The Cumberland Plateau

by Mary K. Baxley

  After dinner, Joseph called his two older sisters into the library for a private conversation. “Jane, Lizzy, I am so happy to see you. So much has changed since we were last together. We have all grown up, haven’t we?”

  “Yes,” Jane said softly as she and Lizzy took a seat by the fireplace. “We’re grown now and will soon have families of our own. There’s no need to worry about us. In fact, dear brother, it is you whom we worry about.”

  “Oh, there’s no need to worry about me. I’m doing very well. I have two more years until I have completed my service obligation, and then I’m coming home. I just want to make sure you and Lizzy are happy.”

  “We’ll be fine,” Jane said, “but there is something on your mind.”

  “Ah, Jane, you are always the elder responsible one and very perceptive. From what I have observed already in this short time, I believe your fiancés do love you. But you are right. I do have something to tell you. We can talk about it now, and then we won’t mention it again.”

  The three siblings pulled their chairs around, settling close together. Joseph took the hand of each sister and drew a deep breath while squeezing their fingers. Looking from one to the other, it grieved him to tell them the things he had to say, but he had a job to do, and that required he squash every emotion. He didn’t want to scare them, but he also had to make them aware of his situation.

  With a cool head, he began. “I am here because our unit is about to go out on our most dangerous mission so far. They have let the entire team take a month’s leave before we begin training for the largest, most important, and perhaps most daring assault yet. I must prepare you for the inevitability that some of us won’t come back.”

  Jane and Elizabeth both began to argue, but Joseph stopped them with a shake of his head. “Let me finish with as much detail as I am allowed to reveal. I leave here in one month for Camp Pendleton. Then, from there I go to Twentynine Palms to train for my part. I will then meet up with the rest of the group in an undisclosed location for further training. When we are ready, we will proceed to checkpoint alpha. It’s critical to the war effort, and top secret. This is all that I can tell you. You must not say anything about what I’ve told you. I won’t be able to contact anyone after I leave Twentynine Palms, but I could not go without telling you just in case…I don’t return,” he quietly stated. “I wanted the two of you to be especially prepared. That is what I needed to tell you both.”

  By now both sisters were crying and hugging their brother.

  “Jane, Lizzy, please don’t cry.” Oh God, this was hard enough. He didn’t need their tears. Once again, he attempted to reassure them. “I’m not afraid. It’s my job, and I’m trained to do it. If I should die, I want you to know that I am ready for that.” Pausing for a moment, he glanced between the two of them and stressed, “This information is for you alone. You can tell your husbands that I’m going on special assignment, but please don’t mention it to anyone else. I know both of you understand this, and I trust you.” He smiled gently. “Now dry your eyes and compose yourselves so we can return to the others.”

  “Joseph, do you not have a choice in this?”

  “No, Jane, you know the answer to that.” He shook his head with a dry smile. “That choice was made when I entered the Naval Academy eight years ago. It’s my duty to go. I have been well trained, so don’t fear. I’m at peace—a peace I made a long time ago.”

  Jane was by far the most tender-hearted of them all, and the most sensible. Although both in age and temperaments he was closest to Lizzy, he knew it was Jane whom he could count on to take care of things should anything happen to him.

  With a deep sigh, he addressed his oldest sister. “Jane, you must look after the others and always watch over Daniel. I regret that I did not spend more time with him. If anything happens to me, he will be the Master of Longbourn. I am glad Daniel is prepared should it come to that since Father spent his time equally between the two of us.” Joseph’s lips curved upwards. “However, cheer up. I intend to return. I’m highly trained in survival skills, but nine-tenths of it is sheer will and determination, and I definitely possess that.”

  After several minutes, they returned to the others, putting on cheery faces, laughing, talking, and socializing for the rest of the evening as if nothing was amiss.

  Chapter Twenty

  …one love…one lifetime…

  Longbourn

  “Hurry Jane. Hurry Lizzy. We need to be at the church by eight o’clock. Have you got the four items I arranged for you?”

  “Aunt, calm down. We’re the ones getting married—not you,” Elizabeth teased as she picked up her mother’s embroidered slip, Fitzwilliam’s emerald pendant, Tana’s linen handkerchief, and the blue silk garter Bette had given her—something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. “Jane already has her things in her bag, and now I have mine. The dresses are in the Tahoe, so we’re ready to go.”

  “Well, let’s leave, then. Your other aunts are already there. Your uncles are in town helpin’ your fiancés, but if you’re not careful, they will arrive at the church before you do. You don’t want to be late for your own weddin’, do you?”

  Jane and Elizabeth both rolled their eyes. “By all means,” Jane said, “let’s go.”

  ~*~

  The church was a flurry of activity when Tana Bennett walked into the fellowship hall. Grace and Lori were supervising the church ladies as they decorated the room for the reception, and the organist was practicing her part while the music minister was setting up the sound system. Tana looked around and frowned. She asked about Bette and Florence and was told they were busy in the dressing room arranging the hair styling and makeup center. Tana smiled and complimented the ladies before taking the girls to where they belonged. As soon as Tana entered with the brides-to-be, they were rushed over to the dressing table where Bette and Florence took over while Tana went to help Lydia with the flowers.

  “Lizzy, how would you like baby’s breath woven into the top of this Grecian style?” Bette asked as she handed Elizabeth a styling booklet. “I can clip tiny blue roses to the ringlets down your back? I’ve done hair like that before, and it turned out beautifully. I think it will complement your gown very well.” Bette stood back, observing Elizabeth’s face and hair while Elizabeth looked over the picture.

  “Umm…I’d love it, if you don’t overdo it on the roses.” Elizabeth placed the booklet aside and picked up the tiny rosebuds, examining them closely. “The blue matches the embroidered roses on my neckline perfectly. Where did you ever find them?”

  “I have my connections, darlin’. I’ve been doin’ this a long time, well before you were born.” Bette pulled out a long section of hair and wrapped it around a curling iron. “In fact, Florence and I opened The Cut and Curl back in the 70s, just after we married your mother’s brothers in our double weddin’, and we’ve been stylin’ hair and doin’ makeup ever since, haven’t we, Florence?”

  “Umm, yes, I guess we have. Doesn’t seem like it’s been that long, though, but it sure enough has—and think of all the news we’ve heard over the years.” Florence giggled as she combed and styled Jane’s blonde locks one twist at a time.

  “Oh Lord, yes.” Bette stepped around to the other side of Elizabeth, wrapping another strand. “And that reminds me. Martha Schrimshire was in the other day. She says Isabelle lost the baby. Poor little thing! And have you girls heard the latest news? If not, let us fill you in, but we don’t repeat gossip, so you’d better listen close the first time.” Bette and Florence both cackled.

  Lydia’s eyes darted away as she carelessly dropped one of the flowers she was working on. Tana glanced at her as Florence and Bette began repeating all of last week’s gossip. Lydia’s gaze fell. Tana only shook her head as she watched.

  Finally giving the latest topic of interest a rest, Florence picked up Jane’s French comb and turned it over in her hand. “What a beautiful comb…hmm… mother of pearl with encrusted stones.
It’s lovely. Are they real?” she asked while attaching the comb in place.

  “Yes, they’re pink diamonds. It was a Christmas gift from Charles.” Jane smiled, turning from side to side, staring at her image in the mirror.

  “Well, it’s absolutely beautiful,” Florence replied. “Now, Jane dear, these ringlets look so lovely framin’ your face like this. I’ll place a few delicate pink rosebuds here and there, and that will set it off,” she said as she turned to Lydia. “What do you think? Doesn’t she look stunnin’?”

  “I think it looks very lovely, very lovely indeed. Your mother would be proud of you, Jane.” A tear slipped from Lydia’s eye and slid down her cheek. “She would be proud of you both.”

  “Lydia, darlin’,” Tana said. “Come with me. I need your help in the sanctuary. Bette and Florence seem to be doin’ quite well without our interference.” Tana smiled, gently guiding Lydia out the door.

  Once in the sanctuary, Lydia turned to Tana. “You don’t need any help. Things look beautiful as they are.”

  “No, I don’t, but you do. I caught the look in your eyes when Florence mentioned her news. I know how you must feel. Would you like to talk about it?”

  Lydia burst into tears. “Tana, how can you be so kind?” She sniffled.

  Tana handed Lydia a tissue. “There, there, Lydia. It’s all right…it’s all right,” Tana said as she patted Lydia’s back.

  “No, it’s not… it’s not all right. I’ve cut myself off from everyone. I have no real friends.”

  “That’s not true, Lydia. We’re your friends…we’re your family.”

  “Oh, Tana, how can you say such a thing? I’ve been unkind at the very least, and downright mean at the worst.” She wiped another rush of tears. “I’ve looked down on you, Meg, Bette, Florence, and Lori.”

  “Lydia, please don’t bring all of that up. You can’t change the past, but you can do somethin’ about the here and now. It’s a new day. It’s Jane and Lizzy’s weddin’ day.”

  “You’re so right.” Lydia wiped her eyes. “I need all of you now. Can you forgive me? Can they?”

  “Lydia, there is nothin’ to forgive. You’ve never actually been mean...I mean not really. I’m sure the others, as well as myself, have thought nothin’ of it. It’s just your personality. I would worry if you were overtly friendly. But, if you want to be a little closer with us, we’d gladly welcome you.” Tana laughed and gave Lydia a brief hug.

  “Tana Bennett, don’t you lie to me! I know what I am and who I am.” Lydia glanced up through tear-laden lashes. “However, I want us to be friends, especially now. But what about Liddy? I can’t do a thing with her.”

  “Oh, Lydia, Liddy will be fine. She’ll mature in time and see the pain she’s causin’, not only to you and Randy, but to herself as well.”

  “No, I’m afraid she won’t. Liddy’s out of control—resentful and hateful, and it’s all my fault. She’s my only child. I have never refused her anything. I was always givin’ in, showerin’ her with things, encouragin’ her in her selfishness.”

  Not knowing what to say, Tana simply held her sister-in-law and let her cry on her shoulder. As they stood there, Tana remembered something she’d overheard in the floral shop the day before yesterday. The district attorney’s wife had come in to order a funeral arrangement. While she was making her selection, Tana had heard her tell her companion that the DA’s office was investigating another party in connection with the Nunley case—a woman. She had thought of Liddy at the time and had meant to speak to Robert about it, but with six funerals in one week and then the wedding, it had completely slipped her mind, and she hadn’t thought a thing about it until now as it hit her full force.

  Gently broaching the subject, she asked, “Lydia, Liddy’s in trouble, isn’t she?”

  “Yes,” she breathed out through a new rush of tears. “We’ve been warned she’s under investigation. Apparently, Jackie Lee used her in his drug ring. She didn’t understand the consequences. I know she didn’t! And if they indict her, I don’t know what we’ll do. We don’t have the money to defend her, and she’s pregnant with Jackie Lee’s baby, and I’m so afraid she will marry him. Only Ron’s family has enough money to help us, and I can’t ask Lizzy or Jane, let alone Joseph, with the war and all.”

  Tana held her tight. “It’s all right, Lydia. We’ll find a way. Let’s get through this weddin’, and then we’ll talk about it. Now, come on. Let’s go downstairs to the bathroom and get you cleaned up. You can’t let people see you like this.”

  Tana shuddered with genuine fear. Robert had to have known Liddy was under investigation, and yet he hadn’t told her. She knew her husband would mortgage everything they owned for his sister. With Ron gone, Robert was the senior Bennett, and there was no way he’d let his sister down. The two ladies walked toward the basement stairs with Lydia still crying.

  ~*~

  Returning to the dressing room, Lydia felt much better now that she had finally unloaded her burden and confessed her concerns. She was determined to make amends, knowing she faced a very uncertain future. She needed her family, especially her brother, Ronald, whom she had always depended on. Her chest tightened. In spite of all the mean things she’d done to him, he had always been there for her, but now, with him dead, she felt truly helpless. She let a heavy sigh escape her breast. Perhaps her little brother would be there for her. She didn’t know. She’d never paid him much mind. He was twelve years younger and had been of little consequence to her. How ironic!

  Walking towards her nieces, she smiled. “Come here, girls, and let me see you. We don’t have much time.” Lydia directed the brides to the outside dressing area. “Here, stand in front of this full-length mirror, and let’s have a look. Now, don’t you both look lovely?” She turned to the other aunts. “Flo, you and Bette did a wonderful job. I’ve never seen their hair look better. I’ve half a mind to let you style mine.” Lydia smiled as she straightened their hems and smoothed their skirts.

  “Flo? Did a nice job? You’ve never called me Flo…and you want us to fix your hair? Lydia Fanning, what’s wrong with you? Have you lost your mind?” Florence asked.

  “No, I haven’t,” Lydia said with a soft smile. “I’ve finally found it.” She glanced between the brides and the others. “This is a day of celebration, and I intend this to be a very special day for my brother’s two oldest daughters.” Her genuine smile told all in the room that something was different. She looked peaceful in spite of the storm brewing about her.

  Lydia noticed everyone’s shocked expression and smiled all the more. “I owe all of you an apology for my behavior over the years, don’t I?” She swallowed against the lump in her throat, tears brimming in her eyes once again. “Seein’ Jane and Elizabeth here has reminded me of it.” She turned to face her nieces. “Girls, in spite of my actions, I want you to know I really loved your father. Oh, yes, I know.” She nodded. “We may have fussed and fought all those years, but we always knew we loved one another.”

  As Lydia embraced each and every one, Bette looked at her and blinked in shock. “But, Lydia…”

  “Let’s let sleeping dogs lie. We’ll talk about it another day. This day is not the day for hashing out differences. It’s our nieces’ day,” Tana said as she stepped forward and gave Lydia a hug. The others followed. When they had recovered, Lydia turned to Jane and Elizabeth.

  “Now, let’s look at our girls. Oh, Jane, you are so beautiful. Meg taught you to embroider, didn’t she? I love your design. Those delicate pink rosettes with the pale green filigree and glass beadin’ are stunnin’. And you, Lizzy,” Lydia turned and brushed her fingertips over Elizabeth’s dress, “pale blue rosebuds with intertwining green stems and leaves. I don’t recall ever seein’ that style of needlework. What is it? And the two of you didn’t make your dresses yourself, did you?”

  “It’s called Brazilian embroidery. Grace taught me, and yes, we did make our gowns, well, mostly. Jane and Mary Beth had Grace and Lori do much of
their work, but I made mine entirely.”

  Lydia’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh Lizzy! It’s bad luck to make your own gown. Don’t you know that?”

  “Oh, don’t be ridiculous.” Elizabeth laughed and rolled her eyes. “I don’t subscribe to superstitions.”

  “Yes, you’re probably right.” Lydia paused a moment. “Mama wasn’t right about everything. Now, let’s take one last look.”

  While Lydia fussed with the girls’ appearances, Florence spoke. “I don’t suppose either of you need any advice about tonight, do you?”

  Jane stiffened, flushed with embarrassment, while Elizabeth snickered. “I hardly think now is the time for that. Besides, we might have a thing or two to teach you. You never know.” Elizabeth winked.

  They all erupted in laughter.

  “I guess our girls really have grown up,” Florence said.

  “I’d say they have,” Bette agreed.

  “Well, I hear Sadie playin’ the organ. We’re about to begin,” Lydia said, scrutinizing the girls one last time. Releasing a sigh, she opened the door and looked out. “It’s time to go. Joseph’s waitin’.”

  223 Willow Street

  Pacing the floor of his bedroom, Fitzwilliam cursed under his breath. His jaw hardened in frustration and anger. He felt hurt and betrayed. Turning to face his brother, he stormed, “David, why did you wait until now to tell me this? Why on earth did you not tell me last week, preferably when you first came into town?”