Indeed, they were crowded. Cora shoved against a box of food for the potluck dinner. She’d be pushed against George the entire distance to the Reid farm. When his arm slipped around her waist and tightened, she cringed and whispered. “George, please remove your arm.”
George laughed. “Don’t pretend with me. You know as well as I do you aren’t still angry. You never could hold a grudge.”
“Of course, I’m not angry with you, George.” She forced the sweetest smile she could while looking into his face. “How could I be angry with someone I care nothing for?”
His smug look disappeared to be replaced with a frown. “Oh, you care all right.” His voice hardened. “I have proof of that.”
“Proof? What proof could you possibly have?” Cora laughed even as a fissure of unease cut through her confidence. “You’re talking nonsense.”
A gleam shone from George’s pale blue eyes. He patted his chest. “Rest assured, my lady, I have your undying words of love right here.”
Cora brushed his answer away with a quick wave of her hand. “Oh, George, I said a lot of things when we were young. For the sake of our childhood, can’t we be friends and stop this bickering?”
“Friends!” George’s whisper rose loud enough to bring Eliza’s head up. He spoke again, much lower, but no less threatening. “Cora, I told you I get what I want. Did I also tell you I keep what’s mine?”
Cora couldn’t hide the annoyance in her voice. “I belong to Aaron, George. I never was your possession.”
“We shall soon see about that.” George settled back in silence with a smug expression on his face.
~*~
Cora never ceased to marvel at the new faces that appeared at each public gathering in their community. People were moving in to the area. Mr. Reid’s barnyard, transformed for the event, was already filling up. Long tables stood outside the barn door, laden with dishes of food. Lanterns hung on the corners of the barn, unlit as yet. Cora climbed from the wagon, refusing George’s offered hand of assistance.
George laughed at her show of independence and stood close to her, offering his arm. “Shall we join the party?”
A wagon rattled on the rough road and turned in the drive. “No, you go on. Here comes Aaron.”
“Oh, really. I’d love to meet him.” Curiosity lined George’s voice.
Cora spared him a brief glance before lifting her hand to wave a welcome. “Aaron’s the one with dark hair.”
“Really?” George smirked. “She’s a real beauty.”
Cora threw a glance his way and started toward the wagon. “That’s Aaron’s sister, Ivy. She’s very beautiful. I suggest you leave her alone.”
As much as she wanted Ivy married, she wouldn’t wish George off on anyone. Ivy didn’t deserve to be treated the way George would treat a wife.
George fell into step with Cora. “Are you testing me with a barefoot backwoods wench? Cora, you know me better than that. I couldn’t stoop low enough to keep company with these people. I only want you.”
“There’s nothing wrong with these people. I’d appreciate it if you’d stop saying there is. But don’t worry, I’m not pushing my worst enemy off on you, and I certainly don’t want my future sister-in-law near you.” Cora ran to the wagon, stopping a few feet away.
Aaron’s ready smile held a questioning look. He jumped to the ground and slipped his arm around her waist. She lifted loving eyes to feast on the handsome young man who would one day be her husband. A lock of unruly dark hair fell across his forehead as he smiled down at her.
“I’ve missed you.” Cora longed to brush the hair from his face, but she loved looking at the curl dangling there just as much.
Aaron’s grin grew wide. “I started workin’ at sunup this mornin’ just so’s I could be with you.”
“I know.”
She turned at the sound of George’s voice as he moved close to Ivy.
“So, you must be the beauty Cora told me about.” George lifted Ivy from the wagon.
Ivy pulled back and stared at him. She tilted her head to one side and lifted an eyebrow. “I don’t recollect us bein’ introduced.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Cora stepped forward. This couldn’t be happening. She must be having a nightmare and would soon awaken. She would like to shove George aside and tell Ivy he wasn’t worth a second glance, but her mother’s training took over. “Ivy, this is George Merrill, John’s brother, and an old friend of my family’s. George, this is Ivy Stark, my future sister-in-law.”
Ivy smiled. “I’m real proud to meet you, Mr. Merrill.”
George flashed a mocking smile toward Cora before offering his arm to Ivy. “The pleasure is mine, Miss Stark. I’ve been here only a few days, but I plan to stay at least a month before going back to St. Louis. Would you be so kind as to show me around?”
Ivy took his arm, smiling at him with wide, innocent eyes. Cora frowned. Ivy certainly wasn’t her favorite person, but she didn’t deserve George. Maybe no one did. Yet she couldn’t keep Ivy from making the same mistake she had. She only wished she could.
Chapter 23
Aaron’s heart hit the bottom of his chest. Cora looked about as happy as Ole Blue right now, and Blue always looked like he’d lost his best friend. Is that how Cora felt? As soon as she said the man’s name, he’d recognized it. George was the one she was waiting for that first Christmas. The one she planned to marry. When he didn’t come, Aaron had forgotten about him. Sure didn’t look like Cora had.
He fell into step with her. “You wishin’ you was in Ivy’s shoes?”
“No.” Cora spoke too quickly. She turned and looked deep into his eyes. “Of course not. I’m worried about Ivy.” She stared at the couple ahead. “I don’t think he’ll hurt her, though. He’s probably just trying to make me jealous.”
“Make you jealous?” Aaron stumbled over a rock he hadn’t seen. Or maybe it was his heart fallen clear to the ground.
Cora nodded. “George and I grew up together. He thinks he owns me. He’s used to getting what he wants, but now that he’s seen us together, I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
She hadn’t looked away from George. “What do you want, Cora?” The words hung up in his throat, but he had to know.
She turned to him, her eyes wide. “What do you mean? Are you talking about George?”
He saw innocence in her gaze.
She shook her head. “Oh, Aaron, how can you ask that? I love you. How could I ever want anyone but you?”
Sounded like she meant it. In spite of the heaviness in his chest, a smile touched Aaron’s lips. “All right, but I don’t know what’s wrong with your thinkin’. Now I seen your dandy friend. I mean, a fella like that could give ya anything your heart desires, while I’ll do good to put a roof over your head.”
Cora frowned. “Are you looking for a way out, Aaron? Because if you are, George isn’t the way. I want nothing to do with him.”
Aaron took her hand and pulled her close. “I don’t ever want shed of you. I just want the best for you.”
Cora leaned against his shoulder. “Don’t you know yet, Aaron? You’re the best there is. You and a roof over my head are all I want.” She looked up with a mischievous grin. “Some walls and a floor might be all right too.”
Aaron gave her a quick kiss on the forehead and shook his head. “Here we ain’t even married yet, and you’re already demanding a bunch of fancy stuff.”
Cora laughed and pulled away. “Are you hungry?”
“You’re as changeable as the weather.” Aaron grinned when she took his hand and tugged him forward.
“I baked a pecan pie.”
“You still usin’ the pecans I gave you?” Aaron followed her willingly toward the food tables.
Cora shook her head. “No, these were some I picked last fall. Yours were gone a long time ago.”
“Folks, could I have your attention?” Timothy Donovan, the young man who’d led song service during the revival, stood at one end of the
long line of tables. He held his hand up a moment. “I’ve been told to pray a short blessing over the food before you all begin eating.”
A hush fell over those standing nearby. He let his gaze roam over the assembly before he bowed his head. “Lord, we thank you for everyone who’s come out tonight. We pray your blessings on this gathering and on the food we’re about to eat. In Jesus name. Amen.”
“At least that really was short.” Cora started toward the line already forming.
“Yeah, he’ll make a good preacher, I’d reckon.” Aaron almost bumped into her when she stopped and swung to face him.
Her eyes widened and her mouth opened. “What do you mean preacher? He isn’t a preacher, is he?”
“Well sure. Haven’ t you heard? This comin’ Sunday’ll be the first day of services for Cedar Creek Community Church. Least that’s what some are wantin’ to call it. Mr. Newkirk told me about it when I traded some corn for a bushel of wheat for seed. Figure it’s time to raise somethin’ other’n corn.”
~*~
Cora nodded, but a fog of disbelieve filled her mind. Hadn’t she suffered enough through that weeklong revival meeting? What were these people thinking? Starting a church, and sure as anything, if Mother heard, they’d be going every service.
She picked up two plates. Tonight was for fun. She refused to let some preacher come between her and enjoying this special time with Aaron. She shoved the nagging thought away and smiled at him, handing him one of the plates. In spite of everything else, she would have fun tonight. She moved ahead of Aaron, filling her plate.
“Are we getting enough to eat?” George’s voice cut into Cora’s determination like a dull-edged knife.
She turned, pasting a smile on her face. “Where’s Ivy?”
“Oh, she’s quite the charmer, Cora.” His voice dripped with sarcasm. “She needed to talk to—um—a fiddler, I believe she called him. About some music for the dance tonight.”
Aaron touched Cora’s arm. “Let’s sit down and eat.”
Gladly, she turned from George and let Aaron guide her away from the table to a clear spot under a tree. They didn’t have a cloth to sit on, but Cora didn’t mind. She had Aaron by her side. That was enough. After they ate, Aaron held out his hand. “Ready to go inside and see what’s goin’ on?”
Someone had lit the lanterns on the barn to fight the rapidly approaching darkness of night. Soft light brightened the huge barn inside. Straw covered the floor. One of the tables from outside stood just inside the door, covered with left-over dishes of pies and cake. Two large pails of drinking water sat at one end with a long-handled dipper in each.
Mr. Reid stood midway of the barn to one side with several men, each holding a musical instrument. He stepped on a platform and held his hand up as the minister had done earlier. When no one seemed to notice, he stuck his fingers in his mouth and let out a loud shrill whistle.
Everyone looked up. He grinned. “First, I want to thank you all for coming tonight. It’s a good thing when neighbors unite for a wholesome time of fellowship, especially on a day such as Independence Day.
“Our country is young, but as is evidenced by our presence here, it is growing. With each new family that moves into our neck of the woods or to other parts of our vast frontier, we have another vote for America. Without our pioneers where would this country be?”
He lifted both hands when some shouted their agreement. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to give a speech. I’m here to have fun, same as you. Make yourselves at home and let’s form some sets for a dance.” He motioned to the men behind him. “We’ll make the music and Jacob Hartley will do the calling.”
Cora felt Aaron tense beside her. He was probably thinking of his father. She squeezed his hand, and he smiled at her. She wanted to console him, say everything was all right, but she didn’t know how. Then her father stopped beside them with Lenny and Nicholas in tow.
“Mother’s getting tired so we’re taking the young ones home. You and Eliza can come back with Ben and Esther whenever they’re ready.” His gaze shifted to Aaron. “Unless you want to see her home.”
Aaron nodded.
Mr. Hartley called out in a booming voice. “Grab you a partner. Come on, let’s go.”
He sounded so much like Aaron’s father, Cora had to look to make sure it wasn’t him. Aaron pulled her toward a square forming. After they danced a couple of sets, the music stopped and Mr. Reid called a break.
Aaron laced his fingers through Cora’s. “You want a drink?”
“Yes, that would be nice.” At the table, she lifted the dipper Aaron handed her and took a sip. George’s voice almost made her spill the water.
“How about letting me dance with Cora?”
Aaron shook his head and slipped his arm around her waist. “Naw, I don’t think so.”
“Are you afraid of me, Stark?” Challenge vibrated in George’s tone.
Aaron tensed and glared at George before turning to Cora. “What do you wanna do?”
There was no question she wanted to stay with Aaron. Yet she hesitated longer than she should have.
“We’ve been friends a long time, Cora.” George appeared harmless enough standing in the crowded barn. “I’m only asking for a turn. Just one set. That’s all. I promise.”
Cora looked into his eyes and saw honesty. Maybe he’d given up. He’d stayed away from them most of the evening, and he was the oldest friend she had. They shared a lot of memories. A lot of good times. Maybe she owed him this much. To prove there were no hard feelings.
“Aaron, do you mind? Just this one dance then I’ll be right back.”
Aaron’s brows drew together, but he shrugged. “If that’s what you want.”
George offered his arm, and she took it. A self-assured smile sat on his face. “So, you’ve finally come to your senses.”
“Yes, I have.” How could he go from innocent to gloating so quickly? “The day I said yes to Aaron, I came to my senses.”
“You don’t mean that and you know it.” George guided her across the floor to a group forming by the open back door as far from Aaron as he could get. What did he think? Aaron would interrupt?
She stopped and pulled her hand from his arm. “I certainly do. Why are we coming way over here?”
“This is where I’ve been all evening in case you haven’t noticed.” George’s surly voice annoyed her.
Was he telling the truth or did he simply want to take her from Aaron? A breeze from the open door brushed her hair from her face, cooling her. Maybe he had the right idea. At least the fresh air would feel good. The fiddle rang out and the banjo followed. A Jews harp joined in. The lively music struck a chord within Cora and she forgot about George and focused on keeping up with the dance. George was every bit the gentleman as he kept step to the lively calls. His smile was friendly, his touch light, reminding Cora of the boy she’d once known.
The last call rang out, and before Cora realized what he was doing, George pulled her through the open doorway into the dark night. He held her wrist and walked with rapid steps away from the barn.
“George, what are you doing?” Cora tried to pull her hand from his, but he only tightened his grip. She stumbled in the dark.
“Don’t worry, Your beau was across the room when we left. He doesn’t even know we’re gone.” George pulled her toward a small copse of trees.
“If I scream, someone will come.”
He laughed. “Go ahead. There’s so much noise coming from that barn, no one will hear you.”
The loud music, stomping of feet, clapping hands, laughter, and calls poured from the open door and rushed into her awareness. George was right. No one would hear her. Fear washed through her heart.
In a futile attempt for freedom, she struggled to get away from him, but her wrist hurt, and he pulled her against him, holding her close in the shelter and darkness of the trees. Her heart beat out of control. “George, please don’t do this.”
“You’re mine,
Cora.”
She shook her head, pushing against his chest with her free hand. “No, I’m not.”
He grabbed that hand, too, holding her close. “Since we were children, you’ve belonged to me, and you always will.”
Cora struggled, but he slipped his arms around her, pinning her in place against him. “I’ll set up practice in St. Louis, and we can be married.”
“No, George.” Cora gave up her struggle, and he relaxed his hold. Her voice held her tears and her love for Aaron. “I love Aaron. I’m marrying him.”
George laughed. “Cordella Jackson married to a poor dirt farmer who’s probably never set foot inside a real town in his life. Now can’t we just see that?”
“You’ll see it if you stay around here long enough because that’s what’s going to happen.” Anger replaced Cora’s fear. “Can’t you understand me? I love Aaron. I love him more than I ever loved you or anyone.”
George jerked as if she’d slapped him. Dim moonlight touched his reddened face as his eyes became slits. “Oh, really? Ha!”
He reached into his shirt pocket while he kept an iron grip around her waist. The paper he pulled out glowed white in the dark night. His face twisted in a sneer. “Do you know what this is?”
“A letter?”
“I knew you were smart. But it isn’t just any letter.” His expression relaxed, yet the smile now on his lips caused unease to skitter along her nerves. “This is a love letter written by a desperate hand. You wrote this letter, Cora. To me. In it, you tell of your love for me in no uncertain terms. Oh, yes, my darling. I believe you love me, not your farmer friend.”
Waves of remorse flooded Cora’s soul. How could she have been so ignorant as to write that letter? She’d wanted so much to leave this wonderful land that she’d lowered herself to begging through flowery words of misplaced love. Her letter had come back to mock her foolishness.
She shook her head. “No, everything’s changed. I love Aaron. He loves me.”
“How long do you think Stark’s love will last once he reads this? Why don’t we see? Why don’t I let him see for himself how fickle your love is?”
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