A Time To Love

by Lynn Emery

  “I want that land back, Katherine. The potential in profits is enormous from the lumber alone.” Marian gazed at her daughter hard. “And there could be oil or natural gas.”

  “And we need more millions.” Katherine smiled. “We proud Claibornes and Bellows are a greedy clan.”

  “Profits are down.” Marian referred to the giant holding company that formed the basis of the family fortune. “We could expand and shore up our assets.”

  “I see.”

  “You don’t appear interested that this woman could unravel our family.” Marian wore a look of fury.

  Katherine glanced up with an amused glint in her eyes. “Mother, I can think of at least a half dozen worse secrets in this family, on both sides. What about Aunt Heloise? Or great-uncle William?”

  “That’s enough!” Marian shouted. “What’s happened to you in the past year? I could always count on you.”

  “Stop worrying, Mother.” Katherine reached out to take her hand. Her tone softened a bit. “I realize how much of a strain keeping this secret has been for you. I loved Daddy, but he couldn’t face unpleasantness.”

  “He retreated into alcohol and prostitutes for recreation,” Marian said, her voice hoarse with hatred for her dead husband.

  Katherine heaved a sigh. “He did have his weaknesses.” Her understatement passed right by her mother.

  “You will help me do something, darling?” Marian gripped Katherine’s hand tightly.

  “Oh yes. I’m rather addicted to my life as a woman with money, an old family name and power.” Katherine nodded. “We’ll take care of it, as always.”

  Chapter 7

  “Let go of me!” Shirley tried to shake free but James had an iron hold on both her wrists.

  “You were in the house long before I found you out in the hall. Pretending you had just come in didn’t fool me!” James shoved her onto the bed.

  Shirley sat rubbing her right wrist. “You ever touch me again and I’ll have you arrested.”

  “Yeah right.” James did not look the least bit intimidated. “How much did you hear?”

  “Nothing.”

  “You’re lying.”

  “I’m not!” Shirley lifted her chin at him in defiance. “The wind had messed up my hair and I was in the bathroom brushing it back.”

  “I see.” James backed away from her and sat down in the wing chair next to the bedroom window. “So you have no idea what we talked about.”

  “Really, you’re just like the rest of your family. You think everyone is fascinated by what the Sterlings have to say.”

  “Okay. Then I guess we should talk about what was said since it concerns us.” James eyed her.

  “Oh?” Shirley raised an eyebrow at him.

  “Mama plans to leave most of her property and businesses to Neva. Roy and I agree that she’s shown she can handle it.”

  “She didn’t—” Shirley snapped her mouth shut. “I mean she wouldn’t do that. After all Desiree has done for her?”

  “Desiree asked Mama about her will when she first went to the hospital to visit her,” James said with a frown of distaste. “Yes, Mama wasn’t that out of it. She remembers how you both behaved when she became ill.”

  “We were trying to be helpful for goodness sakes.” Shirley huffed in indignation. “In a crisis someone has to think of certain practical details, unpleasant as it may be.”

  “Right, you were only trying to take the burden of all those assets off the rest of the family,” James retorted.

  “And what have you done?” Shirley struck the bed with the flat of her hand. “Sat by while everything we should have gotten was given away. You’re pathetic!”

  “Mama has made her decision.”

  “Then she’ll just have to change her mind.” Shirley gave a derisive laugh.

  “She’d not going to do that,” James said.

  “Yes she will. I’ll have a little talk with her and she’ll see reason.”

  “You listen to me—”

  “No, James. Mama Jo is going to listen to me for a change, and do what I say.” Shirley nodded at him. “So you admit you heard us talking about Rose.” James sat forward.

  “Twenty-six years I’ve waited, James. I’ve been patient long enough.” Shirley did not flinch from him.

  “Shirley, Mama is still weak. At her age any kind of shock could be dangerous. You know what could happen if you—”

  “A legacy based on lies and deceit is ... immoral. The child deserves to know who her mother really was.”

  “Not even you would stoop so low,” James said through clenched teeth.

  “Neva has lived with that sugar-coated fantasy of Rose for too long.” Shirley wore a mean smile. “A healthy dose of reality would do Miss Moonbeam good.”

  James shot from the chair to tower over her. “I won’t have you talking to my mother or Neva about Rose, not ever. Do you hear me? Or you can forget the job for your no-good baby brother. And a lot of other goodies I’ve been paying for like those expensive trips to New Orleans you so love.”

  Shirley gazed up at him for several moments, her eyes wide. “Well, if you feel that strongly about it...”

  James looked suspicious. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, I won’t say a word if you don’t want me to, dear.” Shirley examined her long red fingernails.

  His deep frown relaxed. “Now just drop it.”

  “Fine.” Shirley stood up and faced him. “After you talk to Mama Jo and help her see how unfair she’s being, we’ll both be happy.”

  “Shirley—”

  “You either do it or I’ll have a nice chat with Neva about Rose.”

  “I can’t, not after telling her I agreed with her. She’s going to wonder what’s going on.” James looked shaken.

  “Do it or I talk.” Shirley was implacable.

  “I’ll cut off every cent. You won’t be able to buy a pack of mints without coming to me!” James tried regain mastery of the situation.

  “Go right ahead if you have the guts. And my brother is going to get that job, too!” Shirley spoke with arrogant certainty.

  “But there’s no way I can convince Mama Jo to change her will now.” James rubbed his jaw.

  “You’d better find a way, sugar.” Shirley walked to the bedroom door. She paused to glance back at him. “Or I’ll throw a hand grenade right in the middle of all your proud, stuck up kinfolks.”

  James sank down into the chair again as Shirley sauntered down the hallway, her laughter echoing back to him.

  ***

  The weather was beautiful that week. Sunshine and blue skies made everyday a picture perfect backdrop for Thanksgiving week. Although it was warm, a cool front passed through with the promise of a crisp autumn day for families gathering to give thanks.

  Neva tried to make her mood match. Yet she could only think of the next few days as a minefield. She dreaded facing a judgmental pre-teen. Thankfully business at the store had been a distraction. It had kept her mind from dwelling on all kinds awful scenarios. But now only a few hours separated her from the moment of truth. Tuesday afternoon Tariq would arrive. He would stay with his dad until the Saturday after Thanksgiving Day.

  “What was I thinking?” Neva wondered out loud as she stared at herself in the mirror. Clothes were strewn across her bed. “A man with a child. Me, a step-mother,” she muttered.

  Mama Jo knocked on the closed bedroom door. “You been shut up in here for hours. Who you expectin’, the president?” When Neva opened the door with a frustrated moan, Mama Jo clucked as she looked at the chaos.

  “I just want to look decent. This is a big step in our relationship.” Neva looked around in embarrassment and began grabbing up clothes to put away.

  “Get hold of yourself. He’s a child an’ grown folks got no business dancin’ to the tune of a child.” Mama Jo examined the array of cosmetics strewn across the dresser. “Lord, you could paint a house with all this stuff.”

  “I’m e
xperimenting.” Neva noticed for the first time just how many different shades of make-up she’d acquired. Most of them were mistakes, colors she hated once home.

  “What did I tell you ‘bout being something you’re not?” Mama Jo sat down on the bed to watch her straighten the room into order again.

  “I just want to be more responsible.” Neva sighed. “I’ve been thinking a lot about my mama lately, Mama Jo.”

  “Really?” Mama Jo gazed at the old photo of Rose sitting on Neva’s dresser top.

  “Yes. She was even younger than me when she moved to a big city to make a better life. After my daddy walked out on us...” Neva paused to think about the man who only impregnated her mother, never fathered her in the true sense.

  “Larry had no business bein’ anybody’s daddy.” Mama Jo gave a grunt to show her disgust with the man. “Had no intention of marryin’ Rose. Probably somewhere in jail if I know him.”

  “Then he was killed in a fight in Shreveport,” Neva said in a quiet voice. “I remember him bringing me this.”

  She picked up a black baby doll with a lacy pink dress. Neva had taken great care of the inexpensive toy. It was the only thing she had from the handsome stranger who’d appeared on their doorstep one day.

  At six, Neva had stared up at a man who seemed to be the tallest human being on earth. He had a big warm smile that made her smile back despite the frowns on her grandparents’ faces.

  “Yeah well.” Mama Jo seemed at a loss for words, unwilling to tear down the only memory she had of her father.

  Neva carefully placed the doll back in its tiny rocking chair that sat on one of the nightstands next to her bed. “Anyway, Mama made hard practical decisions. So can I.”

  “Rose wasn’t perfect, baby. She was headstrong, did a lot of things I didn’t agree with.”

  “I know, you told me all that. But Mama worked hard do the right thing even without my daddy’s help.” Neva smiled. “Remember how you used to tell me stories of Mama working so hard as a waitress and going to school to be a nurse at night?”

  “Yes, but you need to look ahead to what’s right for you.” Mama Jo twisted her knarled hands together. “Your Mama wanted you to have it easier than her.”

  “You and Papa Dub indulged me. So did Nathan really.” Neva held up her hand. “I know he had his faults. But he was good to me. Now it’s time I start taking my life in hand.”

  “Seems to me your life ain’t been out of hand, child.” Mama Jo wore a slight smile.

  “You know what I mean.” Neva stood up and crossed to examine several dresses hanging on the door of the closet. “I’m going to focus.”

  “On that fine young man, right?” Mama Jo gazed at her with affection.

  “Yes, and his son. Chandler is so... kind, so thoughtful. I want this week to be perfect for him.” Neva held up a royal blue sweater dress. “This one.”

  “That’s a good color for you.” Mama Jo rose carefully balancing on her cane. “Everything is going to be just fine. You’ll see.”

  “I hope so.”

  “Sure it will. You’ve got a good heart and a sharp mind. You’re going to do well.” Mama Jo started out then stopped at the door.

  “You’re right. All I have to do is remember the Sterling quality, you and my mother set good examples,” Neva said over her shoulder. She was still intent on the clothes she would wear.

  A brief look of pain flashed across Mama Jo’s face at her words. “Yes, I’ve always wanted you to remember Rose in a good way,” Mama Jo said in quiet voice.

  “Well, I do.” Neva closed the door to the closet and crossed to her grandmother. “And it’s all because of you.” She pecked Mama Jo on the cheek in a quick kiss.

  “I did what I thought was best.”

  “We always talked about Mama and how she died. That meant a lot to me.”

  Mama Jo looked into Neva’s eyes. “I love you, baby. I’d never do anything to hurt you. Never.”

  “I know that. And don’t think I’ll ever forget it.” Neva grinned. “Say, let’s have a mid-afternoon snack. We’ve got plenty of Miss Velma’s lemon pound cake left.”

  “I think I’ll rest awhile in my easy chair.” Mama Jo rubbed her eyes.

  “Are you all right?” Neva wore a look of concern. “Something wrong? You’re not feeling weak are you?”

  Mama Jo drew herself up to stand straight. “Quit lookin’ at me like I’m some feeble old woman! Can’t want a nap without folks tryin’ to slap you in the hospital,” she grumbled.

  “Now I know you’re all right.” Neva laughed and headed for the kitchen. “You get yourself settled in front of the television. I’ll be there in a minute.

  Mama Jo watched her leave. When Neva was out of sight, her shoulders slumped. “I did what I thought was best,” she whispered again.

  ***

  “I don’t see why we’re handling them with kid gloves.” Ted Bellows tossed down the rest of his whiskey.

  “Will you slow down on that?” Clinton looked at him frowning. “Besides, there is the little matter of them owning the property you know. They did get it legally.”

  The two men were having after dinner drinks in their mother’s home. They were in the small, informal living room. The room was richly decorated with antique and reproduction furniture from the nineteenth century. Everywhere fabrics contained jewels tones of ruby red, emerald green, sapphire and amethyst. Audubon prints hung on the walls along with landscapes done by an ancestor, Mary Bellows Barrow.

  Ted was of medium height with dark blonde hair. His expensive clothes were worn carelessly. Clinton by contrast was tall with dark hair, blue eyes and could have stepped right off the pages of a men’s fashion magazine. Clinton, though younger than Ted, eyed his brother as though he were a bothersome toddler refusing to take a nap.

  “Bull!” Ted poured another drink. “Over a hundred years ago some field hand extorted prime land from our ancestor. I don’t call that legal.” He jabbed a finger at Clinton for emphasis.

  “Circumstances notwithstanding, there is a bill of sale. Court records document the transaction.” Clinton rubbed his chin. “I frankly don’t see how our brilliant older sister is going to get around that fact.”

  “Kate,” Ted burst out. His tone was a mixture of bitterness and scorn. “Why does mother have to always drag her into things? I could handle this myself.”

  “Oh please.” Clinton wore a mocking grin.

  “I could too.” Ted pouted like a little boy protesting his machismo. “Cousin Hollis even said those documents could be fake.”

  “What he said was we could try to suggest they’re fake but it’s a long shot.” Clinton shook his head. “Face it, your ideas until now have been less than helpful.”

  “And what have you done then? Stood around looking decorative and trying to get into bed with Muffy, Tippy or whatever your latest little southern belle is called.” Ted sat down in an antique wing-backed chair.

  “Stephie. You tried to date her for months and she shot you down. Remember?”

  “Frankly no. She didn’t make that big an impression,” Ted said scowling. “Besides, you’re more her speed.”

  Clinton merely shrugged at his attempted insult. “Yes, she’s not into drunken nights ending in family embarrassment. But back to the subject of what I’ve done–”

  “Short answer- nothing,” Ted snorted.

  “Well if you don’t count negotiating lucrative deals that brought lots of money into the company from overseas. Or keeping you from making a fool of yourself at the last board meeting.” Clinton selected an expensive cigar and lit it.

  “You did no such thing,” Ted burst out.

  “And it was my idea to cultivate that disgruntled relative of theirs, Desiree I believe she’s called.” Clinton looked pleased with himself. “That seems to be developing nicely.”

  Ted’s expression changed to a sly look. “You and Cousin Hollis still sharing her favors? Mother would not be pleased.”


  “She’s not my type, but you tried and failed I believe.” Clinton was unruffled much to his brother’s exasperation.

  “For all your bragging we’re no closer to owning that land. I’m sure mother will soon realize that her confidence in you and Kate is unjustified,” he snarled.

  “I do wonder how Kate can take time from her busy schedule to come here. Isn’t Robert going to get up to all kinds of mischief with her gone from Atlanta?” Clinton lifted an eyebrow at his brother who looked back at him. They both chuckled.

  “Odds are his lover came in the back door while she went out the front on her way to the airport.”

  Their laughter died when they realized Kate was standing just inside the polished oak double doors of the room. Clinton’s lips pressed together in a thin line. Ted hunkered down into his chair. He looked like a child caught writing dirty words on the wall. Kate, wearing a pearl gray cashmere tunic sweater over black leggings, strolled across the oriental carpet. She went to the antique. Kate took her time pouring a glass of crème sherry. When she turned, she took a sip from her glass and scrutinized them. They squirmed under her cool gaze.

  “Don’t let me interrupt your conversation.” Kate walked over and sank down onto the sofa. She smiled at them without even a hint of displeasure. “Please. It sounded quite interesting.”

  “Clinton said–”

  “Oh shut up you idiot!” Clinton snapped. “Sorry, Kate. Those comments about your dear husband were low-class.” He wore a look of mild contrition.

  “But true.” Kate dismissed the subject with a wave of her hand. “So what have you two been doing since my last visit?”

  “You mean mother hasn’t kept you fully informed?” Clinton looked amused. “I doubt that.”

  “Right.” Kate nodded at him with a slight smile. “But not the details so to speak.”

  “Let’s see, I’ve been splitting my time between the company and attending bank board meetings. We’ve got a new deal possible with Exeter Chemical. Other than that, I’m dating the youngest daughter of Judge Prather,” Clinton said. He shot a sideways glance at Ted before looking back at Kate.