Mail Ordered Deception

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Monica went to check on Bethany who was enjoying her Sunday off. Though they did not attend church, Monica made sure that they had a good Sunday School service just the two of them first thing that morning. So when she found Bethany playing ‘Noah’s Ark’ with her toy animals, Monica felt very proud.

“Bethany, would you like to come with me?” Excitedly, Bethany took her hand and the two walked down the path to the workers’ houses. When they got there, Monica was pleased to see the repairs already well underway. The roofs, porches, and windows were all getting fixed, and kids were running around playing with the kittens.

“Can I go play with them, please?” Bethany looked at her pleadingly, folding her hands together to beg. Monica laughed at her adorable face.

“Of course you may, Little Beth. Have fun.” The child squealed in delight and ran to join the others. When she was sure that Bethany was well entertained in her own fun, Monica went to the first woman she saw. She was tending to a vegetable garden and was wearing a hat to protect herself from the sun.

“Joey!” The woman suddenly hollered. A little boy, no older than Bethany, came running.

“Yes’m,” he said impatient, seeming to want to get back to his game.

“Fetch me that bucket of water.” The bucket appeared to be half the size of the boy, but proved his strength by retrieving it from the side of the house and bringing it to his mother. “Now go back and play,” she said and he scurried off. The woman scooped herself a mouthful and swallowed. She still had not noticed Monica’s presence so when Monica cleared her throat, the woman jumped startled.

“I am so sorry for surprising you. I just wanted to see if there was anything I could do to help around here.” Once the woman collected herself, she stood and looked around her.

“Goodness me, ma’am. There is plenty to be done aroun’ here. Not much for a lady as yourself though ma’am.”

“Believe me, I am not concerned with the type of work to be done. Just point me in the direction and I will do whatever it is that needs doing.”

“If’n you say so miss.” She pointed down to the third house from them. “See that house there?” Monica nodded in response. “The people there just had twins ya see, not even a week ago. The poor woman’s garden needs a weedin and a harvestin. Then the next house down has a stinger’s nest the size of a melon under the porch that no one wants to touch. And the house on the very end, well the child is sick and he only has a father now. Since he works in the manor, someone needs to be cleanin his vomit bucket.” Monica groaned a little at the last one but rolled up her sleeves and got to work.

Jackson’s Point of View

The drive to town was uneventful but quick as he made it quickly to the local vet. He seemed to be in his office which hopefully meant he was not busy and could indeed come out. Jackson went to the door and knocked on the wood. Not long into waiting, the door opened revealing a gray bearded man wearing overalls and a plaid shirt, yet carried a doctor’s bag. He wore big round glasses and he smiled upon seeing Jackson.

“Mr. Porter! A pleasure seeing you here!” The vet yelled as though hard of hearing. “What brings you my boy?!” Jackson chuckled to himself at the man’s giddy behavior.

“My horses are sick Dr. Lott, could you come look at them?” Jackson asked, not wanting to shout and risk potential customers hearing his plight,

“Your courses are big?! Which are they?! I love a good race course!” Jackson shook his head in exasperation. He had to be louder.

“No, Dr. Lott! My horses are sick! Please come!” This time, he heard the message.

“Of course I’ll come Mr. Porter!” Together they drove back to the ranch and Jackson worried about what Dr. Lott might say. What if he said the entire herd needed to be culled and he had to begin from scratch? Not impossible, but he would never find a stud as high of a pedigree as Prince and the mares he had, rarely had stillborn foals or issues delivering. Starting from scratch could mean a multitude of unknowns and challenges. The car went directly to the barns and Dr. Lott went right in without waiting for Jackson to catch up. He immediately began working, checking the foals first, then the mothers. The man did not say a word as he went, all the vital signs were checked and some crude blood work done. When he finished, Dr. Lott smiled.

“Well, Dr. Lott? What is killing my horses?”

“I have no idea! Your horses are in peak health! I would not change a thing!” Dr. Lott shouted. Jackson stood there more confused than before. Something had to be wrong. The only other option was Prince. Something must have changed as he was getting older to inhibit his offspring. So, he had Dr. Lott check. Once again though, nothing was found Prince was in the best shape he had ever been. He was much more gentle too, easier to work with. That was all Monica’s doing, he thought. But now, he was back at square one.

Dr. Lott was driven home by himself, and Jackson set himself off to find Monica and Bethany. They were not in the manor and Jackson did not see them in any of the barns. The only other option was down by the houses again. So off he went. It did not take him long to reach his destination and he scanned the row. He heard the now familiar laughter of his daughter as she ran and played with the children around her. Jackson did not know why he never thought to bring her here to play with other kids around her age. It was a great idea though. He found Bethany, but where was Monica? Jackson walked along the houses but could not see her.

“Ouch!” Her voice rang out from an unknown area. “Ow! Ow! Ow! Son of a dangnabbit biscuit eater!” Jackson laughed at her makeshift cursing and saw her emerge from underneath a porch, holding a large wasp’s nest. His laugh quickly died as she ran and tossed it far away into a field. She ran away from where she had thrown it and stopped to catch her breath. Jackson saw a sunburn on her cheeks and arms and the wisps of her hair clung to her face. She saw him staring and quickly tried to fix her appearance.

“Jackson!” she exclaimed, pulling her wisps back and straightening the wrinkles on her dress. Jackson approached her and took her arm in his hand. He saw several stings with the stingers still lodged in her arm. He was sure the other was much the same way.

Gingerly, he pulled the stingers out, one by one. Jackson was careful not to leave any as he traced his fingers along her forearm to feel for the bumps of the stingers. When her arms were clear, he saw one on her neck and one on her cheek. When he reached for the one on her neck, he saw her breathing quicken and her face flush. His own hands shook as he pulled it out with a slight wince from her. Monica let out a breath as his hands moved up her neck to her cheek to pull out the final stinger. His hand cupped her cheek and he looked at her shining eyes. More than anything in that moment, Jackson wanted to capture Monica’s lips into a kiss.

“Daddy!” He heard Bethany shout and he quickly stepped away from Monica. He loved his daughter but she had the worst timing.

Monica’s Point of View

Her arms barely hurt from the stings by the time that Jackson had finished removing them, and when he was gazing at her with what looked like adoration, she forgot about them entirely. If Bethany had not come running when she did, would he have kissed her, there in the open, and sober? Monica’s cheeks were red and heated from the exchange as she let them have their father and daughter moment. When they signaled it was time to go home, she followed behind them, glad to be alone with her thoughts.

It was difficult to believe another day had come and gone and Monica realized that she was having a much easier time calling this place home. The people she interacted with were kind, supportive and did not treat her as an outsider. All except for Terrance that is. She pushed the thought of him out of her head. Today was a great day and she would not let him ruin it.