isn’t the answer. I don’t know what the answer is, but there has to be a way that won’t cause any more grief.”
“You ain’t got a better solution, have you?” he bellowed. “Tell you one thing,” he jabbed at the air, “if we Southerners don’t stick together, we’re gonna be grovelin’ in the dirt, eatin’ worms to keep from starvin’!”
Holly could feel enough pity to dissipate her anger. Sincerely, she told him, “I wish I could help you, but I can’t. I don’t want more trouble, I just want to be left alone. I’m afraid I’m not a crusader.”
She turned away, and this time he didn’t try to stop her. “You’ll change your mind,” he called after her. “They ain’t gonna leave you alone. And you’ll come crawlin’ to us for help. You’ll see. We all got to stick together, else they’ll trample us into the ground.”
She quickened her pace, lifting her skirt above her ankles, relieved when his voice faded away. She nearly ran when she got within sight of Abby’s home.
Chapter Nine
Claudia had been keeping an anxious vigil, and she threw her arms around Holly. “Oh, thank God! I was afraid something like this was going to happen.” She stepped back to study her. “Ever since I heard, I’ve been a nervous wreck. What did happen? I want to hear everything.”
Holly had dreaded this moment. “Whatever you heard, believe me, it wasn’t that bad. I just had some prowlers, and I wounded one of them. It’s over, so let’s forget it and have a nice visit.”
Claudia knew by that set look on her daughter’s face that she was in one of her stubborn moods. Nothing would make her talk until she was ready. Forcing herself not to press the point, she motioned Holly to follow her upstairs. “Come along, then. I’ve got something to show you, something you’re going to love.”
Holly dutifully tagged behind her mother. Entering her room, she was stunned to see the creation her mother gently lifted from the bed.
The dress was made of delicate spun silk, the bodice a soft shade of lavender. The neckline was cut quite low, with tiny satin ribbons to serve as straps that would drape gently off the shoulders. A sash of darkest purple hugged the waist, while the skirt began its cascading drop in the same shade, blending to softer and softer hues of lavender to the hem. Small, crocheted rosebuds dotted the layers of netting overlaying the skirt, each rosebud framed in delicate dark green leaves.
Holly’s reaction made Claudia very happy. “It was made especially for you in New Orleans by a real French designer from Paris. With your hair and eyes and these colors, you’ll look like a fairy princess.” She clapped her hands in childish delight.
Abby came in just then and cried, “I know just how to style your hair, too. High rolls of curls swept up off your neck to show off the jewels Claudia borrowed for you.”
At that, Holly knew something was going on. “All right, you two, what’s the secret? Where on earth did you borrow jewels?”
Claudia busied herself arranging the dress on the bed. Without looking up she began, “It was Jarvis’s idea—about the jewels. When he saw the dress, he remembered he had an exquisite sapphire necklace with matching earrings in Mr. Garrington’s safe at the jewelry store. He said they’d be stunning with the dress.”
Holly folded her arms across her bosom and nodded thoughtfully. “And the dress? Who paid for it? And what’s the occasion?”
Claudia and Abby looked at each other and broke into giggles. They threw their arms around each other, and Abby cried, “You might as well tell her, Claudia. You can’t keep it a secret. That isn’t fair.”
Claudia stepped back and shook her head. “Not now.” To Holly, she apologized, “I’m sorry, dear, but I can’t tell you anything now. There’s a very special party tonight. Jarvis and I were planning to surprise you by going to see you today and insisting you come back to town with us
“You ain’t got a better solution, have you?” he bellowed. “Tell you one thing,” he jabbed at the air, “if we Southerners don’t stick together, we’re gonna be grovelin’ in the dirt, eatin’ worms to keep from starvin’!”
Holly could feel enough pity to dissipate her anger. Sincerely, she told him, “I wish I could help you, but I can’t. I don’t want more trouble, I just want to be left alone. I’m afraid I’m not a crusader.”
She turned away, and this time he didn’t try to stop her. “You’ll change your mind,” he called after her. “They ain’t gonna leave you alone. And you’ll come crawlin’ to us for help. You’ll see. We all got to stick together, else they’ll trample us into the ground.”
She quickened her pace, lifting her skirt above her ankles, relieved when his voice faded away. She nearly ran when she got within sight of Abby’s home.
Chapter Nine
Claudia had been keeping an anxious vigil, and she threw her arms around Holly. “Oh, thank God! I was afraid something like this was going to happen.” She stepped back to study her. “Ever since I heard, I’ve been a nervous wreck. What did happen? I want to hear everything.”
Holly had dreaded this moment. “Whatever you heard, believe me, it wasn’t that bad. I just had some prowlers, and I wounded one of them. It’s over, so let’s forget it and have a nice visit.”
Claudia knew by that set look on her daughter’s face that she was in one of her stubborn moods. Nothing would make her talk until she was ready. Forcing herself not to press the point, she motioned Holly to follow her upstairs. “Come along, then. I’ve got something to show you, something you’re going to love.”
Holly dutifully tagged behind her mother. Entering her room, she was stunned to see the creation her mother gently lifted from the bed.
The dress was made of delicate spun silk, the bodice a soft shade of lavender. The neckline was cut quite low, with tiny satin ribbons to serve as straps that would drape gently off the shoulders. A sash of darkest purple hugged the waist, while the skirt began its cascading drop in the same shade, blending to softer and softer hues of lavender to the hem. Small, crocheted rosebuds dotted the layers of netting overlaying the skirt, each rosebud framed in delicate dark green leaves.
Holly’s reaction made Claudia very happy. “It was made especially for you in New Orleans by a real French designer from Paris. With your hair and eyes and these colors, you’ll look like a fairy princess.” She clapped her hands in childish delight.
Abby came in just then and cried, “I know just how to style your hair, too. High rolls of curls swept up off your neck to show off the jewels Claudia borrowed for you.”
At that, Holly knew something was going on. “All right, you two, what’s the secret? Where on earth did you borrow jewels?”
Claudia busied herself arranging the dress on the bed. Without looking up she began, “It was Jarvis’s idea—about the jewels. When he saw the dress, he remembered he had an exquisite sapphire necklace with matching earrings in Mr. Garrington’s safe at the jewelry store. He said they’d be stunning with the dress.”
Holly folded her arms across her bosom and nodded thoughtfully. “And the dress? Who paid for it? And what’s the occasion?”
Claudia and Abby looked at each other and broke into giggles. They threw their arms around each other, and Abby cried, “You might as well tell her, Claudia. You can’t keep it a secret. That isn’t fair.”
Claudia stepped back and shook her head. “Not now.” To Holly, she apologized, “I’m sorry, dear, but I can’t tell you anything now. There’s a very special party tonight. Jarvis and I were planning to surprise you by going to see you today and insisting you come back to town with us
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