Rebel

by Beverly Jenkins

Cole looked to Drake. “Counting on you to keep her safe, LeVeq.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll protect her as much as she’ll allow.”

  Cole laughed. “Spoken like someone who knows her well. Please give your mother our regrets for not staying long enough to meet her. No disrespect intended.”

  “I will.”

  The train whistle blew, signaling imminent departure. Val said to them, “Take care of each other.”

  They nodded. She knew she didn’t need to worry but felt better having said it. Even though they were discreet, she was sure there’d been some distressing incidents they hadn’t shared with her about navigating life together, so she hoped California would be all they hoped it would be. “Put me on your subscriber list and mail me your first issue.”

  “Will do.”

  She watched them walk to the waiting train and her heart ached seeing the trouble Cole had ascending the stairs to the car. He looked back and waved a final goodbye and Val wanted to bawl. “I’m going to miss him,” she said.

  Drake gently eased her in against him. “You’ll see them again.”

  She was sure she would. The knowing made her feel a bit better, but the sadness remained. As she and Drake made the walk back to the buggy, the voice of the old fortune-teller whispered inside. You will lose a love, reject a love, find a love.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The next day, when Mr. Doolittle brought Julianna and Henri home from the train station, Drake told them about his run-in with the supremacists and the fire. His mother’s hands went to her cheeks and her widened eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Drake. I’m so sorry.”

  Crying, she opened her arms and he went to her, holding her tight. “It’s okay, Mama, don’t cry,” he whispered emotionally. “That you had a house to come home to was my only concern.”

  Julianna wept softly.

  Looking on, Val, Reba, and Henri wiped at their own tears.

  After a few moments, she raised her eyes to his. “You’ll rebuild, yes?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. I’ll have to go to confession to seek forgiveness for my feelings about those men, but I’m glad they didn’t harm you physically.” Henri handed her his handkerchief. Pulling herself together, she asked Valinda, “And your intended. Is he here?”

  “No.” Valinda explained why and the decision she’d made.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet him and his associate, but I’m glad you’re staying. I’m enjoying your company.” She then greeted Reba and said after, “Henri and I are going upstairs to recover from the train. Can you bring us something to eat?”

  “What would you like?”

  “Pie. A large piece of pie and coffee.”

  “Coming right up.”

  Julianna gave her son a final hug then she and Henri retired to their suite upstairs.

  In the two weeks that followed, the local authorities deemed the deaths of the Defenders of the Cause justifiable under the circumstances, so no charges were filed against Drake and the men who’d defended the LeVeq home. General Sheridan began an investigation to ferret out any Army officers who’d aligned themselves with hate groups and promised to keep Drake and Raimond informed. Determined to change the discriminatory practices of the city’s transit system, William Nichols and two White friends boarded a Whites-only streetcar and refused to leave. The police were called, and he was arrested for disturbing the peace by entering a streetcar “set apart for the exclusive right of White persons.” Citizens of all races eagerly awaited his trial to see how the court would rule.

  While Sable handled the reins, Valinda sat beside her on their way back to Julianna’s after yet another exhausting day of distributing food. Valinda had gotten much stronger from handling the heavy bags of produce, but it was still exhausting work. “Can I ask you a question? And if it’s too personal, it’s fine to say so.”

  Sable looked over. “Ask away.”

  “How did you know you were in love with Raimond?”

  Sable chuckled softly. “I wasn’t at first. He was far too arrogant for my liking. Made me so angry one time, I threw his wet laundry at him. Made me even angrier carrying me through the camp slung over his shoulder like a sack of yams, but that man had more charm than the good lord allowed. When I began missing him dearly when he was away, felt my heart light up when I saw him again, and looked forward to spending every waking moment in his presence, I knew I’d fallen and fallen hard.”

  Val stared. “And so you married him?”

  “Months later and only because Julianna asked if I would.”

  Seeing Val’s confusion, she continued. “After the war, the family needed funds to get back on their feet. There was money tied to a will from a relative but to gain access, Rai, as the oldest son, had to marry. Julianna chose me, unaware that he and I knew each other and hadn’t exactly parted friends after I left the camp. In fact, he was furious with me. I never expected to see him again, but there I was walking down the aisle.”

  “Did he love you?”

  “Julianna insisted he did. I was skeptical, but in the end she was correct. Wise woman, our Julianna.”

  “So you settled your differences?”

  “After some disagreements, misunderstandings, and my making him miss his mistress’s birthday celebration.”

  Val found the sparkle in Sable’s green eyes intriguing.

  “Let me simply say, he paid me a visit on his way to the party and ended up spending the night. With me, his wife.” Sable eyed Val and asked, “Are you in love with someone?”

  “I think I’m in love with Drake, but knowing nothing about it, I’m not sure what to do. Do I tell him? Keep silent?”

  “I’ve seen the way he acts when he’s with you. He’s in love with you, too.”

  “Will he know that I’m in love with him?”

  “For all their worldly ways, men can be uncertain about things like this, so at the outset, probably not.”

  “So, I should stay silent?”

  “No two love matches are alike, Val. You’ll know when it’s the right time, and he will, too.”

  “That’s not very helpful, Sable.”

  Sable laughed. “I’m sorry, but it’s the best answer I can give you. On the other hand, I can’t wait for you to be my sister-in-law.”

  Val was enjoying their growing friendship. Sable was honest, hardworking, and devoted to her causes, but to be sisters-in-law, she and Drake would have to marry and Val’s reservations remained. “I’d enjoy being sisters, too, but I’m not so sure I want to marry him, or anyone else for that matter. In the marriages I’ve seen the women aren’t very happy.”

  “Not all men rule their wives like angry kings.”

  Being around Sable and Rai, and Julianna and Henri, she was beginning to see the truth in that. “Thanks for answering my questions. I do appreciate it.”

  “Anytime you need me, I’m here. How are the classrooms coming?” Sable asked, changing the subject.

  “They’re almost ready.” Val had been assisting Drake, Hugh, and the workers with the boxcars’ transformation in the evenings. Having no carpentry skills, she made herself useful by hauling old wood, sweeping up, and doing whatever else she was asked. “I haven’t been over there in a few days though. You and I have been so busy.” And they had, crisscrossing the city, helping with food distribution, gathering donations of clothing and blankets from the churches, checking on the children at the orphanage. Val was also teaching Sable’s orphans three mornings a week. Her days were exhausting, but she was proud of the work she was doing and knew her grandmother Rose would be as well.

  Sable dropped her off at Julianna’s and Val found Drake sitting in the parlor with his mother. They hadn’t had much time alone since Julianna’s return from Baton Rouge but seeing him always made her light up inside.

  “Good evening, cheri. How are you?”

  She nodded a greeting at Julianna and replied to him, “Tired.” She collapsed wearily into a chair. “How was your
day?”

  “It went well. I’ve a surprise for you.”

  She thought back to the last time they’d discussed surprises and Reba’s reply came to mind.

  “Is it a frog?” she asked, smiling.

  He laughed. “No.”

  Julianna looked confused.

  Drake said, “Ignore her, Mama.” Attention back on Val he replied, “I’d like you both to ride over to my place for a few minutes.”

  Julianna asked, “What is this about?”

  “Come on. I’ll drive.”

  In truth, all Val wanted to do was eat, take a long hot soak in the tub, and sleep, but she followed him and his mother out to the carriage.

  The surprise was a glorious one.

  The boxcars, sporting a fresh coat of red paint, stood glistening in the late evening sun. White ribbon ending in a large bow graced the doors of both.

  “They’re done?” Val asked excitedly, scrambling out of the carriage.

  He nodded. “Finished them up late last night. Needed to let all the paint dry before I showed them to you.”

  “Thank you!” And she threw her arms around his waist in joy.

  Julianna asked, “Can we see inside?”

  He withdrew scissors from the pocket of his work trousers and handed them to Val. “You do the honors.”

  Val cut the ribbons. He slid the heavy doors open and gestured them inside. The interior smelled of freshly sanded wood and paint. Awed, she scanned the benches and the cupboards attached to the walls. She didn’t know how many students she’d have but the three beautiful pine benches would hold at least five students each. At the front of the room was a lovely desk she didn’t know he’d built. Seeing it brought tears. “Oh, Drake. It’s lovely.”

  She ran a light hand over the surface, eyed the drawers on each side of the desk’s compact top, and could already imagine herself standing behind it while looking out at her students’ eager faces.

  Julianna said, “You did a fine job, Drake. A fine job.”

  Brimming with emotion, Val asked, “How am I ever going to repay you?”

  “Just give your students the finest education you can and that will be payment enough.”

  They inspected the second car. The benches were a bit farther apart. “Adults will need more room for their knees,” he said.

  Julianna asked Val, “When will you open?”

  “As soon as possible.”

  “This is very exciting,” Julianna said. “Make a list of the supplies you’ll need, and I’ll help with the purchases.”

  Val was moved by her generosity. “Thank you.” She looked to Drake and her feelings for him filled her so, she had no words. As if he could read her mind, he simply nodded and said, “You’re welcome.”

  Val floated through the drive back to Julianna’s house. She thought about lesson plans and compiling the list of supplies she’d need, and all the while her brain kept shouting, I have a school!

  When they reached the house, Juliana asked Drake, “Are you having dinner with us?”

  “No. Hugh’s throwing a send-off for one of his men going back to Tennessee.”

  Val was disappointed that she wouldn’t get to spend the evening with him but kept it to herself. They’d have time together eventually.

  As she and Julianna entered the house, Reba appeared and said, “Valinda. Wire came for you while you were gone.”

  Puzzled, Val took the paper and opened it. The message it bore shattered the day’s joy.

  “Is everything okay?” Julianna asked.

  “No. It’s from my father. He’s demanding I come home.” Deflated, she refolded the paper and slipped it into the pocket of her skirt.

  “What are you going to do?” Julianna asked.

  “Send him a wire back that says no.”

  Julianna reached out and gave her hand a sympathetic squeeze. “We’ll support you any way we can.”

  “Thank you.”

  Henri, back from a business appointment, joined them for dinner, but Val had no appetite.

  After dinner, Julianna and Henri left for an evening at the Opera House while a gloomy Val sat outside in the gazebo. Once her father received her reply, she was certain he’d come to New Orleans hell-bent on dragging her home. She hated the thought of the shouting match that would follow, but she was not going back to New York. Her school would be opening soon and that needed to be her focus, not wondering how much time she had before he arrived. She blew out a breath and sighed. Maybe she could find a voodoo woman who could turn her into a bird so she could fly away and become herself again once he was gone. Or maybe she could run away and join the circus. That silly thought made her smile. She thought of appealing to her mother for support, but she’d never take Val’s side in something so critical, so Val would find no help there. After much thought, she concluded that the only way to send her father back to New York was for her to already have a husband when he arrived. The chances of that were nil, so she’d have maybe two weeks to prepare herself for the shouting match. Hearing footsteps she turned to see Drake step into view. “Hello,” she said quietly.

  He sat beside her. “What’s wrong?”

  She took the wire out of her pocket and handed it to him.

  He read it. “I see.”

  “I figure he’ll be here in two weeks or less.”

  “You sure?”

  “Once I send him my response tomorrow? Positive.”

  He gave her a comforting hug. “I’m sorry this ruined your day.”

  “I am, too.”

  “Maybe once you show him the school, he’ll relent.”

  “I wish I could believe that.” She doubted that would make a difference. He didn’t want her to be on her own, especially so far away. That he didn’t believe her capable of looking after herself was maddening. “I don’t need his hand on my life.”

  “I know that, cheri.”

  She wished her father did.

  “So, if he doesn’t relent, then what?”

  “Lots of angry shouting and tears, I suppose.” She turned to him. “I have a beautiful new school thanks to you. I’m not walking away from that.” Drake’s generosity continued to fill her heart. He’d made her dream come true. To leave would say his gift meant nothing. “May I ask you something? And please know you can tell me no.”

  “Are two-headed frogs involved?”

  She chuckled. “No. Will you marry me?”

  He stilled.

  She continued in a rush. “It won’t be permanent. Just until my father leaves. If he believes I have a husband, he’ll give up and go home. After, we can get an annulment, or whatever we need to undo it.” When he didn’t readily respond, she said, “Never mind. It’s a harebrained idea.”

  “Maybe not so harebrained, but suppose, just suppose, I want to stay married?”

  She froze and searched his face, trying to gauge his intent. “I haven’t thought that far ahead. I—I just came up with this idea a moment ago.”

  “Would you want to stay Mrs. Drake LeVeq?”

  “I—don’t know. I never wanted a husband.”

  “I know.”

  “Well—” she said. “To get you to agree, I suppose I could.”

  “Your enthusiasm is very encouraging.”

  “Drake, I’m sorry. I’m trying to save my future and you’re asking me trick questions.”

  “And yours wasn’t?”

  He had a point. “Never mind. Forget I even asked.”

  He stood. “I’ll marry you if it helps you stay in New Orleans. We’ll figure out how to undo it after your father leaves.”

  The ice in his voice filled her with sadness. “Drake—”

  “Let Mama know she’s getting a temporary daughter-in-law. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Left alone she hung her head. Hurting his feelings hadn’t been her intent, but she had, and she felt terrible.

  Drake rode over to Rai’s. Sable answered the door, took one look at his face, and said, “He’s in his o
ffice.”

  “Thanks.”

  Drake knocked on the closed door.

  “Come,” his brother called.

  Drake entered. Rai, seated behind the desk, scanned his face and asked, “What’s wrong?”

  “Valinda asked me to marry her.”

  Looking confused, Rai asked, “And you’re upset, why?”

  “It’s temporary.”

  His confusion deepened. “Okay, start from the beginning.”

  Drake wasn’t sure why he’d come, but for all of Rai’s bossy, sometimes insufferable, eldest-brother ways he was usually the one they all sought out when there was a problem, or they just needed to talk something over. When Drake finished the story, Rai asked, “So, are you upset because she didn’t jump up and down and say yes, she wanted to be with you until death do you part?”

  “Maybe.”

  “She’s looking for a way out of her father’s trap, Drake. I know you think the sun rises and sets because you walk the earth, all we LeVeq men do, but one thing Sable has taught me is that sometimes it isn’t about us.”

  Drake’s jaw tightened.

  Rai said, “I know that’s hard to hear but you’re in love, brother. Your ego is going to be punctured on a regular basis, and after a while you’re not going to mind, because you wake up every day beside the most beautiful thing in your life. A woman who could’ve chosen any other man in the world, chose you. Would you have been happier had she asked Archer, or god forbid, Beau?”

  Drake’s eyes shot to his.

  “Exactly. Count your blessings. It will work out. Always does. Anything else?”

  “No.” Drake stood up and started to the door.

  Rai said, “Drake.”

  He stopped.

  “According to Sable, Val is in love with you, too. You’re a LeVeq. If you can’t figure out how to make it permanent, I’m disowning you, and putting your chair at Mama’s table up for auction.”

  Amused in spite of his mood, Drake exited.

  Despondent over her rift with Drake, Val was seated at the dining room table preparing lessons for her students when Julianna and Henri returned. “How was the opera?” she asked.

  Julianna replied, “The soprano left a lot to be desired, but the Opera House only allows us to attend occasionally so we take advantage of their bigoted largesse when we can.”