Alexandra's Awakening (Pearson Grove Book 2)

by Caroline Clemmons

  Alexandra looked at the woman she happily admitted was her sister. “Now that Papa and Ron are safe, we need to plan the tea to officially introduce you to others our age.”

  Lula sobered and wouldn’t meet her gaze. “I’m a little embarrassed. I’m sure everyone knows where I worked. They won’t want to associate with me. I hate to risk humiliating myself or you.”

  Alexandra’s mouth hung open. “But I thought you wanted to make new friends.”

  Lula sat on the grass. “I do but I don’t want to take a chance on them snubbing me.”

  Alexandra dropped beside her and Buddy lay on the grass with them. “How do you propose to make friends without meeting them? Besides, you know Moriah.”

  Lula shrugged. “Y-Yes, I know her. I met Felicity one day when I was in the Mercantile.”

  Alexandra threw up her hands. “Counting me, that’s half the women our age. If it hadn’t been for Papa and Ron being kidnapped and us being so tired, we’d have gone to church today and you could have met Corrine, Deborah, and Amaryllis—she’s the school teacher.”

  “Soon school will start for fall.”

  “We’d better get busy or she won’t be able to attend in the afternoon. Or, if we chose Sunday afternoon, then Nona Wilcox could come. She’s bookkeeper at the cotton gin and lives at the boardinghouse where Armaryllis does. Nona’s a little older than we are but seems nice.”

  “Then let’s have the tea on Sunday afternoon. That’ll be easier for Moriah, too.”

  Mama came to the back door. “What are you girls doing sitting on the grass without spreading a blanket? Quit acting like a couple of heathens and come inside.”

  Lula gasped and leaped to stand.

  Alexandra laughed so hard she could hardly get to her feet. “You didn’t think she’d accepted you? You’ve been officially designated one of her children. That’s what she’s always called Ron and me when she was angry with us.”

  Lula looked stunned. “I guess that’s progress then. She sure scared me, though.”

  That set Alexandra to laughing again. When she could talk, she called, “Come on, Buddy.” Inside, she fetched fresh water in the pan they used as his water dish.

  Mama marched up to Alexandra. “What were you thinking, sitting on the grass in your new dresses?”

  Lula opened her mouth as if to explain.

  Alexandra kissed Mama’s cheek. “We were thinking what a lovely day it is and how lucky we are to have Papa and Ron back with us.”

  Mollified, Mama turned away. “Well, in the future you girls see that you take better care of your clothes.”

  Mrs. Connor winked at her.

  ***

  Virgil and Milton rode to the dock closest to where Lonnie’s boat had been. They’d arranged with Wade Pearson to meet them with his small sailboat. The rancher was often seen sailing on the river as if he were born to the sea instead of the land.

  Standing on the dock, Virgil gestured toward town. “Here comes Wade.”

  Milton shifted from one foot to the other. “You sure I have to get in that thing? I can check along the shore.”

  Virgil gave a jerk of his head. “If you’re afraid to sail, go ahead. I won’t let on to him.”

  Milton took off like he’d escaped from jail and a posse was after him. He walked along the shore, appearing to examine bits of debris.

  Virgil reckoned they could have done without a boat, but he wanted to be thorough. He wasn’t keen to get in a small sailboat either, though this looked to be a nice one. He stood and scanned the area. Nothing was left above the water to show Lonnie’s hull had ever been anchored there.

  Wade sailed close to the dock and lowered the sails before he tossed Virgil a line. “Pull me up and climb in. Careful I don’t get in water too shallow to accommodate my keel.”

  Virgil did his best but no one would ever mistake him for a sailor. “The hull of the old dredge was anchored middle of the river. My deputy is checking the shore. Looks as if quite a bit of debris washed up.”

  “By now, we should be able to see that old hull where it sank. Watch your head.” Wade swung about and soon they were where Virgil recalled the houseboat being last night.

  He peered over the side. “I see a dark shape. Reckon that’s it?”

  Wade pulled off his shirt and unlaced his boots. When he’d done that, he pulled off his socks, unbuttoned his britches, and stepped out of them. Wearing the bottom of a man’s swimming costume, he dived over the side.

  After an amazingly long time, he reappeared and pushed his silver hair out of his eyes. “Hull’s there all right. No sign of Lonnie, but I’ll check once more.” He sank below the surface again.

  He surfaced and shook his head, sending water droplets spraying. “No sign of him. Don’t see how he could have survived the explosion you described but wanted to be certain.” He climbed over the side into the boat and pulled on his shirt. After pushing off the wet swimmers, he skimmed on his pants and then his socks and boots.

  “I’ll sail a little ways down the river and see if he’s floating.”

  Virgil marveled at the rancher’s agility and strength. Man must be sixty but he was as fit as any man half his age. After about a quarter of a mile, a shape appeared on the water.

  They pulled alongside and Wade handed him a grappling hook. “You get hold of him while I control the sails.”

  Virgil was surprised Lonnie’s body was in one piece. He was horribly burned but still recognizable. “His arms must have shielded his face until he was in the water.” He pulled the dead man toward the boat.

  “Whew, that’s a bad smell. You ever get used to it?”

  Virgil pulled what was left of Lonnie into the hull. “Never will. When you get home, mix some baking soda with a little lard and put some in your nose. It’ll help get rid of the smell.”

  “You mean I’ll smell the corpse that long?”

  “Afraid so. If you leave me where you found me, I’ll get my deputy to help me get Lonnie out of your way.”

  Milton had been watching and jogged toward the dock. He caught the line Wade tossed and wrapped it around one of the posts at the dock’s end. “I found most of what was left of the rowboat Lonnie used.”

  With Milton’s help, Virgil rolled Lonnie onto the dock. “We’ll take him to Mayor Paine’s furniture store and mortuary then ride out and notify Mrs. Becknell. Sure thank you, Wade. Send your bill to the city.”

  Wade cast off. “Naw, nice day for a sail. Gotta let some fresh air take away that smell before I lock this in the boathouse.”

  Milton stood watching the departing sailboat. “How far you reckon he sails that thing?”

  “Don’t know about that one. Said he and his wife go to the Gulf several times a year. He has a larger boat there that has bunks and a kitchen he called a galley.”

  “Odd hobby for a rancher.”

  “I heard he went to some fancy college up near Boston where he learned to sail. I agree, though, does seem odd for a rancher.”

  They rolled Lonnie’s body in a tarp and laid him over the extra horse they’d brought.

  Virgil mounted his own horse. “I’m glad we found his body. I’d never feel the Novaks were safe unless we did.”

  “I don’t see how we survived, much less how Lonnie could have. Still, I feel better for finding the body. Now his family has something to bury, so this is better for them, too.”

  “Let’s get him to town and then I’ll notify his widow.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Virgil headed to collect his dog from the Novaks. Who was he kidding? After the onerous duty he’d just performed, he needed to see Alexandra’s smile.

  He looped his reins around the front hitching rail and trod up the walk. Before he could ring the bell, Alexandra opened the door. Without a word, he pulled her into his arms and buried his nose in her sweet-smelling hair.

  She hugged his waist. “What a welcome, Virgil.” She took his hand and led him. “Come inside. We were wondering what y
ou’d learned.”

  “I’ll wait until everyone can hear before I explain.”

  In the parlor, Byron sat in what was obviously his favorite chair, one that had thick upholstery and a high back. His wounds looked to have been treated but those visible appeared serious and painful.

  Mrs. Novak sat in a matching chair separated by a small table on which sat a lamp. Lula and Ron sat on the couch. Ron had a bandage around his head. Swelling on his black eye left only a slit. Mrs. Connor sat in a smaller upholstered armchair knitting and facing the others.

  Alexandra pulled him to the vacant couch and sat. “Sit and tell us what happened today.”

  He joined her and she weaved her fingers with his. “Wade Pearson used his sailboat and helped us find Lonnie’s body. After I took his remains to Mayor Paine’s place, I had to go tell Mrs. Becknell she was a widow. That’s the hardest part of my job.”

  Byron leaned forward. “Was it bad?”

  Virgil scrubbed a hand across his face, wishing he could wipe away the memories. “Lonnie was all in one piece, which was a surprise. Badly burned but his face was recognizable. His widow was inconsolable, even though she’d left him.”

  He couldn’t suppress a shiver at the memory. “Her mother comforted her while her father walked me to my horse. As you can imagine, her father wasn’t in the least sad Lonnie was out of the picture, though he hated to see his daughter upset.”

  Byron shook his head. “I’d hate to see one of my girls married to a man like that. What a shame he wasted his life.”

  Ron stared at his father. “Papa, I hated the man. I’m not sorry he’s dead after what he put us through.”

  “Son, he was insane and shouldn’t be held accountable. I’ll admit I’m very grateful we were rescued before he took us with him.”

  Mrs. Novak reached over to pat Byron’s hand. “I can’t bear to think of losing you. Let’s have a celebration. Lula, why don’t you play for us so Alexandra is free to make calf eyes at the sheriff?”

  Alexandra gasped. “Mama?”

  Ron laughed. “Well, it’s true, you were. Not that it’s a bad thing, mind you, because he’s making them back at you.”

  Virgil sensed himself turning red.

  Laughing, Lula rose and went to the piano. She played the opening of “HMS Pinafore”. Ron joined in, singing “I Am The Captain of the Pinafore” in fine tenor. Byron picked up in baritone with “I Am The Ruler of the King’s Navee”.

  Virgil leaned back and absorbed the cordial scene. How wonderful to contemplate becoming a part of this family. Could he with no more than he had to offer? He had only to see Alexandra’s wide blue eyes shining at him to believe anything was possible.

  Though he was tired, he let them talk him into staying for supper. After they’d eaten, he asked to speak to Byron in his office.

  Once there, Virgil stood in front of the other man. “I’m sure you’ve had a better prospect in mind but I love Alexandra and I believe she loves me. Do I have your permission to court her?”

  Byron shook his hand with enthusiasm. “I’m very pleased, Virgil. If anyone can keep her happy, you’re the man. I believe you’re well-matched. Welcome to the family.”

  Feeling relieved, Virgil left the office and strode into the parlor. Alexandra met him wringing her hands. “Well?”

  “He gave me his blessing to court you. Do I have yours?”

  “You dolt, of course you do.”

  “Let’s go for a walk.”

  “Are you sure? You looked weary to the bone when you arrived.”

  “I was, but I’ve rested and had a good meal. I’d like to talk to you in private.”

  “I’ll tell Mama.”

  Behind them, Byron said, “I’ll tell her. You two enjoy your walk.”

  The two of them paused on the Novak front porch.

  Virgil knelt in front of her. “Alexandra, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

  “You know I will, Virgil. I love you.”

  He rose and swung her in his arms. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive.”

  When he set her down, she asked, “When do you want us to wed?”

  He rested his forehead against hers. “Is yesterday too soon?”

  She giggled. “Not for me but I believe Mama will want to make a fuss. Since I’ll be leaving her home for yours, I suppose I should humor her one last time before I’m all yours.”

  He pulled her to the porch swing. “Don’t let her talk you into any longer than necessary, please. Now that we have your father’s blessing and you’ve agreed, I can barely stand waiting another day.”

  “I feel the same. Can I see your home soon?”

  “Tomorrow I’ll invite your mother and Lula to come with you so there won’t be any talk of us getting the cart before the horse.”

  “You’re such a fine man. Mama will insist on snooping. Please don’t be insulted. She means well.”

  “I know she does. Your parents want to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible. My house isn’t nearly as nice as yours. I hope you won’t be sorry.”

  “It will be filled with love. What more could I ask?”

  “You’ll see. You’ve been inside Mrs. Tucker’s, haven’t you? Mine is a mirror image of hers.”

  “I liked hers, although I saw how her kitchen could be more efficient as well as made to appear larger.”

  “Good. You can rearrange to your heart’s content.”

  They rocked for several minutes. Buddy startled him by laying his head on his knee. Virgil glanced at Alexandra.

  She smiled at him. “You fell asleep. Go home and get to bed. You haven’t had any sleep in over 36 hours. You’ve worked your poor body too hard.”

  He yawned. “I suspect you’re right. Sorry I’m not better company.”

  He stood and pulled her to her feet for a lingering kiss. “Goodnight, sweetheart. I’ll come for you tomorrow afternoon to show you the house.”

  “Goodnight, Virgil. Goodnight, Buddy.”

  Virgil mounted his horse and rode around the block to his own carriage house barn.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Alexandra waited less than calmly. “Mama, please don’t say anything insulting about Virgil’s house.”

  Mama sent her the look. “I know how to behave appropriately. May I remind you I’ve never wrestled in the mud with your father?”

  Lula grinned and whispered, “She put you in your place, didn’t she?”

  “Now you’re behaving like a heathen.” Alexandra couldn’t keep from laughing.

  Lula joined her and they linked arms.

  Virgil arrived and Mrs. Connor admitted him. “Come in, Virgil. The ladies are expecting you. You might as well go on into the parlor.”

  Alexandra took his hand. “We might as well go out the back door and save walking.”

  Mama said, “We’ll do no such thing. Until you’re married, we’ll walk out the front door, by the bank, and around the corner to the house.”

  Alexandra asked, “After we’re wed, can we add a gate between the two properties?”

  Virgil extended his arm to Mrs. Novak, who had paused to unfurl her parasol. “Sounds like a good idea if your folks approve.”

  Mrs. Novak smiled and took his arm. “Isn’t it a lovely day?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He figured she had her own ideas about what made proper conversation so he aimed to take his cue from her.

  Lula and Alexandra followed behind Mrs. Novak and him.

  Mrs. Novak nodded to those they met, most of whom stared at the unlikely procession.

  They paraded down the street and turned after Dr. Ross’ office onto Goliad Street. Thank heavens, his was the first house. He opened the gate and allowed his future mother-in-law to go ahead of him. He stopped Buddy in the nick of time. Alexandra leaned down to pet his dog. Lula joined her. Those two had already spoiled the dog in the short time Buddy had spent at their house.

  Virgil closed the gate and rushed ahead to help Mrs. Novak up
the steps. Man, was he ever glad he’d repaired that rotted board and repainted the porch. He unlocked the door and stepped aside.

  His stomach was roiling and jiggling all at the same time. He waited for a critical comment.

  Mrs. Novak peered around. “My, this is lovely, Virgil. You’ve done yourself credit.”

  He’d spent the morning polishing and sweeping and mopping, but she didn’t need to know that. “I was fortunate the Wesley family left most of their furniture since they were moving to her parents’ place.”

  Alexandra smiled as she strolled around the parlor.

  Lula sat on the settee where a spring threatened to poke through. She grinned and winked at him.

  “Do you want me to give you a tour or would you prefer to go on your own?”

  Mrs. Novak nodded. “I believe I’ll just look through since you don’t seem to mind.” She opened her purse and took out a small notebook and pencil.

  Alexandra hissed, “Mama, what are you doing?”

  “Come along, dear. Let’s look at the dining room.”

  Alexandra rolled her eyes and followed her mother.

  Lula whispered, “I’ll leave you here to cover the spring.”

  “Thanks, Lula.” He shifted when she stood. What did she think he could do about it? He didn’t think he could afford to replace it, not with the expenses he expected to incur stocking the kitchen and dining room. At least he had a bathing room even though he didn’t have a boiler like the Novak family supposedly did.

  Lula reappeared. “Don’t worry, everything will be fine. Mama likes your home and Alexandra absolutely loves the place.”

  “Must seem pretty bare. Alexandra and I will have to shop for dishes and towels and other stuff women need.”

  “Don’t forget there will be a bridal shower and you’ll receive a lot of gifts like china and serving pieces and linens.”

  His spirits lifted. “I had forgotten.”

  “Since Papa is bank president, people will try to impress. While that’s not a good thing in itself, it works in your favor.”

  “I guess so. I just want Alexandra to be happy. Living here won’t be anything like living at her home now.”