Camellia

by Diane T. Ashley

  It took until the middle of December, but Anna was now much more polished and self-confident. She could exchange banter with the customers while taking care of their shopping needs. Mr. Devore was happy with the increase in sales and encouraged Anna to listen to her sister-in-law’s advice.

  Soldiers came by more often and spent more time, and more money, each visit. Anna blamed this phenomenon on Camellia’s presence more than any changes in her. But Camellia gave all the credit to her sister-in-law as winter settled in around them.

  Anna had blossomed, even though the weather was not warm at all. As long as she followed Camellia’s advice, she would surely be a bride by the time spring returned to Missouri.

  Chapter Thirty-three

  John strode into the store, hope riding high in his heart. He’d begun to think they would never reach Cape Girardeau before the Mississippi became impassable. Every bend in the river seemed to harbor yet another Union ironclad that wished to check their cargo and crew. They had spent more time docked each day than actually moving along the river. But they were finally here.

  At least the delay meant he didn’t have to worry about running into Blake. That would be a disaster of untold proportions. He felt certain the man would have come and gone in the months since he’d received word about his father’s accident. He only hoped Blake was able to lift some of the burden from Anna’s shoulders.

  Worry nibbled at the edge of his mind as John wondered if Anna was still in Cape Girardeau. What if her father had died? What if she and her aunt had gone to Natchez with Blake? It was a possibility that had occurred to him some weeks ago. He didn’t know what he would do if Anna was forever removed from his life. But a return to Natchez was out of the question. Everyone would be far better off if he never went ashore in that town again.

  The little bell tinkled as he pushed open the door. John’s heart clenched in his chest when he saw a pretty blond standing behind the counter. He could not see her face as her back was turned to him, but she was not his Anna.

  A rustle of skirts from the end of the main aisle was accompanied by a quick intake of breath. “John, is it really you?”

  His heart began beating once more as he turned and saw her. “Anna.” He reached for her hand as he searched her face.

  “I was beginning to worry something had happened to the Catfish.” Her slow smile spread across her face, and her beautiful eyes filled with joy and welcome.

  John felt like he’d come home. “It was a slow trip. The war, you know.”

  “You weren’t caught in any battles, were you?”

  He shook his head. “But every inch of the boat has been searched over and over again by suspicious officers. Not even a Confederate grasshopper could have traveled with us to Missouri.”

  Her giggle was like music. Was it his imagination, or had Anna undergone a change since his last visit? He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but something was different.

  “I have someone I want you to meet.” She put a hand on his arm and pulled him to the counter. “A new member of my family.”

  The blond who had been standing next to Mr. Devore looked up as they approached, a smile of welcome on her face.

  Dismay and fear mingled in John’s chest. He tried to separate himself from Anna, but she would not release him. He couldn’t break free without drawing even more attention to himself.

  “Don’t be shy, John. You’re going to love her.”

  He should have seen this coming. He should have made inquiries before walking into the store. But he’d been so focused on seeing Anna. And he’d been certain enough time had passed. Trapped by his impetuousness, John still realized all was not lost. The girl at the counter might not even recognize him. For the first time, he found himself glad for the scars that obscured his features. He managed a shaky smile as Anna introduced him, but not much more.

  He needed to escape, get out of the store, get out of town. His pleasure at seeing Anna was overcome by the necessity of keeping his identity hidden. “I’m sorry, but I have to leave now.”

  Lily’s younger sister frowned at his abrupt announcement.

  Disappointment stole Anna’s smile. “Is something wrong?”

  John shook his head. “I’ll come back later.” He pulled his arm free and began to back away.

  As he reached the front door, the bell tinkled, and a couple entered the store. Out of habit, he turned the burned side of his face away to keep from frightening the female.

  She was chattering at her escort but stopped in midsentence with a gasp as she caught sight of him. “Jean Luc?”

  With those two words, his whole world crashed around him.

  “Stay out here, Camellia.” Lily ignored the huff of irritation from her sister and strode to the stockroom door.

  Anna was already in the room, turning up a lamp to bring light into the windowless room. Blake was right behind her, and Jean Luc lagged farther behind.

  Lily was impressed by the cleanliness of the spacious area and the order in which Mr. Devore kept his extra stock. Floor-to-ceiling shelves held everything from baking soda to jewelry, all neatly labeled. It must make reordering simple.

  Blake snapped the door shut as soon as Jean Luc entered. His brows were pulled down by a ferocious frown, and he stood with his feet spread and his arms crossed over his chest.

  Anna moved away from the lamp and faced her brother. “I don’t understand what’s going on. How do you know John?”

  “First of all, his name is not John.” Blake spat out the words. “He’s Jean Luc Champney, a wastrel, a thief, and a scoundrel. He has tried to cheat me out of everything I ever cared for.”

  Lily was as surprised as Anna by Blake’s denunciation. “He saved your life and mine that night after the Hattie Belle was set on fire.”

  “It’s more likely he was trying to cover up his own culpability and failed to get off the boat in time.”

  Anna looked from one of them to the other before turning to Jean Luc. “Please, would someone start at the beginning?”

  “I will.” Jean Luc stepped forward, his shoulders drooping. “I deserve all of your brother’s scorn and enmity. I’ve done things … terrible things. I thought at one time that I could start over, leave behind all the mess I caused, and begin my life with a clean slate.”

  Lily’s heart fell as she heard the man’s confession. She prayed for guidance to navigate the murky currents of their shared past. Peace settled over her like a warm fur coat. Glancing toward Blake, she could see the condemnation on his face. She stepped closer to him, letting her shoulder rub his arm.

  “It all started the night I lost my boat in a card game.”

  “Half a boat,” Blake said, correcting Jean Luc’s statement.

  Jean Luc nodded. “My father was very angry, even threatening to keep me away from his business. Then Lily bought the other half of the boat, a controlling half, and I decided I could regain the Hattie Belle through her.”

  Lily put a hand to her chest. Jean Luc had never been romantically interested in her. The realization stung, but looking back over the events of the past, she realized she was more than happy with the way God had worked things out. And very thankful she hadn’t lost her heart to him.

  “When all my efforts failed, I hired a couple of men to tear up a couple of the staterooms.” Jean Luc turned to her, confusion apparent in the twist of his eyebrows. “Even that didn’t stop you. So I hired them again and told them to do more damage, enough to keep your boat docked for a few days until I could figure out another way to succeed.”

  The disappointment of learning Jean Luc had not been enamored of her faded as she listened to his tale in growing horror. “You set the Hattie Belle on fire?”

  “That was never my intention.”

  “You see now why Jean Luc isn’t an acceptable suitor for my sister.” Blake’s voice was smug. “He’s dangerous. He needs to be locked up for trying to destroy our livelihood and for attempted murder.”

  “
I cannot argue with you.” Jean Luc held up his hands, crossed at the wrist, and bowed his head. “I’ll go with you to the constable. I’ll confess to my misdeeds.”

  “Wait a moment.” Lily stepped between the two men. “That story is all fine and dandy, but it has a few holes in it.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Blake kept his voice low.

  “I’m talking about the fact that I never heard this from you.” She pointed a finger at her husband. “I’m talking about your letting me believe Captain Steenberg and his henchmen were the culprits. You never mentioned that Jean Luc had any part in the mess they left.”

  “Why should I?” Blake shrugged. “He was dead. Why upset his grieving parents further? You and the rest of the town were saying he was a hero for sacrificing his life to save our lives and the other boats in the harbor. I didn’t see any reason to reveal the truth.”

  Lily tried to set aside her feelings of betrayal to consider Blake’s explanation from a logical standpoint. Would she have done the same thing? She didn’t know. “I still wish you had told me. Now I have to wonder what other things you have failed to tell me about because you see no need to ‘reveal the truth.’ ”

  Blake’s arms fell to his side. He looked startled by her words. “I’m sorry. I thought I was protecting you.”

  “I would have thought you would know I’m not some delicate flower that needs to be protected from the bumps and bruises of life.”

  An arresting look entered his blue eyes. “You may be able to stand on your own, but you must allow me to protect you. It’s my right and my pleasure as your husband.”

  “Rest assured we’ll talk about this later when we’re alone, but what we need to focus on right now is Jean Luc and Anna.”

  “You needn’t worry about that.” Anna stepped directly in front of Jean Luc. “Did you set my brother’s boat on fire?”

  He straightened his shoulders, his facial features showing resignation. “Not directly, but it was still my fault.”

  “Did you try to murder Blake?”

  “No.” The word shot out of him like the blast from a cannon. He glanced at Lily. “I was trying to free him, remember? I knew someone had to get the boat out into the river, so as soon as I knew you and Blake were safe, I went to the pilothouse.”

  Lily nodded. “I remember.”

  “It’s true he was not the one who tied me up.”

  “I almost died that night.” Jean Luc touched the scarred side of his face. “When I woke up in a strange town, I thought God had given me a second chance. I returned to Natchez several months later, but everyone thought I was dead. It was wrong of me to try to escape the consequences of my terrible decisions. I know that now. I see that it was cowardice on my part, a desire to escape punishment. But at that time, I convinced myself it would be kinder for my parents. They had gone through so much already. I was content to make a living on the river. I knew I didn’t deserve anything more because of what I’d done. But then I met you, Anna, and everything changed. I fell in love with you … with your honesty and purity.”

  A new thought occurred to Lily. “You’re the one who sent us the note about Blake’s father.”

  Blake’s head jerked as if from a slap.

  Jean Luc nodded. “Anna was struggling to survive. She needed your help.”

  “Didn’t you think I would recognize you when I saw you here?”

  “I thought you might have left again when I didn’t see your boat in the harbor.” Jean Luc shrugged his shoulders. “Besides, I couldn’t stay away from her any longer.”

  Blake put his hands on his sister’s shoulders and moved her to the side before pointing an accusing finger at Jean Luc. “You’d better learn how to stay away from her, because I’m telling you now that you won’t be seeing her again.”

  Anna gasped. “Blake, please. I’m a grown woman. I can make my own decisions.”

  “No, he’s right.” Jean Luc lifted his chin. “You’re much too good for me.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  Lily could feel the heat of her husband’s anger from where she stood a foot away. Jean Luc looked so dejected. While she could not agree with his decision to run from his problems, she could understand how high a price he’d paid for his actions. At this moment, he reminded her of her father. He’d run away when he should have stayed and persevered.

  Blake reached for his sister’s elbow, but Lily stopped him with a shake of her head. “While I appreciate your concern for your sister, you should give Anna the chance to decide her own future now that she knows the truth about Jean Luc.”

  He turned his frown on her, but Lily would not back down. She knew she was right about this. Reaching for his hand, she pulled him toward the door. “Let’s leave them here to thrash out their problems.”

  “That’s a good idea.” Blake’s frown did not abate at all. “And I can use the time to hunt down the sheriff and lodge a complaint against him.”

  Lily seemed to be the only one who heard his threat. She shook her head, dragged the door open, and pushed him through it. “You have five minutes. I doubt I can hold my husband off for any longer than that.”

  “I’ll never understand women.” Blake took aim at the piece of wood on the chopping block and split it with his ax.

  “I don’t think we’re meant to.” Henrick Anderson picked up the two halves and placed them on the growing pile of firewood. “It’s our job to love them and protect them. But as for understanding them …”

  “Lily is barely speaking to me. She seems to think I had some nefarious reason to keep her in the dark about Jean Luc’s treachery.”

  “Did you?”

  Blake grunted. “Of course not. The Hattie Belle was gone. By the time I woke up, everyone was saying what a noble thing he’d done to sacrifice his own life for the sake of the other boat owners. Like everyone else, I thought the man was dead. I thought he was beyond taking responsibility for his actions, and I didn’t see why his parents should suffer for his misdeeds.”

  “That sounds logical to me.”

  “Then why is Lily so miffed?” Blake put another piece of wood on the block. “Why can’t she see the truth?”

  “She probably can.” Henrick chuckled. “But if I know my eldest daughter, she is wondering if there are other things you’ve been less than truthful about. For your own good reasons, of course.”

  “That’s ridiculous.” Blake concentrated on his chore for several minutes—splitting the wood released some of his irritation.

  Sweat trickled into his eyes, and he stopped to wipe his brow. “I don’t understand Anna, either. She ought to be glad she found out who ‘John Champion’ really was before she committed herself to him.”

  “The girl’s heart is bruised if not broken.” Henrick spoke gently. “Since Jean Luc has disappeared—”

  “A fact she seems to blame on me.”

  “Yes, well … I’m sure you didn’t arrange for his boat to leave Cape Girardeau, but you probably weren’t unhappy to learn of the man’s departure.”

  Of course he wasn’t unhappy. Blake didn’t want to have to go to the authorities and swear out a complaint against the man. And he wouldn’t … as long as Jean Luc stayed away from Anna. He put down the ax, crossed his arms over his chest, and waited for Henrick to continue.

  “So now that Jean Luc is gone, you’re a convenient target for her disappointment.”

  “That makes no sense at all.”

  Henrick shrugged. “As I said, it’s our job to love the women in our lives, not understand them.”

  The man sounded just like Camellia—shallow, foolish Camellia—the girl who had told him earlier this morning that he should bide his time. She’d actually suggested he might give the other two women a little time to recover from their disappointments instead of trying to defend his actions. When had she become so mature? When had she grown more levelheaded than Lily?

  First she had become Aunt Tessie’s assistant, nursing his father
and learning how to make remedies. Then she had taken Anna under her wing and showed her how to be more self-confident. Now she was dispensing advice to him. It made absolutely no sense.

  “This world would be a sorry place without the ladies.” Henrick chuckled again. “Logical or not, we’re much better off with them than without them.”

  “That’s easy for you to say.” Blake glanced toward the house. “You’re not married to a single one of them, nor do you have a sister to watch over.”

  “No, only three daughters. And I thank God every day for putting them back in my life.”

  The older man’s words struck a chord in his heart. Shame hit Blake. He should be focusing on his blessings—having a wife and a sister who loved him in spite of his shortcomings. They might be put out with him now, but one day they would forgive him. At least he hoped they would.

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Mrs. Naomi plopped down beside Jean Luc as he whittled a piece of driftwood. “What are you making?”

  Hunching a shoulder, he looked at the pattern of grains. “A bird, I guess.”

  “A seagull!” She clapped her hands together. “You have a fine talent at whittling.”

  Jean Luc shrugged. What did it matter? His life had come to another dead end. He never should have fallen in love with Anna Matthews. He should have kept to himself, kept his heart free of entanglements. Hadn’t he learned yet that he had nothing to offer others? Blake had been right when he’d condemned Jean Luc. He couldn’t blame the man for his anger or for the way Anna had run from him that day.

  “You’ve been moping around here for more than a week.” Mrs. Naomi’s soft voice pulled him from his roiling thoughts.