“Hush now, Grace. Y’all know if you just add enough sugar to anything you can turn it into pie filling. Even the sourest grape desires to be sweetened.” Ella patted her daughter’s arm good-naturedly. “Now, Lovey, tell us about yourself. Who are your people? You said your last name was Porter? I don’t recognize that name.”
“Porter is my married name.” Lovey watched Grace’s eyes widen slightly as she reacted to this revelation.
“You’re married then? And your husband lets you run around with Royal?”
“Hey, I’m sittin’ right here.” Royal took another bite of pie as Ella gave her a wink.
“He, um, he passed away. A year ago.” The mood at the table suddenly shifted, and Ella reached over to place a comforting hand on Lovey’s.
“Oh, darlin’, I’m awful sorry. You’re so young. Was he as young as you?”
“He was only a year older.”
“Such a shame.”
“And no children?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Lovey moved back to live with her father, Rev. Edwards, you know, he’s pastor at the Baptist church.” Royal spared Lovey from having to say more by offering a bit more detail on her behalf.
“Well, we’re glad you’re with us, although we’re sorry for the circumstances.” Ella warmed up everyone’s coffee with a battered tin pot from the stove. “This is a good place to live. Good people. You’ll be happy here, Lovey.”
“I think you might be right, Mrs. Watkins.”
“Please, you eat at my table, you gotta call me Ella.”
Something caught Lovey’s eye. She leaned forward just enough to see a T-shirt clad youngster leaning shyly against the door frame from a side room off the kitchen. Lovey smiled at the child, and he obviously took that as an invitation. He slid up next to Royal, leaning against her chair.
“What’s this?” Royal reached around and playfully pulled the young boy into her lap. “Who’s tryin’ to sneak up on me?” The child giggled as Royal tickled his ribs lightly and he wiggled in her lap.
“Tyler Watkins, you are supposed to be in bed, young man.” Ella tried to give the boy a stern expression, but Lovey suspected from the motherly tone of her voice that it was easier for her to nurture than to discipline. The boy clearly wasn’t afraid of her, but leaned into Royal for protection nonetheless.
“Okay, Tyler, one taste and then back to bed.” Royal handed him her fork and watched him shovel two quick bites before he scurried back to bed.
❖
After another half hour at the Watkins place, they drove down the rutted path back to the graded county road. Royal hesitated before easing the car back on the roadway.
“Are you tired?” Royal leaned forward on the steering wheel and looked in Lovey’s direction.
“Not particularly.” The truth was, between the coffee and the encounter with meanness earlier, Lovey was rather wound up.
Royal rewarded her with a smile, and instead of turning toward town, they headed in the opposite direction.
“I thought you might like to see something before we drive back to town.” Royal volunteered before Lovey could ask the question about where they were going. She couldn’t imagine how they could squeeze much more into this night, but she was willing to give it a try. It was just past ten o’clock, and she knew her father wouldn’t be home from the revival until late the next morning.
Once the altar calls started, sometimes the event would then continue on into the wee hours. He’d be exhausted and emotionally spent when he finally returned home. He’d always told Lovey that the best time to do the Lord’s work was in the Devil’s hours, which she assumed, based on the hours the annual revival kept, was between ten at night and four in the morning.
Lovey regarded Royal’s strong profile from the passenger seat. She was fighting a strong desire to slide over so that she could place her hand on Royal’s thigh, but the raised stick shift seemed like a barrier, not to mention the fact that she was unsure of how Royal was feeling at the moment. They’d just gone through a tense standoff, and someone who was clearly close to Royal had been threatened. Maybe Royal would not welcome an advance from Lovey at the moment, despite the fact that the air between them seemed thick with desire. Did Royal feel it too? The moonlight highlighting Royal’s features made Lovey’s heart flutter like a hummingbird. She felt light-headed and had to force herself to turn and look out the window at the dark woods roving past the moving car.
After only a few more moments, they turned off the main road onto a narrow, rutted road that descended in gradual switchbacks until the trees around them opened up to reveal a small, smooth-surfaced lake.
Lovey leaned forward in her seat as the car slowed not too far from the edge of the lake. The moon was incredibly bright, and with the surface of the dark water so glassy, the glowing orb was reflected back at itself, doubling its enchanting luminosity.
“Oh, Royal. This is magical.”
“Come on. It’s even a better view from outside the car.”
Royal had pulled alongside the lake so that once they were out of the car she leaned back on its black lacquer surface, resting one boot on the footboard and sinking her hands in her pockets. Lovey walked down to the water’s edge and lingered for a moment, looking at the reflected celestial sphere before returning to stand near the car. The summer air, despite the late hour, was pleasantly warm.
“How do you know Grace?” Lovey had sublimated her curiosity as long as possible. She needed to know more about the woman they’d just rescued and how that woman was connected to Royal.
“Grace’s grandmother basically raised my father after my grandma passed. And after Grace’s grandmother passed and my dad was grown, her mother just kept taking care of my granddad.” Royal switched her stance, shifting so that her other foot now was on the footboard. “Ella always seemed to make an extra pie by accident, or extra cornbread or somethin’ that she’d bring by the house.”
“That’s very kind.”
“I guess over the years the Watkins women just sort of became like family. Grace and I spent a lot of time together as kids.” Royal put both feet on the ground and scuffed at the dirt with the toe of her boot. “I didn’t know until I was older that Grace and I were different and that others expected our friendship to have limits. And even now that I know, I don’t understand it. I never will.”
“My father always preaches that the Bible is against the mixing of the races.” Lovey uttered the statement without conviction, crossing her arms in front of her chest as if the words embarrassed her.
“And do you believe that?” Royal cocked her head in Lovey’s direction.
“I was raised not to question the Bible, but—”
“But?”
“But sometimes the words in scripture don’t echo the truth I feel in my heart. I don’t believe God would create any creature of lesser worth. It sometimes feels like we bend the words to support our own biases. Don’t get me started on all the things the Bible says about women that I don’t agree with.”
“It’s a book, based on ancient scrolls, translated by imperfect men. I think it’s good to question its content.”
Lovey smiled. “I’ll invite you to Sunday lunch the next time I’m debating scripture with my father.”
Lovey leaned into Royal, putting her head on her shoulder. “I must admit, this evening has taken turns I didn’t expect. I suppose when I spend time with you I should be prepared for anything from a rescue mission to a theological debate.”
Royal kissed the top of her head. “Maybe we should see if we can get back to our original plan. Do you still want to come over to my place?”
“Most definitely.” Lovey squeezed Royal tightly before releasing her so that they could climb back in the car. Anticipation settled into every nerve ending as she slid into the seat next to Royal.
Chapter Twenty-three
They faced each other as Royal traced the outline of Lovey’s face with her fingertips. Royal, wearing
her undershirt and trousers, stood facing Lovey, who was wearing only her slip. Royal thought Lovey was the sexiest woman she’d ever seen. She slid her palms down Lovey’s ribs, then moved her hands back up a little so that her thumbs brushed across Lovey’s nipples, bringing them to sharp points under the satin fabric.
Lovey closed her eyes and leaned into Royal. With eyes closed, she unfastened Royal’s belt and trousers so that they slumped in a pile around her feet. Royal kicked them off to the side and pushed Lovey toward the edge of the bed.
After falling onto the bed, Royal allowed her hand to drift down to the hem of the slip, which she slowly pushed up and over Lovey’s head. She paused with Lovey’s arms constrained over her head in the silky tangle. With Lovey’s arms confined above her head, Royal pushed up the bra to expose the tender mound of Lovey’s breast and took it into her mouth. Royal felt Lovey shudder beneath her. Royal released Lovey’s arms so that she could focus on Lovey’s milky smooth skin, and as she did, Lovey managed to reach behind and unhook her bra, pulling it free and giving Royal full access.
Royal pulled away from her for a moment and sat back on her heels. She was between Lovey’s bent knees when she slowly and seductively slipped Lovey’s underwear off. For a moment, she sat looking down at Lovey, fully exposed to her. Royal slowly moved her fingertips down the inside of Lovey’s thighs and then back up to her knees, all the while never losing eye contact.
Lovey allowed Royal to take her in. She’d never exposed herself in such a way to anyone, but rather than embarrassment, all she felt from Royal was adoration.
After removing her remaining clothes, Royal slowly moved her full weight on top of Lovey, settling her narrow hips between Lovey’s thighs. Royal traced the outside curve of Lovey’s hip before bringing her hand up to cup Lovey’s cheek. She spoke only one word, softly, against Lovey’s lips. “Beautiful.”
Royal traced a finger down the center of Lovey’s chest, over her stomach before teasing the spot between her legs. Royal began to kiss Lovey deeply, at the same time she pushed slowly inside.
Lovey moaned against Royal’s mouth and breathlessly uttered the only word that came to mind when she was alone with Royal. “More.” More, more, more.
Royal obliged, urgently pressing fully inside as Lovey pulsed and moved beneath her. Lovey offered herself completely and without reservation to Royal’s infinite exploration.
Royal continued to rhythmically push in and out until Lovey climaxed under her. She clung to her and tightened her thighs around Royal’s hips.
Royal had never been sexually intimate with a woman she knew she was falling in love with. She’d been infatuated with women and physically attracted to women she’d slept with, but this was different. Royal felt unmasked, raw, like a nerve ending exposed to open air. She became acutely aware that in this moment Lovey could crush her with a single word.
As if sensing her thoughts, Lovey pulled Royal down into a kiss, running her fingers through the hair at the back of Royal’s neck and skimming the nails of her other hand down Royal’s back. “I want you so badly,” she whispered, close to Royal’s ear, sending chills up and down Royal’s arm.
Royal slid up slightly on top of Lovey so that her breasts hovered just above Lovey’s slightly swollen lips. Lovey took the hint, and as Royal grasped the iron railing of the headboard with both hands, Lovey took first one and then the other of Royal’s nipples into her mouth. As she worked with her tongue and teased with her teeth on Royal’s chest, Royal began to move her center against Lovey’s thigh.
The wetness Lovey felt slide across her leg brought forth her own arousal again. Royal was going to bring them both to climax just by moving, now roughly on top of her, pressing against her, moaning softly as the orgasm claimed her.
Royal collapsed on top of Lovey and then rolled over onto her back. Lovey stroked Royal’s chest with her fingers and then trailed them down so that she could tease the spot between Royal’s legs that was still wet and swollen. Lovey didn’t really know what she was doing except following her instincts. She wanted to be inside Royal. She wanted to claim that place that she now felt was hers. Lovey shifted her body on top of Royal’s, keeping her hand between them as she continued to slowly stroke.
Royal moaned and pulled Lovey into a kiss. “God, Lovey, what you do to me.” She was breathing hard and the words came out in a rushed whisper against Lovey’s mouth as she climaxed.
❖
The room was dark except for the moonlight sifting through a broadleaf hardwood near the window. Lovey thought Royal was asleep. Her breathing seemed deep and even. Lovey smoothed the ever-unruly clump of blond hair off Royal’s forehead and tenderly caressed her cheek with her fingertips. The sheet was gathered around Royal’s waist, which gave Lovey an exquisite view of her torso. She swept her open palm lightly across Royal’s stomach and then up to the slight indention in the center of her chest.
In the blissful afterglow of lovemaking, a wave of sadness washed over her. What was she going to do with her feelings for Royal? What could either of them do? What could come of any of this? Reality was slowly smothering the light in her heart.
She moved on top of Royal and began to kiss her, until Royal began to stir beneath her. As Royal’s eyes fluttered, Lovey pulled her hand to her mouth and sucked two of her fingers between her lips.
“Hey.” Royal’s voice was raspy with sleep.
“Hey,” said Lovey. She was straddling Royal’s waist, leaning over her.
“Couldn’t sleep?”
“No, I need a little more of you.” She wanted Royal’s strong fingers to push inside and chase away the dark reality that was circling her before it pulled her under.
Lovey directed Royal’s hand beneath her, between them. As Royal moved inside Lovey, she pressed against Royal’s hand. Royal pulled Lovey’s face close to hers and kissed her deeply. Even barely awake, Royal was a tender and attentive lover. Lovey buried her face in Royal’s neck as the orgasm claimed her.
After the spasms subsided, she settled against Royal’s shoulder and Royal pulled her close.
Chapter Twenty-four
Lovey was home and had food prepared for her father by the time he arrived on Saturday. As she’d anticipated, he was exhausted from his long night. When she was younger she sometimes attended these events in neighboring counties, but as she’d gotten older the allure of an all-night revival had worn off and her father no longer insisted she attend.
While he ate, she got a full accounting of the happening, scored as if it were some otherworldly sporting event: God fourteen, Satan zero.
He’d slept most of the afternoon, which left Lovey alone to enjoy flashbacks of her time with Royal. She sat in one of the upholstered chairs in the study. A Gershwin melody emanated softly from the oak casing of the radio.
Lovey leaned back and closed her eyes. There were many love songs, but none for her. She tried to imagine a different time, a different place, where the love she wanted might be possible.
Maybe it was possible and she just couldn’t see clear of her own conservative upbringing. If she didn’t believe in her heart that this was an unfit love, then why was she acting as if it was, expecting to have to end it? Was she so terrified of scandal that she would act against her own heart?
She was lost in her own thoughts when Joe surprised her with a visit. He’d been stopping by more and more recently for a friendly chat, or an evening stroll. This time he’d brought a two-passenger buggy and invited her for a ride. She tried to politely refuse, saying she was just about to cook dinner. Her father goaded her to accept, saying he wasn’t hungry and could certainly wait for her to return.
Lovey did her best to graciously accept, but she worried that Joe was getting too attached too quickly. She did enjoy his company and she wasn’t intentionally trying to lead him on, but having now spent another night with Royal, she was feeling very conflicted. If she were asked to pick between them at this moment, her heart would have swiftly and without reserva
tion chosen Royal. But her head knew that she might be forced to make a different choice. A choice she wasn’t ready to make. If pressured to do so, then Joe would not be the worst candidate. He was good-looking, polite, well mannered, and kind. He was also just the slightest bit full of himself, but in Lovey’s experience, almost every man suffered under those same delusions of grandeur.
It was a gorgeous summer evening. The perfect night for a carriage ride. Joe definitely knew how to court a young woman.
“I’ve been thinking about us.” Joe propped a foot at the side of the seat opening and let the reins droop. His horse seemed content to keep an even, slow pace without prodding.
“You have?” Lovey’s stomach clenched. She didn’t know what he was going to say next, and she was afraid to guess.
“Yeah, I think we’re a good match, don’t you?”
Okay, so he wasn’t the most romantic guy. At least he was straightforward.
“I do like you, Joe. I enjoy our outings together.”
“I don’t want to rush you. I know that you may still need some time after losing your husband, but I was thinking…I was thinking that we might get married.”
Lovey held the arm railing next to her with a white-knuckled grip. Oh, God, I’m not ready for this.
“I’m sorry. Did I take you by surprise?” He turned a little in the seat so he could see her face. “I know we haven’t been spending time together for very long, Lovey. But, well, I’m crazy about you. You’re smart, you’re pretty, and I know we’re probably both ready to start a family of our own.”
“Joe, you’re very sweet to ask. And sweet to say those things.” She put her hand on his arm for emphasis. “Can I have a little time to think about it? This is just a little bit sudden. You did catch me by surprise.”
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