Page 56 of Magnolia Summer

“Not me.” Ruby shook her head, her braids flapping wildly. “She was my teacher up until last year. Maybe you could ask her.”

Yes, maybe I will.If Truett was risking his life, Celia wanted to know if it was for a worthy cause.

“Don’t let’s talk about this no more,” Ruby said, her eyebrows drawn together. “Something more pleasant would perk us all up.” Her face broke into a smile. “Has Dr. Beverly been to see you lately, Celia?” Ruby grinned so big Celia saw a hole where a tooth should have been in the back of her mouth.

Celia swallowed. Not exactly the change of subject she’d hoped for.

“No, he hasn’t.” Lizzie answered for her as she walked up the steps. She carried Tempie on her hip, with Harley trailing behind.

Olean hugged Lizzie then took Tempie out of her arms, cooing over the child.

“Lizzie.” Celia gave her voice a tone of warning.

“Well, it’s true.” Lizzie shook her finger and glared at Celia. “He hasn’t been to see her once since the dance. She must have hurt his feelings.”

Celia glared back.Hush your mouth, Lizzie,she wanted to say. Like the grouchy big sister she was.

“Aw, don’t get riled.” Lizzie waved a dismissive hand at her sister and then turned to Ruby, frowning and shaking her head. “Celia doesn’t like to talk about Truett Beverly.”

But Ruby had no lack of things to talk about, and Celia was relieved when she changed the topic. She gossiped about who was courting who, and who was in the family way, and about how exciting it was to have a mysterious hooded horseman running around saving people.

Celia sat back and tried not to speak or attract attention to herself as she ruminated. And when Granny announced it was time to go, Celia was able to give them all a genuine smile, as Granny got up from the rocking chair and took her spit cup with her.

But her smile was short-lived, because as the hooded horseman, Truett was in danger.

* * *

Almira Suggs cameat nine o’clock on Thursday morning, bringing five of her favorite books. Celia rarely read novels, preferring to read history books and collections of essays or sermons. But she was so caught up in Almira’s enthusiasm for a novel calledPersuasionby British authoress, Jane Austen, that she promised to read it.

“It’s about a girl,” Almira explained, “whose friend persuades her not to marry a man because her family disapproves of him. After a few years he comes back a successful sea captain.”

Later, as Celia walked Almira down the lane, she was still trying to work up the courage to ask what had happened between Almira and James Burwell. As they strolled slowly, Almira said, “Just like the heroine, I’m in love with someone my father disapproves of.”

“Oh?” Her heart leapt.

Almira smiled wanly. “I’m not so sure it will work out as well for me as it did in Jane Austen’s novel. But I shouldn’t talk about it.” She shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. She stopped and faced Celia. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to teach this year. The school needs a teacher. Would you be willing to take over for me?”

“Me?” Celia stared back at Almira, disappointed in the abrupt change of topic. “I don’t think so. I’m planning to go back to work—in Nashville—in September. Isn’t there someone else who could do it?”

“Perhaps.” A deep crease brought Almira’s eyebrows together.

Celia suspected something was worrying her besides simply who was going to take her place as the town’s teacher. She laid a hand on Almira’s shoulder. “Are you in trouble? I promise I won’t tell a soul if you wish to confide in me.”

Almira nodded. Tears swam in her eyes, then slipped down her cheeks.

“I’m in love with James Burwell. My Daddy accused him of raping me and even tried to hang him, but James would never do such a thing.”

Almira covered her face with her hands and cried while Celia kept her hand on her shoulder, hoping it comforted her.

When Almira lifted her tear-stained face, she pinned Celia with a fierce look. “My father should be proud to have a son-in-law who is a scientist, don’t you think? James is a botanist, an inventor. A man who is good and kind. But because his skin is the wrong color—” her voice broke on a sob.

“I’m so sorry, Almira. It doesn’t make sense to me, either. Society is cruel. But you’re right. A man’s skin color shouldn’t matter. God judges the heart.”

Almira leaned her head on Celia’s shoulder as Celia slipped her arm around her. “Thank God you understand.” Tears continued to drip from her eyes. “There is something worse, and if you turn away and never speak to me again, I will understand. But . . . I think I may be pregnant.”

Celia bit back the gasp that rose into her throat. Her face prickled at the thought of being with child and unmarried.

“And if I am, and if my father finds out, not being able to teach school will be the least of my worries.”