The worrisome thought made her heart ache.
All night,Torin tossed and turned fretting, over the decision about whether or not to attend church. He’d fall into a fitful sleep and then jolt up from a nightmare. Toward morning, in one precious dream fragment, he held Ivy close, only to awaken to empty arms and the deep despair of loss.
At dawn, he gave up, no closer to a decision than when he’d gone to sleep. As he went about the morning chores, still mulling over what to do, Torin came to the realization that he didn’t have to go whole hog. He could take half measures. Or maybe quarter measures. Or even one-eighth measures.
I’ll start by talking to the driver.From there, I can decide if we actually get into the surrey. We can stop at the outskirts of town and see how we feel. Or we can stay in the surrey when we arrive at the church. We don’t have to go inside.
The relief at not having to make a full decision was enough to cause him to hasten to the wardrobe, take out his suit, and ready himself for the day.
Torin knew he had to talk to Jewel.But how can I prepare her for an experience so far outside anything she knows?
First, he helped Jewel into one of the new outfits Elsie had brought, green sprigged with pink flowers. The child was still morose, her eyes dull, standing like a doll and barely moving her limbs when he dressed her.
After combing her hair and using Ivy’s ribbon to tie up the front part, he stepped back to observe her.As tidy and pretty as I can make her.A wave of love swept him into stooping to drop a kiss on her cheek. “I have a surprise for you.”
Jewel liked surprises, and interest sparked in her eyes.
“Would you like to go to town and see Ivy today?”
Her expression brightened. “Yess!”
“We’re going to church.” Torin didn’t even know how to explain everything a Sunday service involved.
“Chu-sh.”
“In church we’ll have to be quiet.” He pressed his forefinger to his lips and then to hers, before lowering his hand. “Unless we’re singing hymns. You know hymns.”
She started singing. “‘I Am Je-suss Lit-tle Lam…’”
“That’s right. Shush. Now, listen. We’ll also see Brian and Hank.”
She clapped her hands. “El-see? Co-ra?”
“Dr. Angus and Constance, too. All of them together.”
She jumped up, almost toppling over, and, with a big smile, did an awkward spin.
Please, God, may she keep that smile throughout the day.
Placing the pink boater Hank had given Jewel for her birthday on her head, he tied the ribbons under her chin. Then he donned his ancient bowler.
Just as Torin was opening the door to check for their transportation, he heard the sound of hoofbeats and wheels. Stepping outside, he recognized the surrey and horse Reverend Joshua had lent Brian and Cora when the two had visited. A Negro driver held the reins. Sam, he supposed. Mr. Bellaire’s coachman.
Torin turned to his daughter and extended a hand. “Come, Jewel, our ride is here.” They walked forward.
After setting the brake and tying off the reins, the man stepped out, only to crouch in front of Jewel. “Hello, Miss Jewel,” he said in a rumbly voice. “I’m Sam. Would you like a ride to church?”
“Sam. Ch-ush.”
The coachman flashed a smile, his teeth white against his dark skin. “That’s right.”
She reached to touch his cheek.
Torin went to grab her arm.
But a surreptitious gesture from Sam stopped him.
Jewel softly patted his cheek. “Samm.” She gave him her crinkle-eyed, tongue-out smile.
