Love As Big As Texas

by Hestand, Rita

  Gabby watched her son and looked up at Ben. "He's never had a best friend before…"

  They wandered all over the ranch yard, joined in a few games and ate everything they could get their hands on.

  There were beefsteaks, prime rib, and all manner of vegetables and salads, plus a table full of deserts.

  Gabby met most of Ben's relatives and friends, and she wondered how she'd ever remember their names.

  One of his older aunts struck up a conversation about her father and they talked for a long while.

  "Your father was a good man, knowed him for years, but a little hard-nosed for a young girl, I'd expect." Aunt Tilda chirped with a chuckle. "Must have been pretty hard when your mother died."

  "Yes, it was. Father and I disagreed on many things, especially after I began to grow up, but in the end, my father was usually right." Gabby admitted.

  "At least you are smart enough to recognize that. All of us make mistakes. It's all part of living. I'm so pleased that you and my nephew got together. I know you'll have a long and happy life. Ben and Jason are good people."

  "Thank you, that's so sweet of you to say." Gabby cast her a smile, then glanced at Jimmy who was wandering toward the pond with Ford. They were playing some kind of kick the can game. She couldn't help but notice the satisfied smile on Jimmy's face. Perhaps this was a wise decision after all, coming here. It sure seemed good for Jimmy.

  Just as things were getting comfortable, a buggy drove up in the front yard. Helena was in the kitchen making more lemonade for the children. When she saw the buggy drive up from the parlor window, she called Jason and Ben inside.

  "What's going on Helena?" Jason asked, upset that he had to leave his guests. "I need to check on the meat and tend to our guests."

  "Yes, I'm sure you do, but—Uh…" She glanced at the pristine couple that stood just inside the doorway. "This is Mr. and Mrs. Sloane Campbell. They have come for Jimmy, they say."

  "Come for Jimmy?" Ben repeated. "What exactly do you mean, sir?" Ben turned to face a rather lean, hard looking man with a beard and a top hat. The lady was heavily drenched in some exotic perfume, her hat took up half the room, Ben decided as he offered them a seat, and stared at them.

  "We are Frank Campbell's parents. We are fully aware that Gabrielle Campbell is here and we need to speak with her about Jimmy."

  Ben eyed them with precision now, his anger building, but tempering it so that he could keep an advantage over this situation.

  "Naturally, as you must know by now, Gabrielle Campbell cannot support her son." Mrs. Campbell began. "We've reports that he's half starved, and had been living in total squalor in Colorado. My son is dead and her father too, she has no visible means of support and we mean to take control of him by means of the court, if necessary. We've spoken with her before, but to no avail. She was forewarned of this months ago, as we visited my son's place then. Is she here now?"

  "She is, but I think it only fair to warn you that she is no longer Gabby Campbell."

  "Whatever do you mean, sir?" The woman huffed as though Ben were out of his mind. "She is still in mourning, she is Gabrielle Campbell."

  "I mean," Ben's eyes sharpened on the irate Mrs. Campbell. "She's my wife, and I'm afraid you are mistaken if you think you will take control of Jimmy. And you are a bit too late. You see, Gabrielle and I were married today." Ben announced to their obvious displeasure. "And I assure you, she is fully capable of supporting her son, now."

  The man looked at his wife and puffed up his chest.

  "What? What kind of ruse are you pulling? She can't possibly have married so soon." Mr. Campbell's hard glance met Ben's.

  "No ruse, I assure you. That's a reception outside. We were married this morning." Ben announced once more. "Had I had your address I might have invited you, but Gabby's only mentioned you a time or two. As I was told in all the five years or so that they were married, you only visited once, and were somewhat hostile toward her."

  "Married!" Mr. Campbell's brow knit and his face turned to stone. He stood up erect. "I don't believe it."

  Ben took a piece of paper from his shirt pocket, stood up and handed the paper to him. "This is our marriage license, if you need verification."

  Mr. Campbell took it and read it thoroughly.

  Jason Wyler had been very quiet with this exchange of words, but he stepped forward. "As you can see, they are married. I assure you sir; my son is telling you the truth. As for mourning your son, I doubt that appropriate either since he did not support either of them for the last three years."

  "You won't get away with this!" Sloane's face hardened, his lips thinned and his frown made his brows go together at his nose.

  "I'm afraid we will. She now has the means of support for her son, and the problem has taken care of itself. I'm sorry you've troubled yourself with this long trip." Jason jaw looked locked for verbal fighting.

  "She hasn't been a widow long enough. She's in mourning."

  Ben's face held fury, but his words were tempered. "Don't flatter yourself to think she mourned your son. She suffered much cruelty from him. Her period of mourning is over, and if you'll excuse us, we have guests. Invited guests."

  "Well I never!" Mrs. Campbell's anger blew like a geyser over the room.

  "You haven't heard the last of this, I assure you. My lawyer will be in contact with you sir." Mr. Campbell walked toward the door. His wife put a hand on his arm to stay him.

  "Mr. Campbell," Jason followed him, his voice thundering but his face placid. "I'm sure you want what is best for Jimmy, as do I. And it is true Gabby and Jimmy both had been suffering from malnutrition. However, no one but your own son caused that. He left them nothing; even when alive he barely contributed to their welfare. When he died, and while he was alive, he chose to ignore the fact that he was married and had a child. I'm sure we can produce witnesses to that effect."

  "Your son was ten years older than Gabrielle, quite old enough to know he was robbing the cradle, so to speak."

  "My son could have chosen any woman in Boston," Mrs. Campbell huffed, her nose turning up. "He chose beneath him."

  "He chose a young and impressionable girl for a bride. He chose Gabby." Jason reminded her.

  "He chose a simple farm girl, that's what he chose."

  "That's my wife you are talking about and I'll thank you not to utter one more word about her." Ben came closer, his anger practically spitting in their faces.

  Jason took his watch out, looked at it, and then turned a thunderous face on the couple. "Your son was a bum, Mrs. Campbell. A gold digging, carousing bum. He was also a claim jumper, that's why he was killed. Shot to death by the man that legally owned the mine. Now I don't know about you but I wouldn't want something like that to come out in court. It would be to your disadvantage, I'm sure of that. So shall we lay this matter to rest once and for all, before it gets out of hand and downright nasty?" Jason persuaded. "Because I assure you, no one is taking Jimmy from this ranch."

  Mr. Campbell looked at his distraught wife.

  Mrs. Campbell glanced at Jason. "We've only wanted what was best for Jimmy."

  "If that were true, you might have thought of his mother too. If for no other reason but Jimmy, as he loves her dearly. He's only alive today because of her quick wits."

  "We never wanted Frank to marry her, but Jimmy is an innocent in all of this…we merely wanted to make sure he was taken care of properly."

  "You've had your chance at bringing up children. Jimmy has a father and a grandfather who will support and love him. I intend to adopt Jimmy myself, ma'am. He'll be a Wyler before the year is out."

  "But…you can't do that. He's a Campbell."

  "I'm afraid I can. I'm sure the judge will give Jimmy time to speak on his own behalf if he does not want this, but he's already said he does."

  "May we see him?" She asked softly.

  "I was wondering how long it might take you to ask." Jason shot them a sneer. "Sure, Helena would you call Jimmy inside?
" Jason called to her in the kitchen.

  "Si."

  In moments, Jimmy came running inside. "Did you call me Grandpa?" Jimmy ran up to Jason's leg and hung on. He peered up at the Campbell's and backed up. Ben watched the interplay of expressions, from Jimmy's to theirs.

  "Jimmy these are your other grandparents." Jason directed him.

  Jimmy didn't let go of Jason's leg. "I know," he whispered. Just the sound of his voice, and the look in his eyes said he feared them.

  "Jimmy." Mrs. Campbell cried out and flung her arms out at him.

  Jimmy backed up and grabbed Ben's legs. "I don't gotta go with them do I, Pa?"

  "No, not if you don't want to."

  "No sir."

  "But Jimmy…don't you remember me?" She asked holding out her hand to him. "I'm your grandmother."

  "Uh huh, I remember." Jimmy moved to the other side of Ben. "You don't like my Mama. You talked mean to her." Jimmy blurted then hid behind Ben's leg. "You made her cry. I don't like you."

  "Oh Jimmy, you must understand."

  Jason's brow rose. "I think he's made it very plain how he feels about you. And like I said, I'd think twice about a lawsuit, we don't want things to get…dirty, do we?"

  "Come mother, we are wasting our time here." Mr. Campbell opened the front door and they left, hurriedly. "Our lawyer will be in touch."

  "They can't take me away, can they?" Jimmy screeched after they'd gone.

  Ben bent down to look into Jimmy's face. "No son, they can't. And I'm right proud of the way you stood up for your Ma."

  Jimmy clung to Ben for a while, and then gradually as Cal's son, Ford came out to play with him they went off together once more.

  Jason pulled Ben aside that afternoon. "Hope that's the last of them. I'd never met them before, and don't want to continue their aquaintenance."

  "I don't think we'll be hearing from that lawyer dad, the way you put that to them, I think they'll think twice before stirring any more trouble."

  "You'll need to tell Gabby about it, later, but let her enjoy this day."

  "No…this is a celebration. Not a funeral." Ben smiled at his dad.

  As afternoon turned into early evening, Ben gathered Gabby and the guest around the balcony of her bedroom. He bent to take her garter off and everyone awed at the generous flash of leg, then he tossed it high in the air. Unfortunately, Ray caught it. Ben frowned.

  When Gabby tossed the bouquet, Helena had caught it by mistake and everyone laughed and clapped.

  Gabby couldn't help but glance at Mr. Wyler to see his face redden. In that moment, she knew he had feelings for Helena. So what had stopped him from acting on those feelings? Perhaps Helena had been right; he was still grieving for his wife.

  Later that evening, Ben had to bribe the garter out of Ray's hands. He wanted it.

  "What would you give me for it, Ben?" Ray challenged pushing a wayward dark curl from his forehead. His piercing brown eyes studied Ben, a mischievous grin on his face.

  "My right arm be enough?" Ben barked.

  "You've got the girl, why do you need this?" Ray chuckled flashing the beautiful blue garter in his face.

  Ben looked at the garter, "Because she wore it." The way he said that had Ray staring after him.

  "My God, you're in love with the little charity case." Ray walked away, taunting Ben with it as he kept looping it over his thumb.

  Ben caught up to him. Jerking him into a dark corner on the patio, he gazed menacingly down into Ray's face. "Don't you ever refer to my wife like that again. Do you understand me?"

  Ray flinched, jerking himself away from Ben and straightening his clothes. "Pardon me, but she's got a kid. She's been married before. Since when do you go all mushy for a woman that's not even a virgin?"

  Ben raised his fist to his face, "One more word, Ray."

  "Okay, okay. She's a lady…my mistake."

  "That's more like it. Now I suggest you go join the others and don't let me catch you mouthing off any more tonight." Ben nodded and let him go.

  Finally, as Ray was leaving he put it in Ben's hands. "If it means that much, take it. Consider it my wedding gift."

  "Thank you…I will." Ben nodded and watched him leave. He shook his head; he sorely hoped he didn't see his cousin again for many years. Ben looked at the garter, and remembered the pleasure he had from removing it. He smiled to himself, and stuck the garter in his pocket.

  As everyone left, the house fell quiet once more. Gabby had changed her clothes, and given the dress to Helena to take care of. Helena promised to pack it away in a cedar chest for her.

  "I've never had a dress so lovely in all my life. The work you have done on it makes it all the more valuable to me."

  Helena kissed her cheek. "Every woman should have one dress that is special."

  "Thank you Helena. You've done so much to make me feel at home here. It's much more than I ever expected." Gabby couldn't stop the tear from sliding down her cheek.

  "You are most welcome. Have you…never had beautiful clothes?"

  "As a child yes. However, after my mother died, my father began to gamble a lot. At one point, he nearly lost the ranch. In the end, it was lost…So my answer is…not in a very long time."

  "I am sorry for that. Men succumb to weaknesses when faced with death of a loved one. I've seen it many times. But you know what?"

  "What?"

  "I think maybe you are just what Ben Wyler needed. I think there will be a great change in him."

  Gabby smiled sadly. "I want to thank you for helping us pick something out for Jimmy to wear. He's never had such a suit in his life. I was watching him a while ago. He's so happy here."

  "It was my pleasure." Helena smiled. "He is a good boy. And it looks as though he and Ford will be the best of friends."

  "They do get along well. I'm glad. I don't think Jimmy's ever had a close friend before. And I have to admit, that's my fault. I wouldn't let him go out and play when we lived in Colorado. Most of the kids were so rough and always getting into trouble. I didn't want him playing with them. But he's missed out because of that. It is wonderful to see him run and play and just be a boy."

  "Ford's a pretty good kid, his father is rough on him, making him do a lot of chores all the time, but it keeps him from getting into mischief, Cal says."

  "He's probably right. Boys tend to be curious about everything. However, Jimmy loves animals, and he's never had the opportunity to be around them, as he has always wanted. Being here is good for him."

  When Gabby changed into her robe, Helena shook her head. "We must do some shopping."

  Gabby looked down at her robe. It was flimsy and old, the colors of brown leaves had faded and it had been washed so often it was very thin.

  "I really don't think so, Helena. I have no money for that kind of thing. I can manage with what I have. I don't want to be a burden, nor cause extra expense."

  "Nonsense. You don't understand. You are the wife of a wealthy rancher now. You must dress the part. The Wyler men will expect it. We'll go shopping soon. I promise."

  Gabby shrugged. "I don't want to start my marriage indebted to him too. He really will think I'm a gold digger."

  "The pleasure will be all his when he sees you…"

  "He's not in love with me, Helena…" Gabby insisted.

  "No? Are you so sure? I've seen how he looks at you. I have never seen the kind of expression he wears when he looks at you. It's as if his heart is in his eyes. And in such a short time, too. Love is something that sometimes grows like an oak tree, strong and healthy given time. And you will have plenty of time."

  Gabby had a far away look in her eye. Was it possible? Could love grow between them? She had to admit she felt something between them, but she was afraid to explore those feelings, it was just too soon.

  "I must clean up, I left a supper plate out for anyone who was hungry, and I must put it away now. Did you have enough to eat?"

  "Yes, of course."

  Helena stared, d
isturbed that Gabby didn't see how thin she was. "You know…I'm worried about you. Jimmy is thriving since he came here, but you. You don't eat much, more like a bird." Helena stared up at her as she was several inches taller.

  "Don't fret so…I'm not used to eating, and when I eat too much, it hurts…" Gabby insisted. "I've always been thin. I guess it runs in my family. I know I’m much too thin. I'm a little self-conscious about it. I've always envied women with voluptuous bodies, who can entice without trying. No man could love a woman that's not filled out like a woman. When my father was alive, I never worried about my size much, but now…most women I see are filled out…even you have generous breasts and hips. I'm straight…"

  "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. And Ben's sees something when he looks at you. Because he's never looked at a woman like he does you. Your eyes are not so sunken in any longer, and your color is better."

  "You worry about me too much."

  "In my country, I've seen many starve, Gabby. That is why I worry for you. I feel like given time, you will be all right. However, I know, from just looking, you came close to starving to death…you can't hide that. Give yourself some time to heal from that. Goodnight…" Helena called as she left the room.

  Gabby felt her emotions clouding her. For Helena to care so much touched her deeply. Everyone here had been so good to her and Jimmy. It touched her heart.

  She'd never admit to anyone exactly how close she came to starving. Many days she was so weak she couldn't get out of bed. To feed Jimmy she went without many days, but she'd do it all over again, if she had to.

  Curling up on the bed, she told Jimmy a story before he finally caved in and went to sleep. He loved her stories of imaginary people and places.

  Just before his eyes closed, he looked at her. "It's been a good day, huh Mama?"

  "Yes darling, a good day."

  "Even though Grandpa and Grandma Campbell came. They didn't stay long."

  Gabby rose up over him. "They were here?"

  "Yes, Mama. Didn't you see them?"