by Amy Field
Seth introduces them to Charity.
“We knew your father,” says Nora. She looks at Seth, then back at Charity.
“How old are now, child?”
“Twenty-one, Ma’am,” Charity says, shyly.
Nora opens her mouth to speak, but Seth hurries Charity along. “We have to be back by dark from the ranch, Nora, so if you’ll excuse us.”
He knew how quick the words would spread about the arrival of a new girl who as competition for the other ladies looking for Seth’s attention.
With that, Charity and Seth made their way to the carriage that was not far from the station. He helped her up, and then they were on their way toward the ranch.
After Sam and Rose took the bags to the hotel they went back to the store. It was Rose who was still thinking about Charity’s attitude.
“Sam, that girl had only one thing on her mind and it’s not a visit, she wants Seth!”
Sam starts laughing.
“Now that’s rich, all this time you and every other female in this town have been trying to get Seth hooked up and because a young girl comes into town you feel there is competition. Really, Rose, that is silly. She’s here on a visit you heard Seth say it.”
“ Mark my words, Sam, she’s here to marry Seth.”
“Rose, has it ever occurred to you that maybe Seth wasn’t interested in getting settled?”
She heads for the back room as Sam just shakes his head. She was riled up by that idea.
Slowly the carriage makes its way toward the ranch and Charity is just amazed at the beauty that is all around her as they continue to drive on.
“This is so beautiful Uncle Seth, and it’s all yours?”
“I know what you mean, I felt the same way the first time I saw it. It’s like nothing one has ever known before. “
As they get closer to the house, he saw Charity’s eyes just look in total amazement at the house. It really was huge but it was that way when Seth bought it, that’s why there were four bedrooms on the second floor. It was a home for a big family. There were a total of four upstairs six bedrooms. Seth pulls the carriage to a stop and jumps off then helps Charity down. Jonesy is standing on the porch, like he’s been waiting a while.
“Hello Jonesy, Charity, this is Jonesy, he’s the cook, housekeeper and just about everything else.”
She smiles at him.
“Hello Jonesy, I’m happy to meet you.”
Jonesy extends his hand to her.
“Happy to meet you, Miss, you sure are a pretty one.”
Charity blushes.
“Why thank you.”
Jonesy opens the door, and Seth escorts her in the house. After the tour of the house Seth and Charity sat on the front porch watching the sun set.
“You have a beautiful place here, Uncle Seth.”
“Well, I’m glad you like it. You know you can come for a visit anytime.”
“It’s so lovely here I may never leave.”
“A ranch is hard work. But it pays off well.” They sat in silence for a while.
Then Jonesy stuck his head out the front door. “I’m just about ready to start dinner. Would you be staying to eat, Miss Charity?”
Charity looked at Seth to gauge what he was thinking. Then, spontaneously, she jumps up.
“Well, I’d love to come and help you in the kitchen, Jonesy!” And with that she disappeared into the house, a rather flustered Jonesy following her.
Soon Seth could sense the delicious smell of something good getting prepared in the kitchen. He got up and went inside, where he found Charity setting the table for dinner.
She looked up cheerfully. “Just a few more minutes and food will be ready,” she smiled.
Jonesy came in, carrying a large steaming pot and placed it on the table. “Seth, I think my job’s in danger here,” he said jokingly. This lady knows more about things around the kitchen then me, and I’ve been around for a while!”
They all laughed.
Charity dished up for the two, and after Seth said grace they all tucked in.
“I feel a bit embarrassed, “said Seth between mouthfuls. You’re supposed to be our guest, and here you are, spending your time in the kitchen, like a wife.”
Charity blushed, like she has never before. She tried not to look at Seth, but their eyes met. Was she overstepping a line here, what with all the childhood daydreams she had?
For a moment the atmosphere was uncomfortable. Seth was impressed with how easily the girl fitted in, and got on with her life, even though it was being thoroughly disrupted. Unlike with other girls whom he had courted, he felt comfortable with her around. Yet, he couldn’t find his tongue.
Jonesy cleared his throat. “Well, I’m certainly not a wife,” he said drily. They all laughed again. Chatter around the dinner table, interspersed with much bantering went on for quite a while.
The moon had risen over the dark horizon when Seth realised it was late, and he still had to drive Charity back to the hotel. He had the carriage readied, and they mounted for the journey back to town.
“I love it here, Uncle Seth,”Charity said as they drove away from the homestead.
“Well, I think once you’ve been a few other places you may change your mind. I thought you might like to see New York. They say there’s no place like it anywhere. There’s a whole world out there for you to.”
Charity was quiet. She didn’t think she’d enjoy Seth’s company so much. She imagined how much she’d enjoy living here for good, among the animals, wide-open space, and fresh air. She’d assumed it would just be a pause before she moved on.
“Charity, is there something wrong? I mean, you don’t have to go to New York. If you like, you can go back home to Richmond,” Seth said.
She lifts her head up, and he sees the tears in her eyes.
“I don’t want to go back to Richmond. This is the first time I’ve been in real house since I was five years old. I grew up at Steadford Hall all these years, and this was the first time I’ve ever experience a semblance of family life.”
She begins to cry, and Seth took her hand.
“Come on, it’s not like that at all. Why, you don’t even know me. “
“I know much about you from what my dad told me. You were his hero, the best person he ever knew. And I understand why, you’re such a kind man, Uncle Seth.”
“Enough with the Uncle Seth. I’m younger than you think!”
Again, spontaneous conversation followed. To Seth, she seemed much older and wiser than her twenty-one years, and he liked that.
In town he accompanied her into the hotel, wishing her goodnight, and promising to see her at the church service the next day. As he drove off Charity looked out the window wanting to call out his name and beg him to stop and take her with, but she knew it wasn’t possible. She was an alien here,
He arrived back at the ranch and sat in the chair in his study, still thinking of Charity. An old fear arose in him, cautioning him to protect himself, reminding him how happy and contented he was on his own. But then he thought back on the evening, how much he enjoyed her company. He drifted off into a confused sleep, not knowing what his true feelings were.
6
Sunday
It was already past dawn when Jonesy came and awoke Seth. He had fallen asleep on the porch chair.
“You’d better get up boss, or you’ll miss Sunday service.”
The last words he heard were Sunday service, and he jumped up. He rushed to dress and headed into town. It was almost time for service when he reached the hotel to see Charity sitting in the lobby. He rushed to her, and they made their way to the church where they met Reverend Claypool.
Augustus Claypool had been the Reverend here for the past ten years,andthere aren't too many people he hasn’t met coming into this world or going out. That is except for Doc Winters. Doctor Galan Winters is your country doctor who will never be rich but will always be loved. Many of his patients pay him in chicken or fish or even bee
f, but the smiles of a mother and her newborn baby or of an older lady who makes him a pie are more than money could ever buy. As Seth makes his way to the door Reverend Claypool stops him.
“Good morning Seth.”
“Good morning, Reverend Claypool, may I present Miss Charity Carver of Virginia, she’s the daughter of a dear friend of mine.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Miss Carver.”
“Thank you, Reverend.”
Before there was any more talk, Seth escorted her into the church and to a seat. All during the service everyone threw glances at Charity. It was particularly the three young ladies that Seth had dated for a short while through the years who very interested in the girl from out of town by his side. They knew that Seth had not been seen in town for a few months, but that was not strange. But not to be around, and then show up with a woman, now that was something that would set the mouths gossiping.
It was close to the end of the service when the good reverend invited all to welcome Charity to the town, announcing that she was a guest of Seth’s. All heads turned in their direction, and Charity blushed again, while Seth shuffled around in this seat.
7
Be My Wife
After church Seth invited Charity to the ranch to have lunch with Jonesy and him.
You sure you don’t just want me back there to prepare the meals,” Charity teased him.
“No, that’s not it. I still have to show you the rest of the ranch as well. “Seth tried his best to sound deadpan, but his heart started beating faster when she agreed.
They arrived at the house, and from afar they could see a horse and rider awaiting them. The rider was towing another saddled horse with no rider.
“Who could that be, and on a Sunday,” Seth muttered.
As they got closer the rider turned his mount toward them and dismounted.
Then Charity recognised him, and she put her hand in front of her mouth to stifle a gasp.
It was Robert.
He was fully-grown, his hair was neat and tidy, and he was wearing fine, gentleman’s clothing. But he had the same wild look in his eyes.
He greeted them, his eyes darting between the two of them.
He introduced himself, like a confident man with money does. He was indeed Robert, and he was now a huntsman and pelt seller from up north. He’d heard of the death of Randall Carver, and how Charity had come to be here, to be looked after by Seth.
Charity and Seth listened in silence. Robert had clearly not come for lunch.
“I’ve come,” said Robert, “for my wife.” He pointed at Charity.
He then rambled on about how he and Charity are destined to be together, how Randall had always said they should marry. “I love you, Charity,” he finally says.
“Those were games!” Charity suddenly exclaimed. “I don’t even know who you are, and I’m certainly not coming with you!”
Robert points at the second horse, seemingly not hearing her.
“I even brought a second horse, for you, see?” He looked back at Charity. “You’re twenty-one now, you can make choices, you’re free to go where-ever you want. Come with me, please?” He seemed to be pleading, like he’d made up his mind about this.
“I think we can discuss this over lunch,” Seth says, and starts to dismount the carriage.
“I think we’ll be on our way,” says Robert, drawing a pistol and pointing it at Charity.
In an instant Seth’s battle experience kicks in. He leaps toward Robert, but before he reaches him the pistol in Robert’s hand goes off, and Charity slumps in the carriage, a red blot on her.
The two men grapple at each other, fall over and roll in the grass. For a moment Seth sees Charity’s lifeless body, and it spurs him on to wrestle the pistol from Robert. With his breath heaving, he stands back and points it at Robert’s head for a moment, tears forming in his eyes. Then he rushes over to Charity.
In an instant Robert is on his horse, and racing away.
8
Say A Prayer
Doc Winters shakes his grey-haired head, sighs, and gently puts Charity’s wrist back beside her where she’s lying in bed, still and pale. All the other people in the bedroom in Seth’s ranch – Jonesy, Sam, Reverend Claypool and a red-eyed Seth are quiet, waiting for the doctor to speak.
“She lost a lot of blood, but is at rest. Her pulse is weak, very weak.” He frowns. “We can but pray,” he says in a resigned tone, looking at Reverend Claypool, who then leads the group in prayer.
“We can eat now,” says Jonesy when the prayer finishes, and everyone follows him out the room, with Seth staying behind.
Seth sits down next to her, and takes her hand. Her fingers disappear into his sun-burnt palm. He speaks to her softly, tells her how much he enjoyed her company, how her presence has changed his home. For along time he watches her, regretting that he never told her how he felt, how he was falling in love with her, even though he denied that thought. Had his own fears prevented him from finally having someone to share his life with?
Now, he may never have the opportunity to tell her that he loved her.
For four days Seth hardly left Charity’s bedside. She never woke, he managed to give her small amounts of water, but she was growing weaker by the day. All the time Jonesy hovered in the background, making sure Seth ate and slept at least some. Doc Winters came by each day, but there was nothing he could do.
“We need someone to wake her up,” said Jonesy from his chair where he was sitting next to Seth on the porch. Someone she cares for, who can bring her back. This way, she’s gonna die.”
Seth listened to him in silence. The sun coloured the sky orange once more, and another day had ended.
When Seth woke the next morning, Jonesy was gone, and so was the carriage wagon. Seth assumed that he went to town to fetch supplies, and thought nothing more of it. He sat in the chair in Charity’s room, dozing off occasionally, only leaving the room to fetch her water or have a bite to eat. Sometimes she would moan softly, but when he said her name, she didn’t respond.
Seth started preparing himself for the worst.
By evening Jonesy had not returned, and Seth started to worry. He stood on the porch, peering into the darkness, preparing to give his right hand man a verbal thrashing when he returned. But he was worried – had something happened along the way? It wasn’t like Jonesy to just disappear.
The clock in the dining room had just struck twelve midnight when Seth heard the sound of horses approaching. He was dozing in the chair by Charity’s bed, but in an instant he was awake and rushed out to see who it was.
As he reached the doorway, two tired-looking people came up the porch staircase.
It was Jonesy and Lilian Steadman.
Seth couldn’t believe his eyes. The speech he had been preparing to give Jonesy was forgotten.
“Good evening, Seth,” said Lilian. Jonesy had come to fetch me, he’s told me about what happened. The poor girl! I must see her at once!
Seth led Lilian to the bedroom where Charity lay. Talking in whispers, Seth explained her condition to Lilian. Physically there wasn’t anything more Doc Winters could do – she’d lost too much blood because of the shooting.
Seth stood by the window watching the night sky as he listened to Lilian softly singing lullabies as she huddled over Charity. A shooting star crossed the sky, and he said a silent thank-you prayer for Lilian, the angel. He had faith in her to change Charity’s condition.
They all waited by Charity’s bed through the night. Twice Lilian asked Jonesy to prepare hot herbal preparations in which she soaked cloths and lay on Charity’s forehead, and held under her nose to breathe the healing vapors. “I’m also a midwife, so have some knowledge about this condition,” she said quietly.
Then she started humming a tune again quietly, and this time both men joined in, in deep, mellow tones.
Suddenly Charity gave a deep groan and turned in her sleep. Everyone held their breath. Then she slowly opened her eyes,
and looked at Seth.
“I love you, Seth,” she said softly, before falling into a deep sleep, but they all knew she’d turned the corner.
The next morning was brighter than normal for Seth. The sky was powder blue and the birds were singing in the sunshine. For the first time in almost a week he and Jonesy did chores around the house, happy in the thought that Lilian was taking care of Charity. Seth thought about the horrendous events of the past few days, and he made up his mind.
By noon Charity was sitting up in bed and starting to eat again. She was still weak, but the rosy glow in her cheeks was slowly returning and her blonde hair was regaining its shine. She smiled brightly when Seth entered the room, went up to her bed and knelt down on one knee.
‘Charity, I feel I need to do this right now,” he said. “I almost lost you, and there was still so much I wanted to share with you, and talk to you about. I thank the Lord you’re becoming well again. But there’s one thing I need to say right now.”
Charity looked at him with her eyes wide open. “What is it, Seth?”
“Will you marry me?”
In an instant Charity began laughing and crying at the same time, unable to speak.
Seth looked flustered. “Of course, you don’t have to say…”
“Of course I will!” Charity exclaimed. This is the first place where I’ve felt really at home! You’re the gentlest, noble man, I mean, you could have killed Robert on the spot, but you didn’t. I know we’ll be happy together, forever,” she said through her tears of happiness.
He takes her hand in his and kisses it.
“Charity, you make me so happy. You’re like a breath of fresh air in my life. I’m going to make you queen of the Bar S. When we go into town people are going to say,“That Seth Bernstein is a lucky man. Look at that beautiful woman he’s married to.”
Charity leant forward and hugged him.
“Oh I think you’ve got that wrong that they will be saying, it will be more like, how did that Charity Carver get that handsome Seth Bernstein to marry her. She must have used some magic powers.” They both laughed.