Morning Sky (6 page)

Jarena noted her father’s look of smug satisfaction as he turned his attention to Lilly. “Go on, Lilly. Tell ’em ’bout your life down there in New Orleans. ’Member you said they’s all growed up now—they’s able to hear the truth. If you’s able to speak it, that is.”

Aunt Lilly drew a deep breath and then slowly exhaled through pursed lips. “Well, all right then. I suppose I can rightly entertain you until our noonday meal is ready. My sister Jennie, that would be your mama—we were born to the same mother, but we had different fathers.”

Jarena dropped the knife she’d been using to pare apples. “Mama never mentioned that.” She glanced at her father.

Ezekiel nodded. “That’s true.”

As Moses had done earlier, Lilly settled back in her chair. All eyes were focused upon her as she stated that she, too, had been sired by a white man. She told how her early years were spent on a plantation in Virginia, living in the big house, where her mama was a house servant.

She shot a look at Ezekiel as she added that life had been a little easier for them than it had been for the field slaves.

“A
whole
lot easier,” Ezekiel said.

“A whole lot easier,” she conceded. “Our mama, your grandmother, was a cook at the big house, and I spent my time playing with the master’s young daughter. Course, at the time, I didn’t realize I was his daughter, too; that’s why I was chosen to be Sarah’s playmate.”

With her elbow resting on her knee, Grace cupped her chin in her hand. “But you were privileged to be at the big house.”

Lilly sighed. “I suppose you could say that. Sarah and I were together all day long. Every day. So when the tutor came to teach Sarah her lessons, I sat over in the corner and listened and learned right along with her. Sarah even had me do her schoolwork for her each day after the tutor went home. At night, when I returned to our little room off the kitchen, I’d teach my sister, your mama, what I’d learned that day.

She was a year younger than me, but she was a smart child—learned easily.”

“You got that right,” Ezekiel agreed. “And she know’d right from wrong, too.”

Lilly kept her attention on Jarena and her sisters. “As I was saying, your mama learned quickly, and I’m pleased to see she made certain you girls received some education. Now, where your mama and I differed is that I used what I learned to get ahead in the world, while she chose to get married at a young age.”

“And we’re surely glad she made the choice to marry Pappy, or we wouldn’t be here,” Grace put in.

“And how did you end up in New Orleans?” Moses inquired.

“That happened after we were sold and living in Kentucky. There was a fine gentleman that came to the plantation one day—a white man. He was taken with my beauty and intelligence and offered to purchase me right there and then. The master refused at first, but eventually they struck a bargain and he took me to New Orleans.”

“And is that the man you married?” Grace asked.

Lilly arched her brows and looked at Grace as though she were a bit slow. “No. He was already married—to a white woman. But he gave me my freedom and—” “You weren’t no more free in New Orleans than you was workin’ in the big house back at the plantation,” Ezekiel blurted. “That man still owned you. He put up the money for your keep, but you repaid him with your soul.”

The rebuke brought Lilly to her feet. “I repaid him with my body, but not my soul! My soul still hangs in the balance, Ezekiel. I haven’t yet decided if I’ll give that to God or the devil.”

Ezekiel stood, too. “That’s what ya say now, but that’s not what you was tellin’ Jennie in them letters you used to write her—telling her ya could heal her if she’d come to New Orleans and let ya practice some of that voodoo magic on her. And don’ ya try and deny that, neither. She read them letters to me, and Jennie weren’t no liar.”

Lilly slowly lowered herself onto the chair, clinging to her lace-edged handkerchief.

Jarena watched the older woman. There was little doubt Lilly was embarrassed. A haunting look of desperation filled her eyes as she attempted to retain a sense of decorum. And much as Jarena loathed Lilly’s behavior, she could not in good conscience continue to watch the woman struggle any longer. “It won’t be long until dinner’s ready,” Jarena said. “You men go on outside while we set the table and dish up the food. I’ll call you when we’re ready to sit down.”

Lilly brushed past Jarena on her way to retrieve a serving bowl. “Thank you.”

The words were no more than a whisper, but Jarena heard them clearly—and they sounded sincere. Perhaps her simple act of kindness would carve a chink in Aunt Lilly’s hardened heart.

CHAPTER
5

T
hough the conversation throughout their meal had remained stilted, Jarena noted Aunt Lilly seemed to regain her composure as the afternoon wore on. Shortly after Miss Hattie and their other guests arrived, it appeared as if the earlier discussion had been completely forgotten.

Miss Hattie busied herself cutting a slice of raspberry pie while Ezekiel stood over her, holding a plate. She stopped short of dishing up the slice and turned her rheumy eyes on Moses. “So when you an’ Truth gonna finally jump the broom? Seems like you been talkin’ ‘bout marryin’ that gal forever, but you still ain’ done nothin’ ‘bout it.”

Moses grinned and extended his hand toward Truth. “It’s not me that’s holding up the plans, Miss Hattie. Truth says she wants to wait until September.”

The old woman squinted and then frowned at Truth. “Why? You two been courtin’ for nigh onto two years now, Truth. Seems as though you’d know if he’s the one by now.”

Ezekiel pushed his plate forward. “Could ya dish up that piece of pie, Hattie, or do I gotta do it fer myself?”

Hattie gave him a look before heeding his wishes. “You got no patience, Ezekiel Harban. Moses, you and Calvin come get ya a piece of this here pie and go on outside with Ezekiel so us womenfolk can get us some serious talkin’ done. Now where was I?”

Lilly leaned forward and patted Miss Hattie’s hand. “Attempting to rush Truth into marriage.”

“Rush? Either she loves him or she don’t.”

“Sometimes people need to find out if they’re truly suited, Miss Hattie. There’s a span of fourteen years between them—and a number of other differences, also,” Lilly asserted. “Personally, I think Truth is exhibiting a great deal of intelligence and good sense by waiting. After all, there’s nothing worse than finding out you’ve married the wrong person after you’ve already committed.”

Truth appeared both pleased and confused by the comments. “I don’t doubt my love for Moses, Aunt Lilly.”

Lilly patted Truth’s hand as she launched into a maternal speech.

She warned about confusing genuine love for a man with mere infatuation, especially in circumstances where one has never before had a beau. After all, an inexperienced girl, especially one who’s never even traveled, couldn’t possibly expect to understand the deep emotions a man and woman should have before they wed.

Truth frowned and shook her head. “But I’ve traveled, Aunt Lilly.

We saw lots of places when we moved out here from Georgetown.”

Lilly sighed wearily. “But you never truly
experienced
them, did you? Never lived anywhere else or learned about other people or cultures. In addition to the age difference between you two, you’re immature in the ways of the world—unlike Moses, who has traveled and is highly educated. Why, I would speculate you didn’t even enjoy being schooled, did you?”

Truth agreed her aunt was correct on that account.

Finding she could take it no longer, Jarena stepped forward to come to her sister’s defense. “Don’t you let anyone put doubt in your mind, Truth. You love Moses, and he loves you. The two of you have much in common. You’ve succeeded in publishing newspapers to two communities, which is a feat not many couples could accomplish. I’d venture that there aren’t many folks who could work so closely together in harmony.”

Truth clasped her hands into a tight knot. “And we’re both fond of Kansas.”

“I don’t expect that a man of Moses’s stature will wish to remain in this dreary place for long,” Aunt Lilly put in. “Once he’s proven to himself that he’s accomplished his purpose, he’ll be ready to move on. He’s already indicated an interest in politics. And you, Truth, will
you
be ready to leave here? Could you face leaving your sisters and father behind to follow your husband to some unknown place? Perhaps even another country?”

The joy in Truth’s dark eyes clouded with fear as she declared her concerns over leaving friends and family. However, she soon recovered and avowed Moses wouldn’t force her to leave her home, saying she was confident he would remain in Nicodemus if that was her desire.

Jarena glowered at Lilly as she concurred with her sister and then added, “I feel certain Moses would prefer to rear his children out here in the West.”

Lilly crossed her arms and glanced back and forth between the two sisters. “Truly? Don’t you think he would favor sending his children to a school where they could receive a quality education and would be afforded the same opportunities he received as a young man?”

“She’s likely correct,” Truth hesitantly agreed.

“Oh, pshaw!” Miss Hattie spoke up. “This here’s jest a bunch of nonsense to my way of thinkin’. Only God knows what’s gonna happen in the future, Truth. You gotta follow your heart. Moses is a good God-fearin’ man who’s bound to do right by you. Best you get yourself married to him afore some other gal sets her cap for him.”

Truth massaged her forehead. “What do you think, Jarena?”

“I’ve already told you what I think. If you want to get married tomorrow, we’ll see to it!”

Miss Hattie tapped the end of her parasol on the dirt floor. “Now that’s the kinda talk I like to hear!”

Lilly walked to the door, pausing to lay a hand on Truth’s shoulder.

“So far as I’m concerned, Truth’s inability to make her own decision speaks for itself.” And with that declaration, she stepped outside into the warm June sunshine.

Lilly spied the three men gathered under a lonely cottonwood a short distance from the soddy. Ezekiel was sitting on a bench while Calvin and Moses sat on the ground, both leaning against the tree trunk. Ezekiel glanced up as Lilly drew near.

She sat on the bench beside him, lamenting the fact that the women were discussing topics of little interest to her. Consequently, she had decided a breath of fresh air would be more to her liking.

Calvin tucked a long piece of buffalo grass into the corner of his mouth. After declaring that Lilly didn’t look like the kind of woman who would be happy living on a farm, he inquired what she planned to do with herself now that she’d arrived in Kansas.

Lilly batted her lashes and gave him an appreciative nod. “Why, you flatter me, Calvin. It’s nice to see that such a young man can recognize a woman who’s accustomed to the finer things in life. Unfortunately, unless I can locate some type of employment, I’m afraid I’m destined to accept Ezekiel’s hospitality. You see, I fell on hard times prior to departing New Orleans, and I’m afraid that I now find myself financially embarrassed.”

Calvin scratched his head.

“She ain’t got no money,” Ezekiel clarified.

Moses mentioned that a new banker had recently arrived in Hill City and was looking for live-in help. He offered to put in a word with Mr. Nelson if Lilly was interested in the position. Lilly was quite eager to say yes until Moses mentioned the couple had small children—possibly two or three. The mere thought!

Ezekiel slapped his knee and guffawed loudly. “Now that there would be a sight!”

Soon the other women joined them under the cottonwood. Jarena cradled little Annie Harris in her arms. With her bright eyes and dimpled chin, the baby girl was a picture of Nellie. On the other hand, young Nathan, with his sturdy build and quick smile, closely resembled his father. The boy trundled through the tall prairie grass and made a squealing headlong dive at his papa.

Miss Hattie motioned Ezekiel off the bench. “What you laughing ’bout?”

Ezekiel shoved his hat back on his head and chortled. “Lilly workin’ as a housekeeper and mammy for some banker and their young’uns over in Hill City.”

Well, that did it. Lilly jutted her chin forward and squared her shoulders. “I believe I’d be interested in the position, Moses. And I’d be most grateful if you would speak to Mr. Nelson when you return to Hill City. Tell him I could begin work immediately—so long as he can make arrangements for my travel to Hill City.”

The entire group stared at her until Miss Hattie finally spoke.

“ ’Scuse me? You’s gonna go tend house for white folk? I don’t believe it. You gonna wear them dance hall dresses to cook supper and chase after chil’ens? You ain’t fit to be lookin’ after no young’uns.”

Lilly shifted on the bench. “Oh, but I
do
mean to seek the position.

As for my clothing, I’m certain the banker’s wife will find my apparel quite acceptable—and fashionable, I might add. As for the children, I believe Mr. and Mrs. Nelson will discover that I have much to offer their children, both educationally and socially. Don’t you agree, Truth?