Mail Ordered Deception

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Terry’s Point of View

Everything was on the verge of being ruined. Even with throwing Monica under the bus, Jackson had still chosen to go after her. He was willing to hear her out. If he could be taken in so easily by that woman, it was not much of a stretch to believe that he would believe her about what Terry had been up to. Jackson would find out and throw his old friend in jail. Fraud, horse thievery, slander of Jackson’s name, were just a few of the crimes Terry could be charged with. He would be lucky to get convicted with a hanging at that point. Terry saw only one way out. He needed to escape. But how could he get away and leave such a gold mine behind.

The foals from this ranch were proven to be a gold mine and Terry would not be reduced to nothing. Especially not because of a meddling girl who had no authority over

him. With Jackson out of town, it was the perfect opportunity to get away with everything.

Monica’s Point of View

Monica made it home without any further incident, but her mind was far from easy. Pregnant? How was that possible? She and Jackson only shared one night together. One beautiful, passionate night, but that was all it was. One night. As she fed the chickens and the pigs, the more worried she became. So she decided to ask her mother what to do. Inside, she found her mother rocking by the fire.

“Momma, can I ask you something?”

“Anything my girl.” Monica took a moment to compose herself.

“What could become of a woman who became pregnant and is unmarried?” Her mother’s head shot up and she stared at her.

“I don’t know where such a question came from, but it wouldn’t be good. That woman would have a very hard time gettin married for sure. In a town as small as this, news would spread faster than butter on hot bread, and she would be teased and ridiculed the rest of her days. The same fate would come to the child as well I’m afraid. Dare I ask why you want to know?” Monica’s heart shattered at the fate she had unintentionally condemned her child to and shook her head.

“No real reason momma. Something in a book I was reading.” Her mother visibly relaxed at this answer and went back to rocking. Monica spent the evening eating, making sure to have a second helping. Her mother did not notice the extra appetite and went to bed early. Monica decided to stay up a little later and do some planning. She was in the middle of a divorce, with child, and had nowhere to even put the child once it was born. She sat in her mother’s rocker, and as she watched the fire, she felt herself get sleepy. Before long, she had fallen asleep in the chair. When she woke up, it was to the sound of loud banging on the door.

Jackson’s Point of View

Thankful for the clear warm night, Jackson knocked on the door to the house, not afraid to throw some force into it. If they were sleeping, he wanted to make sure he was heard. Noises of feet shuffling around caused him to step back to allow the door to open. When it swung out, he was met with the barrel of a shotgun pointed in his face and Monica standing behind the trigger.

“This was not the greeting I was expecting but I was almost sure you would not shoot me, Monica.” Her eyes widened at seeing Jackson at the door, and she lowered the shotgun immediately.

“What are you doing here? How did you find me?” Monica backed away, her heart pounding loudly in her chest.

“Who’s at the door?” A woman’s voice called from another room.

“It’s just a dog momma!” She called back, pushing Jackson out of the way and stepping outside with him. “I’ll shoo it away.” She closed the door behind them for privacy. “What do you want, Mr. Porter?” She crossed her arms over her chest and looked away from him.

“I wanted to know why you left us; Why you left me.” Jackson could not bear being so close to her and yet she would not even look at him.

“I told you in the letter. I do not belong in your world. It just is not meant to be between us.”

“Terry told me about your scheme.” Monica squeezed her eyes shut, refusing to look up. “Was that really all I was to you? A mark to take money from? Was that all Bethany was to you?” Jackson knew his questions were harsh, but he needed to know.

“And if the answer is yes?” Monica whispered. Jackson sighed and held his hands up in defeat.

“Then I will leave. I will sign these divorce papers you sent me and you will never see me again.” Monica nodded, ready to accept her fate. “But, if that is not true. If any part of you holds a light for me, wants to come back home with me, then all you have to do is say the word, and I’ll take you home.” Monica still did not look at him. Jackson used his thumb to pull her eyes to meet his.

“You would really forgive me for deceiving you so?” her voice shook as she spoke, warming his heart with hope.

“I did read the whole letter. Yes, you lied, but it was for something that because of you, I have learned to value above all else. Family. You had to do something to help your father. I can learn to understand that.” Monica stared at him in disbelief. “I can see you are struggling to believe me. Maybe this will prove it to you.” Gripping her shoulders, Jackson pulled their bodies flush together and lowered his head to hers. When their lips touched, all of his walls broke down and he knew he could not leave her behind even if he wanted to. He wrapped one hand around her waist and the other around her neck, and deepened the kiss, pouring all of his love into it, praying she could read what he was saying without words. She responded to the kiss eagerly, her lips moving with his. When they finally parted to breathe, he cupped her cheek in his hand, the way he had done on several occasions before.

“Come home with me.” Jackson pleaded. Monica, breathless, nodded her head and he kissed her again, softer and quicker.

“There is just one thing.” Monica said. Jackson was willing to accept anything as long as she was agreeing to come back.

“Whatever it is, the answer is yes.” Monica smiled at him.

“I can not leave my momma here alone. My daddy did not make it.” Jackson held her close.

“I am so sorry my love. All you went through to try to save him, I can tell you were close.” Monica nodded her head in response. “Well, would your mother consider coming to live with us?” Monica blinked in surprise at his request. “She could stay in your old room.”

Monica’s Point of View

Everything was moving so quickly. Jackson had really come back for her, and was so determined to make things work that he offered to let her mother come along. Monica’s head was spinning at being able to come back and live a life with him, something she dared not believe was going to be possible before. Unable to contain her excitement, she dragged him back into the house.

“Momma! Momma! Come get out of bed quick!” Jackson chuckled at her behavior, but Monica paid it no mind. Her mother shuffled out of bed and made her way into the kitchen and dining area. Her eyes settled on Jackson and then back at Monica, clearly confused at what was going on.

“Monica dear, who do you got there?” Her mother asked raising a finger to point at him.

“Momma, this is Jackson Porter. My husband.” Instantly, her mother dropped to her knees and folded her hands in front of her. Addressing him directly, she begged Jackson not to be angry, and that she would find a way to pay him back for what they took. Monica helped her mother stand back up.

“Please,” she begged one more time, “I never shoulda had her do it, but I didn’t see another way.”

“It’s okay, momma. He already knows everything. And he isn’t angry.” Her mother appeared shocked.

“Then, why is he here?” She asked her daughter, sitting in her rocker.

“Mrs. Greene,” Jackson said, stepping next to the rocker and squatting down to her eye level, “I came because I love your daughter. What started out as a simple contract between us, grew into something more. I want more than anything to stay married to her and bring her back with me to my ranch. You as well, of course ma’am.” She stopped rocking immediately and her jaw dropped, clearly not expecting such a heartfelt response. Monica was practically swooning at his declaration, still unsure if this was real or just a dream.

“It’s true momma.” Monica chimed in. “Will you come with us?”

“Well, I don’t know.” Her mother said, looking off into the distance. “ I never dreamed of leaving this house, living anywhere without your daddy.” Monica hoped she would not fight coming along as leaving her mother alone would surely shave off the last few years of her life.

“It would mean a lot to me if you came,” Monica attempted sweetly. Her mother pursed her lips in thought for a while. Finally, she spoke.

“I guess it don’t make no difference where I am as long as I’m with family.” Monica jumped happily, hugging her mother. That is when what her mother said really hit her. Family! In all that excitement, Monica almost forgot her own news.

“Oh that reminds me. I have something to tell you two.” Monica tried to keep calm, but with everything going on, she could not help the grin on her face. Jackson stood to face her and she held his hands in hers. “Jackson, I found out today that I am going to have a baby.” This time it was Jackson whose mouth gaped open, clearly not expecting that to be what she had to say. Her mother simply covered her mouth with her hand. “Well, are you happy?” Monica asked, suddenly worried that Jackson would not want another child, especially after what happened to his first wife. Jackson collected himself and threw his arms around her, spinning her in the air,

“Am I happy? Oh far from it Monica, I am thrilled.” He finally said after setting her down. Her mother stood then and they all hugged each other.

They planned to leave first thing in the morning after a good night’s sleep and some packing. Monica shared a bedroom with her mother but they had separate beds. Her mother went back to sleep quickly, but that was not the case for Jackson and Monica. They spent quite some time talking about the future, about how Bethany would react to having a baby brother or sister, and about plans for the ranch.

“Earlier when we were talking to my mother, you told her you loved me.” Monica said dreamily.

“Yes I did.” Jackson said stroking her cheek with his thumb as he so liked to do. Monica leaned her head into his hand to feel it better.

“Tell me again, please?” He leaned close and whispered in her ear.

“I love you, Monica. I love you ever so much.” Monica swooned again and felt joy from the tips oher toes to the top of her head.

“I love you too, Jackson.” After a few hours, they finally drifted off to sleep in each other’s arms. To Monica, morning could not come quickly enough.