by Elly Knight
“I’m sorry Charlotte,” he said to her. “It would seem I’ve done you a grave disservice in my attempts to protect you. I thought all you needed was some time to grieve the loss of your Papa. I also thought Ben’s arrival would solve all of your problems. I didn’t anticipate you inheriting quite so much of your Papa’s stubbornness or that you wouldn’t want to marry your childhood sweetheart, given half the chance.”
Charli blinked in surprise as she tried to take in the sheriff’s words. What exactly was he protecting her from?
“Mr Banks, can you please explain to Charlotte what would happen to her land if she were no longer married?” Johnson requested politely.
Norman Banks cleared his throat nervously. “The truth is ma’am, that without a husband or other male relative, the bank would be forced to call in your loan. While our policies are currently being reviewed, as it stands right now, a woman is not allowed to have a loan. The farm would have to be sold to recoup the loan. At the Sheriff’s behest, we allowed you a certain mourning time before having to sell the farm. Even if you could come up with the full amount of the loan, the current town laws prohibit a female from owning land. You’d still need to sell the farm.”
Charli’s eyes nearly fell out of her head as she listened to his explanation. “What do you mean a female cannot own land? What kind of archaic belief system is that? I was doing perfectly fine before Ben came along. This farm is succeeding due to MY hard work! I’m just as capable as any man!”
Ben sighed at the looks of sympathy he received from both of the other men in the room. Perhaps he had bitten off more than he could handle.
“We’re simply telling you the way things are Charlotte,” Sheriff Johnson said with a sigh. “The choice is yours but if you or Ben annul this marriage, you’ll lose the farm. End of story.”
Charli felt her chest constrict tightly and she struggled to breathe. Needing some space to try and process everything the men had said, she got up and ran from the house. Ben put his head in hands and gave a deep sigh.
“Don’t lose heart Ben,” Sheriff Johnson said sympathetically. “The girl loves you, she’s just too stubborn to admit it, even to herself.”
“How you can be so sure?” Ben asked, looking up at him.
“I’ve seen the way she looks at you. She may be struggling to give up control but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have feelings for you. Have patience. She’ll come around.”
“I hope you’re right because I’m not sure how much longer I can live like this,” Ben said with a defeated sigh.
<<<<>>>>
Deciding it was best to give his wife some space, Ben rode back to town with the men and spent the best part of the day getting his new office space ready to open for business. He wrote up an advertisement, complete with opening times, nailing one to his door before walking down to the General Store to see if he could post it on their community notice board.
“Everything all right Ben?” Henry asked. “You look like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders.”
“It’s Charli. She wants to annul our marriage,” Ben admitted quietly. Part of him wanted to hide the fact that his wife wasn’t happy in their marriage but another part of him needed to talk to someone. He knew Henry was very fond of his wife.
“Come, have a seat,” Henry offered as he gestured toward a small table and chairs to one side of the store. There were no other customers in the store and if someone came in, Henry knew Martha would happily serve them. “Can I make a suggestion?” Henry asked when they were seated.
“Please,” Ben all but begged. He was a desperate man. While he’d bought himself time with informing Charli she couldn’t keep the farm if she went ahead with the annulment, the last thing he wanted was a lifetime in a miserable marriage.
“This has all happened very suddenly for both of you,” Henry pointed out. “You need to woo your wife.”
“Pardon?” Ben responded, unsure what that even meant.
“You need to court her,” Henry explained. “Take her flowers, go for walks, get to know one another again, the way a regular couple would before they got married. Women love that stuff.”
“You’re right, I can’t believe I didn’t see this for myself,” Ben responded with a shake of his head. Ben could have kicked himself that this hadn’t occurred to him. It had been years since Charli had seen him. They’d both changed so much that they were practically strangers. Yet he’d expected her to adjust to an unwanted marriage in the space of a week? How foolish could a man of his supposed intellect be?
Henry gave him an understanding smile. “It’s not easy when things have been forced upon you like this. You both need to give yourselves some time. Martha is better at all this girly stuff than I am. Why don’t you head on back and have a little talk with her? I’m sure she’ll have some other ideas.”
“Thanks Henry,” Ben said with a grateful smile. For the first time in days, he had hope for his marriage.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Charli shivered as she made her way back toward the house. She’d left in such a hurry that she wasn’t dressed for the cool night air. The sun was already dipping on the horizon and if she didn’t hurry, she’d be shrouded in darkness before she made it back.
When she’d first left the house, Charli had run until her legs almost gave out underneath her. She’d then collapsed on a hill and sobbed until she was completely spent. It all seemed completely unfair. Firstly, that she’d been forced to marry at all! Now that she had to stay married or risk losing the farm. If only her Papa hadn’t died, none of this would even be a problem. Charli felt more alone now than she ever had.
Eventually, she knew she needed to make her way back to the house. As reluctant as she was to face Ben, Charli knew if she stayed out, she would freeze to death. It might be springtime, but the nights could still get very frosty. Not to mention, there were animals to be fed. Ben might think to do it, but Charli didn’t think it fair to leave him to it.
Her heart was in her throat as she made her way across the clearing. It seemed like the house was in darkness. Had Ben left her? Charli certainly wouldn’t blame him if he had but if she lost the farm, she’d never forgive herself. Fresh tears filled her eyes and began to overflow, making their way down her face in silent streams.
It wasn’t until she was almost to the back steps that Charli could see a glimmer of light coming through the kitchen window. She was surprised by how relieved she felt at the thought that Ben was actually here and hadn’t abandoned her.
Charli gasped in surprise as she came through the back door into the kitchen. The table was covered in a chequered cloth and set with two place settings. In the centre was a flickering candle and a bunch of native flowers.
Hearing her gasp, Ben stepped out of the bedroom and gazed at her with concern. “I was getting worried,” he said softly to her.
“I’m sorry,” Charli responded. “I went a little further away than I realized and didn’t quite make it back before nightfall.”
“Are you all right?” he asked.
Charli nodded as emotion clogged her throat and nose. In some ways she wasn’t sure she’d ever be all right again, but she wasn’t ready to share that with him. She was so intent on avoiding his gaze that she didn’t see him step across the room toward her. She gasped when his warm arms wrapped securely around her.
“You’re freezing,” he said with concern as she leant into the warmth of his body. “I’ll stoke the fire once I take the chicken out,” he offered.
“You cooked chicken?” Charli asked, the words coming out as a surprised squeak.
Ben couldn’t help but chuckle. “I might have had a little help from a friend,” he confessed as he released his hold on her. “You must be starving. Why don’t you wash up while I dish up our food.”
Charli’s head was a muddle as she tried to process what was happening. She had expected Ben to still be angry with her but he was showing no signs of being so. “What is all this
about Ben?” she asked softly as she slipped into her seat just as he was placing a plate of fried chicken, potatoes and beans in front of her. The aroma was heavenly, and Charli’s stomach rumbled with hunger. She couldn’t remember the last time she ate.
“I’m sorry Charlotte,” Ben said as he took the seat opposite her. “I’ve been going about all of this in the wrong way. We’ve been thrown together in the most unusual of circumstances and I’ve realized, with a bit of help from Henry, that it’s important we take the time to get to know one another again. I apologize for the pressure I’ve placed you under to make this a marriage in every sense of the word.”
Charli couldn’t help but blush. She was an innocent and the thought of making their marriage a true marriage frightened her. Pushing Ben away was a simpler way to deal with things. Not having a mama through her later childhood meant Charli was in no way prepared for the marriage bed.
“You don’t have to go to all this effort Ben,” Charli responded, ducking her head to hide how uncomfortable she was feeling. “I’m not going to annul the marriage. I guess you’re stuck with me. If you still want to be.”
Ben reached out and covered her hand with his own. “I understand this is difficult for you Charli but I’m not going anywhere.”
Charli felt a lump form in her throat and tears fill her eyes. She’d treated him terribly and knew she owed him an apology but the words simply wouldn’t come. That he was being so kind to her only made her feel worse.
Sensing she was struggling, Ben released her hand and sat back, focusing on enjoying Martha’s amazing cooking. “Eat Charli,” he said gruffly when she’d sat there staring at her plate for several minutes.
Charli glanced up at him, chewing her lower lip nervously. Ben was focused on enjoying his own meal. She placed a tiny nibble of chicken in her mouth as she contemplated the latest change in her husband. She really wasn’t sure what to make of it all.
<<<<>>>>
Ben put all of his frustration into his digging. When he’d risen that morning, Charli had already disappeared. Given the kitchen was still as spotless as he’d left it the night before, it was clear she hadn’t eaten before she left. Ben was very worried about her. She worked too hard and ate very little.
The night before had been strained and awkward. Not that Ben had expected her to see flowers and candlelight and immediately collapse in his arms. He had hoped they might at least talk a little. Instead, they ate in strained silence. That is, he ate, while his wife pushed her food around her plate, taking the tiniest nibble each time he prompted her to eat. Eventually, she’d stood and began to clean up. Ben could tell she was exhausted and had sent her to bed, leaving him to clean up alone.
At least he’d had a feed of Martha’s amazing fried chicken. It was the best fried chicken he’d ever tasted and he couldn’t help but hope that one day Charli might take a break from farm work long enough to make some of their own. If Ben didn’t want to starve, he may well have to learn how to make it himself.
<<<<>>>>
Charli huffed as she attached the wagon to her horse. It annoyed her that her husband insisted on her wearing a dress when she went into town. She couldn’t easily do so and ride horseback, meaning she had to waste valuable daylight taking the wagon. The temptation to ignore his edict was great and if a spanking had been the only threat, she probably would have. Charli could take a spanking any day but the fear of him burning her papa’s pants filled her chest with fear. Wearing them made Charli feel close to her papa. If Ben burned them, she knew she’d never be able to forgive him.
Martha was delighted when she spotted Charli coming into the store, dressed in the beautiful blue dress from her wedding day. She was curious as to how all the planning she’d done with Ben had come to fruition.
“Perfect timing Charlotte,” she beamed as she greeted Charli with a warm hug. “I’ve just finished one of your dresses. You’ll be able to take it home and show that handsome husband of yours.”
Charli couldn’t help but roll her eyes. That handsome husband of hers was a pain in the ass. She still didn’t think she needed more dresses.
“Come through and have some tea,” Martha urged, not taking no for an answer as she ushered Charli through to the back of the store. “You look troubled child, what is it?” Martha asked as she bustled around the kitchen.
“Did you know there are ridiculous laws about women not owning land if they don’t have a husband?” Charli asked her, her breath leaving her in a huff.
“You have a husband so that’s not an issue for you anymore,” Martha pointed out, shooting a confused glance in Charli’s direction.
“A husband I don’t WANT!” Charli huffed.
Martha stomped across the room to where Charli was still standing, a dark frown on her face. “Now, you listen to me young lady and you listen well,” she scolded her angrily. “That husband of yours is a good man! He looked out for you when you were a kid and he’s looking out for you now. The man loves you. Do you know how many women out there are struggling to survive? How many are living in relationships without love or care? You have no idea how lucky you are Charlotte Raelene Montgomery and it’s about time you realized it. You’re behaving like a spoilt child and I won’t stand by and watch it any longer!”
Charli was so shocked by Martha’s unexpected tirade that she sank into the nearest chair, her brain working hard to process all that Martha had said.
“Why are you so hell bent on pushing the man away?” Martha asked, her voice much gentler than it had been.
Tears filled Charli’s eyes. “He deserves a better life than battling it out on the farm with me,” she responded, her voice little more than a whisper.
Martha reached out and cupped Charli’s face with her hands, her expression tender. “He loves you Charli. He always has. The life he WANTS is one with you on the farm. Don’t you think your Papa would want you to be happy and looked after? He’d be heartbroken thinking of you struggling away on your own. That was never his plan for you.”
Several tears made their way down Charli’s face. “Why should I be happy when he’s dead?” she whispered as the grief she’d tried to keep well-hidden began to push its way up through her chest, making it difficult to breathe.
“I know you miss him but being miserable for the rest of your life is not going to bring him back,” Martha said as she wrapped her arms around the girl. “Don’t shut Ben out from some misguided notion that it makes you a bad daughter to find happiness. Your Papa made it clear this is what he wanted for you. Honor his memory by finding that happiness.”
Charli broke down into heavy sobs. She missed her Papa so much it hurt to breathe. Martha was right. Feeling joy filled her with incredible guilt. How could she ever be happy again without him?
“You cry it out child,” Martha crooned as she rocked her gently. “It’s about time you allowed yourself to grieve properly.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Ben was getting worried. He’d seen Charli head off to town but her desire to keep working on the farm usually kept her trips short. Today she’d been gone for many hours. If she wanted to avoid him, that was easily enough done by disappearing on the farm. There was no need for her to spend longer than needed in town. Fear gripped his heart as he imagined her lying on the side of the road somewhere. He was about ready to go searching for her when he heard the familiar clop of hooves. Ben couldn’t see the wagon yet, but it sounded like she was almost home. He let out a sigh of relief.
His own day had been a very productive one. The men he’d hired in town to help with the extensions had been busy felling trees and cutting them into logs. They’d produced a satisfying pile of logs for a day’s work and would be back the following day to fell more. Ben himself had cleared the entire area where they were to build. Tomorrow he’d begin dismantling the front porch in preparation for the build. That would be relocated to the new front of the house, once the extensions were complete.
“What’s going on here?” Ch
arli asked as she pulled the wagon up in front of the house. The front of the house looked like one big dust bowl. Ben had cleared away any vegetation and levelled the ground. “Next time it rains, we’re going to have a big mud pit.”
“I’m hoping it will be covered by the next rain,” Ben responded as he reached out to lift her down from the wagon.
“What do you mean, covered?” Charli asked in confusion. Had her husband lost his mind?
“I mean, I’ve hired some men to help me build an extension on the front of the house,” Ben told her.
Charli’s mouth dropped open in shock. “Ben, how will we afford that?” she asked as her mind went into a panic. If they went deeper into debt, the farm may never survive.