The Whittaker Family Reunion Read online

  This kid is going to give away my hiding place if I am not careful. No worries, I will move soon. Not sure about the boy, he is older and may tell. Red Fox remained hidden. He would have to think about showing himself to Thomas.

  “Well, where is he?” Thomas had enough of this game and turned back toward the barn.

  “Wait, he might show up. Just wait.” Sissy was frustrated. Thomas didn't believe her and she had to prove that Red Fox was real. “Red Fox come out.” Thomas walked away and soon Sissy followed. “Well, just make sure you don't tell nobody. We will try again tomorrow.”

  Under the cover of darkness, Red Fox crept into the hen house, stole several eggs and one chicken. The clucking hen was quickly silenced with one snap of its neck. He turned to leave. One of the dogs confronted him, teeth bared. A low growl followed. The dog's body tensed and readied to strike. Red smashed it over the head with a large stick. The dog fell dead at his feet. “Stupid dog, that will teach you.” He smirked, looked toward the upper windows of the house and then went back to the shed. He would have to move soon, he was taking too many chances.

  Isaac found the dead dog the next morning. It disturbed him greatly. He knew that his dog had not been killed by another animal, at least not one on four legs. He told Vivienne and Annabelle later that morning. “I want you to keep a close eye on the children, something is not right here. We are missing a chicken or two and some eggs but that dog was hit with a blunt object and no animal I know does that. You two be careful. I have to ride into town today.” The women looked nervously at each other.

  He rode out as the two women waved goodbye. They looked around the farmyard and went back into the kitchen. Red Fox watched from behind the chicken coop. The women were alone.

  Annabelle cleared the lunch dishes while Vivienne took Amy upstairs for her afternoon nap. The children were in the barn doing chores. Red Fox crept up the stairs, and seeing Annabelle alone, he pushed the door open slowly. Her back was to him as he crept on silent feet towards her. A hand covered her mouth as she realized someone had grabbed her from behind. Her breath was sucked into her lungs. She struggled, but he dragged her toward the door. Frightened for her children, she continued to struggle, but he was strong. Never in her life had she been so frightened. She pulled on his arm and then sunk her teeth into it. His fist struck the side of her face. Blood spilled down her cheek. She was being dragged along the ground behind the house. Her face was aching, she kicked out, but he hit her again. She was beginning to panic. Suddenly a shot rang out over their heads, he turned toward the sound and loosened his hand just enough for her to scream. Another shot rang out and this time he let her drop to the ground. Annabelle's head thumped against the hard earth, she heard her shoulder crack.

  In the next instant, Vivienne stood over her holding a smoking rifle and calling for Thomas. The two of them managed to carry Annabelle back to the house. Vivienne quickly gathered the children to her, locked all of the doors and windows and gave Thomas the rifle. “Sit here and if anyone comes through that door that is not family, shoot him.” Thomas nodded; he looked fearfully at his mother lying on the settee. Blood covered the cloth that Vivienne had placed on her face. His young hands shook as he held the rifle.

  “Is Mama feeling okay? What happened to her?” Sissy sat beside her mother, tears rolled down her face. “Mama, Mama are you Okay?” Sissy was beginning to panic. Vivienne gave her a job to distract her.

  “Hold this cold cloth on your mama's face, Sissy. Don't let it get warm. If it does, go and rinse it under the pump until it is cold again. Now come on Sissy, we have to help your mama. No time to cry.” Vivienne took control. “Thomas, keep your eyes on that door.” She made a sling for Annabelle's arm but she was sure it was broken. Annabelle cried out in pain when she moved the arm.

  “Oh God, Vivienne. I don't know where he would have taken me if you didn't fire that gun. Thank you, you saved us all. Who was that? Did anyone get a good look at him?” Annabelle trembled with fear at the thought of what might have happened.

  “No, I couldn't see his face and the children were in the barn. He ran too quickly when I shot at him. Just rest Annabelle. We have to get the doctor soon. I think your arm is broken. Sissy, go upstairs and bring Amy down here. Be careful! Thomas when is your pa expected back?”

  “Soon, Vivienne, I hope he comes soon.” Thomas could not stop shaking. He tried to be a man, but he was frightened. His mother was hurt and they were alone.

  Vivienne was trying to decide whether to send Thomas out to meet Isaac and have him go for the doctor or whether they should all stay locked in the house. Something had to be done for Annabelle; she was obviously in a great deal of pain. Finally fear won out and she decided to keep them all together. Why wasn't Abe here when she needed him?

  The little band huddled together, drinking tea and trying to talk about everything and anything except what might be outside. Minutes turned into hours and soon it was dark. The children grew more frightened, Annabelle was in excruciating pain and Vivienne was trying her best to stay calm. Where is Isaac?

  Red Fox wrapped his arm with rags. She shot me, the bitch. I will kill her for this. The bullet only grazed his upper arm, but the anger festered in his mind. They will pay for this. They will pay for everything.

  It was late. The moon was high in the sky and Isaac and Abraham rode toward the farm. “I am glad you convinced me to come back with you, Isaac. I need to talk to Vivienne about meeting Mother. What a pleasant evening, the moon is bright and full tonight.” Abraham enjoyed his brother's company during the ride. The three brothers had a good day together. Abraham had told Martha that he wanted her to meet his friend from New Orleans. Martha was anxious for him to bring her home to meet them all. Abraham chose his words carefully and made sure Martha knew that Vivienne was only a friend and nothing more. He was looking forward to seeing Vivienne and had arranged for several dresses to be sent to the farm the following day. Vivienne had arrived with one dress and her “boy” clothes and little else. It was time for her to start meeting people and she must look presentable.

  “I hope everything is safe at the farm. That dead dog is still bothering me. Who would do such a thing? It was probably just some petty thief, looking to steal eggs.” Isaac was trying to convince himself. “Yes, it is a lovely evening, I guess the children are in bed, the house seems very quiet.” Isaac checked the farmyard before the two men approached the kitchen door.

  “Stop, who is it?” yelled Thomas from the other side of the door.

  The brothers looked at each other with concern, “It is your father, Thomas, let us in.” The curtains parted on the window and then the door opened. “What is going on?”

  Isaac rushed to Annabelle. He looked around the room confused. “What happened, are you hurt? What happened here?” Abraham stood facing Vivienne, a most concerned look on his face. She inhaled deeply and released the air as if it were trapped in her lungs.

  “Are you all right?” he asked. She nodded.

  Sissy and Thomas began to speak at the same time as Annabelle and Vivienne and Isaac put his hand up to stop them. “One at a time, please, Annabelle, what happened?”

  She described the abduction and told him that Vivienne had saved her life. He asked about her injuries and Abraham quickly assessed the damage to her arm. Isaac asked Vivienne to take the children up to bed but Sissy wasn't going. “I'm staying here. What if he comes back and hurts Mama again?” Vivienne gently picked her up and carried her to bed. She sat with Sissy until she fell asleep and then returned to the living room. Isaac stood and thanked her. “If it wasn't for you, Vivienne, I don't know what I may have come home to. Thank you. You must be good with a gun as well as a horse.”

  Abraham flinched. She was without doubt, very good with a gun; as a matter of fact she killed a man and might have wounded another today. Not that they didn't deserve it, but Abraham still had trouble with a woman and a gun. He looked at her and she knew what he was thinking. She walked into the kit
chen. He realized that she had saved Annabelle's life and regretted his initial reaction. He went to her.

  “Let me extend my thanks as well, Vivienne, you saved Annabelle's life and we are all grateful to you.” He gave her a brotherly hug.

  “I know what you were thinking. I will leave tomorrow. You do not want me here.” She turned and went upstairs to bed. Abraham was dumbfounded. This was not what he wanted. He would speak to her in the morning.

  After checking Annabelle's arm, which was less painful now that he had reset it, he went to bed himself in Thomas’ room. He lay awake for hours, his heart fighting his head. In Sissy's room, Vivienne cried herself to sleep. The tension of the day was finally too much when she saw the look in his eyes. He hated her. He didn't understand why she had to kill that man in New Orleans. He didn't want anything to do with her even if she did save his sister-in-law. She did not belong here. She would leave in the morning. Sissy snuggled close. Vivienne held her and cried. She would miss this family.

  Chapter Twenty

  Is it Goodbye?

  The sun was appearing over the hills when Vivienne saddled Blackjack. The house was quiet and tears streamed down her face when earlier; she kissed the sleeping Sissy goodbye. Her eyes followed the contour of the low-lying buildings, the golden fields of wheat and corn and the cozy farmhouse where she was so welcome. She sent up a silent ‘thank you’ followed by a tearful ‘goodbye’ and rode away.

  “Vivienne, Vivienne where are you?” Sissy rose from her cozy bed, curious where her friend was. She tiptoed into the kitchen but it was empty. Isaac followed her down the stairs. He too questioned where Vivienne was this early.

  “Shh, Pumpkin, you will wake your mama and she needs her sleep. You are going to have to help with Amy because mama's arm is broken. I am sure Vivienne is out doing her chores. She always gets up early. Now get dressed and go look for her.” He took the coffee pot over to the woodstove and stoked the flames. Isaac reconsidered, remembering that the family may be under siege. “Sissy, wait. I will go and look for her. You stay here and make a tray for your Ma.”

  Red Fox was just about to step onto the dusty road when he heard the sound of a horse in the distance. It was coming fast. He ducked back into the cover of the bushes and waited. When she rode into view he could not believe his luck. The bitch, is it really her?

  He stepped out in front of the horse waving a large branch. The black stallion reared back on his hind legs. Vivienne was thrown to the ground. Stunned but uninjured she sat up brushing the dust and dirt from her trousers. “So we meet at last.” Red Fox approached her, a sneer on his face. Before she could react he slapped her across the face knocking her into the dirt. His boot drew back and kicked her in the stomach. She screamed. “Scream all you want Bitch, no one will hear you on this lonely road.” Again his boot connected with her thigh, she had to think quickly. She rolled and rolled until she was clear of him and then she tried to stand but her leg gave way and she fell again. He laughed. “I have plans for you.” Just as he was about to grab her, a wagon appeared and bore down on them with boundless speed.

  “Get away from her, you bastard. Leave her alone.” Isaac pulled his revolver from his holster, but Red Fox kicked Vivienne in the head, and then turned and ran, he disappeared into the forest. Seething with anger at another foiled attempt, he ran out of sight.

  Isaac jumped from the wagon and ran to Vivienne. He picked her up and carried her back to the wagon. She winced when he set her on the seat. “Try and sit up, I will have you back to the house soon. Don't talk.” He grabbed the bridle on the black stallion and tied it to the wagon. Vivienne was too weak and confused to argue.

  Back in the farmhouse everyone talked at once. “Where were you going?” Why did you ride out so early?” “Who was that man?” Her head was spinning and she vomited. Everyone stopped and stood back.

  Abraham came down the stairs and rushed to her. He was asleep when he heard the commotion. “Vivienne, what happened to you? My God, are you okay?” He was so frightened he forgot himself and pulled her into his arms. He held her like he never wanted to let go. She collapsed in his arms, unconscious. Abraham looked up at Isaac, tears in his eyes. His brother told him what had happened.

  Vivienne was taken upstairs with cold compresses on her head; she had still not regained consciousness. Sissy sat vigilantly by her side and Thomas helped Annabelle with the baby. The brothers went to the barn.

  “Whoever this bastard is, we have to stop him. First Annabelle, and now Vivienne. If you hadn't gone looking for her she may be dead. I can't lose her, Isaac. I didn't realize how much I love that woman. Oh, dear God, who is doing this to our family?” Abraham leaned on the fence rail as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders. Isaac stood beside him, stern faced.

  “I don't know, but I am going to find out. I thought something was odd when the black stallion was missing so I went to look. I followed the tracks to the road and I knew she was riding hard. He must have taken them both because he had no horse when I came upon them. First, he tries to drag Annabelle off somewhere and now he kidnaps Vivienne. This is a mad man we are dealing with and I don't mind telling you I am frightened.” He reached over and rested his arm on his brother's shoulder. “I don't know who he is but I got a quick glance and something about him was familiar. I can't for the life of me figure out what it was. Anyways, I will go to the sheriff as soon as I can.” Abraham nodded, glad to let Isaac take control. “We need to get Zeke to come to the farm and stand guard. You go to town and get Zeke and call in at the police station, I am going to call on a few neighbors and start searching for this bastard.” He pushed his hat back on his head. “You can come back and tend to both of the women. We have plenty of room for both of you.”

  Abraham went into town, saw the sheriff and picked up Ezekiel. In order not to upset Martha, nothing was said about the incident. Zeke and Abe rode out to the farm. Dark eyes watched as they rode by. That's it, all in one place. Three Whittaker boys together in one place; like shooting ducks in a barrel. Get rid of you, have my way with the women and then make my claim. The plan is coming together.

  Zeke stayed in the house with the family. Isaac went out to gather support from the neighboring farmers and Abraham nursed the women as best he could. Vivienne did not regain consciousness and he was very worried. The back of her head bore a large black bruise and he was sure she had hit her head or been hit in the head. Having seen injuries like this before, he knew it was very serious indeed. Cold cloths were continuously applied to her head. Abraham held her hand and talked to her. “Please my darling, please open your eyes.” He was remembering a time when Loretta was in childbirth with David and she too was unconscious. Abraham, then only a boy had sat with her and willed her to live. He called upon all of his strength, praying that she recover and eventually she did. That was when he knew he had a special gift. He knew he was going to be a doctor. Again in Sissy's dimly lit room, he prayed and called upon all of his power to heal the woman he loved.

  The search was in vain and although the farmers were diligent, they found no trace of the man. Isaac was frustrated and worried. Zeke was upset and Abraham was heart broken, his love would not open her eyes. Zeke looked into the room and got his first look at his brother's woman. He was most impressed. If you were not so much in love, I would try for her myself. Then remembering the situation, he guiltily closed the door and went back down stairs. The brothers tried to support one another, but it was a difficult time. Annabelle did not go to work at the design house and a message was sent to Martha that she was staying home with the family for a few days. Eventually they knew that Martha would have to know but no one wanted to tell her.

  Martha and Jeremy continued to argue about Anna's future and then one day Anna suddenly and without warning, appeared on the doorstep. “ I have had it with that school. Mother, I am not going back.” With that, she stomped up the stairs and slammed her door. Martha and Jeremy stared up after her. Martha suspected that the boys w
ere hiding something and intended to go to the farm that morning, now, however her plans had changed.

  “Jeremy, go and get Hans and let's get this over with. I have had it with that child.” She rubbed her temples and he knew better than to argue. He left the house.

  Martha walked up the stairs and into Anna's room. “Young lady, you are about to become betrothed. You will have a long engagement and then on your eighteenth birthday you will be married. I have tried my best with you. I have given you everything and you have thrown it in my face.” Martha stared at her daughter. “Well, I am done. Do you hear me? I am done. You will do as you are told.” Anna started to protest but Martha was not giving her an inch. “Your husband-to- be will be here in an hour. Now get your best dress on.” Martha turned on her heel and walked out of the room. Anna stared after her in shocked silence.

  Married, what on earth is she saying? I am not marrying anyone. But Anna knew that Martha was not fooling this time. She had never seen her mother so angry. But that school was horrible and all those rules. What was the matter with her mother and where was her father? Didn't he have anything to say about this? Or did he agree? Who on earth am I supposed to be marrying? Some old bald business associate of Father? Not on your life! But she took her best dress from the wardrobe and started to fix her hair. She carefully laid her silk camisole attached to knee length drawers beside her corset. After removing one of her tea gowns from the bureau, she selected a jeweled collar from the jewel box on her vanity table. Whoever you are, I will bedazzle you with my charms and my very expensive wardrobe.

  Hours passed and Anna sat in her room, dressed in her finest, waiting. Finally a knock on the door and Charles announced that she was wanted in the great room.