Return to Whittakerville

by Shirley A. Roe

  “Last time? What are you talking about? I have never, never been with you. As a matter of fact I have never….” She stopped short of finishing her statement. It was as if a light had gone off in her mind. Of course she must have had sex with someone or how could she explain the miscarriage. She had been with someone in New York but had no recollection of it. She was shocked when she found out she had miscarried. Now she stared at him, vague recollections beginning to form.

  He was sobering up quickly. He grabbed for his trousers and started to dress.

  She was on him in a flash. She struck him hard across the face. He grabbed her wrist and stared at her face. It was crimson with rage. “You, it was you. You son of a bitch, you raped me and got me pregnant. You knew I was too drunk to know what was happening. You are just lucky I lost the little bastard.” Her whole body was shaking, he pinned her arms down.

  “Let's get something straight. I did not rape you. You wanted it, that's what you went to New York for. You drank so much you didn't even care. You loved it, kept telling me not to stop. So don't you ever say I raped you.” He looked directly into her eyes, “What do you mean you were pregnant?” Her being pregnant had never occurred to him. At the time, she was just a nice bit of entertainment. A lot had happened since then.

  “I had a miscarriage and stupid me, didn't remember a thing. I was as shocked as my mother, when I lost it. Good thing too, because a screaming brat is the last thing I want. Now why didn't you tell me it was you, I didn't remember a thing.” She was shrieking at him; her fists escaped his grip. She pummeled his chest. He pushed her down on the bed and held her down.

  “Calm down and be quiet. That was last summer and a lot has happened since then. I didn't even know you. Just some piece of fluff I met on the train. You tried to seduce me. Don't deny it.” He knew that he had followed her to New York and knew exactly who she was but this was not the time to go into details. He wanted to know about the pregnancy. “Now what do you mean you were pregnant.”

  “What are you stupid? Pregnant. You know, with child?” She was fuming and it would take more than him to calm her down. “You got me pregnant and you won't do it again. Do you hear me? I am going to Wyoming for money, a new life and adventure. I am not going to get pregnant by you or anyone else, ever again. Now go find a saloon girl or go sleep on the floor.” She shoved him away and pulled the covers over her. She started to sob. He stood up, watched her for a few minutes and left the room.

  He walked the street alone. The night air was cold and crisp. Thousands of stars filled the Nebraska sky, it made him remember how he and his mother would lie on their backs and stare at the wide Wyoming sky when he was young. His mother was Cheyenne; she lived in Fort Laramie and became the unwilling mistress of that horrible man. He beat her and made her do unspeakable things. Red Fox, their son was born and grew to hate the life they had been dealt. His mother told him who his father was, but by the time he was old enough to understand, Jebediah Whittaker, pastor of Whittakerville was dead. His mother died when he was only ten leaving him to fend for himself. His hate for his father, Jebediah Whittaker had kept him alive. When he learned that Jebediah Whittaker had a family, three sons and a wife, he extended his hatred to them. Hate can be a powerful tool when a young boy needs to survive. It was not until last year that he went to Whittakerville and learned that a chest belonging to Jebediah Whittaker had been found. The rest of the family had moved to St. Louis right after the pastor's death. Red Fox, who now called himself Jeb, went to claim the fortune. He remembered how the lawyers had laughed at him, saying that only if the three sons and the brother of Jebediah Whittaker were dead or agreed, would he ever have the right to the inheritance. That is when, blinded by hate for all they had, that he decided to find them. He tracked them to St. Louis and discovered that Martha Whittaker had married Jebediah's brother, Jeremy many years ago. Martha and Jeremy had a daughter, Anna.

  He put his plan in motion and spent the summer stalking the family, part of his plan was to exploit young Anna. The thought of Anna turned him back in the direction of the hotel. Anna reminded him of his mother, strong willed, independent and beautiful. Anna was very intelligent and she had led a privileged life. It was a very strange twist of fate that he now found himself traveling back to Whittakerville with a letter giving all of the fortune to him, signed by the rest of the Whittaker men and with the daughter of Jeremy Whittaker by his side. He quickened his pace.

  Anna lay staring at the ceiling. She now had many answers to questions that had nagged at the back of her mind for months. She could not remember being with anyone, yet she definitely lost her child. Now she knew, now she could remember bits and pieces of that night in New York. Jeb was right. She had wanted him. She had wanted to experience what it felt like to be with a man. She went to New York without her parents’ permission and drank alcohol for the first time in her young life. She met Jeb on the train and told him she was seventeen. She remembered seeing him in New York but until tonight she had not put it all together. When she returned, her furious parents arranged a betrothal to Hans Kruger. Handsome Hans, she was relieved when she found out it was him. She knew he loved her and she thought she could control him. But Hans proved to be more strong willed than she thought. He claimed to love her but would not do what she asked. He would not buy the mansion she wanted. She did not love him. She did not love anyone. The spur of the moment decision to leave with Jeb was the best decision she had made. She would make up with him. She needed him to get what she wanted. The door opened.

  Jeb tiptoed into the darkened room. He sat quietly on the bed. Her hand reached for him. He leaned over her and she pulled him close. His lips pressed to hers. She motioned for him to lay with her. Smiling, she wished him “Good Night.” They both turned to face opposite sides of the room and fell fast asleep smiling.

  The next morning, Anna wrote a letter to her parents.

  Dear Mother and Father:

  I am sure that you are worried about me. Please know that I am safe and unharmed. Jeb is not the monster that you think. We will travel to Whittakerville together, where I will again write of my news. Do not follow me. Do not hire anyone to follow me. I want this life, I want to be free and I will be. Father I am relieved to know you are recovering. Jeb did not mean to kill you. It was an accident. Ask the police to stop looking for us. This is all I have to write for now. Please respect my wishes. If you follow me, I will run away again.

  Your daughter,

  Anna.

  She posted the letter at the Pony Express office before the train left the station. Anna was determined to have the life of her own choosing, a life without rules.

  The train moved through the snowy plains of Nebraska. Tiny towns had blossomed on the stark vacant land along the rail lines. Between the towns, lay stretches of vast open plain. Jeb studied under Anna's tutelage growing more confident by the day. She read to him from the newspaper making sure he was absorbing the details of government, railroad acquisitions, and other details that might be used in conversation. Looking up from her paper, she turned to watch the scenery roll past. Lines of wagons could be seen from the window, hundreds of pioneers heading west to make a new life. Although most of the people used the railroad, there were still, a few hardy pioneers that chose to travel by wagon. “My mother and your father traveled on one of those wagon trains to Wyoming. Isn't it strange how fate has brought us together, on the same journey? In much better conditions, of course.” Anna could not imagine traveling for months in a wagon. Jeb, who had lived rough on the land, stared out at the wagons. He respected the tenacity of the pioneers. He also understood the impact they would have on the Native Americans that lived and hunted on these lands. Although he had never lived amongst the natives, his mother had told him many stories and taught him some of their customs.

  “The Cheyenne and the Lakota won't be very happy to see them.” He stared out the window, lost in thought.

  Early one morning, Anna read the newspaper as the trai
n moved through the dusty plains. “Listen to this, Wyoming was the first state to grant women the vote. I remember something about that from school. It also says that in Laramie, there was the first all women jury. I am going to like this place. Freedom for women, at last.” Jeb just ignored her. She was growing used to his quiet, sullen moods; she continued reading. “Look at this, Wyoming now has electric lights. Looks like this might not be the ‘hell hole’ I originally thought.” He turned to look at her in surprise.

  “Hell hole! You had better watch your language, Milady. It appears I am having a bigger influence on you than you are on me.” She pursed her lips and made a face at him. Sullenly, he turned back to the window. His dark eyes stared blankly into the passing landscape.

  The letter arrived in St. Louis early one morning. Martha was leaving for the Haute Couture when Charles delivered it to her. She stared at the familiar handwriting on the envelope. Shaking, she quickly took it to Jeremy in the great room.

  “A letter from Anna.” She handed it to him. He was recovering slowly but gaining strength everyday. His hand shook when he held the letter. He opened it slowly, fearing what it would say.

  “It appears she is alright,” his voice trembled. Martha let the breath she was holding escape, before taking the letter from him. She read the words over and over, and then raised her eyes to her husband. Jeremy stared at her with tears in his eyes. “She wants to be left alone. She wants to go to Wyoming with that man.” Martha moved to hold him in her arms. She struggled with her mixed emotions. In her heart she was relieved to know Anna was not harmed but she was angry. Martha could see the hurt in Jeremy's eyes. Anna you are evil, just like your uncle Jebediah, the man that spawned that horrible man you are with. Good riddance to you. She shook the thoughts from her mind. Not wanting to upset Jeremy, she thought over what she would say very carefully.

  “She does not want us to look for her but she does say she will write from Wyoming. At least she is safe. Are you going to tell the police to stop looking for them?” Jeremy didn't answer. He just nodded his head. The tears rolled down his cheeks; his heart was broken. Martha rocked him in her arms, her tears were for Jeremy, the man she loved with all of her heart, not for her daughter, Anna.

  Ezekiel found the two of them, still in their embrace a few minutes later. “What has happened?” He knelt in front of the two forlorn people that he loved. It mattered not that neither one of them were his biological parent, he owed them his life. “What is it? Papa, Mama?” Martha handed him the letter, still clutched tightly in her hand. He stood taking the crumbled paper with him and began to read. “So, they are heading for Wyoming and she does not want us to follow. I guess Loretta and Abby were right; she wanted to go with him. She may have planned the whole thing.”

  “No, no she would never do that. She is just caught up in the thrill of the adventure.” Jeremy was shaken by a coughing spasm. Ezekiel looked at Martha, realizing what he had just said without thinking. Martha stared back. So, I am not the only one that thought that.

  Ezekiel and Martha calmed Jeremy and left him to rest. The two retired to the conservatory. The windowed room was large and filled to capacity with tropical plants of all sizes and description. Floral scents mingled pleasantly. The light filtered through the windows giving it a soft, romantic feel. “It appears I have let the cat out of the bag, Mama I am so sorry. I never should have said that. It was not my place to repeat what others have said. Abby will be so upset.” Martha patted his hand assuredly.

  “Loretta and Abby are entitled to their opinion, I have to admit those were my thoughts as well. Please don't tell your Papa. He loves Anna, she is his only child and he refuses to see the evil in that girl.”

  “Well, I hope that man is enjoying my clothes. It was no coincidence that clothes and money went missing the last time we saw Anna or Jeb. Jr.” Martha nodded. She had to agree with him. It didn't look good for Anna. All of the evidence pointed to a well-planned getaway. Ezekiel went to fetch some tea and the two spent the morning, trying to decide how to keep Jeremy from having a setback. Isaac arrived at the mansion.

  “Well, what are you two plotting? You both look very serious.” He pecked Martha's cheek and took the chair next to his brother. The difference in the brothers’ appearance was striking, one blond and the other dark. Isaac's basic uniform consisted of Levi's, a cotton shirt with dark suspenders, cowboy boots and a wide brimmed Stetson. Ezekiel was a stark contrast in ascot tie, white silk shirt, waistcoat and wool trousers. Ezekiel handed him the letter.

  “An accident? The rest of you might forgive that bastard for stabbing Papa, but I would like to get my hands on him. He almost killed my wife and he falsely befriended my children, putting them in great danger. That stabbing was no accident, that man is a lunatic.” Isaac could not believe that Anna would be so gullible. “I see our little sister is heading for Whittakerville. I hope she has better luck there than we did.” A black cloud seemed to appear over his head, his dark eyes stared at the large cactus in front of them, not seeing it. Isaac grew very silent. They knew he was remembering something that happened a long time ago.

  “Don't Isaac. Don't even think about that horrible place or that beast. None of us forgive that man; Anna only sees what she wants to see. Help Ezekiel and I decide how to keep Papa from having a setback. I will go and get you some tea.” Martha rose and left the two men alone.

  “Zeke, I just can't help but think about that day. It has been years but it still haunts us.” Isaac stood and began restlessly pacing the room.

  “Mama is right, Isaac. Don't think about that or our father; the man was a bastard. He deserved to die. Good luck to Anna and his bastard son, they can have Wyoming, the money and Whittakerville, for all I care. I will never go there again.” Zeke put his arm around his brother's shoulder for support. Isaac nodded.

  “You're right. It has been more than twenty years and we have good lives here in St. Louis, and you in England. We won't let that man haunt us. Besides, I hate to say this but Anna was nothing but trouble. She can handle herself no matter what Jeb Junior throws her way. In fact, he is the one that should be careful.”

  “True, look at poor Hans. She chewed him up and spit him out. He is devastated, poor man. For someone so young, she is quite the force to be reckoned with.”

  “The only good thing about Anna walking out on Hans was that the man has thrown himself into his work. The Haute Couture is doing very well in Mama's absence.”

  “Thank God, Abby is a gentle, kind and loving woman. You are very lucky to have Annabelle, Isaac.” Ezekiel picked a dead flower from the green stem beside his chair.

  “I knew I was going to marry Annabelle when I was twelve years old. She is the only woman I have ever wanted. I know you can't say the same, Zeke.”

  “Well, a man must have variety. That is my theory on women.” The two brothers laughed. “Of course, I am getting rather enamored with Miss Wells. Not sure what I'm going to do about that situation.”

  “Oh, oh. Trouble. I hope you don't intend to break Abby's heart, Zeke. She has loved you since she was a child and I know how that feels. I know you will be returning to England soon. She is a lovely woman and would make a great wife for any man. If you are going to let her down, it better be gently or you will have Mother and Loretta to deal with.”

  Martha brought the tea. She looked at her two sons, how lucky she was to have raised three fine young men. “What will Loretta and I have to deal with now?”

  “Nothing Mama, let's have the tea and then I have to go and see Abby.” Zeke gave Isaac a sideways look and the other remained silent. But Isaac was concerned about Zeke's comments. There was enough trouble in this family with Jeremy's recovery and Anna's disappearance. None of them needed another problem to deal with.

  Chapter Four

  Zeke makes a decision

  “Abby, we must talk. Come and sit beside me.” Ezekiel motioned to the park bench. The day was sunny and surprisingly warm for this time of year. The tw
o were partaking in a stroll before dinner. They sat opposite the tiny lake, where swans glided gracefully on the calm water. Abby sat beside Zeke and took his hand.

  “Why so serious, my Love?” She did not want to think about him leaving for England but was afraid that was what was on his mind.

  “Abby, you know I have a wonderful life in England. I must be returning to my teaching position at the boy's school. I was lucky to get the extension for Abraham's wedding but I really must get back.” She held her breath in anticipation. Was he about to propose? “England is a very long way from St. Louis. Life there is different.” Her eyes showed a sudden sadness, it broke his heart to do this to her. “Abby, you know I am very fond of you but I could never ask you to leave your family.”

  I would travel to the end of the earth for you my love, please ask me to go with you. She waited silently. He didn't ask her.

  “Let's go and have a lovely dinner at the hotel. You and I will enjoy each other's company for another two weeks before I leave for England. Now, no tears, Abby, let me see that beautiful smile.” In spite of her heart breaking into a million pieces, Abby smiled at him. She took his arm and walked stoically toward the hotel. Ezekiel walked as if the weight of the world was off his shoulders.

  Isaac returned to the farm where his family was waiting. The farm was large and prosperous. It sat on the outskirts of St. Louis. “Pa, Pa did you see the new baby kittens. Silly things having babies at this time of year; cats are dumb.” Sissy leaped into his arms. He nuzzled her close then set her down on the ground. Smiling at his wife, he followed Sissy into the barn. Annabelle took the baby into the house; a cool wind was blowing.

  Thomas sat at the table completing his homework. “Is Pa home?”

  “Yes Thomas, now finish your homework so I can set the table. We will need more wood for the fireplace this evening. After such a lovely day, it is growing cold out there.” Annabelle tussled Thomas’ dark locks and set Amy into the high chair. Soon the family sat down to dinner, joking and laughing, each sharing their day with the others. Isaac was proud of his family and he would do anything to keep them safe.