by Susan Thomas
"We'll manage. As long as we're together, all four of us."
As they drove into Kirkham it was clear that the posse was back having quickly realized that their quarry had not gone that way. It seemed like most of the town were in the main street when the wagon came rolling along from the other direction. At first there was excited chatter as it was realized that driving the wagon was their preacher, the schoolmarm and her children next to him. Had she really been abducted by Becker? Then as the wagon pulled up, silence fell.
Henry Flight strode forward. "Rev. Daffern, I see you have Mrs. McWilliams and her children. Explain yourself please."
"Becker's in the back tied up. He's a bit battered but alive. Lock him up good and tight for he is a tricky man and not to be trusted."
The crowd gasped in unified surprise. Henry took in the bruised and bleeding knuckles of the town's preacher with shock. "You fought him?"
"I did, and I beat him fair and square. I've not always been a preacher Henry Flight, and, just because I choose to be a man of peace, does not mean I cannot fight when the cause is right. Now you'd best get the man locked up and remember he is a tricky one."
The people of Kirkham began buzzing with speculation and Henry looked as if he'd like to ask a great deal more, but the priority was to get Becker locked up and the alert sent out. James, however, stilled everyone with a clear strong voice. "Mrs. McWilliams and I need to see the town council right away."
Mayor Spencer looked bemused but Mary Spencer immediately began organizing the members while taking Harold and Amelia to feed them... her answer to many of life's problems. The town council assembled in its usual meeting place... a large room at the back of the Kirkham Saloon. The members couldn't stop staring, first at the disheveled appearance and bruised face of their schoolmarm and then at the grim face of their preacher with his bleeding and bruised knuckles.
James was blunt. "Members of the town council, neither of us are who we have pretended to be. My real name is Robert Stride and I was once a member of Becker's gang." The town council reacted with shock and a great deal of noise and took some while before quieting enough for James to continue. "Becker held me under some sort of spell so I stayed with him even though I took no part in his crimes or atrocities, but I was guilty of silence. One day the gang murdered a whole family for their possessions and I took the identity of one of that family, James Jacob Daffern. I went to Bible college and vowed to lead my life for God. I had no knowledge of Becker's connection to Annie but today I fought him, freeing her and the children. I will marry Annie and be father to the children."
Mayor Spencer cleared his throat. "You said neither of you. Who is Mrs. McWilliams?"
Annie, decided James, looked too exhausted to answer coherently so he spoke for her. "She was born Annie Craven, the daughter of a most respectable, God fearing blacksmith. She did train as a teacher and taught for a while but then Andrew Becker came into her life."
Annie broke in, almost pleading. "You have to understand what a man he is. He has power... an almost unnatural power to influence people. I fell under his spell and he seemed so exciting. I thought myself in love with him. I fled everything I knew: my job, my family, my faith and all the values I had been taught throughout my childhood. I ran off and lived with him as his wife although we were not married." There were gasps from the council but Annie ignored them. "My love soon turned to fear and hate. I could see that he intended to turn Harold into a replica of himself and Amelia was terrified of him. When he was on a raid I fled, taking the children, and went into hiding many miles away. Finally, when I thought it safe I began applying for teaching posts and came here. I have tried hard to be a good and respectable teacher, but somehow he found me out and reclaimed what he thought of as his possessions. James came for me. We know we cannot stay here, but we plead that you will give us time to leave in an orderly way. If not for our sake, then for the sake of the children."
Mayor Spencer suddenly looked tired. "Oh Lord, how on earth would we replace you two?" He looked around the town council to see the same shock and worry on all their faces. James Daffern was highly respected and loved. Annie McWilliams had taken over from the much-loved Beth Flight and people loved and respected her for the excellent job she was doing.
Suddenly Emmeline Philips spoke, but what she said stunned them all. "I'm not sure Rev. Daffern and Mrs. McWilliams should leave. We'll never get anyone better to pastor our town, and have been fortunate that the excellent Mrs. Flight has been replaced by someone as good. Finding her was hard enough as I recall. What do you say, Mrs. O'Connor?"
Cath looked surprised that Emmeline Philips should ask her opinion, but didn't falter. "I think I'm not the only one in this town what didn't live a good life before I came here. I did bad things and I did 'em to survive. I ain't that person now. I am Cath O'Connor, wife to our blacksmith and mother to children. Annie ain't who she was. Perhaps she never was. What I hear is that Becker gets into the minds of folks and leads them astray like the Devil. Well, we are told in church that God forgives, and if he does then so should we. I don't reckon Annie or Rev. Daffern are who they once were, but are good folks that we need here in town. I think they should stay... but Annie, if you don't marry Rev. Daffern I think I'll take a whip to you girl. He's a good man."
It wasn't really funny but the tension was so strong that they all needed the relief and began to laugh. Somehow, almost casually, James and Annie were asked to stay, and they accepted.
Then Mr. Josiah Philips, Emmeline's husband spoke. "Wait up a moment. If Mrs. McWilliams, or whatever her name is, marries Rev. Daffern then we have to replace her anyhow. We insisted, and as I recall Mrs. Philips, you were strong on this point, that when Beth Flight got married she had to stand down as schoolteacher."
Emmeline Philips sat looking down at the table for a long silence which no one interrupted. Finally she looked up. "Cath is not the only one who has changed... is no longer the person they once were. I have been a deeply unpleasant woman. I know it now. I have been a bad wife, a bad person and a bad neighbor. I am trying to change and I think we all need to change. Kirkham is growing now. Let's set new ways of doing things. If Annie gets married and wants to carry on teaching, then that is up to her to discuss with her husband. I am sure they'll find ways to make that work. The last thing the children need is more change."
"Is that a formal proposal, Mrs. Philips?" Mayor Spencer was eager to catch this change in Mrs. Philips while he could.
"Yes, it is."
"I second it, are we all agreed?"
The town council was unanimous. Some tongues might wag. Some malicious comments might be heard, but the people of Kirkham would soon get used to the idea.
---oOo---
Andrew Becker was taken off, to be returned to the state penitentiary, by a huge guard of men and officials all armed to the teeth. He himself seemed shrunken. His face swollen and battered, his nose broken, teeth missing and both eyes almost closed with the bruising. It raised the stock of James Daffern considerably and all the men took pride in their fiery preacher. Becker was to be kept in solitary confinement until his trial for murder. His guards would be the most trustworthy, and even then, no guard would be left on his own with the man. Everyone knew the outcome would be a hanging, but the due processes of the law must be followed.
There was shock at the revelations about Annie and James. Not everyone in Kirkham was happy with the decision and there was considerable chatter everywhere. However, those who loved and respected their preacher and schoolmarm were vocal in their support and the dissenting voices were stilled. The wedding arrangements were well in hand and the town loved a good wedding. Annie, though, still had a confession to make. She waited until the children were in bed and asleep before showing James the box of money, gold dust and diamonds.
"I stole it from him when I ran off," she explained. "I had to have money to support us and I needed to get as far away as possible. There will be no chance of finding out where he got it
all from. Some of those he robbed may have stolen it to begin with. I feel guilty but I don't know what to do now."
James thought that possibly the right thing would be to hand it over the state authorities but he had a suspicion that it would simply disappear into the treasury and do no more good than any other taxes. On the other hand, there was plenty of poverty in Kirkham and much good could be done with it. Not everyone could afford medical care; parts of the town needed a better water supply; the main street could do with a hard surface; and street lighting wouldn't come amiss. If they didn't keep it for their own use, then whatever its origins, no wrong would be done. The town council agreed with James. A fund was set up for 'special purposes' to be administered by James, Annie, Cath O'Connor and Charles Flight, who, as well as owning the newspaper, was a lawyer. By general agreement it was a fund that would not be mentioned outside of the town.
Epilogue
Annie woke up early. It was light outside, although not daylight, and James was still asleep next to her, his brown hair tousled by the night; in his peaceful face, she could see the little boy he had once been. It was one year to the day since their wedding and she wondered if he would remember the anniversary. Men weren't too good with that sort of thing, but she didn't mind, he had turned out to be a far better husband than ever she could have hoped for. She heard the children's voices... awake already; Harold was reading to Amelia to stop her going into her parents. James was a wonderful father to them; Harold had relaxed, and now smiled often, as well as stopping the bed wetting, while Amelia was busy trying to wind 'Daddy' around her little finger and rarely had her nightmares now.
Outside a rooster crowed to waken his hens and assert his masculine dominance. What a year it had been and what a day it would be. The wedding hadn't just been their wedding but, so it seemed, the whole towns. It was as if the town suddenly saw itself in a new light and wanted to celebrate.
The fund that Becker's money had provided had proven valuable: many deserving people had been helped often in small ways; The Hovels had a deep well with a sturdy pump to provide safe, clean water; the main street had a proper surface at last; and an equipped operating room had been provided for Dr. Davies.
The trial of Andrew Becker had been eagerly followed although neither of them had been called to give evidence. He was only tried for the escape and murder of the guard. He had refused to speak and simply sneered throughout his trial. The death sentence was greeted with disdain and Becker went to his execution with a sneer plastered to his face. He had refused all religious consolation.
Beth and Emily Flight had their babies. Ma Spencer had been right and both had twins, although not identical. Each had a boy and a girl, which, when she thought about it, was the best possible outcome... for the fathers at least.
Now today... and how fitting it should be her anniversary... was her last day of teaching. She smiled to herself. How simply amazing that it should be Emmeline Philips who would be taking over. Emmeline had appeared one afternoon after school and tentatively asked if Annie would like some help. She had agreed, although not without reservation, but Emmeline became a new person in the classroom. A sense of humor, previously lacking in her dealings with adults, appeared. Emmeline demonstrated a lovely way with her that achieved good order without apparent effort; it may have been due to having four boys of her own but the teaching ability was a natural gift. Annie felt humbled by meeting Beth and Emmeline, neither of whom seemed to have needed training.
It was right she should hand over now. Her baby was just beginning to show in a swelling tummy and it would give her time to prepare; there was a lot to make and do before baby Daffern arrived. Mayor Spencer had been only too glad to have a ready-made substitute. She had told him that she was with child and would be leaving. Before he could even groan she had carried on, "...but Emmeline wants to take over. She has had a long talk with her husband and a lot of her former troubles stemmed from simple boredom, so he's given his blessing. She's good, Mayor Spencer." From his point of view Emmeline was ideal for she was probably past child-bearing age and already married.
Yes, today was a big day, for the parents and children had arranged a party for her. Coming to Kirkham had been the right move and she honestly believed she had been meant to come. Some sort of fate or guardian angel had brought her here. Well, time to get up. Lots to do, and with a happy smile Annie got out of bed.
Also from LSF Publications...
Elizabeth's Flight by Susan Thomas
When Elizabeth (Beth) learns of her parents' intent to marry her off to Rankin Blake, she is horrified, for although Rankin is wealthy and influential, he is also cruel and abusive. Given that her parents have failed to demonstrate any love or affection towards her, there is only one course of action: she must run away from home. So with the help of Martha, her former nurse, she makes her plans to leave, securing a position as a teacher in a small town out West.
But when she arrives in Kirkham she is mistaken for someone else, and as events unfold, learns she has a twin sister, Emily ... and that the people she thought were her parents are clearly not. There is an instant rapport between Emily and Beth, and Emily's warm-hearted adoptive parents take Beth into their household and make her welcome.
Beth quickly settles and loves her new situation, and when it is suggested she marry her sister's brother-in-law Henry (who is the town sheriff), she accepts - knowing that once she is safely married, if ever Rankin Blake were to find her, it will be too late for him to claim her as his bride.
Though she did not marry for love, Beth learns to love her new husband and vows to be a good wife to him. This includes accepting his discipline - something which Beth has no prior experience of, but soon becomes accustomed to! She is not the only chastised wife as Emily also gets spanked by her husband, and so too apparently do quite a few women in the town!
Life is good, until Beth's past catches up with her and threatens all she holds dear...
The Schoolmarm and the Deputy by Abigail Armani
The year is 1880, and the feisty Ruby Stanford has one objective: clear her pa's name and then get as far away from Crow Creek as she can. But when Jim Sibley rides into Crow Creek he rapidly turns her world upside down with his brooding good looks and blue-eyed charm. She learns he is Deputy Sheriff from a neighbouring town, come to track down the same gang of bandits she knows is responsible for her pa's death - and she insists on accompanying him on his quest. He refuses of course, and as their mutual attraction flares, they also argue. Ruby is used to getting her own way ... but so is the handsome Deputy Sheriff ... and he soon asserts his authority and discipline. It isn't long before Ruby finds herself over his lap getting her bottom spanked for her sass and disobedience. However, a little spanking doesn't dampen her determination and she disobeys yet again - and armed with her pa's old rifle and more luck than skill, manages to shoot at a couple of bandits.
Banditos, subterfuge, deceit, romance and passion ... the folks of Crow Creek have a lot to talk about as events unravel, and at the heart of it all is the developing relationship between Ruby and her handsome cowboy. Jim never expected to fall in love but finds himself smitten by the flame-haired schoolmarm who has stolen his heart. As for Ruby, when Jim sets her rear on fire, it also ignites a passion she never knew existed. Life is good, especially when Jim's sister comes to stay, and Ruby has no desire to leave Crow Creek now that she and her man have set things to right.
When Jim asks Ruby to marry him, neither of them know that trouble is waiting close by...
A Real Man for Ruth by Susan Thomas
This is the story of a woman who embarks on a new life with a man she grows to love. The year is 1890, and following the death of her parents, Ruth has a decision to make concerning her future. She needs a husband. The suitors in her home town in England are unsuitable and unappealing; what she wants is a real man, such as the ones in the American West she has read about in dime novels... so she emigrates to the United States to find one.
&n
bsp; Shortly after arriving in New York, she goes to a matrimonial agency, and after an exchange of letters, agrees to marry a man in Colorado by the name of Amos Masters. He is a handsome, masterful yet kind man, and Ruth is most impressed with the big cowboy. They marry and she happily settles down into his household. But it isn't long before she discovers Amos believes in firm discipline. Not only does he spank his sister Elizabeth, he also proposes to spank his new wife if she is disrespectful or disobedient. One of the things Ruth is not permitted to do is touch his gun collection ... but being the daughter of a gunsmith, she does exactly that. Ruth fails to inform her husband that she is a trained gunsmith, and when he discovers her capabilities during a conflict, Amos has much to be thankful for...
The Reluctant Bride by Susan Thomas
Ellen's grandfather wants her to marry wealthy businessman, Hector Monroe - but Ellen does not share his enthusiasm. She values her independence, and besides, her priority is to trace her brother Andrew, who left home six years previously following a disagreement with their grandfather.
Enthused by her quest, Ellen sets out to find Andrew and soon hires the trustworthy Edward (Ted) Kent to assist her. Although Ted admires many of Ellen's capable qualities and becomes increasingly captivated by the pretty 18-year-old, he also finds her difficult and opinionated and the two of them soon clash. A battle of wills ensues, and Ellen earns herself a well deserved spanking from Ted when she ignores his advice and puts herself at risk. As their relationship develops, more bare bottomed spankings ensue, and Ellen becomes increasingly attracted to this dominant man who disciplines and cares for her. They share many exciting adventures and Ellen gets to demonstrate how capable she is handling a gun. But when Ted proposes marriage, she wavers ... for being married would mean giving up what she fiercely clings to - her independence.
