Storm Clouds Rolling In (64 page)

Immediately, the man stepped forward and enfolded her slight form in his strong, wiry arms.
“Sarah,” he whispered. “It’s really me, Sarah. After all these years your John has come home.”

Sarah began to cry as she wrapped her arms around him and clung desperately.
Long minutes passed as they whispered each other’s names over and over. Finally, she pulled back and raised her hand to stroke his face. She gazed into his eyes and whispered softly, “You still be as handsome as ever.”

“And you still be as beautiful as ever.”

They both laughed.
Eighteen years had changed them, but their hearts remained the same. The laughter broke through Sarah’s disbelief and wonder. “How you get here, John?” There were so many questions.

“Miss Carrie done bring me here.”

“Miss Carrie!” Sarah exclaimed.

John smiled, took her hand, and led her over to sit on Miles’
s old bed. “I been in this room for two days. ‘Bout killed me to be so close to you, but Miss Carrie told me it had to be a surprise for you and Rose.” He shook his head in wonder. “Rose getting married. I can’t believe it!” He paused. “Does she know?”

Sarah shook her head strongly.
“I done kept my promise all these years. I ain’t never told her and I ain’t gonna!” Her tone left no room for argument.

John smiled at her and nodded his head.
“You ain’t changed none, Sarah. I’m glad,” he added lovingly. “I done kept a picture of you in my mind all these years. I don’t want you to be different.”

Sarah nestled up against him and basked in the feel of his warm solidity.
“How long you gonna be able to stay, John?” She hated to ask. She wanted to believe he was here to stay, but she knew better.

“Miss Carrie bought me, Sarah.”

Sarah jerked back in surprise. “What?”

John nodded.
“That gal went through every paper in her daddy’s library until she found the papers on me. I been living ‘bout thirty miles from here down the river.”

“That close all these years?”

John nodded. “My master didn’t hand out no passes. I ain’t never been off that plantation in all these eighteen years. I tried to get messages to you, but it never worked. Anyway,” he continued, “Miss Carrie found me and bought me off Marse Green. She told me on the way here that I could go free any time I wanted to. You and me could go off and start a new life.” Sarah stared at him, trying to take in all he was saying. “Miss Carrie done told me how you feel. That you aim to stay here. I aim to be right here with you.”

Great tears rolled down Sarah’s face as she stared at her husband.
Then joy caught up with the shock and forged ahead. Suddenly, a wide grin spread across her face as it exploded with joy. “My John be home again!” she exclaimed. “Oh, wait until Rose sees you! Miss Carrie done give the best weddin’ present there could be.” She paused and added softly, “And she done give me my heart back.”

John smiled, folded her close in his arms, and lowered his lips to claim hers.
“I love you, Sarah.”

“And I love you, John.”

Nothing more was said for a long time.

Carrie slipped the gown over her friend’s head, took her hand, and gently led her over to the full
-length mirror. “You’re beautiful, Rose.”

Rose gazed at herself silently for several long minutes.
“I didn’t ever think I would wear anything so beautiful, Miss Carrie.”

“You’re what makes it beautiful, Rose.
I’ve never seen you look so lovely.”

Great tears sprang to Rose’s eyes.
“Thank you,” she whispered. Then she spun around. “I’m so sorry, Miss Carrie.”

“Sorry?
Sorry for what?” Carrie asked in an astonished voice.

“I hated you, Miss Carrie.
I hated you because you had everything I wanted and never thought I could have.” Haltingly, Rose told Carrie of her struggles and of her battle in her mama’s cabin. “God took all that hate, Miss Carrie. It just makes me feel so horrible that I ever felt it.”

Carrie smiled and reached for her hand.
“If the roles had been reversed, I would have felt the same way,” she said firmly. “All that is in the past anyway. Right now, you have a man waiting downstairs for you. Someone who loves you very much.” She paused. “In fact there is more than one man waiting for you.”

Rose stared at her.
“What are you talking about? And why are you wearing that mysterious smile again? What is going on?”

Carrie merely smiled, walked to the door
, and swung it open. “Is the bride ready?”

Rose nodded and moved across the room toward the door.
“I’m ready.”

As she moved to the top of the stairs she caught a glimpse of her mama standing to the side with a strange man.
She could hear quiet laughter and voices coming from the dining room chapel. She allowed the magic of the moment to engulf her and floated down the stairs, her satin gown shimmering in the brilliant glow of the chandelier.

Rose glided to the bottom of the stairs and turned to smile at her mama.
She stopped, confused. The strange man standing next to her was crying.

Sarah stepped forward then with a glorious smile.
She reached for Rose’s hand and laid it gently in John’s. “I’d like you to meet your father, Rose.”

Rose could do nothing but stare.

Carrie came up behind her and put both hands on her shoulders.
“I wanted you to have the most special wedding gift ever. I hope you don’t mind that I kept it a surprise.”

Rose whirled to stare into her eyes and then turned slowly back.
A look of disbelieving wonder spread across her face. “Daddy?”

John smiled and opened his arms.
“Rose,” he whispered.

With a glad cry, Rose melted into his embrace, warm tears running down her cheeks.
“Daddy! I can’t believe it’s you!”

“It’s me, baby girl.
You didn’t think I would miss your weddin’ did you?” John smiled and laid his finger gently across her lips as she began to speak. “There be plenty of time for questions later. Right now, you got a right impatient man waitin’ for you.”

“Does he know?” Rose asked, brushing her tears away as bright happiness flooded her face.

“He knows,” Sarah said with a smile.
“And he knows your daddy be here to stay!”

Rose turned and threw her arms around Carrie’s neck.
“Thank you,” she whispered. She could think of nothing more to say just then.
      Carrie laughed and pushed her gently away. “You’re welcome. I’m as happy as you are. Now go in there and get married.”

Rose was glowing as she walked down the aisle toward Moses.
She wasn’t sure how one person was supposed to contain so much happiness. Thoughts of her daddy standing behind her faded as she locked eyes with the man she was going to marry. Strong, quiet love reached out to draw her. Deep contentment and surety filled her as she moved steadily toward the one with whom she would share the rest of her life.

The ceremony was brief and simple.
Rose had insisted on only one thing with the minister Carrie had brought in. Long ago the marriage vows had been changed for slave weddings. No longer did they say
’til death do us part
. The new version simply said,
’til we part
. She had insisted the original vow be used. She had simply shaken her head when the minister tried to explain it was that way because slaves were property that could be sold, and the old vows didn’t apply to them.
Do it my way or I’ll find someone else
, Rose had said. He finally agreed, though his expression had left no doubt as to what he was thinking.

Moses took Rose in his arms and kissed her deeply.
Loud cheers and clapping broke out as he raised his head and turned Rose to face their friends and family.

Carrie stepped forward then.
“I have one more wedding gift for the newlyweds.”

“But, Carrie
—”

Carrie held up her hand to stop Rose’s protest.
“Don’t tell me I’ve already done enough. You’re my best friend, and you and Moses are helping me keep Cromwell Plantation running.” She turned to Moses. “Did you do a good job on that cabin I asked you to build?” Moses nodded, a wide smile growing on his face. “That’s good,” Carrie continued. “It’s your new home.” She turned to Rose. “You won’t be staying in this house any longer, Rose. It’s only right you should be with your husband.”

Rose had lost count of how many times she had been rendered speechless that day.

Moses looked down at Carrie.
“You’re a good woman, Miss Carrie. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” His voice was deeper than normal.

Carrie smiled up at him.
“You’ve earned it, Moses. I wish I could give you something better...”

Moses shook his head firmly.
“That cabin is just perfect. I never dreamed we would have a home of our own for a long time.”

Rose threw her arms around her friend and held on for a long time.
“Thank you are mighty little words, Carrie,” she whispered into her ear. “You’re going to have to look into my heart to see how I feel right now. I don’t know how to say it.”

Carrie hugged her back tightly.
“As long as you’re happy, that’s all I care about.” She moved away and clapped her hands. “I’d say we have a lot of celebrating to do tonight. The barn is ready for the dance.”

It was many hours later before Moses was able to take Rose to their new home.
Taking her hand he led her to the door of the little cabin. “Welcome home, wife.”

Rose smiled into his loving face.
“Welcome home, husband,” she said tenderly.

Together, hand in hand, they moved into the single room.
Someone had already been there. A fire was blazing, casting its cozy warmth into the shadows.

“A bed!” Rose cried.
“A real bed!” Wonderingly, she moved toward the four-poster bed tucked into the far corner, its thick mattress covered with several heavy quilts. “Miss Carrie...”

Moses nodded, his own eyes moist.
“God is giving us things I never thought I would see on this earth. Miss Carrie is a good woman. I only hope I live long enough to give back to her some of what she has given us.”             

Rose nodded.
“Me too,” she murmured.

All talk ceased as Moses turned and gently took her in his arms.
He lifted her off the floor easily, carried her to the bed, and laid her down, lowering himself next to her. Rose turned her face toward him, her love shining freely. Moses stared into her eyes, his own dark eyes glowing with love and passion. Rose caught her breath and released herself to the passion rising in her body. “I love you, Moses.”

The fire had died down to a glowing bed of embers before any other words were spoken.

THIRTY

Carrie couldn’t help the shiver of excitement that coursed through her body as Moses dragged the massive Christmas tree onto the front porch.
She was still like a child when it came to Christmas. She loved every minute of it. And her father and Robert were coming home today!

Moses smiled at the look on her face.
“Where you want this thing, Miss Carrie?” He lifted the giant cedar easily to rest on his shoulder. “It’s the best one I could find.”

“It’s beautiful, Moses.
I think it may be the tallest we’ve ever had!” She almost danced into the house. “I’ve cleared a space in the living room for it.” She looked over his shoulder and saw Sarah leading an army of women from the quarters, their arms loaded with greenery. She clapped her hands with delight and led Moses into the house.

It didn’t take Moses and Sam long to secure the tree on its wooden stand.
Once it was standing, Carrie and the house servants went to work. Rose led the team of women who were arranging the greenery. The entire house was transformed as great boughs of cedar, pine, and holly were used to artfully decorate every doorway, mantle, mirror, and picture in the house.

Carrie breathed in deep breaths of the fragrant aroma as she directed the decorating of the massive tree commanding attention next to the grand fireplace.
Great trunks full of decorations had been carried down from the attic. Within a short time, the tree was dressed with cotton balls, gilded nuts and berries, paper garlands, colored pieces of glass, and white lace.

“We done finished, Miss Carrie!”

Carrie laughed at the glowing face peeking around the corner. “Bring them in, Jubilee! We’re ready for you.”

The proud little girl, with red ribbons adorning her black pigtails, led her little army into the room.
That the children had been hard at work could not be denied. Great armloads of stringed popcorn were laid reverently on the rug in front of the tree.

“Go on, Jubilee.
All of you can put them on the tree.”

Jubilee slapped her hand to her mouth, her eyes opening wide.
“We ain’t never got to put it on the tree ‘fore, Miss Carrie.”

Carrie smiled gently.
The little girl was obviously afraid of the repercussions if it wasn’t done to Carrie’s standards. She walked over and tilted Jubilee’s chin until their eyes met. “You did a wonderful job with the stringing. I know I can trust you with the tree. Moses and Sam will hold you up to reach the high branches.”

Jubilee’s face broke into a wide grin and excited giggles broke out from the other children.
Moses and Sam walked over with huge grins to match. The whole atmosphere was one of joy and happiness. Never had there been a Christmas like this one.

Carrie watched with a smile, her heart content.
When the strings of popcorn adorned even the highest reaches of the tree, the women moved forward once more to add burgundy velvet and pink satin ribbons. Their final contribution to the stunning tree was an assortment of miniature toys, dolls, and furniture.

“It’s the prettiest tree I’ve ever seen, Miss Carrie,” Rose said, stepping in from the kitchen.
“Your daddy will be proud.”

Carrie turned to Rose with a sudden frown.
“Do you really think so, Rose? Mother always took care of the tree in the past.” She hesitated. “Do you think it will remind him too much of her? I want Christmas to be special this year, but I fear it may be too soon for him.”

Rose looked thoughtful.
“Life is meant to be lived, Miss Carrie. It doesn’t do any good to run away from those things that bring memories. My mama always told me that all you can do is make new memories to replace the painful ones. That’s all you’re trying to do for your father.” She paused for a long moment. “You’ve done the right thing, Miss Carrie. How your father responds is not your responsibility. You have to give him room to find his own way. Just like you have to find your own way.”

Carrie turned to look at her friend.
“You speak with great wisdom,” she teased, but her face sobered and her eyes filled with deep admiration. “Thank you, Rose. I’ll try to remember what you just said.”

Silently, Carrie stood and stared at the tree.
She couldn’t help wondering if this was the last Christmas like this one the South would ever know. She was sure her father was bringing bad news, but she was glad there was still room for celebration and joy. Reality had not yet stalked in to rob them of all they held dear.

Carrie was waiting on the porch when the carriage holding her father and Robert rolled up to the house.
She rushed down the stairs and was in her father’s arms as soon as his feet hit the ground. “Father! I’ve missed you so much!”

Thomas laughed and held his daughter at arm’s length.
“You’re as beautiful as ever, Carrie. I’ve missed you, too.”

Carrie’s throat caught as she looked into his eyes.
He looked stronger than when he had left, but there was still that haunted look in his eyes, and she was sure she detected fear when he glanced toward the house. Without another word, Thomas turned away and began to climb the steps. Carrie stared after him, unsure of what to do.

“Leave him be, Carrie.
He needs some time to adjust to being back here.”