Chapter 21 #2
At the conclusion of the service, Reverend Norton led the recessional, pausing for a moment for his wife to join him before they walked on together. The rest of the Nortons and Aunt Rose and Uncle Andre stood and left the pew. The congregation waited respectfully for them to pass.
Reverend Joshua paused to lean toward Torin. “Glad you’re here. You, Jewel, and Ivy follow right behind Delia and me.”
Torin glanced at Ivy, cocking an eyebrow for confirmation.
With a lift of her chin in the direction of the aisle, Ivy indicated she’d heard the minister’s instructions.
He took Jewel’s hand. “Come with me, Sweetheart. Ivy and the others will stay with us.” He stood and guided her behind the younger Nortons.
Ivy rose and followed them into the aisle. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Dr. Angus and Constance sitting in the row behind them.
The two gave him welcoming smiles and nods.
Our friends surrounded us. And it seemed, from the way they all quickly followed before anyone on the other side of the aisle could squeeze in, that their protectiveness would continue. He couldn’t help feeling touched by their caring.
Swept along by the tide of friendship, he and Jewel left the building. The elder Nortons took the left side to exchange a few words with the people as they left. Reverend Joshua and his wife went to the other side.
Torin trailed after them.
Joshua clasped his hand warmly and smiled down at his beautiful helpmate. “My wife, Delia.”
Despite her expensive gown in a sunset orange and heavy gold jewelry, Delia Bellaire Norton’s hazel eyes were warm, her tone gracious when she greeted him.
Joshua gestured behind Torin and Ivy. “My father-in-law, Andre Bellaire, and his wife and Cora’s aunt, Rose.” He dropped a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “My son, Micah.”
Torin turned to greet them. In Rose, he could see the resemblance to Cora—same intelligent gray eyes, although Rose had wore spectacles.
White-haired Mr. Bellaire had an air of Southern gentility. He bent close to Jewel. “And who is this sweet girl?” he asked in a charming Southern accent.
“I’mm Jew-ell.”
“Hello, Jewel Honey.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a peppermint stick, and handed her the candy. “A sweet for the sweet.”
Torin wasn’t sure Jewel understood the man’s reference, but his daughter sure understood peppermint sticks.
Ivy leaned close. “What do you say, Jewel?” she prompted, ever the governess.
“Than ew.”
Mr. Bellaire’s eyes, the same hazel as his daughter’s, twinkled. “You’re very welcome.” He pulled out another peppermint stick and handed it to Micah. “Come make a new friend.”
“Hello, I’m Micah.” The boy bore a strong resemblance to his father. But he sported a cheeky grin and a liveliness unlike his more staid father.
Jewel gazed at Micah as though mesmerized, mouth open wider than usual, tongue poking out.
Torin chuckled, surprised to feel entertained. “Micah, Jewel has never seen a boy before. I don’t think she knows what to make of you.”
“Never?” His mouth dropped open.
“Never,” Torin confirmed. “Only grown men.”
“Well, Jewel.” Micah touched his peppermint stick to hers. “I suggest you make of me as your friend.”
Torin met Joshua’s gaze, seeing his amusement mirrored in Joshua’s expression. I never thought I’d feel this way when Jewel met her first boy. I never thought she’d meet a boy at all.”
“Papa,” Delia scolded, sliding her hand around Mr. Bellaire’s arm and giving a tiny tug toward her. “Micah.” She draped her other arm around the boy’s shoulders. “Remember, they’re supposed to escape.”
Mr. Bellaire chuckled. “I know, Darlin’. I couldn’t resist.”
“We’re supposed to escape?” Torin queried, attempting to get his bearings in what was proving to be a topsy-turvy day. “To where?”
“We’re fleeing the masses.” Brian swooped in to scoop up Jewel. “Your carriage awaits, Sugar Princess.” To the sound of her giggles, he made off with the child.”
“Bye-bye, Mi-ca.” Jewel waved over Brian’s shoulder.
Torin and Ivy exchanged bewildered glances.
“Come on. Make haste.” Cora linked her arm through Ivy’s and pulled her toward the street. “We’re taking the coach back to the house. The others will join us there.”
A coach and team awaited them, with Sam grinning from the coach bench. He touched his hat to them. “In you go, everyone.”
Brian set Jewel inside. “Hurry. Get in and slide over there, Sugar.” He indicated the driver-facing seat. Then he handed Ivy up.
She claimed the seat next to Jewel.
“What’s going on?” Torin asked.
“We’re kidnapping you two, naturally.” Brian gave Torin’s shoulder a small push. “Git on with ya,” he drawled.
With a puzzled shake of his head, Torin obeyed the order, sitting in the place next to Ivy. Their legs touched. He inhaled the scent of roses.
Brian helped Cora up to settle in the opposite seat, and then he climbed inside, scooted next to her, and shut the door.
The coach jolted forward. But rather than racing down the street, scattering people in their great escape, Sam kept the horses to a walk.
With a pleased sigh, Brian sat back. “We figured today would be tough enough without you having to cope with a curious mob. What with the Nortons and Bellaires, you’ll have enough new people to become acquainted with.”
My friends know me so well. “Appreciate that.”
Ivy tilted her head. “You knew about Torin and Jewel being here?”
Cora raised her hands, palms up. “Not knew. Hoped.”
“Reverend Joshua came to visit me yesterday.” With a rueful smile, Torin shrugged. “He was the final prod I needed.” And you were the enticement, he tried to tell her with his eyes.
“But,” Ivy sputtered.
She looked bewildered, but not, to his relief, upset. Hopefully, she’ll be willing to talk to me—that is, if we can find some privacy to converse. His pulse raced as nervous anticipation sped through him. The drive to the mansion seemed interminable…and far too fast.
Cora leaned forward to touch Ivy’s knee. “We kept Reverend Joshua’s visit to Three Bend Lake a secret because we knew if Torin didn’t come today, you would be deeply hurt.”
Brian chuckled. “And this way…surprise!”
Torin looked at his friends’ mischievous expressions. “This trip was pretty well choreographed.”
“Choreographed, I like that,” Cora said brightly. “Much better description than planned.”
“We’ll be sure to use that word in the future,” Ivy said wryly.
“We rehearsed for an hour yesterday,” Brian quipped. “No sense letting you get thrown to the wolves.”
Jewel clutched her candy to her chest. “Wulf?”
“I was teasing. There are no wolves, Sugar Princess,” Brian chuckled. “Just curious people who would have wanted to meet you and your father. Lots of talking. Lots of questions. We figured, just sticking with your friends and only meeting the Nortons and Bellaires would be enough.”
“You figured right.” Torin’s tone held his relief.
“Everyone is meeting up at the mansion for a meal and a chance for you to relax with your friends. Relax, Torin,” Brian stressed again. “Experience being away from Three Bend Lake.”
The coach pulled to a stop, and within minutes, Sam opened the door. He reached in to swing Jewel down. She giggled and patted his arm. “Sam.”
“That I am, Little Miss.”
He reached a hand for Ivy, and then helped down Cora.
The men climbed out and made sure the child was out of the way, so Sam could move the coach.
The surrey pulled up with Reverend Joshua driving the Bellaires, his wife, and Micah. As soon as his father set the brake, Micah jumped out and raced over to Jewel. “Papa says I can show you my toys. We can even play with them.”
Reverend Joshua strolled up with his wife on his arm.
Delia excused herself to go check on the baby.
“I hope you don’t mind.” He angled toward Torin.
“I figured the Good Lord would prefer Micah spent the Sabbath afternoon entertaining Jewel. Are you against them playing today?” He quirked a smile.
“I suppose if we were Jewish, Micah playing with Jewel, making her comfortable in a new place among some strangers, would be considered a mitzvah—a good deed done from religious duty.”
Except for a little Bible reading, Torin didn’t really observe the Sabbath, and he’d never impose strict standards on Jewel.
His family hadn’t been as rigid as the Maynards, where the children could only read the Bible or other religious treatises on Sundays and not do anything else.
If he and his brothers remained in their bedrooms, their parents didn’t check up on them to make sure they weren’t playing with their toys.
Only when they went into the parlor did they have to act quiet and proper.
Torin’s first impulse was to refuse. But when he looked into Micah’s innocent face and glanced at his daughter, who gazed at the boy with unabashed curiosity, he changed his mind. “I think Micah’s mitzvah would suit Jewel just fine.”
“Yeah!” Micah started a fist pump into the air, caught a quelling look from his father, and pulled down his arm. “Come on, Jewel. Let’s go.”
Jewel didn’t look back at Torin to check with him. As if Micah had turned into the Pied Piper of Hamelin, she followed him, mesmerized.
Amazed, although still feeling a pang in his chest, he turned to Ivy, who watched the two children with an expression of pride. “If I hadn’t just seen that with my own eyes, I never would have believed my daughter would just desert me. No shyness. No hesitancy.”
Ivy burst out laughing. “First of all…” She glanced at Reverend Joshua. “Your son is wonderful. Secondly…” She tapped Torin’s arm. “She’s behaving like any girl would.”
He supposed she was right but didn’t want to admit it. “At least Jewel knows what to do with boy’s toys,” he grumbled.