and I would be happier if she worked for someone else.”
“Because of Jeb?”
“Yes, Lucy, because of Jeb.” She struggled to find the proper explanation. “It’s uncomfortable for Fern and me to be around each other since we both . . .”
Joy sparkled in the girl’s eyes as she peeked up at Macia. “Love him?”
Oh no! How was she going to tactfully answer that question?
They continued down the street, her mind racing to find the proper response. “We have both cared for Jeb, so that makes the situation somewhat difficult—for both of us.”
“So Fern wants to quit working at your house?”
“I don’t really know, Lucy. I haven’t spoken to her just yet, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t, either. I must make sure there is another position available for her and that we can find someone to replace her. Do you understand?”
Lucy looked sad but agreed. “I won’t say anything—to anyone.”
Relief flooded over Macia as they walked up the front steps and entered the house. She wasn’t certain where Fern would be, but the gifts were in her bedroom. Perhaps that would be a good out-of-the-way place for her to visit with Lucy. Macia led Lucy upstairs, hopeful they would avoid Fern. She knew Lucy wouldn’t mind doing without tea once she began opening her gifts. While Macia gathered the presents from the bottom drawer of her chest, Lucy hung up their cloaks and sat down in one of the chairs overlooking the small flower garden at the rear of the house. In short order, Macia placed the gifts before Lucy and told her she could begin.
Her pleasure was evident as she exclaimed in delight after opening each package. She giggled at the smiling hand-carved donkey and delicately traced her finger around the small cameo necklace Macia had discovered in Italy. A joyful squeal escaped her lips as she opened first the exquisite piece of lace and then a miniature porcelain figurine of a young girl with braids. But it was a leather-bound journal that truly captured Lucy’s heart. She jumped from her chair, accidentally knocking it to the floor as she rushed around the small table to embrace Macia.
Without warning, the bedroom door opened. Macia and Lucy startled and stared wide-eyed as Fern glared back at them. “It would appear the two of you are having a gay time.” Her gaze dropped to the unwrapped gifts lying on the table. She squared her shoulders. “I see you’re trying to win Jeb back by using your wealth to impress Lucy.”
Lucy placed a protective hold on Macia’s shoulder. “She is not! You’re just jealous because she cared enough to bring me presents.”
Fern pushed the door closed behind her and stepped closer. Her eyes narrowed into two thin slits as she grasped Lucy’s wrist and pulled her away from Macia. Lucy winced as Fern’s hold tightened. “Don’t you ever speak to me in that manner again, young lady.” She swung her arm toward the table. “All of this is nothing but Macia’s attempt to worm her way back into your brother’s good graces. Well, it isn’t going to work.” She moved forward, and before Macia realized what was happening, Fern swept the gifts off the table and sent them crashing to the floor.
Macia couldn’t believe what had happened. She jumped to her feet and retrieved the broken pieces of porcelain, for the rug had done little to protect the fine piece of glassware. Thankfully none of the other gifts had been damaged.
As quickly as she’d committed the deed, Fern’s demeanor changed. She hastened to request forgiveness from both of them, and although Lucy hesitated, she finally acquiesced. There was little doubt Fern wanted the matter concealed from Jeb and forgotten. And though Macia quickly decided she wouldn’t speak to him regarding the incident, Fern’s behavior had been disconcerting. Lucy’s wrist still bore a red circle where Fern had grabbed her.
Before exiting the room, Fern forced Lucy to agree to come and talk before the girl departed
“Because of Jeb?”
“Yes, Lucy, because of Jeb.” She struggled to find the proper explanation. “It’s uncomfortable for Fern and me to be around each other since we both . . .”
Joy sparkled in the girl’s eyes as she peeked up at Macia. “Love him?”
Oh no! How was she going to tactfully answer that question?
They continued down the street, her mind racing to find the proper response. “We have both cared for Jeb, so that makes the situation somewhat difficult—for both of us.”
“So Fern wants to quit working at your house?”
“I don’t really know, Lucy. I haven’t spoken to her just yet, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t, either. I must make sure there is another position available for her and that we can find someone to replace her. Do you understand?”
Lucy looked sad but agreed. “I won’t say anything—to anyone.”
Relief flooded over Macia as they walked up the front steps and entered the house. She wasn’t certain where Fern would be, but the gifts were in her bedroom. Perhaps that would be a good out-of-the-way place for her to visit with Lucy. Macia led Lucy upstairs, hopeful they would avoid Fern. She knew Lucy wouldn’t mind doing without tea once she began opening her gifts. While Macia gathered the presents from the bottom drawer of her chest, Lucy hung up their cloaks and sat down in one of the chairs overlooking the small flower garden at the rear of the house. In short order, Macia placed the gifts before Lucy and told her she could begin.
Her pleasure was evident as she exclaimed in delight after opening each package. She giggled at the smiling hand-carved donkey and delicately traced her finger around the small cameo necklace Macia had discovered in Italy. A joyful squeal escaped her lips as she opened first the exquisite piece of lace and then a miniature porcelain figurine of a young girl with braids. But it was a leather-bound journal that truly captured Lucy’s heart. She jumped from her chair, accidentally knocking it to the floor as she rushed around the small table to embrace Macia.
Without warning, the bedroom door opened. Macia and Lucy startled and stared wide-eyed as Fern glared back at them. “It would appear the two of you are having a gay time.” Her gaze dropped to the unwrapped gifts lying on the table. She squared her shoulders. “I see you’re trying to win Jeb back by using your wealth to impress Lucy.”
Lucy placed a protective hold on Macia’s shoulder. “She is not! You’re just jealous because she cared enough to bring me presents.”
Fern pushed the door closed behind her and stepped closer. Her eyes narrowed into two thin slits as she grasped Lucy’s wrist and pulled her away from Macia. Lucy winced as Fern’s hold tightened. “Don’t you ever speak to me in that manner again, young lady.” She swung her arm toward the table. “All of this is nothing but Macia’s attempt to worm her way back into your brother’s good graces. Well, it isn’t going to work.” She moved forward, and before Macia realized what was happening, Fern swept the gifts off the table and sent them crashing to the floor.
Macia couldn’t believe what had happened. She jumped to her feet and retrieved the broken pieces of porcelain, for the rug had done little to protect the fine piece of glassware. Thankfully none of the other gifts had been damaged.
As quickly as she’d committed the deed, Fern’s demeanor changed. She hastened to request forgiveness from both of them, and although Lucy hesitated, she finally acquiesced. There was little doubt Fern wanted the matter concealed from Jeb and forgotten. And though Macia quickly decided she wouldn’t speak to him regarding the incident, Fern’s behavior had been disconcerting. Lucy’s wrist still bore a red circle where Fern had grabbed her.
Before exiting the room, Fern forced Lucy to agree to come and talk before the girl departed
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