“I’ll do it tomorrow. I’m tired.”
Tori closed her eyes and mentally counted to ten. “Rachel, your education is important. When a school is established, you need to be able to pick right up where you left off in Kansas.”
Rachel’s eyes snapped. “That’s the problem. I shouldn’t have left Kansas. I hate this place.” Her voice shook and she blinked back tears. “I went for a walk today. Muddy holes instead of real streets, no boardwalk so my skirts dragged on the ground, and nasty men spitting tobacco every which way. The stench of all the unwashed bodies, and animal messes turned my stomach. I’m not going to put up with this. You might think this is paradise, but to me it’s a hellhole.” Tears streaming down her face, she ran out the back door, slamming it so hard a sack of flour hit the floor and split open.
Jesse whistled as he left his office and headed next door. It’d been two days since he stopped by Tori’s house. He missed her cookies, he told himself. Also the scowl on her face every time he made a suggestion. It was just plain fun taunting her—it cheered up his day.
“Tori?” He opened her back door and grinned at the picture she made. This time her curly head was bent over the table, working with Hunter, Ellie, and three other children. Strands of rich dark hair escaped from the neat bun she’d started the day with. In this position, her breasts strained against the front of her dress. She did have curves. His fingers itched to run his hands over her body. Caress that soft skin, watch the goose bumps rise when he blew warm air on the inside of her wrist. His gut twisted.
“What?” She frowned at him over the top of her spectacles, which were always sliding down her nose.
“Whoa. Having a bad day?” He walked into the room and ruffled a little boy’s pale blond hair. The children all looked happy to be interrupted.
“I came to tell you there’s a town council meeting tonight at the Train Station. Everyone is invited since they plan to discuss a provisional government. Opening a school is also on the agenda.”
She tilted her head to the side and raised her eyebrows. “How in heaven’s name did you find that out? I’ve been asking for weeks about a school, and no one had information.”
“Honey, I’m a lawyer. I get all the news first hand. And,”—he winked at her—“I put your name in with the committee.”
“Really? Thank you. And I’m not your honey.” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “All right, boys and girls, you may leave for the day. Hunter, you and Ellie get your chores done.” She turned and headed toward the bedrooms. “I need to check on Michael and Rachel. They seemed a little confused with the math I gave them.” Jesse grabbed her hand to stop her.
Even with her hard work, her skin remained soft and warm, and smelled of cinnamon. “Why don’t you take a break and come next door to The Café for a cup of coffee?”
Tori pulled her hand free and narrowed her eyes. “I have coffee right here.”
“But you need to get off your feet.”
“I have chairs, too.” She kept staring at him.
“What?”
“Nothing. Just...No, nothing.”
“Well? Pack up your books and let’s go. You need the break.” He held his hand out.
Slowly she shuffled papers and closed books, watching him the whole time. Ignoring his hand, she walked out the door.
A small bell chimed as they entered The Café. Only a few customers were in the restaurant, having a mid-afternoon snack. He held the chair for Tori, who still contemplated him with narrowed eyes.
“Why are you being nice to me?” She leaned her elbows on the table.
“What are you talking about? I’m always nice to you.”
She sat back in the chair. “I know. But I think I’ve made it clear I have no interest in you.”
“Sweetheart, you wound me.” He tilted his chair back and placed his palm over his heart.
Before she could answer, Mrs. Bonner approached the table with a big smile on her face.
“Well, what are you two hard-working people doing here in the middle of the afternoon?”
“Tori needed a break, so I talked her into having a cup of coffee with me.”
Mrs. Bonner smiled in Tori’s direction. “Yes, Tori does work too hard. I agree she needs a break.”
“If you two are done talking about me like I’m not even here, I’d like a cup of tea. Oh, and a piece of my own apple pie. If there’s any left.” She grinned.
Jesse’s heart sped up. The lady smiles way too seldom, but when she does, the whole world seems right...