Rustled

by Natasha Stories

  “No child of mine is going to be illegitimate,” thundered Russ. This was the point we had debated on the way over. My solution was to go ahead and get married without my parents, and then if we wanted to later, we could have a re-enactment. Russ wasn’t so keen on that idea, but realized he was the bottleneck for both options. And truly, I didn’t care if I got married in a potato sack, as long as it was Russ beside me when it came time to say ‘I Do’.

  “That settles it, then,” declared Eleanor after I’d expressed that sentiment. “We should be able to expect decent weather by late April, though it may still be a little cold. Dear, I expect you’ll provide Charity with a lovely dress that will accommodate her condition. Your father and I will handle everything else.”

  I gaped at Russ, who would never have stood for anyone else taking over like that, and knew at once where he got it, though I still wanted the story of how he got from nerd-boy to gorgeous rancher billionaire. And, if it made Eleanor happy to arrange the details of my wedding, I was just as happy to let her. I wondered if we would do some of it together, and thought that would be fun.

  “Let’s eat,” said Jack. “I’m starved.”

  “So’s Charity,” Russ teased. “She’s always starved.”

  Chapter 16

  We’d had a lovely Christmas, with gifts I got to help choose during a trip to Cheyenne, and Russ’s parents joining us at our ranch for the mid-afternoon feast. The baby actually got the most gifts, and I was hoping Dr. Beth had got it right, because pink clothing and dolls were the most prominent among them. Having the entire household, including my girls, their cute kids and the ranch hands arrayed around the tree in the grand ballroom, was a sight to behold. The delighted screams of the kids when they saw their gifts made me long for the next year, when I would have a baby of my own.

  Somewhere along the way, my morning sickness just ended, and then I started putting on weight. I sent a letter to my dad to tell him of my pregnancy and planned wedding, wondering how I would react if he disowned me. I’d probably disown him right back, disappointed in him as I was.

  My letter explained that, though I didn’t approve of his lifestyle and wouldn’t return to it, I still loved and respected him as my dad. It was an exaggeration, but one that I thought might effect a reconciliation, after which I’d try to make him see how wrong it was to court a fifteen-year-old. His return letter promised to be at the wedding, with no wife or wives in tow, which suited me just fine.

  It didn’t occur to me until later that my return address would confirm where I was and put all of the underage girls in jeopardy.

  §

  The first sign of trouble came not long after the first of the year. The girls and I were in the kitchen, having shooed Janet out of her domain to bake a surprise birthday cake for her, when a crash and a loud oath came from the direction of Russ’s office. I ran to see what was the matter

  Russ stood at his desk, the most frightening look I’d ever seen on his angry red face, dark blue eyes flashing with rage. “Russ, what in the world?” I cried.

  “Those sons of bitches have been released from jail. Bill says their lawyers have given him notice to expect a lawsuit against me for libel.” Russ’s clenched teeth ground together as he gave me this news.

  “But, Russ, we have witnesses! They can’t win!”

  “Kitten, when I invited the girls here, it was under the auspices of a foster home. Bill facilitated a rush approval on the strength of the boys I’ve sheltered over the years. Your Prophet has challenged that and accused me of kidnapping. There may be a warrant for my arrest in Arizona, and it’s an extraditable offense.”

  My hands flew to my mouth and hysterical tears started. How could I have brought such trouble to the man I loved with all my heart? Fright for his safety paralyzed me, but I should have known he wouldn’t take any of it lying down. I listened numbly as he continued.

  “They don’t know who they’re up against. Stop crying, Kitten, I need you to be calm for the girls.” His command brought me up short, though I was still beyond upset. “Don’t worry, they won’t get away with it. But the first thing I need to do is get you a power of attorney to act in my behalf in case I have to go to Kingman for a while.”

  My head was spinning. Fright that Russ would be torn from me, bewilderment at what he thought I could do for him and an overwhelming feeling of doom regarding the girls under our protection kept me speechless. Not only that, but I didn’t want to know if my father was one of the ‘sons of bitches’ that Russ was talking about.

  Finding my voice as Russ paced the floor in agitation, I said, “Russ, wouldn’t it be better for your dad to have the power of attorney? I don’t know anything about stuff like that.”

  He stopped pacing and strode to my side, taking me into his arms. “Dad will help you. But Charity, I need you to hold this place and my businesses together if I’m convicted. You have to be strong, and you have to learn fast. Can you do that for me?” I gasped. How could he be convicted? Were they that powerful? And what havoc could I do to his businesses if he weren’t there to teach me? Dizziness overwhelmed me, and I knew nothing more.

  Russ’s tender face was the first thing I beheld when I came to. “What happened?”

  He swept a tendril of hair from my temple and said, “Kitten, I’m sorry. I threw too much at you. We’ve called the doctor, just lie here and rest.”

  I struggled up, against his protest. “No, Russ, I’m not an invalid. Did I faint?”

  “Yes, I think so. It was shock, I’m sure. Lie down.” When he used that tone of voice, everyone within earshot obeyed, and I was no exception. I sank back into the sofa where he’d placed me.

  “Russ, what are we going to do?”

  “First, we’re going to answer these charges. I have to believe that nothing will come of them. The libel suit is just a nuisance, but it made me angry. I’m going to countersue for libel on the basis of the kidnapping accusation. Then I’m going to buy that little town and run the fucking bastards out.”

  I had never seen him so ruthless, but I knew he wasn’t to be trifled with. Pride in my man rose up and I smiled tremulously. “Way to go, Tiger.” He took my hand and squeezed it, a smile breaking through for the first time.

  “Kitten, your dad may be caught in the crossfire. What do you want me to do?” Compassion lit his eyes.

  “I want you to do whatever you need to do to protect yourself, the girls and the hands,” I answered sturdily.

  “Good girl,” he approved. “I’ll do what I can for him, but you and the girls come first.”

  A racket at the door announced the arrival of EMTs, who took my vitals and assured Russ that a shock could indeed cause the reaction I’d had, but that the baby and I were both fine. With that, I insisted on getting up and going with him to gather the girls and let them know of our situation.

  §

  For the next several days, we lived as if we were under siege. None of us went outside, not that it was warm enough to want to be outside anyway. Instead, we huddled in the library or in one of the bedrooms that Russ had cleared out and equipped as a playroom for the kids, waiting for whatever was to happen next. The girls kept me calm, rather than the other way around, by joking with me and saying in admiring voices that they trusted Russ to deal with the problem.

  Bill, the lawyer, came out with the power of attorney and witnessed Russ signing it, winking at me when it was done. “Now you have him where you want him, Miss Green. Say the word and I’ll have him run out of here for you.” Under the circumstances, it was a tasteless joke at which I couldn’t laugh. Abashed, he ducked his head and left, apologizing to Russ.

  “Russ, what am I supposed to do with this?” I asked, plaintively.

  “If and when I’m arrested, call Bill and get the name of the criminal attorney he’s got in the wings for me, then call the guy and retain him. This gives you access to my bank account, even though we haven’t had time to get you added to it. I’ll call my banker and let hi
m know that if you show up with these papers, he’s authorized to make any expenditure you need.” Russ’s directions were clear, if frightening. I could do that.

  “What about the businesses?” I asked, remembering his words the day of my fainting spell.

  “There’s not much to do there. Some of them may need extra funds, and there’s a separate account for that.”

  “But, Russ, how will I know who to give money to and who not to? Or how much to give?” I was aghast that he could be so casual.

  “Just use your best judgment. I trust you.”

  This made no sense...I knew nothing of business, and I said so.

  “Trust me, Kitten, there’s nothing you could do that would do me serious financial harm. It’s coming in faster than I could possibly spend it. Don’t worry. All I need from you is to reassure the folks who are running the businesses that they’re still covered, so they won’t panic.” Easy for him to say. I was as nervous about the prospect of being forced to make business decisions as a cat would be, walking across the desert surrounded by coyotes. I prayed there would be no need.

  §

  After several weeks of waiting, taking us to the middle of February, Russ assured me that there would be no arrest. I relaxed, even as the new flutters in my belly introduced me to our baby in a more intimate way than ever. I loved being pregnant, now that I no longer suffered from nausea. Wandering the house and waiting for spring with my hand resting on my belly, I swam in a happy and contented daze.

  With the near-disaster behind us, Russ pursued me with all the sexual intensity he’d ever had. Coming up behind me and catching me unaware, he would chuckle when I startled. He wasted no opportunity to kiss me, thoroughly and without regard to possible witnesses. I grew used to the giggles of the girls as they often caught us, me with my back pressed up against the wall and Russ entrapping me with his strong arms leaning against the wall on either side.

  The nights were even sweeter. Russ couldn’t keep his hands off me, caressing my now-gigantic breasts, teasing the fluid from them with his lips and tongue and circling my round belly with a big hand. His look of wonder when our daughter bounced off his hand in her ceaseless swimming was priceless. I was amazed that he still wanted to make love to me every night, but I loved it even as I wondered if our daughter had an inkling of what was shaking her world.

  With none of the frightening prospects happening on the legal front, I soon forgot about it and contented myself with being an incubator. A very horny and well-fucked incubator, but one with nothing to do but incubate. So, I was surprised one morning when Russ asked me to join him in his office after breakfast.

  “Charity,” he began, making me tense with the anticipation of serious business. “I need you to help me decide what to do about Bethel City.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked. “What can we do about it? We tried and failed, but at least these girls are safe now.”

  “No, we can do something. I closed on a deal yesterday, buying the last of the mortgages that the RALDS has on their land. I own them, now, and I’m going to run the bastards out, like I said. But you need to tell me what to do about the women.” If I had thought him ruthless before, now I knew it. He looked like a pirate, a fierce grin on his face and his skin ruddy, the adrenaline that must have been coursing through him from his triumph making him jump out of his seat and pace the floor.

  “Russ, how can you do that? Don’t you have to keep the terms of the mortgages the same?” I really didn’t know, having no experience of mortgages, but it didn’t seem right that someone could buy them and then just change the terms. How could that be fair?

  “Yes, I do. But every one of those bastards are violating the terms in one way or another. Most banks wouldn’t bother to check. But I’m not a bank, and I insist that the terms be met to the letter.” He was still grinning, and I shuddered at the thought of ever crossing him when he was like this. “Tell me what to do about the women,” he commanded.

  Startled from my thoughts, my eyes flew to his and I saw that he was serious. What should I tell him? As he started to speak again, I held up one finger for a moment to think. Slowly it came to me, but it was going to cost even more money. But why should I care, when he didn’t? Breathlessly, worried at the audacity, I told him the plan that had come to me.

  “You know, they don’t know how to make a living, any more than our girls do, even if some of them are quite a bit older. We could just give them the houses and let them live on the state otherwise, but if you agree, I think I have a better idea.” My enthusiasm for the idea was growing as detail after detail crowded into my mind.

  “Spill it,” he said, his eyes on mine intently. I almost lost concentration then, drowning once more in his blue gaze.

  Shaking myself from the distraction, I went on. “What if we turned all of it into a sort of halfway house for abused women? I assume you only bought out the Reformed Apostles, right?” He nodded.

  “Then everything is in a small connected area, not much bigger than the house, outbuildings and exercise paddocks here. We could make whatever modifications to the houses that we need, but I doubt it would be much. Let the women stay there for free, provide their food and clothing, as long as they agreed to go to the school we’d start. It would teach them how to dress for the outside world, use a computer, everything they would need to get a job. And we could help them get free of any entanglements they have with their husbands, if necessary. Most of them aren’t legally married, though.”

  Remembering my own difficulty in getting a job, I went on. “Would some of your companies agree to hire them as soon as they were ready?”

  With a bemused expression, Russ nodded again. He must have thought I’d turned into someone else, or that I had been thinking of this all along, though it had only just come to me. “Russ, this could keep going, even after we help all the women who are already there! We could help other polyg girls escape and reclaim their lives! Even women in bad domestic abuse situations. Oh, Russ, can we?”

  By this time, I had fully embraced my idea, and would have been devastated if he’d said no. But, he saw my enthusiasm and mustered some of his own. “Kitten, I think it’s a brilliant idea! As soon as I’ve evicted the men, we’ll go down and inspect the structures to see what’s needed. Can you help by writing letters to the women, explaining that they don’t have to leave if they don’t want to? And we need some sort of plan to hire teachers and other staff, design a curriculum, look into whether we need certification through the state. This is your project, I expect you to take the lead.”

  Throwing my arms around him, I thanked him, not only because he was doing something I had suggested and thought was a good idea, but also because he was trusting me to get the details right. As bossy as he was, he must still have some respect for my abilities to do this.

  It gave me something to do, something important, as the cold Wyoming spring blew out its last storms. I knew that some of the women would choose to follow their men, but that was their choice. For the others, a bright new future was possible. If I could have loved Russ more, this would have done it, but I already loved him more than my own life, more than anything other than our baby growing within me.

  As the weeks passed, I made Russ tell me where he had picked up all of his ranch hands, and was gratified to confirm that he had indeed rescued many of them, from career-ending rodeo injuries to boys as young as sixteen who needed a place to stay and some structure in their lives. The meth trade that had largely replaced marijuana coming up from Mexico had devastated small towns all over the West; their children, especially boys, becoming addicted to the poison or the excitement of dealing in spite of their country upbringing. He loved them all like brothers and fought for their recovery from whatever trouble they were in, which in turn made them the most loyal employees a man could have.

  Already the girls were flirting with some of them, and we discussed whether we should intervene. Deciding to just warn the men that these girls were jailbait
despite being mothers already, we let nature take its course, watching with amusement and secret glee when Annalee set her cap for Hank’s nephew, a young man of twenty-four who, bewitched by her beauty, didn’t know what had hit him. Maybe there would be more weddings this year, after ours. At least Annalee was of legal age.

  Chapter 17

  In the end, everything worked out as if it had been ordained. Before all the evictions were complete, it was time for the wedding, but before that we took a flight to Phoenix from Salt Lake City to visit Mom as soon as she was allowed visitors. In only a few weeks, we hoped she’d be well enough to attend the wedding if not be released. Once the baby was born, if she was still in rehab, we’d visit again, stopping in Bethel City to inspect the progress of our conversion of the RALDS houses to our women’s shelter.

  Mom wasn’t fully recovered by April, but she was well enough to get a furlough, and her appearance had made a remarkable recovery. She looked lovely in a rose-pink dress that complimented her blonde hair. Russ even said he could see she had been beautiful in her youth, and that now he knew where I got my looks, though the auburn hair was a gift from my dad. Dad, by the way, didn’t show up. I knew then that he had been the one to betray our whereabouts to the Prophet, and mournfully tucked the memory of the dad I’d known before his conversion away in my heart, as I would have if he’d died. He was dead to me.

  True to her word, Eleanor planned an elegant wedding with only a few guests, very good friends of their family and of course all of Russ’s employees and our girls. A fortunate warm spell allowed us to move the wedding from the great room at Russ’s parents’ home out to the garden, and Eleanor brought in dozens of roses to create the illusion that it was blooming, though it was far too early in a Wyoming spring for anything to bloom. Russ looked like a model from GQ in his tux, and everyone told me I looked lovely in my Empire-waist gown, strewn with crystals in a sunburst pattern on the bodice. I rather thought my cleavage was a bit much, but when you’re seven months pregnant, there’s not much you can do about that.