As the train pulled out, giving him what he hoped was a last glimpse of St. Louis, his eyes filled with unexpected tears, which he furtively wiped away. Only too glad to close this chapter of his life, he rested his head on the seat and closed his eyes.
Chapter 9
Tori glanced at the calendar on the wall. Almost a week had passed since Jesse had left. She’d kept busy with the increasing demands of her students and the baking for the restaurant. The long days took a toll on her body. More than once, she’d snuck into the bedroom after return
ing from school to take a nap. Even with the extra rest, she still nodded off early in the evenings, sometimes before Ellie.
Rachel walked into their bedroom as Tori made the bed. “I just started my monthlies, and I can’t find the rags. What did we do with them?”
Tori bent as she smoothed out the quilt, flattening her palms along the well-worn cotton material and met Rachel’s gaze. “Wow, that time already? Seems like you just had it.”
“No, it’s been a month. I remember getting as soon as we returned from the McRae’s.” She tapped her foot. “Do you know where they are?”
Tori’s hand froze. She stood and stared, open mouthed. Blood left her face and rushed to her feet. Black dots danced in her eyes. She lowered herself to the bed, trying to calm her racing heart.
“What’s the matter?” Rachel eyed her with concern.
“Nothing,” she rapidly counted.
Oh my God.
“I’m just thinking.” Her voice squeaked. “After we washed them last time, I put them in my bottom drawer.”
“Thanks.” Rachel grabbed some from the drawer and shut it with a bang. “I’m off to school. See you later.”
Tori remained on the bed, shocked into numbness.
I haven’t had my monthlies since a couple weeks before we went to Maple Grove. And we’ve been back a month!
And here she thought a slight weight gain caused the heaviness in her breasts. And the naps! Now it all made sense. She fought the rising panic and hurriedly left the bedroom. She had to get to school. Behave like normal. Forget about what she’d discovered. But if her suspicions proved correct, what in heaven’s name would she do?
Damn that Jesse Cochran. It’s all his fault.
But a niggling, honest voice reminded her she’d had her part in creating the problem. She dropped her head in her hands and groaned. Life wasn’t complicated enough?
I guess pretending to be married didn’t make a difference to God after all.
Two days later, as Tori unlocked her front door, Jesse’s voice called to her. He strode down the street, swinging his satchel, a huge grin on his face. Not the person she wanted to see right now. No sooner had she dropped her books on the table, than he stood behind her, his warm breath on her neck.
He reached over her shoulder and took a cookie from the jar. “Did you miss me?” He leisurely propped himself against the wall. Tori backed up, her fingers fidgeting with her skirt, unable to quite meet his eyes yet.
She took a deep breath and fixed him with a stare. His eyes bore into hers, and she stiffened her back, then opened her mouth to speak. And burst into tears. Jesse eyes grew wide as he tossed the rest of the cookie on the table. He crossed the room in three strides and pulled her into his arms, where she sobbed into his shirt.
Not able to squeak out two coherent words, she continued crying. Jesse’s hands moved in circles on her back.
“Is everyone all right?” He eased back, bending his head so he could peer into her face.
Tori nodded.
“Aw, darlin’, did you miss me so much?”
She shoved his chest. “Miss you! I hate you. You ruined my life. Get out of my house.”
“Tori, what’s wrong?” he asked gently, reaching for her again.
She slapped his hand away and took a handkerchief from her pocket. After blowing her nose, she inhaled deeply. “Nothing’s wrong.”
“Is Rachel causing trouble again?” He tucked a loose curl behind her ear.