by Hattie Mae
“I’m sorry Aunt Odelia. For the life of me, I have never understood how the two of you are sisters. Two women couldn’t be more different. I didn’t mean to make you sad. I’m fine. You know I learned a long time ago Ruth and I will never be close, and I’m okay.” She heaved a heavy sigh and offered a weak laugh. “Let’s talk about you, what you’ve been doing and tell me all about this family you take such loving care of.”
Peace returned to Odelia face as she began to tell stories about her boys. “I tell you they are something, each and every one of them so different. Lewis, the oldest, is the strong silent type. When he and Susan got married and moved into the Gray House I thought we wouldn’t see much of him anymore. But I was wrong, that short trip across the field has turned into a well-worn path. Of course, since she’s pregnant and confined to bed-rest we don’t see much of her right now. In fact, after these are baked, I thought we would walk over and bring her a few. You’ll love Susan, and I know she wants to meet you.”
“Will she and the baby be alright?” Rose asked.
“I think so, hon. She’s a stubborn girl and usually gets what she sets a mind to. Lewis never had a chance when she set her hat for him. But you know you couldn’t ask for a better match.”
“What about Sam, Aunt Odelia? You said you would tell me more about him.” Rose felt her face flush. Must be the heat from the oven.
“He’s the worrier. That boy worries about everyone, even people who don’t deserve his concern. Now his choice of a wife was not a good match. Not from the beginning. He married Lisa when Bea was three years old. Sam fell in love with that little girl as much as he fell in love with Lisa. Adopted her as soon as they were married, and has been a real dad to her as much as he has to his own blood, Lizzy.”
“That takes a real commitment and a lot of love to take a child whose conception you had nothing to do with and make her feel like she belonged,” Rose whispered.
Odelia’s face lit up. “What it really takes is a real man with a heart as big as the one my Sam has. It was so hard watching him try to make Lisa content, but she was much like your mom.” Odelia opened the oven, and Rose put the two large pans of completed fig pies on the racks.
“One day, right after Lizzy turned two, she up and skipped town. Sam found a letter telling him that he and the girls were smothering her, not to mention the rest of his family. I’m afraid we were all a little too much for her.” Odelia shook her head and rubbed her arm in the sling. “The note said she felt as if she had lost herself. She needed and deserved more, so much more than what Sam had to offer.”
The kitchen filled with the most wonderful smell as the little pies baked. Rose watched as her aunt took the finished pies out of the oven and sprinkled them with sugar. Rose had to wipe her mouth; she felt like she was drooling.
“Did he go after her?” she asked.
“Not at first. He was too hurt, embarrassed, or just plain mad. When he decided to look for her, he hired someone, but after six months and lots of money paid out, she couldn’t be found. Can you imagine walking away from a man like Sam? And those girls, her own little girls? She just walked away from those babies like they were nothing. Never looked back, never called, just washed her hands of them.”
“So he’s still married.”
“Until he catches up with her, he can’t get a divorce. He’s caught in limbo.”
A knock on the front door stilled Rose’s unanswered questions on her lips.
“Where are you Odelia? Like I didn’t know,” Trudy called.
Rose was glad to see her new friend, but sorry the story about Sam was over.
“Hey lady. My, what cute hair.” Trudy sat two pie plates down on the counter top and poured herself a glass of tea. “I went ahead and made two pies at home before I came. Both chocolate, is that’s okay? And I met MaeMae in town and she asked me to come by and pick up a big pot of Shrimp Jambalaya, and Possum sent twenty pounds of fresh caught shrimp he’d cleaned.
“Oh, sweet Lord. I just love the folks of Bon Amie. They are something special.” Odelia turned to Rose. “You remember my cousin, MaeMae?”
“Was she the lady you took me too when that cut I had got infected?”
“Yes, she’s the town healer. I thought you would remember her. And Possum is the guy that lives on the boat. He’s a great fisherman with a big heart.”
“Oh, I put the shrimp in the big freezer on the back porch, and MaeMae also sent more tea for the swelling in your arm. I hope the pies are good,” Trudy said.
“Honey, you could have made mud pies and those boys would never notice. But they do love chocolate. Rose and I are about to walk over to the Gray House and see Susan, want to come?”
“Sure, is she feeling alright?” Trudy asked.
“I hope so. Lewis didn’t say anything different at breakfast, and to tell you the truth after I saw my Rose I just forgot to ask,” Odelia confessed.
Heading out the door as Sam rounded the corner and ran right into Rose. She fell against the doorframe, and Sam fell against her, banging her head onto the wall.
Sam was quick to right himself but still held onto Rose’s arm. “Are you alright?” he asked, his eyes searched her face for an answer.
“Yes. I’m fine,” she said rubbing her head.
Sam held eye contact, and Rose tried to look away, but she couldn’t break the spell.
Trudy broke the moment when she cleared her throat.
Sam let go of Rose’s arm and lowered his eyes. “Hi Trudy.”
“Hi Sam, before I forget, Possum said he’ll stop by later today and get your harvest schedule. Said he had some free time and that he and that guy Joelette married, Mansir, would like to help.”
“I would like to have the help, that’s for sure,” Sam said.
“Where are you going in such a hurry, Sam?” Odelia asked.
A frown creased his face. “Those damn boys. Just wait until I get my hands on them. The sheriff just called, and he’s holding Rusty and Randy until I can pay their fine. Rusty got another ticket.” He glanced back at Rose then turned to Odelia. “Got to go, tell Lewis I’ll be back. If I’m not back when Possum gets here, have Lewis talk with him, and be sure to tell him thanks.”
“The twins are home? You weren’t expecting them to come in for the harvest were you?” Odelia asked.
“No, I guess they decided to leave the University early.” He threw his hands up in the air. “Who knows what happened with those two? I gave up a long time ago.” Sam tipped his cap. “Ladies, I’ll see you later.”
“Sam sure was shook up. Seemed more flustered to me than usual.” Trudy looked at Rose with a strange grin on her face.
“It’s the red hair, shakes men up all the time,” Rose said.
Bea ran toward Odelia and screeched to a halt in front of her. “Uncle Preston said that Lizzy and I can help him feed the new calf, can we please?” she begged.
“Okay, but tell him that we’ll be at Uncle Lewis’s house for a while, so if he needs to do something to drop you both there.”
Bea glanced at Rose, her face free of the joy that she’d just shown.
“That girl just doesn’t like me,” Rose said as she watched Bea meet up with Lizzy.
“Honey, she’s not one that likes change. That little girl has been through a lot, and she never gives trust freely. She’s been disappointed too many times I guess. Sam wasn’t her mother’s only man.”
Odelia put her hand across her waist. “Well, two more for dinner so I better throw more potatoes in the salad, and add water to the gumbo. It’s a shame that Babette’s Tea Room isn’t open yet in Bon Amie, I would buy two more pies. Oh well, I did make quite a few fried pies, so that will have to do.”
Rose enjoyed the chatter between Odelia and Trudy. Every now and then she chimed in. This must be what it was like to have friends you felt comfortable with. Something she’d never had. One boarding school after another, she was always the third girl out. This was nice, very nice.
The Gray
House loomed in the distance, a white one-story home with a wraparound porch, like arms embracing the house. Dark green ferns hung from the eaves and white rockers graced the porch waiting patiently for the cool evening breeze. Enormous round columns supported the red roof and grand stately steps led to double red front doors with pots of miniature roses adorned each step.
“Why is this house called the Gray House? I don’t see a speck of gray anywhere,” asked Rose.
“It was built by Gray LeBlanc many years ago, and the name stuck. There is quite a history to this house as well as the big house. Get Sam to tell you. He is a stickler for details. Especially about this house.”
She opened the door and walked into a hallway that led to a sun porch with white wicker furniture and crisp floral cushions in bright yellow and white stripes.
On a chaise lounge covered in a light throw laid a dark hair beauty of a woman heavy with child.
“Odelia, Trudy, how nice to see you both this morning. And you must be the famous Rose that caused such a ruckus this morning at the big house. Lewis told me about it when he came home for his gloves.”
Rose couldn’t help but notice the gleam of excitement in Susan’s eye as the woman pushed herself to a more sitting position. For being banished to bed all day, she had a wonderful attitude.
“It’s about time someone shook up these men. Please have a seat.” Susan gestured to a chair close to her. “I have a million questions.”
“You sure look pretty today Susan. We brought you a couple of warm fig pies; I’ll get you a cup of decaf to wash it down.” Odelia fussed over her like a queen.
“Later I’ll brush your hair and put it up for you, how does that sound?” asked Trudy.
“Trudy, as always, you read my mind. You know where everything is in my room. Thank you so much.”
Susan turned to Rose as the other two women left the room. “Tell me all about yourself. Since I’ve been confined to this bed, I miss all the girl talk except when Odelia gets a chance to visit. You must live a very exciting life, being a writer and all.”
“Not really, writing is a solitary job. It’s just the computer, my characters and me most of the time. Don’t get me wrong I love what I do. I don’t know any other job I would rather be doing. I have stories and characters running around my head all the time. I love storytelling. Most of all, I love to give the characters a happy ending. That’s why I write fiction.” Rose took a deep breath. She loved to talk about writing, and sometimes she talked too much.
It was hard to keep herself in check. She looked at Susan, half expecting the look of boredom on her face, but she still looked excited.
“I read romance books along with women’s fiction. Maybe it’s because I enjoy a good ending to a story. It all sounds very fascinating to me. How in the world you are able to create characters and plots just baffles me. And the happy endings are a part of life, and that’s what makes them special.”
“I have to disagree with you there, Susan. I have not met anyone in real life that has experienced a happy ending.”
Susan’s face changed from excitement to sadness. “You know, Rose, you’ve just not met the right people.”
“Maybe.” Rose sighed. “Enough about me. Tell me, when are you due?”
Susan’s answer died on her lips as Odelia and Trudy entered the room laughing. Trudy carried a tray of cups and the four women shared coffee, pie and talk. Rose could not remember a more enjoyable hour in her life.
Goodbyes shared, Rose promised Susan she would return for a longer visit, and she agreed to bring her one of her books.
The heat of the day bore down on the three women as they made their way back to the big house. “I could use a cold glass of sweet tea before I make a cake. I can’t have my babies returning home without something special. And I have to find the girls, it is way past time they rest awhile before dinner.” Odelia said.
“Does Sam still need someone to stay with the girls during harvest? You know I would if I could,” Trudy said.
Odelia shook her head yes. “But now that the twins are home, he can at least stop worrying about hiring a lot of field hands, but I don’t think he’s had any luck with a sitter for the girls.”
“What about you Rose?” Trudy asked.
“Me? I would love to help, of course, but I don’t know the first thing about kids. Besides, neither of them likes me very much. And I think I need to help Aunt Odelia. I’m sorry.”
Her aunt put an arm around her. “Don’t you worry, Rose, no one will make you do anything you are not comfortable doing.” Trudy said her goodbyes, and Aunt Odelia went looking for the girls. Rose took the time to check her email.
The door to her bedroom was half opened. Bea and Lizzy were in her room. Bea sat on the floor looking at one of her books. Lizzy was playing with her globe. Rose’s special globe.
Panic seized her, freezing her vocal cords. She snatched the snow globe out of Lizzy’s hands. The little girl flashed the same scared look Rose had witnessed just this morning.
“She wasn’t hurting that old thing. You didn’t have to rip it out of her hands, you know.” Bea said.
“I’m sorry, Lizzy, I know you were being careful but you don’t touch other people’s things unless you ask. And who gave either of you permission to come into my room without me here?” Rose’s hands trembled as she sat the globe down on the mantle out of the reach of Lizzy.
“I sorry, Miss Rose. I just wanted to see what the little people were doing in the ball.
Lizzy’s lips quivered and Rose knew that it was a matter of time before a full wail would develop.
“Look girls, let’s call a truce. Do you know what that is?” Rose ignored the glare Bea gave her and focused on Lizzy.
“It’s kind of an agreement. I will be glad to show you all my things with the understanding that you will not enter my room without an invitation. Agreed?”
“You don’t have anything we want to see. Come on, Lizzy, Let’s go see what’s for dinner,” Bea said.
“No, I want to see the ball and hear the story. Please.”
“Suit yourself. I’m going to eat.” Bea walked out the door.
As soon as Bea left the room, she was back. She sat in the chair by the door. “I have to wait for Lizzy, so don’t take all day.”
Rose turned away so Bea could not see the smile on her face. Bea was not as cold a little girl as she pretended. She wanted to know about Rose as much as Lizzy, but didn’t want anyone to know. Well she was up to the challenge, as Rose was a pro at hiding feelings.
She picked up the globe and sat on the plush rag rug at the foot of her bed. Lizzy sat beside her. Her large eyes were waiting in anticipation. Rose held the globe up to the sunlight and turned it so the snowfall of glitter and snow fell all over the smiling couple. The pair stood outside of a picket fence that guarded a walkway to a small little home with green shutters and a red roof.
“This was given to me by my fiancé when I was young. He said this was the two of us standing outside our home.” Rose spoke in the same sad tone she always had when she thought of Billy, her first love. The only man that had ever loved her back.
“Why are you so sad? Did he go away? ” Lizzy’s little face lit up with questions as she looked into Rose’s eyes and lowered her voice to a whisper. “Did he leave you like our mama did?” Lizzy asked.
Rose’s insides began to shake. She put her hand on her stomach and continued. “No, Lizzy, he died a long time ago. And it still makes me a little sad when I think of him. This globe means a lot to me. I don’t think I could bear it if this globe got broken. It’s my happy ever after.”
Lizzy reached up and patted Rose’s face with her chubby little hand. “It’s okay, Miss Rose. I won’t break it.”
Rose looked up to see Sam standing in the doorway. Watching. A shiver ran up her back. Did he always have to peer into her soul, especially when it was bare like now?
“Lizzy, Bea, Odelia is looking for you. She has your dinner
ready. Go wash up and eat.”
Sam never broke eye contact with her, even when the girls ran out the door. Why did he make her feel this way, always on the defensive? Well not this time. She stood tall and met him stare to stare.
In a voice not quite as strong as she intended, she said, “I did nothing wrong Sam.”
A frown wrinkled his forehead and he focused on her mouth.
Rose fought the urge to reach up and wipe her lips with her hand, but instead quickly licked them.
Sam inhaled sharply and allowed a slow grin to spread across his face. “No one said you did, Rose.”
Not knowing what to do next and not willing to permit him the upper hand, Rose rushed past Sam and hurried out the door to the safety of the downstairs.
CHAPTER THREE
Bea and Lizzy talked Odelia into allowing them to eat on the gallery, which pleased Rose as she joined them.
The screen door slammed behind Sam as he walked out with a fig pie in his hand. He waved it at the women and walked down the steps toward the barn.
Rose sat back and enjoyed the view. After all, she was a healthy young woman, she reminded herself. He did have one of the best walking away views she’d ever seen. Sam’s Wranglers fit his rear just right. Tight in all the right places.
He walked straight and confident in his own skin, like this is where he belonged. This man knew what he wanted and heaven help anyone that would get in his way. Rose wished she had just a tiny portion of that confidence.
“Rose, are you all right?” Aunt Odelia asked.
“Daydreaming, just daydreaming. This gumbo is great,” Rose said as she took her first bite. At least while she chewed that silly grin couldn’t work itself back onto her face.
The evening flew by. Rose helped cook and bake with Odelia until she thought there could not possibly be anything else to cook in the state of Louisiana.
“We will freeze this pot of shrimp gumbo and the rest of the pies and cakes until we have a full crew for the harvest. Thank goodness we had the chicken and okra gumbo made for our dinner tonight.” Odelia gestured to all of the containers of food, labeled with contents and dates. “You have never seen men eat as much as these guys. We need dishes that fill them up and are easy to transport to the screened-in shed closer to the fields. This helps if I have most of the main dishes prepared ahead of time.”
