Brides of Arizona, page 42
“My Father, how long, my Father, how long, my Father, how long, poor sinner suffer here?”
The people began to join in with Josiah. Lavette listened a moment to the familiar song she’d learned as a young child. Closing her eyes, she could see her mother sitting in the rocking chair with a baby in her lap, singing “My Father” in a soft voice. Letting the melody take over her soul, Lavette joined her high, clear soprano to Josiah’s bass.
“We’ll soon be free, we’ll soon be free, we’ll soon be free, de Lord will call us home.”
The second verse ended. Lavette drew a breath to begin the chorus when she realized she and Josiah were the only ones singing. Every eye in the room was trained on the two of them. Kathleen, Glorianna, and their husbands were staring openmouthed. Chagrined, Lavette stopped and sank back to hide once more.
“Lavette.” Glorianna came and knelt on the floor by Lavette’s feet, waiting until Lavette looked up. “You have the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard. You and Josiah are wonderful together. Please sing some more.” Her green gaze held Lavette’s.
“I’m not used to having everybody looking at me.” Lavette’s throat scratched with dryness.
“Well, you’d better get used to it.” A chill filled the warm room as the tightlipped woman across the room spoke up.
“Whatever do you mean by that, Mrs. Laughlin?” Glorianna looked over her shoulder at the older woman.
“I’ve heard where she’s planning to sing.” The woman’s mouth looked even more pinched. Beside her, the man with the heavy jowls leered at Lavette, then, when the woman glanced at him, changed to an expression of indignation.
Mortified, Lavette couldn’t imagine what the woman was talking about. Peering at the woman and the man next to her, Lavette thought again that she’d seen him somewhere before. Her mind flashed back to the day in the mercantile when Bertrand Mead confronted her. He’d dragged her back to where there were several men, telling them she would be performing for him. This man had been there—in the mercantile.
A cacophony of confusion reigned in the room as men and women began to question one another. The discussion grew in volume until Quinn stood. Although he wasn’t a huge man, his presence commanded their attention. Quiet settled over the gathering.
“Mrs. Laughlin, Miss Johnson is a friend and guest. We’d like to know what you’re implying with your comments.”
The thin woman sat erect, her black clothes and thin face giving her the look of a bird of prey about to dive on some unsuspecting creature. “My Lyle came home the other day and told me what happened at the mercantile. This woman came in, supposedly to buy some things for her employer. She was really there to meet with Bertrand Mead, the owner of those heathen establishments.” Her glare bored into Lavette like red-hot bullets. “Mead even introduced her to the men in the store. He bragged about how her sweet singing would bring him all sorts of money. I think it’s a shame she had the gall to come to our meeting today.”
Dead silence followed the woman’s accusations. Lavette could feel the chair pressing into her back as she tried to sink from sight. These were all lies, yet no one in this room knew her well. Who would they be willing to believe—someone they’d only met recently or a long-time friend? She knew the answer to that question before she even asked.
Chapter 13
Josiah surged to his feet. Conlon shot him a warning glance. Glorianna appeared ready to spit fire at the Laughlins. Coming up out of his chair with an air of grace, Conlon moved to stand beside Quinn, effectively making a block between Mrs. Laughlin and Lavette. Josiah understood now. Conlon and Quinn would handle the affront; he should be there for Lavette. She would need someone to lean on right now.
He sank into his seat and half-turned so he could keep one eye on the proceedings, yet still see Lavette. She huddled against the chair back, her eyes downcast. Her lower lip trembled, her tiny white teeth making a sharp contrast as they bit into the lip in an obvious attempt to control her emotions.
Placing one of his hands over her clenched ones, Josiah could feel her tension. She must be on the verge of breaking down. Over the last several months, their group had tolerated the Laughlins’ sporadic visits, hoping to reach them. Now, Josiah wished they’d been less congenial. As she’d done with others before, Mrs. Laughlin deliberately attacked Lavette with what he knew to be lies.
Josiah noted most of the room’s occupants were involved in the discussion going on between Conlon, Quinn, and the Laughlins. He brought his head close to Lavette’s, hoping she would realize their conversation would be private even in such a crowded place.
“You okay?” He could feel her trembling and wanted to wrap her in his arms. “This is not the first time Mrs. Laughlin has attacked someone. No one will listen to her.”
“They’re lies.” A tear rolled down Lavette’s cheek. Josiah wiped the drop with his thumb.
“I know she’s lying. So do several of the others here. Gossip travels fast in this town. We’ve heard two stories: the one Mead told and the truth. The Christians will listen to the truth.”
“They’ll never believe my story against that of a white woman.” Lavette’s hurt made him ache.
His thumb caressed her cheek as he lifted her chin until he could see her eyes. They glittered with unshed tears and pain. He sympathized with her. “Everything will work out fine, Lavette. Trust me.” He smiled, hoping she would relax a little. She turned her face away, trying to hide her feelings.
“Excuse me, Josiah.” Glorianna stood next to him, Kathleen beside her. “Conlon asked that the women leave while the men take care of this situation. We’d like for Lavette to come with us.”
Josiah glanced around the room, noting that Glorianna, Kathleen, and Lavette were the only women left in the room besides Mrs. Laughlin, who sat stiff-backed in the chair opposite him. The only men left were Mr. Laughlin and the ones well grounded in Scripture, who could be trusted to look at a situation through God’s eyes. He looked back at Glorianna. He didn’t want to let Lavette go.
“We’ll take good care of her, I promise.” Glorianna smiled and stretched out a hand. Josiah nodded and turned back to Lavette.
“You need to leave. Glorianna and Kathleen will be with you until we’re done here. I want you to stay with them. Will you?” He waited until Lavette nodded, then gave her a hand up. It took all his willpower not to follow the women from the room so he could accompany Lavette. She looked so vulnerable and alone.
Twenty minutes later, Josiah took a deep breath as he stepped into the kitchen behind the other men. Discipline was never pleasant, but he couldn’t fault the way Conlon handled the chore. He’d admonished the Laughlins not only for this occurrence, but for other times they hadn’t displayed Christian charity to people who chose to worship with the group. Conlon then reminded them the meetings weren’t for perfect people, but for those who wished to worship together because all are sinners. Mrs. Laughlin had turned beet red and exploded. She had the tongue of a shrew and wasn’t afraid to use it. She and Lyle had left in a huff, even though they’d been invited to stay for the meal. Josiah had to admit he wasn’t sorry to see them leave.
The women were chattering and laughing as they set out the various dishes of food. Josiah’s stomach rumbled again, but the general hubbub covered the growl. Lavette sat in a corner of the room with one of the twins on her lap. The other, Andrew, stood beside her, his thumb in his mouth, his gaze fastened on her face. She smiled down at him, looking to Josiah like an angel. Angelina caught one of the loose wisps of Lavette’s hair and tugged, pulling the tendril toward her mouth. As Lavette pried open the baby’s fist to release her hair, she saw Josiah across the room. The smile she gave him made him wish they were alone. All this time he’d been afraid she would feel abandoned, and here she appeared nearly as comfortable as the other women. What had Glorianna and Kathleen done?
Within a few minutes, the blessing had been said, and people were starting to fill their plates. Josiah wanted to shove everyone aside to get to Lavette. He longed to be with her. He needed to talk to her about what had happened today and why she seemed so at peace when such hurtful things had been said.
He watched as Glorianna took the twins, their faces greasy from the chicken legs clasped in tiny fists. Lavette stood and helped her clean them up. Then Glorianna disappeared with the pair, probably to take them to their room for a nap. Lavette saw him watching her, looked away, then returned his gaze. She smiled again, and Josiah began to work his way through the crowd to her. He couldn’t wait any longer.
Standing in front of her at last, he couldn’t think of a thing to say. Her cinnamon eyes were wide, the long lashes grazing her cheeks when she blinked. He couldn’t stop staring and knew he was making a perfect fool of himself. None of the people in this room would doubt how he felt about Lavette after this. Even he couldn’t deny his feelings. He only hoped she had changed her attitude toward God this morning. If she hadn’t, it would break his heart to turn away from her.
“You have the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard.” Josiah could have kicked himself. Why had he opened his mouth and brought up the most painful subject possible? Of course, she wouldn’t want to be reminded of that incident so soon after it happened. He wouldn’t blame her if she walked away and never spoke to him again.
“Thank you.” She gave a shy smile. “I love to sing, and that was my favorite spiritual. I didn’t know the other hymns you did earlier, but I’d like to learn.”
Josiah tried to make his mouth shut. He knew his jaw had almost hit the floor. She didn’t sound upset or angry at all. What had Glorianna done?
“I think I’d like something to eat.” Lavette peeked around him. Most of the others had taken their food outside to where a temporary table was set up. Josiah’s stomach gave a low growl. “I guess you’d like some, too.” She giggled.
“I’ve been hungry since I smelled that chicken of yours. I sure hope there’s some left. No one knows how to make fried chicken like someone who’s raised in the South. My mama grew up there and made the best in the world.” He stopped. “At least, she’s made the best I tasted so far.”
She giggled again. “That’s fine. I wouldn’t want to make a man doubt his mama’s chicken. I believe there’s plenty left. Glorianna put the plates over there.” She pointed to a spot on the table where two plates waited for them.
Outside, there were two places at the table. Lavette seemed much more comfortable with the others. She even glanced up at the women sometimes when they talked to her. Josiah wanted to ask what had been said before he got to the kitchen, but he didn’t quite know how to put it.
The meal wore on, people returning to the kitchen, the men for a second plate of food, then everyone for a piece of pie or cake for dessert. Josiah couldn’t keep up with the conversation. He heard bits and pieces about Fort Lowell, the school, the changes needed to the less savory parts of town, and the need for a church with a pastor in residence. Most of the time he simply enjoyed being next to Lavette, watching as she listened to everyone else.
“May I walk you home?” Josiah could smell the hint of cinnamon that seemed to cling to Lavette as if she just stepped out of the kitchen. “That is, if you’re ready to leave.”
She gazed up at him, her light brown eyes probing. “I should get home. Mrs. Sawyer may be coming back from her daughter’s any time, and I’ll need to be there. She gets so tired on these long days, but she loves seeing her grandchildren.”
He followed her to the kitchen, where she gathered her empty dish and said her good-byes to the women there. On the way from the house, Josiah nodded to Conlon, Quinn, and some of the other men to let them know he was leaving. Taking the cloth-covered bowl from Lavette, Josiah ushered her out into the late afternoon sunshine. A cloudless blue sky stretched overhead. The sun blazed down, not overly hot, but enough to make them willing to stroll rather than rush down the street.
A hummingbird darted past Josiah’s ear, pausing to hover beside a flower long enough to extract a bit of sweetness, then flitting away. The iridescent green of the tiny bird’s body gleamed in the sunlight.
“That thing can’t be bigger than my hand.” Lavette’s dulcet tone held a hint of awe.
“They may be small, but I always want to duck when they fly past. The way their wings go so fast makes them sound like a swarm of bees on the attack.” Josiah grinned. Lavette’s hand tucked in the crook of his arm felt comfortable.
“I’m sorry if I’m nosy, but I have to ask you something.”
Lavette studied him, her eyes wide and questioning. “What?”
“When you left the parlor with Glorianna and Kathleen, you looked like the world was coming to an end. Then, when I came in the kitchen, you were smiling and playing with the babies. What happened?” Lavette frowned, and Josiah wondered if he’d overstepped his bounds. “If you don’t want to tell, that’s fine. I’m curious; that’s all.”
“I don’t mind talking about it. I don’t know if I can explain what happened.” Lavette slowed, and Josiah matched her pace, waiting for her to continue.
“Glorianna and Kathleen didn’t take me to the kitchen where the other women were. Instead, we went to Glorianna’s bedroom. We all sat on the bed. I thought they were going to tell me they didn’t want me coming around their house anymore.”
“They wouldn’t do that.”
Lavette flashed a smile. “I know that now, but I didn’t then.”
“So what did they talk about?”
“Well, that’s the funny part.” Lavette worried her lower lip for a moment. “They didn’t talk to me at all. Kathleen started praying, and Glorianna took up when she stopped. I’ve never heard anyone talk to God like He was standing right next to them. I think Mama may have prayed like that, but only in private.”
Josiah bounced on the balls of his feet, trying to be patient. “Did you join in?”
“Not out loud.” She shook her head. “No, I don’t think I did, but something happened. Between what Conlon said about Joseph forgiving his brothers and these women praying as if they truly cared about me—” She gave Josiah a bewildered look. “I can’t explain what happened. One minute, I was afraid and angry, and the next minute this wonderful sense of peace filled me. I don’t think I’m mad at God anymore, but I can’t tell you why. I’ll have to consider this.”
They walked in silence. Josiah couldn’t believe what she’d said. God was at work in her heart. She might not understand it, but he did. He knew God would work everything out for him and for Lavette. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d been so happy.
“Would you like to learn some of the songs we sang this morning?”
She glanced up, her eyes sparkling. “Oh, yes. I liked the one about the fountain. Could you sing it, and I’ll try to follow along?”
“That happens to be my favorite hymn.” Josiah squeezed his arm closer to his body, pulling Lavette to him. “There is a fountain filled with blood—” By the time he reached the chorus, she’d added her lovely soprano. Her words were hesitant, but Josiah was amazed at how much she’d caught from the singing earlier that morning.
“What beautiful words.” Lavette sighed. “I’ve always loved to sing, but sometimes I’m afraid to.”
“Why is that?”
She looked to the side, something in her posture telling him she wasn’t comfortable talking about her reason. They turned on the path leading up to Mrs. Sawyer’s house. Lavette halted, turning to face Josiah. Her mouth opened, then snapped shut. She stared at the front of his shirt, not looking up at him. Josiah waited, even though he wanted to grab her and make her tell him.
The smell of roasting peppers floated on the breeze. Josiah’s stomach rumbled.
Lavette chuckled, a strained sound. She glanced up. “How can you possibly be hungry after all you ate today?”
“Would you believe I’m a growing boy?” Josiah widened his eyes and tried to look forlorn. Lavette laughed.
“No, but I would believe you need a lot of food. I wish I had some more chicken to offer, but I’m afraid it’s all gone.” She met his gaze. Josiah realized his free hand rested on her shoulder. With only a slight pull, she would be close enough for him to hold her and kiss her. The urge nearly overwhelmed his senses.
A door banged somewhere close. Josiah stepped back. Lavette reached for her dish. Josiah took her elbow in his hand. He turned her toward the house. He’d better get her inside and leave before his emotions took over.
“May I come by in the evenings? I could teach you some more of the songs before next Sunday.”
“I haven’t sung with anyone in a long time.” She looked out at the street, a faraway look in her eyes. “I think I need to, though.” She smiled. “I’d be happy to have you come by tomorrow. Do you think we can do the fountain song one more time before you go?”
Josiah followed her example and closed his eyes. He let the words and music wash over him. Their voices seemed to blend in a way few did. He could imagine God in heaven enjoying the words and the sound. Silence hung heavy as the last notes floated away. Clapping startled him. Josiah’s eyes flew open. Lavette backed against him. Bertrand Mead stood a few paces away on the path.
“I’m so glad to hear you practicing, my dear. I spoke with Mrs. Sawyer again. I believe she’ll be ready to sell me your contract very soon. Then you can perform for me and my patrons.”
Chapter 14
The heat from Josiah should have chased away the chill that shook Lavette. Instead, she trembled like a leaf as she huddled next to him. She wondered if the heat came from the force of his anger. He put his arm around her shoulders to protect her from Mead. She could feel the tension in his taut muscles. His fingers dug into her shoulder, yet she drew comfort from the touch.
