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Lee felt his smile fade. “No, just seen a few of these before.”
He drank the lemonade and set the glass down on a table near the bed. “I better be going now.”
“Oh, but you’re our hero,” Violet protested his leaving. “Isn’t he, Mama? Please stay.” The young girl took his right hand. If she noticed his other missing she said nothing. Lee found that strange.
“Well, I’m not exactly a hero, honey, but thanks, and thanks for the lemonade. I better be going. Oh, I almost forgot, here’s something for you to think on.”
“What’s that?” the little girl cried.
“It’s called a dream catcher, and it’s almost magical. You hang it over your bed and the bad dreams all go away.”
“It’s mine?” she cried aloud.
“Sure, have your mama hang it for you.”
Lee headed for the door, escaping any questions he hoped, and trying not to feel so pulled to the little girl on the bed, besides Sam seemed very suspicious of him.
But Hattie ran behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. “I haven’t thanked you.”
“There’s no need…” he began.
She came closer. Saw the arm missing and let her eyes drift over him slowly.
“I know I probably shouldn’t do this. I’m a Negro woman, and it’s quite forward of me, but I think you need it…” she said breathlessly, and she moved without hesitation into his arms. She looked into his eyes and smiled. “I’m not bein’ forward just thankful, okay?”
“Okay,” he whispered, drawing her nearer. Her delicate smell surrounded him, like some kind of flower. Her body generously leaned against him, warm and inviting. She fitted against him naturally. He felt her breasts press against him like soft pillows, and her hands went to pull his head down to hers. Her breath tickled his neck. Lee felt the sincerity of her hug and a tear almost escaped him. He hadn’t had a hug since his mother died. He couldn’t speak.
This was exactly what he needed and he wouldn’t scold her a second time. He’d embraced the moment as there probably wouldn’t be another. The thought of losing what he wanted most made him pull her closer. “Do you mind if I hold you just a minute longer…?”
She sighed heavily, and smiled against him. “Not if that’s what you need…” she whispered. “It’s been a long war, hasn’t it?” she asked.
He held onto her wishing he could touch his lips to hers, wishing he could relax in her arms and let his feelings convey themselves to her. But he knew better and before long he pulled away and glanced into her eyes.
“Thank you, ma’am. Haven’t had a hug like that since my Ma was around.”
“Thank you for what you done…”
“Yes ma’am.”
He remembered the last time she’d hugged him and the memory made him want to pull her closer and touch his lips to hers, but the hug was meant to comfort and he couldn’t react like a mad man and take the advantage. She’d been a kid then, but now, she was a desirable woman and the more she came near him, the more dangerous it became. Lee hadn’t been in a woman’s arms in a long time. The warmth that surrounded him when she hugged him baffled him, surprised him, pleased him. This was a fine welcome.
“You’re very welcome, ma’am,” he whispered as he pulled away and brought his horse about, without a backward glance.
“Be seeing you, ma’am.” He tipped his hat to her and sent her a slow smile.
“You seem so familiar, as though I should know you,” she cried. “But, I don’t even know your name,” she called after him.
He didn’t turn and answer, he kept riding.
He was gone; gone to find some answers.
Chapter Two
A storm was about to break over the horizon as Lee neared the shed at the homestead. There were no lamps, but Lee knew the inside of it by heart. It was a welcome sight and he went inside and looked around. It was too dark to see everything, but he wasn’t ready to let himself be known. So many little things he’d learned in the service came to mind now. The last time he was here there was trouble waiting and he didn’t want to face that just yet. Trained to evaluate a situation before acting, he remembered that now. So he made himself comfortable by scrounging up some of the hay scattered on the floor. He needed to rest. He’d traveled for days, and met trouble almost instantly when arriving. He needed time to find out about things.
His boots had holes in them. His feet hurt; the sun had burnt down on him for weeks and he felt half-baked. He needed a bath, but right now he couldn’t see that happening. He looked at his clothes and realized he hadn’t changed in some time; he was dirty and sweaty. Hattie probably thought he was some tramp.
He tried to make himself go to sleep, but his body wasn’t listening to his head. He’d worried about the day’s events. His little Hattie with three little girls. She was also in his house. He wondered if Hattie had brought herself and Sam here. She must’ve taken control of his place and was living there. That had to be the answer. And that was fine with him. The closer she was the better. Even though he couldn’t make her his, he could help see after her.
