Hearts Aglow

by Tracie Peterson

  “Certainly,” Zed replied. “It would be my honor.”

  G.W. excused himself, closing the office door behind him, while Zed went to get the ice and tea. Euphanel waited until he’d returned and she’d taken a sip of the tea before picking up the conversation. “This is quite good. Thank you so much. Now, I suppose you’re wondering as to why we’ve come.”

  “I was rather curious,” the older man admitted.

  “It’s been over five months since we lost George and David. In that time, no one has come forward to speak on the matter or offer any witness or hearsay on who the culprits might be. In my deep frustration over this matter, I’ve decided to offer a reward for information.”

  “Now, Miz Vandermark, I don’t know as that’s a good idea.”

  “Zed Perkins, you have had this matter in hand for all this time. I see no other ideas being shared or suggested.” Euphanel’s temper began to flare. “If this had been the murder of white men, the man or men would have been caught and hanged by now.”

  “Look, I know the unfairness of it all,” Zed began. He hooked his thumbs in his vest pockets, which only served to draw attention to his pudgy midsection. “We have sought the murderers. We’ve asked questions of the law officials in the surrounding counties. Every county has had some sort of trouble from the White Hand of God, but no one seems to know who the men are or what they’re planning next.”

  “Then our community is truly at the mercy of killers? This happened just after the war, and good men refused to sit still for it. It’s a sin, and you know it. If we don’t take a stand again, it will only continue. Money always loosens tongues with these sorts. I’ll stake a twenty-dollar reward for information that leads to the capture of these men.”

  Zed frowned. He paced back and forth a moment, then finally took a seat behind his desk. “Miz Vandermark, I wish you wouldn’t. I fear it will only stir up problems.”

  “Problems?”

  He nodded and continued. “You go wavin’ around that kind of money – especially in a company town – and there’s going to be trouble. Folks will be inclined to lie about what they know.”

  “That’s why the money is contingent upon the men being caught. If the information doesn’t lead to such an arrest, the informant will not be paid.”

  “That’s all well and good, Miz Vandermark, but the men who call themselves the White Hand of God are smart. They ain’t been caught yet, and they’ve been practicin’ their misdeeds for some time.”

  “And that is a good reason for moving forward instead of doing nothing,” she insisted.

  Zed scratched his cheek. “I think it will only bring more danger to our community.”

  Euphanel looked at him oddly. “How so?”

  “Well, like I said, those fellas appear to be smart. What’s to stop one of them from bearin’ false witness – setting up a situation so it looks like an innocent man is to blame?”

  That possibility had never occurred to Euphanel. “Well, there would have to be evidence.”

  “But don’t you see? Who better to give evidence – or worse still, hide evidence – to support their claim? It would be simple enough for the White Hand of God to do something that underhanded and then the wrong person will hang.”

  “Ain’t no white man gonna hang for killin’ a black man, anyhow,” Sissy muttered. “Miz Euphanel, this were a mistake.”

  Turning to Sissy, Euphanel shook her head. “It’s not a mistake – or a lost cause. There has to be something we can do.”

  Zed got up and came back around. “We are keepin’ our ears and eyes open to the matter, but frankly, I think you need to accept that we most likely won’t ever know the truth of who killed those men.”

  A knock sounded from behind them. Euphanel turned to see a well-dressed man standing at the open door. “Pardon me if I’m interrupting.”

  “Mr. Longstreet, we were just concluding our discussion,” Zed replied, looking quite relieved.

  Euphanel got to her feet and Sissy did likewise. “Mr. Longstreet, you must be Jael’s father.”

  He smiled and gave a bow. “I am indeed, but you have me at a disadvantage.”

  “I’m Euphanel Vandermark. Deborah’s mother.”

  “Mrs. Vandermark, it is a pleasure.” He once again bowed. When he glanced back up, Euphanel felt as though he were assessing her from head to toe. His study caused her cheeks to grow hot.

  “I hope you will do us the honor of joining us for dinner this evening. Zed, you and Rachel are invited to come, as well.”

  “It’s a rarity when I pass up one of your meals, Miz Vander-mark,” Zed replied. “We’ll be happy to join you and will bring Mr.Longstreet. If that agrees with him.”

  Mr. Longstreet gave his hat a twist. “I’d be honored to share the company of such a beautiful woman.”

  Euphanel didn’t know quite how to respond. She looked at Sissy and then Zed. “Well, I will expect all of you this evening around seven. Hopefully the house will have cooled somewhat by then.”

  “We’ll be there,” Zed told her.

  Longstreet’s grin danced all the way up to his cocoa brown eyes. “I will count the hours until then,” he said in a husky voice.

  Although the office was roasting in the July heat, Euphanel actually felt a chill climb her spine. The man was dashing and charming, unlike most anyone she’d ever met. She felt like a silly schoolgirl again.

  “Let’s be on our way, then, Sissy,” she said, fighting her feelings of confusion.

  “I’ll walk you to the commissary as I promised.” Zed motioned to Mr. Longstreet. “Please have a seat, and I’ll be right with you.”

  As they crossed the street to the commissary, Euphanel dismissed Zed and took Sissy’s arm. “Goodness, but it’s a hot day.”

  “Ain’t jes’ the day what got heat in it,” Sissy replied. “That Mr. Longstreet done put off his own sparks.”

  Euphanel looked at her friend in surprise. “I thought I was imagining that.”

  “No, ma’am. It were like the devil hisself offering Eve the apple.” She smiled. “Best be warned – we know what done happened to Eve.”

  “We certainly do.”

  CHAPTER 17

  Mother’s announcement that their supper would include Christopher gave Deborah a reason to give special attention to her appearance. She decided to dress carefully in a beautiful gown lent her by Jael. Garner’s extra fine sateen flowed in a regal waterfall over the small collapsible bustle Deborah had chosen.

  “It’s really designed for the larger bustles,” Jael had told her, “but I think this looks just fine – it lays surprisingly well.”

  Giving a turn, Deborah praised the moderately low-cut gown. “I haven’t worn anything this grand since Philadelphia.” She gently fingered one of the lavender ruffles that had been trimmed in peacock blue. All of this had been set atop a white sateen foundation. “I’m also glad it has the shorter sleeves. I would surely have fainted from the heat if they were long.”

  Jael laughed. “I suppose the heat is something I shall have to get used to if we move to Texas. Of course, Philadelphia can be quite stifling. Father always had us go to Newport during the heat of the summer. I don’t suppose he’ll do likewise if we move here.”

  “That would be quite an expensive venture,” Deborah said, still studying her profile in the mirror. “This makes me look so thin. I hope Mother won’t be worried.”

  “And that’s without having to even cinch up your corset very tightly.” Jael assessed her friend. “You look beautiful, Deborah. Now come here so I can put the final pins in your hair. The curls we gave you are going to look lovely once we get them arranged.”

  Half an hour later Deborah walked into the front parlor. The men got to their feet, and Christopher gazed at her as if seeing her for the first time.

  “Got yourself all gussied up, I see,” Rob declared.

  “You’re gonna make the rest of us feel a bit shoddy,” G.W. said, then noted his wife’s transfo
rmation and nodded toward her. “ ’Cept for Lizzie, of course, and Miss . . . Mrs. Albright.” The name came slowly, but nevertheless was acknowledged.

  “Jael and Lizzie never look shoddy,” Deborah declared. “Jael let me borrow this gown, and I must say, it feels quite wondrous. The material isn’t as heavy as I thought it might be.”

  “It’s the height of fashion,” Jael commented. “I had it made not long before coming to Texas.”

  “It’s quite grand,” G.W. replied, “but probably a bit too formal for pickin’ beans.”

  Jael seemed to think about this for a moment, then nodded. “But perhaps not too out of place for tomatoes.”

  The men chuckled just as Mother entered the room. “Supper is ready. If we are all assembled, I suggest we make our way to the dining room.” She glanced at Deborah. “Goodness, but you girls look exquisite this evening. If I’d known, I would have gussied up a bit.” She put a hand to her hair. The long braided coil suited her well.

  “You are always beautiful, Mother,” Deborah said, leaning over to give her a kiss on the cheek. “It is we three who aspire to reflect your gracious beauty.”

  Mother shook her head. “Flattery is the mouthpiece of the devil.” She smiled and gave Deborah a kiss in return. “Now come along before everything gets cold.”

  “That’ll be the day,” Rob said with a hint of humor in his tone. “It’s been hot enough to melt metal; I doubt the food will cool off even hours from now.”

  Mr. Longstreet hurried to Mother’s side and offered his arm. “If I might be so fortunate, may I escort you?”

  Mother looked rather shocked, but nodded. Deborah quickly caught sight of Uncle Arjan’s frown. G.W. escorted Lizzie, while Mr. Perkins brought in his wife. Rob graciously offered his arm to Jael. Deborah stood, waiting for Christopher to offer to do the same for her, but he seemed strangely distant – almost disinterested.

  “You’d better grab that little gal’s arm before I do,” Arjan told him.

  Christopher seemed to snap out of his fog at this. “I do apologize. My mind was clearly elsewhere.”

  Arjan passed by him and spoke in a whisper loud enough for Deborah to hear. “Hard to believe with a gal lookin’ that fetchin’ that your mind would be anywhere but on her.” He threw Deborah a wink, then made his way out of the room.

  “You are quite lovely. I was completely taken aback. I’ve never seen you gowned quite this grand.”

  Deborah smiled. “I wanted to show you that I clean up good.”

  “That you do, Miss Vandermark.” He came closer and offered her his arm. “Please allow me to escort you to supper.”

  She grasped the crook of his elbow and nodded. “I would like that very much, Dr. Clayton.”

  Deborah took her seat and suppressed a frown. Mr. Longstreet only had eyes for her mother, and it didn’t bode well with Deborah. She had long been thinking on seeing her uncle and mother married. Now Mr. Longstreet’s arrival was disturbing her plans.

  Throughout the meal, Deborah could see that Uncle Arjan was also quite unhappy with Mr. Longstreet’s focused attention. By the time dessert arrived and praises were sung for her mother’s pecan pies, Uncle Arjan looked like he’d been sucking on a sour persimmon. Frankly, it made Deborah want to giggle. Her uncle must be in love to act in such a manner. Perhaps the arrival of another potential suitor would stimulate him to action.

  “I am astonished to hear you say that you made this supper yourself,” Mr. Longstreet told Mother. “At home, I have a staff of five in my kitchen who do not manage to turn out such delicious food.”

  “I had help. I have such a wondrous group of women in this house, and each is equally talented. We all had a hand in the creation of this meal.”

  “Well, not so much me,” Lizzie added. “I was busy most of the time with the babies.”

  “I’m amazed that you don’t have a full-time cook . . . and a nanny,” Longstreet replied. “Such lovely ladies deserve to have help.” He looked at Arjan and added, “Wouldn’t you agree?”

  “Euphanel’s always had whatever she wanted – or needed,” Uncle Arjan stated firmly.

  “That’s right,” Mother agreed. “I’ve always wanted to tend my own home. And Sissy has been here to help. We hired her on long ago and since she’s such a dear friend, she’s now come to live with us after the death of her husband and son.”

  “I understand you’re a widow, Mrs. Vandermark. I myself am a widower. Jael’s mother passed on many years ago.”

  “And you never remarried?” G.W. asked.

  He gave Mother a devilish grin. “I haven’t yet found the right woman. Perhaps all of that will change with my move to Texas. I am coming to greatly appreciate Southern ladies.”

  “So you’re for sure movin’ here?” G.W. asked.

  Deborah wondered if everyone could feel the tension as much as she did. She pretended to focus on the pie, but found it nearly impossible. She had a very quiet and distant Christopher on one side and her blushing mother on the other. At the head of the table, her uncle sat scowling, and beside him, the ever-flirtatious Mr. Longstreet. It hardly mattered where anyone else sat. At the moment, there was a sense of foreboding that things might not turn out well – especially for the latter three.

  “I wonder if I might impose upon you for a tour of your property?” Jael’s father asked Mother. “I realize it’s growing dusky, so we could limit it to the area here around the house. I would love to hear why you chose this land to settle on.”

  “The boys and I would be happy to walk you around and tell you everything,” Arjan said, getting to his feet. “Wouldn’t we?” He looked to G.W. and Rob, who nodded in agreement.

  “There you are,” Mother said as she, too, pushed away from the table. “That will give me time to put things here in order. Deborah, I suggest you and Dr. Clayton enjoy the evening air, as well.”

  “I’m happy to change my gown and help you, Mother.”

  “Nonsense,” Jael said quickly. “I will help your mother. Now go.” She smiled knowingly at Deborah.

  Deborah looked to Christopher. “Would you care to take a stroll with me?”

  “I would,” he said, helping her from the chair.

  They made their way outside, pausing on the porch to enjoy the cool of the evening. It was still warm enough that Deborah had no need of a wrap. “Do you suppose we could just sit on the porch swing? I’d hate to get the hem of this gown dirty.”

  “Suits me,” he said. “I rather like sitting beside you. I could detect your lovely perfume throughout the meal. It was intriguing.”

  “It belongs to Jael,” she said, strolling across the porch. “Perfume seems like a senseless novelty for my life. Sateen gowns are much the same. I’m only put together tonight because of her help and mercy.”

  He helped her to sit on the porch swing, but looked at her oddly. “That bustle is a wonder.”

  She giggled. “Christopher, you are the most outspoken man. It collapses – if you were wondering. Now come join me.”

  He did as she commanded, but Deborah couldn’t help but feel there was something pressing on his heart. “You’ve been very quiet all evening. Please tell me what’s wrong.”

  “I didn’t say anything was wrong.” Bullfrogs and cicadas began a natural symphony of sounds.

  “Maybe not in so many words.” Deborah eyed him. “But I see it in your expression and feel it in your absence.”

  “Absence? I’ve been beside you all evening.”

  “Maybe in body, but not in mind.” She took hold of his hand. “Christopher, what is it? More family trouble?”

  He let go a sigh. “One of my brothers. I’m not yet sure what the trouble is, but my mother is worried. I suppose I shall know in due time.”

  “I am sorry. I know how hard it is when your loved ones are struggling.”

  Christopher put his hand atop hers and smiled. “You are always quite understanding. I like that about you, Miss Vandermark.”

  “Why,
Dr. Clayton, are you paying me a compliment?”

  He looked surprised. “I do so all the time, and well you know it. Do I not admire your ease in learning and retaining medical information? Haven’t I spoken of how much I enjoy your company?” He paused. “Not to mention how beautiful you are. Though I might have a few criticisms on a profession level, of course.”

  “Of course,” she said with a hint of laughter.

  Across the yard, she could see her brothers and uncle showing Mr. Longstreet the chicken coop. “It would appear Mr. Longstreet is rather captivated by my mother.”

  “I think it goes without saying.”

  “I thought Uncle Arjan might well get up and punch the man square in the nose. But maybe it’s good that Mr. Longstreet has arrived. After all, if my uncle loves my mother and wants to marry her, it’s about time he spoke up.”

  “What?” Christopher looked at her as if she’d suggested someone commit murder.

  Deborah put her hand to her mouth almost immediately. She hadn’t meant to speak the latter part aloud. She shook her head and lowered her hands. “Oh, goodness gracious, I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  “Well, you have now, so you might as well come clean. What’s this about your uncle and your mother?” he whispered.

  “Mother believes he’s in love with her – at least that’s what others have suggested to her.”

  “And why would anyone make that presumption?”

  Deborah looked over her shoulder and lowered her voice even more. “Mother said that it was because Uncle Arjan has never married and yet has always stayed close to take care of her. Then it also has to do with the way he looks at her.”

  “But he’s said nothing?”

  “Not yet,” Deborah replied. “But after tonight, it may come sooner than later.” She smiled. “It would be wonderful to see my mother happily married again. Then I’d know she had someone to take care of her no matter what – someone to love her.”

  Christopher said nothing for several minutes, causing Deborah to look at him. “Did I say something wrong?”

  He shook his head. “I was just thinking about how much I’d like that for my mother. I keep thinking my other siblings will come to her aid, and yet they don’t. My sisters obviously have little say – the ones who are married must do as their husbands wish, the others are too young. My brothers who are old enough and making their own way in the world know how bad the situation is, yet they do nothing but cause grief.” He blew out a heavy breath. “I just don’t know where it’s all headed.”