Reuben

by Lynn Donovan

  Darsheel cocked his head back, almost daring Bhagat to continue.

  He did. “Darsheel, you have found success and peace here in this town, Lantern, Texas.”

  Bhagat said the name and state as if it were a foreign word to him and he only knew it phonetically. “This marriage agreement between our children is my only hope for us to survive. It’s the basis for most every marriage agreement in our homeland culture. Love and hearts choosing their mate does not insure prosperity or even survival.”

  Anushka sighed. Yes, that was the way of their homeland culture, but here things could be different. Darsheel had two good jobs with potential to become prosperous in ether one. Perhaps he could help Bhagat, and Thind for that matter, find a prosperous job here. It would be lovely to have another family from India living in Lantern. Thind could go fetch his true love from California and they could all settle here. She wasn’t sure this would work or be a solution to Bhagat’s concerns. Was it enough to persuade him to let their children marry the ones they wanted? “Darsheel, darling. Couldn’t we find another way for the Singh’s to have financial security, without Karena and Thind bonding in marriage?”

  Darsheel stared at her. Of course, he did. She’d never spoken so boldly in all their marriage, she’d followed the traditions of a wife who follows her husband’s lead and never questions him, ever. But they were not in India anymore. She had been exposed to very different marriage styles at the church’s socials and the women’s gatherings. Things were different here in America and since her husband had insisted on dragging her and Karena to this continent, why shouldn’t she adapt to the local culture. “If Bhagat sees that there are opportunities for financial security here in Texas, wouldn’t that give you two the freedom to release our children from this archaic bond and let them marry whom their hearts desire?”

  She lifted one brow as she boldly lifted her chin. Darsheel’s lips parted slightly as he went slack-jawed, staring at her. His eyes darted from her to Bhagat. “This country is heading for an economic depression. I just recently spoke to the bank president about cautioning the people to invest wisely while it is in a state of contracting. He offered me a part-time position as Financial Adviser which could expand to full-time. It is true, in a town such as Lantern, one could find a niche and prosper from it without losing your shirt or a limb as with mining for ore.”

  Bhagat tilted his head. “So, you feel that I could settle here in Lantern, Texas, and find a niche where I could make a hardy living and maintain an honorable position in your community, while at the same time, allow our children to break the agreement of marriage and find their own marriage partners?”

  Darsheel glanced at Anushka. She held her breath. This was it. Say the right thing, please Darsheel, she begged in her mind.

  His eyes returned to Bhagat and Darsheel stared at his friend for what seemed like too long. “I think they already have…”

  Bhagat’s eyes bulged, his mouth dropped open, and the teacup and saucer slid from his hand.

  CHAPTER NINE

  “Oh, my goodness, I’m so sorry.” Bhagat leapt to his feet. Anushka rushed to the kitchen for a wet towel and hurried back to clean up the spilled tea and gather the broken china cup.

  “No, it’s all right.” She pressed the wet towel into the rug.

  “I-I did not know you knew Thind fancied an American girl back in California.” Bhagat paled. “I told him it was impossible. We have an agreement, and I am a man of my word…”

  “Yes, yes.” Darsheel assured him. “Your integrity has never come into question. Even on this matter. You see… well, Anushka had mentioned the children had confided in her that Thind wished to marry another, but we have to be honest with you, old friend. Our daughter fancies an American fellow here in Lantern. Th-the one who saved Anushka and Karena from the falling luggage this very evening.”

  Bhagat’s eyes went wide again. “Oh, he and Thind walked away from the depot, you suppose they realize who the other is? Did they go somewhere to talk? Things are beginning to make more sense to me now.”

  Singh sat hard on the divan as if exhausted. “It seems many have been making alternate plans for my son behind my back, including my son himself.”

  Darsheel gasped. “Well, no, we never—”

  Thind and Reuben knocked on the front door and entered before anyone opened it for them. Karena leapt to her feet, she breathed heavily as if she had run a country mile. “What… are… you doing?”

  Anushka rose from sopping up the spilled tea and slowly sat back in her chair clutching the wet towel in her white-knuckled hand. Thind humbly bowed before he entered the parlor where the parents and Karena were. “Father, may I speak with you?”

  Bhagat’s eyes roved over the Khans and returned to his son. “Yes, son. Of course.”

  

  Thind and Reuben backed into the foyer as Bhagat followed them. They stepped out on the porch in a huddle. Thind spoke first. “Father, this is Reuben Featherstone. He’s one of the brothers to the twins who were married today.”

  Bhagat nodded. “How do you do. I’m Bhagat Singh.” He shook Reuben’s hand. “You are the American who wishes to steal my son’s wife?”

  “Father!” Thind snapped. “That’s not how it is.” He rubbed his hand down his face. “Look, Reuben and I have discussed this dilemma, and we have a viable solution. One that will satisfy everyone’s needs and dreams.”

  Thind swallowed. It was obvious he didn’t speak this way to his father often. Reuben could relate. Maintaining his honor throughout this mixed up ordeal had been the biggest challenge of his life. “Sir,” Reuben swallowed hard. “Mister Singh, if I may. It is my understanding that the custom of arranging between two families the marriage of their children is to insure financial, and perhaps political, stability. I also understand that upon occasion a dowry is offered to ensure the sincerity of the groom requesting a woman’s hand in marriage.” He paused to assess Singh’s willingness to hear more. So far, Singh remained on the porch, rather than storming back into the house, and he had not thrown up his hands or told Reuben to shut up. “I propose an option that combines those traditions and makes for a solution that will make everybody, I believe, happy. That is… if you agree with this idea.”

  Bhagat tilted his head. He looked intrigued. Good. Thind smiled. Reuben held back his show of mirth until he laid out their plan and Mister Singh accepted.

  “Thind and I have discussed your situation. I understand you own a loom and have skills weaving heavy canvas material.” Reuben paused.

  Bhagat’s brow knitted but he nodded.

  “Ah, good. There are thousands of acres around here that belong to ranchers, and those ranchers hire a lot of men who ride across those thousands of acres which are covered by dense, thorny brush. If you were to retrieve your loom and begin making that canvas material into britches for those cowboys, it would be very profitable, and you’d be the first to bring these better wares to this area. I’d say it is a sure thing.”

  Singh remained silent but appeared to be thinking it over. Reuben pressed on. “Plus, because I am asking you to release Thind and Karena from this marriage agreement so she can marry me, I will give you a dowry of sorts for the disruption in your plans which you then could use to purchase a shop for your new canvas business. Your integrity will remain intact, as will Mister Khan’s, and I too will have done the honorable thing to win Karena’s hand for marriage.”

  Bhagat stared at Reuben but remained silent. Reuben glanced at the front door of the Khan’s house. “If you are in agreement, all that remains is for you to speak to Mister Khan. I understand that a marriage agreement like this can be broken without losing respect as long as both families agree on severing the vow. Is my information correct? Will you speak to Mister Khan?”

  Singh glanced at his son. “This is what you want?”

  Thind nodded. “Yes, Father.”

  Singh turned back to Reuben. “Darsheel is a prideful man. I cannot make any promises unt
il I speak to him.”

  “Yes sir.” Reuben’s heart sped up with hope. He bowed his head like he had seen Thind do earlier. “I understand. I will respect the decision either way.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  A man stood behind a huge horse snapping a whip over its back, blocking other riders and buggies from traveling down Main Street. The travelers didn’t seem to mind, the work was fascinating, and they all watched intently. A pulley and rope were attached to the horse’s harness and a large wooden sign that read “Singhs’ Ranch Clothing Company.” A large sign was being hoisted to the top facade facing the street and Thind and Reuben were waiting with nails and hammers to anchor it into place.

  “Epp.” Reuben made the sound to indicate the sign was where it should be and the handler needed to stop the horse from walking any further. Thind and Reuben placed a nail and hammered it in with swift, determined swings. It was almost a competition to see who could set the nail with the least amount of hits. Bhagat Singh stood across the street and watched the shop’s sign make the building become his new profession.

  “It looks wonderful, Papa.” Christine Singh stood at her father-in-law’s side, watching with him. She and Thind had been married quickly in California before they loaded a wagon with their belongings which included the loom and her treadle sewing machine. She refused to travel to Texas with two men without first having the nuptials spoken.

  Thind leaned over the facade and nailed the last nail, then straightened and glanced at his watch. “Hey, Reuben, you better get going!”

  Reuben pulled his pocket watch out of his pants and flipped it open. “Oh, gosh! You’re right!” They scrambled down a ladder and Reuben ran at a full-tilt dash to his mother’s house. Benjamin greeted him as he ran through the back door.

  “I wondered when you’d get home. Momma’s got your suit laid out on your bed. She’s been walking the floor wondering where you were. She and Poppa Monty have already left for the church.”

  “Really? Okay. I won’t take long.” Reuben panted and ran up the stairs.

  Benjamin chuckled. “You better not! I’ve been left in charge of getting you to the church on time! I’ve got the buggy hooked up and ready to go!” He yelled at the empty stairs. Everyone else in Lantern were probably at the church by now. But it didn’t hurt for the groom to be last to arrive. He’s not supposed to see the bride anyway, and if he weren’t there, he wouldn’t be able to slip any peeks in.

  In record time, Reuben jogged down the stairs in his Sunday best dark suit, his hair wet and combed neatly back from his face. “You look good.” Benjamin rose and walked toward the back door. “Your chariot awaits m’lord.”

  Reuben chuckled. “Thanks Ben. Is Jewell meeting you there?”

  Benjamin shrugged. “Who knows what Miss Jewell is doing. I hope so. That’s all I can tell you.”

  Reuben slapped his baby brother on the shoulder. “You’ve got your hands full with that one, for sure.”

  “Yeah, but, you know, she’s worth it.”

  Reuben smiled as he sat back and let his younger brother take the reins.

  As they approached the hitching post beside the church, Honor and Purity motioned for him to hurry. “What’s the hurry? It can’t start without me?” He laughed, but Honor and Purity frowned.

  “Never make a bride wait.” Purity declared.

  “You have a point.” Reuben conceded. He rushed into the white chapel, then halted. It was full. Was everybody in Lantern and the surrounding area here for the wedding? Taking a deep breath, he walked steadily toward the front where Adam, Seth, and Jonah stood beside Uncle Harrison. Ben slipped in from the back and stood with the brothers. Reuben smiled at them and continued up the aisle to stand next to their great uncle. The brothers each stepped forward and shook his hand, then Reuben turned to wait for his bride.

  Aunt Gloria played the piano while four girls walked slowly down the aisle and stood on the opposite side of the alter from the men. Then Gloria stopped and played the familiar wedding march. The music and the people all faded from Reuben’s awareness as his eyes landed on Karena. She was covered from head to toe in a white-lace American wedding gown. Her beauty overwhelmed Reuben’s mind and his heart. Adam pushed Reuben closer to Karena as her father placed her hand in Reuben’s. They turned to face Uncle Harrison, but Reuben could not take his eyes off his bride. At last, Uncle Harrison allowed them to face each other and hold hands. He spoke, Karena repeated what he said, Uncle Harrison spoke again, Reuben repeated what he said. Adam shoved a fist into Reuben’s arm. He turned to see the wedding rings in Adam’s out-stretched palm. Reuben took them and put one on Karena. She put the other on Reuben. Uncle Harrison spoke more and then told Reuben he could, finally, kiss his bride.

  Reuben lifted her veil and smiled at her. Her beauty radiated through her smile and her brilliantly bright dark brown eyes. He leaned in close and brushed his lips against hers. She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, engulfing his mouth with hers. Fire and desire shot through his body, passion unfurled, and he wanted nothing more but to pick her up and run with her in his arms to the hotel.

  Laughter from the people brought him back to his mind and he fell back from her. They laughed together. He leaned in and breathed into her ear. “Karena, I love you with every fiber of my being. Let’s get out of here as soon as possible.”

  She smiled, her white teeth contrasting the red rouge lip color. “Yes, my darling. I want to show you how deep my love is for you, too.”

  He held her hand up over their heads and the people cheered. Would they notice if he took his bride and left the rest of the celebration? Did he care? He was a son of Honor, but he had more important business to tend to. Showing his wife how much he loved her was more important than cutting a cake or toasting good wishes. He lowered their hands and hurried down the aisle.

  Instructions had been to turn right, but he turned left and put her in the buggy Benjamin had prepared for bringing Reuben to the chapel. Reuben stuffed her skirts in around her legs and ran around to leap into the driver’s seat. He slapped the reins on the horse’s back and waved at the family, who stood with gaping mouths, as the horse trotted toward the Lantern Hotel. Benjamin stood with Jewell, they were holding hands and waving. Reuben smiled at him. Would he be the next and last son of Honor to marry?

  THE END

  

  Personal Note From the Author

  Dear Reader,

  I really hope you enjoyed Reuben’s story. I found it the more difficult one to write. But now it is done, and I personally like it a lot. Karena and Reuben are a wonderful couple, and I love how they came together honorably. I hope you do, too. Now if you will excuse me, I’m off the write the final Sons of Honor, Benjamin.

  About the Author

  Lynn Donovan is an author, playwright, and director who spends her days chasing after her muses trying to get them to behave long enough to write their stories. The results are numerous novels, multi-author series, anthologies, dramatizations, and short stories.

  Lynn is a co-host on a local AM radio show, KRLN 1400, called Write Time Radio where she and her co-host air old-time-radio dramas, narrations, excerpts and poems written by local writers, including herself.

  Lynn enjoys reading and writing all kinds of fiction, paranormal, speculative, contemporary romance, and time travel. But you never know what her muses will come up with for a story, so you could see a novel under any given genre. All that can be said is keep your eyes open, because these muses are not sitting still for long!

  Oops, there they go again…

  You can learn more about Lynn on her blog, follow her on Twitter @MLynnDonovan, Facebook Author page at LynnDonovanFGG and her website LynnDonovanAuthor.com.

  Follow her on BookBub.

  For more publications by Lynn Donovan go to:

  Amazon.com/author/ldonovan

  Appreciation

  Thank you to everybody in my life who has contributed in one way or another to th
e writing of this book. My husband, my children, my children-in-law, and my grandchildren. You all are my unconditional fans. My BETA reader and grammar guru who make me look gooder than I am. [Bad grammar intended.] My fellow author friends who chat with me daily to exchange ideas, encourage, maintain sanity, and keep me from being a total recluse/hermit.

  Mostly I thank God for the talent he has given me. I hope to hear you say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant,” when I cross the Jordan and run into your arms—Many, many years from now. :).

  Newsletter and a Free Gift for You

  Hey! Thank you for purchasing and reading my book, Lantern of Honor. I’d like to give you a parting gift to show my appreciation. Sign up for my newsletter here. I will send you an e-copy of a collection of short stories I wrote purely for your entertainment. I will happily send you this e-copy for FREE, if you ask. I will also add you to my NEWSLETTER list and you will receive up-to-date information on new release before anyone else.

  This book will not be sold anywhere, at any time, I am keeping it exclusively for you, my readers, and only if you ask for it.

  Thank you again, and God Bless.

  ~Lynn Donovan

  Humble Request

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