Sugar and Spice, page 1
Copyright
ISBN 978-1-60260-706-4
Copyright © 2010 by Frances Devine. All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the permission of Truly Yours, an imprint of Barbour Publishing, Inc., PO Box 721, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683.
All scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
All of the characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events is purely coincidental.
Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.
One
Chicago, January 1915
Snow crunched under Jimmy’s feet as he crossed the street to Nelsons’ Law Firm. The cold late February wind whipped around his neck. Jimmy raised his collar against it and hoped Blake’s response to his announcement wouldn’t be as chilly.
Miss Howard, the firm’s secretary, smiled sweetly. “Good morning, Mr. Grayson. Nasty weather, isn’t it?”
“I’m ready for spring.” Jimmy unbuttoned his coat. “Can I go on back?”
“Yes, he’s expecting you.”
Jimmy went through the swinging gate and headed down the hall to his brother-in-law’s office, repeating in his head the words he’d practiced. He took a deep breath. Blake had always been kind to him, and he had no reason to think this time would be different. Except that Danni wasn’t going to like the news, and Blake didn’t like it when his wife was upset.
He tapped on the door and entered Blake’s neat office. The smell of leather and Murphy’s oil greeted his nostrils as he closed the door and stepped up to Blake’s desk.
“Hi, Jimmy.” Blake looked up and lifted his eyebrows. “What’s so important it couldn’t wait until after work?”
“I need to talk to you first, without Danni.”
An amused smile crinkled Blake’s face. “Uh-oh, it must be bad if you don’t want your sister to know about it.”
Jimmy swallowed hard. This wasn’t going to be easy. “I want you to know. . .” He cleared his throat and started again. “Blake, you know how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. And I know Danni has her heart set on my continuing in your footsteps.” He paused.
A cautious look crossed Blake’s face, but he remained silent.
“I’ve enjoyed my year and a half at law school, but.”
Blake stood up behind his desk. “Are you saying you don’t want to be an attorney?”
Jimmy licked his lips and searched Blake’s eyes. No condemnation. At least, not yet. Jimmy’s shoulders relaxed. “I’m just not sure.” Jimmy dropped into the chair in front of the desk, and Blake returned to his.
“I see.”
“I like law. And I want to help people. I also know how much you’ve spent on my education this far.”
Blake waved the comment away.
“Lately, I’ve felt there’s something missing. Something I can’t put my finger on.”
“What is it, exactly, you want to do?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe I’ll end up getting my law degree. But I need to know for certain.” Jimmy hesitated. “I’d like to take a semester off.” He leaned forward, awaiting his brother-in-law’s reaction.
“And you think you’ll find your answers in a semester?”
“I don’t know, but I have to try.” Jimmy gave Blake a steady look. “If I don’t return to law school, I promise I’ll pay back every cent you’ve spent. And don’t think I’m going to live off you and Danni while I’m searching. I’ll get a job to pay my own way.”
“Money isn’t what’s important here, Jimmy.”
“I know. But I’ll feel better.”
Blake inhaled deeply and tapped a pencil on his desk. “I wish you’d think about it a little bit longer. Maybe talk to your instructors at school, or even Rev. Martin.”
Jimmy bit his lip. Why had everything seemed so reasonable a few minutes ago but now, under Blake’s scrutiny, didn’t?
“I have spoken to two of my professors about my doubts.”
“And?”
Jimmy sighed. “They tried to talk me out of it. But Blake, this isn’t just a whim. It’s something I feel I must do. As much as I enjoy law, my heart isn’t in it.”
Blake sat back in his chair and once more tapped the pencil against his desk. Suddenly he sat up and grinned at Jimmy. “Did you know I once left the firm to write musical comedy?”
“Sure. The one Danni was in.”
“That’s right. My father was furious for a while. So who am I to stop another man from searching his heart? Don’t worry about Danielle. I’ll talk to her.” Blake stood and held out his hand. “After all, you’re twenty years old. It’s time she realized that.”
“Thanks, Blake. I hope she won’t be too upset.” Jimmy rose and took Blake’s hand.
As he left the building, relief washed over him and he felt free for the first time in months. A light snow had begun to fall again. Jimmy stood for a moment, wondering what his next move should be. The warehouses near Clark Street, over by the docks, were always hiring. He started down the street toward the livery where he’d left his horse and buggy.
Ahead, two young women stepped out of a department store, arms full of packages. But Jimmy’s attention fell upon only one. Golden blond hair, topped with a tiny blue-feathered hat, fanned out across the collar of her blue wool coat. As she reached him, a parcel fell from her arms.
Jimmy picked it up and held it out to her as though presenting a gift to a queen.
Lovely blue eyes sparkled at him as her lips curved into a pouty smile. “Thank you, sir.” Her musical words rippled through him and he caught his breath. She passed by, before he could think of a word to say, and continued down the sidewalk.
Jimmy turned and stared after the vision, hardly aware of her companion. He’d never seen such a beautiful girl.
The angry voice of a man shoving by him jerked Jimmy back to attention. Shaking himself, he laughed and continued down the street to the livery.
Jimmy, you idiot. She’s just a girl.
Turning the corner, he stopped at the stable and got his horse and buggy, then crossed the bridge and left them at a nearby livery. If he got a job in the area, he’d ride the streetcar to work. It was time he got around like the rest of the working class. He headed down the dirt street beside the Chicago River. Clumps of floating ice didn’t stop the barges lined up at the dock, loading and unloading their goods.
Jimmy looked around, and a wave of nausea hit him as memories of his childhood came flooding back. He could easily find his way to the house where he’d first met Sutton, the man who’d held him and his sister captive for eight years, convincing them he was looking out for them.
Resisting a sudden urge to run, Jimmy forced himself to continue down the street to the warehouses. A little girl in a threadbare coat ran by, laughing. Her mane of blond curls caused him to think of the beauty he’d helped earlier that day. He wondered if he’d ever see her again. Probably not. There were a lot of people in Chicago. So how could he expect to see those gorgeous eyes and tantalizing lips again? He grinned and headed toward the nearest warehouse.
❧
Cici sat beside Helen on the slatted seat of the streetcar and cast a sideways glance at her friend, who shook her head and grinned.
“What?” Cici looked at her with wide-eyed innocence.
“What indeed.” Helen shook her head again. “That was bold, my friend.”
Cici laughed. “Okay. I dropped it on purpose. But how else was I to get his attention?”
“How?” Helen hooted with laughter. “Since when have you needed to try to get a man’s attention? You already have all the young men of our acquaintance smitten. Leave a few forthe rest of us, dear.”
“Oh, don’t be modest. Eddy Wright doesn’t know I’m around when you’re in the room.”
“Okay, so one young man is impervious to your charm.” Helen blushed. “Eddy is rather special. I’m glad he notices me.”
Cici sighed. “I wonder if I’ll ever see him again.”
“Who? Eddy?” Helen looked at her in surprise. “You see him every Sunday at church.”
“No, silly. I mean him. The man who picked up my package.”
“Hmm. It looks like the tables were turned this time. So he got your attention, too.” Helen nodded. “Serves you right.”
Cici giggled softly. “He was handsome though. Did you notice those dark brown eyes?”
The girls chattered until they reached Cici’s stop then said good-bye.
Cici walked the half block to the parsonage, struggling to hang on to her packages. Why in the world hadn’t she taken a cab? She wrestled the packages through the front door, letting the screen door slam behind her.
“Is that you, Cici, dear?” Her mother’s voice seemed to sing the words.
“Yes, Mama.” Cici dropped the packages on the rug in the parlor and flopped down on the sofa, breathing hard.
“Goodness, you had your arms full.” Caroline Willow came through the door from the kitchen, drying her hands on a dishcloth. “You didn’t take the streetcar, did you?”
“Yes, I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“Well, get out of your coat and go change clothes. I’ll make you a hot cup of tea. We have to bake for the Community Bazaar.
“All right. Just let me get my breath a minute.”
“I don’t know how you stand to ride those noisy streetcars. The one time I tried it, I felt absolutely nauseous.”
After she’d changed and returned to the kitchen, Cici stood for a moment and watched her mother cutting sugar cookies. “Mama, don’t you ever wish your life was more exciting?”
Mama chuckled. “I think it’s exciting enough. We have to bake a dozen pies and six dozen cookies.” She opened the oven door and put the pan of cookies inside.
“But that’s not what I mean, Mama.” Cici realized her voice had taken on a hint of exasperation, and she softened her tone. “Baking and cleaning and ironing. Don’t you get sick of it sometimes?”
Her mother turned and gave her a puzzled look. “No, dear. I never get sick of it. Tired, sometimes, but I wouldn’t trade my life for anything.”
“Well, I want more out of my life.” Cici gave a small stamp of her foot on the floor. Then realizing what she’d done, she reached over and put her arm around her mother’s shoulders. “I’m sorry, Mama.”
Mama smoothed Cici’s hair back off her forehead. A small frown appeared on the older woman’s face. “Cecilia,” she said softly, “I don’t know why God gave you such an adventurous spirit, but you can be sure He wants to use it for His glory. Wait on Him. Don’t do anything rash. You aren’t a little child anymore. You’re a young lady of eighteen.”
Cici leaned into her mother’s hand and smiled. “My escapades gave you a lot of grief, didn’t they, Mama?”
“You’ve never given me grief.” Her mother spoke tenderly. “Worry maybe, but not grief.”
Cici giggled. “Remember the time I turned Mrs. Gardner’s chickens loose?”
“I think that’s best forgotten, my dear, as well as the time you decided to whitewash Mr. Taylor’s milk cow.”
“He was so angry. But not nearly as angry as Mrs. Potts was when I put the garter snake in her desk drawer.”
“That was very naughty, and the school almost lost a teacher over it. Which is what I meant when I said you should wait on Him. He can fulfill your need for adventure without your bringing grief to others.”
“I thought you said I’ve never brought you grief.” Cici’s eyes danced.
“Well, you haven’t. But you certainly brought grief to a lot of others.”
“Papa might say I bring him grief.”
“Grief? What have you been up to now, Cecilia?”
Cici glanced up as her father walked into the kitchen. “Not a thing, Papa.” Cici stood on tiptoe and gave her father a kiss on the cheek.
“How is Mrs. Appleby, George?” Mama took Papa’s coat and laid it on a kitchen chair.
“Not too well, I’m afraid.” Rev. Willow kissed his wife on the forehead. “The doctor isn’t sure she’ll make it through the night.”
“I’m so sorry, dear.” She patted her husband on the cheek. “But at least we know where she’s going. She’s served the Lord faithfully for many years. I think she wants to go on to a better life.”
Grabbing the last of the batch of dough, Cici rolled out a pie shell and placed it into a pan. As she mixed dough for another batch, she tuned her parents out and let her mind wander back to her morning. She smiled as she thought of the young man on the sidewalk. A lock of dark brown hair had fallen across his forehead as he bent to retrieve her package. But it was the look in his dark eyes that had piqued her curiosity. Excitement. Or perhaps anticipation of something about to happen. She wondered if she’d ever see him again.
Two
Jimmy grunted as he lifted his end of a gigantic crate and swung it over to rest on top of another.
“Whew.” Eddy Wright wiped his forehead with a sleeve and grinned at Jimmy. “You’re getting broken in the hard way today.”
Bending over and resting his hands on his knees, Jimmy took a deep breath. “What’s in these crates anyway?”
“I’ve no idea. Our job is to move them, not to look inside.” Eddy moved to the next crate, motioning for Jimmy to pick up the other end.
The first few days on the job had been fairly easy, but the night before, this new shipment had come in. Jimmy had a new respect for the men who worked here day and night, practically all their lives.
After they had deposited the crate in its new location, they headed for their lunch break.
“Come on. Let’s go watch the boats unload while we eat.” Eddy grabbed his lunch bucket and Jimmy followed suit. His new friend, whose cheerful conversation had made the morning easier to handle, had stirred Jimmy’s curiosity. Obviously no stranger to this sort of work, or to the neighborhood, he spoke in a way that proved him to be educated and well mannered.
A twinge of sadness hit Jimmy as he sat on an upended barrel and ate his lunch. The docks brought bad memories from his childhood, but he had earlier memories from before his mother died. Good memories of walks by the river and a soft hand holding on to his. Or were they really memories? Perhaps they were merely desires buried deep in his heart. He’d been so young. He should probably ask Danni. But he’d rather hang on to the memories, real or not.
A group of children ran up to Eddy, chattering and laughing. He laid his sandwich aside and gave all his attention to them. At one boy’s joke, he threw back his head and roared with laughter. He opened his lunch bucket and looked inside. “Hmm, what’s this in my lunch pail, I wonder.” Reaching inside, he pulled out a paper parcel, which proved to contain cheese and sausages. He passed them out to the children, who bowed their heads and waited until Eddy had said grace.
Jimmy watched the children as they ate, thanked Eddy, and then ran off to play. “Do you do this often?” he asked.
“I try to at least twice a week. They’re hungry, you know.”
“Yes. . .” Jimmy felt his voice break. “I do know.”
Eddy looked at him, curiosity on his face.
“My sister and I were orphaned when we were very young. I remember the pangs of hunger quite well.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
The old wounds had healed long ago, but the sincerity in Eddy’s voice was like ointment flowing over the scar tissue that still ached at times. “Thank you. It was long ago, and we’re fine now. We were luckier than most.” With a rueful shake of his head, he added, “No one ever gave us lunch though. Not willingly, at least. Why do you do this?”
Eddy smiled. “God told me to.”
“Oh.” He gave a little laugh. “Now you sound like my sister, Danni. She says God talks to her, too.”
“Do you attend church?”
“Yes, I go with my sister and her husband. Why?”
“What sort of minister do you have there?”
“Oh, the usual sort, I suppose.” Now why would Eddy ask that? “You know, he talks about God, like he should.”
Eddy chuckled. “That’s good.”
“Why do you ask?”
“Oh, I thought you might like to try mine some Sunday. It’s a great church and you’d be welcome.”
“What’s so great about it?” After all, a church was a church.
Eddy smiled. “For one thing, our minister, Rev. Willow, is a godly man who loves to share life-changing sermons. Also,” he said with a grin, “a lot of pretty girls attend.”
Jimmy nodded solemnly. “Uh-huh. I see. Well, I might just have to try it out. . .for the sermons, of course.”
The following Sunday found Jimmy seated next to Eddy in the small stone church. He’d been introduced to the reverend and several others, but so far no girls.
Just as Rev. Willow took the podium, Jimmy heard a scurrying and a young woman hurried down the aisle and sat in the second pew. His stomach lurched at the sight of golden blond curls.
Come on, Jimmy, what are the chances? There are probably hundreds of girls with hair just that shade.
Jimmy tried to focus on the hymn they were singing, and by the time the sermon started, he’d convinced himself the young woman in the second pew couldn’t possibly be the girl he had dreamed about for the past week and a half.
Eddy was right about Rev. Willow. Jimmy didn’t remember any sermon touching his soul this way before.
After the service, Jimmy glanced at the young woman as she stood and turned. His breath caught in his throat. He reached over and grabbed Eddy’s sleeve, tugging frantically.
“What?” Eddy pulled his sleeve out of Jimmy’s grasp.
