“Yes. My dad remodeled the old sitting room into a kitchen when he bought the house.”
“Where was the kitchen before?”
“In a separate building. This house is antebellum, you know.”
“No, I didn’t. So your father bought this house for your mother?” She handed him another rinsed plate.
“Yes, she inherited the Victorian house built by her Grandfather Martin, but my dad knew she really wanted an antebellum home. This one had been neglected, but they worked hard to fix it up. The attic contains fascinating stuff. I didn’t have much choice but to love history.”
“Your parents seem to love each other very much.”
Gary stacked the dried china plate. “Yes. It’s a wonderful heritage and becoming rare to grow up in a loving home.”
“My parents loved each other like that. I had them buried in the same coffin because they died in each other’s arms. I couldn’t bear to separate them.” Meredith spoke matter-of-factly, but Gary saw tears falling into the dishwater.
He put his arm around her and squeezed. “I can’t even imagine how I would feel if something happened to my mom and dad.”
“I just wish…” He waited while she composed herself. “That I hadn’t stayed away so much. I could have been with them more those last few years if I hadn’t been so insecure.”
Gary wanted to take her into his arms and hold her tight, but he knew she would be embarrassed. “You can’t change the past, but your parents loved you and were proud of you.”
Meredith took a deep breath. “Thank you, Gary.” She picked up a casserole dish and scrubbed it.
After the dishes were done, Gary invited Meredith to sit beside him on the sofa in the living room to watch the football game. Her nearness beside him gave him both comfort and restlessness. At one point, he looked down because her head had slipped over to his shoulder and lay there. She looked adorable asleep. Not until the winning touchdown pass made Jim whoop did she look up and smile sheepishly. “I guess I drifted off.”
“Football doesn’t excite you?”
“Well, I could lie.”
“That’s all right. Thanks for sitting with me anyway.”
“If you don’t mind, I think I should get back to my work.” Meredith stood and stretched delicately.
“I have something for you.” Gary’s mom left and returned with a brown paper sack. “These are some turkey sandwiches I made for your supper.”
Meredith gave his mom a big hug. “Thank you so much, Mrs. Bishop. You don’t know how much this afternoon has meant to me.”
Gary smiled at his brother-in-law, who winked at him. Meredith had no idea how much this afternoon meant to him.
Chapter 7
The next morning, Meredith visited the Presbyterian Church’s photography exhibit to study the fashions, buildings, and events of 1890s Natchez. She could picture her characters in those settings. The steamboats fascinated her. White tablecloths and napkins, china and chandeliers— those boats were floating mansions. In one room, she actually found a picture of some Stanton College students. What a rich resource. She must remember to thank Rebecca. She blushed when she realized she assumed they would meet again. Was she taking Gary’s attentions for granted?
She worked all afternoon, studying her books, letters, and notes, writing down ideas for scenes. Before she knew it, the clock read four thirty, time to get ready for her evening with Gary. The high temperature that day had been in the seventies, but she knew it would be quite a bit cooler outside after sunset. She chose a sweater and corduroys, and topped them with a matching knitted beret.
Downtown bustled with people. Police had blocked off Main Street to pedestrian traffic only. Gary led her down to the shops “I want you to see something.” He entered a small bookstore. “I don’t think this was open when you lived here before.”
“Turning Pages. What a unique name for a bookstore. I think they had just opened then.”
Inside, the manager came forward to greet them then froze. “It’s you. You’ve come for our open house. See, your books.” She pointed to a display of Meredith’s books and a blown-up publicity photo. “Look, everyone, it’s Meredith Long, bestselling author. Miss Long, could I get you to sign my personal copies of your books?”
Meredith looked at Gary, whose grin told her he enjoyed the scene. “Of course, I’d be happy to.”
Once she started, a steady line came, asking for her signature. She’d done many book signings before, but never during a date. Where had that thought originated? Her face warmed at her presumption. Was Gary watching her? She glanced up and saw him standing by the display, discussing her books with potential customers. He was pushing her books. Affection swept over Meredith, and for a minute, she forgot the woman waiting for her to sign. “Oh, I’m so sorry. How do you spell your name?”
The crowd kept up until seven. The owner came back up to Meredith, smiling. “Thank you so much. How wonderful. We sold more books tonight in one hour than I can remember. You’re welcome to come back anytime.”
Meredith shook hands with her and followed Gary out onto the sidewalk. “Did you know that would happen?”
“No, I had no idea, but I found it exciting. You’re probably used to book signings.”
“I’ve done several, but not impromptu like this. I think you sold quite a few books for the store.”
“I’m doing my part to keep you bestselling.” Gary laughed.
“Thanks. Every book counts.” The carolers’ singing drew her attention. They were close enough now to see the dark outline of a tall Christmas tree in the center of Main Street. As she watched, the lights suddenly came on to gasps, cheers, and applause. Meredith stared at the glowing tree. Christmas had become such a sad time for her the last few years that she had forgotten the wonder, but standing with Gary, her heart sang with the carolers, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.”
With the crowd dispersing, Gary and Meredith decided to walk down the street and admire the Christmas displays in shop windows and listen to the Christmas carols that continued up and down the street. Gary pointed to a quaint restaurant decked out in holly and pine ahead.
“Let’s eat there.”
“Cotton Alley Café?” Inside, Meredith stared in surprise. “I thought you said a hamburger place.”
“They have the best burgers in town.”
“It’s charming.” A Christmas tree glowed next to the intimate table where the waiter seated them. She could see a lower floor with more tables below them. “I thought I’d never be hungry again after that dinner yesterday, but I’m famished now. I’ll have the burger at your recommendation.”
When the waiter brought their food, she eyed the humongous beef patty on its sourdough bun. “I don’t know if I can finish all this alone.”
“A minute ago you said you were hungry.”
“I am.”
“You’ve put in an evening’s work.”
“Yes. That’s all just part of it. You might be surprised at how much goes into being an author besides the research and writing.”
“Do you mean like editing?”
“Yes, but also Facebook pages, blogs, websites, Twitter. All those take time to maintain, not to mention book signings, speaking engagements, and writers conferences.”
“I get the picture.”
“I’ve met very few writers who like all those things. Many are shy and would rather not meet people. I guess every job has aspects that aren’t fun.”
“Like grading papers.”
“You don’t like grading papers?”
“I don’t know any teacher who likes grading.” Gary studied her face, making her breath catch. “So what are your plans, next?”
“House tours tomorrow. I want to get that elusive idea for a third book. I don’t suppose there has to be a connection between the books other than Natchez, but if I found one, it would be nice.”
“I have an idea if you’re game.”
“What’s your idea?�
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“Brandon Hall only opens to the general public at spring pilgrimage and for the December open houses. What do you say to going up there with me tomorrow?”
Shouldn’t she tell him not to give her so much of his time? He must have other things he needed to do, but somehow she didn’t want to quit seeing him. “Sounds great. What time?”
“I’ll pick you up around ten.”
“Gary, I wish I could tell you how satisfying it’s been to tell you my ideas. I haven’t had that luxury. Before I came, I wanted to talk to someone one day, and I couldn’t think of anyone except God. Not that He isn’t enough, but human companionship is good. Thank you.”
“Hey, I’m enjoying this, too.”
“Do you remember how I told you that God made me come home for a reason? I think I see it, now. He knew I would read Mrs. Nutt’s letters, and that would help me find peace. I needed that peace to get beyond myself to reach out to others. I never realized before what a selfish sin insecurity is.”
“Once I was blind, but now I can see.”
“Exactly. When I finally see something like this, it makes me wonder what else I’m blind to.”
Gary didn’t say anything to this, but he looked away with a pensive expression. Was she missing something about him?
Chapter 8
The next day dawned humid and hot for late November. Meredith changed the Christmasy outfit she had picked out for cooler slacks and a short-sleeved shirt.
The drive up the Natchez Trace Parkway calmed her spirits as it always did. She watched for deer and saw several other creatures scuttling into the underbrush. The trees flaunted colorful leaves and a few bare branches. “So Brandon Hall connects directly to the Trace?”
“Yes, look at this.” He turned sharply off onto a dirt road that had steep banks on either side. “This is Old Trace.”
“Really. I knew some sections remained, but I hadn’t seen this stretch.”
Gary paused at the gate, which stood open for the rare open house. “When the Brandons built the house, travelers could see it from the Trace as they headed north. I think they got many visitors.”
The large multicolumned mansion stood on a hill above a pond and a parklike lawn. Soon they were following a hoop-skirted guide into the grand hall. She told them about the Brandon family, the many children who had died, and other tidbits that fascinated Meredith. “The oldest son, John, married Ella Stanton.”
“Is that Stanton as of Stanton Hall?” Meredith whispered to Gary.
“Yes.” His warm breath on her ear made her feel lightheaded.
“Did the John Brandons live here or at Stanton Hall?” asked Meredith when the guide called for questions.
“They lived here at Brandon Hall, even though many of the Stanton children continued to live with Mrs. Stanton after their marriages. John Brandon was the heir of Brandon Hall.”
Outside, after the tour, Gary took her hand, and they walked down to the pond, their feet crunching on the dried pecan leaves. “Would you like to sit on the chairs by the pond?”
“Sure.”
“You have an idea, don’t you?”
She looked out at the live oaks that bordered the pond. “I think so. John Brandon would have been courting Ella Stanton during the time between Mrs. Nutt’s story and Mary Galbraith’s. I think I can tie all those together. I’ll need to do more research.”
“Here. Take my library card. You may need it.”
“What if you need it?”
“I know where to find you.” His voice caressed her. She wanted to say, Please find me, but she kept that thought to herself.
Gary pointed to the sky. “Just as I thought. This heat brought in a storm. No doubt some cooler weather will come behind that.”
“I hope it isn’t too cold for the wedding to be outside.”
“Anything can happen this time of year. You know that.”
A raindrop hit Meredith on the cheek, and she jumped up, pulling Gary up the hill. They ducked into Gary’s car laughing, just beating the heavy rain. Gary took her back to the Roberts’s, where she immediately got to work on the proposal. She worked steadily the rest of that day and sent it on to Linda late that night.
Meredith hadn’t seen Gary since church on Sunday. She knew school kept him busy. With her proposals in and the Kansas novel finished, the time pressure eased for her. This chilly December Thursday, she tried to plot the first Natchez novel, but her mind drifted back to Gary—how he grinned at her when he said something witty, how he reached for her hand when they sat together, the look in his eyes when he talked to her. She stared at the computer screen, aware that she hadn’t typed anything for several minutes. What was wrong with her today?
She quit trying to work and lay on her bed staring at the ceiling, thinking about the last three weeks and how much had happened to her. “God, You’ve been faithful. I should have known that Your urging would bring something wonderful to my life. Learning to forgive is wonderful enough. Are You telling me that You brought me back to Natchez for Gary, to find not only healing but love?”
Hearing herself say the word love gave Meredith goose bumps. She hadn’t dared to think it. Now she knew. She loved Gary, not just with a schoolgirl crush, but with a committed love. She loved the way his hair waved away from his forehead, the way he helped her in and out of the car, the way he understood and listened to her. She loved him—the person that he was.
So what did she do now? How did a girl let a guy know she would say yes if he asked? And what would she do if he didn’t love her? Gary could have any girl in Natchez. He didn’t have to settle for someone who grew up in a trailer. No, she wouldn’t listen to her insecurities. She would trust God with her future.
Taking a deep breath, she went back to her computer and checked her e-mails. She had one from Bobbi Lee Cox. Strange, she’d never corresponded with her before. Bobbi invited her to a basketball game that evening at the school. Perhaps Bobbi Lee was offering her an olive branch at last.
Another e-mail from her agent said call ASAP. She picked up her cell phone and scrolled to Linda’s number. “Linda? It’s Meredith.”
“Hey, Meredith. You aren’t going to believe it, but the publishers have offered a contract.”
“On the Natchez trio? Already? It’s only been a few days.”
“It seems they had marathon meetings to get everything wrapped up before Christmas. Our proposal fit into a niche they needed to fill, and your track record cinched it.”
“How much?”
When Linda told her, Meredith squealed. “Wow, you’re a super agent, Linda.”
“I know. Hey, you’re my best client. I also negotiated the deadline to be May for the first draft. Can you make that?”
“I’m already plotting it.”
Meredith sat stunned after the call ended. A three-book contract with an advance that would more than pay living expenses—she had to tell Gary. If she went to that game tonight with Bobbi Lee, he might be there. He’d be excited for her. Maybe she should move to Natchez from Kansas. Her lease would expire next month anyway, and living here would make research easier. Who would have thought she’d be excited about living in Natchez? She knew the reason. It was Gary.
That evening as she entered the gymnasium, the bright lights dazzled her eyes. When they adjusted, she scanned the stands. She spotted Gary. Bobbi Lee sat beside him, and as she watched, Bobbi Lee put her hand on Gary’s knee, leaned over so the low-cut blouse she wore revealed even more, and whispered something in Gary’s ear.
Meredith turned on her heel and fled the gym, hoping no one had seen her come in. A sob caught in her throat as she reached her SUV. All she had begun to hope for lay in ruins. She had just gotten the key in the door when she heard him.
“Meredith, wait.” Gary sprinted toward her.
“Yes?” She turned her head so he wouldn’t see the tears on her cheeks.
“I need to talk to you.” His voice sounded breathless. “Please, can’t we talk?�
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“I should go. I can’t…” Her words caught in her throat.
“Please, go with me to get something hot to drink. There’s a coffee shop nearby.”
“Don’t you have a date with Bobbi Lee?”
“A date?”
His surprise confused Meredith. Hadn’t she just seen them acting like a couple?
“We were discussing plans for the school Christmas bazaar.”
“During a basketball game?” Meredith couldn’t keep the skepticism out of her voice.
“You’re right. It doesn’t make sense.” His frustration came through. “If you go with me for coffee, I’ll explain.”
Meredith hesitated, her hand on the door handle. She looked in his eyes. Even in the streetlight, she could see his anguish. “All right.”
“My car’s over here.” He locked her door for her and took her by the hand. “Your hands are cold.”
The warmth of his hand seeped into hers, just as the knowledge that he had left Bobbi Lee for her warmed her heart.
In the downtown coffee shop, a smattering of customers stood around. He led her to an out-of-the-way table. “What would you like?”
“Hot chocolate?”
“I’ll be right back.” He returned with her hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream, and a coffee for himself.
As they sipped their hot drinks, Meredith looked right at him. “So you’re telling me that you and Bobbi Lee are not dating?”
“No. She keeps creating these reasons to corner me, like setting me up to say the blessing at that shower or following us around at Stanton Hall. Tonight she said we needed to work on bazaar plans at the ball game.”
“You looked pretty cozy when I looked in the gym.”
“She didn’t act that way until you got there. I can imagine what that looked like to you.”
“You know, it was Bobbi Lee who mentioned the ball game and suggested I come to it.” Was there a pattern here she hadn’t seen before. “You don’t think—”
“That she planned this to drive us apart? That’s certainly possible.”
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