Jane- A Christmas Day Bride, page 4
part #10 of Brides of Noelle Series
Sol hesitated, like he wanted to add something else, but whatever it was, he muttered something about it not being his business, and walked off.
Now Romeo was doubly glad for seeking out Peter’s assistance. His family counted on that money, but he also knew that Sol was right in thinking that the boy was often lazy. But maybe, this would get him to do a little more work.
“You can’t fire me,” Peter told Romeo when they were alone. “My mother is real sick and needs money for the doctor.”
“I can give you some extra money to deliver notes and things for me,” Romeo said. “But it has to be our secret. If you tell anyone, I won’t pay you. And this is in addition to the work you do for Sol. You need to do a good job for Sol. He asks a lot, but he can be very generous to those who are loyal to him.”
Peter nodded, then he turned to finish up the sweeping job. Romeo went back into the office to talk to Sol.
“Did you know the boy’s mother was sick?” Romeo asked.
Sol looked up from his ledger. “What’s with everyone and their sick mothers?”
Romeo stared his cousin. “What happened to you? You used to have a heart of gold, willing to help anyone. But you dismiss Jane because of some weird vendetta, and now you have no sympathy for this poor boy and his family. My mother used to say you had the biggest heart of anyone she knew.”
Sol slammed his ledger shut. “And you know where that got me? I nearly lost everything, trusting the wrong people. You think you’re doing someone a kindness, only to find yourself taken advantage of in the worst ways.”
Then his expression softened. “I did know about the boy’s mother. Though you think I’m heartless, I knew the family had come upon difficult times. It’s why I hired the boy in the first place.”
Sol gave him a weary look. “Sometimes it’s hard to tell who to trust. A man can only be betrayed so many times. I’ve had more than my share. Maybe that’s why your mother sent you to me. I know she’s worried about me. But she doesn’t know the half of what I’ve been through, and even though she means well, it’s more complicated than she thinks. So please, stop trying to fix me or make the situation here better. You can’t possibly understand from my perspective.”
Sol stood and stretched. “And that’s all I’m going to say on that matter. I’m going home.”
As Sol left, Romeo went back out to inspect the boy’s work. He was almost finished, so Romeo did the last of the tidying up, then let the boy out. He watched as the boy skipped down the street toward the ramshackle part of town, where many of the poor families lived.
Romeo locked up, then went out to the shed in the back where Sol had let him set up a small workspace for his stained-glass. It wasn’t much, but it gave Romeo the chance to escape the world and hone his craft. It was a shame his family didn’t see value in this kind of work. People all over the world visited cathedrals and other places of import to view the beautiful glass work. Romeo still was nowhere near that level, since he lacked both the equipment and the know-how. Besides, he didn’t dream of creating such grand works. But he did like spending time with the glass, watching it take shape, and finding himself lost in another world, even if just for a short time.
Chapter 3
At the appointed hour, Jane found herself waiting for Romeo in the alley. She hated having to sneak around, but when they’d gotten home last night, Horatio had lectured her in front of the family about not putting them all at risk. They had trouble enough with people in town, and they didn’t need to stir up more by angering Sol. Even Cordelia, who’d heard her mother’s wistful speech, had said it wasn’t worth the trouble it would cause the family to get Romeo to make them a stained-glass window.
Which meant, as much as she liked Romeo, and had enjoyed his company, she would have to find a way to decline his offer politely.
Was she foolish for wanting to find a way to do it anyway?
When Romeo arrived, he had his scarf wrapped tightly around his face, almost as though he were trying to hide his identity. Clearly, this was just as difficult for him as it was for her.
“Thank you for your note yesterday,” she said. “It was much appreciated, and your kindness to me will not be forgotten.”
Even though his scarf mostly hid his face, Jane thought she caught a hint of a smile in his eyes.
“I only wish I could do more. I’m sorry for the way my cousin treated you. I know there is no excuse, but in the time between leaving our family in New York, and coming here, something terrible happened to him. He isn’t the same person. I know my mother said she sent me here to teach me a lesson, but now, remembering some of the things that she said about him, I think she was also hoping that I could somehow help Sol regain whatever it was that he lost.”
Even though she shouldn’t feel so much sympathy for a man who had treated her so abominably, Romeo’s defense of him softened her heart. She’d been thinking a lot about the Bible’s admonitions to pray for those who persecuted her, and even though she was trying, it was a much more difficult task than she’d imagined. Still, as she kept Sol in her prayers, she would remember Romeo’s words.
“I hope you succeed. It makes me sad to see someone so bitter.” Then she took a deep breath. “Which is why I have to pass on your generous offer. My family does not wish to anger Sol further by having you make us a stained-glass window, as it’s already difficult for us in town. But I hope you know that I appreciate your gesture more than I can ever say.”
Romeo looked down at the ground, then back at her. “Is it true that your mother is dying?”
She closed her eyes and swallowed the pain that came up with the thought. “I wish it weren’t. Dr. Deane says that there isn’t any reason why she isn’t getting better, but I believe that Father’s murder killed her will to live. She’s dying of a broken heart, and for that, there is no cure.”
The sympathetic look he gave her comforted her. “Your parents had a great love story, then?”
She smiled. “The best. Mother was just speaking of it yesterday, which is what made me think of getting her the stained-glass window. We used to have one above our front door, but I’d like to have one for her in her bedroom, since I doubt she’ll be able to spend much time in the parlor. She’s simply too weak, which pains me to admit.”
Romeo nodded slowly. “My parents do as well. I can see the love they have for one another. I don’t know what my mother would do without my father, and vice versa. They provide an excellent example of what love and marriage should be.”
His words resonated with her, as it was why she’d never been interested in being courted by any of the men who came around. They didn’t have the same view of love being about mutual respect, compassion, and even sacrifice.
“It’s the same with my family,” she said. “And that’s why I feel strongly that I need to respect their wishes and not bring more conflict by further alienating Sol. I will continue to pray for him, and you, as well.”
“I’ve already begun the piece. I shouldn’t have, since I didn’t know what you wanted, but when I closed my eyes and thought about the window I wanted to make for you, I kept thinking about daisies.”
Daisies. If he had said anything else, she wouldn’t have taken it as a sign. She would’ve told him that it was something he could easily sell in the hardware store, like the one they already had on display. But daisies?
“It’s exactly what I wanted,” she said. “How did you know?”
Romeo shrugged. “I don’t know. Whenever I start a piece, I close my eyes, and I ask my materials what they want to be. I know that sounds silly, but I think about Michelangelo making David, and his notion that David was already inside the marble, just waiting to come out. That’s how I see my stained-glass creations.”
He was a true artist. But more than that, he was deeply in touch with her feelings. Her way of looking at the world. Not that she created anything wonderful. But she wanted something that came from that kind of creative spirit.
“My mother had a dream yesterday, and she talked about the daisies my father used to give her. That’s what I wanted her window to be. Daisies.”
He reached forward and took her hands. “Then this is meant to be. I know our families don’t want us working together. Sol made that quite clear to me. But how can we deny the spirit flowing between us, the connection?”
Then he looked down at their joined hands. “I’m sorry for being so forward. I don’t mean to disrespect you. Or your wishes. But you are the first person I’ve met since coming to Noelle that I truly feel a connection to. I was content, remaining with Sol through Christmas to learn whatever lesson my parents had for me, then going home and starting school again. But something new has awakened in me, and I can’t explain it.”
She felt the same way. But she pulled her hands from his. “I understand better than you think. But I cannot do something that would hurt my family. They’re already hurting enough.”
He stared at the ground again. “I do apologize. Will you at least allow me to finish making the window? I won’t even charge you for it. Consider it my gift to someone who has touched me in an unexpected way.”
She shouldn’t say yes, but how was she supposed to deny what seemed like an obvious sign?
“All right,” she said. “But we must keep it a secret. In the meantime, I’ll think of a way to explain how I received such a beautiful gift.”
At least he would be leaving, and even though she would hate to see him go, at least it wouldn’t make it difficult for her, seeing him every day.
“When do you leave?”
“Just after Christmas,” he said. “I might be a disappointment to my family, but my mother still loves me and wants me home. I just don’t know how I can return and be the son they want.”
The sadness in his voice made her heart hurt. “What did you do to upset them?”
Romeo sighed. “I failed out of school.”
His admission surprised her. “But you seem so smart. How could you fail at school?”
The expression on his face made her wish she hadn’t said it. “That’s what everyone says. The truth is, I don’t know. I can discuss books and ideas, and from having spent time in the academic circles my family runs in, I can tell you all about books. But in truth, I haven’t read any of them. I try, but when I open the book, the words don’t make sense.”
She gave him a sympathetic look, because such an admission must’ve been difficult for him. “You can’t read?”
“Of course I can read. Why would you say something like that?”
She shrugged. “A lot of men can’t read. My father used to teach at an exclusive boys’ school, and when the school closed, he and my mother used to take in private tutoring clients. And, as an act of charity, they taught classes in our church to help adults who couldn’t read gain the skills they needed to read and write their names, so they weren’t cheated by others.”
A sad look crossed Romeo’s face. “I learned to read, but it’s always been more difficult for me. I can’t explain why sometimes the words or letters don’t make sense. I think they do, but when I say what I think I read, people laugh. My teachers have all thought I was lazy, and I believe my parents agree, but I don’t know how to explain that the words simply don’t make sense.”
Then he shook his head slowly. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m telling you all this. I’ve never told anyone else. But there’s something about you that makes me want to tell you everything.”
She wished her father were here. He’d helped many people with reading difficulties, people of all ages. He would know what to do. She thought they might still have some of those books even, ones he used to help the people who struggled. Elwood hadn’t been interested in them, but maybe they would be of benefit to Romeo.
“Do you believe that people are brought together for a reason?” she asked.
Romeo shrugged. “I would like to think so, but how is it that I could meet a woman like you, and yet, there seems to be no chance that we will ever be allowed to proceed with a friendship, let alone a courtship?”
He wanted to court her? Usually, such a comment would have made her fearful. But she rather liked the idea of being courted by Romeo, which only made her sad, knowing that such a thing would never be allowed.
Still, she had to believe that God had put him in her life for a reason.
“Father never gave up his passion for teaching. He had some books that he used to help people who had difficulty with reading. Perhaps my way of repaying you for the window would be for me to use those to help you.”
She’d purposely avoided mentioning the idea of courtship, because to entertain such a thought was too painful. But later, when she was alone, she could cherish the idea in her heart.
“I’ve had private tutors,” he said. “They all called me lazy. They said I wasn’t trying.”
The pain in his voice was evident, especially because she could see him as the lazy type. “Were you trying?”
“My parents are leading academics. Of course I was trying. I don’t want to shame them. I love my parents, and I want to honor the legacy they feel they’ve given me. I just don’t know how.”
Deep in her heart, Jane knew she had to help Romeo. “If you’re willing to try, so am I.”
Romeo closed his eyes like he was praying, then he opened them and looked at her. “I would give anything to be the son my parents want me to be. I want to make them proud, and even though my true passion is working with the glass, I would gladly give it up to be able to read properly.”
Though Jane didn’t see why he’d have to choose one or the other, she could feel the passion and earnest desire in Romeo’s heart to read. And even though he said it was about wanting to make his parents happy, she also knew how frustrating it was to live in a society that valued literacy and not be able to participate in it fully. She’d met too many of her parents’ students, and seen their struggles.
“Then I will teach you.”
A dark look crossed his face. “How? You can’t come to my home, and I can’t come to yours. And if we’re seen together in public, word will get out, angering our families.”
He had a point. One she hadn’t thought through. But as she remembered her parents’ passionate desire that everyone have the opportunity to read, she couldn’t see them making an exception to the cousin of their enemy. Her father had been fired from one of his jobs for daring to teach a former slave, which meant, if he’d been here to ask, he would tell her it was her obligation to help Romeo.
“We’ll find a way. I know it’s cold, but our barn isn’t in use, except for the storage of materials being used to build the boarding house. If you come in the morning, before everyone is about, we could spend some time every day.”
She could see Romeo thinking through the decision, weighing how difficult it would be to get away. Trying to determine the excuse he would use should they be caught together. Jane was doing the same thing.
“How early does your family rise?” he asked.
“Not too early. With my mother’s poor health, Minnie not feeling well, and my brother still recovering from the attack on him after my father’s murder, our mornings tend to be quiet and peaceful. They won’t notice if I slip out just before dawn.”
“I could make it work,” he said. “I just don’t want to get you in trouble.”
She thought about how she would explain it to her family if they found out, and she hoped, if she used her father’s example as an excuse, they would understand. They might not like it, but she also couldn’t see them arguing with her father’s spirit.
Still, she didn’t want to test the theory.
How could they find a way to overcome the mistrust between the two families? It seemed that all either side was doing was hurting the other. And for what? Nothing would bring their father back or change the delay to the railroad. She just prayed that the railroad would come soon, and the sentiment against her father would die down.
What had Romeo been thinking, confessing his secret to her? But having shared his burden, and Jane’s acceptance of him, he felt a deep relief that knowing someone was on his side. She hadn’t judged him, called him names, or made him feel like he was somehow inadequate. Instead, she was willing to risk her reputation to help him.
Even though his involvement with Jane had to be kept secret at the risk of drawing Sol’s ire, Romeo was glad he’d agreed to make her the window. He hadn’t wanted anything in return, and now, the gift she was going to be giving him seemed almost too much.
“You don’t know how much this means to me,” he said. “I’m ashamed to admit, I haven’t been reading my mother’s letters, because they don’t make sense to me. I’ve sent her a few short notes, but the effort of trying to write something longer is too much. If I brought her letters with me tomorrow, would you be willing to help me with those as well?”
He felt terrible for even asking, but he had been curious about his mother’s news, and her long, chatty letters, combined with her almost indecipherable handwriting, were too much for him.
The warm smile she gave him made him wish once again that their families weren’t at odds with one another. “Of course. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be for you, being away from your family, and having no news of them. Bring the letters, and tomorrow you will hear all about your family, and then we will work on getting you to the point where you can read them for yourself.”
Though he admired her optimism, part of him wondered if it was giving him false hope. None of the teachers he’d worked with had been able to help him, though it had been years since anyone had tried to teach him how to read. They all assumed he could.
“Thank you,” he said. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”
A noise from the street drew his attention. A man he didn’t recognize was coming toward them, but that didn’t mean the man wouldn’t know either him or Jane. He hadn’t thought of an excuse to give if they were caught together, so Jane’s suggestion of meeting in the barn, while not ideal, would make it easier.
