Ruffling Society

by Kay Moser

  Christine recoiled from the insults to her father, taking a step back.

  “That’s enough!” Hayden shouted. “If you continue to malign General Gibbes in this store, I will take you out on the street and thrash you in front of the whole town.”

  “Now, calm down, both of you,” the unfamiliar voice insisted. “We’re just talking business here. There’s no need to get personal. It’s all about numbers, profitability, that kind of thing.”

  “It’s about the people of this town, Mr. Murdock,” Hayden insisted, “and what’s best for them and the farmers struggling to raise their families.”

  “And you’re willing to trust everybody’s security to that Logan boy?” Lynch asked.

  “Lee Logan is hardly a boy, and he’s been a successful banker in Forth Worth for some years now,” Hayden snapped back.

  “Well, he ain’t Richard Boyd, is he?”

  “No one is Richard Boyd, Tom.” Hayden’s voice softened. “We’ll not see the likes of Richard Boyd again in this town.”

  “That suits me just fine,” Tom Lynch snarled.

  Christine’s temper flared, and she struggled to force herself to remain in place.

  “Yes, it would,” Hayden countered. “Richard had a habit of forcing you to be equitable to your tenants, didn’t he?”

  “I ain’t likely to forget his messin’ in my business, if that’s what you mean,” Lynch growled.

  “It was the bank’s business! You only own those farms slaved on by sharecroppers because of the bank loans Richard gave you. But let’s put that aside for the moment. The fact is Richard chose to hire Lee Logan. He clearly valued Logan’s expertise and planned for him to take over the bank one day. Besides, you forget that Lee Logan is not the only one directing the bank. I am on the board, as are several other respected men.”

  “Yeah, but you’ve got your hands full running this store and keeping up with your other properties. Riverford is growing, and it could grow a lot more if the bank would change its priorities.”

  “You mean, quit loaning money to sharecroppers, don’t you?” Hayden demanded.

  “I do. The fact of the matter is the bank’s only got so much money, and if you give it to them, then it ain’t available to us landowners that can make this town into the cotton capital of the South.”

  “They’re people, too—people just like you. All they want is the security of a permanent home for their families.”

  “They ain’t nothing like me!” Lynch raised his voice. “I don’t want no sharecroppers gettin’ too comfortable here.”

  “Are you sure you’re not just seeking revenge on Richard for forcing you to treat sharecroppers like Kazimir Novak fairly?”

  “He didn’t have no right to mess in my business affairs like that! And he did it over and over, and not just to me. Well, he’s gone now, and I say good riddance.”

  “Yes, he’s gone,” Hayden shouted, “and only a low-down snake of a coward would attack him now.”

  “You watch your words, Hodges! I’m just getting back what’s mine. You and Richard Boyd ain’t gonna control this town anymore. He’s dead, and you’re standing alone now.”

  Christine pushed the door open, glided into the room, and, facing Tom Lynch, raised the veil off her face.

  Sweat popped out on Lynch’s forehead as his cheeks turned beet red. “Mrs. B—B—Boyd,” he stuttered. “I—I didn’t know—”

  Christine stared into his eyes, then, forcing herself to sound calm, commented, “God is so gracious. Clearly, He has brought me here at the right moment.”

  “Well, ma’am, I—I wouldn’t—”

  “Have spoken truthfully if you had known I was present.” Christine finished his sentence. “Yes, I know that.” She turned to the stranger in the room. “I have not made your acquaintance, sir, but I dare to address you anyway. Riverford Bank will remain under the control of the Boyd family. You are wasting your time here.”

  The man made a perfunctory bow before launching into a smooth speech. “I regret that I have not made your acquaintance before, Mrs. Boyd, and I certainly regret that you may have overheard the comments made in this office, but I want to assure you—”

  Christine held up her gloved hand, and his words stumbled to a halt. She turned her back on both men as if they were not present, then took several steps toward Hayden, her hand extended in greeting. “How fortunate to find you alone, Hayden. I have had a letter from a mutual friend which I would like to share with you.”

  Hayden grinned as he gently shook her extended hand. “Yes, it is indeed fortunate that I am alone.”

  Behind her, Christine heard the shuffling of feet and, finally, the closing of the door.

  “I’m so sorry you heard that argument, Christine,” Hayden said as he took her arm and settled her in a chair in front of his desk. “Let me assure you—”

  “There is no need to say anything, Hayden. I not only heard those men; I also heard your responses. Besides, there is a more pressing matter to discuss.” She pulled Sarah’s letter from her reticule. “A letter from Sarah.”

  Hayden picked up a piece of stationery on his desk. “I’ve received one, too. It’s short and to the point.”

  “And very wise,” Christine added. “How is Victoria this morning?”

  “Asleep when I left. She had a bad night. I sent for the doctor again, but he could do nothing but give her a sedative which, of course, she could not keep in her stomach. She is so thin, Christine!”

  “Which is exactly why she must leave this heat. I came this morning to encourage you to take Victoria to this sanitarium in Colorado no matter what the cost, but I see that I did not know the true obstacle to your leaving. It has never been about money, has it, Hayden?”

  “No.”

  “I did not know about the bank situation.”

  Hayden leaned forward across the desk. “Please believe me, Christine. No one is trying to shut you out. Your father and I did not want to burden you with the bank while you were—”

  “Yes, I know that. And I thank you for protecting me. I also thank you for standing firmly for Richard’s vision of the bank, his intention that it should serve even the poorest of the people as best it could.”

  “I promise you that won’t change, but there is likely to be a fight ahead; not all the board members are as committed to Richard’s vision as I am. Some will welcome this offer from St. Louis.”

  “So you must remain here in Riverford.”

  Hayden buried his face in his hands. “I am torn, ripped into two pieces. I cannot—will not—let Victoria suffer anymore, but I promised Richard on his deathbed—”

  “I will take Victoria to Colorado.”

  Hayden’s head popped up. “What? How can you—”

  Christine’s silk skirt rustled as she abruptly stood. “It is settled. I am taking Victoria to Colorado. You and Father must make the arrangements for a comfortable railway car and reservations for us at the Boulder Sanitarium. I will pack for the girls and myself.”

  Hayden jumped to his feet and rounded the desk to stare down into her face. “Christine, you cannot do this.”

  She smiled up at him. “Who is going to stop me?”

  “But your own condition—you have not been well yourself—and your bereavement—”

  “I am going to be quite annoyed with you if you ask ‘what will people think?’”

  Hayden stepped back and leaned against the edge of the desk. “You are putting your reputation at great risk.”

  “I do not care. Victoria’s health is more important to me. As for my own condition, I know I will profit from cooler air and the benefits of the sanitarium myself.” Hayden started to argue, but she held up her hand and silenced him. “In addition, I will not have my daughters in Riverford if there is to be a fight over the bank and they might hear comments such as I have just heard.”

  “What about the difficulties of the journey and your safety? Victoria is too weak to be of any support.”

&n
bsp; “I will take Nancy. She is strong and devoted to us all.”

  Hayden furrowed his brow as he pondered her suggestions.

  “I will not be deterred, Hayden.”

  He smiled. “I know, but you must take Frances. She is older, wiser. She has traveled with Victoria and me several times.”

  “Can you do without her?”

  “I will do without anyone, everyone, to get Victoria out of here.”

  “Then it’s settled.”

  “What will the general say?”

  “He will want to escort us, of course, but he will know my interest is best served if he stays here and protects the bank.” She smiled. “I think, however, we can count on his insistence that I take both Nancy and Frances.”

  “I agree with him. I will telegraph the sanitarium immediately. I just pray they have room.”

  “They will. I see God’s hand in this whole arrangement. It never ceases to amaze me how far ahead of us He works and the great economy of His actions.”

  “Economy?”

  “Just think of it, Hayden.” She looked deeply into his eyes. “We thought He had helped Sarah get an education and go to the Chautauqua just for her own benefit, but all along He knew that her presence there would provide us with a way to save Victoria.”

  Hayden’s eyes filled with tears. “I hope we’re acting in time. What if she can’t make the trip?”

  Christine took his hand. “How can you doubt that she will be able to make the trip? We are working on God’s timetable. Just do your part, I’ll do mine, and we’ll trust God for the rest.”

  He nodded. “Victoria received a letter from Sarah this morning too. She was finally sleeping, so I didn’t open it. I thought we would share it tonight.”

  “Let’s share more than Sarah’s letter this evening. I’ll come visit about seven, and we’ll tell her of our plan.”

  CHAPTER 27

  “Mommy!”

  The insistence of Ceci’s tone forced Christine to pull her gaze away from the empty chair at the head of the family dining table and to focus on her six-year-old daughter.

  “Yes, darling. What is it?”

  “May I please be excused?”

  “But you haven’t eaten anything.”

  “Can I go too?” four-year-old Juli asked. “I don’t feel good.”

  Christine sent a swift glance to the only other person present, her aging father. The general’s face looked heavy with fatigue and worry.

  “Please, Mommy.” Juli’s voice was edged with coming tears.

  “Of course, but first tell me where … I mean, do you hurt anywhere?”

  “I do.” Ceci wiggled out of her chair and ran to her mother’s side. “I hurt here.” The little girl pointed to her chest.

  “All the time or just when you try to swallow your food?”

  Ceci’s head drooped. “All the time,” she whispered.

  Christine pushed back her chair and gathered the child in her arms. Seconds later, Juli raced to her side and buried her face in her mother’s skirts.

  “They must eat something,” General Gibbes counseled. “They are too thin.”

  Christine nodded, then leaned over and kissed the girls’ heads. “Yes, they must.” She pushed both girls away from her so she could address them. “I have an idea, girls. You know how much you love to swing on the front porch and watch the birds? Well, why don’t you go out and have a good swing and see how many kinds of birds you can see? Grandpa and I will bring you some cold milk and buttered biscuits in a few minutes, and Grandpa will tell you the names of the birds. Would you like to do that?”

  The girls looked up at their mother, their eyes dulled with sadness, and listlessly nodded.

  “Well, go on then and enjoy the swing.” She gave them an encouraging push. “Ceci, you take Juli’s hand.”

  Ceci tried to drag Juli away, but her sister refused to budge. Instead, her face crumpled in distress as she looked up at Christine. “Is Jesus going to ever send Daddy back?”

  Christine’s heart lurched, and a faint gasp escaped her lips before she composed herself. “No, darling, but one day Jesus will take us to see Daddy.”

  Juli’s eyes filled with tears, and Christine ached to scoop her into her arms and rock her, but before she could act, Ceci blurted out, “I don’t like Jesus anymore!”

  “Don’t say that!” Juli yelled as she hit her sister’s arm. “Jesus will hear you, and He won’t take us to see Daddy!”

  Christine rose, knelt before the girls, and gathered them into her arms again. “Now listen to me, both of you. Jesus loves you. He loves all of us no matter what we say or do. When the time is right, He will take us to heaven, and we will see Daddy. Do you understand?” The girls nodded. “Good. Now in the meantime, both Daddy and Jesus want you to be happy and healthy. You love watching the birds while you swing on the porch, so I want you to go outside and do just that. Okay?”

  The girls nodded, reluctantly pulled away from Christine’s arms, and left the room.

  When they were gone, Christine stood and turned to her father. “I am taking them away from this town, away from this vat of grief they are drowning in. I know you have reservations about my plan, but surely you see the advantages of our leaving, and if Victoria needs to go to Colorado, then that is where the girls and I are going.”

  “I am only concerned about your safety,” General Gibbes responded as he rose from his chair. “I cannot go with you; the bank must be secured, or you and many other people will suffer for the rest of your lives.”

  “I understand, Father. I only wish you could come with us for your own sake, and I would gladly give up any money to make that possible. You need a rest—”

  The general held up his hand. “I am an old soldier, my dear. I am quite accustomed to fighting in spite of weariness. If an attack on Richard’s legacy is forthcoming, I intend to lead the defense and win.”

  Christine went to his side, hugged him, and let her cheek rest on his shoulder as she took one last whiff of the scent of his pipe tobacco which permeated his jacket. “If that St. Louis man knew what he was attempting, he would not even begin.”

  General Gibbes patted her back. “Let’s take care of the girls, and then we will go visit Victoria and Hayden and firm up the plans.”

  ***

  “You would do that for me, Christine?” Tears ran down Victoria’s gaunt face, tears quite untypical of this strong, confident rebel of a lady. Christine’s chest tightened with anxiety as she scanned her friend’s frail figure lying on the wicker chaise on the side verandah of Hodges House. Victoria shook her head. “I cannot allow you to sacrifice yourself for me.” She turned her face to General Gibbes. “You can’t possibly approve of this plan, can you, General?”

  “I do,” General Gibbes answered, “with certain specifications. I insist that you take both Frances and Nancy to take care of you ladies and the girls.”

  “But there are other considerations,” Victoria pressed. “The townspeople will surely ...”

  Christine shook her head. “I refuse to be bound by irrational proprieties under these circumstances.”

  “You mean my declining health, of course.” Victoria looked at her husband. “Hayden, we must not allow Christine to pay such a heavy price just to rescue me.”

  “And why not?” Christine demanded. “You are worth it. Besides …” Christine slipped into a chair close to Victoria and took her hand. “There are other reasons for me to leave with the girls.”

  “What reasons?” Victoria struggled to sit up. “What else has happened?”

  “Why don’t we all sit down?” Hayden pulled a wicker chair forward for General Gibbes.

  “Why don’t you simply tell me the truth?” Victoria demanded. “I’m not so weak that I can’t deal with whatever you’re hiding, and I won’t sacrifice Christine.”

  Christine leaned over and gently pressed Victoria back onto the stacked pillows. “You are not sacrificing me. I want to go. There is going to be so
me unpleasantness regarding the bank in the next few weeks, and I don’t want the girls in the midst of the squabble.”

  Victoria eyed Hayden. “That’s why you’re not going, isn’t it? What’s wrong at the bank?”

  “A banking consortium from St. Louis wants to buy it,” Hayden explained. “And now that Richard is gone, some of the board members have lost confidence in the future of the bank and want to sell.”

  Before Victoria could respond, General Gibbes jumped into the discussion. “My dear Victoria, I assure you that Hayden, Lee Logan, and I will handle the bank. You need only go to the mountains and take whatever treatment will make you well. In doing so, you provide Christine with relief from the required confinement and other physical discomforts of her period of mourning.”

  Christine tried to lighten the atmosphere with a gentle laugh. “Don’t you think I’m eager to shed this heavy black veil?” She reached up and pulled her veil off her head. “I will be a visitor in Colorado and can abandon some of the trappings of widowhood. In addition, the girls and I will have a vacation from this stifling heat.”

  “But the avalanche of criticism you will have to endure before we get away, not to mention when we return! And you are exhausted, Christine. You need to be home resting.”

  “No, Victoria,” Christine disagreed. “I need to get away from this town and its suffocating requirements for a widow. Think of Ceci and Juli if you won’t think of me. They are too young to be constantly faced with the darkness of mourning. I can’t even get them to eat properly. I am taking them to Colorado whether you go or not.”

  Victoria looked from her friend’s face to her husband’s.

  “You are going.” His voice was firm. “I telegraphed the Boulder Sanitarium this afternoon.”

  “They may not have room,” Victoria cautioned.

  “They will make room for the right amount of money,” Hayden assured her.