Chapter Eleven
Chapter Eleven
W aylon Satterfield glanced over at Milton and grinned as they rode their horses along the dusty path to the horseshoe shop. “So, you’ve fallen in love, Milt?”
Milton chuckled, knowing where he’d gotten his information, but had no problem answering truthfully. “Yes, I have. I guess Victoria told you that in her letters.”
“Yep. Are you sure about her? You only saw her that one time?”
“I’m just as certain about my feelings for Felicia Laverne as you are about yours for Victoria.”
Waylon threw his head back and laughed. “In that case, you are definitely sure about her. Victoria said she’s pretty.”
“She certainly is that.”
They continued riding for a while, and then Milton said, “I knew the first time I saw her that she was the one. Now I fully understand what you meant when you said Victoria is the only girl who will ever have your heart. I feel the same way about Felicia Laverne.”
“I can hear it in your voice just how much you love her.”
“We’ve been sharing letters all summer. Just like you and Victoria have been. I got it so bad that I can’t wait to check the mailbox every day. It’s a great feeling to care deeply for someone.”
Waylon nodded. “So, what are you going to do about it?”
“I don’t plan to wait three years to get married like you, that’s for sure,” Milton said, laughing. “Like Victoria, Felicia Laverne has another year in school. Then I hope we can marry right after that, so she can move here. I’m certain Pa will give me a parcel of land on Whispering Pines to build us a place like your folks did for you and Victoria.”
They brought their horses to a stop in front of Mr. Wood’s horseshoe shop. Dismounting, they tied them to the hitching post. Waylon then asked, “Are you going to tell your folks about her? What about her father, the preacher? It was hard for me to talk to your father about my feelings for Victoria, and I’ve known Mr. Jantz all my life. I can’t imagine you facing a preacher about his daughter.”
“Felicia Laverne is a little worried about it and has said so in her letters. However, I want to believe things will work out, and one day, she will be Felicia Laverne Madaris. I think I’ll talk to my parents tonight. They will pick Victoria up from summer camp in two weeks. Usually, I don’t go with them, but I want to do so this time. I’m dying to see Felicia Laverne again.”
“I know the feeling. I’m dying to see Victoria as well.”
Milton studied his best friend and then offered a suggestion. “Why don’t you ask Pa if you can ride to Tennessee with us? Don’t worry about space because I plan to drive my truck.”
“Do you think he’ll allow it?”
“I don’t see why not. After all, you are Victoria’s intended, even if the two of you won’t be getting married for another three years.”
That evening, at the supper table, Milton decided it was the perfect time to tell his parents about Felicia Laverne. He spoke up when there was a lull in their conversation. “I met this girl, and she’s the one.”
Jantz’s fork froze in midair, giving his son his total attention. “What did you say, Milton?”
Milton didn’t have a problem repeating it. “I said I met this girl, and she’s the one.”
Jantz placed his fork down, deciding what his son had said was more important than the juicy steak on his plate. “Who is she?”
“Not anyone from around here. She’s from Atlanta.”
“Atlanta?” Jantz asked in surprise. “How the heck did you meet a girl from Atlanta?”
“Through Victoria. It’s her roommate at camp. We met when I dropped Victoria off.”
Jantz lifted a brow. “Felicia Laverne Lee?”
Milton arched a brow. “You’ve met her?”
“Of course, we’ve met her,” his mother said, smiling brightly. “We met Felicia Laverne last summer when we picked Victoria up from camp. She introduced her as her new best friend. Felicia Laverne is a lovely girl.”
“I agree,” Jantz said, smiling broadly. “I guess you know her father is a preacher. Reverend Nolan Lee. We met him, his wife, and their other two daughters. Naomi Lee is Felicia Laverne’s first cousin.”
“The gospel singer?” Milton asked, surprised. He recognized the name because his mother was a big admirer of the woman and had a couple of her albums. He’d heard Naomi Lee used to be a backup singer for Mahalia Jackson before going solo and establishing a name for herself.
“Yes, the gospel singer,” Jantz said, picking up his fork again. “How serious is your interest in Felicia Laverne?”
“We’ve been exchanging letters all summer. I’d love to accompany you when you pick up Victoria from camp.”
His father held his gaze while cutting his steak, not trying to hide his grin. “I just bet you would.”
“Will that be a problem, Pa?” Milton asked, hoping it wouldn’t be.
Jantz laughed. “Not if it means I might get a daughter-in-law before your thirtieth birthday.”
Milton grinned. “It does. I knew the moment I saw her that she was the one. I love her.”
Both his parents stared at him for a long moment, and out of the corner of his eyes, he saw his mother dab at hers.
“Then, by all means, yes, you can join us to get your sister,” Jantz Madaris said, happily.
“I prefer driving my truck, Pa.”
“Why? There’s plenty of room in mine.”
Milton shrugged. “Not if Way comes, too.”
Jantz put his fork down again. “Is Waylon coming?”
“Only if you say it’s alright. He intends to ask your permission.”
Jantz nodded. “We’ll see.”
Milton picked up his glass of iced tea to hide his smirk. He knew his father liked Waylon a lot, just like a second son. He wouldn’t have a problem with him going to Tennessee with them. Pa just wasn’t ready to make things easy on Way. After all, Victoria was his only daughter and his pride and joy.
He wondered if all fathers were hard on any guy who showed interest in their daughter. He hoped that Felicia Laverne’s father didn’t plan to make things hard on him, too.
***
“Hello, Milton.”
Milton glanced up from repairing the fence and tipped his Stetson to the woman sitting on her horse. “Hello, Charlotte. You’re a long way from home, aren’t you?”
She gave him that funny little laugh he’d always found annoying. “How can I be far from home when we’re neighbors?”
There was no reason to explain that even though their family’s spreads bordered, she was on Madaris’s land, which covered over ten thousand acres. “If you’re looking for Waylon, he left for home about a half hour ago.”
“I didn’t come here for Waylon. I came here to see you.”
He lifted a brow. “Why?”
“The Hollisters are having their annual barn dance next Saturday night, and I’d like you to be my date.”
“Date?” He wondered if she knew that a guy was to ask the girl and not vice versa.
“Yes, a date. Although I’m old enough to date—and graduated from high school a few months ago—Pa hadn’t permitted me to see anyone yet. I was disappointed that you didn’t come to my graduation.”
“My parents and Victoria were there.”
“But you weren’t.”
He’d had no reason to go. “Why would I have gone?” he asked.
She lifted her chin. “I bet Waylon goes to Victoria’s graduation.”
“I would hope so since Victoria is his intended, the woman he plans to marry one day. So, I’ll ask you again, Charlotte. Why would I have gone to your graduation?” Recalling what Victoria had told him about the lie Charlotte was spreading, he would set her straight this very day if she hinted that there was something between them.
They both turned at the sound of a horse and he saw Waylon approaching. When he reached them, he gave his sister an angry look. “The folks sent me to find you. They said you told them you would fetch me. Why didn’t our paths cross, Charlotte?”
Her chin tightened. “I came another way.”
Waylon rolled his eyes. “Well, let’s go. You’re holding up supper.”
She turned to Milton. “You never said if you would be going to the Hollisters’ barn dance.”
Milton noted she’d been careful not to mention anything about him being her date that night in front of Waylon. “No, I’m not going to that dance. That weekend, I’ll be headed with my folks to Tennessee to pick up Victoria from summer camp.”
“So will I,” Waylon said, grinning broadly, not trying to hide his happiness that Mr. Jantz had given his permission for him to do so. “Let’s go, Charlotte, before Mom gets worried. I’ll see you tomorrow, Milt.”
As they rode off, Milton released a deep breath, glad to see her gone.
***
Victoria glanced at the clock on the camp’s cafeteria’s wall. Usually, whenever her parents picked her up from camp, they would do so before lunchtime. That way, they could load her things in the truck and be on the road before dark. She knew from Felicia Laverne that Milt was coming with her parents. She wished Waylon could have asked to come, but she knew her father probably would not allow it. He liked Waylon, but she knew her parents preferred doing things decently and in order.
“You keep looking at the clock, Victoria,” Felicia Laverne leaned over and whispered.
Victoria grinned. “So do you, but for different reasons. At least you’ll see Milt today, since he’ll be with my parents. It will be a few more days before we return to Texas, and I can see Waylon.”
“Yes, but you will see him a lot more often than I’ll see Milton. After today, I don’t know when I’ll see him again. He wants to visit me in Atlanta this fall, but I don’t know if my dad will allow it.”
“Did you get a chance to talk to him about Milt?”
Felicia Laverne’s parents had arrived a couple of days ago since her father had preached at last night’s ending camp session. “Yes. Pa doesn’t have a problem talking to Milton, but I think my father is quick to make judgments sometimes. He said he has a gift in knowing someone’s heart and character the first time they meet.”
“In that case, you have nothing to worry about. Milt has a good character and heart,” Victoria said confidently.
“I know, but what if Dad reads it wrong?” Felicia said in a worried voice.
“Then we will pray he reads it right.” A huge grin spread across Victoria’s face. “Look! There’s Isabelle and Yvonne.” They exchanged goodbye waves.
The two ten-year-old girls were best friends from New Orleans. and Victoria and Felicia Laverne had enjoyed supervising them this summer.
When they had finished their lunch, they saw Ms. Dunkins, one of the camp’s organizers, head their way.
When the older woman reached their table, she said, “Victoria Madaris, I came to fetch you. Your parents are here to take you home.”
Victoria glanced over at Felicia Laverne. “Are you ready to see my parents?” she asked, knowing the main person her best friend wanted to see was her brother.
“Yes,” Felicia Laverne said excitedly.
***
Waylon saw Victoria and another girl when they rounded the corner of some building. She had no idea Mr. Jantz had permitted him to come. He stood on the side, away from the Madaris family, and saw how happy she was to see her parents and brother.
He watched the girl he loved with all his heart. The first thing anyone would notice was her mass of vibrant red hair that flowed down her shoulders. It was an unusual hair color but not for a female-born Madaris. According to her family, she inherited the hair coloring from the first Madaris wife in the early eighteen hundreds. According to Mr. Jantz, there was usually one redheaded female born in every generation.
Then there was her caramel-colored skin that always seemed to glow and the prettiest brown eyes he’d ever seen. He was convinced she was the most gorgeous female ever created. And one day, she would be his wife—with her father’s blessings. He anticipated that day and would abide his time by building their home. With Milton’s help, he’d framed it already and the walls were up. It would be a spacious single-story dwelling with two bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, plus a vast living room and eat-in kitchen. It would have indoor plumbing for the bathrooms and kitchen, and he’d also designed the cabin so that he could easily add additional bedrooms when their babies were born.
He wasn’t sure what gave his position away. Victoria had been quickly walking toward her parents when, suddenly, she turned in his direction. Surprise and happiness spread across her face. That expression touched him deeply. The proper thing was to acknowledge her parents first, so breaking eye contact with him, she resumed walking toward them. Upon reaching them, she gave them both huge hugs. Then she whispered something to her father, who gazed at Waylon before nodding.
That’s when she crossed the yard to where he stood and offered him her hand. More than anything, he wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her. That was something he was anticipating—their first kiss.
Taking her hand, he said, “Good seeing you, Victoria.” The warmth he felt holding her hand in his touched him deeply.
“And it’s good seeing you, too, Waylon. You look well.”
In a low, husky voice, he said, “And you, the love of my life, look beautiful.”
Her smile widened, and then she looked over her shoulder. “I’m not sure where Felicia Laverne is,” she added, glancing around. “She was here just moments ago. She must have taken Milt to meet her father in the camp’s library. I hope that goes well.”
“I’m sure that it will. I better go help your father load your stuff into the car,” Waylon said, heading to where her parents stood. She began walking beside him.
“I asked Mr. Jantz if you could ride back in the truck with me and Milt,” he added.
“You did?” she asked excitedly. “What did Pa say?”
Waylon chuckled. “He said he would think about it.”
***
“Pa, I would like you to meet Milton Jantzen Madaris,” Felicia Laverne said, smiling proudly.
Milton extended his hand to the man who’d eyed him intensely before accepting his handshake. His pa had always taught him that you could tell a lot about a man by his handshake. A firm one denotes strength, fairness, and honesty. Whereas, a weak grip denotes a person who is easily intimidated, insecure, and has low self-esteem.
Milton was a hardworking, able-bodied, confident man who went after what he wanted. And more than anything, he wanted Felicia Laverne Lee. “Reverend Lee, it’s nice meeting you, and I hope we can have a conversation.”
“About what, young man?”
“About Felicia Laverne.”
Reverend Nolan Lee nodded before switching his gaze from Milton to his daughter. “Your mother has volunteered to help break down the classrooms with some other ladies. I’m sure they will be glad to get your help.”
“Yes, Pa.” Before leaving, she gave Milton a reassuring smile.
Milton returned his gaze to Reverend Lee when Felicia Laverne could no longer be seen. The man was staring at him with an unreadable expression on his face. Then the minister said, “What do you want to talk to me about? Fee?”
Milton raised a brow. “Fee?”
“Yes, that’s Felicia Laverne’s nickname.”
Milton nodded. “Over the summer, Felicia Laverne and I have been exchanging letters.”
“So, you’re interested in her as a girlfriend?” the older man asked.
“No, sir. I’m not looking for a girlfriend. And to be honest, I want more than a wife. I want someone I believe I can trust and who will be my mate and partner in everything. I want someone who will work by my side to grow the ranch I will inherit one day. I want someone whom I can create a family with, and who I believe would be the best mother any child could ever have. But most of all, I want the person I love: your daughter, Felicia Laverne. I truly do love her.”
The minister didn’t say anything, and for a moment, Milton wondered if he’d said too much. However, when it came to how he felt about Felicia, he hadn’t said enough. He never thought he was the type of man who would wear his heart on his sleeve, but he was doing so for her and had no regrets.
Reverend Lee said, “Fee has another year in school. You’re from Texas. How do you intend to make a courtship work when the two of you will be miles apart?”
“With your permission, I’d like to visit her this fall. I understand finishing school is her top priority, but I’d like to marry her next summer.”
Now, it was Reverend Lee who lifted a brow. “You’ve asked her to be your bride.”
“No, sir. She knows how I feel about her, but I would never ask her before getting a blessing to do so from you.”
Reverend Lee nodded. “I can’t give you my marriage blessing yet, young man. However, I will permit you to visit her in the fall. My wife and I want to get to know you better. You also need to meet Fee’s sisters.”
“Yes, sir, and I look forward to doing that.” Milton felt a huge weight had been lifted off his back. This first meeting was an important one. One wrong word, one pompous action, and he could have lost the opportunity to make Felicia Laverne a permanent part of his life.
“I want you to meet Mrs. Lee. And I believe Fee mentioned your parents are here. We met them last year and would love to see them again,” Reverend Lee said. “Of course, we’ve met Victoria. Mrs. Lee and I think she’s such a lovely girl. We’re glad Fee chose her as a best friend.”
Milton was glad, too. Otherwise, he and Felicia Laverne would not have met.