by Clay, Verna
I'll just put the proceeds in the bank and save for a rainy day. If the family needs money, he'll just have to get over his stubbornness.
Jenny reached the oak and spread their blanket under its strong branches. Ty walked to the gravestone and laid wilted flowers on the ground that he and Jenny had picked. Jenny moved to stand beside him. "Hi Mama," she said.
Abby sat on the blanket and watched the children. She was curious about Jenny's motive for wanting to picnic there. The children returned to the blanket to eat and talk about anything and everything. Abby leaned against the tree trunk watching a flock of blackbirds crisscross the sky. Silently, she prayed for a safe and profitable trip for Brant. She closed her eyes, feeling sleepy, but Jenny's words brought her back to alertness. The child was back at the grave.
"Mama, I just want you to know some things so you're not worried about us. Our new Ma is taking real good care of us. She sews just like you did and tells great stories. She's even teaching us until we can go back to school. But most of all, Ma, I want you to know that Pa is happy again."
Abby lifted her hand to her mouth to keep from sobbing.
Ty joined his sister at the grave. "Papa go wit cows."
Jenny reached to pull Ty against her side. "Yep, Ma, we're doin' okay. It was a good idea for Pa to find a new Ma, so you can enjoy heaven."
Jenny turned and grinned at Abby. Abby opened her arms and both children rushed into them. Kissing the tops of their heads, she said, "I love you both so much! Now I have the family I've always dreamed of."
Chapter 14: Life's Twist
Life on a ranch was always busy and even though Abby missed Brant and Luke terribly, she had no time to sit and brood. She grinned when she thought how different her life was now. She could milk a cow, collect eggs from cranky hens, tend a vegetable garden, saddle and ride a horse, shoot a gun, and a dozen other things she'd never considered before.
Not many days before Brant was expected home, she received a visit from Mina Priestly who drove her old buckboard to the front of the cabin. Everything about Mina and her possessions reeked of old age. Nevertheless, the feisty woman pursued life with gusto.
"Whoa, horse. Howdy, Miz Abby and youngins," she called and moved to climb off the plank seat.
"Wait, Mina. Let me help you down. Jenny, hold Ty's hand."
"Yes, ma'am."
Abby rushed to the buckboard and reached to assist Mina. "It's wonderful seeing you. What brings you out this way?"
"Just checkin' on ya. Missed ya'll at church. I know yer man's drivin' cattle and you're alone. I overcooked and brought some vittles." Mina petted Wally. "And I even got somethin' fer you, old mutt." She walked to the other side of her buckboard and lifted a wooden box off the floor.
"Let me get that," said Abby.
"Thanks, honey."
Abby said, "Jenny, take Ty with you and run in and set tins and plates on the table. Also, pull that new loaf of bread from the cupboard."
"Okay, Mama."
Mina grinned at Abby. "Looks like you've settled in jus' fine. Not an easy thing fer an eastern gal. Course, with a man as fine as Brant, that's incentive enough. Lola Pitts sure tried to reel him in. Just goes to show, beauty ain't enough. It takes character. Course you got character and you're pretty to boot. In fact, you get prettier every time I see you. Are you in the family way?" Mina held the door open so Abby could enter with the wooden box.
"Um, no, I don't think so."
Mina patted her hand, "Well, it won't be long. Not with a stud like Brant fer a husband."
Abby coughed. "Uh, please have a seat, Mina. Would you like coffee or tea?"
"Coffee. Black and strong. Makes you live a long time. That's what me ma always said and she lived into her nineties."
Abby grabbed a potholder and poured coffee for her guest.
Mina glanced around the cabin. "Yep, looks like yer new family agrees with you, dear. You sure got this place lookin' spiffy. Nice curtains. Ain't that the fabric from one of yer fancy dresses I seen you wear to church?"
"Yes, it is. It looks better as curtains, don't you think?"
"Yep, looks right nice."
For the next hour, Mina talked and Abby listened and laughed with the old woman. She told wonderful stories about her childhood and adventures settling into the wild frontier with her "no account" first husband, and then meeting the one who made her heart "patter" a year after the "no account's" death.
"Four of me seven boys is still livin'. Me girl died in childbirth and I raised her son. He's got a real nice spread outside Dallas and he's always naggin' me to come live with him, but I told him I'm stayin' here 'til I die. It's where me three boys and husband is buried." The elderly woman got a faraway look and smiled like she was remembering something special. Softly, she said, "Yep, all me memories is here."
Mina glanced at Ty playing with his wagon. "Is the boy feelin' okay? I didn't want to say anything, but he don't seem as lively."
Abby had noticed the same thing, but attributed it to the long walk they'd taken that morning. Now, she rushed over and picked the toddler up. He felt warm. Alarmed, she carried him back to the table. Mina reached to feel his forehead. "He's got a fever. But not a high one. Might be nothin', but I'd keep him down fer a couple of days."
"Yes, I'll do that." Abby's heart filled with worry.
Mina said, "To make you feel better, how 'bout I swing by town on the way home and ask Doc to make a trip out here."
"Oh, thank you, Mina. I'd sure appreciate that."
The old woman's joints creaked when she stood. "I best be goin' then. Keep cool cloths on his head to bring the fever down and give him lots of ginger tea."
"I'll do that." Abby handed Ty to Jenny and then walked outside to help Mina onto her buckboard. "Thank you, Mina, for everything."
The old woman waved goodbye and flicked the reins of her horse.
Abby rushed back inside and put Ty in bed, heating water for tea and wetting cloths to cool his fever.
By evening his little body was burning hot and he became listless, often shivering. Abby prayed that the doctor would arrive soon. When she heard a horse gallop into the yard, she ran to open the door.
"Hello, Mrs. Samson. Mina Priestly said you have a sick boy."
"Thank you for coming. His fever has gotten worse and now he's coughing a lot. Please come in."
The gray headed, gray bearded, kindly doctor dismounted and entered the cabin carrying his black bag and waited for Abby to lead him to his patient. She rushed to the bedroom and stood aside so the doctor could check him out. The toddler whimpered and started to cry when Doc Henry pulled out his stethoscope.
Abby tried soothing him with words. "It's okay, sweetheart. The doctor is just going to look you over." She turned to see Jenny standing in the doorway, her eyes big and bright with fear. While the doctor distracted Ty with a little wooden horse he'd pulled from his bag, Abby walked over to Jenny and put her arm around her shoulders. "Jenny, why don't you brew some tea for me and Doc Henry?"
Jenny nodded, her face ashen, and returned to the kitchen.
Abby hovered close behind the doctor during his examination. He patted the toddler's head and motioned her to a corner of the room. Speaking low, he said, "Ty has lung congestion. It may be pneumonia. There's nothing much we can do except keep him as comfortable as possible and apply poultices. I'll return tomorrow and check on him."
Abby's lips trembled and tears sprang to her eyes.
"You'll have to stay strong, Mrs. Samson. Jenny needs you to stay strong."
Abby nodded.
Doc pulled Abby to the table and made her drink some tea with him. Patiently, he explained his treatment for the boy. After he left, Abby tucked Jenny in bed in the big bedroom and then settled into her rocking chair beside Ty, lifting him into her arms and singing softly. Wally remained vigil at the doorway.
All night his fever raged and he became limp. Abby did everything the doctor said, trying to stay strong. Exhaustion threa
tened to overcome her and she prayed for Brant's soon return. The next day Jenny helped soothe Ty and when he became too weak to even cry, she whispered through tears, "Just like Mama," before running from the room.
Doc Henry returned midmorning and also the next three days. Ty wasn't improving and he turned to Abby with sad eyes and started to say something when Jenny cried out, "Pa and Luke is home."
Abby jumped to her feet from kneeling beside Ty's bed and ran to meet them.
* * *
Brant jumped off his horse, so happy to be home he wanted to kiss the ground—after he kissed Abby and the children. He noticed a horse in the corral and felt uneasy. The door burst open and Jenny ran outside, clutching his waist and crying. He knew something terrible had happened.
"Hey baby girl, I wasn't gone that long." He knelt to hug her and looked up, waiting for Abby. The moment she stepped into the doorway, he knew his instinct was right.
"What's–"
Doc Henry stepped behind her and Brant's heart lunged to the ground. Not seeing his baby, he waited for the inevitable words. Abby hovered in the doorway, tears glistening in her eyes.
"I'm glad you're home, Brant," said Doc. Ty's got pneumonia and–"
Brant rushed past the doctor and Abby. In the bedroom doorway he paused to compose himself. Inhaling deeply, he walked to stand over Ty before dropping to his knees and caressing his baby's burning forehead. A sob caught in his throat but he held it inside. Swallowing against his fear, he said, "Ty, son, Papa's home, and I'm not leaving. I love you. You can pull through this."
Luke joined his father beside Ty's bed for a few minutes and then rushed from the cabin.
Doc Henry stayed with the family the rest of the day and Ty died at dusk.
Luke and Jenny wept openly, saying a last goodbye to their brother. Brant pulled his baby's lifeless body to his chest, repeating the words, "I love you," over and over.
* * *
Abby stood behind Brant, unable to comprehend that her beloved baby was dead. "No," she whispered. And then again, "No." Unable to stop herself, she screamed, "No!" and turned and ran from the house. Over and over she screamed, "No! No! No!" while running across the yard and into the open field. She didn't care that rocks bruised her feet through the soft soles of her shoes or that shrubs tore her arms. She just ran, screaming. Suddenly vise like arms encircled her and pulled her to the ground.
"Abby, stop before you hurt yourself," Brant yelled above her cries.
She fought him. She fought the unseen forces of death. She fought until she could fight no more. Panting and weeping she cried, barely above a whisper, "It's my fault. I failed him. I should have taken better care of him. I shouldn't have taken him for that long walk."
"No, Abby. It's not your fault. You're a wonderful mother. These things happen."
Abby refused to receive comfort from his words. It was her fault.
Brant pulled her into a fierce hug and together they wept in the fading light of a day no parent should ever have to experience. Wally sat a short distance away watching over them.
After a long time, her husband lifted her into his arms and carried her back to the house, laying her across their bed. She had no strength to move, not even when Doc and Brant removed her clothing and tended to her scrapes. Blessedly, the doctor gave her something that made her nightmare disappear as she drifted into a black void.
* * *
Brant placed a hand on Cora's arm. "Thank you for coming." He turned to the others, "Thank you Mina, Lita, Neal, Pastor, Miz Merriweather."
The women had prepared Ty's body for burial and the funeral was to be held that night. He'd said his final goodbye to his son after the ladies had dressed the baby in his little suit. He had no more tears to shed and felt as dead as his baby.
Excusing himself, he entered his bedroom, closing the door and sitting on the bed. Abby hadn't awakened since Doc Henry had given her laudanum the night before. He was so tired. Lying beside her, he pulled her into his embrace and drifted into a restless sleep. Later, when shadows slanted through the window, he opened his eyes to his waking nightmare. Glancing at Abby, he saw her staring at the ceiling. Reaching to caress her cheek, he said, "I'm here for you, honey."
She turned her head aside and didn't respond.
Brant didn't remove his hand. Instead, he continued stroking her face. "We're going to bury him tonight. You don't have to come if you're not up to it."
She jerked her head toward him, her eyes glistening. "Of course I'll come."
Slowly, like an old man, he raised himself from the bed. "I'll send Cora and Lita in to help you dress."
As a huge sun bid goodbye to a late summer day, neighbors began arriving in buckboards. At dusk, Pastor Merriweather and Neal Brandon carried the tiny casket the ten minute walk to the oak tree where Molly was buried. Halfway there, Brant relieved them. "I'll carry him the rest of the way."
Supported by women on either side of her, Abby stumbled several times. For her own good, Brant had not allowed her to see Ty in death. Gently, he'd explained that he wanted her memories to be living ones. She hadn't argued.
Brant swallowed against the lump in his throat when he saw Molly's gravestone and the hole dug beside it. Setting the casket on the ground, he inhaled several times and then walked to stand beside Abby. Taking her hands in his, he raised them to his lips and kissed them.
Pastor Merriweather began the service by speaking the usual words about how mankind, as finite beings, are unable to understand the infinite wisdom of God, and how one day all tears would be wiped away. Brant was not comforted by the words, but he was comforted by the presence of his neighbors, most of whom had experienced similar heartaches. He placed his arm around Abby and pulled her close to his side. She was as unyielding as stone.
When the casket was lowered into the grave, Wally whimpered and Abby unexpectedly turned and walked back toward the house. Mina and Lita looked at Brant for guidance and he nodded that they should go with her. Wally trailed behind.
Chapter 15: Endless Despair
A month after Ty's death, Brant knew he couldn't forestall his sad news from Abby any longer. Their home was going to be foreclosed. After visiting the bank several times and trying to work something out by promising to make partial payment this year and the rest next year, his offer had been declined. Hell, he didn't even know if he could keep that promise anyway. Between the harsh winter and poor cattle prices, many of his neighbors were facing similar circumstances.
Sitting atop Sugar, he surveyed the land he loved; the land he'd toiled and sweated over. The land where he'd lost his beloved wife and child. He wanted to cry, but kept himself strong. It was time to move on. He had Abby and Jenny and Luke to think about.
The thought of Abby's sorrow shot an arrow through his heart. She wasn't doing well. She had become a shell of her former self, going through the motions of daily living, but grieving continuously. He couldn't seem to reach her. She'd even wanted to move back into her old bedroom, but he'd drawn the line there, refusing to allow her to leave his bed. His kisses and caresses, in an attempt to give comfort, were ignored. He didn't know what to do, and now he had to break the news that they would eventually be forced from their home.
Brant patted Sugar's neck. "Well, old girl, maybe we'll head west to California." Urging his horse forward, he set his mind to do what he must.
* * *
Abby sat in her rocker beside the cold hearth while Luke and Jenny worked on schoolwork in their small classroom. She had no energy to teach and just handed out assignments daily. In fact, she had no energy for anything. Everywhere she looked, there were reminders of Ty. A sob caught in her throat just thinking his name. Her baby was gone and she was no use to anyone anymore. Guilt raged in her heart—guilt for not taking better care of Ty, guilt for not being able to care for Jenny and Luke now, guilt for not being a strong wife for Brant. Would her endless despair never leave? Ever her companion, Wally lay at her feet.
She heard the doo
r open and didn't even turn around to greet Brant. His boot steps sounded as he walked to the classroom and spoke quietly with the children before closing the door and returning to her.
Kneeling in front of her and taking her hands in his, he said, "Honey, how are you feeling today?"
She merely shrugged and looked past him into the hearth. She heard his sigh, but was helpless to find it within herself to comfort him.
He continued, "Abby, I have to talk to you about something. I've been putting it off until you were stronger, but now I need to tell you."
A silent sob welled up within Abby's breast. He's going to send me away because I'm of no use to anyone anymore.
"Sweetheart, I didn't get the prices I'd hoped for on the cattle so I'm not able to pay the mortgage on our land. I'm not giving up, but there's a chance our home could be foreclosed."
Abby blinked, confused. "You're not sending me away?"
Brant looked dumbfounded. "Sending you away? Why would I do that?"
Abby's lips trembled.
Brant reached his big arms around her. "Oh, Abby, of course I'm not sending you away. You're my wife."
Abby allowed him to hold her, and when he lifted and carried her to the bedroom, she didn't protest. She even returned his kisses and caresses, but decided in her heart what she must do.
