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“Did you enjoy your visit with Zeke?”
“I did. He wants to escort me to a band performance Friday. I told him I’d go. Never had a beau before.”
“About time then, don’t you think?”
“I suppose, but I’m not staying here, remember.”
“I do, but sometimes life intervenes and changes everything.”
“That’s sort of the way I felt when my parents died.” She’d lost them and then her sister Corinne. “Nothing was the same after that.”
“Falling in love with Oliver Randolph changed my life.”
Eddy was taken aback. “Then why are you two so at odds?”
“Noticed that, have you?”
“Yes, but I didn’t want to be rude and ask.”
Sylvia reached over and patted her on the knee. “You’re a good girl. My husband Freddy was a wonderful man. Our marriage was arranged by our parents. He looked after me and treated me well but he wasn’t affectionate. When Oliver began paying me attention, it was like finding water in the desert. He complimented me, told me how beautiful I was—even stole a few kisses. It was so heady I broke my marriage vows.” She looked up at the stars coming out for a long moment and said softly, “And while Freddy was underground working in the mines to keep me fed and clothed, I was aboveground being unfaithful. In fact, Oliver and I were together the night Freddy died in the mine accident. Never forgave myself or Oliver.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No more than I.”
“Do you still care for Dr.Randolph?”
“I tell myself I don’t, but I do. I was hoping after he married his Felicity, my feelings would fade, but they didn’t, and when she died in childbirth and he approached me again a few years later—I couldn’t. The guilt was too strong. Still is.”
Eddy found that very sad. She also had too little life experience to offer any advice, so she simply sat with Sylvia and watched the stars.
After a few minutes of silence she asked, “Do you know anything about this business proposal Mr.Fontaine has for me?”
“Yes. He wants you to make the cakes for the big ball he throws every year. Jim always needs help with the food preparations, and in the past my old chef would assist him.”
“What kind of ball is it?”
“It’s for the Republicans. Very very fancy.”
“Black Republicans, too?”
“No.”
“Should I accept?”
“I think you should. Rhine always pays well.”
Eddy thought that over. “I told him to come back in the morning. We’ll talk it over then.”
“Is he still showing an interest in you?”
“Seemingly, but it isn’t anything I can’t handle.” It was a lie, but she hesitated admitting the truth.
“Good. Keep him at bay. But doing the cakes may be advantageous. If his folks love your cakes the way our people love your food, you might be asked to do some baking for them.”
“You wouldn’t mind?”
“As long as it doesn’t interfere with your duties here, feel free to make a little money for yourself.”
