Part 15 (1/2)
”You're one of the finest captains on the Atlantic, Smokey Simmons, but you have wretched taste in clothing.”
Smokey laughed until her side hurt. In control once again, she confided, ”I've been wanting to ask for your help with my hair and wardrobe, but I didn't know how you would feel about it.”
They both laughed over the misunderstanding, and then the plans began. There wasn't much time, but Jenny had thought it all out while Smokey had been away. Jenny would introduce the new Smokey Simmons at her going-away party.
”jenny was hoping you would come for lunch, Dallas,”
Tate told his brother-in-law as he led the way into the dining room.
A place had been set for him, but Dallas immediately noted that his was the only extra setting and that Smokey was not in attendance. He had looked for her at church but seen only Jenny and Tate All the way over he had hoped he'd only missed her.
”I saw Kathleen this morning just as she was leaving,”
Jenny chatted as the entre”e was served ”She's very excited about the party, but said you had forgotten to tell her. She said you had been awfully busy since you returned and it must have slipped your mind” Jenny prattled on without immediately looking at her brother's face.
At that moment, Dallas was calling himself every kind of fool. He had put off talking with Kathleen because he'd been so busy working on the Zephyr. He had barely taken time to sleep, let alone see Kathleen.
”Dolly,” Jenny finally took a moment to look across the table at her silent sibling, ”have I been out of line?”
”It's all right, Jen,” Dallas quickly rea.s.sured her when he saw a look of panic on her face. ”It's my fault for not telling you. I have been busy, but I should have made time to see 120.
Kathleen. My feelings have changed, and I have realized it's not fair to her to let it go on.”
”Oh, Dolly,” Jenny murmured ”Will you tell her now or after the party?” Tate wanted to know.
”I'd like us to be friends, so maybe I can talk to her and we can still attend together.” Dallas doubted the idea the moment it was out of his mouth, but he stayed silent. His sister was just as skeptical, but she felt as if she'd already opened her mouth one time too many.
”I thought Smokey was here,” Dallas tried to comment casually a few minutes later, but couldn't quite hold the tone.
Jenny and Tate had to force themselves not to look at one another.
So thafs the way the wind blows, ”Kite thought. However, he said only, ”She decided to go home for a few days. She'll come back Thursday or Friday.”
”And the party is Sat.u.r.day?” Dallas double-checked.
”Right.”
The table fell silent then and remained so until dessert was served They discussed s.h.i.+ps over cake and coffee. Nothing more was said about Smokey, Kathleen, or Dallas' relations.h.i.+p to either woman.
”Now tell me again who you Invited?”
”Buck and Greer, Pastor and Mrs. Chase.. .”Jenny went on to name a few more people and then watched her friend's face carefully as she finished the list. ”And Dolly will be coming and bringing Kathleen.”
Smokey nodded but said nothing. She watched Jenny watching her and knew what she was thinking.
”Did you expect me to react?”
Jenny had the good grace to blush. ”I'm sorry, Smokey. I 121.
really wasn't trying to set you up, but I guess I do wonder if you and Dolly are any closer to each other now than before you left. But then that's none of my business.”
”It's all right,” Smokey told her contrite friend ”You could have asked me; I wouldn't have minded. If the question bothered me, I'd have just told you.”
”You're so honest with me about your feelings, Smokey.
You can't believe how much I admire that. I'll remember not to ever drop hints or attempt subtlety. Either I'll come right out and ask you or keep my mouth shut.”
”Thanks, Jen,” Smokey told her sincerely and then went on. ”I thought a few times while we were gone that something might be starting up between Dallas and me, and believe me, it would have been welcome on my part. But to tell you the truth, I'm going to be away for a long time, and it's probably best to leave things alone.”
”How does that make you feel?”
”A little sad, but then I'm trying to be somewhat pragmatic about the whole thing. I don't believe anything would have ever come of it.1'
”Why do you say that?”
”Because to have Dallas fall for me as I have for him would be a dream come true, and I've never put much faith in fairy tales.”
”But we have a G.o.d who loves to give us the desires of our heart.”
Smokey had never thought of it that way. She said nothing for a moment. Jenny watched her.
”I haven't been fully trusting the Lord where Dallas is concerned, so your point is well taken, but what about the desires of Kathleen's heart?”
This time it was Jenny's turn to be silent. She let out asmall sigh and spoke quietly.
”I don't have an answer for that, Smokey, but even though I have nothing against Kathleen, I'm not going to stop praying that G.o.d blesses you with every dream of your heart.” Jenny 122.
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punctuated her words with a warm hug. The subject was dropped then, and the women went on with their plans for the party the following night.
”Well, now,” Tate said softly and for his wife's ears alone, as the new Smokey Simmons joined them in the parlor on Sat.u.r.day evening. He clearly remembered that first evening when Smokey had dined with them and how she had been embarra.s.sed about not changing her dress. Tate had regretted her discomfort then and smiled at the fact that she had no such worries tonight. In fact, Jenny had told him that Smokey had five new dresses.
The one she had chosen for tonight was a pale gray silk with a rounded neckline and long, tapered sleeves. The fitted bodice revealed her small rounded bosom and trim waist. The skirt flared into yards of folds and tucks that dropped in layer after layer all the way to the floor.
In truth Smokey looked like a princess. Jenny had brushed her hair straight down her back and then carefully swept the sides back with matching dark gray combs, letting the back hang free. She put her own hair atop her head, but she had never seen Smokey's hair down before, and after she did, she refused to put it back up.
”Well, Tate,” Jenny turned to him and spoke so that Smokey could hear. ”What do you think of our guest of honor?”
Tate bowed low and spoke with a twinkle in his eye. ”You are enchanting, Miss Simmons.”
Smokey didn't smile in return; she wrung her hands in despair. ”Do I really look all right?”
”Yes, Smokey,” Jenny told her patiently, ”You look lovely.”
”What if I spill something down the front of me? This pale fabric will show the smallest drop.”
”You're not going to do that,” Jenny told her, and Tate's heart turned over a little. She was so unsure of herself. For a moment he wondered if Smokey might think this was more trouble than it was worth. He found himself wis.h.i.+ng he had gone himself and tried to convince Da.r.s.ey and his sister to come. Tate was certain that Smokey would be more at ease if they were present.
”I'm acting silly,” Tate heard her say at last. ”I know all the people who are coming--well, almost all--and I've no reason to be nervous.”