Alana by Monica Barrie Page A

realized weakness was once again claiming her.
    She suddenly lifted her arms and curled her hands into fists. She pummeled his chest and shoulders, striking him harder and harder as she finally cried out her frustration. Yet his hands never loosened on her, nor did he try to stop her from what she did.
    Then she jerked herself free and fled back to where she’d left her horse. Untying him, she jumped onto the gelding’s back and kicked his flanks cruelly in an effort to escape from herself as well as Rafe.
    Behind her, Rafe remained motionless until she was gone. Only then did he retrieve the strongbox and start back to Riverbend.
    ~~~~~
    Sitting at her dressing table in her nightgown, Alana brushed her hair. The sun had long since set, but her mind had not yet calmed from her confrontation with Rafe.
    There was a low knock at the door and Lorelei, carrying a tray, came in.
    “I thought you mights be hungry,” Lorelei said when she put the tray on the dresser.
    “I’m not hungry, Lorelei, but thank you,” Alana said in a listless voice.
    Lorelei looked at her, her heart going out to Alana. “Alana chile’, we’s got ta talk.” Only when they were alone did Lorelei call Alana by her name instead of Miss Alana. It was something they had always done, from the time Alana was crawling.
    Alana sighed and shook her head. “I’m all talked out, Lorelei.”
    “Nonsense,” Lorelei stated as she stared at Alana, her hands on her hips. “De only time a body be all talked out is when de body be under de ground. And chile’, it be a long time afor dat be happenin’ to you.”
    Alana smiled hesitantly. “Why did you stay, Lorelei? Why didn’t you go north when you had the chance?”
    “I swear, chile’, sometime you act like you doesn’t have any sense a’tall. You is my family, Alana, I couldn’t no mo’ leave you den you could leave Riverbend.”
    “We are family, aren’t we?” Alana asked in a whisper.
    “Dat is just what we be,” Lorelei stated. Then she went close to Alana and gazed deeply into her eyes. “Talk to me, Alana chile’. Tell ol’ Lorelei what be botherin’ you. You be scared of de marriage?”
    Alana shook her head. “I’m scared of myself.”
    Lorelei nodded her head knowingly. “You be speaking of Mister Rafe.”
    Alana stiffened at Lorelei’s words. Her eyes widened as she looked at the woman who had raised her. “You know?” she whispered.
    “Honey, for twenty-two years you and me been together. Dere ain’t nothin’ I don’t knows if’n it be concernin’ you. ’Specially when I sees dat you be in love.”
    “Oh, Lorelei,” Alana cried, “what am I going to do?”
    Lorelei smiled. “I cain’t answer dat for you. But I knows dat no matter what you does, it won’t be no mistake.”
    “Won’t it?” Alana asked.
    “Only if’n you want it to be. Only if’n you thinks you be doin’ wrong. And ain’t nobody to tell you what be right or wrong ’ceptin’ you, Alana.”
    “How can I love one man and wed another?” she asked quietly.
    Wisely, Lorelei stayed silent.
    “He’ll be gone soon,” she whispered after a moment.
    Alana took a deep breath and stood. “I love you, Lorelei.”
    “I knows dat, chile’,” Lorelei said, her voice breaking. Opening her arms, Lorelei took Alana to her large bosom and held her there for several long moments. When she released Alana, she stepped back. “I brung you a fine dinner, chile’. I thinks it be time you eat it.”
    “I thinks you be right!” Alana said, mimicking Lorelei’s dialect as she used to do when she was a little girl.
    “Hush now!” Lorelei ordered, but her words were softened by the smile on her face as she left the room.
    Alana nibbled at the food on the tray, but she was still not hungry. When she finished all she could, she rose and went to the window that overlooked the garden, staring at the starry sky for a long time.
    A crescent moon hung in the heavens, and though its light was faint, it