To Have and To Hold (9 page)

Audrey glanced over her shoulder and shot the woman a warm smile. “Both.” She waved toward the back door. “There will be plenty of time to set the table after we get back to the house. I haven't even started supper yet.”

“You're the one who told me to set the table.” Aunt Thora muttered her rebuke as they walked the path to the washhouse. “Sure would be easier if the clotheslines were closer to the house. Think I'll tell Boyd to move 'em between the trees in the backyard.”

“I don't want the view blocked by laundry flapping in the breeze. Besides, we'd have to carry the wet clothes all the way from the washhouse, and those baskets are heavy.”

“I guess you got a point about carrying the baskets, but since the Yankees arrived, there's no time to enjoy the view anyway. We're too busy tending to the needs of the boarders you're inviting into the house at every turn.”

Audrey sighed. Although Thora understood their plight, Audrey doubted she would ever accept the idea of boarders living in Bridal Fair, especially boarders that hailed from north of the Mason-Dixon Line.

When they arrived at the washhouse, Audrey proceeded inside and picked up two large wicker baskets. Outside, she plopped one of them on the grass near Aunt Thora's feet. “You begin with this line, and I'll go down and begin with the other.”

The woman chuckled. “Trying to get as far away from me as possible? You just don't want to hear the truth. I tell you, this world has just turned upside down. If you would have ever told me that I'd be doing laundry for a bunch of Yankees, I would have said you were crazy as a goose.”

Audrey waved and shook her head. “Just take down the clothes, Aunt Thora.”

When her father had proposed the idea of taking in boarders, Audrey hadn't considered the extra laundry. Not that it would have changed her decision. They were without many choices. Still, washing and ironing the clothes for the extra men, along with the additional linens, had already presented more work than she'd anticipated. Once they were on better financial footing, she'd speak to her father about hiring someone to help.

While still considering the possibility of another woman to assist with the chores, Audrey removed a clothes-peg from one of the sheets.

“Here, let me help you fold that.”

Audrey startled and turned toward the man's voice. Marshall Graham! “What are you doing out here? Aren't you supposed to be off learning about your duties?”

He removed another wooden peg and continued walking toward her while folding the length of sheet. “We've finished for now, and I decided to take a better look at the property out here behind the house.” He nodded toward the corner of sheet that she held in her right hand. “If you'll give that to me, I'll have it in a neat square in no time.”

Audrey didn't move.

“During my younger years, I helped my mother with the laundry. If you'll just turn loose of that corner, I promise I'll fold this into a perfect square.” He moved forward, and Audrey instinctively took a backward step and dropped the sheet from between her fingers. As the fabric started to fall, Marshall jumped forward and caught the corner. Aligning the edges, he snapped the fabric in the afternoon breeze and formed a perfect square. He held it at arm's length. “There, you see? My mother taught me the trick of folding sheets at an early age.”

“And I'm sure that some years later your father taught you some of his tricks, as well.”

Marshall tipped his head to one side and studied her for a moment. “I would say you're right on that account. Even his former supervisors would agree that my father was a capable tradesman.”

Several sharp retorts came to mind, but Audrey held her tongue. She wouldn't speak ill of his deceased father, but she was certain Marshall's father had taught him about drinking as well as the construction business. Marshall dropped the neatly folded sheet into the basket and reached for another sheet. “I don't need your help, Mr. Graham. Aunt Thora and I have managed to do laundry without any assistance for many years.”

He lowered his arm but kept his gaze fixed on her. “Exactly what have I done to offend you, Miss Cunningham?”

He'd given her the perfect opening, but before she could open her mouth to reply, Aunt Thora stomped in their direction, her arms piled high with laundry. “You're a no-account Yankee, that's what!”

Marshall backed up a few steps as Thora continued toward him. A devilish grin played at his lips as he settled his hands on his hips. “Well, that's not entirely correct, Miss Thora. I'm actually only half Yankee. My mama was born and raised in Savannah.”

Thora's eyes clouded with confusion as she stepped closer. “Savannah? As in Savannah, Georgia?”

Marshall chuckled. “Yes, ma'am. I don't believe I know of any other Savannah.”

“And I don't know that I believe you.” The lines in her weathered face deepened into a frown. “Whereabouts in Savannah?”

Samson sauntered over to Marshall and rubbed up against his leg. Marshall smiled and picked the cat up. “Over on Randolph Street, close to the river—at least that's what she used to tell me. Thought I might do a bit of looking for the place once I get settled in.” He removed a clothes-peg from one of the shirts and dropped it into the basket. “Maybe you'd like to come along and help me.”

Audrey wanted to yank the cat from Marshall's arms and declare him a traitor.
Goodness
, she thought,
I'm starting to sound like Aunt Thora
.

“Don't you be trying to win me over with your Yankee ways, young man. I can do some checking on you with my friends in Savannah, and I'll soon know if you're telling me the truth. Meantime, I'll be keeping a sharp eye on you.”

Audrey grinned as she listened to the banter between the two. Mr. Graham had met his match with Aunt Thora. No doubt she'd be writing a letter to someone in Savannah and sending it with Old Sam in the morning.

“You're quite fetching when you smile, Miss Cunningham. You should try it more often.” He put the cat down and gave Audrey a grin.

Thora took a step forward and waggled her finger beneath Marshall's nose. “How can I believe your mama was a true Southern woman when you exhibit the manners of a Yankee? No Southern gentleman would act in such a forward manner with a lady.” She poked a gnarled finger at his chest and
tsk
ed. “It's clear your Yankee blood is stronger than your Southern heritage.” Samson sauntered between the two of them. “'Course maybe that's why Samson took a liking to you—he knows you're a Southerner at heart, even if you haven't entirely learned our ways.”

Marshall chuckled and bowed from the waist. “Then I will rely upon you and Samson to help me improve my manners, Miss Thora.”

Chapter 8

As the days passed, the work proved more exhausting than she'd imagined, and Audrey longed for help with both the cooking and laundry. In fact, if Marshall Graham would have made another appearance at the washhouse or the clotheslines, she would have gladly accepted his help—even though she hadn't yet learned to trust him. She still couldn't believe that Mr. Morley had hired Mr. Graham as project manager. Hopefully her father wouldn't regret his recommendation of the young man. And hopefully Marshall Graham wouldn't prove to be a bad influence on her father.

After their discussion with Marshall about his mother being raised in Savannah, Aunt Thora had immediately penned a letter to Delmar Ross, one of her few remaining friends there. Though Delmar's enlistment as a soldier in the Confederate Army had been refused due to a bad leg, his loyalty to the South had never been questioned. Especially when rumors surfaced that he'd acted as a spy for General Wheeler. Audrey doubted the claims, but Aunt Thora remained convinced and declared that her old friend could unearth the truth about anyone. Delmar had written back, acknowledging that Mr. Graham's assertion of his Southern roots was true. Aunt Thora had yet to decide if he possessed enough redeeming characteristics to qualify him as a true Southern gentleman, while Audrey remained skeptical of his sobriety.

He'd been the model of discretion since arriving at Bridal Fair, but that wasn't enough to convince Audrey. Even her father had been able to put aside the bottle for several weeks at a time when necessary to maintain a job or keep up appearances for outsiders.

She glanced up from the sink as her father entered the kitchen and neared her side. “You look to be deep in thought,” he said.

“I'm trying to figure out how to keep ahead of all this work. Without some additional help, it's soon going to get the best of me. Thora tires quickly, and I can't expect her to work like a woman half her age.”

“I feel terrible that it's come to this, Audrey.” Her father massaged his forehead. “Maybe we should reconsider selling. This work is going to make an old woman out of you before your time.” Sadness clouded his deep gray eyes. “My drinking ruined your mother's life, and now it's going to ruin yours, as well. If I'd saved my money instead of using it all for drink, we wouldn't be in this fix.”

Audrey wished she could withdraw her complaint. She didn't want to burden her father with guilt. Smiling, she dipped a plate into the rinse water. “The past is behind us, Father, and we can't change anything that happened years ago. Don't pay any attention to my grumbling; I'm just a little tired today.”

He picked up a dish towel and reached for one of the rinsed plates. “The least I can do is dry these breakfast dishes.”

She laughed as he swiped the towel across the plate. He didn't have any more ability with a dish towel than she had pounding nails. A knock sounded at the door. “I believe you're going to be saved from your kitchen duties,” she said. “Why don't you answer the door while I finish up here.”

He grinned and dropped the towel onto the table. “You don't have to ask me twice.”

Most folks didn't call at this time of morning. Audrey hoped the knock didn't mean more work for her. The door creaked. She quieted her dishwashing and listened as her father greeted their visitor. Dr. Wahler! Finally, he'd come calling. She had stopped at his cabin just after he and his daughters arrived at Bridal Veil, but one of the workers said the doctor had returned to Atlanta and wasn't expected back for several days. She'd thought his abrupt departure odd, but when she mentioned that fact to Mr. Morley, he'd appeared unconcerned. “Dr. Wahler has business matters that require his attention back in Atlanta. I knew that when I encouraged him to come here.” Mr. Morley hadn't left the door open for further discussion, so she'd discovered nothing more about the doctor or his unexpected departure.

After swiping her hands down the front of her apron, Audrey untied and removed the protective garment. She gave her hair a slight pat of the hand before hurrying into the parlor to greet Dr. Wahler and his twin daughters. She smiled and nodded at the doctor as her father made a brief introduction, but Audrey's attention remained fixed on the two young girls. They peered up at her with eyes as blue and as bright as a summer sky.

“So you are Josephine and Julia. What lovely names you have.” She stooped down between them. “I do believe I may have trouble telling the two of you apart.”

The little girl on her left giggled and wrinkled her nose. “We don't like our names much, so we changed them to Josie and Julie. You can tell us apart because Julie has freckles on her nose.” She pointed to her sister's nose. “See?”

“Ah, yes. You're right. That should help. At least when you are close enough for me to see them.”

“We're both five,” Julie piped up.

“Five! What a wonderful age,” Audrey said. She stood and turned her attention to Dr. Wahler. “Please sit down. I've been eager to meet all of you.”

The doctor arched his brows and tipped his head to the side, almost as though he didn't believe her. “We returned only yesterday, so I'm pleased we didn't keep you waiting for long.”

“Several of our boarders mentioned your earlier arrival, and I stopped by the cottage to offer a welcome. However, I learned that you had returned to Atlanta.”

“I see. I didn't realize word of our earlier visit had become common knowledge. When we first arrived, I still had a few patients in Atlanta who hadn't yet engaged another physician. I promised them one last visit before my final move.” While the two girls examined several photographs on a table across the room, the doctor explained that his wife had died in childbirth two years ago. “It has been difficult for all three of us. And for Sadie—that's our housekeeper. She came to work for us when my wife and I first married and has been with us ever since. I wasn't sure she'd want to make the move, but she couldn't part with the girls.” He glanced at his daughters. “Of course, I think Sadie was hoping the girls would decide they wanted to remain in Atlanta.”

“You mean you would have left them in Atlanta with your housekeeper?”

“Separation from children isn't the most terrible of things, Miss Cunningham. Many are sent off to boarding school at a young age and survive quite well. However, I did promise them a look at the entire island, and they have now approved their new home.”

Audrey swept a gaze between the two girls as they returned to the sofa. “Since you girls have decided to come here and live, I hope you'll permit me to show you some of my favorite places when I have some extra time.”

“Oh yes.” Their young voices chorused in perfect harmony.

Julie reached for Audrey's hand. “What are your favorite places? I can't swim, so I don't want to go near the water unless Papa comes with us.”

“I promise to always ask your papa before we go anywhere, but you'll discover the river is quite peaceful.”

“But the ocean has giant waves that can sweep you underneath and carry you away. Isn't that right, Papa?” Although Julie's question bore an expectant tone, fear pinched her tiny features into a frown.

“The girls have a young friend who has told them stories about the perils of the ocean. Once they learn to swim, I believe their fears will subside.”

Josie's crown of dark curls bobbed about her head as she jumped up and dashed to her father's side. “I'm not afraid. Only Julie is.”

“As I recall, you were clinging to my hand as tightly as your sister when we stepped off the boat yesterday.”

“That was only because I saw a giant fish,” Josie explained, “and I thought it would jump out of the water and knock me over.”

Audrey clasped her palm against the bodice of her dress. “Dear me! That would have given your father a terrible fright. We'll have to tell Old Sam to be on the lookout for that big fish, won't we?”

Josie quickly agreed, obviously thinking she'd managed to convince them of her story. She moved from her father's side and took a seat beside Audrey. “Have you ever been to Atlanta? That's where we used to live.”

“Only once, and that was when I was a little girl.”

Julie edged closer and settled on the other side of Audrey. “Then how did you grow up?”

The doctor chuckled. “My girls think everyone had to grow up in Atlanta.”

“I see.” Audrey turned her attention to the girls. “Instead of growing up in Atlanta, I grew up on this island until we moved away when I was seven years old.” She leaned closer. “And do you know what that means?”

Julie's eyes opened wide, and she shook her head. “No. What?”

“It means that I know all the very best places to have picnics and to find butterflies and to play hide and seek.”

“Why don't you take them out and show them the old tree swing, Audrey?” Boyd gestured toward the front door. “And you girls are welcome to come over here anytime and play on the swing or play in our gardens, just as long as your papa gives his permission.”

Josie batted her eyes at Audrey. “You're too big for a swing.”

Audrey chuckled. “Not for this one. It has a nice big wooden seat, and it's tied to the thick branches of a live oak tree. When I was a little younger than you girls, my father hung it for me. It's still one of my favorite places to sit and dream about the future.” Audrey stooped down. “I think you'll like it very much.”

Julie bounced up from the sofa and tugged on Audrey's hand. “Do you have a pretty garden? Sadie says our mama had lots of pretty flowers in her garden.”

“My flowers aren't so lovely. And there aren't very many of them. I haven't had time to give them proper attention, so many of them have wilted.” Audrey crooked her finger to resemble a drooping flower.

Dr. Wahler leaned forward and rested his arms across his legs. “Well, I know two little girls who are excellent helpers in the garden. They can water and weed better than almost anyone I know. Isn't that right, girls?”

The twins giggled and nodded their agreement. “Josie does better with the weeds. Sometimes I pick the flowers by mistake,” Julie said.

“But you water better. Sadie said Julie is always careful to water the ground and not the tops of the plants, but the rain waters them from the top, so I think that's better. What do you think is the best way to water flowers, Miss Audrey?” Josie stared at Audrey with a glimmer of expectation in her eyes.

Audrey hesitated a moment. She didn't want to give an incorrect response, but she didn't want to dampen Josie's excitement over gardening, either. “I think most flowers and herbs like to be watered from the ground, but there may be a few that enjoy having water sprinkled on their blooms.”

Josie clapped her hands. “I think we should come and help you with your gardens. Don't you think that would be a good idea, Papa?”

“Indeed, I think it would be a wonderful idea. You girls could plant some flowers and maybe a few herbs for Sadie and Miss Audrey to use when they cook. Perhaps Miss Audrey could help you from time to time.” He flashed a smile in Audrey's direction. “What do you think, Miss Audrey? Do you think you'd be able to spare an occasional half hour to help supervise such a project?”

There was no denying the doctor's good looks and Southern charm—he possessed an abundant supply of both. How had such a man been able to resist the charms of Atlanta socialites for the past year? Audrey guessed the single ladies had admired him from afar for at least the first nine to twelve months after his wife's death, but she couldn't imagine why they hadn't descended in great number once the mourning period had passed. Then again, perhaps a doctor wouldn't bring enough status to the Atlanta social scene. Though her grandmother had moved in wealthy social circles during her lifetime, Audrey had never been privy to an ostentatious way of life. And though she had never longed for such frippery, her means assured she need not worry about a luxurious existence. While Audrey remained deep in thought, Samson strolled into the room. He purred and coiled himself in and out between the two little girls, who leaned down and stroked the cat's gray fur.

“Look, Daddy.” Josie gathered Samson into her arms and plopped the cat onto her father's lap. The cat arched and let out a high-pitched meow before jumping to the floor. The irate animal remained only long enough to hiss at Dr. Wahler before running to the kitchen.

“Goodness, I don't know what's gotten into Samson. He's generally quite affectionate, and we've always thought him a good judge of character.”

Dr. Wahler leaned back and shook his head. “I'm not fond of cats. I would guess that he senses my dislike of the species. I've been told animals are aware of those who aren't fond of them.”

Audrey nodded. She'd heard similar comments, but she'd never before met anyone who seemed to have such a dislike for cats. “He really is a loving animal. Children can learn much from owning a pet.”