The Dixie Widow

by Gilbert, Morris

  “Come in!” he said. “I’m about ready to get out of this bed—and I can’t stand being partly shaved! I feel like half a man.”

  “You’re staying in that bed until Dr. Stevens gives you permission,” she admonished. “I’ll finish shaving you, though. You do look silly!”

  She got hot water, lathered his face, and picked up the razor. She began moving it down his cheeks with a steady hand. She had learned to shave men at Chimborazo, and thought little of it, but her presence was disturbing to Davis.

  His pulse raced at Belle’s nearness, and he watched her violet-hued eyes follow the strokes of the razor. Her smooth, creamy skin and lovely lips were enticing. He could smell the faint odor of lavender, and he was acutely conscious of her hands on his face.

  She was startled when he reached up and took her wrist. “Be careful!” she exclaimed. “You’ll make me cut you!” She looked into his eyes. Her lips parted with surprise and her eyes widened at his expression. “Davis . . . don’t,” she faltered, and tried to pull her hand away.

  “Belle, I can’t go on like this,” he said, tightening his grip. “You’re so beautiful—and I love you so much!”

  Her heart leaped and her face flushed, but she shook her head. “You’ve got to forget me.”

  “No. I can’t ever do that, Belle. Winslow men don’t forget the women they love. When I’m an old man, I’ll still think of you—just as you are now. But if you don’t love me, then I must leave. You don’t know what it’s like—loving someone and not being able to have that love returned!” He paused and the silence seemed almost palpable. He broke it by saying, “Belle, if you can’t love me—tell me so!”

  Belle sat motionless, feeling weak and confused. There was a pleading in his warm brown eyes she couldn’t deny. For weeks she had struggled with her feelings for him, and now she felt her defenses crumble.

  “I—I do love you, Davis, but . . .”

  He put his arm around her and drew her to him. She dropped the razor and with a sob threw her arms around him. He held her tenderly until she grew still. But when she pulled back, her eyes wide with wonder, he murmured, “You’re going to marry me, Belle—no arguments. I know I’m about to be kicked out of a church, and my parents have wrong feelings—and twenty other reasons why we shouldn’t—but there are two reasons why we should. First, God is in it. I’m still old-fashioned enough to believe that He’s got His hand on us.”

  She picked up the towel and wiped his face, then hers, smiling through her tears. “And the second?”

  “This!” he grinned. He pulled her close and kissed her softly—thoroughly. It sent a spasm of pain through his wounded side—and a quiver of joy through her heart.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  THE WEDDING SUPPER

  The engagement of Davis Winslow to Belle Wickham made a profound impact on Richmond. When Davis first announced it in his pulpit, the church members gasped in unbelief. But as they left the church, they burst into uncontrollable chatter.

  The headlines of the Richmond papers screamed: DIXIE WIDOW TO MARRY YANKEE OFFICER! Other newspapers in the South picked it up—killing any desire Davis and Belle had for a quiet wedding.

  Belle was reduced to tears, but the captain brought great comfort. “Let ’em carry on all they please, Belle,” he said, finding her weeping one morning. He put his arms around her, and when her sobs subsided, gave her his large handkerchief and chuckled. “I know it’s a pain, but it’ll pass. After all you’ve gone through, what does a little gossip mean? You’ve got the Lord, you’ve got Davis, and you’ve even won Robert and Jewel over—and that’s a miracle!”

  Belle knew it was true. She had not known how Davis had shared with his parents the story of his time in Chimborazo. But they had listened, and taken time to get to know Belle. She had been shy at first, but both Jewel and Robert had made a special effort, and it wasn’t long before Belle’s courage and her sweet spirit won their hearts.

  In fact, Robert and Jewel had become warm friends with Sky and Rebekah, and the entire family had accepted them without reservation. They had put off their return to Washington in order to attend the wedding, which Davis insisted on having as soon as possible.

  The captain looked at Belle and added, “I’m going to give you a wedding present.”

  “I don’t want you to spend a lot of money on us.”

  “It’s not for Davis—it’s for you, Belle.” Then he assumed a stern expression and said sharply, “And I don’t give a continental what you want! At my age I’m entitled to be spoiled, and I’ll have my way in this—or know the reason why!”

  His vehemence was intriguing. “What in the world is it?”

  “You’ll see when I give it to you!” No more was said until a week before the wedding. One day while she was peeling potatoes in the kitchen with Pet and Rebekah, Captain Winslow called in a stentorian voice from the parlor, “Belle! Come out here—and the rest of you women!”

  “Why in the world is the captain yelling?” Pet asked, and the three rushed to the parlor. Whitfield was standing in the center of the room holding a large item covered with cotton.

  “Belle, here’s your wedding present,” he grinned. “Remember what I told you—I’m apt to have a spasm if you give me any argument! Now, help me get this thing off.”

  He held one end high, and Belle untied a drawstring at the top, and the cotton fell to the floor. Belle gasped—as did Pet and Rebekah.

  “It’s—beautiful!” she whispered, reaching out to touch the shimmering pure silk of the most beautiful wedding dress any of them had ever seen.

  It was an unusual color, a pale silvery blue, with fine white lace at the neck and wrists. The captain, obviously very proud of his choice, said with satisfaction, “That came all the way from Boston. I had Lucy snitch one of your dresses for size to send with the order, so it ought to fit.”

  Belle could not believe her eyes. She took it from the captain and held it up as she faced them. Her dark hair and coloring set the delicate blue off perfectly.

  “Exquisite, Belle!” Rebekah marveled. Pet was ecstatic, and took it from Belle for a closer examination.

  “Thank you—for everything!” Belle whispered, putting her arms around the captain. She kissed his cheek and said with a roguish smile, “What made you think I wouldn’t take it? I’m selfish!”

  ****

  The nuptial supper was held at Belle Maison the night before the wedding, which was to be at St. Andrew’s.

  Davis smiled broadly at the applause as he and Belle entered the dining room. After seating Belle, he took his place beside her and commented, “There are lots of Winslows here tonight.” His gaze swept across both families. “And as Tiny Tim once said, ‘God bless us every one!’ ”

  The table was laden with food, and after Davis asked the blessing, they wasted no time. Sky was immensely happy to have his family all together. After the main meal was finished, and they sat drinking coffee over dessert, he said, “I ought to make a speech, but I was never much good at that. However, I want to say how happy I am to have you here, Robert and Jewel—and you, of course, Captain!” He looked around and a slight shadow crossed his face. “We may never be around this table again just like this. But I want to thank God for letting us have each other.”

  Robert replied quietly, “Thank you, sir, and unaccustomed as I am to public speaking—”

  Laughter erupted around the table, cutting off his words. He waited until it died down, and continued. There was a strange look in his eye, for the days with the Winslows had changed him. He had never seen such a loving family, and their commitment to Christ had silenced him. He had, as a matter of fact, been forced to reevaluate his agnostic views. His father’s solid Christian life had long been a testimony to him, making Robert feel that his own vapid moral values were nothing in comparison. Seeing Davis’s firm determination and the steady Christian values exhibited in the lives of Sky and Rebekah, and their children, had been somewhat of a shock to him.
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br />   “I don’t think any of you can know how much it’s meant to me—and to Jewel—being here, being members of your family. I didn’t know such warmth and love existed. All my life I’ve heard my father talk about ‘The House of Winslow,’ but I’m afraid it meant very little to me. Now—it is very meaningful!”

  Whitfield Winslow rose to his feet, fierce pride shining in his aged eyes. He said slowly, “I’ve always been proud to be a Winslow—but never so much as tonight! Much of my life has been spent studying the men and women who bore our name—and we’ve had our share of rascals, I tell you! But there’s always been a man or a woman named Winslow who’d stand in the gap. Many of our men have shed their blood for this country, and many of our women have had to send their sons and husbands off to die.”

  He paused a moment, then went on. “I guess it’ll always be that way. This country will never be safe for us. Remember how Jefferson put it? ‘The price of liberty is eternal vigilance!’ So this country will have to fight for what we hold true—over and over again!” He raised his head in pride. “But as long as America has men and women like you, the Republic will stand!”

  He sat down, a little embarrassed at his own eloquence, but his family nodded approval. Sky spoke again. “As I say, we may never meet around this table—”

  “Just a minute, Sky,” Robert interrupted. He stood up, looking apprehensive, and after getting an approving smile from Jewel, he pulled a paper out of his pocket. “I don’t know how you all are going to take this, but it’s something my wife and I have felt we should do. I—I hope you won’t be offended, Sky and Rebekah.”

  All eyes were fixed on him, especially the captain’s. He knew his son well, and had never seen him at a loss for words. He was hesitant and nervous as he peered at the paper.

  “I can’t think of anything that would offend us, Robert,” Sky smiled.

  Robert took a deep breath and held up the paper. “I’ve been going behind your back, I’m afraid, Sky. Never could stand a man who meddled in the affairs of others—and now I’m as guilty as sin!” He grinned unexpectedly. “I’ll make a clean breast of it. I didn’t like the way Asa Moody proposed to handle your mortgage. Went by to talk to him, but he’s a pretty stubborn fellow. So—I sent off a couple of telegrams to a friend of mine in the banking business. He asked for details, and I wrote him a long letter.” He paused. “Well, you take us in, and I shove myself into your business! But Warfield, my banker friend, didn’t think much of Moody’s ways either. So, he bought your note from the bank here.”

  “He did what, Robert?” Sky asked, perplexed.

  “He bought your mortgage and issued another from his own bank.” Robert handed the paper to Sky. “This is it.”

  Sky took the note. “What are the terms?”

  “Same interest—but the payments are spaced out over the next five years. And Warfield likes your ideas about diversification. He’ll finance you until you get it all in place.”

  “Robert—and Jewel.” Sky choked. “I . . . I can’t say—”

  “Business, Sky!” Robert broke in, raising his hand in protest. “A matter of business, that’s all! No need to make a fuss!”

  “No, Robert, it’s more than that,” Sky responded. “You didn’t do this for business reasons.”

  “That’s right!” the captain added. “I’m afraid I shall have to tell you what a good son you are, Robert. I’ve never been so proud of you!”

  Robert felt a lump in his throat. His father’s approval had always been the desire of his heart, but despite all his achievements he had never been sure of it. Now he looked across at the warm smile on his father’s face and knew he had it!

  Rebekah went to Robert, and with misty eyes, put her arms around him, then embraced Jewel. “Thank you, Robert and Jewel,” she said quietly, “for saving our home. God bless you!”

  After the meal, Dan sought out Belle. With a troubled look he said, “I—I can’t believe I didn’t have enough sense to see through the White Knights, Belle. I guess I trusted Beau too much.”

  Belle hugged him. “Dan, I can give you some good advice—don’t let guilt destroy you. I know what that can do! You were misled, and Beau’s going to have to find out he’s headed in the wrong direction.”

  “I’m leaving for Texas pretty soon,” Dan said. “But I’m glad I got that nonsense out of my head before I left.” He smiled, then hugged her until she gasped. “If that preacher gives you any trouble, you just write me, you hear!”

  “I’ll take care of her,” Davis said, coming up behind them.

  “You’d better!” Dan laughed as he left.

  “Let’s take a walk, honey,” Davis suggested, snuggling her arm in his. They strolled slowly down the long walk under the canopy of stars overhead.

  “I’m so happy, Davis!” she murmured when they paused. “How can we ever thank your parents?”

  “I think they’re getting just as much out of this,” Davis commented. “They’ve changed so much while they’ve been here, I can’t believe it.”

  As they stood in the warm darkness, thoughts of the past washed over Belle, but she shook them off, as she had learned to do. “Well,” she smiled, “tomorrow you’ll have a wife—but in two weeks, you may have no church.”

  He put his arms around her, and his lips touched hers. “I love you so much, my darling!” he whispered, tightening his hold. Time seemed unimportant at the present as they relished the moment.

  Finally Davis sighed, “There is only one Belle—but lots of churches!”

  “Will you be sad if we have to go?”

  “I suppose so,” he replied, his finger tracing the line of her face. “But whatever happens, we’ll be together.”

  They remained in warm embrace, letting the April moon pour its golden blessing over them, and then, arms around each other, they turned and walked back toward the house.

  GILBERT MORRIS spent ten years as a pastor before becoming Professor of English at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas and earning a Ph.D. at the University of Arkansas. A prolific writer, he has had over 25 scholarly articles and 200 poems published in various periodicals, and over the past years has had more than 180 novels published. His family includes three grown children. He and his wife live in Gulf Shores, Alabama.