"No matter how I might sound mother, my loyalty is to you first. I love you mother."
"And I love you child. I thank you for the support, I need you so much."
~*~
"But Martin, you've been married twenty-four years. Are you sure about this?" Lowell McDaniel narrowed his brows and scowled at Martin as though he had suddenly lost his mind. The way Martin was glaring at him, made him rethink him a bit.
Lowell McDaniel had worked hard to achieve his stature in this town. He'd started from the bottom and worked his way into a full partnership.
His office reflected his own character, with animal heads on the walls, maps of Texas, and a picture of the President just behind his desk, he represented achievement in every corner of his office.
Although he was known for a few underhanded deals in his time, the people trusted him nonetheless.
Still Martin and Beatrice had been his friends since he came to town and he hated seeing this happen.
"I'm very sure I want a divorce." Martin demanded, pounding the top of the chair as he stood over it in the immaculate office of McDaniel and Ferguson law office. This was the most prestige's office in town and Lowell was a cunning lawyer.
"But it could ruin your chances of running for political office." Lowell shook his head.
"I don't think so. A man doesn't run on the petticoat of a woman, Lowell." Martin argued.
"Maybe not, but the scandal of a divorce certainly wouldn't make you a popular candidate." The lawyer narrowed his gaze on him. "What's gotten into you? I thought you and Beatrice were perfect for each other. Are you going through some crisis or something?"
Martin flopped down in the expensive leather chair and listened to the air squish out of it. "No, I'm not. It's the first sensible thing I've done in a long time. I don't need a woman who won't stand beside me. You don't trust me. Perhaps I'll find another, more suitable woman to take her place. A younger one, too. I should have done this years ago."
"Now you are talking nonsense. You're too old to find another." Lowell shook his head.
"Am I? Women are attracted to money and power Lowell."
Lowell threw up his hands. "I can't talk you out of this?"
"No, draw up the paper immediately. I'll sign them." Martin instructed and got up to leave, grabbing his hat from another chair where he'd thrown it when he came in.
"Very well, but I think you are making a big mistake." Lowell countered.
"Let me worry about that. Just do like I say. I'm paying you enough money." Martin fussed all the way out the door.
Lowell's secretary came running into the office with pen and paper. "What was that all about? He was fussing and cussing all the way out the door."
Lowell sat very still behind his desk. Then he glanced at Ellen, his secretary and shook his head. "I'm not sure what it was about. A man his age wanting a divorce!"
"A divorce, from Beatrice?" the secretary shrieked.
"Yes…but don't be repeating this, understand?"
"Of course. What goes on in this office is never my business, and you know it. I just can't believe after all these years; he'd want to leave her, at this time in his life…."
"I'm afraid it is a grievous mistake, and he'll realize it much too late. However, I am a servant to the people. Get me the forms, I'll have them drawn up and he can sign them in the morning." Lowell instructed. "I won't do battle with him over it."
"Yes sir…but maybe he'll change his mind. He does tend to have a temper you know." Ellen looked at Lowell.
"Yes, I know. He certainly doesn't make a secret of it. How he thinks he can run for office and act this way I don't understand. He like to have beaten my chair to a pulp." Lowell glanced at the chair.
Ellen left, shaking her head. "A man his age…it's a shame. A real shame…and poor Beatrice."
~*~
Beatrice admired the fine furniture, and clean smell of Mr. Jenkins office. She loved coming here, he had potted plants at the windows, and a beautiful fountain stood right out the window. It reminded her of better places. It was so calm and inviting here. "Mr. Jenkins, I've come to you on a very private matter. I don't wish to discuss this with anyone but you. And no one is to know but you and my daughter." Beatrice said, leaning on her parasol regally as she eyed the man in front of her.
She still presented a beautiful package of a woman, Amy thought with a smile.
Mr. Jenkins was a tall, thin man with graying hair and an air of dignity about him that Beatrice had always admired.
"Of course Beatrice, anything you say in this office goes no further. You know that." Bill Jenkins said with an understanding smile. He offered them the couch to sit on as he came around his desk and leaned on it.
"I don't know if you noticed or not, but I've taken residence at the hotel for now." Beatrice began.
Bill's surprise was genuine as his head jerked up and he stared into Beatrice eyes. "No, I'm afraid I hadn't noticed. Why is that?"
"I want a divorce." Beatrice cried out.
Amy grabbed her hands as they sat on the couch and waited for Mr. Jenkins to react to the news she wrapped her arm around her mother protectively.
"Good Lord, a divorce? You?" Bill's frown made the sun fade from the room.
"I'm afraid so. He's ordered me out of my own house. That's why I'm at the hotel for now. Me and Amy." She indicated.
"Ordered you out of your house?" Bill jumped up and went to her. He bent over, took her hand, and held it. "Beatrice, I'm so sorry. How could he do this?"
"It didn't seem hard to him, from where I was standing. He was mad and told me to get out and never come back." Beatrice found herself crying real tears now, not because she missed Martin, but because it would be all over town before dark and everyone would pity her. She hated pity.
"I can't believe he would be so callus." Bill shook his head and tried to comfort Beatrice.
"I'm afraid we've both deceived our friends. We haven't been in love in a long time. We merely tolerated each other for Amy's sake." Beatrice admitted. "And now she's more shocked than ever. It's her stability I'm worried about in this matter."
"Have you thought this through?" He asked patiently waiting for her to answer.
"I have. And I want a divorce as soon as possible." Beatrice repeated, staring into his emotionally shaken face.
"Who is his lawyer?"
Beatrice looked at him in shock. Her eyes rolled and she shook her head. "I always thought it might be you. However, from the look on your face, I guess not. Well, then it has to be Lowell McDaniel, he's the only other lawyer that he has dealings with in town."
"Aw…yes, Lowell. Well, I'll get in touch with him as soon as I can and get the papers drawn. I'll let you know when I have them ready and you can sign them. He won't be contesting the divorce?"
"Oh no, he may have already filed for it." Beatrice cried.
"Such a shame…such a dirty rotten shame." Bill shook his head. "But I don't want to rush you. You take your time and if you change your mind, let me know as soon as possible." Bill instructed her. "Meanwhile, I'll see about getting the papers ready. Is there anything you want to ask for, support, the house, furnishings, anything?"
"Thank you so much, Bill. No, I don't want anything from the man. And, please not a word to anyone. The news will be all over town before we know it."
"I'll be as discreet as possible. No one but Lowell, I'm afraid."
"Yes, Lowell. He would pick him, he's such a scoundrel." Beatrice cried. "He'd cheat his own mother out of her will…."
Mr. Jenkins almost laughed at that.
"You're probably right about that. Don't you fret one bit. We'll take care of this as soon as possible. In the meantime, is there anything I can do for you at all?" Bill asked looking from Beatrice to Amy.
"No…but thank you." Beatrice took his hand and walked to the door. She turned to look at Bill, "You've been very kind, thank you."
"Of course. Now don't you worry your pretty head." Bill smiled a
t her.
She nodded and left, Amy was right beside her.
After they closed the door, she looked at Amy. "I'm glad that is over. Bill is such a dear. I've always liked him."
Amy smiled. "I think he likes you too, Mom."
Even though Amy sat through the conversation quietly, inside she was crying for the parents she loved so much. It was breaking her heart to see her mother in such distress and worrying her about her father.
Chapter Fourteen
It was going to storm; Amy noticed the dark clouds building as she rode out to see George. She could hear thunder in the distance and see streaks of lightning far off. Her mother felt bad, so she decided to come alone. The air cooled the ground as she rode into the ranch yard.
Her stomach was a wad of bad nerves now. Courage was what she needed.
As she approached his ranch, she glanced around. It was a beautiful spread, encasing nearly a thousand acres. George's men were constantly working on something. The house was a beautiful two story colonial home complete with white columns out front.
Amy didn't see George anywhere, so she went to the house and knocked.
The maid let her in. "Is Mr. Talbot in?" Amy asked.
"No, but he is expected. Would you like some tea or coffee while you wait, ma'am?"
"That would be lovely, coffee, please."
Nita, the maid smiled and disappeared toward the kitchen.
Amy sat down in the parlor and waited.
It was a long wait.
Two hours later, in the middle of the thunderstorm George came inside, dripping wet and shucking his rain gear at the door.
He saw her in the parlor and came up to her. He took her into his arms and kissed her quite passionately. Amy tried to respond, but didn't succeed.
"Something wrong, darling?" He asked nothing the coldness of her kiss.
Amy shivered. "Not exactly. I mean…I suppose you've heard my mother is living in the hotel now. I'm staying with her. She's a wreck."
"Really, how come?"
"They are getting a divorce."
When she pulled away, she stared into his shining eyes. "If I'd known you were coming, I'd have been in sooner. I have so much to show you. We have a new foal and I'm sure you are gonna want to name her."
"I thought with the storm brewing you'd be in before now. Did you hear what I said, my parents are getting a divorce." She explained. She made a mental note that he didn't acknowledge her parents' divorce. She wondered at that.
"Had some fencing down on the west side, had to get that taken care of. I don't know whether it was weather that done it, or a two legged varmint, but a quarter mile of it was down. Can't have that, half my cattle could have scattered. I'm so glad you are here. I've been anxious to show you the new foal." George said taking his hat off and hanging it on the peg by the door. "I don't suppose your father told you I'd stopped by, did he?"
"No, but then I haven't seen my father in days."
When she said nothing, he glanced over his shoulder at her. "I guess maybe this isn't the best weather to be going out in, is it?"
"Not exactly. Besides, I came to talk to you George." She said, grabbing her stomach, it was roiling. Did she have the courage to face him?
"Fine, fine, let me have Nita get me a cup of coffee to warm me up and we'll talk." He smiled at her.
She nodded.
When he returned he saw her sitting on the edge of the settee and joined her, taking her hand in his he leaned back and pulled her with him.
Wrapped in his arms, she felt so uncomfortable. "George…we need to talk…"
He watched her closely, his brows knitting. "Sounds serious. What's the problem? Other than your parents? I guess you being so close to them, you never saw it coming. Well, I'm afraid I did."
Amy looked at his arrogant face. He thought he knew her so well. She didn't know how to begin, or where. So she started with her parents. "I've been doing a lot of thinking since mother and father have started the divorce. Part of the reason they are doing this, is because they no longer love each other."
George took her hand and sighed, obviously happy that it didn't involve him. "I know…I saw your father the other day when I came looking for you. He was very distraught."
"Did he say anything?" Amy turned to look him in the eye.
"Not a lot, no. But from the sound of it, it was a mutual thing." George kneaded her hands in his own. "I don't want you to worry about this. If need be we can move the wedding up and marry sooner. I realize it has to be a shock to you. I can understand, but darling we are going to be married soon and you're life will change for the better, I promise you."
She stiffened and sat up straight. "George…I don't want to end up like my parents, in a loveless marriage twenty-four years down the road. George, I've decided, I can't marry you…" She blurted.
He sat up too now. He didn't say a word at first. Then he took her hand and he turned the ring so that he could get a good look at the diamond. Absently he moved it back and forth, bringing her attention to it too. She looked down at the ring, and then glanced at him.
His face was a mask. She couldn't read his expression, and that scared her a little.
"I hope you aren't letting all of this upset, change your mind." George's voice was flat, with no emotion.
"It isn't that exactly. However, it did get me to thinking. I just suddenly realized, I don't love you enough to go through with the wedding, is all…" She insisted. "And…I realize how cold that sounds. I didn't know how to tell you. This isn't your fault, it's mine."
"You don't love me enough. I see!" His temper was flaring now, obvious in his tone. "And exactly what brought you to that conclusion, Amy?"
"I-I still have feelings for Clay…" She said meekly, her eyes not quite meeting his. "I want to be honest with you. I haven't talked to him about us, but, I did want to tell you."
"Clay, Clay Reno. He rides back to town and you decide you love him, and not me. He doesn't fight for you; he doesn't declare his love for you. But you've decided you still love him. Tell me, did you ever love me?" George pulled her face around to look into her eyes.
Tears were close to falling, but she held them in check. "George, please…I didn't mean to hurt you. You knew all along how I felt about Clay. That's why I waited so long…and then I thought he was dead."
"I placed my hopes, my dreams, everything I have on you and I and our future, and you sit there and tell me you hope you didn't hurt me?" George stood up now, pacing, his face turning red with fury. "I can't believe this!"
"I'm sorry, I know it's a shock. I didn't know how to tell you. I don't want to hurt you George. But when he walked into my store that day…I knew it. I just didn't know how to tell you. Then when I saw his place burned to the ground, I knew. I love him George, I've always loved him. Love isn't something you can order up like caviar or something. It isn't something you turn on or off. It's either there or not. I never stopped loving him." Amy cried. "George, you don't understand. I haven't said a word to Clay about this. I don't have the slightest idea how he feels, especially since I am engaged to you. But I couldn't marry you and know that I still cared so much for him. It wouldn't be fair to you…"
George digested the news with a building fury.
"Clay is nothing more than a dirt farmer, rancher whatever you want to call him. You'll never have what I could have given you. You'll end up old before your time, working side by side with him for years to build what I already have. Clay Reno can't give you anything, but heartache, don't you know that by now?" George wailed miserably. "Besides…your own father burned him out. Trying to force him to leave. Too bad it didn't work."
"My father!" She stood up and yelled at him. "My father is responsible for that?" Her eyes looked bewildered.
"Don't you know that? Or did you think it me?"
She backed up, feeling threatened by the hatred in his voice. "I'm giving you this ring back." She pulled it off her finger and tried to hand it to him. He wouldn't
take it. She threw it. "I can't marry you, feeling the way I do…I'm sorry." She said and headed for the door.
George lunged for her, taking her arm and slinging her against the wall so hard she almost bounced from the impact. Pain splintered through her and taking a breath was like someone stabbing her suddenly.
Tears fell down her cheeks as she stared into his angry face. Pain etched up her back so paralyzing she could hardly move. "Don't do this…" She cried.
He made a face, then without warning slapped her sharply across one eye as one of his nails cut her lip open.
Blood oozed down her chin.
She ran for the door, but he slung her against the wall again. She could almost feel the crack of her ribs. And she gasped for breath. She felt a darkness coming over her, but she fought it. She had to get out of here.
"I ought to take you right here. Ruin it for Clay Reno. Then we'll see if he'll have you…." George screamed.
Her mouth fell open in shock, she blinked and her eye hurt so bad she had to cover it. "Please…please George…"
She lunged for the ring and handed it to him.
He looked at it, and then tossed it away from them. "I'd have given you everything you ever wanted. You little bitch. How can you do this to me?" He hollered. This time he reached for her and tore her dress as she escaped into the rain.
Amy grabbed at her dress and pulled it so it would cover her once more, then she ran.
"Get out, and don't you ever come back here. You hear me?" He hollered through the pouring rain at her.
She didn't look back, she didn't dare.
Tears mixed with rain as she headed blindly for her horse. Her ribs ached with every jarring movement she made, her eye hurt, and she was doing everything she could to compose herself in front of some of his men who stared at the scene as she entered the barn where her horse had been put, by one of his men. Blood dripped from her lip. Pulling her dress over her, she managed to mount her horse and ride off, somehow.
This Side of Forever (Book Five of the Brides of the West Series) Page 10