A Lady's Choice (6 page)

Sarah raced up the stairs and flew into her bedroom. She yanked her dress and apron off and hurled them into the chair by the window. Mama had cautioned her over and over about going barefoot, but she hadn't listened. Now she'd paid the price. She'd never been as embarrassed in her life as she was when she realized she must look like she'd been working in a cotton patch all day.

She jerked the armoire door open and rifled through the dresses hanging there. She stopped, her hand on the white muslin with its long pink sash, at the thought of her skirt lifted above her ankles. Maybe that had been more embarrassing. She covered her face with both hands and shook her head. Why did Alex Taylor bring out the worst in her?

Now wasn't the time to be debating that question. Quickly she grabbed the dress, pulled it over her head, and dropped to her knees to search underneath her bed for shoes. Once she was dressed and her hair combed, she looked in the mirror, pinched her cheeks, and closed her eyes.
Breathe deeply; settle down; and don't let him see how flustered you are
, she told herself. Then she hurried from the room.

She paused at the bottom of the stairs and pasted a big smile on her face before she reentered the parlor. Taking a deep breath, she swept into the room with a bravado that belied the nervous twitch of her legs. Alex rose from the chair where Ellen had sat earlier. He smiled as she walked back in. “That didn't take long.”

She arched her eyebrows and responded in a cool tone. “I didn't want to keep you waiting, and I certainly didn't want you to leave with the image of what I looked like when you arrived.”

He shook his head. “You shouldn't think like that. It was evident you'd been working, and there's nothing wrong with honest labor. In fact I admire a woman who's willing to dig in the earth and make things grow.” He studied her for a moment. “You have many fascinating sides to your personality, Sarah, and I'm enjoying seeing each one.”

His words made her heart skip a beat. She tried to pull her eyes away from his piercing stare, but it was useless. “And what have you seen so far?”

He stepped closer. His gaze traveled over her face in a caress that left warm trails across her skin. “I've seen the loving daughter who wants to care for her sick mother, and I've seen the young girl who can still pout over the length of her dress. Then there's the baseball fan who knows about southpaws and no-hitters, and the gardener who doesn't mind a little dirt getting on her hands.”

“Anything else?” Her heart pounded so hard she wondered if he could hear its beat.

He reached out and clasped her hand in his. “Yes. There's the woman who excites me more than any other ever has and makes me want to know her better.” He eased closer until they stood only inches apart. “You have a hold on me, Sarah, but if you don't feel it too, then tell me now. I'll leave and won't bother you again.”

She looked down at their hands and back up at him. “I feel it too, Alex, but it scares me.”

“I know. It does me too. We don't know each other well yet. We need to give our friendship time to grow and see where it leads us.”

She nodded and directed a somber look at him. “I'd like that, but next time let me know when you're coming. I'll have my shoes on.”

His mouth dropped open, and he stared at her for a moment before he threw back his head and laughed. “Oh Sarah, you're delightful. You also know how to shatter a mood.” His eyes twinkled with happiness. “I wish you could have seen your face when you stepped through that door. It's a sight I won't soon forget.”

He took a step back from her, and she sighed in relief at the break in their close contact. His amusement infected her, and a smile crept across her face. “Don't tease me. I've always loved to go barefoot, but Mama says that well-brought-up young ladies don't do that. I just can't seem to break the habit.”

“Don't worry. I've buried this secret with the one about your ankles. My lips are sealed, and we'll mention it no more.”

On impulse she pointed toward the door. “If you'd like to see another side to me, walk with me to the pond. This is my favorite time of day, and we might catch sight of a catfish coming up to feed.”

“Let's go.” He curled his fingers around hers.

Her heart raced at the pressure of his hand holding hers as they walked from the house and down the path that led to the deserted barn. She pointed to the corn crib in the center of the barn. “When I was a little girl and would visit here, my grand-father would let me stay in there and watch him milk.”

“I wonder why I don't remember ever seeing you when we were children?”

She shrugged. “We didn't come here often. Maybe once a year. It was difficult for my father to get away.”

They walked past the barn to the field behind, where she guided him to the drooping willow trees that surrounded the pond. “I called this my secret place when I was a little girl. Now I come here every chance I get.”

Sarah ducked underneath the bent branches and led him to her favorite spot in the grass, where they were shielded from the sun by the thick foliage. The leaves stirred like a fan in the late afternoon breeze, a welcome respite from the heat of the day.

They sat side by side for a moment without speaking before Alex picked up a pebble from the grass and tossed it into the water. The stone skipped across the surface and disappeared beneath, triggering large ripples that floated toward the bank and washed over the edge of the small pond.

A comfortable silence enveloped them in their shelter from the outside world. Alex turned to her and gazed at her as if he wanted to tell her something.

“I was serious when I said those things to you earlier.” He picked up another stone and tossed it into the water. “The first time I saw you at church, I knew you were different from anyone I'd known before.”

“I meant what I said too. But, Alex, right now I have so many problems in my life I don't know if you need to become involved with me.”

He scooted closer. “I'm so sorry about your mother's illness. I know this must be very hard for you, especially after losing your father.”

She pulled a blade of grass out of the ground and rolled it between her fingers as she thought about the man with the laughing eyes who had been the center of the universe for her and her mother. “At least this time I know what's coming. My father's death was such a shock.”

“I can imagine.”

Sarah frowned and swiveled around to face him. “I still don't understand it. He had come home from his office the day after I graduated from high school, but all through supper he seemed preoccupied and didn't talk. Then after we'd finished he said he had to go back to the office. There was a matter he had to attend. He kissed my mother and me and told us he'd be home soon. Instead, a few hours later a policeman arrived at our door with the news that his body had been found on the sidewalk outside his building. They said he'd jumped from his office window.”

Alex touched her arm. “Sarah, you don't have to tell me this if it's too painful.”

“It is painful, but I can't quit thinking about it. There were too many unanswered questions.”

“Like what?”

“For instance, there was no note left, and his lucky token wasn't in his pocket.”

“What was that?”

“My grandfather and father both worked for the Cotton Exchange. When my father was a boy, my grandfather gave him a silver token he'd brought back from the 1884 World Industrial and Cotton Exposition in New Orleans. My father called it his lucky piece, and he always carried it in his pocket, but it wasn't on his body or in his office. It's never been found, and I know he had it.”

“What did the police say about that?”

She shrugged. “They said maybe somebody had rifled his pockets before his body was discovered. They also dismissed the story of a hobo who was sleeping behind the building. He said he saw a man slip out the back door and run away, but he said it was too dark to see what he looked like.”

“And they didn't try to find the man?”

“No, they said they couldn't put any stock into the word of a man who wandered around the country. So they ruled it suicide.”

Alex didn't say anything for a moment. Then he took a deep breath and shook his head. “You really have had a rough time. Now that you're here, I want you to know Ellen and I will do everything we can to help you get through what you're facing with your mother's illness. All you have to do is tell us what you need.”

She reached over and squeezed his hand. “Thank you. You'll never know how much that means to me. It seems for the past few years our problems have come nonstop.” She sighed. “Now I have another one I have to address.”

He frowned. “Can I help you with it?”

She shook her head. “Thank you, but…” She paused and her eyes grew wide. “Why didn't I think of this before? You're a lawyer—just what I need.”

A look of surprise crossed his face. “A lawyer? Well, I won't officially be one until I'm admitted to the Tennessee Bar, but I'll help you if I can.”

“Oh Alex, I've been out of my mind with worry, and I've been afraid my mother would find out. It might trigger an attack that she wouldn't overcome.”

He reached over and grabbed Sarah by the shoulders. “This sounds serious. Tell me what's wrong.”

She took a deep breath. “About ten years ago my father decided he needed to make a will. He wanted to make sure my mother and I would be cared for if he died. When the will was drawn up, he asked his cousin to be executor. My father had grown up with this cousin, and he trusted him. After my father died, this relative came to see my mother and me and told us not to worry, he would take care of everything. For the past two years we've been receiving a monthly check from him, but this stopped several months ago.”

“Did you ask what happened?”

“My mother had become so ill she didn't realize we weren't receiving any money, so I went to see him and asked him what had happened. He told me we had used up everything my father left us and that we needed to sell the house. By this time Mama and I had decided to come back here, so I told him to sell it. Several weeks before we moved he told me he had found a buyer for the house and that I would begin receiving money monthly as soon as all the papers were signed. But nothing has come. I've written him letters, but I've gotten no response. We're about to run out of money, and I don't know what to do.”

A sad look flickered in his eyes. “Oh Sarah, I'm so sorry you've had to bear this alone. Of course I'll help you. I'm going to Memphis next week to take the bar exam and spend some time at the firm. While I'm there, I'll see what I can find out. In the meantime, if you need money, I'll be glad to help you out.”

She pushed to her feet and shook her head. “No, I didn't tell you this so you'd give me money. Uncle Charlie will help us if we need anything. I just want to find out what's happened. We weren't wealthy, but I know my father had saved some money.”

Alex stood up and faced her. “I'll see what I can find out. What's your cousin's name?”

“Raymond Whittaker. He works in a bank down on Union Avenue.”

He put his hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes. “Don't worry about this, Sarah. I promise I'll look into it.”

Relief coursed through her body, and she smiled. “Thank you, Alex. You have no idea what this means to me.”

“I should be home toward the end of the week. I'll come to see you and let you know if I found out anything. Please try not to worry.”

She smiled. “I'll try. But don't let my problems distract you. I want you to pass the bar exam.”

He pursed his lips. “It's a tough test, but I've studied hard for it.”

“I'm sure you'll do well.”

They stared at each other for a moment before Sarah turned and led the way back to the house. For the first time in months, she felt some relief. With her mother's worsening condition, there was no way she could teach and care for Mama too. She'd spent many sleepless nights wondering what she would do if something had happened to their money.

She could only hope that Alex would bring good news on his return from Memphis.

By the end of the next week Sarah was about to go out of her mind. Alex hadn't returned, and she hadn't heard from him. All she could think about was whether or not he would be able to find out what had happened to her father's estate. Added to that worry was the fact her mother was beginning to suspect something was bothering her. So far she'd been able to dismiss her mother's questions, but she doubted if she could much longer.

She discarded the needlepoint piece she'd been working on and dropped it on the table next to her chair. With her mother in bed for her afternoon nap, it was a perfect time to get outside for a while. She headed to the front porch and had just stepped onto it when she spied a buggy coming down the road.

Her lips curled into a smile as she recognized Dr. Lancaster with Ellen sitting beside him. Since the night of the party, the two had become close friends, and now Ellen accompanied him on his patient calls. She waved as the buggy rolled into the yard.

“Good afternoon. I'm so glad you came.”

Dr. Lancaster hopped down from the buggy and tied his horse to the small tree in their yard before walking around and assisting Ellen to the ground. Sarah couldn't help but notice how they smiled at each other before they turned toward the house.

Dr. Lancaster reached back in the buggy for his bag and took Ellen's arm. Together they climbed the steps. “We were making rounds this afternoon, and I thought I'd better check on your mother.”

“She's asleep right now, but you can wake her if you need to.”

He shook his head. “I won't do that now. We can visit some first.”

Sarah reached out and hugged Ellen. “I'm so glad you came today.” When she straightened, she opened the door and motioned for them to come inside. “Can I get you some tea? And I have some cookies I made this morning.”

Dr. Lancaster nodded. “That sounds good. How about you, Ellen?”

“I'm always up to a cup of tea.”

Just as they stepped into the house, Mama's voice called out from upstairs. “Sarah, do we have company?”

“It's Dr. Lancaster and Ellen, Mama. I thought you were asleep.”

“I've been awake for a few minutes. Tell Dr. Lancaster to come on up.”

“I'm on my way.”

Ellen reached out and put her hand on his arm. “Do you need me to help, Edmund?”

He shook his head. “No, you go on and have your tea. I'll come to the kitchen when I'm through.”

Sarah watched him climb the stairs and enter her mother's room before she turned back to Ellen. She propped her hands on her hips and arched her eyebrows. “Edmund? I sense there's more to this relationship than just a doctor and his helper.”

Ellen's face turned red, and she waved her hand in dismissal. “Quit your teasin', Sarah. There ain't nothing but friendship between us.”

Sarah glanced up the stairs once more before she looped her arm through Ellen's and pulled her into the kitchen. “I don't know about that. I think the good doctor is smitten with you, Miss Taylor.”

“And I think the sun's done gone to your brain, Miss Whittaker. Now how about that cup of tea?”

Laughing, they entered the kitchen, and Ellen sat down at the table. It had been a lonely week for Sarah, and she was glad to have company. She glanced over her shoulder at Ellen as she pulled the kettle from the stove. “I thought Alex would be back by now. Have you heard from him?”

Ellen shook her head. “I know the bar exam was earlier this week, but I don't know when to expect him. I reckon he'll be over here the minute he gets home, though.”

Now it was Sarah's turn to blush. She felt her cheeks grow warm, and she smiled at Ellen. “I hope so. I like Alex a lot.”

“And he likes you too, darlin'.”

“I'm glad.” Sarah grinned and bit down on her lip as she finished making the tea.

Fifteen minutes later, Dr. Lancaster joined them. Sarah smiled and pushed to her feet to get him a cup of tea, but the expression on his face made her sink back into her seat. She tried to speak, but her throat felt paralyzed.

He sat down across from her and exhaled. “I had hoped your mother's condition would be better today, but it's not. I can see a marked difference in her since the night of the party. I'm very concerned.”

Ellen reached over and grasped Sarah's hand. “Are you all right?”

Sarah nodded and clutched Ellen's hand tighter. “I—I don't know.” She turned back to Dr. Lancaster. “Is there anything I can do to make her more comfortable?”

He smiled and shook his head. “I've never seen anybody do more than you've done for your mother. See that she eats, and don't let her overexert herself. She doesn't need to climb those stairs. It might be a good idea to move her bed downstairs, maybe in the parlor, so she can look outside.”

Ellen leaned forward. “I'll get Alex and Augie to come do that as soon as Alex gets home.”

“Thank you, Ellen.” She hesitated before asking the question she didn't want to ask. “Do you know how much time she has?”

Dr. Lancaster shook his head. “I leave those matters in God's hands. I try to treat my patients as long as He sees fit to leave them here.”

A tear rolled down Sarah's cheek, and she wiped at it. “It doesn't matter. I'll be with her until the end.”

“And we'll be here helpin' you,” Ellen said.

Dr. Lancaster cleared his throat. “She said she's been having trouble sleeping. I've given her a light sedative. Maybe she'll sleep for a while. I hate to leave you on such a sad note, but I have some other stops to make this afternoon. So Ellen and I need to be going, but we'll be back in a few days. If you find yourself facing an emergency you can't handle, call for help right away.”

Sarah's eyes grew wide, and she turned a questioning look toward him. “And how would I do that? There are no telephones in Richland Creek.”

Ellen laughed and patted her on the back. “I guess nobody's told you about our distress call. Have you noticed that post with the big bell hanging from it out back of the house?”

“Yes.”

“Well, that's what we call a dinner bell. The farm wives use it to call their family from the fields when it's time to eat. But if somebody starts ringing their bell over and over without stopping, everybody knows it's an emergency, and folks come runnin' to help out. So if you need anything, you just pull the cord on that bell, and you'll have neighbors here before you can bat an eye.”

Sarah breathed a sigh of relief. “That's good to know.”

She led them back through the house and to the front porch. They stepped outside and stopped just as another buggy rattled to a stop. Ellen's face lit up when she spied her brother holding the reins.

“Alex, when did you get back?”

He grinned and climbed from the buggy. “Just a little while ago.”

She turned to Sarah and smiled as he tied the horse to another limb of the tree where Dr. Lancaster's buggy sat. “Didn't I tell you he'd be over here as soon as he got back?”

Sarah couldn't take her eyes off Alex as he ambled toward them. His dark eyes sought hers, and he smiled before he glanced at his sister. “What are you doing here?”

Dr. Lancaster laughed, met Alex at the bottom of the steps, and stuck out his hand. “I'm afraid I'm the cause of it. Your sister has been going with me on my rounds so she can show me where everyone lives in the community. She has really been a tremendous help.”

Alex shook the doctor's hand and smiled at Ellen. “I'm sure she was happy to do it.”

“I was.” Ellen joined them at the bottom of the steps and smiled at her brother. “And I'm glad to have you back home. How did you make out on the exam?”

He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I have no idea. It was two days of question after question, and I won't know if I passed or not until October. I don't know how I'm going to make it until then.”

Ellen gave him a playful punch on the shoulder. “You'll be fine, and I'm sure you passed. You studied hard enough for it.” She inclined her head toward Dr. Lancaster. “I'm going with Edmund on the rest of his rounds, and then I'll be home to fix supper. Edmund's gonna eat with us.”

Alex smiled. “That's nice. You'll get to see what a good cook Ellen is.”

“Oh, I already know. I've eaten supper with Ellen and Augie every night this week. I've never had such wonder-ful meals.”

Ellen blushed and shook her head. “You're gonna make me have the big head if you don't watch out. Let's go. You got patients waitin'.”

Sarah struggled to keep from smiling at Alex's bewildered look as Ellen and Dr. Lancaster climbed into the buggy and pulled out of the yard. When they'd driven down the road, he turned to Sarah. “Did I miss something?”

She laughed. “I think while you were away Dr. Lancaster and Ellen became interested in each other.”

His eyes grew wide, and his mouth dropped open. “What? She can't be interested in anybody.”

“And why not?”

He climbed the steps to the porch and shook his head. “Because… Because she's too old to be thinking about stuff like that.”

Sarah burst out laughing. “Oh Alex, don't be ridiculous. You should be happy for her. She's probably lonely, and she'll be even lonelier after you leave for Memphis.”

“I asked her to come live with me.” He glared at her, which only made her laugh harder. He turned and stared in the direction of the buggy. “I can't believe it. I've been gone all week, and she barely has time to say hello before she runs off with another man.”

Sarah grabbed his hand and pulled him toward one of the chairs that sat on the front porch. “Quit acting like a spoiled child and come tell me about your week in Memphis.”

He started to say something else, but then he grinned at her and allowed her to lead him to the chair. He dropped down in it, and she sat next to him. “Well, like I said, the bar exam was tougher than I thought it would be. I don't know….”

She held up her hand. “I want to hear all about how the exam, but I'm dying to know if you found out anything for me.”

He threw back his head and laughed. “Now who's acting like a child?” He reached over and chucked her under the chin. “Only interested in what concerns you, Miss Whittaker?”

“Oh Alex, quit teasing and tell me.”

He swiveled in his chair so that he faced her. “All right. I won't keep you in suspense. I found your father's cousin at the bank where he worked. Since he'd set up the account with your money at the same bank, I confronted him about why you hadn't received any checks lately. At first he denied any wrongdoing and ordered me out of his office. I went back to the law firm, and Mr. Buckley called the bank president, who happened to be a friend of his. He checked into the matter, and it soon became evident your cousin had been taking money from the account.”

Sarah's mouth dropped open. “But why? I thought he had money of his own.”

Alex shook his head. “He did, but he'd about spent it all. He'd started frequenting the illegal gambling back rooms down on Beale Street and had lost nearly all of his. Not only was he taking your money, but he was embezzling from the bank as well. Fortunately for you and your mother, he had just started dipping into your funds, so most of it's still there. But if we had waited much longer, it would all be gone. He's been arrested on the embezzlement charge and will probably go to jail for a long time.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “So we have our money back?”

He grinned. “Well, most of it. It should be enough to take care of you and your mother for a long time.”

She gave a squeal of happiness, threw her arms around him, and hugged him. “Thank you, Alex, for helping us.”

His arms tightened around her. “Mr. Buckley suggested that the bank put your name on the account. You can manage your money as well as anybody else can.”

His words brought tears, and she pulled back and stared up into his eyes. “I don't know what I would have done without your help. I feel like you've saved us. I'm very grateful to you.”

His eyes narrowed, and he pulled her closer. “I don't want your gratitude, Sarah. I just want to be with you and know that you want to be with me too.”

“I do,” she whispered. “I thought about you the whole time you were gone.”

He was so close she could feel his warm breath on her face. She closed her eyes and tilted her face up as his lips descended on hers. In his kiss she could sense he'd missed her as much as she had him. She curled her fingers into the hair at the back of his neck. After a moment he broke the contact and pulled her against him.

She pressed her cheek to his chest and felt the steady throb of his heart beating. It felt so right to be in his arms like this, and she wished the moment would never end. He bent down and whispered one word in her ear.

“Sarah.”

And with that one whispered word, she knew without a doubt her relationship with Alex had entered a new phase today. No matter what happened in the future or where she went, for the rest of her life, she would never be able to break the invisible bonds that tied her heart to his.