by Dara Girard
"Thank you," he whispered, accepting her strength because he had no more of his own, then he hung his head and cried.
* * *
A lot happened over the next several days. Mrs. Perry returned home to Montreal, the church issued an apology to the Barnetts and reinstated them, and summer turned to autumn then winter. There were changes in the Barnett's house as well. Mr. Barnett placed new restrictions on Francine and Trudy, forcing Beverly and Janet to work longer hours in order to stay out of the house as much as possible.
In quiet moments Janet allowed herself to remember her visit to Montreal, although the memory always ended in regret.
"I wish I hadn't told Durand," Janet said to Beverly as they returned from the market. The sky was white above them while a cold wind from the Chesapeake Bay blew their scarves as they walked towards her car.
"About what?" Beverly asked.
"Maxine's behavior. Now that it's all over I wish he didn't know about it."
Beverly opened the trunk and placed their purchases inside. "Janet, you can't blame yourself. You had to talk to someone."
"I know," Janet said getting into the passenger seat. "But I cried all over him. I wonder what he thinks of us. Of me?"
Beverly was quiet a moment as she started the car then said, "It doesn't matter. You never cared what he thought before."
"I know," Janet said, unable to reveal her true feelings. "I used to be so certain of things, but now I'm not certain of anything—the future, the past, myself—they all seem a mystery to me. I don't know why I feel the way I do. I just wish he knew that everything worked out and that our family isn't as bad as he thinks."
Janet didn't have much time to worry about what Durand thought because the moment they entered the house Mrs. Barnett rushed up to them.
"I've heard such news! Jeffrey Farmer's coming back! He's going to settle some business in Michigan then return home to Hamsford to stay!"
"How do you know?" Janet asked.
"He's fixing up the property he bought."
"That doesn't mean anything."
"You don't furnish a house you plan to sell." Mrs. Barnett grabbed her coat. "I'm going to Sister Daniels to find out more." She dashed out the door.
Beverly sent Janet a look. "Don't say anything," she said, then headed for the kitchen.
Janet followed and began putting things away while watching her sister. "You don't seem too surprised."
"I'm not."
"You knew?"
"Yes."
"And you didn't tell me?" Janet grasped her chest as if she'd been shot. "I'm wounded."
Beverly laughed. "I didn't know how to tell you because I didn't want to get your hopes up again. He sent me a brief email—" She held up her hand before Janet could speak. "But he didn't mention anything specific. I've accepted that we're just very good friends."
Janet opened a cupboard and grinned. "For now."
* * *
That evening Mrs. Barnett shared her good news with the family at dinner. Jeffrey would be back in Hamsford before the spring. Janet's hopes increased when Charlotte told her that Jeffrey had hired her firm to decorate his house.
"Carte blanche!" Charlotte cried as she and Janet stood in Jeffrey's empty house. Her voice echoed down the halls. "I've never been so happy." She walked to a wall and pointed. "He wants a mosaic image here. He gave me a few suggestions." She handed a list to Janet. "Think you can manage?"
Janet looked at the wall then the list, images forming in her mind. "Definitely."
As soon as she got home Janet showed Beverly the list. "So which one should I do?" she asked spreading them out on the coffee table.
"Why are you asking me?"
"Because every day you may have to look at whatever mural I paint."
Beverly picked up a couch pillow and playfully threw it at her. "You're impossible."
"I know," she said, then both sisters laughed.
Over the next four weeks Janet worked day and night on the mural, while Charlotte and two other designers from her company took charge of decorating and furnishing the entire estate. The grand structure was bordered on the north and west by working farms, and from the east was a magnificent view of Hamsford and the nearest town could be seen in the distance. When Janet finally completed the mural she invited Beverly over to see it.
"I'm still not sure I should be here," Beverly said as Janet opened the door.
"We're not doing anything illegal and don't tell me you're not a little curious."
Beverly grinned. "More than a little."
"Good." Janet grabbed her sister's hand and took her inside. She led her directly to the mural located in what she and Charlotte called the grand room. Beverly stared astonished. She knew her sister was talented, but what she saw left her speechless.
Janet took her hand. "It's just the beginning."
"Are you sure we should do this?" Beverly asked as they went up the stairs.
"Of course. We have full reign of the house, you know Jeffrey, he doesn't mind."
Charlotte's design team had done an incredible job. The spacious interior was painted a neutral color scheme. The mansion boasted touches of European, Caribbean and North American elegance, yet had a down-home feel. It was impossible for them to see everything, but Janet couldn't help showing Beverly the master bedroom, with its light blue walls, and a tray ceiling with roped lighting to help soften the richness of the dark mahogany flooring. Off to the side was the master bath, a soothing, private retreat, with an oversized sunken spa, maple cabinetry and a marble sink and counter top.
Next Janet dragged Beverly towards the entrance. Beverly stopped on the landing and stared down at the double staircase and grand foyer amazed. "It's beautiful."
"Wait right there." Janet ran down the stairs then looked up at her. "Pretend you're the lady of the house."
"I can't."
"Just for a minute. It'll be fun. I'm coming to visit." Janet went outside then came back in. "Beverly! How nice to see you. I've just returned from Canada and I'm exhausted," she exclaimed, putting on an English accent.
Beverly nodded then lifted an imaginary train as though she was wearing a long gown. "I'll get Ms. Thomas to get you some refreshment." She slowly came down the steps. "Just leave your bags there and I'll show you to your room."
Janet set her imaginary bags down. "Thank you. How are the children?"
Beverly stopped at the bottom of the stairs and stared at her blank. "Children?"
"Yes," Janet said slowly, encouraging her to pretend. "Your children."
"Oh right. They're doing well. And yours?"
Janet laughed. "You know I don't have any." She stopped pretending and grabbed Beverly's hand. "There's one last thing I want you to see." She took Beverly around the corner and promptly crashed into Jeffrey.
Janet stumbled back and fell on her bottom; Beverly fell into a chair. Jeffrey stared at them. Janet hastily stood. "I'm sorry I didn't expect you back."
He flashed a shy grin. "Nobody did. I came under the cover of darkness." He looked at Beverly. "Hi."
She nodded unable to speak.
Janet cleared her throat. "I was just showing Beverly what we were working on. I hope you like it."
"I like it," he said his gaze still fixed on Beverly. "I like everything about it. Do you like it?"
Beverly finally found her voice. "Very much. I hope you'll be happy here."
"I will be if—if everything works out for me."
Janet took a step back feeling as though she'd interrupted an intimate moment, but Beverly stood. "We'd better go."
"Okay," he said. "but don't tell anyone you saw me. I'm only here for a few days and don't want to be bothered."
"Our lips are sealed," Janet said, and then hurried out the door.
Jeffrey took a step forward. "Beverly?"
She stopped and turned to him. "Yes?"
"I'm really glad you like the house."
Beverly smiled then left. She ran down the stairs
, got in her car and started it as though a mad man was pursuing them. "I shouldn't have come."
"It was meant to be. He loves you."
"Janet I hope you're right because I love him too," Beverly said finally able to admit it.
* * *
Two weeks later Jeffrey officially arrived and the speculation about his plans circulated. To everyone's surprise he didn't have an open house, but instead invited the Barnetts over for dinner. It was a very marked gesture that a man of Jeffrey's stature and reputation would honor the family by making them the first guests in his home. And he did this not once, but three times.
These joyful events helped erase the Maxine incident permanently from the Barnett's name and they were finally seen in a new light. However, that light nearly dimmed again in late winter when Maxine returned.
Chapter 39
Maxine Wilcox returned to Hamsford with a husband, a baby and no shame. She waltzed into the Barnett's house proudly showing off her infant son.
"A boy!" she said holding the baby up for all her sisters to see as they sat in the family room. Russell sat beside her grinning and Mrs. Barnett grinned back. Her husband; however, did not. "Isn't it amazing Dee-dee!" she said. "I'm sure you want to hold him." She handed the sleeping child over to her mother.
"Yes," Mrs. Barnett said cradling the baby in her arms.
Maxine looked down at her ring. "I'm already a wife and a mother. By the time I'm your age Beverly I may be the mother of four. And Uncle Godfrey was so excited about Martin he set up a trust fund, in my name, so my little boy can get the very best education."
Mr. Barnett glanced at his watch. "When will dinner be ready?"
"At six."
He stood. "Call me then." He left.
Maxine frowned. "Daddy seems to be in a fussy mood."
"He has a lot of work," Janet said.
"Speaking of work, you should see some of the paintings Russell's working on. Can you believe that I'm the wife of an acclaimed artist? Aren't you proud of me Dee-dee?"
"Yes, my dear," Mrs. Barnett said, "but I think Martin needs to be changed."
Maxine vaguely motioned to the stairs, without showing any interest. "His things are upstairs. If you don't mind."
Mrs. Barnett stood. "No, I don't."
Maxine watched her mother leave then stared at her sisters. "I'd ask you what you've been up to, but I doubt any of you have done anything as exciting as I have."
Janet stood. "Let me go check on dinner." She went into the kitchen and walked straight out the back door. All the snow had melted, leaving the ground hard; the bare trees shivered as though chilled by the cold. But Janet didn't notice the cold. She paced in the garden then saw two weeds that had gone unnoticed in the summer and yanked them out of the ground.
"Am I disturbing you?" Russell said.
Janet straightened and turned. "No." She dropped the weeds and wiped her hands.
"I haven't had a chance to say hello."
"We said hello before Wilcox."
"We're family now. Call me Russell."
She wanted to call him a lot of things, but not Russell. "Hmm." Janet went back inside to the kitchen, letting the door close in his face.
Russell didn't take offense. He sat down at the kitchen table while Janet busied herself straightening cans in the cupboard. "Amazing how life works. We're now brother and sister."
"Yes."
"The heart can lead you in strange directions."
Janet glanced down at his trousers. "Is that what you call it?"
"What's gotten into you? You've changed."
Janet closed the cupboard then sat down in front of him. "Yes, I have, Bernard."
He swallowed, but his gaze never left hers.
"I can't pretend that I like you. In fact I won't. You will get smiles and kind words from my mother and my sisters." She narrowed her eyes. "But you won't get that from me. I'll never forget what you did to my family."
Janet stood, placed her hands on the table and leaned towards him, her voice filled with venom. "I'll tolerate you, only because I cannot kill you instead. But if you shame my family again, Durand's scar will look like a paper cut." Janet pointed to the door leading to the family room. "Go to your wife and son you have no business here."
Russell shrugged then sauntered away.
Janet fell back into her chair and covered her eyes.
"Where are the plantain chips?"
She looked up and saw Maxine. She pointed to the pantry.
"It feels like I've been away for ages. It's nice to be home. Everyone loves Russell and our life's so exciting. Our wedding was dull and boring. Hardly anyone was there. Just Uncle Godfrey and two other people whose names I can't remember and nobody smiled. Especially Durand, but he never smiles does he? Anyway I wore—"
Janet sat up. "Durand was at your wedding?"
"Yes, he—" Maxine covered her mouth. "Oh no, I forgot. I wasn't supposed to tell anyone. Forget I said anything. I don't want Russell to get mad."
Janet nodded unable to form words.
Her sister grabbed some plantain chips then skipped out of the room.
* * *
"Durand was at Maxine's wedding?" Janet asked her Aunt Bernice the next evening. She'd emailed her to find a suitable time to call when everyone was asleep.
"You weren't supposed to know," Mrs. Perry said.
"Maxine doesn't know how to keep certain secrets. What happened?"
"I'm not sure—"
"Please Aunty."
"Durand was the 'source'. He'd found out about Maxine's pregnancy."
"How?"
"I don't know the details, it took me forever to get anything from your uncle, but this is what he said. Durand unexpectedly met your uncle at the hotel where he was staying in Jamaica and told him that he had found Maxine and Wilcox. He said he'd make sure they got marry."
"Did he say why?"
"He mentioned something about being responsible and that he would make everything right. Durand convinced Wilcox to marry Maxine. I know he paid him off, but Godfrey won't even tell me how much.
"He then secured a position for Wilcox at a state run boy's school where he likely won't get into trouble. Wilcox was not permitted to visit your family until after the baby's birth. He did all this but swore your uncle to secrecy. We don't know why."
"He hates to be thanked," she mumbled remembering Charlotte's words.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"He treated us to dinner a few weeks ago. He asked about your family, but I'm certain you were his main interest. I think he cares about you a lot. While you were in Montreal your uncle and I couldn't help noticing how he looked at you. I don't care that he's African I really like him. I just wish he would smile more—why must these wealthy Africans be so reserved?—but with enough practice and the firm hand of the right woman I'm sure he'll loosen up."
Janet made a noncommittal sound then said goodbye before hanging up the phone bewildered.
He'd traveled all the way to Jamaica just to save her family's reputation? Did he feel that responsible? Her heart wondered if he'd done it for another reason, then dismissed it. He was a man of honor and his sense of duty would be strong. Mrs. Amsted's words rung in her ear. You don't know the man you've just rejected. She didn't then, but she did now. Even if—dare she imagine it—he still had feelings for her, how could he ever think of being connected to a family whose daughter was basically sold? Not even purchased by the owner, but given away with payment. By him! How could he ever accept Russell as his brother-in-law? She knew it wouldn't happen.
They owed him so much and would never be able to repay him. He had offered their family the compassion that the town of Hamsford and their church had briefly taken away. He hadn't judged them and had restored Maxine's reputation and theirs. Yes, he was stubborn, but so was she and one day she hoped she would find a way to thank him.
* * *
The next day Janet looked through the sketches she did when sh
e was at the lake house. She stared at the ones of Frederick, wishing she'd sketched his face. Now she could only see him in memory.
Beverly knocked on her door then peeked inside. "Come, Maxine and Wilcox are leaving."
Janet turned over another sketch. "Tell them I said goodbye."
Beverly grabbed Janet's arm and pulled her out of her seat. "Come on. It will be quick."
It wasn't. Maxine promised to keep in touch while Russell dramatically sent them his best wishes. After that he whispered to Janet, "It's clear that your feelings for Frederick have changed, but I wonder what he'll think of you when he sees your sketch."
His emotionless tone sent a wave of icy fear through her. "What are you talking about?"
"The sketch you did of me. I sent it to him. I know he's an art admirer and I thought he should see it." His gaze darkened with contempt. "And the next time you threaten me, think twice." He drew away and smiled broadly at the family then they were gone.
"A daughter married and a grandson," Mrs. Barnett said watching the car drive away. "What a blessing."
"What's wrong, Janet?" Francine asked seeing the stricken look on her sister's face.
"Nothing," Janet said then raced back inside to her room. She jumped on her bed and covered her eyes.
Moments later, Beverly entered. "What's wrong?"
Janet shook her head, her eyes still covered. "I've done something awful. I'm a fool. I thought I knew so much, but I don't know anything. Oh God what will he think of me?"
Beverly gently removed her hands. "Who? What have you done?"
Janet turned away unable to face her sister, her voice filled with despair. "I can't tell you. You'll be so ashamed of me. This has ruined any chance..." She picked up a pillow and hugged it. "Not that I ever had one. It's all over."
"Janet, I'm sure it will be okay whatever it is that's bothering you."
"It's not okay and I have no one to blame but myself." She buried her face in the pillow. "Please leave me alone, Bev. I am miserable and I deserve it."
"Janet—"
"Please."
Beverly left, but Janet didn't stay buried under the pillows. She went to her desk and started to write Frederick a letter then tore it up. What could she say? Why would he care? There was nothing she could do to fix this and she would have to suffer the consequences. Janet lay on her bed and stared up at her poster. "I wish Maxine and Wilcox had never come."