The Devil is a Gentleman

2

Chapter 2-

I wake up to the sound of dishes clattering in the washbasin. I sit straight up in bed to see that Hope is back in her crate and Connor is petting her gently. “Hey bud, what time is it?” I ask through a yawn. He looks up, “We just finished dinner about ten minutes ago. I thought I’d come up and feed Hope. I’m going to give her a bath tomorrow.” He smiles proudly. I return a half smile before remembering I am supposed to go with dad. “Hey! Did dad already leave for the church?” I ask and Connor nods. “He said if you felt better and woke up before dark, that he could still use the help.”

I toss my blankets back. “Thanks, bub. I’m feeling a lot better actually, so I’ll see you later!” I finish in a shout as I head down the stairs. I run over to Mama and she smiles asking if I am feeling better. I nod and she doesn’t waste any time, “Well go on and take these cookies down to the church. They need your sewing talents.” She said handing me a paper sack with cookies in it. I kiss her on her cheek and take off out the door and down the road.

It’s only about three blocks to the church so I get there in about 10 minutes and as I see the church come into view, I see Papa just going inside. “Papa!” I shout trying to catch up. He turns around and smiles at me, then he opens the door wider for me to go in as, I approach. I walk past him into the church and see Sandra rushing for to give us both hugs. “Elizabeth! You made it! oh thank goodness. I was worried you were too sick to be here tonight. But since you are here, let’s get these curtains sewn up and knocked out, shall we?” I look up at Papa and he nods before turning to the window that a few others are still patching. I place the bag of cookies on the alter so that they are fair game to everyone.

“Mama sent cookies for ya’ll. So eat em up!” I giggle. I walk over to the curtains that need patched and see why they wanted the help. The one curtain is almost shredded completely. It is going to take more, fine threadwork to make them look usable. I grab the worst curtain and walk over to the front pew and sit down. Once in my spot, I pull my sewing kit out of my dress pocket and start pinning the pieces back together. As I place the last pin, I start to get the weird feeling of being watched again.

I look around the church room, but everyone seems to be hard at work on their own projects. I shrug off the feeling and thread my needle. Before I can get the first stitch in, I am pulled from my task by a voice I haven’t heard before. “Hello everyone. How can I help?” he asks in what I would say is the most smooth and velvety voice I have ever heard. I turn around to see a handsome stranger wearing a tan suit and top hat. Papa climbs down from the ladder he is posted on and walks over to shake the man’s hand. They talk as if they already know each other before Papa asks him to man the ladder on the outside so they can get the small circular window on the front of the church set in place. He nods before removing his hat. He sets the nice hat on the back pew and then unbuttons and slides off his suit jacket. The man is gorgeous, and I can only hope he doesn’t catch me staring. I try to look back down to my stitching, but I can’t help to glance up under my lashes as he unbuttons his shirt sleeves and rolls them to his elbows. The fabric pulls taught across his chiseled muscles and I can’t help but wish I could just touch him. I shake the thoughts in my head away and get back to work on the curtain I am mending.

After about an hour of sewing, I hold the curtain up to look it over. Half of the fixes can only be noticed from up close. The rest are all almost invisible. “if you didn’t see the damage you would never know it had been repaired.” That voice says from behind me. I jump being startled by the sudden presence pulling me from my own little world. I turn and look at the man with big eyes. He must notice he surprised me because he extends his hand in a friendly manner before saying, “I’m sorry if I scared you. I am Lucas Jehoan. Your sewing talent is magnificent.” He smiles and looks at his hand then back to me. I shake my head realizing I am acting foolish and I reach out to shake his hand. “I’m Elizabeth Dooley. It’s a pleasure to meet you sir.” He smiles and pulls my hand to his mouth kissing my knuckles. “the pleasure is all mine.” He says before letting my hand go. “Dooley, huh? So, I assume your father is George over there?” I nod.

“Good man.” He says. “Well, you have done an excellent job fixing the curtain. I do hope you have a good rest of the day Ms. Elizabeth.” He tips his hat to me, making me realize that he is fully dressed again. I turn to look at the window and see that all of the hard labor seems to be done on the church now. I take the curtain over to Sandra who is almost finished mending the other of the matching pair. She smiles brightly looking over the one I have finished. “Oh, Lizzy! This is beautiful. Thank you so much for your help!” she exclaims pulling me down to her level for a hug. I return the hug and turn to the alter to grab a cookie.

I take a bite as I wave goodbye to Sandra and Pastor Lyle. They both wave back as I head out the door and towards home. The sun is starting to set casting the sky in various glorious colors. ‘it’s beautiful’ I think to myself as I let my eyes scan the horizon while my feet carry me towards home. As soon as I see the house, I set my sights on the front door rather than the sky and a small chill climbs my spine. The feeling of being followed floods me so I pick up my pace a tad and rush into my house, slamming the door behind me. Before anyone can ask me what is wrong, I rush up the steps into my room. I yell ‘goodnight’ down the stairway before climbing into my bed and covering my head with the covers.

I lay there a couple minutes before I hear the front door open and I hear two voices. The first is of Papa as he comes in and the second is that of Lucas. Every word that he says sounds like note in a melody. He just has a voice that draws you in. I don’t let myself get lost in my thoughts so I can focus on the conversation downstairs. “Howdy ma’am. I’m Lucas Jehoan, but you can call me Luke if you please. It’s nice to meet you.” I hear Mama gasp a bit. “Well nice to meet you too Luke. I’m very glad to hear my husband was able to get plenty of hands on board at the church. If you don’t mind me asking where are you from? You have such an interesting accent.” He chuckles lightly. “I guess you could say I am from all over. I have been traveling for as long as I can remember.”

“Oh well that must be an exciting life. How does one afford that?” I hear Papa intercede, “Annabelle, that’s not polite to ask our guest.” Before Mama can apologize Luke steps in again, “It’s quite Alright George. I come from a wealthy family and I have been traveling for a while investing in small towns like yours. I try to buy businesses and such, of course paying exceptionally and allowing prior ownership the opportunity to keep running the place. But I provide the funds to help those businesses grow. The depression took out quite a few places and I have been trying of late to help get those folks back on their feet.”

“So, what brings you to our town? We don’t have any businesses. We barter and trade within the community to make sure everyone has what they need since we are so far out from the next city. The mines bring in money as we sell coal to the railroad, but I wouldn’t call that much of a business.” Mama chuckles lightly as she finishes talking. My interest has peaked and I decide I am going to go down to join everyone. As I step out of my bed and head for the top of the stairs, I hear Luke saying something I would never imagine. “Well I am planning to offer buying out the mines. If everyone in town wants to continue life as usual they can, but I am planning to offer a hefty penny to each and every family in the town so that you all can have the chance to move on to a nicer life beyond this small town.” I gasp as I hear him finish his statement and the attention of everyone shifts to the stairway where I stand.

“Oh I’m sorry. I didn’t realize we have company. I just came down for a glass of water.” I mumble crossing the room. Papa speaks up, “Liz this is Luke.” I nod, “Yes. I met him at the church before I left. It’s a pleasure to see you again, sir.” I say nodding his way. Without missing a beat, he replies, “The pleasure is all mine my dear.” Before I can get sucked into his allure Papa speaks up once more. You will have to fill a pitcher at the well sweetie. Your brother drank the last of the pitcher before he went over to Nash’s to spend the night with his boy James.” I nod and walk into the kitchen and grab the pitcher from the counter.

I walk out to the spicket and pump the water to fill the pitcher. As I bend down to pick the pitcher up I feel like I am being watched again. I bristle up and look around me, but everything seems darker than normal. I spin on my heels to walk back inside and before I can take a step, I feel an arm around my waist while another covers my mouth. I start to scream but the sound is muffled by the hand. “SSHHHH. It’s okay. It’s just me.” Tom whispers in my ear.

“What in the world are you doing? Are you TRYING to give me a heart attack?!” I whisper yell, punching him in the arm. “Geeze okay. I’m sorry. I didn’t really want to scare you. I just wanted to come see how you’re doing since I ain’t seen you since you left the school house.” I cross my arms, “well I am fine. Thanks for the concern but I want to get back to my glass of water and bed. Goodnight Thomas.” I say matter-of-factly and stomp off to the front door. once I put my hand on the handle I sigh. I smile and give Tom a small wave, so he knows I won’t be staying mad at him. His smile stretches across his face and he turns to head back over to his house.

I walk back in the house and fish a glass to fill up for myself then I head back through the living room to head to the stairs. “Goodnight all.” I say as I walk past my parents and Luke. Papa and Mama stand and come over to hug me before sitting back down to continue the conversation. “Goodnight Ms. Elizabeth. Sleep well dear.” Comes trailing up the stairs behind me. As the words run through my mind, I feel myself getting really tired. I sip from my glass and then sit it on my table. I curl up in bed and it seems if the second my head hits my pillow, I am asleep.