Snow on Magnolias

by Hattie Mae

  As Rose sat at her desk trying desperately to finds words to make a story on the page she realized she had to end another part of her life before she started new. She had to confront her mother.

  The travel plans were set and as she flew away from the support of her dad and aunt she knew she would always be loved and that was a new beginning.

  When her mother answered the door she also knew this would be the last time she would enter this house.

  “Well, what have you done this time, Rose? Did you run out of welcome or money?”

  Her mother sat in a stiff white brocade chair, and arranged her silk caftan around her feet, such a difference from the small green chair that used to sit by her aunt’s window.

  Rose refused to sit. “I know this will surprise you mother, but neither my lack of welcome or money has brought me here today. I came to tell you that you don’t own me anymore.” Rose held her hand up to shush her mother and continued. “You see I don’t need to jump through hoops to please my real parent, my dad. He loves me no matter what. Oh and did you know he and Aunt Odelia are happily married now? So I just wanted you to know you don’t have to worry about me anymore, in fact you don’t have to think about me anymore. I now have a family. Without you.” Rose closed the door behind her and let the sadness lift from her shoulders.

  “Well, Rose, this is your new start. Make the most of it. You are a strong woman and you don’t need the woman that gave you life, and neither do you need a man. In time, you’ll even forget about Sam.” Under her breath she whispered, “Yeah right, if you live.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Two weeks had passed since Rose left. Odelia and Wilson made every excuse to go into town. The second planting would start soon. Lisa and Bea and Lizzy were getting by. Everyone was struggling to return to some kind of normalcy.

  Sam sat on the gallery next to Rose’s empty room. He still couldn’t share his room with Lisa. His arms still ached for Rose, and his heart still beat for her. It wouldn’t be fair to Lisa. He replayed all the times he and Rose had sat on this same gallery talking late into the night.

  His family use to share a lot of laughter, but he hadn’t heard that sound in weeks. A dark cloud hung over Annees Passee.

  Words that Preston spoke to him the day of the wedding still pulled at his mind. Was he making a mistake? Could he live the rest of his life a shell of a man?

  He heard a soft knock on his door. “Come in, it’s open.”

  Lisa walked in and was headed for the gallery, but Sam hurried inside. He couldn’t share that spot with Lisa either.

  “Is everything all right, Lisa?”

  “Fine, everything is fine. How about you, Sam, are you fine?”

  Sam took a deep breath and knew what he had to do. For this one time he had to do something for him.

  “No, I’m not. Please sit, we need to talk.”

  Lisa sat in the chair near the bed and he sat on his bed but immediately got up and started pacing.

  “Lisa, this is not going to work.”

  “Sam, I—.”

  “Wait let me finish, please. I’ve tried Lisa, but I can’t live a lie this time. We made a mistake once, we can’t make it again.” He stopped pacing and stared at Lisa’s perfect face, but what he longed for was a tiny mole just at the top of a lip. And a lots of red curls bouncing around that face. He needed Rose’s face.

  “I’m in love with Rose, and if she can’t be in my life I don’t know what I’ll do. She makes me feel whole, Lisa. I’m sorry. I don’t want to hurt you, but I can’t go on like this. I need Rose. Do you understand?”

  “Yes. I understand. I don’t love you either. I don’t think either one of us was ever in love with the other. We tried to make our lives into something we thought we both needed. I don’t belong here, Sam. I never was cut out to be a farmer’s wife. I’m not really cut out to be a full-time mother. I love the girls, but we don’t connect. You know.” Her face became animated. “I belong in the city. New York is my home. I need the noise, the action, and the excitement. Have I messed everything up by coming back?”

  Sam was on his knees in front of Lisa, holding her hands in his. “No, I think we both have been given a second chance. We will sit down and decide how we will share the girls and let them know how much we both love them and will never desert them. Tomorrow, we will see a lawyer about a divorce, is that too soon for you?”

  “Oh no, Sam. If I could be back in New York next week, I could save my lease on my loft. I was so afraid you wouldn’t let me see the girls if I ran away again, but I’m dying here. I want to show them New York. Take them to plays, to the museums, shopping. This will work, I know it will.” Lisa bent over and kissed Sam on the cheek.

  “I have a thousand things to do. I need to call my friends tonight. Thank you, Sam. And if truth be known, Rose is getting one heck of a man.”

  “If she’ll have me.”

  “Are you kidding, she has farmer’s wife written all over her.” Lisa laughed and floated out the room.

  Sam let out the breath he thought he had been holding since Rose left. “Wait for me, Rose. I’m coming.”

  Sam came to the table the next morning whistling. For the first time in a long time, he felt completely free. The sun would shine today.

  “What’s gotten into you?” Preston asked.

  “Nothing. Can’t a man whistle if he wants?”

  Lizzy and Bea watched as the brothers teased each other.

  Odelia came in from the kitchen carrying a plate full of biscuits. “What’s going on in here? Did I hear someone laugh? I thought we had all given that up.”

  “Papa’s happy,” Lizzy said.

  “Oh, did something happen?” Bea asked.

  “I have nothing to tell yet. Girls, your mom and I want to talk to you this afternoon, so don’t wander off. Lisa and I are going to town this morning, see you all later.” Sam planted a kiss on Lizzy’s head and on Bea’s then plopped one on Odelia’s cheek.

  Odelia and Preston looked at each other. Unspoken words passed between them.

  “Let’s go see the new calf. Wilson said he was going to wash her off today.” Bea pulled Lizzy away from the table and they rushed outside.

  Lisa and Sam bounced down the stairs and yelled their goodbyes.

  “I don’t like it, Preston. Something is not right. You don’t suppose the two of them have made up do you?”

  “No way. Do you think?”

  “Well something happened.”

  “Maybe he called Rose,” Preston offered.

  “No. I talked to her this morning. She’s putting up a good front, but the sadness is still in her voice.” Odelia puckered her lips and let out a held breath.

  “I don’t understand why love has to hurt so much.”

  “It won’t hurt me, sweet Odelia,” Preston teased.

  “Well, Preston LeBlanc. Do you have something to tell me?”

  “Not yet. I’m still working on something. I have to tell the others that we need to get our work done early so we can be here when the bomb hits.”

  Sam and Lisa made easy decisions and chatted like old friends on their way back to the plantation. “I want the girls to be all right about this. I can’t handle them being sad again.”

  “They won’t, Sam. Maybe this time they will have a mother that will be able to feel comfortable in her own skin and not so awkward with them. And they always have you and maybe Rose.”

  “What about you, Lisa? Do you have someone?”

  “Maybe. I just started seeing someone before I left. He’s a producer, and I think he is someone that I could really be interested in. He has the loft next to mine. We’ll see.”

  Bea and Lizzy looked so scared when Sam and Lisa sat down in front of them.

  “Okay, as always you can ask us any questions you want when we are through with our news. The very most important thing you both need to know is that we both love you very much,” Sam said, reaching out and taking their hands in his.


  “I have told both of you these past weeks that I moved to New York City when I left here. And I was very happy there, but I had a hole in my heart. That hole was the two of you. I missed you like crazy. But sometimes people can’t live in the country. Do you understand?”

  “Like the country mouse and the city mouse. You’re the city mouse and Papa’s the country mouse, like us. Right Papa?” Lizzy said.

  “Right pumpkin. But what—”

  “So what you are saying is that you are leaving again, right?” Bea interrupted.

  “That’s right baby, but this time it’s different. Your dad and I have made some plans. If they are all right with the two of you, you will live with your dad, but visit me in the city on arranged days and any other times you want. I’ll take you to the theater and shopping and a thousand other places. We’ll eat in fancy restaurants and walk on Broadway.” Lisa’s face was so excited that Lizzy got excited too.

  “We can be both city and country mice.” Lizzy squealed.

  “But will you keep your promises. Will you really come and get us to go stay with you in New York? Or will this be another lie?” Bea said.

  “Bea, watch what you say.” Sam warned.

  “It’s all right, Sam. Bea has asked a very good question. No, baby, I will not break this promise. You see I wanted you, but was afraid if I asked your dad after the way I just left last time, he would say no to all visitations. I was wrong. Your dad is a very understanding man. And we plan to work very hard together making sure no promises are ever broken again.”

  Bea shrugged her shoulders. “It’s okay then I guess. It might be kind of fun having two very different homes. And I’ve always wanted to see a Broadway show. When are you leaving?”

  “In a couple of days. But we will see each other at Thanksgiving. Your dad said he would fly you two up in time to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. That will give me enough time to get your room ready. I do love you girls. Are we all okay?”

  “Yes. We’re okay, right Bea?”

  “I think so. Will our room be next to yours?”

  “Yes, Bea, right next to mine. We’ll have fun you’ll see. I need to place a call to arrange my flight, I’ll see you at dinner.”

  “Any questions, girls?” Sam asked as he picked them both up and sat each of them on a knee.

  Lizzy looked around the room and whispered. “What about Miss Rose? Papa, can she come back when mom is gone?”

  “I don’t know pumpkin. Maybe.”

  “Mom really loves us now, dad?” Bea asked.

  “Yes, darling, she really does. Now if neither of you have any other questions, then go wash up for dinner.”

  When the parlor door opened people scattered in all directions.

  “Okay you guys, I know you were listing. Come ask your questions.”

  Preston, Rusty and Randy, Odelia and Wilson crept around the corner. Each with a sheepish look on their face.

  “We didn’t hear very much, just Lisa ranting about New York. What’s going on?” Rusty spoke up.

  The girls ran by giggling and Sam invited them all back into the parlor.

  “Lisa and I filed for divorce this morning. It is a combined decision and a friendly one. We have also decided on visitation rights on her behalf. We both admitted we made a mistake, and we don’t need to make another staying in a loveless marriage. So that is it in a nutshell. The girls are coping with the idea, and I think it is best for everyone. Everyone deserves to be happy including me.”

  Everyone was quiet, until Preston jumped up. “Hot damn, you’re going after little Rose aren’t you? “

  Sam grinned.

  “Sam? Are you going after Rose?” Odelia asked with wishful plea in her eyes.

  “I’m making plans. That’s all I have to say.”

  “What about the planting, Sam? You can’t wait that long, Rose will be headed for Colorado in two days.”

  “I got brothers that know this farm as well as I do. It’s time they take on some of the responsibility. If they think they are up to the job.”

  “We can all out work you any day, brother, and don’t you forget it,” Preston said in fun. He shook Sam’s hand and patted his back. “You’ve made me proud, Sam. Now bring her back to this family. Her family.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Rose returned from the walk that she took every afternoon. The sun was about to set on another wasted day. So far, she had not been able to write one word, and her appetite had not returned. But it was the lack of sleep that still bothered her the most. She tossed all night and then slept in the wee hours of the morning only to wake still exhausted.

  She opened the front door she never bothered to lock and put some water on the stove for tea. “What I wouldn’t do for one of Aunt Odelia’s cup of dark roast coffee about now.” she said.

  “Still talking to yourself, I see,” Sam said coming from the loft.

  “Gracious. Are you crazy? You scared me half to death.” Rose clutched her chest. Was she scared are just so glad to see him? She didn’t know.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I came for this, bebé.” With one swift move he held her in his arms and lowered his lips to hers. Pulling her as close as he could, holding on for dear life.

  They held on to each other, their lips melting into one until they both had to come up for air.

  “Stop, Sam. What are you doing? I can’t do this.”

  “It’s okay, my sweet, Rose. I choose you. Don’t you see you are the only one it can be? You are the one I love.”

  Rose’s legs gave out, maybe from the lack of food, exhaustion, or maybe from the hope she now felt. Sam caught her and carried her to the sofa.

  “Lisa and I filed for a divorce and she has returned to New York. And I’ve come to bring you home, if you’ll come. Please say you’ll come.”

  Rose began to shake and Sam pulled her to him again. This is where she belonged, in Sam’s arms. If he held her forever, it would not be long enough.

  “Are you sure, Sam? Because if you’re not I can’t bear to say goodbye again.”

  “I’m sure, Rose. I have never been more sure of anything in my life. You were the first girl I ever kissed and I want you to be the last girl I ever kiss.”

  Rose managed a smile, and then said through shaking lips, “I need to pack.”

  Sam kissed her slowly at first, making both of them groan. Rose allowed herself to let go, without fear of doing something wrong.

  A low whistle sounded in the background. Releasing Rose, Sam looked around the room. “What is that noise?”

  “The kettle!” Rose jumped off the bed and bounded over to the stove with Sam in pursuit. Turning off the stove, she turned and bumped into Sam.

  “You didn’t have to come with me.”

  “Yes I did. You are not getting out of my sight tonight. I don’t want to ever let you go again. Now let’s get that packing done. You have family waiting for you.”

  Rose cuddled up next to Sam’s side, his arm folded around her in the most natural way.

  Rose began to cry. All the built up wanting and sadness just erupted.

  Sam took her in his arms. “Aw, bebé I know I hurt you.”

  He started to let her go but she held him so tight. “Sam I’m not crying because you hurt me, but because you loved me, life has been so good to me, Sam. To find a man like you and to know that with you, I am enough.” Rose snuggled next to Sam and they talked and made plans.

  As Rose and Sam walked out of Trudy’s front door they were holding hands. They almost ran right into the Mouton sisters who gave both of them a once over and Mavis even winked before they strolled off down the street.

  “Well it looks like we will be front page news in the Mouton express today,” Sam said. “Let’s go home.”

  Sam turned the wheel and his truck drove onto the road leading to the plantation she let out a sigh.

  “We’re home. Are you happy?” Sam asked.

  “You bet I am. Do
you think everyone will be here? I can’t wait to see the girls. You said they were all right about me coming back, right?”

  “Are you kidding, they can’t wait. They missed you, Rose, we all did. But I don’t know if everyone will be here.”

  They pulled up in front of the house but no one came to meet them. Rose was disappointed.

  Sam held the door open for her and she entered the house she had so grown to love that summer.

  “Where is everyone? It’s never this quiet?” Rose asked.

  “Maybe they are in here.” Sam led her into the parlor.

  Rose gasped. In the middle of the room stood the biggest Christmas tree she had ever seen. All decked out with decorations and lights.

  “Sam what is this?”

  Sam turned on the lights in the room and everyone came out of hiding. Lizzy and Bea ran into Rose’s arms. Her beloved Aunt Odelia stood in the arms of Rose’s dad, Wilson. And all of the boys, Lewis, Preston, Rusty and Randy grinned through moist eyes. Susan and Penny walked in behind Trudy.

  “Welcome home,” They all said in unison.

  “The tree was Preston and the girls’ idea. They said you never had a Christmas tree or a real family and we all thought it was time you had both,” Sam said as he handed her a box wrapped in red paper tied in a gold bow.

  Rose sat on the sofa with the girls on either side. “Don’t worry, it’s not one of those pretty dolls,” Lizzy said.

  Rose opened the box and removed a snow globe with a family inside, all smiling, all in front of a big house.

  “Look on the bottom.” Sam said.

  A ring was stuck to the bottom. Sam helped her remove it and got down on his knee in front of her.

  “Rose, if you will have me, and all of them,” he gestured to his family, “I will take a lifetime giving you your happily ever after.”

  Rose looked at each member of Sam’s family, a family that had been her family all summer, and smiled.

  “Sam, you have already given me my happily ever after. Yes, yes, yes.”