Snow on Magnolias

by Hattie Mae

  That man had the ability to sear right through her with those eyes. And the uncanny way he held eye contact made her want to confess everything she’d ever done wrong. What color were those eyes anyway? Crap. Shaking her head, she allowed the breath she was holding to escape. “Who cares? I must have been crazy driving up to someone’s house at one in the morning unannounced,” she mumbled.

  Rose squeezed her eyes closed, but could still see what she considered Sam’s disapproving look. She had seen that same look in many men’s eyes.

  No matter. She was starting new. And after all, Aunt Odelia had asked for her help. ‘Don’t bother the boys about me wanting help,’ she’d said. Aunt Odelia didn’t want them to know she’d asked for help.

  This time would give Rose a chance to set her life straight. She would just have to put up with Sam’s looks; anything was better than seeing her picture plastered all over Atlanta and the rumors flying around about her broken engagement.

  Throwing on a pair of designer slacks and a matching Gucci blouse, she searched for her shoes, gave up and settled on a pair of slippers. Rose sat at the dresser and tried to smooth her hair. Thank goodness her mother wasn’t there to see what the humidity was doing to her natural curls.

  Rose could hear her repeating the same old speech over and over again.

  ‘Do something with your hair, Rose. It’s sticking up everywhere. I swear you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear no matter how much you try. You’re a lost cause. You’ll never have class.’

  Rose’s shoulders dropped in defeat. My God, Mother, I’m a twenty six year old woman, not a little girl full of fear.

  Standing a bit taller she stared at her image. “Well, Mother, you’re not here,” she said to the woman in the mirror. Who did she have to impress anyway?

  As she closed her suitcase, one of the promotional key rings for her latest book caught her eye. She picked up the clear cylinder. Stars and glitter floated in the liquid; maybe this would make amends to Sam’s smallest daughter, and just maybe pave the way to her apology. That thought put a bounce in her step all the way to the dining room.

  Voices and laughter rang out well before she reached the bottom of the steps. Family voices. Words spoken between people who knew each other well and were not embarrassed to show their love. She froze outside of the door, her feet glued in place. She didn’t belong in there, with a family.

  “Who’s my visitor, Sam? Stop teasing me and tell me or you get no La Bouillie.”

  Now that was a word she’d not heard in a very long time. Rose could taste the warm custard she’d had for breakfast when she’d last visited. Aunt Odelia used to fix it for her when she was young, but what a strange dish to be tempting an adult man. With the sound of her aunt’s voice, she couldn’t hold back any longer. She needed someone’s approval. Rose rounded the corner and entered the dining room, bumping into one of the chairs. Everyone turned toward the noise. For the second time that morning, she was the center of attention.

  “Rose? Is that you?” Her aunt threw her good arm in the air. “Thank you, dear Lord. I hoped you would come.” Odelia cooed as she pulled Rose into her ample embrace. “Child, I have waited for this day too long. Every time we’ve talked on the phone, I’d hoped you meant it when you said you’d see me soon. Now you’re here.” Odelia moved the loose curl out of Rose’s face. “I thought after what that horrible Ted did to you, leaving you at the altar like that, you would find your way back to us.” She gave Rose another tight hug. “I was right.”

  To be held by someone that cared made Rose’s insides turn to mush. She swallowed hard trying to keep the tears in control. No way was she going to cry in front of all those men. Especially now that they all knew she’d been left at the altar. Great, now they thought she was not only rude to children but also a big loser who couldn’t even hold on to her man. Maybe they were right.

  “It’s so good to see you, Aunt Odelia.” Holding back her feelings just as her mother had taught her, Rose twisted her hands and offered a small smile.

  “How about breakfast? I bet you’re starving. You need some meat on those poor little bones. What would you like?” Odelia asked fluttering toward the sideboard.

  “Sit down, I’ll fix my plate.” Rose gave her aunt’s hand a squeeze, and glanced at the sideboard laden with food. “My goodness, are you expecting more people? Look at this spread.” Rose could feel the looks on her back before she turned. Everyone was still frozen in place staring at her.

  “Eat. Please. I promise not to scream at anyone else this morning. I will watch my manners and only say nice things, so please, eat your breakfast.” Rose picked up her plate of food and tried to calm her shaking insides. Utensils scraped against plates and the conversation started again.

  Aunt Odelia made room for Rose between her and Sam, his eyes ever watchful as she ate and talked with her beloved aunt.

  “May I be excused, Papa? I ate all my eggs,” Lizzy said.

  “Drink your milk first and stay close to the house, and someone will bring you to Bon Amie to see Trudy.”

  Rose reached in her pocket and took out the key chain. “Lizzy, before you go outside, I have a little something for you. It’s not much but maybe you’ll enjoy looking at the stars.”

  She held it out to the dubious little girl, dark ringlets fell around her beautiful face. Her brown round eyes held such uncertainty and sadness for such a young child, a feeling Rose knew something about from her own childhood.

  Lizzy took the key chain turned it up and watched the purple stars and glitter slowly move to one end, and then tilted it back and watched them slide the other direction. “Wow. How did you get the stars in here? What does the writing say Papa?” she asked as she shoved it into Sam’s hand.

  “Let’s see, pumpkin, it reads Look For The Stars by Dusty Rose.’” He raised his left eyebrow as he looked at Rose. “Is that you?”

  “Yes. Dusty Rose is my pen name. Look For The Stars was the title of my last book.”

  Sam stilled one of his brothers’ snickers with a stern look.

  “What do you say, Lizzy?” Sam reminded her.

  “Thank you, Miss Rose.”

  Rose’s heart warmed at the soft words from Lizzy. She turned toward the older girl who sat glaring at her under thick brows. Her blue eyes held a coldness that only a child that had lost her trust could have. She didn’t speak, just continued to glare.

  “I have another key chain if you would like. Come to my room after breakfast, and I’ll get it out for you.”

  Bea never took her brooding eyes off Rose when she stood. Bea’s back was stiff and she folded her arms across her chest. Rose’s throat tightened as she remembered trying to protect her heart in much the same way as this child, and still caught herself with her arms folded across her heart many times.

  “I’m too old for toys,” Bea said, dismissing Rose with no uncertainty.

  Bea left the table. Lizzy ran after her, but she returned to the table for her doll. “Wait, Bea, wait for me and Miss Abby. Don’t go so fast.”

  Something had caused both of these girls hurt. Someone had betrayed them, more than once. Their mother was nowhere in sight, maybe she had something to do with their behavior.

  “Bea takes a little time to get to know people. She’s kind of a loner,” said Aunt Odelia.

  “You sure have beautiful red hair,” one of Sam’s brothers said with a grin on his face. Laughter broke out from the other brother.

  Rose put her fork down and turned her attention to the men. “Would someone please tell me why everyone is so worked up over my red hair?”

  Sam’s brothers both started to talk at the same time.

  “Go ahead, Preston. You’re about to burst, tell her,” Odelia said.

  “There’s a superstition in Louisiana that if you invite a red-headed woman to your house on a Monday, you’ll have bad luck all that week. And our Sammy Boy, here, is a firm believer in superstitions, all superstitions. So needless to say he
is waiting for the sky to fall.”

  “You’re crazy, Preston, I’m not superstitious. Just watchful that’s all.”

  “Right, we all know better,” Preston said as they continued to razz their brother. But Sam sported a large grin; he seemed to be enjoying the teasing.

  The man on Sam’s right clanked his fork against his plate.

  “Enough of our family’s strange personalities, please tell us something about yourself, Rose.”

  “Lewis I believe you enjoy hearing about people’s lives as much as any woman,” Sam teased.

  Was this the brother in charge, or did that job fall to Sam? Lewis must be the oldest brother according to the dusting of gray at his temples.

  “Damn right.” Preston dropped his fork on his plate.

  “Watch your mouth—” Sam started to correct, but was interrupted.

  “I’ll be happy to share bits of my life at another time. But I have a few questions.” Rose said to the men that sat around the table.

  “Could anyone tell me where the magnolia tree is that I kept smelling last night? I searched for one out of my windows and walked out to the gallery, but didn’t see any. The smell was so strong it must be close.”

  Rose glanced into faces lit with smiles around the table.

  “That would be Tante Ina, our friendly ghost,” Preston answered. If one of the brothers were a bigger tease, it would be Preston. He was larger than Sam and Lewis in both height and weight, with dark brown eyes and hair the color of rich chocolate. A tan rugged face with crinkles of laugh lines around his mouth and eyes showed his playfulness and kindness.

  Rose returned their smiles. “You’re pulling my leg.”

  “No, he’s not. Preston is telling the truth. Tante Ina has been with us for as long as stories have been told. She’s harmless, just checking you out like she does all of our guests. You’ll know soon enough if she accepts you,” Sam replied.

  “Aunt Odelia, they’re teasing me, right?”

  “No, honey. What they say is true. But don’t let her frighten you. She really is harmless. Besides what true plantation home wouldn’t have a ghost in residence?”

  “If you are afraid, maybe we could pull a bed into your Aunt’s room,” Sam teased.

  Rose raised her nose a little higher in the air. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not afraid. And besides, I don’t believe in ghosts.” Even if she were a little afraid, she would never show it. She never had before.

  “Of course you’re not.” Sam turned his attention to his brothers. “If you old hens are through cackling, we have a lot of work to do today. Preston, you said the number two combine was acting up yesterday; we better see what’s wrong with that sucker. And we still need to double check the rice bins,” Sam said. He turned his attention to Odelia. “Tell Trudy I’ll settle up with her later this week. And don’t let Bea talk her into a buzz.”

  Rose smiled. No doubt, Sam was the one in charge.

  Preston picked up his hat walked around the table and kissed Odelia on her cheek. “See you later, my queen.” Rose stood to help clear the table when Preston scooped her up in his ample arms and gave her a tight hug and kissed her on her cheek. “So glad you came to see us, little Rose. It’s nice having a young woman in the house again.”

  “Put her down, Preston. You need to stop picking up every woman you meet, just because you can.” Sam said. “Besides, you better save your hugs for that woman you’ve been eyeing in Bon Amie. You have yet to share information about who she is or anything about her.”

  Preston set Rose down gently and winked at her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I do know, big brother, holding something soft like this might be just what you need.” Preston waved his hand and gave Odelia one more pat on her arm. “See you ladies later.”

  He and Lewis filed out, leaving Sam holding his hat in hand. “Ladies,” he muttered and followed.

  The house was left with a deafening silence.

  “Are they always like that?” Rose asked.

  “No, most of the time they’re loud and rowdy,” Odelia said with a chuckle. A faraway look crossed her face. “But I don’t know what I would do without them.”

  Odelia gave the table one last wipe and pulled out a chair. “Let’s sit a spell and I’ll tell you what’s in store for the next two weeks.” Letting out pent up breath, she smiled weakly at Rose. “I’m so sorry, but I think it’s more work than I thought it would be for the two of us. I thought I had Mrs. Daigle lined up to help us, but she called to tell me she has the flu. I really planned on her pies for tonight’s supper.” Odelia rubbed her arm. “Of all times for this old woman to break a bone.”

  “Aunt Odelia, I’m here and I need this. I can’t believe I’ve never come and helped you before.” Rose reached over and took her aunt’s hand in hers.

  Fighting back the tears, her aunt said, “Don’t pay any attention to me Rose, we’ll still have time for some long talks. In fact, if you don’t mind driving, we can talk in the car. I have to get the girls to town so Trudy can cut their hair. And when we return, I will start my cooking and baking. I won’t have a lot of time, but it’ll get done. Always does.”

  Rose followed her aunt to the kitchen. “Even if I’m not much of a cook, I can chop and stir. I could also take the girls into town for their haircut to give you a head start.”

  “Oh Rose, I hate to ask you dear, after your long drive, I know you must be so tired.”

  “Really, I’m not tired. Please let me do this for you.” Rose carried the leftovers to the fridge. “I’m a safe driver. I’m a little directionally challenged, but it’s not very far is it?”

  Odelia stared at Rose with her hands folded across her apron. She hesitated and settled on an answer. “All right. You’re an angel you know.” Laughter overtook her. “And as far as finding Trudy’s, drive down the driveway and turn left at the main road and it will lead you straight into Bon Amie. I’ll have a lot done when you return, and we can sit and have that chat. You can tell me everything about that loser, Ted, and your not-so-tactful mother.”

  Rose reached for a dishtowel and dried the rest of the dishes. “I’m sure you know by now I’m not very good with children, but how hard can this be? If you round up the girls, I’ll go put on sandals.” She took a deep breath and waited until the lump in her throat cleared. “There’s not much to tell about either mom or Ted. Not much at all.” Rose turned to walk away and stopped. “Aunt Odelia, speaking of mothers, where is Lizzy and Bea’s mother? Is she on a trip?”

  “No, honey child, she’s gone. Left those two girls like they were never part of her. Never looked back. Went to find herself, she said. That was over two years ago, almost three. Broke Sam’s heart and shattered Bea. Being only two when Lisa left, Lizzy acts like she doesn’t remember much. But I think she remembers plenty. She knows something is missing, that much I’m sure of.”

  Wiping her eyes with the corner of her apron, she shook her head. “If you give me your keys I’ll have one of the boys take the rest of your stuff out of your car and make room for those two.”

  “Okay, thanks.” Rose got lost for a moment in her thoughts. Once again she could see Sam’s disapproving look from this morning. “I would imagine it’s hard to tell when Sam is upset or not. He always seems upset.”

  Odelia’s face held a sad smile. “Rose, Chére, you’ve got Sam all wrong. He’s a serious man, that he is, but he doesn’t have a mean bone in him. He’s just a man afraid to trust and bound and determined that nothing will hurt his family again. That scowl hides a lot of hurt, but he has his moments. I couldn’t have loved any boys of my own like I love these five boys.”

  “Five? You mean there’s more?” Rose eyes widened with surprise. “I only remember three.”

  “The twins, Rusty and Randy. They were probably at camp, when you were here. Now they are all grown up and are away at their first year of college.” Odelia wiped the counter top one more time. “They are all men now, but they will always b
e those little boys that needed me so when their mom died. Sam needed me more than the rest. I think he feels deeper than some people. More than people give him credit. I’ll tell you about him sometime. There is more to that man. A lot more.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  Rose rushed downstairs to find Lizzy and Bea swinging on the front porch. Lizzy smiled a timid smile clutching her doll and Bea scowled, and said, “We’ve been waiting.”

  “Now you girls mind your manners and don’t give Rose any trouble. Tell Trudy I’ll see her later in the week.” Aunt Odelia bent over and gave Lizzy a big hug. She gave her attention to Bea. “Come on Bea, smile, I promise it won’t break your sweet face,” she said as she hugged her and winked at Rose.

  “I don’t understand why she has to take us. Daddy can drive us later.” The sullen girl made eye contact with Rose. “I know daddy would like to see Trudy.” A small smirk crossed her face.

  “Behave, Bea, you know what your dad said. He has a lot on his mind and besides it’ll be fun riding in that car.” Odelia patted Rose’s hand. “Thanks again, hon, you’re a godsend.”

  Rose hurried to her car speaking to Lizzy and Bea as she got in. “Who wants to ride in the front?”

  “Lizzy can’t ride in the front if you have an air bag. Don’t you know that?” Bea asked. “We’ll both sit in the back.” With that said the two girls crawled into the back seat and Bea buckled Lizzy and then herself.

  “Wished I’d thought of that.” Rose drove down the lane toward the road. What was she doing finding the need to argue with a little girl? She was the grown up and she was not going to let a little girl get her down, not on a day full of sunshine as this one. “Aunt Odelia said to turn to the left and keep going until the road ran slap dab into town. Is that right?”

  “Yes ma’am,” said Lizzy. Rose looked in her rear view mirror at Bea, who sat very straight with her lips pressed tightly together. A child that was old beyond her years.

  The silence drove her crazy. I’m so bad at this. She tried desperately to think of something to say. What did one talk about with children? Especially the one that didn’t want to hear anything she had to say.