Page 69 of Magnolia Summer

“This whole area of North Alabama, from the Tennessee state line to the Tennessee River below Huntsville, was occupied by the Yankees for almost the entire war. They headquartered in Huntsville and raided this area regularly. Near the end of the war, they burned most of the houses around here.”

His hollow expression made the air rush from her lungs. “I didn’t know.” She was afraid he wouldn’t go on, but finally he continued.

“One day they came, burning every plantation house they came to. When they got to us, Mama begged them to spare ours. She promised them she’d already freed all her slaves. She cried and pleaded. But . . .” he shook his head, “they burned our house to the ground.”

Celia whispered, “I’m so sorry.”

“Griff tried to stop them.”

Celia’s heart was in her throat. She ached to put her arms around him, but she was afraid he would stop talking, stop opening up to her. Every word was a precious treasure.

“Griff picked up a big rock to throw it at them. I was standing on the porch, scared to death, but Griff . . . he didn’t see the Yankee soldier who came up behind him. The man pushed Griff down, and my brother hit his head on the rock he was holding. He was unconscious for a week, and when he woke up, it was obvious there was permanent damage.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“I was only a child. There was nothing I could do, but it hurt to know that I hadn’t even tried to defend my home, my mother, or my brother. And now . . . I don’t want to be someone who stands by and does nothing, not ever again.”

Celia ached to comfort him, in awe that he would entrust this painful memory to her.

“I suppose the war was God’s judgment against us. We deserved what happened. No man should keep another enslaved. That’s the way I see it now. But how long will it take for this to be a joyful place again? How long does it take before a conquered land is allowed to prosper again? A hundred years? Two hundred?”

He stared up at the sky and she followed his gaze. A few stars had appeared.

“And when Sheriff Suggs tried to hang James, it wasn’t the first time he’d executed a man without a trial. He’s always done it quietly, making himself judge and jury, and nobody’s stopped him.” He shook his head. “After the last lynching, I decided to take matters into my own hands. And fortunately, I found out about what he was planning to do, before he tried to hang James, and I was able to save his life.”

His eyes met hers with that fierceness she’d seen in him only once before. “As a little boy, there was nothing I could do,” he said. “But now . . . That is why I wear the hood and cloak. And that is why I will do it again.”

He rose to his feet and pulled her up with him. He lifted her hand up to his lips and kissed the backs of her fingers before pressing her hand against his chest.

An exciting tingle started in her fingertips and spread through her. Seeing the same tenderness and longing that was inside her reflected from his eyes . . . It was almost unbearable.

“Celia, let’s get out of here.” His voice was gruff and he squeezed her hand, bending his head so close she could feel his breath against her cheek. “I’m tired of this place, everything about it. Let’s run away and get married. Marry me, Celia.”

Marry?You’re going to get killed and break my heart, a voice screamed inside her.But he was so beautiful, so noble. Could he actually want to marry her?

Her eyes focused on his lips, so close and inviting. How she wanted to kiss him and hold him and comfort him.Lord help me, I can’t resist.

She placed her palm against his cheek. Gently drawing his face toward her and rising onto her toes, she pressed her lips to his.

The hunger in his kiss turned her inside out. He still held one of her hands imprisoned against his chest, where she could feel the thundering of his heart. He pulled her closer with his other arm.

She stroked his cheek as they kissed. The ache inside her increased and the only remedy seemed to be to keep kissing him and never stop. Slipping her hand around his neck, she buried her fingers in his still-wet hair.

He’s going to leave me just like Daddy.He’s going to die.

Panic gripped her. She was kissing him, precisely what she’d promised herself she wouldn’t do.

The dream-image of him lying dead on the ground forced itself to the forefront of her mind. No. She couldn’t bear it, couldn’t bear to love him and lose him that way.

Celia pulled away and clutched at her chest. “I can’t do this. I can’t—” She gasped, unable to continue. She tried to pull out of his arms but he wouldn’t let go.

“No,” he growled. “You’re not going to do this to me again.”

Celia heard the pain in his voice and stopped struggling.

“I know you care for me,” he said. “What is it you’re so afraid of? What?”

She couldn’t tell him.