The Red House 2: The Curse is Broken

by Mary May

  After dinner I once more offer to help with the cleanup, and once more I get turned away. She does look surprised that I even offered. I wonder if maybe there is a soft spot in her that I might could dig down to and get her to talk about Robert. I desperately want to get alone with Eli to hear what he thinks about everything and to figure how to get in touch with Jesse and Martha. I don’t think they will just come riding up out here for a friendly visit. Unfortunately, Bruce offers to show Eli the new calves born in the spring and I have no other choice but to return to my room to ponder everything on my own.

  I’m awake long before the rooster crows the next morning. I want to catch Eli before Bruce has a chance to cart him off somewhere else, to see new chickens or stalks of corn or something. I tiptoe down the hall, holding my breath until I reach Eli’s room. I say a super quick prayer that all his unmentionables are covered before I open the door, slipping quickly inside. Once my eyes adjust to the dim interior of his room, I see his bed is empty. Drat and double drat! I missed him! Upon closer inspection, I see the bed has never been slept in. So, just where has he been all night? I doubt even the prettiest of spring calves could hold a guy’s attention all night! I walk downstairs, outside, and then around the house and no Eli. As I’m walking back up the steps of the porch, I hear my name whispered loudly. Looking to the left near a woodshed, I see Eli’s head poke out from around the corner. Gathering up my long skirt, I run over to where he is to find that he isn’t alone. Jesse is with him.

  “Are you crazy?” I hiss at Jesse as soon as I get to where they are. “Do you want to die even sooner? Why are you here?”

  Jesse cocks his head at me, giving me a look. “Well, when I found out where you are staying, I thought I would try to make other arrangements for you. So I needed to speak to at least one of you. I can leave if you are enjoying your accommodations, Shelby. Just say the word!”

  “Of course, I don’t like staying here, but you being here is downright insane!” I point to the “death” tree. “Do you see that tree right there, Jesse? In less than two weeks you are hanging from it. Does that help make it more real for you?”

  Jesse’s eyes follow my finger and I see him swallow hard. “That tree right there?” he asks softly.

  “Yes! That tree right there! The branch coming straight out from the trunk is the actual branch. Please leave. Right now before it’s too late!” He rubs his neck for a few seconds then shakes his head, looking over at Eli.

  “Try to get Bruce to bring you into town today. I don’t care what for. Make up a reason. I will find you.” He walks over to where his horse is tied to a low-hanging branch. I follow him with one burning question in my mind.

  “Jesse, why didn’t you tell us that Robert had brothers and most importantly a twin brother?” I cringe looking around quickly when the saddle creaks as he mounts up.

  “Shelby, I have no idea why I didn’t tell you. If I had to guess, I would say I didn’t think it was important. I’ll see you later today.” He looks over at Eli then back down to me. “Ya’ll be careful…real careful.” Then he disappears into the woods.

  “So, what’s the plan to get us back to town?” I ask Eli once Jesse has left.

  He shrugs. “I have no idea. Why don’t you come up with something? Don’t women love to shop even in the 1800’s?”

  So that’s the plan we go with. I play the needy woman role that I despise and beg Eli to please take me shopping for a length of pretty ribbon. I do this right in front of Bruce because we figure he is the easiest to convince. Sure enough, he gives me his slow flirty smile and tells us he would be happy to take us into town. After he walks away to go hitch up the wagon or buckboard or whichever device of torture he chooses, I ask Eli about our luggage.

  “What about it?” he answers, frowning at me.

  “Well, I would like to keep what precious few belongings I have with me and if the plan is to actually stay in town, shouldn’t we bring it?”

  “Yes.” He is still looking at me with a blank, not getting what my point is. I pinch the bridge of my nose and take a deep breath.

  “Ok, let’s start at the beginning. We are supposed to be going to town just to take me girlie shopping, yes?”

  “Yes.”

  “So, why would we need to bring our luggage with us for that?” I question him.

  “We wouldn’t,” he replies.

  “Exactly!” I smile as I bring my point home.

  “Exactly what, Shelby?” he asks with narrowed eyes.

  Ok, my happy feeling is gone. Grabbing his face, I pull it down to my eye level and break it down for him the best way I know how. Shelby-style.

  “How. Do. We. Explain. Bringing. The. Luggage. With. Us?”

  I see the light of understanding dawn in his eyes. “Oooh….” he says, scratching his head. “Well, I do see your point.”

  “About time. If that didn’t work, I was down to interpretive dance.” I try to ignore the grin that spreads across his face, but I fail, feeling my own lips returning his grin.

  “That just might be worth seeing,” he teases.

  I shake my head at him as we walk up the porch steps. “Not a chance. I was only kidding. I’m a terrible dancer. It’s worse than having two left feet. It’s like I have ten all going in different directions.”

  “Oh, surely it’s not as bad as that. A lovely young lady such as yourself should dance and dance often. Perhaps you have never had the right partner?”

  Eli and I stop as Robert gets up from the rocking chair he has been occupying on the front porch. Half hidden behind a large potted plant, we didn’t see him until we nearly walked up on him. I shoot Eli a worried look. I hope he didn’t hear our conversation about the luggage. Smiling at me, Robert takes my hand, spinning me under his arm, pulling me close to his body as he starts humming under his breath.

  “You see, Miss Bono, a strong partner in dance is important just as a strong partner in life is important. Wouldn’t you agree?” Without waiting for me to answer, he continues humming and leading me around the wide front porch. “I have often found a woman who is easily guided around the dance floor is also easily guided in life. All it takes is a strong hand.”

  Now I really feel like I’m in some crazy dream! Being held in Robert’s arms as he dances me around and around the porch humming some off-key melody is worse than any nightmare I ever had. Smelling the scent of his cologne is making me sick, and the spinning isn’t helping. I look to Eli, waiting for him to rescue me, but once more Bruce is my hero by stepping in, taking my hand from Robert’s shoulder, then twirling me under his arm with practiced ease. “I believe this dance is mine, brother. I promised Miss Bono that I would take her into town. We best get moving if we want to make it there and back before sundown.” Without giving me or Eli a chance to say anything, he leads me back down the steps and toward the barn.

  Before we know it, we are back in the wagon, this time with an added bench in the back for Eli, and headed for town. I brace my feet against the front of the wagon to keep from bouncing so much but that doesn’t help. So I try letting my feet dangle but that is even worse! Bruce chuckles as he watches me squirm around.

  “You know, if I didn’t know better, I would think you had never ridden in a wagon before. Never seen someone above the age of four wiggle so much.”

  I force myself to be still as I give Bruce a small smile. “I know. I’m not very good at this. Never could figure out how to not get my teeth rattled out.” I decide that I will stay as close to truth as possible without actually telling the truth.

  “Here, you almost had it right. You need one foot propped on the front and let the other stay on the floor of the wagon. That way you are supported for the up and down as well as the side-to-side motion.” He reaches down, adjusting my left foot on the front of the wagon. “There! See if that don’t make you a mite more comfortable.”

  After traveling a little bit farther, I laugh. “Hey! That actually is better, thank you.” He gives me a win
k and another slow smile that I am beginning to realize is his trademark. We cover the miles into town fairly quickly, passing the time with idle chit chat. Well, I’m sure for Bruce it was idle chit chat. For Eli and myself, it was a test in playing it cool and not getting tripped up!

  Once more I find myself standing in the Mercantile with what I’m sure is a dazed and confused look on my face. I really want an entire day to explore this store with no one watching! But unfortunately that is not the case. I have not one, but two men keeping an eye on me. Eli, along with Bruce, is following my every move as I go up one aisle and down another looking for the ribbons. I have never worn a ribbon in my hair in my life that I can recall, but I guess there is a first time for everything! I hate the fact we left without our luggage. My clothes from the future as well as Eli’s are packed in that bag! I hate to think what Mrs. Mitchell would say if she saw them. I finally see a pale yellow ribbon that will match the dress with the daisies, so I grab it and walk up to the counter. The clerk, Mr. Peppercorn, gives me a nice smile as he wraps the length of ribbon in some brown paper.

  “That will be two cents, Miss.” I watch as Eli steps up to pay for the ribbon. I wonder what we will do when the couple of dollars Jesse has loaned us runs out. Two dollars in this time lasts a lot longer than two dollars in our time, but it won’t last forever. Even with not knowing how long we will be here, we still need to be self-sufficient. So that means we need jobs or something to generate some income. I make a mental note to talk to Eli about this when we have a moment to ourselves.

  The plan to stay in town has to be postponed until we can take the bag with us. I refuse to leave it at the Mitchell’s. But it does make me realize that I have to be more careful with our belongings from the future. Once we get back, I take out the clothes we arrived in and hide them between the mattress and the boards, holding up the mattress. I figure if someone finds them there, they are truly looking for something to find. As I get ready for bed later that night, I resign myself to the fact that I will be spending at least one more night under Robert Mitchell’s roof.

  The next morning after breakfast Robert gets to his feet and walking around the table he pauses where I am sitting. “Miss Bono, I would love to have your company for a morning walk. The weather is quite lovely out.” I can’t see a way out without looking downright rude so I reluctantly agree to go with him.

  Tucking my hand in the crook of his arm we walk down the road. The act of physically touching the man makes me sick. I fight to keep my upset tummy under some kind of control. Robert chats about the weather and then about the upcoming spring dance that is going to take place in a few days. I don’t know what to say to that. I really hope to be back home by then.

  “The dance sounds very nice, but I will most likely be at my uncle’s house by then,” I reply.

  I don’t miss the careful way he looks at me before he responds. “This is true; however, I do hope that you and your brother will continue to stay with us until then. Your presence brings beauty once more to our home. I will pray daily that you will still be here for the dance.” He stops walking, looking down at me with a smile that for a moment appears genuine. “Should you still be here, I would ask that you would accompany me to the dance, Miss Bono. I would be honored.”

  The shock of Robert’s request has my mouth hanging open in a very unladylike fashion. There are a couple of things that truly bother me about his request. One, he is Robert and two, he is like…old! Maybe he isn’t OLD …old, but he is way too old to be asking a girl of my age to a dance! Then it dawns on me that Martha was basically my age and she ended up married to the guy. Yuck! That would be like being married to my dad! Suppressing a slow shudder, I snap my mouth shut and try to come up with a way to say heck no, without actually using those words.

  “I’m very flattered, Mr. Mitchell, but as I stated earlier, I will most likely be living with my dear uncle by then.” Dropping my head in mock shyness, I smile at the ground for my brilliant escape. My smile disappears with his next words.

  “Just how long do you think to carry on with this charade, Miss Bono? I have been doing a little checking and from what I have gathered, there is no uncle and no deceased parents. Not to mention the fact that for siblings, you and your ‘brother’ look nothing alike.”

  Looking up into his face, which is now as hard as granite, I feel like a hen facing a fox in the coop. Caught! I do the only thing I know to do at the moment. I stick to my story. “I’m sure you must be mistaken, Mr. Mitchell. I’ve no way of knowing where you got your information, but it’s wrong.”

  His mocking laughter sends chills down my spine. “No, it’s not wrong, Miss Bono, as you very well know. Do you think me foolish enough to allow total strangers to live under my roof without having them investigated? My brother and my mother may accept people at face value, but I have never been so trusting. So, why don’t you tell me who you really are?”

  “I have told you all I am going to tell you, Mr. Mitchell. It is your choice whether to believe me or not.”

  As I turn to walk back to the house, he grabs my arm with hard fingers. “This isn’t over with. I will find out whatever it is that you and your brother are covering up.”

  Jerking my arm out of his grasp, I take a few steps backwards. “Don’t touch me…Don’t you ever touch me!” Gathering up my long skirts, I turn and run back to the house, feeling Robert’s cold eyes on me the entire way…

  I run all the way to the house up the porch and then up the stairs to Eli’s room. I don’t bother with knocking. I fall against the door as it opens, stumbling inside, landing hard on my knees. Eli jumps up from the desk, coming to my side, helping me up. “What’s wrong; what happened? Did he hurt you?”

  I shake my head as I draw in deep breaths, trying to slow down my pounding heart. “No, but he knows, Eli! He knows we are not who we say we are. We have to get out of here right now!” Helping me to my feet, he sits me on the side of the bed. My heart is thundering like cannon fire in my ears, more from Robert’s threats than the sprint back to the house. I try to slow my breathing so I can think.

  “Ok, just calm down and tell me exactly what happened.” Not leaving out anything, I tell him what all Robert has said, from the invitation to the dance to the accusations of not being who I say I am.

  Eli is quiet after I finish. “You’re right. We need to leave. It’s not safe here.”

  I roll my eyes as I wonder how he ever thought that this was a safe place, but instead of starting that argument, I ask the obvious question. “But how? It’s miles back to town. What are we going to do -- steal a horse? I’m not hanging like Jesse, Eli, I’m not!” I pace back and forth as I allow myself a slight meltdown.

  Eli comes over. Wrapping his arms around me, he rubs my back in slow strokes. “No one is going to hang, Shelby, not even Jesse. We will figure out something. I promise. But it may look worse if we jump up and leave like we are hiding something. I think I need to talk to Robert.”

  “Talk to him about what? You do remember that we are hiding something, right?”

  “Of course I do, but I also know that if I was really Sonny Bono, I would be offended right now and would want to set things straight. We have to act the way we would act if we were who we say we are. Does that make sense?”

  I shrug my shoulders. “I think it does, but I’m starting to have a hard time keeping all the lies straight. That’s why I hate lying in the first place.” I feel a massive headache coming on and I know Tylenol isn’t around for a very long time. Sitting back down on the bed, I rub my temples. “Ok, so what are you going to say to Robert? How do you plan to convince him we are brother and sister?”

  “I’m not. I’m going to tell him he is right; we are not related.”

  Squinting through my pain, I look up at him. “And you are going to tell him that why?”

  “Because it’s apparent we are not related, Shelby, for anyone who takes the time to really look at us anyway. I’m going to tell him that I was ad
opted into the family after my birth mother died.”

  I groan as yet another lie is invented that I am supposed to remember. “Okay, so you’re adopted, but other than that, the story stays the same? What about the fact that he has checked out the dead parents’ story?”

  “Well, I thought about that and what have we really told people? We have kept our details pretty vague for a reason. If we don’t tell them much, then they don’t have much to go on. So how much digging could he have done? I think maybe he is rattling our cage to see how much information he can get out of us. So we stick to our story with the exception of my being adopted. Understand?”

  I nod my head in agreement. “What about leaving here?” In my mind that has just taken top priority.

  “I think we do need to leave but only in a way that would appear to make sense. We are supposed to be traveling through anyway.” He walks to the door, stopping just as he opens it. “Shelby, stay away from Robert as much as you can.”

  I give him a “no duh” look. “Believe me, I do try. But I will try even harder.”

  After Eli closes the door, I open it to go to my room and find Mrs. Mitchell on the other side.

  “Oh! Hi, Mrs. Mitchell.” She stares at me with hard eyes for a minute before speaking.

  “I was just going to ask if you needed anything washed. Today is washday and I got the pot boiling out back. You are more than welcome to use it after I’m done.”

  The thought of cleaning my clothes is so appealing even if it is by boiling the dirt out of them. “Oh, thank you! Yes, ma’am, I would like to wash up a few things.” After telling me she will let me know when she is finished, she closes the door. I open the door once more. Finding the hall clear, I walk across the hall to my room. I open the door and stop dead in my tracks because Jesse and Martha are sitting on my bed. But it’s not alive Jesse and Martha…it’s my Jesse and Martha!!