For a moment, Caddie stared at Zeke. But then her openmouthed astonishment gave way to a tremulous smile. “Oh, my! Johnnie!”
“Evening Caddie,” Zeke said sheepishly. He shuffled his feet on the mat, uncertain what to do next. But he was not left to debate the matter for long, as his sister dragged him across the threshold and enveloped him in a fierce hug.
“Oh, Johnnie.” Tears sparkled in her eyes. “What a wonderful surprise.”
“I was just passing through the Village. I thought I would call upon you for a moment.”
He made it sound as casual as he could, despite the fact it had been nearly two years since he had crossed her threshold. Caddie’s clear brown eyes gave him a penetrating look that made him squirm, one of those uncanny soul-seeing glances that also reminded him too much of Sadie. But all she said was, “I’m so glad you came.”
Placing his hat on the hall table, she led him into her parlor, a cozy nook of overstuffed furniture and the vases of flowers that had always been Caroline’s passion. Still clinging to Zeke’s arm, she called out to a man ensconced in a wing-backed chair, reading before the fire.
“Arthur, look who’s here. My brother, John.”
Zeke awkwardly thrust out his hand as his brother-in-law ambled forward to greet him. Arthur Dawes was an amiable man who forever seemed to have paint flecks on his clothes and a faraway expression as though his mind were off elsewhere, putting the finishing strokes on some canvas.
It never ceased to amaze Zeke that someone could make a decent living for his family out of anything as improbable as painting pictures. But he had to admit the fellow had done well by Caddie. He was almost worthy of her.
Arthur greeted Zeke in a friendly fashion, as though it had been only yesterday that he had seen him. Which, considering the absentminded way Arthur kept track of time, he probably believed it had been.
Zeke found it far more difficult to face Caddie’s children, especially without any presents in his hands. They regarded him shyly at first, two curly-headed boys with missing teeth, hanging on the skirts of their sister, Lucy, who had almost grown as tall as her mother.
But it was not long before Zeke found himself surrounded, barraged on all sides with earnest chatter.
“Thank you for the cloak you sent for my birthday, Uncle John,” Lucy said with a pretty blush and coy glance. “You’re the only one who seems to realize I am quite grown up.”
“Hey, Uncle John.” One of the boys tugged at his sleeve. “Remember you said once if you ever came to visit, you would teach me how to fight.”
“Me too.” The littlest one was already doubling up his fists.
Zeke didn’t exactly recall having made such a promise, but he feared he might have.
“I think I only promised to do so if your mother approved.” He cast a guilty glance at Caddie, who only beamed and shook her head at him.
“You may as well. They are always at the fisticuffs anyway. Just like someone else I remember.”
Their eyes met over the children’s heads, hers half-scolding, but alight with tender amusement. Zeke grinned back, feeling glad that he had come, until a shadow fell across the parlor.
He heard the rustle of stiff silk skirts and looked around, his smile fading as he met the one face that held no warmth of welcome for him. The severity of her black gown was only matched by Tessa’s expression, her features pinched white with disapproval, her eyes as ever dark with accusation.
The bright laughter of the children stilled, as even they seemed to sense the change in the atmosphere. Only Caddie managed to retain a determined smile.
“Tessa, my dear. Isn’t it the most fortunate thing? John has just dropped by in time for supper. We must persuade him to dine with us.”
“If he stays, I go,” Tessa said.
“Theresa—” Caddie began.
But Zeke was already preparing to leave. “That’s all right, Caddie,” he said quietly. “I didn’t come here to cause any more discord.” He stepped into the hall, reaching for his hat with a weary gesture. He should have known what a mistake this would be.
But Tessa came hard after him. “You needn’t make any noble gestures on my behalf,” she spat out. “I know how long Caddie has been waiting to kill the fatted calf for you.” She snatched her own shawl off the hall peg.
Behind him, Zeke was aware of Caddie shooing her husband and children toward the kitchen. Zeke felt angry with himself, and Tessa as well, for disrupting the harmony of their evening.
“Stay where you are, Tessa,” he snapped. “I said I’d go.”
Tessa glared at him as she draped her shawl over her head. “I wouldn’t dream of?—”
“Just stop it. Both of you.”
