“I figured I’d find ya here.”
Travis turned, seeing Aunt Polly standing behind him. Her silver hair was pulled back by a blue bandana.
“Why’s that?” Travis asked.
“You didn’t come in for supper.”
Travis leaned his back into the fence, his palms flexing. “Wasn’t hungry.”
Aunt Polly stepped forward, her hand pressed against Travis’s forehead. “You ain’t warm, that’s for sure. It doesn’t sound like you’ve lost your appetite. You should eat and keep your strength up. We have a long day tomorrow.”
Travis removed her hand and turned back to the field. “I can’t.”
“Why not?” Aunt Polly pressed.
“I just can’t, all right!” Travis rubbed the crease between his eyes and sighed. “I’m sorry, Aunt Polly. It’s been a day.”
Aunt Polly joined his side, her hands folded over the fence. “It’s been a difficult one for all of us.”
“She lied to us, Aunt Polly. I just . . . I know how much the children love her, and I would never turn Josie away . . . but I don’t know if I can ever trust her again.” Travis’s voice croaked, looking Aunt Polly in the eyes. “I can’t trust my own wife.”
Aunt Polly softly rubbed his sweat-coated back. “She’s still the Josie you knew.”
“Do you believe her? About her coming here for a family?”
Aunt Polly didn’t blink or move a muscle. “Yes, I do. And I also believe there’s another side to her story. You should ask her.”
Travis shut his eyes, letting out a soft groan. “How can I? How can I look at her again, knowing she’s a liar?”
“I’m not saying you have to trust her, but as I said this afternoon, think about her side of the story. You lost your papa at a young age. Could you blame her for wanting her child to grow up with a papa?”
Travis looked out over the horizon. Losing his father caused a large hole in his heart. Mama never married again and believed no one could replace Papa. That child Josie carried didn’t have a father, and who was Travis to cast it aside? Whether he wanted another child or not, Josie’s baby was innocent. Aunt Polly leaned in, resting her chin on his shoulder.
Travis needed to speak to Josie. He wouldn’t rest until he had his answers, whether he was afraid of the truth or not.
Chapter Sixteen
Josieawoketothesoft orange light filtering through the window, her body wrapped in a fresh nightdress and covered by clean sheets. The red quilt had been replaced by a calming baby blue one, decorated with cheerful green and red flowers. She stared at the wooden ceiling, trying to process everything that had happened hours ago. Her limbs were too heavy to lift, and her stomach churned at every little movement. Pushing herself hadn’t been a wise choice, but she had wanted to prove her strength, to show she was more than a spoiled Southern belle, Travis thought her to be.
That act was all a lie.
Weak-willed, she had allowed her father to talk her into marrying a man twice her age, naively believing he would be a romantic hero like the ones in her cherished novels. It was foolish to think Marcus would let her keepBelle Vallée; she had been ignorant to believe she could make a difference in the lives of the Negro children on the streets of Statesville withher practiced teaching skills. It was weakness to think Marcus wouldn’t find out and beat her until she couldn’t walk. It was stupid to believe that being bedridden would somehow shield her from her duties afterward. Weak. So weak.
Josie breathed in and out, trying to hold back her tears.You’re useless to me,Marcus’s gruff voice echoed in her mind.You are worthless.
Dr. Gordon's confirmation—that her affliction was simply a sign that her body needed rest—was a sudden miracle.“It’s going to be all right, Mrs. Blythe,”he told her.“It’s normal for a woman in your state to experience pain. Get some rest. You shouldn’t be working so hard.”Josie had been speechless, a wave of relief washing over her as she realized her baby was safe in her womb.
A heavy weight settled in her chest. Travis knew now, no doubt about it. What must he think of her now? Dr. Gordon was oblivious of the truth; he assumed Travis was a happy father. A chill ran down Josie’s spine as she imagined Travis’s clear blue eyes darkening into a glaring furnace, just as Marcus’s had every time she hid secrets from him.
Josie was a liar. A deceiver. And above all, she was a murderess sleeping under Travis’s roof and raising his children. She sat up in bed, her eyes falling on Ivy, who was curled up in the rocking chair next to Gideon’s crib. Ivy looked up, revealing the tears glistening in her eyes.
“Ivy, dear, what’s the matter?”
She watched as Ivy wiped her nose with her sleeve, her small voice trembling. “I was so s-scared. I thought you were going to die . . . like Ma.”
Josie’s eyes stung. It wasn’t so long ago she lost her mama, too. Josie tried everything in her power to keep Mama and Susannah alive, and she failed. No wonder her father had been so eager to rid himself of her for the sake of his plantation. Josie didn’tblame him one bit. She was willing then to do whatever it took to win his affection back. However, that situation was different entirely. Ivy had a father who loved her, and now she had a new mother, who loved her more than she loved herself.
Josie patted the mattress. “Come here, Ivy. I need to speak with you.”
