Liberty House Read online

  Cole watched, knowing how she felt. “The feelin’ never goes away. I always wanted my ma to love me, us children first, but that never happened. I feared for a long time I would be like my pa; his own pa was that mean.”

  “You’re nothin’ like your pa, Cole.”

  “I feared I’d become like him. I put myself around children more often to make sure I wouldn’t. It helped me to help my cousins with their children. When I got the inheritance, I was around children all the time anyhow.” He lifted his sleeve and showed Tommy a small white scar. “One of the boys put a pair of scissors into my arm. That boy is now a military man. Workin’ with children that come from asylums, you learn grace and forgiveness.”

  “How did you get to the asylum children?”

  “After Lucia helped me out with the saloon, brothels, and cat houses. Izzy and I were workin’ and found that Cooper had deep pockets in the asylums. It took so much to get them shut down and to get the patients someplace safe. We still advocate for the touched.” He stood up and added, hoping she would be honest, “Are you all right?”

  Tommy nodded. “I still feel bad for your friends.”

  “But you gon’ let it go?” he asked.

  She nodded. Then thought about it. “I’m gonna try.”

  Cole smiled broadly.

  “What?” Tommy questioned.

  He just smiled, “I’m just proud of you.” She was learning to be honest about her feelings without even knowing it. “Wanna meet the best sisters ever?"

  She smiled and stood up. "You head that way while I freshen up." Just then her face showed concern.

  "What’s wrong?"

  "I’ve been avoidin’ them. What they must think of me?"

  He walked closer to her and touched her cheek, "They’ll love you. I’ve told them lots of things about you. They already like you."

  "Are you sure? I haven’t seen them in years. I remember Annie. And Izzy…" she smiled. "I remember her, she was wilder than I was."

  He smiled back. "And still is, she’ll love you. If it’ll be easier, I’ll stay here and wait for you to come to lunch."

  "If you wouldn’t mind."

  "Course not."

  She left.

  He prayed while he waited. He was getting closer to God during this time. He was giving his feelings for Tommy to God. He turned when he heard her boots on the wood of the hallway. Glancing up, it took his breath away. She looked beautiful. In a peach-colored dress, looking so delicate in that dress, so feminine that he wanted to care for her the rest of his life, to hold her, to protect her. She took his arm and they walked to the lunch hall. He was hoping Annie liked her. If she didn’t, Izzy would make her feel welcome, he could always count on that.

  “Out! Get outside!” The house was hot and sticky. Ellen couldn't handle the children running around screaming anymore. “Play outside.” Ellen sent them all outside and when they were out, she sat at the kitchen table, exhausted. She wasn't sure what was wrong with her lately. She was crabby. All she did was yell at her children, was often tired, and still had that feeling. She tried fasting for two days, but passed out at one point in the day. Thankfully, the children didn't notice. If only her dear friend, Missy, was here, she might know what was wrong with her. But her friend had been gone since David was a baby.

  She stood up and walked out to see the children playing in the yard. She noticed Melody wasn't out there. Where was she?

  Ellen went to the back bedroom where the girls slept and saw the shades pulled, making the room dark. She saw Melody leaning against the wall next to the bed, her head down like she was sleeping. It was a strange way to sleep, she thought.

  Ellen walked up to Mel, knelt in front of her, touched her shoulder, and whispered, “Hey, Mel.” She saw the knife and grabbed it before it hit her side, but it still cut her hand. She ignored it. Ellen was used to seeing her older children with knives when they were young, which was why her reflex was so fast. At least this weapon was not a gun.

  “Melody, what’s wrong?”

  Melody opened her eyes, saw her, and burst into tears.

  Ellen sat down, pulled her onto her lap, and held her. “What is it, Mel?” Ellen held her close as she sobbed, tears running down her face and rolling beneath her chin. Finally, the tears stopped, and Mel looked at her second mother.

  "Melody, why were you holding a knife? I need to know." Ellen put a handkerchief around her hand to stop the bleeding and waited for an answer. She wasn't leaving until she got the truth. She figured she could handle it. Being the mother of nine children, she had pretty much heard it all.

  Melody wiped her tears with her sleeve. “I’s just need it.”

  “Why?” Ellen asked. “I ain't leavin’ until you tell me, and I got all day.”

  Melody looked away. “I ain’t been sleepin’ at night. I needed the knife.”

  “For what? You know you are safe here,” Ellen asked her. It wasn't the fire; she could tell that. Was it the shooting?

  Melody shook her head. “We ain't safe here. Bad things happen here.”

  Ellen waited and stayed silent, praying she could handle it when it came out. She learned to hide her emotions well, but it could prove difficult in times like these.

  “Someone touched me...” Melody put her face in her hands and sobbed.

  Ellen took her daughter in her arms and closed her eyes. “Was it Jesse?” she asked, knowing this was hard for her daughter. She would kill him. She had openly talked to him about purity and sex…about God healing the abused. She felt it in her heart it wasn't Jesse, but none of the other boys struggled with it as much. She talked openly with each of them about sex and knew their feelings on it, their struggles. Owen never thought she should talk to them so openly about it, but she knew they were going to learn about it from someone, so why shouldn't she be honest with them? Even so, she still watched them like a hawk around the children. She kept them accountable.

  “Honey, I need to know who it is? Is it one of your older brothers?”

  Melody cried all the harder, but said nothing.

  The door opened, and Charity walked in. She went over to her sister and asked, “What’s wrong, Ma?” She patted her younger sister's head.

  Melody tilted her head up and looked at the older girl she knew as a sister since age five.

  Charity looked to her then to Ellen, her eyes wide. She knew Mel had finally told.

  Ellen felt sick. “Who is it, Charity?”

  Charity looked away; her face hard. “Uncle Frank.” She finally let out and didn't meet her mother's gaze.

  Ellen wasn’t ready for this. It wasn't her boys who she needed to watch like a hawk. It was her brother-in-law. A man she trusted. She knew by her daughter’s face it was true. Melody nodded. “How long?” Ellen asked.

  Charity’s face was still hard unfeeling, “A year before Missy died…” She paused then added, “He didn't touch Mel for a while.”

  Six years, and Ellen hadn't known anything.

  Just then, the door burst open, and the older boys ran in. Travis cried, “Ma, David’s being mean to Bunn...” he stopped when he saw Melody crying.

  “Come here, boys,” Ellen said gently.

  Travis and Hunter both sat on the bed, looking like they wanted to be anywhere else.

  Travis looked at his younger sister and asked, "What's wrong?"

  Ellen didn't want to ask them with the girls in here, but she had to know. She had to know if the boys were touched. "Has uncle Frank ever been improper with either of you?"

  Travis nodded slowly and looked away from his Ma. “He said he never touched the girls though. He promised."

  Charity looked so broken and in shock over this news.

  Travis and Hunter looked crushed. They didn't know it was happening to their sisters. “It wasn't your fault, boys. You didn't know," Ellen assured them.

  Travis and Hunter's eyes got wide as they stared at Ellen.

  All the boys shared a room. “Did he ever touch the
little boys?”

  Travis shook his head. “No. I’m sure of it,” he drawled.

  She looked at Mel again, soft tears falling from her eyes.

  “I’m so sorry; I didn't know.” She kept her voice low and light. “No one’ll hurt you again. He’ll never hurt you again.”

  Charity’s eyes showed disbelief.

  Melody continued to cry.

  Hunter cast his eyes down. He hated seeing his sister cry.

  Travis shook his head. “You ain’t to tell no one. It will tear us apart. What're the brothers gonna think? Matt's wedding is coming up and all. I don't want them knowin’.”

  Ellen spoke calmly, “I won't tell any of them but your Pa so he can make sure Frank won’t come here again. He’ll be kicked off the plantation for good.”

  Travis bit his lip. “You think Pa will believe us?”

  “Of course he will,” Ellen reassured them. She prayed he would remain calm. It was his brother after all. She felt like taking her gun and shooting him herself. She would have to make sure Andrew or Maverick did not find out or Frank would be dead.

  She had to get out to the boys. David could kill Bunny this time. Although the coonhound was tough and could handle David’s rough ways with her. “I’m gon’ talk to your Pa when he gets home tonight. We’ll deal with this properly.” She paused. “I’m so very sorry I didn't know this was goin’ on. If y’all wanna talk, you can come to me at any time. Know that.”

  They all nodded, their eyes full of pain and distrust. How could she let this go on in her own house? They walked out to find the little boys while she held onto Melody.

  How could this happen? Ellen had watched her children all the time. She took every precaution she could think of. And now the worst had happened. She didn't know how she would handle this. She wanted to take her children, all of them, and run away from all the evil of the world and live where they wouldn't be hurt again.

  Ellen walked outside and looked up at the sky just as a single tear fell. She let the wave of emotions drench her as she wept for the pain of her children, pain she’d hoped for them to never endure. Hers was a heart cry, deep with sorrow. ‘How could You let this happen, God? I raised so many of Your children. Some mine and others mine by Your gifting. But you let them get hurt. Why? How can I trust You right now? How can I trust my children now? They never told me.’

  Izzy liked staying at the Daphne Estate, though it was small for a normal southern estate or plantation. It was a relaxing time, something she needed after losing her two best friends, there were days when she thought they were walking up to her. She still cried herself to sleep most nights. Grief was a process. She walked through the gardens; they were still in bloom and in about two weeks would be full and plush.

  She saw Jesse sitting on the bench up ahead. She didn't know if she should keep walking, he looked deep in thought as he stared at nothing. She studied him for a minute. He was good-looking with jet-black curly hair and dark, brown eyes that showed every emotion he felt. He wasn't a large man, just a little taller than her, but he was fit, and muscle from working outdoors.

  Jesse looked up, spotted her, and smiled. He didn't seem bothered to see her.

  Izzy took a chance and walked over to him. He stood and invited her to sit. She sat as far on the bench as she could get, and he just sat like he didn't notice as he sat. "How’re you enjoyin’ your stay?”

  Izzy smiled softly. She could handle this light talk. "Well, I like it here. The weather is much like Texas."

  "I’m sure from what Cole tells of it," Jesse commented, trying to sound like he wanted to talk to her about the weather, but Izzy saw through.

  "You looked deep in thought when I walked up. Wanna talk about it?" Izzy couldn't believe she had just asked that. What was wrong with her.

  Jesse sat back, founded his arms and sighed. "I’m just relieved Tommy will be alright. She gave us all a scare."

  "I’m sure she did. Y’all have a deep love for each other."

  Jesse nodded as he looked at her. "We all have to, I reckon. I thought we were all close and had no secrets. But this winter, Tommy really threw us a bombshell."

  Izzy nodded. "A family has a way of doing that to us. I have just learned to let it go. Give them the grace that God gives you."

  Jesse frowned and looked ahead. "Sometimes I don't feel God's grace or peace."

  Izzy nodded. "I know how you feel. The thing is, you might not feel it right at this moment. But God is with you and He’s givin’ it to you or you’d never be able to handle what life gives you."

  "Why do we have to go through it, though? What did we do?" Jesse looked at her and asked, "Was it Tommy and Sawyer's fault that they were kidnapped and their friend dead? What did they do to deserve it?"

  Izzy closed her eyes. She was not ready for this. She felt sick. She looked at him and answered, "They did nothin’ wrong. A part of my brother died that night, so I know how it feels. Men, sinful men did that to them. God was there that night though."

  Jesse looked at her. "How do you know?"

  Izzy spoke softly, "I felt it. I was nearly six that night and I was close enough to hear the gunshots. I cried all night, but I felt God with me. Holdin’ me. I never felt that before. I knew God was with Tommy and Diana. Though I knew then I would probably never see them again, this side of Heaven."

  Jesse studied her. "Thank you for tellin’ me." He sighed, "I been havin’ a hard time with not knowin’ about all this. I feel cheated out on really knowin’ them," He paused and looked away, "I can't believe I just admitted that to you."

  Izzy shrugged, "Sometimes tellin’ someone you don't know helps."

  Jesse looked at her. "From what Cole talks about you lately, I feel like I know you."

  Izzy smiled back, "I know the feeling."

  "You think they will end up together?" he asked with a light in his eyes.

  "Who?" Izzy asked but knew who he was talking about.

  He made a face. "Your brother and my sister."

  "Well, I only have one brother. You have three sisters. One is married. Another is engaged," she teased, "I guess that leaves one."

  Jesse laughed. "Good thing it’s the one he likes."

  Izzy made a face. "Good thing it is then."

  Jesse held out a hand, " Miss Donovan, want to find out what our crazy siblings are doing?"

  Izzy looked at his hand, then finally took it. Her hand felt soft in his larger one. She followed him inside, he almost made her feel like an innocent delicate young woman. Maybe coming to Alabama wasn't a mistake after all.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Tommy was in the drawing-room alone for once. With Cole's sisters and more guards here and the Daphne Estate house is half the size of the last one, she never got any privacy. She was enjoying getting to know Cole's sisters. Sam had gone to the Home today and had given her some paintings to work on. Or as he encourages her to do her own work and feel the painting.

  She was doing one of the children along with Ellen, Owen, Frank, and Missy, and Ben.

  She was so glad she had done drawings and a few paintings of them when they were still alive. She knew many people didn't know what their loved ones looked like. But she could keep it alive for the children and her. She could paint Missy’s black, wooly beautiful hair, her loving, brown eyes, her beautiful, smooth skin, her face that showed kindness and compassion all the time. She could catch Ben’s black-brown eyes, his firm, kind face, his big form. She had loved them so much. She wondered if love always stayed.

  She added paint to the trees in the background, she had them standing in front of Ellen's house where she had lived part of her life.

  Just then, she turned to see someone walk in without knocking, which was odd. Everyone always knocked here.

  She saw Ellen. She had her hair done up nice and her dress just fine, but her eyes and nose were red. She had only seen her once since the killing. She wasn't supposed to be here. It wasn't safe, but she decided to ignore that.
/>   "What is it, Ellen?"

  Ellen sat down in the chair hard like she couldn't take another step. She just stared off into space like Tommy was not there.

  Tommy hadn't seen her this upset since Pedro died. "Ellen, you are really scaring me. What's wrong?"

  Ellen looked at her without really looking at her. "Oh, I shouldn't interrupt your work. You go back to it."

  Tommy wasn't sure if she should go get Gloria or not. "Ellen, my work is fine. Sam will understand."

  Ellen nodded. "Of course he will. He’s a nice man."

  Tommy sat right in front of her, "What’s wrong, Ellen?"

  Ellen seemed to look at her now. Her jaw was hard, and her face turned pale, her hands turned into a fist at her sides, "I am going to kill him. I could really kill him or both of them."

  Tommy's eyes widened. Ellen did not talk like this. Most of the family did, but not Ellen. She was always on forgiveness even the men. She waited.

  "I found out what was wrong in my own home," Ellen said, her anger staying. "I found out my four older children have been hurt by a man."

  Tommy gasped. "No," she said softly, closing her eyes against the pain. She didn't know what it was like to be hurt by a man, but Gloria did, and Tommy had watched her suffer for it. She had finally said yes to Jerry after almost four years of courting because of what a couple of older boys had done to her for years.

  Ellen nodded. "Owen won't believe them. I told them I would talk to Owen and he would believe them, but he doesn't. I can't have him coming to the wedding or the Silkwood ever again. I must put my children first. How could I have let my children be hurt and not know it?"

  Tommy asked one question, "Who?"

  "Frank." Ellen then put her head in her hands and sobbed as someone had died.

  Tommy took her in her arms and cried with her. Her heart was in disbelief. This couldn’t be true. Her heart broke. How could Frank do this to them? How could he betray them like this? She trusted, even loved Frank. He was like a long-lost uncle to her. He had never been improper to her. How could he have hurt the children?