by Indiana Wake
“If you don’t mind me asking, who is Belle?” Emily asked Lawton curiously.
“Oh, she’s one of the cows,” Lawton replied. “One of Father’s favorites. She’s a bit late this year. They usually have a set breeding time but this year, Ole Belle got it into her mind to have a baby later than everyone else.”
“Do you name all your animals,” Emily asked.
Lawton shook his head. “There are too many and the cattle out on the range… well, we just couldn’t keep up. But the ones that stay on the farm, yes we name those. It was something my mother started and has been continued on since. By naming them, they become beings to be cherished and nurtured, not just animals to be butchered and used to our desires as we see fit.”
“That is very nice of you and much different from the farmers I have known in the past,” Emily said softly, almost as if she were stating it to herself. She turned to Foster and asked, “Where is Mrs. Treherne? Will she not be joining us for dinner?”
Foster felt the pain of a knife wound deep in his gut. He looked down at his lap. “Unfortunately, my wife passed away a long time ago,” he said and even to his own ears the words had a forlorn and hopeless sound.
Emily looked down at her plate and then her eyes rose and Foster felt them meet his, there was power in them and strength.
“I am so sorry,” Emily said. “That must have been very hard for you.”
“The West is a hard master, sometimes it is no place for women,” Foster said and then he could no longer look at the beauty before him. What if something were to happen to her? What if she succumbed to illness like his sweet Sarah?
Susan, seeing the sad look in all their eyes, made to change the subject. “Where were you traveling from, Emily?” she asked.
Oh, from the East,” Emily replied, evasively.
Lawton looked up at her suspiciously, intrigued by the way she had chosen to answer the question.
Ellie turned from Jarrett, her eyes bubbling with excitement. “Oh, how wonderful! We are from the East as well! Where in the East were you from, we moved here from the ……..”
“Oh I was from a different region in the East,” was all Emily said in response. “This roast is absolutely delicious! Who made it? I simply must have the recipe.” And hence the topic was changed yet again.
Lawton found himself observing the table. The two sisters were happy and carefree, so pleased that they had a guest. His father was behaving like a smitten teenager. But what about Emily? There was a wildness about her, like a mustang that was not yet tamed. Often he would catch her glancing around as if she were afraid and she ate so much he wondered where she put it. Her frame was thin, maybe a little too thin and what had caused the scar on her face? He knew his father would be angry at such scrutiny, but something about this woman rang a warning bell. Something did not sit right and he knew she was keeping something from them. After all why else had she avoided telling them anything about herself?
Chapter 5
Lawton took to watching Emily as over the next few days she became an integral part of the family. She would help the girls with the household chores. Would knit in a corner in the evenings after dinner, and would be a part of the different debates and discussion that took place between members of the family. All in all, she seemed intelligent, friendly and informed. Occasionally he would catch her hand as it strayed to the scar on her face. Her cheeks would flush crimson and she would lower her head. It was obvious that the scar shamed her and he itched to ask her how she got it. Was it the reason she was here? Was there something more sinister, perhaps she was even an outlaw? He shook his head it was not like him to be so fanciful and Susan and Ellie had taken to her so much. He knew it would hurt his wife if she were somehow wrong.
One morning he watched his father. Foster Treherne pulled out a chair when she wished to sit. He leaned forward and hung on her every word and Lawton was sure that his father was blushing. It was obvious the man was entranced by her. He sought out her opinion in simple matters and went out of his way to make sure that she was well accommodated or that she did not want for anything. Lawton saw all this from the sidelines and he did not like his father becoming so involved with a woman, who he did not trust.
One night, a week after Emily had come to stay with them, he knew he could take it no more. Alone in their room he sought out Susan’s council. “Susan I want you to listen to me and not be mad,” he said.
Her eyes clouded over and worry lined her pretty face. “What is it, my love?”
“I do not trust that Emily woman,” he said and he watched confusion as it crossed her face.
“Why ever not?” Susan asked, surprised.
“I just feel that there is something she isn’t telling us.”
“She has already told us so much, Lawton. What more is there to tell?”
“She has told us of her thoughts and opinions, her likes and dislikes. Not once has she talked about her past or where she comes from or why she was traveling in this direction. Don’t you wonder what secrets she is hiding?”
“It is not our place to wonder about her secrets,” Susan replied. “They are hers to share or to keep hidden and she did tell us about the tragedy that befell her.”
Lawton paced across the room. It felt so small and he longed to be on a horse and riding across the range. “She told us only generalizations. Nothing specific. Do we know the name of her Aunt? Where she came from? I worry so especially as father has become so enamored with her.”
“I think you are being a little unfair. Maybe this is about your Ma,” Susan said and she stopped his pacing with a gentle hand. “Come sit with me.”
“It is not,” Lawton said. “I miss Ma but that was a long time ago and I would love father to find love. But there is something not right here and it worries me.”
“Then come sit down and tell me all about it,” Susan said.
They sat on the bed, but Lawton could not rest. “Very well, why does she avoid any question asked of her? Whenever anyone brings up a question about where she comes from or what she did previously or anything from before she moved here, she completely skips to a different matter and takes our minds off the question. If you don’t believe me, I shall prove it to you tomorrow at dinner. Just observe her and if you don’t find anything off about her, I will never bring this up again.”
“I do believe you, darling and if it means that much to you, I shall observe her tomorrow. Now, we best go to sleep. You have a busy day of work on the ranch ahead of you and you need to be fresh as a bee.” And with that the conversation came to an end.
***
Lawton felt guilty as they sat around the dinner table. Emily seemed so nice and he noted that she made sure that she always sat to the right of father. Was she ashamed of the scar? He made a note to ask Susan. Tonight he would put his plan into play and he gave Susan a significant look before turning towards Emily.
She was in a deep conversation with Foster and was smiling at him in a delighted manner. Lawton cleared his throat and with another glance at his wife, said “Miss Emily, what is it like back where you came from?”
She turned to him, a slight flush coloring her cheeks. “Oh, it could be quite breathtaking,” she said, “especially in early spring. The trees were the brightest green, but they often have an outline of frost which made them an exquisite sight to behold. The flowers would have just begun to bloom, blowing new life into everything around them. The little furry animals would come out of hibernation, squiggling their little noses and curiously looking at the world as if seeing it for the first time. I would spend days outside just enjoying all nature had to show.”
“It sounds delightful,” Lawton said. He could feel the smile on his face slipping and he grinned so hard he feared his jaw would lock. “And where exactly did you say you were from? I can’t remember I’m afraid.” He raised his eyebrow waiting for an answer.
“Oh, I lived just outside a town a bit further out from the Delaware port,” Emily s
aid, without giving any more details. She turned back to Foster to continue their conversation, but Lawton interrupted again.
“And who did you say you were traveling with, again?”
“Oh, just a friend,” she replied shortly before turning back yet again to Foster.
But Lawton wasn’t finished yet; he had noticed the strained look around her eyes and an almost fleeting bout of fear. Giving Susan a look to confirm that his suspicions were right, he yet again asked, “You were visiting an Aunt, do we need to contact her? Or perhaps send word to your family back home?”
“That won’t be necessary,” Emily said shortly. She was becoming exasperated.
“Maybe we should have a service for your lost companion,” Susan jumped in to take some of the heat off her husband. “We could write to your family back where you live and ask them to join us. I’m sure it would give you some closure.”
“No that won’t be necessary,” Emily said decisively, looking caught and frightened.
“Why not? I believe it is a good way to get closure and say a proper goodbye to the departed.” Susan insisted.
Emily stood up. Her back was straight but there was a shake to her hand and a quiver on her lip. “Thank you for your concern but I do not need closure,” she said. “I have dealt with the loss and I am quite ok.” She turned to Foster and curtsying said, “I beg your pardon, but I believe I feel a bit unwell at the moment and must retire to my room, immediately. May I be excused?”
Foster stood as well and gave Lawton a stern look. “Yes certainly,” he said, “but if you aren’t well you shouldn’t be alone. Take Ellie or Susan to look after you and get you anything you need.”
“That won’t be necessary but thank you,” she said and with a twirl of taffeta she left the room.
Chapter 6
That night Lawton and Susan lay alone in the dark. As they cuddled together, they discussed all that had happened during dinner.
“I told you there was something suspicious about this woman,” Lawton said. “You are too trusting for your own good at times.”
“You were right; Lawton dear I won’t deny that she is hiding something. But did you see the look on her face when I suggested we write to her family? She was petrified. I have never seen someone so scared before. I love you my dear, but I do not think she is bad. Maybe she is in some kind of trouble and needs our help.”
“And what if she were some convict, escaped from wherever it is she comes from, running from the authorities? Our home would be the perfect place to lie low and hide until she is safe. Then she can just rob us or kill us all and be off, without a minute’s notice,” Lawton said.
“Why would she want to kill us, Lawton? We have been nothing but kind to her and she doesn’t look or act as a convict would. You are being paranoid. I beg you to give her a chance. We will be on our guard of course, but we shouldn’t assume the worse until she gives us a reason to do so. I do believe she is in some kind of trouble and if she would only open up to us, we could maybe help her.”
“I will give her a chance, only if you promise not to be so trusting of her. Do not fall for whatever sappy story she gives you,” Lawton said, wanting to protect his wife and not trusting the woman at all.
“I will, I promise. Now, enough of these talks of trust, betrayals and secrets. Let us say our prayers and then talk about children and our future together.”
Lawton pulled her close and kissed her behind the ear and Susan melted into him. Life was so very good.
***
The next day, Emily went up to Foster Treherne’s den, where he spent most of his afternoons and knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Foster said, gruffly.
She opened the door to find Foster deep in papers and calculations. Upon seeing her, a smile lit up his entire face.
Emily had grown fond of Foster. He was a kind man with a generous heart. He gave her his complete attention when she talked, respected and admired her opinions and treated her like an equal. She had found a friend in him and though she knew what she was going to say would hurt him, it would hurt her far more.
“Foster, I wanted to talk to you about something.” At first she had called him Mr. Treherne but after much insistence, she had reluctantly begun calling him Foster.
“Yes, please take a seat. What is it that you need to talk about? If there is anything I can do for you, Miss Emily?” Foster asked, his papers forgotten as he looked at her with concern in his eyes.
Feeling bad for what she was about to say, Emily continued, “I believe it is time, I leave. I have taken more than enough advantage of your hospitality and I cannot impose any longer. I have come to bid you goodbye and take my leave.”
Foster looked at her with his mouth agape for a minute before he asked, “Is something the matter? Are you not comfortable here any longer? Have I or one of my kin done something to offend you?”
“No, it is nothing like that at all. You all have been amazing, but I think it is high time I leave.”
“Do you have somewhere to go?” Foster asked.
Heat flooded her cheeks and she tried to turn away, but his gaze held her. Straightening her shoulders she looked back into kind eyes that saw right through her. “Not really,” she said, “but it is time.” Saying the words made her feel more confident but as he looked at her, she wanted to melt. Wanted to lean against his shoulder and let him take care of everything, but she couldn’t. She had stayed long enough and any longer could cause problems for all of them.
“Then it is settled, you’re not leaving,” Foster said.
Emily opened her mouth to protest, but he raised a finger and wagged it at her.
“I don’t want any more arguments about the matter,” he said. “You are staying until you have somewhere to go or your family comes to collect you.”
At the name of her family, Emily felt fear run down her spine and knew she had a spooked look in her eyes but it was gone so quickly that Foster wondered if he had imagined it.
She got up and curtsied. “Very well,” she said. “I shall stay a bit longer. I want to thank you, Foster, for being so kind and generous, even though I have done nothing to merit it.”
Foster waved a hand as if it were nothing. “You do a lot for this family, trust me. Now go and don’t let me hear you talking about leaving.”
Chapter 7
A little while after she had left, Foster had Mrs. Jenkins fetch Susan. When Susan had come and sat in front of her father in law, he began. “Miss Emily was just here to see me. Do you know what she wanted?”
“I haven’t the faintest clue,” Susan said honestly.
“She was here to tell me that she was leaving and that she had outstayed her welcome. What do you think put that notion into her head?”
Susan just looked at him silently, waiting for him to go on.
“She didn’t say a word, but I’m sure it had to do with that little interrogation session you and your husband put her through, yesterday evening,” Foster continued. “She is a guest and one that you brought into this house. I expected such ruthless behavior from Lawton but you; I never imagined you could do something like that. She is our guest and we should treat her as one instead of interrogating her like one would a criminal. What did you both mean by it?”
“Nothing father, we were merely curious, but you are right we overstepped and made our guest feel uncomfortable. I shall apologize for our behavior last night. You needn’t worry it won’t happen again.” Susan said, placating her father and feeling remorse for the way they had treated Emily.
“Good girl, you have a good head on your shoulders, child. I expect you to use it to keep Lawton out of trouble as well. My dear child, if not for you… we would all be in a mess. Lawton was so difficult before you arrived. I know I am a bit harsh at times but it is only because I expect so much more from you,’ Foster said, his eyes and tone softening.
“I won’t let you down, father. I really am sorry,” she hugged him and then left the r
oom with his permission.
That night, she told Lawton of how disappointed his father had been in them both as well as Emily’s offer to leave. They both decided to give her the benefit of the doubt and to not to jump to conclusions yet. Thus, her secrets were put aside for a while and all was right at the Lazy T.
***
A few weeks after the incident, Emily was sitting in the little library of the house, snuggled deep into a corner sofa. She had nothing better to do as the girls were out to visit some friends in town, so she had come in to do some light reading.
She was engrossed in her book, when Foster came in, mumbling to himself and bee-lined straight to the books about animals. He had not even noticed Emily sitting in the corner. She sat entranced, watching him as he went through book after book, searching for something. He was mumbling to himself and seemed frenzied.
Emily found herself worrying as to what was causing this man to be in such a mess. Maybe she should have left the room quietly but it was too late. Seeing him this worried made her heart ache and she wanted to help him, had to help him. Surprised by her feelings but determined to help, she stood and approached him.
She tapped him lightly on the shoulder. “Is everything alright?” she asked.
Chapter 8
At her touch, Foster jumped a mile into the air, dropped the book he was holding and stood, holding his heart. “You scared me senseless there, Emily. I didn’t see you in here. Did you just come in?”
Emily bent and picked up the book he had dropped. She looked to see that it was a book about animal illnesses and their cures. She handed him the book. “No, I was sitting there, in the corner, reading when you came in,” she said as worry tugged at her heart. He looked tired and his face was a pasty shade of white. Was he ill? “Is something the matter?” she asked. “You seem troubled.”