Snow on Magnolias

by Hattie Mae

  They carried the dishes and placed them into two of the three upright freezers.

  “How long will harvest last?” Rose asked.

  “Depends on the equipment, the help, and barring no other trouble, about two weeks or a little more. The time spent working next to each other really pulls everyone together. Sam and his brothers will be picking and sparring the whole time. They’re very close and for some reason harvest time brings them together.

  Loud voices could be heard coming from the barn. “Bringing them closer couldn’t come too soon by the sound of the arguing headed our way.” Rose said.

  “They’re not arguing, hon, that’s their love language.” Odelia “Well I’m going to take me a good soaking bath. I’ll come by and tell you goodnight before I turn in.”

  Rose moved the work she’d finished to the foot of the bed. She was exhausted, and before she got ready for her bath, she needed to rest her eyes for a short time. Never had she been a part of so much cooking. She’d chopped, stirred, measured and mixed until she thought her hands would fall off. Her eyes began to feel heavy and as soon as she closed them she went to sleep.

  A soft knock on her door startled Rose from a sound sleep.

  “Hey girly, are you already in bed? Are you alright?” Preston called out from the other side of the door.

  “I’m fine, what is everyone doing?”

  “Just sitting around and visiting. You sure you’re alright?”

  “No really, give me a minute and I’ll be right there.” Rose straightened her top and ran her fingers through her hair. “Good enough,” she said and bounded out the door.

  Like Preston had reported, everyone was seated in the family room. All eyes turned to her direction, causing the warmth to slowly rise up her neck and cover her face. She missed seeing Lewis at the table, but two new faces grinned at her. Younger versions of Sam, but both much larger in size. Out of the corner of her eyes she caught Sam gesturing to his face. Was he waving? Or did she have something on her face? Rose ran her fingers over her left cheek. Sam shook his head and gestured to the other side. There, she removed a hot pink Post-it note, she crumbled the note and stashed it in her pocket.

  With all of the men hiding smiles and holding back laughter she rounded her shoulders and stared them down. “What? Hot pink not your color?” she asked then took her seat. Laughter rang out across the room. Could that possibly be a grin on Sam’s face? Was it aimed at her? Rose looked Sam straight in the eye and winked. And immediately lost her breath. Why, praise be, did she do that? To recover, she turned to the first twin on her left, took a deep breath and jumped in.

  “I don’t believe we’ve met, my name is Rose.”

  “Name is Rusty, ma’am, and we already know your name. Odelia talks non-stop about you. You sure are a little thing, but I bet you pack a mighty punch. The ugly one over there is my twin brother Randy. As you can see I got all the looks.”

  Randy reached over and offered his hand to Rose. “Yeah, but I got all the brains, little brother. Welcome.”

  Rose looked back and forth between the two, and for the life of her could not tell them apart. “Thank you guys. I think you have the prettiest eyes, Randy, but you have the strongest chin, Rusty.”

  The table once again broke into laughter. She had scored again. Stealing a quick glance at Sam, she thought she saw a hint of approval. Then he turned his attention to his brothers. Loud voices and laughter soon filled the room again.

  After the dishes were done, Aunt Odelia excused herself for a quick bath. Rose headed outside to take a breather and get her head on straight but was soon intercepted by Sam.

  “Rose, the boys are going to play forty two and wanted to know if you would like to join them?”

  Rose shoved her hands in her jean pockets. “Maybe later, let me sit a little. What is forty two anyway?”

  “A domino game, it’s not hard to learn.” Sam turned to leave and stopped. “Could you step into my office for a moment? I have a business proposition I would like for you to hear.” With an after-thought, he added, “I’ll even let you sit a spell in there as we talk.”

  The office turned out as grand as the rest of the house. It smelled of leather and lemon oil. A giant picture of two men and three women standing beside the plantation home hung above the fireplace. Sam resembled the older man. On closer investigation, it was the eyes and the way they both held their lips so tight. Much like they were holding something they wanted to say at bay.

  “That’s my great great-grandfather and his brother, they built all of this. The two women standing by their sides are their wives and the other woman their sister. Some time, if you’re interested, I’ll tell you their story, but right now I need to ask you something.” Sam motioned for her to sit, but she remained standing.

  Now what had she done. She thought she handled the situation with the globe as tactful as she could. “If this is about this afternoon, Sam, I—.”

  “What? No, I wanted to ask you if you would be interested in a job. Hear me out before you ask questions. I need to hire someone to help Odelia. She wouldn’t ask for help if she was on her death bed, but I can see she’s in need.” Sam picked up a letter opener on his desk and began to fiddle with it. “This would have to be our secret. Odelia would have a fit if she knew I’d asked you. You could look in on my girls when you weren’t too busy. Are you interested?” His question lingered in the air as Rose held her breath. “You said you were not busy for the next month.”

  Rose twisted her hands trying to decide if she should break her promise to her aunt.

  “Well you might be surprised, but that is one of the main reasons I came. Aunt Odelia asked me if I could give her a little help.” Rose shook her head and faced Sam. “Of course, knowing my aunt, she was trying to get me out of Atlanta and away from my embarrassing situation.” Rose began to pace. “I don’t think of this as a job, but more as family helping family. But as far as looking in on your girls, they don’t even like me. And I know nothing about what kids like to do. I don’t know.

  “Rose, I...”

  Rose held her hand up to stop him and began to pace around the room again. “But, I can’t say no. Not after you opened your home to me. I guess for four weeks I could do anything. Oh, I don’t know. What do you think?” Rose stopped pacing and chewed her lower lip as she searched Sam’s face for an answer.

  “It’s not that big of a decision. The girls really are not much trouble, and everyone keeps an eye on them, but to have someone in charge would ease my mind.” He gave her that long stare. “Never mind. I certainly don’t want to be the cause of you having a tizzy.”

  “Wait, first, I never have had a tizzy, nor do I ever plan to have one. I guess I could do this, but I will not accept pay. After all, I’m staying under your roof and eating your food. And I would do anything for my aunt. No pay and that’s final.”

  “I insist. If you are under my employment then when I need to instruct you on how to do something it won’t be awkward.”

  “That is a prime example of why I will not except pay. I’m through letting men tell me what to do.” Rose’s voice swelled louder.

  They stood, her with hands on her hips, and Sam with his hands flat on the desk. Neither blinked.

  A slow grin twitched at Sam’s lips. “Alright, you win this one. But only because I have no other choice.” Sam opened the door and headed out, but muttered. “I knew you and your red hair were trouble.

  Damn that woman. For being so small, she sure was feisty. Sam knew that most of her barks were a defense tactic. She was as vulnerable as a newborn kitten. Her wide green eyes begged for attention and understanding. And the way she threw that perky little nose in the air when she wanted to make a point was unnerving. But it was her mouth that he had a hard time not staring at when she was near. The desire to kiss her increased daily as he found himself close to her.

  This was not the time for him to all of a sudden be drawn to another woman. He thought after Lisa had deser
ted him he was finished with women. But his mind and body told him different.

  That little mole at the corner of those full lips needed kissing. Kissed right and often. Well, he didn’t need to be interested in another woman. He’d been fooled before. He would keep this strictly a business arrangement. There was no denying the fact she had a way of getting under his skin.

  Rose woke in panic. Oh God, what was today? She jumped out of bed and searched frantically for her day planner. What good was a planner that she kept all her deadlines in if she never knew where to find it? Taking time off was one thing, but life didn’t just stand still, her book wouldn’t write itself.

  She ran across the room, her heart beating so hard she was sure it was going to jump right out of her chest.

  “I’m a failure at everything I’ve tried but not this. Not this, please not this,” she muttered. Writing was her life and she was good at it. Even most critics thought so. She would not mess this up. Even if she was having the best time she’d ever had with this funny family. She’d have to do something today and try to get back on some kind of schedule. She would have to distance herself from this place for a while.

  After breakfast, Rose called a hotel in Lafayette and booked the next three nights.

  “Aunt Odelia, I have to go away for a few days. You did say your work wouldn’t start again until the beginning of next week. I promise to be back on Sunday afternoon to give you and the girls my undivided attention.” She let out the breath she’d been holding. “I have a deadline that crept up on me that I have to meet. I can’t believe I allowed this to happen.” Rose’s voice slid into a quieter tone as she took her aunt’s hand in hers. “Please tell me I’m not putting you in a bind.”

  “Don’t you think another thing about it, Rose Do what you have to do and come back to us as soon as you can. I’ll tell Sam and we’ll make do until you return.” Odelia pulled Rose into one of her tight hugs.

  “Thanks, Aunt Odelia, I knew you would understand. I’ve already packed my car I’m not taking much, so if it’s alright, I’ll leave the rest in my room? I stacked everything out of sight in the wardrobe.”

  “Let me fix you a little care package so you can be on your way.”

  Armed with a box full of fried pies, cookies, and sandwiches, Rose kissed Odelia and rushed to her car. She paused and glanced back at the house that now held a special place in her heart. There stood Bea and Lizzy watching from the safety of the windows of Bea’s bedroom. Rose waved. But the curtains closed and the girls disappeared out of sight. Her aunt had followed her and squeezed Rose’s arm.

  “Don’t worry, Rose, I’ll tell them why you had to leave. Everything will be fine.” Her aunt gave her one last hug and kissed her cheek.

  Rose’s day and nights were filled with work, but for some reason she couldn’t pull the real story out of this book. She knew her process by now and usually had some problems with the first draft, but this time the story just wasn’t there. Even her characters were unlikable, and characters were always her strong suit.

  Rose lay back on the bed, and her mind drifted to what could be happening at the plantation. Were Bea and Lizzy running thought the house playing spy kids? Or were they stuck to the TV? Did Odelia really need her help and she had bailed? What were those brothers up to? She missed playing cards or dominos with them at night. But most of all, she missed their talks and teasing. Rose sat up and laughed out loud. “And I miss your morning news from Bon Amie, Preston. The Mouton sisters always had great news, better than any of the tabloids.”

  For the first time in her writing career, Rose picked up the phone and called her editor. She needed more research and she needed to re-plot, and maybe the research was within her reach from the plantation and news from Bon Amie. But what Rose needed most was time.

  “Papa, Rose is gone,” Lizzy said.

  “What do you mean Rose is gone? I’m sure she’s around somewhere. Maybe she went to visit Susan,” replied Sam.

  “Unh-unh, we saw her leave in her car.” Lizzy took a deep breath before continuing. “She had a suitcase and her room is cleaned out. She’s gone.” Big tears fell from Lizzy’s eyes. “I think I made her mad like I made Mommy. I sorry, Papa.” She gulped.

  “Come here, sweet pea.” Sam gathered Lizzy in his arms. “Now you listen to me. No one left because of anything you or Bea did. Do you understand? Remember when your Mom went away? We talked a lot about why. Don’t you ever think that again, okay?”

  Sam could feel his temper rising. “Bea, is all this correct? Did you see Miss Rose leave with her car packed?”

  “Yes, Daddy, she’s gone, just like I knew she would go.” Bea turned around with her hands on her hips and ran back into the house.

  But Sam had seen the tears gathering in his oldest daughters eyes. How could he have allowed this to happen to his daughters again?

  “Odelia! Odelia, where are you?” Sam bellowed.

  “I’m right here. Stop your yelling. What in the world is going on?” Odelia walked into the parlor wiping her hand on her apron.

  “Did you know your niece skipped out on us?” Sam could feel the vein in his neck pulsing. “How dare she take advantage of us like this? I know you love her Odelia but there is no excuse for her to up and leave. “

  “Now you wait just a minute, young man. Before you go accusing and saying things you will be sorry for later, come into the kitchen and sit down. I’ll tell you over a glass of tea. I’ve got etouffee cooking on the stove, and I don’t want it to burn.”

  Sam didn’t want to hurt Odelia, but she needed to know how he felt. “I will not tolerate Rose’s behavior.”

  “Now, Sam, I know what a hot head you can be. Drink some of this tea and cool off. Rose didn’t desert us. She missed a deadline on her new book. We’ve all kept her so busy she needed to get away somewhere and have uninterrupted work time. So she went to Lafayette for a couple of days. She plans to return by Sunday.” Odelia popped him on the arm with her dishtowel. “Now don’t you feel foolish?”

  Sam calmed his shaking voice. “She still should have told the girls. Lizzy and Bea both are very upset. They think they did something wrong. You, of all people, know how long it took for them to find any happiness when Lisa left. I don’t think they could handle another disappointment. She should have told them. She should have told me.”

  He did feel a little foolish. But the look on both the girls’ faces reminded him that he would have to keep a watch on how close they got to Rose and he wouldn’t allow himself to get too attached.

  “Well she better be back before Monday, I can’t handle another troubled week.”

  “Ah, bebé, you worry too much. Lizzy and Bea are well loved and they know it.” She went around the table and put her arm around Sam’s shoulders. “Always the worrier, my little man, ever since you were a little boy. Always trying to make things right, keep people happy.”

  Odelia gave Sam a squeeze and spoke in a gentle voice. “Relax a little, Sam. You don’t have to do this alone. We are all here to help you raise those two beautiful girls.”

  “I know. I don’t want to see them hurt again is all. I won’t allow it to happen again.”

  “People get hurt. That’s part of life. Just focus on the happy times.” Something boiled over on the stove. “Now get out of here before I have to start dinner all over again.” She planted a big loud kiss on his cheek. The kind she used on him when he was a small boy.

  Smiling, Sam left the warmth of the kitchen in search of his daughters.

  “I think she told a great big lie to Odelia. I don’t think she is coming back at all.” Bea put her hands back on her hips and stuck her nose a little higher in the air.

  “She is too. Papa said. And ‘sides Rose don’t lie.” Lizzy exclaimed.

  “I bet you a million dollars, she’s not coming back.”

  “Bea, that’s enough. You both know if Odelia says something then it’s true. Now, tomorrow I’ve asked Trudy to come and spend some time with y
ou two. Try not to make it hard on her. She’s doing this as a big favor.” Sam tweaked Bea’s nose, which caused her to lower it some. “I’ve got to go back to work. You girls try to stay out of mischief today and I’ll see you at supper.”

  He might have talked Lizzy and Bea into believing that Rose was coming back, but he would have to see it to believe it. But it didn’t matter to him one-way or the other. He just didn’t want Odelia or the girls hurt. She could never come back as he was concerned.

  “Hey, little brother. What’s that mad as hell look on your face? Someone eat the last piece of Odelia’s fried chicken?” Preston teased.

  “No. That fool hearted woman, Rose, left this morning. It upset the girls, and as usual when it concerns a woman, I was left picking up the pieces.”

  “Whew. She’s gone for good? I didn’t pick her to be the type to up and leave like that.” Preston removed his hat and wiped his forehead with his bandana. “Without telling us all goodbye.”

  “Odelia thinks she’ll be back by Sunday, but I have my doubts. I don’t care one way or the other.”

  Rusty stepped out from behind the combine and rolled his eyes. “Yeah, right.”

  Preston and Rusty shared a loud laugh as Sam stormed off to his truck and grabbed his thermos and drank some cold water.

  “Okay, if you two clowns are through being stupid, we have work to do.” Sam took his cap off and poured some water on his head and ran his hand through his hair. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “She has you squirming, Sam. Whether you admit it or not.”

  “Shut up, Rusty. I can still whip your butt and don’t you forget it. I don’t want to waste any more time on that redhead.” Sam pulled himself up on the seat of the combine and cranked the motor. No one could tell him superstitions didn’t come true. Look at the trouble she’d brought in a little over a week, and she was such a little bit of a woman.