by Lynn Landes
“Okay, honey, I think we should take a walk and cool you off.”
“I want to touch your skin, taste it,” Anika stops moving and looks at him in wonder and leans over to whisper, “I dream about you sometimes too.”
His mouth falls open again, and he's forced once again to grab her hands. “Anika,” he groans and glances to his right, where movement catches his attention. Martha is holding a small bottle in her hand, and she tosses it on the floor, smashing it to bits before dragging her mother to the exit.
“What was that about?” Allen calls out as he rushes to get a broom to sweep up the shattered pieces, frowning when he recognizes the color of the glass.
Glenn frowns when Anika pulls away to stare at the crowd of people. “So hot,” she murmurs.
“Look how long my arms are?” One excited voice calls out. She waves her arms around and laughs hysterically, while her friend laments, “Mine are tiny,” and falls to her knees sobbing.
One of the older women begins to stomp and clap her hands on the dance floor to a song that isn’t playing.
Allen finishes cleaning up, and Dr. Parker frowns at his wife. “Clara, what have you been drinking?”
“Only apple cider,” she says swaying in his arms.
“I’m hot, I think I’ll have another,” Daisy slurs.
Savannah laughs at the crying girl on the floor and pulls her up to dance, while Clara gasps and turns on Daisy.
“Mrs. Ward, I do believe you are drunk.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, I’m a grandmother,” she slurs and leans her forehead on her husband’s chest. Allen glances down at his wife and looks around the room.
“Hot, dizzy,” over and over the same complaints begin to filter through. Glenn frowns and pushes the hair back on Anika's shoulder.
“Anika, tell me what you put in the cider.”
Joy explodes on her fade, “Magic, Glenn.” She throws her arms in the air and points at the ceiling, “I wished for you, and here you are!”
Glenn can’t help but laugh at her. Anika stops moving and looks at the doors. “I’m so hot.”
“Just what on earth is in that cider?” Dr. Parker snaps distracting Glenn.
Angry voices erupt as the men begin to gather their families and attempt to load them in wagons.
“But I want to stay, and dance,” another woman shouts.
“I want more magic cider,” another one cries, and Glenn is struck by a horrible thought.
“Martha!” he hisses.
Dr. Parker grabs Clara’s hand and marches her to a chair. “Stay here,” he orders. “Show me this cider,” he demands. Clara frowns at him.
“That was rude,” Clara murmurs and sniffs, trying not to cry. Anika takes her hand and squeezes gently. Her head is pounding, and her heart beats in time to the rhythm in her head.
Allen guides Daisy to a chair next to Clara, “Daisy isn’t feeling well, could you look after her for a minute, Clara?”
“Of course, Allen.”
“Stay with them, Anika,” Glenn orders.
Anika sticks her tongue out at Glen's retreating back, and the women all laugh hysterically.
Glenn ignores the laughter behind him and hurries to the kitchen followed by both men. They are surprised to find a half-empty pot. Dr. Parker pours a cup into a mason jar and holds it up to the lantern. “It looks the right color,” he sniffs and frowns. “I don't smell anything.” Allen is about to taste it when a cat jumps down from a chair.
“Meow,” the cat rubs Glenn’s legs. He ignores her for a second until he hears the sound of glass on a wooden floor. A small brown bottle spins, as the cat smacks it with her paw.
His stomach drops when he picks it up and finds it empty.
“Old man Sutton,” he hisses. A well-known moonshiner, Glenn glances at the bottle and the pot.
“If she put the whole bottle in the pot, we’re in for a long night,” Allen says with a laugh.
“No, she had two bottles, Dad.” He glances at the pot, and they all fall quiet for a moment.
“Give me some good news, Doc,” Glenn murmurs.
“The good news is that they didn’t drink the whole pot, the bad news is, well, you know how a hangover feels.”
Anika watches Glenn walk away with a frown and stands up slowly, to keep the room from tilting. “He's always leaving,” she murmurs, wiping the sweat from her brow.
“We used to swim when we got hot, Allen and I.” Daisy pats Clara's hand and points to the door. “The pond stays cold, and night swimming is so romantic.”
“I can’t swim,” Clara says with a glance at Anika.
“I love to swim,” she grins and picks up her skirt. “Where is the pond, Daisy.”
“You head across the main field, towards two large pines. If you ride straight at them, you will come to some trees, just keep going and you can't miss it.”
“Don't tell Glenn, he's very bossy, with his do this, do that, nonsense,” Anika slurs as Daisy explains how to get to the pond a second time. Giving a wave, she stumbles through the mass of people and goes outside. Instantly, the cold air rushes over her, and she inhales.
“Thank goodness, so hot…” she goes to the barn and finds a mare tied to a post. “Hello, beauty, I will call you Ms. Jerry.” After a few attempts, she is able to climb into the saddle.
“Go, Ms. Jerry,” giving a swift kick. The horse trots away bouncing Anika along. The first piece of clothing to come off is her shoes, followed by her purple jacket. “That is much better,” she sings, dropping pieces of her clothing as she goes.
Allen and Glenn are distracted by angry voices and hurry to help the guests leave. “I’m sorry about this, Sheriff Austin,” Allen apologizes to him as he has to all of the men who are loading their wives and daughters into wagons.
“This was one interesting afternoon, Mr. Ward,” Sheriff Austin says with a laugh. “Not everyone will think it’s funny, you best be prepared for some questions on Sunday.”
“I'd like to come by your office on Monday to discuss this,” Glenn hands him the bottle and tells him about how Martha smashed the other one.
“I’ll ride over tomorrow and have a chat with Old man Sutton. For now, I’m gonna enjoy seeing my wife like this,” he laughs as she giggles, and the children tease her.
Allen nods and tips his hat as the last of the guests leave. Thankfully Mrs. Henrietta agreed to stay over for the night and help with Anika and the twins.
Daisy and Clara are giggling and munching on cookies in the main house when the men return to get them.
Glenn glances around and frowns. “Where’s Anika?”
Clara giggles and covers her mouth. Daisy pushes her softly and straightens to her full height. “Cookie?” She holds up a tray.
“Mother,” he starts to snap, but Allen stops him with a hand to his arm.
“Daisy?” Allen frowns, “Where is Anika?”
“I want to go to bed now, Allen,” Daisy says smiling up at her husband.
“Me too,” Clara says.
“You didn't answer the question, Mother,” Glenn yells.
Daisy leaps to her feet and shouts back, “Don’t raise your voice at me!”
Glenn stares at her in shock.
“Anika could be in danger, where is she?” Allen asks sweetly.
“We promised we wouldn’t tell Glenn she went swimming in the pond.” Clara smooths her skirt and pulls at Josiah’s hand. “Now, can we go home,” she whispers.
“Swimming in the dark!” Glenn shouts.
“Don't be such a prude son, your Dad and I swim naked all,” Allen smacks a hand over her mouth with a shout of laughter.
“This isn’t funny,” Glenn hisses.
“She couldn’t have gotten far on foot, son,” Allen says. “Take blankets.”
Clara pushes a hand to her head, “Josiah, my head hurts,” she whispers.
“Time to go home,” Dr. Parker says firmly.
Glenn runs from the house to hear, “Wher
e’s my dang horse?”
His stomach drops when he sees a lady's shoe. “Problem, Fred?”
“My horse is gone. She must have loosened the reins.” He scratches his head while Glenn runs into the barn. He returns leading an old mare.
“Here Fred, use this one. I’ll bring your horse back when we find her.”
The seconds tick by like minutes, while he waits for Fred to leave. The moment he mounts, Glenn runs into the barn and mounts his stallion.
Panic is beginning to set in as the sun starts to set deeper in the sky. He quickly rolls up a blanket and ties it to his saddle before leaping on his horse. He thunders towards the fields stopping when he comes across the first piece of clothing and a second shoe.
His mouth goes dry when he finds her waist jacket. A few feet later he sees a large purple skirt. Jumping from the horse, he picks it up and looks around. “Anika!” he shouts, no answer.
“Damn,” he climbs back on his horse and rides fast.
Anika urges the small mare on, stopping to remove her clothes as her body seems to be burning up. Wearing only a camisole, she hums softly and struggles back onto the mare, before giving a swift kick of her heels. “Swimming, swimming, I love to swimmmm,” she sings loudly and giggles.
“Over the hill and through the trees,” she reminds herself and claps her hands with glee when she sees the trees. “It’s so dark, Ms. Jerry, how will we find the pond?”
The mare snorts, and keeps walking, “Of course, my apologies, you know where we're going.” When the pony stops a few minutes later, Anika gasps and slides from her back and pats her, “You are the best Ms. Jerry I've ever known. Thank you.”
The pond glistens, reflecting the sinking sun in the sky above. It's a clear evening, and Anika stares at the pond and sighs. “So beautiful,” her breath puffs out a misty warning of the temperature dropping, but she is oblivious.
Anika dips a toe in the pond and grins before walking straight into the water. She swims, rolling over and floats.
Glenn thunders through the trees, startling Ms. Jerry and causing her to stomp her feet and run away. His breath rushes out when he sees Anika floating in the pond. “Thank God,” he mumbles and leaps down. Glenn ties his reins to a tree branch and jerks a blanket from the back of the panting horse.
Anika ducks her head in the water and pushes her hair back on her head.
“Anika, come out of the water,” Glenn calls.
Anika frowns at him and shakes her head no, “No thank you,” she says and swims away from him to the center of the pond.
“Damnit, you’ll catch a cold. Its’ freezing now, stop playing and swim to me.”
“I don't think so, Mr. Ward,” and she rolls over on her back to stare up at the stars. “It's beautiful,” she murmurs.
Glenn’s mouth falls open as he realizes all she is wearing is a thin camisole. He whirls around and wipes a hand over his eyes and starts praying. “Lord, I’m gonna need your help with this one.”
“Come swim with me, Glenn,” she calls softly, teasing him and his heartbeat pounds in his ears.
“Anika, stop playing and let’s go home,” he calls to her again.
“It's like I'm floating in the stars, Glenn.”
“The stars aren’t out yet,” he informs her.
“Killjoy,” she snaps and giggles.
It takes all his strength to not turn and watch her in all her glory. Desperation has him throwing out the first thing that comes to mind.
“Delaney is waiting for you; don't you want to say goodnight to her.”
“Delaney?” Splashing as she rolls over the water spins around her and she frantically turns looking for her daughter.
“Oh, no! I’ve lost her! Delaney!” She screams and dives under to look for her. Quickly realizing his mistake, Glenn whirls around and finds to his horror that she is gone.
“Anika!” he runs straight at the water, diving in to find her.
The water is deep, black and impossible to see in. Which way is up? Delaney! She screams in her mind. Something grabs her arm and jerks her. Anika starts fighting as she comes face to face with her dead husband.
Saul grins, with skin hanging from his face, rotting teeth, a missing eye and he laughs at her, pinning both arms to her side he drags her body against his. Anika fights, choking on pond water and struggles to break free.
Glenn drags her from the water, screaming, and coughing. He’s forced to pin her arms down to stop her from hurting him. “Anika,” he shouts, “look at me.”
“Delaney!” she coughs out, “Please let me get Delaney.”
“She’s at home, Delaney’s at home.”
Anika stops struggling and stares up at him.
“Saul took her,” she cries and starts struggling again. Glenn puts his face beside her ear and whispers, holding her tight to his body.
“No, Saul is dead. He’ll never hurt you again. Delaney is at home, let’s go home.”
“Home?”
Glenn presses a kiss to her forehead. “Home,” she sighs, and her teeth chatter. “Glenn, why am I so cold?”
He laughs softly and releases her arms. Glenn rests his forehead on hers, “Because you decided to go swimming.” Anika wraps her arms around his neck, holding him in place.
“You’re wet,” she murmurs as she kisses his mouth softly, “you taste good, feel good.”
Glenn groans and grabs her arms, unwrapping them from his neck. “I have a blanket,” he climbs up from her, ignoring her protests, and hurries to his horse.
When he turns around, he finds her walking towards him, and his mouth falls open. He should turn around, but part of him wants to burn this image in his mind's eye. To say she is beautiful is an injustice to the word. “Anika, you're killing me.”
“I’m cold, won’t you warm me up?” He takes two steps towards her before he makes himself stop.
“I’d love to, come here,” he demands.
Anika smiles and rushes into his open arms. Glenn wraps her in a blanket and pulls her against his chest.
“Let’s get you dressed and home.”
Anika pushes back and starts to unbutton his shirt.
“Not yet,” she grumbles.
Glenn laughs and grabs her hands. “Anika, we have to go.”
“Don’t you want me Glenn?” she says pressing her breast into his chest.
“More than the air I breathe, but not like this.” He steps back drawing the blanket tighter around her and turns to his horse, grabbing her clothes.
“He didn’t want me either,” she says swaying on her feet. “Saul said no man would ever want me again.”
Glenn's head drops, “He was a fool, and you deserve better.” Anika pulls on her skirt and jacket, she doesn’t bother with her stockings.
“I don't feel well, Glenn.” She runs to the bushes and vomits. Glenn is beside her to help keep her from falling over, and after they are home, he stays with her when she weeps through the vomiting and pain, he promises to make sure Martha doesn't hurt her again.
“Is Mama going to be okay?” Delaney asks from the doorway. Glenn tucks the covers around Anika and puts a basin near his bed.
“Come here, sugar.” Delaney runs to him oblivious of her tears she buries her face in his neck and sobs.
“Please don’t let my Mama die.”
Glenn holds her close, and his heart swells with joy at the trust she is showing him.
“I promise, Delaney. Everyone gets sick sometimes. No one will ever hurt her again.”
“Okay, Mr. Glenn, but why is Mama in your bed?” she sniffs.
“Well, I thought it would be the best place for me to take care of her. How about I get you tucked into bed and read you a story. If we leave the door open, I can hear her.”
“Do I get to pick it?” she teases.
Glen chuckles, “Of course. You get into your nightgown, while I finish up and I will be right there.” He sets her on her feet, smiling as she pads from the room.
De
laney stops and watches how tenderly he cares for her mother as he dips a clean cloth into fresh water and wrings it out before washing Anika’s face. She groans and clutches at her head, rolling away from him.
“Mr. Glenn, can we pray for Mama?” Delaney asks before she leaves.
“Of course. Come here.” He reaches for her hand and rejoices in his heart when she grips it. His voice is hoarse as he starts to pray, but it grows stronger with each word.
“Heavenly Father, we pray that you will lay your healing hands on those who are sick. Have compassion on all who are suffering so they may be delivered from these dreadful circumstances.”
“In Jesus name, Amen.”
Delaney sighs, “Amen.”
Chapter 18
Old man Sutton hears the warning whistle from his sons and steps from the barn with his shotgun. He walks swiftly towards the stump in front of the house and leans his gun up against the porch before picking up his ax to chop wood. Eli, his oldest son, helps him gather the split pieces and stack it.
A bird call sings across the morning air, informing him of the number of men coming. ‘Three’
Their horses round the last bend in the roughhewn road giving them a view of the cabin overlooking the valley below. “Good morning, Mr. Smith,” Sheriff Austin calls, keeping a close eye out for trouble.
Scrubbing a hand over his beard, Sutton glares at them and sinks his ax into the stump. “What can I do you for?”
Eli grins and reaches for the ax only to stop and glare when Glenn's hands go to his rifle. Behind him, the second brother raises up his gun. “You don’t need to do that, son.”
Old Man Sutton stares at Glenn and then smiles broadly, “Allen, good to see you. How’s Mrs. Daisy doing? Can I offer you some coffee?
“Just fine and as beautiful as ever, I’d love some coffee, thanks” Allen steps from his horse and pumps his hand, laughing.
“Forgive my son, he still has to learn to not judge so quickly.”
“They always thinkin', they know more'n us, don't, they?” He turns to Glenn. “Son, I was sorry to hear bout your wife, I hope your sons are well?”
