Yelling, while pounding on the solid wood door, made her angry. “Are you a child who needs a spanking? Open this door before I have the entire workforce wondering what their spoiled young master is up to this morning.” She paused. “Do you hear me, Daniel McAlister?”
Gwen heard the deadbolt pull back, and a fully dressed man greeted her with a stupid grin plastered on his face.
“Do you actually think this little stunt is a victory?” Gwen asked.
“It made you fuming mad, so I think I’ve made headway.”
“You did nothing of the kind. All you did was allow your breakfast to get cold.” She picked up the tray and pushed past him. “And you will eat every bite, even if I have to jam it down your throat.”
While he ate, she stayed out of sight in the kitchen, afraid of what she might say to the man.
It was Daniel who broke the ice between them. “All right. I’m sorry. Do you hear me in there?” he shouted. “It was a crummy joke.”
She walked into view, not willing to let his temper tantrum go unchallenged. “You did not intend it as a joke, sir. You are rebelling because you don’t know how to handle someone with the guts to confront your nonsense.”
“Got used to everyone tip-toeing around me like I might break. Even though I’m sick of their well-meaning charity; I, on the other hand, don’t know what to do with you,” he said.
“Good—you need a challenge. Meanwhile, appreciate my efforts to make you well, for I will not kowtow to your bullying or facilitate your fanciful notion of rolling over and dying. I will fight for you Daniel McAlister, since you appear to have forgotten how to do it for yourself.”
He stared at her. Gwen thought the room quiet enough to hear a pin drop. In their inspection of each other, they seemed to come to a silent compromise, for she watched his countenance change before her, and she reacted similarly, in relief.
“The breakfast was good, Nurse Gwen,” he said. “Did you have a destination in mind for our morning jaunt?”
“I was hoping you’d give me a tour of the slaves’ quarters, or what used to be labeled as such. What does your father call the area where the employees live now?”
“Shacks. They’re the same houses they have always lived in. Heard some of them are fixing them up a bit, trying to make them feel homier.” He picked up his plate and walked toward her. “Why would you want to see that place when the plantation has grand spectacles elsewhere? Would it have anything to do with Arthur’s visit to your cottage last night?”
“You noticed that I had company? What a shame you didn’t come and join us. He is a delightful man who has lived on these grounds his entire life.”
“Yes, I was told that. He seems pleasant enough.”
“Do you spend time with the hired men? I mean, you are heir to this place, and one day it might benefit you all if you shared a good relationship.”
“I have told father that I am not interested in owning his place.”
“Shall he leave the McAlister plantation to the Negroes then?” she asked glibly. “What a wonderful idea—they work so hard.”
This time, Daniel roared with laughter, and she could not stop the smile from flitting at the edges of her lips. Daniel’s laugh was melodious, and the more he let loose, the harder it became for him to stop his outburst.
He calmed eventually, sat again, placed his elbows on his knees, and fanned his fingers through his mass of wheat-colored hair while he fought to gain control.
Gwen brought his dishes over to the wooden counter and placed them on the tray, ready to take back to her cottage. She felt him come up behind her.
“Have you met my father, Nurse Gwen?” His voice was somber now.
She turned and nearly bumped into him—mere inches from his face. She muttered, “I’ve been invited for a lunch meeting.”
Daniel studied her closely. “Well, I hope you have a better approach than demanding your way at the big house. The master of the plantation thinks that women should be seen and not heard.”
“I will speak freely as the Lord gives me the words—carefully and disciplined, but not watered down for the sake of appeasing his ego.” She smiled when Daniel nodded his approval. “I am a career woman, and I feel certain Mr. McAlister has dealt with businesswomen in the workforce.”
“Just warning you.”
“Warning appreciated,” she said. “Will you be joining us for lunch?”
“If you need support, I suppose I could endure another meal with the folks.”
“It can’t be that bad. You realize that God only gave us one set of parents.”
“And they have been terrific,” Daniel said. “It’s just awkward. They obviously love the son of the past, but I don’t know who that is.”
“I see your dilemma.”
“We’d best be leaving for that walk or it will be past lunch before we get back.”
“Yes,” she said. “It’s nice to know you have a pleasant side, Daniel McAlister.”
“Likewise, I’m sure.”
The couple strolled down a well-worn path, winding in and around a growth of trees whose new spring leaves were colored bright and fresh.
Gwen felt the need to break the silence that had fallen between them. “Do you visit the row houses often?”
“Don’t recall ever being there,” Daniel said.
“So, how do you know the way?”
“I’ve seen smoke from chimneys in this direction and the workers use this path. The big house is in the opposite direction, so by process of elimination, we must be headed on the right course.”
“Well, it’s a lovely day for a walk. Is your leg feeling all right?”
“The leg is fine.”
“Just wondered because I’ve noticed
