“You’re right, I don’t know you, but I can guess as to your character by the company you keep.” Mathews kicked his horse into a gallop putting distance between him and the sheriff.
“Well I suppose that means he’s done talkin’.” Tom laughed as his horse neighed.
Chapter Seventeen
Rayne had gone out to the barn after her father and Tom left to get out of the house and away from Lisbet before she broke down. She didn’t want Lisbet to know just how deeply her father’s visit had affected her. She knew the man would show up—she had expected it from the minute she sent that letter telling him about Jason. What she didn’t realize was how scared she would be when she saw him again. It was as if the past seven years had never happened, and she was back to being the same girl that suffered the beatings at his hand. She had been trembling inside, waiting for the hand to reach out and strike her, to knock her against the wall, and beat her senseless.
From the time she had left her family’s home, she had found her confidence and she realized that she wasn’t the weak one her father had always told her she was. She had learned to trust herself and take care of herself. She had learned how to fight, and watch for that little signal—a split second—before someone was about to draw his gun.
On the trail, she found she was good at tracking and reading people. She learned she was worth more than just a horse meant to be beat. The men on the trail saw her as a young boy who needed guidance and teaching and they took her under their wing and taught her. It was through them and some ingrained intuition that she learned how to be a man. Yet, even with having all those things under her belt, all it took was the sight of her father to send her back into that space of the girl child she had been all those years ago.
Realizing the frustration that was building inside her, Rayne reached for the axe and walked to the pile of trees she had fallen late last year, and began to swing hard, cutting swipes at the nearest log. It was only when her shoulders ached and her arms felt like rubber did she realize how hard she had been swinging and how the sweat had soaked her shirt. Rayne raised her head upward, and let out a deep sigh.
“God, this is a nightmare.” She reached up and rubbed her eyes before walking back to the front of the barn to replace the axe. She left the barn, headed back to the house. She was hungry and she needed to make sure Lisbet and Ben were all right.
†
After she opened the door and walked in, Ben looked up from Lisbet’s arms and squealed. “Hey there, short stuff, how’s my favorite little man?”
“I was starting to worry about you,” Lisbet put Ben down and he immediately began toddling toward his ma.
“I’m sorry. I had some things I needed to work out. I’ll tell you about them while I eat if you don’t mind. I’m starved.” Rayne knelt down and held out her arms and Ben walked into them. She held their son tight and kissed his cheek. “We are your family, Ben, and nobody’s ever gonna take you away from us.”
“You got that right. Let me take him and put him in his seat while you go wash up and I get you something.” Lisbet put Ben in his chair, and walked to the icebox, the latest addition to their home. Once she opened the door, she pulled out some ham and cheese then put some slices on a plate. She put the plate on the table along with a glass of milk. Once Rayne sat down, Lisbet sat next to her. “I put enough on your plate so you can share with Ben.”
Rayne cut some of the cheese and ham into small bite size pieces and placed them on the table in front of her son. “There you go, buddy.”
She took a few bites and chewed them before looking at Lisbet. “When I saw Tom and my father on the porch this morning, all I could feel was fear. I kept expecting his hand to hit me sending me flying across the floor. It makes me sick that after all these years the bastard still has that effect on me.”
“Sweetheart, you aren’t that girl anymore,” Lisbet said softly.
“I know that, but that doesn’t stop the memories or the fear from seeping out through every pore in my body. I hear his voice shouting at me all the degrading things he would say before he hit me. And I felt each and every blow of his hand. See, I learned so much while I was on the trail. The men there took me under their wing and taught me things. I thought I had gotten past all his abuse. And then this morning it was as if everything I’d gone through all these years just disappeared. Those lessons…all the things I learned, vanished.” Rayne held a piece of cheese half way to her mouth.
“Oh, honey, no. Those things that happened on the trail, the things you learned, all the lessons, they’re still with you. You’re strong and smart. Where your father is concerned, there’s nothing you need to fear. He can’t hurt you anymore…at least not like that.”
“I never should have written him. I knew it when I was writing that damned letter,” Rayne said.
“Rayne, it was the right thing to do. You couldn’t not write him…you’re a good person. You couldn’t let that girl’s family not know her fate.”
“But what did I bring on us? He never would have come here had I not told him about Jason. He wasn’t interested in me…never was. He didn’t seek me out since I left that miserable place I called home until I wrote him about Ben. Only then did he come and it wasn’t for me, it was for Ben. What did I do by bringing him to our doorstep? How in the world do I keep Ben and raise him as Jason asked?”
“I think you’re worried about nothing. We both know that Jason didn’t want his son raised by your father. And we have witnesses that know that too. What’s your father gonna do? Steal Ben away?”
“It wouldn’t surprise me. I don’t know what he’ll do, but I know in my gut that he ain’t just gonna walk away.”
“What about Tom? Didn’t he say he had spoken to a judge? Maybe we should talk to him too?”
“He did say he had talked to Judge Martin, and the judge told him we've got nothing to worry about. But still, having the old man here just a waiting to take Ben worries me.” Rayne looked at Lisbet. Seeing the worry in her eyes, Rayne reached out and grabbed her hand. “It’ll be all right, honey. Somehow we’ll be just fine.”
With a tear sliding down her cheek, Lisbet pulled her hand away. “You don’t know that.” Frustration seeped into her voice. “Until this morning when that man showed up, I had never truly thought about how much Ben has come to mean to me. I’m having trouble imagining life without him should we lose him.” Lisbet buried her face in her hands. “I don’t know what we’ll do, Rayne. We can’t lose him.”
“No, you’re right. I don’t know that, for sure, but I refuse to believe otherwise.” Rayne spoke sharply as she pushed out of her chair unable to control her growing anger and frustration.
“Don’t, don’t you dare shout at me. I am here with him day in and day out while you’re out in the fields or with the cattle. I am the one taking care of him, feeding him, bathing him, teaching him…I’m sorry if I’m a little frightened at the moment.”
Ben began to cry and Lisbet picked him up and held him close to her.
“I’m not gonna get into who does more for him or with him, Lisbet. The fact of the matter what he is our son. I understand you’re scared, so am I.” Rayne stroked Lisbet’s hair. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to snap at you. But thinking the worst isn’t gonna help.”
“I’m sorry, too. I just…oh, Rayne, what will happen if your father takes him?” Tears started to fall freely down Lisbet’s cheeks and Ben cried louder.
Rayne went to Lisbet and Ben and engulfed them in her arms. She hugged them close while they both cried. “Shhh, I won’t let anything or anyone break our family apart. That I promise you both.”
Rayne feared that her father taking Ben was a real possibility but she couldn’t let Lisbet know that. As quickly as Ben had become a part of their family, her father could take him away just as quickly. I can’t let that thought get to me. I can’t let Lisbet see my fear. Rayne closed her eyes as she held the two most precious people in her life. She tenderly kissed the top
of each of their heads.
Ben had stopped crying and slapped his hands against Rayne’s shoulder.
“Ouch, he packs quite a wallop. Come on, darling, dry those beautiful eyes. We have a boy that is demanding our attention.
Lisbet wiped her eyes as she pulled away from Rayne’s embrace. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have fallen apart that way. And what are you doing in here anyway? I’m thinking you have a lot of work that needs doing.”
“Honestly, I think I’d rather spend some time with you and this little guy. Why don’t you go play with him, I’ll take care of my dishes.” Rayne said as she stepped away from the blonde. “Then maybe later on we can walk down to the meadow and have a picnic.
†
Following Tom’s instructions, Sam and the Judge Martin stopped by the sheriff’s office. “You’re here. I didn’t expect to find you here. I thought you’d be out at the Mathews’ place,” Sam said.
“Been there and gone.” Tom stood and held his hand out. “Judge Martin, thanks for comin’ on such short notice.”
“I know how sensitive cases involving children can be, Tom. Why don’t you fill me in on what’s happened since you and I last spoke.”
“It’s be a fraught filled day, Judge” Tom filled the judge in on the events of the day before and some of the statements Mathews had made that morning. “I just don’t trust the man, Judge. There’s somethin’ that is pure evil about him but I just can’t put a finger on what it is.”
Judge Martin sat with his fingers steepled against his lips as he listened to the sheriff’s interpretation of the events. “I am in agreement that it is time for me to intervene in this situation. Please get the doctor and Mr. Mathews and meet me out at Rayne’s place.” He turned to Sam. “You can come with me and show me how to get to the ranch. It won’t hurt to have another body there either.”
Within two hours, three more men arrived at Rayne’s small ranch. They joined Judge Martin, Sam, Rayne, and Lisbet who were all sitting around the kitchen table drinking coffee and talking.
Rayne and Lisbet knew they would have the answer regarding the future of their family when Tucker barked announcing the arrival of Clayton Mathews, Doc Adams and the sheriff. They clutched hands under the table. Now was not a time to openly show their affection.
“Honey, we gotta trust that the Lord will guide the judge to what’s right.” Rayne whispered to Lisbet as she went to the door to open it. Lisbet simply nodded and held back her tears as best she could.
When Rayne opened the door for Tom, Doc, and her father, Mathews brushed past Rayne and walked straight toward Ben and picked him up. “Hey there, boy, come to your grandfather. I’m gonna take you home where you belong.”
With Ben screaming in his arms, he looked toward the man he figured was the judge. “It’s time I get going, so if you don’t mind telling these two that the boy belongs with me, I can get on my way home.”
Judge Martin spoke and got Mathews’ attention. “Well now, I suppose the deputy could tell you that, but it ain’t up to him, it’s up to me.” A snicker went throughout the room. “And before I do anything, I believe we all have a few things to discuss. Put that boy down, we can’t figure anything out with him screamin’ and hollerin’ like that’.”
Mathews’ face turned red as he looked directly into the judge’s eyes. “Now see here. I’m this boy’s grandfather and I…”
“I’m well aware of who you are and so’s you know, I’m Judge Fredrick Martin, and I said put the boy down.”
Lisbet reached for Ben who immediately stopped screaming and crying the moment he left Mathews’ arms.
“Judge, I demand that you instruct these two to turn the boy over to me.”
“Mr. Mathews, sit down and be quiet. You will get your turn once I ask my questions of you first.” Judge Martin sucked in a calming breath.
Mathews sat down and shot Rayne and the sheriff an evil look. “Just for the record, I don’t like being ignored and I certainly don’t like the way you people are treating me. This whole situation is Jason’s fault along with that whore of a daughter.”
“Mr. Mathews, if you speak out of turn once more, I will instruct the sheriff to escort you to jail. Is that clear?”
Mathews nodded.
“Now, can you describe Rayne’s childhood for me,” the judge asked.
“I can’t see what bearing it has on any of this,” Mathews said.
“Then I suppose it’s a good thing I’m the judge and not you. Now please, tell me about it.”
“I will tell you, that one there was a handful. Obstinate child, disrespectful lazy. There was nothing I could do with her.”
“I see, so you had to take a switch to her a time or two.”
“I swear she wasn’t happy if she didn’t have me take a stitch to her two, three times a day,” Mathews said. “I should have beaten more respect into her and we wouldn’t be sitting here today.”
“I see,” Judge Martin said. “How many other children do you have and how were their childhoods?”
“A son, Jason—Ben’s father— and another daughter, Maggie. Their childhoods were happy. Well behaved kids they were, makes me wonder why that one there was so bad.”
“Rayne, who takes care of this ranch and the cattle around here?”
“I do, Judge. It’s my ranch left to me by my Uncle Luke. I bought the cattle, I tend to them, sell them. I work the fields. I plow them, plant them, harvest them…and sell what crops I don’t need.”
“I see. Sheriff, how long have you known Rayne?”
“I’d say about six years.”
“And in those years, have you known anyone else to take care of the ranch, the cattle, and the crops?”
“No, sir. Rayne has always handled it all. Of course when Emma was alive she took care of the house, sort of like Lisbet does, and at times they would help out one another with the chores.”
“But for the most part, it falls to Rayne to handle the running of the Rocking M Ranch?”
“Yes.”
“And how about the rest of the townsfolk…what’s their opinion of Rayne?”
“They respect her. Anyone would drop anything to help her out if she called.”
“She have any troubles with the law?”
“When she first arrived, she had some trouble with another rancher, Sprigs was his name. He drew on her and she happened to be faster.”
“Rayne, you killed a man?” Mathews shouted.
“Sheriff, will you take that man to your jail?”
“Sure will, Judge.”
“For now just stand by him and the next time he speaks out of turn handcuff him and take him away.” The judge turned to Rayne. “Tell me about this Sprigs fellow.”
“I did not shoot him by choice. He was intent on killing me. He wanted my ranch because it has water running through it,” Rayne said, her tone devoid of emotion.
The judge looked at Mathews. “You look like you have something you want to say.”
“Yeah, I do. There you go, your honor, proof that she isn't fit to raise the boy.” Mathews stood and went toward Ben to pick him up again.
“Sit back down,” the judge commanded. “You will stay seated until I say you may stand. Is that understood, Mr. Mathews?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You are wearing my patience thin. From what I understand, Rayne is a fine upstanding woman, more than capable of raising a child. She has the respect of the town and is respectful of others, and doesn’t look for trouble. I also am told that just before he died, the boy’s father requested that Rayne raise his son and that under no circumstance did he want you, Mr. Mathews, anywhere near Ben. What do you have to say about that, sir?”
“I would say there is nothing this abomination would lie about to get her way. It’s something she contrived to keep me away from my grandson.” Mathews grinned, behaving as if he had just made an undeniable point.
“Doctor Adams, what do you recall of the night Rayne’s brother pass
ed away.”
“The young man told Rayne that their father was alive—a fact that shocked Rayne, he also said that he didn’t want his son being raised by the man. He asked Rayne to raise Ben and keep their pa away from him.”
“I see.”
“Lisbet, were you there in the room that night?”
“I had gone to get Jason some water and had just walked back into the room as he said that their father knew where Rayne was and for her to not let him take Ben.”
“I see. Thank you, Lisbet.”
“Rayne what do you remember of your childhood?” the judge asked.
“The most I remember are beatings for no reason.”
“I see. Do you suppose that there may be a reason your brother didn’t want your father raising his son?”
“I couldn’t say. I assumed it was because Father has deep expectations and makes it difficult for you if you don’t fulfill them.”
“Mr. Mathews, what do you have to say about that?”
“It’s a lie. When did I ever make things difficult for you?”
“How about the last time you beat me? If I recall it was because I didn’t want to spend my life married to a man as old as you who I didn’t know or even like.”
Mathews looked at the judge. “May I say something in rebuttal?”
The judge nodded;
“And what did that earn me? A splitting headache, and you too much of a coward to stay around for when I came to.”
“You were gonna kill me, and I protected myself the only way I could. I’m sorry I hit you and ran. I thought I’d killed you and I was afraid.” Rayne had tears in her eyes.
“You see, she admits it! She would have killed me. It was just pure luck I’m standing here today.” Mathews pointed his finger toward Rayne.
“Let me tell you what I see, Mr. Mathews,” Judge Martin said. “I see a man who has no love for one of his own. Who would rather beat his child than guide her. I see a man who had so damaged his relationship with his son that he took his family and died with his last words used to express his fear of his son being raised by you. I also know that it isn’t just Rayne’s word. It was Jason’s dying wish. I have the doctor’s word as well as that of Lisbet that it was Jason’s wish. I have to do what I believe is the best interest for that boy. Given the information I have, and what I’ve just heard, it is my opinion that the best place of young Ben here, is to stay where his father wanted him—with his sister, Rayne. That sir is my final say. It will be up to Rayne to decide if you can see Ben or spend time with him but he is to remain here.”
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