Spitting blood out of his mouth, Duncan quickly backed away from Louis just enough to avoid another punishing fist. Slowly, he felt his faith begin to drain away like a broken water bottle losing its life-saving water. Throwing a weak punch into the air, Louis easily moved out of the way. Throwing his right fist into the side of Duncan's face he began laughing. “Is that all you got?” he asked watching Ducan tumble down onto the wet street.
“He...made you lose your temper...” Ducan said and spat more blood out of his mouth. “Be still...and know that God...is God...” Climbing to his feet, Duncan faced Louis once more. Louis grinned and threw a punch into the air. But Duncan managed to dodge the punch. Louis hissed and threw a second punch. Duncan dodged his second punch. “David...and Goliath...” Duncan said into the rain keeping his distance from Louis.
Louis stopped short of throwing a third punch. Kneeling down, he pulled up his rights pant leg. Pulling out a deadly hunting knife attached to a leather strap, he stood up. “I've had my fun with you. Now you die.”
“Don't do this, Louis,” Duncan begged. “We don't have to be enemies.”
Louis spit at Duncan. “Shut your filthy mouth, boy,” he yelled and charged at Ducan with the hunting knife. Ducan, with lightning fast speed, bent down, scooped up a handful of mud, and threw the mud into Louis's eyes just as Louis reached him. Temporarily blinded, Louis began slicing the air with the knife, holding the knife firmly in his right hand, hoping to make contact with his victim. Duncan grabbed Louis's right wrist with his left hand and brought his right fist into the man's face. Louis stumbled backward, letting go of the knife. Unable to keep his balance, he tumbled down onto the muddy street. Yelling in rage, he wiped the mud out of his eyes and went for a gun hidden under his shirt. Left with no choice but to kill or be killed, Duncan threw the knife into the rain just as Louis began to fire on him. Louis dropped the gun and grabbed his chest. “Pa...shoot...shoot...” Louis struggled to speak but dropped dead before he could finish his sentence.
“No,” Richard yelled. Preparing to fire on Duncan, he didn't see Natalie appear behind him.
“Drop the rifle,” Natalie yelled at Richard. Soaking wet from the rain, she stood as a woman ready to face her own fights, unafraid of the world. Holding Duncan's gun in her two hands, she aimed at Richard. “Drop your rifle,” she ordered Richard again.
Richard turned around. He saw Natalie aiming a gun at him. He began laughing. “Are you going to shoot me?” he laughed standing up. Facing Natalie, he lowered the rifle in his hands. “I'm going to teach you to be obedient once and for all.”
Natalie watched Richard take a step toward her. “Stay back!” she warned.
“Or what?” Richard asked as he stopped laughing. Narrowing his eyes at Natalie he spoke in a poisonous voice. “All I wanted was your money. But now, I don't want it. Instead, I'm going to give you a choice little lady...” Natalie watched Richard drop the rifle in his hands and pat the inside of his jacket. “I'm going to count to three and draw my gun out. You better shoot me because if you don't I'm going to kill you.”
Natalie stared at Richard feeling a deep fear overtake her. “Faith,” she whispered. “God, if you bring me back to Duncan, I will trust in you again…I will live for you,” she promised.
Ignoring the heavy rain, Richard glared at Natalie. “One...two...”
Natalie watched Richard go for his gun. Closing her eyes, she squeezed the trigger on Duncan's gun. Richard grabbed at his chest as the force of the bullet threw him backward and off the roof of the general store. Looking up, Duncan saw Richard's body fall off the roof and drop down onto the muddy street. And then, he saw a scared shadow ease forward to the edge of the roof. “Natalie!” Duncan yelled.
Running off the street, Duncan ran around to the back of the general store and scrambled up a wooden ladder. When he reached the roof, he ran to Natalie and took her into his arms. “He was going to kill you,” Natalie told Duncan dropping his gun. For the first time in her life, she wrapped her arms around a man and placed her head against his chest. Closing her eyes, she listened to Duncan's heartbeat.
Pulling Natalie into his arms, Duncan held her softly and tenderly, breathing in the scent of her sweet perfume through the rain. The woman felt frail in his arms—like a dream waiting to be captured with loving hands. “It's all over now,” he promised Natalie.
“No,” Natalie whispered back, “it's all just beginning.”
Thanksgiving
Natalie appeared beautiful in a dark green evening gown with her long red hair flowing freely over her soft shoulders. Duncan and Andy quickly rose to their feet, both captivated by Natalie's beauty. “Gentlemen,” Natalie smiled entering the dining room at the hotel.
Clumsy, Duncan pulled out a chair for Natalie. A few hungry weary travelers eating their Thanksgiving meal at the hotel watched Natalie take her seat. Natalie smiled politely at them. “You look...beautiful,” Duncan said, nearly tripping over his own feet as he sat back down.
Natalie gently reached out and touched the bruises on Duncan's face. “Thank you, honey.”
Andy leaned back in his chair. “I'm still a bit mad at you. I told you to stay right beside me, but did you listen? No, you had to go wander off on your own.”
“Good thing she didn't listen to you. This woman saved my life,” Duncan told Andy.
“I guess,” Andy said and looked around. “I guess I better go see what's taking my bride-to-be so long.”
Andy excused himself, leaving Natalie and Duncan alone. “Before you say anything,” Natalie spoke to Duncan, “I have something I want to say to you.”
“You're leaving town, aren't you?” Duncan asked sadly. “You're going back to Boston.”
“We're going back to Boston. You made me a promise, remember? You told me that you would have a talk with Tim Hayton.”
Duncan remembered the promise he had made to Natalie. “I reckon I better keep my promise,” he smiled happily.
Natalie smiled back. “After we put Hayton in his place, I hoped on returning back to Nevada and...getting married.”
Duncan nearly fainted. “Married...you want to marry me...I'm just a poor rancher. I ain't go much to offer you.”
“All I want is your heart,” Natalie promised Duncan. “Besides, I have quite a bit of money. I figure together we can turn your ranch into the biggest ranch in Nevada.”
Duncan frowned. “Ms. McClure...Natalie...I don't want a cent of your money. I make my own way and--”
Natalie leaned forward and put her lip on Duncan's mouth. “I made a promise to God the other night that if he brought me back to you that I would serve Him. I intend to keep my promise. I took a walk, alone, yesterday, Duncan. This town has children, but no school. Why there isn't even a church here. I have my cut out for me. And I need a strong husband at my side.”
Duncan didn't know what to say. Unable to take his eyes away from Natalie's beautiful, radiant, face, he sat silently for a few minutes. “I do love you,” he finally spoke, not caring who heard him. “I've loved you from the first day I saw you.”
“As I have you,” Natalie promised. “Oh Duncan, can't we begin a life together? How I want a family of my own. I want more than money can give me. I want to hear the sound of children playing in a home that you and I will create together. I want to stand in my own kitchen and bake pumpkin pies and take walks in corn patches with you. Oh, I'll still keep my home in Boston. I do love Boston, but not as much as I love being here in Nevada with you.”
Duncan stared into Natalie's glowing eyes. Leaning forward in his chair, he gently kissed her for the very first time. “I like pumpkin pie,” he smiled.
“So do I,” Natalie smiled back.
“Can I make a suggestion?” Duncan asked.
“Yes,” Natalie answered happily.
“Wear shoes that are more comfortable,” Duncan teased.
“Oh you,” Natalie laughed. Fighting back tears of happiness, she watched Duncan take her hands. “I woul
d like to get married in Boston if that's alright with you.”
“I reckon I can handle that,” Duncan smiled. Drawing in a deep breath, he looked deep into Natalie's eyes. “I promise to love you faithfully and forever. I know I ain't one of them fancy fellas back east, but I am honest and that's all I have to offer.”
“That's all I need,” Natalie promised as a tear dropped from her eye.
Before Duncan could say another word, Andy came walking back into the dining room carrying three dinner plates full of turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, cornbread and green beans. “Well,” he said setting the plates down onto the table, “my bride-to-be has decided to go have her Thanksgiving meal at the Thorton's Ranch...should have known...the way Zach Thorton has been looking at her.”
“Oh, I'm so sorry,” Natalie told Andy.
“Me, too,” Duncan told his brother.
Andy shrugged his shoulders. “Don't matter much. Besides, I heard you two over talking. You're taking a trip to Boston, are you? I've never been to Boston before. There might be a suitable bride for me there…that is...if you don't mind me coming along.”
Duncan laughed and slapped his brother on the shoulder. “I will need a Best Man.”
“Best Man?” Andy asked and then smiled. “So you two are going to get married?”
“That's right,” Duncan told Andy. Looking at Natalie, he watched her look around the dining room at the weary travelers. Standing up, she asked everyone if she could have their attention. “Everyone, I’m really not the person to do this, but I made a promise to God and I want to keep that promise. Today is a day of Thanksgiving, to give thanks for all God has blessed us with. May we all bow our head in prayer and say thanks.”
Everyone in the dining room bowed their head and prayed, giving thanks to God for their meal. Sitting back down, Natalie smiled at Duncan and took a bit of the turkey on her plate. The turkey was delicious. “This is the best Thanksgiving I've ever had,” she told Duncan.
“We'll have better ones,” Duncan promised taking a bite of turkey.
Andy watched Natalie and Ducan smile into one another eyes. A match made in Heaven, he thought, brought together through faith and courage. Taking a bite of his own food, he relaxed. Maybe a Heaven had his match in Boston?
THE END
Estelle’s Christmas Gift
Chapter One
November, 1865, Virginia
“I think we should stop here for a couple of days, mother. Please. Your health is worrying me, and the weather is not favorable for such a long journey,” Estelle said to her mother. Isabella was resting on the recliner with her eyes closed. She looked frailer than she had in the morning and that was worrying Estelle.
“I am fine, sweetheart. You can go and tell the coachman that we’ll be ready in half hour to depart. We must not delay. The journey is long and there isn’t much time to rest. I want to reach Lincoln as soon as possible.” Isabella opened her eyes briefly to look at her daughter.
“Mother, you have declined my every request in regard to this trip, but now I am insisting. Please, you need rest. Nothing is more important than your health. You were already ill when we left Lancaster, but still you insisted on travelling. Now your condition is only worsening.”
Estelle tried not to let her mind wander toward too many negative possibilities but she was constantly on edge. Her mother was all she had left. Everything else she’d once treasured: her home, her family, her possessions, were gone.
“Oh nonsense. I know myself better than you, Estelle. I am still your mother and you are to do what I am telling you to do. We are still more than half way from our destination. I want to try to reach Lincoln by tomorrow morning,” Isabella said in a tone that brooked no argument.
Estelle walked out of the room they’d rented at a small lodge in a small town of Virginia. She passed the windows and noticed that the sky was grayer than it had been the evening before. Thick, dark clouds were hung like a shroud threatening to unleash a downpour at any moment.
She knocked at the smaller quarters where their coachman, William, was staying.
“We’ll be ready to leave in a few minutes, William. Please get the buggy ready,” she informed him. William had been her late father’s coachman and had been loyal to their family for several years. He had grown considerably grayer in the past year with their family. He looked over Estelle’s shoulder for a moment before turning his wise blue eyes to her.
“The weather doesn’t look very good, Miss. Estelle. Are you sure we should continue with the journey?” he asked her. Estelle sighed. She wanted to do what she thought was right, but going against her mother’s wishes had never been something she did easily...
“Mother wants to get on the road, William. She was already against spending too many hours here tonight. She is not going to take kindly to me pushing her to stay longer.”
William nodded in understanding.
“Very well, Miss. Estelle. I’ll get the buggy ready and then come up to take your luggage.”
“There is no need of it. Just bring the buggy around. I’ll bring mother and our luggage. There isn’t much we have anyway,” Estelle said.
She turned and walked back to her room. The window panes were now glistening with small droplets of rain. She hoped that the rain didn’t fall any harder. She didn’t want any further complications in this journey.
Isabella was still on the recliner when Estelle entered the room. Estelle closed the distance and stared at her mother’s frail body. Until a couple of weeks ago, she had always seen her mother as a stubborn woman who did what she wanted and made others do her bidding as well. Isabella was a strong woman who took her stand and held firmly to her opinions. She never bent before anyone except God.
Before their life in Lancaster had turned upside down, Estelle had lived a completely sheltered life under the protection of her father and brother. When things turned upside down, her mother had taken control of their lives and made decisions that were typically uncommon for a woman to make. Estelle knew that they had nothing left in Lancaster and it was better to leave the bitter memories buried in the same ground as her father and brother. It had been a bold decision, but her mother wasn’t to be underestimated. Only now was Estelle understanding the truth of Isabella’s nature and it awed her. She was proud to be her daughter. Except, at times like these, Estelle wanted to knock some sense into her.
The weather wasn’t good, Isabella’s health wasn’t favorable, and still they were travelling. She didn’t know why her mother was refusing rest for just one night.
“Mother,” she called softly. Isabella didn’t stir. “Mother, wake up. It’s time,” she called again, putting her hand over Isabella’s. Her skin was ice cold despite the warm, heavy clothing she wore to fend off the chill.
“What? What is it?” Isabella woke up.
“You are so cold, mother,” Estelle said with a worried frown. “I’ll be fine once we are in Lincoln. Is William ready?” Isabella brushed off her daughter’s concerns. Estelle let it go as well, there was no use arguing.
“He is bringing the buggy around. Let’s go.” She handed woolen gloves to Isabella and picked up their one small suitcase. At the front desk, Estelle watched from a couple of feet away as her mother paid the room rent with shaking hands. She wished she were as stubborn as her mother to force her to rest instead of going on such difficult trip in such harsh weather.
An icy breeze welcomed them as they stepped out of the Winchester Lodge.
“Oh my,” Estelle muttered and then wrapped an arm around Isabella’s shoulders to lead her toward the buggy. William saw them coming and jumped off to get the luggage from Estelle.
“Good morning, Mrs. Douglas,” William tipped his hat in greeting. Isabella only nodded before climbing into the buggy.
“Drive carefully, William. Mother’s not feeling well. I don’t want to make this journey any more difficult for her than it already is. If the rain gets any worse, I want you to find a place to stop.
I’ll deal with mother,” she briefed William.
“Of course, Miss. Estelle. In you get.” He held the door of buggy open for her and Estelle stepped in. Isabella was already sitting in the corner with her hands wrapped around herself, trying to keep warm...
Estelle took seat across from her and William placed their suitcase on the floor before taking his seat in the front to drive.
“You are being too hard on yourself, mother. You are sick and refuse to go to the doctor. Now you are forcefully making us travel across the country. What if your health gets worst?” Estelle asked.
She expected her mother to brush her off again, but to her surprise, she didn’t. Instead, she stared at her for a long time.
“This is more important than anything else, Estelle. You won’t understand it now, but later maybe you’ll know why I am so determined to get us to Lincoln,” her mother answered.
“I will never question your intentions, mother, but I don’t understand the rush. We could have waited for you to get well, or at least for the weather to settle. A few weeks wouldn’t have made difference.”
“That would’ve been too late,” Isabella whispered, looking away. It rose suspicions in Estelle’s mind.
“What do you mean, mother?”
Isabella shook her head and met her daughter’s eyes briefly. “We had nothing left in Lancaster, Estelle. After what happened to your father and Simon, I couldn’t stay there and wait. Especially when I knew that time was running out. I won’t be able to rest until I get you to Lincoln to your Uncle Richard’s home. I just hope that God gives me enough time to put you in Richard’s care safely.”
Estelle leaned forward in her seat. “What exactly do you mean by that mother? Why do you need to place me in Uncle Richard’s care? Where are you going?” she asked, her voice rising in panic.
The Thanksgiving Day Bride: Mail Order Bride Novels Page 36
