The Devil is a Gentleman

5

I walk in and set the fruit on the counter and give Mama a hug while she listens with smiling eyes as Conner gushes with excitement over Tom’s promise to help and supply wood. She eventually has to stop him though as he starts planning in circles. “Hey how about you go wash up and give little Hope a bottle before it’s time to eat.” She says and his eyes get huge at the thought that he almost forgot to feed her. Connor rushes to give Mama a peck on the cheek before heading up the stairs with a bottle in his hand. Mama and I both chuckle and then we settle into our usual routine of prepping the table and meal for dinner. Tonight, we are having stew, so I really don’t have much to do since it has been cooking for a few hours already. I help set the table with our spoons and bowls before heading out to wash up.

I go back in the house to grab Connor and make sure he gets clean, then we all hang out reading some books until Papa gets home. After about twenty minutes lost in our stories, I hear the door open up and we all look to see Papa striding in laughing with Lucas on his heels. After marking our books, we head in to sit at the table and Mama offers Luke to eat with us. He accepts and pulls out the chair for Mama, right after she sets another plate setting down before coming to do the same for me. I notice the giggle Mama tries to stifle and in turn try to hide my own blush.

Settling into my chair, I feel Luke’s hand brush across my shoulder ever so lightly and the heat on my arm gives me goosebumps. Trying not to shiver, I readjust in my seat and glance around the table to make sure that no one is watching me. Everyone has settled into comfortable chatter and the only eyes I catch pointed my way are those deep brown pools hidden behind thick lashes. The second my gaze meets his, however, Mama speaks up drawing his attention back to the conversation that they were having. I look back down to my bowl and push a carrot around before finally giving in to my hunger and taking a bite.

We all eat our meal while casual conversation is had about the meeting today at the mines. Since every family has some share in holding the mines, Lucas met with the men working directly, to discuss ideas of pricing for a whole buyout that would make everyone happy. From the way they are carrying on it seems he found a number that pleased all the men involved. I am having trouble focusing on the details as my mind drifts for the possibilities that could come from everyone selling and potentially moving. Where would we go? How many of our families would stay together? We have all lived as a tight unit for quite some time now and I don’t know what it would be like to be away from our little town. Being so lost in my thoughts I completely miss when I am asked a question until I hear Papa sternly say my name. “I’m sorry I must have been lost in thought. What was the question?” I ask looking to every adult at the table.

Mama chirps excitedly, “Liz honey! We asked you what you thought of the mine selling and where your dream destination would be to move” I look back down at my now empty bowl and try not to give away my worry. “I don’t really know. I mean there’s lots of places in the world that I would love to see but traveling isn’t really on the table so-“

“It could be…” Lucas intercedes. Everyone turns to look at him with his outburst and he recovers quickly, “Forgive my being forward, but if traveling is among your dreams, I would be more than happy to help make those dreams come true, but only with your parents’ permission of course.” He says looking toward Papa specifically. Papa glances at me and then to Mama who is nodding at whatever thought they are all getting at. I feel like I am missing something, but it doesn’t take long to be filled in as Connor jumps to the first conclusion he can.

“Hey now. Just cause you’re nice and have money… it don’t mean you can court my sister and take her away from her home.” He says with his hands on his hips in a matter-of-factly tone. My eyes widen at the realization that this is exactly what he meant by his offer, and I feel my cheeks get warm knowing that they must be tomato red. Mama jumps up to scold Connor, but Lucas raises a hand in her direction as he turns to the little spitfire, “I would never take her from her home or her family buddy. She is a gem, however, and I can be man enough to admit my interest in courting her. I would never force her hand in any way though. I want her to know, though, that she does have the option if she pleases. I would go to the ends of the earth to see her gorgeous smile and adorable blush cross her face day in and day out.”

I glance up trying to hide my now flaming blush only to catch sight of his hand coming across the table to lift my chin. “Don’t ever hide that beautiful face my dear. I dare say that I am filing for you and your charm. I am only asking for the chance to show you, my intentions.” He asks caressing my cheek lightly with his thumb. Before I can respond Mama squeals in delight. “Oh my baby girl! You have your first suitor! And who would have thought it could be a man as charming as Lucas here!?” she says gleaming. I don’t love that all the attention of the table is now directed at me and I look back down at my bowl to not have to meet everyone’s faces. “Uu-uhm” I start mumbling so instead I clear my throat not wanting to seem weak. “I will consider the offer you have just put on the table.” I see a fiery glint in his deep brown eyes that doesn’t match the smile on his face, and it almost makes me take back my words completely. “I do ask, though, if I could have some time to think about it thoroughly?” The fact that I keep my voice steady makes me proud of the woman I am growing to be. I look at Mama and Papa who both nod in understanding and then to Lucas who looks like his pride has taken a hit.

“Of course, my dear. As I said I am in no way going to force your hand. Take all of the time that you need. In the meantime, I do hope that this doesn’t change anything of my relationship with the townsfolk?” he asks looking over to Papa. Papa shakes his head. “Of course not. You came here to help a small town, one can’t help if he thinks he finds love in the process.” That puts a comfortable smile back on Luke’s face and I take the opportunity to excuse myself. “Mama, Papa, may I be excused? I have finished my meal and would like to go for a walk before bed if that’s okay?” they both nod and I give them kisses on the cheek before going to shake Luke’s hand as I leave.

Catching me off guard he holds my hand up to his lips and kisses my knuckles lightly. “Be safe, love. We wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to you. But if you need me don’t hesitate to call.” He says looking deep into my eyes with his own. I nod curtly and then walk by Connor and ruffle his hair up before giving him a hug. “See you for a bedtime story?” I whisper in his ear and his smile tells me that he agrees before I walk away. I stride to the door and outside without so much as another pause and then once outside I head straight for the Smith’s stables hoping to find my best friend.

“Tom?” I whisper yell as I get past the stable and near his bedroom window. I listen for a few seconds and try again. With the second call I hear him rustling around in his room. “Elizabeth? What are you doing here? Ain’t it time to be in bed already?” he asks rubbing his eyes. I look down and stammer a bit wondering how I should go about this conversation. “Yea, it’s bedtime, but I have a dilemma and really needed to talk to my best friend?” I half ask hoping he won’t mind the time if I lay it on heavy.

“Ok gimme a second and I’ll meet you in Merrywhether’s Stall.” He says with his head now out the window. I nod and head for the stables again. Once I get to the stall, I climb up the built-in ladder that leads to our little corner in the loft. The second I sit down on a hay bale I hear Tom climbing his way up. As he reaches the top of the ladder, I reach my hand out to help pull him up quicker. “What’s goin’ on Liz? We haven’t had to come out hear in quite a long time.” He says looking at me with concern on his face. “I really don’t know how to explain what happened at dinner tonight, but my mind is just everywhere.” I look over to Tom and he waves me on without a word. I sigh deeply before just getting to the point.

“So Papa came home with Mr. Jehoan again today. They were talking about how the sale of the mines may be underway soon since he discussed it with all of the men working today. I guess they had talked numbers and most everyone was eager to go home with the offer that was on the table.” I look up and see Tom scratching his chin as if he thinks the mine selling is the problem at hand. “That’s not it, Tom. It gets weirder… I got lost in thought about what will happen to our town if everyone does agree to sell, then I missed when Pa asked what I would want to do if WE sold. they were wondering where I’d wanna go and such. Honestly though I couldn’t answer. I said there would be lot’s of ideas of traveling that cross my mind but I didn’t admit my fear of losing our community. I mean we are all basically family after how things went the last few years.”

Tom nods that he is following so I continue. “When I gave that answer and mentioned travels, I did admit that that idea really wouldn’t be an option as the sale would never provide enough for a family to just travel endlessly. And that’s when it all happened… Lucas said that it was in fact possible for me to see the world…” I trail of not really wanting to admit the next part allowed even though it is the main issue. I look down at my hands until Tom reaches out and gives them a squeeze, “Liz traveling would be amazing, I don’t see what could have been wrong with all of this?” he asks more than says.

“The way I could travel is where I am confused. Well, not confused, or upset just, I really am not sure about any of it.” I look up to meet Toms eyes, “Oooookay?” He draws out the word waiting for my words to seal this fate that I am unsure of. With another sigh I give in to just spitting it out, “Lucas said I could travel the world… with him…”

“Wait as in with him with him?” I nod. He even asked for Mama and Papa’s blessing in courting me. I mean sure he is a charming man but I don’t know him. And as nice as traveling sounds I love the life that I have in my quiet town with my favorite people. I certainly don’t want to accept his offer purely over the fact that he has money. That isn’t who I am!” I find that I am almost shouting as I finish what I’m saying, and I couldn’t be more thankful that we are in the loft surrounded by Hay bales acting as a sound barrier. I now let the weight of what happened settle and I feel my shoulders sag from the pressure of the words. “What do I do, Tom? I asked for time to think. I mean I’ve never thought much about my life beyond schooling, I mainly always just imagined we would keep our little town afloat and all of us kids would grow old together eventually. No one really ever comes in or leaves, not that it couldn’t EVER happen but I haven’t given that possibility much mind….Tom?” I finally stop my rambling and look over to see a rather angry looking Thomas.

“I can’t believe that guy would actually think he could swoop in and BUY your love! People don’t do that! Well some people do but YOU don’t! That is preposterous! You can’t tell me you actually are considering this?” he asks sounding almost pained. I look at my hands again. “I don’t know Tom. I have no idea what to do. I don’t want to lose the life I have but if everyone sells I’ll lose it anyway, won’t I? and who says any of us will stick together beyond our immediate families if we all leave this town? I would love to travel sure, but that isn’t even why I am considering the offer. Most of the girls a few years older than us have had to move out of this town to find love as it seems. Luke is really sweet, and he is such a gentleman, so in a way I feel comfortable with the idea of his courting. Maybe he would make a good Bo… but again, I really don’t know.”

Tom looks stoic but I can see some hurt in his eyes as everything I have said sinks in for him too. He rubs the back of his neck, “Liz you’re right. We don’t know what’s gonna happen here in the next month or so. I really don’t know what to tell you to do though.” As he finishes speaking, he let’s out a deep sigh and yawns right after. I reach to pull him into a hug. “I’m sorry, I just felt like I would lose my mind if I didn’t talk to you. I still don’t know how to feel but getting it all out of my mind helps. We should head on to bed. Goodnight Thomas.” I say pulling back from the hug. “Night Liz.” he says kissing my cheek before heading down the ladder and out of the stable. I follow close behind and head for my house noticing that all of the lights are out in my house. I walk in and get a match off of the counter to light a candle so I can see my way up the stairs to bed. As I curl up under the covers I blow out the flame and settle in to sleep.