“Did she mention it to you?”
Calvin chuckled. “‘Nice book,’ she said.”
Gabe grinned. “So that business with Dr. Hakim was mainly for your benefit, not his, even though he thought it was.”
“Alana hasn’t learned yet that there are games one doesn’t need to play.”
“That’s so true.” As they came to the house he asked his friend, “Are you thinking of taking on the role of her instructor?”
“She’s a very interesting young woman,” Calvin said as he went into the house.
Lawrence was at the center working in Makima’s office when Gabe knocked on her door the next morning. He blinked in surprise as Lawrence continued stuffing envelopes at a side table as if he’d worked there for months.
“Morning, Gabe,” he said cheerfully.
“Good morning,” Gabe said. He greeted Makima then gave in to his curiosity. “You seem to be very busy,” he told Lawrence. Had Mrs. Gray asked Makima to find him a job at the center?
“He’s our newest volunteer,” Makima said, “and since I had this mailing to go out I put him right to work on it.”
“I’ve done this kind of community work before and I’ll be glad to help out while I’m here.” His fingers moved efficiently folding the letter, placing it in the envelope and sealing it. He’d make a good pickpocket, Gabe thought, and was glad the man couldn’t read his mind.
“I hope you don’t mind my saying you’re a lucky man, Gabe,” Lawrence said.
“Why do you say that?”
“To have had someone in your family who was a hundred years old.”
How had he learned about Great-Grandfather? Gabe slid a glance at Makima.
“Lawrence hasn’t been here since he was a child and we were talking about Grayson, how it’s grown. Naturally Mr. Zeke’s name came up as one of our most outstanding citizens,” she said in answer to his unspoken query.
“I’ve never known a centenarian before,” Lawrence said almost wistfully.
“Unfortunately I didn’t get to know my great-grandfather in person, but I’m finding out about him from living in the house he built. He was a fine craftsman.” There was such an eager expression on Lawrence’s face that Gabe involuntarily said, “Would you like to see it?”
“Yes, if it isn’t a bother,” Lawrence replied.
“I’ll bring him by after work if that’s convenient,” Makima offered. Gabe would rather have seen Makima by herself. Still, if he was clever, he should be able to steal a moment alone with her. Calvin or Drew could show Lawrence around. Anyway, he wasn’t sure Lawrence would really appreciate the quality of Great-Grandfather’s work.
He found he was wrong.
Later, at the house, Lawrence said, “I’ve dabbled in real estate off and on for years and this is one of the best pieces of property I’ve seen crafted by a single man.” He spoke knowingly about the types of wood used and how they functioned in unique ways.
“Did you ever sell real estate in New York?” Gabe asked.
“Not in the city. But in the north, south, east and west of the country. Texas is the best. It’s so big and it’s easy to make a deal there.” He laid his hand on the stair. “This house is a treasure. You used to come here as a little girl, Makima?”
“I spent a lot of time with Mr. Zeke and his wife.”
“He knew a lot about Africa.” Lawrence made it a statement.
“It was his great interest and he used to lecture on it in the local schools,” she said. Neither Drew nor Calvin were home so Gabe had to stay with Lawrence as they went outside to see the field and the trees.
Lawrence whistled as he surveyed the trees. “All these belong to the property?” he asked Gabe. When Gabe nodded yes, his next question was one that Gabe felt was intrusive. “How many acres?”
“I’m not sure.” As a real estate person, that was a reasonable thing to ask, but Gabe wasn’t required to answer it.
Makima didn’t know what to make of Lawrence Stoddard. He continued to come to the center every day and was willing to do whatever was necessary. His cheerful personality made him welcome in any group. She already had him lined up for the fund-raiser on Saturday to help with the pancake breakfast. He and his friend were staying at the only motel in Grayson. It was none of her business, but she wondered what they were using for money. Apparently they’d just come from a job in Massachusetts but what happened when that money ran out? She didn’t want Lawrence sponging off her parents. She had a mistrust of adults who weren’t working. That was the way she’d been raised. She, Bobby and Alana had worked since they were in high school, beginning with small jobs and small money, but it had instilled in them responsibility and accountability.
She needed to talk with Alana and see what she thought about Lawrence. And about Gabe. And about Calvin. Makima made them a simple supper of a western omelet, a bowl of fresh fruit and toasted bagels with cream cheese.
“Next time, add home fries,” Alana said, preparing a pot of tea.
“We don’t need any kind of fries.” Makima put the dishes in the dishwasher.
“We didn’t need those delicious bagels with cream cheese, either, but I didn’t notice you refusing them.”
“That’s different.” Makima grinned. “They’re a favorite of mine and I cooked. You cook next time and you can have whatever you want.” Makima took the cranberry scalloped teapot into the living room. Alana brought the dainty cups decorated with cranberry insets and gold leaves. Makima poured the tea, then plunged into the most important issue.
“Alana, are you mad at me because of Gabe?”
“I was at first, to be honest. I was hurt, too, because you knew how I felt about him.” Their eyes met over their teacups.
“I did and that’s what made me feel I had to suppress my own feelings for him. I tried to pay no attention when he began to show his attraction to me. I want you to know I wasn’t trying to get between you.” Makima’s eyes were bright with moisture as she gazed at her sister.
“I know you wouldn’t do that,” Alana said affectionately. “You probably wouldn’t even know how,” she added teasingly.
She sipped her tea and when she spoke again her face was sober. “I liked Gabe and made no bones about it, but he made it clear that you’re the one he cares about. I had to face that fact. You’re a good match, better than we would have been so it’s all right. You believe me?” She looked at her sister until Makima nodded her understanding.
They finished their tea in the harmony Makima had hoped for. She hated being at odds with Alana. Alana set her empty cup and saucer on the table beside her chair.
“Calvin Peters is another matter,” she declared. “He’s different from Gabe. Do you know what he said to me at the dinner when we all sat down?”
“I’ve no idea.” She couldn’t wait to find out. “Gabe made the toast and I happened to touch my goblet with Carolyn’s next to me and Mark’s across from me and that was all. Then—”
“Wait a minute,” Makima interrupted. “Not with Calvin who was the one being toasted and who sat on your left?”
Alana shifted in her chair. “No, I didn’t.”
“What did he say?”
Alana repeated word for word what Calvin had said, the tone of his voice and the look in his eyes. “Gabe would never have said that to me, nor Mark, nor any of the men I know,” she said indignantly.
“But, honey, you were rude just like he said. What got into you to act that way? You said you weren’t mad at me or Gabe.”
Alana pushed her bottom lip out. Just like she did as a child when she misbehaved, then she looked at Makima sheepishly. “I really don’t know. Maybe I was mad at myself. Something about Calvin Peters struck me the wrong way the minute I saw him. He was trouble and I knew it.”
“Did you say anything back to him?”
“I said I was sorry if I hurt his feelings and he had the nerve to say his feelings weren’t that easily hurt. Then he turned his back on me and talked t
o Mark for the longest time.”
“Poor baby,” Makima said.
“It did sit me back on my heels. I felt embarrassed and I hoped no one had heard us. I couldn’t get over that he had told me that truth so calmly to my face.” She poured more tea. “The funny thing was that I felt him watching me all evening. Not obviously but like he was always there. It gave me the oddest feeling. When I was ready to leave he was there to walk me to my car.”
“Did he say anything?” This was fascinating.
“He held my arm, said he hoped I’d had a good time and thanked me for coming. Said, ‘Good night, Alana. I hope to see you soon.’ What do you make of that?”
“What do you think?”
“I’m not sure,” Alana said slowly. “First he’s rude to me then he acts almost like he’s protecting me. I’ve never met a man like him.”
“Perhaps he sees something in you no one else has seen. He’s not a shallow person, you know, Alana.”
“I know. I can’t read him at all,” she confessed.
“That makes a good challenge for you, doesn’t it?”
She flashed an Alana smile at Makima. “I’ll admit it keeps me interested.”
“I haven’t had a chance to tell you that Lawrence has been coming to the center every day volunteering his services,” Makima said.
“He has? What does Gabe think about him?”
“We both can see that he’s a good worker and gets along with people. Gabe invited him to see his place and I took him over.”
“Why?” Alana seemed puzzled.
“Lawrence seemed so interested in Mr. Zeke because of the things we told him about him being a centenarian. He told Gabe that he’s been involved in real estate and he was quite impressed by Mr. Zeke’s house.”
“He bothers you, doesn’t he?”
“A little. What’s your take on him and Dr. Hakim?”
“To be honest, I hadn’t paid them any attention.”
“You seemed to on Sunday.”
“That was just to get a reaction from Calvin, I’m sorry to say, because it didn’t work.”
“It isn’t anything I can put my finger on so it may be just my imagination.”
“Perhaps, but if he’s at the center, you and Gabe need to keep an eye on him.”
Chapter 27
“I’m taking Alana to Columbia tonight,” Calvin said when Gabe came home from the center and proposed going out later for dinner. He was at the desk in the office, busy at his laptop, and he looked up for a moment to make the announcement.
“Really?” Gabe walked over to stand where he could see Calvin’s face. “Where in Columbia?”
“I left the choice of restaurant up to her since I don’t know the city.”
“Why are you going all the way to Columbia? There are good restaurants closer than that.”
Calvin stopped typing. “To make a point.”
“What point?”
“You’re not going to let me alone, are you?” He looked up at Gabe.
“It’s your business.” Gabe shrugged. “I just hope you know what you’re getting into with a woman like Alana.”
“Alana has a vitality and fire that I like, but I know there’s more to her than that. I want to get beyond that surface, which means spending a lot of time together. That’s why I chose Columbia. By the time I get back tonight I hope to have a better idea of who Alana Gray is.”
Gabe considered that, but knowing how reserved his friend was, he asked, “Will you also open up enough to let her see more of you than she has?”
“I guess I’ll have to, won’t I,” Calvin said.
Gabe left the office to Calvin and went outside. He felt restless and went to sit on the bench. Usually he could get his mind settled here but not today. His thoughts were like bees buzzing around and around in his head. Calvin had intrigued him with his decision to spend a long evening with Alana. Whatever the outcome, he envied their time together. That’s what he wanted, too. Time with Makima. But not out anywhere. He wanted to bring her to the praise house. That’s what he really wanted.
As soon as he phrased that thought, the restlessness and uncertainty disappeared. He’d told Drew and Calvin the place should be kept a secret for now. But Makima wasn’t just anybody, she could be trusted. He hurried to the house.
“I want to show Makima the praise house. Is that all right with the two of you?”
“Sure. You didn’t need to ask,” Drew said and Calvin agreed. Gabe called her at the center.
“This is Gabe. Are you alone?”
“Yes. Why?” Makima said curiously.
“Remember the other day when you said something good had happened for me?”
“And you said one day you’d tell me about it.”
“This is the day. Are you free after work?”
“Yes.”
“Come over and wear some flats.”
“That sounds really interesting. I’ll be there.”
Gabe was waiting for her on the porch. He ran down the steps to her car and opened her door. “It seems so long since I’ve seen you,” he said.
“I feel the same way—” she smiled “—although it’s been only five hours.”
“We’ll get started right away and come back to the house later,” he said, taking her hand and walking through the gate to the trees.
“I’m so excited, Gabe. I kept trying to guess what it is and I can’t,” she said.
“You’ll see.” They stepped into the forest where the sun was still strong enough to cast light through the canopy of tall pines.
“Did Great-Grandfather ever bring you in here, Makima?” It had occurred to him that she might be one of the few persons who had seen inside this forest.
“Yes. I’d forgotten all about it until now.”
“How old were you?”
“Around seven or eight.”
“Did you go far?”
“Not too far because my legs got tired.” She was looking around as she tried to keep up with him. He slowed down. In his excitement he’d walked fast, eager to get to the praise house with her. He began pointing out the features Marie Frye had shown him and as they walked and talked together, they seemed to arrive at the dense shrubbery that held the praise house in half the time. He pulled aside the vegetation veil so she could step into the clearing. He watched her face, for he had the intuition that she’d recognize the building for what it was. He was right.
Makima gazed at the structure in awe. “It’s a praise house!” She looked around at the sheltering trees. “All this time Mr. Zeke had a praise house hidden in his trees!”
Gabe unlocked the door. He went back for Makima who was still standing a few feet away. “Let’s go in,” he said and hand in hand they walked through the door. Immediately Gabe felt immersed in an ephemeral swirl of emotion and heard, as if coming through the atmosphere, an echo of drums. Makima’s hand tightened in his. Her eyes were wide as she turned to him questioningly. He nodded, letting her know they’d shared the experience. They moved slowly down the aisle to the front wall where he showed her the carvings of the African man on the left side and the cross on the right.
“Their holy man,” she said of the African. “Then they became Christian and carved in the cross.” They sat side by side on the front bench and spoke in hushed tones.
“I know Mr. Zeke spent a lot of time here,” she said.
“Communing with his ancestors,” Gabe replied. “I can feel it. That’s why I love to come here.”
“The spirit still lingers.”
“It does for me.”
“You can pray here?” she asked.
“I think a person can pray anywhere.” He looked around at the rough wooden walls and the planks on the floor. “Here I can feel the sadness and the joy of the Africans enslaved on this land. Their spirit calls out to me.” He was silent, thinking it out. He wanted Makima to understand even though she might not agree. “Church is more social. It doesn’t make me feel the way this p
raise house does.”
“I think Mr. Zeke was able to do both,” she said, “but he lived one hundred years and you’ve only lived thirty-five.” There was a silence, which Makima broke. “Sitting here I’m remembering words Mr. Zeke spoke that I’d forgotten all these years. Once he said, ‘I see your face long ago.’ I didn’t understand it then and I don’t understand it now.”
“Do you know anything about your lineage?” Gabe asked.
“Only that we all came from Africa at one time or another.”
“Have you seen other praise houses?” he asked.
“I’ve seen two, one in Beaufort County and one in Georgia. But this one is special probably because I’m close to the slaves who built it. The spirit is forceful.”
“I thought you’d feel the same as I do. That’s why I wanted you to see it, but it’s still a confidential matter.”
“Of course. You can trust me, Gabe.”
As they went out and Gabe locked the door he thanked her for coming with him.
“I’m the one who’s thankful,” she said. The sun was less bright as they hurried back through the forest. When they came to the bench he asked her to stay for supper.
“I wish I could but I have a meeting in another hour.”
“Let’s sit here for a little while before you go,” he urged. He gently took her in his arms and kissed her. “I wanted to do this before but it didn’t seem appropriate in the praise house.”
“We’re not in the praise house now,” she whispered, her eyes soft and tender. Putting her arms around his neck she returned his kiss and added several more of her own. “May I ask you a very personal question, Gabe?”
She was still in his arms and he wasn’t sure what to expect as she gazed down at his arm around her. “You may ask me anything at all, Makima.”
“Did you have a lot of girls in New York?”
He laid her head against his chest and stroked her hair. “I dated a lot but they were just fun, nothing serious until I met Olivia. We got along well and I thought I was in love with her. In fact, I was thinking of asking her to marry me when I found out she’d been cheating on me with a guy in New Jersey. It turned out for the best because Mom got sick and died. Pop had died not long before, so that left me in charge of Drew. Olivia was not the kind of woman who’d have welcomed Drew into our home had we been married.”
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