Laura's Second Chance (Widows of Virginia 2) Read online

  Laura volunteered to wash the dishes, all the while still avoiding Robert’s gaze. Susan and her husband moved to the patio in the garden taking Robert with them. Laura welcomed the momentary solitude. She had no idea what to say to Robert. Hopefully, something would come to mind while doing the dishes.

  But the plates and cups and bowls were soon clean, and she still had no idea how to approach the subject. She dragged her feet a little longer and took the cups she had dried to the cupboard.

  “Hi!” Susan poked her head inside and Laura almost dropped the tea cups.

  “You gave me a scare.” She leaned against the kitchen cabinet.

  “I bet I did.” Susan gave her a teasing smile.

  “What?”

  “You didn’t tell me Robert was such a nice man. Handsome, too.”

  Laura chuckled. “I - I wasn’t expecting to see him.”

  Susan sighed. “I think I owe you an apology.” She cast her eyes downward. “I was being unreasonable when I used your pain over my brother’s death against your relationship with Robert. You have the right to move on with your life and that’s what I want for you.”

  Laura gaped.

  “What relationship?”

  It was Susan’s turn to wear a confused frown. Laura quickly placed the cups in the cupboard and wiped her hands in her apron.

  “Oh Susan, no, you - you didn’t do anything wrong.” Laura was eager to clear up the confusion. “And Robert and I - we - we don’t have a relationship.”

  Susan smiled. “Well, maybe you should.”

  “Sue!” Laura should have felt offended by the suggestion, but somehow coming from Susan’s mouth it made Laura laugh. After all this time, after all this worrying about Susan judging her, it was her friend who was actually suggesting something like this!

  “Why don’t you give it a try?” Susan smiled. “It may be what you need. I know Anton would want you to be happy. Even if it is with someone new.”

  Laura felt a pang of pain take over her chest. It wasn’t why she wrote back to Robert… Was this really what Anton would have wanted for her? To move on and find a new life, and perhaps a new love? She hurriedly wiped away the tears threatening to roll down her cheeks.

  “No crying.” Susan scolded her.

  Laura looked up to see her friend wiping her own tears. “I’m not.”

  “You know what? I’ll take care of the store today.” Susan patted her shoulder. “Get some fresh air and show him around. He might like it here.”

  “Should I?”

  “Why not?”

  Laura hugged her sister-in-law as the band around her chest loosened. Susan was her best friend, her only family, and Laura didn’t want anything to come between them, not even - not even Robert.

  She patted her hair.

  “You look fine,” Susan said, winking.

  Laura smiled and went out to the patio, where she found Robert silently scribbling on a piece of paper. He immediately stood up upon seeing her.

  “Hello, Laura.”

  “I, uh… I’m sorry about yesterday and this morning. I am being a bad hostess.” She smiled.

  There was no escaping now. The sooner she talked to him the better. So many questions she had for him... How he was doing? Had he decided to travel with his father? Or stay behind to keep working on their farm? Had he found someone to love… The last thought made her blush.

  Robert smiled. “It’s perfectly fine. After all, it was I who turned up unannounced.” He directed his gaze to the seat beside him. “Won’t you sit with me?”

  Laura took a deep breath, careful not to look like she might bolt any minute now. "Of course.”

  “It must have been a surprise to see me yesterday,” Robert continued. “I admit I was torn between just replying to your letter and seeing you for myself.” He smiled at her. “It’s been such a long, long time, Laura.”

  Her cheeks flushed. “Three years. I’m glad to see you after all that time.”

  “That’s a relief.” He let out a sigh before taking a deep breath. “I was starting to regret coming here.”

  The edges of her mouth dropped down. “Oh.”

  He looked at her, his eyes wide, and he hurriedly said, “No, not like that! I was - afraid that my presence would be a nuisance. I regret whatever discomfort I may have caused you.”

  “Oh no,” Laura said, waving a hand. “It’s fine. There was - there was no discomfort. None at all.”

  Except for the awkward silence with Susan and the worry that hadn’t let her sleep for weeks…

  Laura bit her lip. “Have you been around Newport News yet?”

  Robert shook his head. “Why? Are you going show me the best parts of town?”

  Laura smiled. “If you’re up to it.”

  He put on his hat and stood up ready to go.

  “Lead the way, milady.”

  * * *

  They started slow, just breezing through the beautiful scenery as they walked around town. Robert asked about new establishments, they spoke about how the city differed from the frontier towns in the West, and how Laura had fared the past few weeks. Their feet brought them to the nearby river, flowing clear and sparkling under the bright late summer sun.

  She sat on a bench on the grassy riverbank and he joined her. But not too close, always the gentleman.

  “I was sorry to hear about your husband’s death.” Robert suddenly said.

  “Thank you,” she replied staring out into the distance.

  Another moment of silence passed. Something rustled beside her and she turned to look at Robert just as he took out a medium-sized book and a charcoal pencil form his coat pocket.

  “Would you mind?” he asked, gesturing at the small book. “I’d like to draw you. You looked so… peaceful just a moment ago.”

  Laura’s eyes widened and a blush blossomed on her cheeks. She remembered younger days out in the park, looking at a sketch book of Robert’s drawings.

  “Me? I – I don’t think…” Birds. Trees. Families. People on the streets. When Robert was still courting her, he showed her drawings of such beautiful places and things. Why would he want to draw her?

  “I haven’t seen you in a really long time,” he said, avoiding her gaze. “Because you’re beautiful. I’d like to draw a portrait of you. Only if you’re comfortable with it, of course.”

  Laura looked down at her dress and patted her hair. “All right.”

  He started sketching. She watched the pencil darting up and down, dancing across the pristine white paper, his eyes glancing up at her from time to time as he drew. She held her breath, not wishing to give him a hard time by fidgeting.

  He raised a brow at her and chuckled. “You can move, you know.”

  Laura blushed again, feeling foolish. She let out a deep breath. “Oh, all right. Thank you.”

  “So how’s your sewing business going?” he asked, deftly shading in a fold of her dress.

  Laura looked over at the river. Nearby a train of ducklings tentatively followed their mother into the water. They were swimming - just about - just like her business was just about prospering… “It’s fine. Although I could do with more customers.”

  “Business isn’t booming, I take it?”

  Laura shook her head. “There are more and more mercantile and sewing shops sprouting up every month. Lots of competition.”

  “But you love it here.”

  It was more a question than a statement, but it sounded like he wasn’t sure to assume such a thing.

  It made Laura doubt herself. Did she still like it here in Newport News?

  “It’s where I’ve lived for most of my life,” she said, dusting off imaginary dirt from her dress.

  “That doesn’t really answer my question.” He looked up at her, smiled, then handed her the portrait.

  “Oh, it’s beautiful,” Laura whispered, running a finger lightly on the curve of her paper counterpart.

  “But not as beautiful as the real thing.”


  She looked up, and their eyes met. Warmth swelled up in her heart. She hadn’t heard many compliments since her husband died. In fact, she’d never had company like this since Anton’s passing.

  “How…” he began, then wet his lips. “How would you like a change of scenery?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Come with me.”

  Laura’s jaw dropped. She searched his face for a hint of mirth, a joke, but there was only – openness.

  “I – I don’t know what to say.”

  “I won’t force you.” He placed the book down on the bench between them. “But I’d like to offer you a fresh start.” At her confused expression, he continued, “With me.”

  A painful sting in her gut nearly rendered her speechless. Laura floundered for words, and clenched her fingers around the piece of paper in her hands.

  She took a deep breath. “What are you saying exactly?”

  He opened his mouth, then closed it.

  “It’s time,” he finally said. “It’s time to move on.”

  Chapter Three

  She had told him she needed time to think about it. But deep inside she knew already. By the time she got home and told Susan about her day, her mind was pretty much made up.

  Only with making that decision did she realize the relief it brought her. She had been falling into an abyss so deep she only saw darkness, yet no one, not even Susan saw what was really happening to her. Laura had hidden her anguish too well. There wasn’t a single thing in her life in Newport News that didn’t remind her of her beloved Anton. A fresh start could be her salvation.

  Tears welled up in Susan’s eyes when she told her that night, after dinner. But to Laura’s surprise Susan didn’t beg her to stay.

  “It’s time,” she echoed Robert’s words, enveloping Laura in a warm embrace. “It’s time for all of us to move on.”

  The next day Susan and her husband helped her pack a few things. Not too many though, as she was adamant it was just a holiday. A brief respite. Will I like it in the West? Would I want to stay there? She wondered, as they waved her goodbye. She waved back holding off the tears, unlike Susan, who let them flow.

  * * *

  Gables, California

  Laura strolled through the overgrown garden. A few flowers poked their heads above the weeds, but the place needed a lot of work. Rather than upset her, it actually made Laura excited. She loved garden work and the peace it brought to her mind.

  Robert’s garden proved to be one of the few things similar to her home town. She thought back to the journey and the strange sights on the way. She hadn’t travelled much before, so when the dark busy streets were replaced by the open space of fields and meadows she stared out the wagon window like an innocent child amazed by all around her. She was less impressed when the green fields gave way to dry earth. As the wagon rolled to its destination they left a dust cloud trailing in their wake.

  The town was different too. Instead of brick houses and tall buildings, shacks and small wooden houses greeted Laura in Gables. By the time they had arrived at Robert’s farm, her mouth was dry and her dress coated with dust. Not a great start.

  “Mrs. Bennet?” A young voice brought her back to reality from her musings.

  “Arthur.” Laura turned to the young lad who ran errands for Robert.

  “Mr. Smith invites you to join him for tea.”

  “Oh, thank you, that’s very kind of him.” She smiled at the boy and went inside the house.

  The huge two-story building surprised her at first – it was far too big for just one man to live in. Filled with old furniture – antiques from what she could gather, it spoke of better times. She noted a few cracks in the walls and ceilings visible despite what looked like new paint. And the floors looked recently scrubbed, but worn with age. No doubt it once held grandeur, but it had decayed through time and poor maintenance.

  But while the building might have seen better days, the inhabitants seemed cheerful and warm. Arthur’s mother – both a housekeeper and a cook – instantly grew fond of Laura.

  “He’s inside, Mrs. Bennet,” Arthur joined her inside and jerked his head towards the end of the hallway and the big door. Light fell through the upper half made of tinted glass capturing the dust floating in the air.

  “Thank you.” She smiled at the boy, knocked gently and cracked the door open.

  Robert’s office reflected his personality – weathered, but artistic. He sat behind a large oak table, an island of clean space in an otherwise cluttered room. Her eyes wandered from bookshelf to bookshelf, from painting to painting, until they settled on her host again.

  Robert looked up as soon as Laura entered.

  “You must think me a dreadful host.” He smiled and waved at the paperwork stacked in several piles in front of him. “I leave for a few weeks and there you see… Some of the matters were quite urgent.”

  He cleared his throat and rose from his seat.

  “But I didn’t want to miss a chance to have a chat. And surely even a busy man deserves a tea break.”

  He walked up to her and gestured to a small, round table near a large window overlooking the garden. Plates were already set and the sight of a large pile of treats made her mouth water.

  “How’re you faring?” He asked pulling back a chair for her. Such a gentleman…

  “Quite all right,” she said sitting down. “It’s a lot to take in. But it was nice to stretch my legs after all the travel. I wondered how I could make myself useful here. After all I don’t want to be a burden on you.”

  “You could never be a burden Laura.” He took a bite from a muffin.

  “Maybe…” she ignored his remark, as the way he glanced at her made her blush. “Maybe, I could tend to the garden?”

  Robert chuckled. “Right, that’s a great idea. I have to admit I didn’t know what to do with it since my mother died.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry, Robert. Maybe I shouldn’t have brought up the garden.”

  “Don’t worry.” He reached for another treat. “It’s been a while.”

  Robert poured them some tea and handed her a cup. He leaned back in the chair opposite Laura and sipped his tea.

  “We haven’t had the chance to talk,” he finally said in a more serious tone.

  “Aren’t we talking now?” Laura smiled, a shiver running down her spine, as he looked at her unblinkingly.

  “No. I mean really talk.” He leaned forward, placed his cup on the saucer and sneaked a glance at her, before continuing. “You – you haven’t changed much since last I saw you.”

  “Oh?”

  “Still as beautiful.”

  “Oh, come now. You’re being too nice,” she said, cheeks burning. “I have aged... As have you.”

  “Really?” He looked down at himself and coughed into a closed fist. “Well, I hope it’s not too bad.”

  Laura choked on her tea. She set the cup down on the table. “Now Robert, don’t be so modest. I’m sure women have batted their eyes at you more than once. What with your fine physique and… and…”

  Realizing what she had said, Laura stopped, a reddish color spreading across her face. She cleared her throat.

  “Now, would you stop with the flattery? I’m too old to fall for that.”

  “Age is just a number. What matters most is the heart and soul. And yours don’t seem to grow old.”

  She couldn’t help but smiling, he always had a way with words.

  “With that smooth tongue of yours, it’s hard to believe you’re still unmarried.”

  He shook his head, chuckling.

  “Don’t you laugh now, Mr. Smith.” She wagged her finger at him. “I remember how easily you wooed my friends with your little tricks. And then you left them hanging and heartbroken.”

  “Those were the old days,” he said with a clouded expression in his eyes. “I was young and foolish, and I regret having made some of them cry. They certainly didn’t deserve having their hearts broken by a scound
rel like me.”

  Even though she had joked, and even though she knew he knew, he still felt the need to clear it up. That serious note in his half-joking tone made her pause.

  “And then you just had to leave for Europe. Travel with your father… See the world,” she teased.

  “But my heart never left,” he said. “It chose to stay.”

  His statement and the look on his face stole her breath away.

  “Do you wish to know where I left it?” Robert continued, peering closely at her.

  Yes. She wanted to know. But she was also afraid.

  “Robert…”

  He knelt in front of her, and she gasped. This can’t be happening! Not on my first day…

  “Here.” He reached for her hand and clasped it in his. “This is where I left it.”

  “Please don’t do this now.” She couldn’t look him in the eye. His touch sent chills down her arms.

  “And I wish to know if my heart will be welcomed – or crushed.” He turned his bright eyes at her.

  “I can’t give you an answer right,” she blurted out and immediately snatched her hand away. She looked away from the disappointed look on his face. “Please, you have to understand. This is all a bit sudden.”

  Was it really? She asked herself seeing the obvious clearly as the light of day. She had just been blinded by her sadness. Of course, with what Susan had suggested the thought had crossed her mind. But even then she thought of a gradual reunion of old friends that maybe, just maybe turned into something more over time… It should have been obvious from his letters, from his visit, that it wasn’t quite what he had in mind.

  Robert stared at her for a few minutes before standing up. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so forward.”

  They finished their tea in awkward silence, which after a while turned into meaningless small talk. When Arthur came to pick up the dishes a while later Laura was eager to return to the garden for a breath of fresh air.

  Robert stood up to get her chair.

  “Thank you,” Laura whispered as he guided her out of his office.