Concealing Grace (The Grace Series Book 1) (22 page)

For the third Sunday in a row, the same group of colored people came to attend church services. They were huddled together on the lawn, keeping a distance from everyone else, when Jon and Jessica arrived. As they walked past, Jessica smiled tentatively. She didn’t know any of their names, but she recognized their faces. The tall, colored minister, as always, was with them. Jon didn’t acknowledge them at all. Jessica didn’t expect any less.

The number of white people attending Reverend Nash’s country church had diminished drastically. There were even fewer this day than the prior week. Nevertheless, as Jessica looked at the small crowd, much to her delight, she saw Emily standing with her parents. Emily spotted Jessica about the same time and waved.

Jon was exchanging pleasantries with William Hughes and Jessica’s father, when Jessica turned to him and said, “Emily is here. Would you mind if I go talk to her?”

Jon smiled. “Of course not. Go ahead. I’ll come find you when we’re ready to go inside.”

Emily separated herself from her family as well. Their greeting contained plenty of giggles as Emily brought up the subject of Jessica’s life as a wife. Jessica started to reply in hushed tones, but then Emily suggested they walk around to the side of the church where no one could hear them.

After they’d had a good giggle over the tidbits Jessica shared, Emily exclaimed, “I’m so glad I’m here today. I’ve missed out on all these details! Besides all that, you and I haven’t seen each other for ages! It’s just not fair and I miss my best friend!”

“I’m glad your father changed his mind about letting your family come to church,” Jessica said.

Emily rolled her eyes. “Daddy is a putz sometimes, that’s for sure. But I don’t think Reverend Nash realizes the impact of what he’s done by inviting colored people here.”

“I think he knows,” Jessica said. “I think he knows a lot more than we think he does.”

“Nevertheless, he should be careful. You know how the Klan is,” Emily said. “Daddy hasn’t gone back, but I hear him talking with his friends about it all the time. They’re still angry the Klan was disbanded, and they’re glad the men who restarted it have done it. I think the only reason Daddy hasn’t gone back is because Momma begged him not to. She’s worried the army will arrest him if he’s caught. If you want my opinion, I think the whole bunch of them are nincompoops. They should have thought about it before burning the colored church down. Serves them right to have to put up with black people coming here. And Reverend Nash may be a kindhearted man, but he needs to consider the consequences of his actions, too. I wouldn’t put it past the Sovereign Sons, or whatever they call themselves now, to burn this church down also.”

“I’m glad Reverend Nash invited them here. I think he did the right thing.” Jessica didn’t have a chance to say anymore because she heard Jon calling her name.

“Jess! Ah! There you are,” he said as he came around the corner.

Inside the church, after hymns were sung and Reverend Nash began the service with his usual greeting and prayer, he said, “We have a guest minister who will be giving today’s lesson. I know you will find his teachings to be as inspiring as I have. Please welcome the Reverend Samuel Amos.”

A few people started to clap, but as soon as everyone saw the colored minister coming down the center aisle, the entire congregation became deadly silent.

One man stood up and shouted, “Nash, you’ve gone too far this time!” He stormed out. Three others, together with their families, followed.

Beside her, Jon moved forward in the pew, like he, too, was going to get up and leave. On her opposite side, her father’s reaction was similar, except William Hughes caught his arm and stopped him. William Hughes’s comments were intended for her father, but Jessica heard them. He said, “That’s exactly what Nash wants us to do. We’re not going to play his game. We’re staying right here.”

Jessica didn’t know whether Jon heard William Hughes, too, but she put her hand on his arm the same way William Hughes did to her father. Jon glanced at her, but his focus was on her father and Mr. Hughes. When both of them leaned back, Jon followed suit.

The only person who didn’t appear to be negatively affected by the awful situation was Trent. He was slouched casually in the pew wearing a crooked smirk on his face. There was nothing amusing about this! For a long second Jessica glared at her brother.

Sternly, Reverend Nash said, “Is there anyone else who wants to leave? If you do, now is the time.”

At least one third of the already diminished congregation got up, and again Jessica found herself overwhelmed with shame on behalf of her neighbors.

“There is purpose in everything God does,” Reverend Nash said. “There is a reason those of you who are still here have stayed. He has chosen you. Be wise, learn from this and find comfort in knowing God looks favorably upon you.”

* * *

Another member of the Sovereign Sons of the South had been beaten and lynched. He disobeyed the directive from his superior to never travel alone. Like Edward Murphy he was left lying on the ground under the tree where moments before he’d been strung up and almost strangled to death.

Upon receiving the message from Abe Bellows’s wife, Luther Emerson informed William Hughes. Together they went to visit their fallen comrade. Abe Bellows’s face wasn’t in the horrible condition Edward Murphy’s had been. It was bruised and battered, but his nose wasn’t broken and his teeth hadn’t been knocked out. The spook had chosen to harm Abe Bellows in other ways. Two of his ribs were fractured and three of his fingers were splinted. The spook had crushed Abe’s hand under the heel of his boot.

In the privacy of Abe’s bedroom, Luther asked, “Did the spook say anything to you?”

Abe nodded. “He wanted to know the Imperial Wizard’s name.”

“Did you tell him?” William Hughes asked.

“I don’t know it,” Abe said. “Even if I did, I wouldn’t tell. He wanted to know who the elders are, too. I didn’t tell him any of your names. I owe everythin’ to the Klan. I will never betray my brothers.”

“You’re a good man, Abe,” William said. “I’ll tell Stone and the rest of the elders how you protected us.”

“Did you see the spook?” Luther asked. “Can you tell us anything about what he looks like?”

Abe nodded slowly. “I did see him, but only for a second. I couldn’t see his whole face because most of it was covered, but I saw his eyes. He’s definitely a white man. And I heard him speak. He’s a Yankee. He talks like a Yankee.”

“A Yankee?” Luther repeated.

“Do you know the Yankee minister, Sebastian Nash?” William asked.

“I don’t go his church, but I met him on the road once,” Abe said.

“Did the spook sound like Nash?” William asked.

“Mind you, I only met him once, so it’s hard to say, but yeah, now that you mention it, he did sound like Nash, Yankee accent and all. Nash was ridin’ a black horse, same as the spook’s horse. And he was carrying a revolver.”

Not long thereafter, as Luther and William drove away from Abe Bellows’s home, Luther commented, “Do you really think Nash could be the spook?”

“I don’t know,” William said. “What I do know is he’s crossed the line one too many times. Having that colored minister preach on Sunday was the last straw for me. Your son-in-law said it best. We can’t let this go on. Something must be done. This is a matter requiring action by the Sons.”

“Nash may be a Yankee, but he is a minister, William!” Luther spurted. “We can’t hang a man of God!”

William shook his head. “No, I’ll consult Stone. We’ll let him decide what our best course should be.”

For a situation as dire as this, turning the decision over to the Imperial Wizard seemed like a good idea to Luther. He was relieved William suggested it. For a time they rode along in thoughtful silence.

Then William said, “So, when do you want to induct Kinsley?”

* * *

The last thing Trent Emerson wanted to do was spend time with Jessica’s snob of a husband. But his father was as stupidly starry-eyed over the man as his little sister. They’d been invited to dine at Bent Oak Manor and Pop wouldn’t let Trent bow out.

It figured Pop would insist they drive. He didn’t want their clothes to be dusty. That colored fellow, Herlin, came to take care of their buggy. As they approached the porch stairs, Trent imagined dropping to his knees on the pebbly dirt, raising his arms—or rather one arm—and chanting, “All hail the marvelous captain and his splendid mansion!” Pop, he guessed, would probably join in.

The captain’s grey headed butler opened the door for them. He took their coats and hats, like any efficient butler should, and said, “The Captain and Mrs. Kinsley are awaiting your arrival in the parlor.”

That much was obvious. Trent could hear Jessica playing her new piano. If there was one thing Trent could say in Kinsley’s favor it was this: he’d bought that piano for his sister. Jessie was too good of a musician not to have one. As Trent listened, he realized how much he missed the music that used to fill their home. What he missed even more, though, was his silly little sister.

Apparently, the obdurate captain enjoyed Jessie’s talent as well. The man didn’t rise to greet them until she finished the piece she was playing. Then came the handshakes and sappy words of greeting. Trent went so far as to lightly embrace his sister. He gave her a kiss on the cheek, too. He supposed he could put up with Captain High and Mighty for one evening. Spending time with Jessie was worth it.

“I’m so happy you’re here,” she said to him, and then, while Kinsley and their father were involved in their own conversation, she rambled on, showing off her new dress and new jewelry. She wanted to know how the farm work was coming along, too.

Just as he finished telling her, they both heard the tail end of something Kinsley was saying to their father, “… as far as I’m concerned, good riddance. That upstart was trouble. We’re better off with him gone.”

“Who are you talking about?” Jessie asked.

“No one important, Sweetheart,” Kinsley told her.

Jessica didn’t press the issue, which was strange, but Trent was glad she didn’t. He, of course, knew exactly who his father and Kinsley were speaking of, but he wasn’t about to say. It wasn’t the time or place, and the news of the colored man’s death would undoubtedly upset Jessie. She used to listen to him giving his speeches in town.

It wasn’t long before the butler came to tell them dinner was served. Besides getting to see his sister, there was one other good thing about coming to Bent Oak Manor—the food. With Jessie no longer at home, getting a wholesome meal was a rare occurrence. Trent was about to glob an extra scoop of gravy onto his potatoes when Luther said, “Jessie, Trent has some news you will be interested in hearing.”

Great!
Trent glared at his father, though the old man didn’t seem to notice. He should have known Pop would embarrass him this way! He could feel his face growing warm, and Jessie was staring at their father expectantly, waiting for him to continue.

“Trent has asked Emily’s father for permission to cour—”

Jessie’s squeal was so loud the rest of what Luther said was drowned out. “Oh! Trent! I’m so happy for you! That Emily! She said nothing at church on Sunday. I can’t believe she kept this a secret from me!”

“Pop’s jumping the gun,” Trent muttered. “There is no news. Emily’s father said he would think about it.”

“I’m sure he will agree,” Kinsley cut in. “I think congratulations are in order. Emily is a charming young lady.”

Trent could have done without Captain Ego’s opinion. The man didn’t know when to shut up either. The next thing he knew Kinsley reached across the table to cover Jessie’s hand with his own.

“My advice to you, Trent, is as soon as you hear from her father, you woo Emily quickly and ask her to marry you. I never knew married life would be so wonderful. I’ve been happier here with Jess than I’ve ever been.”

Luther beamed. “It certainly is nice to see two young people in love. I remember how happy Eva and I were back in the day. After all these years, I still miss her.” Clapping his hands, he chortled on, “But, Trent’s news is good for me. Trent will marry Emily, Emily will come to live at the farm, and I’ll have someone to clean the house and make proper dinners for me again. And coffee! My goodness, I surely do miss having a decent cup of coffee in my own house! Your gain, Jon, has been my loss.”

“Papa! You will not put Emily to work!” Jessica chided, but then her eyes flashed playfully. “Trent, you will have to be a little less cluttered. You don’t want Emily picking up after you and finding things she shouldn’t see.” She giggled. “Trent’s room is full of educational material.”

“Jessica! Don’t you dare!” Trent threatened. His face, which had momentarily lost its extra color, heated up again.

“Luther, I’m at a loss,” Kinsley said. “Do you have any idea what they’re talking about?”

“Just some secret sister-brother thing, I’m sure. These two were always getting each other into trouble. Did I ever tell you about the time Jessie got stuck in the tree?”

Jessie shook her head and her eyes widened. “Please don’t tell that story, Papa!”

Wickedly, Trent grinned. “Yes, do tell, Pop. Jessie’s husband should hear about all of the outlandish things she’s done.”