* * *
They made it back to the house, but it didn’t feel like home to Georgie. In fact, she hated the place. It was full of echoes of her loud screams of pain, torment, and sorrow. It held her heartbreak and the agony of hopes that had been destroyed. But it was where she had to reside.
Parker jumped down and held up his arms to her, and it pained her that she hesitated. Finally, she accepted his assistance, and Parker lifted her down then drew her close to his hard chest. He had given her a bit of time to have fun today and for that, she was grateful. She hadn’t been sure she’d ever smile again.
He cupped her cheeks in his hand and kissed her. His masculine lips softened when he placed them against hers.
She sighed and welcomed his tongue as he made the kiss more intimate. He’d heal her heart; it would just take time. They had love between them, she was certain of it. A Bible verse from Second Corinthians sprang to mind.
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
Laying her forehead on his chest, she repeated the verse over and over in her mind. She needed to have faith that God would heal her and guide Parker how to help her. An abundant sense of peace filled her and surrounded her. She’d cried out to God many times when she was being beaten, and when it didn’t stop, she’d lost her faith.
It was time to let the Lord into her heart and life again. She believed now she would be just fine. Pushing up to her tiptoes, she kissed his cheek. “I’ll meet you inside after you take care of Mine.” A tugged at her lips, and that brought tears to her eyes.
Parker wiped her tear with his thumb. “It’ll be fine.”
“I know, that’s why I have tears. I believe that God will heal me with your help. I have a feeling that everything will be all right.”
He grinned at her. “I’ll meet you inside.”
She walked to the house full of hope. First thing tomorrow, she was going to pick everything from the garden and then have someone take her to town to get seeds for an autumn planting.
As soon as she walked into the house she heard screaming coming from Millicent’s room. Though tempted to go and see what was wrong, she decided she just couldn’t. She went into the kitchen to make tea.
Sondra startled and took a step toward the door, her face pasty white. Her blue eyes were wide and there was an expression of fear on her face. All the ingredients to make bread were on the work counter in front of her.
“Sondra, are you all right? What happened?”
“It was my fault. I put a knife on her food tray, not thinking of it as a weapon. As soon as I turned my back to tidy her room, she came at me. I saw her out of the corner of my eye and put my arm up to block her but she got me. I was able to take the knife away from her and I hurried out of there. She’s been screaming ever since. I know she broke her china plate and I heard her glass shatter against the wall, I’m assuming.” She held a cloth to her forearm.
“Here sit down.” Georgie pulled a chair out for her. Then she took the cloth to look at the knife wound. It was deep. “She must have come at you in full force. If you hadn’t put your arm up, you could have been killed. I’m going to get some water and see if we can’t get your arm to stop bleeding.”
“Bleeding?” Parker walked in, took one look and put a pot of water on to boil. “It’s going to have to be stitched. Sondra, I’m so sorry. I feel responsible. I knew she could be dangerous but I…” He looked bleakly at his wife. “You did tell me she carried a knife while I was gone. I removed that one from her possession, but I should have known to tell you, Sondra.”
“I’m pretty tough. I’ll know better in the future.”
Georgie blinked hard. “You’re going to stay?”
“Truthfully, I don’t have a place to go to. This job came at the right time. The other family I worked for was moving farther west, and when I heard you needed someone I was so happy.”
“You don’t have family nearby?” Georgie asked.
“No, not here in Texas.”
Georgie took a wet cloth and put pressure on the wound. “I’m glad you can stay here.”
“Thank you. I never thought how hard it would be for a woman to be on her own. With everyone scraping by, folks don’t have money to hire help.”
Parker nodded his head. “We enjoy having you here. We’ll figure out what to do about my mother. It’s not safe for her to be here much longer.”
“Really, I don’t mind.”
Georgie stood so Parker could stitch Sondra up. While Sondra had been talking, Georgie had gotten the gash to stop bleeding and Parker had boiled the needle and thread. Though Georgie had never seen anyone boil the thread before.
“Would you like some whiskey?” Georgie asked Sondra. “It can help with the pain.”
“As tempting as it sounds, I think I’ll be just fine. I’m ready.”
Parker’s face was grim as he sewed up Sondra’s wound. Afterward he bandaged it.
“No more work for you today. I don’t want you using that arm.” He tied cloth into a sling and gently put it on her.
“I have things I need to take care of. I’ll be back in time for supper.” He cupped Georgie’s shoulders and kissed her cheek before he left.
He looked worried. Too bad she couldn’t take his worries away. Why hadn’t he gone to his mother; to check on her, at least? Perhaps because the old woman had finally stopped screeching, he’d felt it best to leave her be. A shudder rolled through Georgia as she thought of Millicent and her violent ways.
“I’ll make you some tea, Sondra. Would you like to have it in the sitting room or out on the front porch?”
Sondra turned red. “I can’t have you wait on me. It’s not right. Besides I need to go and clean up all that broken glass and china in Mrs. Eastman’s room.”
Georgie put her hands on her hips. “You heard Parker, go sit. Enjoy a rest while you can. I don’t know if I could stand to watch you get stitched up again.”
“If you’re sure—”
“Go!” Georgie grinned as Sondra reluctantly left the kitchen.
Georgie cleaned up the kitchen. She’d been the same way when she’d been hurt and things needed to be done. But if she didn’t work, she didn’t survive. War was never a good thing. She’d heard the Union Army suffered many casualties too. She knew Yankee prisoners of war had been taken somewhere in Texas. A chill went through her. She didn’t want to think about any darn Yankees of any rogue Confederates. Too much evil had been done.
It’d been quiet upstairs. Millicent was probably asleep. Grabbing a broom, she went upstairs. The keys to the room were hanging from a peg on the wall near the bedroom door. She took them and put her ear to the door. Not a sound. Still, it would be best to use caution. After she unlocked the door, she slowly opened it. Millicent was lying on her bed with her back facing the door.
Letting out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, Georgie picked up the big pieces of the plate and cup and put them in the hall. Next, she swept the smaller pieces into a pile near the door. Then she took hold of the long handle of the dustpan and swept the mess into it. Millicent didn’t move. When Georgia was done, she turned to leave.
“Don’t think things are done between you and me,” Millicent spit out. “I know you’re a fake. You’re no O’Rourke from Tennessee.”
As fast as she could, Georgia gathered the broom and dustpan and pulled the door closed. She fumbled with the key as her hands shook, but finally the door was locked. Her heart beat so quickly, it made her lightheaded, and she leaned against the wall for a moment. What a fool she’d been to go in there. She bent and picked up the bigger pieces and put them in the dustpan and then went down the stairs. Millicent wanted her dead, and it would be best to remember that fact.
Chapter Six
Supper was unusually quiet. He could excuse Sondra because of her pain but usually Georgie had a smile along with conver
sation. In fact, if he didn’t know better, he’d think Georgie was guilty of something. She refused to make eye contact with him. She did ask Sondra if she needed any tending to her injured arm.
Sondra blushed. She didn’t seem to like being the center of attention.
“I’m just fine. Give me a day and I’ll be back at work.”
Parker’s lips twitched. He was surrounded by headstrong women who didn’t seem to be able to think of themselves first. “I think you’ll need more than a day.”
Sondra’s mouth opened.
Whatever she was going to say, he firmly cut her off. “We’ll see how you feel tomorrow night.”
“Fair enough, Parker, thank you. Thank you for cleaning all the debris in your mother’s room. I would have hated to ask Walter to do it. He’s always so busy.” She smiled and blushed deeper as she looked down at her plate as though it fascinated her.
“I didn’t do it.” His eyes narrowed. Georgie had done it, he just knew it. No wonder she was so quiet.
“Georgie, did you get hurt up in my mother’s room? You’ve been awfully quiet tonight.”
She glanced up at him and quickly turned her head.
“Georgie?”
She sighed loudly. “Just like a dog with a bone. Yes, it was me. No, it wasn’t my finest idea, and yes I will agree to not go in there again.” She turned her head and glared at him.
His eyes widened. What had he done? His mother could make even the sweetest turn sour. “Did she try to hurt you? I presume you’re not hurt?”
Georgie shook her head. “She was on the bed with her back to me. She did say things aren’t done between us. I have to admit I felt a shiver go through me, but that was all.”
He grimaced. “Tell you what; let’s take a ride into town tomorrow.”
Her eyes lit up. “Fort Worth?”
“Fort Worth is a bit far. We actually live closer to Spring Water. I just tell people Fort Worth as a reference. Texas is a big state.”
“You’ll like it in town, Georgie. Make sure you stop in and have tea at The Kingsman,” Sondra told her. “It’s a real treat. The owner, Shelly, makes the best pies. Now, don’t cause any trouble in there. She’s sweet but she can pack a wallop. She planned to take me in, but this job came at the right time. They say that the Lord always provides.”
Parker nodded. He wasn’t sure he believed much anymore. He’d seen so much suffering during the war. His prayers certainly hadn’t been answered.
“That sounds like fun. I’d love to go, Parker!” Georgie enthused.
She reminded him of a small child going to the store for the first time. It felt good to make her happy. He wasn’t too excited about seeing the Union Soldiers that had taken over as law in the town. There were a few who were good men, but the others would just as soon spit on a person.
“I want to check with the business owners and make sure they aren’t experiencing financial hardships. Those stinking carpetbaggers are like jackals waiting to buy foreclosed properties for the cost of the back taxes. I try to intercede when I can. Those folks in town have worked hard for every penny they have.” He paused. The two women stared at him as though they’d never seen him before. “Excuse my language.”
Georgie put her hand over her mouth, but laughter came pouring out. “I want to see the stinking carpetbaggers.”
Sondra joined in with her own laughter, but all too soon the laughs died down and they looked sad.
“We had carpetbaggers in Tennessee. I know what you’re talking about. And as for the Army, you’re right there are a few good apples among the bad. It’s admirable that you help the town.” She gazed at him in such a way he felt ten feet tall.
He captured Sondra’s gaze. “I’m going to have Corporal Green do work that is closer to the house. I’d like it if you’d call him to go with you into my mother’s room from now on.”
Sondra blushed and glanced down at the table. Parker exchanged amused smiles with Georgie. He thought there had been an attraction between Sondra and Green.
“Walter is a good worker. He’s kind too.” Sondra turned to Georgie. “He’s gentle with the animals, and I don’t think we’ll ever have reason to fear him.”
“I’ll have to get to know Walter a bit better. I know you both trust him but I think it’s going to be a while before I fully trust a man. But I will try.” Georgie bit her bottom lip before she stood and started to gather the plates.
“Would anyone like coffee?” Georgie asked.
Sondra started to get up.
“Sit back down, Sondra. You need to rest that arm. Don’t worry, I can take care of things while you heal. It’s no mark against you if you take some time off.”
Tears filled Sondra’s eyes. “You both have been so good to me. I don’t like shirking my duties.”
Georgie took one stack of dishes into the kitchen and she came back out with two cups of coffee. “Here, you two relax while I clean the kitchen.”
“You two should be strolling in the moonlight,” Sondra said between sniffles.
He took a sip of the hot beverage. “Sondra, drink your coffee. A stroll does sound good though. Georgie, do you need me to help?” He almost laughed at the surprised expression on her face. “I know how.”
“I know you know, but most men wouldn’t have offered is all. I’ll be quick.”
He patiently drank his coffee and stood as soon as she came back into the dining room. He held his hand out to her and was more than pleased when she tucked her small hand in his. He led her outside. “Looks like a full moon.”
She took a deep breath. “Yes it does. Days certainly get hot here in Texas. I’m glad it grows a bit cooler in the evenings.”
He squeezed her hand lightly. “It must have been hard to go into my mother’s room. It’s not your job to take care of her. I don’t want you hurt ever again.” He drew her into his arms. She felt soft, and he longed to be with her, but she wasn’t ready. He’d been trying to give her space but it grew harder by the day. Plain and simple, he desired his wife.
She leaned in to him and put her ear over his heart. Her arms tightened around his waist, and he stroked her pretty blond hair. She still had places on her back that hadn’t completely healed.
“Shall we take that stroll?”
She nodded and stepped back. He offered her his arm and she took it. They walked for a bit toward the pasture where the horses were frolicking together.
He stopped in front of the wooden fencing. “This pasture is where we keep the mares.”
“They sure are beautiful. Do you sell horses too?”
“I have a horseman named Crumb, who has a gift for working with horses. He trains them for the hands. When I got home from the war, there were two horses left, and the low number of cattle nearly broke my heart. Both armies had been through and taken almost everything. Crumb hid the livestock in the trees behind the house. If you go in a bit it is thick with foliage, but if you know where you are going you can get through to a circle in the middle of the woods. Crumb built fencing and hid the best livestock we had. He didn’t dare hide it all. He didn’t want anyone to become suspicious. There wasn’t enough room to separate the mares and the one stallion he kept. There were many foals delivered that year. Finally, he cleared some of the thick woods away and built a separate corral for Jefferson. Same with the cattle. He ended up building a separate area for our best bull, Davis.”
She laughed and the melodious sound wrapped around his heart. The moonlight enhanced her beauty and his mouth almost became dry as he studied her.
“Is something wrong?” Her voice quavered a bit.
He wanted to swear. Taggart and his mother beat her confidence out of her. It broke a piece of his heart. He cupped her face with his hands and smiled down at her. “No sweetheart, I was admiring just how beautiful you are. I’m grateful to have you in my life and doubly grateful you’re my wife.” He leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. He stood straight and watched the horses. He didn’t want
to push her. They had time. It was hard to be patient after all the losses they’d suffered. One day a loved one was there and the next they’d been killed.
“See the paler horse?”
She looked and nodded.
“She’s a palomino.”
“What’s her name?”
“Yours.”
She laughed and shook her head. “You really have a knack for naming horses. Mine and Yours?”
“Yes, she’s for you.”
She looked uncertain and then joy spread across her face. Her eyes misted as she took his hand. “I haven’t had my own horse since the first year of the war. My heart was so empty when I first met you, but little by little you are filling it, and I thank you. You can’t know what it all means to me.” Tears slowly trailed down her face.
“We all lost a considerable amount. I thought I’d forever be bitter, but how can I be when I have you? The smallest of things make you happy. You have the gumption that was so part of the fabric of the South. I don’t see it much these days. You make me feel as though I’m ten feet tall when you smile. Much of my family’s wealth is gone, and my pride had taken more than one hit.” He drew a deep breath. “You make me want to be a better man.”
“You make me out to be some type of mystical person. We picked ourselves up and dusted ourselves off. It wasn’t easy but it was a necessity. I am glad your mother put the ad in the paper because I have you.”
The loud sound of a shotgun blast exploded in the air, and Georgie dove for the hard ground. Covering her head with her hands, she stayed very still. She reacted like some of the soldiers he’d fought with.
Squatting down, he tried to comfort her with encouraging words; whatever came to mind he said it softly. Finally, she removed her hands from her head and peered at him.
“Let’s get you up and inside,” he coaxed.
She let him help her up and lead her inside the house. He closed the door and she went back and locked it.
Tattered Hearts: Mail Order Brides of Spring Water Book One Page 8