Waiting For Lily Bloom (7 page)

She pictured Abe Lincoln seated in Ford's Theatre. Marie Antoinette facing the guillotine.

James came to a room and released her hand. He walked inside and lit a lamp.

Dim light illumined the space. Sweet Heavenly days. The bed appeared to glow.

He leaned over and pulled the covers down.

She placed her hand on her throat.

He grabbed a pillow, tucked it under his arm, and walked back to her, sporting a grin that caused her heart to hammer. The light softened his outline, casting a lustrous sheen on his copper hair. He stopped in front of her at the doorpost, tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, and then raised her chin to meet his gaze.

What did he see as he studied her? He stood so near that his breath tickled her cheek. His eyes were the darkest silk, framed by enviable lashes. His grin faded to a half-hearted smile, and then disappeared altogether when he gazed at her lips. “I should've known it was you,” he whispered, lifting her hand to his chest. “Thief.”

Heat radiated against her palm. His spicy, male scent pervaded her lungs. Not unpleasant. Not dangerous, but not safe. She shivered. If she were a bird, she'd fly away.

He traced her jaw with his thumb. His palm lay against the pulse in her neck. He leaned forward and touched his lips to hers. “Rest easy, wife.” With a final caress of her cheek, he dropped his hand and walked away. Moments later, the front door opened and closed.

 

****

 

“Mama!
Mama!
”

Lily gasped and catapulted from the bed. She blinked. Where on earth—?

“Els, it's OK. Shhh.”

Lily stumbled into the hallway.

The wailing increased. “Maaa-maaa.” Elsa's tortured cries pierced Lily's heart.

She rushed into the girls' room and lit the lamp.

The darlings cradled each other as they wept.

She pressed a hand to her lips as their outlines blurred. She crawled into the bed, gathering them. They wrapped thin arms around her as she held them close.

“I-I'm s-sorry we woke you, Miss Lily.”

She placed her hand on Ava's cheek and shook her head. Poor things. She rubbed Elsa's back until her cries quieted. Little hiccoughs replaced tears. What these dear-hearts had endured….she rocked the girls in her arms until they released her and lay down again.

Bright blue eyes stared up at her, but soon weighted and closed. Elsa turned to her side.

Their breathing steadied and lengthened.

“You're good with them.” James whispered, leaning against the doorpost.

She rose gingerly and walked into the hallway. Heavens, she must look a fright.

He was clean-shaven. What time was it?

“It's almost six.”

How did he always know her thoughts?

“It's the first thing I wonder when I wake up.” He winked and turned for the kitchen. “Let the girls sleep a while longer. It'll be a long day.”

 

****

 

James dug as Lily swept. Her nose and mouth were covered with a kerchief. Damp hair clung to her forehead. She followed him, sweeping the porch and steps that he'd shoveled clear. At this rate, they'd get his front porch cleared by sunset. As he shoveled the dirt east, the western wind deposited more. He ran his forearm across his brow.

Ava and Elsa rested inside. The funeral had tired them out.

Was it just yesterday that Henry and his children had sat on the front pew as Reverend Cox delivered the eulogy? When Miss Anya was laid to rest, Henry wept and hugged his children. Shortly thereafter, he left for California.

Parishioners had gone home, changed clothes, and returned to dig the church out of the dirt. It was a blessing, laboring with neighbors. Took folks' minds from hunger. Dust pneumonia. Government slaughter of cattle.

The men had moved hills of dirt, clearing a pathway to the church. The women brought cloth, oil soap, and newspaper, scrubbing pews and washing windows.

Children stayed indoors, the older ones making sure toddlers didn't get under the women's feet.

The
swish
of Lily's broom swept him into the present. The woman worked. She hadn't complained. And she had every right to.

He dug another shovelful and tossed it in the direction of Lily's hometown. Savannah. What was her life like back east? Not like this.

She whimpered.

His head snapped up. “Lily?”

She pressed her lips together and shook her head.

He dropped his shovel. “What's wrong?”

She ran her palm along her sweaty brow, and then gritted her teeth as air whistled past her lips. She blew on her hand.

James grabbed her wrists and turned them palm up. Blistered raw. “Of all the…” Was he
stupid
? He should've known better. “Idiot!” And he had a pair of gloves inside. “Why didn't you say something?”

Her mouth fell open, eyes shimmering.

“No, I mean—”

Her face contorted. She threw down the broom, went in the house, and slammed the door.

 

 

 

 

6

 

Lily dashed for her bedroom. Her bedroom. Ha! It was
his
.

“M-Miss Lily?” Ava squeaked, standing as Lily shot past.

Elsa gripped the arms of her chair.

Lily went to the bedroom, closed the door, and threw herself onto the bed. Of course, his scent would surround her, rising up from the mattress and impeding the very air she breathed. Tears stung her eyes.

How could he? He was cruel. Heartless.

She'd done her best. How could she know her hands would blister? She'd never even held a broom before she came to Oklahoma. Papa's maid kept his home clean.
God bless you, Miss Washington.

She'd tried to help him, tried to be a good wife. She looked down at her red, swollen hands. She wasn't cut out to be a farmer's wife. And she wasn't an idiot!

Selfish, uncaring oaf. He'd called her the cruelest of names. Mocked her.

Why didn't you say something?

As if she could! She'd never forgive him for such a hurtful remark.

 

****

 

James went inside and walked to the medicine cabinet.

“M-Mr. Bloom, M-Miss Lily—”

“I know, honey.”

“She l-looked upset.”

“She was.”

“She w-was cryin'.”

He winced. “I wasn't thinkin'. I said somethin' wrong.”

Ava sat back in her rocker and shared a look with her sister. “Oh.”

Oh indeed. He grabbed the alcohol and a clean cloth and walked to the bedroom. He would've knocked on the door, but soft, guttural cries clawed at his chest. Glory be. Anything but tears. He swallowed and turned the doorknob.

Lily leapt from the bed and crossed her arms. Her eyes flashed fire.

Lord, help me.
“First, it wasn't what you think.”

She lifted her chin.

“Hear me out. I was callin'
myself
an idiot. I have a pair of gloves right in the kitchen, but I was so preoccupied, I forgot that you might not be used to work.”

She placed her hands on her hips.

“Not
work
.” He rubbed his forehead. “
Farm
work.” Her eye twitched, but he still had her attention, so he kept going. “The point is, I should've been more attentive.”

She scowled.

“I apologize. Will you forgive me?”

With a huff, she unfolded her arms and walked to the window. That was one riled woman.

He didn't want to bring up his other idiotic remark, but it looked like he'd have to. “Just so you know, the last thing I said—”

She spun around, static sizzling in the air.

“It came out wrong. I was upset that you were hurtin', and that was the first thing that came out of my mouth.” He stepped forward, and she faced the window again. He placed the alcohol and cloth on the dresser and walked to her. “I'd never say anything to hurt your feelings on purpose. I hope you believe me.”

She turned around, inspecting him like a man would check out a cow he wanted to buy. When she squinted and exhaled, he walked to the dresser and grabbed the alcohol.

She shook her head. Stubborn woman.

“You took care of me when I was hurt. Now sit.”

Her gaze narrowed.

He ground his jaw.

Her lips thinned as she sat on the bed, head held high.

He poured alcohol on the cloth. The liquid soaked through and cooled his hand, its pungent odor filling his nostrils. He placed the bottle on the floor, then knelt before her, lifted her left hand, and looked into her eyes. “This is gonna hurt.”

She nodded, grabbing the folds of her skirt with her right hand.

He exhaled and laid the cloth on her hand.

 

****

 

Lily cried out, wrenched her left hand away, and walloped him with her right.

He fell backward, jaw slack and eyes bulging.

She jumped up and covered her mouth, palms aflame and knuckles throbbing. Alcohol pooled on the floor beneath him.

He gawked at her, sprawled on the floor where he lay, propped on his elbows.

Great Jehoshaphat! She rushed forward, knelt, and touched his face with trembling hands. How could she have done such a thing?

“It's OK.” He rubbed his cheek.

Poor James. She abhorred violence!

“I said it's fine.” He brushed at her shaking hands. “It was reflex.”

She grabbed his jaw and craned his neck to the right.

He flinched under her scrutiny. “Would ya quit?” An angry welt formed on his cheek.

The girls gasped in the hallway. Elsa's eyes were the size of silver dollars, and a smile lit Ava's freckled face. “M-Miss Lily, don't feel bad. Just k-kiss it better.”

Lily straightened and released him, but he held fast, his scowl replaced by a grin.

“Well, now. It'd be a shame to disappoint the girls, wouldn't it, Mrs. Bloom?”

The rapscallion.

Elsa clapped her hands.

Ava giggled.

She inhaled, leaned forward, and pecked his bruised cheek. Her lips tingled at the contact, his unshaven face warm and prickly.

“Hurray!” Ava's approval merged with her sister's lively applause.

Elsa ran into the room and picked up the overturned alcohol bottle. She tilted her head, squinted, and peeked into the opening.

James hopped up and extended his hand.

Lily gripped it, air hissing past her teeth.

He released her palm, and then lifted her at the waist instead.

She stood, her hands resting on his forearms.

“We still have to…”

His eyes were the color of Miss Edna's apple butter. Back home, there was nothing finer. In Pauls Valley, it suddenly took second place. Sculpted cheekbones and a strong jaw enhanced his full, curved lips. Lush eyelashes blinked at her.

“You OK?” His brow wrinkled.

She closed her mouth, nodding. What was wrong with her?

“So whaddya think?”

Oh dear. What had he said? She nibbled her lower lip.

“Elsa thinks we should try again.” He turned to the little darling, took the alcohol bottle from her hands, and mussed her hair. Then he faced Lily. “How ‘bout it, Slugger?”

Ava shook her head. “D-don't do it, Mr. Bloom!”

“Don't worry, girls.” He gripped the alcohol bottle, planted his feet, and blocked his face with his free hand. “This time, I'm prepared.”

Ava dissolved into laughter.

Elsa bounced on her tiptoes.

Lily sat again and took deep breaths.

Apparently, James had enough alcohol left in the bottle to burn the flesh off of her other hand. He circled, as though sizing up his opponent. “I can't get too close, girls. She might clock me again.”

Lily's cheeks warmed.
The beast.

“Yay!” Ava cheered.

“Are you gonna hit him again, Miss Lily?”

Elsa.
The imp's face shone with glee, her silence broken.

Ava's lips formed a perfect
O
.

James beamed as he turned to Lily. He placed his right hand on his stomach, his left hand behind his back, and bowed.

Not bad. For a man.

Lily raised her fists and scowled at him. He feigned fright and jumped back. The girls howled.

What a ragtag bunch we are.

She'd never been happier.

 

****

 

After supper, James read to his family from his father's Bible.

Lily held the Bloom family Bible, which he'd updated with their names and marriage date.

Ava sat on Lily's left and Elsa on her right.

He read the account of Joseph in Egypt, pausing to watch Lily point at each word, Ava's brow furrowing as she studied the print. Elsa rested her head on Lily's arm. The girls listened intently, but before long, Elsa rubbed her eyes and Ava stifled a yawn. He marked his page and closed the book.

“Ready for bed?”

Lily straightened.

Ava stood and led Elsa to wash her face. When they finished, they walked to their room.

He followed Lily down the hall, entered the girls' room, and lit the lamp. “Did you like the story?”

“Poor Joseph,” Elsa sniffled. “His brothers are mean.”

“They sure were.” He folded his arms as Lily tucked in the girls and kissed them on their heads. “Even though somethin' bad happened to Joseph, God took care of him. Tomorrow we'll find out if Joseph's dreams came true.”

“I-I know, I-I know!”

“Don't go spoilin' the endin' for your sister. We'll read about it tomorrow.”

Ava's eye's twinkled. “O-OK.”

“I mean it. No squealin'.”

Both girls giggled.

“Let's pray.” He offered his hand to Lily.