Love Finds You in Maiden, North Carolina

by Tamela Hancock Murray

  Selene took the letter. “We don’t even know the girl? And he hardly knows her himself, it seems.”

  “The timing of when they met in relation to this elopement is strange to me.” Hestia paused, hoping Selene could make the deduction for herself.

  “Why?”

  Hestia sighed. “I just hope he didn’t let the same thing happen to this girl that happened to you.”

  Selene let out a cry of frustration and anguish. “No. It can’t be. Why would he leave me on my own but give someone else’s baby a name? I pray it’s not true.”

  “I do, too, Selene. Maybe I’m wrong. Sometimes I’m too pessimistic for my own good. Don’t pay any attention to me.”

  Selene put her face in her hands and bawled. Hestia wrapped her arm around Selene’s shaking shoulders. The news from her friend’s letter was bad enough, but why did she have to open her big mouth and suggest that Ned had gotten yet another woman in trouble?

  Selene sniffled. “You want me to be miserable, don’t you? Nothing makes you happier.”

  “That’s not true. I’m so very, very sorry about the whole mess. I really mean that.” She tried to embrace Selene, but her cousin pushed her away.

  “I wish I’d never asked you to stay. As far as I’m concerned, you can go back to Haw River and stay there. You can fly to the moon, for all I care!”

  “I’m sorry—I didn’t mean—”

  “Leave me alone!” Selene broke away and rushed out of the kitchen and to the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

  “She must really be upset,” she muttered to Diamond, who had witnessed the entire episode.

  Diamond, more concerned that she had been awakened from her nap on the kitchen rug than with Selene’s romantic entanglements, stretched and blinked.

  Aunt Louisa entered. “What’s all the commotion? I heard enough noise to wake the dead. You girls have got to get out of this habit of slamming doors. Did you two fight?”

  “In a way.” Hestia felt on the verge of tears herself. She explained the exchange to her aunt. “I wish I hadn’t made matters worse with my tactlessness. That wasn’t my intent, but she seems to think so.”

  “She’s overly emotional in her delicate condition. I knew better than to let her tire herself with cooking, but she wanted to cook so badly that I consented. No more.”

  “I don’t think she was tired; I think I introduced a possibility she hadn’t considered, and I upset her. She won’t accept my apology. Can you help me?”

  “I’ll try talking to her.”

  Hestia prayed her aunt would be successful. If not, she would surely be better off returning to Haw River.

  The next day, Selene woke up in a foul mood and tried to remember why. That’s right. She had argued with her only ally in the house. How dare Hestia suggest that Ned had taken up in such a big way with another girl as soon as she’d left for Maiden.

  She looked at Hestia’s empty bed. Of course she was up, bright and early. Hestia, always perfect, never lacked for energy. Selene wished she could say the same. But of course, Hestia wasn’t expecting a child.

  As though the child could detect her thoughts, it kicked. The motion made her stomach move up and down. She placed her hand on her belly and waited for the baby to kick again, but it didn’t. At least it had made its presence known. The larger the baby grew, the more conflicted Selene felt about giving it away. Of course she could never go back to New York and resume the carefree life of a flapper with a baby in tow, especially a baby whose father wouldn’t give it a name—a father who had already married another woman.

  Hestia’s idea that Ned had gotten yet another woman in a family way infuriated her, even though she was probably right. Still, why couldn’t Hestia keep her awful conclusions to herself? Why did her cousin want her to believe that Ned cast her aside but took responsibility for his child with another woman? Did he hope to find some sort of redemption in a second chance? She didn’t get a second chance. She should bear responsibility for her baby, and that fact would always be with her. Forever. She would think about the baby on every holiday, especially its birthday.

  She could hear Aunt Louisa’s voice whenever she expressed such concerns. “You can’t think about things like that. You have to consider the baby’s best interests. Its best interests are for you to give it to our relatives. They’ll take care of it. If not, your father never would have consented to letting them take it.”

  She didn’t doubt that, but she also knew her distant cousin already had a brood and Father’s money was her main motivation for taking Selene’s baby. The thought made her ill. Almost as if by her thinking so, she felt a pain in her midsection.

  “Please, Lord, let the baby be okay.”

  She waited, and the pain subsided. Eager for a distraction, she flipped through a mail-order catalog Hestia had left open on the bed. Since she was stuck in Maiden, her needs were few. Still, she usually enjoyed window-shopping. As if to torture her, the book flipped to a page with illustrations of happy babies in nightgowns.

  Dainty Things for Baby’s Comfort. Hurriedly she turned to another section of the catalog.

  Enter the Big Race. Pictures of go-carts and sleds brought to mind a ruddy-cheeked little boy. A ruddy-cheeked little boy she would never know. She tried another time.

  So Real They Seem Almost Alive…Dollies to Cuddle.

  She shut the book with a bang and threw it on the floor. Never had she cried so much in her life.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The next day, Hestia sat at the desk in the den and reread the latest letter from her mother, which was asking about Christmas. Her parents were the ones she missed most about Haw River. She looked forward to going home, having received assurance from Aunt Louisa that she could spare Hestia for a few days.

  Selene entered. “There you are. Aunt Louisa’s ready to start on the laundry.”

  “I’ll be right there.” Hestia returned the letter to its envelope. “I’ll reply to this tomorrow. I need to let my parents know when I’ll be home for Christmas. Booth is supposed to take me to the train station later today to buy tickets.”

  Selene’s expression froze in a way that made Hestia think of a fox cornered by a pack of hounds. “You’re—you’re leaving?”

  “Just for a few days. Maybe it’s for the best, considering our spat. I’m so sorry about that.” Hestia hoped her expression showed her regret.

  Selene looked up at her, eyes misty. “Me, too. I shouldn’t have acted that way, especially since, considering what Ned’s like, you’re probably right.” She brushed back a tear.

  “I wish things were different.”

  “But they aren’t. Hestia, sometimes I’ve felt as though you’re my only friend around here. I wish you wouldn’t go. Can’t your parents visit us instead?”

  “My brother and his family will be with them, so they’ll be playing host.”

  “Oh, please, Hestia. You can’t leave me alone here with Aunt Lou. Cousin dear, please stay.”

  “Selene! You act as though she’ll whip you every day.”

  Selene rolled her eyes. “No, but this Christmas will be miserable enough for me without you being gone, too.” She looked both sheepish and fearful. “Besides, I had a bad pain in my stomach yesterday, and I really don’t want you to go.”

  “Pain? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I didn’t want to worry you. And yesterday wasn’t the first time.”

  Hestia tried to remember how her father would advise a mother as far along as Selene. “I don’t think it’s anything to worry about, but you do need to be careful. We don’t want anything to happen to the baby.

  “All the more reason for you to stay. And not just for me. You’ll have every Christmas the rest of your life to be in Haw River, but only one Christmas here in Maiden.”

  Only one Christmas here in Maiden. She remembered Booth, and judging from Selene’s distress, she really needed Hestia. Yet she didn’t wish to disappoint her parents and brother. She ha
ted being in the middle of a quandary. “Let me think about it.” She rose from her seat. “I’ll do the laundry. I want you to rest.”

  That afternoon, Booth’s steps were slow as he walked to meet Hestia. Usually he enjoyed Maiden’s mild winters, but not even the invigorating mountain air cheered him. He dreaded taking her to buy the train tickets, even though she wouldn’t be gone long. Besides, she deserved time with her family for Christmas.

  Hestia answered the door, dressed in her best coat and the wide-brimmed hat that framed her beautiful face. “I’m ready.”

  “I’m not.” He felt his heart pound with the love he felt for her and with regret at having blurted out his feelings to Hestia.

  Her mouth dropped. She stepped onto the veranda and shut the door behind her so as not to let cold air in the house. “Oh! Is something the matter? I’m sorry. We can go another time.”

  “No, nothing’s wrong. I apologize. I’m acting like a spoiled little kid. Of course I’ll take you to the station.”

  She didn’t try to move. “A spoiled kid? How so?”

  He felt suddenly shy. “I wish you could stay here and celebrate Christmas with us in Maiden. This is the only Christmas you’ll be with us, but you’ll have a lifetime in Haw River. I know it’s selfish of me to feel that way, but nothing is accomplished by me lying to you.”

  “Selene said almost exactly the same thing to me. About how I’ll only have this one Christmas in Maiden. I have to admit, the thought makes me sad.” A light of unhappiness did touch her lovely eyes. “To tell the truth, I’ve been conflicted about leaving ever since I spoke with Selene yesterday. I want to be sure she’s okay.”

  Booth had a feeling she wasn’t revealing the whole story, but he didn’t want to pry.

  “So you know what? I’m not ready to go, either.” She averted her eyes. “I hate telling my parents I won’t be with them. They’ll be disappointed.”

  “Yes, but they’ll have other family around them to share in the celebration.”

  Hestia nodded. “They’ll understand.”

  Booth smiled. Maybe this Christmas would be his best after all.

  Hestia peered outside on Christmas Eve. The clear night made her think about the star that guided the three wise men. Surely that night could not have been any clearer than this one. She thought back over the day’s celebrations. It was Sunday, so the regular church service had been especially meaningful. The little ones had performed their version of the Christmas story, which both Hestia and Booth found heartwarming.

  That afternoon Hestia helped Selene and Aunt Louisa adorn the tree they’d bought from Hugh Drum. Both of the younger women found the selection of a cedar, with its intensely prickly leaves, difficult to decorate, especially since they were accustomed to the more forgiving branches of pines or firs. But the cedar emanated a pleasant aroma and possessed a lovely shape that reminded Hestia of a teardrop. A teardrop of joy on this occasion.

  Though secrets were almost impossible to keep in their house, all three women managed to conceal their gifts from one another. The previous week Hestia had walked to the dry goods store for tissue paper, so boxes wrapped in cheerful red and green paper awaited them underneath the tree for a beautiful effect. Hestia felt a sense of peace. She was glad she had stayed in Maiden.

  On Christmas, they rose around the same time as any other day, looking forward to a pleasant celebration. Hestia cooked a special breakfast of crepes with strawberry preserves to go along with pork sausage patties.

  “Are you ready to play the piano for the sing-along tonight, Selene?” Aunt Louisa asked as she poured cream into her coffee.

  “I think she is.” Hestia couldn’t help but be proud of Selene’s progress. She didn’t mind practicing and, with Hestia’s instruction, had learned easy versions of several Christmas songs.

  “I hope I don’t play too poorly.” Selene looked nervous.

  “Don’t worry. Everybody who’ll be here is your friend,” Hestia assured her. “We’ll all have fun. Now let’s leave the dishes to soak while we open our gifts.”

  Once they had settled in the parlor, Selene reminded Hestia of a small child as she studied the wrapped treasures. She reached for a big box.

  “Not yet.” Aunt Louisa tapped the Bible in her lap. “First we’ll read the Christmas story aloud.”

  Hestia expected Selene to howl, but instead she sat patiently and listened. She made a mental note to thank Artie for his influence.

  Once the story was read, Selene didn’t hesitate to pass out the gifts.

  “Do you want to open your gifts first?” Aunt Louisa asked from her perch in the Chippendale chair.

  Selene nodded much as a little girl would.

  “That little box came for you yesterday.” Aunt Louisa pointed to the gift in question.

  With no degree of joy, she opened a box from Tiffany’s and discovered a small silver brooch flanked with diamonds.

  Hestia and Aunt Louisa gasped. “That’s gorgeous.”

  “Yes, typical for Father.” Selene chose the two other odd presents under the tree. “These must be from him, too. Want to open them?”

  The women nodded. Soon they discovered plain silver brooches. Aunt Louisa’s was traditional, while Hestia’s was in a geometric art deco form.

  “I’ve never had anything from Tiffany’s.” Aunt Louisa looked at her brooch in wonder.

  Hestia pinned hers to her dress. “I never have either. Uncle Ralph has good taste.”

  “You mean his secretary has good taste.” Selene sighed. “Might we open the other gifts now?”

  Aunt Louisa nodded, and Selene tore into the largest box. She revealed a beautifully sewn dress and cried out in happiness and surprise. “This will really help me tolerate the next couple of months. Thank you, Auntie.”

  “You said green is your favorite color.”

  “It is. I can’t believe you remembered.”

  “I do listen to you, even if I can’t hear well. I’ll take it in for you before you go home so you can wear it later.”

  Selene nodded, her eyes misting.

  Hestia had waited long enough. “Open mine.”

  Selene ripped open the package. “A cookbook. Copacetic!”

  “Yes.” Hestia nodded. “I asked Mother for all her favorite recipes, and I wrote down a few of my own. Aunt Louisa also contributed. I think you’ve got enough recipes to put on a meal for just about any occasion.”

  Selene clutched the book to her chest. “Thank you so much. That means a lot to me.”

  “You’re getting to be such an expert in cooking, you’ll easily outdo me in no time.” Hestia had noted Selene’s determination in the kitchen, so she didn’t exaggerate.

  “Is your compliment part of my Christmas present?” Selene laughed. “Now open your gifts, Hestia.”

  “They’re both so pretty I don’t know which to open first.”

  “Mine! Mine!” Selene asked.

  Hestia was amused by how Selene reminded her of a small child, but she complied. Selene had given her a bottle of perfume. “Jicky.”

  Selene nodded. “It’s by Guerlain, same as mine. Legend says Monsieur Guerlain named the fragrance after the love of his life.”

  Hestia dabbed a few drops on her wrist and sniffed. “Smells wonderful. Thank you.”

  “How did you manage to sneak it into the house?” Aunt Louisa wanted to know.

  “It wasn’t easy. I had to watch for the postman every day and beat you to the door. Thankfully, neither of you were home the day the package arrived. You have something too, Aunt Louisa. Why don’t you open it?”

  “Why not?” She started unwrapping the gift, taking an inordinate amount of time.

  Selene watched with an intense gaze. “Goodness, Aunt Louisa. Are you trying to make Christmas last until tomorrow?”

  “If I had my way, it would last all year.” Aunt Louisa slid the paper off a turquoise box. “In people’s attitudes, anyway. We couldn’t afford to give all these gifts every da
y.”

  “True. I think I’d get bored with Christmas every day.” Hestia tried to imagine nothing but celebrating and couldn’t.

  “Baloney.” Selene flicked her hand at them. “I’d never get bored with Christmas every day.”

  As she spoke, Aunt Louisa finally uncovered a box of lovely soaps. She sniffed them. “Smells good. I’ll bet these cost a fortune.”

  “They’re the same kind we use. I thought you’d enjoy something practical and pretty.”

  “These are too good to use.” Aunt Louisa looked pleased all the same.

  Hestia handed her gift to her aunt. With due care, the older woman opened a gift of beautiful stationery and a fountain pen fashioned from ivory.

  “I know you write every week to several people, so I thought you might enjoy a new stylus and pretty paper.”

  “Indeed I shall. And my recipients shall enjoy such tasteful paper as well. Thank you. Now it’s your turn to open my gift to you.”

  Hestia unwrapped the gift. To her shock, she discovered that Aunt Louisa had also sewn her a dress. Hestia’s was fashioned for her thin frame, and the blue fabric delighted her. When she noticed the style, she wasn’t sure how to react.

  Selene clapped. “If you don’t want that dress, I’ll take it, Hestia.”

  “No dress can receive higher praise than that.” Hestia studied the style. “I’ve never had anything like this, Aunt Louisa.”

  “I know.”

  Selene surveyed the garment. “It’s too long. That’s the only thing I’d find to criticize about it. But that can easily be fixed.”

  “Selene!” Hestia chastened her. “You shouldn’t criticize my gift. I love it. But Aunt Louisa, what possessed you to sew me such a modern dress?”

  “I heard you talking about your friends bobbing their hair. It’s only a matter of time before the world catches up with all of us. We can be modest and fashionable at the same time.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “But no face paint, you hear me now?” Aunt Louisa wagged her finger.

  “Yes, ma’am.” That would be an easy promise for Hestia to keep. The idea of making herself look so strange with the use of cosmetics seemed odd to her. Not to mention, Booth didn’t like the idea. But she would have to visit the dry goods store for a pair of flesh-toned stockings.