Page 19 of Magnolia Summer

“We’ll go over tonight, after dark, and scare him good,” went Sheriff Suggs’s voice. “He knows where his boy went to, and we’ll force it out of him.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Truett saw a couple of nods. But he kept his face directed down at his leaf. How many times had he seen James studying a leaf or a flower in exactly the same way? Always curious about everything, the quintessential scientist.

“I won’t need more than one or two men. Shouldn’t have any trouble with old Cato Burwell.”

The men chuckled, a cruel sound.

Slowly Truett moved away from the huddle of men and let the leaf drop from his hand. He knew where and when the sheriff planned to strike next, and he would be waiting.

His blood boiled at what they intended to do to James’s father, who had been blinded in an accident when James was a little boy.

Well, Truett had a plan of his own.

* * *

Celia smiled at Almira.She must be around Celia’s age or a bit younger, and she spoke in a soft, intelligent voice.

“I’m pleased to meet you, Almira.”

“I’m the teacher for the school here in Bethel Springs. Your sister Lizzie is bright and a fast learner. Will is too, though not as eager as Lizzie. Boys generally aren’t. Most boys, that is.” She got a faraway look in her eyes, as if she was thinking of someone else, even though she was still looking at Celia.

“Thank you. Yes, they’re both good readers, and Will is especially good at math.”

“I sure was sorry about your father’s accident, and sorry Lizzie and Will had to quit school. Of course, I understood about them having to take care of your mama and the little ones.”

“Thank you. That’s very kind of you.”

“I hear from Lizzie that you’re a dressmaker and hope to open your own shop.” Almira smiled, and it was as though the sun had popped out from behind a cloud.

“I do hope.” The words argued against her rising fear. Would she ever achieve her dream? After all, their family’s tragedy had already prevented Lizzie and Will from attending school. But if Celia could earn the family’s living, they could go back.

. “Good morning, Miss Suggs.” Lizzie said as she joined them, offering her teacher a smile just before she squeezed Celia’s arm. “You won’t believe what everybody is talking about! Some men tried to lynch a man—I’m not sure who he was—but then another man, wearing a hood to cover his face, saved him right as they were about to put his head through the noose!”

Celia’s free hand fluttered to her neck. “My goodness.” One rarely thought of such things occurring in one’s own town. They always seemed to happen in some far off, backward place.

Almira’s eyelids flickered and her face went white.

Lizzie took a step forward. “Are you well, Miss Suggs?”

“Oh, of course. I just hate to hear of such goings on, that’s all.” She lifted a paper fan and started swishing it so vigorously that stray strands of hair blew wildly around her face.

“I think I’m the last person to hear of it,” Lizzie went on. “You’ve heard about it, haven’t you Miss Suggs?”

“Well, yes, I did hear something.” Almira’s face had gone from white to showing a bright spot of red in the middle of each pale cheek.

“Who was the man getting lynched, Miss Suggs? Do you know?”

Celia was alarmed at the obvious discomfort Almira was suffering. The schoolteacher swallowed hard and fluttered her fan even faster, but she couldn’t seem to focus on either of them.

“I—I—someone else here could probably tell you.” Her voice trailed off.

“Do you know who was doing the lynching?”

“Lizzie, that’s enough.” Celia rested her hand on her sister’s arm. “Well-bred ladies shouldn’t speak of such things.”

Lizzie glanced at Miss Suggs and ducked her head. “I’m sorry, Miss Suggs.”

“That’s all right.” Almira’s mouth opened again, but she remained quiet.