Disclaimers: There isn’t one. There is nothing to disclaim anything in this here story because these characters and this rather unusual premise are mine. You will need a completely open mind to read it though. If you find something you think needs disclaiming, you are more than welcome to let me know. It won’t change anything, but it may make you feel better. Ugliness will earn you a smack to the back of your head.
Thanks: To my fabulous beta team who regularly go above and beyond... even to the point of *headdesk* when I get in a writing groove. They make my writing and your reading experience a much more pleasant one than it would have been otherwise.
Author’s Notes: Each two-chapter vignette for the first sixteen chapters is a self-contained short story that can be read as a stand-alone. From that point, the story will evolve much like the rest of my novel length epics. For the vignettes the Storyteller’s Cardinal Rule is not always present. For the remaining epic, it will be.
Franklyn & Rhodes
By D
Prologue
I have stood on this same street corner long enough to become part of the National Registry of Historic Places, and I have seen a lot of changes in my time. I have witnessed the heights and depths of the human condition, and it still amazes me as it has since the very beginning of things the need that humankind has to connect with one another on a number of different levels.
I have seen people come together in love, in hate; in desire, in fear; in friendship and in utter desperation. But always they come together to connect as only humans seem to have the capacity for. These are the stories of some of those who have come together here on my corner... at the intersection of Franklyn & Rhodes.
************
My very first encounter with humans came very early in my lifetime. I do not remember the details surrounding my birth and completion. My first awareness stems from that time, but it was not until I was christened that I became aware of myself and those that functioned within the confines of my walls.
The year was 1789, and that was when I met Martin and Elizabeth.
Chapter I
It was a cool spring morning when Martin McGee first crossed the threshold of the three-story barrister’s building on one side of the town square. He was more than a little nervous and rubbed his hands along the carefully pressed seam of his suit trousers.
For the past fifteen years Martin had spent his days working his small homestead outside of town, and his evenings were spent in solitude studying and learning. Now he was a middle aged, thirty-four-year-old man looking to make a change in his life.
He was first struck by the quiet, calm efficiency that permeated the very air of the building. The only sounds were the light footsteps that trod from one office to another; the flutter of pages as clerks went about their research; and the faint scratching of quill on parchment. Martin took a deep breath and approached the desk nearest the door.
“Excuse me?” he said softly, waiting until the young man’s eyes met his own.
“Yes, sir. May I help you?”
“Yes, I have an appointment with Col... excuse me, Barrister Henry.”
The young man consulted the small book at the corner of his desk, checking the large grandfather clock in the corner with the line where his finger rested. “Oh yes... Lt. McGee? Please wait here a moment.”
The youth was gone before Martin could correct the honorific, and he turned with a sigh to look out the window, watching as small amounts of foot traffic passed by. He idly speculated where each was headed and what their errand was. His attention was caught suddenly by a young woman whose smile lit up the world around her as she chatted with the woman accompanying her. The sound of footfalls broke into his thoughts, and he turned to greet the older gentleman who now approached with his hand outstretched in welcome.
“Martin!” he exclaimed joyfully as though this was his son instead of his former Lieutenant. Martin met the hand and clasped it firmly.
“Thank you for seeing me, Colonel. I appreciate the opportunity.”
“Martin, we don’t stand on ceremony here, and we’re not in the Army anymore. My name is Jacob, not Colonel. All right?”
“All right, sir.”
Jacob rolled his eyes and chuckled. “We’ll work on it. Now come. Let me show you around.” They walked slowly toward the stairs as Martin’s handicap became apparent. Jacob eyed the stairs before turning his gaze towards Martin. “Is this going to be a problem, Son? Our offices are down here, but I’d like to show you around if you’re up to it.”
Martin looked at the man he had regarded as a father figure when they’d served together many years before in the Colonial Army. Though they’d kept in touch over the years, it had been through letters mostly, and Jacob had frankly forgotten about the missing limb though he would always remember the reason behind it. Now Martin smiled, and it reminded Jacob of the youngster Martin had once been under his command.
“Thank you, Jacob. I think if I need not make numerous trips up and down the stairs, I will be fine upstairs. I had a loft in my cabin.” He spared a moment in wistful memory, knowing he would never see the small place he had called home for the last fifteen years in the same light again. The young couple he had sold the homestead to would make changes and improvements he could not manage alone.
“That’s fine then,” Jacob acknowledged cheerfully, unaware of the moment’s nostalgia. “Come along. I am anxious for you to get started.”
“Me too, Jacob. This has been a long time coming for me.”
“Indeed it has, my friend. Indeed it has.”
They moved to the second floor and stopped to give Martin the chance to look around. The entire second floor was filled with books and Martin looked around in awe. There were two small tables on either side of the large front windows, each with its own bench. There was another small set of shelves between them that held parchment, quills and two inkbottles.
“Jones?” Jacob called out. The two men waited patiently as the shuffling sound came closer and an older man’s head popped out from between two rows of books. “Jones, this is Martin,” indicating the younger man standing beside him. “Martin, this is Ezra Jones, and he is our research expert. When you need to find something, he’s the man to ask.”
The two men shook hands, taking stock of one another, and liking what they found. “How do you do, sir?” Martin asked deferentially. “I’m pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise, Martin, and please call me Jones. Everyone does, and sir makes me feel like an old man.”
“Jones, then. I look forward to working with you.”
Jones just nodded, but both felt it was the beginning of a solid friendship between them. Jacob took Martin’s arm again.
“Thanks, Jones. I just wanted Martin to meet you. I still have to take him upstairs. I’ll see you at dinner?”
The old man nodded again and disappeared back into the rows of books. The other two moved towards the next set of stairs and were halfway up before Jacob spoke again. “He is my father-in-law. His wife Rebecca died just before we began building this place three years ago, and we got him involved to keep him from being too lonely. He has been an unbelievable asset. I’m fairly certain we couldn’t function without him.”
Martin and Jacob walked onto the third floor landing. “This is where our clerks labor,” he said, raising his voice so the young men could hear him coming and settle into serious work. “They are all good men though they do try my patience dearly.” Jacob went around and motioned to each man as he introduced him to Martin. “This is Michael and Edmund and Wesley. And this is Ben and Daniel and Eli. Gentlemen, this is Martin, our new barrister. Be gentle with him, understood?”
The youths, barely old enough to be out of boyhood, nodded. They all knew that while Jacob Henry allowed them a lot of freedom as long as they got their work done, he would not tolerate disrespect.
“It is nice to meet you gentlemen,” Martin said quietly as he looked at each of them. “I look forward to working with all of you.”
There were polite murmurings from each of the young men before Jacob gestured Martin towards the stairs. “Let’s go down stairs and get you settled into your office, and then it should be time for a bite of lunch.”
They reached the ground floor and Jacob moved them toward the rear of the building. “The front area as you noticed is our reception area. Patrick and I each have a corner office in the back. Your office will be next to mine though the view is nothing special. It does have a window, however, which is to the good in the summer especially. Charles is just across the hall from you, and if you have questions, you can go to him or come to me. We want you to be happy here.”
“Jacob, you can’t know how very grateful I am for the opportunity. This has been a lifelong dream for me. I never thought to have the chance to....”
“Martin, even if I didn’t owe you for what you did for me, I still would have offered you a place when you applied here. I have seen what you have done and how hard you’ve worked for this. All I ask is that you make the most of it. Don’t let yourself down, Son - you’ve worked too damn hard to get where you are.”
“Thank you, sir. I won’t disappoint you.”
Jacob took Martin by the shoulder and squeezed gently. “You just keep doing like you’ve been doing, my friend. You’ll do just fine.”
Martin would have responded, but he was interrupted by a soft, warm voice. “Excuse me, Papa, but Mama sent me with your dinner.”
Martin turned and froze at the sight of loveliness that stood before him. It was the young woman he had seen through the window that morning, and he was surprised by the delicateness of her. She was about shoulder height to him, auburn locks in a loose coil on the top of her head. Her gray eyes twinkled at him and she smiled, causing him to blush suddenly as he realized he was staring. His blush started one of hers and Jacob watched them in fascination.
As the father of three daughters - two of whom were married now - he had seen this before though he’d given up seeing such from or for his eldest child. She’d never expressed any sort of interest in any of the young men who’d tried to turn her head. Jacob decided to take the initiative.
“Martin, allow me to present to you my eldest daughter, Elizabeth Henry. Elizabeth, this is my friend and our newest barrister, Martin McGee.”
Martin waited with bated breath to see if she would extend her hand in greeting. He hoped she would. He wanted to know that she was real and not just the vision he half suspected she was. She did, and he gently grasped the small warm hand in his own.
“A pleasure, Miss Henry,” he said softly, reluctantly releasing his hold on her after far too short a clasp. Elizabeth let her hand remain in his own a moment longer. Then she slid it gracefully through his palm, leaving tingles in its place.
“It is good to meet you, Mr. McGee. Papa has been quite vocal in his excitement at having you join his firm.” She smiled at him briefly before turning her attention back to her father. “Mama said to eat before it got cold, Papa, so if you gentlemen would excuse me....”
Jacob didn’t even get his mouth open to respond before Martin extended his arm to Elizabeth. “May I see you to the door, ma’am?”
Elizabeth looked at Martin carefully, a mischievous twinkle lurking in the depths of her gray eyes. “Only on the condition that you call me Elizabeth, Mr. McGee. Old maid that I am, I am still not old enough to be call ma’am by a young man such as yourself.”
Jacob nearly choked as he swallowed his tongue in shock. His daughter had never been so familiar with a gentleman before - certainly not within minutes of the first meeting. He turned the gargling sound into a strangled cough when two sets of concerned eyes turned his way.
“Papa?”
“Jacob?”
Both voices spoke at the same time, but Jacob waved them off. “Just a bit of dust in my throat. Let me go get something to drink.” He looked at Martin. “Join us for dinner when you see Elizabeth off safely,” he said, shooing the couple towards the door. “Be quick; I’m hungry.”
“Thank you Jacob, but....”
“No buts, Martin. I know Mama fixed enough for the three of us. Some days she fixes enough for ALL of us. Now go on. I know Elizabeth has other errands.”
Martin turned his attention to the young woman at his side whose arm had at some point become linked through his. “I beg pardon, Miss Elizabeth. I didn’t mean to hold you up.”
Gray eyes shot an evil look towards her father. “Not to worry, Mr. McGee. I am on my own timetable, but I expect Papa is trying to get rid of me so he can eat.” She smiled now and Jacob lifted his hands and smiled sheepishly.
“Well by all means then, let’s get you on your way so he can eat.” Martin leaned towards her conspiratorially and whispered loudly enough for Jacob to hear. “I hear his stomach rumbling from here, and it smells wonderful. I do not want to be responsible for keeping him from his dinner.”
A light laugh trilled from Elizabeth’s lips. “Ah, Mr. McGee... you have found the real secret to success here.” She patted Martin’s arm. “You’re going to fit in just fine.”
Just then Jones came around the door and smiled at his granddaughter. “I thought it was time for you to stop by,” he commented, brushing a light kiss on her cheek. “What did you bring me for dinner Little Beth?”
“Grandpa,” she almost whined, flushing prettily. “We made fried chicken and biscuits. Mama said that if we are careful, we may have the first tomatoes by the end of next week.”
The old man’s eyes twinkled. “Nothing beats a good fried green tomato. Are you going to join us today?”
“Not today, Grandpa. I still have a few more errands. Soon though,” she added, leaning up to kiss the older man’s face. “Come, Mr. McGee. If you will see me to the door, I will leave you to your dinner.”
Martin didn’t reply, instead taking up his crutch and slowly escorting the young woman to the door. She turned to him as they reached the threshold. “Thank you, sir. Enjoy your dinner.” Then she slipped out the portal he held open for her and into the bright sunshine. He stood watching her until she was almost out of sight; she turned and gave him a little wave. He flushed bright red at being caught watching, then turned back to the now silent room.
Apparently Elizabeth’s appearance signaled the dinner hour because each clerk had taken out his own meal at his desk and begun to eat quietly. The only sound in the room was the thump of Martin’s crutch as he made his way back to Jacob’s office. The murmuring of voices behind the door made him hesitate but finally Martin raised his hand and knocked. “Come in, Martin.”
Martin crossed the threshold and was immediately assaulted by the scent of chicken and biscuits. It made his stomach growl loudly. Jacob laughed and passed him a full plate. “Dig in, young man,” Jones encouraged him. “I’ll warrant it’s been a while since you had vittles like these.”
“No bet, Jones. I know it has.” He moaned around a bite of biscuit. “I never could get them light like this.”
An eyebrow rose on Jacob’s face. “You cook?”
“Yes sir. It was either that or eat cold jerky for the rest of my life.” He made a face. “No thank you. Jerky is okay in a pinch, but cooking is not so bad.” He smiled at their dubious looks. “The cleaning up is simply awful though.”
They chuckled at his declaration, then all of them turned their attention to the serious business of eating.
************
The weeks passed slowly as spring came into full bloom. Martin gradually settled into a routine, making himself a valuable asset of the firm. Jacob commented to his wife Margaret several times about how glad he was that Martin had joined them, noting with some satisfaction that his daughter’s ears always seemed tuned to the conversation when Martin’s name came up.
A few times Martin had been persuaded to join Jacob and Jones for dinner, but he was a proud man and usually brought his dinner with him. His landlady was a kindly soul and watched over him, ensuring he had access to the kitchen if he didn’t allow her to prepare something for him to take with him each day.
Elizabeth made her daily trips into town, bringing her father’s and grandfather’s meals with her. Martin always noticed her arrival and departure but usually did not get the opportunity to see or speak with her. He couldn’t force himself to presume her attentions, and she found herself becoming more frustrated with his hesitation as the weeks passed with no progress in their relationship.
Relationship? What relationship, Elizabeth? You’ve spoken to the man a grand total of half a dozen times in the weeks since he has joined the firm. Why would you assume he would return your interest? You’re an old maid, remember? This is payback for the disregard you showed the young men who took an interest in you, Elizabeth muttered bitterly to herself as she slogged through the rain towards the business building. Her mind was so occupied with self recrimination that she paid little heed to her surroundings and stepped into the street without checking to be sure it was safe. By the time she heard the noise, it was too late to do anything and she froze in horror.
************
Martin had volunteered to take some papers down to the mercantile that needed signing. Jacob had learned early not to try to dissuade Martin from any and all activity he felt comfortable managing. His pride was almost stubborn in the extreme, but his desire for independence only endeared him to those with whom he worked.
The rain was warm, but Martin was glad to be out in the open breathing fresh air again regardless. He loved being a barrister and enjoyed the opportunities it afforded him, but there were times, especially when he’d been cooped up for several days running, that he missed working outside as a simple farmer. So he smiled in sheer joy as he made his way down the soggy walkway.
He noted that most everyone had elected to stay indoors even though the rain wasn’t hard and the sun was still shining intermittently. He observed absently how well the land seemed to be growing... the storefronts had colorful window boxes, and on the wind he could smell hints of the rich damp soil beyond.
He made it to the mercantile and spent a few moments in conversation with the shopkeeper before tucking the signed papers into his inside coat pocket and heading back up the street to the barrister building. The light rain had gotten steadily heavier during the few minutes he’d been indoors, and he ducked his head against it, taking great care to watch his steps.
It was a little slick, and he muttered curses about his pigheaded insistence in coming out in the wet weather. He deliberately tended to forget how difficult it was for him to negotiate the treacherous slick wood, and now he focused all his concentration on remaining upright.
He was so intent on keeping his balance that it took a couple minutes for him to hear the clatter. When he did, he looked up to see a rapidly moving wagon at the far end of the street. It was then that he also noticed Elizabeth walking just ahead of him and he smiled involuntarily at the sight. Martin made an effort to pick up his pace, hoping he could catch up with her and escort her the last remaining bit to the office. She reached the corner and didn’t even stop in her haste to cross the street.
Martin’s eyes widened in horror as he realized what was happening, and time slowed to an infinitesimal crawl. The wagon was a runaway with no driver, and Elizabeth had stepped directly into its path. The horses’ eyes rolled wildly as they plunged forward, and Elizabeth seemed rooted to the spot.
Martin noticed all this in mere seconds and processed the information even as his body was taking action. He pushed his body forward towards Elizabeth, releasing his crutch at an angle he hoped would catch in the wheel’s spokes. Martin felt the horse’s shoulder graze him, pushing him harder into Elizabeth but giving him the necessary impetus to move them both out of harm’s way.
In the periphery of his hearing, he heard the scream of the horses and the crash of a wagon as they tumbled together in the middle of the road. It didn’t concern him however. He was completely focused on the trembling form in his arms. He rose up off of her and moved to one side, flopping on his back in utter relief. It took Martin a long moment to realize that Elizabeth had moved with him and was now tucked under his chin clutching his coat tightly.
“Miss Elizabeth?” He felt he draw a shuddering breath. “Miss Elizabeth, are you all right?”
Martin didn’t get an immediate answer, and he didn’t get to ask anything else. The commotion the wreck had caused brought a bevy of curious onlookers, and Jacob was quick to recognize both his daughter and his friend in the midst. He rushed over to offer assistance.
“Elizabeth, my dear... are you hurt?” He reached out to help her up only to realize that she was clinging to Martin with a fierce strength he’d never have suspected his eldest child of possessing. Jacob turned his attention to Martin. “Martin, are you all right? Can you stand, Son?”
Martin blinked feeling a little dazed, though he wasn’t sure if that was due to his near-death experience or the fact that Elizabeth was lying so contentedly in his arms. It occurred to him that he was sinking deeper into the mud in his best suit, and he couldn’t bring himself to care. He felt too good. “I think I’m all right, sir. Just a little shaken.”
He squeezed the young woman’s in his arms lightly. “Elizabeth? Sweetheart, are you unharmed? Can you move?” He didn’t even realize the words coming out of his mouth, but Jacob did and so did Elizabeth.
************
Elizabeth laid clutching Martin’s coat, absorbing the scent of wool and mud and rain, and the spicy soap he had shaved with that morning. She was at once comforted, terrified and overwhelmed by the sheer rightness of where she was. She kept her eyes closed, hoping to be able to remain where she was. It wasn’t until Martin’s words penetrated her hearing that she realized that quite a crowd of people had surrounded them. Then she became aware of a great many more things.
Like the fact that they were laying in the mud.
Tangled.
Together.
In front of a number of people.
That knew them both.
Elizabeth slowly opened her eyes, hoping the flush that now covered her face would be attributed the scare she’d just had and not the fact that she felt like she’d come home.
She met her father’s glance, seeing a swift flash of understanding twinkle in his eyes even as he reached out and gently lifted her from Martin’s still sprawled body. He looked her over quickly before wrapping her in his coat. Ben and Michael helped Martin to stand, then hesitated as he looked around in the mud. The office boy came sliding back from the melee where the horses and wagons still lay tangled in the mud. He had a broken crutch in one hand, and it was then that they became aware of the screams of the horses, and the man moving towards them with determined intent.
Rain dripped off of everyone, rolling down faces and clothes with abandon. Jacob decided to take control of the situation. “John, run and fetch the doctor,” nodding to the office boy. “Michael, Ben, assist Martin to the....”
“Jacob, I can....”
But Jacob cut off his protests midstream. “Martin, please. Allow us to help you. After what you did for Elizabeth....” He allowed Martin to see just how shaken he was by the whole incident. The younger man nodded reluctantly and Jacob sighed in relief. “Eli, have the carriage brought round to the portico. As soon as the doctor sees them I will be taking Martin and Elizabeth home. Now let’s get in out of the weather.”
They hadn’t taken two steps before a gunshot rang out and a horse screamed. Elizabeth shuddered in Jacob’s arms, and he tightened his hold and hastened his steps to get them indoors. It seemed that they had just crossed the threshold when the doctor came in. He saw to Elizabeth first at Martin’s insistence. It didn’t take long for either of them. They were mostly shaken up and muddy though they were each a little bruised and Martin had a cut along one side of his face.
“You will probably be very sore tomorrow, but you were lucky. That was an amazing thing you did.”
“I did what I had to do, Doc.”
“Well you did something that a lot of two-legged men wouldn’t have tried... much less done so well at.” Martin was a little uncomfortable with the conversation so he just nodded as he shrugged into his wet coat with a grimace. The doctor was quick to notice his reticence and changed the subject. “Go get into something dry and let Mrs. Edwards give you something warm for supper.” The last was said as the doctor opened the door and his words carried to Jacob who stood waiting in the hall.
“That won’t be necessary. I am taking this young man home with me,” Jacob said to the doctor, shaking his hand warmly. “Thanks, Stephen. I appreciate your coming over so quickly.”
“It was no trouble, Jacob. I heard the commotion and had come out to see what the ruckus was about anyway. I do need to go see to Matthew and his team. I’ll let you know the whole story as soon as I get it.”
Martin stood dumbfounded at the turn of events. It had been his intention to escape to his small rented loft to do a bit of cleaning up. He had the distinct feeling that tomorrow he was going to be too sore to do much in that regard. Martin waited until Jacob had escorted the doctor to the door before he turned to the older gentleman.
“If you’ll excuse me sir....” was all he managed before Jacob’s firm hand grasped him on the arm and he was caught in his friend’s warm regard.
“The carriage is at the portico, Martin. We should be home shortly.”
“Oh no, sir... really... I couldn’t....”
“Son, if I don’t bring you home for Mama to pamper for a bit after what you did today, it will be my head and yours. And personally I like my head on my shoulders. I find I think better with it there.” He paused as Martin considered his words. “Besides, she’s been anxious to have you over. You really do not want Mama to come looking for you once she hears about this; and you KNOW she will hear about it if she hasn’t already.”
Martin looked down at the ground, torn. He really wanted to go home and clean up. He was going to be days crafting another crutch, and he wasn’t looking forward to that. It had taken him months to feel comfortable with the first one he’d made. Then he looked at Elizabeth’s bedraggled form. She smiled at him through her mud-speckled face and whispered, “Please?” And he was lost. He looked back at Jacob who was waiting patiently watching the interlude between them and nodded somberly.
“Wonderful!” Jacob exclaimed as though he hadn’t seen Martin’s defeat by his daughter’s gentle tenacity. “It’s settled then. Come,” he said, extending an arm to Martin, knowing full well that if he treated Martin’s handicap matter-of-factly he would get a better response from the younger man. Martin hesitated, then accepted the arm with a slight grimace and a nod.
“Thank you, Jacob,” he began as graciously as he could manage but was cut off as Elizabeth came up on his other side. He was more aware that he wasn’t a whole man now more than he ever had and hated that fact more than he could express. Then she nonchalantly took his other arm and he glanced down and caught the look of absolute contentment on her face. Martin faltered and would have fallen if not for the swift actions of both Jacob and Elizabeth to hold him steady. Embarrassment flooded his features and he nearly jerked himself from their grasp, but Elizabeth held onto him firmly.
“Thank you, Martin,” she said softly.
“For what?” he returned softly, confusion clear in his eyes.
She flushed prettily, and it caused him to smile despite himself. “For allowing me to help you... and for saving my life.” He felt her trembling through his coat sleeve and saw her swallow hard. When she met his eyes again, there were tears in her gray depths. “That had to be... the... scariest thing that’s... ever... happened... to me, and yet you just... without any hesita... and you could... you....” Elizabeth stuttered to a stop, glad they were outside and Jacob claimed Martin’s attention. She drew a deep breath and tried to reclaim her shattered composure.
Martin pulled himself into the carriage and extended his hand down to Elizabeth. She placed her hand lightly in his and he pulled her up effortlessly. Then Jacob stepped in and sat down, and the horses began a rapid clip-clop splashing through the muddy roads heading up to Jacob’s home.
************
Now the next part of my story is all second hand reports though I can attest to the truth of their conclusion. But I was not present and could only listen to those around me to find out what happened after that.
Chapter II
Jacob had sent Eli ahead to warn Margaret of what had happened and allow her to prepare for their arrival. So Mama was waiting on the steps under the portico when the carriage pulled up. One dark skinned woman stood with her holding an armful of quilts; the other held a large tray with a steaming teapot and a decanter of brandy.
The carriage pulled to a stop and Jacob alighted first. Margaret gave an unconscious sigh of relief as she looked him over. Aside from being thoroughly drenched, he didn’t seem the worse for wear. He turned to help Elizabeth down and Mama gasped in sheer reflex, horrified by her daughter’s condition.
Her dress was ruined... torn and mud spattered. Her hair was tumbling around her shoulders and was covered in mud and the same mud liberally coated her neck and face.
“My God, girl!” her mother exclaimed as she took a quilt and wrapped it around Elizabeth’s tired form. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, Mama,” she answered softly. “I was shaken up more than hurt. I would just like a warm bath.”
Margaret nodded in agreement. “I thought as much and had them start heating water as soon as Eli brought me the news. Here,” she added, pressing a cup of hot tea into Elizabeth’s hands and adding a generous dollop of brandy. “This will help. Go on inside. I will be along in a few minutes - as soon as I get your young gentleman friend and your Papa squared away.”
Any chill Elizabeth had been feeling was chased away by Margaret’s rather personal reference to Martin, and Elizabeth’s reaction was easily noted and catalogued by Mama for later study. For now though, she swatted her daughter’s behind and sent her into the house, then she turned her attention to Martin.
Margaret wasn’t sure what she expected, but it wasn’t even close to what she got as Martin emerged from the carriage. Her first impression was one of height and strength. Standing at a little over six and a half feet, Martin towered over her by more than a foot. Mama had never thought to see someone who made her Jacob look small, but Martin did it with ease. Strangely though, he did not seem intimidating. Instead there was a gentleness to his demeanor that she found attractive, and she immediately understood what drew her daughter to this young man.
It didn’t hurt of course that he was quite handsome also. Even covered in mud with a scratch running down one side of his face, Margaret could see intelligence and humor lurking in his dark eyes even though at the moment embarrassment and awkwardness seemed to be at the forefront. Without hesitation she extended her hand, welcoming him to her home.
“Mr. McGee, it is so good to finally meet you. I’m so happy you have come to our home though I am sorry it took such dire circumstances to get you here. Perhaps you will be able to join us more often now that you have found us.”
Martin took her small hand gently in his own much larger one and smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Henry. I am glad to be here.”
Margaret liked his smile and the firm tenderness of his grasp and decided right then that she coveted him as a son-in-law for her strong-willed, sensitive daughter. “Come then,” she said, handing him a quilt and taking another for Jacob. “Jacob will show you where you can clean up and I will see what I can find for you to wear.”
He sincerely doubted she would find anything to fit his large frame, and it showed in his face. “Perhaps this was not such a good idea, ma’am. Maybe I should just go home.”
“I don’t think so, young man. You leave things to me. I’ll have something clean and dry for you by the time you’re ready to get dressed.” Martin looked abashed. Margaret reminded him very much of his own mama. “And you,” she said, turning to Jacob without missing a beat and wrapping the quilt around his shoulders. “You get Martin settled into the back guest room, then you get upstairs and get into some dry clothes before you catch your death! I will have the tea and brandy waiting for you both in the study.” She turned and marched up the steps confident the men would follow in her wake.
Martin was hard pressed to retain his grin. He kept his eyes resolutely on the ground especially when Jacob muttered an aside to him. “NOW do you understand why you had to come home with me? Do you REALLY want Mama coming after you?”
Martin chuckled almost soundlessly though Jacob felt it through the hand that gripped his arm. “No, sir. She reminds me very strongly of my own mother. I’d be willing to wager she’s got a favorite spoon somewhere.”
“You bet I do,” Margaret answered from the doorway. “And I’m liable to use it on both of you if you don’t hurry in out of the rain!”
Neither man could help the chuckles that escaped as they moved indoors.
************
Martin sighed in relief as he lifted himself out of the tub. He’d found mud in places mud had no business being, and it felt good to be clean again. He came around the screen and looked around the spare room. The bed was good sized and high enough that he could sit easily without sinking. An armoire stood on one wall and a chest sat at the end of the bed. There were two tables on either side of the headboard, and the chair that sat near the screen made up the room’s furnishings.
He finished drying himself and picked up the clothing he’d found laying on the bed when Jacob had shown him into the room. Now he picked it up and investigated it, amazed by the fact that it looked like it might fit.
He slid in to the worn, soft shirt, sighing at the comfort. The trousers followed though they were slightly baggy. Martin put on one of the wool socks, wiggling his toes in satisfaction. He looked for his boot briefly before remembering that he’d left it in the mudroom... for obvious reasons.
Well, he thought, I think Mrs. Henry would probably be happier if I don’t track mud all over her clean house. Now let’s see.... His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. “Come in,” he called. Jacob’s head peeked around the door.
“Ah, good,” Jacob said. “Would you like to join me in the study for a bit of tea and brandy? The womenfolk are going to be a little longer getting finished.”
Martin had to wonder why it was ‘womenfolk’ plural instead of ‘Elizabeth’ singular, but he mentally shrugged it off. It had been a very long time since he had lived with anyone and even longer since he’d been in a house with women. A shiver went down his spine and brought his thoughts back to the present.
“That sounds good, sir. Um....”
Before he could continue, Jacob calmly walked to the bed and extended his arm. Martin hesitated, and Jacob took his hand and placed it on his own arm. He took a step and was gratified that Martin stepped with him.
They made slow, steady progress down the hall though both were winded by the time they reached the study. Martin sank gratefully into the chair while Jacob poured two snifters of brandy. He handed one to the younger man before dropping into his own chair.
“Your health,” he said, raising his glass in toast.
Martin returned the salute. “I had forgotten how draining it is to have to hop along to get around. I’m going to have to make myself a new crutch.”
“You take the time you need. We don’t have anything pressing right now.”
“Jacob,” Martin started only to be cut off by the hand the older man held up.
“Please Martin. We owe you so much.” Here his voice shook just a little. “Allow me to do this.”
Martin nodded, knowing full well what it felt like to be beholden to someone especially through no fault your own. He took a breath to speak when he heard Margaret’s voice from the doorway.
“You see, Daughter, I told you they would be here waiting for us.” There was a smile in her voice and on her face as they walked over to where Jacob and Martin were rising to their feet. Elizabeth boldly placed her hands on Martin’s shoulders. He sank back down without a word, too stunned to protest.
Mama’s smile grew even bigger as she watched their interaction, and she placed her hand on Jacob’s arm before she moved to sit on the couch. She poured tea for herself and Elizabeth, then turned her attention to Martin.
“Now, Martin, will you tell me what happened? I have Elizabeth’s story, but I would like to hear yours if you don’t mind sharing.”
Jacob’s eyebrow went up. “I haven’t heard Elizabeth’s story!”
“It’s fairly simple, Papa,” Elizabeth said softly. “I was... angry... with myself for having gotten caught in the rain. It had been sunny when I left.” She shot a look at her mother who sat placidly listening to a much-abbreviated tale of the events. “I forgot to pay attention and stepped out into the road without looking first. And when I did look up and saw those horses... and that wagon... I froze.”
Everyone’s attention focused on Martin then, and he cleared his throat self-consciously. “Well, it wasn’t sunny when I left, but I needed to get out. So I volunteered to walk some papers down to the mercantile. It’s not impossible - I just have to be more conscious of my steps,” he said in response to Margaret’s unspoken question.
“I spent a few minutes talking to Jefferson and not until I left did I realize that the rain had picked up. Well, there was nothing to do for it but just come back to the office so I kept my head down and concentrated on getting back without falling. I heard the clatter and saw Miss Elizabeth ahead of me.” He couldn’t stop the blush that rose in his face. “I thought I’d catch up with her and see if perhaps she’d let me escort her to the office.”
Martin stopped and swallowed, his gaze going slightly unfocused as he relived the next part of his tale. “She stepped into the road, and....” He shook his head. “I’m not really sure. I remember pushing myself off towards her with my crutch. I think the far horse grazed me as they ran by. The next clear memory I have is Jacob helping us up.”
He looked directly at Elizabeth conveying more in his eyes than he said with his mouth. Her eyes widened when she realized that he was giving her the option of acknowledging what had happened between them. She swallowed and stood, moving to stand in front of him, then dropped to sit on the footstool in front of him. Reflexively he dropped his leg and sat up a little straighter. The room and her parents faded from their reality, and the world narrowed its focus to the two of them.
“That’s not the first thing I remember,” she whispered. “Are you sure it’s the first thing you do?”
He reached for her hands and clasped them. “Do you want it to be?” he asked softly, stroking her hands with his thumbs. He felt the goosebumps form beneath his touch and smiled.
She gently pried one hand from his and moved it up into his hair. Elizabeth took a long minute to revel in its thick wavy fullness before letting her hand rest on the back of his neck. “No,” she whispered, never letting her gaze waver from his eyes.
“Well then,” he said quietly, raising his free hand to trace her lips. “I think I might be able to remember the softness of your skin; the beat of your heart; you in my arms.” And then he leaned forward and captured her lips with his and they spent a leisurely moment in exploration. Only the clearing of a nearby throat caused them to pull away from the wonder they had finally admitted to one another.
Without moving his eyes from the joy that shown in Elizabeth’s own, Martin spoke. “Jacob, I would like your permission to court your lovely daughter Elizabeth. I intend to ask her very soon to be my wife.” He moved his hand back up to sketch the contours of her face. “So beautiful,” he murmured for her ears alone, enjoying the faint flush that graced her features.
Jacob drew breath and cleared his throat gruffly, affecting a stern demeanor. “I believe,” he said with enough authority that it drew both sets of eyes to his face. Then his eyes twinkled and he smiled. “I believe that is probably the best idea I have heard in a very long time. What do you think, Mama?”
“I think that this has been a long time in coming,” she said with a smile and a hint of tears in her eyes. “Now I need to see how supper is progressing. I’m sure ya’ll are ready to eat by now.” She looked at the clock in the corner. “Considering the lateness of the hour and the fact that no one here had lunch.” Three stomachs growled in tandem and Mama chuckled. “Thought so.”
************
Soon, the news around town was about Martin and Elizabeth’s engagement. The gossips found it scandalous that they were planning a late fall wedding and spent hours speculating on the real reason behind the haste. Not in Mama’s hearing, of course. Mama would have given them what for had she heard. Folks couldn’t have been more wrong in their thinking, which time naturally proved.
It was gratifying to see them together... so much happiness. Jacob had given them a tract of land over Martin’s protests, claiming it was part of the dowry he’d provided for each of his daughters. Then the neighbors gathered for a house raising, and by the end of the day Martin and Elizabeth had the bare minimum requirements for their home. Martin spent the rest of the summer and fall getting it ready and a week before their nuptials, they began moving furniture in.
What a nightmare.
************
Martin had spent several days crafting himself a new crutch before getting it adjusted to his satisfaction. Then he began to court Elizabeth in earnest. It didn’t take long for the whispers and rumors to reach them, and they discussed the matter in some length several times.
“Martin, it doesn’t matter,” she assured again him shortly before their wedding. “Most of the rumors have been disproved. I am obviously not with child. As for the other, the fact that you have only one leg has never been a factor for me. Does it bother you so badly that I am an old maid?”
“No, Sweetheart! Of course not. To me you are the most precious thing God ever created.”
Elizabeth stopped walking then and put a hand on his face regardless of the fact that they were standing on a very public street. “Beloved, it’s the same for me. Please believe that.”
Martin stared into the gray eyes he loved and believed.
************
The house raising was both a trial and a triumph for Martin. He was determined to pull his own weight at his own raising and it was hard work, but he earned the respect of every single person who turned out to help. When the day was over, he stood proudly with his friends and neighbors looking at his future.
He worked as he could on Saturdays, laying the floor and adding cabinets and windows. Several times different men came out to help with the interior work and Martin accepted the help willingly, wanting to provide Elizabeth with the very best he could. He’d been lucky before - his father had built the small cabin he’d had before moving into town. So he was learning how to build and craft, and though he got frustrated at his limitations sometimes, he had to smile at the finished product. Elizabeth would have a home to be proud of.
A week before the wedding, everyone gathered again to help Martin move the furniture in. There wasn’t much to do with all the strong willing backs, but it was a good excuse to get together with neighbors and fellowship. Martin learned very quickly that it worked best if he stood aside and let the other men do the moving. He was gracious enough about it, but once everyone left his bitterness manifested itself physically.
Elizabeth knew he was angry; she could feel it radiating from his very being. He asked her for some time to himself so after a brief kiss she took her leave with her parents. She understood his motivation and admired his restraint, but it irked her that he felt the need to shut her out about this.
Martin took the axe and moved off into the nearby woods, determined to have a huge stockpile of wood ready for use before next week. After an hour or two of work, he had quite a stack of wood ready to drag back to the house. Exhausted he decided to leave it until later and made his way back to the new house. He wanted to clean up and go apologize to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth, meanwhile, had made up her mind to rout Martin out and try to coax him over his pique. She knew her mama and papa wouldn’t approve even though they were just a week away from becoming husband and wife. So she snuck out of the house before supper, hoping she could bring Martin back with her.
It wasn’t particularly ladylike, but she gathered her skirts nearly to her waist and straddled the saddle, praying that the horse would behave and hoping that no one saw her. She cut through the fields that separated her folks’ house from hers and Martin’s, but she didn’t see him around. Then she remembered him telling her in no uncertain terms that he would not live in the house until they shared it as husband and wife. She blushed at where her thoughts led. Then she turned the horse towards town, hoping everyone was in for the night.
Elizabeth reached the town without incident, grateful that everyone was indoors. She stopped at the corner of Franklyn & Rhodes as she did everyday and relived the terrifying, wonderful moment when her world had changed. She never wanted to lose the rapture of that experience. She was lost in her daydreams and didn’t notice that it was swiftly becoming dark. When a hand grasped her horse’s bridle and the animal started, she was jolted from her reverie.
“Well, well... what have we here?” growled a low voice. “Lady like you shouldn’t be out here alone.” The hidden face gave a cruel chuckle. “Course a lady like you shouldn’t be riding like a man either. Guess you’re not a ladylike as you’d like people to think you are.” He grabbed for her leg but was stopped by two things happening almost simultaneously.
Elizabeth struck his hand hard with the crop. The intruder jerked his hand away with a yowl of pain and would have lunged for her had he not been knocked to the ground and had his face pummeled. Only Elizabeth’s touch on Martin’s back kept him from killing the man outright.
Elizabeth slid to the ground and rested her hand on Martin’s back, letting him adjust to the fact that she was all right. Then she spoke. “Martin, it’s all right, Beloved. He didn’t hurt me. Let him go now. The constable will take care if him.”
Amazingly the constable was the only one whose attention had been garnered by the ruckus at the corner and only because he was making his rounds towards there at the time. He stepped over to the corner just as Martin turned and buried his face in Elizabeth’s midsection. She ran her fingers through his hair comfortingly, surprised that he seemed more vulnerable that she felt. She simply felt loved and protected but was thrilled by the idea that she could do the same for him.
“Miss Elizabeth, Mr. McGee... you folks all right?” the constable queried, fastening the now moaning man’s hands behind him. “I saw what happened. I’ll take care of Mr. Brewster here. I expect the judge’ll put him in the stocks for sure.”
“Thanks, Van,” Martin said quietly, standing slowly. Elizabeth kept a tight hold to him and he was thankful for her support. “Do we need...?”
“Ya’ll come on in to the office on Monday. We can take care of the details then. You get Miss Elizabeth back home.”
“Thank you, Van,” Elizabeth said quietly. He nodded and waited until Martin had escorted Elizabeth to his small buckboard before turning back to the now conscious man.
“Let’s go, Brewster. You’re looking to make bear bait with this.”
************
The wedding the following Saturday at the couples’ new home went off without a hitch, and according to all reports was a memorable affair. Elizabeth made a beautiful bride and Martin did manage to carry her over the threshold to much cheering by the neighbors and blushing by Elizabeth.
Isaac Brewster did eventually hang though it had nothing to do with Martin and Elizabeth. They were too busy making a life together and having children to worry about him. Over the first ten years of their marriage, Elizabeth gave birth to five children, including one set of twin boys. The last child, a little girl, died in childbirth and nearly killed Elizabeth as well. It shook Martin up badly, and though he was a dedicated family man, he determined to make more time for his family.
When Jacob passed away in 1801, Martin began grooming his ten-year-old sons to assume the family business. Ten years later, he set foot in the doors one last time. All three of his boys had taken a place in the offices of Henry and McGee, and he was ready to spend his days unconditionally with Elizabeth.
Her health had steadily failed her since the death of her last child, and both she and Martin knew their time together was limited.
************
“Martin, can we take a ride?” Elizabeth asked softly. “I’d like to ride down to Franklyn & Rhodes one more time.” She stroked his face gently, her touch bringing tears to his eyes. “It was the beginning for us, and it holds such wonderful memories for me.”
“Anything you want, Sweetheart. Let me go hook up the buggy.” He caught her hand and brought it to his lips. “You are still so beautiful,” he whispered, knowing she would hear him. She did and she smiled.
“Go get the buggy, Beloved.”
Martin went to do her bidding. He added several blankets to the seat. The spring air was warm, but Elizabeth tended to chill very easily. Once the buggy was at the front of the house, Martin swept Elizabeth into his still strong arms. “I need you to help me, Sweetheart. Put your arms around my neck.”
“Husband, I can still walk,” Elizabeth chided lightly but capitulated easily at the puppy dog look in the brown eyes that were gazing at her in heartfelt plea. “You spoil me, you know,” she teased, laying her head on his broad shoulder.
“It is my privilege to do so.” He set her carefully on the seat and laid a blanket over her lap. He sat beside her and clicked to the horses, and they eased down the road towards town.
The small town had grown a bit in the twenty years since they’d first met. Many of the streets were cobbled and the intersection of Franklyn & Rhodes was a busy one.
“It’s changed a lot, hasn’t it?” Elizabeth whispered. “But I still remember it most clearly as the sleepy little corner in the small town where we first met.”
“So do I, Beloved.”
They sat in the buggy for a while just watching life pass by. Elizabeth was the one to break the silence again. “Do you realize that this is an anniversary of sorts for us?”
Martin looked at her startled. In all their years together, he had not once missed their anniversary, her birthday or the birthdays of any of their children. Now suddenly twenty years later, she was telling him he’d been missing an important day in their lives. His expression was a mixture of consternation and confusion and a tiny bit of hurt.
Elizabeth smiled gently, and raised her hand to his face. “Don’t look so upset, Beloved. This is the day that I first laid eyes on you and decided I coveted you for a husband. You made me feel... so much. I have come here every year since to sit and remember and give thanks for the love and joy you brought into my life.”
Martin was content to sit in silence for a while trying to recover the voice she’d stolen from him with her words. “I love you Elizabeth, and I have since the moment I saw you. Every day you gave me a new reason to love you more, and I will always, ALWAYS cherish you and the love we share.”
They sat quietly for a while longer after that. Finally Elizabeth turned to Martin and wrapped her frail hand around his arm. “Take me home, Beloved. It’s time.”
The ride home was quiet and by the time they reached the house, Elizabeth was sleeping. Martin carried her in, her weight negligible in his arms. He was absently thankful for the wooden leg he’d managed to craft for himself despite the pain it gave him. He laid her gently down on their bed and brushed his lips lightly over hers.
“I’ll love you forever Martin McGee,” Elizabeth whispered.
“And I’ll love you always, Elizabeth McGee. Wait for me,” Martin said softly, watching her breathing slow and finally stop. He leaned over and kissed her one last time, then stepped from the room and closed the door behind him.
************
The day finally came when Martin went into the bedroom he and Elizabeth had shared for twenty years. He’d kept it closed since Elizabeth’s funeral, but today on their thirtieth anniversary, he felt the need to open it again. He lay down on their bed, turned on his side and closed his eyes, talking to her much as he had during their life together.
“Elizabeth, you’d be so proud of our family. We have fifteen grandchildren. And Little Beth reminds me so much of you - she is what I think you must have been like as a child. I wish you could see them.”
“I have, Beloved. I have been close by always just like I promised.”
Martin’s brown eyes flew open at her first words, then closed when her hands began combing through his now gray hair. He couldn’t stop the tears that started to flow at both her words and her touch. “I thought it was just my wishful thinking when I felt you nearby.” He opened his eyes again and looked at her, seeing she was once more the beautiful young woman he’d fallen in love with those many years ago. “I’ve missed you, Sweetheart.”
“And I, you. Would you like to come home with me?”
“Can I? I’m so tired... tired of living without you.”
“Take my hand, Beloved. It’s time for us to be together again.”
************
The boys found Martin had died peacefully in his sleep, a slight smile on his face. I still see him and Elizabeth around from time to time. They like to keep an eye on things, and this corner was their beginning after all.
Things were pretty status quo until 1824, when fire swept through. But that’s a story for another time.
Part 2
Thanks: To my fabulous beta team who regularly go above and beyond... even to the point of *headdesk* when I get in a writing groove. They make my writing and your reading experience a much more pleasant one than it would have been otherwise.
Author’s Notes: Each two-chapter vignette for the first sixteen chapters is a self-contained short story that can be read as a stand-alone. From that point, the story will evolve much like the rest of my novel length epics. For the vignettes the Storyteller’s Cardinal Rule is not always present. For the remaining epic, it will be.
Franklyn & Rhodes
By D
Prologue
I have stood on this same street corner long enough to become part of the National Registry of Historic Places, and I have seen a lot of changes in my time. I have witnessed the heights and depths of the human condition, and it still amazes me as it has since the very beginning of things the need that humankind has to connect with one another on a number of different levels.
I have seen people come together in love, in hate; in desire, in fear; in friendship and in utter desperation. But always they come together to connect as only humans seem to have the capacity for. These are the stories of some of those who have come together here on my corner... at the intersection of Franklyn & Rhodes.
************
My very first encounter with humans came very early in my lifetime. I do not remember the details surrounding my birth and completion. My first awareness stems from that time, but it was not until I was christened that I became aware of myself and those that functioned within the confines of my walls.
The year was 1789, and that was when I met Martin and Elizabeth.
Chapter I
It was a cool spring morning when Martin McGee first crossed the threshold of the three-story barrister’s building on one side of the town square. He was more than a little nervous and rubbed his hands along the carefully pressed seam of his suit trousers.
For the past fifteen years Martin had spent his days working his small homestead outside of town, and his evenings were spent in solitude studying and learning. Now he was a middle aged, thirty-four-year-old man looking to make a change in his life.
He was first struck by the quiet, calm efficiency that permeated the very air of the building. The only sounds were the light footsteps that trod from one office to another; the flutter of pages as clerks went about their research; and the faint scratching of quill on parchment. Martin took a deep breath and approached the desk nearest the door.
“Excuse me?” he said softly, waiting until the young man’s eyes met his own.
“Yes, sir. May I help you?”
“Yes, I have an appointment with Col... excuse me, Barrister Henry.”
The young man consulted the small book at the corner of his desk, checking the large grandfather clock in the corner with the line where his finger rested. “Oh yes... Lt. McGee? Please wait here a moment.”
The youth was gone before Martin could correct the honorific, and he turned with a sigh to look out the window, watching as small amounts of foot traffic passed by. He idly speculated where each was headed and what their errand was. His attention was caught suddenly by a young woman whose smile lit up the world around her as she chatted with the woman accompanying her. The sound of footfalls broke into his thoughts, and he turned to greet the older gentleman who now approached with his hand outstretched in welcome.
“Martin!” he exclaimed joyfully as though this was his son instead of his former Lieutenant. Martin met the hand and clasped it firmly.
“Thank you for seeing me, Colonel. I appreciate the opportunity.”
“Martin, we don’t stand on ceremony here, and we’re not in the Army anymore. My name is Jacob, not Colonel. All right?”
“All right, sir.”
Jacob rolled his eyes and chuckled. “We’ll work on it. Now come. Let me show you around.” They walked slowly toward the stairs as Martin’s handicap became apparent. Jacob eyed the stairs before turning his gaze towards Martin. “Is this going to be a problem, Son? Our offices are down here, but I’d like to show you around if you’re up to it.”
Martin looked at the man he had regarded as a father figure when they’d served together many years before in the Colonial Army. Though they’d kept in touch over the years, it had been through letters mostly, and Jacob had frankly forgotten about the missing limb though he would always remember the reason behind it. Now Martin smiled, and it reminded Jacob of the youngster Martin had once been under his command.
“Thank you, Jacob. I think if I need not make numerous trips up and down the stairs, I will be fine upstairs. I had a loft in my cabin.” He spared a moment in wistful memory, knowing he would never see the small place he had called home for the last fifteen years in the same light again. The young couple he had sold the homestead to would make changes and improvements he could not manage alone.
“That’s fine then,” Jacob acknowledged cheerfully, unaware of the moment’s nostalgia. “Come along. I am anxious for you to get started.”
“Me too, Jacob. This has been a long time coming for me.”
“Indeed it has, my friend. Indeed it has.”
They moved to the second floor and stopped to give Martin the chance to look around. The entire second floor was filled with books and Martin looked around in awe. There were two small tables on either side of the large front windows, each with its own bench. There was another small set of shelves between them that held parchment, quills and two inkbottles.
“Jones?” Jacob called out. The two men waited patiently as the shuffling sound came closer and an older man’s head popped out from between two rows of books. “Jones, this is Martin,” indicating the younger man standing beside him. “Martin, this is Ezra Jones, and he is our research expert. When you need to find something, he’s the man to ask.”
The two men shook hands, taking stock of one another, and liking what they found. “How do you do, sir?” Martin asked deferentially. “I’m pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise, Martin, and please call me Jones. Everyone does, and sir makes me feel like an old man.”
“Jones, then. I look forward to working with you.”
Jones just nodded, but both felt it was the beginning of a solid friendship between them. Jacob took Martin’s arm again.
“Thanks, Jones. I just wanted Martin to meet you. I still have to take him upstairs. I’ll see you at dinner?”
The old man nodded again and disappeared back into the rows of books. The other two moved towards the next set of stairs and were halfway up before Jacob spoke again. “He is my father-in-law. His wife Rebecca died just before we began building this place three years ago, and we got him involved to keep him from being too lonely. He has been an unbelievable asset. I’m fairly certain we couldn’t function without him.”
Martin and Jacob walked onto the third floor landing. “This is where our clerks labor,” he said, raising his voice so the young men could hear him coming and settle into serious work. “They are all good men though they do try my patience dearly.” Jacob went around and motioned to each man as he introduced him to Martin. “This is Michael and Edmund and Wesley. And this is Ben and Daniel and Eli. Gentlemen, this is Martin, our new barrister. Be gentle with him, understood?”
The youths, barely old enough to be out of boyhood, nodded. They all knew that while Jacob Henry allowed them a lot of freedom as long as they got their work done, he would not tolerate disrespect.
“It is nice to meet you gentlemen,” Martin said quietly as he looked at each of them. “I look forward to working with all of you.”
There were polite murmurings from each of the young men before Jacob gestured Martin towards the stairs. “Let’s go down stairs and get you settled into your office, and then it should be time for a bite of lunch.”
They reached the ground floor and Jacob moved them toward the rear of the building. “The front area as you noticed is our reception area. Patrick and I each have a corner office in the back. Your office will be next to mine though the view is nothing special. It does have a window, however, which is to the good in the summer especially. Charles is just across the hall from you, and if you have questions, you can go to him or come to me. We want you to be happy here.”
“Jacob, you can’t know how very grateful I am for the opportunity. This has been a lifelong dream for me. I never thought to have the chance to....”
“Martin, even if I didn’t owe you for what you did for me, I still would have offered you a place when you applied here. I have seen what you have done and how hard you’ve worked for this. All I ask is that you make the most of it. Don’t let yourself down, Son - you’ve worked too damn hard to get where you are.”
“Thank you, sir. I won’t disappoint you.”
Jacob took Martin by the shoulder and squeezed gently. “You just keep doing like you’ve been doing, my friend. You’ll do just fine.”
Martin would have responded, but he was interrupted by a soft, warm voice. “Excuse me, Papa, but Mama sent me with your dinner.”
Martin turned and froze at the sight of loveliness that stood before him. It was the young woman he had seen through the window that morning, and he was surprised by the delicateness of her. She was about shoulder height to him, auburn locks in a loose coil on the top of her head. Her gray eyes twinkled at him and she smiled, causing him to blush suddenly as he realized he was staring. His blush started one of hers and Jacob watched them in fascination.
As the father of three daughters - two of whom were married now - he had seen this before though he’d given up seeing such from or for his eldest child. She’d never expressed any sort of interest in any of the young men who’d tried to turn her head. Jacob decided to take the initiative.
“Martin, allow me to present to you my eldest daughter, Elizabeth Henry. Elizabeth, this is my friend and our newest barrister, Martin McGee.”
Martin waited with bated breath to see if she would extend her hand in greeting. He hoped she would. He wanted to know that she was real and not just the vision he half suspected she was. She did, and he gently grasped the small warm hand in his own.
“A pleasure, Miss Henry,” he said softly, reluctantly releasing his hold on her after far too short a clasp. Elizabeth let her hand remain in his own a moment longer. Then she slid it gracefully through his palm, leaving tingles in its place.
“It is good to meet you, Mr. McGee. Papa has been quite vocal in his excitement at having you join his firm.” She smiled at him briefly before turning her attention back to her father. “Mama said to eat before it got cold, Papa, so if you gentlemen would excuse me....”
Jacob didn’t even get his mouth open to respond before Martin extended his arm to Elizabeth. “May I see you to the door, ma’am?”
Elizabeth looked at Martin carefully, a mischievous twinkle lurking in the depths of her gray eyes. “Only on the condition that you call me Elizabeth, Mr. McGee. Old maid that I am, I am still not old enough to be call ma’am by a young man such as yourself.”
Jacob nearly choked as he swallowed his tongue in shock. His daughter had never been so familiar with a gentleman before - certainly not within minutes of the first meeting. He turned the gargling sound into a strangled cough when two sets of concerned eyes turned his way.
“Papa?”
“Jacob?”
Both voices spoke at the same time, but Jacob waved them off. “Just a bit of dust in my throat. Let me go get something to drink.” He looked at Martin. “Join us for dinner when you see Elizabeth off safely,” he said, shooing the couple towards the door. “Be quick; I’m hungry.”
“Thank you Jacob, but....”
“No buts, Martin. I know Mama fixed enough for the three of us. Some days she fixes enough for ALL of us. Now go on. I know Elizabeth has other errands.”
Martin turned his attention to the young woman at his side whose arm had at some point become linked through his. “I beg pardon, Miss Elizabeth. I didn’t mean to hold you up.”
Gray eyes shot an evil look towards her father. “Not to worry, Mr. McGee. I am on my own timetable, but I expect Papa is trying to get rid of me so he can eat.” She smiled now and Jacob lifted his hands and smiled sheepishly.
“Well by all means then, let’s get you on your way so he can eat.” Martin leaned towards her conspiratorially and whispered loudly enough for Jacob to hear. “I hear his stomach rumbling from here, and it smells wonderful. I do not want to be responsible for keeping him from his dinner.”
A light laugh trilled from Elizabeth’s lips. “Ah, Mr. McGee... you have found the real secret to success here.” She patted Martin’s arm. “You’re going to fit in just fine.”
Just then Jones came around the door and smiled at his granddaughter. “I thought it was time for you to stop by,” he commented, brushing a light kiss on her cheek. “What did you bring me for dinner Little Beth?”
“Grandpa,” she almost whined, flushing prettily. “We made fried chicken and biscuits. Mama said that if we are careful, we may have the first tomatoes by the end of next week.”
The old man’s eyes twinkled. “Nothing beats a good fried green tomato. Are you going to join us today?”
“Not today, Grandpa. I still have a few more errands. Soon though,” she added, leaning up to kiss the older man’s face. “Come, Mr. McGee. If you will see me to the door, I will leave you to your dinner.”
Martin didn’t reply, instead taking up his crutch and slowly escorting the young woman to the door. She turned to him as they reached the threshold. “Thank you, sir. Enjoy your dinner.” Then she slipped out the portal he held open for her and into the bright sunshine. He stood watching her until she was almost out of sight; she turned and gave him a little wave. He flushed bright red at being caught watching, then turned back to the now silent room.
Apparently Elizabeth’s appearance signaled the dinner hour because each clerk had taken out his own meal at his desk and begun to eat quietly. The only sound in the room was the thump of Martin’s crutch as he made his way back to Jacob’s office. The murmuring of voices behind the door made him hesitate but finally Martin raised his hand and knocked. “Come in, Martin.”
Martin crossed the threshold and was immediately assaulted by the scent of chicken and biscuits. It made his stomach growl loudly. Jacob laughed and passed him a full plate. “Dig in, young man,” Jones encouraged him. “I’ll warrant it’s been a while since you had vittles like these.”
“No bet, Jones. I know it has.” He moaned around a bite of biscuit. “I never could get them light like this.”
An eyebrow rose on Jacob’s face. “You cook?”
“Yes sir. It was either that or eat cold jerky for the rest of my life.” He made a face. “No thank you. Jerky is okay in a pinch, but cooking is not so bad.” He smiled at their dubious looks. “The cleaning up is simply awful though.”
They chuckled at his declaration, then all of them turned their attention to the serious business of eating.
************
The weeks passed slowly as spring came into full bloom. Martin gradually settled into a routine, making himself a valuable asset of the firm. Jacob commented to his wife Margaret several times about how glad he was that Martin had joined them, noting with some satisfaction that his daughter’s ears always seemed tuned to the conversation when Martin’s name came up.
A few times Martin had been persuaded to join Jacob and Jones for dinner, but he was a proud man and usually brought his dinner with him. His landlady was a kindly soul and watched over him, ensuring he had access to the kitchen if he didn’t allow her to prepare something for him to take with him each day.
Elizabeth made her daily trips into town, bringing her father’s and grandfather’s meals with her. Martin always noticed her arrival and departure but usually did not get the opportunity to see or speak with her. He couldn’t force himself to presume her attentions, and she found herself becoming more frustrated with his hesitation as the weeks passed with no progress in their relationship.
Relationship? What relationship, Elizabeth? You’ve spoken to the man a grand total of half a dozen times in the weeks since he has joined the firm. Why would you assume he would return your interest? You’re an old maid, remember? This is payback for the disregard you showed the young men who took an interest in you, Elizabeth muttered bitterly to herself as she slogged through the rain towards the business building. Her mind was so occupied with self recrimination that she paid little heed to her surroundings and stepped into the street without checking to be sure it was safe. By the time she heard the noise, it was too late to do anything and she froze in horror.
************
Martin had volunteered to take some papers down to the mercantile that needed signing. Jacob had learned early not to try to dissuade Martin from any and all activity he felt comfortable managing. His pride was almost stubborn in the extreme, but his desire for independence only endeared him to those with whom he worked.
The rain was warm, but Martin was glad to be out in the open breathing fresh air again regardless. He loved being a barrister and enjoyed the opportunities it afforded him, but there were times, especially when he’d been cooped up for several days running, that he missed working outside as a simple farmer. So he smiled in sheer joy as he made his way down the soggy walkway.
He noted that most everyone had elected to stay indoors even though the rain wasn’t hard and the sun was still shining intermittently. He observed absently how well the land seemed to be growing... the storefronts had colorful window boxes, and on the wind he could smell hints of the rich damp soil beyond.
He made it to the mercantile and spent a few moments in conversation with the shopkeeper before tucking the signed papers into his inside coat pocket and heading back up the street to the barrister building. The light rain had gotten steadily heavier during the few minutes he’d been indoors, and he ducked his head against it, taking great care to watch his steps.
It was a little slick, and he muttered curses about his pigheaded insistence in coming out in the wet weather. He deliberately tended to forget how difficult it was for him to negotiate the treacherous slick wood, and now he focused all his concentration on remaining upright.
He was so intent on keeping his balance that it took a couple minutes for him to hear the clatter. When he did, he looked up to see a rapidly moving wagon at the far end of the street. It was then that he also noticed Elizabeth walking just ahead of him and he smiled involuntarily at the sight. Martin made an effort to pick up his pace, hoping he could catch up with her and escort her the last remaining bit to the office. She reached the corner and didn’t even stop in her haste to cross the street.
Martin’s eyes widened in horror as he realized what was happening, and time slowed to an infinitesimal crawl. The wagon was a runaway with no driver, and Elizabeth had stepped directly into its path. The horses’ eyes rolled wildly as they plunged forward, and Elizabeth seemed rooted to the spot.
Martin noticed all this in mere seconds and processed the information even as his body was taking action. He pushed his body forward towards Elizabeth, releasing his crutch at an angle he hoped would catch in the wheel’s spokes. Martin felt the horse’s shoulder graze him, pushing him harder into Elizabeth but giving him the necessary impetus to move them both out of harm’s way.
In the periphery of his hearing, he heard the scream of the horses and the crash of a wagon as they tumbled together in the middle of the road. It didn’t concern him however. He was completely focused on the trembling form in his arms. He rose up off of her and moved to one side, flopping on his back in utter relief. It took Martin a long moment to realize that Elizabeth had moved with him and was now tucked under his chin clutching his coat tightly.
“Miss Elizabeth?” He felt he draw a shuddering breath. “Miss Elizabeth, are you all right?”
Martin didn’t get an immediate answer, and he didn’t get to ask anything else. The commotion the wreck had caused brought a bevy of curious onlookers, and Jacob was quick to recognize both his daughter and his friend in the midst. He rushed over to offer assistance.
“Elizabeth, my dear... are you hurt?” He reached out to help her up only to realize that she was clinging to Martin with a fierce strength he’d never have suspected his eldest child of possessing. Jacob turned his attention to Martin. “Martin, are you all right? Can you stand, Son?”
Martin blinked feeling a little dazed, though he wasn’t sure if that was due to his near-death experience or the fact that Elizabeth was lying so contentedly in his arms. It occurred to him that he was sinking deeper into the mud in his best suit, and he couldn’t bring himself to care. He felt too good. “I think I’m all right, sir. Just a little shaken.”
He squeezed the young woman’s in his arms lightly. “Elizabeth? Sweetheart, are you unharmed? Can you move?” He didn’t even realize the words coming out of his mouth, but Jacob did and so did Elizabeth.
************
Elizabeth laid clutching Martin’s coat, absorbing the scent of wool and mud and rain, and the spicy soap he had shaved with that morning. She was at once comforted, terrified and overwhelmed by the sheer rightness of where she was. She kept her eyes closed, hoping to be able to remain where she was. It wasn’t until Martin’s words penetrated her hearing that she realized that quite a crowd of people had surrounded them. Then she became aware of a great many more things.
Like the fact that they were laying in the mud.
Tangled.
Together.
In front of a number of people.
That knew them both.
Elizabeth slowly opened her eyes, hoping the flush that now covered her face would be attributed the scare she’d just had and not the fact that she felt like she’d come home.
She met her father’s glance, seeing a swift flash of understanding twinkle in his eyes even as he reached out and gently lifted her from Martin’s still sprawled body. He looked her over quickly before wrapping her in his coat. Ben and Michael helped Martin to stand, then hesitated as he looked around in the mud. The office boy came sliding back from the melee where the horses and wagons still lay tangled in the mud. He had a broken crutch in one hand, and it was then that they became aware of the screams of the horses, and the man moving towards them with determined intent.
Rain dripped off of everyone, rolling down faces and clothes with abandon. Jacob decided to take control of the situation. “John, run and fetch the doctor,” nodding to the office boy. “Michael, Ben, assist Martin to the....”
“Jacob, I can....”
But Jacob cut off his protests midstream. “Martin, please. Allow us to help you. After what you did for Elizabeth....” He allowed Martin to see just how shaken he was by the whole incident. The younger man nodded reluctantly and Jacob sighed in relief. “Eli, have the carriage brought round to the portico. As soon as the doctor sees them I will be taking Martin and Elizabeth home. Now let’s get in out of the weather.”
They hadn’t taken two steps before a gunshot rang out and a horse screamed. Elizabeth shuddered in Jacob’s arms, and he tightened his hold and hastened his steps to get them indoors. It seemed that they had just crossed the threshold when the doctor came in. He saw to Elizabeth first at Martin’s insistence. It didn’t take long for either of them. They were mostly shaken up and muddy though they were each a little bruised and Martin had a cut along one side of his face.
“You will probably be very sore tomorrow, but you were lucky. That was an amazing thing you did.”
“I did what I had to do, Doc.”
“Well you did something that a lot of two-legged men wouldn’t have tried... much less done so well at.” Martin was a little uncomfortable with the conversation so he just nodded as he shrugged into his wet coat with a grimace. The doctor was quick to notice his reticence and changed the subject. “Go get into something dry and let Mrs. Edwards give you something warm for supper.” The last was said as the doctor opened the door and his words carried to Jacob who stood waiting in the hall.
“That won’t be necessary. I am taking this young man home with me,” Jacob said to the doctor, shaking his hand warmly. “Thanks, Stephen. I appreciate your coming over so quickly.”
“It was no trouble, Jacob. I heard the commotion and had come out to see what the ruckus was about anyway. I do need to go see to Matthew and his team. I’ll let you know the whole story as soon as I get it.”
Martin stood dumbfounded at the turn of events. It had been his intention to escape to his small rented loft to do a bit of cleaning up. He had the distinct feeling that tomorrow he was going to be too sore to do much in that regard. Martin waited until Jacob had escorted the doctor to the door before he turned to the older gentleman.
“If you’ll excuse me sir....” was all he managed before Jacob’s firm hand grasped him on the arm and he was caught in his friend’s warm regard.
“The carriage is at the portico, Martin. We should be home shortly.”
“Oh no, sir... really... I couldn’t....”
“Son, if I don’t bring you home for Mama to pamper for a bit after what you did today, it will be my head and yours. And personally I like my head on my shoulders. I find I think better with it there.” He paused as Martin considered his words. “Besides, she’s been anxious to have you over. You really do not want Mama to come looking for you once she hears about this; and you KNOW she will hear about it if she hasn’t already.”
Martin looked down at the ground, torn. He really wanted to go home and clean up. He was going to be days crafting another crutch, and he wasn’t looking forward to that. It had taken him months to feel comfortable with the first one he’d made. Then he looked at Elizabeth’s bedraggled form. She smiled at him through her mud-speckled face and whispered, “Please?” And he was lost. He looked back at Jacob who was waiting patiently watching the interlude between them and nodded somberly.
“Wonderful!” Jacob exclaimed as though he hadn’t seen Martin’s defeat by his daughter’s gentle tenacity. “It’s settled then. Come,” he said, extending an arm to Martin, knowing full well that if he treated Martin’s handicap matter-of-factly he would get a better response from the younger man. Martin hesitated, then accepted the arm with a slight grimace and a nod.
“Thank you, Jacob,” he began as graciously as he could manage but was cut off as Elizabeth came up on his other side. He was more aware that he wasn’t a whole man now more than he ever had and hated that fact more than he could express. Then she nonchalantly took his other arm and he glanced down and caught the look of absolute contentment on her face. Martin faltered and would have fallen if not for the swift actions of both Jacob and Elizabeth to hold him steady. Embarrassment flooded his features and he nearly jerked himself from their grasp, but Elizabeth held onto him firmly.
“Thank you, Martin,” she said softly.
“For what?” he returned softly, confusion clear in his eyes.
She flushed prettily, and it caused him to smile despite himself. “For allowing me to help you... and for saving my life.” He felt her trembling through his coat sleeve and saw her swallow hard. When she met his eyes again, there were tears in her gray depths. “That had to be... the... scariest thing that’s... ever... happened... to me, and yet you just... without any hesita... and you could... you....” Elizabeth stuttered to a stop, glad they were outside and Jacob claimed Martin’s attention. She drew a deep breath and tried to reclaim her shattered composure.
Martin pulled himself into the carriage and extended his hand down to Elizabeth. She placed her hand lightly in his and he pulled her up effortlessly. Then Jacob stepped in and sat down, and the horses began a rapid clip-clop splashing through the muddy roads heading up to Jacob’s home.
************
Now the next part of my story is all second hand reports though I can attest to the truth of their conclusion. But I was not present and could only listen to those around me to find out what happened after that.
Chapter II
Jacob had sent Eli ahead to warn Margaret of what had happened and allow her to prepare for their arrival. So Mama was waiting on the steps under the portico when the carriage pulled up. One dark skinned woman stood with her holding an armful of quilts; the other held a large tray with a steaming teapot and a decanter of brandy.
The carriage pulled to a stop and Jacob alighted first. Margaret gave an unconscious sigh of relief as she looked him over. Aside from being thoroughly drenched, he didn’t seem the worse for wear. He turned to help Elizabeth down and Mama gasped in sheer reflex, horrified by her daughter’s condition.
Her dress was ruined... torn and mud spattered. Her hair was tumbling around her shoulders and was covered in mud and the same mud liberally coated her neck and face.
“My God, girl!” her mother exclaimed as she took a quilt and wrapped it around Elizabeth’s tired form. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, Mama,” she answered softly. “I was shaken up more than hurt. I would just like a warm bath.”
Margaret nodded in agreement. “I thought as much and had them start heating water as soon as Eli brought me the news. Here,” she added, pressing a cup of hot tea into Elizabeth’s hands and adding a generous dollop of brandy. “This will help. Go on inside. I will be along in a few minutes - as soon as I get your young gentleman friend and your Papa squared away.”
Any chill Elizabeth had been feeling was chased away by Margaret’s rather personal reference to Martin, and Elizabeth’s reaction was easily noted and catalogued by Mama for later study. For now though, she swatted her daughter’s behind and sent her into the house, then she turned her attention to Martin.
Margaret wasn’t sure what she expected, but it wasn’t even close to what she got as Martin emerged from the carriage. Her first impression was one of height and strength. Standing at a little over six and a half feet, Martin towered over her by more than a foot. Mama had never thought to see someone who made her Jacob look small, but Martin did it with ease. Strangely though, he did not seem intimidating. Instead there was a gentleness to his demeanor that she found attractive, and she immediately understood what drew her daughter to this young man.
It didn’t hurt of course that he was quite handsome also. Even covered in mud with a scratch running down one side of his face, Margaret could see intelligence and humor lurking in his dark eyes even though at the moment embarrassment and awkwardness seemed to be at the forefront. Without hesitation she extended her hand, welcoming him to her home.
“Mr. McGee, it is so good to finally meet you. I’m so happy you have come to our home though I am sorry it took such dire circumstances to get you here. Perhaps you will be able to join us more often now that you have found us.”
Martin took her small hand gently in his own much larger one and smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Henry. I am glad to be here.”
Margaret liked his smile and the firm tenderness of his grasp and decided right then that she coveted him as a son-in-law for her strong-willed, sensitive daughter. “Come then,” she said, handing him a quilt and taking another for Jacob. “Jacob will show you where you can clean up and I will see what I can find for you to wear.”
He sincerely doubted she would find anything to fit his large frame, and it showed in his face. “Perhaps this was not such a good idea, ma’am. Maybe I should just go home.”
“I don’t think so, young man. You leave things to me. I’ll have something clean and dry for you by the time you’re ready to get dressed.” Martin looked abashed. Margaret reminded him very much of his own mama. “And you,” she said, turning to Jacob without missing a beat and wrapping the quilt around his shoulders. “You get Martin settled into the back guest room, then you get upstairs and get into some dry clothes before you catch your death! I will have the tea and brandy waiting for you both in the study.” She turned and marched up the steps confident the men would follow in her wake.
Martin was hard pressed to retain his grin. He kept his eyes resolutely on the ground especially when Jacob muttered an aside to him. “NOW do you understand why you had to come home with me? Do you REALLY want Mama coming after you?”
Martin chuckled almost soundlessly though Jacob felt it through the hand that gripped his arm. “No, sir. She reminds me very strongly of my own mother. I’d be willing to wager she’s got a favorite spoon somewhere.”
“You bet I do,” Margaret answered from the doorway. “And I’m liable to use it on both of you if you don’t hurry in out of the rain!”
Neither man could help the chuckles that escaped as they moved indoors.
************
Martin sighed in relief as he lifted himself out of the tub. He’d found mud in places mud had no business being, and it felt good to be clean again. He came around the screen and looked around the spare room. The bed was good sized and high enough that he could sit easily without sinking. An armoire stood on one wall and a chest sat at the end of the bed. There were two tables on either side of the headboard, and the chair that sat near the screen made up the room’s furnishings.
He finished drying himself and picked up the clothing he’d found laying on the bed when Jacob had shown him into the room. Now he picked it up and investigated it, amazed by the fact that it looked like it might fit.
He slid in to the worn, soft shirt, sighing at the comfort. The trousers followed though they were slightly baggy. Martin put on one of the wool socks, wiggling his toes in satisfaction. He looked for his boot briefly before remembering that he’d left it in the mudroom... for obvious reasons.
Well, he thought, I think Mrs. Henry would probably be happier if I don’t track mud all over her clean house. Now let’s see.... His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. “Come in,” he called. Jacob’s head peeked around the door.
“Ah, good,” Jacob said. “Would you like to join me in the study for a bit of tea and brandy? The womenfolk are going to be a little longer getting finished.”
Martin had to wonder why it was ‘womenfolk’ plural instead of ‘Elizabeth’ singular, but he mentally shrugged it off. It had been a very long time since he had lived with anyone and even longer since he’d been in a house with women. A shiver went down his spine and brought his thoughts back to the present.
“That sounds good, sir. Um....”
Before he could continue, Jacob calmly walked to the bed and extended his arm. Martin hesitated, and Jacob took his hand and placed it on his own arm. He took a step and was gratified that Martin stepped with him.
They made slow, steady progress down the hall though both were winded by the time they reached the study. Martin sank gratefully into the chair while Jacob poured two snifters of brandy. He handed one to the younger man before dropping into his own chair.
“Your health,” he said, raising his glass in toast.
Martin returned the salute. “I had forgotten how draining it is to have to hop along to get around. I’m going to have to make myself a new crutch.”
“You take the time you need. We don’t have anything pressing right now.”
“Jacob,” Martin started only to be cut off by the hand the older man held up.
“Please Martin. We owe you so much.” Here his voice shook just a little. “Allow me to do this.”
Martin nodded, knowing full well what it felt like to be beholden to someone especially through no fault your own. He took a breath to speak when he heard Margaret’s voice from the doorway.
“You see, Daughter, I told you they would be here waiting for us.” There was a smile in her voice and on her face as they walked over to where Jacob and Martin were rising to their feet. Elizabeth boldly placed her hands on Martin’s shoulders. He sank back down without a word, too stunned to protest.
Mama’s smile grew even bigger as she watched their interaction, and she placed her hand on Jacob’s arm before she moved to sit on the couch. She poured tea for herself and Elizabeth, then turned her attention to Martin.
“Now, Martin, will you tell me what happened? I have Elizabeth’s story, but I would like to hear yours if you don’t mind sharing.”
Jacob’s eyebrow went up. “I haven’t heard Elizabeth’s story!”
“It’s fairly simple, Papa,” Elizabeth said softly. “I was... angry... with myself for having gotten caught in the rain. It had been sunny when I left.” She shot a look at her mother who sat placidly listening to a much-abbreviated tale of the events. “I forgot to pay attention and stepped out into the road without looking first. And when I did look up and saw those horses... and that wagon... I froze.”
Everyone’s attention focused on Martin then, and he cleared his throat self-consciously. “Well, it wasn’t sunny when I left, but I needed to get out. So I volunteered to walk some papers down to the mercantile. It’s not impossible - I just have to be more conscious of my steps,” he said in response to Margaret’s unspoken question.
“I spent a few minutes talking to Jefferson and not until I left did I realize that the rain had picked up. Well, there was nothing to do for it but just come back to the office so I kept my head down and concentrated on getting back without falling. I heard the clatter and saw Miss Elizabeth ahead of me.” He couldn’t stop the blush that rose in his face. “I thought I’d catch up with her and see if perhaps she’d let me escort her to the office.”
Martin stopped and swallowed, his gaze going slightly unfocused as he relived the next part of his tale. “She stepped into the road, and....” He shook his head. “I’m not really sure. I remember pushing myself off towards her with my crutch. I think the far horse grazed me as they ran by. The next clear memory I have is Jacob helping us up.”
He looked directly at Elizabeth conveying more in his eyes than he said with his mouth. Her eyes widened when she realized that he was giving her the option of acknowledging what had happened between them. She swallowed and stood, moving to stand in front of him, then dropped to sit on the footstool in front of him. Reflexively he dropped his leg and sat up a little straighter. The room and her parents faded from their reality, and the world narrowed its focus to the two of them.
“That’s not the first thing I remember,” she whispered. “Are you sure it’s the first thing you do?”
He reached for her hands and clasped them. “Do you want it to be?” he asked softly, stroking her hands with his thumbs. He felt the goosebumps form beneath his touch and smiled.
She gently pried one hand from his and moved it up into his hair. Elizabeth took a long minute to revel in its thick wavy fullness before letting her hand rest on the back of his neck. “No,” she whispered, never letting her gaze waver from his eyes.
“Well then,” he said quietly, raising his free hand to trace her lips. “I think I might be able to remember the softness of your skin; the beat of your heart; you in my arms.” And then he leaned forward and captured her lips with his and they spent a leisurely moment in exploration. Only the clearing of a nearby throat caused them to pull away from the wonder they had finally admitted to one another.
Without moving his eyes from the joy that shown in Elizabeth’s own, Martin spoke. “Jacob, I would like your permission to court your lovely daughter Elizabeth. I intend to ask her very soon to be my wife.” He moved his hand back up to sketch the contours of her face. “So beautiful,” he murmured for her ears alone, enjoying the faint flush that graced her features.
Jacob drew breath and cleared his throat gruffly, affecting a stern demeanor. “I believe,” he said with enough authority that it drew both sets of eyes to his face. Then his eyes twinkled and he smiled. “I believe that is probably the best idea I have heard in a very long time. What do you think, Mama?”
“I think that this has been a long time in coming,” she said with a smile and a hint of tears in her eyes. “Now I need to see how supper is progressing. I’m sure ya’ll are ready to eat by now.” She looked at the clock in the corner. “Considering the lateness of the hour and the fact that no one here had lunch.” Three stomachs growled in tandem and Mama chuckled. “Thought so.”
************
Soon, the news around town was about Martin and Elizabeth’s engagement. The gossips found it scandalous that they were planning a late fall wedding and spent hours speculating on the real reason behind the haste. Not in Mama’s hearing, of course. Mama would have given them what for had she heard. Folks couldn’t have been more wrong in their thinking, which time naturally proved.
It was gratifying to see them together... so much happiness. Jacob had given them a tract of land over Martin’s protests, claiming it was part of the dowry he’d provided for each of his daughters. Then the neighbors gathered for a house raising, and by the end of the day Martin and Elizabeth had the bare minimum requirements for their home. Martin spent the rest of the summer and fall getting it ready and a week before their nuptials, they began moving furniture in.
What a nightmare.
************
Martin had spent several days crafting himself a new crutch before getting it adjusted to his satisfaction. Then he began to court Elizabeth in earnest. It didn’t take long for the whispers and rumors to reach them, and they discussed the matter in some length several times.
“Martin, it doesn’t matter,” she assured again him shortly before their wedding. “Most of the rumors have been disproved. I am obviously not with child. As for the other, the fact that you have only one leg has never been a factor for me. Does it bother you so badly that I am an old maid?”
“No, Sweetheart! Of course not. To me you are the most precious thing God ever created.”
Elizabeth stopped walking then and put a hand on his face regardless of the fact that they were standing on a very public street. “Beloved, it’s the same for me. Please believe that.”
Martin stared into the gray eyes he loved and believed.
************
The house raising was both a trial and a triumph for Martin. He was determined to pull his own weight at his own raising and it was hard work, but he earned the respect of every single person who turned out to help. When the day was over, he stood proudly with his friends and neighbors looking at his future.
He worked as he could on Saturdays, laying the floor and adding cabinets and windows. Several times different men came out to help with the interior work and Martin accepted the help willingly, wanting to provide Elizabeth with the very best he could. He’d been lucky before - his father had built the small cabin he’d had before moving into town. So he was learning how to build and craft, and though he got frustrated at his limitations sometimes, he had to smile at the finished product. Elizabeth would have a home to be proud of.
A week before the wedding, everyone gathered again to help Martin move the furniture in. There wasn’t much to do with all the strong willing backs, but it was a good excuse to get together with neighbors and fellowship. Martin learned very quickly that it worked best if he stood aside and let the other men do the moving. He was gracious enough about it, but once everyone left his bitterness manifested itself physically.
Elizabeth knew he was angry; she could feel it radiating from his very being. He asked her for some time to himself so after a brief kiss she took her leave with her parents. She understood his motivation and admired his restraint, but it irked her that he felt the need to shut her out about this.
Martin took the axe and moved off into the nearby woods, determined to have a huge stockpile of wood ready for use before next week. After an hour or two of work, he had quite a stack of wood ready to drag back to the house. Exhausted he decided to leave it until later and made his way back to the new house. He wanted to clean up and go apologize to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth, meanwhile, had made up her mind to rout Martin out and try to coax him over his pique. She knew her mama and papa wouldn’t approve even though they were just a week away from becoming husband and wife. So she snuck out of the house before supper, hoping she could bring Martin back with her.
It wasn’t particularly ladylike, but she gathered her skirts nearly to her waist and straddled the saddle, praying that the horse would behave and hoping that no one saw her. She cut through the fields that separated her folks’ house from hers and Martin’s, but she didn’t see him around. Then she remembered him telling her in no uncertain terms that he would not live in the house until they shared it as husband and wife. She blushed at where her thoughts led. Then she turned the horse towards town, hoping everyone was in for the night.
Elizabeth reached the town without incident, grateful that everyone was indoors. She stopped at the corner of Franklyn & Rhodes as she did everyday and relived the terrifying, wonderful moment when her world had changed. She never wanted to lose the rapture of that experience. She was lost in her daydreams and didn’t notice that it was swiftly becoming dark. When a hand grasped her horse’s bridle and the animal started, she was jolted from her reverie.
“Well, well... what have we here?” growled a low voice. “Lady like you shouldn’t be out here alone.” The hidden face gave a cruel chuckle. “Course a lady like you shouldn’t be riding like a man either. Guess you’re not a ladylike as you’d like people to think you are.” He grabbed for her leg but was stopped by two things happening almost simultaneously.
Elizabeth struck his hand hard with the crop. The intruder jerked his hand away with a yowl of pain and would have lunged for her had he not been knocked to the ground and had his face pummeled. Only Elizabeth’s touch on Martin’s back kept him from killing the man outright.
Elizabeth slid to the ground and rested her hand on Martin’s back, letting him adjust to the fact that she was all right. Then she spoke. “Martin, it’s all right, Beloved. He didn’t hurt me. Let him go now. The constable will take care if him.”
Amazingly the constable was the only one whose attention had been garnered by the ruckus at the corner and only because he was making his rounds towards there at the time. He stepped over to the corner just as Martin turned and buried his face in Elizabeth’s midsection. She ran her fingers through his hair comfortingly, surprised that he seemed more vulnerable that she felt. She simply felt loved and protected but was thrilled by the idea that she could do the same for him.
“Miss Elizabeth, Mr. McGee... you folks all right?” the constable queried, fastening the now moaning man’s hands behind him. “I saw what happened. I’ll take care of Mr. Brewster here. I expect the judge’ll put him in the stocks for sure.”
“Thanks, Van,” Martin said quietly, standing slowly. Elizabeth kept a tight hold to him and he was thankful for her support. “Do we need...?”
“Ya’ll come on in to the office on Monday. We can take care of the details then. You get Miss Elizabeth back home.”
“Thank you, Van,” Elizabeth said quietly. He nodded and waited until Martin had escorted Elizabeth to his small buckboard before turning back to the now conscious man.
“Let’s go, Brewster. You’re looking to make bear bait with this.”
************
The wedding the following Saturday at the couples’ new home went off without a hitch, and according to all reports was a memorable affair. Elizabeth made a beautiful bride and Martin did manage to carry her over the threshold to much cheering by the neighbors and blushing by Elizabeth.
Isaac Brewster did eventually hang though it had nothing to do with Martin and Elizabeth. They were too busy making a life together and having children to worry about him. Over the first ten years of their marriage, Elizabeth gave birth to five children, including one set of twin boys. The last child, a little girl, died in childbirth and nearly killed Elizabeth as well. It shook Martin up badly, and though he was a dedicated family man, he determined to make more time for his family.
When Jacob passed away in 1801, Martin began grooming his ten-year-old sons to assume the family business. Ten years later, he set foot in the doors one last time. All three of his boys had taken a place in the offices of Henry and McGee, and he was ready to spend his days unconditionally with Elizabeth.
Her health had steadily failed her since the death of her last child, and both she and Martin knew their time together was limited.
************
“Martin, can we take a ride?” Elizabeth asked softly. “I’d like to ride down to Franklyn & Rhodes one more time.” She stroked his face gently, her touch bringing tears to his eyes. “It was the beginning for us, and it holds such wonderful memories for me.”
“Anything you want, Sweetheart. Let me go hook up the buggy.” He caught her hand and brought it to his lips. “You are still so beautiful,” he whispered, knowing she would hear him. She did and she smiled.
“Go get the buggy, Beloved.”
Martin went to do her bidding. He added several blankets to the seat. The spring air was warm, but Elizabeth tended to chill very easily. Once the buggy was at the front of the house, Martin swept Elizabeth into his still strong arms. “I need you to help me, Sweetheart. Put your arms around my neck.”
“Husband, I can still walk,” Elizabeth chided lightly but capitulated easily at the puppy dog look in the brown eyes that were gazing at her in heartfelt plea. “You spoil me, you know,” she teased, laying her head on his broad shoulder.
“It is my privilege to do so.” He set her carefully on the seat and laid a blanket over her lap. He sat beside her and clicked to the horses, and they eased down the road towards town.
The small town had grown a bit in the twenty years since they’d first met. Many of the streets were cobbled and the intersection of Franklyn & Rhodes was a busy one.
“It’s changed a lot, hasn’t it?” Elizabeth whispered. “But I still remember it most clearly as the sleepy little corner in the small town where we first met.”
“So do I, Beloved.”
They sat in the buggy for a while just watching life pass by. Elizabeth was the one to break the silence again. “Do you realize that this is an anniversary of sorts for us?”
Martin looked at her startled. In all their years together, he had not once missed their anniversary, her birthday or the birthdays of any of their children. Now suddenly twenty years later, she was telling him he’d been missing an important day in their lives. His expression was a mixture of consternation and confusion and a tiny bit of hurt.
Elizabeth smiled gently, and raised her hand to his face. “Don’t look so upset, Beloved. This is the day that I first laid eyes on you and decided I coveted you for a husband. You made me feel... so much. I have come here every year since to sit and remember and give thanks for the love and joy you brought into my life.”
Martin was content to sit in silence for a while trying to recover the voice she’d stolen from him with her words. “I love you Elizabeth, and I have since the moment I saw you. Every day you gave me a new reason to love you more, and I will always, ALWAYS cherish you and the love we share.”
They sat quietly for a while longer after that. Finally Elizabeth turned to Martin and wrapped her frail hand around his arm. “Take me home, Beloved. It’s time.”
The ride home was quiet and by the time they reached the house, Elizabeth was sleeping. Martin carried her in, her weight negligible in his arms. He was absently thankful for the wooden leg he’d managed to craft for himself despite the pain it gave him. He laid her gently down on their bed and brushed his lips lightly over hers.
“I’ll love you forever Martin McGee,” Elizabeth whispered.
“And I’ll love you always, Elizabeth McGee. Wait for me,” Martin said softly, watching her breathing slow and finally stop. He leaned over and kissed her one last time, then stepped from the room and closed the door behind him.
************
The day finally came when Martin went into the bedroom he and Elizabeth had shared for twenty years. He’d kept it closed since Elizabeth’s funeral, but today on their thirtieth anniversary, he felt the need to open it again. He lay down on their bed, turned on his side and closed his eyes, talking to her much as he had during their life together.
“Elizabeth, you’d be so proud of our family. We have fifteen grandchildren. And Little Beth reminds me so much of you - she is what I think you must have been like as a child. I wish you could see them.”
“I have, Beloved. I have been close by always just like I promised.”
Martin’s brown eyes flew open at her first words, then closed when her hands began combing through his now gray hair. He couldn’t stop the tears that started to flow at both her words and her touch. “I thought it was just my wishful thinking when I felt you nearby.” He opened his eyes again and looked at her, seeing she was once more the beautiful young woman he’d fallen in love with those many years ago. “I’ve missed you, Sweetheart.”
“And I, you. Would you like to come home with me?”
“Can I? I’m so tired... tired of living without you.”
“Take my hand, Beloved. It’s time for us to be together again.”
************
The boys found Martin had died peacefully in his sleep, a slight smile on his face. I still see him and Elizabeth around from time to time. They like to keep an eye on things, and this corner was their beginning after all.
Things were pretty status quo until 1824, when fire swept through. But that’s a story for another time.
Part 2
