Ruth Ann studied her hands enclosed in Benjamin’s. Was she ready for that? Many of her domestic skills suffered in comparison to other young women her age, even to Benjamin’s apparently. She couldn’t make an award-winning pie. Did he see her as some fragile, silly girl who’d fuss and cry when things got hard? That’s not who she was. She was the kind of woman who rolled up her shirtsleeves and worked hard.
A fierce determination rose within her. Lifting her chin, she looked directly into his golden brown eyes. “I’m often told that my strong will is a negative quality in a woman, but hear me when I tell you, Benjamin Coulter, the other side of that coin is perseverance.” She wriggled one hand loose and clutched it against her bosom. “I have within me what it takes to work hard and sacrifice, if necessary, for what I want.”
He lifted her hand and kissed it gently. “You’re an amazing woman, Ruthie, and I have no doubt you will accomplish whatever you set your mind to, but you need to consider what I’m telling you. It won’t be easy.”
“Ruth,” Mama called from the kitchen. “I need help with dessert.”
“Coming, Mama.” Pausing at the swinging door, she glanced over her shoulder, giving Benjamin what she hoped was a confident smile. “I can do it, Ben.”
The aroma of cinnamon and cooked apples greeted her when she entered the kitchen. Her mouth watered as she glided her tongue across her lips.
“Ruth, I wish to speak with you about Benjamin.” Mama placed the cream and sugar on the tray beside the coffee cups.
Ruth Ann tugged her bottom lip between her teeth and waited. What was wrong now?
“I overheard part of your conversation with him. He raised a good question. Are you sure you are willing and able to live in circumstances immensely different from how you were raised?”
Not this again. Why did everyone doubt her? Did everyone think she was a pampered princess? “I think so, Mama. Suttons don’t shy away from a challenge.”
Mama placed her hands on her daughter’s shoulders. “Promise me you will think about this matter seriously.”
“I will. I promise.”
“You know, Ruth, the more time I spend with Benjamin, the more he endears himself to me. While he doesn’t have the money and societal graces of the Thorntons, it is not hard to see he cares deeply for you. There is something about his easy manner that reminds me of your father.”
She hugged her mother. “Your good opinion of Benjamin means a great deal to me.”
Mama stroked Ruth Ann’s hair before breaking their embrace. “Are we ready?”
She glanced over the serving trays. “We need napkins. You go ahead, and I’ll be right there.” She grabbed the cloth napkins and tucked them under her arm. The whoosh of the swinging door brought a mischievous thought to mind. I wonder if Mr. Coulter has ever had pointless pie.
~*~
Benjamin reached for the plate Ruth Ann offered him. Where was the point of his pie? Glancing toward the piece she had set aside for herself, he discovered hers missing too. How odd.
The smell of warm apple pie roused Buddy from his nap by the hearth. Being honor bound to clean up any crumbs that might land on his mistress’ rug, the old dog lumbered toward the table.
Dessert in hand, Benjamin joined Joseph near the fire. After taking a sip of coffee, he placed his cup on the mantel. He stared at Joseph’s serving. The point was intact on his piece. He scratched his cheek. What was Ruth Ann up to?
Joseph leaned toward Benjamin. “I see you were properly initiated into the family ritual this evening.”
Benjamin pulled his head back slightly and furrowed his brow.
Joseph pointed to his plate. “Ruth Ann took the point of your pie.”
“I can’t make any sense of it.”
“Charles Sutton was quite the prankster. One of his favorites, besides snitching the icing the girls would save for last, was to steal the point of their pie. It quickly became a game amongst them to see who could steal the other’s point first.”
“Ah. So why didn’t she take everyone’s point?”
“Ruth Ann wanted to single you out. I’d wager she took her own as well, so you couldn’t.”
Benjamin chuckled, imagining her giggling as she stole the tips of their pie.
Joseph laid his hand on Benjamin’s shoulder. “But you know, Benjamin, in nearly a year of courting she never stole Thornton’s point.”
A warm contentedness covered him like a blanket on a cold winter’s night. It was silly, but he liked the fact she’d included him in the family tradition and not Thornton.
Mrs. Sutton wiped her mouth then laid the napkin across her lap. “Benjamin, I would appreciate a copy of your receipt. I am unsure how we will get Myra to switch without offending her, but this is the best apple pie I have ever eaten.”
“Thank you, ma’am, but that won’t be necessary. I intend to be around for a long time to make them myself.”
Ruth Ann returned his gaze with a tender smile then continued her conversation with Sarah.
“Think I’ll go get a drink of water then I’d better head home.”
Benjamin removed a glass from the cupboard beside the sink. He pumped the handle two times, filling the glass halfway. After he drank, he noticed the second pie sitting on the butcher block and chuckled again at the thought of Ruth Ann taking the point of his pie. He shook his head. She must be awfully proud of herself for pulling one over on him.
He rejoined the family in the parlor, gathered his guitar, and thanked them for the delicious meal. After removing his hat and coat from the hall tree, he placed his hand on Ruth Ann’s shawl. Without words, he invited her to accompany him outside. She nodded and joined Benjamin in the foyer. After placing the wrap around her shoulders, he grabbed his instrument and escorted her to the porch.
His eyes flitted to the window. It was Joseph’s turn on guard duty. Undeterred, he caressed her cheek. “I had a nice time today. Your family is wonderful, and I get the impression that your mother is warming up to me.”
“I believe you’re right.”
Benjamin pulled her close, his chin resting on top of her head. “Only one thing was missing and it would have been the perfect day.”
Ruth Ann stepped back, a scowl crossing her face. “Not yet, Ben. You promised, remember?”
Benjamin puckered his brow. “My dear, Ruthie, whatever are you talking about?”
“You know perfectly well what I’m referring to.” She playfully poked her finger in his chest. “While you might be tempted to kiss me, we agreed last night to wait a while longer.”
He had her now. Garnering as much innocence as he could muster, he fought to keep an impish grin under control. “Kiss you?” He shook his head. “Ruthie, I was talking about the point of my pie.”
She blushed then gave him another little swat. “You’ll never get another point of pie if I have anything to say about it.”
“We’ll see about that.”
~*~
Oh, that man. She was fit to be tied. Twice in two days she’d misunderstood his meaning and thought he wanted to kiss her when he hadn’t.
The foyer and parlor were empty when she entered the house. Curious. Hadn’t Joseph been at the window only moments before?
No sooner had the latch clicked behind her than Mama’s voice rang out from the other end of the hallway. “Ruth, come to the kitchen please.”
Mama’s clipped words hung in the air. Now what? The day seemed to have gone so well. She hung her shawl on the hall tree. “Coming.”
Sarah leaned against the cook stove. Shoulders shaking, her hand attempted to hide her amusement.
Ruth Ann’s gaze shifted to Joseph who merely shrugged and tipped his head toward her mother.
“What is the meaning of this, Ruth?” Her mother held Benjamin’s other pie in her hands, a perfect circle cut from its middle.
Strange. Ruth Ann shrugged her shoulders. “I didn’t do it, Mama, and I don’t know who—”
“Yes, you do,”
Sarah interrupted.
Ruth Ann cocked her head. How should she know who cut the center of the pie? Why did they think she—a hearty laugh escaped her mouth.
Benjamin Coulter had bested her again.
13
Ruth Ann pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders. The day had been sunny with mild temperatures for early December when they set out. The sun, now shrouded behind darkening clouds, refused to yield its warmth. Shade from the trees by the creek added to the chill.
“The first night we will need to assess the adults’ knowledge of arithmetic.” She tapped her index finger against her cheek. “My guess is they do basic arithmetic every day without realizing it—measuring food or using their foot to mark off distance.” She glanced over her shoulder. The old dog trudged along behind them, eager for a rest. “Perhaps we should point out as many of those things as possible so they will have confidence in their abilities.”
Benjamin motioned toward a spot for them to sit. He spread the blanket he carried over a large rock, the tip of which jutted out over the edge of the creek. Buddy curled up at its base.
Her hand landed on her hip, and she cocked her head to the side.
Unable to hide his own amusement, Benjamin chortled. “What?”
“I hope you don’t plan on pushing me in the creek today.”
“I wondered if you’d recognized this spot. And for the record, I didn’t push you. You backed up and fell, too mulish to let me help you down.”
“Too mulish?”
Chuckling, he climbed up on the rock then stretched out his hand to Ruth Ann.
She looped the satchel across her shoulders before taking his arm and claimed a seat beside him.
“Perhaps you were too mulish. If you recall, I insisted you leave more than once.”
Benjamin grinned. “Maybe. But I was doomed from the moment you unpinned those curly locks—caterwauling or not.”
Her jaw dropped.
Laughing, he pulled her near. “As long as you stay close to me, you should have no trouble avoiding the water today.”
Strong arms engulfed her. Pulse skittering, she strained to form a coherent thought. “I...I don’t know what I’m going to do with you, Benjamin Coulter.”
He waggled his brows. “I have a few ideas.”
“You better keep your mind on the lessons you’ll be teaching this week.” She pulled the arithmetic book from her satchel and poked the primary volume in his stomach. “I plan to work on numbers in their reading lesson as well. So you’ll teach them to recognize numbers in numeral form, and I’ll do the same in written form.”
“That makes sense. If we both are working on the same concepts, the students will learn them quickly. Perhaps I could bring some nails or apples and begin with pattern recognition, and basic addition and subtraction.”
“That’s a wonderful idea.” Benjamin was thinking like a teacher and would have his students learning arithmetic in no time. Ruth Ann dug around in her satchel. “Here, Benjamin.” She offered him another book. “You should take this since you’ll be responsible for teaching arithmetic. You won’t need the advanced volume for a while, but you can take it too if you like.”
Benjamin perused the primary book. “How will I know when they are ready to progress to the next topic?”
“I’ll help you with assessments.”
Benjamin let out a breath. “Good. I was worried about that part.”
The gurgling streamed flowed over the rocks below them. “This is my favorite place. I used to come fishing here with Papa when I was little and...” She hesitated. “It’s where I first saw you.”
Benjamin squeezed her shoulders. “I like it here, too. It holds special memories for me as well.”
“Really?” She tilted her head to see his face, hoping he would tell her again how he was smitten with her from their first meeting.
“Yep,” Benjamin said, eyes twinkling. “Some of the best fishing I’ve ever done was right over there in that fishing hole.”
“Oh, you.” She gave him a playful swat, accidentally knocking the arithmetic books from his hand.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
“I’ll get them.” Benjamin slid off the rock and grabbed the manuals. A white slip of paper floated to the ground. “What’s this, Ruthie? Are you sneaking me love letters?”
She gulped a breath, eyes blinking rapidly. “Certainly not.” She held out her hand for the paper. “May I have that, please?”
Benjamin opened his mouth and feigned disappointment. “What? You aren’t trying to woo me as Darcy did Jane?”
“Darcy didn’t woo Jane. He wooed Elizabeth. You’d know that if you had read Pride and Prejudice like I suggested.” She reached for the note.
“That’s not likely to happen, Miss Sutton. Now, if the content of this message is not for me,” he teased, holding the missive above his head, “perhaps it’s a letter to you from a former beau. Thornton perhaps?”
Her eyes tracked the paper. “Please, Ben.” Voice wavering, she locked her gaze on him. “Pleeease give me the paper.”
~*~
Benjamin turned his shoulder slightly. “No, Ruthie dear, I’m just going to have to—”
We, the citizens of the Loudoun valley, do not favor the education of darkies, young or old, and find it disgraceful for a white woman to keep company with coloreds for any reason. You must end your instruction immediately or violence will be used to make you comply with this request.
Benjamin stared at the slip of paper in his hands. He shifted to face her, his gaze waffling between Ruth Ann and the note. “How long ago did you receive this?”
She bit her bottom lip and shrugged.
He squared his shoulders. “Ruth Ann?”
She flinched.
Benjamin climbed onto the rock and squatted down in front of her. Taking her by the arms, he tried to force her to look at him, but she wouldn’t. Still holding the menacing note under his thumb, he cradled Ruth Ann’s face between his hands. His voice firm, but even. “Answer me, Ruthie.”
“I-I’m not sure. A week now…or maybe, two.”
Benjamin’s thumb glided across her skin briefly before releasing her. Hadn’t he proven his support for her position at the Freedmen’s School despite mounting threats? Still she’d kept this secret from him. He rubbed his jaw and commanded himself to stay calm. She would be the death of him. “And you mentioned nothing about this? Not even to Joseph?”
Tugging on her bottom lip again, she shook her head then pulled her knees tight against her chest and wrapped her arms around them.
Benjamin softened his tone and sat beside her. “You kept this quiet because you were fearful Joseph wouldn’t allow you to continue teaching there?”
He’d barely finished before her excuses tumbled from her lips. “I seriously doubt they’d do anything to harm a woman, Benjamin. They’re just hoping to scare me away.”
Benjamin read the short note again and shuddered. “Maybe, or maybe not, but have you given any thought to the danger you’re placing your students in by continuing to teach them?”
She lifted her head. “What do you mean? Why would they be in any danger? The note is directed to me.”
“I know you’ve read the papers. You must’ve seen the news reports about the attacks on Freedmen’s Schools across the South and the teachers who taught in them. Many schools have been burned to the ground, some with the students and teacher inside.”
Her shoulders straightened as if preparing for battle. Did she see him as the enemy?
“Yes, but in every one of those accounts the teachers were Negroes or white men from the North.”
Rolling on to one knee, he grabbed Ruth Ann by the shoulders. “Silas Hench put his hands on you at Turner’s. What might have happened if Malachi hadn’t come when he did?” He shook her gently, hoping to rattle some sense into that beautiful head of hers. “What makes you think someone like that will respect a code of honor when it comes to the treatment of
women? Especially women whom he believes are a ‘disgrace to society.’”
Her lips flattened to a thin line, mimicking the tightness of her jaw. She pushed his hands from her shoulders. “Okay, Ben, you’ve made your point, but neither of us can say for sure that Silas Hench had anything to do with this letter.”
How could she be so headstrong? Couldn’t she understand the danger she was in? Why hadn’t she confided in him? The reality of that last thought swept over him, nicking his pride. For some reason, she didn’t trust him to keep her safe. Heavy with frustration, Benjamin’s arms and legs moved like lead weights as he shifted away from her to a sitting position.
She forced a breath then scooted beside him. “I’m sorry for being snippy. I know you’re only trying to protect me, but teaching at the Freedmen’s School is—”
“Very important to you. I understand.” He covered her hand, his thumb caressing her smooth skin. “But do you understand that you are very important to me?”
Chin tucked low, she nodded.
“I think I’ve demonstrated that I’m supportive of your position at the Freedmen’s School.”
She lifted her gaze. “Yes, but—”
“Then why didn’t you come to me when you received this?” He waved the note for emphasis. “Why didn’t you trust me to find a way to make it safe for you?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “Because I knew you’d want to protect me.”
“Of course I do but—”
Ruth Ann held up her free hand. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from either you or Joseph, but to me, some things are worth the risk.” Her gaze attached to his. “Teaching at the Freedmen’s School is worth the risk. If people like Silas Hench get their way by threatening women, nothing will ever change.”
“I agree with you.”
She narrowed her eyes as if doubting the veracity of his words. “You do?”
“Yes, I do, but it’s also time to get help before someone gets hurt. We need to talk to Joseph.”
Ruth Ann sighed. “I’m not sure a conversation with Joseph will go as well as you think.”
“You let me handle Joseph. It’s time we organize a meeting of those folks, white and Negro, in favor of the Freedmen’s School and its mission. We need to let them know of the threat so they can protect themselves and their children. We need to find volunteers to patrol the school anytime it’s in use, and we probably should contact the Freedmen’s Bureau and the sheriff in Leesburg and—”
A Love Restored Page 14