Wilson's Hard Lesson (74 page)

The day went by fast as Clara set out to make the pie and to
do something special for Lexi. It was the next morning and she and Lexi had
taken baths in the house while Craig went down to the river. She had just
combed Lexi’s hair when she showed her what she had for her. It had taken her
almost all night but she was able to taken in one of her smaller dresses and
cut off the ends and hemming it for Lexi. It was dark blue and made Lexi’s eyes
shine. It was made of satin and Lexi looked at it in awe.

“I have to say Ms. Clara that I don’t like dresses but that
sure is a pretty one. Are you going to wear that tonight?” Her wide eyes looked
up at Clara’s laugh.

“It won’t fit me silly.”

“Oh. That’s a shame. It sure is pretty.”

“I adjusted the size a little. It’s for you Lexi. If you
will wear it for me.” The little girl’s eyes shot up to hers.

“For me. That’s for me? Why Ms. Clara I would love to wear
it but I don’t have any of those frilly things to wear under it.” Her look of
longing looked at the dress and she looked sad for a moment after she said it.

“That’s ok honey. It has them built in. See?” She held up
the bottom of the dress to show her. “And you can wear your long underwear
underneath it.”

“Oh wow. Pa’s going to be so surprised.” She giggled as
Clara began helping her into the dress. She knew they had to leave soon.

“You girls ready?” Craig’s voice came through the door.

“Just a minute or two.”

“Ok. I’ll be outside. I’m gonna bring the buggy around.”

“Ok.”

Lexi looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair had a braid
on each side that connected in the back and then the rest of her hair laid in
blonde curls. She was beautiful and the blue of the dress made her eyes bright
in color as well.

Craig looked up when he heard the door open and then he
almost choked. His smile grew as he looked at her. His little girl looked like
a young lady and she was beautiful. “You are so beautiful Lexi. You look like
your momma.”

“Thanks, Pa but wait till you see Ms. Clara.” Just as she
said it Clara stepped through the doorway. She had on a long green dress that
had a low neckline. Her Hair was pinned on the side and the back left down. It
was the first time he had seen her without her hair being up. It was dark in
color but not quite as much as he thought. It also had a lot more red in color
than he thought. The sunlight shone off her hair and showed the redness in it.
His eyes met hers as he began to talk.

Clara met his eyes and read the intensity in them. “You are
right Lexi. She is beautiful.” At his words her face grew warm with her blush.
She averted her gaze only to bring it right back and meet his again. She sucked
in a breath at the desire she read in his eyes. He held his hand out to her and
without thought she took it with her own. As she let him help her up into the
seat beside Lexi she smiled down at him. Smiling back He looked up at her with
such a warm gaze it made another blush creep into her cheeks. The ride was
short and they listened to Lexi’s chatter the whole way. They had made two pies
to take with them and Lexi was excited to tell everyone that she helped make
them.

As Craig helped her from the wagon she looked around at all
the people. There were a lot more there than she would have thought.

“Craig. It’s about time you got here.” They turned to see an
older man making his way across the ground. He had to be in his early seventies
but he still never missed a step.

“Ah, Papa Jones. It’s good to see you.” She smiled at the
man as he got closer. “This is Clara.”

“Papa, can I go play? I see Louise and Joan.”

“Yes go ahead.” His chuckle was deep as he smiled at his
daughter. Turning back to the man in front of him he smiled.

“Ms. Clara welcome. May I ask was that lilt girl Lexi?”

Craig chuckled again. “I have to say yes.”

“Why I never thought I would ever see her in a dress again.
Not since her momma died.  ” The man looked at the little girl running away
with wide eyes.

“That credit will have to go to Clara. It is all her doing.”

“Well, Linnie will be, please.” He smiled at Clara. “Linnie
is my wife and she has been trying for the last year to get that girl into a
dress and cleaned up. She will be glad you finally succeeded in that.”

“I have to say it wasn’t too hard. Just a little persuading
and bartering.” She laughed.

He laughed again. “You just stay away from the game tables
then. If you could persuade that hellion into a skirt I would hate to see the
pile of money in front of you at the end of the night.” They all laughed. “Come
on in. I’ll introduce you to the women folk.”

They made their way inside the barn and she looked around.
The hay had been cleared out completely and the walls of the stalls pushed
against the sides. There was one huge room and although there were sporadic
pieces of hay on the ground one would never know it was a barn. All around were
lanterns hanging from the ceiling showing off a light glow. There were
musicians in one corner who were playing and there was one long table that was
filled with food. There had to be a hundred dishes on the table.

“My Linnie likes to go all out for these things.” He
shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. “It makes her happy plus I get to dance
with all the pretty ladies.” He grinned over at her. “Which means you have to
save me a dance young lady.”

She laughed over at him. “Of course.”

“That is after she dances with me of course.” Shocked Clara
looked up at Craig as his dark blue eyes looked down at her. Their eyes locked
for a moment and embarrassed she looked away.

“You must be Clara. I could smack you Craig for not bringing
her over sooner.” The gruff voice came from an older woman who was as round as
she was tall. Her cheeks were pink with color and she had a wide smile on her
face.

“This is my wife Linnie.”

“It is nice to meet you, ma’am.”

“Oh please, child call me Linnie. Now come away from those
men and come meet the ladies. You two go find some mischief while you can. We
will be eating soon and Jonesie you’re saying grace.”

“Yes, dear.” Although his voice sounded aggravated he smiled
at his wife as he kissed her cheek. “Anything for you, my love.”

“Oh, hogwash; go on with you now. You won’t get no extra
food trying to butter me up.” They laughed as they walked away. Clara looked
back at them as he was carted away and Craig was moved in the opposite
direction. Their eyes met and they smiled at one another as the turned around.

As Linnie brought her over to the women she began sprouting
off names as the women nodded towards them. At the end she guessed there were
over 30 women.

“There is a lot, of us, but you will get it eventually. Come
on ladies let’s get the food ready. I’m sure everyone is ready to eat.”

Clara stood next to the other women and began to help
uncover the food. Just then a handful of children came in and stood by the
table. “Uh huh, Christopher and Susan back outside and wash up.” One of the
women said. As each woman sprouted off their children’s names they kids began
to leave until Lexi stood there alone.

Clara looked down at her with a stern look. “Go on with you.
The rules from home apply here as well.”

The young girl sighed before she turned around. “Yes.
Ma’am.” She hurried off to clean up as well. Just then her eyes came up and met
Craig’s he grinned her way and she smiled in return.

“Why I never. Was that little thing Lexi?” One of the women
asked.

“Yes.” Clara looked at the woman who had asked the question.
Just then a handful of men came over and the people around the table began to
make plates and leave to eat.

“What was that all about?” She knew it was Craig’s voice but
she didn’t know who he was asking.

Linnie’s voice answered his question. “All of us women were
just wondering how long it was going to take you to marry this woman. Don’t let
her get away. She’s a keeper.” Clara’s head snapped up to look at the other
women. Linnie winked before moving down the line on the table. Choosing to
ignore the comment she watched as the children came to their mothers for help
with their plates. Suddenly Lexi was at her side.

“Uh. Can you help me Clara? I can’t reach the middle of the
table and those green beans look mighty tasty. I normally just go for the stuff
around the outside that I can reach.” She looked up at her sheepishly.

“Well that won’t do at all will it?” Clara smiled down at
her and was rewarded with a returning smile. “Let’s see what we have here that
looks good Lexi.”

They made their way down the line and Clara filled both
their plates. When they were done she looked around. The place had been
sectioned off by families. It was as if each family was in a small huddle. She
stood there for a minute not knowing where to go. “Come on. We’re over here.”
She looked down at Lexi and smiled as she followed her over to a corner where
Craig sat with Linnie and Papa Jones. Lexi took the seat next to Linnie putting
Clara next to Craig. She felt his leg brush hers multiple times and she felt
herself thinking things she shouldn’t. She was still a married woman and until
she married another those type of thoughts were unacceptable. The others at the
small gathering began talking and soon her thoughts were changed as she laughed
with the others. Soon they cleared all the trash away and the music began to
play again. Lexi ran off outside to catch lightning bugs with her friends.
Clara stood there as she watched the dancers twirl around the room.

“Well come on Linnie. I may be old but I can still shake it
with the best of 'em.”

“You know just the words to say to melt my heart.” The older
woman laughed as she let him whisk her onto the dance floor.

“Would you dance with me Clara?” She looked up from the hand
that was outstretched in front of her to Craig.

“I would love to.” She let him lead her onto the floor and
then sucked in a breath when she felt his hand curl around her waist. His other
hand still had hers inside his. The music started around him and she was only
slightly aware of what went on around them. For that one moment it was just the
two of them dancing. She looked up into his eyes as he looked down at her.

“Are you ok?” His voice was soft and gentle.

“Yes. It’s just. It’s been a long time since I’ve danced
with a man. My husband was sick for so long that it’s been years since I’ve
been in the arms of a man. It just took me by surprise is all.”

“It has been a long time for me as well. Well not dancing
with a man but a woman. I would always spend my time outside. I would watch but
never seemed right to join in you know.”

“Why did you now?”

“Because of you.”

“Oh.”

“Thank you.”

“For what?” She looked up at him in surprise.

“For everything with Lexi and helping out. She seems to like
you a lot. She hasn’t had a woman in her life in such a long time.”

“She is a beautiful and splendid young girl.”

“Thank you.”

“Hey you two know that the song is over right? And if you
don’t mind I’d like a dance with the lady myself.” Jack was there wiggling his
eyebrows at her. Before she knew what was happening he was whisking her off to
the beat of a fast past song. He whirled her around over and over and by the
end of the song she was panting and laughing all at the same time. The night
was filled with laughter and she danced to so many songs she had lost count.
Her last song was another slow one with Craig and it seemed that it made the
ending of the day that much sweeter. Craig made a pallet in the back of the
wagon for Lexi and before they were halfway home she was fast asleep.

“Oh my. That was so much fun. I am exhausted though.” She
laughed as they started the trek home.

“Yeah. It looks like you’re not the only one.” He gestured
his head backwards to show her an already fast asleep Lexi.

“I see that.” She laughed.

As they pulled in front of the house he tied the reins to
the front of the railing. “I’m gonna take her on up and then I’ll come back and
get the buggy into the barn and such.” He helped her down and then she smiled
as he hoisted a sleeping Lexi into his arms. Murmuring soft words he walked
into the house. Knowing he must be tired as well, Clara began to walk the buggy
into the barn. She was just taking off the reins when she heard him come up
behind her. “I can do that. You don’t have to worry yourself.”

“No. It’s ok really. I love to work with horses.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Do you have a brush? I’ll start brushing them down.”

He gestured towards the wall of the barn and she grabbed one
and started working on the first horse while he brushed the second one.
Finished they both walked towards the house. Just as they reached inside they
both turned towards the other and bumped into each other. His arm shot out to
steady her. What started off as stopping her from falling turned into a caress
as he looked down at her. Before they could stop it, his lips grazed hers.
Softly he kissed her and she tentatively responded in return. Standing straight
again he looked down at her softly. “Good night Clara.”

“Good night,” She whispered. She walked into the bedroom and
softly touched her lips where he had kissed her. They were both unaware of a
little head peeking over the balcony watching them. They were also unaware of
the smile that crept across her face.

As soon as he got to the top railing Craig knew his daughter
was awake. “Go to sleep Lexi.”

“Yes, Pa but do you think we could have a picnic tomorrow?
You know like we used to at the lake and then maybe if Clara is ok with it, we
can go swimming too?”

“That sounds like fun, but you have to help me plant the
next day.”

“It’s a deal.”

Lexi was asleep in a matter of minutes. He laid awake for a
while and realized that he was thinking of the woman downstairs. He heard the
door open and leaning over the railing he looked down, but nothing seemed out
of the ordinary. Making his way down the ladder, he opened the front door and
looked out. There was a cool breeze and he stepped out onto the porch to feel
the warmth stir the hair on the back of his head.

“Couldn’t sleep either uh?”

He turned and smiled at Clara. He hadn’t known she was out
there. That must have been where the noise came from. “Nope. I see I have
another bad sleeper in the house. Sometimes it just is too nice out to sleep.”

“I agree. It’s beautiful.”

He sat down in the chair beside hers and they sat in the
quiet listening to the crickets chirp. The minutes went by in a flash and
covering a yawn behind her hand she rose.