Bittersweet (42 page)

“But that still means he didn’t carry them to the tent. You keep a-changin’ yore story.” Ishmael raked his fingers through his hair. “You lied to me. I cain’t believe it. Sis, you ain’t niver lied to me afore.”

“I ain’t lying. You cain’t blame me if ’n I don’t ’zactly recollect them piddlin’ details. A gal in love pays attention to her buck, not to them other thangs.”

Ishy let out a long, shaky breath. “Makes sense. Wonder if ’n the babe’ll wind up with that mark he gots on his shoulder.”

“Same as the one on Sean’s? Could be. Hadn’t thunk on that yet.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Ivy wanted to grab them back. Ishmael’s face went whiter than a Sunday-best shirt, and she knew she’d said something wrong.

“Boss ain’t got no mark on his shoulder.” Every last word came out in a hushed roar. “He ain’t the one what done this to you.”

“He is, too!” she insisted emphatically.

Once—just once—Ishy’s head wagged from one side to the other. His face went stone cold, and then he walked away.

“Ishy!” Ivy wasn’t sure whether she whispered his name or called it aloud, so she called again in desperation. “Ishy!” He didn’t turn around. No matter how bad things had ever gotten, she’d always had her twin.
I’ve lost him. What’s he gonna do now? What
am I gonna do?

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

B
oss?” Galen slapped the trunk of a tree. “Blossoms everywhere. It’ll be a bumper crop of cherries this year.”

Ishmael shifted his weight uneasily. “We gotta have us a talk. I did sommat real bad.”

Galen didn’t say anything. He waited for Ishmael to continue.

“You ain’t the one,” Ishmael said in a hushed tone. “That babe … ain’t yourn.”

“No, it’s not.” Galen stared at him.

“Sis was talkin’ jist now. Her story kept a-changin’. Li’l thangs—but them thangs don’t add up.” Anguish painted his face. “She tole me yore the daddy, and she ain’t niver lied to me afore. I believed her. I done made you marry up with her.”

“Did Ivy tell you who the real father is?”

“Nope. And she ain’t gonna. My sis, she could teach Muley a thang or two ’bout bein’ stubborn. She still says yore the pa.” Ishmael swallowed hard. “I wronged you. I grabbed that shotgun of yourn and hitched you to her. Folks, they all thank bad of you. I done ruint yore good name. On account of me, yore saddled with Ivy and another man’s get.”

So now what do I do, Lord?

“I’m sorry.” Ishmael hung his head. “What I done—ain’t no fixin’ it.”

Galen reached over and rested his hand on Ishmael’s shoulder. “You’ve come to me, man-to-man. You’ve swallowed your pride and confessed your part. I can’t hold you responsible for what you didn’t know.”

Ishmael blurted out, “That’s dreadful big of you, Boss.”

“Ishmael, I do forgive you for what you did.”

His head shot up and his jaw dropped. “I … you … Boss, I don’t ’spect you to. You was good to me and mine—you give us chance after chance when we didn’t deserve none. Ain’t right what I done back.”

“God forgives us, Ishmael. You’re my brother in Christ. It wouldn’t be right for me to accept the Lord’s forgiveness, then turn around and hold a grudge against someone else when they sought my forgiveness.”

“Yore tryin’ to be like God. That’s why you give us all them chances, ain’t it?”

Nodding his head, Galen said, “Christians try to be as much like the Lord as we can. We aren’t perfect, Ishmael. We make plenty of mistakes—and we have to live with the consequences.”

“But yore the one what has to live with the consequences, and you didn’t do nuthin’ a-wrong. What’re you gonna do ’bout Sis?”

“I don’t have an answer for you.” Galen leaned against the tree trunk. “I’m torn. At first, I admit I was livid. My plan was to force Ivy to tell me who the father was. Once I did, I was going to break free from the marriage.”

Ishmael grimaced. “Cain’t say as I blame you.”

“I’ve had to set aside the plans I made before all of this happened. I’m not the only one who was hurt by this.”

“’Twas a time when I thunk you was jist bein’ mannerly to all the gals. Now that I been round you more and seen the way other bucks act round women, ’tis plain to me that you’d set yore cap for La—”

“Stop right there.” Galen stared straight through him.

“I could go talk to her.”

“No.”

Ishmael looked down and scuffed his toe in the dirt. “’Spite all this, that gal’s been terrible nice to Sis.”

That’s my sweet Laney
. “The Bible tells us to return kindness for evil and do good for them who hate us. I’ve been slow to do that. I’ve not been … gentle with Ivy.”

Looking up, Ishmael sighed. “You been better than good to her. Thar at the beginnin’, I didn’t wanna leave on account of bein’ ascairt you’d hurt her.”

“I’d never do that.”

The corners of Ishmael’s mouth tightened. “I know that now. Yore ma and brothers—they’ve all taken a shine to Ivy, too. Yore ma—least I could do is tell her—”

“She knows I’m not the father.”

“And she still tole Ivy to call her Ma?” Ishmael rubbed his palm over the scar that had formed on his forehead. “You O’Sullivans is pure hickory. I fear it’s gonna be mighty hard for me to get o’er this with Sis. Her and me—we always holped each other and stood up for each other.”

“You still love her, Ishmael. You hate what she did, but you don’t hate her.”

The strain in Ishmael’s features lightened a little. “True.” Cramming his hands into his pockets, he leaned forward a little. “I wanna hear all ’bout the angel-feller what come.”

“What angel?”

“You know—Parson said angels come and give folks messages. Coupla times in church, whilst he was a-sermonizin’, he tole all ’bout it. I recollect when you tole me ’bout the Christmas baby, that God sent His angel to talk to Joseph on account of Mary carryin’ a babe that weren’t his. Betcha God Almighty sent that ’zact same one, tellin’ you—”

“I haven’t seen an angel, Ishmael.”

“No?” He looked downright disappointed. In the next instant, his features twisted. “I gotta ask you sommat. If ’n no angel tole you to keep the babe, what are you fixin’ to do?”

“Put your fears to rest. That babe will grow up under my roof, and he’ll be loved.” The breeze sent a shower of cherry blossom petals into a snow-like flurry.

“Didja see that, Boss?” Ishmael’s eyes widened in wonder. “Looks like a million tiny angel wings fluttering round about us. Weren’t truly angels, I know, but shorely did settle my heart.”

Galen nodded. It was a fanciful notion, but he had to agree that after this conversation, he felt more at peace. “One last thing, Ishmael.”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t call me boss. I’m your brother.”

Something was wrong. Laney couldn’t put her finger on it, but the way Ivy had been blurting out things and sounding a little too jovial over the last few days left Laney sure something was amiss.

“Tell ’em, Ishy. You heared all ’bout it whilst you was in town.”

“You know more?” Amanda turned to him. “Please do tell us what happened.”

“The Bensons’ place was the one what got robbed. The missus was outside at the washtub and Mr. Benson was out in the fields. Mrs. Benson heared her babe a-cryin’ and went inside. Found a mess all o’er. She done swiped her young’un outta the cradle and run to get her man.”

“Cain you ’magine that?” Ivy shoved her hands into the pockets of her apron.

“How terrifying!” Amanda shuddered.

“Miss ’Manda—” Ishmael glanced at her, then addressed the toes of his boots—“I know you been a-spendin’ lots of time out thar in the li’l cabin, gettin’ all the books organized and ready for the library, but maybe you oughtta not be on yore lonesome till the sheriff catches that varmint.”

He’s sweet on her!
Laney fought to keep her surprise hidden.
I’ll
bet that’s what’s happening. Ivy knows her twin likes Amanda, and she’s trying
to play matchmaker!

“Ishmael, that’s an excellent point,” Laney said.

Amanda said in a whispery drawl, “It’s so kind of you to be concerned about my welfare.” Her gaze dropped as a slight blush filled her cheeks.

Laney and Ruth’s gazes met. Ruth blurted out, “Amanda and Ishmael—” She caught herself before she said anything more.

“That’s a wonderful idea, Ruth!” Laney linked arms with Ivy. “Ishmael, since I’m going to work with your sister on her reading this morning, I’ll be staying here in the parlor. Amanda was planning to go over to the cabin. Since you’ve pointed out that might not be wise, would you mind going to the cottage and bringing back a few boxes of books?”

“Shore. I cain do that.”

“I’d appreciate that no end.” Amanda gave Ishmael a charming smile. “It would be a shame for the library’s opening to be delayed.”

Ruth made a shooing motion. “Amanda, why don’t you go show Ishmael which boxes you’d like him to bring?”

“I’m not sure I should.”

Laney understood Amanda was worried about the propriety, but she intentionally pretended to mistake Amanda’s meaning. “Ishmael will see to your safety. I have every confidence in him.”

“I’d die afore I let anythin’ happen to you, Miss ’Manda.”

“How gallant of you.” Amanda looked at Ruth. “Won’t you come with us? Surely there’s a box you’d like.”

Ruth laughed. “I’d be more of a hindrance than a help. You’ve gone through so many, I’m not sure where anything is anymore. I hope you’ll all excuse me. I have a few things to see to.” Ruth left the room.

“I’ve been hearin’ ‘bout these books,” Ishmael said, looking at Amanda. “Got some good ones?”

“Amanda,” Ruth enthused, “I think Ishmael should be our first library patron. You could recommend a book or two, and he could borrow them now.”

“Yore the very first one, Ishy!” Ivy nudged him. “I reckon that’s a right fine honor.”

“Miss ’Manda, are you too busy to holp me choose a book? Won’t put my nose outta joint if ’n ’tis a bad time.”

“It seems a terrible waste for those books to languish in boxes when someone could be enjoying them. If you don’t mind my practicing on you since I’ve never been a librarian, I’d appreciate working with you.”

“Well, thar you have it!” Ivy beamed at her brother.

Ishmael cleared his throat. “I only got a bit o’er three years’ book learnin’.”

“That’s three times what President Abraham Lincoln has had.” Amanda folded her hands at her waist. “With only one year of schooling, he’s still a remarkably well-read man.”

Once Amanda and Ishmael had left, Laney squeezed both of Ivy’s hands. “I think they like each other!”

“’Manda cain’t holp herself. Ishy’s strong and handsome. What with her bein’ all on her lonesome, ’tis understandable that she’d want a man to lean on.”

“We’ll play Cupid!” Laney said, practically jumping up and down. “Yes, that’s what we’ll do.”

Ivy’s face fell. “I ain’t niver played games afore.”

“You and I are going to play matchmaker for Amanda and your brother. When you’re trying to spark a romance between two people, it’s called playing Cupid.”

“Reckon that’s a better way to spend this time of ourn than me tryin’ to read. I ain’t doin’ too good at it.”

“Nonsense! You’re doing well. You’re sounding out words already.” Laney drew Ivy toward the table where she had paper, pencils, and a book waiting. “Besides, your lessons are going to give us all sorts of excuses to have Ishmael and Amanda work together.”

“Don’t see how.”

“We’ll have to ask them to find a book they think you’d enjoy and would be able to read.”

“So we’ll be killin’ two birds with one stone.”

“You’ve taken leave of your senses!” Hilda half shouted from the kitchen.

“Now, Hilda,” a low voice rumbled in response.

Laney and Ivy started toward the kitchen.

“I have to be twice your age, Cowboy!”

Laney stopped so suddenly, Ivy bumped into her. A voice Laney recognized as Toledo’s said slyly, “You are nowhere near eighty-four.”

“Of course I’m not!” Hilda paused a moment, then croaked, “You are not forty-two.”

“Sure am. And if you happen to be a tiny bit older than I am, so what?”

Ivy and Laney turned toward each other with their eyes wide open. Ivy opened her mouth, and Laney promptly held a finger up to her lips.