Southern Treasures

by Coleman, Lynn A.

  “What smells so good?” Peg hoped Grace would be distracted so she wouldn’t see the strain on her face as she shifted her battered body enough to sit up in a reclined position.

  “Chicken and dumplings. Cook gave me the recipe.”

  Peg’s mouth watered. If Cook told Grace how to make the dish, it was guaranteed to be good. Peg always liked Cook. Cook was far more vocal then Peg had ever been, but they both loved control and organization. “Smells wonderful.”

  “Mr. Bower asked for it. Seems he’s been missing some of what he calls Southern cooking. Never heard him complain before about the beans and rice, or any of the other dishes I’ve made.”

  “I’m surprised he didn’t ask for grits.”

  “Grits?”

  “It’s a corn dish.” How could you describe grits, at least so they sounded edible?

  “Never heard of it.” Grace sat down beside her and watched Peg weave the needle through the fabric.

  “Do you sew?”

  “Some, nothing fancy like you.”

  “Would you like me to show you some stitches?”

  “Would you?”

  Peg smiled; at last she had found a purpose in being laid up. She’d take on the responsibility of teaching Grace how to do needlework.

  ❧

  “Hello, anyone home?” Matt called as he plopped his attaché on the small table in the sitting room. As much as he hated to admit it, he was behind on some of his own affairs.

  Micah had written another letter to confirm his ship and anticipated arrival on Key West. Ten days and his son would be here, the day before Christmas. The question was, would Matt tell him the truth? Would he tell Peg? Every time their discussions revolved around children in general, she was fairly talkative. But once they got to more specifics, to why she never married, she’d claim to be tired and needed to rest. He didn’t doubt the need, but it became far too convenient.

  “We’re in the bedroom, Mr. Bower,” Grace called out.

  “I’ll be right there.” Matt pumped some water and washed his hands and face. His nostrils took in the sweet aroma. “Chicken and…” He lifted the lid. “Dumplings!” He grabbed a spoon and stirred the pot, sampling a small dose of the broth. His stomach rumbled.

  Grace broke out in laughter. “You should see him, Peg. He’s like a hungry dog hovering over his dish.”

  Matt plopped the lid back over the pot. “I was merely sampling your fine cooking.”

  “Yes, yes. I have to leave for awhile, Mr. Bower. Are you all set for serving dinner?”

  “We’ll be fine, Grace. How is she?”

  “Getting ready to jump up from that bed and hop around the island.”

  “I heard that,” Peg called out from her room.

  Matt smiled at Grace and winked. They both understood just how difficult it was for Peg to be a good patient. To be patient, period. “Thanks for your help.” Matt escorted Grace to the front door.

  “Buenos noches, Peg.”

  “Adios, hasta mañana,” Peg responded.

  Matt now understood various greetings and salutations in Spanish. He wasn’t certain he’d ever become fluent in the language, especially when he’d heard Peg on more than one occasion rattling off in Spanish to Grace.

  “Hungry, Peg?” Matt closed the door behind Grace and walked to the bedroom doorway.

  “Starving. I’ve smelled it cooking all afternoon and not once was I able to steal a taste. I take it Grace caught you scooping out of the pot?”

  “Possibly.” Matt grinned.

  “Well, how was it?” She lifted her body into a sitting position. Her jaw tightened, and her eyelids closed. Pain shouted from her body, but her lips remained silent.

  “Wonderful. We’ll feast tonight. It’s been ages since I’ve had homemade chicken and dumplings. How about yourself?” Matt stepped back toward the kitchen, lifting a couple of large bowls off a tray Grace had obviously set out earlier.

  “Be ready for a real treat. That’s Cook’s recipe. No one on Key West can cook chicken and dumplings like that woman.”

  “Cook, Ellis Southard’s servant?”

  “Housekeeper and cook. Some folks don’t like the term servant when referring to their employees.”

  “Thanks, I’m still making that adjustment. Please note, I didn’t call her a slave. There’s something about that woman. I can’t picture her ever being anyone’s slave.”

  “Her family was freed when she was a baby. She and her husband George came here from the Bahamas to make a life for themselves.”

  Matt entered the room with two very full bowls on the tray.

  “I’m so hungry my stomach is floppin’ like a flounder.”

  Matt chuckled and placed the tray over Peg’s lap. “Where’d you get that expression?”

  “My father.”

  “Oh, right, he was a fisherman.”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you miss him?”

  “Some, but Dan and I have lived apart from them for so many years it’s hard to feel the same loss as if I’d seen them everyday.”

  Matt removed his bowl and sat down in the small oak chair. Definitely a woman’s chair. Actually, it felt more like a child’s chair. He couldn’t picture Peg sitting on it for long periods of time. “Shall we pray?”

  They said a brief prayer, then the room silenced. The gentle ting of silver spoons clinking the china bowl lulled him back to Georgia, to Savannah, and to a time when he was a small boy enjoying his first hearty bowl of chicken and dumplings.

  “Where were you?” Peg whispered.

  “My childhood home, six years old and eating my first bowl of chicken and dumplings. My father loved the meal until he discovered it was common food. It was never served at our table again. Bessy, she was one of our house slaves, would save me a bowl from time to time. And I’d have a real feast. Don’t know what it is about this dish, but I sure do love it.” He scooped another hearty spoonful.

  “Chicken was a treat in our household. We grew up eating tons of fish. Now, don’t get me wrong, I enjoy most fish. But when it’s your steady diet…”

  “Say no more, I truly understand.”

  Peg smiled.

  “Do you know you have the most adorable smile. I love it.” Matt dropped his spoon in his bowl. Had he really spoken those words? He gave her a sideways glance. Yup, he’d spoken the words. His heart hammered in his chest. He’d been thinking about Peg more and more lately. Not about her injuries, not about her business, and not too much about the fact that she was Micah’s mother. But as a woman. Was he really ready to think about another relationship in his life?

  Fourteen

  Peg swallowed the thickest hunk of dumpling imaginable. Had he really commented about her looks? He seemed nervous and as ill prepared as herself. “Matt?”

  “I’m sorry, Peg. I didn’t mean to be so forward.”

  “I think we ought to talk about this.”

  Matt shifted on the chair. Granted, it was a stiff and uncomfortable chair, but that wasn’t his problem. “I was merely commenting about your looks. You are a beautiful woman, Peg.”

  “I see. So the fact that you’re squirming like a four-year-old who needs to use the privy has nothing to do with any feelings you might have.”

  “Are you sure you want to discuss this?”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Peg fought to stay still on the bed and not tip the bowl of chicken and dumplings.

  He raised his voice slightly. “You’re as afraid of your feelings as I am of mine.”

  Peg silently counted to three before she answered. “What feelings?”

  “Try being honest, Peg. You react every time I walk into the room.”

  If there ever was a problem with pale skin, that was it. The slightest sign of embarrassment and she’d blush brighter than a beacon. Her face flamed. She grasped her spoon. “I’m sorry I brought it up.”

  Matt nodded and went back to his dinner. The two of them ate in silence until their bowls w
ere finished. “Would you like some more?” he asked.

  “No, thank you. I’ve been sitting for awhile. I should lie down.”

  He removed the tray and silently slipped into the kitchen. They weren’t ready to discuss a relationship. They weren’t ready to have a relationship, were they?

  “I’m sorry, Peg.”

  Peg jumped, then groaned.

  “Oh, Peg, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. Are you all right?”

  Her leg throbbed. “I’m okay. I’m sorry too.”

  “I know we both agreed we weren’t looking for a relationship, but I think one is developing. I mean, something more than just friendship.”

  “I know.” Peg felt her face brighten yet again.

  “I also think we’re mature enough to handle this. If the Lord is bringing us together, should we fight it?”

  “I don’t know, Matt. I don’t know that I’d ever be suitable as a wife for anyone.”

  “What kind of nonsense is that?” His voice raised slightly.

  “I’m too old and set in my ways. As Grace put it earlier, I like to be in charge.”

  “Ah, so submission to a husband is out?”

  “Husband? Don’t you think you’re pushing things?” Peg raised the covers up over her chest.

  Matt chuckled. “I wasn’t suggesting. I merely was thinking about what you’ve obviously thought about all these years to remain single.”

  “Oh. Yes. I guess I decided that would definitely be a hardship on myself and my husband.”

  Matt sat down beside her on the small chair she used to put on her boots for social occasions. The rest of the time she wore sandals, which she just slipped on.

  “Esther had a hard time with that for awhile. She, like you, was the oldest. And the good Lord gave her an incredible brain. Most men would have run away screaming from a woman like that. She said that most men didn’t call on her more than once.”

  Peg laughed. “I think I like your wife.”

  “Good. You probably would have gotten along really well. But then again, you might have bumped heads too. Hard to say.” Matt rose. “I best be going.”

  “No, Matt. Mariella isn’t here.”

  “I’ll go fetch her. Do you need Carmen’s help?”

  “Yes, thanks.”

  After Matt returned with Carmen and Mariella and private matters were taken care of, Peg lay down while Carmen changed her dressing. “How’s it look?”

  Mariella scrunched her nose. “Like fish guts.”

  “Mariella!” Carmen scolded.

  “That bad, huh?” Peg joked back.

  Mariella nodded her head up and down and didn’t say another word.

  “Actually, it’s looking much better. The scabs are healing on some of the minor cuts,” Carmen offered. “Doc Hansen will be pleased.”

  “Do you think he’ll let me start walking soon?”

  “It would be foolish for me to even hazard a guess.” Matt said from the doorway.

  Carmen looked at Matt, then at Peg. “You two all right?”

  “Fine,” they both chimed too quickly.

  Carmen hid her smile well, but Peg caught a glimpse of it. The leg dressed, Carmen worked on it. Doc Hansen said it would help the blood circulation. What he didn’t know was that Matt’s gentle and loving ways were dissolving her defenses. If given a chance, she would never mind submitting her authority to this man.

  ❧

  Peg’s fondness for Matt was growing day by day. Each day they opened themselves a bit more to each other. Affectionate glances and an occasional caress of each other’s hands brought a deeper and deeper intimacy. Conversations about marriage were discussed more freely between them. But if this continued, soon she would have to confess the truth to Matt. It wouldn’t be fair for him to enter a relationship with her not knowing the truth. However, finding the right time in which to tell him was hopeless. Their visits were shared with a chaperone. Peg had never been so grateful for the easy distraction of children. She could send them off looking for something, or give them a dollar and ask them to run to town for her. Either way, it provided her only stolen moments alone with Matt.

  Peg limped with her crutches to the small sofa. “Mariella went to town for us.”

  Matt grinned. “Micah arrives tomorrow.”

  “I can’t wait to meet him. The doctor says I can go back to work tomorrow if I’m careful. Mariella said she wouldn’t mind spending the day in the store with me.”

  “Hope you can find everything.” Matt winked.

  “What have you done?”

  He reached out and held her hand. “Peg, we need to talk.”

  “Peg, are you in there?” Daniel called out, then her front door creaked open.

  “So much for a private moment,” she mumbled. “Yes,” she hollered.

  Daniel marched in through the front door.

  “What’s the matter, Daniel?”

  He looked around the room. “Where’s Mariella?”

  “She ran to town for me.” Peg blushed.

  Matt released her hand.

  Anger rose in Daniel’s face.

  “Daniel, why were you looking for me?”

  “I was going to ask you to help me surprise Carmen for Christmas, but I guess it’s a good thing I came in when I did.” The anger and disappointment in his voice boomed through the house.

  “Daniel.” Peg blushed. “You have no right.”

  “No, Peg. You have no right.”

  “Daniel,” Matt cleared his throat. “Nothing inappropriate has happened. We’re both mature adults.”

  “Nonsense. You know this island and its rumors. Peg’s reputation could be soiled… .” His words trailed off. He stomped out of the house.

  “I’m sorry, Matt. Daniel’s right. You should go.” Peg rubbed her hands together. Why had she allowed herself to steal private moments with Matt?

  “That’s ridiculous, Peg. We’ve done nothing wrong.” He stood.

  “Please, Matt. You wouldn’t understand.”

  “Try me.”

  “Please,” Peg pleaded. What could she say? This wasn’t the way to tell him the truth about herself and her past, something she and Daniel had fought long and hard to protect. Something for which he’d given up his life—to help her rebuild her future. And she had. They had. And in one foolish moment of wanting to be alone with Matthew, she might have ruined twenty years of restoration. How could she have been so foolish?

  Matt lifted her chin with his finger and caressed her lips with his thumb. “Since I’ve already soiled your pristine reputation, then I guess you won’t mind this.”

  He captured her lips with his. Peg found herself looping her arms around his neck. Her whole world crumbled around her feet as tears ran down her cheek. He released her and boldly stepped away.

  “Good day, Miss Martin. If you can’t trust me, then we have no relationship.”

  ❧

  Matt stormed through town. They’d come so close to confessing their love for one another. But how could he truly give her his heart when she hid such a dark secret from him? He couldn’t. He wouldn’t. It wasn’t worth the risk.

  He marched to his dock and walked out to the furthest point. Ships sailed gently in and out of the harbor. It had been a mistake to come to Key West. He should have buried the information Dr. Baker had given him so many months ago. Why had he bothered to seek the mother of Micah? To tell her the truth? To tell her that her son did not die?

  Her pristine identity in Key West would never welcome the knowledge that her son was alive. Micah would never be accepted. People would always consider him illegitimate. How could a man cope with that information, never having known his entire life that he wasn’t his parents’ child?

  No, it wasn’t fair to Micah. He’d been foolish to even think it might be a good thing. Thankfully, Micah knew nothing about Dr. Baker’s confession. With everything that was in him, Matt determined he would never tell Micah the truth. He was better off not knowi
ng. While his birth mother had some charming aspects, her heart was hard as stone. She was determined to be something she wasn’t, determined to live a life alone. Well, she can live it alone. I don’t need to be here any longer. It wouldn’t be too difficult to move his business back to Savannah. It hadn’t really left there yet anyway.

  What was he going to do when Micah arrived?

  A pelican swooped down in front of him and captured a fish dinner. Matt took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

  A small ship passed and the man at the helm waved. Matt thought he’d met the man before and waved back. Fact was everyone waved as ships passed. A common courtesy of the sea.

  A sail—perfect. He and Micah could sail to Key Visca. Spend Christmas together, alone and safe.

  Matt headed back from the end of the pier and set about renting a sailboat for the next week.

  ❧

  Peg fought her troubled emotions all night. She had been looking forward to going back to work yesterday. Today the mere thought of it was pure agony. Her leg throbbed. Her concentration was off. The thought of even half a day on crutches made her back stiffen.

  She still couldn’t figure out why Matt had reacted as he had. Granted, Daniel had too, but that was correctable. Daniel not only apologized, he even went to Matt’s home to apologize. Matt had even accepted his apology, but then he said it didn’t change the real issue, the real problem.

  All night Peg tried to figure out what the “real” problem was. All night she came up blank. She knew she had to tell Matt about her past, but he didn’t know that. So she reasoned that couldn’t be the problem. But what was their problem? How did he dare say that honesty was the issue? Hadn’t she always been honest? Had she ever deceived him about anything?

  He never even asked for details concerning her past relationships. He talked freely about himself and Esther, but he never asked about anyone from her past. Why was that?

  Daniel knocked on her door bright and early to give her a ride to town. It was hard to believe—she still wasn’t strong enough to walk the short distance from her house down to the harbor on her own.

  At work, she marveled at the nearly empty shelves. Moving to her new location wouldn’t be as difficult as she had anticipated. Matt must be some kind of salesman.