“Hello, Granny, are you there?” Jassy called out as she came up the path to the cabin where she’d lived all her life.
“Yes, honey. I’m here. Come on in. You’re just in time to help me fold the wash.”
The pair greeted each other fondly and soon fell into the familiar routine of sorting and folding the fresh-smelling laundry. They had been at it a few minutes when Jassy suddenly began to giggle.
“What are you snickering about, little miss?” Granny frowned at her.
Jassy held up a pair of men’s red long-legged underwear. “Boy, Granny,” she teased, “these sure ain’t from our house. Have you got a boyfriend that I don’t know about since I’ve been gone?” Her eyes twinkled.
Embarrassed, Granny jerked the drawers out of Jassy’s hands. “You mind your manners, young lady,” she snapped. “It so happens those belong to Jasper Dunn. I’ve been helpin’ him clean up his place and do a little washing for him.”
“Oh, Jasper,” the girl said. “He’s my friend too now.”
“I know, child. When we finish foldin’ these clothes, I want you to run them up to him.”
“I will,” Jassy agreed readily. “You know, Granny, most people think he’s strange, maybe even scary, but he has always been nice to me. I’m happy to help him.”
The two finished the chore in silence, then Granny laid Jasper’s folded clothes into a basket. Handing the wicker to Jassy, she said, “Take your time. Jasper’s looking forward to seeing you.
Arriving at the sturdy cabin, Jassy set the basket on the ground and knocked on the door. Almost immediately a face appeared at the window next to the door. It was a familiar face, yet different somehow.
The door opened and she let out a surprised squeal. “Mr. Jasper,” she exclaimed, “I never saw your face shaved before. You look like a young man. Granny sent me to bring your clean clothes.” She bent over to pick up the basket.
“Here, honey, let me do that.” Jasper took the laundry from her. “And I thank you for your compliment. I figured it was time I trimmed up my shaggy hair and got rid of that old beard.”
As he took the clean clothes into another room, Jassy looked around the kitchen and was amazed at how clean everything was. There were bright curtains at the window, a rag rug on the floor. She looked through the door to the main room and continued to be amazed. She couldn’t see much, but there was a beautiful brightly colored crocheted afghan spread over an old sofa. She ventured into the room and saw a rocking chair with a small table next to it. There was a Bible on the fireplace mantel, and beside it an old framed picture. She reached up and took the picture down so she could see more clearly the young couple who had posed for it. It looked very much like a wedding picture. “My goodness,” she said to herself, “I never knew Jasper had ever been married. I wonder if anybody else in the mountains knows it.” Taking the picture to the window, she looked closely at the bride, then inspected the groom. Jasper stood ramrod straight and his bride stood beside him, her hand on his shoulder.
“She is very pretty,” Jassy half whispered.
“Actually, she was beautiful in real life,” Jasper said from behind Jassy.
Jassy blushed, her cheeks a rosy red. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be a snoop.”
“Why don’t we go into the kitchen and have some sassafras tea,” Jasper said gently, “and I’ll tell you about my young wife.”
Jassy’s face lit up. “I’d love that,” she exclaimed.
Once they were seated at the kitchen table, a cup of tea in front of each of them, Jasper lovingly smoothed his palm over the glass covering the picture. “She was only a few years older than you are now when we met at a church social. I bid the highest on her dinner basket, and we talked on the church steps until the party was over. I fell in love with her that night. We were married just a week later.”
Jasper sighed. “We were so happy that first year together. Our happiness was complete when Pansy got with child.
“But,” he sighed again, “our happiness wasn’t to last. My little wife died trying to give birth to our little girl.”
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Jasper.” Jassy laid her hand on his arm. “What happened to the little one?”
After a long pause and a deep breath, Jasper said, “I gave the baby to Granny Hawkins to raise.”
“Granny Hawkins?” Jassy looked confused.
Jasper was silent so long it seemed as if he wasn’t going to answer; then, almost in a whisper he said, “That baby was you, Jassy.”
Stunned, Jassy pulled away from Jasper. “Are you saying that you’re my father?” she finally managed to ask.
“I’m afraid I am, Jassy. I hope you’re not too disappointed. You see, I just wasn’t cut out to raise a little one all by myself, and I never wanted another woman after I lost your mother. So I took you to Granny. I knew that she would be good to you and that I could watch you grow up.”
Jasper sat silent then, and so did Jassy. After a while Jasper asked in a low voice, “Do you forgive me, Jassy? I wanted to tell you I was your father, but I couldn’t until now.”
Jassy shook her head and clasped Jasper’s hand, which lay on the table. “I’m glad that you took me to Granny. No child could have had a better parent. I’m just sorry it has taken so long for us to get together.”
“I am so glad you feel that way, child.” Jasper leaned over and hugged his daughter. “I’d have told you sooner, but there was a secret hanging over me, one that can’t hurt me no more now that Web Spencer is gone.” He grinned at her. “It is my big wish that you come live with me now, that we let the mountain people know you’re mine and that men had better let you alone.”
“I’ll be so glad to have you protecting me,” Jassy exclaimed. “Though there is one fellow I wouldn’t mind seeing some,” she added shyly.
“That Monty Hale?” Jasper guessed shrewdly. “You’ve got plenty of time for courting, and if he’s the right fellow, he won’t mind waitin’ till you’ve growed up a little more.”
He drew away from Jassy. “Will you come and make your home with your father?” He asked the question half fearfully.
“Oh, I will, Jas . . . Papa,” Jassy answered with shining eyes. “I will move in today. I will love being mistress of my own home.”
Jasper, his face beaming, stood up. “Let’s go tell Granny.”