Everything was going smoothly until one day a letter arrived by courier from St. Mary's Hospital from Carmen, addressed to Joe.
Melanie was the only one home except for Ole Jen. So Melanie saw the letter. As the courier left, she clutched the letter to her breast and tried to calm her racing heart.
Oh God, things were going so well, and now this. Now they are corresponding? Did Joe still have feelings for Carmen? Did Carmen have feelings for Joe? She dare not think it. And yet…!
Ole Jen walked through the entranceway as Melanie left the door open. She closed the door and turned to look at Melanie who had suddenly gone pale.
"Something wrong, child?" Ole Jen asked coming up to her.
"It's a special letter from Carmen to Joe…" Melanie said, her hands shaking, as she held the letter out to Ole Jen.
Ole Jen shook her head. "Well, beings as how she's taking care of Mr. Sam, it could be some news as to his health."
Melanie glanced at Ole Jen. "Oh yes, yes of course." Melanie began to breathe again. Had she over reacted? Did the whole world know how jealous she was of Carmen?
Ole Jen studied her and guided her to a chair. "Now lookie here, missy, you've got to get hold of yourself. Life is full of ups and downs and surprises too. Joe probably told her to keep him informed of Sam's health before he left."
"I know you are right, Ole Jen." Melanie put her hand on her chest. "It's just…"
"I know exactly what it is, and there is no reason for it." Ole Jen patted her. "Not the way you talk about making love with Mr. Joe. We have to know how Sam is…"
"Yes of course…"
"That woman gets you in a stir, don't she?" Ole Jen asked.
"He loved her at one time, Ole Jen. How can she not?"
"Maybe you should be talking to him then. There's nothing to worry your pretty, little head about. He worships you, anyone can see that."
"But…if they keep in constant contact, don't you think it might rekindle their feelings for one another?" Melanie asked.
Ole Jen shook her head. "You is worryin' over nothin'. Do Joe still make love to you?"
"Yes of course."
"Then what's the worry?"
Melanie sighed heavily and looked at Ole Jen. Tears were in her eyes, but she shook her head. She didn't want to be jealous, but she was. "You are right. What's to worry about?"
"There now, that's better. You gotta buck up, missy. There are gonna be lots of surprises coming your way. But the one thing you can count on, that boy loves you to distraction." Ole Jen laughed.
Melanie smiled. "I am over reacting, aren't I?"
"Yes ma'am. You gonna open it?" Ole Jen looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"N-no. It's not addressed to me."
"And why would it be. Sam is Joe's brother. I guess in all your anxiety, you forgot it could be bad news about Sam you know. I hate to think it. I love that boy so much."
Melanie's eyes widened, "Oh my God. I hadn't even considered that."
"Don't mean it is, just could be. Maybe we should get that to Mr. Joe now…."
"Oh…yes, of course. I'll take it out to him. Do you know if they are working in the north or south field?" Melanie asked putting the letter in her dress pocket.
"Mr. George said south today. They is clearing the land for Mr. Sam's house." Ole Jen smiled.
"Oh, then I'll ride out and give this to them. I hope it's not bad news."
"Maybe he's coming home soon." Ole Jen's eyes sparkled.
"Yes, maybe so…" Melanie nodded and went upstairs to change her clothes.
Once she had her riding clothes on, she had Jethro saddle her horse for her.
The letter seemed to burn a hole through her as she felt it in her pocket.
The anxiety of the letter had Melanie torn in several directions. The only good news might be that Sam was coming home. But the possibility of bad news had her rushing to get to the south field. She thought about her feelings for Sam and hoped he recovered and came home. She liked Sam a lot and the family wouldn't be the same without him.
One of the workers directed her to a clearing where she found Joe and his father.
"Melanie…what are you doing out here, honey?" Joe asked coming up to her and kissing her on the cheek as she dismounted.
"This letter arrived by special currier today. I thought it might be important news of Sam." Melanie explained as she handed him the letter.
Joe frowned and then took the letter.
George walked up and smiled. "You rode up like the devil himself was after you."
"I'm sorry. I wanted to get this to Joe as soon as possible."
Joe read the letter and nodded, then put it in his pocket.
When he didn't say anything Melanie looked perplexed. "Is he alright?"
"Oh…yes, he's doing much better. He might be home in a couple of weeks." Joe told them.
"Wonderful. He must be much better." George said.
Melanie studied her husband. He seemed so vague, as though he had other thoughts, but wasn't sharing them right now. Was he thinking of Carmen? Perhaps he was jealous of his brother right now.
Now was not the time to ask him of the letter. She turned to go.
"Must you go back so soon?" Joe asked her when he saw her heading for her horse again.
"Well, I didn't want to disturb you. Ole Jen suggested I get the letter to you as soon as possible."
Joe stared into her eyes.
Did he see the worry behind them?
"This is going to be Sam's place." Joe informed her.
Melanie looked about; they were still clearing stumps from the land. "It's beautiful here. So many beautiful pecan and oak trees. He'll love it here, I'm sure."
"Yes, we think Sam will like it." Joe smiled at her.
She glanced at her husband, wishing she wasn't worrying over that letter, and yet unable to quit thinking of it.
"You're not going to build his house for him, are you?" Melanie asked.
"No…we'll wait until he can look the plans over himself."
"Plans…you've drawn up plans of his house?" Melanie frowned.
"Well, in view of his illness, we thought it might be a good idea. We want to have it built before winter sets in." George explained.
"But…it's his house. Shouldn't he be here for that?"
"Not if he's sick…"
"You're pushing him out of Golden Manor now?" She didn't realize her voice had risen, but both their heads came up and stared at her in disbelief.
Joe went straight up to her. "No darling, we're building him a home…"
"He's sick; he'll need attention when he gets home. He needs to be in Golden Manor." Melanie didn't know why she had suddenly worried over Sam so. Perhaps it was because she couldn't lash out about the letter itself.
"We'll take care of him, you know that Melanie. But Sam is quite independent and we thought having his house ready for him soon would make him perk up." Joe told her.
"I've got to get back. I'm sorry…." Melanie mounted and stared down at her husband who looked perplexed.
"Alright darling, we'll talk about it later."
She nodded and shot George an impudent frown then galloped off.
~*~
"What in heavens name was that all about?" George frowned at Joe as he watched her gallop away.
"I'm not sure, but I think the fact that Carmen wrote the letter and addressed it to me, has her in a stir." Joe reflected.
"I'm surprised at her. I thought the way you've been doting on her lately she would never dream of anything between you and Carmen again. I was wrong." George frowned, and lit a cigar.
"Women can be quite perplexing at times." Joe turned to look at his father. "These things can be quite touchy with women. I'll speak to her tonight."
"Did Carmen say anything else?"
"Just that the fever there was dissipating, and most of the patients had gone home. Says Sam is in good spirits. And…that she hopes I understand that she is falling in love with him…."
"Falling in love….with Sam?" George boomed out of nowhere.
"Yes father. With Sam." Joe couldn't stop the smile that spread across his face.
"I had hoped it was a passing fancy with you, but now Sam too. The woman must be a witch." George muttered as he squashed his cigar and turned away.
"How could a man not fall in love with a lady that nursed him back to health?" Joe asked immediately wanting to defend his brother.
"This doesn't bother you?" George countered.
"Not in the least. I want Sam to be happy…"
"And you think this Carmen can make him happy?"
"Yes father, I do."
"Why?" George scrutinized him.
"I know them both for one thing. Sam's a gentle kind of man. Women fall for those kinds of men all the time father. But he's also passionate about things too. And Carmen would no doubt love that." Joe reflected. "Carmen is constantly assisting at orphanages and hospitals. She's quite the caring young woman."
"It seems as though he's copying you? And that you know her much too well."
"We are twins father."
"Yes…" George nodded unable to rally Joe to his thinking he changed the subject. "Well, what do you think of these plans?"
Joe looked at the drawings on the canvas and smiled. "They are great, but I still think Melanie is right. He's going to want to oversee his own home and how it is built. I think we should wait until he's home to go much further than having the land cleared."
"It would take too much time. It might be another month before he's on his feet good." George insisted. "That would put the house into the winter before it's finished."
"Father…it is his home."
"Fine, for now we'll leave it." George grunted. "I've never seen Melanie act that way before. What's gotten into her?"
"Jealousy I'm afraid. I must set her straight. I am perfectly content with her by my side, and I thought she knew it." Joe frowned. He felt guilt seep into his bones. He should tell her now before things got out of hand. But dare he?