Chapter 70: Courting and Independence

 

After visiting with Esther and the Tullers, Jenny continued to mull over Zeke’s proposal. Her conversations with her friends hadn’t helped. Esther and Mrs. Tuller thought she should tell Zeke about William’s parentage. Doc didn’t think it was necessary. Jenny was inclined to agree with Esther and Mrs. Tuller, but she didn’t know how Zeke would react. Maybe Doc was right. Maybe a man didn’t care who fathered a child he had to rear.

As for the land—it had kept Jenny and William alive since Mac left. With Tanner gone and with only limited help from O’Neil, she needed Zeke to maintain the farm. And if Mr. Abercrombie followed through on his threat, she might not be able to keep her home even with Zeke’s help.

Mac had wanted her to marry Zeke. He’d said so in his letters.

Everything seemed to be pointing Jenny toward Zeke. But in her heart she knew she couldn’t marry him unless she told him the truth about William.

Did she even want to marry Zeke? Did she want to live with him for the rest of her life? To let him bed her? It wouldn’t feel like a violation with Zeke. Would it?

Jenny remembered Mac’s kiss the night before he left. It had frightened her, but thrilled her, too. Would kissing Zeke be like that?

She didn’t know. All she knew was that Zeke would want an answer to his proposal.

Wags’s barking early Tuesday morning let Jenny know Zeke had arrived. She was thankful William was crying about a splinter in his knee, so conversation with Zeke would be impossible. While the boy wailed loudly, Jenny called out from her cabin doorway, “I can’t talk now, Zeke. I need to calm William down.”

“O’Neil and I are working in the south field today,” Zeke said.

She smiled. “I’ll bring you some ginger tea later on.”

Zeke eyed her, but she went back inside.

Throughout the day Jenny managed to avoid Zeke except when O’Neil was around. She took the tea and biscuits with ham and butter out to the men at midday, but didn’t stay. Zeke kept their discussion to the work he and O’Neil were doing.

At the end of the day, she went to the barnyard to bid them good-bye. Zeke lingered when O’Neil saddled his horse. “I’m going to work on the broken harness,” Zeke told her.

“Then you’ll stay for supper, too?” she asked.

“Thank you. I will.”

She waved to O’Neil when he rode off, then sighed and went inside to fry a chicken for their meal. She couldn’t put off the conversation with Zeke any longer.

They ate in silence, responding only to William’s childish questions. After supper Zeke helped Jenny wash and dry the dishes. William played in the corner of the cabin with whittled animal figures O’Neil had carved for him.

Zeke said, “I think I frightened you last week, Jenny. I didn’t mean to.”

She glanced at him over the bucket of suds. “You surprised me, that’s all.”

“I guess you haven’t been thinking of me the same way I’ve been thinking of you.”

She shook her head. “Zeke, I need to tell you—” If she was going to tell him about William, she should do it soon. But how could she now, with the boy nearby?

“I’m not going to press you for an answer right away, Jenny.” Zeke took her soapy hand. “But can I court you?”

“Court me?”

“You can get used to the idea. See if you think I can make you happy.”

Jenny’s heart melted at his thoughtfulness. “Yes, Zeke. You can court me.”

“And will you let me take you to the Independence Day celebration in town next week?

Jenny nodded and smiled.

On Thursday, July 4, a wagon arrived at Jenny’s cabin shortly after breakfast. Not only Zeke, but Esther and her family greeted Jenny. Jenny hadn’t expected a crowd to go with them to Oregon City.

“We’re here to chaperon,” Esther announced. “I’ve packed a picnic.”

A chaperon. What a silly notion after she’d lived with Mac for a year and been independent for two more years. Jenny grimaced and shook her head. “I have food also,” she said and brought out her basket.

Zeke jumped out of the wagon and stowed the basket in the back with Esther’s provisions and the children. Then he lifted William in beside the food, helped Jenny into the back also, and climbed in himself.

Jenny sat on a barrel in the wagon bed. Zeke sat on the floor across from her, gazing at her the whole time it took Daniel to drive them to Oregon City.

The celebration in town was similar to those of earlier years—an invocation, political speakers, a parade, and a picnic. Through the whole morning, Zeke never left Jenny’s side.

When it came time to set up their food, Esther shooed her brother away. “Let us have a little women-folk time, Zeke,” she said. “Jenny don’t need you around every minute.” She turned to her husband, “Daniel, you and Zeke take the children off to see the soldiers.”

Jenny let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “Thank you,” she said to Esther. “I didn’t know courting could be so overpowering.”

Esther laughed. “Don’t you worry. I’ll give my big brother a little talk on how to let a lady be.”

“I’ve never been courted before.”

“Just smile and flirt a little. That’s all it takes.”

Jenny swallowed. This all felt wrong. Flirt? “I don’t know how to flirt. And most people still think I’m married to Mac.”

“Of course you know how to flirt. Every woman does. Just let Zeke know you like him. And that’s why I’m chaperoning you—so no one will say anything till you’re ready.”

“I do like Zeke, but—”

“It ain’t hard, Jenny. It’s just putting your best foot forward. Letting a man know you need him.”

Jenny shook her head. She would try.

But when Zeke asked her to walk with him later, she was tongue-tied. She’d always been able to talk to Zeke before. Why was courting so difficult?

 

Thursday, July 4th—Another Independence Day celebration. Esther says to let Zeke know I need him. Do I? I need a farm hand—Zeke can do that. I want someone to hold me. Do I want Zeke?