael fell in step alongside him. “I guess they decided to bring in the big guns?”

They walked in silence the two blocks to Alton’s Drug Store, one of the first permanent buildings erected in Guthrie. A long counter with comfortable high seats occupied one entire side of the store. Norman Alton prepared prescriptions in a small glassed-in area. Behind him stood shelves of jars and bottles of all sizes filled with chemicals and powders.

The pharmacist’s perky young daughter, Betsy, mixed two sodas as they sat at the counter. She kept throwing smiles in Michael’s direction, but he sat glumly, staring straight ahead, and never noticed.

“Before you start, Jesse, I know why you want to talk to me.” Michael pulled the soda toward him.

“All right, I figure you for a smart young man, Michael, so what’s the problem? Did you know I got both my college and law school education on scholarships?”

“Did you?” His voice was flat and resigned. “Well, that’s great, but it’s not for me.”

“Since when? Tori tells me you’ve always wanted to go to college. Your pa even saved money to send you. What changed?” Jesse studied him, noting the flush creeping up his neck.

“I don’t want college anymore.” He kept his eyes averted, continuing to stare at his soda like he expected the glass to talk to him.

“I can appreciate that, son, but if you’re going to pass on this opportunity, it must be for something really great.”

Michael sat in silence, moving his straw around.

“Well?” Jesse said.

Michael sighed and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I just can’t go away to college. Can we leave now?”

Jesse ignored the request. “Why not?”

“All right, I’ll tell you.” He sat forward, his eyes flashing and the muscle in his jaw working. “Everybody keeps pushing me for an answer, so here it is. Tori deserves some happiness in her life. Pa didn’t see much of her when she lived in Kentucky, but they kept in touch by letters. He told us she didn’t have an easy time living with her aunt. The woman was just this side of mean, had all kinds of weird ideas about men.” He glanced sideways at Jesse. “But maybe you know about some of them already.”

Jesse snorted his answer.

“Then she left her job to take care of us after pa died. She hadn’t even met any of us kids before she came, but that didn’t stop her. So what does she do when she can’t find a job in Kansas? She rolls up her sleeves and makes the land run.” He stopped, breathless.

Jesse leaned back, his arms crossed. “Well, this sounds like something you’ve given a great deal of thought to. But, even though I happen to believe your aunt deserves all the happiness in the world, how does that relate to your scholarship?”

Michael ran his fingers through his hair. “If I go off to college, Tori would never leave Rachel, Ellie, and Hunter by themselves in the house.”

“I’m afraid you’re losing me here, son,” Jesse said frowning.

“I want you and Tori to get back together. She needs you, Jesse. She was so upset after she lost the baby. For a time, me and Rachel thought she might never get better.” He glanced at Jesse out of the corner of his eyes, as if embarrassed by his concern.

“Go on.”

“Tori will never go back with you if it means leaving them in the house alone. In the last few weeks she’s spent with you, she’s almost been herself. We can see she’s a little bit happier. I hoped she might even move back in with you in a little bit. But if she thinks I’m going off to college, she won’t do it.”

“Michael, you are truly one fine young man,” Jesse said, putting his hand on the young boy’s shoulder. “But there’s something you need to understand. You’re talking about adult problems. I agree Tori had us all worried for a while, but as you pointed out, she’s getting better.

“Please, get the application in to your teacher. Get the scholarship and go off to college. I promise you, Tori and I will get back together.”