By Proxy(54)
Her father breathed in deeply, then out, nodding at Sam slowly. Unexpectedly, he flashed him a wide smile as his weathered face relaxed, showing six decades of laugh lines on his tanned, rugged face. “You sure you’re not from Montana?”
Sam chuckled then, sharing that his mother had grown up in Choteau, and he had spent a good bit of time up there throughout his childhood. Her father pumped Sam for information about his folks in Choteau; every Swede was always convinced they could figure out they were sixth cousins thrice removed to another Swede if they were just given enough time.
Lars clapped Sam on the back and kissed Jenny’s cheek, leaving for Upper Slide, where he and Paul would be putting up their fishing shack on the lake. Erik said he’d give them a hand and followed him out. Nils and her father needed to iron out some details for a group of tourists arriving tomorrow. Her father’s eyes twinkled.
“Wildlife group. You like wildlife, Sam?”
Sam nodded at her father and shrugged. “Sure, Mr. Lindstrom. But in the winter?”
“Best time to see it. Nowhere for ’em to hide. Clean white backdrop. If you have some time today, Jenny could take you for a walk out there. Just to see a bit. She knows all the right places.” He winked at his daughter. “See you for supper later?”
“Four o’clock, Pappa,” she responded and waved as he and the boys went on their way.
Once they were out of sight, Jenny turned to Sam, anxious to be alone with him for whatever time they had left together. “Ready to go?”
He nodded and they exited through a side door, into the church playground.
“Sam, you didn’t have to say that,” she started as they walked through the front courtyard, onto the street and back toward the bridge.
“Say what?”
“You know, the ‘intentions’ thing. He’s just really old-fashioned.”
“I meant it.”
She whipped her head up to meet his eyes, confused. “You couldn’t have meant it.”
“Of course I did, Jen.”
Her heart started beating like crazy. He couldn’t have meant it. He couldn’t have fully formed intentions for her. “Sam, I don’t know if we’re talking about the same thing here.”
He shrugged, wrinkling his brows together. “I meant I would treat you with respect. I wouldn’t dishonor you. I wouldn’t do anything to compromise your reputation.”
She was walking fast, and he stopped her by touching her arm. She turned to look at his face.
“Oh,” she answered, meekly, softly, a little bit relieved and sad at the same time.
“What did you think I meant?”
She stopped at the railing, looking out over the whitewater. Bright sunshine made the water sparkle, and melted small bits of ice wept into the river, becoming part of the rush of sound and fury.
She sighed loudly, blowing the air out of her lips in big white puffs and resting her mittened hands on the railing. “My father’s old-fashioned. He uses old-fashioned words and phrases sometimes. It’s just his way. ‘Pure intentions’ isn’t about you seducing me.” She bit her bottom lip, embarrassed. He stood next to her at the railing and she turned and faced him squarely. “You essentially just assured him you’re courting me with an eye to marriage.”
His eyes widened and his mouth fell open. She almost started giggling, but thinking about the conversation she was going to have to have with her father to clear up this misunderstanding more than stifled her cheer.
“Well, then, it’s a good thing we’re getting married tomorrow,” he quipped.
“It’s not funny, Sam. He takes these things seriously.” She didn’t know if Sam was mocking her father, but it felt like it a little. Plus, she was annoyed with her father, and she may as well be angry at someone.
“I’m sorry, Jenny. I just…I don’t know what to say. Who uses phrases like that anymore? It’s the twenty-first century.”
That got her back up. She could say her Pappa was old-fashioned. Even the boys could say their Pappa was old-fashioned. But that’s where the list ended and Sam wasn’t on it.
“Oh, no, Sam, I’m sorry. I guess we’re just a little too provincial for sophisticated you. My father cares about my reputation and— Forget it. Don’t trouble yourself, Sam. You’re from a big city. He’ll understand.” She turned from the railing and started walking briskly again. He quickened his pace to keep up, finally putting his hand on her arm.
“Jenny. Wait. Slow down. I feel like you’re picking a fight with me. We’re not on opposite sides here.” She stopped walking, facing him as he continued. “I didn’t mean to put you in an awkward spot. And I didn’t mean to mislead your father. And you yourself said he was old-fashioned. I don’t know why you’re getting so mad at me.”