Blues Along the River

by Sandra Robbins

  “There they are!” Mr. Perkins’s excited voice cut through Marcus’s thoughts.

  He glanced in the direction the store owner pointed and spotted two women standing at the railing of the deck. He knew there were two women because Mr. Perkins said so, but the vision of only one penetrated his mind.

  She wore a blue traveling dress with a jacket that reached below her knees and a hat made of the same material as the coat. The ribbons dangling from the hat had been tied between her throat and ear on the left side of her face, and the jaunty bow rippled in the breeze. Dark hair stuck out from under the hat, and she stood on deck like a queen. He’d never seen anyone more beautiful in his life.

  “Wh–what is your niece’s name?” Marcus frowned at the stammer in his voice.

  “Victoria. Victoria Turner.” Mr. Perkins turned to him. “That’s my sister, Ellen, beside her. I’ll introduce you to them with they come ashore.”

  Marcus glanced at Mr. Perkins’s sister before he let his gaze settle once again on the niece. Victoria. The name sent a tingle of pleasure through him. It sounded like it might belong to an angel.

  As he watched, Victoria waved, and Marcus raised his hand to respond until he realized the greeting was for her uncle, not for him. Embarrassed and fearful someone had witnessed his blunder, he glanced around. No one appeared to be paying any attention to him.

  The crew on the ship lowered the gangplank, and the passengers began to come ashore. He didn’t move as he watched her follow her mother onto the bank and hurry up the bluff toward her uncle. When she reached Mr. Perkins, she waited while her mother and uncle embraced before she stepped forward and gave her uncle a quick hug.

  “Uncle Samuel, it’s so good to see you.” The lilting drawl of her words made his pulse race.

  Mr. Perkins pointed to him. “Ellen, Victoria, I’d like to introduce you to Mr. Marcus Raines of Pembrook Plantation. Mr. Raines, my sister and niece.”

  Marcus pulled off his hat and held it in front of him. “Mrs. Turner, your brother told me that you were coming here to live. I hope you enjoy Willow Bend.”

  She nodded. “I’m sure we will, Mr. Raines.” She glanced at her daughter. “This is Victoria. I’m afraid she’s not as happy as I am about our move to this small town.”

  Dark eyes bored into his soul when he turned back to the young woman. He swallowed and tried to speak. “Miss Turner, I’m sure you’ll like living here. There are many young women who’ll help make you feel at home.”

  She smiled, and his heart flipped. “Thank you, Mr. Raines. So you’re the owner of Pembrook? We saw your house from the boat. Mama says she was a guest there years ago.”

  His eyes widened. “Is that right? Well, you must come again.”

  Victoria stepped closer to him. “Mama and I would love to meet your wife.”

  His face grew warm, and he gave a nervous laugh. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible since I’m not married. But I’d still like for you to visit my home.”

  A smile curled her lips, and she tilted her head to one side. “We would be delighted.”

  At that moment, he caught sight of James and several deck hands bringing his cotton planters up the bluff. He backed away and put the hat back on his head. “I’m afraid I have to be going now. It was nice to meet you, Mrs. Turner. And you, too, Miss Turner.”

  He started to turn and head up the bluff, but she called out to him. “Captain Mills told us about the church and the pastor and his wife. Mama and I will be attending on Sunday. Maybe we’ll see you there also.”

  Marcus stopped, uncertain what to say. His father hadn’t been a believer and had never seen the need to take his son to church. Marcus had never been to the Willow Bend Church and had no idea what went on inside the building. A sudden thought struck him—he wanted to be there if Victoria Turner would be in the congregation.

  He smiled. “I’ll see you then.”

  The look of surprise on Mr. Perkins’s face sent guilt flowing through him. Who was he trying to fool? He hadn’t been brought up to be a churchgoer, and he had no desire to become one now.

  A lot of pretty women lived along the river of west central Alabama, and he’d never given a thought to any of them. How could a woman he’d barely spoken with make him want to attend church when he’d never wanted to before?

  He shook his head and hurried toward the wagon where James waited. Before he climbed in, he glanced over his shoulder. Victoria, her hand in the crook of her uncle’s arm, glided across the street toward the store. She glanced in his direction, smiled, and gave a slight nod.

  Marcus tipped his hat and climbed into the wagon. He didn’t know what had happened to him today, but he did know one thing. There was no need to waste his time thinking about Victoria Turner. Their brief meeting at the dock would probably be the only conversation they’d ever have.

  Two

  Two mornings later, Victoria leaned against the sales counter in her uncle’s store and blew at a stray strand of hair that dangled in front of her eyes. “Is it always this busy on Saturday mornings?”

  Her uncle chuckled and picked up the bolt of cloth he’d cut some yardage from for a customer earlier and walked to the table where the dress goods were displayed. “Most folks around here try to get to town on Saturdays. If you think this morning’s been busy, the afternoon will be worse. That’s when the farmers load up their families and drive into town. By noon you’ll see wagons and buggies tied up all along the main street, and children will run in and out of here all afternoon.”

  Victoria opened her mouth to express her apprehension, but a sudden thought struck her. Smiling, she turned to her uncle. “All the farmers? Do you think the owner of Pembrook will come?”

  Her uncle lay the bolt down and shook his head. “I doubt it. Marcus Raines is a private person, a loner you might say. He hardly ever comes into town. If he needs something from the store, he sends Sally Moses. Her husband’s a tenant farmer on Pembrook, and Sally is the housekeeper in the big house.”

  Disappointment surged through Victoria. She hadn’t been able to get the man out of her mind ever since she’d met him the day she arrived, and she couldn’t understand it. If she’d passed him on the street, she probably wouldn’t have noticed him, although she had to admit he was quite handsome. That wasn’t the only thing about him that appealed to her, though. He was also wealthy and unmarried.

  But one thing about him puzzled her. There was a vulnerability that radiated from his deep blue eyes. Even the way he stood with his hat in his hand had given the image of someone unsure of himself. She couldn’t imagine why he would feel that way. After all, he was the owner of a grand plantation.

  With a sigh she picked up the feather duster from a shelf behind the sales counter. She was being silly trying to analyze a man she’d only seen once and might not see again for a long time if what Uncle Samuel said was true.

  She turned to the display shelves along the wall and had taken one swipe with the duster when the bell above the front door jingled. She turned to see a young woman coming in the door.

  Her uncle looked up from rearranging the bolts of cloth and smiled. “Good morning, Tave. I thought it was about time you came in. I can almost set my watch on Saturday mornings by your arrival.”

  The woman laughed and stopped next to him. “I’m a little late today. I had to go by my father’s office.” She glanced across the room and spied Victoria. A big smile curled her lips, and she hurried forward. “You must be Victoria. Your uncle has told me all about you. I’m Tave Luckett.”

  The name sounded familiar. Victoria searched her mind and then smiled. “You’re the wife of the pastor at the church. Captain Mills told us about you and your husband when we were on the boat. We’re looking forward to coming to church tomorrow.”

  Tave smiled. “Good. Everybody is excited to meet you and your mother. We want to make you feel welcome in Willow Bend.”

  For the first time since coming to Willow Bend, Victoria felt a sense of r
elief. Maybe it wasn’t going to be as bad here as she had thought. If everyone was as friendly as Tave, there might be hope for finding some friendships in the small town.

  “Are there any unmarried young women my age who live nearby?”

  Tave thought for a minute. “We have a few. Becky Thompson isn’t married yet, but she’s engaged. Also Katherine Wainscott over at Oak Hill Plantation is still home with her parents.” Tave’s eyes lit up, and she glanced over her shoulder. “Mr. Perkins, I have an idea. We need to have some kind of gathering to introduce your sister and niece to all the people around here.”

  Victoria’s heart pumped. “Oh, that sounds wonderful.”

  Her uncle walked back to where they stood and frowned. “No need to do that. They’ll meet everybody soon enough.”

  The bewildered look on her uncle’s face sent Victoria’s hopes crashing down. Before she could say anything, Tave patted her uncle’s arm and laughed. “Men usually don’t understand a woman’s need to make friends quickly. With the good weather we’re having, everybody’s been talking about how it’s almost time for a dinner after church. We’ll announce it at church tomorrow and have the dinner next week.” She glanced back at Victoria. “How does that sound?”

  “It sounds wonderful.”

  Tave nodded. “We can eat after church and spend the afternoon visiting. We don’t get the opportunity to do that very often. And you can meet everybody from all the plantations and farms.”

  A thought struck Victoria. “I’ve already met one person who I hope will come.”

  “Who’s that?”

  “Marcus Raines. He was at the landing when Mama and I got off the boat.”

  Tave and her uncle exchanged quick glances. “I don’t know if I’d count on that,” Tave said.

  Victoria felt her eyes grow wide. “Why not?”

  “Marcus doesn’t attend our church. My husband has tried to get him to come, but he won’t. He keeps to himself and doesn’t encourage friendships.”

  Victoria glanced at her uncle. “Why not, Uncle Samuel? Is there something wrong with him?”

  Her uncle cleared his throat. “I’ve only had dealings with him in the store, and he’s always been fair and paid his bills. But a lot of the farmers don’t like him. They think he sees himself as better than they are.”

  Victoria shook her head. “I didn’t think that at all when we met.”

  “I think he’s just shy and unsure of himself,” Tave added. “But it doesn’t make any difference, because I doubt he would come.”

  “Maybe he would if your husband asked him again.” Victoria hoped she didn’t sound like she was pleading.

  Tave shrugged. “I’ll tell him to, but don’t be disappointed if he doesn’t show up.”

  The more she heard, the more her hopes that she would get to know the handsome owner of Pembrook were dashed. He was probably just being polite when he said she and her mother must visit his home sometime.

  The bell over the door jingled, and the three of them turned to see who had entered. Victoria’s breath caught in her throat at the sight of Marcus Raines standing just inside the door. He wasn’t dressed in the work clothes he’d had on the last time she’d seen him. Today he wore a pair of high-cut black trousers that accented his small waist. A pair of suspenders stretched over his white shirt emphasized his broad shoulders. He pulled a wide-brimmed black felt hat from his head and held it in front of him.

  His gaze flitted over the group before it came to rest on the store owner, who cleared his throat and stepped forward. “Marcus, what a surprise. I expected to see Sally today. She usually does your shopping.”

  Marcus nodded. “I know, but I told her I’d do it today.” He took a deep breath before he fumbled in his pants pocket, pulled out a piece of paper, and held it out. “Here’s the list of things I need.”

  Her uncle scanned the items. “Most of this stuff is in the storeroom. I’ll get it for you. Victoria will help you with anything else you need.”

  As her uncle left the room, Victoria could only stare at the man she’d met a few days ago. He was even handsomer than she remembered. She finally managed a smile. “It’s good to see you again, Mr. Raines.”

  He bit his lip and nodded before he glanced at Tave. “It’s nice to see you, too. And you, Mrs. Luckett.”

  Tave smiled. “I just came in to meet Victoria.” She sucked in her breath and frowned. “Oh, I left my list over at my father’s office. I’ll go get it and come back later.” She turned to Victoria. “I’m glad you’re living here, and I can hardly wait to get started on the plans for the church dinner.”

  When the door closed behind Tave, Marcus eased across the floor in Victoria’s direction. “Mrs. Luckett’s father is the town doctor. His name is Dr. Spencer.”

  “I didn’t know that.”

  The brim of his hat curled as his fingers tightened on it. “Are you settled in your new home yet, Miss Turner?”

  Victoria moved back behind the counter and smiled. “Almost.” When he didn’t say anything else, she placed her hands on the counter and leaned forward. “Is there something else I can help you with?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t think so.” He licked his lips. “It’s good to see you again.”

  “I’m glad to see you, too. Tave and I were just talking about you. She said you don’t attend the Willow Bend Church.”

  “I don’t.”

  “Have you ever been?”

  “No.”

  “Do you think you might not like it?”

  He shrugged. “I suppose I’ve never thought about it much. My father didn’t see the need of attending church, and I never have, either.”

  His words struck a warning in her heart. Her father had seen to it that she and her mother attended church every Sunday. Since her father’s death, they hadn’t gone as regularly, but her mother had already told her that the church in Willow Bend would be their best opportunity to socialize in the tiny community. If Victoria was to make friends, she’d find them there. “Maybe if you came, you’d find out differently. And you did tell me at the dock the day I arrived that you would see me at church.”

  His eyebrows arched, and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “You’re right. I really shouldn’t go back on my word. So I suppose I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  She smiled. “I’m glad. You know you’re the first person I met here, and I hope we can be friends.”

  He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Maybe we can. I don’t have many friends.”

  Victoria almost gasped aloud as she stared into Marcus’s blue eyes. Loneliness flickered in their depths. “Then we have to do something about that. The church is going to have a dinner next Sunday to introduce my mother and me to the community. I hope you’ll come then, too.”

  He hesitated a moment. “I don’t know. . . .”

  She held up a hand to silence him. “I won’t take no for an answer.”

  His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Do you want me to come, Miss Turner?”

  Victoria arched an eyebrow. “Mr. Raines, did you not hear me say I hope you’ll come? I wouldn’t have said it if I hadn’t meant it.” Her mouth curled into a smile. “I expect to see you there.”

  “Then I’ll be there, Miss Turner.”

  “Good.” She inhaled. “Now one more thing. If we’re going to be friends, I want you to call me Victoria. Miss Turner makes me sound like an old woman.”

  His gaze flitted over her. “You’re certainly not old. If I’m to call you Victoria, then you must call me Marcus.”

  She smiled. “It’s nice to have a friend in Willow Bend.”

  “I agree.”

  At that moment Victoria’s uncle reappeared from the back of the store. “I have everything you need at the loading dock out back. You can pull your wagon around there, and I’ll help you load it.”

  Marcus shook his head. “There’s no need for that. James and I will get it.” He turned toward Victoria. “It’s good to see you, Victoria.
I’m looking forward to church tomorrow and attending the dinner next Sunday.”

  “And I am, too, Marcus.”

  “You’re coming to church tomorrow?” Her uncle’s voice held a hint of surprise.

  Marcus smiled. “Yes. Maybe it’s time I got to know my neighbors better. I’ll see you then.” Without another word, he whirled and hurried toward the door.

  When Marcus left the store, Victoria’s uncle turned to stare at her with wide eyes. “That was quite a surprise.”

  A surge of energy shot through Victoria. She hadn’t felt so happy in years. “I don’t know why you and Tave think he’s so strange. I like him very much.”

  Her uncle reached out and put a restraining hand on her arm. “I said that the other farmers feel he thinks he’s better than they are. I doubt if anybody knows him well. That’s what concerns me. You’re a beautiful young woman, and I only want the best friends for you. Don’t be swayed by the fact that he’s wealthy. Make sure you choose friends who have the same beliefs your parents have instilled in you.”

  She laughed and patted her uncle’s hand. “Don’t worry. Besides Tave Luckett, he’s the only person I’ve met in Willow Bend.”

  “I’m just telling you to be careful around Marcus.”

  “I will. Now I’m going to finish dusting before the afternoon customers get here.”

  She hurried across the room in order to distance herself from her uncle. His warning about Marcus lingered in her mind. Her father also had cautioned her many times about choosing friends who shared her belief in God. Even if Marcus had never attended church, that didn’t mean he was an unbeliever. Perhaps her uncle’s concerns were unfounded.

  At the moment she didn’t want to think about that. She wanted to recall how the handsome owner of Pembrook Plantation had stared at her. She didn’t understand why Marcus Raines stirred her heart, but he did. He reminded her of a small boy who needed someone to offer comfort. From what, she didn’t know, but she intended to find out.