Familiar warmth spread through her. Standing next to him, sharing a hymnal, listening to his deep voice as they sang familiar songs felt right. During the sermon, he took her hand and linked their fingers together. She kept glancing sideways at him, but the one time she giggled, he frowned at her and put his finger to his lips, shaking his head, though mirth lingered in his eyes.
After the service, Pastor Dave stood at the back of the church, greeting the congregants. A warm smile lit his face as he hugged Tori, and shook Jesse’s hand.
Even though the air felt chilly, bright sun encouraged most people to stay and visit. Jesse walked Tori to where Dr. Hendricks stood, circled by numerous friends.
“Nice to see you, Mrs. Cochran,” the doctor said with enthusiasm.
“Nice to see you, too, Dr. Hendricks.” His greeting had surprised her, making her feel more self-conscious. The doctor most likely meant nice to see her with Jesse. He beamed at the both of them like an indulgent parent. Would he pat them on the head next?
Soon other friends and neighbors joined them, smiling to see them arm in arm. Tori drew back, her muscles tensing. She didn’t want everyone to think they were back together. Her husband could be very charming and persuasive, but she still needed to take small steps.
Jesse glanced at her, concern in his eyes. Her cheeks grew warm as the crowd gathered. When she tried to pull her arm away, he covered her hand with his and squeezed gently.
“Well, hope y’all have a good day.”
They said their goodbyes as he nudged her toward the carriage.
“How about stopping at The Café for dinner?” Jesse looked to his left as he flapped the reins and steered the horses onto the road.
She swayed with the buggy movement, still rattled from church. “No, I don’t think so. I have a bit of a headache, and I think I’ll lie down when I get home.”
Jesse said nothing, but the muscle in his jaw worked. For the last month she’d managed to slip into church and back out again without socializing. It amazed her how tense she felt, how exposed.
“Okay, honey, I’ll get you home, but there’s a favor I want to ask of you, if you feel up to it.”
She’d not been in Jesse’s house since she’d left. A sense of sadness engulfed her. The new rooms stood vacant, cold, nothing done to decorate them. She hesitated as she walked into the larger parlor, then the expanded kitchen, and extra bedrooms. The scent of new wood pervaded the air.
“Why haven’t you painted, or anything?” She turned, taking in the beautiful front window, with a built-in bookcase underneath, alongside the stone fireplace. The hard-wood floors had been sanded, but left unfinished. In fact, with the coating of dust on the floor, it appeared Jesse hadn’t entered the room since it’d been built.
“Since you’re not teaching anymore, I hoped you would help me out. Maybe pick out some colors, hire men to paint. You know, go through a catalog and order some curtains. I’m so busy with work I can’t find time to do it.”
Tori’s eyes narrowed. His idea seemed to be a way to get her even more involved in his life. The gold band on her left hand, which she’d never removed, caught the sunlight coming through the window. She twisted it on her finger. How could she say no?
“All right, I’ll help. But I feel like you’re pushing me too fast.”
Jesse placed his hands on her shoulders. “I appreciate it. And I promise I won’t read anything into your efforts.” Then he leaned down and gave her a kiss, a mere brush of his lips. When she didn’t pull away, he moved closer and, wrapping his arms around her, deepened the kiss.
Tori’s heartbeat raced, and the familiar heat spread outward from her core like warm honey. He probed with his tongue until she opened her mouth with a soft moan. She moved closer until her breasts were pressed against his chest. She’d missed his warmth and touch so much, but at the same time it terrified her. Even though Jesse could fill the emptiness inside, the risks were too high. She pulled away, and left him breathing heavily as she closed the door.
Catalogs from various stores lay strewn about the parlor floor. Pieces of yellow paper marked pages of furniture. Squares of fabric samples from the general store were tacked to the wall next to all the windows throughout Jesse’s house. Tori sat in the middle of the parlor floor, flipping through pictures of sofas and chairs. She gripped a pencil between her teeth and pushed her spectacles up. A pad with scribbles, drawings, and lists sat in her lap.
A satisfied light came into Jesse’s eyes as he leaned against the doorjamb. Light from the oil lamps in the room gave the empty space a soft glow. He chuckled at her position on the floor, a very unladylike one, legs crisscrossed, her dress wrapped around her knees. Her concentration was obvious by her hunched shoulders and the way she flipped through several pages of a magazine, not noticing him in the archway.
What a smart idea to have his wife decorate their house. Not only did it bring her to him every day, she finally seemed to be interested in something again.
“Lady, you’re going to bankrupt me.” He pushed away from the door and strolled toward her.
Tori jerked her head and put her hand to her throat. “Lord Almighty, you scared me to death, Jesse Cochran.”
Grinning, he hunkered down alongside her and picked up the pad. “Honey, I’m impressed with how hard you’re working on this project.”
“You said you wanted it done. I’m merely doing as you asked.” She lifted her chin, her eyes flashing.
Hmmm. A little bit of the old Tori.
“I’m teasing. I do want it done, but now it’s courtin’ time.” He grabbed her hand and helped her to her feet. “Go on back to your house and get a warm coat. We’re taking a stroll along the river. Only a sliver of a moon, but lots of stars.”
“A walk by the river. Why, it’s freezing out there!”