Undaunted Love, page 24
“Rafe! Where have you been?” Jeb asked, a grin on his face. “Your job is waiting for you!”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Greene, I’ve been… I ran…” He stopped, ashamed. Then he looked at the kindly face of his friend and shrugged. “I ran away, and I’ve been in Florida. I’ve come back for Livvie. I’m sorry I haven’t written.”
Clapping him on the back, Jeb led him to a new and large table by the back door of the sawmill. He pushed him into a chair and sat next to him.
“Tell me,” he said.
Rafe gave a brief explanation of the murder of Mr. Monighan, the sheriff’s arrival at the Hauser farm, and his shameful midnight flight from his wife. He didn’t look up during the tale, twisting his fingers as he told it all. He finished by explaining his sudden arrival, Wyman Phelps’ plan, and his desperate need to get to Wadmalaw.
“I’ve asked so much of you over the years, and you’ve been so generous. I’m not askin’ you to loan me your horse and wagon, just to help me find someone to take me to the Kinney farm.”
Jeb patted his forearm and smiled. “It’s good to have you back, young man. And I know that wife a’yours will be pleased as punch to see you! Now, things have picked up since we almost got burned out during the War, and all this rebuilding’s stood us in good stead. So you go on, take the horse and wagon, and get your gal.”
Overwhelmed by the years of kindness, Rafe was speechless. Finally he nodded. “I don’t know how long we’ll be. I gotta get things straight with the sheriff and Mr. Byrd. But Livvie wants to go back to Indian River City with me, and Captain O’Donnell has given me the ship’s schedule, so we’ll be here. I’ll try to send word.”
“What’s mine is yours, son. This sawmill woulda been yours, had things worked out different. But God has His own plan, and it unfolds in His own time. Now you get on. You got a baby to meet.”
A baby to meet. Rafe couldn’t get over those words as he trotted south over the familiar roads and bridges to Wadmalaw. I don’t just have a wife, I have a baby. A baby I’ve never met! He felt tears well up in his eyes. With God’s help, he’d be the man that his family needed.
When he turned the wagon down the Kinney’s drive, he kept to a walk. Now that he was here, he was nervous. Livvie said she loved him, and said she was not angry… But was that true? And what about her sister, and Gardner? How would they feel about his abandonment of his wife? He knew that he was angry with himself. How could these innocent people, who’d born the brunt of his selfishness, not be angry with him as well?
As he approached the house he saw a towheaded boy and a smaller girl playing on the front porch. They looked up at him and waved, then the boy ran inside. When Rafe was still a hundred feet from the house, two women came through the door. Madeline was wiping her hands on an apron, and Livvie was shading her eyes from the sun to see who was arriving. When she realized who it was, she froze for a moment, her mouth open in shock. Then she said something to her sister and ran headlong down the stairs, down the drive, and to him. He stopped the horse, flung himself out of the wagon, and grabbed her, picking her up and twirling her around, laughing and crying and kissing until they fell to the ground in a heap.
“Rafe Colton, where on earth did you come from?” Livvie said, tears streaming down her cheeks as she stroked his face. He was leaner, tanned, with lines around his eyes that hadn’t been there before.
“I came on a ship, and then Mr. Greene loaned me another horse.” He grinned, putting his hand gently on the back of her head and pulling her to him for a long, deep kiss.
Against his lips, she said, “He should know better than to lend you any more horses…”
They both laughed, and Rafe stood, helping Livvie to her feet. When they turned to the porch, Madeline was standing at the top of the steps, Gabriel in her arms. Rafe stood stock still and stared, the breath knocked out of him. Livvie put her arm through his.
“Come on, meet your boy.”
Rafe sat on the back porch on a wicker sofa, his son asleep against his shoulder. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, breathing in the scent of baby that surrounded the boy. His boy. His son.
“Mistuh Rafe, suh?”
Rafe opened his eyes and looked around, smiling at Nackie.
“Nackie!” he whispered. “Look at my son!”
The old negro laughed. “I been a’lookin’ at him for a good while now, Mistuh Rafe. He a good boy, like you was.”
Livvie came out and gently took the baby. “Tea’s ready, and he needs to go on to his cot for a good nap, or else he’ll be squalling all night and give his daddy a bad impression.” She swished through the door with a flash of a grin over her shoulder.
“Sit down, Nack,” Rafe said. “Tell me what’s been happenin’.”
Nackie sat in a rocking chair and shrugged. “Things was hard for awhile, but they’s better now. When yo mama passed…” He faltered. “That girl was a like a daughter to me, I won’t lie. Near to broke my heart. But I likes it here just fine, and Mistuh Gardner, he a good, fair man. A hard worker, goin’ out to the fields every day with the rest a’the workers. And Miss Livvie, she been happy here, ‘cept for missin’ you.”
While the former slave’s expression didn’t change, Rafe felt the reproach. His face flushed. “I know I shouldn’t’a run off like I did. God’s been bringin’ me to a place where I can be the husband and father they need. I’m back, and I’m gonna take ‘em home with me, after I talk to that sheriff and Mr. Byrd.”
“Mistuh Byrd, he ain’t in Byrd’s Creek. He said he was comin’ back for Miss Livvie, and I ‘spect he will, but he been off all over t’state, tryin’ to talk folks into votin’ for him come time.”
“I’ll find him. I’m going to tell him, and that’ll be that. Livvie and I will go back to Indian River City, and we’ll finally start our life.”
“You know Mistuh Byrd ain’t gonna be happy. He got some young fella he think Miz Liv gonna marry, and he wants that family’s money in his own pocket.” Nackie rocked back and forth, his gaze steady on Rafe.
“Havin’ a bigamist for a daughter won’t help him get elected. He’ll see that, at least. I’m more worried about the sheriff, to be honest.”
The old man grunted. “Ayuh. He ain’t a nice man. And he don’t seem all that interested in sherrifin, neither. Mostly he’s been kickin’ good folks outa their houses so carpetbaggers can come in.” Nackie laughed. “He tried that with Miz Hauser, and your wife and Miz Madeline took care a’dat mighty quick.”
Rafe raised his eyebrows in question, but Nackie just shook his head. “You go on n’ask her, she tell it best anyhow.” He got up and went inside for tea.
Chapter Fifty-One
IT WAS ALMOST DARK WHEN Gardner came in from the fields. He had washed his head and arms in the trough at the barn, and was shaking the water out of his hair when he came up on the porch and spotted Rafe. He broke into a huge grin and extended his hand.
“Good to see you,” he said. “Glad you’re back. Stayin’ long?” He sat in the rocker and stretched out his long legs. He stared off at the darkening sky.
“Long enough to get things straightened out here. Everything. Then I’m takin’ em back to Florida with me.” Rafe watched Gardner, unsure of how this would be received.
“Bout time,” he said. He grinned over at Rafe. “Supper ready?”
After the meal, Rafe helped Livvie give Gabriel a bath, amazed at every aspect of the boy’s tiny body. He was even more amazed that his wife had produced this energetic bundle, and said so.
“He wasn’t this big when he was born!” she laughed.
“Still…” he said, putting his arms around her waist and watching the mother and child interact. Gabriel was intent on the bubbles, and laughed every time Livvie blew them onto his round belly. He chuckled when she washed under his chin and arms. He grinned and burbled when she talked to him.
When he was out of the water and in a towel, Livvie handed him to her husband. Rafe held him out in front of him, smiling and talking to his son. Gabriel, still unsure of this stranger, stared back solemnly, big blue eyes round and unblinking. Livvie laughed as she watched Rafe stick out his tongue, make faces, and nuzzle the boy, trying to induce a smile.
“He’ll get used to you soon enough,” she said, reaching for the baby. She laid him down on the bed and fastened a diaper around his chubby legs, then slipped on a sleeping gown with a drawstring at the bottom. They walked together to the bedroom that Livvie had shared only with Gabriel until then. She laid the baby in the bassinet, where he tried to kick his confined legs.
Looking at the bed, then back to the bassinet, Rafe said, “Is this where we’ll sleep?” Livvie laughed at the obvious distress on his face. She took his face in her hands and brought it down for a kiss.
“He’s a sound sleeper, and we’ll just have to be quiet…” she murmured against his lips, leaning into him. Rafe wrapped both arms around her, feeling her heavy breasts press against his chest. He groaned, and thrust a hand into her hair, which was piled high on her head, pulling her even deeper into the kiss.
Gabriel woke once in the night, and Rafe propped himself on his side, his head on his hand, watching Livvie nurse him. She sang to him softly, quickly changed his diaper, and slipped him back onto the soft sheet, where he fell back asleep in just a few minutes. Sliding under the covers of her own bed, she found Rafe’s arms open to receive her, and she pressed her body full length against his, kissing him and holding him tightly.
The next day was passed with a laziness brought on by the high heat and humidity. All movement caused perspiration to form, and even the children played quietly inside, drinking cool water and avoiding horseplay. Despite the fact that skin-on-skin contract produced an exponential increase in the heat, Rafe and Livvie stayed together, reading and talking on the settee in the parlor. Madeline let them be, making sure the children didn’t bother them, and taking care of Gabriel except when he needed to be fed. When Gabriel took his nap, Rafe and Livvie went up to their bedroom as well, and Madeline smiled at their discomfited state after their supposed sleep.
Over dinner, Gardner asked Rafe about Indian River City, and he gladly told them of his work with Mr. Price at the grove and hotel; about Oliver and Maribel and their help, both physical and spiritual; and about Isaac and his wife in the mountains. He told them of the beauty of the place, the wide Indian River, gentle and without tide or current, the dolphin and sea cow and otter that one could see on most days, the sunrise, the storms coming across the gray water, bringing welcome rain. Livvie put her hand over his and squeezed, eyes alight with excitement.
“It’ll be perfect!” she breathed.
“It’ll be hot…” Rafe cautioned.
“It was hot here today,” Madeline noted.
“Aye,” Rafe acknowledged. “And it ain’t really hotter there than that, ‘cept it’s hot first thing in the mornin’, til night. But they wear less.”
Livvie raised her eyebrows and he laughed. “They’re wearin’ clothes, love, never fear. Just light cotton, and less petticoats and such. I’d leave all your wools and heavy things here. Maybe a one warmer thing for a winter chill…”
Suddenly there was banging on the door, then loud voices and footsteps in the hall. Nackie entered the room a bare second before the visitor, with an apologetic look on his face. Wyman Phelps stood in the doorway, hands on hips, feet planted wide apart. When Livvie took a good look at him, she realized he’d adopted this stance to prevent himself from swaying or falling over. He was drunk.
“What a cozy scene,” Rafe said sarcastically. Both Gardner and Rafe got to their feet and moved around the table in a protective gesture.
“Mr. Phelps,” Gardner said stiffly, barely containing his disdain. “What brings you here?”
Despite the heat, Wyman was wearing a long cloak, and, as he flung his arm out to point at Livvie, the material swirled about him. “Her,” he said, squinting at Rafe.
“Do I know you?” he asked.
Rafe shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. He’d hoped for more time before Wyman tracked Livvie to her sister’s, but he wasn’t surprised. At least as drunk as the man was, he and Gardner would have no problem handling him.
Wyman took a step forward, staggering slightly. He kept staring intently at Rafe, and finally smiled. “I do know you,” he said. “Rafe Colton. Isn’t the sheriff looking for you? Somethin’ about a little murder?” He grinned at Gardner. “Does Mr. Gingras know you’re harborin’ a fugitive, then? I don’t think he’d take kindly to it.”
“What is your business?” Gardner asked, standing next to Rafe and glaring at the drunken man.
Taking in the two men, both larger than himself, standing in front of the ladies, Wyman straightened his sweat dampened collar, swept the edges of his cloak over his shoulders, and tried to stand taller. Clearing his throat, he said, “My business, as you so indelicately put it, is Miss Olivia Byrd, who was promised to me by her father. I’ve come to collect.”
“I don’t…” Livvie started, but a look from Madeline silenced her, and she stared at Wyman around her husband’s rigid frame.
“Livvie’s not marryin’ you, which Hugh made perfectly clear.” Gardner glanced at Nackie and barely raised an eyebrow. The old negro nodded and slipped out the door behind Wyman.
The man sneered at the mention of Hugh Byrd’s name. “Mr. Hugh high and mighty blowhard Byrd used me to get to my daddy, and bully for him. But he promised me his daughter, and changin’ his mind doesn’t change that promise.”
“She’s not marryin’ you,” Gardner said again. “And she sure as shootin’ ain’t goin’ anywhere with you.” Glancing out of the corner of his eye, he could see that Rafe’s jaw was clenched and his body as tense as cord wood. Behind Wyman, Nackie entered, holding a shotgun. Gardner gave him the barest of nods.
“I mean to have her,” Wyman said and started forward. As Wyman lurched towards Gardner, Rafe stepped around him, took the weapon from his old friend, and chambered the round. At the sound, Wyman stopped dead in his tracks. Even his sodden brain understood what that sound signified. He slowly turned to find Rafe holding the shotgun at his shoulder, aimed at his heart. His hands went up slowly at his sides, but his face contorted with fury.
“Go,” Rafe said, grinding out the word between his clenched jaws. “Now. And don’t be comin’ back.”
Wyman, a good deal more sober than he’d been two minutes before, sidled around to the door, never taking his eyes off Rafe and the gun. He walked backwards down the hall, hands still up, followed by Rafe. Behind him, Gardner and the women followed slowly. Nackie opened the front door, and Wyman stepped backward over the sill, dropping his hands.
“I’ll be back, and I’ll bring Gingras with me,” he spit out before turning and flying down the stairs, cloak swinging out behind him. They heard a horse gallop down the drive, but Rafe didn’t lower his gun until there was no sound at all except the ticking of the old grandfather clock in the hall and the sweet music of the crickets in the summer night.
Chapter Fifty-Two
THE SHAKEN FAMILY TOOK THEIR places at the dining table, but no one could eat. Nackie joined them, very shaken by the incident.
“That man’s eat up with crazy,” Nackie said, and after a moment of silence, everyone started laughing. Tension broken, it seemed they all needed to speak at once. Finally Rafe held up a hand.
“One thing we can count on, he will be bringin’ the sheriff back here. Not tonight, but likely tomorrow.” He took Livvie’s hand. “I’d hoped to tell your daddy about us first, but it looks like we’re going to have to tell Gingras.”
“Or y’all could leave first thing and go to Columbia,” Gardner said.
“Columbia?” Livvie asked.
“Daddy’s there,” Madeline said. “I had a letter today. He said he’s stayin’ there for two more weeks, and then comin’ to get you, so I better be prepared and have more help for my condition.” She laughed again. “But if you go on, you can tell him first, and then come back to Gingras.”
Rafe looked at his wife and raised his eyebrows in question. She nodded.
“You take Mr. Greene’s horse and wagon back to him tomorrow, then take the train. Daddy’s staying at the home of General Chestnut, on Hampton Street.”
Livvie nodded again. “I’d better go pack. We’ve got Gabriel’s things to bring, too.” She got up, then bent to plant a kiss on her husband’s cheek.
“There’s never a dull moment when you’re around, my love,” she said.
After a hasty breakfast of day old bread with butter and jam, and with a basket prepared for them by Chloe containing lunch, Rafe loaded his family in the wagon. Gardner and Madeline stood at the top of the stairs, Thomas holding his father’s leg and waving sleepily, his blonde hair sticking up from sleep.
“We’ll be back as soon as we can,” Rafe said apologetically. “The sheriff’s gonna come…”
Gardner cut him off. “I’ll handle the sheriff, y’all just get prepared for Hugh. I don’t imagine it’s gonna be a pleasant chat.”
