Page 106 of Texas Glory
Mr. Leigh stepped into the hallway. “Come with me, boy.”
Taking one last look at all the fine and pretty things in the room, he slowly walked into the hallway. Mr. Leigh was standing beside an open door that led into a corner room.
“Stop dragging your feet. My wife is anxious to see you.”
Rawley’s heart felt like the fluttering wings of a butterfly he’d once cupped in his hands. Mr. Leigh knew the truth about him—he could see it in his eyes—and he was still going to let him see the pretty lady. He hurried into the room before Mr. Leigh could change his mind.
Then he stumbled to a stop.
The lady was sitting in the bed, looking like an angel. She smiled softly and held out her hand. “Rawley, I’m so glad you could come visit me.”
He edged closer to the bed, and she waved her hand. “Give me your hand.”
He shook his head. “I ain’t clean.”
“That doesn’t matter.”
He knew she thought he was talking about dirt, but he was talking about something so filthy it touched his soul. Tears burned his eyes when he shook his head this time.
Mr. Leigh walked to the other side of the bed and stood near his wife. “It’s all right, Rawley.”
Rawley dared to lift his gaze. Mr. Leigh nodded.
He took a step closer and touched his fingers to the lady’s hand. She closed her hand around his. Her hand was warm and soft and swallowed his. He wondered if his ma’s hand had been like this.
The lady tugged gently and he moved closer. She brushed her fingers over his brow. He’d never been touched with such gentleness.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
He nodded. “The boxes didn’t fall on me.”
“I’m glad.”
He suddenly remembered all the screaming that had been going on, all the blood, all the yelling about the baby. “Where’s your baby?”
Tears welled in her eyes, and Mr. Leigh dropped his gaze to the floor.
“He’s in heaven,” she said quietly.
“I’m sorry,” Rawley croaked as the tears he’d been fighting to hold back burst through. “I’m sorry.”
She drew him close and pressed his head against her bosom. “It wasn’t your fault.”
But he knew it was. If only he hadn’t cried out. He knew better than to cry out.
The lady rocked him back and forth while he cried. He didn’t know he had so many tears. When he stopped crying, her gown was wet but she didn’t seem to care.
For the longest time, he simply stood beside her and let her hold his hand.
When the lady fell asleep, he helped Mr. Leigh bring the blankets up to her chin. Through the window, he could see that night had fallen. He followed Mr. Leigh through the house, through big rooms, until they came to the kitchen.
Austin sat at a small table, slurping stew.
“Sit down, boy,” Mr. Leigh said.
Rawley slid into the chair. He was embarrassed when his belly growled like an angry dog. Austin smiled at him. Mr. Leigh put some stew into a bowl and placed it in front of him.
“Go on, boy, eat,” Mr. Leigh said.
