“That won’t happen,” Bonita snapped. “I’m a whore in Thelma’s eyes.”
“Well, you do sleep around . . .”
Bonita shrugged her shoulders. She knew Ethel wouldn’t relent.
“I guess I’ll be leaving,” she said indifferently. She sat the half empty cup on the dresser and started packing her things.
“It’s late. Stay until tomorrow, then you’re on your own,” Ethel said with pity. “I have a business to run and have to think of my prospects.” Silence dominated the room until Ethel inquired, “Where will you go?”
“I don’t know yet, but I’ll leave Greenville. There’s nothing to keep me here,” she answered bitterly. “I have no living kin.” A look of determination replaced distress. “I’ve survived this long alone. I can do it again.”
Ethel placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Sorry, kid, you were my top earner.” Avoiding Bonita’s gaze, she exited the room, her taffeta gown swishing with each step.
Bonita took another sip of tea, then lay down on the bed. Her thoughts drifted to Nicholas. She was sorry for ever knowing him and Jennifer as she fully realized her punishment for interfering in their lives.
Jenny awoke and looked around the wagon. Her eyes came to rest on Zachary.
“Why haven’t we left?”
“You fell ill two days ago, Jennifer. I couldn’t drag you on horseback since I need you to direct me to your plantation.”
“I’ve been sick for two days?” She stretched and yawned. “Thanks for watching over me. May we leave now?”
“Certainly, Jennifer. I’ll saddle Cocoa.” He led Jenny from the wagon. “I’ll only be a moment.”
While waiting for him, she took in her surroundings. Young Gypsy children gathered around and stared at her with coal black eyes. Jenny smiled, dazzling the children with her presence. They, in turn, responded with shy grins until a harried mother clapped her hands.
“Come, children, it’s time for supper!”
Jenny watched them scurry to the campfire. Soon, she would hold her own babies. Her eyes shifted to Zachary as he came into the clearing with Cocoa. Zachary helped her mount, jumped up behind her, and then started the long trek to the plantation.
Believing she suffered a reaction from the chloroform and still a bit weak, she rested against Zachary’s chest. As he held her close, Jenny rejoiced that she was finally going home.
They had gone a good distance when darkness descended.
“We must bed down for the night,” Zachary said.
“Bed down?” she queried. “I’m eager to get home. Can’t we let the moonlight guide us?”
“It’s unsafe in the wilderness, Jenny. Surely, you don’t wish harm to Cocoa here.” He patted the stallion’s damp hide. “If we went by foot, we’d be tired, hot, and covered with mosquito bites. We’d have to contend with nocturnal creatures, too.”
“You’re right,” she concurred. “Cocoa needs to rest.” A misty rain began to fall, making her wish she were already home. She pointed to a Cypress tree. “Perhaps I can bed down over there, and you can sleep near Cocoa,” she said thoughtfully.
Zachary dismounted and brought Jenny with him. “I have but one worn blanket, Jenny. Would you have me exposed to the elements and catch my very death? For surely, I will not have you exposed to the rain after your recent illness. I insist you use the cover.”
I can blame myself for this moment, Jenny thought. If she hadn’t been so anxious to return home, they could have stayed another night and left at daybreak. Now Zachary was putting his life on the line for her, and here she stood, duly chastised. Still, in good conscience, she couldn’t lie with him, especially since she was deeply in love with Nicholas. Stalling, she strolled about the wet ground to bring circulation back into her numb legs.
Zachary scouted the area and found a small cove hidden by trees and brush. “We can stay here tonight. It will shelter us from the rain,” he said. He removed his backpack and bedroll. “I’ll fix us a bite of food.” He served her biscuits and water. “I apologize for such meager fare. It’s nothing compared to the food on the Marylou.” He bit into the biscuit. “Perhaps someday we can sit down to dinner and enjoy a full course meal.”
“I don’t think so,” Jenny said. “We must sever our relationship once we arrive at the plantation.”
A sad expression crossed his face. “I feared that might be the case.” He shrugged his shoulders in resignation. “So be it, Jenny, I don’t care to impose upon your contented lifestyle.”
Zachary stood and stretched his long muscular frame. A smile formed at the corners of his mouth. His eyes danced as he tried to cheer her. Bowing politely, he said, “Allow me to assist you to your chambers, Jenny.”
“I don’t find this humorous,” she said, tapping her foot on the ground. “I must sleep in the rain rather than lie down with you.”
He dropped to the damp ground and pulled the blanket over his robust form. “Suit yourself.”
Jenny curled up nearby and closed her eyes.
Steadily the rain fell, seeping into their make-do chamber. Time passed. Chilled, Jenny gazed at Zachary and listened to his even breathing. Convinced he was sleeping, she nudged her way alongside him for warmth.
As Jenny listened to the bullfrogs and crickets, she gazed up at the stars and reflected on Nicholas. Soon, my love, I’ll return. She closed her eyes and slept.
Sleep did not come as easily to Zachary as he lay beside Jennifer. He recalled how, after much deliberation, he couldn’t keep Jenny away from her family. He convinced himself he was doing the right thing by returning her to the plantation. Even so, he still wanted her desperately and brought her into his embrace. Guilt nagged at his consciousness as contrary thoughts raced through his mind. Part of him was honorable; the other, deplorable. Jenny had a way of distorting his thinking, making him risk everything just to have her, if only for a few days. Not wanting to waste the precious moments he had with her, he barely slept, but lay enamored with her beauty and saddened that they soon would part.
By morning, the rain had abated, so they broke camp. Zachary and Jenny continued their journey. Arriving at the plantation by mid-afternoon, Zachary helped Jenny dismount, then prepared to leave.
“Stay and have dinner with us,” Jenny pleaded. “I owe you that much. Besides, I want you to meet Nicholas.”
Lily stood on the veranda, waving to Jenny with enthusiasm. “Excuse me, Ma’am, but Nicholas isn’t here. He went in search of you. We haven’t seen him since the day you left.”
“Oh,” Jenny said. She was dejected, as she was eager to feel his warm embrace. She glanced at Zachary and smiled. “Come meet Father and the babies,” she said, ushering him into the house.
Thomas came from his room and looked up to see Jenny. “I was worried about you, Jenny. What happened to you?”
She rushed into his arms. “I’m happy to be home. I’ll tell you later about my ordeal.” She introduced Zachary to him. “Zachary saved my life by coming to my rescue when a poisonous snake slithered toward me. He also took care of me when I fell ill and brought me home.”
Thomas gripped Zachary’s hand and gave him a hearty handshake. “Thank you for bringing my daughter safely home. Nicholas would thank you, too, if he were here.”
While Thomas and Zachary exchanged banter, Jenny hastened to the nursery and found her infants sleeping. “Oh, my darlings,” she whispered. “I missed you so!” She held each child and reassured herself that they were thriving. She then carefully returned them to their cradles.
Zachary stood in the doorway, his eyes fastened on Jenny.
She saw his reflection in the mirror and bade him enter. “Come see the twins.”
After their brief visit, she left the babies in Lily’s care. Bathed in radiance, she returned to her father.
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They sat down to a savory meal. A pleasant conversation ensued as Zachary spoke to Thomas and Jenny of his travels, telling them about the steamships he had lived on and the intriguing people he had met. They hung onto every word, occasionally interjecting their own experiences.
Upon finishing his meal, Zachary stood to take his leave. Thomas and Jenny walked with Zachary to the veranda.
“Again, we are indebted to you for bringing Jenny home,” Thomas said.
With a tip of his hat and a lingering gaze at Jenny, Zachary bid them adieu, then rode from the plantation.
“I should have asked him to stay the night,” Jenny said, realizing dusk was upon them and recalling the damp night they had shared.
“I don’t think so, Jenny. Are you aware that Zachary is in love with you?”
“Father, that’s a bold assertion! Zachary was only doing what any fine gentleman would do. To my recollection, he showed only proper conduct to me.”
“Be that as it may, Jenny, the man has a hankering for you. It’s probably wise that he left, lest Nicholas return and misunderstand his intentions.”
“Perhaps you are right,” she replied with resignation. “I hope Nicholas comes home soon. I have missed him beyond endurance.”
Jenny stepped inside and went to the nursery. She nursed the babies and changed their diapers. She spent time rocking them and humming to them. Finally, she returned them to their cradles.
She said goodnight to her father before retiring to her chamber. She lowered herself into a warm bath, then leisurely soaked. She let out a contented sigh, recalling her days outdoors. It was refreshing to feel the silky clean water gliding over her body, and she reveled in the luxury of lathering her skin with lavender-scented soap.
She stepped from the tub, toweled herself dry and slipped into a clean cotton gown. She sat at the vanity and brushed her ebony locks. Her thoughts drifted to Nicholas. “Come home soon, Darling,” she whispered, then doused the lamp and got into bed.
In the midnight hour, Nicholas stepped into her chamber. The moonlight illumined Jenny as she slept. How can she be so beautiful, yet so wicked? He dropped to the bed.
Jenny came awake with a start. She clamped her arms around him.
“Nicholas, I’m so glad you’re home!”
“You dare to return after your rendezvous with Blake? You try my patience, Jenny!”
“What are you babbling about?”
“I don’t take kindly to deception, Jenny.” Rolling from the bed, he lit the lamp, pulled the crumpled note from his pocket, and held it out to her. “Do you deny this?” he growled, barely keeping his temper in check.
Jenny held the note to the light and read the dainty script. “This is not my writing.”
“Then why did you run off and leave your children.”
“I didn’t, Nicholas. I opened up the door to a man asking for water, but when I tried to shut the door, he put a cloth over my face and kidnapped me. Somehow I miraculously escaped but got lost in the swamp. A traveler happened upon me, saved me from a poisonous snake, and took care of me when I fell ill. He is the one who brought me here.”
Nicholas gazed into her beautiful cat-green eyes. “I want to believe you, but—” In the rosy glow of the light, he was able to see the bruises on her otherwise flawless face. “You’ve really been set upon and didn’t leave me for Blake Preston?”
“No!” Jenny answered emphatically.
Sheepishly, he repented of his allegation. “Forgive my harsh judgment of you, Jenny, but when I saw the note, I assumed the worse. The thought of you in the arms of another was unbearable. Unfortunately, when I set off to find you, Dexter injured his leg and left me stranded miles from anywhere.
With concern showing in her voice, Jenny asked, “Did you have to shoot Dexter?”
Nicholas shook his head. “I couldn’t. He has a lot of life in him yet. Fortunately I was able to find someone to keep Dexter until I could return for him. I hitched a ride most of the way, then walked the rest. When I returned tonight, I was astonished to find you sleeping in my bed.”
Jenny wrapped her arms about his neck. “And where else would I sleep?” she asked.
Her nearness sent his passion rising, and he kissed her lips and made endearing love to her.
Later as they lay talking, Nicholas gleamed with amusement. “Perhaps I should send a map with you on your excursions, Jenny. You have no sense of direction,” he teased. “You couldn’t find your way out of the woods, now you get lost in the swamps.”
“But somehow I always find my way back to you,” she chortled and nestled in his embrace.
Having a thought about who might be behind Jenny’s abduction, Nicholas set out to find any information that might help him prove it. His first stop was to talk to Billy. He found him working in the fields and took him aside. “Tell me about the lady who asked you to give me the message,” he said kindly.
Billy grinned sheepishly, and his face turned crimson. “She was real comely, Nicholas. She had a dark complexion and long black hair.” He thought for a moment. “And pretty brown eyes!”
Nicholas regretted not questioning Billy sooner, thinking he might not have been so hasty in his assumptions. He patted Billy on the shoulder. “Thanks, Billy. You may return to your work.”
A solemn expression came over him as he rode to Greenville and stopped at the Hearthside Inn. He beckoned to Thelma as she cleaned the lobby.
Thelma smiled. “Hello, Nicholas, do you need a room?”
“Not this time. May I speak with Bonita?”
“Bonita hasn’t worked here for several weeks.” She leaned forward, not wishing for others to hear. “Bonita’s morals were deeply lacking. I had to let her go.” A look of disapproval came into her blue eyes, and she held her head high. “I heard that she works at Ethel’s saloon.” She gasped and lifted her fingers to her mouth. “Bonita solicited men under my roof. I suppose she could have robbed the patrons as well! Is that why you want to see her?”
It’s nothing like that,” Nicholas assured her.
Thelma’s eyes softened, and her smile returned. “Is there anything else I can do for you, Nicholas? Are Jenny and the babies well?”
“Yes, they are fine. I just wanted a word with Bonita. Thank you for your information, Thelma.” He tipped his hat and left the premises.
Nicholas stepped into Ethel’s saloon, his eyes scanning past the tables and bar.
Looking for someone?” Ethel asked.
“I want to speak with Bonita.”
Ethel’s smile faded, and she ran her fingers through her bright red hair.
“Bonita left town the other day. She had some trouble with a client. He battered her, and I couldn’t keep her on, on account of her disfigurement.” She shrugged and became businesslike. “I hated to let her go. But no looks, no money,” she said objectively.
Nicholas nodded and left the saloon, disappointed that his chances of finding the truth had vanished. Vowing to keep his thoughts to himself, he rode back to the plantation—back to Jenny.
Chapter 19
On a crisp November day, Thomas Morgan stood in readiness for the carriage to take him to Molly and Wade’s place.
“Molly has been insisting I visit them for some time, and I’m finally going to do it. She’s sending a coach for my convenience,” Thomas told Jenny.
Jenny locked arms with him. “It will be a fun adventure for you, Father.”
The coach thundered toward them, and the driver pulled alongside Jenny and Thomas. The wiry coachman jumped from the carriage and awaited his instructions.
“Set my bags inside,” Thomas kindly instructed, then squeezed his large frame into the carriage.
Jenny stepped up to the coach with a complacent expression on her face. “A visit
with Wade and Molly will give you a welcome respite, Father, and you can view our old farm next to Wade’s homestead.” She peered inside the coach and saw a blanket and small pillow lying on the seat. A smile formed at the corners of her mouth. “Dear sweet Molly, she has thought of everything.” She closed the door and gazed at the coachman. “Would you like some water to quench your thirst before leaving, Sir?”
“Much obliged Ma’am, and the name’s Sherman.”
Jenny smiled as she scooped the dipper into a bucket of water and handed it to Sherman. He gulped the water and, when he had drank his fill, returned the dipper to Jenny. Ablaze with energy, Sherman jumped aboard the coach.
“I’ll take good care of Mr. Morgan,” he said. “Molly told me to treat him like my own kin.” With a flick of the reins, the driver started the carriage in motion.
Thomas leaned his head out of the window and waved farewell.
Jenny watched him ride down the lane, confident the trip would do him good. She stepped into the house, planning to resume her tasks.
Lily came from the nursery, the twins in tow, their little forms bundled up to take away the chill. “We’re going out for some fresh air,” Lily announced, slipping on her cloak.
Jenny’s eyes danced with mirth. “And?” she coaxed.
“We are meeting Nakao,” she answered, her eyes aglow with anticipation.
A smile lit Jenny’s face. She knew they were in love. “Pardon my boldness, Lily, but why don’t you marry Nakao? Then you could spend a lifetime together.”
A tinge of pink came to her cheeks. “Perhaps soon,” Lily answered.
Jenny kissed Abigail and Aaron goodbye, then watched Lily push the buggy down the lane.
She hurried to the kitchen. Father is gone, and Lily and the twins are with Nakao. Nicholas is laboring on the plantation, so I shall bake some pies, she mused, as she peeked into the empty pie safe. As she labored over her pies, she occasionally glanced outside. It was a peaceful day full of sunlight and clear skies. The trees were replete with brilliant hues of green, yellow, and orange. Birds flitted from branch to branch.
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