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“She worked so hard to make sure we had everything. She read your letters to us. We knew you went to war, that you sent Gloria the deed; she must have known something about her death ‘cause she had the deed transferred into my name. But, being a Negro, I figured someone would want me off the land, so I went to the Marshal, the one she was sweet on and asked him to witness those papers. That way, if they wouldn’t recognize me, they might honor his signature. And the judge did. But I saw the death announcement in the paper one day and it was such a shock. Me and Sam, we knew you wanted us to take care of the place. That’s why we came. But we don’t belong here; and if we leave maybe the trouble will go too, besides, this is your home. We’ll go if you want us to, we won't mind. We don’t want to bring more on you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, you’ll stay here where you belong. Now, how’d you get a judge to let you in the place?”
“Joe.”
She shook her head and a tear fell. For the first time, her eyes met his and burned with a brilliance. Lee wanted to kiss her right there, but Sam was still standing beside him and he wasn’t sure it was a good idea.
“Knew what?” Lee asked, staring into her dark eyes.
“That…me and Sam wanted to come out here, with you.”
Lee closed his eyes and smiled. “I’m glad you came.”
“I didn’t know nowhere else to go.”
Lee nodded. “You did right. I planned to come get you when I was settled anyway. That is if you wanted to come. Gloria too.”
“Then you’re not mad at me?” she asked, almost breathlessly.
“Not at all,” he admitted. “I’m very pleased.”
“As far as I’m concerned this is where you belong unless you want to leave. Now tell me, has Frank ever hurt you before?” Lee asked.
“He’s been a little aggressive, but never quite as bad as tonight. Why does he want me? He can have any woman in the valley I’m sure.”
Lee frowned and looked at Sam. “He wants to destroy you. For who you are, what you are. Owning land in Alabama isn’t safe, Hattie. I didn’t stop to think about that but I thought you’d have Gloria. The Jeffries look down on people, like many others I guess. And because you are a desirable, beautiful woman and he wants you that way too. And it angers him that he wants you. It’s a little hard to understand I guess from your viewpoint. But a love-hate relationship is very dangerous. And it’s very dangerous for you to be alone here. He wants to tear you down, for all to see, and make you as filthy as he sees you.”
Hattie nodded. “I know…but I won’t let him.”
“Wrong, we won’t let him.”
He looked at Sam now. “You’ve done gone and grown up on me, Sam.”
Sam smiled.
After a long talk, Sam relaxed and sat down, but Hattie seemed to want to settle some things. “You won’t regret letting us stay on, Lee. I’ll continue to keep the house up, the meals cooked and help in the fields when I can. And Sam, why, he’s almost a man, he can…”
Lee stared at her from across the room. He came stomping up to her. “You won’t be my slave, Hattie. You nor Sam. You’re family. Remember that, both of you. My family.”
“That’s right, and family helps family.” Sam smiled at Lee. “But I gotta get some sleep. I promised to help Joe tomorrow. Night, Lee. Night, Hattie.” Then as though he thought of something he turned around. “I’m shore glad you’re home.”
“Me too. Now get some sleep. We’ll talk more tomorrow, Sam. Night.”
“But we’re not family!” she finally cried out once she knew Sam was gone.
“Dammit,” he ground out and brought her against him. Their lips met in a storm of emotions. His lips were harsh and cruel at first, but when she softened against him, he groaned and pulled her closer, exploring her inner recess with his hot mating tongue. Her hands clinched, and unclinched against him, as she added fuel to the fire with her complete submission. For long moments, they held each other, kissing, loving, touching.
He finally turned loose of her with a hard thrust and stared into her eyes.
“I gotta get some air.” And he stomped nosily out the door. He stared at her over his shoulder. “That was as good as I thought it would be. Maybe better.” Then he slammed the door with a thud.
***
Joe helped Lee move into the house. But Lee was determined not to stay too close. Until he decided exactly where Hattie did belong he needed to stay away, to think clearly. In reality, Hattie was black and he was white and Alabama would never accept them as a couple. Lee knew it. He hated it, but he knew it. No preacher would marry them here. And if he did what he wanted, he’d be no better than Frank, making her his love slave. He would not do that to her. She was a good person, a decent person. He would not shame her. But as God was his witness, he wanted her. He wanted to claim her as his own. He’d watch out for her from a distance. Living in the same quarters as she, was also dangerous for her too, in more ways than one.
He worked long hours in the field, took his meals with all of them and stayed away as much as possible.
Hattie hadn’t said much about it. But the kids came into his room from time to time to talk to him. All but Daisy; she was the suspicious one.
