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“I’m Lee Nelson, and I own this land…along with my family. You threaten her, you threaten me, understand? She’s been trying to tell you I deeded the land over to Gloria Newcomb, she deeded it to Hattie and Sam. Half this land is theirs, the other half is mine. The water rights are mine. If you want rights, then ask like a man, don’t come ridin’ up like a coward. Now get the hell off my land before I have you all arrested.”
The others seemed to consider his words, then slowly moved out of the yard.
None of the rest of them
spoke.
But as they were leaving, one threw a torch on the house. “I thought he was kilt!”
“Yeah, too bad the Federals didn’t get a hold of him.”
Lee and Joe scrambled for the well water. They had it put out in no time. But it had done some damage. It would cost a day’s work on the roof to repair it.
Hattie sagged against the porch, trembling now that they were gone. “I just wanted a decent education for my children, is that so wrong?”
Lee wrapped his arm around her and held her tight. For once, desire gave way to a need for comfort. He kissed her on the forehead. “I know, I know.” His breath was soft, comforting against her.
The kids came running out and Lee let her go to gather them about her.
She looked up at Lee. “Are you alright?” she asked, seeing his mouth bleeding.
“I’ll be fine,” he murmured, his eyes enveloping all of them.
He’d never felt the comfort of a family’s love before, but Lily came over to him and he picked her up in his arm. “I’ll take care of you, Uncle Lee.” She smiled.
“Thanks darlin’.” He smiled, then looked at Hattie.
Hattie cast him a hot glance then looked over at Joe. “Let’s go in and have some supper.”
Lily doctored Lee while Hattie fixed supper. Joe sat at the table and shook his head.
“When’s it ever gonna end Mr. Lee, the hatin’?" Joe asked. “I can maybe understand them not takin’ to black folks. I reckon. But you sir…you belongs here and they all knows it.”
“I don’t know, Joe. Maybe someday others will see the wrong of it. But I think that day is a long way from now,” Lee admitted. “There’s always been prejudice in the world. I guess there always will be…Until it stops, we gotta just keep fightin’. Or leave this country.”
He looked at Lily and knew the other kids were looking. “Does it matter to you that I fought a war and lost, Lily?” he asked quite seriously.
Lily smiled and hugged him to her. “Nope, I love you just the way you are.” Then she kissed him on the cheek and got down.
“I love you too, but I ain’t gonna kiss ya,” Violet said shyly.
Daisy stood quiet. She didn’t say anything, but he made eye contact and he knew he was making some headway with her.
Chapter Nine
“I’m going into town to pay the taxes…” Lee announced at the breakfast table.
“Do you think that’s wise, after last night?” Hattie asked.
“It’s got to be taken care of, once they see we have the money to pay it, things might settle down. What can they do?”
The children’s laughter from just outside distracted them.
Joe nodded. “That makes some sense. I agree, I think you need to get them paid. That way, legally, no one can touch you.”
Lee sipped his coffee and watched the children playing out in the yard as they sat at the table a little longer this morning. One sweet Magnolia tree sent a sweet scent to the air. Blue jays argued in the tree tops, and it looked like a storm was brewing from the north.
“Guess I better get a move on too.” Joe stood up, stretched and took his cup t o the counter. “Mighty fine breakfast.”
