by Dara Girard
She hesitated. "What is that?"
"A coconut drop," a male voice said behind them. They spun around and looked up at Russell Wilcox. "I haven't seen these in years. May I?"
Speechless, Janet held it out to him.
He popped the candy in his mouth. "Delicious."
Janet continued to stare. The man was beautiful. He had fine symmetrical features that begged to be captured on film or paper. He looked down at both of them through liquid brown eyes that reminded her of melting chocolate, and then he smiled—his strong, white teeth complimenting his brown skin. He held out his hand. "Who should I thank?"
"I'm Janet Barnett and this is Marisa Espinoza."
"A pleasure to meet you both. Are you Jamaican?" he asked looking directly at Janet.
"I was born there but my parents lived there much longer than I did."
"Which part are they from?"
She told him and he nodded. "I know that place well. Where did you get these?"
"There's a wonderful marketplace close to where I live. I could give you directions."
"I'm new around here. Perhaps you could show me."
Janet didn't speak until Marisa nudged her. "Yes," she said in a rush. "I'd love to."
"Good, I look forward to it. I'm free tomorrow. Will that work?"
"Yes."
"I'll see you then." He took another sweet then walked off.
Marisa grinned. "I bet you're going to the lecture now."
Janet kept her gaze on Russell as he walked down the hall. "Nothing could stop me."
* * *
Female students crowded the lecture hall, leaving little room for their male counterparts. They sat in theatre-styled seats, listening to his every word. When the presentation was over, they rushed up and surrounded him, flooding him with questions. Janet knew it was impossible to try to talk to him so she headed for the door.
"Janet," he called out to her.
She turned and saw the envious eyes of the other female students. "Yes?"
"Don't forget."
She felt her cheeks grow warm, flattered that he would seek her out like that. "I won't."
Janet barely remembered how she got home or what she ate for dinner. She sat in the family room without hearing her sisters fussing or what was on TV. Later that night she slowly changed for bed unable to recall any events of that day except for one.
When someone knocked on her door she absently said, "Come in."
Beverly entered and stared at her worried. "What's wrong with you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Did something happen at school today? You don't seem like yourself."
"I'm not." Janet grabbed her pillow and hugged it. "I'm not sure who I am." She sat on her bed. "Today I met the most amazing man." She hugged the pillow tighter. "Smart, attractive, talented. His name is Russell Wilcox and he's an artist in residence at the university. I heard his lecture and he is wonderful. He's so easy to talk to and doesn't have airs even though he's famous. And he's Jamaican by birth."
"Someone you can fall in love with?" Beverly asked.
Janet tossed the pillow on the bed then rested her head on it. "I'm in danger but I'm not there yet. Tomorrow he wants me to show him the market."
"By yourself?"
Janet sat up. "It's nothing improper. He's just not familiar with the area and I offered to show him around."
"I think I should go with you. I could get off of work early and meet you."
"Fine, you'll get to see how wonderful he is too."
Beverly certainly agreed when she met him and so did every woman who saw him in the marketplace. Even Darika mouthed 'Who is that?' when she spotted him and Janet just winked. The men liked him as well. Although he was an artist he didn't have the flamboyant mannerisms that would put them off and they accepted him quickly.
The following week Janet invited Russell for dinner, where he impressed the entire Barnett clan. Mr. Barnett liked his deference to him, Mrs. Barnett liked the fact that he was Jamaican and single and although he was an artist, at least he was established, which meant he was employed. She slyly asked about his religious affiliation and was pleased with his stories about his mother and his church upbringing. So Mrs. Barnett ascertained he passed the JCE test.
The two younger Barnetts didn't care about the test; they liked his good looks. Francine didn't find him intellectual enough to interest her, although she also liked him.
To everyone's surprise, Russell attended church that Sunday and immediately became a prize all the single women in the church wanted to win. He soon became a fixture by visiting Mother Shea and other church members, and influential people in the community on a regular basis.
Within three weeks their church claimed him as one of their own and respectfully referred to him as Brother Wilcox. Although the women in the community tried to catch his attention it soon became clear that the Barnetts held precedence. He ate Sunday dinners at their house, and twice took Janet to Movie Night at the church.
Janet loved all the attention and made sure to be in his company every chance she got. When she heard that he was interested in architecture she offered to show him the construction for the new library addition and persuaded Beverly to come along. That day Janet dressed with special care and wore one of her stylish Sunday hats that people at church told her framed her face.
"You look wonderful," Beverly said when she saw her.
Janet laughed. "Good that's exactly what I want to hear."
* * *
"It's impressive," Russell said staring at the massive structure. Autumn leaves scurried past pushed by a gusty wind that rattled the branches of surrounding trees.
"Yes," Janet said, holding on to her hat.
"Jeffrey is very pleased to finish his father's work," Beverly added.
"He has the eye," Russell said. He ran up to the side wall and rested his hand there. "And do you know what this would be perfect for?"
"A mural," Janet said.
His gaze met hers. "You can read my mind. That might be dangerous."
Her heart began to race and there was tingling in the pit of her stomach. "Do you have any other dangerous thoughts?"
"Only when it comes to pretty women."
Before Janet could reply, a gust of wind blew off her hat and sent it tumbling behind the building. She and Russell raced after it. Russell reached it first and bent to pick it up when the wind playfully blew it out of reach and sent him running again. Janet laughed as she watched him. Finally he captured it and jogged back to her.
He gave a low bow. "For my lady."
She held out her hand. "Thank you, sir."
He gently placed the hat on her head and said in a low voice, "The pleasure is all mine."
Their eyes met and for a moment nothing else mattered.
"Janet," Beverly said pulling her sleeve. "Look who's here."
Janet reluctantly turned her gaze away and saw Jeffrey.
"This is a happy surprise," he said.
Beverly gestured to the building. "I see it's coming along."
"Yes, we're right on schedule. Frederick and I were just looking over details. I don't know where he disappeared to." He looked around then shrugged. "You'll be coming to the opening, right?"
"Yes, we'll be there," Janet said. Before she could introduce Russell, Jeffrey spotted something behind them and said, "Good. There he is."
Janet turned and saw Frederick with Milton. When Milton saw them, he looked up for permission then burst into a run to greet them. Janet knelt down and petted him and turned her cheek to let him lick her face. Frederick approached them at a more sedate pace but looked pleased to see them. "Hello," he said with a warmth that surprised Janet.
"Hello," they replied then Janet noticed that Russell hadn't turned and felt embarrassed that she hadn't introduced him. "I'm sorry. Let me introduce you to our friend, Russell Wilcox."
"Nice to meet you," Russell said to Jeffrey then slowly turned. "Durand."
Fred
erick's face became a hard mask. He snapped his fingers and said, "Milton. Come." Once the dog came to his side he nodded to Beverly and Janet, muttered, "Excuse me," then walked on.
Jeffrey glanced at his friend confused, then looked at them and offered a sheepish grin. "Umm, it was nice to meet you. I hope I see you all at the dedication."
"We won't miss it," Janet said.
His gaze lingered a moment on Beverly as if he wanted to say more then he said, "I'm glad," before running after Frederick.
Janet turned to Russell to ask his opinion of Frederick's rude behavior, but before she could, Russell apologized that he had to take care of an important errand and left. She didn't get to speak to him again until a few days later when he unexpectedly appeared at their church game night. She was further pleased when he sat besides her at the refreshment table and brought up the subject she couldn't.
"I see that you are good friends with Jeffrey Farmer," he said, breaking a chocolate chip cookie in half.
"Yes. We've known him since we were children."
He took a bite. "Do you know much about his friend?"
"No. Only that he's helping Jeffrey with the building."
He nodded then sipped his drink. "How long have you known Frederick Durand? Has he been in the area long?"
"Long enough. A few months. He knows a lot about architecture apparently and that's why Jeffrey's using him and it's my understanding he has a lot of property and money."
"Yes, I know about his background." Russell rested his arms on the table and sighed wistful. "Probably more than most."
"Really?" she said intrigued.
"Yes. But my opinion probably won't agree with the way most people see him." He finished eating his cookie.
"Almost everyone in Hamsford can't stand him. He is arrogant and cold."
Russell wiped cookie crumbs from his fingers. "Do you know how long he plans to stay here?"
Janet shook her head. "Hopefully he'll leave right after the dedication. At least that's my hope."
Russell sat back and studied her, curious. "You surprise me. Most people can't see beyond the name and the money."
"We are spiritual people. We respect money, but we certainly don't worship it or a person who has a lot of it."
"Hmmm," he said unconvinced.
Janet stiffened concerned. "I hope he won't stop you from enjoying being here in Hamsford."
"Durand won't keep me from doing anything I want to. He never has, although he's tried," Russell said in a grim tone.
"He's probably tried to tame that wonderful wild spirit in you. A man like him wouldn't understand it."
"Exactly. His family has a large property in Jamaica and my mother worked there. We used to play together when he'd come home on holidays from his schooling abroad. His father took a liking to me and had me do odd jobs. He paid for my schooling, which allowed me to attend private boarding schools and the finest art institute on the island. He had high hopes for me and put me in his will. But when he died, Durand did not honor it."
"What do you mean?"
"If I had my choice I would not be an artist in residence. I would hide myself away and paint, and only come out for gallery openings and interviews. But that is, unfortunately, not my lot in life. I have to make a living. It wasn't supposed to be this way; Mr. Durand had specified that I would always be financially secure as long as I continued doing my art. But Frederick and I had a disagreement." He pulled up his sleeve and showed her a large scar on his forearm. "You probably don't know this but he always carries a knife with him."
"Yes, I did notice that," Janet said remembering the incident at the train track.
"Well, one day we argued and he gave me this scar and gave away my inheritance."
Janet listened in disbelief. "But how could he do that if it was written in a legal document?"
"He could and he did. I was trying to teach his sister a painting technique; he took it to mean something else and attacked me."
"So brutally?"
"Yes, he has a mind that can twist the most innocent of situations into something more... sinister."
"I can believe that, but—"
"Have you ever seen his sister's drawings?"
"No."
"They are safe little things. I'm more aggressive and bold in my taste and they didn't suit him and he didn't want me to show her how to paint in that style."
"No," Janet said with disgust, remembering his comments about her work. "He wouldn't understand."
"Also, I speak my mind and told him what I truly thought, which he disliked. That's why he hates me, but he's a clever man and I underestimated him. That's always a dangerous thing to do. He found a legal loophole and I cannot fight him. So I paint and teach."
Janet tapped the table. "You should expose him."
"Eventually someone will, but it won't be me. I respect his family too much to put them through that shame."
"You are a good man," Janet said her admiration growing. "But besides disliking your work, what would have made him behave so cruelly?"
"Jealousy. His father cared for me more than he did for him."
Janet shook her head in amazement. "I knew I didn't like him, but I didn't know he was capable of this; such malicious disregard for his father's wishes. That he's capable of stealing away the livelihood of a childhood friend because of jealousy. He has the heart of Cain."
Russell held up his hands in surrender. "I won't speak against him."
"I remember his haughty behavior at the lake house, his temper and his arrogance. He's a horrible person. I can honestly say he is one of the worst men I've ever known. To mistreat a man like you is unforgivable. You're so kind, easy going and generous, it's unimaginable. No wonder his father liked you better. He couldn't help it. Durand is Essau and you are Jacob, the one loved best. But pride cometh before a fall. Just you wait and see."
Russell glanced at a group playing charades then turned back to her. "He's never seen pride as a fault. He has a lot to be proud of: His family, his property, his generosity—he's made large donations to important charities and foundations, and his sister. He's the most proud of what he has accomplished with her in terms of his guardianship. Frederick's father traveled a lot and his mother was one of those overindulged rich wives who didn't have time for children."
"What is his sister like?"
"You can read all about her online."
"And the reports will all be glowing," she scoffed. "But what do you think?"
"Her success is more a result of her name and her money. I don't think she has any extraordinary talent, although her work is decent. Unfortunately, she is too much like her brother, proud. We were once good friends and I doted on her, but things have changed. She's become a snob and she moves in different circles. She must be eighteen by now, a very attractive young woman, but extremely cold."
"I can't believe that Jeffrey can be so blind to Durand's true character."
"Most people are. He can be charming when he wants to be. But when he doesn't think you're worth his time, he lets you know."
* * *
"But that can't be true," Beverly said when Janet told her what Russell had shared. She sat at her desk and shook her head. "There must have been a great misunderstanding."
"There is no misunderstanding. You have to face the truth when all the facts are there. I saw Wilcox's scar and we've both seen Durand's knife."
"But some facts must be missing because Jeffrey wouldn't be friends with such a cruel person."
"Unless he's been deceived."
"I can't see Durand as deceitful."
Janet folded her arms. "So you think Wilcox is a liar?"
"No, but—"
"You can't have it both ways. One is a devil and one is a saint. And the saint is Wilcox. Sincerity flowed from his every word."
Beverly looked distressed. "I still don't know what to think."
Janet let her hands fall to her hips. "That's okay because I do."
Chapter
25
Janet could hardly conceal her excitement the day of the dedication ceremony. Not only would she get to see Valerie again, but she looked forward to seeing Russell and having an opportunity to sketch him. Jeffrey had planned a bazaar-like atmosphere inside the library. There were several food vendors selling Jamaican beef patties, hotdogs, hamburgers and ginger beer, and a live steel band playing an assortment of popular music, causing some of the spectators to stop and sway. Janet had been assigned a booth where she offered to do quick portraits and she'd brought her favorite box of charcoals along.
Janet set up her materials, arranged the area, and waited to see Russell. After a half hour she searched the crowd and still didn't see him. When an hour passed, she asked Brother Jeremiah, who'd become a friend of his.
"He's not coming," he said.
Janet's heart fell. "Really?"
"He had an appointment in D.C. But we can both guess that there is a certain person here he'd rather not see." He glanced in Frederick's direction as Frederick pointed something out to a council member.
Janet frowned. "There's a certain person we'd all rather not see."
"Can I get a portrait, Miss?" a familiar voice said.
Janet turned and saw Valerie. She flew into her arms with joy. "You're here!"
"I told you I'd be back."
Valerie looked like a stylish married woman. "You look fantastic."
"I'd say the same, but you don't look happy."
"I'd hope to meet Russell."
"Janet," Valerie said scandalized by how she'd addressed him. "Have you forgotten yourself? You can't be so informal and call him by his given name. You don't know him."
"I know enough about him. I feel as though I've known him my whole life."
Valerie frowned. "So you've said in your emails, but that doesn't change anything."
"But the church—"
"Calls him Brother Wilcox, not Russell." Valerie shook her head. "And I don't care if all the students on your campus call him that. You can't. You shouldn't. You've known him only a few months and you don't have any particular tie. Don't be so casual. Guard yourself at least until a year has passed."
Janet nodded. "Yes, you're right, but if you met him you'd know how tempting it is to call him by his given name." She looked down at her clothes. "And I dressed up today, just for him and he's not coming."