Love Me Again (22 page)

“Why did you wait so many years and then kidnap me? Why so long to exact your revenge?” At first Lydia would say nothing. Her lips held tightly together, Abby feared she would never know why she kidnapped her. “Please, I need to know.”

Lydia’s deep sigh filled the room. “Ian’s father paid my fare back to Scotland. Before I boarded the ship, I realized I was with child. I was so happy to know I would have a small part of Ian.”

As Lydia struggled for breath, Abby felt helpless. She knew she should tell the woman to rest, but she had to hear the rest of her story. She needed to know why the woman chose the path she took in life, the path that brought her nothing but misery and almost destroyed the McDonalds.

“I didn’t get on the ship. I stayed in Wilmington until my baby was born; a beautiful baby girl with a mop of red curls, and deep blue eyes. She looked just like you did when you were a baby. Just like Ian.” Grief showed in her dull eyes. “She died the next day.”

Abby put her hand over her mouth thinking how heart wrenching
it would be to want something so badly and then to lose it after one day. Tears ran down Lydia’s sunken cheeks as memories of that horrible day returned. She never moved as she watched the anguish in the old woman’s face. Her mother, Martha, must have felt the same pain when she lost her baby girl.

Abby stuffed her hand into her pocket and removed her handkerchief handing it to Lydia. As she dabbed at her eyes, her anger at being jilted by Ian returned.

“I asked questions about the prestigious McDonald family. I knew of every birth. Then I heard Ian’s wife had birthed a daughter.” Lydia looked down at her lap and rested for what seemed an eternity before she proceeded. “Even though years had passed, I was still bitter. I hired someone to kidnap you. My plan was for you to die at my hand. I wanted Ian to suffer as I did when my daughter died.” Again her eyes met Abby’s, and she whispered weakly, “When I looked into your perfect little face, I thought of my daughter. You looked just like her. I could not go through with it. I wanted Ian to mourn but I could not kill you. When I told the men I hired to help in your abduction I changed my mind, they insisted I kill you. I stole you away and left you on the doorstep of a small farm in the middle of nowhere.”

“Why did you not keep me and raise me yourself?” Abby shivered at the thoughts of having someone as demented as Lydia for a mother. What kind of person would she have grown to be? She would probably have been as evil and full of hate as Lydia.

“I feared Ian would find you. I never wanted you returned to him. I wanted him to go to his grave always wondering if you were dead or alive.” Lydia’s head fell back against the chair too exhausted to continue. All Abby could think about was how she had wasted her whole life. Instead of finding a man and being happy, she chose a life that destroyed her.  

Abby dropped to her knees in front of Lydia. For some strange reason she could not touch her. Compassion for others had always been one of her strongest emotions, but this woman
didn’t deserve her forgiveness. However, God demanded she forgive even this woman who had caused so much pain, not only to her but also to the McDonalds.

“We need to pray for your soul, Lydia. Close your eyes and I will pray for you.” 

“It is too late for my soul.”

She leaned in close to hear her raspy whisper. “Nonsense, it is never too late. God will forgive you no matter what sins you have committed. Please, close your eyes, humble yourself before God.”

Lydia closed her eyes and Abby began to pray. The words flowed from Abby’s lips. She prayed with all the strength she possessed, hoping to change her evil heart. Only God could help Lydia now.

“What in the hell do you think you are doing?” 

Abby raised her head to find Ian looming over her, hands clenched into fists. So intent on her prayer, she didn’t hear him enter. “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m praying for Lydia’s soul.”

Ian grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to her feet. “No, I forbid it. She is too evil for heaven. God will not allow her through the gates. She is not worthy of your kindness.”

“Anyone can enter, Ian. That is if they repent.” Abby eased back, angled her head so she could look directly into Ian’s eyes.

“She does not deserve forgiveness. She has caused nothing but pain in her life. She took you away from us. Our baby girl was raised by strangers because of her.”

Both Ian and Abby turned simultaneously and stared at Lydia as they heard her soft laughter. “She is so sweet, Ian. I wonder if she would be this sweet if she had been brought up in this house. I doubt it.”

Ian replied, “There is
no hope for Lydia’s demented soul. Her heart is too cold and hard for forgiveness. The evilness in her heart will take her all the way to hell.” 

“I have but one regret, Ian. I wish I would have killed her so you would never have been reunited with your precious daughter.”

Ian fell onto Lydia, wrapped his strong hands around her scrawny neck, and began to choke the life out of her. Loud shouts filled the room as he lost all control. “I hate you! I hate you!”

Abby put her hands on top of Ian’s. “Stop, Ian. God must choose when she dies. It is not for you to decide.” Ian only squeezed tighter. “Please, Daddy, let her go.” The moment Abby called him daddy he released his hold on Lydia’s neck. 

Gasping for air to fill her lungs, the old woman’s face turned purple and grotesque. Unnatural coughs made Abby’s skin crawl.  

When Ian s
tood and clenched his fists, Abby jumped into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, “I love you, Daddy.” The anger and pain of the years melted away as he held her in his arms.

Chapter Sixteen

Anxiously waiting in the buggy for Abby and Daniel, Cord watched her say her tearful goodbyes to her family. Now that Lydia would be spending the rest of her life behind bars, they could go home. The three men, who aided Lydia, had also been apprehended and thrown in prison for the rest of their miserable days. Abby had been the one to convince Ian to let the authorities deal with her kidnappers. Of course is first impulse was to hunt them down and kill them one by one by his own hand.

Cord could not wait to get home. Even though they had only been at Ian’s for a week, it felt like a year. He hoped they would not visit too often. In his mind he could see them all descending upon his home for days on end. He groaned out loud. For some reason he felt they were going to make his life miserable. At least he and Ian had come to an understanding for Abby’s sake. However, he still had a difficult time tolerating the man’s arrogance. Always repeating the fact he had deserted Abby and she had to leave her home to save her child. It was doubtful the man would ever forgive him. 

James kissed Abby on the cheek and helped her into the buggy. “I’m going to miss you, Abby.”

“You can visit any time you wish, James. You will always be welcome at our home.” Cord blew out his breath and Abby elbowed him in his side, causing him to wince from the pain.

Once again before he handed Daniel to Abby, Ian gave him a hug. “You better take good care of them, Cord. If you mistreat her, I will hear about it.”

“Daddy, would you stop.” A huge smile split his face. Every time he heard the word his heart melted. “Cord has never treated me with anything but kindness.” She touched Ian’s cheek. “I love you, Daddy.”

Gathered around the buggy, her family all began to talk at once. “Goodbye Mother!” She fought the tears as Cord slapped the reins on the horse’s rump, and the buggy bolted forward. “I’ll miss you.”

Grace buried her face in her husband’s chest as she softly cried.  

As they rode down the drive, Cord snapped, “I thank God you were not raised by that incorrigible man. You would have been spoiled beyond redemption.”

Abby laughed. “Yes, you are probably right. Maybe it was what God had intended.”

****

Cord’s excitement was evident as he drove the buggy up the oak lined drive. Abby could feel his eyes watching her as she got the first view of her new home. A huge, white, two story house with green shutters stood majestically at the end of the drive. The roof for the second story extende
d at least twelve feet covering a huge porch the whole width of the house. Green furniture the same color as the shutters looked warm and inviting. She imagined herself serving tea and apple pie to Cord on cool, spring afternoons. “It is beautiful.” 

Pride was obvious as his face broke into a grin. “It’s not as nice as the McDonald Plantation but it will suffice.”

With a shrug of her shoulders, she replied, “I never felt comfortable there anyway. I was always afraid I would break something expensive. I hope your home is not so richly decorated.” 

“To tell the truth, it looks as it did the day I moved in. Since
it belonged to my grandparents, I didn’t want to change anything. We were very close to grandpa and grandma.”

Honeyed sunlight filtered through the huge oaks bathing the h
ouse in shadows, and in her imagination she could see him playing with his brothers and Meredith on the front lawn. 

The house slaves knew they would be arriving today because they hurried down the steps to meet their new mistress. Before Abby could climb down from the buggy with Daniel, she was greeted by a colored woman almost as big around as she was tall.
              “Welcome, Mrs. Sutton. Here let me take him.” Abby handed Daniel to her and she engulfed him in her huge bosom. “My, my, he look juss like his daddy.”

“Abby
, this is Bessie.” 

“It’s nice to meet you, Bessie.” Bessie was so taken with Daniel she
didn’t hear a word Abby said. She whispered in his ear and he gave her a big gummy smile.  

A tall, thin man reached to get Abby’s bags out of the back of the buggy. “This is Bessie’s husband Tom.”

Tom gave Abby a big toothy grin. His teeth were stark white against his dark skin. “Ma’am.”

“It is nice to meet you, Tom.”

“This is our cook, Lucy.”

“I can’t believe Cord has gone and found himself a wife. And juss look at ya. Ya so purty and all.”

“Thank you, Lucy.” She was of average height but heavy around the middle. Abby thought to herself she must be a pretty good cook. It looked as if she ate what she prepared.

Cord ushered everyone inside so Abby could see her new home. At first she said nothing as she took in her surroundings.

“If it’s not to your liking, please make changes. It is also your home. I want you to be happy here.”

She gave her husband a dazzling smile. “I love it.  It is perfect.” Open double doors beckoned her to the veranda where a gentle breeze blew through the room. Pots of fragrant, colorful flowers spread out inviting her to sit and enjoy their beauty. Cord touched her arm. She lifted her face and peered into his eyes.  “I’m sure this will be my favorite place.”

He bent and whispered in her ear causing her to shiver. “You haven’t seen the bedroom yet. I hope that will be your favorite place.” 

Abby swatted his chest lightly. “Do you ever think of anything besides sex?” 

When he seemed to be pondering that question, she giggled. He looked at her suggestively and replied, “I’m serious, let’s go upstairs.” 

“I want to see the rest of the house.”

“There will be plenty of time for you to see the rest of the house.” Taking her hand, he led her upstairs to their bedroom. There in the middle of the room was a huge oak bed. Her cheeks turned pink thinking of what they would do in that very bed tonight. She screamed in shock when he picked her up and threw her on the bed. Flat on her back she gazed into Cord’s passionate eyes.

“I don’t think I can wait until tonight.” He devoured her mouth, ravishing her tongue with his. His touch was potent and she could feel his desire as he pressed against her.

Abby could hear Daniel’s cries of hunger. She pushed at Cord trying to get him off. “It is time to feed our son.”

Cord groaned in pain, and rolled off Abby. He lay looking at the ceiling as she straightened her clothes. “How long does this breast feeding thing last?”

She tried to sound serious. “I thought I would breast feed him until he is two.” A look of shock crossed his face. Then he realized she was joking.

“Only about a year. Then with any luck I’ll have another baby. I would like a girl next time.”

His wiggled his eyebrows. “I’ll see what I can do.” 

****

After Abby fed Daniel, she lay him down for his nap next to Cord already sleeping soundly in the middle of the bed. She knew he had not had a decent night’s sleep at the McDonald’s. She stood back and looked at the two most important people in her life. They were so handsome. Daniel already looked so much like his father. Suddenly, she realized she was happy. All the turmoil was over and she was truly content. Life was perfect. 

Too excited to nap, Abby decided to see the rest of the house. The moment her feet touched the last step, Bessie approached carrying a silver platter holding a letter. She stood staring at the platter.

“You is suppose to read the letter, Mrs. Sutton. It’s the way rich folk git they messages.”

Abby smiled and took the letter. “I guess you know I was brought up on a small farm and know nothing about what rich people do. You are probably going to have to help me on several occasions with proper etiquette.” 

“It’s okay, Mrs. Sutton. I don mind a’tall.”

“Call me, Abby. Mrs. Sutton makes me sound so old.” She opened the letter and began to read it. Peering over the letter, she looked at Bessie. “It looks like we are having our first guests. Adam, Nick, and Meredith will be dining with us tonight. Will you please tell Lucy to add three for supper?”

After wandering through every room in the house, Abby finally made her way to the kitchen. She stood in awe as she took in the beauty of the enormous room. It was at least five times bigger than her kitchen back home with lots of counter space. Already hard at work, Lucy was preparing a special meal for her first supper in her new home. “Can I help?”

Shock evident on her face, Lucy replied, “It’s your kitchen, ma’am.”

Abby rolled up her sleeves, found an apron and got to work. It felt wonderful to be cooking again. Every time she stepped into the kitchen at her the McDonald plantation, she was shooed away. No one could shoo her out of her own kitchen.

She wanted everything to be perfect for her first attempt at entertaining in her new home. Cord found Abby in the kitchen helping Lucy with the menu.

He wrapped his arms around her stomach, rested his chin on her head, and stated provocatively, “Daniel is still asleep. Would you like to finish what we started earlier?”

Abby’s face turned scarlet because she knew Lucy heard what he said. Slapping his hands away, she turned and faced her naughty husband. “There is no time. We are having guests for supper.”

Cord snapped, “We just got home. I wanted us to have our first meal alone. I have had to share you from the first day we were married. I’m tired of sharing you. Who am I sharing you with tonight?” Face red with anger, he asked, “Please tell me it is not the McDonalds!” 

His tone reminded her of a spoiled child. She cupped his cheek. “Nick, Adam, and Meredith have invited themselves to dine with us. We have the rest of our lives, Cord. One more night will not make much of a difference.”

“That’s your opinion, not mine. I’ll go check on Daniel. You do know you will have to hire a nanny. There is no way you can keep up with him and look after me properly.”

“Stop saying things like that in front of Lucy. You are intentionally embarrassing me.” With her finger pressed to his chest, she said with confidence, “I’ve done just fine, Cord. I didn’t need any help when I lived with Uncle Taylor and I won’t need any now. I can tend to my own son.”

“Have it your way. But if you change your mind, let me know.” Cord bent and whispered in her ear. “I’ll not have my wife too tired to please me every night.”

Thoroughly shocked, Abby pointed toward the door and shouted, “Get out, Cord!” Red faced, Abby pushed him out the kitchen door. “Don’t you come back until you can act like a gentleman!” Hearing his loud laughter didn’t help appease her embarrassment. “I’m sorry, Lucy. The man has no manners.”

“It’s awright, ma’am. I juss glad to see him happy.”

She had to admit he had changed since they got home. The whole time they were at her daddy and mother’s he had been a powder keg. She never knew what was going to set him off. Many times she had to intervene before Ian and Cord came to blows. Now he seemed so at ease under his own roof. It was as Lucy said. He did seem happy.