Chapter 32
Some Things Never Change
Eldrige House, Carroll County, Virginia
Seth steered the wagon onto the tree-lined lane.
It took only a minute for the stately Southern manor, which she’d called home for nineteen years, to come into view.
The two-story white house looked much the same, with its elegant white pillars and wide front veranda, against the backdrop of the rolling green hills.
Gazing at the familiar scene, Rowie felt a wave of nostalgia, recalling her mother humming while tending her flower beds filled with fragrant roses and lilies of the valley.
The once-vibrant gardens were nowhere to be seen, replaced by dirt, overgrown weeds, and a sense of emptiness that matched the ache in her heart.
As they drew nearer to the house, her breath caught at the sight of horses in the corrals, their thick black and chestnut coats gleaming in the sun.
She had grown up riding and caring for the majestic creatures.
When she’d had to sell them—Jael leaving her little choice—the loss had been heartbreaking, along with the end of her dream.
Her fingers curled into her husband’s forearm. “Jael lied to me, Seth. She kept the horses.”
“All the easier for us when we take over,” he said, as he patted his coat pocket where the judge’s order was safely tucked away.
Seth stopped the wagon at the front steps, hopped down, and held his arms up for her. Her knees trembling and her stomach in knots, Rowie took a deep breath, steeling herself for the confrontation that lay ahead.
“What if she won’t go?”
“We make her.”
“But what if she claims squatter’s rights, like I did?”
“I’m counting on her not being as well read as you. Besides, there’s a big difference in your situations. You didn’t commit forgery, which is a felony punishable by prison, fines, and restitution.”
Still, she hesitated.
“It’s going to be fine, darlin’,” Seth reassured her, his hand curled around her knee. “I’ve dealt with some of the meanest outlaws in history. I’ll handle Jael, too.”
“You should probably reserve judgment on those outlaws until you meet her.”
“You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to. Let’s get this done. The sooner we do, the sooner our new life can begin.”
She wished she had his confidence, but he had her trust, which was enough. She put her hands on his shoulders and let him lift her down from the high bench.
As she looked at the steps they had to climb to get to the front door, the knot in her stomach tightened. “It’s like I’m nineteen again,” she whispered.
“But you’re not. You’re a grown woman, intelligent, and accomplished in business.” He took her hand in his. “You’re also not alone in this.”
She took another deep breath and then nodded. “I’m ready.”
He didn’t flinch as her fingers tightened on his—painfully, so she knew—as together they mounted the stairs and crossed the porch.
Seth knocked three times on the heavy oak, each firm and confident.
The door opened, revealing an older woman. The passage of time had silvered her hair and lined her face, yet she was reassuringly familiar.
“Maw?” she gasped.
“Miss Rowie? Lands sakes, child. I never thought to see you again.”
Instantly enveloped in a hug, she rocked her gently as if she were a child again. She couldn’t keep tears from welling up.
“Well, well… The prodigal stepdaughter returns,” a bitter voice remarked. “I can’t fathom the reason, but whatever it is, do it swiftly and leave. For good this time.”
“No matter how much I wish for it to happen, the evil witch just won’t die,” Maw whispered before letting her go.
Rowie turned to face her stepmother, shocked to see she hadn’t aged well. She would be fifty this year, but her dull, mostly gray hair and the deep grooves around her mouth—permanent scowl lines—made her look much older.
Proof she was human and not one of Satan’s minions, as she’d always suspected, boosted Rowie’s confidence.
“I should be polite and say it’s nice to see you, Jael, but we know that isn’t true.” She shook her head, clicked her tongue in disapproval like her stepmother used to do, then said bluntly, “Time hasn’t been kind to you, has it?”
Beside her, Seth smothered a laugh while Jael’s head snapped back like she’d slapped her. She recovered quickly, however.
“If you’re here to insult me, you can leave. In fact, I don’t care why you’ve come. Just go.”
Her hero husband stepped in front of her. “We’re here on business. If you hope to get the least sliver of generosity from my wife once we’ve said our piece, you’ll guard your tongue of its nastiness, madam.”
Unlike its connotation where they came from, in genteel society, it was a term of respect. The way Seth said it, with an edge of steel, it would never be interpreted as such.
“What business could I possibly have with you?” Jael asked, her superior air and contemptuous sneer as familiar as ever.
“Serious legal business,” Rowie declared. “Seth, show her the court order.”
He stepped forward and handed her a tri-folded paper.
“What’s this?” Jael demanded impatiently, not bothering to open and read it.
“We’ve just come from court,” Seth explained. “The judge issued a writ of possession allowing the rightful owner, Rowena Eldridge Walker, to reclaim her property.”
“That’s utter nonsense,” she sputtered in outrage. “I am the property owner. Phillip left Eldridge House to me.”
“Not according to Mr. Abernathy, Papa’s attorney for twenty years,” Rowie informed her. “He took care of all of Papa’s legal affairs except for the new will, which, surprisingly, bequeathed everything to you, over his daughter, who was nearing her majority. Don’t you find that odd?”
“No. Phillip loved me.”
“He despised you,” Maw McPhee hissed. “As soon as you said I do, you showed your true colors, turning into a hateful shrew and tormenting poor Miss Rowie. Mr. Eldridge may have been consumed by grief and melancholy over his true love, but he had eyes in his head.”
“You’ve been a thorn in my side for entirely too long, you old crow. No more,” Jael declared, turning on her. “Pack your bags and get out.”
“Again, you overstep,” Rowie stated calmly.
“You’re the only one who’ll be packing today.
You have an hour to gather what you need.
The rest I’ll have waiting for you on the lawn at noon tomorrow.
Anything remaining after that time will be deemed unwanted and donated to the poor or burned—I care not which.
” She glanced at Maw, who had a mischievous glint in her eye, relishing Jael’s comeuppance, and added, “Although, the washerwomen in town would look wonderful dressed in wine silks and green satins, don’t you think?
” Both were colors Jael favored. “Either way, it’s the same amount of time you gave me to vacate my home. ”
“I won’t go!” Jael asserted, so outraged she was quivering. “You can’t make me.”
“She might not, but I can,” Seth said coolly, brushing back his coat, revealing the pearl-handled Colt in its holster. “In fact, after all the stories Rowie has told me about you, it will be a pleasure.”
“If she won’t listen to you, Mr. Walker, perhaps she’ll listen to the sheriff,” Maw said, squinting at a point behind them. “I believe that’s him riding up the lane. My eyes aren’t as strong as they used to be, but it looks like several of the neighbors have come along with him.”
“Ah, right on time,” Seth said, turning and assessing the riders. “I suggested he bring a few extra men in case the unauthorized tenant proved difficult. I wasn’t expecting he’d get quite so many volunteers.”
“Bless your heart,” Rowie drawled in the time-honored Southern way. “As I recall, you weren’t very popular with the neighbors after marrying Papa.” She let out an exaggerated sigh. “I guess some things never change.”
As the sheriff, several deputies, and a half dozen men dismounted, Jael’s anxiety surged. “You little bitch. You can’t do this. It isn’t right!”
“No,” Rowie snapped, done toying with her. “What isn’t right is taking advantage of a man stricken with grief.”
“Or abusing his only daughter, who was mourning the loss of her mama,” Maw hissed, coming to her defense just like the old days.
“Or forging the signature of a dead man and claiming it was his last will and testament then kicking a young woman, who was supposed to be in your care, out in the middle of the night with barely a nickel to her name,” Seth chimed in, no longer amused.
“I see you’ve already shared the unfortunate news,” the sheriff said as he climbed the steps.
“You can’t let them throw me out and leave me homeless and penniless!”
“You’re right,” Rowie told her. “I can’t do what you did to me.
I’m not that cruel. We’re abiding by Papa’s wishes in the original will.
You will receive an annual stipend to support your living expenses.
It’s generous, although you won’t be able to live in grand style like you did here, but you’ll have enough for a solid roof over your head and then some. ”
“I’m consulting a lawyer,” Jael asserted, her shrill voice grating on the nerves.
“As is your right,” the sheriff replied.
“But you’ll have to do it from somewhere other than Eldridge House.
The judge ordered that you vacate immediately.
Seems you’ve outstayed your welcome with folks hereabout.
Oh, I almost forgot,” he exclaimed, patting his shirt pocket. Then he withdrew a tri-folded paper.
“We gave her a copy of the judge’s order, Sheriff,” Seth advised.
“Very good, but this is an added treat, a subpoena to appear in court on forgery and perjury charges. It seems the judge doesn’t like being lied to.” He pressed the paper into her hand and stated, “Jael Eldridge, consider yourself served.”
With a shriek of outrage, she whirled and slammed into the house. Bangs and crashes and the sounds of her stepmother taking out her anger and frustration on the home she was being forced to leave, followed.