by Joannie Kay
“More than likely John Evanston put the Reverend up to this nonsense,” she scoffed. “If I find out that he did, I’m going to make him very sorry!”
“Mrs. Ames, you are going to drop this as of right now… or else.”
“I don’t think you are being fair, Walker.”
“Mrs. Gibbons asked you to leave it be.”
“You didn’t see how upset she was!”
“Yes, I did. And you reassured her that you wanted her to stay. That is all that matters.”
“Just because the man is a minister doesn’t give him the right to go around telling everyone else what to do,” she argued, and in the next second she found herself face-down over Walker’s knee. “No!” she gasped as his hand landed on her bare bottom.
“I told you to drop it, Jessie.” He spanked her again, and then again. “Are you ready to let it go?”
“Yes!” she yelped. His hand was so hard on her bare skin.
“Good. And this is what you can expect if you go near Reverend and Mrs. Hopewell and stir up trouble.” He gave her another dozen hard spanks, and then flipped her over on her side of the bed. “Now go to sleep, Jessie!”
Jessie turned her back to him and sniffled. “That was unfair, Walker!” she cried out.
“Unfair or not, you’ll stay clear of them, or I’ll give you a sound spanking. Hear me, wife?” he asked. When she didn’t reply, he rested his hand on her bottom. “Did you hear me, Jessie?”
“Yes!” she hissed. He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “Good night, honey.” Within minutes he was sound asleep and Jessie was still fuming. She thought of several things she could do, but decided each one would get her into even more trouble with her husband. She was still plotting when she went to sleep.
Walker woke his wife early, when it was still dark outside, and made love to her once more. He didn’t want her to leave for the day still angry with him. It wasn’t until after Walker had his way with her that Jessie remembered she was planning to give Walker the cold shoulder for the day. She smiled to herself and got ready for work and then hurried down to give Mrs. Gibbons a hand.
Walker gave her a kiss good-bye and a warning to be careful, but he didn’t say another word about speaking to Reverend and Mrs. Hopewell, trusting that he made himself clear on the subject the night before. He put the boys to work.
Jessie and Angie opened the bank right on time and were pretty busy the first hour. Tanner came by to say hello and check on them. Business was brisk, but Jessie still found time to keep up with all the records she had to keep in order to keep on top of the money she was taking in and loaning out. So far the bank was operating at a profit.
Just before noon, the bell on the door jingled and Jessie looked up to see a man and woman come inside. They glanced in her direction and she immediately got to her feet and put a smile on her face as she approached, wondering if the couple wanted to open an account, or if they needed a loan.
“Hello, I’m Jessie Ames. May I be of assistance?”
“Why, yes, Mrs. Ames.” The gentleman smiled benevolently. “I am the Reverend Hopewell, and this is my wife, Mrs. Hopewell. I have come to speak to you out of concern for your marriage.”
Jessie felt the first stirrings of her temper and reminded herself that she needed to remain calm. “I see. I fail to see what concern you could possibly have, Reverend. My husband and I are very happy in our marriage.”
“You are failing in your duty as a wife, dear child. And since you have no mother to offer you council, we hope to fill the void and help you see the error of your ways.”
Chapter Eleven
Jessie was aware of Angie watching her with wide eyes, and she struggled to control her temper as she recalled Walker’s warning of the night before. He wanted her to respect Mrs. Gibbons and be civil to the minister and his wife, even though she wanted nothing more than to give them what for. “Would you come over to my desk and have a seat so that we’ll have more privacy should another customer come in?” Jessie tried to be polite. The couple followed her, smiling benevolently.
“It is kind of you to take the time to speak to us, Mrs. Ames,” Mrs. Hopewell said with a smile. “We truly wish to be of assistance. When one of our parishioners told us that he overheard your husband discussing his unhappiness with Sheriff Graves, we felt perhaps we should offer guidance even though you are not of our church.”
“Exactly what did your parishioner overhear my husband saying?” Jessie had to admit she was curious. If Walker had any complaints, he usually managed to make them known with the flat of his hand on her bottom.
This time the Reverend answered, his voice soft and sincere. “Mrs. Ames, your husband is most distraught that you are working in town instead of tending to your wifely duties at home as a new wife should. He is shamed that you feel you must work instead of permitting him the joy of supporting you, as is his right.”
Jessie could have kissed Tanner for choosing that very moment to walk into the bank. “Tanner, would you come here, please. Reverend and Mrs. Hopewell are concerned about a conversation you had with Walker. Would you please tell the Sheriff, Reverend?” she urged, fairly positive the conversation never happened.
The Reverend explained that one of his parishioners came to him out of concern and related that Walker was heard complaining to him about Jessie working. Tanner shook his head. “Sorry, Reverend. Walker hasn’t said any such thing to me. In fact, he’s real proud of Jessie for opening this bank. His only concern is that someone will think they can come in here and rob her just because she’s a woman. I keep close watch to make sure that doesn’t happen. Walker has never complained about Jessie to me. In fact, he’s a happy man. Your parishioner is just trying to stir up trouble where none exists, and if it is John Evanston, he’s upset because he doesn’t like the competition.”
“Oh dear. I feel like a fool now that you’ve explained,” the Reverend’s face was red, and his wife was nearly in tears. “I do apologize, Mrs. Ames.”
“You were lied to, Reverend. I can honestly see you and Mrs. Hopewell meant no harm by visiting Mrs. Gibbons yesterday, but I think you should know that she was in tears at the thought she might not be welcome to stay on with us. Walker and I convinced her otherwise. She is a part of our family, and we love her. She is like a grandmother to our boys and little Andy, and like a Mother to Walker and me, and Angie, too. I will be happy to reassure her that Mr. Evanston is behind all of this, and that you truly meant well.”
“Oh, Ezra! I am so shamed we upset Claudia!”
“We shall drive out and speak with her personally, wife. I will also have words with John Evanston,” he said firmly. “Mrs. Ames, I hope you will forgive us?”
“Of course you are forgiven,” Jessie said with a smile, thankful that she held her sharp tongue for once. Walker would be proud of her!
“You are more than welcome to join us at Sunday services. I know that Walker hasn’t attended, but perhaps you could ask him to bring you?” The man smiled, getting to his feet and offering his wife his hand to help her rise.
“I’ll be sure to mention it to Walker,” Jessie replied politely, and walked them to the door. Once they left, Jessie turned to Tanner and said, “Thanks, Tanner. I knew that Walker didn’t say those things, but I was positive they wouldn’t have believed me if I said so.”
“Evanston isn’t missing an opportunity to badmouth you, Jessie,” Tanner said. “Most folks don’t believe him, and he made a big mistake by involving the Hopewells. They’re nice people, and will correct anyone who says anything bad. I’ve heard that Evanston is losing a lot of business to you; is that right?”
“People are withdrawing their money and depositing it here,” Jessie admitted with pride. “We’re doing pretty good, Tanner.”
“I’ll bet he rues the day he refused to speak to you.”
“He should rue the day he’s treated a good many people in this town rudely. Now that folks have a choice, they’re coming here… and I’m
happy for their business.”
“How did you get interested in banking, Jessie?” he asked, then smiled when she giggled.
“Tanner, it’s a really long story, but why don’t you come out to the ranch for supper, and Billy and I will tell all.”
“I never turn down a home cooked meal, Jessie. Angie, you make sure that Andy is wide awake when I get there, hear?” he asked with another smile for her.
She smiled back and nodded, delighted he was coming for supper… and feeling quite guilty that she was delighted. Her Thomas hadn’t been gone but two months now, and she was looking at another man and thinking of his company. Little Andy would never remember his father… and the Sheriff had already spent more time holding him and playing with him than Thomas had! How could life move on so quickly?
Jessie would have to be blind to miss the sadness in her friend’s blue eyes after Tanner left the bank. “Angie, what’s wrong?” She crossed the room to put her arm around the other woman’s shoulders and give her a squeeze.
“I’m a terrible person, Jessie,” the blonde whispered. “Thomas has only been dead for two months, and I’m already forgetting him. Andy just loves Tanner, and I look forward to his visits, too,” she confessed. “It hasn’t been a year yet, and I shouldn’t be looking at another man!”
“This isn’t the east, Angie. There are many more men than women out here, and life doesn’t stop for mourning. The plain truth is that few women have many options when they are left widowed. They can either start a sewing business, or a restaurant or boarding house, if they have a house big enough for that, or end up working in a saloon, or they get married again. We don’t place the same value on waiting for a certain time to resume living like they do in the east. This can be a harsh country, and it’s hard for a woman alone.”
“Which is why Walker was so kind to me,” Angie stated. “He gave me safety and a home while I was so numb. And then you gave me this job. I don’t know what I would have done without you both. And Mrs. Gibbons, too.” She smiled tearfully. “Do you think I would be horrible if I fixed my hair a bit tonight, and wore something besides this same black dress?”
“I think Tanner would like that, Angie. He can’t take his eyes off of you when he’s around.” Jessie smiled at the other woman.
“I cared for Thomas, but I wasn’t his first wife,” she confessed. “She died having a baby. Thomas married me four months later; the first year he called me Lizzie most of the time, especially in bed. I never knew for sure if he loved me, but I did care for him. He was good to me, except when I did something foolish. Then he tanned me and I didn’t like that at all. Do you think Tanner would do something like that? He seems so easy going.”
“I certainly wouldn’t test him, Angie. He’s suggested that Walker cut a switch several times,” Jessie admitted, and then giggled when Angie laughed. It was good to see most of the sadness gone from her eyes.
Once the bank was closed, Jessie and Angie hurried home. Jessie wanted to let Mrs. Gibbons know that Tanner was coming for supper. Billy came to take care of the horse and buggy, and whispered that Walker wasn’t a bit happy. “Why not?” she asked, but Walker was suddenly standing there and he told Billy to put the horse away and then get to his chores.
“Yes, sir,” Billy replied, not about to give the man any reason to be upset with him.
“You come here,” Walker took her arm and marched her inside and into his study. He closed the door, locked it, and then pulled her close and kissed her. “I have needed to do that all darn day long!” He let out a deep breath when he finally came up for air.
“What is wrong, Walker?” Jessie reached up to place her soft hand on his cheek, her green eyes looking at him in obvious concern.
“The boys decided to test me today,” he admitted. “Lee and Denver squared off on each other. Billy tried to break it up, and they both turned on him. Sam didn’t like being left out, and started swinging at anyone he could reach.”
“What got into them?”
“Heck if I know. I was out looking for a mare that busted loose this morning, and Mrs. Gibbons took her broom to all four of them after throwing a pan of dishwater all over them to break it up. She sat them at the kitchen table and made them write ‘I will not fight’ over and over until I got back. So, none of the chores got done. I’m still trying to decide if I should tan the lot of them.”
“Send them to bed early. Tanner is coming, and they won’t like missing out on his visit after supper,” Jessie said with a wicked grin.
“Sounds good to me.” He kissed her again. “You have changed my life, Mrs. Ames. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Mr. Ames.”
“It would be scandalous if we slipped off to our bedroom, wouldn’t it?”
“Yes, it would!” Her cheeks turned pink. “Besides, I haven’t even told Mrs. Gibbons we are having company, and I have some other news for her.”
“Really? Good news, I hope?”
“Yes. I was a very good girl today, husband,” she informed him with a smile. “I should get a nice reward.”
“I see… Just how good were you?” he asked.
“Well, come along and I’ll tell you all about it when I tell Mrs. Gibbons.” She pulled Walker along with her to the kitchen. To her surprise, Mrs. Gibbons came to her as soon as she saw her and gave her a hug. “Oh, Angie already told you?” she asked.
“No, dear. Reverend and Mrs. Hopewell came by early this afternoon to apologize and tell me what happened. I am so sorry that skunk Evanston is giving you such a hard time!”
“What?” Walker’s bad mood returned in an instant.
“Now, dear, don’t be angry. Jessie handled it just fine,” Mrs. Gibbons defended her. “She was very polite to the Hopewells, and got to the truth of the matter. John Evanston lied to them, and that is why they came out here. They honestly thought they were helping to save your marriage. But Jessie talked to them, and fixed everything. I am so happy you still want me here. I love all of you so much, too,” she said, happy tears of relief in her eyes. “I even love those scallywag boys,” she grumbled just a bit.
Walker looked at his wife, and she merely smiled, and after telling the elderly woman that Tanner was coming for supper, which Angie had told her already, Jessie sat the man down at the table and explained in detail about the little visit the Hopewells paid her that morning at the bank.
“You really were a good girl,” he whispered for her ears alone. “I guess I know exactly what you need for that,” he teased.
Jessie giggled and was so tempted to try to find a moment of privacy with her husband, but Sam stuck his head inside to tell Walker that Lee and Denver were at it again. She ran upstairs to change her clothes, and then helped to fix supper.
Tanner was right on time, and he noticed immediately that Angie was wearing a pretty dress and had her hair tied back with a bow. “You look real pretty tonight, Angie,” he commented, and she smiled in delight as she thanked him for the compliment.
Once supper was over Walker said, “Lee, Denver, and Sam… The three of you can get off to bed now.”
“It’s not even dark yet, Walker!” Lee complained.
“When you act like little kids, you’ll get treated like little kids. I want you to think about today. If that kind of fighting starts up again anytime soon, my belt is coming off.”
“What about Billy?” Denver dared to ask.
“He didn’t start it; he was trying to break it up. You turned on him. I won’t have it, hear?”
“I hate going to bed early,” Sam growled.
“Then don’t start swinging your fists around here,” Walker said quietly. When there was no movement at the table, he slowly got to his feet. “I can take off my belt now if I need to.” The three boys got to their feet and hurried to do as they were told. “Mrs. Gibbons, supper was great. Thank you.”
“Jessie did the cooking tonight, Walker. I was doing some sewing for Andy.”
“Well, in that case, than
k you for supper, Mrs. Ames. It was really good.” Walker smiled at Jessie.
“You are most welcome.”
“You promised me a story, Jessie,” Tanner reminded her.
“It will keep until after the dishes are done. Why don’t you go and play with Andy a bit before Angie puts him down for the night?”
“If you all will excuse me, I’m going to retire to my room,” Mrs. Gibbons announced. “I am a bit tired, and I am going to read a bit before turning in.” She slipped away, with a wink for Jessie.
Jessie permitted Tanner to help Angie take the baby into the parlor, and then called out, “Walker, could you give me a hand for a moment?” He followed her into the kitchen.
“What do you need, honey?”
“Nothing, really. Just to give Tanner and Angie a bit of privacy to talk a bit.”
“What about? Is something wrong?”
Billy chuckled. “Sis is matchmaking, Walker. Didn’t you notice that Angie is prettied up tonight, and Tanner didn’t wear that tie for us.”
“Is that so?” he looked at his giggling wife, and then swatted her one, right in front of Billy. “You can stop giggling now, Jessie.”
“You’re so cute, sometimes, Walker,” she smirked.
“If you two are going to get all mushy, I’m going out to check on the horses,” Billy said, grinning at them, his face red with embarrassment.
Jessie just laughed softly, and then put the two to work helping her right the kitchen once again. When they finished, she made a fresh pot of coffee, and then took it into the parlor. It was obvious that the time alone was successful from the happy smiles on Tanner and Angie’s faces.
“Tanner asked how I got into banking. Our father was a banker; and he also owned a ranch. Mama ran the ranch, and Papa did well in town. We naturally spent time with both of them, although Billy was much younger, and didn’t get as much experience in the bank as I did. When Papa died suddenly, we learned that he’d left a beady-eyed man by the name of Phineas Crabtree in control of our money… and the ranch. Mama fought him tooth and nail, but the courts wouldn’t let her do one thing unless Phineas agreed to it, which he seldom did. He didn’t know the first thing about ranching, and the ranch went downhill because he refused to allow one penny to be spent. Mama called him lower than a snake’s belly, and we called him Snake. Snake was mean. He carried a knife, and he loved to carve people. He hated Mama. When she died, he sold off the ranch and every last thing on it. All of our father’s things, and Mama’s… I managed to keep one locket, and hid it from Snake. He even took Billy’s and my horses and sold them. Everything that we loved. We were forced to live in his house in town, and Billy hated it.