by M. Mabie
I smiled, but only felt sympathy for the poor mother.
After a few minutes, I scanned the room to see where Abe had gone and found him talking to his mother. He spoke fondly of her, so I wanted to be polite and say hello too.
“Take care,” I said to Jenny. Then to her husband, I added without looking at him directly in the eyes, “And please call Abe again if you need anything or if you decide to come to Fairview.”
“God bless you, Myra,” Robbie replied. “I’ll do that.”
Abe saw me walking toward them, and then I was detained briefly when one of my small nieces ran over to me for a quick side hug before running off.
“Hello, Mrs. Hathaway,” I greeted.
Her smile was genuine and bright as she looked between us. “Oh hello, dear.” Her silver hair was tied back into a low bun. I supposed that was how I should have had mine but didn’t. I had to admit, her skin was nearly flawless, save for the fine lines around her eyes and mouth.
“It’s nice to see you again.”
“It is, Myra. I never got to thank you for the beautiful quilt you made me before you left with Abraham.” Her eyes warmed as she looked at her oldest son. Her only remaining son. “I’m sorry I missed your banding ceremony.”
“It was sudden, Mom.”
She released a heavy, disappointed sigh and then put on a more cheerful face. I’d watched her do that very same thing many times over the short period of time I was with Jacob. She was good at it.
“Well, never mind all that, where the Lord leads us, we shall go. What a blessing that you have each other now.”
Probably the most truthful thing I’d heard that day.
He put my hand in his. “I’m really happy, Mother.”
Her eyes fell shut and relief relaxed her features.
“Well, I won’t be as pushy as other mothers and pester you about children yet. I know how important it is to get settled.” She reached out and clutched my arm. “Maybe it’s in your heart to move closer, to be near family with little ones. I was only blessed with two, but even just a couple can seem like a houseful sometimes.”
For whatever reason, her gentle persuasion didn’t offend me. I couldn’t blame her for loving her son and wanting family close. Additionally, she wasn’t guilting us. Her suggestions came from a place of love.
“Abe is my family now,” I said. Because even though I was at my father’s funeral, I felt little connection to anyone there. It didn’t even seem like I belonged to the Fox family anymore and that didn’t appear to bother anyone.
“Of course he is.” She smiled, beaming with a mother’s love. “And now you’re his family too.”
Abe drew me close, and I thought it was because of what his mother had said until I glanced to his other side.
“There you are.” Matthew was wearing a suit similar to Abe’s, but he didn’t come anywhere close to filling it out the way my husband did. “I just spoke to Pastor, Abraham. He told me you brought my sister back to town for father’s service,” he said, pulling paper off the bottom of a vanilla cupcake, striding up to us. “Hello, Mother Hathaway.”
Abe’s mom smiled one last time at both of us and then left after saying, “Matthew.”
“Yes, friends of ours called and gave us the news,” Abe explained, no doubt letting him know how he felt that my family hadn’t.
“How are you Myra?” Matthew bit into the small yellow cake. “Last I knew you ran off.”
“I was only staying with friends,” I replied.
“More friends? Sounds like the pair of you have friends galore. Maybe we should be closer. The Foxes and the Hathaways should be like one big blessed family, especially with your banding to Jacob and now Abraham.” He pointed with an icing-covered finger. “And I see your bands have changed, praise God. Soon there will be a precious Fox-Hathaway on the way.”
Little did he know. My birth control would prevent that.
“I’m sorry about your father,” Abe said, impressively without much annoyance in his voice. Still, it didn’t get past me how he’d shifted twice on his feet since my brother came over.
“Thank you. He’s with Jesus now, along with all the other Legacy Men and their families.” He rolled the wrapper into a ball and then tossed it toward the trash can but missed. “We’re growing New Mecula for the Kingdom now. You two should come for a visit. It’s much like here, but—” he paused. A half-smile bent his lips and he leaned in to finish. “But it’s also a little different.”
Different. What did that mean?
All my life I’d looked up to my brothers, the way a younger sister should. But maybe they didn’t deserve the respect I’d given them. After Jacob died, and everything went down regarding what the town would do with me—a young widow—I was faced with accepting them in a new light.
Where I’d always thought Matthew was wise and hard at work for the Lord, it was possible he was working hard for himself.
Coming back to Lancaster only gave me more questions than answers. It didn’t feel like closure, but more like the start of an uphill battle.
I wondered if Abe felt the same way.
“I’m not interested in New Mecula,” Abe told him. “Like I said, I’m sorry for your loss. We’re on our way out.”
“Pastor is in his office. I’m sure you’d like to say goodbye before your trip home.” Matthew’s eyes were cold and although his words weren’t threatening, there was a hue of hostility I’d never seen in them before as he looked at my husband. “And Myra, dear sister, if you’re not already with child, I pray it happens soon.” He leered at Abe. “I’m told it isn’t pleasant for God’s women at first, but it is your holy purpose.”
He was doubly wrong. It wasn’t my holy purpose. Not anymore. And being with Abe was the most pleasant experience of my life.
“God has blessed me, Matthew,” I said lifting my gaze directly to his and I held it. “It’s none of your business, but Abe is my perfect mate. Being with him isn’t a hardship, brother. It’s God’s greatest gift. I can only hope you find a woman who enjoys your company the way I enjoy his.”
He had no room to talk, his band was still on his right hand and he was unmarried. I’d always assumed it was because God was using him and all his energy to grow our faith outside our small town, but things weren’t always as they appeared.
Abe’s grip on my hand tightened and his thumb ran over my knuckles. “We’ll pray for your band, Matthew,” he said as we walked off.
We turned down the hall to Mr. Hathaway’s office, but not more than a few feet down the corridor, Abe ushered us into a small, empty Sunday school classroom.
“What are you...” I began to ask, confused.
He answered with his mouth on mine and his hand gripping the nape of my neck. It was unexpected and odd in that setting but thrilling all the same. I kissed him back, loving how desperate he was for me. Moments like that gave me confidence. They were proof he felt for me what I did for him.
“I’m sorry,” he said, winded as our kiss slowed. “I needed you.”
Finally, after days of feeling only half present, I returned. What a welcome feeling.
“Don’t be sorry.”
“You’re incredible, Myra. The way you spoke to him out there...” He pressed his lips to mine again, cupping my cheeks in his hands. There was less heat in the pairing, but just as much intention. I had to admit, holding my own with Matthew had also flooded me with energy.
“You’re incredible too,” I replied. “Now let’s talk to your father so we can go home.”
His forehead against mine he sighed. “Home sounds good.” Lancaster was draining, but we needed to stay strong just a little longer.
“Yes, and I can’t wait to get out of this ugly dress.”
Suddenly, the amber in his eyes warmed and glimmered. The greens sparkled like freshly polished jewels. He grinned.
“You make it look good, but I’ll be more than happy to help you out of it later.”
8
Abe
I wasn't sure how she was keeping it all together, but my girl was tough as expertly milled hickory. It didn’t matter what she wore or how she acted, under it all she was a fighter and there wasn’t a single thing that could keep her from anything she set her mind to.
I cracked the door to the small room we’d ducked in and looked up and down the hall. I didn’t care what anyone thought about me—not even a little. But out of respect for Myra, and that we were there for such a solemn occasion, discretion was wise.
Plus, there was the last hurdle to get over before we could put Lancaster in our rearview again.
My father.
Since the hallway was clear, I led her out and when we turned the corner toward his office, the woman we’d seen in front of the academy when we drove into town was sitting on the long pew-like bench outside his door.
Up close, she looked even more sad and lost than she had holding the sign the evening before.
Together, Myra and I paused at the door.
“It’s best if I stay out here,” she whispered to me. I hated that she was right. He knew how to make me tick, and when it came to Myra and that place, my fuse was even shorter. If she wanted me to make everything seem like it was more in line with how they lived to ensure she got everything owed to her, then I’d have to keep my temper at bay.
I straightened my jacket as Myra took a seat beside the forlorn woman.
Had he kept her waiting? Would my conversation with him take up more of her time?
I turned the knob on the door without knocking, and when it opened, I found him standing at the window. “You know there’s a woman out here?”
“I know. She can be patient.” He turned and motioned to one of the leather chairs sitting in front of his desk. “We have some important things to discuss.”
I had so many better things to do, but somehow, I was there, with the person I hated most, again fighting a battle that wasn’t really mine in the name of the blue-eyed woman I loved.
I stepped inside and pushed the door just shy of fully closed. Regardless of her being outside the room, the more she heard firsthand, the better.
When I took a seat, he called me on it. “Myra’s in the hall with Mrs. Bridgewater?”
“She’s out there. And what did she do that was so bad?”
“Well, some people don’t get away with their offenses the way you and your brother did. Mrs. Bridgewater is impatient, argumentative, and disobedient. If you want to know more about that, I suggest you talk to Mr. Williams, her soon-to-be band holder.” He cradled his chin between his thumb and his bent index finger. “Speaking of bands, how is Myra adapting to wifehood?”
It hadn't taken him long to go right in. “Don't worry about Myra.”
“Oh, but I do, Abraham.” He squinted. “And I worry about you.” What a contrast to the way he’d spoken to me earlier. Something had changed between then and now. It was clear in the way he looked at me; his face lacked the usual contempt. His tone had less challenge.
“I doubt that.”
“You know I'm not your enemy, son.” My father loosened his tie. “We probably share more in common than you’d care to admit.”
Holding my tongue wasn't easy—I was nothing like him—but I managed. I crossed my arms over my chest and waited for him to lay it on me. It was an act I saw through. He wanted something from me. But I wanted something from him too, so I only had one choice: to listen.
“You're possessive like me. What’s yours is yours. What’s mine is mine too.”
Instinctually, I wanted to argue, but then my thoughts went straight to the woman in the hall. She belonged to me.
Myra. My cabin. My work. My life. I’d fight tooth and nail to protect it all. To keep all I had.
But, unlike him, I didn’t want anything I didn’t deserve. Didn’t work for. Didn’t earn.
That’s how we differed.
Truthfully, I belonged to Myra too. We were equals.
“When your great grandfather started The Banded Church of God and the board was formed along with our principles and policies for living the best, most Godly life, it wasn’t an accident that the cornerstone of our beliefs was built on legacy.”
I flexed my jaw and filled my chest with the stuffy air in the room. My grandfather hadn’t lived much longer than my great-grand father, and I only remembered them faintly from my early childhood. So how was I supposed to know what kind of men they were? I only knew what kind of man the one in front of me was, and I wanted nothing to do with carrying on his legacy.
I didn’t much care about having a legacy at all. Whatever my children wanted for their lives, I’d teach them how to get it. I’d point them in the directions they wanted to go. I’d never force some kind of agenda on them because of my personal ego or foolish pride.
My father would, and he was trying to do just that.
“Listen,” I said, fighting to keep the sarcasm out of my tone. Things would go easier if there wasn't a fight. Although, I wasn't afraid to hold my own, but it wasn’t about me. “I’m here for what belongs to my wife. I’m not going to play games with you, and I’m not here to negotiate. I want to see papers, account information, statements, or whatever you’ve got on her insurance policy, the house she shared with Jacob, and whatever accounts they had together. You can have them mailed or I’ll have my lawyer attain them. Also, I doubt you’ll hand over whatever sum you swindled out of her family when you orchestrated this whole ordeal, but it’s rightfully hers too and she deserves it.”
He laughed. “Oh, you're not here to play games? Then what was that?” He stretched his neck and plastered a phony smirk to his face. “I know you want her money to get your furniture business off the ground.”
I couldn’t deny it would help, but I didn’t need her money. I’d never counted on it and had no plans to lay claim to it. My nest egg was getting where I needed it to without help from anyone. The man underestimated me and underestimated my will to get what I wanted by working hard. Something he’d never done.
He didn’t realize Myra's plans for her money were a bigger threat to him than I’d ever be.
“It’s none of your business.”
“Again, it is. There are many people here who want what I have. Men—boys—within our flock, who think they can have it, but they can’t. I won't allow it.”
“Your flock. Not mine.”
Pure determination flared in his eyes as he leaned over the desk. “It could be, Abraham. Anything you want. The money. A big house. I already gave you a premium woman. I’ve already guided you to the life, don’t you see? You think I don’t know how to get what I want, but I do. You want a furniture store. I’ll give you one. Here. In Lancaster. Want the biggest house? It’s yours. Keep up the lifestyle you live. Keep the hair. Keep to yourself for all I care. See how you like it. And then you’ll love it.” He paused and lifted his hands into the air. “You could be the next leader.”
My pulse raced. “Not. Interested.”
I wanted to go home.
Unflinching, he held my stare.
“Maybe Myra would be interested,” he inquired as nonchalantly as a waiter offering dessert at the end of a meal. Then he relaxed into the leatherback, calling out, “Oh, Myra dear.”
I stood. If he wanted to toy with me, that was fine. I was accustomed to his mind games. She wasn’t.
The door was cracked, so I was sure she heard. A second later, she pushed it open and took a step inside, her eyes fixed on me.
When he waved her to come closer, she slowly turned to shut the door first.
“Don’t bother with that. Ms. Bridgewater should hear this too.”
Myra came to my side, and my father strutted around his desk.
“Don’t say anything now. Take your time and think about it. I know all about your aspirations for higher education, Ms. Fox.” Hearing him call her by her maiden name made me straighten. “And recently the Lord has been showing me his will. The Academy may very well n
eed a woman like you in the future. You’d make a fine teacher; you’ve always been a righteous little thing.” He pointed at me, but his eyes stayed on her. “It is His will, child. He chose my son to guide you to the Kingdom. You are God’s chosen tool to prove his holiness.”
Like he did after our banding ceremony he pulled his checkbook from the inside pocket of his suit jacket, flipped it open, and bent to write out a check. “I know of a young man, recently banded, who is interested in buying the house Jacob owned. That is, if you’re not planning on living there.”
She remained quiet and shook her head.
“Good. It's much too small for a growing family, in my opinion anyway. They’ve offered more than a fair price, so I’ll move forward with the sale of it for you. Abraham, I’ll have the money and all the paperwork you asked for the next time you visit.” He stood, holding two slips of paper, and handed one of them to me.
Twenty thousand. The church gained a healthy tithe again.
He held the other check out to Myra with his brow raised, but she didn’t reach for it.
“This one is to remind you that God is always watching.” He waved it in front of her and then she gingerly pulled the paper from his hand.
She gasped when she read it.
Her eyes shot up to his and a wicked grin slithered across his face.
“Oh yes. That's what I thought.” He tsked and went back to his chair. “Abraham, answer your phone from now on when I call. Both of you think about what I said.” He opened a drawer and pulled out a note pad and pen. “There are a couple hundred thousand reasons to think really long and hard about your future. Now, send in Ms. Bridgewater.”
I wasn't sure what had just happened, but it was something.
Beside me, Myra was frozen. Her shocked face was pale and glued to my father, who didn’t even bother looking at either of us anymore. We’d been dismissed, which didn’t bother me. I was ready to go.
To break her attention, I ran my hand down her back.
Maybe it had been more money than she was expecting.
