CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Shelby wasn’t putting much stock in her date. She had a strong feeling that the others had forced him to ask her out or that he was just feeling sorry for her. He was certainly handsome and seemed to be a good father to Brittany. But that didn’t make him ideal dating material.
“Geez, Shelby. Could you be a little more jaded?” she whispered to herself in the mirror.
“Maybe you should know a bit more about our men here,” said the woman in the mirror. Shelby turned around, staring at the figure. She was dressed in a beautiful long dress, probably from the 1800s. Her auburn hair was piled in curls on her head, her whiskey-colored eyes very familiar.
“I’m s-sorry. Who are you?” she asked.
“My name is Martha Robicheaux. Matthew is my great-great-great-great-nephew.”
“That’s not possible,” she whispered.
“Oh, my dear, you’ll learn that many things are possible when love is involved. This land is magical. It holds secrets and things that only those who are worthy can see and feel. Matthew and Irene have been watching over it for decades now. It’s Claudette and Jake’s turn and all the rest.
“But I’m not here about them. I’m here for you. You need to learn that our men don’t ask women out to make them feel better or to prove a point. These are the finest men ever put on earth, Shelby.”
“You know my name.”
“I do,” she smiled. “I know the name of everyone who ever sets foot on this property. You’ve had an awful blow to your courage, but Red isn’t the kind of man that asks a woman to dinner without being fully invested in it.”
“Doesn’t he date?” she asked.
“Never. Not once since he’s been here. The advantage of being almost three hundred years old is that I can see a person’s soul. I feel their heart. And that man has a soul worth dying for and a heart worth risking everything for.”
“I think he’s just being nice. I’m sure Brittany and the others, they all pushed him to do this.”
“You’re wrong,” said Martha. “Let me tell you a few things about our Red. When his wife left him with their daughter, she said that they needed someone who was there for them. Pfft! Stupid woman. He was serving his country at the time, and because he couldn’t call home every night, she got insecure and left. She didn’t want Red to reach out to them. She wanted Brittany to have stability.”
“Did she?”
“No. Her mama met another man who was decent enough, but he left her as well when she got all mixed up in a cult. That woman was moments away from selling her little girl to a man who would have abused her forever. No. That’s not something a man like Red would tolerate.
“All those years of sending birthday, Christmas, and Easter gifts. He got no responses. No thank you. Nothing. He checked up on them several times. Flew all the way to the west coast of Canada and made sure they were alright. That man never gave up on his daughter. When he found her, he held her tight, and Brittany realized what her mother had done.”
“That’s terrible. All those years gone.”
“Yep. But they didn’t focus on the years missed. They focused on the years they have to reconnect and be a family. He’s risked his life for his teammates, for his brothers. He’s helped our team here whenever asked. He volunteers to babysit the kids when the adults need a night out. He’s a marvel with children,” smiled Martha.
“That’s amazing,” laughed Shelby. “I bet the kids love him. He’s a big man, so they probably crawl all over him.”
“They do,” nodded Martha. “He’s a good man, Shelby. He’s not a man who would do something just because someone told him to. He’s his own man. Has his own mind.”
“What if I’m not ready for this, Martha? God, I’m asking a ghost about my love life,” she said, shaking her head.
“I might be dead. I might even be a ghost. But I’m here, just like you are. I’ve seen a lot in my life, Shelby. I’ve watched these beautiful men and women fall in love over time. Sometimes in just minutes,” she laughed. “It’s an honor. A complete honor to watch it. To be part of it. I’m going to share some advice with you that Erin gives all the young women who come to us.
“These men, these men protect so fiercely, so devoutly it’s all-consuming. And they love the same way. All-consuming. It’s remarkable to watch and a blessing to be a part of it. If you want my advice, don’t question anything. Just let yourself feel. These are special men, and if you don’t mind me saying so, it will sound a bit conceited on my, on our part, but it takes special women to be with them.”
“Oh, but I’m not, we’re not,” she trailed off. She didn’t say anything for a moment, then looked back at Martha. “Are you here like this forever?”
“Oh, honey. I am here for as long as they need me. This is my home, and it could be yours as well.” Martha turned her head toward the door and smiled. “I believe your date is on the porch waiting for you.”
Shelby stood, seeing him seated in one of the rocking chairs.
“Just like he said he’d be.”
“Just like he said he’d be.” Martha faded away, and Shelby just shook her head, wondering if it was all an illusion or some trick in her mind. In the end, she didn’t care. It was a moment, a conversation that she needed.
Straightening the pretty maxi dress, she pushed back the stray hairs of her ponytail and walked to the door. Before she even stepped out, Red was standing in front of her with a bouquet of flowers.
“Oh my goodness! When did you have time to get these?”
“Shelby, the most beautiful gardens in the world are just down this path. There’s no reason to search for anything more deserving of you.” She stood on her toes, kissing his cheek.
“They’re beautiful. Let me put them in water, and I’ll be right back.”
He nodded, waiting outside the door as she rushed around the kitchen, putting the flowers in water. When she was done, she came back out, taking the hand he offered.
“I hope you don’t mind, but George and Dylan prepared a private spot for us so that we don’t have three hundred pairs of eyes on us,” said Red.
“I don’t mind at all,” she smiled. “That was very thoughtful. But I doubt we’re going to lose all those eyes. They seem to be everywhere.”
Red laughed, shaking his head as everyone gave a small wave or smile in their direction.
“They mean well. I’ve never met a bunch of people who are more excited for weddings, babies, and love.” Shelby blushed, nodding at him. “Oh. I didn’t mean that’s where we’re going, Shelby. I mean. We might be. Who knows.”
“You really mean that? How could you think that? We hardly know one another.”
“I know that you’re a hard-working, beautiful, smart, kind woman. I know that you were there whenever Mr. Houston needed you. I know that you were smart in how you approached that dating app. Otherwise, it could have ended very differently. I know that you’re very sweet with my daughter, and she’s enjoyed her little chats with you.” Shelby let out a beautiful lilting laughter, and Red smiled, realizing how much he liked that sound.
“She’s a wonderful young woman, Red. Bright, beautiful, kind. You’re lucky that she held onto those values even during a very difficult time of her life.”
“I know,” he nodded. He pulled out her chair, the candles flickering in the soft breeze of the warm evening. “If I didn’t say it earlier, you look beautiful.”
“Thank you. You look very handsome as well. Why don’t you use your name? Stanislaus.”
“Oh, well, it just always seemed so ethnic and terribly long. I’ve been called Stan a few times, but that didn’t seem to fit either. Stanislaus is a saint.”
“Yes, I know. He’s the patron saint of Poland, defender of the poor and oppressed. I’d say that’s kind of like you. You defend the poor and oppressed.”
“Don’t make me into a saint, Shelby. I’ve done some things in the name of country that I’m not proud of. I’m proud of most of it, but some of it, I wish I could do over again.”
“Well, for now, you’re my saint,” she said, reaching across and touching his hand. Red linked his fingers with her own, unwilling to let go as they ate their meal.
“Can I ask you where your ex-husband is?” he said.
“Oh. Of course. He still lives in the New Orleans area. I don’t ever see him, but I’ve heard through friends that he’s gone through girlfriends and wives like a madman. I don’t really think about him that often. Not anymore anyway. At first, I was angry and devastated. Crushed, really. Then I woke up one morning and realized I wasn’t really sad anymore. I was just hurt. There’s a difference.”
“I know what you mean. They hurt our pride when they leave us, but we confuse that with sadness or anger. I was hurt when my wife left me, but it was a lot of pride mixed in as well. I considered myself a good husband, a good father. I was defending my country, doing something honorable.”
“For what it’s worth, she was a fool,” said Shelby.
They both stilled, realizing that there was soft music filtering through the air. Looking around, they realized that Mia, Bull, and Amanda were playing in the front of the grove as the team gathered around, dancing.
“How do you feel about joining them?” asked Red.
“I can’t think of anything nicer.”
While the rest of the team stayed together, Red and Shelby danced near the entrance to the gardens. Bull and Amanda sang several soft, sweet songs while the haunting notes of Mia’s violin flitted through the air.
“You’re very tall,” whispered Shelby, staring up at him.
“I can stoop down if you need me to,” he grinned.
“No. No, I think I like that you’re so tall.”
“You’re perfect, Shelby. Absolutely perfect.” He pulled her tighter against his body, slowly swaying to the music. They weren’t sure how long it was before they realized that the music had stopped and the others were gone.
“I think we lost track of time. Although, with all the great food and music and the spectacular company, it was easy to do,” smiled Shelby. “It’s nearly midnight.”
“I agree with that. You’re lovely, Shelby. Everything about you makes me happy. I just don’t understand how any man could possibly let you go.”
“You might not think that when I get really hungry or tired. I’m not a nice person at all,” she laughed.
“No one is nice when they’re hungry and tired,” he laughed. “Let me walk you home.”
They took their time walking the long, winding paths. The soft lights helping them to find their way. Occasionally, someone would be sitting on their porch, giving them a wave. When they reached her cottage, Red walked her to the door, kissing her cheek.
“This was one of the best nights I’ve had in a long time, Shelby. I hope you’ll let me take you out again.”
“I feel the same. I’d like that very much.”
“Goodnight, Shelby.”
“Goodnight, St. Stanislaus.”