Jesse snorted his answer.
“Then she left her job to take care of us after pa died. She hadn’t even met any of us kids before she came, but that didn’t stop her. So what does she do when she can’t find a job in Kansas? She rolls up her sleeves and makes the land run.” He stopped, breathless.
Jesse leaned back, his arms crossed. “Well, this sounds like something you’ve given a great deal of thought to. But, even though I happen to believe your aunt deserves all the happiness in the world, how does that relate to your scholarship?”
Michael ran his fingers through his hair. “If I go off to college, Tori would never leave Rachel, Ellie, and Hunter by themselves in the house.”
“I’m afraid you’re losing me here, son,” Jesse said frowning.
“I want you and Tori to get back together. She needs you, Jesse. She was so upset after she lost the baby. For a time, me and Rachel thought she might never get better.” He glanced at Jesse out of the corner of his eyes, as if embarrassed by his concern.
“Go on.”
“Tori will never go back with you if it means leaving them in the house alone. In the last few weeks she’s spent with you, she’s almost been herself. We can see she’s a little bit happier. I hoped she might even move back in with you in a little bit. But if she thinks I’m going off to college, she won’t do it.”
“Michael, you are truly one fine young man,” Jesse said, putting his hand on the young boy’s shoulder. “But there’s something you need to understand. You’re talking about adult problems. I agree Tori had us all worried for a while, but as you pointed out, she’s getting better.
“Please, get the application in to your teacher. Get the scholarship and go off to college. I promise you, Tori and I will get back together.”
“How can you say that with Rachel and. . .”
Jesse raised his hand to stop him. “All sorts of arrangements can be made. And none of them would require you to throw away the opportunity of a lifetime. Let me do the worrying, okay? I won’t let Tori sacrifice her happiness for anyone else.”
“Do you really think so?” Michael smiled, the line of his brows cleared.
“As a matter of fact, I bought some land outside town in Logan County to build a house. And I’ll make sure it’s big enough for everyone.”
“But what about all the work you have Tori doing on your house now?”
Jesse chuckled. “A way to keep her busy, and not dwelling on her problems. I’ll rent those rooms out eventually.” He gripped Michael’s shoulder. “So you see, I have it all under control.”
They finished their sodas, left the store, and walked side by side the rest of the way home, with Michael chatting the whole time about college.
Chapter 16
“So you’re telling me the whole I no longer want to go to college was about you and me?” Tori wiped flour covered hands on her apron.
“That’s right, darlin’. Seems your nephew knows we belong together, and he feared it would never happen if he went off to college.”
“I don’t understand. What has one got to do with the other?”
Jesse walked to her, floured apron and all, put his arms around her waist, and tucked her head to his chest. “He worried you wouldn’t leave Rachel, Ellie, and Hunter alone to move back with me.”
“He’s right, you know.” Tori leaned back and met his eyes. “I can’t leave them alone. To leave them with Michael scared me enough, but if he’s not there. . .”
“We can work it out.”
“I don’t see how.” She bristled.
“Trust me.” He kissed her forehead.
Tori settled her head back on his chest, the thumping of his heart loud and strong. Steady, like him. Peace and contentment surrounded her when in his arms. How unfair of her aunt to poison her mind against men. Jesse, a warm, loving, and helpful man who would never use his strength against her. And with all the opportunities he had to turn to another woman, he remained faithful.
Oh, if only she hadn’t been so stubborn and given into Jesse’s requests that she work less and see the doctor. If she had, she wouldn’t have lost their baby. She fought back tears at the thought of the small life snuffed out.
She gulped and swallowed her tears. Strong fingers lifted her chin until she met Jesse’s face. Two tears ran down her cheeks. He wiped them away with the pad of his thumb, and pulled her against him again.
“I’m here, Tori,” he whispered. “And I always will be.”