Forever in Love (Book One of the Armstrong Series)

by Rita Hestand

  In some ways, his father was right. Not much had changed, except maybe a sense of respect and pride had been gained. Yet losing the war had broken many in more ways than one.

  He didn't want to think about the war or the ship, but it played on his mind. Oddly enough, it wasn't the war that nearly killed him and his brother. They had ben celebrating their homecoming when they were suddenly shanghaied onto a slave ship headed for South America. After the long voyage, he had finally been released and was able to return to the United States where he was treated for Malaria. His brother hadn't been that lucky. He suffered the diseases and uncleanliness, but the sound of the whip hitting his brothers back so many times was still fresh in Joe's mind. Sam had stood up for many a prisoner, and been punished for it every time. Joe on the other hand had been silent, biding his time. Men fell dead at the rowing. Sam and Joe couldn't believe what was happening. Joe wondered about his brother, feared for him, and yet today, here he stood, with Melanie wrapped in his arms. The guilt of him being free, and his brother in some hospital weighed on Joe, for he loved his brother dearly.

  How did one erase all the memories?

  It was a part of heaven and a part of hell. The only way he could forget and not worry was to keep Melanie close to his side, reminding him that there were rewards.

  Still he wouldn’t think on that too heavily, not now. The unpleasantness was over. He’d planned this homecoming for two long years, and nothing would rob him of it. Nothing had prepared him for the softness of Melanie’s lips, and the eagerness she didn't bother to hide from him.

  Now here she was, his Melanie, unsuspecting and welcoming him home in the most amorous way, how could he turn his back on this opportunity to have the love of his life? It was his one chance at true happiness, and he wouldn’t lose it no matter the price. He loved her more than his own life. It had tortured him to see her hurt when he and his brother had left to join the army.

  Now she was in his arms, where she should have been all along.

  What bothered him most was the uncertainty of his brother had ever been released, or even that he was still alive. This fear set Joe's heart to racing. To think he might still be on the ship nearly undid all Joe's better intentions for the day. This concerned him, for he knew how cruel and heartless the pirates could be. Death was a common event aboard the ship.

  He leaned the distance to touch his lips to Melanie once more, blotting out the ugly memories once more. He was drowning in the love she offered. She stood on tiptoe to touch her lips to his, boldly. Her lips parted automatically letting him inside. The kiss was full of fire, and deep unfulfilled yearnings. She was as eager a participant as he.

  Too long, he reflected.

  Her lips tasted like a sweet wine, and he savored every drop. So long…so very long he had loved her.

  When his lips slid toward her ear, she trembled. He blew softly and she moaned aloud. Her eyes took on a misty faraway look. He knew what she was thinking, it was in her eyes, and he was thinking the same. They needed to be one.

  His father cleared his throat, to remind them they had an audience. "I expect we should get the two of you married very quickly if those kisses are any signal. Melanie is a wonderful young woman, but I won't stand for her being compromised. Even if it has been a long time since you've been together."

  Joe lifted his head and stared into her eyes. "I can't think of anything I want more…"

  Melanie moved closer. "Nor can I?" She blushed from his stare.

  "I've thought of nothing but you while I was gone. The quicker, the better." He muttered thickly not taking his eyes off the beautiful vision before him. Silky golden hair bounced over her shoulders and fell into a cascade of curls that almost went to her waist, as blue eyes searched his.

  She blushed once more, her smile lighting her face. "I can’t believe you’ve been this devoted."

  "Well now, that's settled, we'll have a wedding Saturday…how's that. Unless you want to wait until Sam is back?" His father asked.

  "I don't want to wait a second longer than we have to, father" Joe responded, feeling a quick twinge of regret for his brother's absence. It would work out, somehow. Their father had been the nemesis. "Besides Sam knows how badly I want this and he's in complete agreement."

  Melanie stared at him for a long moment. "I don't wish to sound too eager, but I am. I want to be married as soon as possible." she replied with a slight blush to her creamy cheeks.

  "A man dreams of a homecoming like this…" He barely uttered as he stared boldly into her flushed face.

  Had he said something out of line? There was a puzzled look on Melanie’s beautiful face, but Joe erased it with another amorous kiss. He loved kissing her, seeing her cheeks blossom.

  "Let's go inside, I think Ole Jen has dinner on the table." His father said and put his cigar in his vest pocket for later.

  Chapter Two

  Joe glanced at his aging father with silent regret. It was the first time he looked long and hard at his father since his return. He noted the thicker grays in his hair, the silent spreading of his body, and the almost wicked gleam in the old man’s eyes. Despite the fact that his father had never been fair to him, he loved him with a passion. Perhaps now he could show him.

  Joe wrapped Melanie's arm on his and smiled into her face. "Something wrong?"

  "N-no….no nothing is wrong. But…forgive me…you've changed some Joe. And despite your suffrage, it is for the better."

  "Perhaps I've merely grown up my dear?" He gestured with a twist to his head.

  "Maybe…." She smiled. "I don’t remember such muscles, and you seem a little taller I think, and you have a shadow of a beard too. I like it; it makes you look like a pirate or something."

  The word pirate made him cringe inside, but he kept that to himself.

  A pirate, if she only knew how he hated the very word.

  He waltzed her into the house and as his father stepped into the den, he pulled her close in the shadows and kissed her once more solidly on the lips. The kiss spun an instant intimacy that neither expected. "We better be married soon, I'm not sure I can keep my hands off you…." With that, he wrapped his arm around her and squeezed just under her breast. She glanced at him curiously but didn’t object.

  Again, the lovely blush crept up her cheeks, but her eyes sparkled with approval and maybe a tad of shock.

  "Joe…" she blushed again and he watched her delight in his attention. The beauty before him tied him in knots. He wanted her so, needed her so. If only she knew how badly I need her.

  "Joe…I've dreamt of the day we'd be married. But…are you sure?" She asked obviously stunned at his attention. "You've just come home, and I don't want to press you for a wedding."

  His hand reached to caress the softness of her cheek, his thumb massaging her there.

  "It shouldn’t come as a surprise my love; we’ve been engaged all of six years. Surely, that is enough proper time to consider. And your greeting spoke more than you know."

  "But Joe—are you really sure? I want more than anything for you to be sure. No regrets."

  "More than sure. A man goes to war, faces death and tyranny, and comes home to a face like yours, a body like yours…of course I’m sure. I love you. Don't you feel it in my kisses? Melanie…I love you." He whispered passionately.

  "Y-yes, I do…" She smiled breathlessly at him. "It's just…a little surprising is all….The war has changed you, but I must admit, only for the better."

  "How can it be such a surprise?" He asked pulling her against him. "We spoke of marriage before I left. Had I not had to leave so soon after enlisting, we would have already been married."

  "Carmen?" She whispered checking to make sure his father didn’t hear.

  "Is but a child compared to you," Joe admitted wishing she'd just accept him. "I realized it quickly, once I was gone. And now that I have returned, I see my folly."

  She stared.

  "You’re the one I want." His glance drank her in.
r />   "Then you don't still love her?" Melanie asked waiting almost breathlessly for his answer.

  "Love her…I never loved her…" He shook his head, a sense of frustration flowing over him. "I don't think you truly understand how men are. A man must hunt for his love; test the waters so to speak. I know now, exactly what I want, after such a long war, and being marooned on that ship so long. And what I wanted is you…only you."

  She looked perplexed as she fanned herself. His words excited her, he could tell by the heavy breath she took.

  "It's always been you, I’m sorry I led you astray about her. That was my youth I guess," Joe answered flippantly. "A man must have more than one experience to compare to. A man seeks his true treasure in life, and when he finds it, he has to grab hold and hang on."

  Melanie frowned not entirely convinced, but obviously happy to have his full attention for once.

  At the table Ole Jen, the black nanny that had helped raise him, fussed over him and made sure he had extra helpings of everything. Her large hips swayed confidently as she produced a ham fit for a king. Her black eyes darting from Joe to his father for approval.

  "You’ve outdone yourself, Virginia," Joe laughed.

  "Why you callin' me Virginia, you always called me Ole Jen. Bet you didn’t have no vitals like this in the army. Nor on that ship either."

  "Bet I didn’t either…" Joe eyed her with a big smile. "You wouldn't want to know what we had there." Joe's voice faded in memory of it. It wasn't a pleasant memory and he didn't want to think about it again. It was too easy to envision it all again and he closed his eyes tight and shut it out deliberately.

  When he opened his eyes, he saw them all three staring at him.

  Joe's appetite had increased. Old Jen's eyes rounded on him when he took second helpings of everything.

  "Virginia, this ham is perfect..." Joe winked at her as she beamed from his compliment.

  Ole Jen eyed him. "Been a while since I heard anyone call me that. You just wait until you taste my peach cobbler…"

  "Oh, my…peach cobbler too?" Joe laughed.

  "And pies too. So glad to see you safely home, Mr. Joe." However, there was something in the way she said his name that had Joe taking a second look at her. She headed for the kitchen tossing him a slight nod.

  Ole Jen knew, he was sure of it. Would she keep his secret? He’d have to find a way to sneak down and talk to her later.

  "You've grown up son. I can see that already. I'm proud too. This plantation needs a strong hand and I've already decided you will be it. Although I love Sam and intend to see he's provided for too, it's you I want running the place. I knew that a long time ago. You and Melanie here. It's all I've ever wanted."

  Joe cringed, his heart felt heavy with guilt and sadness, he felt a knife stab him. Not only had he gone through the war and suffered a ship unfit for any man, he'd come home to a father who still didn’t recognize his unfairness. Suddenly he realized that he'd hoped his father had changed some too, mellowed a little.

  If he spoke up now, he'd lose everything. It wasn't the plantation he was worried about, it was losing Melanie. No, he'd marry her and then maybe the truth would come out, when she'd learned to accept him as he was. After all, he loved her with all his heart.

  "Did you hear me son?"

  Joe bit his lower lip and glanced up at his father. He had to reel his temper in. "Yes, I heard you. But you must remember, Sam deserves half of everything. It should be split right down the middle and you know it. It’s only fair. We are twins, not merely brothers."

  His father frowned. "That sounds like Sam talking. However, leave it to you to think fairly. And I appreciate that truly. However, Sam isn’t the leader that you’ve turned out to be. Why, your commanding officer has already informed me that you led a full troop of soldiers into battle several times. That you’ve earned the distinction for your valor. That you carried one of your wounded soldiers back to camp and saved his life. Therefore, I’m afraid I can’t be as fair, although I’ve provided well for Sam in my will. Sam's a good son, a good man, but he isn't a leader. He's never been. With your service record I'm more convinced than ever that you are the right man for the job."

  "I beg you to rethink that decision. I do not intend to rob my brother of what is naturally his. We should take care of the place side by side, father. Besides, a place this big, needs two men working at it."

  "You can beg all you please, but you will be my right arm. And rightfully so, you were the first born."

  "By a matter of only seconds, father. A silent right arm, father, a silent right arm."

  Somehow, he had to stop fretting about how unfair his father was and accept his position. "Father I want it noted that I objected strongly to this."

  As though he'd rubbed a sore into a wound, his father almost flinched. "You've never understood it Joe. I've tried many times to explain it to you. It's the only thing we've ever argued about, as I remember. You were born for just such a position. Sam wasn't. Sam is my son. I love him dearly. He's is a good man, I'll admit to that. He's my son. It's just that he shows no signs of being a leader, like you. I love him, but he's not the one to run this place. And I have to be practical. You are and you know it. Let's not have any more talk of it though. I don't want your homecoming spoiled over this drivel."

  His father's fork bit into his food. Joe watched silently.

  "All right, we'll talk of that later. After all, you are still the ramrod around here." Joe smiled at his father. His father deserved this deception, Joe simmered.

  "That’s what I like about you son, you respect authority, and yet know how to dish it out, too." His father nodded.

  "You learn in the service, father."

  "Yes, I can see that." His father beamed. "You've changed a great deal. I only have to look at you to know you can handle this place with ease now."

  Joe threw back his shoulders, sat up straight, firmed his lips and squeezed Melanie’s hand, and he did the hardest thing in the world, he smiled at his father.

  But before the meal was finished a yard's man rode up and ran inside to the table.

  "Good Lord, Junus, you run like the devil himself was after you." George bellowed, eyeing the young Negro man who handed him a telegram and bowed his head.

  Junus was one of the youngest men on the farm, tall, lanky, and yet had the demeanor of a small cowed man.

  George read the telegram and nodded slowly, his expression solemn. "It’s from Sam, well, not directly of course, it says his arrival will be much later than we expected due to his physical condition. I suppose he’s still recuperating. It’s good that he stays at the hospital until his wounds are healed. However, I had hoped he'd be home by now. I've got a place in mind for his new home."

  Joe let out a sigh of relief but quickly disguised it. "I hope he’s not in too bad a shape, father. I could go and bring him home if you like?"

  "No, that isn't necessary. It doesn’t say how bad he is…no matter, I’m sure if he’s staying for some time then he needs to mend. Better him there than here." George bellowed. "I feared for his health as they informed me that one of you was very ill."

  "I’ve missed him," Joe admitted, it was the truth. "The last time I saw him, they were taking him to the bowels of the ship. You'd have been proud of him father, he rebelled every chance he got. He was a real hero aboard that ship."

  When Joe realized how he was upsetting Melanie, he apologized.

  "I only wish neither of you had to go through all that misery." Melanie said staring at him and squeezing his hand. "I’ve always thought a lot of Sam. I'd have to, you look so much alike."

  "I'm glad you feel that way, my love." His brow lifted. "Sam and I are close, maybe closer now, than before the war began."

  "After what the two of you have been through that's understandable." George nodded.

  "Does it say when he will return?" Joe asked anxiously.

  "No, it’s a very vague note. Well, it’s a good thing we are going to have
this wedding now. It might be a long time before Sam is well enough to travel." George’s voice boomed through the old manor.

  Ole Jen shook her head, "We’ll have to start working on that dress now, Miss Melanie…."

  "Yes Ole Jen, we will…" Melanie smiled at her, not calling her by her given name like Joe had. Joe liked the fact that Melanie was such a part of this place, so at home. It would make their marriage even more enjoyable.

  After the meal, Joe took Melanie’s hand as they got up from the table, "Shall we have a walk…?"

  "Sounds lovely, will you join us Father Armstrong?" Melanie asked not hesitating a moment to take Joe's arm.

  "No, no, you two lovebirds go ahead…but remember we’re having the wedding soon, so don’t get yourselves carried away." He bellowed. "It's easy to do when you've been away a long time. I remember that much myself when I enlisted many years ago."

  Melanie smiled and bent to kiss the old man's cheek. "And I'll bet your wife was more than eager to have you home, too."

  George smiled and they walked out.

  As Joe took Melanie out on the porch, they stared out over the fields. "Nothing has changed; it’s still as beautiful as ever. Had we lived in Georgia, it might have been nothing but ashes. However, Texas still thrives after five years of war. Broke, but still growing crops, still maintaining some order."

  "It hasn't been easy on your Papa." Melanie informed him.

  "Oh, tell me about it." Joe encouraged. "I guess I've been so busy thinking back at the turmoil that I never realized what went on here."

  "There have been a lot of changes. For a while, the Yankees ran everything here after the war was over, and they weren't well received by us, as you can imagine. I suppose we are luckier than Georgia though, we still have most of our homes in tact. Although some lost their properties quickly as the war ended. What caused so much of the trouble were the carpetbaggers and deserters. Scavengers."

  "I'm sorry for the ones that couldn't hang on to their land."