Stealing Her Heart

by Cyndi Raye

  “That may be nice, but we should get this burned as soon as possible.”

  “Don’t worry, Martha. We have plenty of time.”

  I don’t have lots of time! Instead, she gave him a smile as he got Tommy and they headed down Tall Pine Lane. Martha kept an eye on the two until they turned the corner. The moment they did, she hurried around the side of the house and stood in front of the fire pit. Everything was piled waist high. Duke and Tommy had packed everything together so when they lit it up, the fire would stay contained in one area.

  Martha worked for another thirty minutes lugging the rest of the pile of personal belongings to the fire pit. Only then when it was almost as tall as she, her hand slid the photo from her pocket. Her heart began to pound so loud she looked around to make sure no one would hear it but her. The field that led to the sheriff’s office and the main street was empty. Mr. Parson’s house was the next house over, but he had said he was going to rest. She pictured him in his rocking chair, his eyes closed as he napped in the middle of the afternoon.

  She held the photo in her hand one last time. “Finally, I got you. This is one photo that will never reveal anything about my old life again.” She prayed to the Lord for forgiveness for having to stoop to this level to hide a family remnant, but it was for her son. He meant the world to her.

  I’m sorry, Lord. I don’t want to deny who my family is or its history, but people are so cruel. If they knew Carson was related to Thomas Rider, no one would allow their children to play with him. He’d be scorned and pushed away. Just like his father did to him, only it would be worse. Please don’t let other people’s sins affect my son’s life.

  She raised her head, held out the photo and shoved it halfway into the pile, buried deep in the center where no one would find it. Her hands shook as she finished the task. Soon, it would be ashes. Satisfied, Martha turned to go back inside and saw a shadow whizz past the window of Parson’s kitchen. She froze. Had he been watching her?

  When she tried to look closer, the shadow was gone.

  Now, where did it go and what did that old man see?

  *****

  “Tommy, go ahead and help Martha finish lugging things out to the fire pit. I’ll take this ointment over to old man Parson.”

  The doc had stopped him on his way home, apologizing for not following up as promised and reminding Duke he still needed to see his stitches. Doc Frank had an emergency so he hadn’t been able to come over, which suited Duke fine. He didn’t have time to dally at a doctor appointment, but the stitches did need to come out soon before they grew into his skin.

  Duke promised the doctor he’d stop in first thing in the morning before he began working on the house. Besides, it gave him the opportunity to see Martha without the covering on her beautiful hair. She worked for the doctor two days a week and tomorrow happened to be one of them. He wished she’d take her covering off when she was working in his house, but every day it was tight around her head, covering those beautiful locks.

  Some day he hoped to remind her that she didn’t have to hide them. Sooner or later, she’d come out of her shell. He’d make sure of it. Duke knocked on the old man’s door. “Mr. Parson?”

  “Inside! Can’t a man take a darn nap without being disturbed?” Duke opened the screen door and followed the grumbling. The old man was sitting in his rocker, his feet up on a large wooden box. His shoes were off and he had a cover over his mid section.

  “Are you cold?” Duke asked, concerned. It was summer time, no reason to be chilled.

  “I ain’t warm, now, am I? Not with a blanket covering me!”

  He seemed slightly agitated. Duke sat down on the settee close by. “I brought you more ointment from Doc Frank. He said to make sure you put it on right this time or he’ll have to come check on you twice a day.”

  The old man waved a hand through the air. “That young doc is good at what he does, but if he thinks he is going to charge me twice a day for coming here, he’s loco!”

  Duke laughed. “He told me you’d say that.”

  “It’s the darn truth!”

  Duke figured he can’t be feeling too bad otherwise he’d keep his trap shut more. “He told me to tell you he hasn’t charged you a dime since you been going there. The doc said everybody likes you so much, he got donations from the townsfolk for your visits for the next five years!”

  “Five years! Does he think I’ll keel over by then?” The man actually looked affronted.

  Duke did everything he could not to burst out in laughter. Somehow he knew that would upset the old man. There was definitely something wrong.

  “What’s bothering your soul, Mr. Parson?” Duke sat forward, determined to get it out of him.

  Parson thought for a moment and shook his head. “I want to tell you something that you must promise never to repeat. Cross your heart and hope to die!”

  Dukes stared at him. He wasn’t going to promise something like that when he didn’t even know what it was about.

  Parson stared right back. “Go on, raise your right hand and say it!”

  “I don’t know if I should. I mean, how can you make me promise something that I don’t know what it’s about?”

  The old man pulled the cover closer. “Either you do or you won’t be able to help the one you’ve had your eye on now since you came to Belle.”

  “Martha? What do you know about her?” He was so confused now. Was the man going insane in his old age?

  Parson put his right hand in the air and nodded to Duke.

  He sighed. Then, his hand slowly went in the air. This was ridiculous. “Okay, I swear!”

  “I swear to never let this secret leave this room.”

  Duke rolled his eyes. “I swear to never let this secret ever leave this room.”

  “You can roll your eyes, but if you say a word about this, it will ruin a young man’s life. And a pretty young woman you can’t take your eyes off.”

  Parson was either demented or worried. “I promise I won’t ever say a word.” After realizing his hand was still in the air, he dropped it. “Now, what’s the secret?”

  “The only reason I know this is because I’ve lived in this house since the Rider’s first moved in. Mr. and Mrs. Rider were decent folk, but the boy, he was a strange one. Always going off by himself snooping in windows. He didn’t start acting that way until he was about twelve.”

  Duke had work to do. He didn’t want to upset Parson, but he had a pile of rubbish to burn and a yard to get done. “What does this have to do with Martha?”

  “I’m getting to that,” he grumbled. “You young folk can’t be patient for more than five minutes.”

  “I’ve got work to do while the sun’s up, sir.”

  Parson nodded in understanding. “Well, then I’ll get right down to it. Turns out Martha is related to the family that lived in your house. Thomas Rider was her uncle.”

  Duke didn’t see the problem. “She’s never mentioned it during the time she’s worked for me.”

  Parson shook his head vehemently. “No, no, no. She will never disclose that she knows. Can you imagine if the others in town found out? Why, poor Carson, whose been through enough grief in his young years, will be made fun of. The other kids won’t let him live down that he has a crazy relative. I’ve seen it before. People don’t try to be mean, but they are. If anyone knows what I know, it will destroy a beautiful woman and her son. Do you see what I am saying?”

  “Why are you telling me?”

  Parson pushed the blanket down from his lap. He leaned forward even more and pointed a finger at Duke. “Now, I’m not the brightest in the smart department, but I do know one thing when I see it and that’s adoration for someone else. And I know a decent man when I see one. You are going to make that woman your bride and that boy your true son and give them a good life. That much I know for a fact!”

  “I hadn’t thought that far ahead, to be honest. I’ve got my own troubles getting my mother and sister here.”

/>   Parson shook his head. “That’s where you are wrong, son. With the information I just gave you, it is now your duty to protect Martha and Carson for the rest of their lives. Do you know what she was doing today?”

  He shook his head. Whatever Parson said next was not going to be a surprise. His head was spinning and he was having mixed emotions at the old man’s words. He didn’t see that it was a big deal having a crazy relative, but Duke guessed it was different here in Belle. “As far as I know, she was clearing the rubbish out of the house.”

  Parson nodded. “That’s right. She was doing what you hired her for. Plus, she was searching and found something that obviously revealed she knew Thomas Rider. I saw her standing by the fire pile, then shoved a photo card deep into the stack.”

  Duke didn’t think he could see that far. “Well, maybe she was just placing it there to get burned. It is her job to do so.”

  “Not when you look all around to make sure no one is watching you. She peered around both sides of the house and then quickly stuffed it in the middle. Why didn’t she put it on top of the pile?”

  “Maybe she was worried the photo would fly off?”

  The old man waved his hand. “There’s no breeze today, Duke. Now, you know I’m right. I know the exact photo she was trying to hide and I’ll bet if I dug through that pile I’d find it right where she placed the dang thing.”

  Duke contemplated his words. “She’s trying to protect her son. It makes sense. I’d do the same thing.” For the longest time, he didn’t want to take his sister away on excursions. He didn’t want others to feel sorry for her or think she belonged in an asylum because she wasn’t able to walk. For some reason, society as a whole thought if a person wasn’t one hundred percent healthy, they weren’t considered a productive citizen.

  “She is trying to do all she can to protect him.”

  “How do you know so much, Parson?”

  “I just do. Guess I’m her guardian angel. I didn’t want her to ever find out that I know the things I do. Most of the others that knew are long gone. I’m the only fool left that remembers how she’d come visit with her parents and play with the rest of the kids. That bright red hair shined for all the world to see. Darn shame she has to hide her history, but she does. I promised my Lord I’d never tell a soul, except now I’ve broke my promise only to make sure she’s going to be protected from her past. You’re not going to let me down, are you?”

  Duke wondered if the old man thought he was dying that he had to pass on the torch of this secret. He was getting quite used to Parson’s morning visits.

  This was a big deal to the old man and Duke wanted to reassure him that he’d never reveal what he now knew. His hand shot in the air. “I promise never to reveal what was just said inside these walls to anyone, ever. On my honor.” He held out his hand to the old man, who shook it vigorously.

  “Good. Now I can go to my maker without worrying about those two.”

  Duke was curious. “Parson, you aren’t one bit sick and you certainly aren’t going to your maker yet. Not as onery as you are! Are you trying to play matchmaker?”

  The look on Parson’s wrinkled face told Duke everything he needed to know.

  Chapter 11

  “Did you have fun at the Martin house?” Martha walked alongside her now growing son and listened as he told her about the fish he caught. She wanted to take his hand but he had let her know often enough he was too big to be holding his mother’s hand or getting a hug or kiss in front of others.

  “I caught a fish and it was huge, Mom. We cooked it for supper and Mr. Martin let me cut off his head.”

  Martha laughed. “Well, congratulations. That’s a lot of work to get a fish ready to cook.”

  The boy shook his head. “You don’t know the half of it, Mom. You can’t just cook a fish. There is a lot of other stuff that goes on before you fry it up.” He shook his head as if Martha could never understand the art of fish frying.

  “I’m proud of you, son. How would you like to go over to Mr. Callahans? We are going to light the fire pit and afterwards have a treat on his front porch. Would you like that?”

  Carson jumped up and down, his arms flinging from side to side. “Yes! I love fires! Can I light it? Please?”

  Martha laughed. “I will ask Mr. Callahan. He may allow you to do so in front of him.” She didn’t tell him he was too young to light a fire on his own. He was touchy when it came to things like that. She didn’t blame him. There were some kids who had already called him a mama’s boy. Ever since, he’d been trying to act so grown up. Except at times she missed his snuggles and kisses.

  “Are we going now?” Carson was still jumping as he walked.

  She tousled his hair. “Yes, son. We must stop by the house to pick up the pie. I baked it last evening if you remember. It’s been cooling since then, waiting for some hungry bellies.”

  He rubbed his stomach. “My belly is waiting on the pie, Mom.”

  “It will be awhile. Do you think your belly can stand it if we start the fire first?”

  Carson nodded so hard Martha had to laugh. They hurried to the house to pick up the dessert and headed back to the mansion. They walked past the doctor’s office, now closed. Martha almost dreaded having to work in the morning. It wasn’t that she didn’t like the job, but getting the mansion ready for his family was pushing her to want to finish what they started. Any interruption was just that, an interruption.

  “Here we are. Why don’t you go around the back to where Mr. Callahan and Tommy are working? I’ll get the pie ready.”

  It didn’t take much coercing to get Carson to go to the men. She busied herself in the kitchen, taking down four plates and forks, along with a large knife to cut each person a slice. On second thought, she reached up to grab a fifth plate.

  She’d expect old man Parson to be on his way at any moment. If he was watching from his favorite spot at the kitchen window, he’d already know she had carried something into the house. One thing about living in Belle, the neighbor always knew what was going on. And yet, Mr. Parson had saved Mercy by being his nosey old self, which had prevented a tragedy. She’d be forever grateful to him so if all it took was feeding him then he deserved it.

  “We’re ready to start the fire,” a voice came out of nowhere.

  Martha jumped into the air, the pile of plates almost flying out of her hand. She caught them in the nick of time and turned to Duke. “I didn’t hear you come in,” she told him, holding the plates closer to her chest. She convinced herself it would keep her heart from pounding too loud.

  “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you, Martha,” he told her in a low tone.

  She gave him a sad smile. “I’m sorry. Sometimes this house gives me bad thoughts. I have to clear my mind of them. Hopefully, when the renovations are done, there won’t be any more reminders of Thomas Rider here. I’ve grown so close to Mercy and it saddens me that she may have been more seriously hurt the day he tried to kidnap her.”

  “Amen! I’ve heard enough about that man to make my head swell. Do we have all his things on the burn pile, Martha? I’m ready to get rid of it all, as you must be.”

  Goosebumps prickled her arms. Was he suspicious of her? Why did he say it like that, like she had a personal interest in this whole thing? She gave him a hard look. He seemed normal, like any other day. His eyes didn’t pierce hers in an accusing way. It was her. She was nervous about the photo. She handed the pile of plates over to him and gave him a big smile. “As promised, I brought pie. Will you set these dishes out on the front porch table and I’ll follow with the pie?”

  Duke took the plates and headed for the front door. “Yes, ma’am,” he teased. “The sooner we get the fire started, the sooner we can have dessert!”

  This was going to be a wonderful evening, Martha thought as she followed Duke out the door. They both went out back where Carson was standing with Tommy, still jumping up and down. When he saw Martha, he ran to her and took her ha
nd. “Can I start the fire, Mom? Duke said to ask you first.”

  Martha glanced at Duke. He was watching her son with amusement. “I don’t see why not. As long as you follow the instructions to keep everyone safe. You know fire isn’t anything to mess around with.”

  Her boy rolled his eyes first before running to Duke. “Did you hear her, she said yes!”

  He jumped up and down in front of Duke, who swooped the boy up in his arms. “Now, listen here, young man. I’m going to let you start the fire, but I want you to follow my directions, okay?”

  Carson nodded. The two talked awhile and Carson did as he was told. Soon, a roaring fire began to engulf the photos and belongings of Thomas Rider and his past. Martha’s past, also. With the burning of the photo that sat in the middle of the pile, no one would ever be able to hurt her son. The past was now in a rubble of ash.

  Carson and Tommy stood back from the fire while Duke stood beside Martha. She felt Duke’s hand on her sleeve. When she turned to him, there was a fire in his eyes. He gazed at her, daring her to look away. She didn’t. Perhaps this was the start of something new. Now that the jaded history was in the past, she’d be able to start over with someone. Someone like Duke.

  It was probably just a dream though. Men weren’t kind and loving. At least none that she ever knew. Her husband was a horrible man. At first he courted her and was cordial. But, the moment they married, all courtesy was gone and she became a slave to him. It was not a pretty memory. If only she could throw those past feelings in the fire and let them burn up never to remind her again.

  Except they were scars that didn’t just burn away. She imagined she’d have them forever. At least until someone came along and made her forget them. Was it possible Duke was that man?

  He leaned in as the flames began to die down. “Martha,” he whispered her name in a low tone. When she turned to look up at him, he leaned in further and placed a soft kiss on her mouth.