by Rita Hestand
Hunt couldn't stay out of the house. He had to invent reasons just so he could slip into the house and see his babies. He wore fatherhood like a plate of armor, close to him.
Cole was taken aback at the babies and began to seriously consider settling down himself. He had even ventured over to see Miss Lucy a couple of times. Each time he came home with a big smile on his face.
Jodi was growing used to motherhood quickly and enjoyed beating Hunt from the house.
She adored the way he worshiped his children. Nothing could have pleased her more. She knew deep down that if it hadn't been for him, she would never have been this happy.
Everything was going well, yet it was time to return to work. Hunt slowly got back into it, planning for the winter. He began to finish his repairs along with getting the stock settled in the south pasture.
They finally finished the bunkhouse, making it spacious for the men. Built out of pine and oak, it had a cozy feel to it. It was no ordinary bunkhouse, though, because they took special pains to see it had comfortable beds and a well equipped kitchen, and a room to sit by the fire in during the cold months.
It was nearly Christmas when Cole went to officially call on Lucy. He had bought a ring and was going to ask her to marry him.
Willy spent his spare time over at Sarah's.
One late afternoon, when the snow was falling hard, Jodi was home alone with the babies. Hunt had gone out to the pastures to check on the cattle.
Jodi had just put the babies down for a nap and she was going to make Hunt a birthday cake when she heard the door. Thinking it was Hunt, she ran to greet him. She ran into Hershel instead.
He looked strange. He was sweating and his face was pale, but he moved with a direct purpose. “Well now, lookie here. I'm glad I waited. You done had that baby, I guess. That's good 'cause babies just get in the way. And look at you; you've filled out like a real mama, haven't you? I like that.”
“Hershel, please…don't do this,” she begged him, silently hoping the babies wouldn't cry out and alert him to their presence. It was her worst fear that he would hear them.
“Do what? I'm just visitin' an old friend.” He chuckled loudly, as though he was in some strange kind of pain. He glanced around. “Well now, there's been some real changes around here, hasn't there?”
“Hershel, look, I forgive you for what you did. But, please…just go away…please.”
“Aw now, honey, is that any way to talk to me?” He sort of limped toward her, as though he couldn't quite walk. She watched his actions.
“What's wrong with you, Hershel? Why are you walking like that?” She glanced at the way he sort of sauntered towards her.
“Oh well…nothing, nothing at all. I just ran into a rattlesnake. Funny, but snakes don't usually move around that much in the winter. I was just kickin' at some old rocks, and out he came. I'm okay, they can't kill me.” Hershel's voice was shrill.
“What?” she shrieked. “Let me see. Where were you bitten?”
“Now don't you go worrrin' about me, honey. I want to see you. That's what I came back for is you…”
“Hershel, if you have any decency at all…” Jodi tried not to tremble in front of him. But the sweat was pouring off him now, and he could barely stand. He drew a chair from the table and almost fell into it.
He sat there, hardly able to sit up straight, and he looked at her.
“I don't. I never did have…did I? All I ever wanted was for you to notice me. Yeah…kinda silly, huh?” His eyes rolled in his head. “You always had your nose in the air when I was around. Used to make me so mad. Like you was better than me. But I knew your old dad and he wasn't better.”
“I've noticed you Hershel, but I don't have any feelings for you. I'd be lying if I said I did. Now let me look at that bite.” She got up and went to stand near him.
“No. Hey, I'm fine. Just came to see my girl.”
“Hershel, you could die. Please, let me have a look at it.”
“I'm too young to die,” he stated before he fell over onto the floor and lay there. He was very still, but the sweat continued to pour from him. Jodi wanted to scream she was so scared. What should she do? What could she do for Hershel now? Maybe she could cut the poison out. She had hated this man for so long. Now…all she felt was pity.
Afraid to go near him, she waited a minute to see if he would try to get up. When he didn't, she bent to his side.
He was still alive, barely.
“I loved you Jodi…but you never would look at me…” His voice was only half there, as though he was crossing over Jordan as he spoke.
“Don't, Hershel,” she cried, holding his head up and wishing someone was here to help her with him. “Where were you bitten?”
“On the leg…” he gasped. “Out there in your yard, a rattlesnake. Can you believe a rattlesnake got me in the winter? It's…so…strange.”
“Lie still, let me have a look,” she demanded, taking his boots off and removing his socks. She pulled the pant leg up and saw the wound. It was red and raw and a long streak was headed up his leg. He was dying. It was too late to save him. But she had to try, even after what he had done to her. He was a human being, she reasoned.
“Hershel…I'm sorry,” she cried, looking into his handsome young face.
“Don't cry…I ain't going to…die,” he barely uttered. “I'm sorry…Jodi…”
“Hershel, I've got something to tell you. I wasn't going to, but now…I have to,” she began. “It wouldn't be right to keep it a secret…I guess.”
But it was too late; his head fell off her arm as she held him up from the floor. He was dead. She looked down into his face and whispered with tears rolling down her cheeks, “You have two beautiful children. But you'll never know…”
She couldn't help it. She cried long and loud and helplessly as she sat there with his head in her lap. She cried for him, for her, and for the babies.
She held him there on the floor for a long time, until Hunt came home from the pasture.
He entered the house and found her cradling Hershel Walker in her arms.
She looked up at him. “He's dead.”
“My God, Jodi, what happened?” Hunt asked, coming toward her and taking her away from him.
Then he saw the leg and he knew. He grimaced. “A snake?” He sounded as though he didn't believe it could happen either. Then, he nodded as though he suddenly understood it all. “It was divine intervention, Jodi. Meant to be. We'll take his body away and see he gets a decent burial. But I have to tell you, I’m glad it's all over. Although, I wouldn't wish a rattlesnake on anyone. It's over; it's finally over, Jodi.”
“Yes,” she cried. “He didn't know, Hunt. I was about to tell him.”
“Maybe that's best,” Hunt said with reasoning. “Sometimes a man does things he can't live with, Jodi.”
“I felt sorry for him. I mean, I hated him. Truly hated him, but when he came in here today…all I could possibly feel was pity.”
“Honey, it's all behind us now and best forgotten,” Hunt said quietly. “You go check on the babies and I'll tend to this part of it.”
She nodded.
Hunt returned the body to his family. His father was broken up about it, but he was grateful to Hunt for bringing him home. The old man looked up, shook his head, and said, “He was a reckless, fool kid, but he was my son, and I loved him.”
Hunt nodded and left. He wouldn't add to the old man's misery.
≈≈≈
Three weeks later, Jodi and Hunt attended a local dance in town with their babies on their hips. The town hall building was the only one big enough to support so many people. It seemed there were more people here now, and that everyone had suddenly come alive.
Hunt proudly supported Rebecca, and Jodi carried Luke. Everyone gathered about them, wanting to hold them and pat them. Jodi smiled with such happiness that Hunt felt complete at last. The past was truly over, and a new future had begun.
As Jodi watched the
people gathering for dances, she saw Willy shyly approach Sarah. Sarah went into his arms eagerly. It was obvious that this was going to be a union. Jodi hugged Hunt to her. Then, half an hour later, Cole came riding up in a buggy to the dance, bringing Miss Lucy with him. She was wearing his engagement ring. They were smiling and laughing as he took her wrap and hung it up. Then, after greeting everyone and hugging the babies they began to dance.
Jodi looked around the room and sighed happily. Mrs. Hartman came over and took both babies over to show another neighbor. The twins were the hit of the entire dance.
“Oh Hunt, it's just so perfect.” Jodi said.
“What?” he laughed.
“Look at them.” She nodded toward Willy and Cole. “Willy and Sarah, and Cole and Lucy…they are so happy, and we have two of the cutest babies in the county. I am just bursting with joy.”
“You, my darling wife, have had quite a journey.”
“And I wouldn't change a thing.” She wiggled into his arms as the band struck up a lively tune that everyone whooped over. Dixie. Hunt immediately asked Jodi for a dance. She practically floated onto the dance floor.
Hunt was right, it had been a long journey, in which she had come back more whole than when she’d left. She could imagine Clem smiling and watching over her for the rest of her life.
She’d put the war behind her, she'd put Hershel behind her, and she had a future in front of her. She'd come full circle in her journey of life, and she made a promise to herself, to her husband, and to Clem that she'd never look back again.
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About the Author: Rita Hestand
Deep in the Heart of Texas comes author Rita Hestand. Mother, grandmother and even great-grandmother. A widow, Rita spends a lot of time with her grand children, making movies of their exciting times in life. She writes a variety of work, you'll find her hand in contemporary, as well as historical, romance, children's stories and children’s books. And even poetry on occasions. She believes in God, family, and the motto of never giving up.
Music moves her, movies enrapture her to write, children give her purpose. She is constantly stimulated by the urge to learn more, and believes that life is never over until you stop learning.