From The Ashes

by Claire Sanders

  “I hope it was good,” Jacob replied, exchanging handshakes with the three men.

  “We were talking about your offer on that stand of longleaf pine. The Jacksons out of Lufkin offered twenty-five percent more than you.”

  Jacob processed the information quickly. The fact that Jackson Lumber was on the verge of going out of business made Dwight’s statement suspicious, but calling him a liar was not the way to secure the deal. A sharp pain burrowed its way into Jacob’s neck as he eyed the Thompsons.

  Dwight sported a sly grin, but his brothers glared at Jacob as though he’d come to sell them a load of ripe manure.

  “Well,” Jacob began slowly, “if you think the Jacksons can make you a better deal, I’d understand if you went for it. But you also have to consider the integrity of your land. The Jacksons clear-cut. They’ll take everything—the pine, the immature oak and everything else. It’ll take decades for the land to recover. But my family will only take the mature pines and leave the other trees for the future.”

  The brother closest to Dwight mumbled something that Jacob couldn’t make out and Dwight nodded. “Can you match the Jacksons’ offer?”

  “No. The offer I’ve made is the fair market value.”

  Dwight exchanged silent glances with his brothers. “We’re going to think about it. Check back next week.”

  For yet another stalling tactic?

  “Fine,” Jacob said as he stepped away from the group. “I hope the truck is fixable.”

  “Oh, we’ll get it running,” Dwight boasted. “They haven’t invented a car the Thompsons can’t fix. By the way, have you heard anything about the FBI coming to Piney Meadow?”

  “Why do you ask?”

  “Just wondering. There’s a lot of talk around town about some special task force the FBI has created to find out who has been burning churches. It’s hard to believe the FBI could be bothered with a place as small as Piney Meadow.”

  “I know what you mean, but four church fires in three months...maybe the FBI can use its resources to find out who’s behind them.”

  Dwight glanced at his brothers, and then back at Jacob. “I’m going to talk to the Jacksons again about their offer. I’ll get back to you.”

  “Fair enough.” Jacob ambled towards his truck, intent on hiding the discomfort that dealing with Dwight always brought him. His family might need Dwight’s land, but Jacob refused to play the game.

  Both this deal and the Beecham property were falling like rain through a lattice roof.

  5

  Jacob left the church service during the final hymn. If he stayed until the end, he’d get held up in the ritual of greetings that was as much a part of the Sunday service as the sermon. He’d been thinking all week about Judith, and he didn’t want her to have to wait at the mechanic’s.

  As it turned out, he was the one waiting. He glanced at his watch several times, wondering what had held her up. Twelve-thirty came and went, but still no sign of Judith. If he’d asked for her cell phone number, he could have called to make sure she was still coming, but he’d abandoned that idea, thinking it too forward. After all, they’d only met three times. An involuntary smile crossed his lips as he remembered the moments they’d spent together.

  She had a way about her. Part teasing, part serious. Part confident, part shy. It sure would be good to see her again.

  If only she’d get there.

  Just when he was considering driving out to Isaiah’s cabin, a familiar blue pickup truck rounded the corner.

  Judith was straining at the steering wheel until the truck stopped with a lurch. She cut off the motor, blew out a breath, and leaned back in the seat.

  Jacob walked across the parking lot. Opening the driver’s side door, he studied her with curiosity. “Did the truck give you problems?”

  “Nothing a little more experience couldn’t fix.” At Jacob’s frown she explained. “Manual transmission and no power steering. It took me a while to figure it out.”

  “You don’t know how to drive a stick shift?”

  “Knowing and doing are two different things when it comes to this truck,” Judith answered as she grabbed her purse and got out.

  “But you made it all right?”

  Judith didn’t answer. She examined her hands, flexing her fingers in open and closed fists.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “My hands hurt. I must have been gripping the steering wheel too tight.”

  Jacob took one of her hands in both of his and massaged it. “Sorry. I didn’t even think about Isaiah’s truck being hard to drive. I could’ve come out to your place and driven it for you.”

  “It doesn’t matter now. Besides, I made it OK. I just need more practice.” Judith pulled her hand from his and another silence stretched between them as unspoken thoughts charged the air.

  Jacob thrust his hands in the pockets of his dress slacks, wishing he could hold her hand a bit longer. “Hungry?”

  “Sure. Am I dressed OK for dinner with your family?”

  Jacob took in her simple flowered skirt and white blouse. “You look like springtime.”

  “Is it too much for Sunday dinner with your family? Or too plain?”

  “You’re perfect.”

  Judith’s gaze connected with his and color bloomed in her cheeks.

  “I mean…uh…you’re dressed just fine.” His attraction to Judith was unlike anything he’d experienced. It was quick and deep, like a sapling root searching for water. Jacob took several steps away from her and changed the subject. “Drop your keys in that slot on the door and we’ll get going.” Jacob opened the passenger side door for her.

  “I met my neighbors,” she said as she climbed into her seat.

  “Your closest neighbor would be Beverly Lewis,” he said as he drove out of the lot. “Is that who you mean?”

  “That’s right. Her daughter, Keneisha, woke me up the other morning.”

  A slow grin crossed Jacob’s face. “Keneisha is one of those people who will never meet a stranger.”

  “No kidding,” Judith answered. “And Beverly gave me a cooking lesson.”

  Jacob gave a nod of approval. “Beverly Lewis is one of the best cooks around. She makes a sweet potato pie that’s so good it would make a man propose.”

  “Oh, really? Does Beverly know you feel that way?”

  “She does. But she won’t marry me, and she won’t give my mom the recipe.”

  “She certainly seems like a nice woman, but she’s under the impression I’ve already agreed to let Rev. Washington use my grandfather’s church.”

  Perhaps he should tell her what the FBI agent had said. But nothing was definite yet. If Henry’s group started meeting in Isaiah’s old church, then Jacob would make sure Judith took precautions. “Henry told me that he and some men from his congregation are coming tomorrow afternoon to look at it. But no matter how much work that old place needs, he’s determined to make it useable. If you’re not going to allow him to use it, best say so.”

  Judith didn’t respond.

  They rode in silence until he parked on the street outside a large brick house.

  “Here we are. Everybody’s dying to meet you.”

  “Who’s everybody?” Judith asked when Jacob opened her door.

  “You’ll see.”

  He held out his hand to help her out of the truck and she took it, sliding off the seat with grace. Then she dropped her hand to smooth her skirt.

  “Ready to go in?”

  Judith tucked a loose curl behind her ear. “I’m anxious to meet your mother. I’d like to hear about how she knew my mom. But…”

  Jacob cocked his head to one side, waiting for her to finish.

  “But I’m not that crazy about meeting your whole family. Two brothers and two sisters?”

  “And their husbands, wives, and children.”

  “How will I ever remember everyone’s name?”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll stay close to you. If you f
orget somebody’s name, just ask.”

  Judith bit her bottom lip and looked at the house.

  “Tell you what, Judith. Anytime you want to leave, just tell me and I’ll take you back to the cabin right away. Deal?”

  Judith took a deep breath and let it out. Her gaze shifted from the house to Jacob and back again. She was definitely weighing her options.

  Was there something more he could do to reassure her? Jacob held out his hand. “It’s only an invitation to Sunday dinner, Judith. But if there’s some reason you don’t want to meet my family, then you and I can go somewhere else. Maybe you’d like to go for a drive.”

  Judith looked at his outstretched palm. She closed her eyes briefly, and then slid her hand into his. “I’m ready. I just needed to say a quick prayer.”

  Jacob squeezed her hand. “Nothing wrong with that.” He led her down the driveway towards the back of the house and entered through the kitchen door.

  “Mom?” Jacob called over the noise of his family. “Judith’s here.”

  His announcement was met with abrupt silence as all heads turned their way.

  Behind his back, Judith rose to her toes and whispered, “I’m ready to go.”

  Jacob looked down at her and smiled. “Look, there’s the Davidsons. You know them.”

  The lawyer and his wife approached, beaming smiles of welcome.

  “How’s it going?” Walter Davidson asked.

  “Fine,” Judith murmured.

  “So nice to see you again,” Dorothy Davidson said, taking Judith’s arm and leading her away from the door. “Did you know Emma and I grew up with your mother?”

  “Emma?”

  “My mother,” Jacob explained.

  “That’s me.” Jacob’s mother stepped away from the oven and took both of Judith’s hands. “I’m so glad you’ve come.”

  “Thank you,” Judith answered politely.

  “Jacob,” his mother said, “you introduce Judith to everyone while I get the food on the table.”

  ****

  Judith looked at the expectant faces that crowded the Frasers’ kitchen and fought the urge to run.

  “Judith Robertson,” Jacob began, “this is my sister Hope, her husband Brian, and their daughter, Chloe. Chloe’s the niece I told you about, the one who loves to read.”

  The three of them could have been models for the perfect, healthy, American family. “Nice to meet you,” she murmured.

  “And this is my other sister, Faith.”

  Good looks obviously ran in the Fraser family. With her long blond hair, Faith fairly shone. “Hope and Faith,” his sister said. “Shouldn’t be too hard to remember our names.”

  “Faith’s husband is Ben,” Jacob continued, nodding towards a man with a baby on his lap, “and their son is Joshua.”

  “Cute baby,” Judith said.

  “He’s a keeper,” the baby’s father said with a wide smile.

  “And these are my brothers’ wives, Pamela and Martha, and that little beauty is Isabella, Martha’s daughter.”

  They must have had beauty contests before they chose their mates. Jacob’s sisters-in-law were every bit as lovely as his sisters.

  “Welcome,” said one of the beauties.

  “Nice to meet you,” said the other.

  “Where are David and Richard?” Jacob asked.

  “In the den with Dad,” Hope answered.

  “The game must be on,” Jacob said. “Come on, Judith. I’ll introduce you to my brothers.”

  Judith took a fortifying breath and followed Jacob across the hall.

  In the den, three men and two boys sat on overstuffed couches and recliners, their attention riveted to the television.

  “There you all are,” Jacob said as he pulled Judith into the room. “This is Judith Robertson, Isaiah Beecham’s granddaughter.”

  The oldest man muted the television and stood to greet her. “Judith, welcome to our home. I’m John Fraser. So glad you’ve come.”

  She’d no more than shaken his hand when the other two men followed his lead.

  “These are my brothers, Richard and David,” Jacob said.

  “Nice to meet you. Glad you could make it,” they said in unison.

  “Hey, when are you going to turn the sound back on?” the boys asked.

  “And those models of politeness are David’s twin boys, Ethan and Evan,” Jacob explained.

  “Do you like baseball, Judith?” Jacob’s father asked.

  Baseball, football, basketball? They all ran together in Judith’s mind under the broad heading of sports she didn’t truly understand. “Sure,” she said. “Go ahead and turn the game on.”

  “Finally,” one of the twins muttered and returned his attention to the television.

  Within seconds, Jacob’s attention was lost in the bewildering noise of professional baseball.

  Judith found a seat on the couch and gathered her thoughts. Why wouldn’t her stomach stop somersaulting? No one here was going to harm her. No one wanted anything from her that she wasn’t willing to give.

  Mrs. Fraser stuck her head through the doorway. “Dinner’s ready,” she announced. “Turn off that TV and come eat.”

  “Ah, man,” the twins whined in stereo.

  “Off it goes,” John Fraser instructed. “What Grandma Emma says is the law around here.”

  The boys hung their heads and shuffled towards the dining room.

  Jacob turned to Judith. “Ready to eat?”

  Although she barely knew him, Jacob had become her anchor in this sea of strangers. She’d been afraid of him the first time they’d met, but now she counted on him to ease her way. Maybe she’d made a friend. She stood and walked to his side. “I’m ready.”

  “Chloe,” Jacob’s mother said, “Judith is our guest today. Let her have your seat beside Jacob.”

  The child gazed at Judith. From the obstinate set of Chloe’s mouth and the glare in her blue eyes, it was obvious the girl was not pleased to give up her usual chair.

  “Please don’t make Chloe move,” Judith said. “I’ll sit anywhere.”

  Chloe slid into the chair as if to claim it before someone else attempted to take her place.

  When Jacob caught Judith’s gaze and winked at her, she relaxed a few degrees. Perhaps she could fit in with this noisy family. If only she hadn’t had to meet them all at once.

  “OK, everybody,” John Fraser said. “Quiet down for the blessing. Judith, would you like to sit by me?”

  “Sure,” Judith answered as she found her place.

  Jacob’s father bowed his head and a calm silence enveloped the group. “Thank you, Lord for this food and for the loving hands that prepared it. Thank You for our health and for our family. Watch over us this week, Lord, and help us remember to listen for Your will. Amen.”

  A chorus of amen’s sounded from the family, followed by the clamor of dishes and children’s voices.

  Jacob’s father passed her a plate of yeast rolls. Judith took one, but didn’t bite into it. The way her stomach jumped, eating was out of the question.

  “How are you doing out there in Isaiah’s cabin?” John Fraser asked.

  “Fine.”

  “Keeping yourself busy?”

  “Judith’s an artist, Dad.” Jacob spoke up. “Her paintings are so lifelike, I thought they were photographs.”

  “What are you working on now?” Emma asked.

  “I’m illustrating a book about fairies.”

  “Fairies?” Ethan said.

  “You mean like the tooth fairy?” Evan asked.

  “Or Tinkerbell?” his brother chimed.

  The twins elbowed each other, congratulating themselves on their joke.

  “That’s enough, you two,” Jacob’s brother warned.

  “Hey,” Ethan said, “could you paint a picture of Evan and make him look like a fairy?”

  “I think you forgot you’re his twin,” Jacob said. “What’s to keep Evan from saying it’s a picture of you?”<
br />
  “Yeah.” Evan giggled.

  “I like fairies,” Chloe said. “If I was a fairy, I could fly. I’d fly around the flowers with the bees.”

  “Until somebody smashed you like a bug,” Evan said, smashing his hand against the table for effect.

  “Or sprayed you with bug killer,” Ethan added, his hands around his throat as if choking.

  Their father’s patience was wearing thin. “Will you two get your minds off fairies?”

  “Yeah, Evan,” Ethan taunted. “Get your mind off fairies.”

  Evan drew his fist back in warning.

  His father caught Evan’s fist in his hand. “Last warning, you two jokers. Mind your manners or you’ll be washing the dishes by yourselves.”

  “Oh, man,” they whined, but took the threat to heart.

  Judith smiled at the boys’ antics and took a bite of her roll. She was never nervous around children. Unlike grownups, kids seldom hid their true intentions.

  “As soon as we’ve had dessert,” Jacob’s mother said, “I’ll show you some photos I found of your mother.”

  “But you have to promise not to laugh,” Dorothy Davidson added. “Those old styles look mighty peculiar now.”

  A piece of carrot flew across the table and landed by Judith’s plate.

  “Whoa,” Evan yelled. “Did you see that? Way to go, Joshua.”

  The baby giggled in response and threw another carrot.

  Faith removed the bowl of food from the high chair tray and offered Joshua a cup of juice.

  “Ah, don’t do that,” Ethan protested. “I want to see what else he can throw.”

  Jacob caught Judith’s gaze across the table and smiled.

  Judith grinned in response. Despite her earlier misgivings, she was doing fine with his family. And his family was doing fine with her.

  The carousel of conversation continued to swirl around the table.

  Judith listened to the family’s discussion of distant relatives, upcoming events, and plans for summer vacations. Bit by bit her body relaxed until her shoulders no longer ached and her stomach no longer fluttered. By the time dessert came, she found herself enjoying her slice of pecan pie.