❧
Marcus Raines strode down the street toward the hitching post where he’d left James with the wagon. He clenched his fists as he walked and tried to make some sense out of what he’d just done. He’d never had any desire to attend church, and now he had committed to two Sundays and a dinner afterward.
When he’d gotten out of bed this morning, he’d known he couldn’t wait until tomorrow to see Victoria Turner again. Sally Moses had looked surprised when he’d announced at breakfast that he would go to town in her place today. She hadn’t tried to dissuade him. Instead, she had told him what she needed, and he’d made note of it.
All the way to town, he’d asked himself if he should have come. He’d almost backed out of stepping into that store, but when he opened the door and saw her standing there, he knew he’d made the right decision. She was even more beautiful than he remembered. He hadn’t dared hope that he would get the opportunity to speak with her alone, but he had. He usually became tongue-tied when he talked with a young woman, but it hadn’t been that way with Victoria. He had said more to her than any other woman he could remember.
Not only had they talked, but she had also invited him to a dinner in her honor. Then the best thing of all had happened. She had asked him to be her friend. When he answered her that he, too, was glad to have a friend in Willow Bend, he knew she had no idea what he meant. In truth, she was the first friend he’d ever had, and the thought made his heart pump.
The image of his father flashed in his mind and sent his good mood plummeting. His father had told him often enough that he should stay away from women. They couldn’t be trusted. But there was something about Victoria that made Marcus question his father’s words. He shared some kind of connection with the woman with the dark eyes. He doubted anything would ever come of it, though. When she got to know him better, she would find a reason to keep her distance from him.
Three
As soon as the last prayer was said on Sunday morning, Marcus made a dash for the back door of the church, but he was too late. Pastor Daniel Luckett and his wife, Tave, had beaten him up the aisle. They must have quietly slipped to the back when the man in the front row was saying the benediction.
His plan had been to escape to the yard where his horse was tied and wait for Victoria and her family to come outside. Then he would go and speak to them, but the truth was that he was scared to death.
All through the sermon from three rows behind her, he had stared at the woman he hadn’t been able to get out of his mind. He couldn’t concentrate on what the preacher was saying for worrying that when he spoke to her after church, he wouldn’t be able to carry on an intelligent conversation. What if she thought him dull and boring?
The crowd jostled him from behind, and he glanced around to see if there was another exit from the church, but it didn’t matter. His retreat was blocked by people coming up the aisle behind him. Perspiration popped out on his head, and he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe it away. In front of him the pastor greeted his congregation with a smile and soft-spoken words.
It wasn’t that he minded speaking to Reverend Luckett and his wife, but he didn’t want anyone to make a fuss over the fact that he had come to church today. Maybe they would welcome him and let it go at that.
The pastor smiled and extended his hand as Marcus stopped in front of him. “Marcus,” he said, “I’ve been praying for this day for a long time. It’s so good to have you with us today.”
Marcus grasped the man’s hand. “Thank you.”
“I hope you’ll come again,” Tave Luckett said before her gaze flitted over his shoulder.
Before he could respond, a voice behind him set his heart to pumping. “Not only did he come today, but he’s coming next Sunday for the dinner.”
Marcus turned and stared into Victoria Turner’s face. His heart skipped a beat at how beautiful she looked today. He wanted to say something, but his mind had suddenly gone blank.
After a moment, Tave cleared her throat. “That’s even more wonderful, Marcus. We’ll look forward to seeing you then.”
Marcus pulled his attention back to the pastor and his wife. “Thank you.”
Reverend Luckett smiled. “Have a good day, Marcus.”
Marcus offered a weak smile before he hurried to the rack across the back wall of the church and grabbed his hat. On the porch, he took a deep breath and glanced around at the people climbing into buggies and wagons. No one appeared to be paying any attention to him, and he relaxed. He made it to the bottom of the steps before his escape was halted by a familiar voice.
“Marcus, don’t rush off before I get a chance to welcome you to church.”
He turned to see Dante Rinaldi, his young son in tow, coming around the corner of the building. Of all the planters in the area, Marcus liked and respected Dante most. The man had come to Willow Bend a few years after the war, bought Cottonwood Plantation when it was in ruins, and restored it to the grand plantation it once had been. Considered an interloper at first, he was now one of the most respected residents in the Black Belt.
Marcus placed his hat on his head and waited for Dante to approach. There was a quality about Dante Rinaldi that Marcus envied. He seemed so sure of himself, and in all the years he’d known him, Marcus had never seen him lose his temper. When Dante and his son stopped beside him, the man glanced down at the young boy who Marcus thought must be about six or seven years old. Dirt smudged the boy’s face and pants, and his shirttail hung over the waist of his pants.
Dante grinned down at the boy. “I had to break up a misunderstanding, and I was afraid you’d be gone before I got back to the front of the church.”
Marcus shook his head. “No, I was waiting to speak to Mr. Perkins and his family.”
Dante’s smile grew bigger. “I’m glad you came today, Marcus. I’ve told you that you need to get out and meet people. You’ve stayed cooped up on that plantation all your life. You need to see what goes on outside of Pembrook. I think going to church and meeting people is a good start for you.” He glanced toward the front door of the church and nodded to his son. “You’d better watch out. Here comes your mother.”
Savannah Rinaldi stepped from the church with Victoria beside her. As they came down the steps, Savannah smiled at Marcus. “Victoria and I were discussing the dinner next Sunday. She tells me that you—” Her eyes narrowed as she caught sight of her son. “Vance Rinaldi, have you been fighting again?”
The boy hung his head and dug his toe into the dirt. “Yes, Mama.”
Savannah grabbed a handkerchief from her reticule, wet it with her tongue, and scrubbed at the boy’s face. “What am I going to do with you?” When she’d rubbed most of the dirt away, she held him at arms’ length and scowled. “Go get in the buggy and wait for us. Your father and I will deal with you when we get home.” The boy ran toward the buggy, and Savannah turned back to Marcus. “I’m glad to see you at church, Marcus. Please come again. Now if all of you will excuse me, I think we need to get home—that is, if I can find my daughter.”
When she’d hurried off in search of the girl, Dante turned to Marcus and Victoria. “I guess I’d better go. Have a nice afternoon.”
Dante strode toward the buggy where a dejected Vance sat. “I’m afraid Vance is in trouble,” Marcus said.
Victoria laughed. “I think you’re right, but Savannah and Dante seem like nice people.”
“Oh, they are. My father met Dante soon after he came here. Most of the people didn’t like him, and my father didn’t for a long time. But he’s a good man.” Marcus watched Dante help his wife and daughter into the buggy and then pull out to the road. He’d always envied families that appeared happy, and Dante’s family certainly did.
“What are you thinking?” Victoria’s voice startled him.
He jerked his attention back to her. “Nothing.” He let his gaze drift over her. “It’s good to see you again, Victoria.”
“It’s good to see you, too. Thank
you, Marcus.”
He frowned. “For what?”
She smiled, and his heart raced. “For making me feel so welcome in Willow Bend. I really dreaded coming here. I didn’t think I’d have any friends. Then I got off the boat, and you were standing there as if you’d come to welcome me. I knew we were going to be friends.”
He wanted to respond, but the words wouldn’t come, especially when he looked into Victoria’s eyes. He silently berated himself.
Ducking his head, he nodded. “I have to be going. Maybe I’ll see you this week.”
Before she could respond, Marcus strode to where he’d tied his horse, mounted, and turned toward home. He glanced back at Victoria, who stared after him from the church yard. She had seemed happy to see him, but he couldn’t think of anything to say. Anger flared within him, and he dug his heels into the horse’s side.
Dante was right. He needed to get out and meet people. When he was a boy, his father had company all the time, but Marcus had always been banished to the upstairs and not allowed to listen to adult conversation.
By the time he’d reached his teens, his father wasn’t well, and company at Pembrook became a thing of the past. Even though his father suffered from poor health for years, he ran Pembrook as if he would always be there. When Father died, Marcus realized he hadn’t been prepared for the responsibility he’d inherited. Ever since he’d become the master of the plantation, he’d struggled to find his way and keep the land productive.
Now a woman he’d met only a week ago made him want something more than his lonely life at Pembrook. It surprised him that he had enjoyed being in the group of people at church today, especially with Dante Rinaldi. Best of all was that he’d gotten to speak to Victoria again. Maybe before too long, he could invite her and her mother to Pembrook. He wanted to show them what his father had created along the banks of the Alabama River, but most of all he wanted Victoria to like it.
His only hope was that she would never discover the secret that haunted him—he would never be able to measure up to his father as the master of a large plantation.
❧
Late that afternoon Marcus pulled his horse to a stop in front of the big house at Cottonwood Plantation. He’d struggled with whether or not to ride to Dante’s home ever since he’d gotten back to Pembrook from church. Finally, he had given up. He needed advice, and Dante was the only person he could ask.
He tied his horse to the hitching post at the side of the house and walked to the door. Before he had a chance to knock, a dog ran around the side of the house with Vance Rinaldi right behind. “Get back here, Jake.” The boy stopped in his tracks when he spied Marcus.
Marcus smiled. “Hi, Vance. I came to see your pa. Is he home?”
Vance nodded. “Yes, sir. I’ll go get him.” Before Marcus could move out of the way, Vance darted in front of him, pushed the front door open, and ran inside. “Pa, there’s somebody here to see you,” he yelled.
“Vance, not so loud. Your father isn’t deaf.” Footsteps tapped on the wooden floor, and Savannah Rinaldi appeared in the house’s entry. She smiled in greeting. “Marcus, it’s so nice to see you again. Are you here to see Dante?”
Marcus hesitated on the porch before stepping into the house. What was he doing here? He should turn around and go home right away. When he didn’t answer, Savannah directed a questioning gaze at him. Marcus swallowed and tried to smile. “I am.”
She backed away from the door and motioned for him to enter. “Then come in. He’s in the parlor. I’ll show you the way.”
He pulled the hat from his head and stepped inside the house. His gaze darted around the spacious entry and to the curving stairway that led to the second floor. “This is my first time in your home. It’s beautiful.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry you haven’t visited us before. We must make sure you come more often in the future.” Savannah glanced over her shoulder as she led the way into a room just off the hallway. “Dante,” she said as they entered, “Marcus Raines is here to see you.”
Dante and his daughter sat facing each other at a small game table. A chessboard rested on the tabletop between them. Dante glanced up as Savannah spoke, and a smile lit his face. “Marcus, you’re just in time to save me from having to concede defeat. It’s embarrassing that a nine-year-old girl can beat her father at chess.” He reached over and chucked the girl under her chin. “I shouldn’t have taught you so well.”
The girl giggled, and Marcus stopped, unsure if he should enter. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you.”
Dante pushed up from his chair and strode forward. “It’s always good to see you. Come in and have a seat. Would you like something to drink? Some tea maybe?”
Marcus shook his head. “No, I wanted to speak with you for a moment. If you’re busy, I can come back later.”
The girl stood and came across the room. She looped her arm through her father’s. Her dark eyes lit up with a smile. “Don’t worry, Mr. Raines. Our games go on forever. We’ll finish later.”
Dante planted a kiss on his daughter’s forehead. “Thanks, Gabby. Now go see if you can find your brother. I think your mother wanted to do something with the two of you this afternoon.”
“Yes, I do. Come on, Gabby.” Savannah held out her hand, and her gaze drifted over her daughter before it settled on Dante. A smile pulled at the corners of her mouth, and her eyes sparkled with a silent message meant only for her husband.
Dante smiled at Savannah and hugged their daughter again before he released her. “We’ll finish our game later, darling.”
When Gabby and Savannah had left the room, Marcus turned to Dante. “I’m sorry to intrude.”
Dante laughed and led the way to a sofa in front of the marble fireplace. “I’ve told you many times that you’re always welcome at Cottonwood. I’m glad you finally took me up on my invitation.” A large, ornate mirror with a gilt frame hung over the mantel, which held several daguerreotypes of Vance and Gabby. When Marcus had settled on the sofa, Dante eased into a chair facing him. “Now, is there a particular reason you’ve come this afternoon?”
The room felt stuffy, and Marcus wiped at the perspiration on his forehead with a handkerchief. “I. . .I need some help.”
Dante leaned forward, a worried expression on his face. “What is it? Are you having problems at Pembrook?”
“No, nothing like that. It’s. . .”
Dante frowned. “Go on. Tell me.”
A large breath of air gushed from Marcus. “It’s a woman.”
“A woman? I don’t understand.” Dante’s eyebrows arched.
Perspiration rolled down Marcus’s cheeks. “Victoria Turner. I don’t know what to do.”
Understanding dawned in Dante’s eyes, and he smiled. “Why, Marcus,” he said, “I do believe you’ve come under the spell of a beautiful woman. Am I right?”
Marcus bit his lip and nodded. “Ever since I saw her get off the boat at the landing, I haven’t been able to get her out of my mind. I’ve never had this feeling before, and it’s disconcerting, to say the least.”
Dante laughed. “But it’s very normal. I felt the same way when I saw Savannah. I thought I would go mad from thinking about her.”
Marcus scooted to the edge of the sofa. “You’re the only one I felt comfortable talking to about this. That’s why I’ve come. What do I do?”
“The question is, what do you want to do? Do you want to rid yourself of your obsession, or do you want to get to know her better?”
“I don’t think I can rid my thoughts of her.”
Dante laughed again. “Then you have to call on her, talk to her, see what you have in common.”
Marcus stared at Dante. “Is that what you did before you married your wife?”
“No, our situation was quite different. I’ll tell you about it sometime. But now I’m a father, and I’ll tell you what I would want a young man to do if he was interested in my daughter.”
“Good. That’s what I
need to know.”
Dante took a deep breath. “You should go to Mr. Perkins and his sister and ask their permission to call on Victoria—that is, if the young woman wishes it. Then go to their home at night, sit in their parlor, and visit with them, get to know them, and let them see what an upstanding young man you are.”
“Visit with them? Talk to them?” The thought scared Marcus. “I don’t know how to do that.”
Dante leaned back in his chair and studied Marcus. “Your father kept you at home too much. You’ve got to learn to be more open with people. You’re going to find most of them are very nice. If you’re kind to them, they’ll return the favor. You’re going to have to make yourself likable if you ever hope to win any young woman.”
Marcus raked his hand through his hair. “I know that, but it terrifies me.”
Dante reached over and slapped him on the knee. “Just think of the prize. Don’t be afraid. You may find that Victoria will like you as much as you do her. But there is one more thing that I would advise you to do. It made all the difference in my relationship with Savannah.”
“What’s that?”
“Pray about it, Marcus. You should never enter into any kind of relationship without letting God lead you.”
Marcus’s eyes grew wide. “Pray? I don’t know how to do that.”
“It’s not difficult. You close your eyes and talk to God.”
“That sounds too easy. You close your eyes and talk to an empty room?”
Dante leaned forward. “The room isn’t empty, Marcus. You heard Daniel speak about the love that God had for us when He sent His Son to be the Savior of all mankind. Before Jesus went back to heaven, He promised that even though He would no longer be walking the earth, He would still be with us. The Bible tells us that He will never leave or forsake us.”
“How is that possible?”
“When you accept Jesus as your Savior, He comes into your heart and stays there. You can feel His presence all the time.”
Marcus’s mouth gaped open, and he swallowed before responding. “Are you saying that I’ll feel Him inside me even though I can’t see Him?”
Blues Along the River Page 3
