Harvest Moon (Borrowed Brides 2)

They worked together as they’d done for the past few days, but there was a difference. The sense of companionship had disappeared. They were separated by a chasm too wide for either of them to cross.

David finished the dishes, then worked at his desk, making notes and poring over the pages of his lawbooks. Tessa sipped her tea and embroidered on a sampler the sheriff’s wife had given her to “occupy her hands.”

They didn’t speak. They were simply waiting until it grew dark enough for one of them to escape to bed.

The knock on the front door startled them. David got up from his desk to open it. Lorna Taylor and Jewell Bradley stood on the sidewalk, each holding a covered basket.

“We hope we haven’t come too late,” Jewell said, “but this is the first opportunity I’ve had to slip away.”

“What can I do for you ladies?” David asked, stepping back and allowing the women to enter the office. He closed the door behind them.

“We’ve come to see Miss Roarke.” Lorna looked up at him. “And to bring you a little something.”

Tessa rose from her chair. “Please come in.” She ushered the ladies toward the table. “Won’t you have a seat? I just made a pot of tea.”

“That would be nice,” Lorna said, placing her basket on the table before seating herself.

Jewell followed Lorna’s lead. Opening her basket, she removed a pan of fried chicken and a plate of big fluffy biscuits. “We tried to get here before you had time to fix supper,” Jewell said to Tessa, “but those pesky reporters have been making a nuisance of themselves in front of the jail.”

“Why?” Tessa asked.

Jewell chuckled. “Because, my dear, that’s where they think you’re being held. Judge Emory let ’em think you’d be at the jail to throw them off the scent.”

Tessa looked to David for confirmation.

He nodded in agreement.

“We had a devil of a time getting here,” Lorna told them, “but it was quite an adventure.” She poked Jewell in the ribs. “Just like when we were girls.”

“Yes,” Jewell agreed. “My Jimmy stalled ’em while Lorna and I slipped out the back way with your supper. A couple of the reporters spotted us, but we gave them the slip by walking behind the funeral parlor.” She spoke in an eerie whisper. “Then we skirted the cemetery.” She shivered with delight. “I haven’t had so much fun in years.”

/> “This is kind of you.” Tessa took down two cups and saucers from the new set of dishes David had bought and set them before the women.

“Aw, pooh,” Lorna scoffed, unpacking the items from her basket—an apple cake, a jar of strawberry preserves, and a plate of fried peach turnovers. “It isn’t kind at all. It’s the least we can do after the way this town has treated you. It’s the same as we’d do for any neighbors. The same as we’d do for our friends.” She smiled at Tessa and David.

“And,” Jewell added, “it’s our way of thanking you for standing up to the town bully.” Her brown eyes sparkled merrily at the memory of Margaret Jeffers’s setdown. “I was ashamed of myself for not coming to your aid.”

“Me, too,” Lorna admitted.

“But you didn’t have to do anything,” Tessa protested, filling their cups with tea.

Jewell looked up and caught David hovering in the background. She motioned to the vacant chair. “Come over here and sit down. Have a piece of cake. I know you’ve already eaten supper, but there’s always room for dessert.” She patted her ample stomach.

“Yes, David,” Tessa said, “please sit down.” She got him a cup and saucer and poured tea into it.

“I really need to work,” he told them. “There’s a lot to do before tomorrow’s session.”

“We don’t mean to keep you from your work,” Lorna said. “We know how important it is.” She smiled at Tessa.

“That’s right,” Jewell agreed. “We just wanted to show our support for you, Mr. Alexander, and most of all, for Miss Tessa.” Jewell met Tessa’s gaze. “My husband, the sheriff, doesn’t think you’re guilty, and I’ve seen for myself what a fine lady you are. And, well, what I’m trying to say is that we’d be right pleased to call you our friend and neighbor.”

“That pleases me very much,” Tessa replied. “I don’t know what else to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything else,” Lorna told her. “Just know that I’ll be in that courtroom tomorrow supporting you, and Jewell will be at home preparing your lunch and supporting you as well.”

Tessa’s blue eyes had begun to sparkle. She dabbed at them with the corner of a tea towel.

David smiled broadly, then crossed over to the table and sat down. “Well, ladies,” he announced, lifting his cup of steaming tea. “I’d say this calls for dessert and a little celebration.”