AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Thirteen
The next day, when Mr. Doolittle brought Julianna and Henri home from the train station, Drake told them about his run-in with the supremacists and the fire. His mother’s hands went to her cheeks and her widened eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Drake. I’m so sorry.”
Crying, she opened her arms and he went to her, holding her tight. “It’s okay, Mama, don’t cry,” he whispered emotionally. “That you had a house to come home to was my only concern.”
Julianna wept softly.
Looking on, Val, Reba, and Henri wiped at their own tears.
After a few moments, she raised her eyes to his. “You’ll rebuild, yes?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I’ll have to go to confession to seek forgiveness for my feelings about those men, but I’m glad they didn’t harm you physically.” Henri handed her his handkerchief. Pulling herself together, she asked Valinda, “And your intended. Is he here?”
“No.” Valinda explained why and the decision she’d made.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet him and his associate, but I’m glad you’re staying. I’m enjoying your company.” She then greeted Reba and said after, “Henri and I are going upstairs to recover from the train. Can you bring us something to eat?”
“What would you like?”
“Pie. A large piece of pie and coffee.”
“Coming right up.”
Julianna gave her son a final hug then she and Henri retired to their suite upstairs.
In the two weeks that followed, the local authorities deemed the deaths of the Defenders of the Cause justifiable under the circumstances, so no charges were filed against Drake and the men who’d defended the LeVeq home. General Sheridan began an investigation to ferret out any Army officers who’d aligned themselves with hate groups and promised to keep Drake and Raimond informed. Determined to change the discriminatory practices of the city’s transit system, William Nichols and two White friends boarded a Whites-only streetcar and refused to leave. The police were called, and he was arrested for disturbing the peace by entering a streetcar “set apart for the exclusive right of White persons.” Citizens of all races eagerly awaited his trial to see how the court would rule.
While Sable handled the reins, Valinda sat beside her on their way back to Julianna’s after yet another exhausting day of distributing food. Valinda had gotten much stronger from handling the heavy bags of produce, but it was still exhausting work. “Can I ask you a question? And if it’s too personal, it’s fine to say so.”
Sable looked over. “Ask away.”
“How did you know you were in love with Raimond?”
Sable chuckled softly. “I wasn’t at first. He was far too arrogant for my liking. Made me so angry one time, I threw his wet laundry at him. Made me even angrier carrying me through the camp slung over his shoulder like a sack of yams, but that man had more charm than the good lord allowed. When I began missing him dearly when he was away, felt my heart light up when I saw him again, and looked forward to spending every waking moment in his presence, I knew I’d fallen and fallen hard.”
Val stared. “And so you married him?”
“Months later and only because Julianna asked if I would.”
Seeing Val’s confusion, she continued. “After the war, the family needed funds to get back on their feet. There was money tied to a will from a relative but to gain access, Rai, as the oldest son, had to marry. Julianna chose me, unaware that he and I knew each other and hadn’t exactly parted friends after I left the camp. In fact, he was furious with me. I never expected to see him again, but there I was walking down the aisle.”
“Did he love you?”
“Julianna insisted he did. I was skeptical, but in the end she was correct. Wise woman, our Julianna.”
“So you settled your differences?”
“After some disagreements, misunderstandings, and my making him miss his mistress’s birthday celebration.”
Val found the sparkle in Sable’s green eyes intriguing.
“Let me simply say, he paid me a visit on his way to the party and ended up spending the night. With me, his wife.” Sable eyed Val and asked, “Are you in love with someone?”
“I think I’m in love with Drake, but knowing nothing about it, I’m not sure what to do. Do I tell him? Keep silent?”
“I’ve seen the way he acts when he’s with you. He’s in love with you, too.”
