Spirit of the Valley (13 page)

Chapter Eighteen

Lizzie sat in the front of the wagon holding RJ, Fiona's son, while Fiona drove. In the back, Rebecca and Jake sat looking out, their elbows perched on the side of the wagon and their chins resting on their forearms. The sky was nearly cloudless and the autumnal countryside was beautiful and colorful, with rolling hills and mountains in the distance no matter which way you looked. Indiana was different, flat land with what seemed miles of sky. It had been a pleasant ride.

“So Em moved here when she was twelve,” Fiona said. She had effortlessly gone from one subject to another, oftentimes asking and then answering her own questions, although Lizzie didn't mind. Fiona was nothing if not entertaining.

“'Cause her folks passed. It was her uncle, Ben Martin, who went and fetched her and it started a real good, real close relationship. Unfortunately,” Fiona said, stretching the word out, “Ben had a wife who had kind of a mean streak. I don't know. Em was only a kid, but Amy Martin, Ben's wife, resented her for showing up at all. And worse than her was Jimmy, Em's cousin. Mean as the day is long. The type that likes to torment anyone he can get away with tormenting. Well, he got Em in his sights. Made up an ugly story about her having a
thing
with the Lindleys. You know who they are?”

“I heard,” Lizzie replied. They were a clan that lived nearby who were practically outlaws.

“Em's pretty as can be, so there was probably some jealousy involved too, but when she got to school, Jimmy had already poisoned everyone against her. They chanted things, said awful things, treated her like she had the pox.” Fiona sighed. “You know I was never one to torment, but it will bother me until my dying day that I didn't try to stop it either. None of us did. Nobody befriended her.”

Lizzie looked away, thinking that she and Em really did have some things in common.

“So, later Em goes off to college and . . . I don't remember exactly how it happened, but she got the attention of this rich, powerful man who owned a big hotel. He was not a nice man. In fact, he”—Fiona paused and glanced at Lizzie—“he kept her prisoner in his fancy hotel,” she whispered. “For almost a year,” she said in her regular voice. “And let's just say . . . he did what he wanted to with her,” she finished in another whisper before nodding meaningfully. “Including, among other things, beating her black and blue from time to time.”

Another thing she and Em had in common.

“Somehow, Em escaped. Now, you can't tell her I told you all this. I wouldn't tell most people, you know. But we're all going to be the best of friends, I just know it.”

Lizzie smiled and nodded, hoping it was true.

“So she escaped and she got herself back home. I was the first to see her once she got here. She stayed at our place and borrowed a dress so she could look presentable to her uncle. 'Course, she didn't know her uncle had had a fit of apoplexy while she was gone. Did I say she was gone a couple of years? A long time. By the time she returned, she was prettier than ever. You know, if I described her—brown hair, brown eyes—she wouldn't sound that special, but she is. You are, too. Nature was just better to some of us than others.”

“Oh, Fiona,” Lizzie said.

“No, no, no. I'm not feeling sorry for myself. I may have hated my red hair when I was a kid, but I'm fine with it now. I'm content with my lot. Especially after growing close with Em and learning all she's been through. Her story does have a happy ending, though.”

Lizzie shifted RJ, who was beginning to squirm.

“Hey, little man,” Fiona said sharply, “we're almost there, so you just rein in your wild horses.”

Lizzie heard Rebecca giggle. She turned to look and Rebecca was smiling, having heard the admonition. Lizzie smiled at her and Rebecca winked back, which was funny to see. April May had certainly been an influence on her child.

“Em got home, and Ben was so happy to see her. Amy was gone by then; she died before Em left,” Fiona said, speaking more rapidly. “And Em met this man. Tommy Medlin. Oh, honey, Tommy is one bee-u-tiful man, so handsome everybody used to call him Pretty Boy. He's got dark hair, these blue, blue eyes, and he's sweet as can be, besides. Oh, and just wait till you see the two of them together. You've never seen two people more in love. Least, I haven't.” She lifted her chin. “See over there? That's the Triple H, Mr. Howerton's ranch.”

Lizzie looked over the green, well-manicured grounds with the long, white fence that went on for as far as she could see. Cattle were grazing in a field and cowboys rode among them.

“Cowboys!” Rebecca exclaimed. Both children were watching the cowboys with rapt fascination.

“Unfortunately, Ben had another fit and died,” Fiona continued. “Em was devastated and flat broke—”

Broke. The third common factor, Lizzie thought.

“Then, in stepped Tommy and offered her his life savings. Not asking anything in return. See, he already loved her by then. He'd already rescued her from some other men who tried to hurt her. Well, she agreed to take his money, but only if he'd become her partner in the farm. She'd own half, he'd own half. Just business, right? Only they went and fell in love.” Fiona turned onto a long driveway. “And here we are.”

Lizzie saw the Welcome to the Martin-Medlin Farm sign, warmed by the happy ending. The Martin-Medlin farm was impressive, too. There was a neat farmhouse, barns, and a long building that Fiona explained was the bunkhouse and dining hall. The fields were deep green and thriving. A woman in her early twenties walked out of the house and waved. She was lovely from a distance and the closer they got, the lovelier she became.

“Hey, Emmy,” Fiona called.

Lizzie felt a twinge of nerves. She hadn't had many friends in her life. What if these women didn't like her? What if they sensed there was something different about her, something unlikable?

Fiona stopped the wagon. “Emeline, meet Lizzie and vice versa.”

“Hello,” Em said as she reached up and took RJ. “And welcome. I'm so pleased to meet you.”

“It's nice to meet you, too,” Lizzie returned, rising. By the time Lizzie had climbed down, Fiona had already jumped down and helped Jake and Rebecca from the wagon. It felt extraordinary to be with women her own age, mothers who looked out for one another's children. She'd never experienced the like.

“This is Rebecca and Jake,” Fiona said to Emeline.

“Nice to meet you,” Em said to the children.

“Very nice to meet you, ma'am,” Rebecca replied politely. Jake ducked his head and halfway hid behind his sister.

“Where's Caty-bug?” Fiona asked as they started toward the bunkhouse.

“Where do you think?”

“You mean if I had three guesses and the first two didn't count? I'd probably say she's in the arms of a lady I know, name of Doll.”

Em looked at Lizzie. “Doll complains that Caty is going to be spoiled because she's held all the time, but I've no sooner put her down than she picks her up. Before Caty even fusses, by the way.”

Lizzie grinned.

“May we go see the cat?” Rebecca asked.

“Of course you can,” Em replied.

Lizzie looked and saw a gray cat sunning herself on the verandah of the bunkhouse.

“Her name is Queen Pritoria,” Em added.

The name delighted Rebecca, who giggled. “Queen Pritoria?”

“Or Pritty, for short,” Em replied. “It's silly, I know.”

“Wood named her,” Fiona stated as she took RJ from Em. “And he is silly.”

Rebecca and Jake went one way to see the cat, and the ladies continued around the back of the bunkhouse.

“You gotta go potty?” Fiona asked her son, who shook his head.

“Best not be having no accidents,” Fiona said. “You tell Mama when you have to go. Hear me?”

“How do you like it in Green Valley so far?” Em asked Lizzie.

“Very much.”

They rounded the back of the longhouse and Em pulled open the screen door for the others. Lizzie stepped into a kitchen and dining hall. A short, stout lady with a reddened but pleasant face stood at a table, salting a platter of sliced tomatoes as she held a dark-haired infant in her arms. There was a savory scent in the air, and a good deal of food had been prepared.

“Hey, Doll,” Fiona said. “Meet Lizzie.”

Doll set the salt down and came closer. “Nice to meet you, honey,” she said, extending her hand. “Welcome to town.”

“Thank you. It's nice to meet you, Doll.” She looked at the blue-eyed babe, the prettiest she'd ever seen. “She's beautiful. How old?”

“Almost eleven months,” Em replied.

“Not quite walking yet,” Doll said, “but trying hard. Pulling up on everything.”

“On those rare occasions we put her down,” Em added wryly.

Doll reached out and popped Em on the behind, which made Em jump and all of them laugh.

“That was a little dig at me,” Doll told Lizzie. “Where's your young'uns?”

“Around front. They saw the cat.”

“The queen, you mean,” Doll said with a nod. “She thinks she's a queen, too,” she said, handing the baby to Lizzie.

Em looked apologetic. “I'll take her.”

“I'd love to hold her,” Lizzie admitted.

“Her name is Catherine,” Em said with a proud smile.

“But you call her Caty,” Lizzie said lightly. “Hello, Caty.”

Doll scooped up RJ, who squealed with displeasure. “Well, at least give your old aunt Doll a kiss.”

RJ resisted, so Doll set him down. “Be that way, then. But don't forget, you owe me one.”

“What's for lunch?” Fiona asked. “It smells good.”

“Bubble and squeak with onion gravy and the last of the tomatoes. Have a seat. Y'all want something to drink? We've got apple cider, buttermilk—”

“No, I'm good for now,” Fiona said as she walked to one of the many tables and sat on the accompanying bench.

“I'm fine, as well,” Lizzie replied. “Thank you.” She followed Em around the table and they both sat. It was a pleasant, well-lit room thanks to the many windows. A few were open and provided a flow of air.

“We'll get you set up before the men come in,” Doll said. “Every day they come in like a swarm of locusts, convinced they're about to perish from starvation, despite the hearty breakfast they ate not even five hours past.”

“On second thought,” Fiona said, getting back up, “I will have some cider. Does it have a kick to it?”

“The cider with a kick is over there. Can't be letting the men have that at noontime,” Doll said as she went back to the stove.

Fiona went to the right pitcher, poured a glass, and tasted it. “
Mmm
, that is good.”

“Pour the girls one, too,” Doll said.

Fiona did and carried them back to the table.

“So, tell us everything about you,” Doll said to Lizzie.

“Doll,” Em laughingly scolded.

“Oh, Pauline,” Doll said, “it's not like we won't find out anyway. Right?”

The use of her real name startled Lizzie. A moment later, she realized the others were staring at her, taken aback by her reaction. She hadn't just imagined that, had she? Doll had called her Pauline. “D-did you just call me Pauline?”

“No, honey,” Doll said apologetically, setting her spoon aside. “I said please in a silly way.”

“You all right?” Fiona asked worriedly.

Lizzie nodded but she had no voice. She felt so foolish and so exposed. These women were nothing but friendly and hospitable, and now they would think she was strange. “I'm sorry, I—”

“It's all right,” Em quickly assured her.

“It is,” Fiona seconded. “Really. No matter what you're running from.”

Lizzie didn't know what to say. Doll sat next to Fiona and looked sympathetic.

“I don't know if I mentioned it,” Fiona said with a discreet wink, “but it was about two years past when Em walked into the boarding house looking for a room. Even though this was her home.”

Em nodded to confirm the truth of it.

“She seemed jumpy and exhausted, like she'd been running for her life.”

“And I was,” Em said quietly. “From a terrible man.”

How well Lizzie understood that. Although she couldn't say so.

“The day you come in, I got the exact same feeling about you. I guess it's one of the reasons I wanted you to meet Em. I feel like we'll all be good friends, but also it's just nice to see that sometimes people do get to live happily ever after, and Em here is living, breathing proof of it.”

Lizzie felt tears prick the backs of her eyes because it felt like they knew. Knew and accepted her anyway.

“We probably will find out everything about you,” Doll said, “'cause we are a nosy bunch, but in your time is just fine. We won't push. But just know we're here and we'll be on your side. I can promise you that.”

Lizzie was grateful and touched, but she couldn't say so. Even if she'd had the words, her children were coming in. “This is Rebecca and Jake,” she said thickly.

“Hello, Rebecca and Jake,” Doll said cheerfully, turning to them.

“Hello. There are a bunch of men coming this way,” Rebecca reported.

Doll nodded. “They'll be wanting their dinner, but I'll get y'all's first.”

“I can help,” Rebecca volunteered.

“Well, now that's an offer I'll accept,” Doll said enthusiastically.