by Rita Hestand
"So…he died of natural causes, then." She assumed with somewhat relief.
"Yes, he did…" The doctor affirmed. "Now I want you to take this before bedtime it will help you rest.
"Thank you doctor. I doubt I'll be able to sleep for a few days."
"I'll send the undertaker out here for you and you should contact the preacher about a funeral."
"Of course, thank you doctor you've been very helpful."
He nodded and started for the door, glancing over his shoulder at her then shrugging he walked out the door.
"I'm so sorry Mrs. Williams. Is there anything I can do for you?" The Sheriff asked, concerned.
"No…I suppose we'll have to make funeral arrangements." She sighed.
He nodded. "You let me know if you need any help on that."
She put her hand on top of his, "Thank you so much Sheriff." She sniffed. "You're very kind."
Doug came in as the Sheriff left, they'd been castrating in the south pasture all morning and when he heard he stormed into the house.
"He's dead!" Doug hollered accusingly.
"Oh Doug, he fell down the stairs. But…the doctor said it was a heart attack that killed him, caused by the fall." She cried effectively in front of the Sheriff.
Doug stared into her lying eyes and firmed his lips.
He didn't believe it for a minute. Would she have to get rid of him too?
Chapter Sixteen
Doug stormed out of the house after a few ugly words. Bill was still in her bedroom, she went back inside and closed the door. She wrapped her arms around him, snuggling against him with such a satisfied smile. "We did it darling. We're finally rid of him. Given time, we won't have to hide our love any longer. Naturally, we'll have to give it a little time, or people will talk, but we can see each other now much easier and make love."
"I'm for that, sweetheart. I'm going into town to wire my friend. As soon as that's taken care of, I'll let you know."
"Oh Bill, I love you so! What you are doing, is for us." She cried and reached on tiptoe to kiss him wildly. Bill wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. She moaned in her throat, when his hands went all over her possessively. "I'm so glad we're finally going to be together all the time."
"Me too." He resumed kissing her, but she pulled away to look at him.
"There's still something I must do though."
"Oh, what's that?"
"I've got a score to settle with Jace Harrison. A lot of this is his fault."
"Want me to take care of it?"
"I've got a plan, and yes, you can help. Let's talk about it tonight."
"Easy honey, I still got to put in a day's work. And I was up most of the night last night if you remember. I better go before someone sees me up here. I love you woman." He kissed her and winked.
She smiled happily, as though a great burden had been lifted from her shoulders. "You don't know how happy I am." She cried.
He turned at the door and looked at her, "Yes I do!" He smiled and left. "You put up with him for a lot of years. You deserved better. And…so do I."
She took the white stallion out and rode him, letting her hair fly in the wind, celebrating her freedom once more.
When she came back, Doug was waiting for her.
"You killed him, didn't you?"
"What? What are you saying?" Her brows grew together.
"You heard me. You killed the man. It wasn't enough that he was an invalid, you had to go and kill him. I hate the fact that you are my sister. You are pure evil!"
She stared in total anger, and slapped his face hard.
He recovered after a second. "I hope the guilt eats you to pieces."
"Get off this property, I don't want to look at you ever again!" She screamed.
"No ma'am. I'm not leaving until the will is read. Then we'll see who's leaving." Doug announced with a smirk. "He wasn't as dumb as you thought."
Her eyes widened. She hadn't considered a will. Could he have changed it recently? He had talked with his lawyer a while back, but surely…
"Very well, but once I'm declared the legal owner of this ranch, you'll leave, if I have to have my men run you off." She screamed and marched to the house. "You've been a thorn in my side for years."
Doug stared after her, "We'll see who owns it." He whispered under his breath.
That evening she searched his papers and tried to open his safe but she couldn't. She slammed things around and became so frustrated she screamed aloud.
Bill came into the house that night and after supper they went to bed together eager to be with each other. Hungry for each other they played way into the night, then snuggling she told him her plan.
"But, if this Jace is the one responsible, why not just kill him?" Bill asked.
"Because I don't want him dead, I want to torture him. Kidnapping her will certainly put a scare in him. He's in love with her."
"I still think killing is easier." Bill argued his voice tight.
"What's wrong?" She smiled.
"I saw you kissing him in the barn."
"I had to find out what he was snooping around for. And I did. He was trying to prove I gave the Indians guns." She reached up to kiss his clean shaven cheek. "You're not jealous are you?"
"I'll admit it burned me."
"You don't have to be, you and I go back too far. We've been making love for too long to stop now. Besides, all I did was kiss him." When he didn't smile she looked at him. "Want to spank me for being naughty?" She cooed in his ear.
"Maybe I should at that." He turned her over, and his hand came down on her butt. But instead of striking her, he rubbed her there.
"I thought you were going to spank me."
"I got distracted." He smiled. "But just for good measure," he smiled and whacked her a couple of times good and hard.
"You brute," she laughed and rolled over to see the sparkle in his eyes. "But I liked it."
"You know you're mine don't you?" He growled.
"Yes, I do. We've been waiting for this for a long time. But…what about your wife?"
"It's being taken care of as we speak."
"Oh Bill, I'm so glad. Now nothing can stop us from being together. And we can live here until it drives Doug insane. He'll hate it."
"I'd do anything for you, and you know it. I proved that today. She'll be dead by tomorrow. I sent a telegram. And nothing can stop us now. Maybe we'll even figure out a way to get rid of ole Doug, too!" He snuggled into her, tossing her gown away and kissing her all over.
She moaned and sighed half the night until they finally fell asleep.
The next day the lawyer came and announced the reading of the will and requested that she, Doug and two of the top hands were to be present during the reading.
Kate prepared herself royally.
Being ever so gracious as to offer the lawyer tea and pie, the reading of the will began at two that afternoon.
But after it was read, Kate stood up in shock. "What does this all mean."
"Simply put, it means this ranch, which was your husband's property before you married him, has been willed to your brother Doug. And…that you as the widow can live on the ranch, but have no business dealings here. You can live here the rest of your life, madam, you just can't run or operate the business."
"But this is a community property sate!" She insisted.
"Which means, property held and purchased after marriage. This ranch belonged to your husband before your marriage and has been willed to your brother upon his death. But the state of Texas allows that you may still live out your life here, if you so desire. So that you may be provided for. You just won't run the business."
"I'll appeal this in court!" She hollered.
"The laws are clear. This property was legally willed away. However, it will not prevent you from living out your life here Mrs. Williams. Nothing has really changed except Doug will be making the decisions here."
"I cannot believe this…"
"
I'm sorry, you are free to consult a lawyer about this, but the law is quite clear." The lawyer said quite frankly.
"Can I live in this house?"
"Yes ma'am you can. I just told you that, the law provides that a widow or widower may live in the house and be provided for. I think your husband was quite kind in leaving you enough to live on, bequeathing you $100,000. But that is the sum total of inheritance. That and the privilege of living here the rest of your life. He also provided for his men and Doug."
Kate seethed. "What about the rest of the money. My husband was one of the wealthiest in the state."
Later that evening she spoke with Bill. "That's true but most of his holdings and worth were in property values, not cash money. And as owner, Doug would have power over the lands." The lawyer left.
"I can't let him get away with this."
"We could take that $100,000 and build our own place." Bill told her later.
"This is my place, Bill and you know it. I'm the one who worked this ranch for the past five years. How could he do such a thing to me?"
"What would happen if Doug died?" Her eyes widened in question.
Bill studied her a moment, "Sweetheart, we got away with killing Sam. But don't press your luck. That would really make them suspect something fishy going on. Let's take the money and make our own place, half the men here would go with us, I'm sure of that."
"Don't leave me tonight Bill, I need you!" She cried, real tears now. "I want you in the house with me, from now on. I need your protection and your warm arms around me."
He gathered her in his arms. "I'm not leaving you for a minute honey. Now you quit your worrying. With our know-how we can make a great place of our own." He told her as he pulled her unresisting body into his arms. Kissing her into sweet submission they locked the door and made love all night long.
The next day she met Doug in the hallway. She watched him frown as she closed her robe slowly, and smiled. "We'll be living here a while…" She said sweetly.
"We?" Doug asked, his brows meeting at his nose.
"Yes…we." Bill said as he joined her and buttoned his shirt making no secret of the fact that he's slept with her last night.
Doug's mouth fell open. "He's moving in with you?"
"That's right. We're going to be married soon." She raised her chin and dared him to throw a fit.
"I thought he was already married!"
"Well, you thought wrong." She raised her chin.
"I should have known; you are such trash."
"Hey, you don't speak to her like that you little pup!" Bill came menacingly close to Doug.
"Fine, but you either work for a living on this ranch or get out." He told him.
"That's fine with me, I like my job."
"I suppose you are coming to the funeral?" She asked.
"Of course I'm coming." Doug fisted his hands. "When is the funeral?"
"Tomorrow at two at the church in town." She called over her shoulder, but paused to give Bill a hot sordid kiss, then turned to smile at her brother.
Bill went back to work and she went into town to make sure all the arrangements for the funeral were being taken care of.
Some of the ranch hands were gathered about watching her. Doug was with them.
"The bitch is leaving," Slim shook his head. "I never thought I'd live to see that."
"She's not leaving. And get this boys, Bill is living with her now, in the house." Doug shook his head.
"Bill?"
"I thought he was married?" One of the other boys hollered.
"So did I?"
Everyone shook their head. "She shore didn't wait to celebrate, did she?"
"Nope. But let's don't let this get to us. She won't win in the long run. Let's get back to work."
They all scattered.
Chapter Seventeen
Jace and Noah had been gathering horses and breaking them. They worked tirelessly for days. But on Sunday Noah looked at them and shook his head. "It's time to take a day off."
"I'm for that. I’m a little sore after breaking three horses in one day." Jace told him.
"I figured that. Tomorrow we can take the horses down to Hank and get our money." Noah told him.
"Sounds good to me." Jen said.
"How about we have a picnic?"
"That sounds wonderful," Jen agreed.
"Can you cook us up something and we'll pack up some blankets and stuff." Noah hollered.
"Sure I can." Jen agreed.
When Noah went in the other room she asked Jace, "What has he got up his sleeve, I wonder?"
"No tellin', but I won't argue. I could use a day off." Jace chuckled.
She made some fried chicken and potato salad and beans. Jace and Noah loaded up the wagon.
She'd slipped a pretty blue flowered dress on and fixed her hair with a ribbon in it and Jace had cleaned up too.
Noah drove them in a wagon to a big clearing where a few scattered oaks nested. Finding shade, they set up the blanket and Jen brought the food. They all talked and laughed and cut up and dug into the food.
"That chicken is good girl." Noah sighed as he had a third piece.
"Thanks. Glad you like it." She smiled. "Dora, the black lady that cooked for my family after Ma died, she taught me how to fry chicken. I swear black people know how to cook anything."
Noah chuckled and watched the land and a few wild things that littered it. Then he got thoughtful. "Now, I brought you two out here, because Jace has already said he wants to marry you Jen. So, I got to thinking, married folks need a gift. And I got one for you."
"You don't have to give us anything Noah, your friendship is all we need." Jen told him laying a hand on his arm.
"That's right," Jace nodded.
"Well, anyhow, I'm giving you this land here to live on. You'll need a place of your own, I don't want you moving off because it's too cramped. Oh, you don’t' have to move right off. But marriage usually means babies and I certainly want a few to bounce on my knee, so you'll need a place of your own eventually."
"You can't do that," Jace objected.
"Sure I can. I want to. I think of the two of you like you were my kids. Never had any kids. But if I did, I'd want them to be like the two of you. So from this fence line, to that holler back there, is yours. You can grow a good bit back there, and put a house up here close to the road."
"I don't know what to say!" Jen stood in awe of him.
"Well, I do. Now Jace, I'm going back to the house for my nap. And I want you to do the right thing by her and ask for her hand proper while I'm gone. It's one thing to say you want to marry someone, but you got ask, proper like. I'll be back in about an hour and a half…." Noah stood up and looked about the land and smiled.
Jen got up and reached to kiss his jaw. "I love you Noah."
He blushed.
Jace frowned, "Well, I do to, but I am not going to kiss you."
"Thank God for that." Noah chuckled and walked back to the wagon. He pulled out and went home.
"Can you imagine that?" She asked.
"I never expected anything like that," Jace shook his head in confusion.
"He's a wonderful man Jace. He's made our living here so comfortable. So homey. I love it out here." She sighed.
"Tell me something Jen," He looked quite serious now, staring down into her face. "Have you forgiven me yet?"
She shrugged. "There was nothing to forgive, I understood it all when you explained."
He suddenly dropped on one knee and stared up at her.
"Jenny Mae Carter, I love you! So will you make me the happiest man in the state of Texas and marry me?" He asked with sudden seriousness.
She stared down into his eyes and fell on her knees so she was level with him. "Oh yes, Chance…yes!" She cried.
He grabbed her and kissed her wildly now, almost losing control of himself. He wanted her so bad right now he didn't know what to do with himself. Their kisses were steamy hot now, as though they'd been too long
without each other.
They rolled around on the blanket kissing, teasing each other and talking love talk for the longest.
"I want you to know something."
She raised on an elbow and looked into his face, "What?"
"I was really scared I'd lose you, when I went after Kate Williams like I did. But I wanted to hurry it up and get it over with so I could come home to you. I want you to know that…the reason was simple. I spent ten years fretting over Hank taking my folks land. I outlawed because I was so bitter. I didn't come back for so long because deep down I was afraid of what I might do when I got here. That was a long time to hate, and a long time to be wrong. I did what I did for Noah. I didn't want to see him homeless at his age. Nor bitter. But there's something else."
She stared into his eyes, and a tear clouded her eye.
"You taught me patience, and forgiveness. I'm not forgetting that. I love you for that. I love you in so many ways Jen. So many ways. Not just because you are pretty, but what is inside you is pretty." He reached up to touch her heart. "You got the prettiest heart I ever saw. When I look at you, don't get me wrong, you heat me up, fast and quick, but when I really look at you, there is just so much to love about you."
The tear fell on him and he stared at her, turning his head as though in question. "That's the prettiest thing I ever heard."
"It's the truth honey. And it's because I see beyond your beauty, which is outstanding in every way, that I could never leave you for another woman. I want you to know that. You see, with other women it's always been their outside beauty. But that kind of love, doesn't last. It's not substantial. I learned that. Anyone can be guilty of lust, including me. I lusted after Rebecca, I could have found lust with Kate, but several things stopped me. One you, two her heart of stone, three she was married and cheating. And I learned love from you. You've taught me how to love, Jen. How to really love. It's missing someone so bad you hurt. It's constantly thinking about them when you are doing something else. It's so many things, not just kissing and admiring your beauty, it's hard to put into words."
"I didn't know you were so poetic." She smiled sweetly.
"When I'm around you I am. Jen, know this, the love I have for you, will never fade. You're my rock, my heart, my true love. At eleven, I loved you for your sweetness. You haven't changed. Your unspoiled. Your perfect…for me!"
