Cora (Southern Hearts Book 3)

by Felicia Rogers

  Dishes stowed inside the cabin, she made a cursory glance inside. Frederic was nowhere to be found. Through the window she could just make out his dark brown head. She straightened her clothes, patted her hair into place, and opened the front door. Frederic sat on the porch. His legs swung back and forth and he shot a smile over his shoulder as if he was as happy as a lark. Either he was unafraid she would confront him about his previous lies or he didn't care.

  She settled next to him. "What are you so happy about?"

  He shrugged.

  "Oh, please share."

  "All right, it is nothing special. I'm just happy you made it home." He faced her and flashed one of his brightest smiles.

  Her heart melted. "Me, too."

  They sat there until the sunset behind the trees. Cora gnawed her lip. Should she say something? She didn't want to ruin the moment, but did he expect her to question his motives?

  Frederic clasped her hand in his. "Long, strong, nimble fingers, used to work and play."

  "Yes." She gulped and looked at their hands.

  "What will you do now that you've returned to Bayou Sara?"

  Heat from his gaze made her look at his face. "I have no idea." The words sounded breathless and she wished for more sophistication.

  He laughed. "Nice to hear someone speak the truth."

  She turned so she could see his face as she spoke. "And you? What will you do now that you've solved your final case?"

  "I'm going back to New York to receive my reward, and then I'm going to find a nice place and settle down. I might move out west, or I might just find me a cabin in the woods of New York. Some place I can call my own where I don't have to worry about crime."

  "Does such a place exist?" His fingers made smooth round circles on her hands, and her breath caught in her throat.

  "Probably not, but I find myself hoping it does."

  "Will you stay for my parents' party?" She held her breath.

  "You said you wanted to me to be your companion. Does that offer still stand?" he asked, staring at her.

  Breathlessly, she said, "Yes."

  "Then I will." He took her hand and brought it to his lips.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Why must every place they visit only have one bed? Cora had placed all the covers she could find in a rounded pile in an empty spot in the front room. The empty fireplace had a stone hearth and his back butted against it. The cold stone penetrated his clothing and sent welcoming chills through his body.

  All the windows in the cabin stood open and the mesh covering didn't move because no breeze blew. Louisiana's cooler weather had begun but still the air was humid and filled with bugs. Just outside the window he could hear their wings beating as they hoped to fly in and consume their next meal.

  With his arm under his head as a pillow, he studied the ceiling. Soft snores emanated from the other room and he smiled. At least Cora had a comfortable place to sleep. He could have had one as well if he'd pushed to return to Bayou Sara. Why hadn't he pushed harder? Cora wanted him to stay because she was scared to be alone, but why didn't he tell her he didn't care? This adventure had started as a way to make money, just another job. But was it still a job?

  He looked around the room. The cabin could have belonged to a single man or a married couple. The furniture was sparse but comfortable, the best piece being the bed in the other room. What would it be like to live in a place like this with Cora? To eat meals with her and share her warmth at night?

  Thoughts of intimacy ran rampant through his mind, preventing sleep. Outside, the moon landed on the stream and casted reflections on the trees and the house. If he closed his eyes he could almost visualize his family home… his mother and father embracing as they watched him play with a new toy. They had tilled the garden, worked the flower bed, cleaned the house, and performed every action together.

  Boards creaked as Cora dropped down to sit cross-legged beside him on the floor. He didn't turn his head to face her and she patted his knee. He released a breath.

  "Couldn't sleep?" he asked as he faced her.

  "No. I forgot how hot the nights are here."

  "Hmm."

  "How about you? I know you aren't comfortable on the floor but is something else bothering you?"

  He shook his head. She squeezed his hand, but didn't ask any more questions.

  He rose to his feet and guided her to the porch. Humidity surrounded them. They stood there holding hands until the buzzing of mosquitoes pushed them back inside. Then they fell over the threshold and into the front room in a fit of laughter.

  "I think they were out for blood!" said Cora, which drew more peals of merriment.

  When they stopped laughing Frederic had his arms wrapped around her waist. She moved a long strand of hair from her face and one corner of her lips twitched upward.

  "We're going to be worthless in the morning," she said.

  "True."

  She ran a finger over his chest and he inhaled swiftly. "I'm not really that sleepy."

  "Neither am I."

  "What do you think we should do to kill time until morning?" she asked, with a wink.

  Frederic gulped. Her innocent flirtation sent his heart rate soaring. The words sounded like an open invitation to love her, but he knew she meant otherwise. He backed away and her brows drew together with disappointment.

  "I think we should lie down and attempt to sleep."

  "Why? Tomorrow Amelia will come and bring gowns for me to try on, and then we'll have to wait another full day before the party. This is ridiculous. I should have told her I wanted to go to the big house now. Then at least you would have a better bed and we could have been away from so many trees where the breeze might have blown."

  "Whose cabin is this?" he asked, attempting to change the subject.

  She settled on a straight back chair, crossed her legs, and fanned herself with her hand. "It belonged to one of the original settlers to the land. I think my mother and father stayed here while the plantation house was under construction and of course like I said earlier we use it when family visits."

  "Ah, so the bed belonged to your parents?"

  "Probably," she said, shifting uncomfortably.

  He pulled a chair next to her and sat down, cradling his head. "I've decided to stay for the party."

  "Oh, good. If you didn't stay I would probably be paired with Priscilla's brother." She shivered, and continued, "Or maybe even some elderly gentleman from town."

  "Will it be hard for you?"

  She sighed. "Yes. I mean they have no idea what I've gone through. That my money was tight and that I worked multiple jobs. Amelia and most of my family thought I was somewhere close by."

  "Ah, so they really have no idea what you've been up to?"

  "No, they don't."

  "So how do you plan to explain me to everyone? How did we meet again? Why am I here?"

  She frowned. "Good question. I have no idea. You're good at lying and making up stories to fit the situation. What do you suggestion?"

  He flinched at her description but he couldn't deny what she said. He'd made his living by making up lies and then living them out. However he didn't believe Henri Beaumont, Cora's father, would be so easily fooled. Frederic had spoken to him during the search for Miles Jones and Henri knew he was a lawman.

  "I could say I arrested you," he said, attempting a joke.

  She picked up a blanket from the floor and threw it at him. He raised his hands in defense. "Mercy," he yelled, which started them laughing again.

  "Be serious, Frederic. I can't tell them that or anything that even resembles the truth. If I ever want to leave home again, they have to believe I can make it without being harmed."

  "So you don't want to stay here? You still want to leave?"

  She played with the folds of her gown. "I don't know. For a long time I thought I wanted to be away from home, away from my family, but when I lived in New York City and I didn't have any money to eat on, to liv
e on, and I had to resort to pretending I was a boy to get money, I started to wonder. I guess it wouldn't be so bad to stay home, if, if I didn't have to marry one of the boys around here."

  He laughed. "So that is what this is all about? You don't want to marry someone from here?"

  "Pretty much," she said, a smile lifting her lips.

  "Then I think I have a solution."

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  A carriage waited outside the tiny cabin. Millie, Stephen, and their seven-year-old twins had arrived the day before. All six of them in the cabin had been an experience Cora never wanted to repeat.

  Up and dressed, they prepared to climb into the carriage and ride to the Beaumont Estate. The party was set to begin at one and Cora and Millie were to arrive together as the grand surprise.

  "I wish Amelia would have given us more time. If she only knew how long it takes to get Nathan and Natalie prepared for one of these events then she wouldn't have started so early."

  Cora cocked a brow. "I'm pretty sure Amelia understands. Doesn't she have like six boys now or something?"

  "Please…" Millie frowned. "Don't remind me of my failure."

  "What? I wasn't–"

  Stephen placed his arm around Millie's shoulder and shook his head. He whispered in her ear and her features relaxed.

  Frederic appeared behind her and drew her outside. She sighed. "Thanks for the rescue."

  "How do you know I was–"

  "Because you are always listening, and I know you sent Stephen to talk to her."

  He shrugged. "Glad I could help. Speaking of helping, why don't we get inside the carriage? I'm sure they won't be that much longer and that way we can go ahead and pick our seats."

  "Good idea. Just let me grab my–"

  "Cloak?" he asked, holding it up.

  She grinned widely and turned around so he could place it across her back. "Thank you."

  "You're welcome." He held his arm forward. "Shall we, my lady?"

  She giggled. "We shall."

  They left the porch and settled inside the carriage. Under veiled lashes, Frederic stared at her then winked. Heat rushed to her cheeks and she said, "What? What is it? Do I have something on my face?"

  "Nothing, but your beauty," he said.

  Air whooshed from her and she started to reply, but the door opened and Nathan popped his head inside.

  "Momma said for us to get in. Is that all right?"

  Frederic answered, "Sure. Come on in."

  Nathan settled beside Frederic on the opposite bench and Natalie settled beside her. They chatted back and forth and Cora lost the moment to ask Frederic what kind of game he played.

  Soon Millie climbed inside and Stephen took his place in the driver's seat.

  "Does Stephen need any help?" asked Frederic, preparing to rise.

  "No, he said to just enjoy the peace while you can."

  "Ah, I see. He is enjoying the peace."

  Millie offered a slight smile. "I believe so, I hope you don't mind."

  "Of course not. I'm inside with three lovely ladies."

  Natalie giggled behind her hand, Millie twittered, and heat rushed to Cora's face all over again.

  Millie patted her folded hands. "You've got quite a charmer in this one. Where did you two meet?"

  Cora gulped. She couldn't remember if they'd discussed that detail or not. Did Millie know Frederic was a lawman? Amelia and her father did. Her head started to pound.

  Frederic replied, "I'm a lawman. Some thugs attempted to steal your sister's belongings, and I stopped them."

  "How romantic!" exclaimed Millie, clapping her hands.

  Cora sighed with relief. Frederic had told the story well. Now, if she could just remember the rest of it.

  "So a thief tried to hurt Auntie Cora?" asked Nathan, leaning forward.

  "Not exactly," said Cora looking to Frederic to fill in the gaps.

  "It's a long story. Maybe I can tell you another time," he said, pointedly staring at Nathan.

  "Sure," the boy answered, a grin splitting his childish face.

  Millie patted Nathan's leg and they held on as the carriage jerked into motion. They reached the plantation house in record time.

  Well-manicured gardens sported multicolored butterflies, hummingbirds, and squirrels hopping merrily from tree to tree. Spanish moss created a veil. Trimmed hedges, cut into geometric shapes, gave the illusion of an extended entrance.

  "Nothing's changed," sighed Millie.

  "I know," agreed Cora, her eyes welled with tears. Everything appeared exactly as it had when she'd left. How could so much have changed in her life, yet this place still remain the same?

  Stephen stopped in front of the house. Nathan pushed open the door and tumbled out, stood quickly, and dusted off his breeches even as Millie admonished his actions. The rest of the carriage riders exited.

  Charles waited on the porch. A smile covered his face as he greeted them. He hugged Stephen and Millie, stopped and then hugged Cora and shook Frederic's hand. Nathan and Natalie grabbed his legs and squeezed.

  "I'm so glad you all could make it. Amelia is inside making the final preparations. Isaac has Henri and Alice on a picnic."

  As Charles spoke, Amelia burst through the door and the hugs began all over again. She frowned when she reached Frederic but she hugged him anyway. Finished, she ushered them inside and up the stairs.

  "In your rooms you'll find your costumes. Sorry I couldn't do it earlier. I just haven't had the time to run them to the cabin. Isaac taking Mother and Father on a picnic was Charles' ingenious plan."

  Cora and Millie listened and nodded. Amelia took them each to their old suite of rooms. Frederic followed at the back of the crowd and looked on in awkward silence as Stephen, Millie, and their children entered Millie's room and Cora started to enter her own.

  He cleared his throat and Cora asked, "Where does Frederic need to go?"

  Amelia gnawed on her lip. "Well, I-I don't know. I found him a costume, but I don't have an extra room to put him in."

  "I can go to the barn," offered Frederic.

  Cora said, "We can take turns using my room."

  "But–" Amelia began, her face blossoming with a deep shade of red.

  Shooting her sister a fierce scowl, Cora interrupted. "We'll take turns changing and when we finish we'll hide in my room until you tell us it is time to go downstairs."

  Amelia hesitantly agreed and left.

  "You go first," said Frederic as he settled on a red velvet settee and crossed his legs at the ankles.

  Cora planted a kiss on his cheek, winked, and skipped into her old room.

  Chapter Thirty

  Frederic heart beat so loud he could hear it in his ears as he waited patiently for Cora to dress. The sound of the door opening startled him and he lifted his head to witness the most beautiful creation he had ever seen.

  Arrayed in a dark red dress with an empire waist and lace edging, Cora floated into the hallway. She'd piled her hair high on her head, yet a few tendrils had escaped and lay against the nape of her neck. She twirled.

  "What do you think?" she asked, with a majestic smile on her face.

  "I think that I can't breathe."

  A red hue, that matched her gown, covered her face. "I know you jest."

  "Nay, I do not." Cora truly was a vision of loveliness. He never wanted to take his eyes from her.

  She gulped and lifted her hand. "Why don't you go in and dress? I'll wait for you here and you can tell me when you've finished."

  Already he had to break his pact. He pushed off the settee and sauntered into her room. The first thing that struck him was the decidedly feminine quarters. From the pale yellow curtains to the pale pink bed covering, the entire room consisted of a spring variety. He could visualize her lying on the bed and studying the ceiling, or sitting at her desk and staring through the window into the gardens below.

  On the bed lay his costume, a pair of tweed breeches, a white button-up shirt,
and an overcoat with tails. There was even a wig, for which he was most grateful. He didn't want to spoil the party because of who he had been to this family.

  Dressed, minus the wig, he opened the door. "You can come in."

  Cora entered and covered her mouth.

  "Are you laughing at me?"

  "Why, yes, I am. I don't think I've ever seen you so dressed up before."

  "I'll have you know that I dress like this quite often."

  "If you say so," she said shrugging her shoulders and turning her back to him.

  He came behind her and placed his chin on her exposed shoulder. She shivered as he blew on her neck. "I do."

  She moved out of range and faced him. "Umm, yes, of course. Oh, at the party tonight you might want to stay close to me."

  He said, "Those were my thoughts exactly."

  "Uh, yes, well, the reason is that there will be several unmarried females in attendance, and I know you want to return to New York, so it would be better for you not to get involved. For instance, if you made any advances toward Priscilla then trust me when I say, within a day's time you would be experiencing a shotgun wedding. And…"

  The words faded to the back of his consciousness as he focused on her every movement. The way her hands floated through the air, the way her lush red lips moved as she spoke, the graceful way she paced, everything she did was special.

  "Frederic, are you listening to me?"

  "Uh-huh."

  "I think you're lying. You haven't heard a word I said."

  He moved in closer and brought her hand to his lips.

  She didn't pull away but said, "What are you doing?"

  "I'm kissing your hand."

  "I know that, but why?"

  "Because your skin is as smooth as a newborn baby's flesh."