“Lowell?” Johnny breathed. “A little feller? ’Bout so high?” he asked, holding a hand out at his waist.
Willy nodded. “That’s him. I swear he looked just like he was wearin’ a pumpkin on his head when he arrived. Mama’s already trimmed him up, poor feller.” Willy frowned and added, “Still, I think he’s a liar. He said he was soldierin’ with you and Justin before y’all were captured by the Rebs. Yep…he’s a liar.”
But Johnny shook his head and said, “No, he ain’t a liar, Will. He was found wanderin’ in the woods…and we didn’t have nobody to give him to. So we kept him in camp with us. I can’t believe he found his way here!”
Willy shrugged. “He said some feller rode him over in the back of a wagon. He said the feller dropped him off at Rogersville, and he’s been walkin’ the rest of the way. Said he’s been walkin’ for a few days.”
Johnny chuckled—laughed with disbelief and amusement. “Why, that little badger. I can’t believe it!”
Vivianna smiled. She remembered Lowell, the boy Justin had found in the woods in Georgia. Justin had written to her that he’d given Lowell instructions to find the Turner family. It seems the boy had taken Justin’s instructions to heart.
“Come on, Vivi,” Johnny said, taking her hand. “Nothin’ can cheer a body up quicker than Lowell Wheeler.”
As Johnny began to lead her more quickly down the path, Willy looked up at her, frowning.
“You all right, Viv?” he asked. “You look like ya been cryin’.”
“I’m fine, Willy,” Vivianna explained. “I’ve just been to my old house…just missin’ my family, that’s all.”
Willy simultaneously smiled and frowned. He took her free hand, squeezing it with affection as they walked. “Don’t worry, Viv. You got me and Nate…and Caleb and Justin. We’ll take good care of ya.”
“I know you will,” Vivianna said, smiling at him. “You always have.”
Vivianna Bartholomew had never seen the likes of little Lowell Wheeler. Pumpkin-haired and sapphire-eyed, Lowell looked like just a bundle of mischief waiting to burst into pure naughtiness. He sat on a chair at the table, enjoying a piece of Savannah’s cherry pie.
“Mr. Johnny!” Lowell hollered as Willy, Johnny, and Vivianna stepped into the kitchen. “Oh, Mr. Johnny!” Leaping from the chair he’d been sitting on, Lowell ran headlong to Johnny. Vivianna smiled as Johnny dropped to his knees and caught the boy in a tight embrace.
“Lowell!” Johnny chuckled. “Boy, how did you find us?”
“I knew just where to look,” Lowell answered. “It took me a time to get here, Mr. Johnny,” the boy said, still hugging Johnny. “They put me in an orphanage after the war…and I had to escape. It weren’t easy, but I done it! Then I had to catch me a ride here and there. I couldn’t walk all the way.”
Lowell loosened his tight hug on Johnny’s neck, leaned back, and sighed. “I was worried y’all were dead. We heard they took y’all to Andersonville. Everybody said nobody could live through Andersonville. All the other kids at the orphanage…they said you and Justin were dead, rottin’ in the Georgia ground over at Andersonville. But I know ya too well. I know y’all couldn’t be licked, even by such a place. So I up and run off from the orphanage a few weeks back…and made my way here.”
Johnny shook his head with utter disbelief. “But…but, Lowell, who cared for ya? What did ya find to eat?” he asked.
Lowell shrugged. “Oh, berries and such,” he answered. “Whenever I’d hit a town or a farm, I’d just make myself a pair of puppy-dog eyes and beg for food and whatever else I needed.”
“Puppy-dog eyes?” Nate grumbled.
“Yeah,” Lowell said, releasing Johnny and looking to Nate. “You probably do your eyes that way when you want somethin’ from your mama. Like this…”
Vivianna giggled as she watched Lowell’s eyes widen—watched his young eyebrows rise in a manner of pleading. Savannah laughed as Willy and Nate looked on in bewilderment.
“Then ya add a sorry little voice,” Lowell explained. “Maybe say something like, ‘If only I had me a little hunk a cheese. Oh, I ain’t had cheese since the war begun.’ Then ya shake your head pitiful like.” Lowell shook his head as if despairing. “It helps if ya add in a cough or two and tear your eyes right up.” Lowell put a trembling fist to his mouth and coughed weakly. Vivianna’s mouth dropped open in astonishment as his puppy-dog eyes then misted with excess moisture. “Oh, if only I could taste cheese…just one more time before I head to the arms of the Lord.”
Johnny chuckled and shook his head with something akin to admiration. “You see what I mean?” he asked Vivianna.
Suddenly, Nate smiled—Willy too.
“That’s real good, Lowell,” Nate said. “Did ya get plenty of cheese that way?”
Lowell nodded. “Cheese, bread…even got me a half a cake once doin’ it.” Lowell’s smile faded, his freckled face taking on a rather instructional expression. “Of course, I only done it in real times of need. I wouldn’t want to use my puppy-dog eyes just ’cause I can, you understand.”
“Of course not,” Nate agreed. “It wouldn’t be right.”
Lowell nodded and then looked back to Johnny. He smiled yet seemed suddenly worried. “Is it all right that I come, Mr. Johnny?” the boy asked. “You said I could…you and Mr. Justin both.” Lowell glanced back to Savannah. “Miss Savannah says I can stay as long as I need to.” He lowered his voice to a whisper and said, “Do ya think she means it? ’Cause I can sure move on to Texas with you if she don’t.”
“I’m sure she means it,” Johnny said, tousling the boy’s hair. “But when I head on back to Texas, you can think about what you’d like to do. You know I’d be glad to have ya along.”
Lowell smiled—seemed reassured. He looked up then to Vivianna, and his smile broadened. Vivianna fancied his eyes began to twinkle as he looked at her. “Vivianna! I seen a photograph of you once,” he exclaimed. “You’re Vivianna!”
“Yes!” Vivianna giggled.
“Oh boy! I heard all about you!” Lowell laughed. Quickly he went to the chair he’d been sitting on at the table. “Do ya mind, Miss Savannah?” he asked as he dragged the chair across the floor toward Vivianna.
Vivianna giggled, puzzled by the boy’s need for the chair. In the next moment, however, Lowell pulled the chair to a stop right before Vivianna. Quickly he climbed up on the chair, standing before her. Reaching out, he took her face between his small hands.
“Yep,” the boy said. “I heard all about you.”
Vivianna gasped as the young boy kissed her perfectly on the lips. He kissed her! Square on the mouth, he kissed her!
“Mmm!” he sighed. Smiling, Lowell Wheeler said, “Yep! You do taste just like sugar and honey all stirred up together!”
Johnny burst into laughter, as did Savannah.
“Mama!” Willy exclaimed, however, his mouth gaping open big enough to catch june bugs. “Did you see that, Mama? Why, that boy ain’t more’n eight years old, and he’s sparkin’ Viv…right here in our kitchen!”
Lowell climbed down from the chair. As he dragged it back over to the table, he said, “I’ll have you know I’m nine years old. Been nine for near to six months now.”
Vivianna was stunned to silence. Astonished that the young boy had kissed her, she looked to Johnny.
Johnny’s warm eyes were bright with mirth. Shaking his head, he chuckled, “I told ya, Vivi…nobody cheers a body up like Lowell Wheeler.”
“Hey, Mr. Johnny,” Lowell began, tugging on Johnny’s sleeve.
“Yeah?” Johnny asked.
“Bend down here a minute.”
Vivianna watched as Johnny hunkered down—as Lowell whispered something in his ear.
“Nope,” Johnny said.
Lowell nodded—whispered something else.
Johnny nodded. “Yep. But we’ll have to see.”
Lowell smiled and seemed satisfied with the answers Johnny had given him to
whatever questions he’d asked.
“Hey, Lowell,” Nate began, “me and Willy…we got us a bone collection. Do ya wanna see it?”
“Bones?” Lowell asked. “What kinda bones?”
“All kinds,” Willy answered. “Johnny even found us some owl pellets to dig through. He says owl pellets gots mice bones in ’em! Little bitty, tiny bones and skulls and such.”
“Oh yeah, they do!” Lowell exclaimed. “My daddy and me used to dig through owl pellets! How many ya got?”
“Nine,” Nate answered. “That’s three for each of us! Let’s go.”
“Now, hold on a minute,” Savannah said. “I don’t want to see any mice bones or fur or anything even resemblin’ any sort of mouse remains in this house! Do you hear me, Nate? Willy?”
“Yes, Mama,” Nate and Willy chimed.
“And that goes for you too, Lowell Wheeler,” Savannah added. “No mouse anything in this house. All right?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Lowell said. “And I’ll make certain your boys wash their hands good ’fore we come home. Me too, of course.”
Savannah smiled and giggled. “Thank you, Lowell.”
“Is it all right, do ya think, Mr. Johnny?” Lowell asked.
“Is what all right, Lowell?” Johnny asked in return.
“Is it all right that I come here? Do ya think Mr. Justin will be glad?”
Johnny smiled and tousled the boy’s hair. “I know he will be.”
Lowell smiled and sighed with relief.
Vivianna giggled as the boy took her hand. “I can teach ya a little more about kissin’ when I get back if ya like, Miss Vivianna. I wouldn’t mind it a bit.”
“Why don’t ya let us older boys take care of Miss Vivi’s education where that’s concerned, Lowell?” Johnny chuckled.
Lowell shrugged. “All right, Mr. Johnny. But you let me know if y’all need any help.”
“Oh, I will,” Johnny said, winking at the boy. “I surely will.”
“Come on, Lowell,” Nate said. “We got owl pellets to sort and bones to boil!”
“Boil?” Lowell asked as the three boys headed for the door.
“Yep!” Willy said. “Me and Nate found us another dead fox just this mornin’!”
As the three young boys left the house, Vivianna giggled when Savannah sighed.
“My goodness!” she breathed. “That boy has more life in him than three boys put together, Johnny Tabor!”
“Yes, Miss Savannah…he does,” Johnny chuckled. His smile faded just a bit as he added, “I’ll take him on to Texas with me when I go, if ya like.”
“Heavens no!” Savannah exclaimed. “If—and I do mean if—if I decide I can ever let go of ya, I won’t have ya takin’ that little darlin’ too! Justin was tellin’ me about that boy just the other day.” Savannah nodded. “I think he was meant to come to us. There isn’t any other way he could’ve made it to Florence…not all the way from Georgia. It’s a miracle! It’s truly a miracle.” Savannah sighed, thoughtful for a moment. Then, dusting her hands on her apron, she said, “Still, I won’t have him kissin’ on girls at this young of an age…no, sir!” She looked to Johnny and wagged a scolding index finger at him. “That’s what comes of havin’ boys teach boys. What else did you tell that child that I’ll have to undo?”
Johnny chuckled and shook his head. “Hard tellin’, Miss Savannah. Hard tellin’.”
“That’s just what I’m afraid of.” Savannah sighed. Then she smiled and looked to Vivianna. “With all this goin’ on, I plum forgot to ask ya, Viv…how was your trip to the house?”
Vivianna felt tears welling in her eyes once more. “It was fine,” she said. “I’m fine.”
Savannah walked to her and pulled her into a warm, affectionate embrace. “Oh, I know it was hard, darlin’. I know it was. But ya really ought to go over more often. Time will make it a little easier. Each time ya go, it’ll be less painful than before.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Vivianna sniffled, tears trickling over her cheeks.
Savannah released her then. “Would ya mind helpin’ me pluck this chicken?” she asked. “I thought we’d have us a real nice supper. I can’t imagine how long it’s been since that boy had a nice supper.”
“Of course,” Vivianna said.
Savannah looked to Johnny. She smiled. “Did ya look in at the railroad, Johnny?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said. “They’re startin’ on the new line and repairs on Monday.” He paused and lowered his head. Vivianna thought there was a look of guilt or shame about him. “I…I do thank you for your kindness and patience, Miss Savannah,” he said. “For lettin’ me stay on and—”
Savannah shook her head. “None of that, Johnny,” she scolded. “To be honest, I won’t want to let you leave when the time comes. Besides bringin’ my Justin back to me…you’re a fine measure of a man, Johnny Tabor. And you’ve done far more for us than you’ll ever know.” Savannah looked to Vivianna then. “Isn’t that right, Viv?”
There was thick insinuation in her words, and it caused Vivianna to feel unsettled. “Yes, ma’am,” she managed. Still, as Savannah continued to stare at her—smiled a knowing smile—she was even further unsettled.
“Miss Savannah,” Johnny began, “believe me…I don’t deserve your kindness or your praise. I—”
“I would ask one favor of ya, Johnny, however,” Savannah interrupted. “Would you mind peekin’ in on the boys for me? I just don’t like when they take up to boilin’ animals alone. Would ya mind just givin’ them a hand? And don’t let ’em bother Charles Maggee if he’s still out there spendin’ some time with his sons at the cemetery. Make sure they leave him to his peace. Would ya mind?”
“Of course not, ma’am,” Johnny said. “I’ll look after them awhile. Lowell can be a mighty handful.”
“Thank ya, Johnny. I’ll send Vivianna over with some lunch for the four of you in a while. You’re probably starvin’.”
“Thank ya, ma’am,” he said. He glanced to Vivianna for a moment, smiled, and then left the house.
The moment Johnny was gone, Vivianna felt cold. The memories of her family, the ache in her heart, returned. Yet she brushed new tears from her cheeks and went to the sink to help Savannah with the chicken. She was puzzled when she saw that the chicken had already been plucked and cleaned. She looked to Savannah, curious.
Savannah smiled, took her hand, and led her to the table.
“Let’s sit a moment, Viv,” she said. “I’d like to talk to you.”
“Of course,” Vivianna said.
Once they were seated at the table, Savannah reached across the top of it, taking Vivianna’s hands in hers. “How long have ya been in love with Johnny, darlin’?” she asked.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“Pardon?” Vivianna gasped. Vivianna was certain her heart had dropped to her stomach! An odd sort of terror washed over her. How could Savannah know of her feelings for Johnny? She’d only just discovered the depth of them herself! Furthermore, she knew Savannah wanted her to marry Justin—or Caleb, in the very least of it. Wasn’t Savannah always saying she loved Vivianna like a daughter? Wasn’t she always saying she didn’t know what she’d do without her?
“M-Miss Savannah, I…I…” Vivianna stammered.
Savannah squeezed Vivianna’s hands once more. “That Johnny Tabor is a treasure!” she said. She giggled and winked. “And handsome as anything! I swear if I were twenty years younger, I’d try for him myself! Any man that would do what he’s done for Justin…what he’s done for us…he’s a rare man indeed. I knew he’d steal your heart, Viv. The minute I saw him, I knew.” Savannah shook her head. “My boys’ heads are filled with nothin’ but mud, I swear. Nothin’ but mud.” She sighed and continued, “They’re just like their daddy…especially Justin and Caleb. Oh, I loved their daddy—you know how much I did—but you need a man with somethin’ in his heart besides himself.” She leaned forward, lowering her voice. “Now you and I both know Johnny’s haunted. It’s obv
ious somethin’s prickin’ his heart. But I’m sure you can soothe whatever’s worryin’ him.” Savannah sighed and smiled. “Neither of my boys could ever completely fill your heart, Viv…or love ya the way you deserved to be loved.”
Vivianna was overwhelmed! She still couldn’t understand how Savannah Turner could know about something she’d only just discovered—especially something so wildly unsettling.
“But…but, Miss Savannah…I…I…” Vivianna began. It was uncomfortable, sitting talking with the mother of the man she was supposed to love about the man she did love.
Savannah shook her head and interrupted. “I think it’s about time you started callin’ me Savannah. Don’t you?”
Vivianna tried to hold back her tears. The day had been too overwhelming. Too many emotions were still battling in her—the pain of mourning her family, the bliss Johnny had stirred.
“Oh, honey, don’t cry!” Savannah soothed. “It’s all right. There, there now. What’s all this?”
“I…I can’t love him,” Vivianna whispered. “I don’t even know him.”
“Oh, sure ya do, darlin’,” Savannah reassured. “Just ’cause ya haven’t known him your whole life, it doesn’t mean ya don’t know him. It doesn’t mean ya can’t be in love with him. He’s been here for months now. I figure ya know him about as well as you know anybody.” She paused, her smile fading a little. “I daresay I know Johnny better than I know Justin just now…and Justin’s my own son.”
Vivianna experienced an odd sort of relief in Savannah’s having noticed the change in Justin. Caleb had seen it too. She wished she’d seen it sooner—that she hadn’t been so blinded by his letters and the promises of love.
Still, even if there weren’t Justin to consider—even though she had somehow fallen in love with Johnny—it didn’t mean Johnny had fallen in love with her. Oh, certainly he’d kissed her—kissed her as she’d never imagined being kissed. Certainly he’d managed to unlock her emotions, her heart. But did he know he’d unlocked them, only to own them? Did he want them?
Beneath the Honeysuckle Vine Page 23
