Kent stood in front of the two boys. Todd and Alex weren’t as tall as he was, so they looked small compared to him. By now everyone was quiet.
“It was a small frog,” Alex said. “We meant no harm by it.”
I rolled my eyes. It was obvious that Alex did it himself, but once again, he was pulling Todd into his pranks with him.
“I ought to teach you a lesson about playing pranks. Nobody likes a joker.” Kent looked directly at Alex. Apparently, Kent knew Todd had nothing to do with the prank too.
“Come on, Alex. Let’s go,” Todd said. “He’s not worth your time.”
“Is that an insult?” Kent demanded.
Todd shrugged. “Depends on how you take it. I just don’t want to see anyone get into a fight, that’s all.”
“I’ll let this one go. But don’t play anymore pranks on Rebecca.”
“I won’t,” Alex promised, his face glum.
Kent sat back down as Todd and Alex sauntered away. The students slowly turned back to their conversations.
“Creepy Alex strikes again,” I commented under my breath.
“Oh Ann, it was just a harmless prank,” Agnes replied.
“He’s extremely annoying.”
“I don’t know. I actually think he’s good looking. I’d let him call on me if he wanted.”
I gave her a disgusted look. “It’s a good thing I’m not going to marry Todd because I’d have to kill Alex if he ever became my brother-in-law.”
“I doubt Alex would find me interesting anyway. He’s going to go to a college and make something of himself.”
“Something like a fool.” I chuckled at my joke.
“When are you going to get over that pebble incident? He hasn’t bothered you since that day.”
“That is true. Hmm... Maybe if he had, Kent would have stood up for me.”
“You don’t need anyone to stand up for you. You’re so strong-willed and independent, you can handle people on your own. Rebecca’s weaker. She needs support.”
I frowned. “Do you think that’s why Kent is marrying her instead of me?”
“No. He’s just stupid.”
I stared at the half-eaten food on my plate. It would be nice if a man felt the need to protect me. Someone who’d treat me as if I were the most important person in the world.
Someone like Todd.
Chapter Three
Todd’s Point of View
I contemplated telling Ann about my love for her. I didn’t think she would be pleased, which was the only reason I hesitated to do so. It was apparent to anyone who cared to notice that she loved Kent. I knew there was no way she would go to North Dakota with me, and even if I stayed in Virginia and worked at my father’s bank, she would either continue to mourn over Kent or find someone else. The realization depressed me, but it did help me realize which path I should pursue. I would go to North Dakota without her. Perhaps I could find someone else out there. I wondered if anyone could ever take her place.
It was Thursday after school when I had another confrontation with my father. I was sitting at my usual desk at the bank and wishing for the five o’clock hour so I could go home. I worked there every day after school. Though I was still a newcomer to banking, my father insisted I take a position as the loan officer. He had dreams of me owning the bank someday and was eager to start me at a higher pay scale than a teller. I saved aside all the money I made into my moving account. I had already purchased two horses to replace the two I would take with me. I had been with Lightning and Thunder since I was fifteen and couldn’t bear to part with them. I also had a covered wagon. I had even packed aside my belongings that I planned to take. I was just waiting for Alex’s relatives to confirm that Mr. Martin was indeed selling his house and farm.
“Todd, please come into my office,” my father said as he walked by my desk.
Since I didn’t have any customers, I followed him and sat in the chair across from him.
He sat down in his chair and placed his elbows on the table, his hands neatly folded. It suddenly felt like I was at an inquisition. “What do you think of your position here at the bank?”
I sighed. This wasn’t going to be a good discussion. “I don’t like it.”
He frowned. “Perhaps I should give you another position.”
“That won’t work either. I keep telling you that I don’t enjoy this.”
“How can you be sure? You haven’t given your job a chance. I’m offering you a legacy. Surely, you will want something to leave your children.”
I inwardly groaned.
“Someday you will get married and have children. What better gift can you leave them than this bank?”
“There’s no guarantee I will get married or that I will have sons. I would have to have a son to leave the name ‘Brothers’ on the bank.”
“Miss Statesman is no longer seeing that Kent Ashton fellow. Perhaps you can court her. I could arrange something with her parents if you’d like.”
“No. She’s not interested.” The last thing I wanted was my father to arrange my love life for me. “What made you think of her anyway?”
“It’s obvious to everyone that you love her. My advice is to be there for her and let her cry on your shoulder. It may be the very thing that will get her to finally notice you. It worked for your mother.”
My head was spinning. It was obvious to everyone that I loved her? Did that mean she knew too?
“Well, don’t let any of that trouble you,” my father continued. “There are plenty of other young ladies you can choose from. You have years to explore your options. What matters now is your job.”
I tuned him out as he ran through a long list of reasons why banking was the perfect job for someone in my economic status. I had heard this many times, but today it was especially irritating. Perhaps the realization that everyone knew what I felt for Ann was the final straw.
“Father, please stop.” I tried to be kind while being firm. “I have no intention of working here after I graduate. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, and I really feel led to farm.”
“Farmers don’t make as much money as we do. It’s a necessary profession since we all need to eat, but it is beneath you. You were born into a wealthy family. Your name means something. Don’t waste it.”
“Life is more than money.”
“Money helps you provide for your wife and children. The Bible makes it clear that a righteous man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children. It also says to honor your parents. The best way to honor me is to work here.”
“Is there anything else?” I finally asked when I realized he wasn’t going to listen to me no matter how many times I told him that his dream wasn’t my path in life.
“I’ll open up the mortgage officer’s position for you next Monday. You might find that more to your liking.”
I couldn’t believe it.
“One more thing before you leave,” he added. “If you pursue this farming thing, you can consider yourself dead to the family. You may go.”
I quietly stood up and left his office. I returned to my desk and willed myself to calm down. If I ever have children, I will let them do what they want with their lives.
***
The next day before school began, I stopped by Alex’s desk and sat in the seat next to his before Debbie needed it. “Have you heard anything about the Martin farm?” I whispered my question so no one overheard us.
“It’s available. Do you want me to get my aunt and uncle to get a loan set up for you? I can send them your down payment.”
I glanced at Ann. She looked like she was trying to ignore Kent and Rebecca who were sitting close together and talking.
“When are you going to give up on Scary Annie?” Alex asked.
I laughed. “She’s not scary.”
“Any girl who dumps sand on me and hits me with a broom is scary.” He shook his head. “I can only imagine what she’ll do when her future husband upsets her. If i
t were me, I’d sleep with one hand on a gun for protection.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
“Maybe. But I wouldn’t take my chances. I don’t know why, but you like to live dangerously.”
“What you interpret as scary is what I call passion. If you grew up with a house full of sisters who never fought back, you’d understand.”
“I still wouldn’t sleep with the light off.” He momentarily shuddered.
If I was in bed with Ann, the last thing I’d be doing was sleeping. I doubted she’d let me sleep either. When she got involved with something, she gave it everything she had. But I didn’t dare voice that opinion.
“As much as she scares me, I do feel bad for her,” he admitted. “I also feel bad for Rebecca. Kent’s not the person he appears to be.”
I turned back to him in interest. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t wish to go into detail. Let’s just say that Ann is much better off without him. It may not seem like it, but she’s the lucky one between her and Rebecca.”
My eyes widened in surprise. I knew Alex didn’t like to spread gossip, even when it was true. He would only warn someone that something or someone else wasn’t a good idea to pursue. As much as I wanted to know what he saw Kent doing, I decided to keep quiet.
“Should I tell my aunt and uncle to get the loan for you?” Alex pressed.
“Yes. It’s not like Ann will ever want me. I have nothing to stay here for.”
“You’re better off.”
I saw Debbie enter the classroom. “See you at lunch,” I said as I left her seat.
***
That Sunday night I chose my best suit. I knew it would be the last time I would see Ann at a dinner party before I left for Jamestown, North Dakota. I fixed my tie as I went over the words I would tell her. There was nothing to lose at this point. I would simply tell her how I felt and tell her that I knew she didn’t return my feelings but I wanted to let her know before I left. At least, she would know someone loved her even if Kent no longer did. Perhaps, it would give her courage to find someone else.
I glanced at the picture I had of her on my dresser. I hesitated to take it with me to North Dakota. What was the point in holding onto the past? I picked it up and stared at it for a long moment. If she loved me, I could marry her and take her with me. But even if she did love me, would she really be content to go without the luxuries we were used to? From what Alex said, the farmer didn’t enjoy servants who did their every bidding. Ann wouldn’t be able to afford her jewelry and fancy dresses. She would have to learn to cook, clean, and do whatever it was farmer’s wives did. No. She wouldn’t want to deal with the hardships out West. I walked over to the trashcan and held her picture over it. Alex was right. It was time to let go of the past and move on.
“Sir, the Statesman family has arrived,” one of my parents’ servants said.
“I’ll be right there,” I replied. I dropped the picture in the trashcan. After tonight, I wouldn’t have anything else to do with Ann.
I joined my sisters who were giggling around Ann who seemed overwhelmed by the attention. I stood to the side while Agnes and Abigail discussed corsets. I closed my eyes. I knew more about female clothing items and other feminine details than I cared to admit. Maybe being alone on a farm would be a blessing. Then I wouldn’t have to concern myself with such things ever again.
“Todd,” my mother greeted as she walked over to me. “I think it would be nice if you offered to escort Ann to the dance this Wednesday.”
“I’m the last person she wants to go with,” I replied.
“Oh, she just doesn’t know what a fine young man you are. She probably needs a nudge in the right direction.”
“Please don’t. I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but it’s not meant to be.”
“Well, from what I heard, there are no other available bachelors to take her. It might be God bringing you two together. You never know.”
“She doesn’t love me. Besides, she might like to stay home for a change. She doesn’t look like she’s up to dancing.”
In fact, during the meal, she looked like all she wanted to do was go home and stay locked up in her bedroom. Despite Alex’s insinuation that Kent wasn’t good for her, it was still rough to watch her. She seemed sad and trapped at the same time.
Our parents made their usual rounds of updates on what their children were up to. I cringed as my father discussed his plans for me at the bank. I hated to disappoint him. I knew he would be upset when he woke up one morning and I was gone. I would leave a note explaining what I did and that I was still thankful to him and my mother for all their care, but I knew it wouldn’t help. I was about to get disowned.
At one point, my mother asked Ann if she planned to go to the dance, but Ann stared at her plate, absentmindedly fiddling with her peas.
“Ann?” Her mother lightly tapped her on the arm.
She immediately turned her attention to her mother.
“Mrs. Brothers asked you a question, dear.”
“I’m sorry. What did you ask, Mrs. Brothers?” she politely asked.
My mother smiled at her. “Are you going to the dance this Wednesday?”
“Yes, I will be going,” she softly answered.
I realized that she didn’t feel like going but would go to please her parents. I sympathized with her predicament. Only, I was getting out of my prison.
“Todd, would you be so kind as to escort Ann to the dance?” my mother blurted out.
My face grew red from a mixture of embarrassment and anger. Hadn’t we already discussed this? “She may not wish to go with me, Mother,” I kindly, but firmly, replied. I couldn’t look at Ann since I was too humiliated.
“Of course, I would be honored to go with you, Todd,” Ann replied.
I couldn’t say no with everyone staring at me. I knew she only agreed because everyone expected her to. And now I would take her because everyone expected me to. I forced myself to look at her and smile. “Then I will take you.”
I pretended to be intensely interested in the roast beef dinner after that. If the dinner could have gotten worse, I didn’t know how. In three weeks, this would all be a memory. It was the only consolation I had.
Once dinner was over, I decided it was time to tell her what was on my mind. I didn’t want her to spend the next couple of days worried about whether or not I would ask to court her after the dance. The situation was awkward enough as it was. Since she was ready to run off with Agnes, I had to yell her name across the room in order to get her attention.
She and Agnes stopped. Turning around, she politely asked, “Yes?”
I hated being put on the spot. Everyone was staring at us, and it irritated me. I would have to speak with her in private. I walked up to her before I spoke. “Could I speak with you on the veranda?”
I knew our parents would be fine with this since they could see us from the window.
She nodded and followed me out.
Now that she was in front of me, I forgot my well-rehearsed speech. She sat on the bench and patiently waited for me to talk. I shifted uneasily from one foot to the other. I was going to tell her and that would be it. “What I have to say isn’t easy for me,” I slowly began, staring at the ground. I couldn’t make eye contact with her. I feared she would laugh at me. Taking a deep breath, I quickly said, “I love you.”
It wasn’t the way I had envisioned telling her a year ago. Back then, I planned to hold her in my arms and tell her before I kissed her. This wasn’t anything like that. I felt like a fool who was out of place. Hoping to avoid any further awkwardness, I continued to talk.
“I know you don’t love me,” I admitted.
Before she could interrupt, I requested that she let me continue. She simply nodded and waited.
I sat next to her, making sure there was adequate distance between us so I didn’t spook her. “I wanted you to know how I felt about you before I left. I don’t want to work at my father�
�s bank. I know it’s what my family expects of me, but I’m not going to do it. I want to be a farmer. I know it sounds silly but I believe it’s God’s purpose for my life. I have a friend who knows a man out West who wants to sell his farm and house so he can be close to his grown children. I’m going to purchase his property.”
“You’re leaving? When?” She was obviously stunned. No one but Alex knew my plans up to this point, so I wasn’t surprised by her reaction.
“I’ll leave the day after we graduate.”
“Where are you going?”
“North Dakota.”
“That far? But what about your parents and sisters?”
“My sisters will get used to it. I think it might even show them that they need to pursue their dreams so they can live the lives they want. My parents will most likely disown me.”
“Oh, they wouldn’t do something so drastic. Sure, they will be upset but they’ll accept it.”
“No, they won’t. Trust me, Ann. I know them better than you do.”
She closed her mouth and nodded.
“I know how you feel about Kent and I’ve accepted that,” I went on. “It’s not my intention to make you uncomfortable. Now you don’t have to dread going to the dance with me.”
Her mother tapped on the window. “We need to go,” she yelled.
Ann turned back to me and smiled. “I’ll miss you when you leave. I won’t tell anyone what you plan to do. And I’m sorry I never gave you a chance. You are very nice.”
“Thank you.” I stood up with her. “I hope this will make going to the dance with me easier for you.”
“I don’t want to go to the dance because Kent and Rebecca will be there, but it will be less of a burden since you’ll be with me.”
That was the first time she seemed glad to be in my presence. I took her picture out of the trashcan when I returned to my room. I stared at it again. If nothing else, she was a friend. I packed it in my suitcase. I could always throw it out after I made it to North Dakota.
Falling In Love With Her Husband Page 3
