By Way of the Rose (32 page)

Shane would stop by every morning to take her into town with him. He was working as an overseer at the Eastland Plantation. It was just outside of town so it was not out of his way to take Sarah to the dress shop. Even if it had been, she knew he wouldn't have minded. He'd arrive early and drive slowly. “So, Miss Trissy is having a dress made by you, huh?”

“Oh yes. She came in just yesterday to see how it was going. Oh, I can't stand that stuck up devil!”

“Devil? That's awful strong talk. What in the world did she do to you?”

“Well, I suppose she's still mad at me cause you didn't pay her no mind when we were kids. I do think she still wants you to be her sweetheart.”

“Well, what did she say that's got your feathers in a ruffle?”

“Yesterday she came prancing in to have a look at her dress. I took her back into the sewing room to show it. Now I don't know if you know it or not, but a dress looks nothing like a dress while it's in the process of being sewn up. So when we got there and I held up the basted scraps of fabric, she went into a tirade. She told me how much she'd paid for the material and that I'd have to pay her back every cent for chopping it up like that. Mrs. Hamilton and I tried to explain to her that it was nowhere near done. She said she certainly hoped not and that she didn't want my ‘incompetent’ hands back on it. But what she didn't know was that it was Mrs. Hamilton who'd cut it out and done the basting. I only do the sewing. That Trissy Eastland is the rudest person on earth!”

“I don't know about her being the rudest. All those uppity plantation folks are like that. And I mean everyone of them I've ever met.”

“I think she's just a spoiled brat,” Sarah snapped.

“She's bratty, selfish and mean for sure.”

“I'll accept that.”

Shane helped Sarah from the wagon then went on his way as she readied herself for another day of neck breaking work. By the end of the day Sarah's neck and shoulders would be so stiff she'd have to work out the kinks before she could even stand up.

“Morning, Sarah!” Mrs. Hamilton's cheerful voice rang out. “Trissy Eastland is coming back this afternoon for a fitting. I want you to get as much done on that dress as you can before then. The sooner we get that one done the better. I just want that girl and her dress out of this shop!”

“Yes, the sooner the better. I'll get started right now.” Sarah sewed right on through lunch and didn't even stop for a drink of water. By the time Trissy came in, the pieces of material had begun looking like a right nice dress.

“This is a wonderful job,” Trissy cooed. “It turned out after all. I'm pleased about how you've salvaged her work. You are very gifted indeed, Mrs. Hamilton.”

“Well, it was Sarah... ”

“And I want you to do all my spring dresses, “Trissy interrupted, “and a gown for the Easter ball too. How does that sound?”

“You'll have to find someone else. We are totally booked up right now. In fact, I don't know when we'll get a break.”

“Oh no, Mrs. Hamilton! You can't deny lil’ ol’ me. And you know I'll pay you generously. How many of those others are going to tip you extra? And you do need to get started on my Easter dress first, if you please.” Trissy talked as if she'd never been told no in her life about anything. If so, it had never stuck because the word ‘no’ just didn't seem to register with her.

“I'm sorry, Miss Trissy, we simply can't take anymore right now.”

“Well, we'll talk about it after this one is done. Help me get it off now. This will be the prettiest day dress I've ever owned!”

After Trissy flounced out of the shop, Sarah spoke to Mrs. Hamilton. “You know you need the money. I really don't care what she says to me. Believe me, I've heard worse. If she is willing to tip you extra, I say take the job and ignore her remarks. She seems to like you well enough. It's me that she's peeved at anyway. Just let her think you did it all. I could care less. I just need the money and you do too, so give the spoiled brat what she wants.”

“Do you think we should dangle her a bit though, and raise the price?”

“That's your business. I'll follow your lead though and I won't leave you to do it all alone.”

“Then that's what we'll do. They have plenty of money and she can afford to pay us for putting up with her and for making her blasted dresses.”

They both laughed.

Mrs. Hamilton made Trissy pay in advance and gave Sarah half of the money. The first thing she did was order Jennie and Bettie each a brand new pair of shoes.

When spring came around. It was time to get back to the hard labor of plowing, planting, weeding, moving the new chickens, spring cleaning and all other such chores as well as working with Mrs. Hamilton. Jennie and Bettie were courting and hard to lasso into their chores. Sarah hardly had time to fret about anything and too tired at night to even think. She fell into bed and was out before her head hit the pillow.

Trissy's Easter ball gown and her summer dresses were exquisite. She gloated over them madly and declared that they were well worth every cent she'd paid for them. Sarah was glad that she was pleased and glad that the responsibility was off her back because she had long ago spent the money. Now she could breathe easier.

Summer was flying by in a frenzy of work. This year the crops were beautiful. Each tomato vine was full. Squash had to be picked everyday along with the beans, okra, pickles and peas. Sarah hardly got to see Greta, but Shane came by every evening to help out wherever he could. Chopping wood, gathering the produce and so forth.

Sarah and Marion canned jar after jar of fresh vegetables. This winter there would be plenty of everything. Sarah felt proud and the money jar was filling up nicely. They had a hog for butchering in the fall and the new chicks had already begun to lay.

The chickens surrounded Sarah as she cast the chicken feed out over the ground. They squawked and pecked and fluttered to grab every morsel they could get. The new little ones were getting pecked and shoved away. “Hey you stingy old biddies, you let them have some too!” she fussed.

“You trying to teach chickens good manners?” Shane teased her from the roof of the chicken house where he was mending the leaks.

“They're so mean to the new ones!”

“That's how it is and that's how it's been forever.”

“Maybe so, but my chickens are going to behave themselves, even if I have to force them.”

“I believe you actually could change that brood.”

Shane's face was sunburned and sweaty. She knew they had been allowing him to do too much around here. It wasn't fair to him and they had pretty well caught up. She knew he worked hard at his job, his place and now theirs. “You should be resting now, or doing what needs to be done around your place. You're doing too much. Get down from there and come into the house. I'll fix you a glass of cold lemonade and we'll rest for a bit. I need a break too.”

Shane smiled and climbed down the ladder. “Yes ma'am! I've just put the last shingle on anyway.”

“Good for us.” She took him by the arm and led him into the house. Marion was fussing over the baking and fanning herself with her apron. It was hotter in the house than it was outside. “Daniel simply must get that outside stove repaired!” she fussed. “It was fine to let it go during winter, but I need it now!”

“Yes! I don't know how you stand this heat, Momma. Let's all go out onto the porch and drink a glass of lemonade.”

“I think I will in a minute. Y'all go on while I put this last loaf in the oven.”

“All right... I'm leaving yours on the table.” Sarah handed Shane his drink and they strolled out onto the porch. Sarah sat on the swing as Shane perched himself upon the porch's railing. “Oh, I'm so tired. I dread going to work in the morning.” Sarah took a drink.

“Why don't you quit?”

“I can't leave Mrs. Hamilton high and dry. Besides, we need the money.”

Shane rolled his eyes. “You should start building a life of your own and let your folks tend themselves.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I hate to be blunt,” Shane came over and sat beside her on the swing. “but sometimes life just calls for action. Marry me and let's build our lives. Your folks should be able to do for themselves after this year. Jennie and Bettie are probably getting married soon. Why not you?”

Sarah looked at him. She almost wanted to say yes, but her hand went to the locket she always wore around her neck and out of sight. She felt as if the pull she had towards Shane was dishonoring the love she had for John.
What if he was still alive?
She had to wait for him. Tears came to her eyes.

“What's wrong? I didn't mean to upset you.”

“It's impossible, Shane. I can't marry you. Not yet.”

“Not yet? What are you waiting on? Your folks to grow up so they can make it on their own?”

“Something no one would understand. I have to wait until I'm ready and I don't know when that will be. I may never be ready. It's best if you go on with your life and not wait on me. Find a nice girl to settle down with. Someone to have you some beautiful children, tend your house and mend your shirts.” She placed her hand on his face.

“There's no one I want to do all those things with but you.” Shane's jaw clenched as he looked down at his boots.

“You've never looked anywhere else. Give someone else a chance.”

“Who? Trissy Eastland?” He stiffened his back. “Who wants to marry a silly little toad like her? She hasn't the sense God gave a red bug!”

“No matter where I go I'll never have truer friends than you and Greta. God knows I'd rather cut off my own arm than to hurt either one of you, but Shane, I can't marry you. I just can't.”

“Why? Give me a good reason.”

“Too many questions that I have no answers to.”

“Or too many questions that you won't answer.”

“Won't, you're right... I won't answer them because I know the answer and I don't like the answer that I have to give.”

“Excuse me, Sarah, but you're being a fool.” He got up from the swing and put his hat on his head. “I've got to be getting home. I'll see you in the morning.”

“I can walk to my job.”

“You don't have to. I'll leave you alone about this but I'm still your friend.”

“You're more than my friend,” Sarah stood. “you are my best friend and you must know that I do love you dearly.”

“I love you too. Always will.” He gave her a crooked smile but the hurt still shone through his sparkling blue eyes.

Sarah watched as Shane drove away. She touched the locket again.
Please, John... come back or turn me loose. Let me know that you're alive if you are or set me free if you're not

Every now and again, while they were working together, Sarah would look over at Shane. Being near him gave her a warm, safe feeling. There were even times that she wanted him to hold her close. As he looked into her eyes, an unexpected warmth would come over her, then a memory of John would flash into her mind. She'd touch the locket she had tucked behind her bodice. This made her start crying and Shane would be there to comfort her.

“It's all right. It's going to be fine. Please don't cry.”

“I'm sorry... I don't think I'm ever going to get over it, Shane. It's almost been a year and we've heard nothing. I don't know if he's dead or alive. I just can't stop thinking about him. I can't let him go, and it kills me to hang on.”

“It'll get easer... it will.”

“It seems to be getting worse as time goes on. The more I don't hear and am left to wonder... I just want to know where he is! I can't stand not knowing. Hearing that he is dead would be easer than this!”

“It kills me to see you hurting like this.”

“I can't help it.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“Just be my friend, just like you've always been.”

“You have my word on that.” He hugged her close.

Sarah rested in his arms for a moment and closed her eyes as he held her. The cradle of his strong arms was natural and comforting. She wanted him to hold her like this forever. Then she realized what she was doing, quickly freed herself from his embrace and went back to work.

Trissy Eastland sat reading, as she did every evening, under the sprawling oak that grew near the edge of the Eastland pasture. But her mind wasn't on her book. As usual her mind was on the rugged and handsome Shane Thompson. This vantage point gave a clear view of the barn where Shane would come before going home. She had admired him from here many an evening.

She sat up straight as she saw him coming from the fields, his shirt sweaty from the day's hard work. She watched him as he took it off and doused himself with fresh cool water from the well bucket. The water glistened off muscular arms and shoulders that were sunburned brown. He noticed her staring at him and gave her a quick nod. Quickly, she looked back down at her book. Shane took a long drink of water then put his shirt back on before he entered the barn.

Soon he and his wagon were rattling by her and down the driveway. She knew he was going to pick up Sarah from the dress shop. She huffed loudly as she slammed the book down hard on the ground. She must find a way to get close to him! Soon she would make her move.

As Shane emerged from the fields the next evening, Trissy was sitting primly beneath the oak, just as always. When he went on into the barn to feed her father's stock and hitch up his wagon, she followed, standing close behind him.

Soon, as though sensing someone was behind him, he turned to see Trissy standing there. “Evening ma'am.” He said a bit startled. “What are you doing out here?”

“What do you think?” She smiled at him slyly.

“I— I don't think you should be out here, Miss.”

“I do declare if you ain't the cutest thing around.” She walked toward him as he stepped back. “A big man like you ain't scared of little ol’ me, are you?” She giggled.

“You really shouldn't be here, I don't think your pa would like it.”

“What my pa don't know won't hurt him.”

“But what your pa finds out might hurt me.”

“You are funny!” She threw her head back and laughed wildly.

“I've got to be going now, Miss.”

“Don't you think I'm pretty?”