Eleanor's Dilemma

by Cheryl Wright

  When they were ready to leave, he handed her a shawl. She looked at him questioningly. “It might be warm now, but it can be quite brisk in Belle at night,” he said.

  She nodded. She’d said barely a word all day, and he knew it was because she was scared. More fearful than she’d been the entire time he’d been protecting her.

  As they entered the building, the sheriff and deputy came toward them. “All checked out and clear,” Sheriff Knight told him.

  “Thanks, but if you don’t mind, I’d like to double-check.” He knew they wouldn’t be offended. They’d do the same themselves in his position.

  Eleanor sat on the sidelines talking to Floyd. “Keep an eye out while I do my checks?” The men nodded. There were few people in Belle he trusted right now, mostly because he didn’t know them, but these two he would bet his life on. Heck, he’d just bet Eleanor’s life on them.

  The musicians were beginning to warm up, and parishioners were arriving. Not many at this point, but they would soon, he was certain. That’s when he would need to be vigilant.

  The more crowded it became, the more stressed Eleanor was.

  Floyd continued to sit and talk with her, and outwardly all seemed as it should be, but he knew her well. She didn’t have to tell him, it was written all over her face. The softness had disappeared, and worry lines appeared around her eyes. Her fists were clenched too.

  He sat next to her, his eyes on the crowd. Any wrong move and he’d be on it. He felt suddenly compelled to stand. “Would you like to dance?” He reached out and took Eleanor’s hands in his own. She seemed reluctant at first, but then agreed.

  They moved onto the dance floor, and she leaned into him. This time she didn’t flinch. “How are you holding up,” he asked quietly.

  She looked up at him, those beautiful brown eyes mesmerizing him. “I’m fine. Floyd keeping me company is helping.”

  He pulled her closer and felt her relax against him. He could do this all night. Every day they were together, he felt himself falling more and more in love with his wife.

  Chapter Eight

  Eleanor reveled in their nearness.

  She’d kept Glen at a distance in reverence to Nathanial. But now she’d found out what sort of person he really was, she no longer felt any sense of loyalty toward him.

  Glen was a wonderful man, and she enjoyed having him around. Not only because he protected and looked out for her. He had so many good attributes, and she couldn’t think of a single bad one.

  Unless you counted walking around bare chested. He seemed to like doing that. Sometimes she wondered if he only did it to taunt her.

  She smiled at the thought.

  She wrapped her arms tighter around him and swayed to the gentle music. She’d missed going to balls and dances and other social events. But the circumstances of the past months had turned her into a recluse of sorts.

  She didn’t know people here, and felt rather out of place.

  Eleanor rested her head against Glen’s chest and enjoyed the moment. Why had she been so reluctant to come tonight?

  The first reason was obvious – she could very well be killed by Nathanial’s killers. The second was because she knew so few people.

  She was happy and comfortable right where she was. “You look content.” She startled when Glen whispered in her ear, then nodded.

  “I am.” She looked up at him. “I am very comfortable, and could stay here forever.” She gazed into his eyes. They were as blue as sapphires.

  She reached up and put her hand to his cheek, gently stroking it. He caught her hand with his own. A thrill went through her, and she was confused.

  All this time she’d pushed him away, not wanting to get close to him. Now she knew the truth about her former husband, and Eleanor could only assume she’d let her guard down. Now, more than ever, she wanted Glen to touch her.

  They stared into each other’s eyes, and she wondered if he was thinking the same thing. “Music stopped,” he whispered. “We should sit down again.”

  Before they had the chance, Livvy and Henry Stewart from the Mercantile approached them. They chatted about nothing for awhile, then introduced them to a few of the other town folk. Some they’d met briefly in the various stores, others were new to them.

  One thing Eleanor did know, and that was she’d never remember all their names. Not yet anyway.

  The music began again, and Glen used it as an excuse for them to get away. She was feeling decidedly uncomfortable with all these people approaching her, and he’d picked up on it.

  She figured Glen had learned to read her a long time ago, but decided it was probably part of his job.

  Eleanor didn’t want to mingle, she just wanted to dance with her husband. She pushed closer to him, and could feel the taut muscles of his stomach. Her hands ran up his arms, and as she held them, she felt the strong muscles there too.

  It almost took her breath away.

  Soon the music stopped and an announcement was made the food was ready to eat. She smiled as she watched Floyd clamber toward the food tables. If nothing else, Floyd certainly liked his food.

  She studied him as he collected up food, and chatted to some of the other town folk, then froze in horror as he indicated her way. Glen reached for her hand, and squeezed it, then slipped his arm around her back.

  “Just breathe,” he said. “That’s the mill owner, remember?” She hadn’t remembered. She’d barely noticed him when they were there. Eleanor was tired and had been anxious to leave.

  It had been a long night for her, and once the men had eaten enough, she almost begged to leave. Eleanor felt extremely uncomfortable, felt as though there were eyes on her. It almost burned a hole in her back. But she didn’t tell Glen until finally she felt compelled to.

  “Glen,” she said, standing. “We must leave.” He studied her face, then cupped her cheeks with his hands.

  He suddenly looked worried. “Tell me what’s got you so scared all of a sudden.”

  When she told him, he reacted immediately. “Floyd, can you get the sheriff and deputy for me, please?”

  Now Floyd looked worried. “Is everything alright, Missus?” She said nothing, but leaned into her husband.

  Eleanor knew she could rely on them, but now felt terrified of what might happen. She was not only scared for herself, but for Glen and everyone else in the room. “We have to leave,” she said urgently.

  Glen glanced around the room. “Do you see them here?” She followed his lead but couldn’t see the men who killed her former husband. She shook her head.

  The sheriff and deputy approached, and the men formed a huddle around her, discussing their course of action.

  She couldn’t breathe. Between her panic and no air from being caught in the huddle, she felt light-headed. Eleanor pushed her way out. Then she screamed.

  Standing just feet away was one of the killers, and he had a gun aimed at her. “Hello Mrs Carter,” he said with a sneer on his face. Before she knew what was happening, Glen was in front of her, shoving her out of the way. Floyd caught her before she could fall, and looked totally confused.

  A gun went off, and she screamed again. Other women also screamed around them, and people scattered in all directions.

  Glen was on the ground. Eleanor knew if he hadn’t taken a bullet for her, she would be dead now, shot in the head. The thought she could be dead now was painful, but not as painful as the thought of losing the man she’d come to love.

  Suddenly there was a scuffle, and Eleanor watched on in horror. It wasn’t long before the sheriff and deputy had the man restrained.

  She watched on as Glen spotted a second man. He was running in the opposite direction, a gun hanging by his side. Despite the bullet to the shoulder, despite the agony he must have been in, Glen reached for his gun and hit his target at the first attempt.

  Tears rolled down Eleanor’s cheeks as she ripped part of her skirts to put pressure on his
bullet ridden shoulder. She leaned over her husband and looked down into his pain-filled face. “Don’t die, Glen,” she sobbed. “Please don’t die. I love you so much - I couldn’t bare to lose you.”

  He stared into her eyes, they were filled with unshed tears. “I love you too,” he said quietly, moments before his eyes fluttered closed and Doc Mason arrived to take care of him.

  “You shouldn’t have done it,” Eleanor argued.

  Floyd also sat at the table, but was grinning. “It’s not funny,” she said, directing her words to Floyd this time.

  “He would have killed you,” Glen said. “I’ve taken bullets before, and I’m still here.”

  She glared at him. “This time could have been your last. You’re just lucky he didn’t hit vital organs.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I don’t know what I would do without you.” She suddenly went quiet and her chin quivered.

  Floyd grabbed his mug of coffee and went outside, leaving them alone.

  Despite now knowing the full story, knowing the danger they’d put him in, Floyd still wanted to stay with them on the ranch. Glen couldn’t tell him how long that would be, since it was dependent on Eleanor’s decision about their future.

  If it was his choice, they’d never leave.

  Glen stood and wrapped his arms around his wife. She leaned against him, and Glen reveled in her nearness.

  The rest of his life depended on her decision. Would she stay or would she go? Would they stay married or did she want an annulment?

  Glen hoped and prayed they would be together for the rest of their lives.

  Epilogue

  Eleanor patted her slightly protruding belly and looked around at the good people of Belle.

  They’d congregated at the ranch to witness the renaming. It no longer seemed appropriate for everyone to call it the old Jones ranch.

  Instead it had become known as the Glenellie property.

  As they did in Belle, the day was made into a special celebration with each family bringing food to share. Eleanor stifled a laugh as she watched Floyd run his eyes over the food tables he and Glen had set out for that purpose.

  Glen had commissioned a wooden plaque from Alex Madison, the local carpenter, and it was more beautiful than she had expected. The ranch name was burned into the wood with decorative flourishes around it.

  There were tears in her eyes when Alex showed it to them. Glen had pulled her close, as he loved to do every chance he got.

  With no more threat to her life, Eleanor had come to love the quaint little town of Belle, and all the people in it.

  She looked out across the sea of faces. Henry and Livvy Stewart were there, Alex and his wife Carrie, and Charity from the Café, as well as her children. The sheriff and Deputy Will, Paps from the Livery, and also Jeremy Bryant who ran the stagecoach. To name just a few.

  Eleanor had joined the ladies auxiliary, and was enjoying the social aspect of the group. They helped out those who needed it, and that’s what mattered most to her.

  “If I can get the attention of you good folks,” Floyd said, speaking more loudly than Eleanor had ever heard. Everyone stopped talking and looked his way. “We are all here today to officially welcome the Missus and Glen to Belle.”

  It was all she could do to stifle a grin. After all this time, Floyd still called her Missus. It was a term of endearment, so she really didn’t mind. Floyd was now well entrenched in their little family, which had recently grown. Once the worker’s hut was fully repaired, they’d hired more cowboys and made Floyd foreman. He more than deserved it.

  He turned toward the posts he’d erected and placed the plaque on it. It was currently covered, but would soon be unveiled.

  Eleanor’s thoughts went back to the day they’d arrived, and how disgusted she was at her new home. With a bit of hard work and determination, Glen and Floyd had turned it into a place she loved.

  They’d been working on the nursery too, including a crib for the baby. And not a moment too soon. It wouldn’t be long and their family would expand.

  “I’m also going to take this here opportunity to thank the Missus and Glen for making me feel like part of their family,” he added.

  He pulled the covering off the plaque to a round of applause. “Right then, I reckon it’s time to eat,” he said.

  Eleanor couldn’t help but grin. That was true to form for Floyd. Eating was his most favorite thing to do.

  Everyone gathered around the tables, and Glen guided her to a chair. She wasn’t far into her confinement and he was already being far more fussy than was necessary.

  Livvy Stewart came up to her. “You’re glowing, Eleanor. You look even more beautiful than usual.” That made her blush.

  She realized how very lucky she was to live in this wonderful town called Belle. And how blessed she was to have a husband like Glen.

  Eleanor was tired. She’d fussed around for days wanting to finish the nursery before the baby arrived, but they still had a few weeks.

  Glen told her so, but she still fussed.

  She was sitting in a rocking chair in the nursery when he got back from the post office. “There’s a letter for you,” he said. “Return address says it’s from your sister, Cassandra.”

  That would fill her heart with joy for sure. Cassandra had said she’d come and help once the baby was born. Eleanor ripped the envelope open and began to read.

  She’d slowed down a lot lately, and when he’d checked, Doc Mason said it was normal this late in the confinement. Right now she seemed happy enough. Getting mail from her sister had certainly cheered her up.

  Her eyes scanned the writing. “Cassandra says she will be here before Christmas,” she said cheerfully. She glanced at Glen. “That will be lovely. I haven’t seen Cassandra since before Nathanial was murdered.”

  She closed her eyes briefly, and he knew she was reliving that day. “Let’s get you into bed for a good rest.” He reached out and took both her hands.

  “Can I at least have a cup of tea first?”

  “I’ll bring it to you in bed.” She looked exhausted and Glen didn’t want to take any chances.

  Eleanor shook her head. “I’m not an invalid, Glen. I’m with child.” Her eyes appealed to him and he felt sorry for her. Being so active normally, this confinement must be frustrating for her.

  “Alright, but only to make tea, and then to bed.”

  She audibly sighed. “You go and do whatever you need to do. I’ll be fine.”

  He respectfully declined.

  Floyd and the boys were more than capable of looking after the horses. The chickens mostly took care of themselves, and their little vegetable patch needed little to no interference at all.

  The kettle was already on the verge of boiling, so he pulled the mugs down out of the cupboard. Eleanor sat comfortably in the sitting room while she waited – Glen had won, and was making tea for her.

  “I found some cookies in the cupboard,” he said, placing the cookie-filled plate on the table next to her.

  When he glanced across, she grimaced. “Something’s not right,” she whispered, her eyes on the brink of tears. “It’s too early – the baby can’t come yet.” Tears rolled down her cheeks, Eleanor no longer able to hold back her emotions.

  She held out both hands and he helped her to her feet. “Let’s get you to bed and I’ll get Doc Mason out here.”

  As she stood her waters broke. “No, no, no! This can’t happen now – it’s too early!” Her words came out between sobs, and Glen pulled her to him, running his fingers through her hair.

  His heart was pounding. She was right – it was far too early. He reached down and lifted her, then carried her to the bed. “Stay here. I won’t be long.”

  He ran outside in near panic, calling for Floyd to go to Belle and hurry back with the doctor. He’d never seen Floyd move so quickly.

  By the time he returned inside, Eleanor was screaming in pain. “The baby is coming,�
�� she said between screams. “It’s too early!”

  Glen sat on the side of the bed trying to calm his wife. He felt totally helpless and was at a loss of what to do.

  She grabbed at his hands and held them tight. “Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!”

  Her screaming near broke his heart. “The baby can’t come yet,” she said between screams.

  He agreed but couldn’t tell her so. “It will be alright,” he said, running his fingers through her hair. “Try to keep calm.”

  She glared at him.

  It felt like hours before the doc arrived, but he knew it to be much less time.

  “Thanks for coming, Doc,” Glen said as Doctor Mason rushed through the door. He explained what had happened so far, and was promptly told to leave. He felt deflated.

  “No, wait,” Doc Mason said as he placed his hand on the door handle. “Get some clean towels, and a bowl of boiling water.”

  “Sure thing, Doc.” Glen rushed out of the room and returned a short time later – just in time to hear Eleanor scream one last time.

  “Hand me a towel, Glen,” the doc demanded.

  In a matter of moments, Doc Mason had their new baby wrapped in a clean towel and lay her on her mother’s chest. “Meet your new daughter, mom and dad,” he said with a grin, continuing with his work.

  Glen sat on the side of the bed, snuggled into his wife, and stared down at his new daughter. “I love you both so much,” he said.

  He thanked God for the day he met Eleanor, and prayed for a long and happy life together.

  The End

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