“How are things at your house?”
“We’re doing all right. The biggest problem we have is getting Hunter and Ellie to do their chores, but Michael can be pretty persuasive when he wants.”
He glanced at the clock. “Thanks for your help, but I think you need to get back home and get some sleep.
Rachel laid her cool hand on Jesse’s arm. “I’m glad Tori has you watching out for her. She’s always been strong, and in charge. It’s nice for her to be able to lean on someone else for a change.”
“I hope you’re right. I don’t think Tori likes depending on anyone else very much.”
“She’ll get used to it.” Rachel rose on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. “Good night.”
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” He locked his office, then went to the back room where Tori slept. After he undressed, he slid in alongside her. She whimpered when the bed dipped, but quieted when he pulled her into his arms.
Jesse gazed at the ceiling. Of course word of her miscarriage would carry through town, so there wouldn’t be any hiding the fact theirs had been a shotgun wedding. He smiled. Those types of weddings took place all the time.
Thoughts of the baby they lost crowded his mind. Would it have been a girl or boy? He hadn’t thought about what the child would look like. Now he dwelled on images of a small freckled-face boy tossing a ball to him, or a little girl with huge brown eyes behind spectacles climbing on his lap, picture book in hand.
A single warm tear slid down his cheek, pooling in the corner of his mouth.
Chapter 12
The next morning, Tori woke to a dull throbbing low in her belly. She rolled to her side and wrapped her arms around her middle, rocking herself. The baby was gone. She’d killed it. How could she live the rest of her life with that? Jesse placed the back of his hand on her face, as if checking for fever.
“Do you want some of the pain medicine Dr. Hendricks left?” He ran his hand over her back.
“Okay.”
“I think you should eat something first.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You have to eat or you won’t get well.”
She turned onto her back and sighed. “Fine, bring me anything.”
Jesse got out of bed and, after washing and dressing, left the room.
“How’s Tori this morning?” Mrs. Bonner poured Jesse a cup of coffee.
He ran his hand over his face. “In pain. Quiet. Very un-Tori.”
“Poor girl.” Mrs. Bonner tsked. “I’ll fix a nice breakfast and take it to her. Maybe she needs to talk.”
“I’d appreciate it. She hasn’t said much to me. Everything’s bottled up inside her.” He took a cautious sip from the steaming cup.
“It’s hard on a woman, losing a baby.” She swiped the table with a wet rag. “What about you, Jesse? How are you doing?”
“I’m fine. I mean I feel bad, but right now I’m more concerned about Tori. The fact that she’s so quiet has me worried.” He tried to smile. “I guess it will take time.”
Tori lay on her side, facing the door. She opened her eyes at the slight knock. Mrs. Bonner held a basket covered with a red and white checked cloth on her arm.
“Tori?” Mrs. Bonner whispered. “I brought you breakfast.”
Tori sat up, and pain shot through her belly.
“Jesse tells me he has medicine for you, but you need some food in your tummy first. Then you’ll feel much better.” She pulled the curtains back, letting the warm sunshine drift into the room. After fluffing the pillows, she tucked a napkin under Tori’s chin.
The older woman pulled out a small pot of tea, a bowl of oatmeal, and a plate of toast, then placed them on the dresser. Tori closed her eyes, but a tear escaped.