Mail Ordered Deception

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Jackson’s Point of View

The three of them were up with the sunrise and without even thinking of breakfast, they packed their things. Jackson did not come with anything more than the clothes on his back so he just helped with loading up the family buckboard. He watched as Monica fed the animals generously. They would not be back and she apparently wanted to make sure they would be satisfied enough until the property could be sold to someone else. Families came and went looking for places to settle so it should not take too long. In the morning sun, Jackson thought to himself how pretty she was and how much he was looking forward to sharing a cup of coffee with her on the same balcony from that day forward.

The chores finished and the belongings loaded up, they made their way to the train station. Luckily, the town livery was right next to the station and they stopped to sell the horses and buckboard. They fetched a fair price and when the train came, they boarded. Jackson made sure they all got first class, and when he saw the awe and amazement in Monica’s mother’s face, he wondered if Monica herself had that same look when she took the train ride to him the first time. They made themselves comfortable in one of the booths and waited for the train to get moving. Jackson noticed Monica wringing her hands nervously.

“Can you tell me what is bothering you, sweetheart?” Monica bit her lip and he took her hand in his to calm her.

“How badly did Bethany take it when I left?”

“I am not going to lie to you, it hit her hard. It hit both of us hard. She even blamed herself at first for you leaving.” Monica lowered her head. “You do not have to worry though. She is going to be overjoyed to see you again. Everyone will.” Monica smiled at him and leaned her head against his shoulder. “Except maybe Terry.” Her head jerked up again.

“Wait! Terry knew you came to get me?”

“Well yes. He made it clear that he believed you would not want to come back with me and practically begged me to stay home. I am glad I did not listen.” He picked up her hand to kiss it, but she jerked it away.

“Jackson, we need to get home as quickly as this train can carry us.” Monica looked genuinely scared.

“Why? What is it?” Monica was silent for a while which added to Jackson’s anxiety. Something was seriously wrong. “Please tell me.”

“Look, this is not easy to say and it is going to hurt. You may not even believe me.”

“I will, I promise. Just tell me what is bothering you so much.” Monica took his hand again and squeezed it gently.

“Jackson, your horses have not been getting sick.”

“I am afraid I do not understand.”

“Terrance has been sneaking your foals out at night and selling them himself. He has been taking your livelihood and using it to profit himself.” Although he just promised he would, Jackson could not believe what he was hearing. Terry had been his best friend ever since they were little children. He trusted Terry with his life, he would have trusted him with Bethany’s life if it was needed.

“No. Why would he do that? Are you absolutely sure?”

“Yes. I caught him in the act, but in the process, I was also caught. He intercepted my letters which is likely the one he showed you. He threatened to tell you about me if I dared say anything. He had me believing you would throw me out into the street, that you would not believe me if I told you the truth.” Jackson leaned back against his seat taking it all in. Though it was crazy, it did explain many things. It explained why the vet could not find anything wrong with his horses, why they would go from completely healthy to dead overnight, why Terry always insisted on taking care of the bodies before Jackson could take a look at them. It all made so much sense, yet part of him still hoped she was wrong about everything.

Jackson decided it was best not to leave things to chance and he went to have a word with the conductor. All it took was a little money and the train was moving at twice the speed. They would arrive in an hour and they would head straight to the ranch. In the meantime, he knew he would not be able to think straight until he got back home.

Monica’s Point of View

Jackson had taken off to see if their trip could be any faster. The view from outside passed by in more of a blur, which showed he was successful. He returned to his seat next to her and Monica wondered what they would be walking in on when they got back. Monica’s mother slept in the booth across from them, totally oblivious to what was going on around her. Waking her was no easy feat as the booth was more comfortable than their old beds, as Monica well knew. When they finally succeeded in getting her awake and moving, Monica suggested they go to a livery instead of waiting to get word to Jackson’s driver. Jackson went ahead to take care of getting the horses, leaving Monica with her mother.

“What’s going on dear? Why are we in such a hurry?” Not wanting to worry her, Monica decided to give her no reason to do so.

“We are just excited to get back is all.” Her mother accepted this and they waited for Jackson to return. He did not take long and they galloped the entire way back. When the manor came into view with the mountains in the background, Monica remembered how quickly she judged Jackson for his wealth and status. Now she saw the ranch as a welcoming place, filled with warmth. She hoped that would be what they were returning to, but she knew the odds left that highly unlikely.

All her hopes were dashed when she saw that all of the workers were standing outside the manor, just as they had when she first arrived. The team of horses they rented stopped in front of the crowd and Jackson dismounted first. The silence was louder than the train whistle had been as no one spoke to Jackson. He looked at everyone, and as his eyes scanned the crowd, she knew he was looking for Terrance. It hurt her heart, knowing he was still harboring the image of his best friend in his mind and not wanting to admit the truth.

Jackson’s Point of View

Jackson was too afraid to ask what was going on. He trusted Wesley was keeping Bethany away from the drama and inside the manor. Several of them glanced towards the barns and he found himself running at full speed to them. Before he even got to enter the closest one, he noticed that Prince was missing from his paddock. When he got into the barn, he was greeted with an even worse sight. All of his best mares were gone and not a single foal was remaining. When he checked the other barns, all he was left with were a few colts and their mothers, and one mare that was still pregnant. The others were gone and with a whole night lost, tracking them down would be impossible.

Jackson could not have felt a deeper betrayal, and the worst part was, he would likely never know the reason why. He would also have to start over from essentially scratch, something that took time, money and patience. Why did it seem like every time things were going right, God had to smack him back down to make sure he stayed humble? Jackson felt a hand on his shoulder and when he looked up, he saw Monica standing over him. He put his hand over hers and reminded himself that even though things looked rough, he had everything he needed to stay on his feet.

Together, they walked back to the crowd, where everyone waited anxiously to hear what he would do about the situation. Jackson had let Monica give the last big speech, so he figured it was his turn. Clearing his throat, he called everyone’s attention.

“I know you all are probably aware that the horses are essentially gone. If you look to each other, you will have noticed that the Foreman, Terrance McKnight is not here among you.” The group began to erupt in murmurs and guesses. “That is because,” Jackson yelled, silencing them, “he betrayed me. He betrayed all of us. Terrance took the horses and left. But all is not lost!” He looked to Monica who encouraged him silently to go on. “We have our lady of the manor and together, Monica and I will make sure you and your families do not go hungry while we rebuild.”

Relieved looks were scattered across the yard and a small applause erupted from the crowd. That is when Wesley must have determined that it was safe to come outside because Bethany and he walked out of the front door. When she saw Monica, her eyes lit up, first with joy and then quickly to tears. Crying, she sprinted into Monica’s waiting arms. Monica spoke calmly to her and shushed her gently.

“There there, Little Beth. I am here now. I will never leave you again.”

“Never?” Bethany asked, curling up into a ball in Monica’s lap.

“Never. You are stuck with me for the rest of your life.” Monica dried her eyes with her dress sleeve and they hugged for a while. Jackson just stared on at the beautiful sight in front of him. Overcome with happiness, despite the difficulties ahead,he also sat on the ground with them and joined their embrace. His family was together at last and he vowed to never let them go.