At the reception, Vivienne and Annabelle stood together at the side of the buffet table. “I just can't relax around Jeb, Abraham and Isaac seem so accepting of him all of a sudden. He makes me nervous,” Annabelle whispered before chasing after Amy. Vivienne nodded. She watched Jeb from across the room. Martha approached with Sissy close behind.
“Have you eaten anything, Mother Martha?”
“No, Vivienne, I have no appetite. It was a lovely service, wasn't it?”
“Yes, Loretta and Hans did an excellent job. Thank God for Loretta. What do you think of Jeb?” Martha followed Vivienne's glance.
“Isaac explained to us that Jeb has changed. He also said that Anna was responsible for that. It is good to know that Anna did something memorable and worthy before she died.” Martha could tell that her daughter-in-law was not convinced.
“Just give him a chance, he will be gone in a few days. It seems to be very important to Isaac and after his confession; I don't want anything to upset him. He is finally at peace.” Martha seemed to look at nothing in particular and then added, “So is my Anna, did you know that she left a note that read: At last I am free. How strange, I said those same words when Jebediah died.” Martha wandered away in a trancelike state.
Dear God, what did this family endure in Wyoming? Vivienne took a bite of the cookie that she had been holding; her appetite was insatiable.
Abraham smiled as Thomas described the bison, the antelope and the wilds of Wyoming. Even he had to admit, that as a child, he too had been very impressed with the nature and the beauty of the countryside. Abraham was surprised to learn that Isaac had allowed Thomas and Jeb to go alone into the plains. Perhaps some good did come from this trip to Whittakerville. I have not had a pleasant thought of Wyoming in years. Abe told Thomas some stories of his childhood in Wyoming, pleasant stories. It made him feel much better about Wyoming.
Jeremy had not spoken to Jeb, but found himself standing beside the young man. “I just wanted to say, I am sorry for being so rude to you, young man. Isaac has made me realize that you did not harm Anna, in fact just the opposite. You told me that you loved Anna and I believe you.” He extended his hand to Jeb. Jeb looked into Jeremy's eyes. He gripped his hand; tears welled up in his own eyes.
“Yes, we both loved Anna and we both will miss her. But she is free at last.” With that he walked out of the house. Jeremy watched him go. Martha came to Jeremy.
“What were you talking to Jeb about, Jeremy? It looked very serious.”
“He loved our daughter, everything else is to be forgotten where Jeb is concerned. He loved Anna with all his heart.” A strange look came over Jeremy's face. “Can you say the same, Martha?” Jeremy turned and walked away from her. She stood very still. Not realizing she was holding her breath, she felt suddenly faint. Her knees started to buckle. Abraham caught her just in time. “Mother, what is it? Do you need to lie down?” Martha looked at her son.
“Your Papa hates me Abraham. He hates me.” She began to sob uncontrollably and Abe signaled for Loretta to take her upstairs. Abraham went to Jeremy.
“What did you do to Mama, she just told me that you hate her. This has gone too far. You love Mama and she loves you, Anna is still causing trouble even in death. Go to her this minute. She is in mourning, she needs you.”
“She doesn't need me. She didn't love Anna the way I did. I don't know if she loved her at all.” Jeremy turned and left the house, leaving Abraham shocked and silent.
The next few days saw Jeb return to Wyoming with Alice. Isaac and his family tried to get back to a normal life. The only thing different on the farm was that Sissy was staying in town with Martha. Sissy would not leave Martha's side and everyone agreed that she seemed to be the best medicine for Martha. Jeremy stayed at the office, sleeping in the small flat in back. Abraham went to the hospital, Vivienne helped Isaac on the farm and life went on.
“Grandma, I think you should go to the dress shop. Auntie Loretta must be very busy there. I will come with you.” Sissy paraded around Martha's bedroom wearing one of Martha's hats. She looked very comical in the oversized hat with the ostrich feathers. Martha laughed at her.
“Sissy, you are absolutely right. How did you get so smart for someone so young?” Martha was overjoyed that Sissy was staying with her. She was a wonderful distraction and kept Martha from thinking about Jeremy, who had been gone for over a week.
“Broccoli and carrots.”
“Broccoli and carrots? What on earth do you mean?”
“Mama said that if you eat all your broccoli and carrots, you'll be smart. They taste disgusting but looks like they work.” Martha laughed out loud. She hugged Sissy close, knocking the hat from her head.
“Okay, Miss Smarty pants, let's go to the shop.” Together they finished dressing. Martha dressed in a simple black, dulled taffeta skirt, long sleeved black blouse, fitting for a woman in mourning. Before she left the house, she placed a small hat with veil on her head and headed into town. Martha felt better than she had since learning of Anna's death.
“Sissy, Grandma wants to stop at Granddad's office but I will take you into the shop first.” The carriage stopped and Sissy climbed down.
“Okay Grandma, I will help Auntie Loretta until you get there.” Sissy skipped off into the dress shop, the bell on the door tinkled loudly as she entered. Loretta looked up and smiled. “Grandma is going to see Granddad, she will be here soon. Now give me some work to do. I want to help.” The child's words were like a wonderful news flash to Loretta. Perhaps they will work out their differences. Bless you, Sissy.
Martha held her breath; her hand shook as she reached for the doorknob. She closed her eyes and prayed, Dear Lord, help me say the right thing. I love Jeremy with all of my heart. I need him. Please Lord, be with me. She opened the door. Jeremy looked up in surprise when he saw her standing there. He was unshaven and without his suit jacket.
“Martha.”
“Jeremy, I'm so sorry.” Her voice trembled. She stood just inside the door afraid to come any closer. “I love you Jeremy. I loved Anna. I really did.” He stood and walked to her side. “Please Jeremy, I need you.” He reached for her and pulled her into his arms.
“I know you did. I'm so sorry Martha. I love you.” Together they cried for their lost child, holding each other tenderly.
All of the Whittakers dealt with their grief in their own way, but it was a sad time for all of them.
Chapter Sixteen
Understanding
“Let me take Amy home with me, just until tomorrow. I need to start practicing being a mother.” Vivienne jostled baby Amy on her knee. The child soon grew fidgety, wanting down. Carefully Vivienne placed her on the floor and the little one waddled away. “She is walking very well, Annabelle. Besides, with Sissy gone and Thomas at his friend's, you and Isaac deserve some time alone.” Vivienne was trying to get this family back on its feet. She wanted to see them smile again.
“You really don't have to do that Viv.” Then as an afterthought she added, “But if you want too, why not?” Annabelle packed a small bag for Amy and Vivienne beamed from ear to ear. “Isaac and I have not been alone since Thomas was a baby. It would be nice to have him all to myself.” Viv left in the wagon with an anxious Annabelle waving goodbye.
“Why is Viv taking Amy?” Isaac strolled from the barn, his long legs taking large strides toward her.
“Viv thinks we need some time alone, what do you think?”
“I think I love Vivienne, come here my wife.” Isaac pulled Annabelle into his arms. At five feet she barely reached his chest but she snuggled close. “What shall we do with ourselves?”
She smiled pulling her apron over her head. “We shall think of something.” She led him coquettishly, into the house. He followed anxiously.
“Abraham, I'm home and I have a surprise.” Vivienne carried Amy into the warm cozy kitchen. A large pot of soup was cooking on the stove, Abraham appeared from the living room. “My goodness, supper on the
stove. What a wonderful husband I have. Look who's here.” Amy gurgled at Abraham, reaching for him with chubby arms.
“Amy, my little sweetheart. What's the occasion?”
“I thought Isaac and Annabelle needed some alone time. And, you need to start practicing, so Amy needs her diaper changed, Daddy- to- be.” Abraham laughed, kissing Viv quickly on the cheek.
“Diapers are no challenge for Uncle Abe, come on Amy.” Amy giggled as Abe tickled her. Vivienne smiled at the two of them. What a beautiful sight. You will be a wonderful father, my love.
“Abraham, what do you really think of Jeb?”
“Isaac convinced me to give the man a chance and that is what I am doing. You should do the same.” Abraham tossed Amy's soiled diaper into a bucket and lifted the toddler into the air.
“He almost killed me. It is a little difficult to forget that.” Viv took the bucket to the backroom, where she filled it with water from the pump.
“Yes, I know. However, he didn't kill you and that was when I realized that I loved you and could never lose you, so actually you owe him a debt of thanks.” Abe snuggled Amy, she giggled. Viv returned to the living room.
“A debt of thanks! That is stretching it a bit. No, I don't think I can go that far.”
“Just try and forgive and forget. He lives in Wyoming for heaven's sake, we probably will never see him again.” Amy wriggled in his arms. “Here, practice being a mommy for awhile, I will serve supper.” Vivienne took Amy. She was having trouble with Abraham's solution of forgive and forget. Vivienne was not that forgiving.
Later that night, Vivienne lay awake listening to Abraham sleep. His even breathing was soothing to her ears. She was remembering the men that killed her father. Dressed as a boy, she had hunted them down and shot them. It was so long ago but she could still remember the satisfaction when she knew they were dead. An eye for an eye, that is how I was raised. She looked at Abraham. The bright moonlight shone in the window, giving the room a soft glow. For you my love, I will try. For you and our beautiful child that is growing inside of me. She patted her belly gently and fell fast asleep.
That night Abraham tossed and turned. He dreamt of his father. Jebediah Whittaker stood in the Wyoming churchyard. He laughed an evil laugh; his eyes glowed like burning coal. Suddenly, Anna appeared in the dream, she stood beside Jebediah laughing the same sinister, evil laugh. Jebediah stared at Abraham laughing, “I have won, at last. I have won.” Abraham screamed. Vivienne woke suddenly, finding her husband sitting up in bed, a look of horror on his face. So, you do not forget that easily my love. She put her arms around him.
Isaac and Annabelle ate a delicious dinner and then retired for the night. The time together had been good for them. “Isaac, can I ask you about Jeb? I really am trying to accept him as your brother, but I can't get the memory of what he did to me out of my head.” Isaac sat up in bed, pulling Annabelle into his arms.
“Jeb was a very troubled young man. I understand it. I want to tell you about Wyoming, about when I was a boy.”
“No Isaac, I know how painful that is for you, I will adjust.”
“Annabelle, no more secrets. It actually feels good to be able to talk about it. Going back to Whittakerville was like lifting a curtain; a curtain of guilt and hidden memories that needed to be lifted. I guess I can thank Anna for that.”
“Yes Isaac, thank Anna. I know you will miss her. I also know you didn't always like your sister. It would be good to place a thankfulness upon her memory.” Annabelle wanted Anna to rest in peace. She wanted Isaac to come to terms with her death.
“Thank you, Anna, may you rest in peace. Dear God, take our Anna to your bosom. Amen.” He opened his eyes; Annabelle smiled at her husband. She knew he was humoring her, but she felt it was the right thing just the same. “Now, about Whittakerville. When we went to the church, I honestly said goodbye to all the hurt and pain. As a young boy, I had blocked out the memory of my mother's death. I was angry and quiet and I didn't know why. I was actually the closest to my father because I was his spy, his accomplice, if you will. I held on to a lot of guilt when I finally remembered that it was him that had killed her. I went insane at that moment, and I shot him. I am just thankful that I came out of that nightmare. Anna was not so lucky.”
“How does that have anything to do with Jeb?”
“Jeb was mistreated all of his life as a boy, his mother was beaten and used as Jebediah's sex squaw. When she died, Jeb transferred all of his hate onto his father and this family. That is why he came here to destroy us. Jeb was living in hate and hate can do terrible things to a person's mind. I honestly believe that he went a little insane when he stabbed Papa. The man I met in Whittakerville was completely different. He was a man who knew love. Love is a powerful medicine, Annabelle.” She watched his face; she knew he was feeling comfortable talking about this. Annabelle snuggled close and remained silent. “Jeb found love with Anna. He found respect and yes; love, from the people of Whittakerville. I experienced the same kind of transformation after my father was shot. Martha and Jeremy loved me with all their hearts. I was horrible to Mama before he died and it didn't matter, she still loved me.” Annabelle watched Isaac's face when he spoke of Martha. That family had endured so much and yet the love they had for one another was unbreakable.
“Anna did that for Jeb, although it appears she didn't really love him at all. I am beginning to understand, Isaac.” Annabelle realized that Isaac had pushed many emotions into the recesses of his mind for many years. She felt that this was a healing process for him.
“That's true, poor Jeb was fooled into thinking that Anna loved him. I don't honestly think Anna ever loved anyone.”
“Isaac, please don't. You have asked God to accept Anna, leave it at that, remember her fondly.” Isaac kissed the top of her head. She always wanted to do what was right and gracious. He loved her with all his heart.
“I have no doubts that my wife and my children love me and that is very important to me, Annabelle. I might not tell you enough that I love you, but please never doubt it.”
“I won't Isaac, and I will forgive Jeb for his past sins. I will go to church on Sunday and ask the Lord to forgive him. From now on, I will think of him with kind loving thoughts, of course, we may never see him again.” She closed her eyes, “Good night, my love.”
“Good night.”
Martha and Jeremy returned to their busy schedules. The Haute Couture and the export business were very busy but every evening, they made time for each other. Both of them were determined to close this gap that had developed in their relationship.
“How are things at the dress shop, Martha?”
“Wonderful, we just got a huge custom fit order from California. We have several customers in the east but this is a real breakthrough in the west. Hans came up with the idea of a catalogue of our designs and it has been a huge success. Of course, ready-to-wear is not really our niche, but high fashion is a necessity in the upper classes, even in California. Rail travel has helped immensely making the shipping of the garments much quicker.”
“Yes, I must say it was far quicker and more pleasant traveling to Wyoming by train than it was the first time around. The Union Pacific is comfortable and fast. I remember taking different stagecoaches and riding horseback through the dust bowl. The train is clean, quick and efficient. You would not believe how the towns have grown along the rail lines. I was telling Austin that we must start taking advantage of it. There are many open markets out west.” He put his newspaper down and picked up his brandy. He swirled the amber liquid in the glass, staring at it as if it were a crystal ball.
“What was Whittakerville like, Jeremy? I have this letter from Olga. I was so surprised that she was still alive. I must write to her right away.”
“Whittakerville is much bigger than when you lived there. It has several large stores, even a dress shop now. The train station is a hub of commerce. There is a huge sawmill outside of town, several banks, a couple of saloons,
a jail and a courthouse.” At the mention of the jail, sadness descended over Jeremy's face. Martha reached for his hand.
“Don't think about it Jeremy. We have buried our daughter and we have prayed for her soul. Let her rest in peace. We will miss her for the rest of our lives but we can't bring her back. Let her go.” She looked into his eyes. He knew she was right but a single tear rolled down his cheek.
“Yes, you are right we have been over this subject enough. We must let her rest in peace. I wonder how poor Jeb is handling this whole affair. He really did make a full circle in his attitude as well as his appearance. He thanks Anna for that. He loved her, Martha. I could see it in his eyes.”
“Yes, I think he did. He must be grief stricken poor man. I realize now that what he did to this family, was not his fault.” Martha shuddered at the thought; “Jebediah Whittaker took another victim before he died. Isaac and Jeb suffered the most, the oldest and the youngest sons of that monster, had to live through the hate that he sowed.” Jeremy kissed the back of her hand. “I said a prayer for Jeb. It is time for this family to move forward.”
“Yes, my darling. It is time.”
Back in Wyoming, Jeb wandered the empty house. He was lonely. He missed Anna. His grief was slowly passing but everywhere he looked, he saw her. He heard strange creaking noises at night, sounds of footsteps on the stairs as if she were still there. He spent time with Donald and Bill and the other men at the saloon, but when he came home, the loneliness returned. He was a young man with needs. He visited one of the saloon girls but that did not satisfy him. It was love he sought, not sex.
Alice visited him often, but Alice was not Anna. Alice was quiet, and kind. She was not vibrant, and full of life as Anna had been. Always planning, scheming to make life better and more exciting, that was his Anna. He even missed the new closeness with Isaac and the Whittakers. Ling Ye and Chu Ying were fussing over their newborn baby boy. Jeb assured them that they would have a place with him for many years. He went to work each day but being the mayor didn't have the same importance. He still wore the ring that he had given Anna on a chain around his neck. Weeks passed but nothing seemed to matter anymore.
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