When Sean woke up the next morning he still had not come up with the right words to say to Marita. He wanted to tell her about Bonnie but he still did not know how. He hoped she would not be upset or mad with him for something he had done in the past. As Sean lay in bed thinking of the right words to say to Marita, he found himself wishing he could turn back time and undo what he had done.
If only. If only he had pursued after Marita more aggressively after the kiss in the barn. If only he had insisted that she give them a chance. If only he had remembered how much he did love Marita when he had first seen Bonnie. If only he had refused her invitation to her room. If only he had buttoned up his britches and ran out of her room. If only he had thought about how being with Bonnie would hurt Marita. If only.
But he had done none of those things and now he was faced with his past indiscretion. And that indiscretion could hurt Marita deeply. He had to tell her the truth. No matter how bad she would be hurt because he knew that if he kept this from her, it could damage their marriage beyond repair and he was not about to let that happen. He just needed to find the words.
After praying and reading his bible, Sean got out of bed and washed his face. After dressing, he headed downstairs. Marita and in the kitchen standing at the stove.
"Morning" Sean said as he walked into the kitchen.
"Good morning" Marita turned and looked over her shoulder and gave him a bright smile.
Sean looked at the beautiful smile then looked into her beautiful eyes and wondered how he would tell her something that could hurt her so deeply. He would have to find a way because not telling her would be an even bigger betrayal than the one he had already committed by being with Bonnie.
"Arr Arr" Sean-Michael waved to his father.
"Hey" Sean said as he walked over to table. "What are you doing under there?" he asked Sean-Michael who was standing under the table.
Sean-Michael smiled up at his father then turned his attention back to examining kitchen table leg. Sean sat down and watched him while he waited for breakfast. As he watched Sean-Michael, he was again amazed that this little human being was his. His and Marita's. He looked up at Marita, who had just turned from the stove toward him. She was magnificent and she was all his. He had to go ahead and tell her about Bonnie and get it over with.
"Marita" he said.
"Yes" she smiled at him as she sat the plate of hotcakes on the table.
When he looked at her smiling face and her bright eyes, Sean's courage left him. He did not want to see disappointment, disgust or loathing in those beautiful eyes. He only wanted to see love and in that instance he decided to wait for another time to tell her.
"I love you" he said instead.
Marita's eyes lit up like they always did whenever he said 'I love you'.
"I love you too honey" she said then bent and gave him a sweet kiss.
When Marita lifted her lips from his, they smiled and looked into each other's eyes for a moment. Sean could not tell her today. Maybe he would try to somehow prepare her for the news.
"Coward. Just tell her" SM
"I can't. Not right now" SH
After breakfast, Sean left for the warehouse and Marita did her chores around the house before going up to Ned's.
*************************
Bonnie had gone to sleep and woken with one thing on her mind - Sean Logan.
She had to have him, especially after seeing him. He was even more handsome, even more alluring than he had been the first time she met him. He was every woman's dream. And he had been in hers all night long. It did not matter that he had a wife. It did not even matter that he thought he was in love with her. She knew that she loved him and she had to have him. No matter what. And Sean had to love her. It was the only way he would ever be truly happy. If he would just surrender to the strong attraction between them then he would see how right they were for each other.
As she lay in bed, her mind began to formulate a plan to lure Sean back to where he belonged - in her bed. How could she convince Sean that she was a prize worth opening? He was a man and men were basically all the same. They could not resist an attractive woman who was more than willing to give them what they wanted - sex. And she was definitely more than willing. She would use charm, flattery and her unclothed sexual beauty to lure him. Bonnie smiled confidently as she imagined Sean caught in her web as a spider catches its prey. And he would be a delicious meal.
When Bonnie finished fantasying about Sean, she got out of bed and prepared to go out. She had gone down to the hotel diner and ate breakfast before leaving to see if Sean was in his office. Unfortunately for her, he was not in the office and she decided to visit some of the town's shops.
While in one shop, a patron entered and Bonnie heard the clerk's greeting.
"Good afternoon Miss Logan"
"Good afternoon Mr. Wiles" Alice smiled, then went about her shopping.
Bonnie watched Alice for a few moments and noticed her resemblance to Sean. This could be his sister, she thought.
"Miss Logan?" Bonnie said as she walked up to Alice
"Yes."
"Would happen to be related to Sean Logan?"
"Yes. He's my brother."
"I'm Bonnie Moore, an old friend of his" she said as she reached out her hand to Alice. "We met years ago. I'm in town doing research for a new novel and he's the only person in Lexington I know. The last time he telegraphed me, he had said he was married and I wanted to see him and meet his wife but I hadn't been able to find that brother of yours" she laughed. "He's never in his office."
"Have you tried the warehouse? If he's in town he's usually at his warehouse."
"His warehouse?"
"Yes, he owns S&M Tobacco and he grows tobacco and makes his own cigars."
"Well I've got a lot to congratulate him on. His marriage and owning his own business" Bonnie laughed.
"Since Sean's the only person you know here and if you don't have any plans this evening, why don't you come out to the house for supper? The whole family will be there. I'm getting married Saturday and my sisters-in-law wanted to give me a special supper tonight." Alice said, thinking she was inviting a friend of Sean's to supper.
"Oh! Congratulations" Bonnie smiled. "But I couldn't impose on you and your family on a special occasion like that."
"You wouldn't be imposing and we'd love for you to come. Especially since you don't know anyone else in town."
"I had heard about southern hospitality but didn't believe that it really existed" Bonnie smiled.
"Well, it does" Alice said proudly. "And you are welcome to come to supper."
"Really I can't tonight because I've already planned on doing a lot of writing. But my calendar is free on Saturday" she grinned, hinting for an invitation to the wedding.
"Good" Alice smiled back. "Then I'll be expecting you at 3."
"I'll be there. Oh and if you don't mind, would you please not mention to Sean that we spoke. I'm going to try and see him before Saturday and I want to surprise him."
"I won't say a word." Alice said.
"Thank you. Sean's going to be so surprised! And I'm looking forward to meeting his entire family."
The women chatted for a few more moments and Alice gave Bonnie directions to the farm. After they were finished talking, they continued their shopping. When she left the shop, Bonnie again went by Sean's office but he still was not there. She decided then to stop in at the town diner and have lunch. When she walked into the diner, a smile broke out of her face. Sean was there. Then her smile faded as she saw him smile at a woman then sit down with her.
Bonnie stood, unseen, and observed them for a few moments then decided her best move would be to leave. This must be Marita she mused as she watched the two smile at each other and laugh together. Should she go over to them? No, not now. The time was not quite right for her to introduce herself to this Marita. She wanted to speak with her one-on-one and determine the type of woman she was. Was she timid and demure or was she confident and bold?
Then Bonnie took in Sean's wife's physical characteristics. Bonnie thought she looked to be a prim and proper lady. Her dark hair was pinned up and it contrasted with her ivory skin. Her pert, straight nose spoke haughtiness but her smiling eyes spoke kindness. She was attractive, but Bonnie believed that her attractiveness had just as much or more power to lure Sean Logan to her. Then Bonnie wondered if she was willing to do whatever it took to satisfy Sean in bed.
After Bonnie finished assessing her competition, she left the diner. Later that afternoon she ventured back to Sean's office.
****************
KNOCK KNOCK
"Come in" Sean called out.
"Hello" Bonnie smiled.
Sean looked up at the voice. What would it take for this woman to understand that he had no intention of being with her?
"Bonnie..."
"Before you say anything, I'm just here visiting an old friend" she said as she came inside. "We are at least friends aren't we?"
"Look Bonnie..."
"Sean, if you love your wife as much as you say, I'm not a threat" she challenged. "Besides, you're the only person I know in town and I was hoping you would at least offer me some southern hospitality."
"I have NOTHING to offer you."
"What are you afraid of Sean? Could it be that you still want me as much as I want you?"
Sean looked at her and wondered what had ever attracted him to her.
"I think it's time for you to leave" he said in disgust.
Bonnie smiled to herself because she thought he was afraid. Afraid that he would succumb to her womanly charms.
"You know" she said. "I often think about that afternoon we spent together in Louisville. I've never had a lover who made me feel the way you did" she flattered him. "You really are the best I've ever had."
"Bonnie" Sean said forcefully. "I want you to leave and I don't ever care to see you face again!"
"Are you sure about that?" she persisted.
"Positive! Now get out!" he raised his voice.
"As you wish" she turned toward the door. "But remember" she turned back to him. "The key will be waiting for you at the lobby desk" she said, reminding him of the last time she left him a key.
Sean watched as she walked out and closed the door. What a nightmare! He hoped she got the message and would leave him alone but deep down inside he knew he had not seen the last of her.
*****************
Alice's wedding was in two days and everyone at the farm was busy making sure everything was in order. They were also busy trying to calm Alice, who was a bundle of nerves. Marita was busy not only taking care of her own responsibilities and Alice's also. Lexy took on the care of Sean-Michael to help lighten Marita's workload but Marita was still exhausted by the end of the day. Sean had decided to wait until after the wedding to tell Marita about Bonnie. He did not want to have that situation weighing on her and possibly ruining the mood for his sister's wedding.
*****************
On Friday, Bonnie again went to Sean's office. She wanted to see if Alice had kept her word and not said anything to Sean about her. When she knocked on the door, she did not get the shouted 'Come in' and was about to turn and leave but the door opened. Bonnie was slightly taken back seeing the colored woman standing in the doorway. Who in the world was she? Surely not Sean's secretary. Maybe she was the maid.
"Is Sean Logan here?" she asked.
"Not right now. May I help you?"
"I don't think so" she smiled. "When will he be in?"
"He should be here any moment. Would you like to wait for him?"
"Yes I would" Bonnie said then walked inside.
"Please, have a seat" Marita motioned toward a chair. "Would you like some tea?"
Marita had suggested to Sean that he keep coffee and tea for citizens who came by to see him.
"No thank you" Bonnie said, wondering whom this woman was. She seemed very comfortable playing the part of hostess.
When Marita went and sat down behind Sean's desk, Bonnie knew then that this woman was very comfortable.
"Do you help Mr. Logan around here with the chores?" Bonnie asked.
"You could say that" Marita laughed lightly.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door and it opened.
"Marita" Alice said.
Marita?! Bonnie blinked twice and was blown over. She thought the brunette with the ivory skin was Marita Logan. THIS was Marita? Marita Logan? Surely a colored woman did not have what it took to completely satisfy a hot-blooded Irishmen like Sean Logan. Surely a colored woman could not offer him more than she could.
"Oh, excuse me" Alice said when she saw the woman sitting in the chair.
"Come on in Alice" Marita said.
Bonnie plastered a smile on her face to cover her shock then turned toward Alice.
"Well, hello Alice."
"Miss Moore" Alice smiled. "I see you've met Marita so does that mean you've caught up with Sean?" she said as she walked over to the desk.
"Well, actually, no. And" Bonnie said as she turned back and looked at Marita. "Marita and I haven't been officially introduced. Marita" she extended her hand. "I'm Bonnie Moore, an old friend of Sean's. I'm in town doing research for a new novel I'm writing and Sean is the only person in Lexington that I know. I wanted to surprise him and meet you. He had telegraphed me awhile ago and told me he had gotten married. And I am please to finally met you."
Marita was take back by the friendliness of this woman. Usually when people discovered she and Sean were married the best they would get was a slightly disapproving scowl. But this overt friendliness was a reaction that she had never before received.
"I'm please to met you Miss Moore" Marita returned. "Sean hadn't mentioned you were in town."
"Oh, he still doesn't know I'm here. I never seem to stop by here at the right time" she laughed.
"Marita" Alice interrupted. "I came by to tell you that Sean said he wouldn't be able to make lunch with you. Apparently Clay HAS to see some horse in the next county and he wanted Sean to ride over with him."
"Alright" Marita said. "How much longer are you going to be in town? Did you want me to wait for you?"
"No you don't have to if you need to get back home" Alice said then turned to Bonnie. "And you're still coming tomorrow, right?"
"I wouldn't miss it. It looks like that's the only way I'll get to see your brother."
"OK then. I'll see you tomorrow. Marita I'll see you when I get home."
"Alright Alice" Marita said as Alice walked out of the office.
After Alice left, Bonnie contemplated whether she should let Marita know, in a round about way, that she was an intimate acquaintance of her husband's. Would it help her cause to drop a few words that would plant suspicion in her mind? She also wondered who the woman was that she had seen Sean with in the diner. He seemed awfully familiar and friendly with that woman. Could it be that Sean had a colored wife and a white mistress? It was always the other way around. And if that woman was indeed his mistress, then he was not the faithful, noble man he wanted her to believe he was.
"You know, it's interesting" Bonnie said.
"What's that?"
"You... and Sean being married. I mean you're colored and he's white" she said, stating the obvious. "How did that happen, here in the south?"
Marita had never been directly asked such a question and it surprised her initially. Sean had always been a part of her life and marrying him was very natural to her. Even if he was white. But now she was boldly confronted with the fact that her marriage to Sean may be natural to her but to some it seemed one of the most unnatural events known to mankind. As Marita pondered a response, Bonnie spoke.
"Oh please forgive me if I'm prying. When I was a child, my mother always said I talked too much and asked too many questions but you're story could be a very intriguing subject to write about."
Marita smiled as she thought of another child who fit that description.
"You sound a lot like Lexy, Sean's youngest sister" Marita said.
"How did you and Sean met?" Bonnie asked.
Bonnie knew that slave owners had dalliances with their slaves and wondered if Sean's family owned Marita's family. But Marita was not old enough to have been born in slavery. She also spoke well and seemed to have been trained in social etiquette. She also seemed to have a sense of confidence and pride that was not a common trait among most colored people.
"We've known each other practically all our lives. We grew up together" Marita said, then gave her a quick history of how their fathers had become friends in the war and how Marita and her father ended up in Lexington.
"Interesting, very interesting" Bonnie said, thinking of the friendship between a colored man and white man that had apparently been strong enough to endure a marriage between their children.
"Do you think I could one day get your whole story. Yours and Sean's and try to develop a novel?"
"I'd have to talk to Sean first."
"I understand. I guess it is a touchy subject with some people" Bonnie said. "Well, I don't want to keep you" she said as she rose from the chair. "I'll be getting back to my room and try to break through this writer's block I have."
"Do you have any plans for this evening?"
"The only plans I have are to try and write and I'll probably have supper brought up to my room."
"We're having a surprise gathering for Alice this evening. We're having a light supper and will be giving Alice some bridal gifts. You're welcome to come."
"You and Alice are too kind" she said in an exaggerated voice. "She invited me to the wedding, now you're inviting me to her party."
"We'd hate for you to be alone if you don't have to be."
"Is this a girls only party?" Bonnie asked, wanting to know if Sean would be around.
"Yes" Marita laughed. "The men have been banished."
"Are you sure I wouldn't be imposing?"
"Absolutely not. Since she's already invited you to her wedding, I know she wouldn't object to you're coming to her bridal party."
"Alright then. I'll come" Bonnie said.
"We'll be at my house at 7. Do you know your way to the farm?"
"Yes, Alice gave me directions."
Marita then gave Bonnie directions to her and Sean's house.
"I'd better go and find a gift for Alice" she said as she walked toward the door. "And I'll see you all at 7."
"Alright, we'll be expecting you" Marita smiled.
******************
Bonnie had arrived by carriage promptly at 7. She was stunned to see the brunette from the diner sitting on the sofa, then she was introduced to her and learned that the woman she initially thought was Marita was Vivian, Sean's brother's wife.
Lexy had asked Alice to ride with her to take Sean-Michael home and that is how Alice got to Sean and Marita's house for her surprise gathering. She and Lexy walked into the great room, each holding one of Sean-Michael's hands. 'Surprise!' was Alice's greeting and she was shocked because she had no idea, no inkling that this was planned. Marita, Vivian, Bridgett, Anne the cook, Virginia, Harry Griffith's daughter and Bonnie were there. Alice began to chatter her surprise while the ladies smiled at her.
Bonnie looked down at the baby and wondered if he was Alice's. He certainly had the Logan features. In fact, he bore a remarkable resemblance to Sean. Bonnie then watched as the baby let go of Alice's and Lexy's hand and ran to Marita. She picked the baby up and kissed him then put him back. It couldn't be! That couldn't be her baby. He's white!
As the jovial conversations floated around her, Bonnie watched as the baby then went back to the young lady whom she correctly assumed was Lexy. Her eyes followed Sean-Michael as he walked hand-in-hand out of the room with Lexy.
"He's not your little one is he?" Bonnie asked Marita.
"Yes he is" Marita said proudly and Bonnie had to keep her total shock of that news concealed.
"What's his name?"
"Sean-Michael."
"How old is he?"
"A year and a half."
"He looks like a precious little baby" Bonnie said.
"He is" Marita smiled.
Bonnie never had motherly instincts. She had never wanted children but all of a sudden her vivid imagination began to conjure up a picture of her, Sean and Sean-Michael together as a family.
"Marita" Lexy called from the great room entrance. "Aunt Eleanor needs you in the kitchen."
"Excuse me" Marita said to Bonnie.
"Whose she?" Lexy asked Marita when she reached her.
"A friend of your brother's" Marita answered as she walked past Lexy.
"Who Sean or Clay?" Lexy and Sean-Michael followed after Marita.
"Sean"
"What's she doing here?"
"Lexy, that's not nice" Marita scolded.
"Well, she's not Alice's friend so why's she here?" Lexy reasoned.
"She's in town doing research for her new book and she doesn't know anybody but your brother. Alice invited her to the wedding. She was at Sean's office today and I invited her to the party."
"Why" Lexy wanted to know. Sometimes she thought Marita and Alice were too nice to strangers.
"It's called being nice to people young lady" Marita said as she picked up a tray of food and put it on the rolling cart.
"What's her name?"
"Miss Bonnie Moore" Marita said as she pushed the cart out of the kitchen.
"Lexy, baby" Aunt Eleanor said. "Take that punch in there would ya?"
Lexy's interrogation of Marita about Sean's friend had come to an end and she obediently did as Aunt Eleanor asked.
When Sean and Clay rode up to the house, the Griffith's carriage and one of Jeremy's carriage for hire were sitting in front.
"I guess the ladies are still in there" Clay said. "Hey there Harold" Clay spoke to Jeremy's driver.
"How you doin' Mr. Logan."
"You waiting for one of the ladies?" Clay asked.
"Yeah. They said they was finishing up and would be out shortly."
"Alright then, you have a good night."
"You too."
Since the ladies were about to end their party, Sean and Clay decided to go on in the house. As Sean entered the foyer, the ladies were filing out of the great room. Alice, Vivian, Virginia, Bridgett, Anne, Lexy, Marita, Bonnie. Bonnie! Sean saw red as he watched this woman smiling at Marita. Had she lost her mind! What was she doing in his house! And WHAT was she doing talking to his wife!
"Sean, Clay" Alice smiled at her brothers. "You made it just in time. We just finished our little party."
Both Sean and Clay were looking at Bonnie in disbelief and did not comprehend what Alice had said to them.
"Clay honey" Vivian touched his arm. "If you don't mind, Bridgett and Anne need to be seen home."
"That's fine" he said as he looking to Vivian then turned his gaze to his brother. He noticed Sean gritting his teeth and wondered what he was about to do.
When Bonnie heard Sean's name, she panicked for an instance, then recovered. She would play out the lie she had told Alice and Marita about not having seen Sean. Then she realized Clay knew she had indeed seen Sean. She would chose her words wisely and hope that Sean would stop Clay from saying anything that would expose the lie she had told Alice and Marita. She did not think Sean wanted their past revealed in front of this group of people.
"Sean!" she said brightly then started walking toward him.
To Be Continued...............
