Flames
Southern Flames
Brewton, Georgia 1933
The tall, confident lady crumbled like an unsteady footbridge being hit by a wave from the Oconee River. As if it was second nature to him, Matthew reached out and safely scooped her up into his arms. So many thoughts assailed his senses at once as he held her limp body.
She may have appeared poised and arrogant when he first met her at Hawkins Restaurant, but the beautiful lady he now held felt fragile and tired. Very tired, in fact; the dark circles surrounding her eyes prominent.
Vunerable. The word raced through Matthew’s mind as he studied her clean face, no longer painted with cosmetics. Matthew realized he preferred her without the artificial coloring of the eye and lip color. She appeared pure and completely irresistible.
Her scent tickled his nose. At the restaurant, he’d been unable to identify the elegant fragrance cloaking her body. Now, she was scrubbed clean of all the big city smells and only a trace of rosewater clung to her skin. It was intoxicating, and unbidden Matthew felt the first stirrings of an arousal.
He glanced around the classroom, remembering they had an audience, and decided to carry Miss Johnson outside for some fresh air. He nodded to Jenny, who took her seat and smiled at him.
“Have a good day, sweetheart.” He called as he turned to the door. Then, he turned back to the children, “I don’t want to hear anything coming from this room. I am taking Miss Johnson outside for air, and we will be back in a moment. Understand?”
The children nodded.
“Good.” He tipped his head and walked outside with Lily in his arms.
He jumped over the rotten steps to the ground and headed for a stone bench under the huge oak tree in the grassy front yard. The breeze stirred the leaves of the tree and a few mockingbirds began to sing. Matthew settled down with Lily and softly stroked her cheek.
“Wake up. Wake up,” he crooned.
She stirred a little but didn’t awake. Matthew felt unexpected tenderness for this woman and in its wake came raw fear. Ever since Jessica walked out on him and Jenny six years ago, he’d protected himself by remaining casual with everyone. Not getting serious was the answer to not getting hurt. He was serious with his daughter. Jenny was his life! But women – they just equaled heartache.
Yet, this proud, stubborn, vulnerable woman had touched his heart and for a moment he wanted to hate her for that. Him and Jenny were doing just fine, just the two of them. No need to add anyone else to the equation.
“Ohh,” She groaned and cupped her forehead.
Her eyelashes fluttered open, revealing her lush green eyes, like a field of warm green grass on a summer’s day. Matthew could drown in eyes like that. He continued to stare into her mesmerizing orbs as he inched closer and closer to her lips.
“Who?” she squeaked, and then eyes wide, “I beg pardon, Mr. Leigh.”
The spell broke and Matthew stopped himself before he made a big mistake, like kissing Miss Lily Johnson.
“What happened?”
“You fainted. I carried you outside for fresh air.”
She looked so cute when she was flustered, trying to check her bearings and sit up straight, but her head turned white again and she fell back into his arms. He smiled, not minding the feel of her body against his.
“I really should go back inside …” she trailed off and then looked straight into his eyes for the first time since she awoke, “thank you,” she whispered.
Matthew felt the ice around his battered heart melting. He wanted to continue holding her, just like this, without life and obligations getting in the way. Everything seemed so simple at this moment with her in his arms under the oldest oak tree in town. The breeze ruffled her hair which had begun to fall down from the tight pins she had stuck in her head. The honey-colored softness of her tendrils teased his arms as they brushed back and forth in the breeze.
“You’re welcome,” he replied gruffly.
She glanced away, was that regret he saw in her eyes? “I really must get back. They will start fighting one another if I don’t demand order,” she sighed.
He laughed and she shot a stern look back at him. “I’m sorry, Miss Johnson. But I guess you have met the Wellston children. All of them.”
She sniffed. “Of course, I am staying with my friend Ruth at her house, for the moment.”
“Boy, do I feel sorry for you,” he mumbled.
“What was that, sir?”
He sighed. “I didn’t mean no disrespect, ma’am. Miss Ruth is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, but them brothers and sisters of hers are another story entirely.”
Lily sighed and her shoulders slumped. “I know,” she mumbled. Then, tears began to streak her face. “I am just so frustrated. My bag and possessions were stolen so I was forced to stay with Ruth and her family. If Ruth was staying, it may not be that bad, but she will be leaving for Atlanta in a few days.” Then, as if finally realizing who she’d confessed her deep, dark thoughts to, Lily blushed and tried to flee. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Leigh. I should never have – that is to say, I would never have – I mean,” then in frustration she blurted out, “I’m sorry, good day.”
Lily tried to escape into the schoolhouse, but Matthew caught her easily by the arm. She was so small and slender, so unlike his muscular frame. She paused when he touched her and slowly turned to him, uncertainty clearly written in her green eyes.
“Miss Johnson. No apology is necessary. I understand that you are far from home and have no one to talk to but a friend who will be leaving soon. Anytime you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”
Lily stared at him, her facial expression saying that she couldn’t believe such kindness could be spoken from his lips. Matthew began to fidget in front of the schoolhouse, hating the uncomfortable feeling embracing him as she watched him with those beautiful green eyes.
She shook her head and smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Leigh. I appreciate that. More than you know.”
She turned and entered the schoolhouse, but not before glancing back once more and sending him a small smile. Was it his imagination or had Miss Johnson attempted to flirt with him?
