Southern Beauty

chapter 22

re you feeling better?” Emma Evans asked Johanna with a warm smile. “It’s great to see you awake and out of danger.”

“I am fine. Thanks to the both of you,” she smiled up at Jacob and Emma.

“How’s your shoulder?” asked Jacob.

“A little sore,” she smiled. “I just can’t believe I have no recollection of the past week.”

“You don’t remember anything?” asked Emma.

“Not really,” said Johanna trying to recollect the last several days.

“You don’t remember the doctor in Arlington or the train ride?” asked Jacob.

“Or David not leaving your side?” added Emma with a smile and a wink.

Johanna looked around the room, “where’s is Mr. McPherson?”

“He had something he needed to take care of,” Jacob said.

“Right,” his betrayal came rushing back. “It’s just as well. I don’t really want to see him.”

“He didn’t leave your side for a week,” Jacob defended David.

“Jacob, could you check on Daniel for me?” Emma cut in.

“Sure dear,” Jacob was thankful for his wife, she would be able to get through to Johanna.

“I am so glad to finally meet you, I have heard so much about you,” Emma smiled at Johanna.

Johanna smiled back, “Jacob and I have been praying for you and Daniel’s health. I am so happy to meet you finally too.”

“You have caused quite a stir being here,” Emma handed her a cup of tea.

“I am sorry, I never meant to be anyone’s inconvenience,” Johanna frowned.

“You are not at all. I just meant…” Emma tried to say.

“You mean being Lee’s niece,” Johanna finished her sentence.

“That, and well, coming back with David,” Emma added.

“I didn’t come here with him; it’s complicated,” Johanna didn’t know what to say.

“He is supposed to be married tomorrow,” said Emma. “Did you know this?”

Johanna’s heart sank. It was true. “I knew he was to marry,” she admitted.

“Does this bother you?” she asked.

“Not in the least,” Johanna lied.

Emma eyed Johanna. “How about if I say I don’t quite believe you? I think there is something between you and David,” she said.

Johanna didn’t deny it. She carefully watched Emma not knowing where she was going with this conversation.

“I think if you stay here, there won’t be a wedding,” she admitted.

“Then all the more reason I need to leave,” Johanna said feeling devastated and still sore from the gunshot wound.

“You don’t have to leave, you can stay as long as you like,” Emma insisted.

“I am not a prisoner?” asked Johanna.

“Not in the least,” Emma smiled.

“I appreciate your kindness, but,” she looked at Emma desperately, “I need to leave.”

Emma smiled warmly, “I understand.” She hesitated and then said thoughtfully, “If I know anything, I know that God always has a plan. It will all work out, Miss Lee.”

“Sometimes, I wonder after all I have been through, for who will it work out.” Johanna’s voice cracked while she held back tears that began to form.

Jacob interrupted with a slight clearing of his throat, “I have a letter for you Miss Lee.” He handed it to her.

“It’s from my aunt,” Johanna said surprised. “How did she know I was here?”

“She doesn’t. It was left by a servant from the Custiss-Lee Mansion addressed to you. You were too out of it to give it to you earlier,” Jacob answered while Johanna read the letter.

“There was a meeting my uncle attended at the Virginia secession convention. There were several decisions to make, she’s fled to Ravensworth. She wants me to meet her there,” Johanna said relieved she no longer had to bear being in David’s hometown when he was getting married.

“Yes I know,” Jacob said sadly.

“Will you stay a little longer?” Emma asked.

“Yes, you no longer have anything we need in your possession. You are not a prisoner but our guest,” Jacob tried to say politely.

“Jacob,” Emma whispered in an accusing tone.

Johanna smiled, “I know what you meant, but I cannot,” Johanna’s eyes began to tear and she held them on Emma.

Emma’s concerned look on her face turned to a smile. “Miss Lee would you like to meet our son, Daniel?” she asked.

“Would I ever,” she smiled.

“David, you brought Lee’s niece here? If he knows this he will send troops to retrieve her,” Mrs. McPherson warned her son.

“Mother, I thought she was dying. I didn’t know what to do,” David answered.

“You must have her return to her family. You can’t put us all in danger,” said Mrs. McPherson.

“I know, but there is a problem with that,” said David.

“And what is that, pray tell?” she asked.

“I am in love with her,” David confessed.

“David, you are to marry Kathleen tomorrow,” she said in shock.

“I don’t want to marry her. I can’t marry her. I was never in love with her. You thought it would be a good fit and I just never disagreed,” David now feeling sick about all the people he was hurting.

“I see. You have definitely put yourself in an awful predicament. How do you think this is going to work out between you and Miss Lee?” Mrs. McPherson now concerned for her son.

“I don’t know, but I know if I don’t find out I will always regret it,” he said.

“Will you too regret that you broke an engagement to a lovely woman who has loved you since childhood?” she asked.

“My only regret would be if I married her under false pretenses. I don’t love her,” he insisted. “I never did.”

“You will cause quite a scandal for this woman?” she asked.

“I would die for her,” David confessed.

“That is extreme,” she said.

“I know, I just can’t live with out her,” he admitted.

“Oh, it must be love then,” she smiled.

David smiled back, “I know you will love her too.”

“I am sure I will,” she said. “Son, I encourage you to pray about this decision you are making.”

“I do every day,” he smiled at her.

“That’s my boy,” she smiled back at him. “If this is God’s will then surely he will move heaven and earth for you and her to be together.”

“So, you are okay with this?” he asked.

“I just want you to be happy, that is all a mother can ask for,” she smiled.

“That I am,” he answered.

“I can tell,” she laughed. “You know what a scandal this is going to be among my friends?”

“Can you handle it?” he asked.

“Oh, I look forward to it!” she smiled.

“Thank you,” he smiled and kissed her on the cheek.

“You have one difficult task ahead of you,” she said.

“And what is that?” he asked still smiling.

“You must go and tell Kathleen,” insisted Mrs. McPherson insisted.

David’s smile disappeared. He sighed, “I know.”

“Are you sure you want to leave?” Emma questioned Johanna while they were alone. “I so much enjoyed your company.”

“You are such a dear friend. I am so thankful to you,” smiled Johanna.

“I am sorry David hasn’t come around. I don’t know what could keep him,” she tried to make Johanna feel better.

“He has no reason to come here now. I have nothing he wants,” Johanna frowned. “I have nothing to offer him.”

“Oh, I don’t believe that is true,” Emma smiled. “Jacob told me how much David cares for you. He didn’t have to tell me though I saw it for myself when he was at your bedside.”

“That was probably led more by guilt than anything for putting me in this situation in the first place,” Johanna frowned.

“It seemed more to me,” Emma insisted.

“I think I am just causing too much controversy being here. I don’t belong here, I really must leave,” said Johanna.

Emma and Johanna were interrupted by a knock at the door. When Emma opened it a young lady stood with a basket of pastries and smile.

“Oh Rebekah, it is so nice to see you,” Emma hugged her.

“Mother asked me to stop by and give you some pastries and welcome your new guest,’ she said as she handed Emma the basket with a big smile toward Johanna.

“Thank you. This is Miss Johanna Lee,” said Emma introducing them.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Johanna smiled back unsure of their new guest.

“Oh, it is so nice to finally meet you,” Rebekah said enthusiastically surprising Johanna with a friendly hug.

Johanna was awed by Rebekah’s excitement and hugged her back without any reservation.

“How is Daniel doing?” Rebekah asked.

“Oh, he is doing just fine, thank you for asking,” said Emma with a smile.

“I must go,” she smiled brightly again at Johanna. “I have so many things to prepare for you see.”

“Thank you for the pastries,” said Emma.

“Oh, you are very welcome. I look forward to meeting you again very soon,” Rebekah said only looking at Johanna.

Johanna smiled, “as do I.”

They watched Rebekah leave with a bit of a skip to her exit. Emma closed the door and looked at Johanna with a huge grin upon her face.

“Well, she was easy to befriend,” Johanna said to Emma with a grin. “She was the sweetest girl I have ever met. I have never seen anyone overflow with that much joy. I wish I could keep her near at all times.”

“Interesting you say that,” said Emma.

“Why is that?” asked Johanna.

“Because Rebekah is David’s sister,” smiled Emma.