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Lucinda's Defender

By Blossom Turner

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APRIL 1874
SHENANDOAH VALLEY
“Please, Jeanette, don’t tell Ma and Pa. He’s harmless.”
Harmless and hers. The best-looking man in town was showing her attention and Lucinda Williams intended to be the woman who wore his ring. Her stomach twisted into a knot. She had to make her sister understand or her budding romance would be over before it began.
“After what I just witnessed...” Jeanette planted her hands firmly on her hips. “I would be doing you a great disservice to remain silent.”
“Why do you have to be such a fuddy-duddy? You act like you’re forty-one, not twenty-one.”
Jeanette’s chin lifted and set, not a good sign.
Lucinda put on her sweetest voice. “Come on, Jeanette. What’s a little kissing? Besides, I’m sixteen now and perfectly capable of handling a little manly attention.”
Jeanette’s brows raised. “You two rolling around on the hay did not look like a little manly attention to me. A whole lot more than any respectable girl would allow—”
“Nothing happened.” Lucinda raked a hand through her long curly hair and pulled out a sprig of hay. She squared her shoulders.
“Don’t lie to me. What you two were up to is not appropriate until one is married.”
Lucinda laughed. “What would you know? Have you even been kissed yet?”
A blush washed across Jeanette’s cheeks, and she pushed her horn-rimmed glasses further on her nose.
Oh dear, when would she tame her big mouth? Unkind things so often just spewed out.
“Ma and Pa have already told you Nathaniel is bad news, and I’m telling them what I saw for your own sake.”
“I knew it.” Lucinda could not stop a sarcastic laugh from slipping free. “You haven’t even experienced the simple pleasure of a kiss. How can I begin to make you understand?” Tentacles of fury spread inside her. “Frankly, I don’t care what Ma and Pa say. Go ahead and tattle, but I aim to marry Nat.”
“Marry him? You’re barely sixteen. Even the way you use his first name with such familiarity shows me this has progressed farther than it should have. You know nothing about the man, and besides, he’s way too old for you.”
“Oh, I get it. Don’t think I haven’t noticed your four eyes stuck on him. You’re just jealous he picked me over you. In fact, he told me your owl-eyes—”
Jeanette’s face crumbled, and a stab of guilt pricked at Lucinda’s conscience.
“You’re so cruel,” Jeanette said. “You’ve had boys buzzing around you your whole life. You have no idea…” Her voice cracked. “No idea at all what it’s like to be taller than most men and plainer than a barn door.” Tears leaked free from behind her glasses.
“Jeanette, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said—”
“You feel you’re somehow superior to an ugly old-maid like me, don’t you?” Jeanette clenched her teeth together in a tight grimace. Her hands formed fists at her side.
Lucinda’s stomach clenched. “You know how my temper gets the best of me. I don’t mean half of what just pops out.” She hated that about herself. Her sharp tongue could cut and slice before her brain caught up.
“No. You’re not blaming your red hair and the wild tempers of our ancestors. That’s just a poor excuse for bad behavior. Ma has done you no favors over the years making light of your mean-spiritedness.” She turned and ran out of the barn.
Lucinda flopped down on a stack of hay. Jeanette was right. Lucinda did have a spiteful edge to her, so opposite to her kind sister. Maybe that was why Jeanette got on her nerves. It was as if she inherited all the good, while Lucinda had only a bent for the daring, the bad.
The way Nat had touched her had sent a surprising desire racing up her spine. Surely this was how two people in love felt. If anyone could win the title Mrs. Nathaniel Weitzel, she could. Then her prude big sister could relax.
* * *
“I said no!” Ma put down the potato she was peeling and shook her finger.
Lucinda’s eyes flicked to Jeanette, who stood in the background with an I told you so look on her face.
“You will not see that man again. Do I make myself clear?”
Lucinda’s gaze swept around the kitchen, looking anywhere but at Ma. She had no intention of obeying, but she had learned that the best defense was to pretend acceptance until Ma’s guard was once again down.
“Haven’t you heard the rumors around town?” Ma pressed. “He’s kissing up a storm and doing a whole lot more with any girl who’ll let him.”
Lucinda’s heart lurched. Could Nat really be playing a game? After all, he’d just told her he loved her.
“And he’s a drifter.” Ma added. “No one has seen him working since he came. That’s sure not what your pa or I want for you.”
What did he do for work? Lucinda had no idea. All she knew was that he was always flashing money around. He seemed to have plenty. He wore nice clothes and lived at the local hotel. Told her he’d made money in the railroad.
Ma stepped back, wiping her hands on her apron before picking up the knife to continue peeling her potatoes. “I’m sorry to be the one to have to tell you this truth.” She pointed the knife in Lucinda’s direction. “But you’ve set your attention on the wrong man. Now make yourself useful and help me with these potatoes. Jeanette, don’t just stand there. See to setting the table.”
Lucinda moved beside Ma and grabbed one.
“I know he’s handsome,” Ma said, “but you can do far better than that, my girl. What about Joseph? He’s had his eye on you for years. A solid farmer who is able to provide—”
“Pff, Joseph. He’s just a friend.”
“I don’t think he sees it that way. But never you mind, the right man will come along.”
Ma prattled on, and Lucinda closed her ears to the nonsense. Nat loved her and no one else, of that she was sure. It wasn’t his fault he was so handsome that girls fell all over him. All she had to do was get a ring on her finger, and the town gossip would stop. She’d take it nice and slow with him, giving no more liberties. Marriage was what she wanted, and she was prepared to reel him in with all the charm and propriety of a refined lady. Then, when he was crazy in love, she’d put on her Sunday best and accept that ride in the woods he kept going on about. He’d fall on his knees and beg for her hand in marriage—unable to live another day without her. Their wedding would be extravagant, and she’d be the envy of every girl in town.
“Did you hear me?” Ma’s voice broke through her daydreams.
“Sure, Ma.” She had no idea what Ma had gone on about, but she nodded in agreement.
A smile lit across Ma’s face and she leaned in and gave a hug. “That’s my girl.”
Lucinda snatched up another potato to peel with a stab of anger shooting through her. Therein lay the problem—Ma still considered her a girl. She was a young woman now, and ready for all the world had to offer.
* * *
Joseph watched Nat slide into the pew as if he had every right to sit at Lucinda’s side. He bent to whisper in her ear, and Nat’s familiarity irked him something fierce. Not even a sacred place like church was honored by that reprobate.
Joseph was not wrong about Nat. After doing a little investigation, he found the rumors around town were true. Currently, Nat had two girls on the go and was still chasing after Lucinda. Why was she smiling up at him? Surely, she knew… Everyone else did.
Joseph had loved her for so long now that the ache inside his lonely heart felt as much a part of him as his skin and bone. Why did she seem oblivious to the obvious? Both Joseph’s love and Nat’s dark side. What hope did his average height and average face have against Nat’s tall, dark, and handsome?
The sermon started, and Nat, the poser, fell instantly asleep. His head nodded down, occasionally jerking up, throughout the service. He awakened when the organ music started. He said something to Lucinda and left before the last song was even finished. What disrespect. An instant desire to slip out his cowboy boot and send the man sprawling came over Joseph as Nat smugly sauntered on by. His thinking was not too Christian, but sometimes a loving response was not what the moment needed.
A tightening pulled across Joseph’s chest as he watched Lucinda hurry out after the rogue. Joseph swallowed hard against the bile rising in his throat. He slapped on his cowboy hat and headed out the church doors. Nat leaned against their oak tree, the one Joseph and Lucinda used to play under. The first buds of spring were unfurling, as if everything was as it should be.
Yet, there Nat stood, all confidence and swagger. He had Lucinda giggling at something. Joseph’s fists clenched tight. There was no way a boring farmer like him could compete with that brand of dashing charm. He pulled off his cowboy hat and ran his hand along the back of his neck before slamming the hat back on his head.
He took the steps two at a time and crossed the church yard, not stopping until he stood in the shadows. He was not going to leave until that man was out of sight. Lucinda’s Pa watched from a distance as well. Jeanette had her glasses pinned on Nat. At least Lucinda wasn’t alone. She had people around her who cared. As a long-time friend he felt he had to warn her of Nat’s lack of character before it was too late.
Joseph couldn’t see Lucinda’s face, but he could tell by the way she swayed her dress and tilted her head that she was smitten. Nat was laughing and running his hand down her arm. He leaned in real close—too close.
Joseph longed to rip that man’s hands off his girl. Didn’t Nat know? Didn’t she? Lucinda was the only girl he had ever loved or would ever love.
When Nat turned away and Jeanette headed Lucinda’s way, Joseph breathed out a long breath. All was safe for another day, but he’d have to make time for that conversation with Lucinda, and soon.
* * *
“Joseph, that’s not very charitable at all.” Lucinda did not like what she was hearing. She turned away to stare out the barn doors into the blue. A beautiful spring day ruined by yet another slice of gossip.
Joseph touched her arm, and she shook free. She stomped across the wooden planks of the dusty barn, kicking at a clump of hay that got in her way. The mother cat with her fresh batch of kittens let out a loud “meow” at the rain of hay sprinkled in their direction.
She needed a moment to settle the angst. Her insides churned at the thought. Nat with another woman? It was no different from what Ma had said, but, no, she would not listen. She whirled around to face Joseph. “You’ve never been the type to welcome idle gossip and pass it along. Why start now?”
“It’s not idle gossip. I’ve done my own poking around, talked to a few of the girls he’s been seen with, and they all believe they’re his only girl, just like you.”
“Why would you do that? I thought you were my friend.”
“I am your friend.”
“A friend wouldn’t try to ruin my life.” Lucinda wrung her hands. She wanted to marry Nat, not have yet another person, especially her best friend, tell her he was no good.
Joseph let out an exasperated puff of air. “How is telling you the truth ruining your life? If I didn’t tell you and you married that rake, I could never live with myself. Nat is bad news.”
“He’s misunderstood. And he’s changing, Joseph. Didn’t you see him at church on Sunday?”
“Yeah, I saw him.” Nat took off his cowboy hat and rubbed his brow. “He slept most of the service.”
“Everyone deserves a little time in finding their way. I never thought you of all people would be so ungracious. Do you know he never had a Ma or Pa who cared? The least this town could do is show a little Christian love. But no, everyone is bent on nattering and gossiping.”
Joseph grabbed the top of the wooden stall door until slivers bit into his flesh. “You just don’t get it.”
A spike of anger ran up her spine. Her feisty boldness couldn’t hold back her frustration any longer. “What don’t I get?” She stepped close, her hands fisted. “You’re acting as if you have a right to be jealous, Joseph, when all we’ve ever been is friends. Go back to what you understand—your seeds and planting, instead of digging up dirt on poor Nat.” She stomped her foot, and the dust billowed. “I don’t need another sermon. Best you leave me alone.”
His crestfallen expression spoke a thousand words. There she went again, using her sharp tongue to hurt someone she loved. She lifted her hand toward him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“No. I think you meant every word and I won’t bother you again. Our friendship is clearly one sided.” He spun on the soles of his cowboy boots and walked out.

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