Because of Rebecca

chapter Eleven

Josephine was ready and waiting when Ancil arrived for their dinner date. Yet she stayed in her room until Charlotte answered the door and announced his arrival. She immediately noticed he’d paid a visit to the barber. His hair looked trimmed and he wore pleasant smelling cologne.

“Do you enjoy Italian?” he asked as they descended the staircase to the hotel lobby.

“Yes. I spent two months in Rome many years ago. I became fond of the region’s food.”

“Have you traveled extensively?”

“I’ve enjoyed two trips to Europe. Once in my youth and two years ago with my d-niece Mariah.”

“Mariah?”

She saw questioning in his eyes as the waiter showed them to a table.

“Rebecca’s sister. I mentioned her the other day. She passed on last Christmas.”

“Yes, I remember. I’m sorry for your loss, Josephine.” He pulled out a chair for her.

“Thank you, Ancil.”

The waiter handed them both menus and poured water in two glasses. “I’ll give you a moment to decide what you’ll have.”

Josephine made her choice and laid the menu on the table in front of her. She casually glanced around the dining room, noting the change in décor to resemble an Italian Bistro. Tables were draped with red and white plaid tablecloths. A display of Chianti bottles wrapped in twine lined one wall and a single violinist roamed the dining area playing an exotic tune, entertaining the guests. In her perusal of the room, she recognized a few faces as others staying at the hotel. The rest she knew from around town. She’d come to enjoy her visit to Jackson and for many reasons she wasn’t looking forward to leaving. However, Constance Fletcher and her followers could make it impossible for her to stay.

“Is something wrong, Josephine?” Ancil asked, concern a little too heavy in his voice. To her surprise, he reached across the table for her hand. His touch was light, but warm.

“Why do you ask?”

“Your walk today. You were clearly preoccupied with something or you wouldn’t have ended up at my house.”

Josephine sighed and nodded. “Ancil, do you believe that a church official would bend to the desires of one parishioner over the good of the whole congregation?”

He drummed his fingers on the table top before answering. “I’ve seen it happen before, but the outcome was not good. Why?”

“I’m not one to spread gossip or even start it. I’m concerned by what I’ve heard though. Do you think Father Bohannon is the type who would?”

“Father Bohannon is a good man. He is faithful in his service to the Lord. I’ve known him as long as I’ve lived in Jackson.”

“That’s the opinion I have of him as well, but I haven’t known him that long so you see why I would ask.”

He nodded.

The waiter returned and took their order. When he left, she asked, “How well do you know Constance Fletcher?”

“Quite well. Her mother married my father when I was a young man.”

Josephine’s mouth suddenly felt dry and she was sure her cheeks had flushed at his revelation. Constance Fletcher was his step-sister. The thought was extremely unnerving. She reached for her glass of water and took a long drink. “I had no idea,” she finally said.

“Few make the connection without being told.”

The waiter returned quickly and set down their food, refilled their water glasses and left without a word.

“Has Constance done something?” Ancil asked.

She didn’t want to admit she’d been handed an ultimatum, but she couldn’t pretend nothing had happened either. “Constance and her friends have their opinion on how certain people should carry on with their lives. In the same accord, they feel others should not associate with those who live outside social barriers. If they do, then they should be banned from attending church or participating with church functions.”

“Like the auxiliary?” he asked.

She nodded.

“Constance opposes Jared Hollingsworth’s preference of using hired labor and she has seen Rebecca with him, am I correct?”

Josephine blinked and put down her fork. How had he suspected the reasons for her questions? She wiped her mouth on her napkin feeling less ill at ease with the subject. “Yes. She also claims if I do not discourage Rebecca from seeing him then she’ll go to Father Bohannon and we’ll no longer be welcome at St. Anna’s. I hate to imagine what Constance would do if she learned you and I have become friends.”

A grim smile formed at his mouth. “Constance has a high opinion of herself and the lofty standing she claims within this community. Much of this came from her husband’s position before he died. However, please know that she doesn’t dictate how I view others. Especially those I choose to associate with and call my friends. Is that clear, Josephine?”

She slowly nodded. Knowing he considered her his friend should have made her happy, but she wanted desperately to know he considered her more.

“Good. And while we’re speaking on this, I wouldn’t worry about Father Bohannon giving one fig as to what Constance has to say either. He admires Jared’s stand and has said so to Constance’s chagrin.”

“I’m so glad to hear it, Ancil. I’ve worried all afternoon on what I was going to tell Rebecca if we should be turned away from the church.”

He reached for her hand again and squeezed it. “Don’t worry further. As for our seeing one another, I’ll have a talk with her myself and make sure she understands my feelings on the matter.”

“Your feelings?”

Ancil half-grinned and squeezed her hand again. “I like you, Josephine. I hope the feeling is mutual?”

She nodded. Her stomach did flip-flops and she couldn’t eat another bite. “Very mutual.”

“Good. I’m not one to beat around the bush either. I’d like to call on you for a drive Sunday afternoon. Have you seen much of Jackson other than your visit out to the Hollingsworth plantation?”

“No. I haven’t. I’d enjoy going for a drive with you.”

“Excellent.”

She pushed her food around on her plate for a few moments and tried to contain her excitement. She looked up and found him watching her. “Rebecca will be out of town for a few days. Would you like to have Sunday dinner with me before we go for that drive?”

“That would be nice.”

“I think so too.”

After coffee and dessert of gelatos, Ancil invited her for an evening stroll before he walked her back to her suite.

“Will I see you at Mass tomorrow?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Until then.” He said, taking her hand and brushing a light kiss across her knuckles.

“Until then.”

She lingered in the hall watching him descend the stairs until she couldn’t see him anymore. When she entered the suite Charlotte was preparing a bottle for Lucas.

“Would you like anything, Miss Josephine?”

“Hmm? Oh. No, Charlotte. I’m fine. See you in the morning.”

“Good night to you.”

“A very good night.”