by Rita Hestand
Frankie screwed up his face, "Why. I mean why can't we tell him about Les? He's our friend, isn't he?"
Anna dropped her hands in her lap and kept fumbling with them. "Yes, of course he is, but Les doesn't want people knowing he's here. I mean, not everyone at least. You see honey. He's a man…and he's here with us, and been staying with us, and well, people might talk about that. And they seem to have enough to talk about without adding fire to the fuel."
"Is he wanted by the law…?" Frankie looked quite serious, as though her answer was important to him.
"No, he isn't." Anna reassured him. "But…there will be people that will come here, looking for him, and we mustn't say a word about him. Do you understand? Not ever."
Frankie stared at her pensively as though considering what she said. "No ma'am, I won't say a word. I promise. I like him. But…who is looking for him?"
"I don't know. He hasn't said who they were, but that they would come here looking for him. So we must'n tell anyone he's been here. No matter what!"
"No matter what. Where is Les?"
"You were late getting home, so he did your chores for you. He's fed and watered the animals and curried the horses."
"Gee…I better go thank him." He dashed out the door.
Anna chewed on her bottom lip, and stared out the window. She hated the way she deceived people but it was best all around.
About that time Ledbetter rode up to the house, and knocked on her door.
Anna answered it, hesitantly. "Yes," she looked at the man that seemed to dwarf the door.
"I got the letter from your judge. So I guess you win this round, but it isn't finished. Mrs. Prescott I need that water, and you know it. I'd like to talk to you about it though."
She nodded. "I didn't expect it would be over. And I welcome talking about it, maybe we can reach some conclusion."
Ledbetter stared down at her in the chair, and something in his face changed. "Look, I don't want to turn this into a range war. I'm willing to buy the place for a reasonable amount. I think that would be easier and I'd feel better about the whole thing in the end. I'm sorry about intimidating you the other day. I realize I was a little on the forceful side."
Anna hung her head a moment. "Mr. Ledbetter, come inside, won't you?"
Startled by the invite he nodded, "Sure, I guess so."
When he walked in he immediately saw the kitchen and how the counters had been built for her needs. How she managed to offer him coffee and serve it to him as he sat at her table without any help. His facial expression changed to one of dawning.
Anna saw his face change.
"Look around Mr. Ledbetter. This is the reason I won't sell out. It's pretty obvious from in here. Well, one of the reasons at least." Anna wrapped a smile around her face, determined to listen to the man and try to get through to him. At one time he'd been a friend of her husband's. "My neighbor built these cabinets for me, and made the ramp. Here I can manage on my own. Without help. It's very important that I do so."
"I can see that. Who built all of this for you?" He asked, surprised at how well she got around.
"Mr. Harvey, my neighbor. And this…this alone is the reason I cannot sell to you. Call it selfish if you will, but it's my haven. My place to belong in the world. Leaving this would kill me eventually. I could not operate from day to day without this…" she nodded at the cabinets and counter.
The man looked stunned, as though he'd never considered her physical situation in those terms.
He nodded and seemed to consider her words carefully. "Yeah, I guess I can see that."
"I was hoping you would. Not that I want your pity. I don't welcome anyone's pity. The whole purpose of all of this," she gestured with her hand around her house. "Is to make my life as normal as possible. I'm an invalid, with little hope of ever becoming much else. But I have managed to keep this place going, and raise Frankie. This is his home too. And someday he'll take it over and make it his. It's all we have left of his father and mother. And thanks to Mr. Harvey, I've made it my home. But the biggest reason still…is out there in the yard."
The man studied a minute…"Your husband…"
"Yes. He's buried out there and so is Frankie's real mother. That's another reason I don't want to leave. He doesn't want to leave either. I want you to know that Mark made me a legal guardian over Frankie before we ever married. You see, our marriage wasn't based on love Mr. Ledbetter. It was based on mutual needs. I think he knew something was going to happen. And his greatest fear was that Frankie would be taken away to an orphanage. That's the reason he made sure. That and the fact that he wanted this place to be Frankie's someday. It was the only thing his parents left him."
"I see…" Her words seemed to shut him up.
Ledbetter lifted his gaze now to look at her. He firmed his lips. "Oddly enough, I can understand that Mrs. Prescott. I have a ten year old son myself. If something happened to me, I'd want it to go to him. His Ma died in childbirth."
"Oh, I didn't know…" Anna felt a pang of regret for not knowing all of this. Perhaps both of them had things to learn from one another.
There was a hint of progress being made when suddenly another knock came at the door.
Anna frowned, just as Ledbetter was beginning to see her troubles and understand, someone else had to come. She never had company, but today was a real exception.
Irritation climbed her.
"It's open," Anna called with noted frustration.
Mr. Harvey walked in, and glared at the man sitting at her table. "Ledbetter, you can't do this to her. Can't you see she's an invalid? You can't throw her out of her own home. Where would they go, what would they do. Can't you see she's incapable of managing any where else. Have you no conscious?"
Why did Mr. Harvey always refer to her in public as though she were a charity case for the community?
Anna's head bowed. Just once, if only once a man would look at her and not think of her as a cripple. The very word incapable made her cringe, as she had fought for her independence so hard.
But the surprise of it all came when Les's voice boomed. "She's the most capable woman I know. I wouldn't call her a cripple or an invalid if I were you."
Mr. Harvey's mouth fell open in total shock. Mr. Ledbetter seemed amused.
Les walked into the room dominating it and looked at the two men.
That was truly the sweetest compliment anyone had ever given her, and she treasured it in her heart.
Anna's stared at Les now, and despite her better intentions a smile curled her lips as she looked up at him.
All three men were in her kitchen with threatening voices. All in different directions. Anna had an urge to break into laughter.
"Who are you?" Mr. Harvey craned his neck to stare up at Les.
Ledbetter seemed to study the two of them quietly, watching the interplay with interest.
"Just a drifter who needed help and she helped me, mister." Les replied.
Mr. Harvey looked stricken when he saw Anna's gaze fly to Les.
"How long's he been here?" Mr. Harvey wanted to know as though he had every right. Anna's smile faded quickly.
Even Ledbetter seemed taken aback by that question.
"A few days, Mr. Harvey." Anna replied as though they were talking about the weather.
"Anna you should know better than to take in strangers." Mr. Harvey stared at her in shock. "He could have taken all kinds of advantages. It's very dangerous Anna."
Anna almost laughed, "Really, I wouldn't think there are any advantages to take."
Les threw her a knowing smile.
Ledbetter who'd been quiet up until now stood up. He stared at Anna for a moment. "Mrs. Prescott, despite the fact you think I'm totally unfeeling in this, you are wrong. I do see why now, but the downside is, I do need the water. And I'm not the only one. Your property holds enough water to take care of this entire valley in a drought. It's important not only to me, but to others. I see your side. I really do, now. And
I'll think on this. I don't really want to be unfair, but I do want you to know I need the water. I want you to understand that. Maybe we can work some kind of compromise out that benefits us both. I'm a reasonable man, when approached that way. I think we've both made some headway today."
"I do understand, believe it or not. Perhaps we can work something out to both our advantages. I'm certainly willing to try. For everyone's sake." She looked at him with understanding now. "It's never been my intention to rob this valley of the needed water. And I’m very glad you came to talk to me about it. Thank you. And I appreciate your honesty. We should have sat down a long time ago and talked this over."
"The fact is, I need that water, about as bad as you need this house." He told her. "But I believe too, that we can work this out."
"I understand that Mr. Ledbetter. Perhaps we can come to some mutual agreement, then." Anna looked almost hopeful at him.
"I'll get back to you on that." Ledbetter glanced at the other two men. "What's your interest in this?" He stared straight at Les.
Les glanced at Anna and smiled. "I don't like anyone getting a raw deal, especially a woman and a kid."
"You backing her up with lead my friend?" Ledbetter half smiled at him.
"Only if need be… but it sounds as though the two of you have reached a milestone today. And I for one am glad to hear it."
"And you?" Ledbetter stared at Mr. Harvey now his tone more condescending.
"My interest is only in Anna," He replied shooting Les a quick assessment. "And the boy of course."
"I see!" Ledbetter glanced at Anna who had flushed from all the admissions.
Anna glanced up at him. "Mr. Ledbetter, this is between you and I. No one else. I want to resolve this peacefully. I'm willing to give you watering rights twice a year, for nothing, if you will cease this fight. If you can come up with some other arrangement, I'll listen. I realize now you aren't as formidable as I thought. I might even consider selling part of the land that the water runs through. That way you wouldn't have to pay every time, and it would be yours to do with as you please. You see, I want to keep my home, and you want to water your cattle. And if we put our heads together, we might come to a amicable conclusion."
"That's a generous way of looking at it, and I will consider it. But I'm fully aware now that it is your son that owns this place, and that you are his legal guardian. Fighting a woman sure won't win me any votes when I run for Mayor, now will it?" Ledbetter smiled craftily.
"You're running for Mayor?" Anna looked surprised at his announcement.
"Yes, I'm considering it. I've been approached by some of the people and I'm considering it. We'll talk again about this. At least now we have it down to a peaceful talk. I think we might be making some progress."
Les stepped closer to the man. "I do hope you find a way to settle this peaceably for all concerned."
Ledbetter nodded and glanced at Anna. "We'll talk some more about this later, in private."
"I'll be happy to talk anytime. And thank you…for listening."
Les turned to watch Ledbetter leave.
Mr. Harvey went to Anna's side.
Anna's heart was pounding so loud she almost collapsed.
Ledbetter rode off.
Ann leaned back in her chair to relax, feeling they had accomplished something today and that there might be hope after all.
Mr. Harvey stared at Les, scrutinizing him. "Just who are you?"
Les bristled, but considered him. He knew what Mr. Harvey wanted, and he knew he had no chance in getting it, too. "Just a drifter, I spent the night in Anna's barn during the storm." Les turned to stare at Mr. Harvey. "Miss Anna pulled a bullet out of me a week ago. Her and her son have been helping me heal up. I owed her."
"You some kind of outlaw or something?"
"Mr. Harvey…" Anna protested.
"But you are a stranger and you'll ride off. Even though it sounds good today, doesn't mean it's settled. You've put her in danger, threatening to back her up when you will be gone by that time. Because it sounded as though you were threatening Mr. Ledbetter." Mr. Harvey protested.
Les tightened his jaw, "It sounded like Anna and Mr. Ledbetter might be coming to terms with their dispute."
Anna finally found her voice. "I've been in danger a while Mr. Harvey. Les has been a great help. He went to see the judge and a letter was sent to Ledbetter telling him that Frankie is the owner of this property and that I am his legal guardian. If he hadn't done that, I'm afraid Mr. Ledbetter would have already forced me off this land."
Mr. Harvey flopped into a kitchen chair beside her.
"Well," he glanced up at Les with a startled look on his face. "I guess I owe you an apology, then. I'm a big enough man to apologize. But, you say you've been here a week?"
"You owe me nothing." Les nodded his lips firming. "But leave or no leave, if any harm comes to her or the kid, they'll answer to me. And yes, I've been here a week."
Les didn't bother looking at Anna, he just stood there staring at Mr. Harvey.
"Anna, if you'd have let me handle this, it might all be straightened out by now." Mr. Harvey said, reaching for her hand.
Anna was hesitant to pull her hand away and looked up at Les with a plea of understanding. "You've been a big help to me Mr. Harvey. I didn't want to burden you. But I think maybe now the two of us can work together and solve it. It's more hope than I've had."
"You are getting around all right to me, why haven't you been on your way?" Mr. Harvey's glance was cold and pointed at Les now.
"He was here, in my home when Mr. Ledbetter came. He ran him off. I told him the truth." Anna explained. "And he's free to leave when he wants, but I'm not asking him to, Mr. Harvey. He's been a great help to me and Frankie."
Mr. Harvey frowned, then extended his hand to Les, "I'm sorry again…for jumping to conclusions."
Les shook his hand and after eyeing their hands entwined walked out. The expression on Les's face said he hadn't understood and Anna felt awful.
Anna was shaking with something she didn't understand herself. She moved away from the table, so Mr. Harvey couldn't touch her. More and more Mr. Harvey kept insinuating himself into her life. He hadn't been invited, and she had been lax at discouraging him completely.
"Would you like some coffee?" She asked in a raspy voice.
"That would be nice." he nodded.
She wished he hadn't accepted, and that she hadn't asked. She needed to be alone, to think. But he had done a lot of things for her, to push her into taking care of herself and she had him to thank for that. She couldn't be rude to the man.
After a long talk, he looked at her sincerely. "Has that man made any improper advances toward you?"
Anna backed away in her chair and stared, her mouth open. His cup was poised in mid-air, his eyes were on her.
"Mr. Harvey. That's uncalled for." How could he be so callus?
"Your also a beautiful woman." He said. "I've told you that many times. You don't seem to believe me. You know I'm interested in you, even though you persist that it would never work. You possibly haven't considered the fact that at my age I'd be content with holding hands, kissing, and just being close. I could give you a good life and the boy too. You wouldn't have to worry about Ledbetter any longer either. He could have this place and good riddance."
Have it! Didn't he realize that Mark was buried here on this land, along with Frankie's mother? She'd told him, didn't it mean anything to him?
"What would you expect me to do, let this property go?" She asked her eyes widening.
"Well, you wouldn't need it, I'd provide my home for you and the boy." He insisted taking a sip of his coffee and putting the cup on the saucer. His mind was centered in one direction, marriage.
"The boy…you never call him Frankie, just the boy…He's my son."
"I know that!" Mr. Harvey frowned at her now.
"And Mark, would you have me leave him, here to be trampled by Mr. Ledbetter's cattle? and what
of his mother? No, I'm afraid not."
She noticed how clean his fingernails were. How nice he fixed his hair, it always shined. He was a perfect older man, and in her position, she should be happy he even offered her so much. But there was a couple of problems with his thinking. First, this was her home, Frankie's home, she couldn't let Ledbetter just have it. And second, if she could muster some kind of feelings for Mr. Harvey, it might work. But when she looked at him, nothing happened. At one point she had almost wished there were something between them, but not any longer. Her heart didn't race with expectation, her mind didn't hope for more. She simply did not love him. She'd had one loveless marriage, she didn't want another. She'd rather live alone, than have a meaningless marriage.
Mark had been good to her, very good, but he hadn't loved her. And he hadn't lied about either. He had spent their whole marriage grieving for his dead wife. He loved his dead wife, the mother of his child. Anna understood it and accepted it. But she would not repeat that history. In the predicament she was in, she thought it wise to marry Mark. Now, she suddenly realized that all her hopes and dreams were not gone. She could have some kind of happiness, and she wanted that happiness. She would not marry again unless there was some measure of feelings, both ways.
"You offer me a lot. Don't think I don't realize that, because I do." She tried to reason with him. "But I must tell you that I just can't marry you, now or any other time. I'm not in love with you Mr. Harvey, as much as I've tried to be, it just isn't there. And truthfully, even though I'm an invalid, I want love and affection. And it has to be both ways. If I never find it, that's okay too, because I have Frankie."
Mr. Harvey seemed to consider her words. "Women seem to always tangle their emotions into marriage. What I'm offering you is a good life, protection and support. I don't understand your thinking. You’re an invalid, I realize we couldn't have normal relationship, I accept that. Not many men would. I'd be true to you. Give you everything I could, and the boy too."
"There you go again, and the boy too! As though he's just thrown in with the deal." She looked away, trying to find a way to be gentle with this man, and yet set him straight once and for all. She was tired of bickering with him about it every time he came over. "You don't understand." She wailed. "I thank you for your kind offer, but I'm sorry I'm not interested. I don't care for you that way, Mr. Harvey."