Vivid by Beverly Jenkins

Author:Beverly Jenkins [Jenkins, Beverly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Fiction, African American history, Michigan, Fiction, Romance, Women Physicians, Historical, African American Romance, African Americans, American History
Google: IDMJAAAACAAJ
Amazon: 0595162029
Publisher: NYLA
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Vivid spent the next two days combing the Grove for anyone needing her services. She also spread word that no one could become ill, break a limb, or step into a bear trap until she returned from Detroit.

On the morning they were scheduled to depart, she, Magic, and Abigail were joined by Eli after their dawn breakfast. They were placing their valises into the buggy they would be taking to the Niles train depot when Nate, who'd seemed content to watch the proceedings from the porch, strolled over to where the traveling party had gathered.

He stood before his cousin. All activity ceased as they silently confronted each other. Nate then reached into his pocket and pulled out a coin. "Call it in the air, cousin," Nate instructed, then tossed the coin high and let it land in his palm.

Eli grinned. "Heads."

Nate opened his hand and showed it to Eli. "Tails. Offer your regrets."

Eli looked into his cousin's eyes for a moment, then, shaking his head, stated, "Ladies, it appears I won't be able to accompany you to Detroit. My cousin will escort you instead."

Magic cheered, unmindful of the adults and their intrigue.

Eli asked, "What if it had been tails?"

"Then we would have flipped again."

Eli seemed to assess Nate a moment before asking, "That bad, is it?"

Silence.

Eli chuckled knowingly, "That bad. Well, I've lost the war anyway, you may as well take my place." He then began to remove his things from the buggy.

Abigail shook her head, mumbled something about men and brains, then got into the buggy without another word.

Vivid, having witnessed this amazing encounter, didn't know what to say or think, so she, too, joined Abigail inside the buggy to wait while Nate went back into the house to fetch his traveling gear.

Vivid and the Graysons boarded the Michigan Central Railroad in Niles and took the day-long ride to Detroit. Upon arrival, Nate hailed a hack and the Black driver helped them load their trunks and then they were off.

Abigail had lived in Detroit for many years before and after Mr. Lincoln's war and she proved to be a font of information on the city. She pointed out the sights as the driver headed them east. "That's the famous city hall, dedicated in 1871. We'll visit it tomorrow, but from the top you can see the river and Canada."

The hack rode up the busy avenue and the three adults smiled as Magic gawked at the horse-drawn trolleys. Vivid was impressed by all the buildings and people on the streets. She hadn't known how much she'd missed the hustle and bustle of city life until now. The voices and sounds tugged at her heartstrings.

As they tooled past shops and businesses, they all listened to Abigail tout the city's accomplishments in the manufacturing of soap, paint, and Mr. Vernor's ginger ale. She also told them about the important role Detroit played in shipping and promised they would see the waterfront before they returned home.

They would be staying at Mrs. Fisher's boarding house.

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