Big Bad Professor(40)

Joyce tried to hold back a sigh. It certainly sounded like she had been called to be a nursemaid to baby and father. She kept her face as neutral as possible and listened to Anne when she continued.

“Last year, Tom got an invitation from President Cleveland to visit the White House.”

“Did he go?”

Anne looked at her with a shocked expression. “Did he go? Of course, he went! We all did. There could be nothing better!”

“Did he take Eliza?”

Anne glanced back to where Eliza had taken fascination with a large stone sculpture of an elephant. She was running her hand over its head as though it was a live pet. She was talking to it, too, but neither of them understood exactly what she was saying. They caught a few phrases, but it was mostly unintelligible words strung together. At least, she knew the word “elephant.”

“Sadly no. She was too young to travel all the way across the country. And he would not have been in any condition to have her there with him.”

“Why was he invited?”

“President Cleveland was campaigning at the time – to become president, you know. Tom is very influential with many of the businessmen on the West Coast, especially here in Colorado. The president knew how much things were changing, are changing out here. He wanted to talk to Tom about it. Plus, he’d heard that Lizzie had died and wanted to give his condolences.”

“That was nice of him.”

Anne shrugged. “It was probably politics that drove the president to do that. That seems to be the way government runs.”

Joyce had to admit she knew no more about politics, government and business than Anne. She knew how to work hard to save money, and she could work figures in her mind like no boys she knew. She had not had any opportunities to use her figuring skills to help in business of any kind. Women weren’t allowed.

She was fine with that. They could remain ignorant of her talent if they wanted to.

They made a slow circle around the room, Anne explaining each of the portraits that hung on the walls. “And here are Tom and Gary.” Anne’s voice was much prouder than it had been with any of the other men, even the founding father.

Joyce peered closely at Tom’s face. He was very similar to his brother, with wavy light brown hair, hazel eyes, and a strong forehead. His chin was equally strong, and he had a stern look about him. He looked like a man who had fought in a war. He was standing on one side of a tall chair with one hand on the edge. He wore a black tuxedo and had casually shoved one hand in the pocket, making the jacket stick out slightly in the back. Gary was standing on the other side of the chair in the same position reversed. He was also wearing a tuxedo. They both had small smiles on their faces. Joyce marveled at how Tom could look so stern and still be smiling.

“Is this recent?” She asked.

“It was done last year while they were visiting the President.”

“How interesting.”

“What do you think?”

“Of Tom?” She gave Anne a quick glance and saw her nod. Her eyes settled on Tom once more, and she gave it a thought. “I think he looks like he’s been through a war.”

Anne sighed. “It’s so unfortunate that the portrait was done after Lizzie’s death. Tom was a different man before, happy and smiling, playful and fun.” She looked at Joyce. “I do hope you can reawaken that in him, Joyce. You are vibrant and full of energy, I can tell. You can do it.”

Joyce felt the uncomfortable feeling of mental pressure. Anne was confident in her. She felt she probably could do what was needed for Tom. But the fact that she had practically been forced into it and now felt an obligation to a child that wasn’t even hers was unnerving. It disturbed her, and she hoped to rid herself of those feelings through prayer and with time.

“I will try,” she said.

“I’m so glad to hear that. You are not planning to leave then?”

Joyce shook her head a bit reluctantly. “No. I will stay.”

At that very moment, Eliza started clapping her hands and dancing around the room. Anne and Joyce both turned and watched her, instant smiles on their faces. “I think she likes the idea, Joyce!” Anne laughed.

“I don’t think she understands the situation.” Joyce chuckled at the thought. “But it was certainly good timing!”





Chapter Four

In the three days since her arrival, Joyce had seen much more of Anne and Gary than she had of Tom. Her initial meeting with Tom had been brief and he had enough time for her to introduce himself and say hello to his daughter before he was off to work. He didn’t come home until late in the evening, usually eating his dinner in a restaurant in the town. He told Joyce that they would speak privately on Saturday, which was still a day away, and that they would make plans to be married at that time.