She shook her head. “He knows we’re doing all right without him contributing.”
“Have you talked to him yet?” His pencil resumed the steady rhythm, which for some reason comforted her. Or maybe it was having someone to discuss her problems with. Someone who cared—a lot.
“No. I came right here after I left the school.”
“Maybe we’re making something out of nothing. He may have a reasonable explanation why he’s delaying. Talk to him and find out what he has to say. If something appears wrong, then we can worry about it.”
Tori felt a flush of pleasure at Jesse mentioning we can worry about it. He still continued to take on her problems, even though she tried to shut him out of her life. His help eased her tension, but scared her at the same time. Tears gathered as a longing to have everything the same as before she lost the baby swept over her.
Jesse reached across the desk to take her hand. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing.” She blinked rapidly.
“Don’t say nothing. I can see you’re upset. Is it Michael?”
“Yes,” Tori lied. “But I’m fine.” She rose and headed for the door.
“Oh, by the way,” she added, “I saw Mrs. Boswell on the way home. She reminded me she has another meeting tomorrow night. She expects us both at seven-thirty, so you can set up chairs again, and I can put out cookies.”
“What?” Jesse groused. “That woman keeps me busier than my law practice. She seems to think I’m some kind of personal servant.”
“Don’t shoot the messenger. I’m just passing on the word.” Tori smiled briefly, still fighting sadness. “I do admit she is a force to be reckoned with.”
“I could think of much more colorful words to fit Mrs. Boswell, but I won’t say them in front of a lady.” His face softened, and so did her heart. This time her smile was genuine.
Tori left Jesse’s house and crossed the path to her own. She’d laughed more in the last couple of weeks with Jesse than she had for the long dark weeks before. Maybe she was healing.
Michael stood, red-faced, hands fisted at his sides, leaning toward Tori. “I don’t want to go to college. I told Miss Evans, but she keeps bugging me about it.”
“But Michael, why? You always wanted to go. What changed your mind?”
“Nothing. I don’t want to go, and I don’t want to talk about it anymore.” He turned and slammed out of the house.
Tori turned to Rachel. “What was that all about? Do you know?”
“No. I’ve never heard him say he didn’t want to go to college. He’s doing well in school, too. I heard Miss Evans say he would be valedictorian for his graduating class. It’s a mystery to me.”
A tapping on the front door and the sound of it opening, interrupted their conversation. Tori returned to washing dishes, then heard Jesse’s voice. Jesse and Rachel bantered back and forth as they entered the kitchen. Tori smiled. Rachel no longer flirted with older men. Instead, she looked forward to parties and outings with her friends.
That brought to mind Rachel’s request for a new dress for Maggie Carter’s party Saturday night. She deserved it. She worked hard at her studies and at the restaurant after school. Somehow she would find money to buy new dancing shoes to go with the dress Jesse paid for.
“How’s my girl tonight?” Jesse asked as he pulled her to his chest and gave her a playful kiss.
“Jesse, stop it.” She wiggled away from him. “Rachel’s here.”
“Nope. She went to her room to do homework. We’re all alone,” he said, nuzzling her neck.
Tori playfully elbowed him in the stomach.
“Umph. You must be feeling better, honey.”
Tori turned back to the sink. Reaching overhead, she grabbed a dish towel and threw it at Jesse’s head. “Here, you might as well dry.”
Jesse dried dishes and put them away as she washed. After working in companionable silence for a while, she dumped out the wash water and held out the coffee pot and looked at Jesse.
“Sure, I can stand a cup.” He settled himself at the table. “I saw Michael rushing out of here. Did you talk to him about the scholarship?”
“I did, and it’s still a mystery.” Tori poured two cups of coffee and set them on the table, along with cream and sugar. “Pie?”