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“I’ve been here only a few days.” His gazed fixed on me, with eyes that seemed alight from an inner blaze. “I only picked them. Someone else planted them.” He drawled with a Southern dialect that reminded me of muddy, slow-moving water.
I didn’t respond. For some reason, I felt that he was taunting me. Mrs. Wu and Lizzie seemed oblivious. This was how a home was invaded with depravity, I thought. Then, as quickly as it had come, I dismissed the idea. He was only a boy, not a panther to be afraid of.
“Where are you from?” I asked Jesse.
“Atlanta,” he said. “My mother keeps house for a man called Roman Steele. I was born and raised there, helping her in the kitchen when I wasn’t learning about the garden and plants.” He grinned over at Lizzie, who had returned to the table. “You let me know if you ever need any help, you hear?”
“We won’t, love,” Lizzie said. “You’ll be busy enough in the garden anyway.”
“We’re glad to have your expertise, Jesse.” I smiled politely before excusing myself and escaping up the stairs. It wasn’t until I reached the top of the steps that I realized I’d forgotten my scone. I wouldn’t go back down, I decided. Staying away from Jesse seemed more important. I must warn Delphia. Hopefully she wouldn’t be charmed by him as Lizzie and Mrs. Wu so obviously were. He was dangerous. I don’t know why I thought so, but I did.
* * *
Instead of returning to work,I went upstairs to my room. Bitty was on her hands and knees scrubbing the floor. The bed had been made, and newly washed underclothes were stacked on the dresser, waiting to be put away.
She jumped when I came in, as if she were guilty.
“I’m sorry to scare you,” I said.
“It’s all right. I was lost in thought.” Bitty sat back on her knees and glanced out the window. I hurried over to join her, thinking Papa and James would be back with the Masterses. Instead, it was that Jesse making a big show of pouring pumping water into a bucket and splashing it over his head. That undershirt of his clung to the muscles of his chest. Did he know that Bitty watched?
As if he’d heard the question, he looked up then and seeing us standing in the window, waved. I turned away, disgusted.
“Isn’t he a pretty boy?” Bitty asked, dreamily.
“You stay away from him, Bitty,” I said. “He’s trouble. I can feel it in my bones.”
“Yes, Miss Addie, I agree. I can spot trouble as well as anyone.”
“What does Harry think of him?” I asked, curious.
“He doesn’t like him either. Says he’s always prowling around in the middle of the night, coming home late and waking Harry up.” Jesse and Harry shared the bunkhouse, built for the men who worked for us. Papa felt strongly the men should not sleep in the same quarters as the women who worked in the house. Given Bitty and Harry’s love affair and how easy it would be for them to find trouble in the middle of lonely nights, I’d thought it was a good idea. I was even more convinced now that I’d met Jesse.
“Doing what, I wonder?” I asked.
“Harry says Jesse comes in smelling like liquor, so who knows.”
I thought about James coming home after a night out with my brothers. “I don’t suppose it’s our business what he does during his leisure time. It’s unfortunate he’s keeping Harry up at night, though. Do you want me to say something about it to Mama?”
“No, please don’t. We don’t want trouble. Harry says Jesse has a mean streak. He can see it in his eyes. One of those men who acts real nice in front of his employer but turns dark when they’re not around.”
“You’ll let me know if there’s any trouble, all right?”
“Yes, Miss Addie. I will.”
I put my washed underclothes away, setting aside my worries about Jesse and soon forgetting about him altogether. I had my own problems to think about. Lena and her father would be here any moment. Everything would change just like that.
Bitty finished up what she was doing and asked if I needed anything. I assured her I was fine and that I’d be working until our guests arrived.
Bitty frowned and leaned against her broom. “I’ll do my best, but I’m not sure how to work for a fancy lady such as Miss Masters.”
“Don’t worry, Bitty. Just do what you do for us and she’ll be pleased.”
“She will?” Bitty’s eyes lit up. “I don’t want her to think less of us because of me.”
I smiled, touched by Bitty’s loyalty. “You’ll make us seem as if we live like kings and queens.”
She beamed with pride. “Thank you, Miss Addie. I try my best.”
