Year of Jubilee (17 page)

“Oh, Rafe. How romantic,” Sarah murmured,
starry-eyed.

Rafe tried to shake off his self-hatred. He
guided Jubilee’s reluctant body toward the carriage. “We’re
off.”

* * *

Jubilee’s legs turned to apple butter as
Rafe settled her into the plush seat. She still trembled. He’d
kissed her. Actually
kissed her
. And it hadn’t been
horrible, it had been…enchanting. She touched her lips as he went
around the back of the carriage to climb in on the drivers’ side.
He climbed in and released the brake.

Rafe set the beautiful white horse in motion
and Jubilee, still in a daze, waved to the departing family.
Complete silence filled the space between them for the first
fifteen minutes, and Jubilee took the time to slow her breathing
and her speeding pulse. Surely the man could hear her heart
thumping. She bit her lip and kept her face averted, pretending an
interest in the passing scenery. Rafe cleared his throat.

“I seem to be constantly apologizing to you,
Jubilee.” He gave a deep sigh. “I had no idea this whole thing was
going to turn into a spectacle. I’m really sorry.”

She pushed the new ring around her finger.
“No, it’s I who should be sorry. Everyone has gone to a lot of
trouble with this new dress, the carriage, and now this ring. I
simply must give back this ring, Rafe.”

He chuckled. “Are you kidding? You deserve a
reward for putting on such a show.”

Jubilee’s heart sank and moisture filled her
eyes.

“Besides, my mother would want an
explanation, and that’s what I’m trying to avoid. You’re not angry,
are you?”

The emotion clogging her throat wasn’t
anger. Thankful she didn’t have to lie, she replied. “No, I’m not
angry.”

“Listen, Jubilee. That won’t happen again. I
promise.”

She shrugged one shoulder.
Not even if I
want it to?

The road opened and the river appeared to
the left. “Well, we can do one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“We’ve got a basket full of food in this
handsome carriage, so I propose,” he cleared his throat, “I mean,
suggest, we just enjoy the evening and the meal. You in?”

She nodded. What choice did she have? How
silly to actually think he might’ve enjoyed the kiss as much as
she. “Yes. I’ve never been on a picnic. It’ll be a treat.”

Silence returned. Rafe slowed the carriage
and turned the horse around in a wide spot in the road. “Well, in
that case, we’ll do this trip up right. Let’s head to town and I’ll
give you the deluxe tour. We have some unbelievably gorgeous houses
in New Albany and several impressive businesses on the river
front.”

A tour was just what Jubilee received. They
went down each street, and he described the houses and the families
that lived in each. She breathed in awe as he took her past the
architecturally splendid houses owned by wealthy families. She
imagined Rafe driving home in the regal neighborhood with their
beautiful carriage and fancy dress clothes. Her mouth parted in a
smile. She’d be wearing some crazy fashionable hat. Her eyes took
in every detail, her face bathed in wonder and enjoyment.

“And now, milady, I shall direct our
interests toward engaging our appetites, overlooking the stately
Ohio River. We’re approaching the Johnson property, the self-same
Johnsons who own this splendid carriage we currently drive. This
area sports the loveliest location to view the impressive expanse
of water.” Rafe grinned at his pitiful attempt at a British
accent.

Jubilee couldn’t help but giggle as he
pulled the buggy to the side of the road. When she turned her gaze
on the landscape, she gasped. He certainly hadn’t exaggerated. They
were on a high, grassy bluff that offered an incredible view of the
beautiful, shining river to the west as the sun set, changing the
water into ripples of liquid mirrors. Jubilee swept her head to the
east, taking in the multitude of steamers dotting the water’s
surface from the distant crowded beachfront of New Albany and
Louisville on the Kentucky side.

“It’s breathtaking,” she whispered.

Rafe smiled at her as he gathered the basket
and the quilt from the back.

“My accent might be lame, but the view
isn’t. Come on.” He motioned toward the river with his head. “Let’s
go to the edge of the knoll. Here, grab my arm. The grass is a bit
uneven.”

Jubilee slipped her hand into the crook of
his elbow and they walked about fifty feet until the bluff leveled
out.

“Here’s a good spot.” He placed the basket
on the ground and began to unfold the quilt.

Jubilee swallowed as she helped spread the
beautiful double wedding-ring quilt from the church picnic. He held
out his hand to assist her as she seated herself, his touch like
embers on her skin. She directed her attention to the basket to
cover her nervousness.

“Good thing they packed this.” He raised the
lantern. “I think we’ll need it.”

She glanced up to where the stars began to
blink. “Not yet. Let’s watch the sun set first.”

“Good idea.”

The fried chicken tasted delicious and the
pound cake was sugary sweet. They hardly spoke as the sky grew
dimmer. The steamboats below gave off tiny pinpoints of light on
the darkened waters. A small strand of contentment rushed through
her. Despite its uncomfortable beginning, the night had blossomed
into quite a special rendezvous. Rafe’s crooked smile and
exaggerated tales of the local folks had her smiling and laughing.
She couldn’t imagine enjoying a real picnic any more. Only…she
stopped her thoughts.
Be happy with what you have.

Rafe stretched his legs out on the blanket
with the soft curve of the hill. “Well, you heard way more of my
family than you ought to, and I know so little about you.”

Jubilee breathed in the air, scented with a
distant honeysuckle bush. “I’ve already told you, there isn’t much
to tell.”

“So you’ve no clue about your family?”

She shook head, glad for the bright
moonlight breaking through the clouds. The knoll took on an
ethereal quality. A gentle breeze from the water cooled her brow.
“No, nothing.”

They both fixed their gaze on the river
shimmering in the moonlight.

“They ought to have a file on you at the
orphan’s home.”

Jubilee sat up a bit and turned to him. “You
think so?”

He nodded, leaned back on his hands, and
crossed his legs at the ankles. “Sure. I bet you could send a
letter and request any records they might have on you and your
family. You’re of age now.”

She turned her attention to the stars
overhead, pinpoints in a moonlit sky. “I’m not sure, Rafe. I didn’t
finish my term with Mrs. Galston. They may demand I return.” A
shiver ran through her. Would he want her to go back?

“Here, you must be cold.” He handed her his
jacket and helped her slip it on her shoulders. “The rain we had
last night has left a chill in the air.”

She clutched the lapels to her neck.

He leaned toward her on one arm. “It hardly
seems your fault you were kidnapped. They surely wouldn’t hold that
against you. I’ll write the letter if you think it’ll help.”

“Really?” she breathed. “That might be
better.”

“Good. I’ll write an explanation as soon as
we return to my parent’s house. Do you know the address?”

Despite the serious topic, she gave a small
giggle. “I lived there for practically sixteen years. I’d hope I
could figure it out.”

Rafe chuckled as he stood. “I guess we’d
better head back. It’s late.

Jubilee sighed. “I suppose so.”

He helped her rise and then folded the
blanket. “I had a good time, Jubilee.”

She took the quilt from him and slid her
hand into the crook of his arm. “Me, too.”

“And now, milady, might I assist you to the
handsome carriage and our patient steed?” He lapsed into his
horrible accent.

“Yes, dear sir, you may.” Jubilee’s laugh
echoed over the knoll as he sent her sailing into her seat.

It was terrible hard for Jubilee not to
dream of a life where Rafe was more than a business partner as the
stars twinkled over their moving carriage. Terrible hard.

* * *

Sunday came and went with church activities.
The following week, Jubilee barely saw Rafe, as he spent most of
his time with the men, threshing and bagging the wheat and clearing
the new field. The work was hard, but made easier with the help of
so many. She was sure Rafe would wish he had such aid when he
returned to the chores on his own farm.

Yet working without his family ribbing his
newly married state might make up for the lack of help. She
grinned. They did love to tease. But her favorite time was late in
the evening, when she and Rafe talked about anything and
everything. He on the chaise, and she in the bed. Then they’d grow
drowsy and wish one another goodnight.

On Friday, she and Sarah visited the creek
with several of the older nieces and nephews. Staying away from the
cooling water proved too difficult. The refreshing liquid felt
wonderful, but when they all began to fling mud, Jubilee ended up
in the middle, laughing harder than the rest.

Arriving back at the house, still very damp
from the dip, she ran up the stairs to her room and found Rafe
pulling clothes from his satchel. Her heart sped up for just a
moment, remembering the last time she’d walked in on him. But he
was fully dressed and gave her a tired grin as she entered.

“Been at the creek, huh?” His eyes took in
the wet dress and plastered hair.

“Uh…yes.” Suddenly she felt very silly.

One of his eyebrows went up as he walked
toward her. He stopped and reached up.

“I think you forgot this one.” He laughed as
he pulled a wad of muddy moss from a lock.

“Oh, no,” she exclaimed and hurried to the
mirror. Sure enough, a glob of spattered mud hung on top of her
head. She reached for the pitcher and poured a bowl full of water.
Dunking her hand over and over, she rubbed at the dirty spot, then
slowed and stopped. He’d taken a seat on the chaise lounge to watch
her.

“You need a hand?” he asked with a grin.

Jubilee took a deep breath. It’d help if
he’d just pour the water over her head. Still, she hesitated.
“Okay.”

She dipped toward the bowl, and he pressed
against her to tip the pitcher over her hair. His fingers rubbed
the spot a bit as the water kept running. Her locks filled the
bowl, and her attention drifted to the warmth of his body. She had
no choice but lean over and wait until he finished. At last he
stopped pouring, and she felt a towel being handed to her from
underneath.

After dabbing her hair dry, she bent over,
wrapped the towel turban-style around her head, and stood up. He
sat on the chaise again. Patting the towel with nervousness, she
sat on the bed.

“Did you realize we leave tomorrow at
eight?”

Her mouth opened. Was it really time to go
home already?

“Oh, I’d…forgotten.” She glanced toward the
window. Memories of his arms wrapped about her rushed in.

“Time’s gone by fast.”

Their gazes locked and held. Had the clock
stopped? She tried desperately to read his expression. Finally, he
rose.

“I better get downstairs. Dinner will be
ready soon.” He put his hands in his pockets as if reluctant to
leave. “I…guess I’ll take this bowl of dirty water and ditch
it.”

Jubilee perched on the edge of the bed, her
body stiff as he collected the basin and went to the door.

“I’ll see ya at dinner.” He opened the door
and paused, his eyes flicking over her.

“All right. Thank you for your help,” she
replied, her voice quiet.

He nodded before the door clicked shut.
They’d be going home. She took a deep breath and tried to be happy
about the journey. But a sadness washed over her. She’d miss
sharing a room with him. She, Jubilee, who’d been scared stiff of
that man, would miss lying in bed next to him…well, across this
small area. She gave an audible sigh. How she’d miss the closeness.
Ugh. She’d miss him.

* * *

Jubilee cried when she hugged Rafe’s family
for the last time on the loading platform at the dock. It’d been
wonderful to experience a real loving family, up close and
personal. Sarah, the last to hug her, smiled through her tears, and
pressed a small frame into her hand.

“It’s not very good. The verse isn’t one I’d
normally use, but your name appeared in it and I couldn’t
resist.”

Jubilee glanced down and read through a blur
of moisture.

‘
It shall be a Jubilee unto you:

And ye shall return every man unto his
possession,

And ye shall return every man unto his
family.

Leviticus 25:10b.’

The letters were stitched in blue with a
surrounding border of pink and red flowers, and Jubilee felt a
swell of love for Rafe’s younger sister. She hugged her neck a
little too long, thanking her in a choked voice.

The family departed while she and Rafe moved
to the loading platform. They were early, so he left her on a sunny
bench while he went to purchase their tickets. She took one more
look at Sarah’s sampler before sliding the frame into her satchel
for safekeeping. Closing her misty eyes, she leaned into the seat
and smiled. Happiness bloomed in her chest.

A shadow fell across her, and she opened her
eyes before putting up a hand to block the sun. She expected it to
be Rafe, but it wasn’t.

“Oh, my, Mrs. Tanner,” a scathing voice
noted.

Rosemary.
Jubilee stood up. She had
no desire to meet this woman sitting down.

“Hello, Rosemary,” she greeted, her tone
flat.

“Actually, you may call me Mrs. Harper.” Her
voice all but froze over. “We hardly know one another.”

Jubilees nodded in acquiescence. Fine, the
woman wanted to be a rat, let her.