A Lady's Choice

by Sandra Robbins

  Trying to stifle the laughter that rose in his throat, he turned back to her. “I hope we haven’t come at an inconvenient time.”

  “N–no,” she stammered. “I thought you were Uncle Charlie. He was supposed to come back this afternoon.”

  Ellen rose and picked up the basket. “I brought some food for you and your mama. I’ll put it in the kitchen and then go check on her. No need for you to show me the way. I reckon I’ve been in this house enough times to know where the rooms are.”

  Sarah nodded but didn’t take her eyes off Alex. “Mama’s in the bedroom at the top of the stairs. She was sleeping when I was up there earlier.”

  “Well, I’ll just peek in on her.” She cast a glance at Alex before she pushed past him and Sarah and left the room.

  Sarah reached up and pushed her wet hair off her forehead. “I didn’t expect company. I’ve been working in the garden.”

  He struggled to keep from smiling, but it was no use. “Are you going to get mad at me again?”

  She frowned. “Why?”

  He pointed to her feet. “You nearly took my head off when I saw your ankles. There’s no telling what you’ll do now that I’ve seen your feet.”

  Slowly she bent her head and looked down. Her eyes grew wide, and she let out a loud shriek. “Oh, my goodness! I forgot I don’t have my shoes on.”

  Without another word she turned, ran from the room, and dashed up the stairs. Alex collapsed in the chair Ellen had sat in minutes ago and laughed at what had just happened. One minute he was looking at her picture and comparing her to a Gibson girl and the next she was standing there looking like an urchin from a Charles Dickens novel.

  One thing about Sarah—she wasn’t predictable. He never knew what the next minute would bring with her. And to his surprise he found that it just increased his attraction to her. He’d never met anybody like her, and any idea he’d had of keeping his distance had just died.

  Chapter Six

  Sarah raced up the stairs and flew into her bedroom. She yanked her dress and apron off and hurled them into the chair by the window. Mama had cautioned her over and over about going barefoot, but she hadn’t listened. Now she’d paid the price. She’d never been as embarrassed in her life as she was when she realized she must look like she’d been working in a cotton patch all day.

  She jerked the armoire door open and rifled through the dresses hanging there. She stopped, her hand on the white muslin with its long pink sash, at the thought of her skirt lifted above her ankles. Maybe that had been more embarrassing. She covered her face with both hands and shook her head. Why did Alex Taylor bring out the worst in her?

  Now wasn’t the time to be debating that question. Quickly she grabbed the dress, pulled it over her head, and dropped to her knees to search underneath her bed for shoes. Once she was dressed and her hair combed, she looked in the mirror, pinched her cheeks, and closed her eyes. Breathe deeply; settle down; and don’t let him see how flustered you are, she told herself. Then she hurried from the room.

  She paused at the bottom of the stairs and pasted a big smile on her face before she reentered the parlor. Taking a deep breath, she swept into the room with a bravado that belied the nervous twitch of her legs. Alex rose from the chair where Ellen had sat earlier. He smiled as she walked back in. “That didn’t take long.”

  She arched her eyebrows and responded in a cool tone. “I didn’t want to keep you waiting, and I certainly didn’t want you to leave with the image of what I looked like when you arrived.”

  He shook his head. “You shouldn’t think like that. It was evident you’d been working, and there’s nothing wrong with honest labor. In fact I admire a woman who’s willing to dig in the earth and make things grow.” He studied her for a moment. “You have many fascinating sides to your personality, Sarah, and I’m enjoying seeing each one.”

  His words made her heart skip a beat. She tried to pull her eyes away from his piercing stare, but it was useless. “And what have you seen so far?”

  He stepped closer. His gaze traveled over her face in a caress that left warm trails across her skin. “I’ve seen the loving daughter who wants to care for her sick mother, and I’ve seen the young girl who can still pout over the length of her dress. Then there’s the baseball fan who knows about southpaws and no-hitters, and the gardener who doesn’t mind a little dirt getting on her hands.”

  “Anything else?” Her heart pounded so hard she wondered if he could hear its beat.

  He reached out and clasped her hand in his. “Yes. There’s the woman who excites me more than any other ever has and makes me want to know her better.” He eased closer until they stood only inches apart. “You have a hold on me, Sarah, but if you don’t feel it too, then tell me now. I’ll leave and won’t bother you again.”

  She looked down at their hands and back up at him. “I feel it too, Alex, but it scares me.”

  “I know. It does me too. We don’t know each other well yet. We need to give our friendship time to grow and see where it leads us.”

  She nodded and directed a somber look at him. “I’d like that, but next time let me know when you’re coming. I’ll have my shoes on.”

  His mouth dropped open, and he stared at her for a moment before he threw back his head and laughed. “Oh Sarah, you’re delightful. You also know how to shatter a mood.” His eyes twinkled with happiness. “I wish you could have seen your face when you stepped through that door. It’s a sight I won’t soon forget.”

  He took a step back from her, and she sighed in relief at the break in their close contact. His amusement infected her, and a smile crept across her face. “Don’t tease me. I’ve always loved to go barefoot, but Mama says that well-brought-up young ladies don’t do that. I just can’t seem to break the habit.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ve buried this secret with the one about your ankles. My lips are sealed, and we’ll mention it no more.”

  On impulse she pointed toward the door. “If you’d like to see another side to me, walk with me to the pond. This is my favorite time of day, and we might catch sight of a catfish coming up to feed.”

  “Let’s go.” He curled his fingers around hers.

  Her heart raced at the pressure of his hand holding hers as they walked from the house and down the path that led to the deserted barn. She pointed to the corn crib in the center of the barn. “When I was a little girl and would visit here, my grand-father would let me stay in there and watch him milk.”

  “I wonder why I don’t remember ever seeing you when we were children?”

  She shrugged. “We didn’t come here often. Maybe once a year. It was difficult for my father to get away.”

  They walked past the barn to the field behind, where she guided him to the drooping willow trees that surrounded the pond. “I called this my secret place when I was a little girl. Now I come here every chance I get.”

  Sarah ducked underneath the bent branches and led him to her favorite spot in the grass, where they were shielded from the sun by the thick foliage. The leaves stirred like a fan in the late afternoon breeze, a welcome respite from the heat of the day.

  They sat side by side for a moment without speaking before Alex picked up a pebble from the grass and tossed it into the water. The stone skipped across the surface and disappeared beneath, triggering large ripples that floated toward the bank and washed over the edge of the small pond.

  A comfortable silence enveloped them in their shelter from the outside world. Alex turned to her and gazed at her as if he wanted to tell her something.

  “I was serious when I said those things to you earlier.” He picked up another stone and tossed it into the water. “The first time I saw you at church, I knew you were different from anyone I’d known before.”

  “I meant what I said too. But, Alex, right now I have so many problems in my life I don’t know if you need to become involved with me.”

  He scooted closer. “I’m so sorry about your mother’s illness. I kn
ow this must be very hard for you, especially after losing your father.”

  She pulled a blade of grass out of the ground and rolled it between her fingers as she thought about the man with the laughing eyes who had been the center of the universe for her and her mother. “At least this time I know what’s coming. My father’s death was such a shock.”

  “I can imagine.”

  Sarah frowned and swiveled around to face him. “I still don’t understand it. He had come home from his office the day after I graduated from high school, but all through supper he seemed preoccupied and didn’t talk. Then after we’d finished he said he had to go back to the office. There was a matter he had to attend. He kissed my mother and me and told us he’d be home soon. Instead, a few hours later a policeman arrived at our door with the news that his body had been found on the sidewalk outside his building. They said he’d jumped from his office window.”

  Alex touched her arm. “Sarah, you don’t have to tell me this if it’s too painful.”

  “It is painful, but I can’t quit thinking about it. There were too many unanswered questions.”

  “Like what?”

  “For instance, there was no note left, and his lucky token wasn’t in his pocket.”

  “What was that?”

  “My grandfather and father both worked for the Cotton Exchange. When my father was a boy, my grandfather gave him a silver token he’d brought back from the 1884 World Industrial and Cotton Exposition in New Orleans. My father called it his lucky piece, and he always carried it in his pocket, but it wasn’t on his body or in his office. It’s never been found, and I know he had it.”

  “What did the police say about that?”

  She shrugged. “They said maybe somebody had rifled his pockets before his body was discovered. They also dismissed the story of a hobo who was sleeping behind the building. He said he saw a man slip out the back door and run away, but he said it was too dark to see what he looked like.”

  “And they didn’t try to find the man?”

  “No, they said they couldn’t put any stock into the word of a man who wandered around the country. So they ruled it suicide.”

  Alex didn’t say anything for a moment. Then he took a deep breath and shook his head. “You really have had a rough time. Now that you’re here, I want you to know Ellen and I will do everything we can to help you get through what you’re facing with your mother’s illness. All you have to do is tell us what you need.”

  She reached over and squeezed his hand. “Thank you. You’ll never know how much that means to me. It seems for the past few years our problems have come nonstop.” She sighed. “Now I have another one I have to address.”

  He frowned. “Can I help you with it?”

  She shook her head. “Thank you, but…” She paused and her eyes grew wide. “Why didn’t I think of this before? You’re a lawyer—just what I need.”

  A look of surprise crossed his face. “A lawyer? Well, I won’t officially be one until I’m admitted to the Tennessee Bar, but I’ll help you if I can.”

  “Oh Alex, I’ve been out of my mind with worry, and I’ve been afraid my mother would find out. It might trigger an attack that she wouldn’t overcome.”

  He reached over and grabbed Sarah by the shoulders. “This sounds serious. Tell me what’s wrong.”

  She took a deep breath. “About ten years ago my father decided he needed to make a will. He wanted to make sure my mother and I would be cared for if he died. When the will was drawn up, he asked his cousin to be executor. My father had grown up with this cousin, and he trusted him. After my father died, this relative came to see my mother and me and told us not to worry, he would take care of everything. For the past two years we’ve been receiving a monthly check from him, but this stopped several months ago.”

  “Did you ask what happened?”

  “My mother had become so ill she didn’t realize we weren’t receiving any money, so I went to see him and asked him what had happened. He told me we had used up everything my father left us and that we needed to sell the house. By this time Mama and I had decided to come back here, so I told him to sell it. Several weeks before we moved he told me he had found a buyer for the house and that I would begin receiving money monthly as soon as all the papers were signed. But nothing has come. I’ve written him letters, but I’ve gotten no response. We’re about to run out of money, and I don’t know what to do.”

  A sad look flickered in his eyes. “Oh Sarah, I’m so sorry you’ve had to bear this alone. Of course I’ll help you. I’m going to Memphis next week to take the bar exam and spend some time at the firm. While I’m there, I’ll see what I can find out. In the meantime, if you need money, I’ll be glad to help you out.”

  She pushed to her feet and shook her head. “No, I didn’t tell you this so you’d give me money. Uncle Charlie will help us if we need anything. I just want to find out what’s happened. We weren’t wealthy, but I know my father had saved some money.”

  Alex stood up and faced her. “I’ll see what I can find out. What’s your cousin’s name?”

  “Raymond Whittaker. He works in a bank down on Union Avenue.”

  He put his hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes. “Don’t worry about this, Sarah. I promise I’ll look into it.”

  Relief coursed through her body, and she smiled. “Thank you, Alex. You have no idea what this means to me.”

  “I should be home toward the end of the week. I’ll come to see you and let you know if I found out anything. Please try not to worry.”

  She smiled. “I’ll try. But don’t let my problems distract you. I want you to pass the bar exam.”

  He pursed his lips. “It’s a tough test, but I’ve studied hard for it.”

  “I’m sure you’ll do well.”

  They stared at each other for a moment before Sarah turned and led the way back to the house. For the first time in months, she felt some relief. With her mother’s worsening condition, there was no way she could teach and care for Mama too. She’d spent many sleepless nights wondering what she would do if something had happened to their money.

  She could only hope that Alex would bring good news on his return from Memphis.

  Chapter Seven

  By the end of the next week Sarah was about to go out of her mind. Alex hadn’t returned, and she hadn’t heard from him. All she could think about was whether or not he would be able to find out what had happened to her father’s estate. Added to that worry was the fact her mother was beginning to suspect something was bothering her. So far she’d been able to dismiss her mother’s questions, but she doubted if she could much longer.

  She discarded the needlepoint piece she’d been working on and dropped it on the table next to her chair. With her mother in bed for her afternoon nap, it was a perfect time to get outside for a while. She headed to the front porch and had just stepped onto it when she spied a buggy coming down the road.

  Her lips curled into a smile as she recognized Dr. Lancaster with Ellen sitting beside him. Since the night of the party, the two had become close friends, and now Ellen accompanied him on his patient calls. She waved as the buggy rolled into the yard.

  “Good afternoon. I’m so glad you came.”

  Dr. Lancaster hopped down from the buggy and tied his horse to the small tree in their yard before walking around and assisting Ellen to the ground. Sarah couldn’t help but notice how they smiled at each other before they turned toward the house.

  Dr. Lancaster reached back in the buggy for his bag and took Ellen’s arm. Together they climbed the steps. “We were making rounds this afternoon, and I thought I’d better check on your mother.”

  “She’s asleep right now, but you can wake her if you need to.”

  He shook his head. “I won’t do that now. We can visit some first.”

  Sarah reached out and hugged Ellen. “I’m so glad you came today.” When she straightened, she opened the door and motioned for them to come inside. “Can
I get you some tea? And I have some cookies I made this morning.”

  Dr. Lancaster nodded. “That sounds good. How about you, Ellen?”

  “I’m always up to a cup of tea.”

  Just as they stepped into the house, Mama’s voice called out from upstairs. “Sarah, do we have company?”

  “It’s Dr. Lancaster and Ellen, Mama. I thought you were asleep.”

  “I’ve been awake for a few minutes. Tell Dr. Lancaster to come on up.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  Ellen reached out and put her hand on his arm. “Do you need me to help, Edmund?”

  He shook his head. “No, you go on and have your tea. I’ll come to the kitchen when I’m through.”

  Sarah watched him climb the stairs and enter her mother’s room before she turned back to Ellen. She propped her hands on her hips and arched her eyebrows. “Edmund? I sense there’s more to this relationship than just a doctor and his helper.”

  Ellen’s face turned red, and she waved her hand in dismissal. “Quit your teasin’, Sarah. There ain’t nothing but friendship between us.”

  Sarah glanced up the stairs once more before she looped her arm through Ellen’s and pulled her into the kitchen. “I don’t know about that. I think the good doctor is smitten with you, Miss Taylor.”

  “And I think the sun’s done gone to your brain, Miss Whittaker. Now how about that cup of tea?”

  Laughing, they entered the kitchen, and Ellen sat down at the table. It had been a lonely week for Sarah, and she was glad to have company. She glanced over her shoulder at Ellen as she pulled the kettle from the stove. “I thought Alex would be back by now. Have you heard from him?”

  Ellen shook her head. “I know the bar exam was earlier this week, but I don’t know when to expect him. I reckon he’ll be over here the minute he gets home, though.”