The Pepper in the Gumbo (Men of Cane River #1)(95)

Epilogue


Whoever says

To a loyal woman, "Love and work with me,"

Will get fair answers, if the work and love

Being good themselves, are good for her–the best

She was born for



I, too, have my vocation, –work to do,

The heavens and earth have set me, ―

Most serious work, most necessary work,

As any of the economists'.'"

― Aurora Leigh, Elizabeth Barrett Browning





“I don’t see why I have to dress up. I think a hat and a jacket are enough.” Alice frowned at Charlie as the girl fussed with Alice’s hair.

“I want to get some pictures and I want you to look cute,” Charlie said. She caught Alice’s look. “Cuter, I mean.”

“You have tons of photos of me.” Alice sighed. “I love the Christmas light festival, but I was really hoping Paul could be here.” She held up a hand. “I know he’s busy running a big company. That fact doesn’t escape me.”

“Well, there’s always next year,” Charlie said. “And doesn’t New York have some great parades? You guys can go see something up there.”

Alice nodded, unconvinced. It seemed everybody loved New York City but her. It was so crowded, so noisy. “It’s the festival’s eighty-seventh year, and I just thought it would be so romantic. It took Bix and me all day Friday to put up our lights. I think our building is the nicest.”

Charlie finished Alice’s French chignon and stepped back to admire her work. “You’re ready.” She put her hands together and Alice was alarmed to see tears in her eyes.

“Are you okay?” She stood up from the chair. “Did something happen? I know I’ve been preoccupied with Paul and then I left for that week last month. Is it school? Are you worried about starting college?”

“No, no!” Charlie shook her head. “None of that. And we’re going to be late. Bix and Ruby are holding our seats for the parade.”

Alice frowned as Charlie bolted from the bathroom. She’d been acting strange all week and Alice was worried. Maybe she should reach out to Charlie’s parents and see if they knew anything.

A few minutes later they were headed down the boardwalk. The river reflected the bright colors that draped the buildings all along the waterfront. Long boats floated lazily up and down, their sides and beams strung with twinkle lights. Alice inhaled the chill air of a December in Cane River and she smiled. It was almost perfect. If only Paul― No. She was going to enjoy this night and focus on the people here with her at the moment. She put a hand to her necklace, feeling the warmth of the rings against her palm.

“There they are,” Charlie said, pointing out a familiar straw hat and army-green coat. Bix waved from a chair near the end of the block. Ruby beamed beside him.

“Donne moi un p'tit bec.” Ruby stood up and planted a kiss on her cheek.

Alice started to reply but Charlie stepped in and wiped the lipstick from her cheek. Alice shot her a confused look.

“Pictures,” Charlie said, waving her camera.

“How’s your new grandbaby doing, Ruby? How old is he now?” Alice asked.

“Oh, he’s real fine. And let’s see. He’s not old enough to eat Popeye’s but he can suck on a biscuit.”

She grinned. She could see why Bix got such a kick out of Ruby. They were one of those couples that reminded you true love existed. Her mind went back to Paul and she tried not to sigh. She was as bad as Charlie had been the year she’d been struck with unrequited love for the school quarterback. Paul certainly loved her back, but he wasn’t here. Christmas was a time for family, and she missed him so much she ached with it.

“Bonswe, Alice.”

For a moment, she thought she’d imagined that voice. She turned, eyes opening wide. The next moment she’d launched herself into Paul’s arms.

He hugged her tight, laughing into her hair. “Surprise!”

She leaned back and socked him a few times in the shoulder. “I hate surprises.”

“Even this one?” he asked, and knelt down.

Alice felt the world stop around her. Charlie had her camera up, trying to take shots while wiping her eyes.

“I love you, Alice, probably from the moment you asked me about the books on my shelf. Definitely from the moment you refused to sell me a book even though you had a whole store of them.” His voice was rough. He held out a small box, a ring glinted in the darkness. “Love and work with me, Alice?”

She looked from him to the ring and back. His words slowly filtered through the shock and she laughed out loud. “Oh, you couldn’t just ask me to marry you the normal way, could you? And Aurora Leigh turns Romney down in that poem, you know.”

“Elizabeth Barrett Browning always says it better. And I figured I’d take my chances.” He was grinning. He knew her answer before she spoke.

“Yes,” she whispered, trying hard to make herself heard. “I’ll love and work with you.”

Bix and Ruby let out a cheer, and Charlie almost dropped her camera as she clapped. The tourists around them turned to look and soon they were surrounded by a crowd of well-wishers. Alice didn’t recognize a single face, but they were all celebrating with the two of them as they stepped out in faith.