Timothy
McCreary survives the beating. After it's all over, Mr. Bertram tells
them he has something to say.
"How
did Squires find out about the coal?" Will asked.
"He's
got eyes and ears all over," Mr. Bertram said. "Been
sheriff too damn long and got greedy. He found out about the coal and
decided to get it any way he could. He bought up land around here,
but the coal wasn't as rich as the vein on the Henry land. Coal
company wasn't interested in it. When Earl wouldn't sell, that's when
things turned nasty. He was determined to convince your husband to
sell. When that didn't work, I reckon he kilt him, thinking Will and
Luke would be the weak links."
"My
boys don't bend," Rachel said proudly. "And they don't
break."
"Broke
a little bit, Mama," Luke said with a wry grin.
"You
ain't broke," she replied sternly. "Just beat to hell and
back."
"Who
was the man in the sheep shed?" Will asked.
"Best
we can figure, he was one of Squires' men. Easy enough to cover up
his identity. Reckon we may never know who he was, unless someone
comes lookin' for him. I figger he got caught by his own fire,"
Mr. Bertram said.
"So,
what're you gonna do about the coal, Rachel?" Uncle Wilt asked.
"That's a mighty fine offer the company made."
"Fine
or not, I'm not selling," she stated firmly. "That's Henry
land and has been long as anyone can remember. Coal companies only
want profit. They don't see the beauty of a place. There's no way on
God's Earth I'd let them tear apart my home. I got all I need—family,
friends, the farm."
Mr.
Bertram smiled. "We'll stand behind you one hundred percent,
Rachel."
"I
thank you for that. My boys and me will work the land together. If I
got to rent out some, I'll do that. But I ain't sellin'."
After
breakfast, Will and Lucius went to the girls' dorm with Dollie and
Patty. Dollie wouldn't let Luke out of her sight and insisted on
having him down at the school in case of emergency. Nothing anyone
said could dissuade her. She made up the room closest to the
apartment. With Will's help, she scooted two of the small beds
together, making it wide enough for two.
"I'm
bunking in with you. I don't care what anyone says or what they think
of me. My reputation be damned! I'm not leaving you alone to fend for
yourself."
No
one dared argue with her, especially Lucius.
Plans
went forward for the wedding of Patty and Will. As soon as Luke was
better, he helped his brother at the house. Everyone in the valley
came to help. Soon, the house looked like a home. Work began on
Lucius and Dollie's house. With everyone pitching in, they expected
to finish it in a few months, just in time for Thanksgiving. The
Belloits decided they could get away again in November for another
wedding.
The
night after Patty and Will's wedding, Lucius and Dollie were having
dinner in her apartment at the girls' dorm. School was due to start
in three weeks, so they still had the place to themselves. It seemed
quiet and somewhat depressing for both of them.
Lucius
tried to start several conversations, but Dollie couldn't seem to
concentrate enough to reply. Soon, he quit talking, waiting for
Dollie to speak.
"I
miss her like crazy," she said with a soft sniffle. "It's
always been Patty and me. I've never spent more than a day without
her."
"She
and Will won't be gone long," Luke assured her.
"But
she'll be living with Will in her own home. And I'll be here until
we're married. I've never been on my own before."
"You'll
be fine, Dollie. Won't be so long before we're married and you're
living with me. And I'll have you to wake up to each day—and fall
asleep with each night."
She
blushed, ducking her head. "I imagine I'll like that," she
whispered.
"I
imagine we both will," Luke chuckled, taking her hand. "I
love you, Dorothea Belloit. And I wanna make a home with you and have
a passel of young'uns."
"Just
how many are a passel?" her tone tried to scold, but couldn't
quite.
"I
dunno. Thought maybe three?—five?—eight?" He laughed when
she hit him with a couch pillow. "Watch that, Miss Dollie.
Remember last time you whacked me with a pillow?"
Dollie
burst out laughing. "I'm not sure which of us was more
embarrassed, me or you."
Luke
blushed, ducking his head. "Me, I reckon."
She
scooted closer on the couch, her hand reaching for his. "I love
you, Lucius Henry, and I can't wait to be your wife."
"Neither
can I, Dollie."
She
squeezed his fingers. "No. I mean, I can't wait." She
raised an eyebrow.
Lucius
frowned. Was she saying what he hoped she was saying? "Do you
mean—? Are you sure?"
"Never
been more sure of anything in my life. Lucius, will you make love to
me tonight?"
©
2019 Dellani Oakes
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