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since we were little. And no, the finger never hurts at all, it's just a little crooked. You haven't mentioned
it in years, Ad."
"But I was the cause of it when I threw that ball so high-"
"No, it was me. I've always been such a clumsy thing. Never have known how to catch anything 'cept
men. " She looked over at Caroline, who was shifting uncomfortably in her chair. "Caro, when's the baby
due? Pretty soon, huh?"
While Caroline and Missy talked, Ruth perched on the chair by Addie's and leaned over to whisper to
her, "Harlan says your daddy won't let you see his brother."
"No. Tell me, how is Jeff? I haven't seen him in days. "
"He's about ready to die from loneliness," Ruth said, her eyes twinkling. "Don't know what you've done
to him. That boy, he doesn't want to even look at any girl but you."
"I haven't seen him anywhere "
"He and his friends are busy plannin' some of the stuff for later on tonight." Ruth giggled. "It bein'
Harlan's last night and all, they got to liquor up and have their- fun. But Jeff's around here somewhere.
And if Harlan can be believed, Jeff's goin' to try to see you right after dinner's finished."
"Thanks, Ruthie."
After that, Addie listened with only half an ear on the conversation around her, her attention absorbed by
the Johnson clan, which was gathered on the other side of the crowd.
In the center of the family sat a heavyset man with huge hands and massive jowls, his eyes bright blue,
his hair dark red, and his complexion ruddy. Though he had already finished dinner, a full plate reclined
on his lap, from which he picked choice bits of food. He possessed a kingly air to match his considerable
pro-portions. It had to be Big George. She saw some of his children gathered around him, including the
soon- to-be-wedded Harlan, but there was still no sign of Jeff.
The crowd dispersed as the sun began to set. For the rest of the evening the men and women would be
separated. The men would celebrate Harlan's last few hours of bachelorhood with liquor and ribald
advice, while the women would give Ruth more presents to open, talk and giggle about men and their
eccentrici-ties, and then retire early so they would all look fresh in the morning.
Addie walked to the main house with Caroline, feel-ing lost, out of place. Just before they reached the
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steps, she saw Jeff around the corner of the house, his face urgent as he stared at her.
"Adeline," he said softly, wanting her to slip away to talk with him. She stopped and looked around
quickly, wondering if anyone would notice her ab-sence. Surely not. People's minds were on the evening
ahead.
"Adeline, don't," Caroline said, laying a hand on her arm, not looking at Jeff. "It's not worth it. Dad-dy's
gonna find out."
"Not if you don't tell him."
Caroline's voice sharpened with irritation. "I won't, but he'll find out anyway. Don't be a fool."
"I can make my own decisions." Addie drew her arm away. "I won't be long, Caro."
"I could just shake you," Caroline muttered, walk-ing up the steps without looking back, while Addie
sneaked away with Jeff in search of privacy.
The best they could do was the blacksmith shop, a tiny shed located near the tin shop and storage
build-ings. It was stocked with branding irons, horseshoes, hammers, pliers and other tools, and two
anvils. The air inside smelled of oil and iron. As soon as the little door was closed, Jeff pulled Addie into
his arms and held her so tightly she could hardly breathe. "I've missed you," he said over and over again,
raining kisses over her face, his hands biting as he pulled her against his body. His violence was
unexpected. Addie was passive in his arms for a few seconds. Then she tried to push him away,
squirming uncomfortably.
"Jeff," she said with a half-laugh, turning her face to avoid his mouth, "you're going to crush me." She
wrinkled her nose as she caught a whiff of his sour breath. "What have you been drinking? I think you've
had a little too much, slicker."
"I was gonna go crazy if I didn't see you soon," he muttered against her neck, his arms wrapped around
her. "I was gonna do something . . . kidnap you,or "
"Jeff, you're holding me too tight."
"I haven't held you for so long. Your father's got a hell of a lot to answer for."
"What do you mean? For keeping us apart?"
"Yes, and for buildin' that damn fence. He's bar-gaining for trouble, and he's gonna get what he's ask-ing
for."
"Now, wait a minute." Addie rose quickly to Russell's defense. "I don't like the fence either, but "
"No one does. He's ridin' too high these days, honey. He has no right to hide you away from me. Don't
you worry, it won't be for long."
"But he has a right to be angry. What about your men attacking three of ours, including our foreman "
"We're not gonna argue now," Jeff said, his lips moving along the side of her neck. "Holy Moses, you
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