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JACK’S HEART SANK WHEN Alice rode into town without him that morning. He threw his hat to the ground and kicked it. He’d handled things all wrong. He wanted her to know he loved her, that she had choices in life beyond marrying his brother. Instead, he scared her away. Why did he have to go and kiss her? Had he messed things up permanently? Pinky stuck her snout through her pen slots and made snuffling sounds infuriatingly like laughter.
He dusted off his hat and slammed it down onto his head. “Stupid pig! What do you know about love, anyway?”
Pinky’s squealing reached a high pitch.
Jack leaned against the side of the pen. “Well, I’ll tell you what I’m going to do about it. I’m going to finish my chores, wash, pack a lunch, and go into town to talk with Alice. Try to clear the air.”
Pinky nodded and ambled off to a sunny corner, plopping down near Clover and rolling about until comfy. Her litter tumbled in, searching for a teat to latch onto, before settling down for their breakfast and a nap.
“Bet you didn’t have to go up against your brother to win Pinky’s heart.”
Clover opened one eye, closed it, and went back to sleep.
Jack shook his head. “Here I am talking to a couple of pigs like they understand me.” He laughed and returned to mucking stalls. “Now who’s the stupid one?”
With his chores done, he hitched Sugar and Molasses to the wagon and headed into town. He’d talk Alice into letting him drive her home so they could talk.
* * *
JACK PULLED UP ON THE reins, stopping in the middle of the road. He watched townspeople milling about, visiting like it was Fair Day. Business doors stood wide open, allowing a growing stream of customers to pass in and out. Fin stood outside Finley’s Meats. He waved when he saw Jack and ran over to greet him.
“Don’t need a face mask anymore. Quarantine’s over.”
Jack wasn’t sure he heard right. He pulled off his mask. “It’s really over?”
“It’s really over.” Fin hopped onto the seat next to him. “You headed over to the school? I was going there myself. Thought I’d lend a hand hauling out all those cots.
“Yeah. I was going to check on Alice. She rode her bike into town today. I want to make sure she hasn’t overdone it.” He snapped the reins.
“I don’t understand why you’re doing all this. Don’t get me wrong. It’s great you kept an eye on her while Harry was gone, taking care of her while she was sick, but Harry’s home now. Shouldn’t he be doing this?”
Jack shot Fin a sideways glance. “Harry’s too busy thinking about Harry.” They stepped down from the wagon and joined Alice who was visiting with Olga and Lucy Erikson.
Olga squeezed her arm. “I see your young man is here to collect you. We’ll talk more later.” She slid an arm around her daughter’s waist. “Come along, Lucy. There’s work to be done at the store.”
Lucy rolled her eyes. “There’s always work to be done at the store. Bye, Alice.”
“Bye, Lucy, Olga.” Alice spun on her heels. “Harry?” Her smile faded. “Oh, it’s you, Jack. Hello, Fin.”
Fin raised an eyebrow. “Everything all right here?”
Alice smiled. “Of course.”
“Then, I’ll head inside to help with the cots.”
“Thanks, but there’s no need. We’re almost done.”
Fin looked from one to the other. “Are you sure everything’s all right?”
Jack nodded. “Yeah.”
“Then I’ll head back to the market.” Fin walked away whistling a sprightly tune.
Jack held up the basket he’d filled with buttered bread, apples, and a jar of fresh well water. “I brought you some lunch. Wanted to make sure you ate and weren’t overdoing it.”
Alice fidgeted with her apron. “Thank you.”
Jack tilted his head to the side, forcing her eye contact. “I brought the wagon. In case you need a ride home. I can put your bicycle in the back.”
“I’m fine.” Her voice quivered.
Darn. Did he make her that uncomfortable, even with so many people around? He scanned her face for any sign of fatigue. “But you still have to eat.” He led her to a tree by the ball field. “It’s such a nice day I even brought a blanket. Thought we might eat outside before it gets too cold.” She helped him spread it on the ground and sat down at the opposite end.
“Harry and I are planning a picnic on Tuesday. Now that the hospital’s closed and the quarantine is over.”
Harry, again. Jack held out the basket. “About yesterday—”
She took some bread and an apple. “We don’t have to talk about it. In fact, I’d rather not.” She took a bite of her apple.
“I shouldn’t have—”
“No, you shouldn’t have.” She took another bite.
Jack tried to redirect the conversation away from their kiss. “Remember when we were kids, the baseball game where Harry slid into home plate and ran right into Johnnie Erikson? Knocked him clean off his feet and onto his head. It was right over there.” He nodded to the far end of the playground.
“I do. How old were we? Ten, twelve?”
“Eleven,” Jack said. “And you stayed with Johnnie until he came to. You even kept him still until Doc came and checked him out.”
“He had a pretty nasty bump on his head.” Alice took the jar of water he offered and drank.
“You were helping Doc even then.”
“Yes, well, I didn’t do anything anyone else wouldn’t have done.”
“True, but you didn’t even have to be asked. The rest of us just stood around staring.” Jack sealed the jar and returned it to the basket. “You like helping Doc, don’t you?”
“Of course. He does so much for the rest of us it only seems right to give back where I can.”
“So, what are you going to do now? The quarantine’s over and the hospital’s a school gymnasium again.”
“Why, I’m going to marry Harry, that’s what I’m going to do. And we’re going to have lots of children.”
“You won’t miss helping Doc? Being a nurse?”
Alice hesitated. There was something more on her mind. Alice never could hide anything from him. It was the way she always chewed on her lower lip and wouldn’t make eye contact. He leaned forward and gently turned her face. Her cheek was soft. He wanted to linger, kiss her again, but he reluctantly pulled back. “What are you thinking?”
“Doc offered to train me to be his nurse.” Her words came out in a rush. “He even offered to talk to a friend about getting me into the nursing school in Duluth.”
“Do you want to be a nurse?”
“It’s a three-year program and you can’t be married. Besides, I couldn’t go live in the city for three years. I love it here. Not to mention, I promised Harry I’d stop nursing after the quarantine.”
Jack stared out past the ball field to the trees beyond. “It’s not Harry’s decision to make. If you want to do this, you should tell him, and he should support you.” He decided it was now or never, time to put his heart out there for her to see. “I would. I’d do anything for you because I love you. I always have.”
There, he said it. His heart was in his hands, beating faster than the injured baby rabbit he’d brought her when they were kids. He’d begged her to heal it, and she had. After, she returned it to him as a pet. He knew he loved her. They were ten. Would she heal his heart now?
Jack’s face burned. He was having trouble breathing. If only she’d stop staring at him and say something.
“I have to go.” Alice jumped to her feet. “I want to visit with Lizzie and Betty. I’ll see you at home later.” She rushed off.
Jack dropped his napkin and slumped against the tree trunk.
Fin returned and sat next to him. He dug through the remains of their lunch. “You going to eat this apple?”
Had he been there all the while? Listening? What had he heard?
“No.” Jack watched Alice hurry down the street toward Lizzie’s.
“What was that all about?” Fin took a big bite.
“Nothing. Just me being a dope again.” Jack grabbed the basket, stood, and gave the blanket a tug, forcing Fin to move. He threw everything into the back of the wagon and raced off to the farm.
“Jack!” Fin called after him. “Wait!”
He didn’t slow down.