The Widow of Rose Hill (The Women of Rose Hill Book 2)

by Michelle Shocklee

  “You don’t got to stay.” She pulled up a chair close to the bed and settled on it. “It may be a while ’fore this little one makes its appearance. ’Sides”—she eyed Natalie—“childbirth can get messy.”

  “I’d like to stay.” She glanced at Lottie. “If it’s all right with you.”

  Lottie smiled. “I’d like that.” A moment later, she closed her eyes and clenched her fists.

  Harriet leaned over and smoothed the young woman’s brow. “It gonna get worse befo’ it get better, but you has your sweet lil’ baby soon enough.”

  The hours went by at an excruciatingly slow pace. Moses popped his head in at some point to let Natalie know he was taking the boys fishing. He’d see to their supper too. Lottie’s pains grew more intense. Natalie recalled Samuel’s birth and how anxious she’d been to have it over and done with. Yet the love that poured from her heart when she’d beheld her son for the first time made all the agony worthwhile.

  Evening fell, and Harriet lit a lantern. When the time finally came for Lottie to deliver her child, the overly warm room filled with activity. Harriet threw back the sheet covering Lottie and prepared scissors and string. Carolina rushed in and out carrying hot water from the kitchen, perspiration dotting her face. Natalie wanted to be helpful, but she had no idea what to do. She settled for standing aside so as not to get in the way.

  With a great push, Lottie delivered a squalling baby. Moisture sprang to Natalie’s eyes, marveling at the miracle of life.

  “It be a boy!” Harriet held up the plump little fellow so Lottie could see him. Tears rolled down the new mother’s face, and Natalie felt the warmth of wetness on her own cheeks. With deft hands, Harriet cut the cord and tied it off with string before wrapping the baby in a soft blanket Carolina held ready for her.

  Natalie thought Harriet would hand the baby to Lottie then, but she turned to face Natalie. “Lottie has some more work to do. Would you hold this little fella?”

  With arms more eager than she realized, she took the sweet bundle, cradling him like she’d cradled Samuel. The baby quieted, making the noises only a newborn could make. He looked up into her face as though he knew exactly who she was and didn’t mind in the least that a white woman held him.

  “Hello, little one.” She ran her fingertip across his soft cheek. He turned toward it, and she laughed. Oh, what an amazing gift God had given Lottie.

  When the new mother was ready, Natalie placed the baby in her arms.

  “He the most beautiful thing I ever did see,” Lottie said, staring at her son.

  “He be the first Negro chile born on Rose Hill since freedom come,” Harriet said, her voice soft, almost reverent.

  Natalie stared at her, stunned at the revelation. She turned back to gaze at the little boy, born into freedom rather than into bondage. It was almost as though a heavy darkness lifted from the land. The old ways were gone, the new had come, revealed in the birth of a tiny baby.

  “My boy ain’t a slave,” Lottie said with wonder, looking into the face of her sleeping son. She glanced up at the women, eyes shining. “I gonna name him Jude Liberty. Jude after my pappy, and Liberty ’cuz he be free.”

  A more fitting name could not have been found.

  After excusing herself from the room, Natalie went to her bedroom. She pulled out the small chest she’d brought back from Langford Manor and carried it awkwardly to the guest room. Carolina sent her a puzzled look when she approached to help.

  They set it on the floor next to the bed, and Natalie raised the lid. Yellowed paper greeted her, which she tossed aside until she came to what she knew was hidden there.

  “These belonged to my brother,” she said, a lump forming in her throat as she carefully lifted out a small nightshirt made of soft material. She’d wanted all new things when Samuel was born, so hadn’t ever seen these tiny clothes. “They’re a bit old and musty, but you might find some things you can use in here.”

  When she glanced at Lottie, Natalie found the young woman’s eyes wide with wonder. “Miz Natalie, I can’t take these sweet things. They be yours.”

  “I want you to have them.” She took out another small garment. Lottie’s eyes shone with interest. “Jude Liberty needs a wardrobe fit for a free young man.”

  “Oh, thank ya, Miz Natalie.” Lottie accepted the small garment.

  Natalie stepped back, and Carolina moved in to see what other treasures the chest held. She picked up a tiny bonnet and made Lottie laugh when she put it on her own head.

  Harriet stood beside Natalie while the two younger women chattered and laughed. “That a real nice thing you done. I didn’t know your mama had a boy chile.”

  “His name was Samuel. He died when he was two years old.” Harriet wore a thoughtful look. “Guess it don’t matter what color skin a person has. Pain and sorrow find you anyhow, seems like.”

  Looking at the baby, his skin milky brown and beautiful, Natalie smiled. “That may be true, Harriet, but not today. Today, we celebrate joy and new beginnings.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Admitting he was wrong didn’t come easy to Levi, but the proof stared him in the face.

  “Three?” he asked, frowning at Moses.

  They stood among Rose Hill’s lush green cotton plants, where thousands of pods with puffs of white poking out were nearly ready for harvest. The grand plantation house rose in the distance, giving the whole scene a picturesque look. But all was not well. Corporal Banks arrived back at camp yesterday evening with news of the workers’ disappearance. Although Levi’s first instinct was to jump on his horse and comfort Natalie, he hadn’t done it. Seeing him would no doubt be more upsetting to her than a few missing workers and supplies.

  “Yessuh, three. I had me a suspicion them fellows and Jezro was friends, but I shore didn’t want to take a job away from a man willin’ to work hard.” He shrugged. “Guess they figure on findin’ somethin’ better than what Miz Natalie offering—a place to live with three good meals an’ the promise of cash money in they pockets when they’s done.”

  His sarcasm was justified.

  “I have to admit I didn’t expect this.” Levi rubbed his beard. “I assumed men who had only known slavery would jump at the opportunity to work for wages. But first Jezro and now these three have sufficiently proved me wrong.”

  Moses shrugged. “Don’t beat yo’self over it, suh. Men is all the same, no matter what color skin cover their bones. Some is good, some ain’t. I known me some mighty fine Negroes, and I known me some that are this side of worthless. I ’spect I can say the same about the white men I known, too.” He smiled, seeming to remember something. “That Mistah Brantley that run off with Missy Ellis, he be one o’ the good kind.” His eyes traveled back to Levi. “You remind me o’ him in a way.”

  Levi had heard enough snippets of the story to piece it together. George’s sister ran away with the overseer, helping several slaves escape as they went. He wasn’t sure if this Brantley fellow was a hero or a villain, but Moses seemed to think highly of him.

  “What happened to them?”

  “Who? Missy Ellis and Mistah Brantley?” At Levi’s nod, Moses smiled. “They took the folks that run with ’em down to ol’ Mexico then headed out West. From time to time, Miz Natalie get a letter from Missy Ellis—guess she be Miz Brantley now—and she says they has a good life, raisin’ hosses and such. I brung Miz Natalie a letter from town just the other day from Missy, sayin’ Jeptha and Zina and Aunt Lu done moved to Oregon with ’em now that the war is over and we slaves is free. Says Jeptha and Zina has a little boy ’bout Samuel’s age.” Moses wiped an errant tear that slipped from his eye and rolled down his cheek. “Hearin’ they is all safe is shore an answer to this man’s prayers.”

  The story spawned more questions in Levi’s mind. “Would you ever consider leaving Rose Hill and going somewhere else to start over? Maybe somewhere up north?”

  Moses looked off into the distance before answering. “I ’spect it’s crossed
my mind some, but we gots to stay here for now.”

  “Why?”

  “My boys, suh. My boys is out there somewhere. Rose Hill be the only place they know to come look for me and Harriet.”

  Levi understood. Thousands of Negroes faced the same, often impossible, challenge of finding loved ones now that they were free to do so. Inadequate record keeping and the reality of slaves being sold multiple times presented obstacles most could not overcome. Moses’ sad tale echoed dozens of others Levi had heard across the state.

  “The Army is trying to help families reunite,” he said, not wanting to give Moses false hope, knowing the possibility of finding a lost loved one was remote. “We have people all across the South collecting names in the hopes of helping families locate missing members. If you give me the names and ages of your sons, I’ll add them to the list.”

  A spark came to life in Moses’ eyes. “That be good news, Colonel. I shore would ’ppreciate you taking down my boys’ names. Their mama is mighty anxious to see ’em.”

  Levi smiled. “My mama’s fairly anxious to see me, too.”

  Moses grinned. A moment later, he squinted his eyes, looking toward the road. “Someone comin’.”

  Indeed, a rider turned down the lane to Rose Hill. Though he couldn’t make out the man in the saddle from this distance, he recognized the horse.

  “Look like Mistah Lopez here.” Moses watched the rider enter the yard. His frown and tone spoke his displeasure.

  Curious, Levi said, “It doesn’t sound as though you approve of Lopez.”

  Moses met his gaze then looked away. “Ain’t my place to have an opinion on who Miz Natalie do business with.”

  “Business? I thought he was her suitor.”

  “I s’ppose he be both now. But when he first come to Rose Hill a year or so ago, he done it strictly to lease her pastures for his cattle.”

  Levi stilled, instantly alert. “He has cattle on Rose Hill land? How many head?”

  “Don’t rightly know. It ain’t never the same bunch that stays for very long, as far as I can figure. Ain’t even the same kind of critters either. He got all kinds mixed in together. His cowpokes run ’em north after a couple weeks of grazin’. Later, a different bunch o’ them animals is here.” He shrugged. “Don’t make much sense to me. When I asked Mistah Lopez ’bout it one time, he said he didn’t want them animals to overgraze the land, but there be nigh a hun’erd acre out there.” He looked at Levi. “He tol’ me to mind my own biz’ness after that.”

  “Where are the pastures?” Levi had to work to keep his voice level. Inside, his mind whirled. Could Lopez be the cattle thief?

  “They sit betwixt Rose Hill and the Langford place. Cain’t see ’em from the house nor the road since there be some woods and a low valley. It a real purty place.”

  Levi turned to look at the house. He couldn’t see Lopez and had to assume he was inside with Natalie. That the man could be a criminal sent a wave of panic crashing through his gut. “I can’t say more about this just yet, Moses.” He cast a glance at the other man, hoping to convey the seriousness of the situation without alarming him. “I don’t trust Lopez. I need to do some investigating into him and his business before I make any accusations, but suffice it to say I’d like to you keep your eyes open when it comes to him and his cattle.”

  “Yessuh, I do it.” The unspoken question in his voice would have to wait.

  “And keep watch over Mrs. Ellis, too. Especially when Lopez is around.”

  “I done learned my lesson with Jezro, suh. I ain’t gonna let nobody hurt her again.”

  Levi nodded then mounted his horse and headed toward the house.

  He had a cattle rustler to catch.

  “Alexander, this brooch is lovely.” Natalie held up the gift he’d presented to her shortly after his arrival. With small pieces of colored glass cut to look like gems and set in an intricate design surrounded by gold, it was by far the most ornate pin she owned.

  “When I saw it, I knew I had to purchase it for you.” He smiled from where he stood near the mantel, seemingly pleased with himself. He glanced at the brooch pinned on the collar of her gown. “Why don’t you put it on? The one you often wear is rather plain.”

  She reached up to touch the blue and white cameo brooch Adella Rose had given her. “This is a treasured keepsake. George’s sister gave it to me when she left for Oregon. I will wear yours tomorrow.”

  The frown on his face told her what he thought of her suggestion, but he didn’t argue. “After we’re married, I will buy you many jewels and gowns. Anything you want. Perhaps we will travel abroad. I should like to see Europe.”

  “Alexander.” Natalie tempered her voice. His assumptions irritated. “You must give me time to consider your proposal. With all your talk of traveling, I wonder if you forget I have a son to raise and plantations to operate.”

  His smile did not reach his eyes. “How could I forget, my dear Natalie?” After a moment, he sat on the settee with her and took her hand in his. “Forgive me. I am simply eager to make you my bride and show you off to the world.”

  George had said something similar to her after they married, as though she were a pretty possession rather than a cherished wife. “We needn’t rush into anything.” She withdrew her hand. “You thought to court me at first, and I believe I should like that. We don’t truly know one another. For instance, I know nothing of your home, your family, or your business.”

  His eyes narrowed a bit. “Why should those things matter, mi pequeña? Has someone put ideas into your head?”

  “I don’t know what you mean. I simply want to know more about the man who has asked me to marry him. That doesn’t seem so unreasonable, does it?”

  He relaxed. “It does not. You may ask me anything you wish. And as soon as we are husband and wife, I will take you to see my family’s ranch. It is beautiful land with a river running through it. Our cattle graze on the best grasses in Texas.” He offered a devoted smile. “Of course, it is Rose Hill and its lovely mistress that have captured my heart.”

  Uncomfortable with the passion shining in his black eyes, she thought to change the subject. Thankfully, a disturbance in the yard drew their attention to the open window. Ebenezer barked and yelped, followed by Samuel’s happy shrieks and bubbling laughter. Curious, she rose to see what it was about.

  Her heart tumbled over itself at the scene that met her.

  There on the front lawn, Levi had Samuel up on his shoulders, teasing the big dog with a stick. The three of them chased and circled and danced, looking silly and happy and oh, so wonderful. She smiled despite the sheer agony it brought to her heart, knowing they would never be the family she longed for.

  “What is he doing here?”

  Alexander’s irate voice came from directly behind her. She turned to find him staring out the window, his cold eyes focused on Levi.

  “I don’t know.” She returned to her seat lest he see something in her eyes to give away her true feelings. Though it was foolish and there was no future in it, she loved Levi still.

  A few moments later, noises on the porch and her son’s nonstop chatter told her the playmates were coming into the house. They both appeared in the parlor doorway, Samuel rosy-cheeked and grinning. Levi’s face, on the other hand, grew stony the moment he saw Alexander across the room.

  “Mama, the co’nel says we can go fishing.” Samuel ran to her and clambered onto her lap. “Can we? He says you and Ebenezer can come. Will you, Mama? Please?”

  Natalie couldn’t help smiling at her son’s enthusiasm, and then she looked at Levi. His expression hadn’t changed, but his eyes now rested on her.

  “Fishing is not something ladies do, Samuel.” Alexander moved to stand next to the settee, his scowl imparting his feelings on the subject.

  Samuel returned the scowl, his bottom lip poking out. “The co’nel said girls can go fishing.”

  Natalie didn’t relish being in the middle of the squabble. Keenly awa
re of Levi’s gaze, she forced a smile. “You’re both correct. While ladies don’t normally go fishing, we girls sometimes make exceptions, especially when very handsome young men ask us to join them.” She tickled Samuel, causing him to squeal.

  He jumped off her lap and tugged her hand. “Come on, Mama. The co’nel said he knows a good place to catch some fish.”

  She looked up to Levi, the awkwardness of the situation settling around her.

  Finally, he gave a slight bow. “I promised Samuel we would go fishing, and I am a man of my word.”

  Whether the statement had a double meaning or not, she didn’t know.

  “Natalie,” Alexander said, drawing her rather reluctant attention. “Have you forgotten who this man is and what he did?”

  She glanced at Samuel, his little ears attentive to the conversation around him. “I have not, but we won’t discuss that now.” She indicated her son. “Suffice it to say, a trip down to the creek is nothing to worry over. Join us if you like.”

  All three males in the room frowned at her suggestion.

  She rose. “I’ll get my hat, and we can be off.” Leaving the parlor without looking at either man, she hoped they could get along for the few minutes it would take her to go upstairs.

  In her room, she stood in front of her mirror and tied on a wide-brimmed straw hat. A flush high on her cheeks spoke of her anxiety at the prospect of being with Levi all afternoon, but Alexander’s presence would serve as a constant reminder that her future was not with the Union officer. That he was kind to her son was endearing. That he’d saved Samuel’s life earned her indebtedness. But unless he changed his mind and chose to stay in Texas, there was no hope for anything beyond friendship, passionate kisses notwithstanding.

  She joined the three of them outside. Levi held two fishing poles while Samuel carried a small bucket. Alexander stood a few paces away, his arms crossed and a deep frown on his brow.

  “Can we go fishin’ now?” Samuel asked as he danced around Levi’s legs. More questions tumbled from him in his excitement, wondering where they would fish, how many they would catch, and if they would eat their catch for dinner. A glance at Alexander’s dark countenance as he watched, however, reminded Natalie she would need to encourage her son to spend time with the Tejano. If she planned to seriously consider his proposal, one of the deciding factors would be Samuel’s acceptance.