Miss Etta by Deanna Lynn Sletten

Author:Deanna Lynn Sletten [Sletten, Deanna Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-09-03T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

San Antonio, TX

August 1898

Etta sat at the piano in the parlor of Fannie’s house, softly playing a sad melody on the ivory keys. It was late afternoon and so hot in the room that she could hardly breathe. Soon the girls would be awake and the parlor would be full of patrons, so she enjoyed what little quiet time she had.

It had been a few days since she’d returned to San Antonio and Fannie’s, where the older woman had welcomed her with open arms. “What did he do?” the Madame had insisted.

Etta’s emotional dam had burst as she cried in Fannie’s arms.

“It’s his loss,” Fannie had told her when she’d heard what had transpired.

“Do you have any room for me here?” Etta had asked her.

“No one has touched your room above the kitchen,” Fannie said. “It’s yours for as long as you wish, which I hope will be a long time.”

Fannie had admitted she’d missed her young ward and said she hoped the wanderlust was out of her system and she’d stay in San Antonio. Just the other night, she’d mentioned to Etta that maybe she could find a teaching position in the area or go back to teaching piano lessons as she’d done before. Etta contemplated this now as she sat at the piano. She had truly believed she would be with Harry forever and it tore at her heart to consider a life without him.

As Etta played, she heard the front door open and close behind her and the scrape of boots on the entryway floor. She ignored the newcomer and continued playing, figuring the cook or Fannie would tell them to come back later in the evening when the girls were ready for business. Suddenly, from behind her, a husky voice spoke.

“Need some help there, miss?”

Etta froze, her heart pounding as she recognized the voice.

“Don’t stop playing on my account,” the male voice said, coming closer. “It’s been so long that I forgot how beautifully you play the piano.”

Slowly, Etta turned and there stood Harry, hat in hand, smiling down at her. Behind him, she saw Butch in the hallway, watching them.

Butch smiled and winked, then cleared his throat. “I think I’ll go into the kitchen and see if the cook still makes those delicious corn muffins.” He took off down the hallway.

Harry sat down beside Etta on the bench. “Seems to me we’ve been here before.”

Etta stared at him, not knowing if she should be happy or angry that he had followed her here. Harry fingered his hat nervously.

“Etta, I know I don’t deserve even a moment of your time, but I was hoping we could talk.”

She lifted her chin in defiance, but when she saw the warmth in his eyes, she softened. “I’m listening.”

Harry glanced around the room. “Is there somewhere private we can go?”

Etta nodded and led him through the kitchen, past Butch, who was sampling a cake the cook had just finished frosting, and up the stairs to her room. After closing the door, she folded her hands in front of her and waited for him to speak.

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