by Hattie Mae
“I saw your light. Want to sit on the gallery? I’m too keyed up to sleep.”
His hair was damp and tousled from a recent shower, he wore jeans with no shirt, and his feet were bare. He never looked better. A slow grin picked at his lips, but quickly disappeared with a frown.
“If you’re too tired, I understand.” He turned to walk away.
“Wait, Sam, let me throw on a robe. I’m not sleepy, either.”
The night was unusually cool for the summer, and a faint fragrance of fresh earth drifted on the breeze. The moon darted in and out of the clouds, giving a mystic feel to the night. They sat in rockers and silently enjoyed each other’s company.
“We had a good day. This crop is going to yield more than I thought. I think it will surpass last year’s. Each year is different. You worry that you’ll get too much rain, or too little. You worry if the price for rice will be enough to make up your cost. I can’t tell you how great it feels to see all the hard work you did pay off. You know?”
“Yes, I do. I feel the same after I complete a book from start to finish and see it on the shelves in a bookstore. Each book holds a piece of me in it, and it makes me proud when a reader tells me that it made a difference in her life. Some of them I’ve worked on for a year or more.”
Sam stilled the rocker, rested his hands on his legs. “I had no idea Rose. I guess I never thought about the work that went into writing a book. You really hear from people that buy your book?”
“Yes. I’m just starting to build up a readership. That’s why this book is so important, to keep up the momentum. Not all are good comments, but most are. And sometimes I get that rare one that touches my heart.”
“Huh,” Sam grunted.
Sitting beside Sam and listening to him talk about his day was a dream come true to Rose. This is what I hoped a relationship would be. Sharing. And even without saying a word, enjoying his company.
“If the rest of the harvest goes like this one, we’ll finish in record time. Then it will be time to plan the harvest dance. It will be over before you know it Rose.”
They returned to their silence. Rose tucked her feet under her robe and folded her arms across her chest. Yes, it would soon be over. What would she do then? Find a place to live nearby? Or relocate to a new place? The thought of leaving her new friends and family made her sad. A chill washed over her.
“Are you cold?”
“What? No, not really. Just thinking. It’s about time I make plans for where I’ll go after you don’t need me for the girls. My book is almost finished, and I need to find a place to settle.” Rose stood from her chair and started to her door. “I think I’ll turn in, another big day tomorrow.”
“Rose, wait.” Sam put his hand on her arm. “You could stay.”
“No, I’m tired. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I mean after the harvest. You don’t have to rush off somewhere,” he said, his voice husky. “Stay.”
His fingers gently rubbed her arm. He raised his eyes to hers. Searching. As if in slow motion, he drew her into his arms and lowered his lips to hers. This time, he took her lips slowly, softly nibbling at her bottom lip then moving to cover both. His mouth seemed to have a mind of its own caressing, nibbling, and sucking hers, while his arms held her close. So close she couldn’t tell which heart beat was hers.
Rose tried to breath, to move, to think. But was afraid to do anything. “I’m yours Sam.” She wanted to yell, but she was lost to his wonderful lips.
As fast as it started it stopped. Sam held her at arm’s length. Their breaths came in short spurts. “What am I doing? You make me crazy. You know that? I think we both better turn in before we both do something we would be sorry for in the morning. Night, Rose.”
Rose felt her swollen lips and blinked back tears as she stumbled into her room.
I make you crazy, Sam? What do you think you do to me? She wanted to scream. I don’t have to put up with this. I won’t put up with this.
Rose marched out her door and found Sam leaning against the railing of the gallery. Storming up to him, she poked her finger in his chest.
“Don’t toy with me Sam. You make up your mind about your feelings and let me know if they’re positive or negative. I will not, you hear me, not be put through another emotional relationship and be left out in the cold.”
Sam opened his mouth to speak, but was silenced with Rose’s glare.
“Not a word. Not tonight. Remember what I said. Either you want me as I am or you don’t. There is nothing in between.”
Rose hurried into her room on shaky legs, locked her door, crawled under the quilt and turned out the light.
Men. A sense of satisfaction settled on Rose. Let him stew on that a while.
Sam knew he had to sleep or tomorrow would be a killer, but try as he might he couldn’t shake Rose’s words. What were his feelings for her? It had been two years, no, longer, since he had a woman to love. Lisa had turned away from him awhile before she left, claiming one ailment after another, and he had been too hurt to trust another woman. And his girls consumed a lot of his time after Lisa left. Did he even have the time to pursue a relationship?
Sam got out of bed and took the few steps to the bathroom down the hall. He hesitated at Rose’s door. Are you asleep, Rose? I have to sort things out about you, heaven knows you deserve better, but now is not the time. He would wait until after the harvest, his mind would be clearer then, and maybe he would know what the heck was going on with his body.
His desire was never to hurt her. He knew she’d been through enough, but that was exactly what was happening. I’ll have to control myself that’s all.
The word desire flashed across his mind once again, along with the sweet smell of her still on him, and the feel of those soft, giving lips, still lingered on his.
Sam let out a low growl and covered his head with his pillow. “You drive me crazy Rose, completely, utterly crazy,” he said into his pillow.
The scowl on Sam’s face at breakfast told the tale of his sleepless night.
“What the heck happened to you, brother? You look like you snuck out and tied one on. You could at least ask us to go along,” Preston teased.
Sam raised his head and glared at Preston. “Mind your own business. Don’t mess with me today, I’m ...” Sam stopped in mid-sentence when Rose spun on her heals and disappeared out of the dining room. She wore a deep frown on her face, not her usual smile.
Did he look as sad or frustrated as she did? It appeared neither had gotten much sleep.
Rose came back to the table and retrieved her coffee cup, she was in desperate need of another cup of coffee.
She glanced over in time to see Preston give Randy a wink and a nod of his head in her direction. Tears burned the back of her eyes and she took her coffee outside and sat on the porch swing.
The early morning dew glistened on the grass and a calf bellowed in the distance, probably searching for its mom. The moss on the trees swayed to an unheard waltz, and the birds welcomed the morning with a song. This was life at its best without the bustle of everyone hurrying around with tasks to do. Just the sounds of the morning welcoming a new day filled with new promises.
The weight of someone as they sat on the swing next to her brought her back into focus.
Preston put his large hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry, little Rose. I sure didn’t mean to give you the impression I was making fun of you. I’m real sorry.”
“Preston, it’s okay. You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m just tired. Didn’t get enough sleep last night, that’s all. After a few more cups of this strong coffee I’ll be good as new.” She tried to display a reassuring smile but her lips wouldn’t cooperate.
“Well, you and I both know that’s not all that’s going on. If you need a strong shoulder to cry on, or someone to talk to, or hell if you need someone beat up, I’ll be happy to take care of that too.”
Preston reached over and gave Rose his customary bear hug, th
e kind any little girl could curl up in and feel protected. And the best part was she knew he meant every word he said. It was good to have him on her side.
“Thank you Preston, but this is something I need to work through things by myself. I have a lot of thinking to do, and quite a bit of planning. But thank you so much for caring. You and your family mean so much to me.”
“Don’t forget what I said, you’re family. And heck we are all attached to you. Even Sam. Especially Sam. He’s slow to catch on sometimes. Give him time.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
At the end of the first week of harvest, Rose was both proud and sad that she had succeeded in keeping her distance from Sam. He was as cross as a bear anyway. His brothers tried to tease him into a better mood to no avail. Lizzy and Bea were the only two that brought a smile to his lips.
Rose missed their late night talks on the gallery and the playful flirting during the meals. Most of all, she missed him. His smell, their stolen kisses, the feel of his arms around her were all still too real to her.
Alone in her room, she waited for sleep to come and when it didn’t she crept to the French doors and opened them just a crack. She peeked around the doorframe and saw the gallery was empty. Sam must be asleep. It was only when she heard voices coming from his room that she realized his door was open, she made haste to return to her room when the voices grew angry.
“Sam, I want to go to the police academy. I just don’t love rice farming the way you do. I feel I’m needed elsewhere.”
“I told you, Preston, I’m not keeping you here. You are free to go anytime, but you are chasing a dream. This is where you belong. Think man. Think about what all you have here. This is your dream, if you would just open your eyes, don’t you see?”
“This is not my dream, it’s yours. Just forget it. I’m going the day after the harvest dance, so get used to it. It’s not me leaving that has you so bent out of shape. We all know what’s bothering you, and if you’re not careful you are going to mess up big time.”
“Suit yourself. But you’re the one making the mistake, one huge mistake.”
Rose listened to the door close. She turned from her eavesdropping place and headed for her bedroom.
“Get an ear full, Rose?”
She swung around to face Sam, her heart pounding. The moon slid behind a cloud, and Sam’s face was shielded from view. She couldn’t see the anger in his eyes, but she could hear it in his voice.
“Sorry, Sam. I only overheard a little and was trying to escape to my room. Goodnight.”
“Oh, no you don’t. You wanted to know what my conversation was about, by all means sit and I’ll fill you in. It’s so much easier than sneaking around.”
Sam’s breath warmed her cheek as he stood closer. He smelled of fresh pine soap. She could almost feel his arms around her. If wishing were so, he would reach out and draw her to him. Could he hear her heart? What’s wrong with me, he’s done it again. Made her forget what she was truly feeling. She was mad, and he needed to know it.
“I don’t sneak, and I resent you implying such. Your voices were loud, so of course I heard some of your conversation. Enough to tell you I agree with Preston. Why do you insist on keeping everyone here under your thumb? Maybe Preston has his own dreams and they are not the same as yours. Maybe this place doesn’t hold the same attraction for him as it does for you. You can’t keep people here against their will, Sam.” She stepped inside her room. “Goodnight, Sam,” and closed the door and clicked the lock. How arrogant. She crawled into bed and tried to still her shaking shoulders by pulling the covers tighter around her.
I could just shake you Sam. No one frustrates me more. She turned over in bed and punched her pillow. “I just need a good night sleep,” she muttered. “That’s all I need.”
Except you, Sam, I need you.
The noon meal went off without a problem. Rose was impressed how organized Aunt Odelia was with each and every thing. The food was always the right temperature, the menu simple but tasty. She had come to love the flavors in the Cajun food. What a good Cajun cook could do with a roux was unbelievable.
“How do you know you’ve made a good roux Aunt Odelia? You never seem to measure anything.”
“Honey child, you can’t over plan a roux. You have to feel it, smooth under the weight of your hand. It takes a lot of attention and a willing heart. A good roux has to have good body and just the right amount of spice. Not too hot but hot enough.”
Laughter poured from Aunt Odelia. “Mercy, it sounds like I’m talking about a man don’t it?”
“Okay what did I miss? I went inside to make a phone call and returned to find both of you giggling like school girls,” Trudy said.
“Aunt Odelia made a comparison of a good roux to a good man. Very clever.” Rose winked at her aunt. “You should be the writer in the family, not me.”
Trudy pulled her hair back into the ponytail like the one she had worn earlier, giving her a softer look, almost child like. “I guess we don’t have much time to rest, what are we doing for supper?”
“Don’t worry about the time. Preston cooked barbecue chicken and ribs, and the salad, red beans and rice are already cooked. So let’s visit.”
Aunt Odelia stood to go inside. “I’ll make us a fresh pot of coffee and we can talk away the rest of the afternoon. I have something I want to tell you anyway.”
When the three women settled on the gallery, Odelia pulled a small crescent bloom out of her apron pocket. “Look what Tante Ina left me.” She held the bloom up and said, “Preston told me she likes to leave someone she likes a message, that they did something she liked or that something wonderful was about to happen to that person. So I’m waiting to maybe win the lottery.”
“Really,” Rose said. “So now I know why she left me two of those blooms after Penny was born.” She laughed. “So since I’m still short and not famous she must have approved of me helping Susan birth Penny.”
“Well I feel left out. Tante Ina’s never left me anything, maybe you have to be family.”
Then Trudy recanted a story of one of her clients in the funeral home causing another bout of laughter. Rose knew she would miss this friendship on a daily basis when she had to leave.
The three women’s laughter stopped as quickly as it started when they all saw a lone figure of a man walking down the road leading to the plantation.
“He must be someone lost or selling something.” But then Rose could see his limp and the way he carried his lean tall body. She opened her mouth to speak again, but the shattering of Aunt Odelia’s cup as it hit the porch silenced her.
“It’s him,” whispered Aunt Odelia. She put her hand over her heart and stood on visibly shaking legs. “Oh, dear Lord, it’s him.”
“What is it Odelia? Do you know that man?” Trudy asked.
“It’s Wilson. Don’t you see? He’s come back to me, it’s my Wilson.”
She took a deep breath and clutched her hands to still them from shaking then started the decent down the stairs.
The man walked a little faster, until his gate was almost a run. Rose wiped the flow of tears trailing down her face. “Please don’t let him hurt Aunt Odelia with his secrets, she whispered.”
The couple reached each other and fell into each other’s arms. Both sobbed quietly. For what seemed like hours they clung to each other then pulled apart both keeping their hands together. It was like watching an old movie when two lovers were about to be separated and held on to each other for dear life. Each was afraid to let go.
“You are still that beautiful woman I said goodbye to so long ago, you haven’t changed a bit.” Wilson said.
“Then you’ve lost some of your eyesight,” Odelia laughed through her tears.
“I wasn’t just looking at you with my eyes, Odelia. I was looking at you with my heart, and there you will never change. You will always be my sweet, beautiful Odelia.”
She released one of Wilson’s hands and reached up and caressed h
is face. No one existed in the world for the two old lovers except each other.
Wilson held on to Odelia leading her gently toward the porch where the two could sit.
Rose motioned to Trudy, and they slipped inside the screen door, neither ready to take their eyes off the miracle of true love. After all these years, the love between them could be seen all over their faces.
The women lingered at the door for a moment, then Rose shut the big wooden door leaving the two old friends to catch up on a lifetime.
“Fess up, Rose, you had a part in this didn’t you?” Trudy perched on the arm of the overstuffed sofa in the living room, her eyes bright with questions.
“I located him on the Internet, and when Sam went to Mississippi to buy that combine, I talked him in to taking me by Wilson’s house. Of course, I didn’t know at that time he was Aunt Odelia’s, Wilson. I didn’t think he would come, he said he wouldn’t, that the past needed to stay in the past. But I guess his loneliness caught up with him. He wouldn’t tell us why he never returned to Odelia, but it has something to do with his injury and my mother.” Rose tucked the stray curl behind her ear. “Can you believe it? If I find out my mother deliberately did something to keep these two apart I’ll never speak to her again.”
Rose curled up on the other end of the sofa facing Trudy. “Surely he’s mistaken, don’t you think?”
“I don’t know, people can do crazy things to each other. But he’s at fault, too, he never even answered her letters.”
“He didn’t know, Trudy. I brought him a couple of Aunt Odelia’s letters and he wept. They never got to him. He was in a hospital, and I guess someone in his unit sent all his mail back with an address unknown mark on them. It‘s all such a mystery. I don’t know how she kept her hope alive all these years.”
Trudy slid onto the couch and kicked off her shoes. “I think somewhere there is that kind of love for everyone, don’t you?”