Love Finds You in Maiden, North Carolina

by Tamela Hancock Murray

  “I almost didn’t give you this dress, you know.” Aunt Louisa’s voice sounded a warning.

  “Really?”

  “Not after Olive told me she found you and Booth lying in the leaves together the other day.”

  “The other day” had occurred longer ago than that, though the memory of it visited Hestia almost every hour. She had thought that since Aunt Louisa didn’t scold her, the incident had passed without mention from Miss Olive. She should have known better.

  “I don’t believe it! You were lying in the leaves with Booth? Naughty girl!” Selene’s crooked grin told Hestia she was having fun turning the tables on her “perfect” cousin for once.

  Hestia groaned. “Did you have to bring that up? We were having such a nice time.”

  Aunt Louisa gave her a serious look. “We still are. I’m just telling you that I expect you to conduct yourself as a lady if you’re going to wear the new fashions, that’s all. Keep God close at hand, no matter what the styles or notions of the day may be.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Hestia cut her gaze to her cousin, who was no longer grinning, wry or otherwise, but had her stare fixed on the wooden floor.

  Since everyone had been so good to them at Thanksgiving, the ladies had invited Booth and his family and Artie to Christmas dinner. Only Judith’s family declined since they had plans to be with Judith’s sister.

  Though Aunt Louisa insisted that Selene had to take things easy, she had been allowed to bake pies for the meals. Selene was proud of her accomplishment. Hestia baked her customary red velvet cake. Aunt Louisa said that no Christmas passed without her preparation of gelatin salad, Parker rolls, and country ham. She had ordered fresh oysters at extra expense as a fabulous Christmas treat, and they had arrived just in time so she could make oyster stew to start the dinner right.

  “This will be quite a feast.” Hestia inhaled delectable cooking aromas.

  Selene followed suit. “I do believe we might almost be able to outdo the Algonquin. Or at least come close.”

  “Maybe.” The Algonquin did sound like a wonderful place. “Let me set the table. Since we don’t use the dining room much, I’m afraid it still might have some slick spots where I waxed, and I wouldn’t want you to fall, Selene.”

  “I wouldn’t want that, either.”

  “You haven’t had any more cramping, have you?” Hestia tried not to let her voice sound worried.

  Selene shook her head.

  Aunt Louisa hardly ever used her good china and crystal, and the Christmas tablecloth embroidered with images of holly was used only once a year, so the table looked as elegant as any Hestia had seen in recent times.

  Later, their guests arrived and greeted them with merriment of the season. When Booth entered, he and Hestia exchanged glances. She noticed he sported a new sweater. He eyed her new dress but didn’t say anything about it. She was glad Selene had let her borrow a pair of flesh-toned stockings for the occasion and that her shoes looked stylish enough to fit the dress.

  The hostesses’ anticipation proved on-target. Their guests enjoyed eating food lovingly prepared among convivial company.

  Hestia and Booth sat beside one another. Every once in a while he gave her a shy smile and complimented the meal. She noticed him regarding the new blue dress. His expression wasn’t unpleasant, but then again, it never was when she was with him. She wondered what he really thought of her new dress. At least she hadn’t bobbed her hair. No doubt two such daring moves at once would have been unduly shocking.

  After the meal, the older adults exited to the front room for coffee. Hestia wouldn’t allow Selene to help with the dishes, so she made quick work of the task, stacking them on the counter to clear them from the dining room. She would have plenty of time to wash them the next day. The gift she had for Booth awaited. She’d been working on it for a while, and she hoped he would like it.

  After she cleared the dishes, she took him to the den in the back of the house where they could have relative privacy but stir no objections. She sat on the sofa and motioned for him to sit beside her.

  “Before you say anything, I have something to tell you. Something I’ve been wanting to say all night.”

  “What?” She tried not to take in an anticipatory breath.

  “Your dress is quite shocking.”

  Her heart fell into her toes. “Really? I’m sorry. I’ll go change into something else.” She tried to rise, but he restrained her with a hand on her shoulder.

  “No. Please don’t.”

  “But if it offends you—”

  “No, it doesn’t offend me. Was it a gift from Selene?”

  “I thought you might ask me that.” She sent him a half-grin. “It does resemble something Selene would choose, doesn’t it? Although she did say it’s not short enough for her taste.”

  “I’m not surprised.”

  “You won’t believe it, but Aunt Louisa sewed it for me.”

  “Miss Louisa?”

  “Yes. I was surprised, too. I guess I’ve got to face the new fashions whether I want to or not. Unless…unless you’d prefer I not.”

  “I’d never boss you. I meant what I said earlier. Of course I think you look lovely in anything. And you look keen in your new dress. I think you should wear it. A lot.”

  “I’m glad. I’ve been wondering all night what you thought.”

  “As I said, I wanted to tell you all night, but I didn’t want to be too bold in front of everyone. I only hope you don’t find me too bold now.”

  “No. No, I don’t.” Heart beating with anticipation, she hoped he’d take the opportunity to kiss her. She looked him in the eyes, getting lost in their blueness.

  Instead of moving toward her, he looked into her eyes and away once again. “Your friends in Haw River will think Maiden is quite progressive once they see your new look.”

  Haw River. “Oh. Yes. Yes, they will.” Realizing there would be no moment as she dreamed, she cleared her throat and switched topics. “Selene and Artie seem to be doing quite well.”

  “Yes. I never would have put the two of them together, but they get along swimmingly.”

  “Yes, they do. I’m not sure Selene would have given him a second glance a year ago, but I think she sees the folly of trying to chase after men. This time she’s letting him do the chasing.”

  “That’s a tough lesson to learn. Artie is good for her. But can it go anywhere? She’ll be leaving about the same time you will. Right?” Did she hear a hint of remorse in his voice?

  “Yes. At least we’ve both been able to enjoy fellowship while we’ve been here. You’ve made my stay pleasant. And so, I couldn’t forget you today. I have something for you.” She handed him a box wrapped in red.

  “That’s nice of you, but you didn’t have to get me anything.” Still, he opened it without hesitation, reminding her of an eager little boy. Soon he withdrew a dark blue scarf.

  “I crocheted that for you myself. I hope you like it.”

  “This is swell. Thanks!” He threw the scarf around his neck with aplomb, looking quite dapper in the process.

  “You certainly look dashing.”

  “Your scarf does add to my cachet, I will agree.” His voice took on affectation and he showed her his profile as though he were an important figure posing for a formal portrait.

  She chuckled. “I’m glad you like it.”

  “Now this debonair gentleman has something for you.” He took a small box out of his pocket. Hestia knew better than to think that the box contained an engagement ring, but her heart was getting its exercise all the same.

  She tried not to seem too excited as she removed the white ribbon from the gift wrapped in green tissue paper. Inside was a black velvet box. She opened it and discovered a heart-shaped locket in gold with leaves engraved upon it. She took in a breath. “It’s gorgeous!”

  “It reminded me of the day we were studying the clouds, and we said one looked heart-shaped.”

  She hoped she wasn’t blush
ing, but her face did feel warm. “Yes. I remember.”

  “It’s a locket for whatever picture you might want to put in it.”

  “I think I’ll wait until I find just the right one.”

  Selene relaxed with Artie in the dining room after Christmas dinner. Aunt Louisa had kept an eagle eye on them, so Selene didn’t dare suggest they retreat far from her view. Guilt pangs about keeping Hestia in town visited her, but at least the stomach pain hadn’t returned.

  “Y’all put on quite a Christmas meal for us. I’m honored to be included among your guests,” Artie told Selene. He patted his stomach, a satisfied expression on his face.

  “Of course we wanted you here. I wouldn’t have agreed to help host this dinner otherwise. You have been a friend to me since I’ve been here, a friend when no one outside of the family would be. Well, except Booth and his family, but they’re copacetic, too.”

  “What about Miss Olive?”

  Selene didn’t know how to answer. “Oh, she’s nice in her way. But you’re the only man who’s taken an interest in me lately—well, except for the postman, but he’s not as nice as you are.”

  Artie laughed.

  “I am glad you’re okay with spending time with me. I enjoy talking with you, Selene. You’re smart and witty. I can see why you kept your friends entertained in New York. That’s saying something when one considers how sophisticated New York is.”

  His compliments made her feel shy. She hadn’t heard such kind words from a man in a long time, especially from a man who seemed to want nothing from her that she wasn’t ready to give. “I suppose that’s one way of looking at it.”

  He rose and retrieved a gift he had set beside the sideboard. “I brought you a gift to say Merry Christmas.”

  “Did you?” She felt her face redden. “I’m embarrassed. I didn’t get you a thing.”

  “I think it is quite permissible for a gentleman to give a lady a Christmas gift without expecting anything in return, don’t you?”

  “Oh, but I do feel terrible.”

  “Please don’t. I want you to have this.” He handed her the present.

  The gift was wrapped in white tissue paper and tied with a white bow. Judging from its rectangular shape and weight, a book awaited her. She opened it and discovered she was right. “It’s a Bible!”

  “I’m sure you already have a Bible in New York, but you said you’d been borrowing your aunt’s Bible. I thought you might like to have your own copy for your use here in Maiden.”

  “Why, it’s lovely.” She ran her hands over the white leather cover then opened it. He had written in his own hand that he had given it to her for Christmas 1922. “I will always remember this day.”

  “How can you forget, with it written in India ink?” He chuckled.

  “True.” She opened the book to Psalms. The gold-edged pages felt luxurious. “This is a lovely Bible. You shouldn’t have gone to such expense.”

  “I do have an ulterior motive. I hope you and I can read the Bible together this year. If we persist, we can be complete by January 1, 1924.”

  January 1924? That sounded so far into the future. Why was he talking about something so far away? Surely he didn’t have plans for her.

  “Not to brag, but I’ve read it once. I’d like to read it again, and it will be more fulfilling to read it along with you than by myself.”

  She swallowed. “But January 1924 is a long time away. I won’t be here that long.”

  “I thought of that.”

  His matter-of-fact statement left her feeling surprisingly sad. “Oh.”

  “You may not be here in the flesh, but you can write me letters to tell me about your progress, can’t you?”

  “I suppose so.” The idea didn’t seem as fun as seeing him in person.

  “Don’t be sad. You’ll be here through the month of April, at least. So we can read together a good part of the time.”

  “Children!” Aunt Louisa called them from the parlor. “Where are you? Come on in and be sociable.”

  “She must be worried we’ll misbehave,” Artie whispered.

  If anyone else in Maiden had said that, Selene would have been insulted, but she knew Artie only wanted the best for her and was her friend. In another time and place, maybe they could have been more.

  Lord, I have been such a fool.

  “Selene!” Aunt Louisa’s voice sounded irritated. Maybe she really was fearful she might be spooning with Artie.

  “Coming!” She rose to answer her aunt’s beckoning. Forgetting about the slick areas still on the floor, she hurried. The heel of her shoe slipped on a spot of wax, causing her foot to fly forward. Before she knew what happened, she had fallen on her rear.

  “Selene!” Artie squatted beside her. Fear covered his face. “Are you okay?”

  “I—I think so.” How could she be so foolish, when she knew the floor in the little-used room was still slick?

  Booth and Hestia ran into the dining room. “What happened?” Hestia spotted her cousin. “Selene!”

  “I’ll be fine,” she said, even though she wasn’t sure she told the truth.

  Aunt Louisa and the Barringtons followed suit.

  “Why are you on the floor?” Aunt Louisa looked pale.

  “I slipped and fell.”

  “The baby!” Mrs. Barrington cried. “We must call Dr. Lattimore right away.”

  “As though he has nothing better to do on Christmas Day. I’ll be fine.” Selene had embarrassed herself enough without bothering the good doctor as well.

  “I’ll hear nothing of the sort,” Aunt Louisa said. “Artie, help her get up so she can go to her room and get in bed.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He complied.

  Selene felt a bit wobbly.

  “Can you make it?” he asked.

  “I think so.”

  “Let me carry you.” Artie lifted her into his arms.

  “Don’t you fall, now,” Aunt Louisa cautioned.

  “I won’t.” Without another word, he carried her into the bedroom, with everyone following. Hestia went ahead of them and, with lightning speed, folded down the quilt, leaving the sheets for Selene’s repose.

  “I can’t believe this happened,” Selene wailed.

  “I’m sure you’ll be fine. Dr. Lattimore just needs to check you, that’s all,” Hestia assured her. “How do you feel? Are you in any pain?”

  Selene stopped to consider the state of her body. “No.”

  “That’s a good sign.” Hestia breathed a sigh.

  Booth intervened. “I’ll fetch the doctor right now.”

  “He’s probably at his daughter’s house. You know where that is, don’t you?” Aunt Louisa’s face showed her concern.

  “Emily Madison? I know the place.”

  “Yes. Hurry.”

  Selene didn’t think Booth would ever get there with Dr. Lattimore. Artie stayed with her, holding her hand. Under different circumstances she might have thought him romantic, but not this time. He was a friend, consoling her.

  “If only I hadn’t waxed the floor.” Hestia was wringing her hands.

  Artie tried to console her. “You’d think it would have been okay to walk on by now.”

  “Yes, but we don’t use the dining room every day, as we do the other rooms. That must be why it was still slick in there.” Hestia hovered at the foot of Selene’s bed. “Can I get you anything, Selene? Milk? Water?”

  The last thing she wanted after a feast was more on her stomach. “I’m fine.”

  “A bromide?” Aunt Louisa offered her solution for everything.

  “I’m not sick. I just fell.” Selene tried not to sound irritated.

  “I wish I hadn’t asked Hestia to wax,” Aunt Louisa lamented. “I should have known better than to ask her to make the floor slick when I knew I had a woman in the house in such a delicate condition.”

  “You have no business falling, either, Louisa.” Mrs. Barrington’s voice managed to be both kind and stern. “You ce
rtainly can’t afford another break.”

  “I know it. No more waxing for this house ever again. Of course, if I hadn’t been so insistent that she come into the parlor in a hurry, this wouldn’t have happened.”

  “Now, now, Louisa,” Mrs. Barrington consoled. “You can’t blame yourself.”

  “No, Aunt Louisa. It won’t do any good.” Still, Selene wished her aunt hadn’t beckoned her with such vehemence. Maybe then she truly wouldn’t be in bed.

  “Are you sure I can’t get you anything?” Hestia plumped Selene’s pillow. “Another pillow, perhaps?”

  “No.” Selene sounded vexed in spite of her best efforts. She felt foolish and hurt and wanted everyone to leave her alone.

  “Y’all mean well, but I think Selene needs to rest,” Artie said in a soft voice. “No disrespect intended.”

  Selene smiled. How does he read my thoughts like that? No one else ever has.

  “Is that what you want, Selene? For us to leave you alone?” Aunt Louisa crossed her arms.

  Hestia answered for her. “I think that’s a good idea. There’s been much too much commotion. Thank you for being so astute, Artie.”

  Everyone left, and Artie rose from his place beside her in a chair by the bed. “No.” Selene’s voice sounded sharp enough to stop him. “Not you. I don’t want you to leave.”

  “You don’t have to be nice. I’ll leave, too.”

  “I’m not being nice. I’m being selfish to ask you to stay. Will you?”

  He hesitated. “Well, if that’s what you want.”

  “It’s what I want. Wait with me while the doctor comes over. I don’t know how long it will take. Do you mind?”

  “No. I’ll stay. I’m sure Booth will move as fast as he can. The doctor’s daughter’s house is only a few blocks from here.”

  “I hope he’s finished dinner before Booth comes bounding in there. I’d feel so terrible if we interrupted, especially after we had such a nice celebration here.”

  “Yes, we did. I’m sorry you fell. I wish I had seen what was happening and could have caught you.”