Page 104 of Magnolia Summer

“Father will be gone back to Tennessee tomorrow. Can I call on you then?”

“Of course.”

Someone was coming. Celia tried to pull away, but Truett pulled her closer and plastered himself against the wall, deep in the shadows. Whoever it was walked on by without noticing them.

Truett took another deep breath of her. She smelled of lilac soap and Celia. A wonderful combination.

“I love you,” Celia whispered.

Truett kissed her hair. “I love you, too.”

“Truett?” His mother called.

Celia stepped back, out of his embrace. Truett let her go. She squeezed his hand and hurried away.

* * *

The next morning,Celia was finishing the breakfast dishes when she thought she heard a horse snorting out front.Let it be Truett!She dried her hands on a towel and went onto the front porch.

Truett sat on the wooden bench. “Where is everybody?”

Celia was all fluttery inside at seeing him again. She couldn’t help smiling.

“They’re all out back. Mama’s hanging out the washing and Lizzie and Will are playing with Harley and Tempie.”

“Good.” He reached out his hand to her and pulled her onto his lap.

“Truett Beverly!” She giggled in spite of herself. “What would our mothers say?”

“Do you want to know?”

“No, I think not.” Celia smiled, grateful to be alone with him. She straightened. “But what about your wound? Am I hurting you?”

He shook his head. “It doesn’t hurt, not when you’re near.”

He was teasing, but he didn’t look like he was in pain. She snuggled down against his shoulder.

He sighed deeply. Celia imagined all the things he was feeling, all that he was releasing in that sigh. She didn’t think words were sufficient, so she lifted her hand to his face and stroked his jaw, enjoying the feel of the prickly stubble against her fingers.

“I got a letter today from James and Almira,” Truett drawled softly.

“Already?”

“Yep. They stopped off in Kentucky. James knew a preacher there who would marry them. When he sent the letter, they were on their way to Ohio.”

“Is that where they’ll live?”

“James knows a community there where they’ll be accepted. It’ll be a little easier for them in Ohio than it would be here.”

“That’s wonderful.” Celia rested her head on his shoulder again. How happy Almira must be now. It must be so wonderful to marry the person you loved.

“Let’s get married tomorrow.”

Truett’s words sent a tingle down her spine. “You know we can’t. Your family will want to gather for the wedding, all your Tennessee relatives, they’ll all have to be notified, and—”

“I know.” His fingers brushed her cheek.

It was hard to talk, with the way he was staring at her lips. But they needed to talk. “I found a woman who will help out with the twins when Will and Lizzie go back to school in a week.”