It had been a hard winter for both people and animals. Grandfather was hanging on by a thread. Her grandmother was not much stronger than her husband. It would seem the doctor spent most of his days in and out of their home. It was very difficult for her go to town as the snow was deep and wet. When last in town, about two weeks ago, the road was hard packed so a wagon with snow skis was pulled by two big mules used especially for winter time. Mules were very strong and durable.
JB guessed about two more weeks and they could ride the range and check on the stock. Marlene and the kids were all getting over colds, but other than that most of the hands were healthy, but all had cabin fever. Being cooped up, playing cards, telling stories and when they ran out of liquor, arguments topped the list of happenings around the mess hall. Ringo had told JB that this behavior was normal so never mind. Spring would take care of the problems.
A few years ago, Joel had a telegraph line put in to the ranch. Now as the day showed signs of warm weather coming, a wire came in. All of Ringo and Marlene's family had been taught Morse so when the message came in one of the kids wrote down the sad news. The oldest girl and first born, Kay, brought the wire to JB saying she was very sorry.
JB quickly read and then slowly re-read the wire. No matter how fast or slow or how many times she read it the wire said the same thing: her grandfather was dead. Her hands fell to her side. She dropped the wire to the floor. Kay went around behind her and picked it up; put it in her pocket for safe keeping.
JB went through the kitchen to the mud room, slipped on her boots and put on a sheep skinned coat. It was bright outside with the sun glaring off the remaining white snow. She followed the narrow trail to the horse barn. When she entered most of the horses gave her a snort of welcome. Grey Shadow, ears reaching forward waited eagerly for JB to scratch her neck. She went inside the stall and hugged her horse. The barn was empty of people save her so she let herself cry tears of sadness. Grey Shadow felt her sorrow and twitched her skin bending her neck around to nuzzle her master.
After a few minutes JB let go, found a brush and spent the next half hour brushing her horse. While she lovingly worked on her horse, Smoky came by. He leaned over the short stall front wall and gazed on both horse and friend. JB looked up at him, smiled a little and said, "I'll be fine in a little while Smoky. Let's go to town first light tomorrow."
He tipped his hat and for an Indian, a small smile for her. Over the years, ever since that time she was kidnapped, he never left her side. He was always armed and watchful. If he saw something he didn't like, he would tell her and they would go another way. She never argued with him. When she stayed overnight he would sleep in Joel's old room above the stage office. The downstairs had be rented out to an old couple who did upholstery work.
JB was almost 22 years old. To her ranching was her life. She wanted no part of the big city east of the Mississippi. However, she was getting a little lonely for male company. However she didn't waste much time thinking about it. Nature would take its course soon enough.
That spring was very emotional for JB as after her grandfather passed, two weeks later her grandmother followed her husband to a life in another world. Aunt Beth came home looking all the worse for wear. In the last few years she had been spending her ranch money like water gallivanting around Europe and the United Kingdom. JB was shocked by her carefree attitude and loose ways. She confided one night that she had even had an abortion. JB tried to pretend she understood, but as she was a virgin couldn't imagine having sex with a stranger or a just met friend.
Bessie had just left to go back to New York when Beth arrived. Now Beth was bored with Denver after a few days and packed up for New York. JB wasn't unhappy she left.
June arrived with warm days and plenty of sunshine. JB had spent the month of May doing the books. Overall they were breaking even. She had every reason to be happy, but an empty feeling was felt that needed filling.
It was just past noon and she and Marlene were sitting on the porch sipping lemonade. Marlene saw it first and said, "Dust coming JB."
A lone horseman rode through the gate with the cross bar denoting the Bar-B Ranch. JB saw he was an experienced rider sitting erect aboard a magnificent black stallion. The man was dressed in a western suit. He came up to the hitching post and took off his hat revealing a full head of blonde hair. He said, through a smiling mouth of strikingly white teeth, "I'm looking for the person responsible for this ranch." JB recognized the accent as pure Texan.
She looked at him, then to Marlene and then back to the handsome man on the black horse. She said, "I’m the responsible person you're looking for. What can I do to help you?"
JB later said if had made some comment about where the man of the house or ranch was she would have thrown him off the property. However, he never batted an eye and said, "My name is Brady Williams. I bought the ranch next to yours. The Z-Bar Ranch. I'm looking to buy some stock to raise. If you've a mind to sell some of your cattle, I'm in the market."
"Step off your horse and have a glass of lemonade. My name is Jane Beth Stanten. Friends call me JB. I'll have to discuss this with my foreman, but I'm sure we can spare a few head."
He gracefully dismounted with hat in hand. He was fairly tall and somewhat lanky. JB noticed his face was a little long, but he was sure handsome. She stood up to greet him. Marlene fetched another chair. She also hollered to the kids to bring another glass full for a guest.
Brady waited for JB to sit down being the gentleman that he was. JB stood staring at the man for just a moment or two then quickly sat down. Someone brought him a glass of lemonade but she never remembered who it was.
He was looking at her with eyes the color of the sky at that moment. His blonde hair fell off to one side with some dangling into his eyes. JB wanted to reach out and finger comb it back. He was still smiling a little waiting for her to say something. He said, to break the silence, "How long have you lived her JB?"
That broke her spell and she replied, "Off and on for ten years. I've been here this time for three years or so. My family is back east. I like it out here. The seasons are a bit rough here due to the elevation, but once you prepare for winter properly, it's manageable. And when did you come here Mr. Williams?"
"Please call me Brady. Let's see, my son and I came here in May. We stayed at the hotel while we closed the deal on the ranch. Fortunately the ranch hands decided to stay on with me. The place is a little run down and needs a lot of work, but work is what I do best. I suppose it's natural to wonder where my wife or the boy's mother is--- well, she passed on a year ago."
JB sucked in some air and said, "I'm so sorry Brady. I hope you like the Denver area."
"Well so far so good. I'm very happy to meet my neighbor. I'd be pleased if you would visit anytime you'd like. I'd guess it's about an hour's ride from here?"
"Yes, I was there about a year ago. I'll get with my foreman Ringo and we'll talk about price when we find out how many head we can spare. My guess would be around 300 to start."
"That would be just right JB. My place needs a lot of fence work. I figure two years to put the place right. Well, I must be going now. My son is only eight years old and he's alone at the hotel. I thank you for the hospitality and I'll come by in a week or so." He sat his empty glass gently on the table and put his hat on. JB's heart was running rampant looking on this man who mounted his stallion like the experienced rider he was. He tipped his hand and galloped to town.
Marlene said, "Lord have mercy. He's like a knight in shinny armor. What a gorgeous man. JB, you're falling for him I can see it now. Well, it's about time for you to make a few babies. I had mine so late, I missed those young years, but me and your mother are like sisters so nothing was really lost. I had you and Junior. Now I got more kids than I know what to do with. Never mind JB, go brush your horse."
JB and Ringo put their heads together to see how many head of cattle they could sell to Brady Williams. It was decided they could sell him almost 400 head of stock
.
A week went by and no Brady Williams. JB wondered what happened to him. She decided to ride over to his ranch with Smoky. They left after morning chores. At a trot, an hour later they had the ranch in sight. JB could see the signs of new lumber and construction going on. They rode up seeing about twenty men working on a complete remodel of the ranch house and bunk house. The only building that looked good was the barn and horse stable. It was the horse stable that Brady and his son came out of. He saw her and waved.
JB dismounted and handed the reins to Smoky. Brady took her by the elbow and said he was sorry, but he just got busy here at the ranch.
JB said, "I needed some riding time anyway. You're really doing this place right by what looks like a good start. Are you sure you want the stock now?"
"Yes I do and by the way this is my soon Willie. Say hello Willie to Ms Stanten."
Willie took off his hat and said, "Please to meet you Mrs. Stanten."
"Me too Willie. How do you like this new country?
"I like it fine, he said, "But I miss my friends in Texas. You know my mother is buried there?"
"Yes, I'm so sorry you lost your mother Willie. At my house we have two children age eight and ten. Things are so busy around here, how would you like to stay with us for awhile. Your father could come too when he had free time. Would you be too homesick to stay with us?" JB looked at Brady for either a thank you, but no thanks or a welcome smile to say he agreed with her.
Brady gave her a big smile and asked Willie if he wanted to stay at JBs ranch for a few days. Willie kicked the dusty ground and said, "You really have some kids my age at your place?"
"We sure do Willie. Do you have your own horse," JB asked.
"Not yet, but my father said I could get one very soon. I don't know how to ride very well yet."
"Well we've a horse for you to ride. It's not a big horse, but it's not small either. You can ride with me on the way back." She looked at Brady with her own blue eyes and he thought, can you Brady be this lucky. It had been two years since his wife passed on giving birth to a still born. He shuddered thinking about it, but now, the good Lord was casting his net for a union, and he hoped, a certain Mrs. Stanten.
By August Brady had his ranch house ready to live in. He'd hired some local help with running the house. Willie was living on and off at both ranches. He'd made friends with Marlene's kids and started calling JB, Aunt JB.
Both JB and Brady went to church on Sunday. He was a little old fashioned picking her up in a carriage and the three of them going to Denver. After church they would go to the hotel for a late lunch. After lunch they would ride around watching Denver explode with growth.
In late August, on the ride back from Sunday church, Brady said, "JB, I know we have only known each other for just this summer, but-----well-----frankly speaking----I'm in love with you. Will you marry me?"
JB almost fell out of the carriage. She was expecting both of them to talk about marriage, but when he blurted out asking her, she lost it for a minute. She said, "Of course I will. I don't want a church wedding, but would like to get married at my ranch house. My parents have to come."
"My God, I had forgotten to ask you about your parents. You said they lived back east. Where do they live?"
"New York City for now. My father has been talking about retiring and moving back here. He was born and raised, well for eight years anyway in Golden. Then he lived in Denver until he was old enough to go to college back east. You'll like my parents. They are down to earth people."
Brady was thinking hard about what she said. Then he asked, "Are you the Stanten's in steel mills and ship building?"
She laughed and punched him in the arm. She said, "Yes Brady Williams, my family is or are those very same Stanten clan. My brother runs the companies nowadays. Father does the import/export business. I take care of the property here at the ranch and in town."
Marlene is my mother's best friend. When we came out here back when I was ten years old, she fell in love with Ringo the ranch hand. She stayed and mother went back to New York. Now you know about my family. How about your parents and things like that?"
"Okay here goes. I guess like you I'm a kid who has rich parents. My father has a very large ranch in Texas. Oil was discovered and as more and more automobiles are being made, the demand for oil increases. I had to get away after my wife died. Like your parents, mine are very family oriented. My father is financing this operation and I accept the gift as part of my inheritance. I have two sisters, both younger than me and are both married to professional business men."
"I'd say we are both very lucky indeed. My ranch barely breaks even after all is said and done."
"We're from east Texas. My father owns nearly 100,000 acres. He raises Longhorn cattle. He's having his hands drive a few thousand up here to this ranch. Let's see what happens when we interbreed your whiteface Hereford and the Longhorns."
"Okay now that we have all that out of the way Brady Williams. When do I get my first kiss? I've never been kissed before. You have a lot of experience and please be patient with me."
"Oh, I intend to my dear. You don't know how beautiful you are both inside and out. I'll savor every minute of our intimacy for many years to come."
Willie had been listening quietly from the back. He said, "Daddy, does that mean I have a new mother?"
*******
While there were happy times in the west, it was quite the contrary back east. When Lois had her boy baby, she also had some female problems. The doctor said she couldn't have any more kids. Lois went into deep depression. After awhile, no matter what Junior did to support her, she rejected his help. Lois began to drink more than just at social functions. By Christmas of 1900, with Junior's parents in Denver, Candy taking care of baby Adam William, Lois was basically out of control.
Her drinking led to being out at all hours partying with new found friends. Junior was very upset, but the more he tried to reason with her, the more she stayed away from home.
Her parents tried to help, but to no avail. Doctors were called in and even some head doctors who had studied under Sigmund Freud tried to reason with her. Junior was at a loss as to what to do.
Then one night at around midnight he received a call from the hospital. In her bag the hospital staff found her ID and called Junior. Junior rushed down to the hospital with fear growing in his stomach as to what he might find with his wife. What he feared was evident when the doctor said, "She is alive Mr. Stanten, but she took a very severe beating. It will take a long time for her to heal."
"When can I see her doctor?"
"Possibly tomorrow. We have her under heavy sedation and she is sleeping now. I want to prepare you for what you will see Mr. Stanten. She has a broken leg, arm and ribs. Her face appears to not have any broken bones, but missing teeth are evident. Now I must go and check her again."
It was then Lois's parents came rushing up to Junior. Junior said, "She's alive but sustained some broken bones and lost teeth. Someone or more than one person assaulted her. We'll know more tomorrow. She is sleeping now. I suggest we go home and rest until tomorrow. There's nothing we can do here. She's in God's hands now."
Lois's mother fell into Junior's arms and cried like a mother whose daughter was suffering. Father stood there in shock wondering how the hell this could have happened. Yes, they had a grandchild, but at what cost. Now his or their only daughter lay in a hospital bed physically abused and mentally deranged. Maybe a sanitarium in Europe? He'd heard about that from someone, but he couldn't remember who.
Actually Junior was thinking along the same lines. Lois needed some care both physically and mentally. A private hospital would be needed. He would talk about this subject with her father very soon.
After leaving the hospital, Junior had asked and found where she'd been discovered. He gave the cab driver the address and soon he found a private club still open for all night business. Strangely enough it was downstairs in a very large basement area converted in
to a drinking establishment. He was surprised at how many people were in there having fun. The majority were dressed nicely and looking well to do, but then scattered around were some rather rough looking characters watching the rich ones drink the best whiskey. Junior saw how easy it would be to follow someone out the door and rob them. His wife was a fool, he thought. No attractive rich woman would be here alone and unattended. Junior left disgusted and sad.
The news was wired to Denver about Lois. It made no mention of the physical rape of her, but went into detail of her other physical problems along with the need of mental help. Lois would be, when she was able to travel, shipped to Switzerland for a long convalescence.
Meanwhile, work was the best friend Junior had and he dove into work with abandonment. Within the first decade of the new century came prosperity. Automobiles, airplanes, sewing machines and many more items made out of metal were being made. Steel was needed and a lot of it. Ships were backordered and Junior found more space and built another shipyard.
Over the years, his father had purchased more and more land in Pennsylvania. Junior, on the advice of an old college friend, found oil on some of their land. The Stanten family went into the oil business as well as steel and other profitable business.
Joel and Bessie were now full time residents of the Bar-B ranch.
-XVIII-
1902 ~ 1920
JB and Brady didn't have a honeymoon. Neither one minded too much. They stayed at the hotel in bed for most of one day. JB, her curiosity piqued, wanted to learn all there was about making love. However, even Brady's experience lacked any know how other than the missionary position. As usual, JB took the lead and to Brady's amazement, found him learning from her new and erotic ways to make love.
Golden Stagecoach Page 11