Columns of Cottonwood

by Sandra Robbins

  He tried to ignore the hope that burned in his heart. “If you need more time, I’ll understand. This is a big decision. The question you must answer is what do you want: to be a governess in Mobile or to be the mistress of your family’s land.”

  Her lips parted, and she exhaled. “When you put it that way, Mr. Rinaldi, there’s only one choice. I accept your proposal.”

  The breath left his body as if he’d been kicked in the stomach. He’d been prepared for her to scream how crazy he was for thinking she would even consider marriage with such a ridiculous Italian as he. Instead, she uttered the words that made him the happiest he’d ever been. He struggled to keep his excitement from showing.

  “Thank you for doing me the honor of becoming my wife. I promise I will take care of you. I don’t want you to suffer anymore hurts like the past.”

  She smiled. “Beneath your rough exterior, Mr. Rinaldi, I think there is a very kind person. Thank you for bringing me home.”

  He swallowed at the sincerity in her voice. “When would you like to have the ceremony?”

  “How about tomorrow?”

  Dante gasped. “So soon? But I don’t have a place for you to stay yet. I’m living in one of the slave quarters. You can’t stay there.”

  “If it’s on Cottonwood’s land, I can stay anywhere. I’ll go back to town and talk with Reverend Somers about performing the ceremony tomorrow afternoon. If it’s all right with you, we can stay at Aunt Jane’s tomorrow night and start moving my things the next day.” She stopped and frowned. “Unless you’d rather wait.”

  He shook his head. “No, no. It just surprised me that you would want to do it so quickly.”

  “I want to do this before I have time to convince myself this is all wrong. I’ve been obsessed with coming back home. The sooner I’m here, the better.”

  “Then I will go to your aunt’s house in the early afternoon tomorrow and escort you to the church.”

  She nodded. “Will you bring anyone with you to witness the marriage?”

  He searched his mind. He knew no one except the people at Cottonwood. “I suppose I could bring one of the tenant farmers.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ll ask Mrs. Somers and my friend Sarah Morgan. That should be enough.” She reached for the reins. “I suppose that’s all we need to discuss. I shall expect you tomorrow then.”

  He nodded, still unable to believe what had just happened. “I’ll be there.”

  Dante watched until her buggy disappeared from view before he turned and hurried toward his cabin. His feet almost skimmed the surface of the ground. All day he’d been telling himself he was being foolish to even think about asking Savannah Carmichael to marry him. But she had said yes.

  He ran onto the porch of his cabin and burst through the door. Inside he stopped and looked around at the place where he would bring her. It wasn’t what he wanted for her, but for now, it was the best he could do.

  Take one step at a time—that’s what he had to do. First, he had to make her his wife, and then everything else would fall into place. They could have a good life together, even if she didn’t love him. He could be happy just having her near.

  ❧

  Savannah’s mind raced as she rode back to town. What would her friends think when they heard she had married the man who bought Cottonwood? No doubt many of them would denounce her for joining herself to an outsider and accuse her of doing wrong.

  Right now she couldn’t think about right and wrong. All she knew was that the man whose dark eyes made her heart race had given her a chance to come home, and that’s what she wanted.

  Dante was handsome and a hard worker. He was also kind. She’d seen that the first day they met, although she hadn’t wanted to acknowledge it then. His attention to Aunt Jane over the past month had shown her his gentle nature. Yes, she could do a lot worse in a husband. But the good thing about the whole arrangement was she’d be back at Cottonwood.

  It would be different. She wouldn’t be Savannah Carmichael anymore. She would have the strange name of Rinaldi. A smile curled her lips. Savannah Rinaldi. She liked the sound of it.

  Eight

  “Savannah, we’re back at your aunt’s house.”

  The soft voice penetrated the silence that had hung over her and Dante on their return from the church. While she’d been lost in thought, Dante had climbed from the buggy and waited to assist her.

  She stared at Dante. Was he really her husband? Perhaps the last hour had been a dream. Her gaze traveled to the gold band that circled the fourth finger of her left hand.

  “It was my mother’s.”

  Savannah frowned and glanced at Dante. “What?”

  He cleared his throat. “The ring. It was my mother’s. After she died, I knew I wanted my wife to wear it someday.”

  She flinched at the strange sensation stirring within her. “And now it’s mine.”

  “Yes.” The word was little more than a whisper.

  This was no dream. Everything had changed with her visit to Cottonwood yesterday. “For better or worse,” Reverend Somers had said, and now they were joined for life.

  Savannah swallowed the fear that knotted her stomach and tried to smile. “I will try to be worthy of wearing your mother’s ring.”

  “I’m sure you will.” He held out his hand again. “Now are you ready to go inside? I imagine there’s a lot to do before Saul and the men come from Cottonwood tomorrow.”

  She slipped her hand into his and stepped to the ground. The pressure of his fingers on hers tightened, but she pulled away once she stood next to him. “Thank you.”

  “I’ll put the horse away and then come inside.”

  Before she could protest that Jasper liked to see to the horse himself, the man appeared from around the corner of the house. His mouth pulled into a big smile when he saw them. He stopped next to the horse and rested his hand on the mare’s back. “Miss ’Vanna, Mistuh Dante, you done got married already?”

  “Yes.” They spoke at the same time.

  “I bet that cer’mony was somethin’ to see. Miss ’Vanna, you a purty bride.”

  Dante nodded. “That she is.”

  His words surprised her. Did he mean it, or was he just being courteous?

  Savannah bit her lip and looked at the ground. Her face burned. How was she supposed to act? A glance at him told her he probably felt the same way.

  One’s wedding day was supposed to be one of the happiest days of one’s life, but hers had been forged out of a need for acceptance in the community and a desire for land. All the time Reverend Somers was reading the words, her mind had whirled with one question—how could this ever work? They were too different. She had grown up in a gentle society that believed life would go on forever in the South as it had for years. The war had put an end to that notion.

  He, on the other hand, had been raised in a family who came from a foreign land and worked hard to make a new life in America. Dante had bought Cottonwood with the fruits of their long hours of labor. All he knew was work. At least they had that in common.

  She looked back at Jasper, who seemed to be waiting for her to answer. “Yes, Jasper, it was a very nice ceremony.” She took a deep breath. “Dante said he’d take care of the horse.”

  Jasper shook his head and untied the reins from the hitching post. “No’m. I’ll do it. It just rightly seems my job.”

  Savannah regarded the man she’d known since childhood. Her heart lurched at the thought of Aunt Jane and how she would react to what was happening to both her and Jasper now. “Jasper, I wish you would reconsider and come to Cottonwood with us.”

  Jasper took off the hat he wore and wiped at the sweat on his brow. “I been free a long time, Miss ’Vanna. Miss Jane done give me my freedom a long time ’fore the war and tole me I could go anywhere I wanted, but I jest didn’t want to leave home. But now she gone, and Mistuh Dante gwine take care of you. So I reckon it’s time.”

  “But where will you go? What will y
ou do?”

  Jasper stared past her, and his eyes held a faraway look as if he were envisioning sights he’d never encountered. “I always had me a hankerin’ to see the ocean ’fore I die. So I guess I’ll get on the Belle when Captain Hawkins comes back, and I’ll go on down to Mobile.”

  Tears welled in her eyes. “I’ll worry about you.”

  Jasper chuckled. “I be all right.”

  “Well then, I’ll give you what little money I have. I’ve saved up some from the eggs and butter we’ve sold.”

  Jasper shook his head. “Ain’t no need for that. Mistuh Dante done give me money.”

  The words shocked her, and she turned to stare at Dante, who had remained silent during her exchange with Jasper. “When did you do that?”

  Dante’s face flushed. “I talked to Jasper when I came to take you to the church. I asked him to come to Cottonwood with us, but he told me about his plans. So I gave him some money.”

  Savannah stared at the man she had just married. When she’d first met him, she had thought she hated him and was sure he would always be her enemy. In the weeks since, she had come to see kindness in him. She wondered what other surprises awaited her as she got to know her husband even better.

  “That was very kind of you, Dante. I appreciate all you’ve done for those I love.”

  He smiled and turned back to Jasper. “I hope you get to see the ocean, Jasper, but if things don’t go the way you want, remember you always have a home at Cottonwood.”

  Jasper clutched his hat to his chest and nodded. “Thank you, Mistuh Dante.”

  Dante took a deep breath and grasped her arm. “Now, my dear, are you ready to go inside?”

  Her skin tingled at his touch, and she pulled away. “Yes.”

  On the porch, she fumbled with the door latch, and he reached around her to open it. “Allow me.”

  “Thank you.”

  They stepped into the entry, and Savannah headed to the parlor. Once inside, she stopped in the middle of the room in confusion. Should she sit or stand? If she sat on the sofa, he might sit next to her, and she didn’t want to be that near him right now. Unsure of what to do, she waited until he entered. Then she turned to face him. His eyes clouded, and he stopped in front of her.

  “I know a lot has happened since yesterday, and you may be wondering why you ever agreed to my proposal. But however you feel about me, I want you to know one thing.” He paused. “Savannah, you don’t have to be afraid of me.”

  She tried to laugh, but the sound stuck in her throat. “A–afraid?”

  He tilted his head. “Don’t look at me like you’re a rabbit that the dogs have cornered. This isn’t going to be easy for either of us, but we need to come to some kind of understanding right now.”

  She backed away from him. “What kind of understanding?”

  He took a deep breath. “I will never force you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. Do you understand?”

  Her face burned, but she forced herself to meet his gaze. “Yes.”

  “The cabin is small. Right now there is only one bedroom. I’ve been sleeping there, but I will let you have the bed.”

  Her eyes grew wide. “But where will you sleep?”

  “In the main room on the floor.” He chuckled. “I’ve slept in worse places in my life, and a pallet on the floor by a fire doesn’t sound all that bad to me.”

  She nodded. “You’re very kind to respect my feelings, and I appreciate it.”

  He took a step toward her. “We both grew up with parents who loved each other. We may not have what our parents had between them, but we have something else.”

  “What?”

  “We saw how they respected and treated each other. I promise that I will respect you and be kind to you. I will always protect you and see that your needs are met. And when the time comes that you feel comfortable with me being your husband in every way, don’t be afraid to tell me. After all, we both want an heir.”

  The sincerity in his face told her he meant what he said. Peace flowed through her troubled mind and replaced the uneasiness she’d felt moments ago. Perhaps her life with Dante was going to be all right after all.

  “Thank you, Dante. I promise that I will respect you. And thank you for giving me some time to adjust to being your wife. I will also do everything I can to make you accepted by the community.”

  He smiled. “Then I would say we’re starting our marriage with more than many couples have.”

  She nodded. “I suppose we are.”

  His gaze raked her face and lingered on her lips. He moved closer, and she tilted her face up and closed her eyes. Her heart thudded as she awaited his kiss.

  Disappointment flowed through her at the touch of his lips grazing her cheek. “I’m honored to have you as my wife.”

  She opened her eyes and stared up into his face. Before she could speak, the front door burst open, and footsteps pounded across the hallway.

  “Savannah! Where are you?” Jonathan’s angry voice pierced her ears.

  She stepped around Dante as Jonathan rushed into the room. He cast a look of pure hatred in Dante’s direction before he grabbed Savannah by the shoulders. “Tell me it’s not true!”

  Savannah tried to pull away from him, but Jonathan held her fast. “Jonathan, what’s the matter?”

  “Tell me you didn’t marry this foreigner,” he yelled.

  Savannah wriggled in his grasp, but his hands clamped down harder. “Jonathan, let me go.”

  “No! You can’t do this to me.”

  Dante appeared at her side and grabbed Jonathan’s arm. She glanced around and quaked at the dark anger lining Dante’s face. “Take your hands off my wife,” he muttered.

  Jonathan let go, and Dante stepped in front of her. His hands were clenched at his side, and his tense body told Savannah he was ready to strike out. She moved to Dante’s side and faced Jonathan.

  “It’s true, Jonathan. Dante and I were married this afternoon. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but it all happened so quickly.”

  Jonathan shook his head as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. His body sagged, and he regarded her with stricken eyes. “Why, Savannah? How could you have done such a thing?”

  “I know what I’m doing. Dante has offered me a home at Cottonwood, and I agreed.”

  Jonathan’s face hardened as if a mask covered it. The hatred he’d directed at Dante when he entered now focused on her. “So you betrayed your parents for a piece of land.”

  She shrank away from him. “My parents? What do you mean?”

  He leaned toward her, but he glanced at Dante and straightened. “You know your father meant for me to have that land, but you’ve taken it away from me by marrying this carpetbagger.”

  Next to her, Dante shook with rage. “Now listen to me—”

  She laid her hand on his arm. “No, Dante. Let me handle this.” She faced Jonathan. “Whatever our parents planned for us was a long time ago. You know there was no way Cottonwood was ever going to be mine again. I had no money, just like everyone else around here. I’m sorry if you think I’ve betrayed you, but you never offered me any options. Thanks to Dante, I have a home again.”

  “You could have had a home at Oak Hill.”

  She reached out and touched Jonathan’s arm. “It doesn’t matter now. I’m married to Dante.”

  Jonathan shook free of her grasp. Backing away, he pointed his finger at them. “This isn’t over. You’ve made me a laughingstock in front of all our friends. You’ll be sorry.”

  He whirled and ran from the room. Savannah hurried after him. “Jonathan, come back here.”

  By the time she got to the front door, he was already on his horse and galloping away. Tears stood in her eyes as she remembered the boy she’d known all her life. The angry man she’d just encountered wasn’t the same person. But then, most of the people she knew were different. The war had taken its toll on all of them.

  She felt Dante’s presence behi
nd her. “I’m sorry about your friend, Savannah.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I don’t know Jonathan anymore.”

  She wiped at the corner of her eye before she closed the door and turned around. He stared at her, and she let her gaze drop to the floor. “I suppose I should get supper started, but I need to change clothes first. Why don’t you and Jasper look at the tools in Aunt Jane’s smokehouse? You can decide what you want to take with us.”

  “All right.” He pointed to the small valise he’d left sitting in the hallway before they went to the church. “I’ll need to change also. Where should I do that?”

  She glanced toward the stairs. “My bedroom is to the right at the top of the landing. Go on and get settled in there. I’ll change after you’re through.”

  His shoulders sagged as he mounted the stairs, and she wondered if Jonathan’s anger had caused Dante to have second thoughts about marrying her. She raised her left hand and gazed at the gold band once more. If he was having second thoughts, it was too late now.

  The enormity of what she’d done hit her, and her eyes widened. It was one thing to talk about marrying Dante so she could go home. It was quite different when she remembered the vows made before God.

  She glanced up the stairs. Dante had stopped halfway up and was studying her as she stared at his mother’s ring. A frown wrinkled his brow before he inhaled and continued to the second floor. Savannah let her hand drop to her side and stared at him until he disappeared into her bedroom.

  Dante’s words about her not being afraid of him flashed through her mind, and the truth hit her like a kick in the stomach. She feared Dante less than anyone she’d ever known. Peace flowed into her heart, and she smiled. Working together, they might be able to return Cottonwood to what it had once been, but they might also be able to build a good life.

  ❧

  Dante set the valise on the floor in Savannah’s bedroom and looked around. The quilt on the bed looked worn, but he could tell it had once been an elegant coverlet. The curtains at the window also appeared to have been in use for a long time. The house’s furnishings reflected the lifestyle of a bygone era—both frayed and tattered by a war that tore a nation apart.