He held her hand like he would a child’s, with his palm cupping hers, and he thought about how appropriate that was in the moment, even though she was a woman’s age. Like a foolish little girl, she was roaming about town without a care in the world for her safety. She stepped lightly by his side, as though this were a normal, pleasant excursion, and he felt compelled to set her straight about how serious he considered her actions.
“Now you listen up, Lily. You’re not to take walks alone at night in the future. It’s not safe.”
Her steps became a little heavier. “But I like walking at night,” she said in a whiny voice.
“I don’t care if you like it. Don’t do it again. I’m surprised that your parents allow it. If you were my responsibility, I’d make damn sure you were home before dark.”
Her response was petulant in tone. “It’s not a big deal, Jesse. I can take care of myself. I’m a grown woman.”
“Are you?” he asked, stopping. He took her chin in his hand gently and studied her face. “I don’t know about that. Most grown women don’t act so foolishly. They know their limitations. They know it’s unsafe to roam about town in the middle of the night. You’re acting more like a child who doesn’t know what’s good for her.”
Her eyes became sad and her lower lip quivered. He decided not to scold her further, since she already seemed contrite and the truth was, it wasn’t even her fault entirely. If no one had ever bothered to lay down rules for her safety, how was she to know? Her innocence and sheltered life probably prevented her from understanding what danger she’d just put herself in. He resumed the walk, tugging her along with him. She sniffled by his side, and he groaned inwardly. He hadn’t wanted to make her cry.
When they arrived at her cabin, he walked up the porch stairs with her, sat down on the bench by the front door, and pulled her onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her, and she buried her face on his shoulder and continued to sniffle. It was an intimate position, one her beau surely would object to, but it felt perfectly chaste in that moment. He wasn’t thinking of her as a woman he desired. He was thinking of her as a girl he wanted to protect.
“Why are you crying, Lily? I care about you, honey. I don’t want you to get hurt. That’s the only reason I scolded you.”
“I know. Thank you for caring, Jesse. It means a lot.”
“You’re welcome, but the bad part about me caring is that I’m going to insist you don’t go out walking alone again at night. All right, Lily?”
“Yes, Jesse. I won’t. Thank you.”
“Good girl,” he said, standing and setting her on her feet. He turned her toward the door and landed a smack on her hind end. “Now you get your adventuresome bottom to bed before I decide to give it more than one swat.”
She giggled and scurried to the door. Jesse smiled. After saying goodbye, he headed back to town. He shook his head as he thought about what had just happened. That girl’s parents were way too lax, and he could see that Lily craved guidance. He would give her that, if nothing else. She wasn’t his to protect and guide, but that didn’t change how he felt. He couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to her, and he would do what it took to make sure she didn’t endanger herself again.
Chapter Three: Righteous Anger
The waitress at the diner placed the piping hot food in front of Elijah and Lily. Elijah blessed the meal in what seemed like an especially long prayer. When he finally said “amen,” Lily was holding the fork, poised for immediate use. She dug into the potatoes on her plate.
“Hungry?” he asked, without humor.
“I’m starving. I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”
He frowned and said in a disapproving tone, “That’s a bit of an exaggeration, wouldn’t you say? It’s disrespectful to those in need who are actually starving.”
Normally when he made such comments, like the day he scolded her for being vain for wishing she could perform like the Red Rose, Lily felt deflated, but that day she felt mostly annoyed. She couldn’t help but think that Jesse would have understood that she meant no disrespect. Why couldn’t her beau understand that about her? Why couldn’t he think the best of her?
She felt bold, so she decided to question him. “Elijah, why can’t you take what I say less seriously? Obviously I don’t mean that I’m really starving.”
Elijah stared at her, and she thought she saw anger flash in his eyes for a split second, but he responded in a level voice. “I feel that we should say what we mean, my dear, and say it with care.”
Lily sighed. “Sometimes, Elijah, it seems as though you don’t like me very much. I can hardly say or do anything without garnering your displeasure.”
“Again with the exaggerations,” he exclaimed. The very displeasure she feared clouded his features. “You must think before speaking.”
“All right, Elijah,” she relented, feeling misunderstood and drained by the conversation.