Mail Ordered Deception

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Jackson’s Point of View

The ride back to the ranch went on in silence. Jackson watched the land pass by them as he wondered what Monica would have been doing with his cheque book. He tried not to make it known that he was aware of her actions, but curiosity surged through his brain. Why would she be sneaking money away from him? Was this the reason she married him, for his money? Why would she send it away if she planned on staying with him? Would she leave? These questions and more paraded in his head, keeping him from finding much peace. However, he chose not to say a word. He prayed that he was wrong about his predictions. Bethany loved Monica even after such a short time, and it was clear that she was good for his little girl. Jackson would also be lying to himself if he said that he too would be disheartened should she decide to go. Monica was fun to be around, a good conversationalist, and her bright, beautiful smile did not hurt matters either.

As they approached the ranch, he noticed that the lumber was already being delivered to the front door of the manor. Monica lowered her window and hollered at the people beginning to unload.

“No! Please continue down the pathway to the workers’ houses!” The men got back into their wagons and continued down the path. “Driver, please follow them.” Jackson was suddenly concerned about the purpose of the lumber. What could they be building? He hoped it was not a frivolous pursuit on Monica’s part, though she did not seem the type to do something so foolishly. After a short drive down the path, the row of houses that he had built for his employees came into view. They were quaint little houses, with a single story, two bedrooms, a kitchen, a water closet, and a small dining area. There was a small front porch with a railing that gave the houses a charming appearance. The closer they got, the more Jackson could see. On one of the houses, the windows were cracked; on another, the porch was completely falling apart; and on a third, the roof was clearly falling in. The others were too far down for him to see, but it was clear that they would probably be in a similar state of disrepair.

When the car rolled to a stop in front of the first house, Monica took it upon herself to exit without the aid of the driver. Jackson followed suit and walked behind Monica as she approached the men unloading the lumber. The commotion caused his employees’ families that stayed home to come out and see what was going on. Upon seeing the faces of the wives and children, Jackson could not help but lower his eyes. It shamed him to realize he had not been out to these houses since Bethany was born. He could not even hear Monica speaking over his own thoughts. How could he have neglected these people for so long? They had been nothing but loyal to him ever since they were hired. When Monica began to address these families, his attention turned back to her.

“Can I have everyone’s attention?” She hollered down the street. The crowd grew around her and Jackson watched as she made herself stand even taller to be heard by them all. “As I am sure you all have noticed, we have materials here to make your homes as good as new. We know that times have been hard for not only Mr. Porter, but for you as well. However, from this moment forward, things are going to change. Mr. Porter has entrusted me to be there for your needs. As much as you all mean to him, I will do my best to uphold that trust. Should you need anything, I encourage you all to come directly to me, at any time and I will be there to see that those needs are met.” As she spoke, Jackson heard not only the authority in her tone, but also the empathy in her words. It really sounded like she cared about these people. The thing that struck him the most however, was that she was giving him the credit for these changes. “Also, it was brought to my attention that several of you have a rodent problem. In an effort to solve this for you, Mr. Porter has taken it upon himself to supply you with mousing cats. There are eight in this box.” She raised the box well above her head for all to see, then set it onto the ground opening the top. One by one, the kittens jumped out and ran in all directions. The children squealed in delight, all of them running off in an attempt to catch one.

As soon as her speech was finished, the women around her broke out into an applause. She stood back up tall and linked her arm with Jackson’s. Monica offered him a smile and he could not help but smile back at her.

Monica’s Point of View

As the crowd began to depart, Monica felt a true sense of accomplishment. Her heart swelled with pride at the feeling that she had done something good for all of these people. One woman lingered behind after the rest had gone. Her wrinkles on her forehead and her brown hair speckled with a few gray hairs suggested she was middle aged and she hunched over slightly as if she spent most of her time tending a garden. When the woman approached Monica and Jackson, Monica could see the gleam of tears forming in her eyes.

“Thank ya, so much,” she began, her voice trembling as she wiped her eyes with calloused hands. “I was beginnin to think you had forgotten about us all the way out ‘ere.” She took Jackson’s hand in hers and reached down so it touched her forehead. At the emotion in her voice and on her face, Monica too, found herself fighting back tears. Jackson’s face was one of surprise and awe.

“I know I have not been there for you these past few years. Though I was going through my own troubles, that is not an excuse. You deserve so much more than I have given.” Jackson spoke softly and used his free hand to lift her head back up so she could meet his eyes. “What my wife said is true. Things are going to change. This is the least we can do.” The woman’s smile grew from ear to ear. She thanked him once more and then also turned to leave. Accompanying her was a child of what looked to be ten carrying one of the kittens in his arms. Monica watched as Jackson pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers and his eyes scrunched closed. Instinctively, she reached out to touch his arm with her hand. He looked at her for a moment before clearing his throat and stepping to the side. Her hand fell away and Monica scolded herself for being so forward.

“I am sorry for springing this on you all of a sudden.” Monica began wringing her hands together quietly like she had on their wedding day. It was a nervous tick she had developed over the years and it made it difficult to hide when she felt tense. “I simply wanted to show initiative that I could do the work that you expected of me.” Her head lowered slightly, and Monica wondered why she could speak so well and fearlessly in front of that large crowd, but be reduced to a fearful girl when left alone with Jackson.

“Then why did you tell them it was my idea?” Jackson asked her with genuine curiosity.

“I am still new in this role. I thought they would feel better accepting aid from you, as it is expected. Also, I wanted them to see that you were coming back around.” He looked at her as she said that last part.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Well, it seemed as though things have been left untended for quite some time, Jackson. They needed to believe you still cared. It looks like you were willing to let them wither away as you had been.” Jackson stepped back and his eyes shifted to look at her coldly. Monica internally kicked herself for speaking of his pain so callously. It was not her intention, but she knew she had just insulted him as a man and as a leader.

“Do not presume to know what I or any of us have been through!” he snapped, causing her to shrink back. “You are right about one thing. You are new here and you can not possibly understand what goes into running this place alone and raising a child, and keeping up the appearance that things are going well! You know nothing!” Monica’s demeanor also changed. Jackson was beginning to prove everything she knew about the high society well to do people. That they saw people like her as less and deserved to be talked down to in such a way. True she spoke out of turn, but she still would not stand to be dressed down this way.

“Oh no sir. I know plenty. Despite what you might believe, I go into situations with my eyes wide open, whereas you like to keep them shut! From the first day we met, I knew something was off about you, sir. I know not what it takes to run this place, but even a small country girl like myself know it is run better without a bottle of whiskey a day!” She no longer shirked back, but instead stood tall and stepped closer to him. Her eyes glowered causing him to be the one leaning back. Soon, Monica was the one towering over him.

“I also know that raising a child is done with love and attention, not a job to be placed on the tutors and a governess posing as a wife!” With that, she literally snapped in front of his face. “I may have been raised a simple girl, but I know basic mathematics and I know your ranch is failing.” She stepped back now, her voice softening slightly. “I know the fear and pain of losing someone you love. I know the weight of responsibility, knowing so much is up to you.” Monica turned away and lowered her head in disappointment. “I know we are more alike than you may think. The biggest difference between you and I, is that I pick myself up and keep going.” Monica walked towards the road and continued towards the manor. She stopped at the car for a moment, before going on.

“I am going to walk back. Take the car without me.” With that, she left Jackson standing there in silence as walked on, the houses fading into the distance.