Undaunted Love (27 page)

Chapter Fifty-One

I
T WAS ALMOST DARK WHEN Gardner came in from the fields. He had washed his head and arms in the trough at the barn, and was shaking the water out of his hair when he came up on the porch and spotted Rafe. He broke into a huge grin and extended his hand.

“Good to see you,” he said. “Glad you’re back. Stayin’ long?” He sat in the rocker and stretched out his long legs. He stared off at the darkening sky.

“Long enough to get things straightened out here. Everything. Then I’m takin’ em back to Florida with me.” Rafe watched Gardner, unsure of how this would be received.

“Bout time,” he said. He grinned over at Rafe. “Supper ready?”

After the meal, Rafe helped Livvie give Gabriel a bath, amazed at every aspect of the boy’s tiny body. He was even more amazed that his wife had produced this energetic bundle, and said so.

“He wasn’t this big when he was born!” she laughed.

“Still…” he said, putting his arms around her waist and watching the mother and child interact. Gabriel was intent on the bubbles, and laughed every time Livvie blew them onto his round belly. He chuckled when she washed under his chin and arms. He grinned and burbled when she talked to him.

When he was out of the water and in a towel, Livvie handed him to her husband. Rafe held him out in front of him, smiling and talking to his son. Gabriel, still unsure of this stranger, stared back solemnly, big blue eyes round and unblinking. Livvie laughed as she watched Rafe stick out his tongue, make faces, and nuzzle the boy, trying to induce a smile.

“He’ll get used to you soon enough,” she said, reaching for the baby. She laid him down on the bed and fastened a diaper around his chubby legs, then slipped on a sleeping gown with a drawstring at the bottom. They walked together to the bedroom that Livvie had shared only with Gabriel until then. She laid the baby in the bassinet, where he tried to kick his confined legs.

Looking at the bed, then back to the bassinet, Rafe said, “Is this where we’ll sleep?” Livvie laughed at the obvious distress on his face. She took his face in her hands and brought it down for a kiss.

“He’s a sound sleeper, and we’ll just have to be quiet…” she murmured against his lips, leaning into him. Rafe wrapped both arms around her, feeling her heavy breasts press against his chest. He groaned, and thrust a hand into her hair, which was piled high on her head, pulling her even deeper into the kiss.

Gabriel woke once in the night, and Rafe propped himself on his side, his head on his hand, watching Livvie nurse him. She sang to him softly, quickly changed his diaper, and slipped him back onto the soft sheet, where he fell back asleep in just a few minutes. Sliding under the covers of her own bed, she found Rafe’s arms open to receive her, and she pressed her body full length against his, kissing him and holding him tightly.

The next day was passed with a laziness brought on by the high heat and humidity. All movement caused perspiration to form, and even the children played quietly inside, drinking cool water and avoiding horseplay. Despite the fact that skin-on-skin contract produced an exponential increase in the heat, Rafe and Livvie stayed together, reading and talking on the settee in the parlor. Madeline let them be, making sure the children didn’t bother them, and taking care of Gabriel except when he needed to be fed. When Gabriel took his nap, Rafe and Livvie went up to their bedroom as well, and Madeline smiled at their discomfited state after their supposed sleep.

Over dinner, Gardner asked Rafe about Indian River City, and he gladly told them of his work with Mr. Price at the grove and hotel; about Oliver and Maribel and their help, both physical and spiritual; and about Isaac and his wife in the mountains. He told them of the beauty of the place, the wide Indian River, gentle and without tide or current, the dolphin and sea cow and otter that one could see on most days, the sunrise, the storms coming across the gray water, bringing welcome rain. Livvie put her hand over his and squeezed, eyes alight with excitement.

“It’ll be perfect!” she breathed.

“It’ll be hot…” Rafe cautioned.

“It was hot here today,” Madeline noted.

“Aye,” Rafe acknowledged. “And it ain’t really hotter there than that, ‘cept it’s hot first thing in the mornin’, til night. But they wear less.”

Livvie raised her eyebrows and he laughed. “They’re wearin’ clothes, love, never fear. Just light cotton, and less petticoats and such. I’d leave all your wools and heavy things here. Maybe a one warmer thing for a winter chill…”

Suddenly there was banging on the door, then loud voices and footsteps in the hall. Nackie entered the room a bare second before the visitor, with an apologetic look on his face. Wyman Phelps stood in the doorway, hands on hips, feet planted wide apart. When Livvie took a good look at him, she realized he’d adopted this stance to prevent himself from swaying or falling over. He was drunk.

“What a cozy scene,” Rafe said sarcastically. Both Gardner and Rafe got to their feet and moved around the table in a protective gesture.

“Mr. Phelps,” Gardner said stiffly, barely containing his disdain. “What brings you here?”

Despite the heat, Wyman was wearing a long cloak, and, as he flung his arm out to point at Livvie, the material swirled about him. “Her,” he said, squinting at Rafe.

“Do I know you?” he asked.

Rafe shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. He’d hoped for more time before Wyman tracked Livvie to her sister’s, but he wasn’t surprised. At least as drunk as the man was, he and Gardner would have no problem handling him.

Wyman took a step forward, staggering slightly. He kept staring intently at Rafe, and finally smiled. “I do know you,” he said. “Rafe Colton. Isn’t the sheriff looking for you? Somethin’ about a little murder?” He grinned at Gardner. “Does Mr. Gingras know you’re harborin’ a fugitive, then? I don’t think he’d take kindly to it.”

“What is your business?” Gardner asked, standing next to Rafe and glaring at the drunken man.

Taking in the two men, both larger than himself, standing in front of the ladies, Wyman straightened his sweat dampened collar, swept the edges of his cloak over his shoulders, and tried to stand taller. Clearing his throat, he said, “My business, as you so indelicately put it, is Miss Olivia Byrd, who was promised to me by her father. I’ve come to collect.”

“I don’t…” Livvie started, but a look from Madeline silenced her, and she stared at Wyman around her husband’s rigid frame.

“Livvie’s not marryin’ you, which Hugh made perfectly clear.” Gardner glanced at Nackie and barely raised an eyebrow. The old negro nodded and slipped out the door behind Wyman.

The man sneered at the mention of Hugh Byrd’s name. “Mr. Hugh high and mighty blowhard Byrd used me to get to my daddy, and bully for him. But he promised me his daughter, and changin’ his mind doesn’t change that promise.”

“She’s not marryin’ you,” Gardner said again. “And she sure as shootin’ ain’t goin’ anywhere with you.” Glancing out of the corner of his eye, he could see that Rafe’s jaw was clenched and his body as tense as cord wood. Behind Wyman, Nackie entered, holding a shotgun. Gardner gave him the barest of nods.

“I mean to have her,” Wyman said and started forward. As Wyman lurched towards Gardner, Rafe stepped around him, took the weapon from his old friend, and chambered the round. At the sound, Wyman stopped dead in his tracks. Even his sodden brain understood what that sound signified. He slowly turned to find Rafe holding the shotgun at his shoulder, aimed at his heart. His hands went up slowly at his sides, but his face contorted with fury.

“Go,” Rafe said, grinding out the word between his clenched jaws. “Now. And don’t be comin’ back.”

Wyman, a good deal more sober than he’d been two minutes before, sidled around to the door, never taking his eyes off Rafe and the gun. He walked backwards down the hall, hands still up, followed by Rafe. Behind him, Gardner and the women followed slowly. Nackie opened the front door, and Wyman stepped backward over the sill, dropping his hands.

“I’ll be back, and I’ll bring Gingras with me,” he spit out before turning and flying down the stairs, cloak swinging out behind him. They heard a horse gallop down the drive, but Rafe didn’t lower his gun until there was no sound at all except the ticking of the old grandfather clock in the hall and the sweet music of the crickets in the summer night.

Chapter Fifty-Two

T
HE SHAKEN FAMILY TOOK THEIR places at the dining table, but no one could eat. Nackie joined them, very shaken by the incident.

“That man’s eat up with crazy,” Nackie said, and after a moment of silence, everyone started laughing. Tension broken, it seemed they all needed to speak at once. Finally Rafe held up a hand.

“One thing we can count on, he will be bringin’ the sheriff back here. Not tonight, but likely tomorrow.” He took Livvie’s hand. “I’d hoped to tell your daddy about us first, but it looks like we’re going to have to tell Gingras.”

“Or y’all could leave first thing and go to Columbia,” Gardner said.

“Columbia?” Livvie asked.

“Daddy’s there,” Madeline said. “I had a letter today. He said he’s stayin’ there for two more weeks, and then comin’ to get you, so I better be prepared and have more help for my condition.” She laughed again. “But if you go on, you can tell him first, and then come back to Gingras.”

Rafe looked at his wife and raised his eyebrows in question. She nodded.

“You take Mr. Greene’s horse and wagon back to him tomorrow, then take the train. Daddy’s staying at the home of General Chestnut, on Hampton Street.”

Livvie nodded again. “I’d better go pack. We’ve got Gabriel’s things to bring, too.” She got up, then bent to plant a kiss on her husband’s cheek.

“There’s never a dull moment when you’re around, my love,” she said.

After a hasty breakfast of day old bread with butter and jam, and with a basket prepared for them by Chloe containing lunch, Rafe loaded his family in the wagon. Gardner and Madeline stood at the top of the stairs, Thomas holding his father’s leg and waving sleepily, his blonde hair sticking up from sleep.

“We’ll be back as soon as we can,” Rafe said apologetically. “The sheriff’s gonna come…”

Gardner cut him off. “I’ll handle the sheriff, y’all just get prepared for Hugh. I don’t imagine it’s gonna be a pleasant chat.”

Rafe grimaced and nodded. “Thanks,” he said. “I’m sorry I’ve caused you so much trouble.”

In response, the Kinneys just waved and smiled. Madeline put her arm around her husband’s waist and laid her head on his shoulder, smiling as the Colton family trotted off, down the drive.

Jeb was thrilled to see Livvie and meet Gabriel, and insisted that the little family accompany him to his house so that his wife could say hello, as well. When it was discovered that the train had already left, and that the Coltons would have to spend the night, the Greenes insisted they stay with them. As always, their hospitality and caring was second to none, and the young family left early in the morning with Jeb driving them to the station. He took the baby from Livvie and said, “I’ll be praying for you, that this confrontation with your father won’t be too terrible.”

Livvie hugged him, and they waved as he steered the horse away. Putting her arm around her husband’s, she said, “I don’t see how it can possibly go well.”

Rafe squeezed her hand and picked up his rucksack, heavier now with the addition of both Livvie’s and the baby’s things. “All we can do is pray. There’s nothin’ he can
do,
besides yell. Worse comes to worse, we just go back to the Kinney’s, deal with the sheriff, and go.”

They bought round trip tickets to Columbia, and waited for the train in a small coffee shop in the station. Gabriel was fascinated by the noise and the bustle of the people, and sat happily on Rafe’s lap. Rafe couldn’t help but kiss his head and smell his hair every few minutes, still amazed by this little bundle of life that would call him Daddy.

The train ride was uneventful, but, being Livvie’s first, she found it thrilling. She waved at everyone they passed, exclaimed about every new town, and pointed out farm animals to Gabriel while holding him up to the window. Rafe, having ridden on trains during the War, watched her rather than the scenery, and said many a prayer of thanks that he was back with this lively, beautiful woman.

They disembarked in the early afternoon, found a buggy driver who knew where Hampton Street was, and who recommended an inn several blocks away. On the train ride, Rafe and Livvie had decided that, whatever happened, they did not want to be beholden to Hugh Byrd in any way, and that they would have a quiet, safe place to go before and after their conversation with him.

They rode in silence, not really noticing the brick and clapboard buildings, the people hustling down the street, the children playing with balls and hoops in front of their houses. Rafe was thinking of his experiences with Hugh Byrd, of how he took advantage of his mother, of his helping the dead Mr. Monighan take his house. Try as he might, he could not dredge up one positive memory of the man, although he’d known him all his life. Livvie was well familiar with her father’s stubborn streak, his temper, his emotionless dealings with everyone in his life, including his family, and had no illusions that Hugh would welcome Rafe into their family as he had Gardner. Rafe had nothing anymore, thanks to his own maneuverings, and Hugh would see that as both weakness and stupidity.

The driver waited while they secured a room at the Magnolia Inn. Rafe carried their bag upstairs to the spacious room, feeling like he was walking in the bogs they’d found in Virginia during the fighting. Livvie fed Gabriel, changed him into a fresh diaper and clothes, ran a damp towel over his face, and snuggled him into her shoulder. This was her child, Rafe was her husband, and no matter what happened next, those two things would never change. She took a deep breath and smiled at Rafe.

“Ready?” she asked.

He laughed. “No, not really. I’m dreadin’ it, truth to tell. But I
am
ready to be done with all this, so the sooner we go, the sooner it’s over.” He reached out, took her hand, and they walked together back to the buggy.

When they arrived at house of General Chestnut and his wife, they could see that a small party was going on inside. Asking the driver to wait for them, Rafe took the baby, helped Livvie down, and straightened his shirt and jacket. It was a hot, still, stifling day, but he’d worn his best clothes. He knew it wouldn’t impress Hugh Byrd, but it wouldn’t insult him, either. The best Rafe hoped for was a neutral reaction to the whole situation.

They climbed the steps and stood at the leaded glass door. Rafe glanced at Livvie, then knocked. He shifted Gabriel to his other shoulder. The baby had fallen asleep, and Rafe prayed he wouldn’t wake up screaming halfway through the meeting. A young black woman dressed in a maid’s uniform answered the door.

“Is Mr. Hugh Byrd here?” Rafe asked.

“Yes, suh,” the maid answered. “But he be in a meetin’ with the General right now. These other gentlemens are waitin’ on him, too.” She gestured to a half dozen men who were talking in small groups in the front room.

“Could you please tell him that his daughter is here?” Livvie asked.

Surprise flared briefly in the woman’s face, but she smiled and nodded. “Come on in, I’ll tell him.” She waved for them to join the men in the parlor, and hurried down the hall. She returned a moment later, a strained expression on her face.

“He say he cain’t see you right now, that he be busy…” She was embarrassed at having to deliver this message.

“Can you tell him that Livvie is here. With her son.” Livvie looked at Rafe and smiled at his raised eyebrows. “He’ll find out soon enough, anyway,” she said.

The maid scurried off again, and when she returned she motioned for them to follow. She took them to a small back parlor, told them to take a seat, and said she would bring them tea. She hadn’t been gone a minute when Hugh barged in the room, already speaking.

“What’s the meaning of this?” He stopped when he saw Livvie and Rafe standing together, the baby still asleep on Rafe’s shoulder. He stared, open mouthed, for a long moment, then snapped his mouth shut and scowled.

“Olivia?”

“Daddy,” she said. “You remember Rafe Colton, from Byrd’s Creek.”

“Sir,” Rafe said, inclining his head and awkwardly holding out his right hand. The baby fussed and Rafe pulled back his hand to rub his back.

“That’s Madeline’s baby. What do you mean by coming here and saying it’s yours?” Hugh demanded.

“He is mine, Daddy. Mine and Rafe’s. We…”

“We’re married, sir. We got married five years ago, before the War.” He moved closer to his wife and put a protective arm around her shoulder.

Hugh stood immobile, dumbfounded. He opened his mouth to speak several times, but he couldn’t say all he wanted to say at once, and he didn’t even know where to begin. “Married?” he finally said, his face nearly purple with rage. “You’ve been
married
for five years and didn’t see fit to ask my permission, nor even
inform
me?”

“Sir, we didn’t know the War would start, or go on for so long…”

“You took my daughter to wife, that much, at least, you knew!” Hugh was livid, rigid with anger. “What will I tell people? This… this
boy
,” he spat out derisively, “is not a suitable husband for you, Olivia.”

“Why, Daddy? Because he doesn’t have a farm and money? You can thank yourself for that. And what you
tell
people is that your daughter married a soldier, a brave man who fought the whole war for the 1st South Carolina, with honor and courage.”

“A
soldier?”
Hugh asked incredulously. “A penniless soldier?”

“I’m not exactly penniless, sir…” Rafe began, but Hugh cut him off.

“Enough!” He paced the floor. “And your sister obviously knows.”

“And Mama, and Emmy,” Livvie said, beyond caring, just wanting this to be over. “And everyone is happy for me, because I have a husband who loves me.”

“
Loves
you?” Hugh laughed. “Where has he been, this husband who loves you? He got you with child, that’s plain enough. But isn’t he wanted for murder? Didn’t he run away?”

Livvie started to speak, but Rafe shook his head. “Yes, sir, I did. I ran away. I was with Livvie the night of the murder, but we hadn’t told you of our marriage, and yes, I was afraid. Of you, and of the sheriff. Even after fighting the War, I hadn’t grown to be a man.”