Hattie’s sweet face filled with a quiet peace now. Beautiful. Lee lingered on her features. From this distance he could admire Hattie all he wanted and she’d never know it. No one would know it. Her smile drew a totally different picture on her delicate face. Lee remembered those eyes, the black orbs that searched him out in the dim room as they stood away from each other that day. The fire in her eyes that still burned long after the kiss ended.
Hattie was beautiful! He’d never doubted she would be.
He thought of Chase and Katherine and the last letter he had from them. Happily married with children of their own, Lee ached to have a family too, but it hadn’t worked out that way. No woman would have someone who’d face the perils of war and lost so much. Although his inner pride told him he was much stronger today than the years before.
The woman watched her children, like a female robin, hovering about to protect them.
However, when he looked at her again, it seemed their glances connected, as though she knew he was there. Lee stirred, his loins tightening with unanswered needs. When she went to stand up, her breasts looked as though they might spill out of her dress, so pressed against the material. Lee’s hand extended, as though to catch them. Mentally he berated himself for such nonsense. Hattie was a decent, good woman, and he shouldn’t even think in that direction. Probably married now…
That thought doused some of his arousal.
Repressing this feeling toward Hattie wouldn’t be easy, but would be safer.
There was no time for reactions when a shot rang out and one of the children fell to the ground with a thud. The little one cried, the older one screamed, the mother ran to her child, and panic drew a picture on her face.
Lee moved like lightning to the child as the mother scrambled to reach her too. Sam headed for her too. All three reached her at the same time. Sam seemed to stop short and eye him for a moment.
Another scream went up when the other children saw the blood. Sam gathered the girls protectively around him.
Lee grabbed the young girl in his arm scooping her against him. She was crying silently and looking into his eyes with a mixture of terror and need. Lee headed straight for the wagon. Sam followed him. Sam jumped in the wagon and helped Lee place the wounded child there. The woman didn’t question him, but followed mutely. Sam helped the other two inside and Lee joined the woman on the seat. He quickly took the reins from her trembling hands and whipped the horses into action. He whistled for his own horse who came galloping up behind the wagon.
Suddenly two men followed, their guns drawn and firing.
Lee handed her the reins and took out his own .44. He turned to move the girls’ heads down and began firing.
He downed one of the men and the other one slowed. Sam yelled his approval. Good, he hadn’t followed.
Lee sighed heavily and took the reins back from the woman, keeping the horses at full speed.
“Where to?” he asked.
“The Nelson farm, about five miles down the road,” she answered breathlessly.
“You know those men?”
“I know who sent them…” The woman turned about to check to see if they followed.
Lee pulled the wagon into the yard and looked about. Puzzled and confused, once again he said very little.
“Thank you…would you like some lemonade?” she offered as he helped her down.
Lee put his hand to her waist, her hips flared beneath his hand, and her breasts almost heaved against him, but her waist was small. Despite the fact that she was well rounded, she seemed light as a feather in his arm. She didn’t remark about his arm this time either. Instead, their gazes held as he set her down. For a full second they could do nothing but stare at each other.
That same awareness shocked him, like a bolt of lightning.
This was the last thing he needed, coming home to trouble, but he couldn’t deny the pleasure he felt being close to her either.
“Lemonade sounds nice…”
She nodded, then he carried the little girl inside the house, his house.
Sam was right behind him, his face screwed up with concern.
He waited for her to direct him to a bedroom, and she didn’t hesitate to open the door and he went through carrying the child.
Laying her on the bed, he went to checking her wound. It was only a flesh wound; the bullet hadn’t gone through, just grazed her skin enough to cause a pile of blood, and some pain.
As everyone crowded about the bed, Lee tried to reassure the somber faces. “It’s a flesh wound, just needs cleaning up and bandaging.”
“I’ll get some water and bandages then…” Hattie hurriedly went about gathering up what was needed and came back. The other two children stared at their sister, then him. She directed the oldest girl to get them some lemonade. Sam was still staring at him, but hadn’t said a word yet to him.
“How’d you lose your arm?” Sam blurted out before thinking.
“A cannon shot,” Lee replied simply.
“You sure know how to get around good without two arms. Ain’t never seen nothin’ like that.” Sam shook his head.
“Well, I didn’t have much choice, it was either learn to use it, or lay there and be a no account for the rest of my life.” Lee chuckled, giving Sam a quick glance.
“Somethin’ about you seems so familiar…” Sam began but one of the kids cut him off.
The oldest one turned. “Mommy, will Violet be okay?”
“Yes honey, we just need to get her fixed up is all,” Hattie replied, her voice low, but with a quiver; her eyes flashed at Lee.
Lee saw the need to comfort and reached his hand to hers. “She’ll be fine.”
The connection startled her, and she stared, then smiled.
She didn’t jerk away, but seemed grateful for the comfort. Sam frowned even more.
Hattie’s expression relaxed some, as she stared into his face. “Forgive me for staring, but you look, almost familiar. But of course I’m imagining things.”
Lee nodded and began cleaning the wound as though it were his job to do so. Once she was bandaged, he looked around the room. The house had been well taken care of.
“You done this before?” Sam asked.
“A few times, during the war,” he assured him. “I was in the infirmary a long time, and the doc finally let me help him some.”
“What side did you fight on?” Sam asked as though gauging something in his mind.
“I fought for the south.”
“‘Cause you believe in slavery?” Sam asked.
“No, I don’t. No man has the right to make a slave out of another. But I’m from the south, and at the time it seemed only right.” Lee smiled at him. “There was more than just slavery at issue in that war, son.”
“Lincoln freed us, now we are equal, or supposed to be. But here in Alabama sometimes it don’t feel like we are…”
“Sometimes people are a little slow to understand,” Lee added.
Daisy brought the lemonade and handed a glass to him. “My name is Daisy, and this is Lily and that is Violet, and my Mama, her name is Hattie,” the girl explained. “And that’s Sam, my Uncle.”
“Kinda young to be an uncle, aren’t you?” he asked.
Sam frowned. “I ain’t her real Uncle. We sorta adopted them. But they ain’t kin.”
Hattie walked back in and shook her head. “Of course they are kin.”
Lee turned to the little girl, took the lemonade and smiled. “Well, thank you Daisy.” He didn’t give a name though. Setting the lemonade on the floor, he cleaned and bandaged the leg, then stared up at the innocent brown eyes from the bed. “You’ll be fine, just stay off of it a day or two, so you don’t get it dirty.”
The little girl’s eyes grew wide and her smile captured him.
“I’m not going to die, am I?” she asked him.
“No honey, you aren’t going to die. You’ve been very brave and I’m sure it hurts, but you will be fine in a few days.” L
ee’s voice sounded gravelly as he explained.
“Are you a doctor?” she asked.
Lee felt his smile fade. “No, just seen a few of these before.”
He drank the lemonade and set the glass down on a table near the bed. “I better be going now.”
“Oh, but you’re our hero,” Violet protested his leaving. “Isn’t he, Mama? Please stay.” The young girl took his right hand. If she noticed his other missing she said nothing. Lee found that strange.
“Well, I’m not exactly a hero, honey, but thanks, and thanks for the lemonade. I better be going. Oh, I almost forgot, here’s something for you to think on.”
“What’s that?” the little girl cried.
“It’s called a dream catcher, and it’s almost magical. You hang it over your bed and the bad dreams all go away.”
“It’s mine?” she cried aloud.
“Sure, have your mama hang it for you.”
Lee headed for the door, escaping any questions he hoped, and trying not to feel so pulled to the little girl on the bed, besides Sam seemed very suspicious of him.
But Hattie ran behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. “I haven’t thanked you.”
“There’s no need…” he began.
She came closer. Saw the arm missing and let her eyes drift over him slowly.
“I know I probably shouldn’t do this. I’m a Negro woman, and it’s quite forward of me, but I think you need it…” she said breathlessly, and she moved without hesitation into his arms. She looked into his eyes and smiled. “I’m not bein’ forward just thankful, okay?”
“Okay,” he whispered, drawing her nearer. Her delicate smell surrounded him, like some kind of flower. Her body generously leaned against him, warm and inviting. She fitted against him naturally. He felt her breasts press against him like soft pillows, and her hands went to pull his head down to hers. Her breath tickled his neck. Lee felt the sincerity of her hug and a tear almost escaped him. He hadn’t had a hug since his mother died. He couldn’t speak.
This was exactly what he needed and he wouldn’t scold her a second time. He’d embraced the moment as there probably wouldn’t be another. The thought of losing what he wanted most made him pull her closer. “Do you mind if I hold you just a minute longer…?”
She sighed heavily, and smiled against him. “Not if that’s what you need…” she whispered. “It’s been a long war, hasn’t it?” she asked.
He held onto her wishing he could touch his lips to hers, wishing he could relax in her arms and let his feelings convey themselves to her. But he knew better and before long he pulled away and glanced into her eyes.
“Thank you, ma’am. Haven’t had a hug like that since my Ma was around.”
“Thank you for what you done…”
“Yes ma’am.”
He remembered the last time she’d hugged him and the memory made him want to pull her closer and touch his lips to hers, but the hug was meant to comfort and he couldn’t react like a mad man and take the advantage. She’d been a kid then, but now, she was a desirable woman and the more she came near him, the more dangerous it became. Lee hadn’t been in a woman’s arms in a long time. The warmth that surrounded him when she hugged him baffled him, surprised him, pleased him. This was a fine welcome.
“You’re very welcome, ma’am,” he whispered as he pulled away and brought his horse about, without a backward glance.
“Be seeing you, ma’am.” He tipped his hat to her and sent her a slow smile.
“You seem so familiar, as though I should know you,” she cried. “But, I don’t even know your name,” she called after him.
He didn’t turn and answer, he kept riding.
He was gone; gone to find some answers.
Chapter Two
A storm was about to break over the horizon as Lee neared the shed at the homestead. There were no lamps, but Lee knew the inside of it by heart. It was a welcome sight and he went inside and looked around. It was too dark to see everything, but he wasn’t ready to let himself be known. So many little things he’d learned in the service came to mind now. The last time he was here there was trouble waiting and he didn’t want to face that just yet. Trained to evaluate a situation before acting, he remembered that now. So he made himself comfortable by scrounging up some of the hay scattered on the floor. He needed to rest. He’d traveled for days, and met trouble almost instantly when arriving. He needed time to find out about things.
His boots had holes in them. His feet hurt; the sun had burnt down on him for weeks and he felt half-baked. He needed a bath, but right now he couldn’t see that happening. He looked at his clothes and realized he hadn’t changed in some time; he was dirty and sweaty. Hattie probably thought he was some tramp.
He tried to make himself go to sleep, but his body wasn’t listening to his head. He’d worried about the day’s events. His little Hattie with three little girls. She was also in his house. He wondered if Hattie had brought herself and Sam here. She must’ve taken control of his place and was living there. That had to be the answer. And that was fine with him. The closer she was the better. Even though he couldn’t make her his, he could help see after her.
The war was over, the Negroes were free, but Lee knew taking a Negro wife would be cause for real trouble. There was still too much hate. And he wouldn’t make a tramp out of Hattie. Besides, from the looks of things, she was married. So he needed to keep his hand off of her. Somehow, but how did a man go about doing that when all he really wanted was to love her?
He thought about Hattie, about the hug, and his reaction to it. It felt so right to be with her again. That shouldn’t be. But it was. He sighed heavily. He’d have to guard himself from endangering her. She probably had a husband somewhere.
Hattie had shown a combination of bravery and grit. She carried trouble with her too, and Lee wanted to know more about that too. She lived in his home and that shocked him. After tossing and turning half the night, a storm came up and it began to rain hard. The sound of the rain hitting the tin roof of the shed lulled him to sleep.
Before dawn, someone came in. Lee moved to the darkened corner to wait to see who it was. He’d drawn his gun, just in case.
But when Ole Joe snuck up on him and tried to bang him in the head, he barely jerked the hammer out of his hand fast enough.
“Joe…Joe…it’s me…Lee,” Lee cried.
“Mister…Lee…it can’t be. Mr. Lee is dead…” he cried out, holding the lantern in the other hand high so he could see his face. He squinted and pulled the lantern closer. Ole Joe’s eyes widened like huge saucers, as though seeing a ghost.
“Lord have mercy…it is Mr. Lee.” He set the lantern down and grabbed Lee in a bear hug. Lee suspected the old man was crying and tried to console him. But the moment Ole Joe hugged him, he masked his emotion. Ole Joe cleared his throat and gave Lee another all over look. “God almighty Mr. Lee, it’s good to see you.”
Lee smiled.
“We all thought you was dead.” Ole Joe smiled as he pulled away to look at him. His eyes fell on the nub of his arm and tears welled up in Joe’s eyes. “And look at you, you done got muscles, and got a beard too. Nobody would recognize you like that. Nobody but me that is…”
Lee smiled at his old friend noting the gray in his hair, and lines in his face, the loyalty in his smile. “You old rascal, I wasn’t sure you’d still be around.”
“I told you I wouldn’t leave this place, I meant it.” Ole Joe laughed. “It’s the only home either one of us have ever known.”
“Well, sit down, we’ve got some catching up to do.”
“We shore do. Oh my, you gave me a fright. You ain’t been up to the house yet, have you?”
“Not exactly. Sorry, you shook me up a little too, you know. No, I figured I’d better check in to some things before I went barreling inside. So, tell me, what is going on around here these days? Is the land still in my name, or do you know?” Lee asked, holstering his gun once more.
“Fine, fine, I’m all ears.”
Joe fretted for a moment. He started to say something several times, but clamped his mouth shut. “Look, why don’t I get you some coffee and grub. Then we can talk. You look like you need something to eat. You’ve lost some weight boy even though you got more muscle, maybe that’s where it went, to muscle.”
Lee felt a little uneasy at Joe’s staving off the main conversation. What had gone on here? What had changed, aside from the fact that Hattie was here, somehow, with three beautiful little girls in his house? And Sam.
Realizing Joe’s age, Lee waited patiently. He was apt to be a little slower in telling him everything, he indulged him. “I am hungry. Haven’t had anything in a couple of days. My stomach is making all kinds of noise.”
Joe chuckled staring long and hard. “It’s good to see ya Lee, real good. I’ll rustle us up some breakfast and bring it back here and then we’ll talk.” Joe nodded as he grabbed the lantern and headed for the shed door. He paused at the door, as though Lee might suddenly run off somewhere. “You stay here, I’ll be right back.”
Lee nodded. Joe worked this place longer than anyone, and Lee respected the old man for his loyalty and stubbornness to stay on when no one else did. Lee knew he’d tell him sooner or later what went on, but Lee felt uneasy about the way he put it off. He stood up and looked out the window of the shed. He couldn’t see anything, it was too dark.
Lee waited anxiously for Joe’s return. He wasn’t disappointed when he brought fresh eggs, biscuits and gravy with a pot of coffee to share. Lee’s eyes were huge and he honestly couldn’t wait to eat. He hadn’t had food like this in a long time. The coffee was especially welcome since there hadn’t been any since the war began.
Just One Kiss (The Dream Catcher Series-Book Two) Page 4
