The Teacher's Star by Marisa Masterson

Author:Marisa Masterson [Masterson, Marisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-04T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Eenie snuggled down under her covers. She’d said her prayers and planted a noisy good night kiss on both her father’s and Delia’s cheeks. In fact, she’d allowed Delia to give her a good all over washing as well as to brush out her wild hair. It now lay in a braid over the girl’s shoulder.

After Delia’s announcement, Rol quickly realized the rest of their conversation needed to take place away from his daughter’s young ears. Hatred for someone because of race was beyond Eenie’s scope of experience. And, for now, he wanted to keep it that way.

When Delia announced that she’d once been a slave, Eenie looked up with wide eyes before gasping out, “Isn’t that pitiful, Pa? Someone tried to hurt Miss Perkins.”

Those words showed her innocence. She had no concept of slavery. The girl had little schooling and, evidently, Delia hadn’t taught about it in school.

He’d changed the subject, asking Eenie if she’d eaten at the main house. When he learned she had, he declared it was bedtime.

Delia’s face relaxed. The relief on it showed her gladness at the change in topic. Taking over, she’d readied the little girl for the night.

Now, Eenie’s eyes closed and a little smile played about her lips. She radiated a contentment he hadn’t seen in the girl. At least, not since her mother’s death.

Thoughts of his wife’s death reminded him that any marriage would be for Eenie’s sake. Still, he’d work hard to make this wife happy. His soul couldn’t take knowing he might be responsible for a second woman’s death.

Touching his wife’s arm, he pointed to the door. Taking the hint, she walked in front of him. Exiting, Rol softly shut the bedroom door.

Turning, he saw her standing stiffly by the door, carpet bag in hand. “Are you going somewhere?”

She shrugged with pretended indifference. “I have no idea what to do, Mr., uh, Andretti.”

He smiled at her overly formal tone. Good, he thought, she’s as nervous as I am about this talk.

Reaching out, he gently pried the bag from her hands. Moving to his bedroom, Rol set it on a chair by the armoire. Pivoting to go back out to her, his eyes widened when he realized that she’d followed him.

That was fine with him. In fact, for the first time in the last hour, his spirit soared with hope. Maybe they’d make this a real marriage tonight. Then there would be no question of an annulment come morning.

Moving around her, Rol locked the bedroom door. She swallowed audibly at the lock’s click. She might be nervous, but he radiated confidence.

Taking her arm, he led her to the bed and sat with her on the crazy quilt. It was one his mother had made him two years before. In fact, it had been the last gift she gave him before influenza took her life the next winter.

He watched Delia run her hand over a velvet patch in the quilt. Then she looked up at him, her blue eyes darkened with sorrow.

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