"How are my girls?" Adam said, as he entered. He went to Eugenia and kissed her gently on the forehead and Eugenia watched closely to see if he and Nell exchanged that look that Eugenia had just begun to notice of late. Her heart skipped a few beats when they did. Eugenia knew that look so well. A look of knowing, familiarity. A look only exchanged by lovers. But no, she had to be wrong. Not her Nell. And not her Adam. She hadn't felt anything amiss when she and Adam made love. Surely he still loved her. They had been so good for each other, in so many ways.
"Busy day, hon?" she asked, hating it when her voice broke a little, afraid they would see her suspicions.
Adam stood in front of the fire, with his back turned to it. He pulled a cigar from his front shirt pocket. After wetting the end, he stuck it between his lips. "Yep," he answered. "Got the horses lookin' sleek as snot."
Iris covered her mouth and giggled. Nell sat in silence, her eyes telling it all, as she continued to watch Adam.
"Key will have supper ready shortly," Eugenia said, rising, going to Adam. She put her arm around his waist, a silent reminder of who it was he was supposed to be in love with.
"One big happy family." Adam laughed gruffly.
Yes, Eugenia thought to herself, one big happy family. It had taken some doing to get Key to return to this house, even though Frederick and Clarissa were no longer a part of it. But once he had returned, he had never cooked better. Each evening was a surprise. Always gourmet. No other cook could even compare.
"I've got to leave for a while, hon," Eugenia said abruptly. "Alison called a short while ago. Some trouble with the colored women. A strike of some sort."
Adam drew deeply from his cigar, then let out a huge puff of smoke. "Dammit you say," he grumbled. "Women strikers? Sure as hell never thought I'd see the day."
"I should run on over there now, Adam," Eugenia said, touching him gently on the chin. It was stubbly, a trace of whiskers had just begun to show a planned beard.
"Even before supper?"
"I only waited this long so I could check it out with you. I've already sampled Key's meal. Enough to get me by. Be prepared for stuffed capons."
"Stuffed who?" Adam laughed.
"Capon," Eugenia said once again, laughing also. "You'll soon see. I hope you'll enjoy." She gave Nell a nervous smile then turned to leave.
"You're serious," Adam said, following after her. "You're really leavin'."
Eugenia went to the hallway closet and pulled her cape around her shoulders. "Hon, you know I'm usually serious. About everything I do and say."
"Want me to go with you?"
"No. I think I can handle it."
"Now don't you walk. Take the carriage. Too much meanness on the streets after dark."
"Yes, love," Eugenia purred. "So glad you still care."
"I've told you. Many times. I'll always care."
"Kiss me good-bye?" Eugenia asked, needing more reassurance. Hi
s response was swift, kissing her brusquely, making her head begin to swim.
" How's that from this ol' cowboy?" he chuckled.
Eugenia swung the hood up over her head. "Whew!" she said, breathless. "I'll be back for more later." She could still hear him laughing when she went to climb into the carriage.
As the carriage carried her down Myers Avenue, she could feel the crispness of the air, but hadn't yet seen the snow's arrival on her mountain. She knew that the time was fast drawing near when she would have a chance to return to her parents' homestead, but as each day passed it became more and more doubtful that she would return. Too many things demanded her personal attention. One day she would return.
Stepping from the carriage, she stopped to take a look upward. The lights twinkled from each window. All appeared to be well inside this house of girls. Then she looked toward the small house in back. It also appeared to be functioning normally. She had no idea what Alison could have meant about a strike. She hurried on up the steps and when she opened the door, she found six colored girls sitting, waiting for her in the main parlor.
Alison rushed to Eugenia, frowning, wringing her hands in front of her. "What should I have done?" she began, looking back over her shoulder, eyeing the dark brown eyes moving along with her.
Eugenia swallowed hard, not having ever been confronted before by a bunch of colored girls… on strike? She threw her cape aside and entered, looking at each of them individually, assessing them, wondering. Then her eyes came to meet with Clarissa's. A coldness surged through her, and she knew that it was she, Clarissa, who had stirred up the trouble. It had taken Clarissa almost a full year, but now she had the other colored girls on her side. Eugenia hated to hear the demands. She went and stood in front of the fireplace, facing them all.
"Now what's all this about?" she asked firmly, frowning in Clarissa's direction.