“I don’t know how I would’ve reacted, hon. Back then I was young and stupid. Only thinking of myself.”

  “I wanted to tell you. So many times I tried, but I would always chicken out I didn’t want to hurt you.”

  “I love you, Charlene. After tonight, we will never talk about this again. Let’s concentrate on the future.”

  “Can you forgive me, Shepard?”

  Staring into her eyes, he nodded. “I already have. I must ask the same of you, too. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?”

  “Yes. That’s the easy part. Forgiving myself is the hard part.”

  41

  Sheila eyed her partner. Jake was practically bouncing off the walls. He just couldn’t seem to keep still. “You certainly look very happy today. What’s going on with you?”

  “I have some good news, Sheila. It’s incredible.”

  “Well, don’t keep me in suspense. Share....” ‘Tori’s pregnant.” Jake pulled a cigar out of his pocket and handed it to her.

  “Wh-what?” Although she’d already suspected it, his words still managed to stun her.

  “Tori and I are having another child. Isn’t that great?” Sheila swallowed hard. “Y-yes. Congratulations.”

  “I never thought it would happen. I never thought that Tori and I would have another chance.”

  He was going on and on about his impending fatherhood. One would think the man hadn’t fathered a child before. She wondered if he would be this happy when she conceived.

  Tori’s excitement grew as the number of people showing up for her first tour increased. By nine a.m., there were more than forty people in attendance.

  “Wow, girlfriend,” Charlene exclaimed. “I think you’ve got something here. This is your first tour, and look how many people are coming dong.”

  “I feel very blessed. Thank you so much for supporting me in this venture, Charlene. Just think... if this is a success, this will be another facet of our business.”

  “You know how much I love history. I think it’s probably the only class I got an A in when I was in high school. Well, that and literature.”

  Tori glanced around. “I thought Jake would be here by now.”

  “Shepard’s coming, too.” Gesturing to her left, Charlene whispered, “Here comes Nicholas.”

  Following her cousin’s line of vision, Tori watched as her friend got out of his car and headed over to the line. She returned his wave. She wasn’t as happy to see him as she normally would’ve been. She didn’t appreciate the flowers or the card that had accompanied them.

  It was so unlike Nicholas.

  “Jake just got here,” Charlene announced. “Shepard’s with him.”

  “He must have driven to our house and parked his car there.”

  “Probably,” Charlene agreed.

  Jake greeted her with a kiss. “I had to wait for Shepard.”

  “You made it in time, that’s all I care about”

  “It’s time to board the bus,” Charlene announced to the group. “Please form a single line.”

  Tori, Jake, and Shepard stood off to the side as people started to get on the bus. Linda gave her a thumbs-up and she blew her mother a kiss.

  “This is a great showing for the inaugural tour. Congratulations, Tori.” Jake awarded her with another kiss. “I’m proud of you.”

  “I couldn’t have gotten it off the ground if it hadn’t been for you and Charlene. I should be the one thanking you guys.”

  When everyone was on the bus and seated, Tori, Jake, and Shepard climbed in behind Charlene and took their seats near the front. The driver was about to close the door when they heard a woman calling out.

  “Someone’s coming,” Charlene stated. “Wait.”

  Sheila stepped up onto the bus, panting. “Thanks so much for waiting. I ran into a bit of traffic leaving Charleston this morning.”

  Jake glanced over at Tori, who smiled and said, “I’m glad you made it, Sheila As soon as you take a seat, we’ll be on our way.”

  “I had no idea she was planning to come,” he whispered.

  “It’s okay. We’re still going to have a good time. Nothing is going to spoil this day for me.”

  Tori stood up with microphone in hand. “I would like to thank all of you for joining us for the first African-American Heritage Trail. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Tori Madison, and this is my partner, Charlene Daniels.”

  She talked a little about her reasons for starting the tour... “The tour will begin near the historic town of McClellanville. We are going to the Hampton Plantation State Historic Site.”

  Her eyes met Sheila’s. Tori smiled sweetly and continued. There was nothing Sheila could do to spoil this event for her. “The Hampton Plantation was home to more than three hundred and twenty enslaved Africans...”

  The bus took them along Highway 17 to see Boone Hall Plantation and the Charles Pinckney National Historic Site.

  Even Jake seemed awed by it all. “You can certainly see the contrasts between the lives of slaves and their owners. It is a blatant reminder of just how fortunate we are.”

  Tori agreed.

  “Well, it’s very depressing,” Sheila announced. “I think a lot of our problem is that we dwell on the past far too much.”

  Just off Highway 17, they were taken to Sullivan’s Island, where Fort Moultrie stood guard over the Charleston Harbor. There they viewed the historic marker commemorating the point of entry of countless enslaved Africans. They also learned more about the history of the legendary 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

  The tour continued on to Fort Sumter National Monument, then to Bull Street in Charleston, where they stopped at the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.

  Sheila looked completely bored by the time they toured the Emanuel AME Church and the old Slave Mart. Tori pointed out the Denmark Vesey House, which was now a private residence.

  After a picnic lunch of fried chicken, potato salad, fresh baked rolls, and iced tea, generously donated by Willow’s restaurant, they toured the McLeod Plantation on James Island.

  “You won’t want to miss the lovely avenue of oaks, so make sure you have your cameras ready....” Tori also gave a short history of the plantation’s unique wooden slave cabins.

  Just past Johns Island, they stopped at the site of the Stono River Slave Rebellion. “This rebellion took place in 1739, when Spanish Florida offered lands to Africans and African-Americans....” Tori explained.

  They headed back to Edisto Island, where they stopped to visit Zion Baptist Church and Hepzibah Townsend’s grave.

  When they returned to the bookstore, everyone disembarked, murmuring how much they enjoyed the tour.

  Nicholas embraced her. “Congratulations, sweetheart I really enjoyed myself. It even gave me some ideas for my book.”

  “I’m glad,” Tori stated with a grin.

  “You look so happy, Tori. Things must be working out.”

  “They are. But there’s another reason, too. Nicholas, I’m going to have a baby.”

  “Really?”

  She nodded.

  He embraced her a second time. “I’m very happy for you, Tori. Maybe you’ll even consider making me godfather.”

  She broke into laughter. “I’ll certainly give it some serious thought.”

  Jake joined them.

  Nicholas shook his hand enthusiastically. “I hear you’re about to become a father. Congratulations, man.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You are a lucky man, Jake. A very lucky man.”

  “I think so, Nicholas. Tori is the only woman for me. It’s always been that way.”

  “Well, I enjoyed myself, but it’s time I get back to my book. My deadline is looming right before my eyes.”

  “Thank you for coming, Nicholas. Oh, can you come by the store one day this week? I need to talk to you.”

  “Sure. I’ll give you a call.”

  “He’s a good friend to you,” Jake acknowledged for the first time ever.

  Tori glanced up at her husband. “Yes, he is. Nicholas has been a wonderful friend to me.” The more she thought about it, the more unlikely it seemed that he could’ve been the one to send those flowers.

  Sheila intruded upon their moment.

  “Well, I have to admit it was quite an interesting event. I certainly hope you’ll get others to come for the next one.”

  “I’m sure I will. Some people embrace their history, while others tend to make up theirs.”

  Stiffening, Sheila asked, “What do you mean by that?”

  “What’s wrong? Did I strike a nerve or something?”

  “Jake, you need to better control your wife.”

  He laughed. “Sheila, calm down. You and Tori have always been like this with each other. I’m going to do what I always do—stay out of it.”

  Glaring at them both, Sheila muttered, “You both can go straight to hell!”

  “What’s going on with her?” Tori asked before bursting into laughter.

  Jake shrugged and answered, “I don’t know. She’s been kinda moody a lot lately. I just leave her alone.” “Does she know that I’m pregnant?”

  Jake nodded. “I told her. Why? You think that’s why she’s acting this way?”

  “It could be. Although you refuse to believe me, Sheila’s in love with you, Jake.”

  Embracing her, he replied, “She knows how I feel about you. I’ve never lied to her or misled her in any way.”

  “But you slept with her,” Tori pointed out.

  “That’s all it was… sex.”

  “Maybe for you, Jake. For Sheila, it was something more. Most women get emotionally involved with the person they’re sleeping with. It’s not just about sex.”

  “What’s this all about?”

  “All I’m saying is that I think it was more than that for Sheila.”

  “It’s in the past, Tori. I made a big mistake and I just want to move on. My life is with you, and I’ve made that very clear.”

  42

  Where are you going? Jake asked from where he lay in bed.

  Buttoning up her blouse, Tori replied, “I was just about to leave you a note. I have a hair appointment tins morning. Denika’s going to give me a much-needed cut.” She sat down on the edge of the bed and proceeded to put her shoes on.

  Jake jumped out of bed. “I thought you were going to let your hair grow out.”

  She looked up at him. “What made you think that?”

  “You know how much I love your hair long.”

  “I cut my hair because I love having it short. I’ll let it grow out when I’m ready, Jake. I intend to live my life for me—not for you anymore.”

  He stiffened. “I’m not sure I even know you anymore, Tori. Look at the way you’re dressed.”

  She glanced down at the purple-and-teal two-piece short set she was wearing. “What’s wrong with this outfit?”

  “Since when did you start wearing shorts like that? And that top, there’s not a whole lot of material there. You’re pregnant.”

  “I like what I’m wearing. I was tired of walking around looking years older than I am. Jake, I’m twenty-eight. I’m still a young woman. And as far as my being pregnant, I’m not showing yet. I think I look great.”

  “I don’t want my wife walking around showing her body to the world.”

  “I’m not. Even my mother used to dress more stylish than I did. My body is covered up. This is a halter top—just my back is out. What’s so ironic about all this is that Sheila’s clothes are even skimpier than this, and you have no problem with anything she wears.”

  “She’s not my wife. You are.”

  “I’m also my own person, Jake. Being your wife is just an extension of who I am.”

  Tensions ran high when Tori returned to the house two hours later. Jake took one look at her hair, then turned away. She pretended that his action hadn’t affected her. Tori made her way to the kitchen and proceeded to make a chef salad.

  “Lunch is ready, if you’re hungry,” she announced from the doorway of his office.

  “I’ll be there.”

  Tori eyed him for a moment longer. “Jake, I can’t believe you’re acting so childish. It’s my hair.”

  “You’ve made that very clear, Tori. My feelings don’t come into play here. It’s all about Victoria Samuels-Madison these days.”

  Jake never called her Victoria. The name sounded almost foreign coming from him.

  “I have always put your needs before my own, Jake. You know it. Before I die, I would like to do something for me. Is that okay?”

  Jake rose to his feet and walked around the desk. “Do what you want, Tori.”

  She followed him to the dining room. Jake sat at one end of the table and she sat at the other. “I can’t believe you’re acting like this.”

  “And I can’t believe you’re being so selfish. You never used to be this way before. What ever happened to the woman I fell in love with?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You’ve changed so much, Tori. I have to really step back at times and ask myself if you’re the same person.”

  “If you have to ask that question, then maybe it’s not meant for us to be married.”

  Jake dropped his fork. “You want a divorce?” “That’s not what I said. Don’t try to twist my words around on me.”

  Laying her fork down, Tori looked across the table at him. “I don’t want to fight with you. All I want is for you to let me be me. You can’t make me into your dream woman.”

  “You are my dream woman, Tori.”

  “Only if I wear my hair long and dress the way you want me to. At least, that’s the way I’m interpreting this conversation.”

  Leaning back in his chair, Jake eyed her. “I don’t know if I’ll ever really like your hair so short. Can’t we compromise and let it grow out a little longer?”

  Tori smiled. “I can do that.”

  “Thank you. One more thing… everything you wear looks beautiful on you. I’m just not used to seeing you dress this way.” Jake sipped his wine. “However, I don’t want you dressing even remotely close to the way Sheila does.”

  “You don’t have to worry about that,” Tori assured him. “I want to keep certain things just between you and me.”

  “There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you about, Nicholas. Why did you send me those flowers?”

  He frowned. “What flowers?”

  “You didn’t send me flowers? It was about two months ago. Right after we got back from Brunswick.”

  “No.”

  “Well, somebody did. They put your name on the card and a message that said, “Thanks for the memorable weekend in Brunswick.’It also said that I would always own your heart.”

  “I never ordered any flowers or any note like that. In fact, that’s why you haven’t heard from me. I was trying to stay out of the way. I didn’t want to disrespect your husband.”

  Tori glanced up at him. “Nicholas, have you by any chance talked to Sheila?”

  “She was the one who told me you were going to Brunswick for the weekend.”

  “What else did she say?”

  “She led me to believe that Jake was leaving you for her.”

  Tori’s mouth dropped open. “What?”

  “Sheila told me that Jake was in love with her and he was going to leave you. That’s why I went after you in the first place.”

  “That...” Tori shook her head in disbelief. “She is something else.”

  “Jake had better watch his back.”

  Tori wrapped her arms around Nicholas. “I’m so sorry. You never should have been caught up in all this mess.”

  “It’s okay. At least we know who the players are now.”

  “I’ve just got to let Jake in on it I don’t think he knows.”

  “Be careful, Tori. Sheila is dangerous.”

  “So am I.”

  Nicholas laughed. “I’m going to be leaving here in a few weeks. It’s been so good seeing you and spending time together. It was like old times.”

  “I had a good time, too.”

  “I will always be here for you, Tori. If you ever need anything, I’m only a phone call away.”

  “Same here. I wish you much success, Nicholas. And a lifetime of happiness. Oh, and don’t you forget, I’m hosting a book signing for you when your next book comes out.”

  “We’ll be in touch.” Nicholas kissed her cheek and then disappeared.

  Tori arrived home to flowers and candles everywhere. She looked around in amazement. “Jake,” she called out.

  “I’m up here,” he answered.

  She rushed up the stairs and into her bedroom. There were rose petals all over the bed. “What’s going on?”

  “This is my way of saying I’m sorry. I... I guess I haven’t quite gotten used to the new you.”

  “Jake, I haven’t changed that much. I’m still very much the woman you fell in love with and married. I’m just more at peace with myself. I’m more secure and self-assured. If you want to know the truth—I think I’m a much better woman now.”

  He smiled. “You’ve become a little spitfire, but I believe I can handle you.”

  Tori’s eyes issued a challenge. “We’ll just have to see about that, won’t we?”

  Jake picked her up and carried her over to the bed.

  From her position at the bar, Sheila spotted Nicholas when he walked in. She smiled and waved.

  He waved back and took a seat at one of the tables. She watched him a minute before getting off the stool and strolling over toward him. “Hey, can I sit down?” His gray eyes roamed over her body slowly. “Sure. It’s a free country.”

  Sheila leaned forward, giving him a great view of her breasts. She was tired of going to bed alone. “Tell me something, Nicholas. You’re a very handsome man. You’re famous. Why are you here drinking alone?”

  “What are you doing here by yourself? Jake’s not available tonight?” He leaned forward. “I know you must be hurting with him choosing Tori over you.”

 

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