Hearts Aglow (22 page)
“Oh, Jael, do be cautious,” Lizzie warned. “It’s not a good idea to expect that a third person can spark affection between two people. Children often get used by their parents – look at what happened with me. My mother and father held no affection for each other and very little for me. Well, I suppose hat’s not fair. Father loved me, but he was unavailable to me. Mother loved her cause. Don’t suffer a child to bring together a bad marriage.”
“The marriage isn’t so very bad,” Jael replied. “It’s more . . . well, it’s rather boring. Stuart spends little time in my company, and I certainly haven’t a mind for the things that hold his interest. I spend my days doing mostly as I please, and on occasion, Stuart comes to my bed.” She blushed and added, “Although those occasions are infrequent, and always for his benefit.”
Deborah could see that Lizzie was trying hard to hide her feelings. Likely they were both feeling the same emotions – sorrow . . . despair . . . grief – for their friend. The idea of being married to someone who so rarely shared one’s company appalled Deborah. It only served to remind her of how much she wished she could be with Christopher. She thought of their conversation some time back when she’d assured him she was fine in waiting until the day he was free to marry her. That had been true at the moment, but sometimes it wasn’t.
“As for the future,” Jael said, seeming to lighten up a bit, “Father and Stuart are actually talking of moving to Houston. Business transactions here in the West have profited them greatly, and they are anxious to be near their investments.”
“Houston isn’t so terribly far,” Deborah said. She couldn’t begin to imagine what G.W. would have to say about it, but then again, perhaps Stuart and G.W. could now get along. Especially since losing Lizzie hadn’t cost Stuart his inheritance.
Lizzie seemed to be on a different thought. “I am surprised you were allowed to accompany them.”
Jael nodded. “I insisted. It was really the first time Stuart had seen me assert myself. I told them that since they were planning to be gone for a great many weeks, I should accompany them.
“Then I added that if they were serious about moving to Houston, it was only right I see the place that had so enthralled them. I also pointed out that I should have a say in the house we might purchase. After all, I would spend most of my time there.”
“And so they were in agreement?” Lizzie asked.
“At first not so much, but when I threatened to follow the day after they left, they changed their minds.”
“And what did Stuart say about your . . . uh, determination?” Deborah braved the question that she knew was on both her and Lizzie’s mind. Stuart was not one to graciously consider challenges to his authority.
Jael eased back in the chair. “He came to me that night and told me he didn’t like being forced into anything. I told him neither did I. I reminded him I had friends not far from Houston, and that frankly, I would enjoy a visit. He brought up that you were his enemies, but I told him that was nonsense – that just because Lizzie found someone to marry for love didn’t mean he should condemn her for such an action. Not everyone was stuck in our situation.”
She paused and shook her head ever so slightly. “I was actually surprised Stuart was taken aback by my comment. He actually asked me if I was unhappy.”
“That is surprising,” Lizzie replied. “Stuart never used to care whether I was happy or not.”
“It’s true,” Deborah said. “Maybe Stuart has feelings for you, after all.”
“I think he’s grateful to me. He knows I helped him out of a difficult situation. I told him it wasn’t so much a matter of true unhappiness, but rather discontentment – a sort of displacement. I felt a sense of loss from the baby and from ideals and dreams I had once believed in – a loss of innocence, if you would.”
Deborah could hear something else in Jael’s tone. Was it longing? Regret?
“But I mostly wanted to make sure my presence wouldn’t make you uneasy, Lizzie,” Jael said, changing the subject. “If it does, I’ll go. My desire to see you both and enjoy your company is not nearly as strong as my need to make certain we remain friends. If distance is the only way to accomplish that, then I will regretfully go.”
“No!” Lizzie declared, startling Rutger. He had just nodded off to sleep and for a moment stared up at his mother before closing his eyes once again. Lowering her voice, Lizzie continued in a calmer tone. “Our friendship is far more important than what’s between me and Stuart. In time, perhaps we can meet socially and he will not be ill at ease, but even so, it would never have anything to do with you.”
Deborah agreed. “She’s right. We are more than friends – we are like sisters, and that bond will not be easily severed.”
–––––– Despite G.W.’s misgivings, Euphanel and Sissy made their way to meet Zed Perkins at the sawmill. Euphanel assured her son she was going, either with him as an escort or without.
“Miz Vandermark, I must say this is a surprise,” Zed said, coming from his office. “Won’t you step in here? It’s marginally cleaner and a little quieter.”
Euphanel followed him into the office with Sissy and G.W.behind her. She took the seat Zed offered and smiled. “Thank you so much.”
“It’s a hot one today, and I had Miz Greeley bring me over some sweet tea and ice. Would you care for a glass?”
“That sounds wonderful,” she admitted. Looking to Sissy, she asked, “What about you?”
Sissy glanced up to where Mr. Perkins stood. It was clear to Euphanel that she feared his reaction to the invitation. White women were offered refreshments, but black women were ignored. To ease the woman’s concern, Euphanel spoke. “I’m sorry. Where are my manners? I presumed you would have enough for all of us.”
“Of course,” Zed said, not acting the least bit put out. “The invitation was extended to each of you.”
Sissy seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. She nodded. “I’d be mighty grateful.”
“Me too,” G.W. said, limping over to his mother, “but I need to head on over to see the doc. Mr. Perkins, could I impose upon you to escort my mother and Sissy to the commissary after they conclude their business here?”
“Certainly,” Zed replied. “It would be my honor.”
G.W. excused himself, closing the office door behind him, while Zed went to get the ice and tea. Euphanel waited until he’d returned and she’d taken a sip of the tea before picking up the conversation. “This is quite good. Thank you so much. Now, I suppose you’re wondering as to why we’ve come.”
“I was rather curious,” the older man admitted.
“It’s been over five months since we lost George and David. In that time, no one has come forward to speak on the matter or offer any witness or hearsay on who the culprits might be. In my deep frustration over this matter, I’ve decided to offer a reward for information.”
“Now, Miz Vandermark, I don’t know as that’s a good idea.”
“Zed Perkins, you have had this matter in hand for all this time. I see no other ideas being shared or suggested.” Euphanel’s temper began to flare. “If this had been the murder of white men, the man or men would have been caught and hanged by now.”
“Look, I know the unfairness of it all,” Zed began. He hooked his thumbs in his vest pockets, which only served to draw attention to his pudgy midsection. “We have sought the murderers. We’ve asked questions of the law officials in the surrounding counties. Every county has had some sort of trouble from the White Hand of God, but no one seems to know who the men are or what they’re planning next.”
“Then our community is truly at the mercy of killers? This happened just after the war, and good men refused to sit still for it. It’s a sin, and you know it. If we don’t take a stand again, it will only continue. Money always loosens tongues with these sorts. I’ll stake a twenty-dollar reward for information that leads to the capture of these men.”
Zed frowned. He paced back and forth a moment, then finally took a seat behind his desk. “Miz Vandermark, I wish you wouldn’t. I fear it will only stir up problems.”
“Problems?”
He nodded and continued. “You go wavin’ around that kind of money – especially in a company town – and there’s going to be trouble. Folks will be inclined to lie about what they know.”
“That’s why the money is contingent upon the men being caught. If the information doesn’t lead to such an arrest, the informant will not be paid.”
“That’s all well and good, Miz Vandermark, but the men who call themselves the White Hand of God are smart. They ain’t been caught yet, and they’ve been practicin’ their misdeeds for some time.”
“And that is a good reason for moving forward instead of doing nothing,” she insisted.
Zed scratched his cheek. “I think it will only bring more danger to our community.”
Euphanel looked at him oddly. “How so?”
“Well, like I said, those fellas appear to be smart. What’s to stop one of them from bearin’ false witness – setting up a situation so it looks like an innocent man is to blame?”
That possibility had never occurred to Euphanel. “Well, there would have to be evidence.”
“But don’t you see? Who better to give evidence – or worse still, hide evidence – to support their claim? It would be simple enough for the White Hand of God to do something that underhanded and then the wrong person will hang.”
“Ain’t no white man gonna hang for killin’ a black man, anyhow,” Sissy muttered. “Miz Euphanel, this were a mistake.”
Turning to Sissy, Euphanel shook her head. “It’s not a mistake – or a lost cause. There has to be something we can do.”
Zed got up and came back around. “We are keepin’ our ears and eyes open to the matter, but frankly, I think you need to accept that we most likely won’t ever know the truth of who killed those men.”
A knock sounded from behind them. Euphanel turned to see a well-dressed man standing at the open door. “Pardon me if I’m interrupting.”
“Mr. Longstreet, we were just concluding our discussion,” Zed replied, looking quite relieved.
Euphanel got to her feet and Sissy did likewise. “Mr. Longstreet, you must be Jael’s father.”
He smiled and gave a bow. “I am indeed, but you have me at a disadvantage.”
“I’m Euphanel Vandermark. Deborah’s mother.”
“Mrs. Vandermark, it is a pleasure.” He once again bowed. When he glanced back up, Euphanel felt as though he were assessing her from head to toe. His study caused her cheeks to grow hot.
“I hope you will do us the honor of joining us for dinner this evening. Zed, you and Rachel are invited to come, as well.”
“It’s a rarity when I pass up one of your meals, Miz Vander-mark,” Zed replied. “We’ll be happy to join you and will bring Mr.Longstreet. If that agrees with him.”
Mr. Longstreet gave his hat a twist. “I’d be honored to share the company of such a beautiful woman.”
Euphanel didn’t know quite how to respond. She looked at Sissy and then Zed. “Well, I will expect all of you this evening around seven. Hopefully the house will have cooled somewhat by then.”
“We’ll be there,” Zed told her.
Longstreet’s grin danced all the way up to his cocoa brown eyes. “I will count the hours until then,” he said in a husky voice.
Although the office was roasting in the July heat, Euphanel actually felt a chill climb her spine. The man was dashing and charming, unlike most anyone she’d ever met. She felt like a silly schoolgirl again.
“Let’s be on our way, then, Sissy,” she said, fighting her feelings of confusion.
“I’ll walk you to the commissary as I promised.” Zed motioned to Mr. Longstreet. “Please have a seat, and I’ll be right with you.”
As they crossed the street to the commissary, Euphanel dismissed Zed and took Sissy’s arm. “Goodness, but it’s a hot day.”
“Ain’t jes’ the day what got heat in it,” Sissy replied. “That Mr. Longstreet done put off his own sparks.”
Euphanel looked at her friend in surprise. “I thought I was imagining that.”
“No, ma’am. It were like the devil hisself offering Eve the apple.” She smiled. “Best be warned – we know what done happened to Eve.”
“We certainly do.”
Mother’s announcement that their supper would include Christopher gave Deborah a reason to give special attention to her appearance. She decided to dress carefully in a beautiful gown lent her by Jael. Garner’s extra fine sateen flowed in a regal waterfall over the small collapsible bustle Deborah had chosen.
