The Whippoorwill Trilogy - Sharon Sala Page 0,274

himself about the woman who lived up there.

“Mind if I tag along?” Robert Lee asked. “Just to pay my respects to the mother and all?”

Eulis smiled, pleased that Robert Lee would think of that.

“That would be just fine. The mama’s name is Alice Mellin. She’ll be real honored you wanted to come.”

Robert Lee fell in single file behind Eulis’ horse. The silence between them was one of reverence. There was nothing to be said that was more important than the little box riding on Eulis’ saddle. The absence of bird song and squirrel chatter only enhanced the gravity of the procession.

About halfway up, the drizzle stopped. An easy breeze appeared, slipping lightly between the water-laden leaves, sending a shower of droplets flying to the forest floor. As it continued to blow, the thick gray layer of rain clouds seemed to thin, then dissipate, as they blew faster and faster across the sky.

When they were about two hundred yards from the top, T-Bone came to meet them. He barked once, and then fell into step beside Eulis, trotting quietly beside him all the way to the house.

To Eulis’ surprise, all of the women were sitting on the front steps. Eulis took notice of the fact that Letty was even wearing a dress, and realized that she was determined to have this funeral as proper as she knew how.

Robert Lee tried not to stare, but he’d never seen Letty in anything but men’s pants and shirts, and seeing her all soft and feminine like this made him weak at the knees. The only thing that helped him maintain composure was the seriousness of the day.

When the men came to a stop, Alice stood up. Her face was streaked with tears, but her expression was stoic.

Eulis nodded at her, then caught Letty’s gaze. Without saying a word, she knew he was pleased with the way she had dressed.

Robert Lee was speechless. Before, he’d been taken by her intensity and strength, but today was the first time he’d seen her and thought “woman.” He decided his wisest strategy would be to pay his respects to the grieving mother, meet the little girl they’d taken in, and say hello and goodbye to Letty, all at the same time.

He tied his horse to the hitching post. With Eulis holding one side of the horse’s bridle, and Robert Lee the other, they walked the horse with the tiny coffin to the back of the house where the grave had been dug.

Alice took Katie’s hand.

“Will you walk with me?” she asked softly.

Katie nodded solemnly. She knew what dying meant. She’d witnessed her whole family’s demise. For the first time since her arrival, she met Alice’s gaze without flinching.

Together, they walked off the porch and fell into step behind the horse.

Letty brought up the rear, unable to look at the little coffin without remembering those few precious moments when she’d held Baby Mary in her own arms. Her heart was aching for the waste of it all, and could only imagine what Alice was feeling.

When they reached the grave-site, Robert Lee held the horse while Eulis untied the coffin. Then together, they took a rope and lowered it into the hole.

It wasn’t until the little box was resting at the bottom that Alice started to cry—softly, but steadily—shoulders shaking—clutching her belly as if remembering she’d held her baby there far longer than she’d ever held her in her arms.

Katie looked nervous, and leaned against Alice, then ducked her head and closed her eyes.

Letty’s throat was burning, as were the tears at the back of her throat. She knew if she ever let out a sob, she’d never be able to stop crying.

Robert Lee saw her distress, and had to walk away into the trees to keep from putting his arms around her.

Eulis cleared his throat and began a simple eulogy.

“Lord… this here’s Baby Mary Elizabeth Mellin. She didn’t have much of a chance here on earth, but I reckon she gave her Mama a lot of joy. We don’t want to give her up, but we’re a trustin’ that You know what You’re doin’, so here she is. And… if You don’t mind… Baby Mary’s Mama is in need of some of Your strength. Amen.”

“Amen,” Letty echoed, then swiped at her face with both hands, angry that she’d lost control of her emotions.

Eulis picked up the shovel and began covering up the grave. No one spoke. No one moved. It took far less time to put the dirt back,