My Heart Belongs in the Shenandoah Valley

by Andrea Boeshaar

  Mac felt like a heartless blackguard. He lifted a rock outside the campfire site. He worked it in his palm before hurling it toward one of the new fence posts.

  Blast it all! His behavior was despicable. He shunned Lily but gratefully accepted the meals Mrs. Gunther sent over with Blake. He put Jonah and Jed to work whenever they traipsed across the meadow and asked to help. No wonder Lily felt grieved. Were she one of his sisters, he would deal severely with the rogue who hurt her.

  And he was that man.

  Mac clenched his jaw and hunkered down. He lifted a long stick and poked the campfire. The sound of coffee rolling in the metal pot joined with the cacophony of birdsong overhead. But Lily’s voice played louder in his mind. As he toiled today he would no doubt hear her sweet laughter and her call for her brothers. He might take a break and walk through his orchards just to get a glimpse of her hanging clothes on the line or weeding one of her gardens.

  Another piece of Mac’s inner fortress crumbled while he watched the smoky flames inch higher, higher, as if daring him to be honest with the Creator of fire, the heavens, and earth, the sea and every living thing in it. He recalled such a Bible verse, one of many he’d been forced to recite from memory during his boyhood.

  Mac tossed the stick into the fire and stood. He was no fool. He knew he’d never take on the Almighty and win. Once more, he lifted his gaze to the vastness above. The flaming orb rising in the east made him squint. “All right, maybe I do care, just a little.”

  Lily heard Mr. Everett’s approaching carriage and glanced up from where she sat beneath the shade of the house. There was no other sound like it—fat, wooden wheels grinding slowly into the rock, sand, and dirt that made up the pike. No other families’ buggies or wagons made similar sounds, other than, perhaps, the horses’ hooves that pounded the earth and an occasional whinny.

  Rising from the wooden bench, Lily hugged the bowl full of fresh peas she’d shelled and hurried into the kitchen. As she set her burden on the kitchen table, the smell of baking bread assailed her senses. Her stomach protested its emptiness. Since eating a substantial and leisurely breakfast this morning, they’d skipped lunch, making the promise of suppertime all the sweeter.

  “I believe Mr. Everett is here,” Lily called to her aunt.

  Aunt Hilda grunted, but didn’t look up from her work table where she prepared venison chops, courtesy of James Hawkins. He’d shot a buck and shared the meat with them. Soon a portion of the chops would be sizzling in an iron skillet over open flames.

  Lily strode through the house and met Mr. Everett outside the front door.

  “Good afternoon, my dear.” He sounded friendly enough, even after the incident four days ago. He’d stayed away all that time, leaving Lily to fret about what he might be up to next.

  “I suppose you have come to evict us from our home.” She folded her arms.

  Mr. Everett smiled. “Now, Lily. We had a bit of a tiff, but I rose above it.” He arched a brow and leaned toward her. “Certainly you have also.”

  “That depends on what you’ve got in mind for my family and me.”

  “Ah, then we must talk.” He handed his walking stick and top hat to her.

  Lily almost accepted them when she glimpsed Mac standing at the edge of the orchard. He carried an axe on one broad shoulder, and he seemed rooted in place, watching them with a dark expression. His gauzy shirt was unbuttoned and fell open halfway down his chest, revealing a sheath of ebony hair that matched his thick beard. Lily smiled. He resembled a black bear. Here’s hoping a neighbor didn’t mistake him for one.

  “Lily.”

  The exasperation in Mr. Everett’s voice carried her back to the present. A good thing Mr. Everett’s back was to Mac. If he’d seen her response to her neighbor, he’d surely reprimand her for gawking, and another argument would ensue.

  Why, oh why, did Mr. Everett press her on trivial matters? Hadn’t her family suffered enough this past year? Lily felt like she walked on thin ice and was about to break through and drown. She couldn’t manage any more than that which stood before her now.

  “Mr. Everett”—Lily lifted her chin, hoping she appeared braver than she felt—“I am not your servant or the housekeeper. If you will recall, you dismissed Mrs. Cruthers this past spring and hired her at your inn.”

  Mr. Everett expelled an impatient sigh. “I see you plan to be stubborn.”

  “Not stubborn, sir. I’m merely behaving the way my father raised me.”

  “I see.” His lips wiggled as though he held back a smile or, worse, a laugh—at her. “Let’s go inside, shall we? There is much to discuss.”

  He politely indicated the doorway and Lily entered the house ahead of him. A warm breeze ushered her in, circling her ankles and cooling her temper. Reaching the central passageway, she spun around to face her guest who had a habit of making himself at home. As was his custom, he placed his walking stick in the umbrella stand and hung up his hat on the ornately carved mahogany hall tree. Peering at himself in the mirror, he licked his palms before smoothing down his severely parted hair. Then he shrugged out of his frockcoat.

  “It’s unusually hot for the fifth of September, is it not?”

  “I don’t think so.” Lily loved the summer weather. Often it lasted until well into October.

  “Let’s sit in the parlor, shall we?” Mr. Everett made his way there before Lily could reply.

  She reluctantly followed him into the room. Of late she’d become bored with the bold teal color on the walls and the deeper green of the painted woodwork. She dreamed of a brighter rose-printed paper, a chair rail, and a berry color paint beneath it. Of course it would appear quite feminine, and if Mr. Everett really owned the house …

  Lily closed her eyes as the same question coiled around in her mind like the vipers she feared so terribly. How could Papa gamble away their home? It simply didn’t make sense. If he’d wanted to bet, why hadn’t he used the coinage that Mr. Blake found?

  “I’ve done some thinking the last few days,” Mr. Everett began in a nasally tone.

  “Oh?” Lily dropped into a nearby chair and folded her hands. “I presume you’ve arrived at some decision.”

  “Indeed.” Smiling, he sat on the settee and crossed his legs. “It’s more important than ever that I make my business trip. Therefore, I have decided to take your brothers along.”

  “No.” Lily pressed her lips together for a moment, deciding her reply had come out much too harshly. “You see, I convinced Mrs. Kasper to let them back into her classroom, and school will begin soon.”

  “This experience will teach them far better than any classroom.”

  “That might be true, but I … I need them.” Truth to tell, she didn’t trust Everett.

  “Why?”

  Lily swallowed hard. “To help with chores. Why, my shoulders will ache from carrying the laundry basket up and down the steps. Aunt Hilda washes our clothes, but I hang them. When they’re dry, it’s up to Jed to take the garments off the line and carry the basket upstairs again.” A deep sigh escaped her. “Unfortunately for me, he ran off with Jonah today to help Captain Albright, forcing me to lug that wicker monstrosity up the steps and my shoulders really do hurt.”

  “Bah!” Brittleness flattened his tone. “You must accept the fact that laundry is women’s work, and you have proved my point. Your brothers need a father figure.”

  “You, I suppose.” The sarcasm tasted sour on her tongue and she struggled for self-control. Closing her eyes, she pretended that Papa was in the room. What would he say to Mr. Everett’s offer?

  Dismay weighed heavy on her heart. She knew the answer. Papa would allow the boys to go.

  Lily flicked a surrendered gaze at Mr. Everett. “Perhaps you make a good point, sir.”

  “Ah, I knew you’d come around and see reason.”

  “I know the boys will be excited to go with you, especially if your offer of showing them tall ships in Alexandria’s harbor still stands.”

>   “Of course.” Mr. Everett leaned forward. “I hope to persuade a captain to allow the boys a firsthand look at a ship.”

  “My brothers will be very happy.” This defeat weighed heavily on Lily’s shoulders. However, if she didn’t allow this trip, Jonah’s fascination with the seafaring trade would escalate all the more and she’d never get him to settle down and do schoolwork. “When will you leave?”

  “On Monday morning, providing the stage is on time.”

  Lily dipped her chin and studied the block design on the Persian carpet beneath her feet.

  “I believe Mr. Blake is leaving the same day.”

  Again, Lily only nodded. How sad to see the man go. He had brightened their sad, ordinary existence with his exciting tales of ships, pirates, and battles at sea. With each story, Lily imagined Mac in command, his face to the wind.

  “Lily, did you hear what I said?”

  She blinked. “Pardon me, I did not.” She touched her forehead. “I have so much on my mind of late.” Too much of Mac on her mind to be sure!

  “We’ll be gone for a month, unless the stage will make an additional stop in Middletown. That’s my goal, you see, to convince more investors like Captain Albright to settle here. We’ll get more frequent stops in town—”

  And more customers at the Stony Inn.

  “—which, in turn, will bring mail regularly and more business to our sleepy little town.”

  “I wish you much success,” she said, not truly understanding how more people, more businesses, and more traffic would benefit Middletown.

  “In any case, I accept your apology for your appalling behavior last week.”

  Lily couldn’t recall apologizing, but she supposed she’d been quarrelsome and unappreciative. As arrogant as he could be, Mr. Everett had seen to her and her family’s needs since Papa died. Lily knew things could be so much worse.

  “I’m glad you see things my way.” Mr. Everett lazed back on the settee. “I shall make the announcement at supper tonight.”

  When Lily spotted five sun-bronzed Indian men walking down the pike in their buckskin trousers and linen shirts of various styles, she stood and excused herself from the dining room table.

  “Where are you going?” Mr. Everett’s question resembled an accusation. “Sit down at once.”

  “Forgive me, sir, but I must tend to an urgent matter.”

  She hurried from the room despite Mr. Everett’s calls for her to return. This was the escape she’d prayed for.

  The insidious oaf! With her family around the supper table, Mr. Everett had informed the boys of their trip and, as Lily anticipated, they cheered. But then Mr. Everett began a long, rambling account of why the Bible stated that it was not good for man to be alone. Lily’s mouth had gone dry and tiny prickles of fear shimmied up her spine. She guessed a marriage proposal was forthcoming—a very public marriage proposal!

  Dread weighed her movements as she fled the house. Mr. Everett knew that out of politeness she wouldn’t refuse him with her family present. As his discourse droned on, Lily predicted she would not get the chance to refuse him at all if he took his leave after their meal. He’d surely tell everyone in Middletown of their impending wedding and then Lily would be forced into a union she didn’t want. In fact, just a few minutes ago, the very idea tempted her stomach to empty its contents of Aunt Hilda’s shepherd’s pie.

  But then she’d spotted Shona and his tribesmen.

  Jogging toward them, her feet lightly touching the walkway, Lily waved to get the men’s attention.

  They came to a halt when they saw her, and Shona gave her a wide, toothy grin.

  “Miss Lily.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “It is good to see you.” His features fell. “But I was sorry to hear about your father’s untimely passing.”

  Lily could only nod. Papa’s absence still didn’t seem real.

  “How is your family faring?” His hands fell to his sides.

  “We’re managing. Mr. Silas Everett was named Papa’s executor and our guardian.”

  “I’m sorry for you.” Shona’s concerned frown became a scowl. “He is not a friend to the Indian.”

  “I imagine he’s not, sir.” She entwined her fingers and worked her hands together. With Jonah and Jed going away, she desperately needed help bringing in the harvest. “Mr. Everett sold some of our prime acreage, and now we have a neighbor, Captain Albright.” She inclined her head toward the creek and to where the uppermost part of Mac’s new barn could be seen from the road. “He’s given us three-quarters of the harvest this year, despite the fact he now owns the grain fields and the fruit orchards.” Lily sent up another silent plea to her heavenly Father. “Will you help me bring it in?”

  “Not for a couple of weeks, but then …” He glanced at his tribesmen, who seemed agreeable. “We will return in a fortnight.”

  It was better than nothing and, if the weather held, the crops would stay. Meanwhile, she would do what she could with Aunt Hilda’s help.

  “Lily, come away from those savages at once!” Mr. Everett’s shrill demand made her cringe.

  “Your guardian may not approve of us bringing in your harvest,” Shona remarked, his dark eyes assessing Mr. Everett’s glower.

  “It’s not up to him. The arrangement was made between Mac and me—that is, Captain Albright and me.”

  “Is that so?” Shona tipped his head and his long black hair fell against his cheek. A curious glimmer entered his gaze.

  Lily’s face began to flame, and it wasn’t from the evening sunshine. “We are neighbors, that’s all. We’re not even friends.”

  “Your neighbor puts color in your cheeks and a sparkle in your eyes.” Shona and his men chuckled.

  Embarrassed now more than ever, Lily strode toward the front steps. “I can expect you in two weeks, then?”

  Shona gave a nod before sending a dark glare Mr. Everett’s way. Moments later, the men continued their trek down the pike. Lily waved and watched them go.

  “Lily, come here or I will come and fetch you myself!”

  She clenched her fists at her sides and churned out a groan. One of the last native men passing by sent her a sympathetic glance.

  It was then that Lily caught sight of Mac, leading his team of mules through the swath of orchard that he and Mr. Blake had been clearing on the far side of the creek. He’d need it to get to and from his barnyard, not to mention the drive his guests required as they drove their wagons to his upcoming party. He sent a sharp look toward Everett that seemed to slice through the remaining orchard on the edge of his property. Then his gaze fell on her. She lifted her hand in a tentative greeting. She didn’t expect a reply.

  He doffed his straw hat and surprised her.

  “Lily!” Again Mr. Everett’s voice commanded her attention.

  “I’m coming.” But she didn’t care what he had to say—or who was present when he said it—she refused to marry the man!

  Which meant somehow, some way, she and her family would need to survive on Papa’s coins that were hidden away upstairs.

  But how?

  Sunshine burned into Mac’s bare back, and perspiration trickled down the side of his face and his neck. After hoisting another log into place, he stepped back to admire his and Blake’s work. The cabin was coming along faster than he expected.

  Blake sidled up beside him. “Lookin’ good, Cap’n.”

  Mac smiled, pleased. “I’d say we’ve got the knack of constructing barns and cabins, old man.”

  “Not much diff’rent than rebuildin’ a ship after a good battering.” Blake shook his head, and his graying hair fell across his shoulders. He gathered it and tied in back into a queue. “But I never thought I’d see the day when I built a cabin.” He let go of a sigh. “Sure is a lot of work, but I’m not ascared of physical labor.”

  “I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without you.” Mac rapped his loyal friend between the shoulder blades.

  “What will you do when I
’m gone, Cap’n? The stage is expected to leave in three days.”

  “I’ll manage.” Disappointment coiled around Mac’s insides. He’d grown accustomed to having Blake around. He was a good man to share ideas with and he always gave an honest reply. “At least I have shelter for the winter and an impressive barn for my animals come spring.”

  “I’m leavin’ you in good shape then.” Blake yawned and stretched. “But now methinks it’s time for a nap.”

  Mac checked his timepiece. “It’s only two o’clock.”

  “I know, but I’m tired.”

  Mac waved him off, and Blake headed toward the barn. Blake had said he enjoyed the woodsy smell of hand-hewn beams and planks.

  Well, let him rest. They’d worked hard this morning. In truth, Mac could use some reprieve too.

  Shirtless, he started toward the creek, intending to wash the sweat and grime off his body, when Lily pushed her way out of the brush. They stood only a few feet from each other, and Mac grinned inwardly as her flushed cheeks turned to crimson.

  “As you can see, I was not expecting company.” He couldn’t keep the sarcasm from his tone.

  “I’m here on official business.” She cut her gaze away, but not before she’d given Mac an appraising glance. Did she like what she saw? Was she repulsed? “If you’ll please don a shirt, Captain, I’ll say my piece and be gone.”

  “Very well.”

  His mood was a mix of sweet and sour as he strode across the barnyard to where he’d slung his linen shirt across a fence rail. Official business … What was that girl up to now?

  As he pulled the cotton garment over his sweating torso, he spied Lily watching him. She quickly averted her gaze, turning her attention instead to his two corralled mules. But not before he’d glimpsed the interest shining in her eyes.

  Buttoning his shirt, Mac chuckled to himself. It wasn’t the first time he’d noticed a woman’s attraction to him, but with this particular woman it meant the world to him.