Scent of Magnolia

by Frances Devine

  Sonny’s parents came through the door, followed by all the others. Perhaps none of them had been sure about venturing in alone. After all, this was a first overnight stay for all of them.

  “I wonder if the other parents will be able to get here?” The question had been buzzing around her mind since she’d seen the weather.

  “I wouldn’t count on that.” Patrick shook his head. “I rode down the lane when I woke up to check it out. It appears the road is washed out in several places. And the low spots are flooded. I don’t think anyone is coming in or going out.”

  Felicity, who had just entered and sat at the table, gasped. “Are you sure?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “Oh no.” Helen’s brow furrowed. “The children will be so disappointed.”

  “Well, perhaps the big meal and the program will cheer them up a little,” Howard said, “although I know that won’t take the place of their parents being here.”

  Charles returned to the table after getting more coffee. “I don’t think many more were coming, anyway. A couple, maybe. The others live too far away to make the trip more than to pick up their children at Christmas and for summer break.”

  Helen clapped her hands to her face. “Oh no. This means Dr. Trent and Abigail can’t come either. How will we have the cantata without Abigail?”

  Felicity grinned. “Guess it’s up to you. You’ve been with Abigail nearly every practice.”

  “But. . .I can’t.”

  “Of course, you can.” P.J. stood in the doorway and had obviously heard every word. “I have every confidence in you.”

  “What about Lily Ann’s solo?” Helen knew she was working herself into a panic. “They won’t be able to come, either.”

  “You’ll just have to get someone else to sing her solo.” P.J. found a seat next to Sonny and his parents.

  Sissy and two other servers brought covered dishes and set them on the buffet. The aroma of scrambled eggs, sausage, and ham made Helen realize how hungry she was. She waited and let the guests go first.

  As soon as her filled plate was before her, she focused her attention on the delicious food while she pondered her problem. There was only one student who could do as well as Lily Ann on the solo—Margaret.

  Helen glanced across the table at the director and then switched her vision to Margaret, who sat beside her parents. She wondered if P.J. had spoken to them, yet. It would make the situation easier for her if Margaret could fill Lily Ann’s spot.

  After breakfast some of the men, including Patrick, went to check the water level at the river. Helen breathed a sigh of relief. She knew Patrick wanted to talk to her, and she was eager to let him know she’d decided to agree to the courtship. But today wasn’t shaping up to be a good day for that.

  She hurried down the hall to the director’s office and tapped on the door.

  When she was seated across from P.J., she took a deep breath.

  P.J. smiled. “You want to know if Margaret can be in the cantata.”

  “Well, I don’t want to go against any decision you might have made, of course, but it would be nice if we had her lovely voice in there, since Lily Ann won’t be here.” She cast an eager look in the director’s direction.

  “As a matter of fact, I’ve had a quite satisfactory meeting with Margaret and her parents. I’m convinced nothing like the former episode will happen again. I also believe Margaret is truly sorry and she’s suffered enough.” She smiled. “So if you’d like to ask her to be a stand in if Lily Ann can’t make it, you have my permission.”

  “Wonderful!” Helen jumped up. “I’ll ask her now. She’s probably with her parents somewhere.”

  “I believe they were going to look at the science exhibit from last fall. Charles has displayed it again for the parents that didn’t get a chance to see it.”

  “Thank you, P.J. You’re a wonderful woman and we’re lucky to have you as our director.”

  “Oh, go along with you.” She waved her hand toward the door. “I’m a mean tyrant and everyone knows it.”

  Helen laughed as she sailed out the door and went in search of Margaret and her parents.

  ❧

  The rain had finally slowed down to a slight drizzle. As Patrick stood near the bank of the river with Charles and Howard, he heaved a breath of relief. The river hadn’t crested, so if the rain stopped, they wouldn’t need to worry about any major flooding. But the rain itself had been a real gully-washer and the road was almost impassible in spots. As soon as the rain stopped and the sun came out they could start filling the holes in the lane with gravel. Until then the house guests would have to be patient and stay put.

  They returned to the house. Patrick still held out some hope of talking to Helen. But if she had to be in charge of the Easter program, he wasn’t sure if an opportunity would arise. Besides, with the house full of extra people it would be difficult to find a private place to talk. He went in search of Molly and found her and Trudy in their room in an animated conversation.

  Both girls jumped up when they saw him.

  “Mr. Flannigan, guess?” Trudy turned big brown eyes on him.

  “Hmmm. You just found out you’re really a long-lost princess from some never before heard of kingdom.”

  Trudy giggled. “No. Guess again.”

  “Oh, Papa.” Molly gave him a look of disdain which quickly changed into a smile and a giggle. “Margaret has been given her freedom.”

  “Yes. I know. Because her parents are here.”

  “No, not that. She’s all the way free, now. Even when her parents leave. But that’s not all.”

  “Oh, there’s more? I think that’s pretty big news as it is.” And he wasn’t too sure how he felt about it. After all, the girl had terrorized his daughter. A twinge of guilt bit at him. He’d forgiven her for that.

  “It is,” Trudy said, “but there’s more. Margaret gets to be in the cantata and she’ll sing the solo if Lily Ann can’t come because of the weather.”

  “Or because she may still be sick,” Molly added.

  “Okay, that’s very nice for Margaret. Not too great for poor Lily Ann.”

  “But, Papa. Lily Ann would want what’s best for the cantata. And everyone knows Margaret has the best voice after Lily Ann.”

  “So how do you girls feel about Margaret not being punished anymore?” He thought he could tell what the answer would be. Molly and Trudy had apparently forgiven and forgotten and were quite ready to be friends with the girl again.

  “We’re happy, Papa.” Molly smiled broadly. “Margaret is sorry for what she did and we’re all best friends again.”

  Trudy nodded. “We missed her,” she frowned, “but she’d better not ever threaten to hurt Lily Ann again. And we told her so.”

  Patrick blinked back sudden tears and coughed loudly. “I’m proud of you girls.”

  “Miss Shepherd says we should always forgive when someone trespasses against us.” Trudy’s face was suddenly solemn. “Because we all need forgiveness.”

  “Miss Shepherd sounds like a very wise woman. Just who is she, by the way?”

  “Our Sunday school teacher, Papa. Remember, you met her a few weeks ago.”

  “Oh yes, the preacher’s daughter. And I’m glad you took her words to heart.” He reached over and gave one of Molly’s braids a yank.

  Molly nodded. “I wish we could have gone to church today. It doesn’t seem right to miss. Especially on Easter Sunday.”

  “Well, next Sunday will be here before you know it.”

  Patrick left and ambled over to his room where he removed his wet shoes and dried them the best he could. He hung his socks in front of the stove and stretched out on the bed. He hoped the weather would be nice this week. He planned to get the shop ready this week and start bringing supplies over from the Atlanta store. He hoped to have everything moved and the other store cleared out within two or three weeks. Most everything would come by rail.

  He drifted off to sleep with t
houghts of Helen and the possible look on her face when he told her the news.

  ❧

  Margaret’s voice drifted across the auditorium with angelic tones. Helen couldn’t keep the smile from her face. What a gift the child had received from God. The audience seemed mesmerized. When the solo was over and the choir joined in for the final song, Helen dabbed at her eyes with a lacy handkerchief.

  She and the boys in the group stayed after everyone else had left the room to fold chairs and put them away. She didn’t really need to stay, but it gave her a chance to reflect. The cantata had definitely been a success. Now that it was over, and she knew she’d given it her all, she could refocus her thoughts where they truly wanted to go.

  Patrick. Would they finally get a chance to talk so she could tell him? She sighed. The possibility didn’t look too promising. The house was still full of people. Perhaps tomorrow.

  After a delicious supper which proved to be nearly as sumptuous as their Easter dinner had been, most of the guests retired to their rooms. A few, however, joined the teaching staff in the large parlor for music where Hannah played the piano and the others joined in singing hymns. The evening flew by, and all too soon it was time to say good night.

  Classes wouldn’t resume until Tuesday, so the children had been allowed to stay up longer than usual in honor of their parents’ visit.

  Helen could only hope the roads would be passable by Tuesday. She couldn’t imagine trying to hold classes if the guests were still here. The children would never be able to concentrate knowing their parents were downstairs.

  As she stepped into the foyer, she found Patrick waiting. Everyone else had already disappeared up the stairs.

  “Helen. I thought we’d never have a chance to say hello without dozens of people around.” He took her hand tentatively as though he wasn’t sure if he’d be allowed to keep it in his.

  Helen smiled and let her hand remain in his. She could feel the calluses on his palm and was surprised to find the sensation rather pleasant. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you, too, Patrick, but I only have a moment. It’s very late.”

  “I know. Besides, it wouldn’t do to have anyone mis-understand. So for now, let me merely say, I have a great deal of admiration for you and hope we can let our friendship grow into something more. I have some news for you, but it will keep until a more opportune time.”

  “I have something important to say to you as well. But I don’t want to wait. Let me just say that my answer to your earlier question is yes. I’d be honored to consider our friendship to be a courtship.”

  Light filled his eyes and the grin on his face spoke volumes. He opened his mouth to say something, but she pressed two fingers against his lips.

  “Good night, Patrick. We’ll talk tomorrow.” She turned and ran up the stairs and into her room.

  Oh dear. Had she been too bold? She stood against the closed door, her breath coming in excited little pants. What if he’d changed his mind? But he certainly didn’t look like he had, with that big old Cheshire cat grin on his face.

  A little giggle escaped through her lips. It seemed everytime she was near him she giggled about something. She hadn’t done that for years.

  Suddenly she noticed how stuffy the room was. She’d closed the window earlier to keep out the rain, but now she flung it open wide and breathed deeply of the clean, fresh air. A cow mooed from nearby. Albert had probably opened the barn door for the same reason she’d flung the window wide. Nothing smelled like rain-washed air. Maybe the storms were over. Probably not, though. It was still early April. She wondered what Atlanta was like this time of year. Could she be happy living there? Being so used to country sounds and sights and smells? A vision of tight, dark red curls and sea green eyes drifted through her thoughts. And a smile that curled her toes. Oh yes, she could be happy in Timbuktu or the jungles of Africa, as long as Patrick Flannigan was by her side. She smiled. And a sweet daughter like Molly. She would take good care of her adopted daughter and teach her everything she would need to make her life as easy as possible. A home in Atlanta would be just fine.

  She undressed in the moonlight and changed into her nightgown. She crawled into bed between crisp, cool sheets and sank her head into her soft feather pillow.

  eighteen

  Patrick whistled an old Irish tune as he shoveled sand into holes in the lane leading to the school. He hoped the gravel could be filled in before the next rain or the sand would all be washed away. But it was at least a temporary solution and would allow the parents to return home. All he’d thought about most of the night and all morning was his anticipated meeting with Helen. Her morning classes would be over soon and he only hoped she was free this afternoon, because he absolutely had to get the new building ready and get back to Atlanta to finish up there.

  He finished filling two more holes then headed for the house. He was glad that so many men in the neighborhood had volunteered to help.

  He washed up in the infirmary and changed into his own clothing, which Sissy had handed him as he’d walked in.

  He entered the dining room and found Helen already seated. Her eyes lit up when she saw him. He took the chair next to hers. “Can we talk after dinner?”

  “Yes, I’m free all afternoon.” Her voice had a little lilt and his heart sped up. Even though she didn’t know she wouldn’t have to leave the area, she was willing to go with him. He was glad she wouldn’t have to make that sacrifice.

  Good. Now if they could find a private place to talk. He glanced around. One of the couples had already left for their home. He was pretty sure the rest would leave after the meal, now that the lane was passable.

  For the first time in days, he actually enjoyed food. Amazing, the difference a few words from Helen had made. The gumbo was delicious and a fresh garden salad tingled on his palate. Fried ham and buttered sweet potatoes followed, with green beans that he would call fried. However they were prepared, they were delicious. The ever-present sweet tea refreshed him after the hard work of the morning. And Selma’s peach cobbler with sweet cream whipped into soft peaks topped off the meal.

  After the meal, he said his farewells to Molly, promising a surprise the following week, which curbed her tears.

  A half hour later, the children had all returned to their classrooms and the parents had made their exits, among a lot of relieved laughter. Most said they had a wonderful time in spite of it all, but they hoped their return trip in May would be uneventful.

  Patrick stood on the porch with Helen. “Shall we sit here or walk down the lane to the bench?”

  “Oh. Let’s walk down. I haven’t had a chance to rest there since the other tree was removed.”

  “Fine with me. Let’s see if the magnolia has as much shade as the live oak did.”

  The magnolia proved to have a great deal more shade than the live oak. One could have almost hidden on the bench beneath the blossom-laden branches. This was fine with Patrick because two men were working on the lane just a short distance farther along.

  He waited while Helen smoothed her skirt then seated himself beside her on the bench. “It’s been a disturbing couple of days, hasn’t it?” Oh, that was brilliant. After waiting so long for this opportunity, he wasted it making small talk.

  “Yes, it’s been dreadful.” She fanned her hand in front of her face and tapped her fingers on the wooden bench. “I certainly hope the storms are over.”

  “So do I.” He reached over and took her hand. “Helen, there’s something I need to tell you.”

  Her face paled and she inhaled sharply. “It’s quite all right, Patrick. I understand if you’ve changed your mind about wanting to go beyond friendship.” Misery and embarrassment were written all over her face.

  “What?” Shocked, he lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. “Not at all. Why would you think that?”

  “Well, I was afraid you’d think I was being too bold by saying what I said to you last night.”

  “No, of course not. You wer
e enchanting. I’ve thought of nothing else since.”

  “Really?” A faint blush tinged her cheek.

  Didn’t she have any idea how he felt about her? He sighed. How could she? They’d talked very little about anything other than the school and how Molly was getting along. “Helen, I didn’t intend to be so abrupt. I wanted to give you a proper courtship, but the truth of the matter is I’m in love with you and it’s time you knew it. I want to marry you, if you’ll have me.”

  She smiled. A joyful smile that sent his heart racing. “I love you, too, Patrick. And I want you to know that I will gladly go with you to Atlanta or anywhere else you wish to go. I don’t care where I live, so long as I’m with you and Molly.”

  He pressed her hand to his lips. “Well, you won’t have to. Because that’s what I wanted to tell you. I’m moving to Mimosa Junction. I’ve already purchased a building for my shop and plan to start moving things here this week.”

  Wonder crossed her face. “You would do that for me? But Patrick, you don’t have to. I know your business is already established in Atlanta.”

  “And it will be just as established in Mimosa Junction. To be honest, when I first started thinking about the idea, it was mainly because of you. But the more time I’ve spent in this area, the more I like it.” He kissed her fingers again. “Besides, this way Molly can stay in school and you can continue to teach if you wish.”

  “You don’t mind if I keep my job?”

  “Well, for now, at least. I hope perhaps in the future. . .” He stopped. Better not talk about babies. She was blushing enough already. “Well, you may teach as long as you like.”

  He slipped down onto the grass, glad it had dried, although he could still feel damp earth underneath the grass. “Helen, will you marry me?”

  Tears pooled in her eyes and she nodded. “Yes, Patrick. I’d be honored to be your wife.”

  He quickly reclaimed his place beside her and took her into his arms. The first touch of their lips made his head reel. “Helen,” he whispered, “can we make it soon?”

  ❧

  Helen gazed up into Patrick’s eyes, hardly able to believe she wasn’t dreaming. She’d dared to dream about this moment, but the reality was so much more wonderful than her dreams. “How soon do you mean?”