Return to Seven Sisters

by M. L. Bullock

  Before I could suggest that we leave, Austin continued, “That’s not all, guys. I saw Christine Cottonwood. I know it was her because I’ve seen her before.” Neither one of us asked how. It was clear he remembered her, possibly from another life. “She’s trying to prevent a tragedy, but it’s not clear who’s in danger or from what. I know that doesn’t help much.”

  “Lafonda saw her repeatedly, from her first day at Seven Sisters. She saw Christine, heard her. It frightened her. I know for a fact that tragedy occurred in the Delarosa family…Jonatan died in an accident. But they’re in the past. They’re all dead now. Why would Christine still be here? We can’t do anything to prevent that, can we?” I tapped my lip thoughtfully.

  “Someone else is in danger, not just Lafonda. She’s warning the two of you.”

  I sat up straight—I was on pins and needles now. “You mean Christine’s warning wasn’t for Lafonda but for us?”

  “I think it’s more like she’s warning Lafonda and you, Carrie Jo. Or maybe Ashland. You are related to Christine, aren’t you, Ashland? That might be the reason for such a strong tie with you.”

  “But she’s not related to Lafonda, and she’s appearing to her in my dreams.”

  “I don’t have all the answers, I’m sorry to say. And speaking from experience, just when you think you have the spiritual world figured out, it changes on you. I’m merely suggesting that might be the case. What do you think?” he asked my husband.

  I’m going to die, Carrie Jo.

  Ashland shrugged his big shoulders as if he had nothing else to add. The doorbell rang, and I rose from the awkward silence. “I’ll get that. It’s probably Rachel.” I was numb as I walked away. Christine’s warning to Lafonda didn’t help her; seeing the dead woman nearly scared her to death, but me…I wasn’t afraid of Christine. She’d never harm a fly. Never. Max, on the other hand, I had serious concerns about. Lost in thought, I opened the massive front door and was surprised to find Bree standing on the front porch.

  “Hi, Bree!” I glanced around and didn’t see Rachel. I couldn’t hide my disappointment. “No Rachel, huh?”

  “Nope. Sorry, Carrie Jo. She asked if I would come by and get her stuff. Frankly, I’m glad you’re here. I really want to talk to you about her. I don’t know what to do with…” I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see a grim-looking Ashland. Austin stood behind him, and I couldn’t even begin to describe his expression. The two must have had another one of their less-than-friendly exchanges. Was their “friendship” doomed to fail? No, that wasn’t it.

  Ashland picked up Rachel’s box, but Austin wasn’t moving. He looked like someone had drained all the blood out of him. He blinked and asked in a whisper, “Am I dreaming?”

  “Um, no.” And that’s the lamest pick-up line I’ve ever heard, I thought, but then I realized he was asking me if he was dream walking. “Austin, let me introduce you to Bree Kowalski. She’s Rachel’s mother and Jan’s daughter. You met Jan before. Please come in, Bree, and pardon Austin. He seems to have lost his manners.”

  “I’ll go put this in your car, Bree,” Ashland muttered before leaving with the box in hand.

  “Thanks,” she said without so much as looking at him. Whatever enchantment was happening, it was mutual. I closed the door behind her, still unsure what the heck was happening with these two. “Um, Bree, this is Austin Simmons.”

  The two stepped closer, and neither one of them offered a hand to shake or said a word to me. “Bree, I am very happy you came by.”

  In a dreamy voice she responded, “Yeah, me too…Austin. I know you, don’t I? Have we met before?”

  “I think so,” Austin said confidently. Suddenly the truth hit me like a ton of bricks. Austin had finally found the one he’d been looking for his entire life.

  David finally found Calpurnia! That meant Bree was… My mind raced with the possibilities. Bree was Calpurnia Cottonwood! And that meant Austin—I mean, David—now had the chance to make it right. Or at least try to make it right.

  But what would he do this time? Could he make up for the heartache he’d caused them both? Just when you think you have the spiritual world figured out, it changes on you. He had no idea how true his words were.

  Ashland popped back inside and was surprised to find us all standing there, those two locked in a trance. “I think we have somewhere to be, Ash,” I whispered in his ear.

  “Why? That’s kind of rude, isn’t it? And I have a ton of questions for him.”

  “No questions right now. Let it be, Ash. Let’s go home. We’ve got a lot to do before tonight. Not the least of which is pick up our son.”

  We walked back to the front door, and I politely interrupted the reunion. “I hate to cut in, but Ash and I have to go. Bree, the box is in your car. Austin, you have the security code, don’t you? Can you lock up? We’ll be back at eight tonight.”

  “Sure,” he said, his voice quiet. He glanced at me nervously.

  “You’ve got this.” We excused ourselves as they began an awkward conversation.

  As we closed the door behind us, Ashland finally said, “Oh…” and realization came over his face.

  I answered him, “‘Oh’ is right. Imagine—David and Calpurnia together again. I hope he realizes how lucky he is to have this opportunity.”

  “What could he possibly say that would make her want to trust him? Or forgive him?”

  I frowned at him but didn’t argue. I didn’t know how that would go over either, or if Bree would believe Austin. Talk about wishing you could be a fly on the wall. That was going to be one long conversation. And they’d met again at Seven Sisters! That had to be significant somehow.

  Tonight was going to be something special. I was going to wear that dress. Ashland wasn’t going to talk me out of it, not that he tried to. He was really in a bad state right now.

  Now all I had to do was manage to get in a nap. With Christine trying to warn us and Max threatening Ashland, I had to see for myself what was going on.

  And if I could step into the dream world without involving Ashland, so much the better.

  Chapter Twelve—Lafonda

  True to her word, Memphis Overstreet paid me a visit the following week. At the beginning of our uneasy exchange, I suspected she wanted to break right to her question, but good manners dictated otherwise. Clearly, she was interested in Jonatan, and the feeling was obviously mutual. During our visit, he stumbled into the ladies’ parlor at least three times and had an awkward question ready each time. For example, he wanted to know where I’d mislaid the Butterfly Compendium or where Mama left his silver cuff links, as if he’d have a need for silver cuff links at ten in the morning. I was certain he hoped I would invite him to join us. I wasn’t going to do that. Why encourage him? As soon as Memphis knew about his…disability, she would shun him. I was saving him from himself.

  “Jonatan, if you don’t mind, Memphis and I would like some privacy,” I gently scolded him with a patient smile on my face. I hoped he would obey me without an argument.

  Memphis interrupted with her unusually bright smile. She touched my hand as if we were the best of friends. “Nonsense, Lafonda. I would love to hear more about Jonatan’s obsession with butterflies. I meant to compliment you, sir, on your lovely rose garden. It’s like heaven on earth! It is far superior to ours. Maybe you and your sister could visit us at Beulah soon. We surely have some interesting specimens that might tempt you. We’re north of here but not so far away, I think.” Memphis’ attempts at flirting were terrible, almost as terrible as mine, but Jonatan grinned proudly.

  “I don’t really grow things. That is Lafonda. I just like catching the butterflies.”

  “I don’t believe that for a minute. I am sure you could coax life out of anything, Jonatan. Maybe you have a tip or two for me. My anastasias can’t seem to get going this year. Is the heat too much for them, do you think?” Her smile was completely for Jonatan.

  He didn’t answer right away but looked at me
expectantly. “We don’t really have any of those, do we?” I helped him along in the conversation, hoping she wouldn’t notice the pause in his response.

  “I don’t think so,” Jonatan said sadly. “But I’d still love to visit Beulah. Wouldn’t you, sister?”

  I flinched at the question. This was quickly threatening to become a disastrous proposition—I was sure of it. I felt my stomach quiver like a bowl of sour pudding. “Whatever Mama says, Jonatan,” I said sweetly.

  “I shall go ask her now.” Jonatan bowed politely and bestowed on us one of his many practiced goodbyes. “Although it will hurt my heart to do so, I leave you in peace.” With another slight bow he backed away, giving Memphis one last smile. She wasn’t immune to his less than modest overtures.

  Yes, he was the picture of beauty and gentility, but poor Memphis didn’t have the good sense to see who he really was, a simple soul who wanted nothing more than to chase butterflies and please all those around him.

  And where was Max?

  I rose from the bench and began to walk around the garden; I was sure she would follow me, and she did.

  I walked along with her for a while, my hat in my hands. I examined the wild rose vines that ran along the fence and watched bluebirds fly overhead. It would have been the perfect day to search for the elusive black and blue swallowtail butterfly.

  I heard Memphis sigh, and her shoes crunched on the gravel as she walked beside me. “I must know why you do not approve of me, Lafonda. Clearly, your brother does. Is it something I’ve said or something I’ve done? I feel as if from the day we met, you’ve never liked me.”

  “I’m sorry you feel that way, Memphis.” I put my hat on my head hoping to avoid her questioning face. I tied the ribbon under my chin and started to walk further down the garden path, maybe collect some flowers for the ladies’ parlor, but Memphis wasn’t having any of that. She intercepted me and stood in my way. She wasn’t going to be deterred from this line of questioning. I suppose I’d have to answer her, then.

  “Memphis, I know it’s my brother’s affections you desire, not mine. Why include me in your scheme? Surely you can manage to secure a friendship with him without my help.”

  “Scheme? Are you so unfamiliar with friendship that you don’t recognize it when it reaches out to you? If so, I feel sorry for you, Lafonda.”

  “I don’t want your sympathy, Memphis, and I never asked for your friendship. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

  She grabbed my elbow, and I looked down at her hand and then at her determined face. She quickly released me, but I didn’t run away. She said softly, “I hoped to secure your friendship. It was in my heart to do so, but you clearly have other intentions. If the idea of friendship with me offends you, I trust you will not stop me from pursuing a friendship with your brother. For I am sure he and I could be great friends.”

  “Memphis, I cannot speak for my brother. He makes his own decisions,” I lied with narrowed eyes.

  “I know that is not true, for he cares a great deal about what you think. Why do you not approve of me? Your mother has visited Beulah several times, yet I have never seen you there. And you must know now that there is talk of my marriage to your brother. I cannot for the life of me understand why you would object. The Overstreet name is a reputable one. My father is a good man with generations of honest men behind him. That’s a bit more than I know about your own family, yet we are willing to overlook any questions about your family’s pedigree.”

  “Pedigree? I find it humorous that you want to marry my brother, and yes, I knew you were interested in him from the beginning. You made no secret of it. But the irony is that you want to marry a Delarosa yet have nothing but disdain for me, also a Delarosa. You must know that the same blood runs through my veins as through Jonatan’s. And what will you do when you have children with a man from such a questionable pedigree, Memphis Overstreet?”

  “You twist my words, Lafonda! I’m angry because you do not approve of me and I want to know why. Give me a reason, for I know you think I’m not worthy of your brother.” Memphis surely was angry now. Her nostrils flared, her normally pale cheeks were bright red, her brow was raised high and her voice rose as well. She was usually the picture of control, but today that control was nowhere to be found. I felt sorry for her. That was a mistake, but I felt it anyway.

  “Memphis, this isn’t about you. It’s about what’s best for Jonatan.”

  Memphis clenched her fists. Would she dare strike me? She was behaving like a spoiled child. “I will not stay here one more minute with you, Lafonda Delarosa! I’ve given you the benefit of the doubt. I’ve tried to make amends with you just as my mother recommended, but no longer. How dare you judge me or think I’m not good enough for your brother! I’m an honorable woman and have never given anyone the slightest reason to question my character. And here you are taking up with your brother’s companion and even common dockworkers and nothing is to be done about it. Well, we’ll see about that, Lafonda. I won’t allow you to sully Jonatan’s name, and I will be his wife!”

  “What?” I laughed aloud, completely shocked by the accusation and her promise to marry my brother, despite what I said. “You don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. I suggest you run back to your mother now. I’d hate for your reputation to get sullied because of me.”

  “I am not the one who should be questioning anyone’s motives. Perhaps you should mind your own self and leave your brother’s happiness to me.”

  “How dare you speak to me like this, Memphis! You don’t know anything about me.” I had nothing else to say to her. I left her standing there and hoped I never saw her plain face again. But she spoke one more time.

  “I warn you, Lafonda Delarosa. Don’t come between Jonatan and me. He will be my husband whether you like it or not. If you delve too deeply into my affairs, you will find yourself in a very bad position. Very bad indeed.”

  I toyed with the idea of launching myself at her, but with perfect timing, Mama and Anne Overstreet walked down the path toward us. They were busy chatting until they came upon us, and then they both grew silent. The tension between Memphis and me was palpable. Casting Mama and her companion a miserable look, I ran past them and ignored Mama’s calls to stop. I heard her questioning voice and Memphis’ sweet answer.

  “She felt sick suddenly. I don’t know what happened to her.”

  Then the voices dropped and I sprinted inside Seven Sisters and up the stairs. If it hadn’t been so hot out I would’ve gone for a walk in the opposite direction, but it was too humid and I felt completely miserable now. I was sobbing with anger; hot tears streamed down my face. How could she know anything about me? Was my friendship with Brian everyone’s business now? I hadn’t seen him in a week, and now she was openly mocking me, believing that I was no better than the town trollop. Tossing my hat to the ground, I flung myself on my bed and cried myself to sleep. Half an hour later, I heard tapping on my door. It was Mama.

  “Lafonda? Are you still sick, dear?”

  “That girl makes me sick. I want to be alone.”

  Mama flinched at my words but didn’t correct me. Instead, she smoothed my hair and purred, “Perhaps you should take a longer nap. You’ll feel better when you do. I will see you at dinner.”

  “Are the Overstreets going to be there?” I asked as I flung my hair over my shoulder.

  “Yes, and your brother wants to join us and your father. It’s important that you…”

  Feeling sullen, I pushed myself up on the pillow and faced her bravely. My eyes felt swollen, and I was thirsty now. “I want no part in this, Mama. Memphis Overstreet will do nothing but break Jonatan’s heart! Nothing good will come of this. Why can’t you and Papa see that?”

  To my utter surprise, Mama struck me with so ferocious a slap I tasted blood in my mouth. I froze, clutching my jaw. I gasped as I struggled with the shock. She’d never hit me in the face before, and I could barely remember the last time she spanked me. She rose from the b
ed, jutting out her slightly pointed chin, her garnet earrings swinging as she did. Lifting her long skirts, she walked back to the doorway and turned to me. “You will dress for dinner, Lafonda, and you will be polite and friendly. You will not ruin your brother’s good name or interfere in matters that do not concern you.”

  “Mama, you don’t understand.” I flopped back on my pillow and clutched my face. She didn’t answer but closed the door behind her. I resisted the urge to scream at her and cry my soul away. Eventually I teetered on the edge of heartbroken sleep. And then as I hovered there, in that place between asleep and awake, I heard the voice. Her voice, the voice of Christine Cottonwood. At first, I heard her speak in furious whispers, and then came those horrible sobs.

  Leave here… Now…

  I felt cold hands grasp my wrists, as if she were going to snatch me out of the bed. I shook myself awake and a scream escaped my lips. A shadowy mist hovered over me and then vanished as I came fully awake. There was no one in the room except me, and only the briefest scent of roses lingered in the air. I shoved myself up against the lace-covered pillows and panted for breath.

  I had fallen asleep and dreamed of Christine. But why? Why was this happening? Was it a sign? Should I leave Seven Sisters? My heart told me yes, I should flee, but like the dutiful daughter and sister that I was, I did what was expected of me.

  I changed my dress, tidied my hair and went downstairs to dinner.

  Chapter Thirteen—Carrie Jo

  Austin didn’t answer my phone calls, but I didn’t let that deter me. I couldn’t stop thinking about Ashland’s heartbreaking words. I’m going to die, Carrie Jo. I was going to Seven Sisters with that dress if I had to go alone, and I was going to find Christine—or try to. I agreed with Austin’s theory that Christine was trying to warn us about something.

  We were scheduled to meet at the house at eight, but Ashland wasn’t feeling well. He’d fallen asleep shortly after we got home, then woke up once for supper and went back to bed. At least he wasn’t in agonizing pain while he was asleep.