[2016] Widow Finds Love

by Christian Michael

  With Frank gone, Jonah and Jane flourished. Within two years, Jonah was well on his way to settling all of his father’s gambling debts and building a new home for his mother. Jane did not like to stay in the ranch house because of its memories so Jonah built a cottage for her behind the home. For his part, he stayed in the main house and restored it so that it was like new. He made sure he wiped out all traces of Frank Cassidy.

  Three years after Frank left, Jonah woke up in the middle of the night to screams. He raced to the cottage with shot-gun in tow. When he reached there, he saw Frank standing over his wife. Jane was bleeding heavily on the coverlet. When she saw Jonah she cried out to him to escape but Frank advanced on him before he could even register what he was seeing.

  Frank slashed at Jonah and he felt searing pain arc across his belly. In his shock, he struggled to get his hands up and fight the man off. Frank with the element of surprise on his side, had the upper-hand. He used the blunt edge of the knife to bash Jonah’s head. Jonah barely managed to fight him off. But Frank wasn’t interested in killing Jonah. He wanted him to suffer.

  “Think you’ve seen the last of me boy? Think again. No one crosses Frank Cassidy and gets away with it.”

  Jonah couldn’t answer. Frank hauled him up with surprising strength and pinned him against the wall.

  “Look!” He said, pointing at Jane. “Look what you did to your mother boy. She’s dying because of you. Because you tried to interfere in our marriage. I used to be just like you, boy. Strong and working hard. We had a good marriage back then, Jane and I. But then you were born and you took her away from me. She had no time for me anymore. Well, I showed her.”

  Frank turned his head to look at Jane. “Hear that Janey Girl? You never should have chosen this scrawny kid over me.”

  Jane could only groan weakly in anguish.

  He turned back to Jonah and pressed the tip of the knife into his face.

  “You are more like me then you know, boy. When you get married, I will be waiting. I will take away from you everyone you love, just like you did to me.”

  Frank hit him over the head one more time and Jonah sank into unconsciousness.

  When he woke, Frank was long gone. And so was Jane.

  Jonah never forgot Frank’s threat. He tried to have him hunted down but no one was able to trace him. He would be tempted to believe Frank was dead and gone were it not for the occasional posts he received from the man. The short letters always made it clear that Frank was keeping tabs on his son and reminded him of his threat.

  But there was no way he could or would explain all that to Bianca. No, it was far better to keep her at a distance. Safer for her and better for him. All he needed was a housekeeper. Nothing more, nothing less. No matter how beautiful or tempting she was.

  Bianca was ashamed. Jonah had made it clear beyond a doubt that he wanted nothing to do with her. Over the past month, as they had spent more time together, she had fanned a spark of hope in her heart that perhaps Jonah wanted her to be more than just a servant.

  Once when he had gone to the market, he had come back with a small green hair ribbon for her. And their conversations in the kitchen as he ate his breakfast had become far easier and relaxed. She had even started to take her meals with him. They had laughed and joked together. He had asked about her life as if he genuinely cared.

  She told him about the deaths of her parents and sisters and he told her that his mother was also gone and he never saw his father. She sensed there was something there he was keeping back but it was obvious he didn’t want to discuss it and so she never asked him more about it.

  Bianca’s mind was running in over-drive. She kept thinking about the kiss. And Jonah’s reaction afterwards.

  Well no matter. What’s done is done and I am not going to wallow over it.

  That was an amazing kiss though. Who knew such a simple thing could produce such a reaction.

  No. No. Don’t even think about it Bianca. He made it clear he viewed it as a mistake. Just swallow your pride and keep your head down.

  Curse that stupid basket!

  Thank God for that basket.

  He did say that he had been thinking about kissing me for a while though. So he is attracted to me. But he’s holding back. But why? We’re already married. It’s not like it’s improper for the man to kiss his own wife for Pete’s sake!

  He’s a puzzle, that one. He’s the one who wanted a maid and now he admits he’s attracted and then he pulls away.

  Bianca realized that this was just the opening she had to seize if she ever wanted a chance at a real marriage. She knew they could be friends, they had such an easy rapport between themselves already. He had pushed her away but she was not going to let him keep her in a corner. Friendship could become something more. I just have to make him see it – and want it. But how?

  As she stood in front of the mirror that night, she took a long hard look at herself. She had never been one to primp over her appearance. God knows, growing up, that was a luxury she did not have. But now, she did. She had money of her own. And Jonah had given her money as well to spend on herself aside from what he gave her for the household expenses.

  She always went shopping on Friday and spent the day in town; after buying what she needed for the house, she was usually at the bookstore devouring dime novels. Bianca made up her mind. Tomorrow would be different. Tomorrow she was going to go into town and spend on herself for once.

  The next morning, Bianca was a nervous ball of energy. A plan had formed in her mind overnight and she had set a goal for herself. Christmas was a month away and it was the season for miracles. This year, she wanted her miracle to be one Jonah Cassidy. It was a huge gamble and she had never done anything like this before. If she failed, she didn’t know how she would face Jonah day in and out but if she succeeded, the rewards were worth far more than the risk.

  Over breakfast, she told Jonah that she was going to be in town for the day as usual. He just nodded. She caught his gaze on her lips several times over the meal and she had to fight to hide her smile. I just may have more than a glimmer of a chance at getting my Christmas miracle.

  Jonah for his part forced himself to focus on his meal. The food was delicious as usual but he couldn’t help thinking about the woman sitting across from him. Half of him wanted to reach out to her and pull her into him – physically and emotionally – but the other half of him remembered Frank’s threat. He didn’t dare put Bianca in danger.

  The week after his wedding, he had received another post from Frank and it contained only one line: “She’s a pretty little bird, Jonah. Reminds me of your mother.”

  Since then, Jonah had kept his eyes and ears open for any sign of Frank. No one had seen neither hide nor hair of him for years but still he had managed to find out about Bianca. As the weeks passed without any sign of Frank, Jonah allowed himself to relax.

  All night, Jonah had tossed and turned in his bed. That kiss was on his mind, and the woman behind it. Bianca filled a void he didn’t know had existed. A void he was reluctant to acknowledge even now. As busy as he was with the ranch, he now always made time for the meals that he used to skip, simply because it gave him an excuse to be near her.

  She was refreshing. As beautiful as she was, her head was not filled with vanity like other women he had come across. She was practical to the core, but she was caring as well. He enjoyed talking to her, getting to know her. He didn’t even mind telling her about himself. When she had told him about her family, it took all of his might not to pull her into his arms and comfort her. He had only allowed himself to hold her hand.

  He knew she was attracted to him and he wished he could act on that and make this marriage real. But he did not dare take it past the easy friendship they enjoyed. He was relieved that, even though he had behaved terribly after their kiss yesterday, she still treated him the same way. He couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss and imagining what it would have been like to freely kiss her every day. At le
ast she would be in town for the rest of the day. He told himself that out of sight would be out of mind. Too bad he didn’t believe it.

  Jonah waved Bianca off as she left that morning. Once in town, Bianca carefully considered her choices. Her wardrobe was in desperate need of an update so she started there. She wanted a couple of ready-made dresses to use while the rest of her clothes could be stitched so she went to the one shop in town which boasted ready-mades.

  She was the only person in the store when she entered it. A surprisingly young girl, who couldn’t have been much older than she, greeted her eagerly.

  “Welcome, ma’am, my name is Cissy. How can I help you today?”

  “Hello Cissy, please, call me Bianca. I am in need of some ready-made dresses and I am going to need a bit more stitched, is the seamstress available?”

  “I am the seamstress, Honey! This here is my store and I can definitely outfit you in style.”

  As she spoke, Cissy brought out a tape measure and pins and led Bianca to the back room where she stripped to her chemise and stood on the pedestal while Cissy took her measurements.

  Cissy was a talker that was evident from the beginning. Bianca learned that she was new in town and had set up shop only a month ago. Everyone here went to Madame Lenora though because she was the familiar face around town. To date, Bianca was Cissy’s first customer. She hoped that if Bianca was pleased with her services then she wouldn’t mind telling people she got her clothes from Cissy so that maybe some brave souls would be willing to risk Madame Lenora’s wrath and visit her store.

  Bianca was charmed by Cissy’s openness and warmth. When Cissy asked, unabashedly, why Bianca was still wearing styles that had gone out of fashion years before, Bianca explained to her that she was newly married and she wanted to attract her husband’s attention a little more so she wanted to update her clothes.

  Cissy was delighted. She even offered to act as Bianca’s companion for the day so that she could get everything she needed, from underclothes to hats. Bianca accepted and the two became fast friends.

  Cissy clothed Bianca in styles that suited her personality perfectly, not over the top but still alluring. Bianca was very pleased with the selection. The girl even advised her, rather frankly, on how to attract Jonah’s attention. She had been married before, when she was sixteen, but was now a widow at twenty-two because her husband had died in a freak accident with a horse. She had enjoyed the marriage bed and when she discovered that Bianca had not, she was not a little surprised and she advised Bianca plainly.

  By the time Bianca arrived home that evening, her head was spinning with all that she had learned. She was nervous to be forward with Jonah but she also knew she couldn’t continue being a timid bird or she might lose her chance.

  In her first week, quite by accident, Bianca had discovered that Jonah’s room had a window with a direct view into her own bedroom in the cottage. Since then, she had been diligent to close the curtains whenever she changed her clothes or got dressed in the morning. That night though, she was feeling emboldened by the conversation she had with Cissy. So she decided to leave the curtains open while she prepared for bed.

  Jonah returned from his bath late that night. The day had been wearying, he had been making the last of the preparations to ready the fields for the coming winter. Now he was ready for bed. As he toweled his hair dry, he sat on the bed. His eyes were drawn to a flicker of light coming from the cottage. As his mind registered what he was seeing, he froze in shock.

  Bianca was brushing her hair in the candlelight. She was wearing nothing more than a thin petticoat and the light from the candle illuminated her body, contouring it for his imagination. Jonah swallowed hard. He couldn’t tear his gaze away as he watched her. He was mesmerized by her actions as she finished brushing her hair and then rubbed something, probably lotion, on her arms and legs. Bianca climbed into bed and blew out the candle so that the room was engulfed in darkness. Jonah sat, dumbly staring at her window for a few more minutes before snapping out of his trance.

  The next morning, Bianca dressed in one of the dresses Cissy had created. The fit was tighter and the cut was a little lower than what she was accustomed to but she knew it flattered her very well. When Jonah walked in that morning, he was floored. Bianca could tell that he was flustered and it pleased her immensely. She had seen him watching her the previous night and his attention that day satisfied the woman in her. He didn’t say anything, but then he didn’t need to. His gaze was heated every time they settled on her and Bianca couldn’t help but feel giddy.

  She forced herself to act natural and carry on a conversation with Jonah. When he commented on her dress, she told him it was new and that she had thought it was time to update her wardrobe. Jonah just nodded but she knew he liked the dress. His eyes kept taking in the entire length of her appreciatively.

  Jonah had a hard time making his mind work that morning. He kept thinking about the vision of her he had glimpsed the previous night. And unlike her previous outfits, the dress she had on today emphasized all of her womanly charms in a manner he really enjoyed. There was nothing overt or immodest about the dress but somehow it managed to cling to her in all the right places and emphasized all the right curves.

  Over the next two weeks, they drew closer together and the attraction between them strengthened until it was tangible. Bianca had begun decorating the house for Christmas. For the first time since his mother’s death, Jonah had a tree in his house. At first he had been uncomfortable but now he had to admit that he rather enjoyed it. There was a feeling of anticipation in the air. And hope. He couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so light-hearted.

  When he saw the bare floor under the tree, he had felt guilty and had gone out and bought several presents for Bianca. When she saw all the prettily packaged gifts her eyes had lit up in pleasure.

  “Are those for me?”

  “Yes, ma’am, but you’re not allowed to even touch them until Christmas morning, do you hear?”

  Bianca laughed with glee, “Okay, but I expect the same follow through from you!”

  “Why? Did you buy me something too?” Jonah asked curiously.

  “Mmhmm.” Bianca nodded. “I did indeed, but if I can’t peek at my presents, you can’t take a gander at yours, deal?” She stuck out her hand for a handshake.

  “Deal.” Jonah murmured as he took her hand in his and stepped closer to her. But instead of kissing her like he so wanted to, he just stood there and stared down at her. Then he turned abruptly and left.

  There was one little package that he didn’t place under the tree though. He had bought it at the spur of the moment and he was still unsure if he wanted to give it to her. He didn’t know if he wanted to take the chance. He kept it with him wherever he went for safe keeping.

  A couple days later, one week from Christmas, Bianca was in the kitchen making eggnog and hot apple cider. There was a small festival being held in town that day and Jonah said he would take her. She packed the drinks in a small thermos and placed it in a basket along with some food for them so they could enjoy the Christmas show. The little school children would be singing carols and putting on a play and there was even to be a Santa Claus who would pass out small trinkets to the people who attended.

  Snow was falling all around them as they travelled to the town. Jonah had wrapped them both in cloaks and blankets to ward of the cold. Bianca shivered still as the wind swept past them and Jonah put his arm around her and pulled her closer to his side. When she huddled deeper into him and even buried her face against his shoulder, he couldn’t help but feel very content.

  Bianca, for her part was also quite satisfied. More and more, Jonah was starting to display his affection, in look and touch and Bianca was happy that they had come as far as they had. She could see them growing old together and loving each other, perhaps with a house full of children, as time marched on. It warmed her heart and she sighed appreciatively and thanked the Lord from her heart.

 
When they reached the town, Jonah helped her down from the carriage and then placed his arm around her waist as they walked. It seemed like the most natural thing in the world. Given the dense crowd, neither of them noticed the man that trailed them through the day.

  Little children ran around with mistletoes tied to sticks and tried to get as many couples to kiss as they could. When one little girl ran up behind Jonah and Bianca and dangled her mistletoe over Bianca’s head Jonah laughed. And pecked Bianca on the cheek obligingly.

  “No mister,” the little girl said between giggles, “you have to actually kiss her.”

  Jonah looked at the little girl and then back at Bianca. She merely raised her eye brows and waited.

  “You shouldn’t disappoint the children, Jonah.” She said smiling.

  Jonah grinned and leaned in closer. “And how about you, Mrs. Cassidy? Would you be disappointed?”

  “Very much so.”

  Jonah’s eyes lit up with heat at her reply. He bent his head closer and brushed her lips with his. She responded by opening up to him and he pressed in closer. He would have deepened the kiss and happily forgotten his surroundings if the giggles of the little girl didn’t bring him back to reality.

  “I think we should continue that in the privacy of our own home.” Jonah whispered.

  “Is that a promise?”

  The only reply she got was a wink.

  Bianca had trouble keeping her mind on the festivities. It kept going back to that brief kiss she desperately wanted to continue – and the promise of more from Jonah. She had been half afraid that he would pull back from her again but he kept a hold of her hand as they meandered along and found opportunities to touch her in one way or another, whether he adjusted her hat or cloak or wrapped his arm around her waist.