Indigo (30 page)

Galen gave her a deadly little smile, then escorted Hester away.

Back in the carriage, Hester was so frustrated she wanted to scream her unvented rage. How dare that empty-headed little slut call her a whore.

Galen looked over at her and smiled. "Still mad?"

Her eyes flashed like a summer storm. "How can you be so calm?"

"I told her what she needed to know. She holds her own fate now."

"I had no idea she was so predatory. Foster will be devastated."

"I'm sure he will, but I would not interfere."

"Galen, he's a friend. He needs to know."

"Not from you,
petite.
Remember, he's in love with her. Who's to say he will believe you, especially when we know she will deny the tryst. If you value Foster's friendship, leave this alone. She'll show her true colors eventually."

"But—"

"Trust me on this."

Hester continued to have doubts, but decided to heed Galen's advice for now.

Before going to make mud pies, Hester wanted to return home and change clothing. Abigail stepped out onto the porch as Hester left the coach and came up the walk. Hester could see Abigail's surprised face. "Good morning, Gail."

"Good morning. Is that Galen Vachon's coach?"

"Yes," Hester answered on her way into the house.

Gail followed her inside. "Where are you going?"

Hester was halfway up the stairs to her room. "To make mud pies," she called back.

After changing and coming back downstairs, Hester faced a very confused Abigail, who asked, "Mud pies?"

"Mud pies."

"What on earth for?"

"Galen likes to make them."

"Galen?"

"Yes, Gail. Galen."

Hester could just about imagine what Gail thought of Hester addressing Vachon by his given name.

Gail asked, "So, are you going to tell me what is going on or will I have to pull it out of you like taffy?"

"There isn't much to tell really. I'm attracted to him and he seems very attracted to me."

Gail looked at her as if she'd grown a new head. "Galen Vachon?"

Hester nodded. "So if you want to take me to task do it quickly because he's waiting."

Gail grinned at the show of temper. "Hester Wyatt, is this really you?"

Hester looked down embarrassed. "Yes, it is. Gail, he makes me feel so—I can't explain it. Do you think I'm in love?"

"It's possible, my dear. But why did you look so glum when you came up the walk?"

Hester hesitated to tell Gail of Jenine's adultery, but she knew Gail could keep a confidence. Unburdening herself would also help her feel better.

Hester gave Gail a quick account of this morning's encounter. Gail was speechless.

Hester added, "Galen says I shouldn't tell Foster because Jenine will surely deny the whole thing and Foster won't believe me."

"He's probably correct. My goodness, what a mess. First you and Galen, and now this. Viola Welsh would probably put April on the block for the chance to pass this gossip around."

"I'm sure she would."

"Well, I'm not Viola. You go on and make your mud pies and have a good time. We'll talk about all this when you return."

Hester gave her friend a strong hug for her support then hurried out to join Galen.

They found a spot on the rock-strewn bank below the Folly. Unlike the last time, the hills surrounding the Huron River were no longer bare, but covered with the emerald-green coat of new spring leaves. In another month's time the foliage of the towering trees would be luxurious.

Hester was sitting and peering at the mud castle she'd just fashioned. "How does this look?"

Galen, who was lying on his back watching the changing patterns of the clouds against the blue sky, turned over and studied her creation. "Not bad for a novice."

"A novice? I suppose you can do better?"

"Raymond and I built better castles than that in our prams."

Feigning outrage, Hester threw a handful of mud his way. He rolled quickly out of the way and sprang to his feet. His playful growl propelled her up and sent her running and laughing down the bank. He caught her in less than three strides and scooped her up into his arms. When he began to tickle her, she screamed with laughter.

Their smiling eyes mirrored their joy.

He told her, "We need to do this more often. I enjoy hearing you laugh."

Hester said, "I enjoy you."

He carried her back to their spot then set out the hamper of lunch he'd brought along. They rinsed the mud from their hands in the clear chilly water of the river then sat down to eat. The chicken sandwiches and pound cake were more than enough to satisfy Hester's hunger. She washed it down with cold, clear water, then laid back to help Galen watch the sky. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Certainly."

"Lem and Jenine—what they were doing—was that the normal way a man joins with a woman?"

When she turned to look at him, her eyes were so innocent, Galen could not reply for a moment, then said, "Yes."

She looked away.

"Why do you ask?"

"Curious, I guess." The images of Jenine and Lemuel had haunted her all day. Hester could not escape the memory of Jenine's tortured face as Lem coupled with her. Did the joining cause that much pain? "Is it painful?"

Galen looked a bit confused by the question so she tried to be clearer. "I—well Jenine's face, she looked to be in pain."

Galen wanted to pull her close. Her innocence amazed him at times. "There is pain sometimes if it is a woman's first time, but with the proper lover there is no hurting after that."

"Are you a proper lover?"

He said gently, "I consider myself that, yes."

"Does a man have pain that first time, too?"

"Not usually, but it does become painful for a man if he's around a woman who arouses him and there is no resolution."

"Not during?"

"Not during."

A few moments of silence passed as he watched her thinking.
"Petite?"

She met his eyes.

"Was that your first time seeing a man and woman joined?"

"Yes."

He supposed to the uninitiated the face of a person making love could appear to be pain-filled, but it was a sweet pain, and he didn't know if he could explain it in a way that could be understood.

"So Jenine wasn't in pain?"

"No,
ma coeur,
she was not..."

The endearment seared her like a flame. She reached out and gently stroked his face. He placed his hand atop hers, savoring its small indigo warmth. He then touched his lips to the palm. "Why the curiosity?"

"Because that is the next step for us, is it not?"

"You aren't supposed to ask that question."

"Why not?"

"Because I will have to answer and I cannot lie."

"Suppose it is what I wish also?"

He stilled a moment and scanned her face. "Under normal circumstances I'd shout hallelujah, but are you certain you know what that means?"

"No, not really, but it is my decision to make."

"Of course, but
petite
—"

She confessed with all honesty, "Galen I have never known a man like you and I probably never will again. After the debacle with Foster, I doubt I will wed anyone. You are my only chance of realizing what it means to throw caution to the wind. I am the woman who almost agreed to a celibate marriage as Jenine so tactfully pointed out, but you made me see how joyless that would have been. You made me see there is more to life. I'll go back to being Saint Hester after you're gone."

"I don't envision life after leaving you, Indigo."

"The sentiment is appreciated, but I simply want to enjoy our time together to the fullest."

"Speaking as a man, no man in his right mind would argue with the logic."

She stroked his face, and said softly, "Then don't."

"I won't," he assured her, "but I'm experienced enough to say you will probably change your mind later after you return home, and I suppose I can accept that."

He paused a moment to run his gaze over her beautiful features. "I want you like no other woman before, Miss Hester Wyatt, but I'll not force you, nor will I press. You are to let me know if and when you are ready."

"Fair enough."

When the day ended they parted in the carriage with lingering kisses.

Hester shared dinner and talk with Abigail over the cuckolding of poor Foster, and Hester's own relationship with Galen. , "You don't think less of me, do you?" Hester asked.

Abigail pushed aside her plate. "The question should be, do you think less of yourself?"

"No."

"Then my opinion shouldn't matter."

"But do you?"

"Are you happy?"

"More than I've ever been in my life."

"Then I'm happy. He may break your heart though," Abigail added sagely.

"I know."

The next morning, Hester drove Abigail to the train depot in Ann Arbor. Abigail planned on spending the next month or so with her family on the western side of the state. Gail made the trek every spring and this year would be no exception. She and Hester shared a brief, fierce hug, then Gail got on the train.

Hester was just about to turn the mule back out onto the road for the return drive home when she spied a knot of people standing near the far end of the station. One of the men she recognized as Branton Hubble, the others were unknown. She became curious as a few more people drifted over to the gathering. She set the brake and went to investigate.

As Hester walked up she could hear Branton saying, "You don't have to stay with him, miss."

Hester made her way to his side. Upon seeing her, he sighed happily. "I'm real glad to see you. Talk to her, see if you can convince her she's free to leave."

The light-skinned young woman in question was tightly holding the hands of two little girls. The handsome man staring angrily was her master. It seemed the woman had approached Branton after getting off the train and asked him to help her to freedom, but when the master appeared a few moments later, fear and uncertainty were making her doubt the decision.

Hester approached her and said, "My name is Hester, I'm a friend of Branton. Are these your daughters?"

The woman smiled a bit and nodded her head.

Hester smiled down at the little ones. "What are their names?"

"This is Bess, and that's Naomi."

"They're beautiful," Hester replied as she knelt down to stroke each soft brown cheek.

Hester asked the young mother, "What's your name?"

"Mary."

"Does this man own you, Mary?"

The woman nodded her head.

Hester looked to the man. "Do you own them, sir?"

"Yes."

Hester told Mary, "By the laws of the state of Michigan you became free the moment you arrived. If you want to be free, the choice is yours."

The owner interrupted. "She knows all about the law, she doesn't want to be free. Look at her, you can see by her clothing that I treat her well, why would she want to be a destitute and penniless fugitive?"

He came over and stood before Mary and implored her in an emotion-filled voice, "Think of what you're throwing away. How are you going to feed the girls, where are you going to go? I told you I'd free you in a few years, and I'm going to keep my promise."

"No you won't," Mary whispered.

Their eyes held. He slowly placed a finger against her cheek and stroked it with the tenderness of a lover.

Mary's lids closed and a tear slid down to meet the caress. His voice was soft. "But I will, I will. Don't leave me, Mary... please..."

"You sold my sons," she told him, her voice choked with pain and grief. "The children of my flesh, the children of your flesh, and you sold them like they were nothing more than pigs at the trough."

"Darling, I'm sorry. That was business, I explained that."

"Business?! Will you sell the girls for business?" she demanded through her tears. "Would you sell your daughters too?!"

He wouldn't or couldn't answer.

"I will hate you for the rest of my life for what you've done. May the Lord have mercy upon your soul." She turned to Hester and said firmly. "The girls and I are ready, Miss Hester."

Branton helped with the luggage and Hester led Mary and her girls to the wagon. Hester saw Ezra Shoe leaning against the wall of the depot, watching.

Branton saw him too. "Wait for me and I'll follow you back to Whittaker."

She nodded.

It took only moments for Branton to return with his own wagon. As the two vehicles pulled off, Hester glanced back at Shoe. He smiled at her, then touched his hat.