Bluegrass Dawn: Bluegrass Single #2 (Bluegrass Singles) (7 page)

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Marcy heard the screen door open. She smiled as Jake brought her a blanket to wrap around her flannel nightgown as she looked out over the snowy fields. The months had flown by now that they were together. Jake had gone to the doctor once a week for therapy on his leg and was now able to walk without a cane. He was on track to be completely healed in just a few more months.

The infection that had riddled the injury while in the jungle had slowed his recovery, but she knew he was determined enough to work on it until his leg was healed.

“It’s so peaceful in the mornings,” Marcy told him as she blew on her hot chocolate. “I love sitting out here. Even the cold weather isn’t going to stop me.”

“It makes me think of peace. There’s tranquility in it. The sun cracking over the horizon, the red cardinals sitting on the fences, the quiet sound of cows in the distance—it centers me and gets me excited about the day. I can’t wait to get out there and work,” Jake told her as he took a seat next to her with his coffee.

“I’ll help you feed the animals and check on things. But, it’s Christmas Eve and I want to bake some pies for the town party out at the Wyatts’ house.”

“That’s okay. I don’t mind doing it myself. Especially if that means you have time to make an extra pie just for us.” Jake grinned like a schoolboy getting a treat.

Marcy couldn’t resist. “Anything for you.” Suddenly she had a desire to call her mother. They hadn’t talked in almost a year—since her birthday, in fact. Her brother had had twins and her mother was too busy with being a grandmother to talk long. But it was Christmas and Marcy was determined to talk to her family and let go of the bitterness she held for being constantly left out. Besides, she had her own family now. Jake and Keeneston never made her feel left out.

“I’m off. Come on, Bertha,” Jake leaned over and gave his wife a kiss before standing up and heading for the barn with a big fat pink pig trailing happily after him.

Marcy went inside and changed clothes. She got out the flour and eggs and mixed the dough just as Helen had taught her. Today and tomorrow she was making all of the Davies family holiday recipes. It was their first Christmas together as husband and wife and she intended to make a big deal out of it. She’d been saving a few extra dollars every week and had bought Jake the perfect Christmas gift. She couldn’t wait to give it to him. She’d put in so much thought and knew he’d love it.

Marcy hummed to herself as she mixed the dough and sliced the apples. Finally it was late enough that she could call her mother. She knew they’d be at Scott’s house since his wife was now in charge of the family as the oldest wife.

Kevin was newly married but if she knew her mother, it was all about seniority. Marcy had received an invitation before she’d known about Jake’s injury. She had written them and told them she was holding down the fort at home and wouldn’t be able to make it.

She got nervous as the phone rang. She hadn’t talked to her brothers for years.

“Merry Christmas!” a woman said happily over the phone. The sound of laughter and cheer in the background came through crystal clear and Marcy felt the familiar feeling of being on the outside looking in.

“Merry Christmas. You must be Debra. I’m Marcy Davies. Um, Faulkner.”

“Oh! Scott’s little sister. Far-out!”

“Marcy?” She heard Scott ask from the background. “What does she want? Is she okay?”

“I think so. She sounds fine,” her sister-in-law said as she covered the phone with her hand. “Sorry. It’s so nice to talk to you. With the cost of long distance, it’s just so hard to call. And it’s been crazy with Scott and Kevin just returning a couple months ago from their deployment. Thank goodness for Mom or I don’t know what I would have done,” Debra laughed.

Marcy felt horrible. The green monster of jealousy reared its head. Her mother hadn’t bothered to help her while she ran a massive farm by herself, worrying every day that her new husband may be dead.

“Yeah. Well, I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas.”

“Wait! Scott wants to talk to you.”

“Hey, sis!” Her brother actually sounded happy to hear from her.

“Hi, Scott. How are you? Mom said you were deployed?”

“No biggie. We were in the Mediterranean Sea mostly keeping an eye on things. What’s going on with you? Did you hear I’m a father now? And guess what? Debra just found out she’s expecting again.”

“That’s great. Jake and I don’t have any kids yet. In fact, he just got back from Vietnam a couple months ago. We’re taking our time and enjoying getting to know each other again.” Marcy smiled to herself. Oh boy, were they enjoying it.

“You better hurry up. You’re not getting any younger.”

“I’m not even twenty yet. I think I have some time.”

“Maybe if you just want one,” Scott laughed. “Anyway, great to hear from you, sis. Too bad you didn’t make it to Kevin’s wedding. It was a huge shindig. Mom was crying all over the place with happiness. Dad was even dancing. Oh, here’s Mom. Ma! It’s Marcy,” Scott told her as he handed off the phone.

“Are you trying to come home? I’m not sending you any money.”

“What?” Marcy asked, confused.

Her mother sighed. “What do you want, Marcy?”

“It’s Christmas. I thought I’d wish everyone a Merry Christmas and let you know how I’m doing.”

“We have too much to do today to hear about that. Debra and Brenda—she’s Kevin’s wife—and myself have a lot of cooking to do.”

“Well, Merry Christmas. Mom? Why don’t you like me?”

“What nonsense are you talking about? See, I told you I don’t have time for this. Your brothers are waiting. I’m making them their favorite pancakes. Good-bye.”

Marcy held out the phone and stared at it. Her mother had hung up on her. She had known her brothers were the darlings of the family, but knowing she wasn’t missed at all by her parents, and just a side thought to her brothers, crushed her.

She hung up the phone and picked up a rolling pin. She viciously worked out the dough until she had quit crying. She would take the high road and send a Christmas card every year. But if they wanted more than that, then it was up to them to make the move. She’d love them in her heart and that would be enough. As her mother said, that was a woman’s lot and Marcy had decided to accept her lot in her family.

When she lifted her head, she saw Jake walking across the pasture holding a small calf with a pig and a huge mama cow trailing after him. Her heart swelled and a smile spread across her face. Jake turned toward the house and smiled at her. She had her own family now. And in a couple years, when she and Jake were ready, they would have kids of their own—a whole bunch of them. And she would raise them to love one another, not to compete to be the favorite.

Yes, she knew she’d do it because Helen had taught her how in that last year of her life. Helen had been the mother Marcy wanted to be some day.

CHAPTER TWELVE

The door to the Wyatts’ stood wide open as people carried casserole dishes and platters into the huge historic house. Garlands framed the door and white lights lit up the yard from where they were hung on magnolia trees. Mrs. Wyatt stood by the front door in a long red velvet dress. Her face was powdered white and her lips matched her dress. A green hat sat jauntily on her head as she directed the people carrying in the food.

“Merry Christmas! Marcy, is that the famous Davies family apple pie I smell?” Mrs. Wyatt kissed her cheek and then kissed Jake, leaving a bright red lipstick imprint on his cheek.

Marcy smiled. The feeling of love from her Keeneston family made her forget the phone call from that morning. Sometimes things were just unexplainable and her mother’s choice to love only her sons was one of them. But as the town greeted them with open arms, cheer and peace settled over her.

The house was filled with people talking and laughing. Every person had a bright red lipstick stain on their cheek but didn’t seem to mind. In fact, it was a badge of honor.

“Jake!”

“William!” Jake hurried to shake his friend’s hand. “I didn’t know you were going to be here.”

“I got three days of leave to celebrate Christmas.” His arm was around Betsy and it looked like it would stay there all evening. “It’s damn good to see you. How are you feeling?”

“Really good. I got rid of that cane and the leg is improving every day.”

“I heard you’ll be honored with the Purple Heart.”

“I will. But for right now I’m just happy to be home alive with my wife.”

Marcy hugged Betsy, which was pretty awkward considering William wasn’t relinquishing his hold on her. Betsy just rolled her eyes and they both laughed. It was a shared laugh of happiness and friendship. They had been through so much together and now they were able to celebrate. Relief and joy filled the house as Marcy made her way to the kitchen to put the pies on the dessert table.

The Rose sisters were all wearing matching mini dresses, tights, and knee-high boots. Their long hair was decorated with different-colored headbands and they were clustered around a punch bowl. Lily was pouring something into it as Violet stirred and Daisy kept a lookout.

When Daisy saw her, she nudged Lily and then spoke loudly. “Why, Marcy, you look lovely tonight.”

Marcy narrowed her eyes and walked over to them. “Okay, what are you three up to?”

“Nothing,” Lily Rae said innocently. Lily was never innocent.

“Now I know you’re hiding something.”

Violet smiled sweetly and handed her a glass of punch. “Here, have some punch.”

Marcy set her pies down and took the cup. She looked at it suspiciously before taking a tentative sip. She coughed as the liquid burned as it went down.

Violet frowned. “Too much bourbon. Daisy, pour in a cup of limeade and I think it will be good.”

“You’re spiking the punch?” Marcy asked as she grinned in wonder. What wouldn’t these sisters do?

“Don’t tell Reverend Hamilton,” Daisy whispered as the young clergyman strode into the kitchen.

“Punch, Reverend?” Lily asked sweetly.

The reverend took the punch and sipped it. “Hmm, thank you.” He took a cookie off a platter and ambled back out.

Lily looked at them and grinned evilly. “He’ll be snockered after one glass.”

“I can’t believe you’re getting the reverend drunk,” Marcy hissed as she tried not to laugh.

“Then he shouldn’t have snipped off a couple of my prize-winning rosebuds this summer. He snuck over in the middle of the night. Bless his heart, but did he think I wouldn’t catch him?”

Marcy just shook her head and took another glass of punch. “Your secret is safe with me.”

As she headed into the two large rooms at the front of the house, she heard John Wolfe before she saw him.

“Ho-ho-ho, Merry Christmas!” John was dressed as Santa Claus and his wife was dressed as Mrs. Claus. “Has everyone been good little boys and girls?”

Everyone laughed and clamored around John as he handed out little jars of his local, pure honey. It was good enough that Marcy would elbow her way through the crowd, friends be damned.

“I got one, Marcy! No need to take out Tom’s knees this year. He needs them to get back to studying at law school,” Jake teased.

“Ha-ha. You know that was an accident.”

“Marcy,” a voice said softly from behind her. Marcy turned and saw Linda Miller. They had been friends in high school. She had married an avid fisherman from their class named Merlin and moved to the coast so he could get a job on a boat in Massachusetts.

“Linda! I didn’t you were back.”

“We just got back this week. We bought a house out in the country. Merlin made good money on the boats, but we missed home. And with me being pregnant and all, we thought we would move back.”

“You’re pregnant? I can’t even tell.” Marcy looked at Linda’s still-flat stomach in wonder.

“I’m just ten weeks along.”

“Congratulations!” Marcy said excitedly. She noticed everyone started looking at her stomach. Did the sweater dress she was wearing make her look fat? She didn’t know why else everyone would be looking at her tummy.

“What about you? What have you been doing since we graduated?”

“Helping Jake run the farm. He was in Vietnam. He came home this summer after being injured. But we’re good now. No plans for kids yet. We are just enjoying being with each other for a bit.”

Marcy looked up again when the people around her groaned.

“Do you have names picked out yet?” Marcy asked absently as she looked at the people all whispering with sad looks on their faces.

“Oh yes. I was so excited I had them already picked out. Eugenia if it’s a girl or Eugene if it’s a boy,” Linda said as she absently set her hand to her stomach.

“Oh!” Marcy said, not really knowing how to respond politely. “Well, bless his or her little heart. I look forward to seeing you around town. Let’s get together for dinner soon.”

“Sounds great. Merry Christmas,” Linda said as she smiled before heading to say hi to some of the Belles from her class. Unfortunately, by marrying Merlin, she was iffy on her Belle membership. Upon marrying a man of good “breeding” and “status,” a Belle became a Keeneston Lady. And Merlin wasn’t considered to have either breeding or status. He was the nicest man, but he was poor, smelled perpetually like fish, and didn’t give a fig about social standing. Marcy loved him—the Belles, not so much.

“How ya doing, Jake?” Beauford asked in his easygoing Southern way. His voice was deep and he spoke slowly. But don’t let that fool you, he was a financial genius. He also had a passion for three-piece suits, which he wore every day. The farming and horse racing were really Mrs. Wyatt’s thing.

“I’m doing well, sir. Thank you for having us at your house tonight.”

Beauford laughed and slapped his shoulder. “Of course, son! My sweetpea wouldn’t have it any other way. And since you’re a married man now, I’m sure you’ve discovered that a happy wife is a happy life.”

Jake grinned. He
had
discovered that. And he liked now being in this married men’s club. All the older men in town seemed to want to talk to him tonight. He was being asked his opinion on politics, local projects, and farming. And when Marcy came up to him and handed him a glass of punch, he felt completely at ease with his new life. He was ready to make these big decisions and be part of the conversation. He wanted to help the town that supported him and make a better future for the children he hoped to have one day. So when he was asked if he would run for the town council, he said he’d think about it. And he meant it.

Marcy slid her arm around his waist and listened as he talked town politics. Her support gave him the strength to step out on his own. He’d always been his parents’ son, but now he was the head of the Davies family. His chest filled with pride and warmth as he drank another glass of punch.

Marcy continued to smile up at him as she handed him another glass. He rolled up his sleeves. Was it hot in here? It had to be with so many people. Was that his wife’s hand on his bottom? He looked down at her as he talked to the mayor and saw her paying attention to what the man was saying, but then he felt the squeeze and knew it had to be her.

Jake cleared his throat. “That’s fascinating, Mr. Mayor. I’ll think on that. Excuse me for a moment. My wife has something she’s been wanting to show me.”

Marcy batted her eyelashes innocently at him and politely excused them from their conversation. Jake dragged her through the room and out the kitchen door. He ignored the looks the Rose sisters sent him and the way Father James crossed himself.

“My sweet, innocent wife isn’t so innocent, is she?” he whispered as he pulled her into the nearest barn.

“Who, me?”

Jake sat down on a bale of hay and pulled her onto his lap. “I think you’ve got a naughty side and that’s just fine by me,” Jake kissed her then and Marcy shoved her hands under his suit coat to feel his chest.

“As long as there is a breath left in my body, I’m going to want to do this with you,” he murmured as he kissed his way down her neck.

“I would worry about what the people at the party would think, but I want you too much to care.”

And when Marcy undid his zipper, the last thing he was thinking about was the party.

The Roses stood with Father James staring at the door that had just slammed shut behind the smoldering Jake and Marcy.

“Go forth and be fruitful,” Father James said before making the sign of the cross in the air.

“I have five bucks that says this time she’ll be pregnant with a babe in her arms in nine months,” Lily said as she handed Father James a glass of punch.

“I’ll go in on that,” he replied as he dug out five dollars.