“If you are up for the challenge, I figure we might make a good team, Miss Gracin. You can keep me balanced, and I will teach you the ropes. It is not my goal to alienate the neighbors I desire to serve.”
Excitement surged within Tariana, but she remained calm and collected. “When would you like me to start?”
“Come in tomorrow morning and we’ll discuss your duties, wages, and availability.”
“I shall be here. Good day, Miss Freedman.”
Tariana turned and nearly floated out the door on a cloud. This was the most wonderful feeling she’d ever experienced, even better than her infatuation with Michael, but only a close second to the love that burned in her heart for Jamie. That had not changed. If she couldn’t have him, at lease she’d have an exciting career.
Chapter 11
Tariana rounded the corner and, absent-mindedly bumped into someone walking along Main Street.
“Jamie!” she exclaimed. “Forgive me. My head is in the clouds.”
“I do see a familiar spark in those eyes. What’s up?”
“I wanted to thank you for the rabbit. My father says he invited you to our special dinner tonight,” she said, quickly adding, “but I told him you were having the same at your house, and that surely, you should eat with your family.”
“You told him that? Without consulting me?”
She stammered. “To be honest, I didn’t think you’d be interested and gave you a way out.”
“I could say the same about you,” he said. “What happened last night? I almost left it too long to go hunting, waiting on you. It was dark when I finished.”
“But the whole town was going on about you and Angelica. Some of the ladies were talking about you making reservations at the diner.”
“For last night? We were going out last night. I wouldn’t do that to you.”
Tariana blushed. “But chasing a woman is serious business, and you realize that your Texan has been targeted by others.”
“Well, let them have her,” he said, throwing his arms in the air. “She is full of herself and plays with people’s emotions like a toy. I anticipate she will tire of her pursuit of the Oregon City’s riff-raff before long.”
“Her pursuit…not yours?”
“Does she look like my type? I thought you knew me better than that.”
“Serves me right for listening to gossip. I apologize for not joining you in the hunt last night. Seems I was busy crying my disappointment into the pillow.”
“Disappointed – as in jealous? Are you suggesting there is something more between us than friendship?” Jamie asked.
Tariana felt her face turn beet red, and she bit her bottom lip to stop its quivering. “Don’t be absurd! Now, who’s full of himself?”
“It seems I have spoiled your good mood,” he said, tipping his hat. “I’ll let you be on your way.”
Tariana noticed the lines of hurt etched into his face, and she was confused. “Jamie, if you’re not doing anything special tonight, I would enjoy it if you came to dinner. I have good news to share, and I would love my best friend to hear it first-hand.”
He hesitated before offering an awkward smile. “I’ll keep it in mind.”
She watched him walk away. Inside, her emotions raged with confusion. Tariana was smitten with the man but refused to let her feelings spoil what they had built throughout their entire childhood. Friends were better than lovers she told herself as she hurried home to start preparations for the evening meal.
The aroma filling the kitchen excited Tariana. It had been hard to keep her secret all day long, but she’d decided to let Frances be honored first, and then she’d drop the job bombshell and hope the celebration would continue in a joyful manner. As the afternoon progressed, she couldn’t stop herself from peeking out the window to see if Jamie was coming up the walkway. So far, there was nothing. She held his empty plate to her heart and prayed that God would reunite her with her friend. Tariana could not bear to lose him, even if all she received were the crumbs from the table he’d share with his wife. He’d claimed that the Texan was the one in pursuit, and he’d been the one to flee. That was not the picture they’d portrayed at the 4th of July picnic. Tariana reckoned the beautiful woman with words sweet as sugar icing could easily hook Jamie if she put her mind to it.
Tariana set Jamie’s plate and utensils off to the side in case he showed up, spread the Sunday cloth, and placed a vase of fresh flowers in the middle. The silverware, plates, glasses, and blue cloth serviettes were put meticulously in place on the table for her family, which would include Michael, even though the vows had yet to be recited. It would be good for him to hear Tariana’s apology and know she’d moved on.
Humility felt good, and she basked in the freedom that dreaming of her next great adventure at the newspaper would provide her soul.
When the knock came at the door, Tariana jumped, but all too soon, she heard Frances greeting Michael. She spooned the rabbit stew – the family’s secret recipe of meat, vegetables, herbs and spices – into two large bowls and laid them at opposite ends of the table with a plate of fresh bread beside them. Mother’s pickle preserves and cheese took the spot beside the flowers.
It was perfect.
She watched everyone take their place and attempted to push aside the disappointment that Jamie had decided not to join them. They had just held hands to pray the blessing when a knock came to the door.
“Who would be calling during the meal hour?” Clarence Gracin asked, his voice slightly irritated.
“I understand that you’ve invited Jamie,” Tariana said. “Perhaps
