Cora's Deception (9781476398280) (24 page)

“Aaron and I have a very special
relationship.” Cora covered her lips with her fingers but couldn’t
stop words already spoken. The stricken look on Eliza’s face,
reflected in the mirror, confirmed she should never have said
anything so insensitive.

Eliza snorted. “I thought Ralph and I did
too.” Her eyes darkened, and she looked almost fearful. “Cora, do
you think Ralph is getting tired of me?”

A rush of sympathy filled Cora’s heart. She
shook her head. “No, of course not. How could he?”

“Are you and Aaron getting married?” Eliza’s
change of topic came out of the clear, causing Cora to swing
around. Her eyes widened. “No. I mean, I don’t know. He hasn’t
asked me.”

“What would you say if he did?” Eliza leaned
forward, her earlier unhappiness no longer showing.

Cora turned back to the mirror to hide her
warm cheeks, but saw the blush there and covered it with her hands.
She shook her head. “Oh, Eliza, the questions you ask. Don’t you
think Aaron should be the first to hear my answer? That is, if he
ever asks.”

“What I think is you’d better make up your
mind before-hand so you’ll know what to say when it happens.” Eliza
stood. “I think you should say yes.”

Cora laughed. “You’re being silly. He hasn’t
asked and maybe he never will.”

Even after she climbed downstairs and left
Cora alone, Eliza’s question remained. What would her answer be?
Did she want to marry Aaron? Cora finished getting ready and joined
the family downstairs, but Aaron hadn’t shown up yet. He should
have been there. He was always punctual, if not early.

“Cora, are you eating with us?” Mother
touched her shoulder as she stood at the door looking out. “I’m
sorry, darling, but we’re ready to eat now.”

“Do you think something’s happened to him?”
Cora turned to Mother. “He could be hurt.”

“Would you like for me to tell Vickie to go
ahead without you?” Ben took his hat from the peg by the door. “It
won’t take me long on Flash. I’ll eat when I get back.”

“I think that would be a good idea, Ben.
Thank you.” Mother guided Cora toward the table. She spoke over her
shoulder. “I’ll keep a plate warm for you.”

Cora sat at the table, but her stomach
turned at the sight of her mother’s good cooking. What could’ve
happened? This was not like Aaron. He’d never been late before.

~*~

Two days later, Ralph showed up after
supper. Alone. Father let him in. “Take a chair and make yourself
at home.”

Cora hung her dishtowel to dry and turned to
face him. His usual smile was missing. Her heart twisted painfully.
Something had happened to Aaron. She collapsed into the nearest
chair.

Ralph shook his head and looked at Father.
“Thank ya, but I can’t stay.” He twisted his hat between his hands
and swallowed. “My pa . . .”

He blinked and cleared his throat. “Pa
passed on a while ago. We’ll be havin’ the buryin’ midmornin’
tomorrow. Ma’d appreciate it iffen you’d all come.”

Eliza’s sharp intake of breath pierced the
silence. Father placed his hand on Ralph’s shoulder. “I’m sorry to
hear that. Was it an accident?”

Ralph nodded. His brows drew together in a
way that reminded Cora of Aaron. “The still blew up a couple days
ago. We known right off he weren’t gonna make it. He was hurt too
bad. We tried to make his passin’ as easy as possible.”

“I’m sure you did all you could.” Father
lowered his hand. “Tell your mother we’ll be there. If you’d like,
Ben and I can help carry the word around.”

Ralph jammed his hat on this head and turned
toward the door. “Thanks, but I ain’t in no hurry to go back home
jist yet. Might as well make the rounds myself.”

Father nodded. “I understand. What about . .
.?” He hesitated. “What about the body?”

Ralph didn’t turn around, but his shoulders
stiffened. “Mr. Hanson’s takin’ care of that.”

“All right.” Father nodded. “If there’s
anything we can do, don’t hesitate to let us know.”

“I’ll tell Ma.” Ralph left without a word to
anyone else.

Silence filled the room after Father closed
the door. Cora’s eyes filled with tears. Aaron would be hurting so
much. How he must have suffered, sitting by his father’s bedside,
knowing he’d never get up again. No wonder he hadn’t come the other
evening. She thought he hadn’t wanted to come. Shame for such
thoughts rebuked her.

~*~

Chilly, damp October air encircled the
gravesite as neighbors gathered on a small rise behind the Starks’
cabin. Aaron and Ralph stayed close by their mother while Ivy stood
alone as if she didn’t want to get too close to her mourning
family. Her black skirt fluttered around her ankles in the cold
breeze. A veil covered her eyes, but didn’t hide the proud tilt of
her chin. Cora brushed at tears for the other girl. She had so
little yet wanted so much.

Mrs. Stark seemed even frailer than the last
time Cora had seen her. Her face was pale, her eyes dark hollows of
sorrow.

Mrs. Newkirk stepped forward and sang a hymn
in her clear soprano. The music soothed Cora’s soul, and she hoped
the Starks felt the same way.

As the last note floated away, Aaron squared
his shoulders and lifted his head. His voice sounded clear and
strong. “My pa’s parents, James and Martha Stark, followed Mr.
Daniel Boone to the backwoods of Kentucky in 1775, and lived there
the rest of their lives. In 1785, Walter Aaron Stark, was born. In
1806, he met and married my ma, Jennett Alice Wilkins. They had
seven children, four buried in Kentucky, and the three of us, Aaron
James Stark, Ralph Walter Stark, and Ivy Jennett Stark. Walter was
forty-nine years, four months, and two days of age when he was
killed by accident while makin’ a livin’ for his family.”

Aaron bowed his head after giving the
obituary. Cora’s heart swelled with pride. His southern accent was
strong, but he’d read and sounded like an educated man. Only he
hadn’t read anything. There was no paper in his hands. He’d
memorized all those dates and names.

Mr. Newkirk stepped forward. “Shall we
pray?” After the prayer ended, the men paid their respects, then
shook hands with Aaron and Ralph while the women hugged Ivy and her
mother, sharing tears of sympathy with them.

Cora lifted tear-filled eyes to Aaron. “I’m
so sorry. I wish I could do something to help.”

He took her hand and squeezed it gently.
“Thank you.” He cleared his throat. “Can you stay? Maybe your
father’d let me walk you home.”

Cora nodded. “He’ll be here until
everything’s finished. He won’t mind.”

When each person expressed their sorrow, the
men lowered the coffin into the ground. Aaron scooped the first
shovel of dirt and let it drop on the box that held his father. He
stepped back and handed the shovel to Ralph. After Ralph’s scoop of
dirt hit the box, the other men pitched in and a small mound of
fresh earth soon covered the open wound in the prairie.

Cora waited outside after the others left
while Aaron settled his mother in the house. She stood by the new
grave. Images of Mr. Stark filled her mind. His laughing, booming
voice. Striding across the pasture, his gun slung over his
shoulder. The way he stomped one foot up and down while he clapped
and called for the square dances. Life and death. So close
together, yet so different.

She’d always thought death was a sort of
deep sleep. Wasn’t it? Father mentioned life after death. Esther
said the soul lives either in a place of torment or in the presence
of God. Were they right? Where was Mr. Stark now? If she’d died,
where would she be?

Cora shuddered and turned from the grave.
Aaron’s long strides crossed the grass to her. She welcomed his
presence and held out her hand.

Aaron’s fingers closed around hers, warm and
alive. He stepped close to her. “I’m gonna miss him.”

Tears sprang to her eyes at the husky sound
in his voice. “Oh, Aaron, I’m so sorry this happened.”

“There weren’t nothin’ a body could do.” He
stared at the grave. “I started to come to your house that evenin’.
Then, somethin’ went wrong at the still so’s it blew up. He came
staggerin’ in and fell in the yard. I sure didn’t mean to do you
that-a-way.”

“It’s all right, Aaron. I understand
now.”

“He hurt somethin’ awful. We sat up with him
all night long.” Fatigue lined Aaron’s face.

Cora took a step away. “What you need is
rest. If you don’t want to walk me home, I can go by myself.”

For the first time she’d seen that day, a
faint smile crossed Aaron’s lips. “You oughta know better’n that. I
wouldn’t let ya walk all that way alone. Bein’ with you is better’n
rest, anyhow.”

Cora smiled while her heart sang to the love
in his words. She snuggled her hand closer in his, and they started
down the path into the woods. His warm, rough palm against hers
thrilled her heart. The sound of Aaron’s voice, explaining the
trees and herbs, the birds and animals that he knew and understood
wrapped around her with a hug of security. If only they could walk
on together for the rest of their lives. But the forest on their
prairie was too small and their walk drew to an end as the clearing
came into sight.

Aaron’s steps slowed. He stopped just inside
the shelter of the trees and turned Cora to face him. She waited
with bated breath. What did he want? His lips curved, his bright
blue eyes gazing into hers with a sparkle of love. Something
dropped on her head. He picked a dried leaf off and tossed it
aside.

“Cora, can I kiss you?”

Oh, yes.
Cora’s heart beat a wild staccato. She swayed
toward him, giving him all the encouragement he needed. Ben
wouldn’t stop them this time.

She’d been kissed before—by George. But
never had she been kissed like this. Aaron’s kiss was gentle and
chaste. A mere meeting of the lips for a brief moment in time, but
the warmth of his love, his tenderness, and especially his respect
for her, enveloped and claimed her heart forever. So different from
anything she’d known before. His eyes searched her face before a
slow smile crossed his. They’d stepped over a threshold. Nothing
would ever be the same between them.

She looked away. “I guess I should be
getting home.”

“I guess so.” Aaron didn’t move. “Do you
think Vickie and John’d give us another chance to visit?”

Cora nodded. “I know they will. Would you
like to go Sunday afternoon?”

He nodded. “If it’s all right with
them.”

“It will be.”

“I gotta git you home.” Aaron held her
gaze.

Cora nodded. She leaned forward, and Aaron
bent toward her. Her heart pounded as his lips touched hers yet
again.

~*~

Cora climbed into bed with a smile, her walk
with Aaron still fresh on her mind. Eliza snuffed out the candle
and got in beside her. Her whisper sounded clear in the darkness.
“Did you and Aaron come to an understanding?”

“What do you mean, ‘an understanding’?” Cora
turned toward her sister to keep her voice from going to the next
room where Ben might overhear.

“Did he ask you to marry him?”

Cora’s smile disappeared. “No, of course
not.”

“Then why are you so happy? You’ve been
humming ever since we got back from the funeral.”

Aaron had been wonderful. He’d just attended
his father’s funeral, yet he’d concentrated on her. He’d kissed
her. Not just one time, either. He cared for her. She saw it in his
eyes. Why wouldn’t she hum? She couldn’t stop the smile from
returning. “Why? Do you think I’m happier than usual?”

Eliza made a very unladylike snorting sound.
“Of course. You know you are. I’d be happier, too, if Ralph paid
more attention to me. He hardly spoke today.”

“It was his father’s funeral, Eliza. You
can’t expect him to act as if nothing happened.” Even as she said
the words, she thought of Aaron. He’d been especially attentive to
her. Maybe Ralph didn’t care for Eliza.

“It didn’t stop him from sniffing after Anna
Hanson.”

“Eliza! You shouldn’t say things like that.”
Cora stifled a giggle. Ralph had spent a good part of his time with
Anna after the funeral.

“Well, it’s true. Besides, Ralph doesn’t
come calling very often. He never tells me when he’s coming. Every
now and then he just shows up.” Eliza sighed.

“Why don’t you tell him you’d like to know
ahead of time?”

“Because he might never come if I do. He’s
so handsome and charming. He’s a lot of fun, Cora. I don’t want to
lose him.”

“Eliza.” Cora barely whispered in the dark
room. “Has Ralph ever kissed you?”

“Cora!” Eliza’s shocked whisper brought a
rustle from the other room.

“Shh.” Cora squeezed her sister’s arm. “Keep
it down. You’ll have Ben after us.”

Silence filled the room. No sound came from
next door. Eliza whispered again. “He tried a few times, but I
wouldn’t let him.”

“Good for you.” Cora turned her back to
Eliza. Anna Hanson would accept Ralph’s kisses. She might even
allow more than kissing. Eliza was wise to resist Ralph. He wasn’t
like Aaron. He didn’t take life seriously enough. Aaron would never
take advantage of a girl or use her for his pleasure like some men
did. Like George did. And maybe like Ralph.

~*~

Mother grasped the edge of the pie safe and
pressed a hand against her swollen stomach. Cora paused at the
table with a stack of plates in her hands. Mother must be in pain.
The baby must be getting ready to be born.

“Mother, are you all right?” Cora set the
dishes on the table and hurried to her.

“Yes, dear, I’m fine.” Mother straightened
and smiled. “Just a twinge. We need to finish the noon meal before
your father and Ben come in.”

“If you’re sure.” Cora backed up.

“I am.” Mother turned to the stove.

Cora exchanged a look with Eliza.

Mother didn’t mention her pain to Father
when he came in, either. Throughout the meal, she winced a couple
of times, but other than that seemed to be as usual.