Several hours later the entire Whittaker family gathered for an evening meal. The long dining room table was filled with fragrant meats. Chicken, beef and pork, accompanied by vegetables of all description sat on plates near to overflowing. The candle flames danced in the slight breeze from the open window. Wine glasses sparkled as the family took their seats. Jeb was given the place of honor next to Jeremy. It was the chair that Anna had occupied for years. Before beginning, everyone bowed his or her head in prayer.
Vivienne's eyes never left Jeb, who was seated directly across from her. Abraham noticed his wife's obsessive stare and tried to distract her. She looked at him but was soon staring at Jeb once again. What is this all about my love? Abe would get to the bottom of it after the meal. Everyone was in good spirits. A toast was made to the Whittaker family and to welcome Jeb into their home. Jeb was humbled by the gesture. Other than Vivienne's constant surveillance, he was enjoying himself immensely.
Plates were passed, and appetites satisfied. Between the main course and dessert, Sissy finally could hold back no longer. “Pa, what am I supposed to call Red Fox? You said he wasn't ‘that crazy Indian' but you didn't tell us what to call him.” Isaac looked at Sissy, who was seated between him and Jeb.
“I apologize Sissy, you can call him Uncle Jeb, if he doesn't mind, of course.” Isaac turned and looked at Jeb.
Jeb smiled widely. “Uncle Jeb, it is. I am honored to have such a wonderful niece and a wonderful family. Thank you all for your generosity of spirit.” He raised his glass to Jeremy and then to Martha seated at the other end of the long table. Sissy leaned toward him.
“Okay, Uncle Jeb are you going to come and visit us on the farm. You remember those silly ducks that I was chasing when I met you? Well, they had babies and I want to show them to you. Is that Okay, Pa?” Isaac nodded. It was as if any discomfort had dissolved in an instance.
Everyone started to talk at once. Jeb asked Isaac about the farm. Jeremy and Abraham were discussing the new wing at the hospital. Annabelle asked Vivienne how she was feeling. Martha sat back smiling. What a wonderful family party. Jeb is fitting in very well. Thank you God. Anna we miss you, but you are here through Jeb. I think he knew you better than any of us.
Jeremy looked down the table at Martha. She was beaming with delight; it made him very happy to see her smiling. She looked up and he winked at her. Abraham looked from one to the other. The love between them was strong; they had survived. Abraham offered a silent prayer of thanks.
Later as the family strolled in the garden or gathered around the piano, Jeb was feeling a happiness he had never felt. Martha played for everyone, songs were sung and the room was filled with merriment. Jeb thanked Martha and Jeremy many times during the evening. Martha discussed Anna with him. She truly wanted to know the Anna that Jeb had known. Jeb watched Vivienne chatting with Annabelle and Martha from across the room. What a beautiful woman you are, and so full of life. Just like my Anna.
Abraham and Isaac returned from the patio. The attention that Jeb was paying to Vivienne did not go unnoticed. Abraham tensed. Isaac looked at his brother. “Don't misunderstand his intentions. He knows Vivienne is your wife. He is just admiring her beauty.” Abraham made a fist. “You should feel flattered, now, go and talk with Jeb.” Isaac gave Abraham a gently push in Jeb's direction.
“Abe, lovely night. I am truly enjoying this family. Your wife is lovely, if I may be so bold.” Jeb didn't want any misunderstandings and he had seen Abraham's face from across the room.
“Yes, my wife is lovely, thank you.” Abe was sure to emphasize ‘my wife.' “Papa tells me that you are here to discuss the possibility of shipping goods west. He is very excited about it.” Abraham drew a breath and relaxed. He could tell that Jeb did not want any trouble but he did see Vivienne watching Jeb. What is going on here? He talked with Jeb for a few minutes and then went to talk to his wife.
“Vivienne, come and walk with me. It is a lovely evening, very warm for this time of the year.” She took his arm and he led her into the garden.
“What a lovely party. Jeb seems to be making himself right at home.” She stopped to watch the full moon, high in the sky.
“You would know. You have not taken your eyes off him all night. Now what is going on, Vivienne?” She turned to look at him; the moonlight cast a pale glow on his skin. She reached up and stroked his cheek.
“Are you jealous, Abe?” She kissed his cheek.
“Actually I am, but I am also suspicious. Now what are you up to?”
“I am not up to anything.”
“I know you Vivienne. You are definitely up to something, now what is it?”
She quickly realized that Abe was not going to let this go. “If you must know, I told Jeb that I would be watching his every move. I don't want him hurting this family and I intend to make sure he doesn't.”
“Oh dear, Vivienne, I told you to try to forgive him. Mama is very anxious to have all of us forgive and forget.”
“I don't care, I don't trust him. I told him he would have to prove himself and I want him to know that I intend to watch him.” She did not mention the threat. “I might have overdone it, but I was making a point. Now, don't fuss over me. I know what I am doing.” She walked along the path, her head held high. He hurried after her.
“Don't let Mama or Papa know how you feel. This family has been through enough. They are trying very hard to make him feel like part of this family. He fills the void that Anna left. I mean it Vivienne, do not cause any trouble.” She turned and looked deep into his eyes.
“I love you and I love this family, I won't do anything to hurt them. You can relax.” Again, she kissed his cheek. “Just know that I would protect you and Eddie with my life.” He looked at her and then taking her arm, continued the stroll in the moonlight. They walked in silence, Vivienne was deep in thought. Don't worry, my Darling. I have taken care of Jeb. He knows what will happen if he steps out of line and I will do what I said. No one will hurt my family, no one.
Chapter Nineteen
A new business partner
Jeb spent many hours with Jeremy in the export office. He was very knowledgeable about the west and the products that were in short supply. Austin was impressed with Jeb's enthusiasm. “Coal is going to be our most important resource. Union Pacific Railroad has been shipping coal from Carbon, Rock Springs and Almy along the Union Pacific lines for more than 10 years. The Wyoming Coal and Mining Company is willing to work with us and use the Whittakerville depot as a switching yard. This will mean not only will we be shipping and warehousing coal but all of the mining equipment that comes from the east. This is big gentlemen, very big.”
One afternoon, he rode out to Isaac's farm. Annabelle was hanging the laundry when he rode up. She waved to him, picked up her basket and walked towards him. She was growing more comfortable with him each time she saw him. Annabelle had completely forgiven Jeb; it was her nature.
“Jeb, nice to see you. Sissy will be thrilled, she has been waiting impatiently for you to visit.”
“Annabelle, can I have a word with you before we go and find Sissy?”
“Of course, Jeb. Would you like some coffee?”
“No, thank you. Annabelle, I know that you must hate me for befriending your children and trying to hurt you. I am so sorry. I just want you to know that I would never hurt the children, even back then. I would not have hurt Sissy or Thomas. It was the adults that I was angry with.” Annabelle raised her hand to stop him. She could see he was getting very emotional.
“Jeb, I went to church and prayed to God that you would find your place in this family. I have forgiven you, as has Isaac. It is time for you to forgive yourself. I now know that you would not have hurt the children. Sissy is a very good judge of character and she never felt threatened by you, ever.” She could see the relief on his face. “I accept your apology for what happened to me. Now please, can we put that behind us? You are Isaac's stepbrother and you are welcome in our home.” She ext
ended her hand to Jeb and he shook it gratefully. Just then Sissy bounded from the barn.
“Uncle Jeb, you came. Come on, I will show you the ducks.”
Jeb turned back to Annabelle. “Uncle Jeb, I will never be able to tell you how happy that makes me. Thank you Annabelle, you are a good woman. Isaac is a lucky man.” Annabelle bent over and wiped Sissy's face with her apron. She smiled as Sissy whisked Jeb away into the barn. She picked up her laundry and walked into the house.
Sissy and Jeb visited the ducks, later they sat beside the pond on the same log that they had sat on long ago. How different he felt now. He felt a special closeness to Sissy. She looked at him with a child's innocence; an innocence that he had never experienced as a child. She chatted about the frogs, the pond, the ducks and the farm. He enjoyed his visit immensely.
Thomas and Isaac arrived within the hour. Jeb and Isaac took a ride out to survey the farm and the two brothers were forming a new bond. Annabelle watched them ride out. How alike you look, Isaac will be a good mentor for you Jeb.
Jeremy sat in the study lost in thought. Martha knocked gently on the door before opening it. “Darling, would you like Charles to bring you some lunch?”
He didn't respond. “Jeremy?”
“Oh, Martha. I'm sorry I was thinking. You know I have an idea. Sit down and let me discuss it with you. You know I value your opinion. I always said you have a good head for business.” She took one of the large leather chairs in front of his desk, carefully arranging her flowing skirt before sitting. She looked directly at him waiting.
“I am thinking of opening another office. A branch office in Wyoming, in Whittakerville, as a matter of fact.”
“Really, and did you have anyone in particular in mind to run this business?” She smiled at him coyly.
“Yes, I am going to ask Jeb, if he would be interested. There is a great deal of money to be made out west. The railroads have opened a huge market to us and we should take advantage of it. What do you think?”
“I think it is a wonderful idea. When will you tell him?”
“I have asked him to stop by after dinner, will you join us?”
Jeb arrived precisely at 7 o'clock. Charles showed him into the parlor. “Martha, Jeremy, how nice to see you. I had a very lovely visit with Isaac's family today.” He sat in the chair closest to the fireplace. He was comfortable in this room and both Martha and Jeremy could feel his ease.
“I have a business proposition for you, Jeb.” Jeb sat up straighter, focusing his attention on Jeremy.
“You are my nephew and I would like you to head up my new branch office in Wyoming.” Jeb was taken aback. He wanted to let Jeremy know of the possibilities in the west but never did he expect this. “It is time that Whittakerville became part of this family's history, a good part.”
“I agree, Sir. I am flabbergasted, but truly honored. As mayor of Whittakerville, I am doing all I can to make the town one that you will be proud of.” He picked up the brandy that Charles had set in front of him. Swirling the glass, he stared at the amber liquid. Martha smiled; she had seen Jeremy do this many times. “Yes, I would be delighted.” He stood and shook Jeremy's outstretched hand. Martha watched with interest. The three discussed the details and over the next week, a plan of action began to take place.
Austin, Jeremy and Jeb spent hours going over the details. All three were very excited about the new offices. Austin agreed to travel to Whittakerville during the next few months to oversee the setting up of the warehousing and the offices.
The entire family was glad that Whittakerville would now hold a happy link for all of them. There was much horror and sadness related to the town, but now perhaps they could begin to more forward. Thomas wanted to know if he could go and visit Jeb sometime. Jeb thought it was an excellent idea.
The day Jeb's train pulled out of the station, most of the family was there to wave goodbye. Vivienne said a polite goodbye and then whispered in his ear, “Don't forget what I said.” He looked at her, smiled and whispered back.
“I won't, don't worry. I will not disappoint you.” She smiled, in spite of herself.
Austin traveled to Wyoming the following month and was impressed with the new improved town. The train depot was outside of town but it was obvious how it was bringing new prosperity to the town. New construction blossomed along the road from the town center to the depot. He commented to Jeremy that he would not have recognized this as the Whittakerville of twenty years earlier. “It truly is a new improved town, Jeremy. I think the ghost of Jebediah Whittaker is finally put to rest.”
Shipments began the next month and the business grew more and more as time passed. Everyone was very pleased, especially Jeremy.
“Martha, we may have lost Anna, but I feel a very close bond with Jeb and it is almost as if he has taken her place. He definitely fills a deep void in my heart.”
“No one could ever take Anna's place, Jeremy, but I know what you mean. Isn't it funny how life throws us these twists and turns. Years ago, I never would have believed that I would marry the brother of that horrible monster, yet here we are.”
“Yes, my Darling, life is filled with twists and turns, dreams and nightmares. You and I have weathered them all. I love you, Martha.” He took her in his arms and kissed her.
“I love you, Jeremy.”
Rail travel improved the mail system and letters were exchanged on a regular basis between Jeremy and Jeb.
Dear Jeremy and Martha:
The orders are pouring in from California and Utah. Business is very good. Mining equipment is constantly being shipped. Personal articles including building materials and even whiskey barrels fill the cars. Coal is starting to look like a profitable commodity and we continue to sign more and more clients. The warehouse is filling and emptying on a regular basis and I have hired three more men. The town is booming. We have a new bank, a chemist and second doctor has opened his office here.
On a personal note, Alice Parker is now engaged to our sheriff, Donald Martin. They are a lovely couple. Donald, who never was much of a lady's man, is smitten with her. She is a lovely young woman that is starved for attention but now; she is delighted by Donald's constant interest. I notice that he does not cuss nearly as much. Olga sends her love to Martha.
I trust the family is well, please give them my regards, Although I am keeping busy, I must tell you that I still miss Anna with all of my heart. She would have been thrilled to see the town bustling with new enterprise. I send you all my love.
Your nephew,
Jeb Whittaker, Mayor
Whittakerville, Wyoming
The End
Note from the author:
The Whittaker family has become an integral part of my life. Although this trilogy is now complete, I am going to continue writing about the Whittakers. I shall take individuals and their families and spin more tales of the Whittaker family. I would like to think that my readers would be pleased to continue following their particular favorites.
My next novel, Snow Eagle will be released shortly. We begin another family tale, however this time we are in northern B.C, Alaska and the Yukon with the Tlingit-(First Nations-Native Americans), the time is late 1700's and we meet many new and exciting characters. Watch for Snow Eagle, coming soon.
I love to hear from fans, feel free to contact me through my websites:
www.booksbyshirleyroe.bravehost.com
www.allbookreviews.com
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