In seconds, I’m at Gideon’s side helping my father pull him off the smaller boy.
When I catch a glimpse of Ben’s face, I’m shocked to see that he is still smiling through a bloody lip. I glare at him as I take Gideon’s arm and lead him aside.
Pa helps Ben to his feet and, still smiling, he looks around at all of us. It’s as though he’s admiring his handiwork.
“I suppose this is where I’ll take my leave,” Ben says, as though he just finished a polite and amusing conversation. “Before I go, I will give you a word of caution Mr. Porter. Don’t be surprised when the Elison’s turn on you. Every farmer knows you can never trust a cowman.”
And, with a glance and chuckle in my direction, he turns and walks away. Gideon by my side, I watch him go down the long path, wondering what other surprises Ben Johnson has in store for us.
*****
“Will your Pa be all right?” Gideon asks me. I’ve seen Pa into the house and practically forced him to lie down. Gideon and I agreed to take a walk together around the farm while Pa rests. “I know his heart’s not been doing well lately.”
“I’m sure he’ll manage,” I answer. “He’s seen far worse brawls than that in his time.”
I say this mostly to reassure Gideon. The truth is, I have been worried about Pa’s health for a while now. He is not nearly as strong as he used to be. Even on the farm, our two hired hands have had to take on the bulk of the work. Pa used to run the farm practically on his own. With occasional help from my Brother, Andrew.
But, Andrew went away to school years ago. He got a job as a clerk in Kansas City, and has rarely returned home since. That leaves only me to look after Pa. And, truth be told, I am not always sure I’m up to the challenge.
“I am sorry about that,” Gideon says to me. It takes me a moment to realize that he is apologizing for the brawl on our porch.
“I know I promised I wouldn’t fight anymore,” he says. “But, when he started talking about you, and my father, and your father, I-”
“Don’t worry, Gideon,” I cut him off. “I can forgive this one indiscretion. Especially since it was partially on my behalf.”
“I see,” he says, looking down at me with a smile. “So, I am permitted to fight if it’s on your behalf.”
“That’s not what I said,” I tell him sternly. “I said I could forgive that one incident. Anything else, I will not be so quick to overlook.”
“Emily,” he says, “you cannot honestly expect me to stand by and let accusations like that stand.”
“I would rather you stood by than end up injured or worse,” I answer. We’re passing the cornfield and moving towards the orange grove. The smell of the fruit helps to calm me.
“And, what if I promise that won’t happen?” he asks.
“Gideon, you cannot promise that. You know you can’t,” I tell him. I stop walking next to the largest tree in the orchard and turn to face him.
“One day, I fear,” I begin, “someone much more dangerous than Ben Johnson will insult you. When that happens, you cannot guarantee your own safety.”
I look into his eyes as he looks to me and heaves a heavy sigh. He looks away from me towards the large plains over our fence.
“This is very important to you, isn’t it?” he asks finally, turning back to me.
“It is,” I tell him urgently.
He takes my hands in his and heaves another sigh.
“All right then,” he says. “I cannot refuse a request from my future wife.”
My heart begins to pound in my chest and my mouth begins to go dry. I pray to god that this means what I desperately hope it means.
“Emily Porter,” he says. The pressure of his hands press more closely against mine. “Will you marry me?”
I feel a huge smile spread across my face. My eyes fill with joyful tears and I desperately try to form a sentence.
Gideon stares at me, his face beginning to fall. I realize that I am keeping him in suspense.
Still not trusting myself to speak, I nod my head. Finally, I open my mouth and force myself to say:
“Yes! Yes, I will marry you!”
My smile is mirrored on Gideon’s face as he lets out a buoyant laugh and gathers me in his arms. I feel my feet lift from the ground as Gideon spins me around once.
I barely have time to catch my breath as he places me back down on the ground and his lips have met mine.
I am surprised for only a moment before I wrap my arms around him in turn and return his kiss.
His lips on mine are soft and warm and just as sweet as I always imagined they would be. It is the most intense feeling I have yet felt in my life.
It is difficult to say which of us pulls away first. When I finally open my eyes and see Gideon’s face, I see a beautiful contented smile lining his lips. I know the smile matches my own.
We stare at each other, smiling, for a long moment before Gideon speaks.
“I suppose we should make our way back to the house,” he says. “After all, we have some good news to share with your father.”
“We do,” I answer.
He takes my arm and leads me away from the sweet smelling oranges, and back to the whitewashed form of our little farmhouse in the distance. As the house grows larger in the distance, I feel my heart swell with a joy I was beginning to fear I would never feel.
Of course, we still have to ask my father’s permission. But, I am certain he will give it gladly. He has always liked Gideon as well as Gideon’s family.
As I revel in the feel of Gideon’s arm splayed against me, and the taste of his kiss still fresh on my lips, I cannot help but think that this is a perfect moment in my life. Now, I am almost positive that no one, not even horrible Ben Johnson could steal this happiness from me.
*****
I wake up the next morning to yells and screams from outside my window. Immediately I throw the covers off, and jump out of my bed. As I put on my dressing gown, my heart begins to thump in my chest.
My very first thought is of my father. When there is commotion on the farm, I always worry that Pa has had another heart attack or collapsed of some other illness.
I head out the door and rush to the deck where I can see my father standing at the bottom of the steps. He is erect and looks healthy enough, but there is something troubling in his stance.
“Pa?” I ask gently, moving down towards him. Jacob and Tom, our hired hands are still calling to each other. I hear them by the cornfield. Pa is looking in their direction, his face is pale and his eyes look as though they will never see again.
I move my gaze where my Father is staring. I gasp in horror when I see the corn crop for the year. Or, to be more accurate, what is left of the corn crop for the year.
“Trampled,” Pa says so quietly, I barely hear him. “The fence was mowed down. The crops were all trampled. Jacob and Tom are checking on the livestock now.”
His voice begins to shake and I realize to my horror that my father is about to cry. I have not seen him come even close to shedding tears since Mama died. That was nearly ten years ago.
“There’s nothing we can do about it now, Pa,” I say, trying my best to keep my own voice from trembling. “Why don’t we go inside? I’ll get breakfast started a bit early.”
Pa does not say anything, but allows me to put my hands on his shoulders and steer him inside the house. He goes into his bedroom and closes the door behind him without a word.
I pad to my own room and get dressed. When I emerge to start breakfast, just before the sun has risen, I can’t keep my eyes from traveling to the now useless corn field.
Just yesterday we had a promising crop. The stalks were bright green and had begun to sprout the first fruits. Now, there is almost nothing left. I doubt we will have enough to go to market. And, there will certainly not be enough to sell in order to repay our loan from the bank.
I find that I cannot keep my hands from shaking as I prepare breakfast. By the time I’ve called my fath
er to the table and begun serving, I have calmed myself a good deal. I have almost convinced myself that I will be able to make it through the rest of the day.
Then, Jacob and Tom enter and give me and Pa news that causes my hands to shake again.
“It was Elison,” Jacob says, as soon as he sits down to the table.
“What do you mean?” I ask him quickly. I nearly drop the plate of eggs I was carrying to him, and I am very aware that every eye in the room is staring at me.
“We found one of the cattle,” Tom explains. His voice is deeper than Jacob’s. He’s nearly the same age as Gideon but his tan, weather-worn face and tall stature make him appear a good deal older. “It had the Elison mark on it.”
My heart sinks in my chest and I am tempted to set Tom’s plate aside and sink down in my own seat. It can’t be. It’s not possible.
“You’re positive?” Father asks. As Jacob answers, I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I walk over to Tom and set his plate in front of him.
“It may not have been on purpose,” Tom says.
“Don’t see how it could have been an accident,” Jacob says. “Those Cattle had to have been moved to end up all the way over here.”
“Moved?” I ask. “Who could have moved them?”
“It was probably Gideon Elison,” Jacob says with a growl. He is younger than Tom. And I believe, slightly younger than me. He is small but strong for his size, with a fierce disposition. And, he has always had an irrational hatred of cattlemen.
“Why would Gideon do a thing like that?” I ask.
“We don’t know,” Tom answers. “Truth be told, we don’t even know if it was him.”
“No one else had access to their cattle,” Father says. “Everyone knows the Elison's have always kept a close watch on their herd.”
I look at my father, a feeling of terror gripping my heart. He has always liked Gideon and his father. He’s always trusted them. He gave his blessing to me and Gideon just yesterday. I don’t believe, can’t believe he would accuse Gideon of something like this.
But then, I’ve never seen my father like this before. His face is still pale from the shock. His eyes are still brimmed red from the tears he shed when he was alone in his room.
“Pa… it can’t be,” I begin. “There has to be some other explanation.”
“If there is, we’ll find it,” he says, wiping his mouth and standing from the table. He’s hardly touched his food.
“Jacob, finish up here and then you and I will pay a visit to the Elison's. We should return their missing cattle at any rate.”
Jacob nods and stands as well. His biscuit lying half-eaten on his plate.
“Emily,” Pa says, turning to me, “you help Tom mind the farm. We won’t be gone long.”
I open my mouth to speak but realize that I have nothing to say. Slowly, I nod and return my eyes to my plate as Pa and Jacob gather their things. I don’t look up at them as they take their leave. And, almost as soon as they’ve gone, I stop picking at my food as does Jacob, and stand to clear the plates.
I can’t help but think that none of this is right. Even as I finish cleaning the plates and move on to the washing, I keep going over the whole thing round and round in my mind.
Not only do I know that Gideon wouldn’t do a thing like this, I don’t see how he could do a thing like this. It’s a very long way from his ranch to our farm. It would take someone both refreshed and very dedicated to drive the cattle all the way here in the middle of the night. And even more, to get the herd riled enough to trample down a fence and an entire field of crops.
Gideon would have been out with the herd all day. He always is, even though his father tells him time and time again that he doesn’t have to be. They have plenty of hired cowmen to drive the cattle around the range and, latter, to and from town.
But, Gideon prefers to be out on his horse to being indoors and keeping the books. That’s what I’ll do when we marry.
If we marry.
That is the other thing that worries me. Father’s face when Jacob told him who the cattle belonged to. I’ve never seen Pa so upset. I know if he doesn’t believe Gideon’s explanation, he will withdraw his consent from our marriage.
I do not think I could bear that.
But, Pa will believe Gideon. He’ll have to. Gideon has no reason to do us any harm. Especially not after our engagement.
Still, I cannot think of anyone else who would wish such a fate on us either. Who would be so cruel as to destroy the livelihood of a respected old man?
Just then, the answer to my unspoken question sounds from the outside porch.
I move towards the screen door and see Ben Jonson's smug face moving towards me. Jacob and Pa following in his wake.
Pa’s face is red with anger and he’s walking with a purpose I’ve never seen from him. Ben Johnson is wearing that horrible smirk I’ve always despised.
At that moment, I know the true culprit behind our misfortune. And, what is worse, I know that he may have gotten away with it.
*****
“Hello, Emily,” Ben says, as soon as he and the other men reach the bottom steps. “I met Jacob and your Father on the road. I heard what happened, I wanted to express my condolences.”
I do not acknowledge Ben but turn to my Father.
“What did the Ellison’s say?” I ask him. “What happened?”
Pa looks up at me. His eyes are hard and his wrinkled face is as red as it was when I saw him walking down the road. But when he looks at me, he softens slightly, gives me a sad look and shakes his head just slightly.
I know what that means and it’s enough to make my heart stop completely in my chest. Pa’s taken away his consent. Gideon and I will not be getting married.
I open my mouth to speak, to put in some argument. But before I can, Pa turns to Jacob.
"Jacob, take the wagon down into town,” he says. “Seek out my lawyer Mr. Baker. He’ll draw up the lawsuit against the Ellison’s.”
“Yes sir,” Jacob says, before quickly moving towards the stables and out of sight.
Without acknowledging Ben, Pa moves up the steps and makes his way into the house. As he passes me, I grab his arm to stop his progress.
“Pa, what if I spoke to Gideon?” I ask. “If I went to him, I am sure he would clear the whole thing up.”
“Emily,” he says firmly, gently removing my hand from his arm. “There’s nothing more to be done. The Elison’s have made their bed. Now they’ll have to lie in it. I don’t want you anywhere near their property is that clear?”
“But, Pa, I-”
“I said is that clear?” His voice has almost raised now. I have not heard him speak this way in a long while. Especially not to me. I know there is no point in arguing any longer.
I take a step back and bow my head.
“Yes, Pa,” I say quietly.
He nods and looks at me once more. For a moment, he looks apologetic. As though he might open his mouth to tell me that he is sorry for speaking to me in such a manner.
But, the next moment, he hardens his face once more, looks away and heads back into the house.
“This is a difficult day for all of you, it seems,” Ben’s voice causes me to turn towards him once more. I wish I could say that I’d forgotten he was here. I wish I could say that I had not seen him watching our family drama play out with barely disguised glee.
“Losing crops is always difficult,” I tell him coldly. “But, we have come through worse before. I am sure we will again.”
“I do hope the farm is able to survive this blow,” Ben says. “Though, I doubt your courtship with Gideon Ellison will.”
A rage I can barely restrain bubbles through me at his mention of Gideon. I want to slap him in the face. I want to scream at him and order him off our property.
But, I know that as a lady, that would do me much more harm than good. So, instead, I give him the coldest smile I can muster.
“I am certain my fiance an
d I will be able to weather this storm just as well as my father’s farm will,” I tell him.
I experience a moment of pleasure when I see Ben’s eyes go wide with surprise at my use of the word fiance. He takes a step back.
“I did not realize your relationship had progressed,” he says.
“It is not widely known yet,” I answer. “Gideon only proposed yesterday.”
“I see,” Ben says. “And, may I ask what your father thinks of this arrangement?”
“He gave us his consent before Gideon left last night,” I answer.
My heart sinks again when the smug smile returns to Ben’s face.
“I see,” he says. “Though, given your father’s attitude towards the Elison's at the moment, I gather his position has changed.”
I cannot muster even the coldest smile at this. My face instead forms a steely glare at Ben.
“Regardless,” I say, with as much venom as I can muster. “My position has not changed. And never will. Regardless of what my Father may think.”
“You still think Elison is innocent?” Ben asks with a mocking chuckle, as he makes his way up the steps, closer to me.
I have a sudden urge to move back. To get as far away from him as possible. But, I stand my ground.
“I believe there are others who would sooner see us destroyed and the Elison’s along with us,” I say. I hope the statement is pointed enough. I hope that Ben Johnson understands that I am telling him I know what he is up to. I know that it was he who destroyed our crops and sought to blame the Elison’s.
“That may be,” Ben says. “However, the evidence clearly points to Ellison. I have no doubt your father will win his suit against them. And when he does, I hope you will entertain other offers of courtship.”
He gives me a sickeningly triumphant smile as he takes my hand and brings it to his lips. I want to yank it away from him. I want to run into the house and never have to see Ben Johnson’s sallow-faced grin again.
But I am frozen to the spot, as he slowly releases my hand and looks up at me with that same smirk.
“Miss Porter,” he says, as he tips his hat to me, his voice laced with amusement.
I can do nothing but nod to him before rushing into the house and closing the door. I can’t be sure, but I imagine I can hear him as he walks down the road from our farm. He is laughing at me. Mocking me.
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