by Cathy Marie Hake, Lynn A. Coleman, Mary Davis, Susan Page Davis
Cook returned soon after they finished their dinner. “Smells good in here, Child.”
“Thank you. How was your visit home?”
“Just fine. The older girls were given my room. They had to show me. They were so excited.” Cook grinned.
“Do you miss them?” Bea asked, with her arms up to the elbows in dishwater.
“Sure enough do, but this is best. Now they can come and visit me. I told ’em all about sitting in Mr. Ellis’s fancy parlor last night, and they can’t wait to come see it.”
“I’m sure Ellis won’t mind.” Bea reached for another plate and placed it in the hot soapy water.
“He’s the one who told me to invite ’em. Fact is, he wants them here for dinner on Tuesday.”
“Tuesday? The whole family?” Bea wondered where they would put everyone.
Cook chuckled. “The whole family. He said he was going to do a barbecue, and you know what that means.”
“He’s cooking?”
“Yes’m, for the whole lot of ’em. I thought Lizzy was going to fall off her chair when I made the announcement.”
Bea laughed.
“I’m used to Mr. Ellis cooking for me a time or two, but my family, well, let’s just say it’ll be a new experience.”
“I can imagine.” Bea wondered what was going on in Lizzy’s mind.
“How was church?” Cook asked, putting on her apron.
“It was fine. Cook, I can handle the dishes. You relax.”
“I’m sure you can, but my family waited on me hand and foot like I was the Queen Mother. I need to do something useful today or I think I’ll burst.”
Bea removed her hands from the water and stepped back from the sink. “I never liked doing dishes.” Bea dried off her hands.
Cook chuckled and plunged her hands into the soapy water. “I think we’re going to get along real fine, Miss Smith, real fine.”
And Bea could picture herself as the woman of this household working alongside Cook. It was a pleasant picture. Her heart warmed, her lips turning up in a smile.
Ellis caught a glimpse of Bea working in the kitchen with Cook. She fit right in, and she looked mighty pretty today. Her hair was up in a bun, but she allowed a few wisps of hair to come down in ringlets alongside her cheeks. One day he was going to run his fingers through that wonderful crown she wore.
“Uncle Ellis?” Richard tugged on his pant leg.
Ellis turned to see the imploring gaze of his nephew, who jumped up and down, wiggling like he had to go to the bathroom. “Is there a problem, Richard?”
“There’s a monster in the outhouse.”
“A monster?”
Richard nodded and continued the wiggling.
“Let’s go check it out.” Ellis grabbed a lantern. He’d found large iguanas in the outhouse before. To a four year old, a two-to three-foot iguana could be pretty scary. On the other hand, he was proud that Richard hadn’t yelled upon first spotting the creature.
Richard’s grasp of Ellis’s hand tightened the closer they came to the outhouse. “Stand behind me, Son.” Ellis waited until Richard was behind him before he pulled the door open. The bright flash of light caused the iguana to scurry away.
“What was that?” Richard cried.
“An iguana, an overgrown lizard.” Ellis encouraged the child to make use of the outhouse. “I’ll wait for you.”
Richard nodded and stepped inside. Moments later the door swung open and Richard reappeared.
“Uncle Ellis?”
“Yes, Son?”
“Do iganas hurt people?”
“Iguanas,” he corrected. “And no, they don’t. Some folks keep them as pets, others eat ’em.”
Richard’s eyes grew wide. “They eat ’em?”
“Uh-huh.” Ellis grinned. “Some say it tastes like chicken.”
“Chicken? That’s silly. It didn’t have feathers.”
Ellis grabbed the boy and tossed him into the air. “That’s right, Son, they don’t have feathers.”
Ellis removed the lantern he had hung on the hook to the left of the door. He couldn’t imagine what Bea would have done if she had seen the iguana. Most women would scream, but he’d seen enough of Beatrice to doubt what her immediate response would have been.
“Come on, Son. Let’s go play a game of checkers before you go to bed.”
“I’ll beat you.” Richard beamed.
Maybe it was time for Ellis to win a game. He placed Richard on his shoulders and ran to the front of the house, bouncing and jumping. Richard squealed with laughter. Ellis loved children, and he wondered what it would be like to have some of his own. An image of Bea swollen with child burned a desire within him. Could it be possible, Lord?
Ellis watched as Bea descended the stairs, having put Richard to bed for the evening. Pleasure radiated from her. “Thank you, Ellis. It meant a lot to me to be able to put him down for the night.”
“I know. I cherish my time with him also.” He patted the sofa for her to sit down beside him. “Cook’s retired early tonight.”
“Then maybe I should sit on the chair,” Bea suggested, and paused in the center of the room.
“I promise to be the perfect gentleman,” Ellis implored. He wanted her close tonight. So much had developed between them in such a short span of time. “Please.”
“Ellis.” Bea sat down beside him. “Don’t you understand? I want this too much.”
“Trust me, Bea. I’ll be strong for the both of us.”
She sat back and he placed his left arm around her shoulders, encouraging her to rest her head on his shoulder. He breathed in the sweet gentle scent of lilac.
“I enjoyed the message from Pastor Williams today. Can you believe he has all those children?”
Ellis chuckled. “Eight is a handful. Do you want children?”
“Yes. I don’t think I’d want eight, though.” Bea folded her hands in her lap.
“I’m not sure I want eight either, but I’d like a few. How many do you want?” Ellis raised his hand and captured a ringlet of hair which rested on her cheek. Chocolate silk best described the sensation.
“Truthfully, I’ll take as many as the Lord gives. But I think four is a good number.”
“Hmm, four, huh?” Ellis whispered.
Bea lifted her head from his shoulder and looked into his blue-gray eyes. They were dark, yet as open and revealing as his soul. “Ellis, what’s behind these questions?”
“If you and I should decide to … uh, hmm … tie the knot, I thought maybe we ought to find out how we feel about children, raising them, our goals, desires, plans, and all that sort of stuff. Like what Pastor Williams spoke about this morning, being prepared in season and out of season.”
Bea sat up straight and grasped his hand. “I love children, as you can tell. I believe in being firm with discipline, but I also believe a child should have time to play, enjoy life.
“And you?”
“The same. What about planning for their futures?” Ellis moved his thumbs gently over her fingers.
“I think children should decide their careers. My parents encouraged me in some of my talents even though they’re traditionally more male.”
“Such as?”
“I have a mind for numbers, business. Father allowed me to learn some of his business and keeping records and such. He said any man would be proud to have a wife who could keep a budget. Truthfully, the skill was handy with your brother being off to war.”
“I can well imagine.” Ellis shifted and faced her. “Why is it that the more I get to know you, the more I like who you are, Beatrice?”
“Probably because it is the same with me. I thought you were an uncaring, rigid man the first day I met you.” Bea paused. Seeing he wasn’t offended, she continued. “I soon learned that it was me who you were rigid around. Little did I know you were fighting the same attraction I was.”
“And we fought it so well,” Ellis chuckled.
Bea struggled for ne
utral territory. “So we’re agreed on children, what about foods?”
Chapter 17
Monday came and went with an odd sensation of normalcy. Tuesday, Bea found herself immersed in the preparations for the barbecue for Cook’s family. “Where are we going to get all the tables and chairs?” Bea inquired of Cook. “I can’t believe he invited his crew and their families, too.”
“I think Mr. Ellis has done freed his heart.” Cook laughed.
“Well, I think he’s lost his head,” Bea proclaimed.
“Same thing.” Cook waddled over to the stove. As she lifted the lid, steam billowed into the air.
“What did you call that again? Yucka?”
Cook wagged her head. “No, Dear. Yucca. It’s a root like your potatoes, but we serve it the Cuban way with a garlic sauce poured on top.” A fresh aroma of garlic permeated the room as Cook opened the lid of a small pot on the stove.
The food, the trees, everything is so different here—even the fruit, Bea reflected. She loved the passion fruit Cook had been serving for breakfast, but had been avoiding it for fear there was something to its name. “I thought Ellis was going to be doing all the cooking?” Bea pushed back a stray wisp of her hair.
“He’s paying and he’s doing the barbecue. The men don’t think in terms of the whole meal. Unless of course it’s missing on his plate.”
Bea laughed. “I’m just grateful that the other families are bringing some side dishes as well. We should’ve started cooking a week ago for such a big crowd.” Bea shaped the bread dough into rolls and placed them on the baking pan. She wiped the sweat from her brow. “I can see why the original owners put a kitchen outside—it gets downright exhausting in here.”
Cook’s worried gaze searched her own eyes.
“I’m fine,” Bea responded.
“Nonsense, Child. Drink some water.”
Obediently, Bea downed a glass of water and poured herself another to slowly sip.
“We’ll have some time after the food is ready to freshen up. I want you to strip right down and cool yourself off, you hear me?” Cook wagged her finger.
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Don’t need you getting all faint, no siree,” Cook mumbled.
“I’m fine, Cook, really.” A simple nod of Cook’s head for a response was all that Bea received. She was fine. She caught a glimpse of herself in the glass, her color normal. Sweating was natural from the heat, she reminded herself. Cook was just being overly cautious.
Bea finished shaping the rolls and placed a clean cloth over them to let them rise. Wiping her hands on her apron, she began rolling piecrusts, placing them in the tins. “Where’d you get all these pie tins?” Bea asked.
“Oh, I asked around. A few from my home, and Mrs. Matlin, you remember her?”
“Yes.” How could she forget the woman and the tender mercy she’d shown to her last week when she had pushed herself too soon after being sick?
“Oh, by the way, she’ll be joining us, too.”
Bea threw up her hands. “Is there anyone on the island not coming?”
“Not used to crowds, are you, Dear?”
“No.”
“Well, here on the island things kinda have a way of growing like this.” Cook lifted the large pot of boiling yucca from the stove and brought it to the sink.
“I see.” Bea encouraged the pie dough into a circle.
“You’ll get used to it. Island folk, we all know each other and depend on each other. It’s a matter of survival. Nowadays, it doesn’t seem as much so. But wait ’til we have a storm. Then you’ll see how we all pull together.”
Like a real community, Bea mused. Being so far out with Richard’s homestead, she hadn’t been a part of a community for a long time.
“Don’t be surprised if ’n you see some folks here that we didn’t invite. They’ll be bringing some of their own food.”
Bea closed her eyes and rubbed her palms on her shirt. To go to someone’s house uninvited broke all the rules of social graces. Bea couldn’t imagine such an impropriety. “What’s Ellis doing out there?”
“Roasting the pig. He started it last night.”
Ellis turned the pig on the spit once more. He still had enough time to run to town and order the fresh fish. One of his men was bringing conch chowder. At last count, he figured there would be close to thirty coming to dinner. But he’d been to enough occasions on the island to know that number could double in an hour.
He locked the spit in place and hurried to town. Across the street was a teenaged boy he knew. “Hey, Brian, do you have a minute?”
“Sure, what do you need, Mr. Southard?”
The lean boy with a crop of long, black hair walked across the street.
“Can you run an errand for me?”
“Sure.”
“Could you fetch a twenty-five-pound bag of rice and a mess of fresh vegetables from the store and bring them to my house?”
“It’d be my pleasure.” The lad smiled. “Party?”
Ellis chuckled. “Yup. Wanna come?”
“Sure.”
“Tell you what, if you can get your mom to cook a couple pies and a mess of that rice for me, your whole family is invited. I’m roasting a pig, picking up a mess of fresh fish and possibly some steaks if the butcher has some.”
“I’ll let Mom know.”
Ellis handed Brian some money and proceeded to the docks. He spoke with a couple of the local fishermen. After he had purchased some fresh fish, he noticed Gerry Halstead cleaning his boat.
“ ’Morning, Gerry. How’s the fishing?”
“ ’Mornin’.” Gerry removed his glove to shake Ellis’s hand.
“Looks like a good catch. Is it taken?” Ellis peered into a basket crawling with lobsters.
“Not yet, you buying?”
“I’ll take the lot. How much?”
“I was hoping to make ten dollars.” Gerry raked his thinning brown hair.
“Ten it is.” Ellis pealed off a ten-dollar bill. “Here you go.”
“Wow, thanks.” Gerry lifted the basket of lobsters. “You throwing a party?”
“Sure enough. Wanna come?” Ellis invited.
Gerry chuckled. “I’m afraid I wouldn’t have any lobsters to bring.”
“Not a problem. Bring a salad, rice and beans, or something to drink.”
“All right, what time?”
“Six, my place. If you recall, I bought the Captain Curtis house.”
“I’ll be there. Thanks. What’s the special occasion? Getting hitched to that pretty nanny?”
Ellis’s cheeks burned. “No. It started as a meal for Cook’s family. It’s kinda grown.”
“That tends to happen around here. I’ll get the wife to cook up something. See you at six.”
“Adios.” Ellis waved and headed home. The fish purchased and several more families invited, he needed to stop by the church next and get some tables and chairs. Naturally, Pastor Williams and his family would be coming. Ellis laughed and quickened his pace toward the church.
“You what?” Bea couldn’t believe her ears. “You’ve invited more?”
Ellis chuckled and pulled her into his embrace. “Shh, Dear, it’s going to be all right. Trust me.”
A shiver slithered down her spine from Ellis’s warm breath on her ear. “Ellis, we don’t have food for fifty people.”
“Sure we do. And other folks are bringing stuff, too.”
“I’ve never given a party like this.” And never would she plan one this way either. Her mother had taught her well. Occasions of this magnitude took months of planning.
“It’s the island way. Trust me.” Ellis’s firm hand rested on the back of her neck. His thumb slowly worked its way across her cheek. Bea’s knees started to tremble. He held her steady. “Do you trust me, Bea?” he whispered in her ear.
What could she do? He exuded confidence, and in his arms she did believe him. It made no logical sense, but she did trust him to pull this
party off. “We’ll need to make some more …” She was at a loss as to what to make. “Something.”
“Shh, come here, Honey.” Ellis led her to the parlor. “Sit down.”
Ellis knelt before her. His blue-gray eyes steeled with confidence. “I’ve been out of proper society for a long time. But I do recall some things, and I know my mother would be in a tizzy if a party this size was suddenly thrust upon her. So I understand your fears. But, Darling, on the island things are done differently. You don’t need to make any more food. There’s plenty coming. Pastor Williams is bringing the tables and chairs….”
“Pastor Williams is coming?” Bea was in shock. The house wasn’t ready for a visit from the clergy. “Oh my. We need to get the house ready.”
“No, we don’t. Bea, look at me.” He gently took her chin in his hand and nudged it so it was face-to-face with his. Bea quieted her soul and concentrated on the handsome man before her. His thumb touched her lips. “Oh, Ellis.”
Ellis leaned into her and lifted slightly, kissing her forehead. Bea’s eyes closed and soaked in the nearness, the soft touch of his lips upon her forehead. His whispered words brought her back to reality.
“We have an audience.”
Bea’s cheeks flamed. Ellis leaned away from her.
“Excuse me, Mr. Ellis, Miss Bea. Brian Fairfield is here.” Cook departed after her announcement. Ellis stood up and went to the front hall. Bea could hear his conversation. “Thank you, Brian, you did great. Bring them to the kitchen for Cook.”
“Yes, Sir. Oh, Mom said we’d be coming, and she’s fixing a few pies and the Spanish rice.”
“Great. Pastor Williams will be here shortly with the tables and chairs. Do you think you can lend him a hand?”
“Certainly, Mr. Southard.”
Bea clasped her hands, closed her eyes, and silently prayed. Father, give me understanding regarding this “party,” and give me strength regarding Ellis and my attraction to him.
Lord, the woman is incredible. Thank You for putting her in my path, Ellis silently prayed, walking back into the parlor. “Bea,” he whispered. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have been so forward. You were so worked up about the party I didn’t know what else to do.”