by Linda Tillis
“So before he could get drunk again and ruin things, he dragged me to an old rundown house at the head of the holler. When the door opened and an old man stepped out, I tried to run. But Pa was tired, so he just knocked me out cold. And when I woke up I was chained to an old iron bedstead.” Roxanne turned to Mae and saw her own pain reflected in those dark eyes. She took a shuddering breath and managed a weak smile. “It was a year before I escaped.”
Mae took Roxanne’s hand. “And yet you lived. You took responsibility for your own life, and you did what you had to do. God gave you this life that you have fought so hard to keep, and no one but Him has the right to take it.” Mae stood and said, “And now it is my turn. I was born in Trenton, Florida. My mama died when I was ten. My papa is a wonderful man, and he did everything he could to make our lives good. He owned a sawmill. I would take care of Cyrus, my youngest brother, while Papa took Samuel, the oldest boy, to work with him.
“My mama had taught us all to read as soon as we could hold a book. Papa would work with us at night on our mathematics and history and such. We all worked hard, but we had each other, and all the loving memories of our mama, to keep us going. We were getting on with our lives. Then the event happened.”
Mae stopped speaking, let out a long sigh, and resumed. “I was almost seventeen. The boys were at the mill with Papa. There was a roaming band of men, and I was caught outside with no gun. It was a dark time for all of us, but at least we had each other. I had my faith in God, and the love of my family, to keep me strong. And then I moved to Tallahassee to further my education. I had been here a few months when I met Lady Wellington. She lived here in this beautiful home.
“That dear lady had a sad story of her own. Her only child was attacked a few months before she was to be married. The girl had no foundation to lean on, and lost all hope. In the end, she took her own life.
“Lady Wellington and I became close friends, and when she passed on, she left me this property and a very large amount of money. I intend to put all the money to good use. So, what do you think?”
Roxanne was humbled. Grandma used to say you shouldn’t ought to pass judgment on someone till you’d carried their load a while. She would never have guessed Mae’s secret. The woman had so much compassion and kindness you’d think she’d never known any pain or sadness. Maybe it was the God thing she talked about. Whatever it was, Roxanne found she wanted it, too. She wanted to walk away from all the black in her life and be filled with light. She looked up at Mae and said, “I’ve always wanted to know how to make cobbler.”
After much discussion, it was settled. Roxanne would go home with Eleanor, and tomorrow they would establish how much she would need to learn to be beneficial to Taylor’s. Mae was sure Roxanne would be a fast learner.
It was late evening, and Garth had taken Eleanor home. Mae was in the parlor with Samuel and Cyrus, watching as each pursued his favorite pastime. Cyrus was reading Plant Relations, A First Book of Botany by John Coulter. It was a new book Doc Walters had sent him. The boy was considering classes in horticulture and agriculture at the university. Mae thought about how their mama had instilled a love for all growing things in this boy.
Samuel had several small pieces of wood spread out on a linen cloth on the table. Mae had seen him do this many times. He would just sit and look at them until one of them spoke to his heart, and then he would lovingly transform it into a beautiful piece of art. Lately, though, he had been working so hard on the apartments over the barn and on managing the supply site for the village that he had not had a lot of spare time for the work that brought him peace.
Mae smiled a private little smile. She had to stop thinking of Samuel as a boy. He was eighteen. Anyone outside the family would look at him and see a grown man, and a handsome one, at that. He was well over six feet tall, with broad shoulders and strong arms. His dark hair and eyes, coupled with the fact he was seldom seen smiling, gave folks the idea he was unapproachable. He was slow to speak, and someone who didn’t know him might think this was a reflection of his intelligence level. But they would be so wrong. He was slow to speak because he was always observing. He had a natural eye for detail, and his memory held everything his eyes took in.
He finally held out one finger and touched a piece of corkwood. He stroked it gently, then picked it up and set it aside. He stood and wrapped the others in the linen. Ah. Mae smiled. He has chosen.
Mae stood also and said, “Cyrus, I’m off to bed. Don’t leave the lamp on, and don’t be up all night.”
Cyrus mumbled, “Uh-huh,” as he turned a page.
Samuel just shook his head and smiled.
Mae stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. “Goodnight, dear one. Thank you for all you are doing for the village.”
Samuel looked down at his sister for a long moment. “If it makes you happy, then it’s worth doin’,” he drawled. “Good night, sis. Lock this door behind me.”
Mae followed him to the French doors and turned the big key as he walked toward the barn. She tousled Cyrus’ hair as she left the parlor.
Garth was just coming in the front door when she entered the foyer. She waited as her father made sure the doors were secured.
“Did you get Eleanor and Roxanne home safely?” she enquired.
“Yes, little missy, I did. Patrick was still up, and we had a game of checkers. He assured me Samuel was a better player than me.” Garth grinned. “He is so excited to be moving to the ‘farm,’ as he calls it. He has big plans for Cyrus, and he can’t wait for Hansu to teach him to break boards with his feet. His poor mama almost fainted at the thought.”
Mae was laughing. “Yes, he is going to have a great time wearing us all out.” She put her arm around her papa and smiled up at him. “It fills my heart to overflowing to see you so happy.”
Garth looked down at his beautiful daughter and said, “How strange. I was thinking the same thing about you. I couldn’t help but notice the way Dr. Finch was looking at you after the picnic yesterday. Do I need to be havin’ a talk with the gentleman about his intentions, young lady?”
Mae’s eyes shone as she reddened. “I can assure you his intentions are honorable, Papa. And besides, he is leaving Wednesday at noontime.” She raised her face, and her smile was gone. “And I’m going to miss him something terrible,” she whispered.
Garth wrapped both arms around her and drew her close. “Oh, baby girl. So that’s how it is. Well, he seems to be a fine young man. I guess it’s a good thing you are about to be a very busy young woman. Why, here you are with your very first resident for your village, and you’ve got all sorts of things to keep you occupied until he returns.”
“Thank you, Papa. You always know how to smooth out the wrinkles in life.”
Garth’s gaze followed her as she climbed the stairs. Good Lord, he thought, his baby girl was in love. His heart seemed to swell in his chest. He was glad Eleanor would be here to help him through this event in Mae’s life.
He had struggled through the last one on his own…well, not on his own. The Lord had propped him up every day. But it would be good to have Eleanor to share this. Heck, it would just be good to have Eleanor. He grinned to himself as he headed to the kitchen.
Mae sat in her window seat with the lights out so she could better see the stars. She liked to say her prayers as she looked to the heavens. “Lord, I have so much to thank you for. Thank you for my wonderful family. A girl could not ask for a more loving and supporting family. And thank you for bringing Eleanor and Patrick into our lives. Thank you for Roxanne, Lord. Please give me the wisdom to help her regain her life and realize she has You to thank. And now, Lord, thank you for Edward. Lord, I have nothing to compare these feelings to, so I don’t know if I should call this love. I just know he takes my breath away with his kindness, his intelligence, and yes, Lord, with his touch. And I know I will feel like part of me is lost until he returns. If this is love, then so be it. Just please keep him safe, and return him to me quickly. Amen.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
It was a cold, gray morning. Rain had swept through during the night, bringing the chill of the coming winter. Mae woke early. How could she sleep on this, her last day with Edward? He was coming to pick her up, and they were going to spend the entire day together. Edward wanted to show her some of his favorite places.
She just wanted to be near him, to drink in his voice, to thrill to his touch, and to make enough warm memories to hold her for nine long months. She looked at herself in the mirror. Mae was not a vain woman. Others might find her pretty, but this morning she wanted to be beautiful. She wanted Edward’s heart to skip a beat when he looked at her. She wanted…well, she just wanted. She didn’t even know how to put this feeling into words. She just wanted.
She chose a dark red suit with black trim. The sleeves belled out below the elbow, with insets of black lace draping over the backs of her hands. The bodice was cut in a heart shape. Her bosom was concealed behind a fan-shaped gathering of black lace. The skirt was full and stopped just at her ankles, allowing her boots to show beneath. She was aware her hair was her shining glory, with a red ribbon woven into the braid atop her head and the back portion allowed to hang to her waist. She picked up her black gloves and dark red muff. She was ready. She would smile and be witty, and do her best to charm Edward—so thoroughly, in fact, that he would miss her as much as she missed him. She deliberately waited to go downstairs until he arrived. She smiled wickedly to herself. She intended to make an entrance. And she did.
Edward was standing in the foyer with Garth when Mae stepped to the edge of the staircase. Both men looked up at her. It only took a moment for Garth to realize his little girl was, indeed, all grown up. He glanced over at Edward and had to hold back a grin. The poor man never knew what hit him. You could see the surrender wash all over him. Yep, Garth thought, it’s love.
Edward watched Mae float down the staircase. Good Lord, was there ever a more sensual woman? How was he going to be able to leave her?
He could feel the need growing, and he had to take a deep breath and exhale slowly. It seemed like it took her ten minutes to work her way to the bottom; ten minutes of watching those hips sway from side to side, as her skirt swished around her ankles. Just the way her hand stroked the banister was enough to make him sweat.
Mae never broke eye contact with Edward. She moved slowly and gracefully down the stairs, trailing her right hand over the banister as if it were a lover’s arm. She would be embarrassed if she gave herself a moment to consider her actions. So she didn’t.
When she reached the bottom, she turned to her papa. He was smiling broadly. She kissed him on the cheek, whispered goodbye, and then turned to Edward. She could see the fire in his eyes and suspected her performance had been worth the effort. Edward tore his eyes away and turned to Garth. “I’ll take good care of her, sir, and have her home by ten this evening.”
It took all Garth’s concentration not to laugh out loud. “You do that, young man.” He grinned. “You do that.”
It was a day they would both remember. Edward had planned every moment. He seated Mae in the motorcar and leaned in to place a warm blanket across her lap. She turned to thank him, and he stole a kiss, then grinned like a twelve-year-old boy, causing Mae to laugh like a girl of the same age. It was as if there were an unspoken agreement between them. They would ignore the reality of it being their last day together for almost a year.
They drove to Mr. Finch’s offices. Edward pointed out a building across the street. It had an empty suite of rooms on the second floor. He told Mae if they were still empty when he returned, he would consider setting up his practice there.
Then they drove to the Mallard Farm on the east side of the county. A client of his father owned this property. The Mallard Gardens were known throughout the South for their roses. The sun had finally reached full strength and taken the chill from the air. They strolled through the gardens holding hands, telling each other of their childhood dreams. When they reached the rear of the gardens, Mae was almost moved to tears.
Edward had arranged to have a small lunch served. A silk-draped table had been set near a carved bench under a spreading oak. There was a sweet pink-and-white quilt covering the table’s contents. Edward seated Mae on the bench and then proceeded to serve lunch, removing the quilt to reveal a tureen of warm potato soup, crusty bread to spread with fresh churned butter, and glasses of cold milk to go with warm, cinnamon-flavored bread pudding.
There was little conversation as they ate their fill, but their eyes spoke volumes. When they had finished, Edward placed the quilt back over the table before sitting next to Mae and pulling her gently back against his chest.
She rested her head on his shoulder while his arms circled her possessively. Mae closed her eyes, allowing all her other senses to take over. She could feel the beat of Edward’s heart against her shoulder. She could hear the soft in-and-out movement of his breath. She could smell the faint perfume of roses in the air. She had no concept of time. The world just floated around them.
Finally, Edward spoke gently. “Have I told you how beautiful you are? How I sometimes lose my breath at the sight of you? How much I want to hold you in my arms and feel you tremble with anticipation?”
Mae opened her eyes and tilted her head to look at him. “You mean like now?” she whispered.
He cradled her face in both his hands and kissed her. As the kiss deepened, Mae pressed her body to his. He could feel her need and sensed that, if he led her, she would surrender to him. This knowledge carried such a weight of responsibility that he was able to break the kiss.
Breathless and a little shaky, Mae felt tears rising up. She raised her face and gazed at him with eyes filled with longing.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart. One of us has to keep our wits about us, and if I don’t put a stop to this right now… I’ve never wanted anything more than I want you right now, but I have no right to take what you offer so sweetly. The man who takes your innocence should be your husband, and I cannot be that man today.”
It was as if he had thrown a glass of cold water in her face. The man who takes your innocence. Oh, Lord, how can I tell him I have no innocence to take? The tears spilled over, and Edward took his handkerchief and patted her face.
“Please, sweetheart, don’t cry. It breaks my heart to think I’ve caused you any pain.”
Mae laughed between broken sobs. “I have to put out this fire you started somehow!” Edward smiled, then chuckled, and soon they were holding onto each other and laughing helplessly together.
The afternoon was spent storefront shopping. Edward bought her lily of the valley perfume in a beautiful cut-glass atomizer.
She bought him a pair of fine leather gloves for the winter in England. They had a quiet supper with his parents. It was homey, and Mrs. Finch had told the cook to prepare his favorite foods. They laughed and talked gaily over coffee, and suddenly it was over. It was time to get Mae home. She kissed the Finches good night and promised to get together with Mrs. Finch about the wedding plans for Eleanor and Garth on Friday.
And then they were in the motorcar and on the way home. There was little to say, so they savored the silence, each filled with their favorite memories of the day. As they pulled up to the front door, Edward made a decision. When they entered the foyer, Garth was strolling down the hall from the library.
“Oh, good, sir, you’re still up. If you have a moment, I would like to speak with you,” Edward said formally.
Garth looked from one to the other, and decided he might need a drink for this conversation. He looked at Edward and said, “I’ll be in the library,” and turned and headed back down the hall.
When he was out of sight, Edward took Mae into his arms and kissed her, almost roughly, then set her aside. “Try to sleep, my love, and I’ll see you at the station in the morning. My train leaves at eleven, and I want your face to be the last thing I see when it leaves.” As Mae climbed the stairs, he went down
the hall with a purposeful stride.
Garth had poured two small glasses of brandy and set them on the table between the great chairs in front of the fireplace. The fire had burned low and was now just red embers.
Edward marched through the door, and Garth started to stand. “Please, keep your seat, sir. I have something to ask you.” And suddenly Edward was mute. He didn’t know where to start. After all, this had to be done properly.
Garth knew full well what was coming. He could see from the panic on Edward’s face the boy didn’t know how to begin, and he would have laughed if his heart were not in his own throat.
Finally, he said, “Son, sit down, take a drink, and let’s talk about this.”
Edward blinked, nodded, and sat down in the empty chair. To his credit, his hand only shook a little as he reached for the glass. Garth drained the remainder of his, then sat back and waited.
Edward took a large sip, swallowed sharply, and blurted out, “I’m in love with your daughter.”
Garth did laugh then. “Young man, tell me something I don’t know.”
“Well, sir, I want to marry her. When I get home from England in nine months, I will have completed my training and be ready to set up my own offices, and I will be able to provide nicely for her, and I swear I will do everything in my power to make her happy.” The brandy had kicked in, and Edward had found his voice.
Garth raised a hand to silence Edward. “Son, the beauty of Mae is, if she loves you, you won’t have to do anything but love her back. That is what will make her happy. Not your status in this world, not the things you can give her, but the love the two of you will share. Mae is not a complicated woman. She has a heart made for love.”
Edward sighed deeply and sat back in the chair. “Sir, can I ask you a question?”
Garth smiled. “Son, I’m not an expert on relationships, but I’ll give it a try. Go ahead.”
“How did this happen so quickly? I mean, I’ve known women before…” Edward immediately turned bright red and started stuttering. “I don’t mean…well, you know, I’ve been involved in romances before, but this—this has hit me like a ton of bricks. Oh, don’t misunderstand; I’m the happiest man in the world. I just don’t know how this happened so fast, you know?”