Mail Ordered Deception

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Monica had thrown herself into her chores the next few weeks. The more she worked, the less she had time to worry about Jackson, Little Beth and the ranch. She did not concern herself anymore with whether or not they needed her. Bethany was young and could learn to adapt, she told herself. Jackson…well, Monica had never before felt love. Her only experience on the subject being in books. It was easy then to convince herself that the gazes and touches were not love at all, but simply lust. It was a simple case of chemistry. This was something Monica had to convince her heart daily as it refused to believe the logic. Her real concern was that Terrance was still there, doing whatever he may without anyone being there to expose his treachery. The man could easily ruin the ranch and put Jackson and Bethany out on the street, not to mention all the people that counted on Jackson for their paychecks and their families’ lives.

She wavered daily on whether or not to confide in her mother about her worries, and her feelings for Jackson. Every time she thought she would , her mother would need to send her on a chore, or complain that she was tired and needed to rest. Her mother kept up with the sewing she was charged with, but otherwise, the chores, the cooking, the cleaning, and the trips to town were all up to Monica. She began to wonder if her mother was not far behind from joining her father.

Every day she checked the mail looking for a return on the divorce papers, and every day she left the post office empty handed. Headed back home, Monica suddenly felt dizzy and had to stop to sit down, even though she was on the side of the street. It was only stress, she figured, and she continued on her way. Before she could reach the buggy however, another wave of dizziness hit her and she grabbed a nearby post for support. A passerby noticed her distress and offered her hand.

“Are you alright, miss?”

“I’m fine. I just need a rest.” Monica sat down and fanned herself with her hand.

“Here, have some water.” The woman handed over a canteen, and Monica took it gratefully, taking a deep swig of the cool water. As soon as it hit her stomach though, she was overcome by nausea and proceeded to heave in front of her, barely keeping her breakfast contained.

“I’m sorry you had to see that miss…?”

“Kalyn Mathews, ma’am. And not to worry, I’m a nurse, so I promise you, I’ve seen much worse.” Monica nodded and continued to sit until the nausea had fully passed. When she stood, Kalyn took her arm and led her down the walk.

“Oh. My buckboard is the other way.” Monica pointed in the opposite direction that they were walking in.

“That doesn’t matter. You are going to the doctor now.” Monica tried to protest, but Kalyn was stubborn and pulled her along anyhow. “Trust me, dearie. It is best you get looked at before you try driving a wagon home. Can’t have you passing out halfway there, now can we?” Monica conceded that would be an unfortunate turn of events and allowed herself to be taken into the doctor’s office.

The town doctor, Dr. Landry had been the town doctor for many years. Though without an official medical degree, Dr. Landry was the most well knowledged and equipped doctor for many miles around. Monica sat in the waiting room while Kalyn went to grab the doctor from the back. Dr. Landry came out and stuck her hand out to Monica.

“Ms. Greene, a pleasure as always. Come on back and we will figure out what is going on with you.” Monica followed her back and sat on the medical bed behind the curtain.

“I’m sure it is nothing doctor,” Monica shrugged. “I have just been stressed out lately and it is affecting my sleep, which is apparently now causing dizzy spells.”

“Don’t you know how much I love it when my patients already know what’s wrong with them before I examine them?” she said sarcastically. “It saves me so much guesswork.”

“I’m sorry doctor, go ahead.” Dr. Landry took out her stethoscope and had Monica take several deep breaths placing it in various spots on her chest and back.

“Open your corset, please.” the doctor requested in the most respectful tone. Monica obliged, pulling down the top half of her dress so it hung over her skirt and untied the corset, moving it out of the way. Dr. Landry took the stethoscope again and placed it further down over her stomach. She held it there for a full minute before pulling it away. “You may dress again.” Monica pulled her corset back on and her dress back up over her arms.

“So, do you know what’s wrong with me, doctor?” Monica hoped it was something simple, a quick tonic type of remedy.

“Well, you were partly correct, it is stress related.” Monica waited for her to continue. “You should be cured in roughly eight months or so.” Monica blinked, not quite comprehending what Dr. Landry was insinuating. “You’re pregnant, Ms. Greene.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Monica stuttered, in complete disbelief.

“Congratulations, dear.”

Jackson’s Point of View

With some intense determination and willpower, Jackson was able to keep the depression from taking him over. He refused to put Bethany through that a second time and it took too long for him to come out of it when it had. Jackson had used Monica’s notes to keep a better handle on the ranch, and he noticed that the sickness that was taking his foals was coming around less and less as time went on. It was strange how simply keeping a better eye on things seemed to make the situation better, but Jackson was not one to look a gift horse in the mouth so to speak. His buyers were returning and things were looking up all around.

The only exceptions were with Bethany and himself. Despite their fortunes turning and money coming in regularly again, the smiles and laughs had seemed to leave the manor completely. Bethany did her studies but it took twice as long, and she played less. Her only joy seemed to come from the random tickle attacks Jackson would surprise her with throughout the days. These moments helped to keep him smiling as well. The infectious laugh would spread to him and he would be happy again, if only for a few minutes. If nothing else, Monica left with Jackson and Bethany’s bond stronger than it had ever been.

One night, Jackson was in his study when there was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” he called out. Terry came in with a deep frown and walked up to the desk. “Terry, what is wrong now?” Terry took the whiskey from the second hand drawer and poured himself a glass. He offered one to Jackson but he shook his head.

“No thank you. I refuse to touch the stuff anymore.” Shrugging, Terry drank his glass in one large gulp. “Now out with it. You are making me nervous.”

“The sickness. It came back.” Jackson threw his head down onto his desk. ‘Of course’, he thought. ‘Now that my reputation is finally coming out of the gutters, it returns’.

“How many?” Jackson growled, angry at the world for hitting him while he was down.

“Are you sure you won’t have a drink, Jack?” Terry began, but Jackson cut him off.

“Damn it Terry, how many?!”

“Six, sir. They are gone.” Frustrated, Jackson let out a yell and threw the bottle of whiskey across the room. The glass shattered on the wall and Jackson could not hold back anymore. He broke down into his chair and cried all of the tears he held back for a full month. Terry stayed in the room with him, patting his back. When he had finally had enough, Jackson sat back up and used his hand to pull his hair back smooth. Suddenly, the door swung open again and Wesley stepped in.

“Sir? The mail is here.” Jackson wanted to deal with anything other than face the ranch slipping back so he welcomed the distraction.

“Bring it over, Wesley.” Contrary to how Terry entered the room, Wesley was grinning ear to ear and was practically skipping to the desk.

“What has you in such a good mood?” Jackson asked, genuinely curious. He felt he could use some good news at that moment.

“I happened to see a piece of mail for you sir. One from a law firm.” Confused, Jackson took the mail from him and sure enough, on top was an envelope from a company called Banks and Banks Divorce and Prenups at Law.

“These are my divorce papers, Wesley. Why on earth does that make you so happy?”

“Because, sir, look at the address they want you to send it to. Humoring him, Jackson took a look at the preprinted envelope attached and it read

Send to the following address;

551 Prairie Banks Rd, Williamsburg Virginia

To one Monica Porter

Jackson stared at the letter grasping at his only turn at hope. He finally had a way to find her. Wesley was practically bouncing up and down.

“You can bring her home, sir.” Jackson was torn. More than anything he wanted to bring her back to them. The only thing holding him back was that he feared she would not want to come back. Not even if he begged and professed his love for her. He debated back and forth over and over before finally coming to a decision.

“Thank you Wesley. Can you go get my driver ready? I have a train to catch.” Wesley ran out of the room leaving Jackson and Terry alone. Jackson figured even if she did not return with him, she could at least offer a full explanation as to why she left in the first place.

“I don’t think it would be a good idea to go after her,” Terry said quickly. Jackson looked up at him and noticed sweat beading on Terry’s forehead.

“Why ever not?”

“I..I just do not want to see you get hurt again. Is twice not enough for you?”

“Terry, I am not going to delude myself into thinking she will come back with me, but I deserve to know why she left.”

“Look, I did not want to have to show you this, but if you really need to know why she left, this is why.” Jackson watched as Terry pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it over.

“What is this?”

“It is a letter that Monica received from her mother a couple of months ago. It clearly says why she married you in the first place, and why she left.” Terry handed Jackson the letter and as he read, Jackson became even more confused.

“No. This makes no sense.”

“Of course it does. She was using you from the very beginning. Taking your money, and once she had enough, she was done with you and left.” Jackson crumpled the letter between his fists.

“You knew all this time. You knew and did not say anything,” Jackson half yelled. Terry backed away from him.

“I did not want to be the one to break the news to you.”

“This changes nothing. I need to hear it from her. This can not be all of it.” Terry pleaded with Jackson not to go, to the point it annoyed him. He could not understand why Terry was so against talking to Monica but it was no matter to him at the moment. His driver was ready and it was time to go. On his way out, he instructed Wesley to keep an eye on Bethany. Wesley agreed and when Jackson got to the train station, he purchased a ticket for the next train to Williamsburg.