Within the Candle's Glow (16 page)

“Well, I heard your name spoken durin’ talks of Florida.”

“
Hmm
, the Florida territory does fascinate me. It’s a challenge to those who explore it or settle near the swamps, piney woods, and flats. The warm waters and coastal areas surroundin’ it—Ella Dessa, I can’t begin to describe them. The tepid caress of its waters, the flocks of colorful birds, and extensive wildlife are too wonderful for mere words. A person needs to see it and touch it. I hoped to talk Papa into moving, but the dream’s gone.” He shifted his weight and faced the last reddish-gold hint of the sun, vanishing near the mountain’s peak.

She heard the pure exhilaration in his voice die to deep remorse. “Death doesn’t wait.”

“I know that full well.” He cleared his throat. “Can I call you ‘Ella’?”

“If you wish. Some do. Samuel always calls me ‘Ella Dessa’.”

Darkness enclosed them, with only the lantern’s faint beam reaching where they stood. The promised radiance of the rising moon lit the mountaintop on the other side of the cove, and she could make out filmy clouds drifting near it. Nearby insects began their night trills.

“The moon will be beautiful,” she said and sensed he came closer in the cool shadows. She heard the intake of his breath.

“Ella, I want to say something for your ears only. I need you to understand me as what I am—
a changed man
.”

“Why me?”

“It’s something of our shared past. The day of your mother’s wake, I hiked up to your place, without my family knowin’. They were all sick in bed. A girl I was
madly
in love with was at your place. I was young—not like now. I feel ancient.”

“I know who you’re talkin’ about. You hurt her,” she whispered. “Don’t you know that? How is
that
love?”

“You fail to understand the way of a man … a boy, when the sight of a girl steals his heart and mind. Breaking
her heart
wasn’t my intention that day.”

“But you did.” Her eyes adjusted to the lantern’s yellow glow and the new silver light inching its way above the rugged heights.

“She promised to kiss me when we met. When she resisted—said, ‘no,’ it made me crazy. I had thought of kissing her for
weeks
. It was in my head she would, so I took the kiss she refused to give. I ruined everything with her. I lost her. You saw me force her to kiss me.” He went silent and then muttered, “Why am I standing here talking of this?”

“To ease your mind?”

“No, it’s to erase
your
dislike of me.”

“Duncan, I’ve no feelin’s either way. God’s the one you must talk to—if it’s guilt you feel. I hold nothin’ ag’inst you. It’s the past. Yes, you were relentless in gettin’ what you wanted—a kiss. It don’t matter today.” She changed the sticky subject by asking, “How long will you stay home this time?”

“Ahh—me, the constant wanderer?” He gave a low chuckle. “It’s the
big
question on Jim’s mind. Ella, I want to leave
now
. There’s a full moon rising over that mountain. I can see to travel through the cove. I want to go—”

“Where?”

“Who knows.”

“Don’t do it. Think of your mother. She needs all her children nearby … for a short time, at least.” The moon’s silver light inched its way above the rugged heights.

He faced her. “You’ve grown to be a charming young lady.”

A strange tingly feeling passed over her. She was shocked to realize his words pleased her. With a self-conscious laugh, she said, “Thank you. Everyone changes when a person stays away as long you have. You
saw a difference in little Phillip?”

“Yes. He didn’t know me. That hurt, but it’s my fault.”

Someone—the solid figure of a young man—stepped out on the porch.

“Ella Dessa?”

“Yes.”

Samuel came to the steps. “Why are you out in the dark?”

She faced him. “I’m talkin’ with Duncan.”

“
Duncan
?”

Duncan moved into the lantern’s dull light. “Yes, Sam, I’m here with her.” He hooked his thumbs in his belt and waited.

“How ‘bout helping me start a fire in the cooking pit? Got to have some nice coals. We’re roasting a pig for tomorrow afternoon.” A tight note of agitation laced his voice.

“What pig? We butchering one tonight?”

“No, Sophie’s father slaughtered one and brought it up from his place.”

Duncan’s hand touched Ella’s right shoulder and slowly slid to her elbow. “I’ll walk you to the steps. Thanks for listening.”

“It was nice talkin’ to you.”

They moved to the porch. Samuel waited with arms crossed. At his feet was an iron pot with glowing coals nestled within its blackened sides. Ella lifted her skirt free of the steps and climbed them.

“Samuel, come on. I’ll stack the wood.” Duncan headed for the fire pit, where their mother did outdoor cooking during the summer.

“Ella Dessa?”

She paused and looked over her shoulder at Samuel. “Yes?” The rising moon lit his face. His eyes appeared light gray—not bluish green—in the silvery illumination.

“Will you sit with me later, when Leigh says a few words?”

“Yes, of course.”

#

“Here’s the coals,” Samuel muttered. He grabbed the cloth-wrapped handle of the iron pot and made his way to the dark fire pit. His brother’s shadow crouched before a wide stack of cut wood. “Got lighter knot?”

“Yes. I placed it.” Duncan’s bearded face showed in the lantern’s light. He crammed a wad of dried grass and moss under slivers of pine. “Give me the coals.” With one quick movement, he dumped them against the grass, and bent forward to blow on them. He wedged more tinder and
grass close to the coals and flames shot up, accompanied by a twirl of smoke. There was a muffled
poof
, and orange blades of fire caught on twigs nestled within the mixture.

Duncan sat back on his heels and gazed up at him. “Whatcha think?”

“You haven’t lost your touch,” he reluctantly admitted.

“Can’t afford to—I’d die out in the wilds. Fire gives warmth. Keeps wild animals at bay.” He laid a skinny pine limb over the crackling flames.

“What were you talking to her about?”

Duncan rose to his feet. “
Hmm
, do I hear some jealousy in your voice, little brother?”

“Shocked me to find her out here with
you
.”

“Ahh, Sam. You’re thinking of my flawed past? Only an idiot repeats his mistakes.”

Samuel’s instincts told him something was afoot—his redheaded brother had decided to kindle a fire, but it wasn’t the fire blazing in front of them. Jealousy made him say, “You need to stay away from her.”

“Oh?” Duncan leaned a little closer. “Sam, I never heard there was a match made ‘tween you and Ella. Is there?”

Samuel gritted his teeth. “We’re
more
than friends.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Well, little brother, I don’t intend to take what you long for. I saw your eyes watching her earlier today. I think you’ve loved her since we first saw that dirty-faced child on the mountain.” He laid a hand on Samuel’s shoulder. “Yes, she has turned into a stunning young woman.
Tempting
. Just keep this in mind, the man she falls in love with—is the only man she should marry.” He stepped away. “See you inside.”

Samuel’s gut twisted, and smoke blew in his eyes. He had the impression there was a twanging rope vibrating inside his body. He wanted to run after Duncan, tackle him, and prevent him from going up the steps into the large room where their papa’s body was on display. He knew Ella Dessa would be in the same room.

Why’d he come home? Why? He didn’t care nothing about Papa.

Samuel kicked dirt at the fire. Somewhere in the dark, he heard the high-pitched squeal of a rabbit. His heart skipped a beat at the agonized sound. A predator had seized its supper and ended a life. Tears coursed his cheeks as his thoughts jumped back to his papa. The yoke of their family was gone—the wide piece of wood, shaped for durance. Their
male parent had kept them together as a team. Now Papa had passed into eternity. Life wouldn’t be the same.

Deep, awful sobs rose in his chest, but the sound of running feet and the rustle of a skirt made him turn. Familiar arms wrapped around his neck and hugged him.

“Oh, Samuel, my friend, I knew you were hurtin’. I had to come back.” Ella Dessa laid her warm cheek against his.

F
riday September 4, 1840

Through the rippling leaves of a maple, Ella caught a brief glimpse of the old mule’s roan-colored hide. She stood in the trail and whistled to Deer. The morning sun had enough strength to reveal the hazy mountaintops. The air still contained a sharp chill, so she tugged her shawl tight across her chest.

Samuel appeared, leading the pack mule by a rope. The animal was loaded with bundles and bulky sacks. The stock of an old gun showed, poking from the packages.

“Did you buy all Walter’s goods?”

“What you doing up here?” His cheerless face lit up at the sight of her. “Walter said you took the day off ‘cause school starts Monday. Something about helping Velma sew shirts for the boys.”

“She let me go. I’ve been waitin’. You’re as slow as syrup on a cold spring morn’.” She grinned at him. “I wanted to go see Peggy. I’m so excited about her studyin’ at school, ’stead of home. Agatha said you left the store with supplies, so I thought I’d head you off.”

“I might have to stay out of school ‘til the crops are in.”

“Ah, Master Konrad said as much. Some of the other boys’ll be in the fields, also.”

Deer ran a circle around the mule and trotted on up the trail. His nose never left the ground as he gathered the scents left by creatures of the forest.

Ella fell into step with Samuel. “How’s your mother?”

“Ahh, she’s bearing up.” He shrugged and stared at the rocky path under their feet.

“And the others?”

“Josie has crying spells—near ‘bout evening meal. I dream of Papa ’most every night. Peggy’s more irritating. Anna glares at everyone.”

“I saw Grace. She says the babies make sure she don’t dwell on things.”

“
Hmm
, I keep busy, even if it’s just sawing logs.”

“And Jim?”

“He acts like he’s angry at the world … or me.”

“Oh?” she murmured. “What’ve you done?”

“
Not enough
.”

“Could it be Jim feels he’s carryin’ the family’s burdens? He reins in his emotions.”

“What?” He looked puzzled.

“Jim has to be angry at somethin’. He cain’t bring your papa back. He’s hurt inside but doesn’t tell you. He’s not lettin’ God be God. He’s tryin’ his best to be a rock for your family.”

“Wow.” He stared at her. “How can you make me understand?”

“I sometimes think I read people—like a book.”

“
Hmm
, what about Duncan?”

“He’s like a feather in the wind—here an’ high today—floatin’ free tomorrow. He runs from closeness.”

He nodded. “He makes Jim crazy.”

“Always has.”

“You got the web untangled.” He chuckled. “I’m surprised Duncan stayed with us this long. Last night he talked of the Florida Territory and the huge knobby creatures—
alligators
. He says their tail’s good eatin’. Anna jumped up and ran out of the room when he commenced to relate how he sliced the tail off one.”

“
Ugh
.”

“He cooked it, and fed the whole group of surveyors he was traveling with.”

“He lives his own type of life.”

“He does that.” He grinned. “Ah, but you ought to see Jim’s granite
eyes widen and go curious when Duncan talks of massive cypress swamps, wild horned cattle—there for the taking, and deer the size of dogs.”

“Dogs? Not much meat to be had.”

Samuel laughed. “Well, he says they’re smaller than our deer. He’s got so many stories and yarns I forget some of them. Duncan says there are spotted cattle of every color just wandering through the brush. Nobody owns them.”