The Whittaker Family Reunion Read online

  Once clear of the befuddled crowd, Abraham turned to face the shaken lad. “What on earth are you doing here, and what happened back there?” Billy rubbed his arm. Then looked at him impishly and smiled.

  “Well, actually I have been following you. I stole that horse from one of those bastards after I put a bullet in his chest,” the boy announced cockily. “Fine animal, ain't it?”

  “You what?” Abraham was beside himself. What on earth have you done?

  “I found him in a saloon just north of New Orleans. I knew he was one of them that killed my Pa. I waited until he was good and drunk and when he rode north, I followed him. When he made camp, I shot him.” The boy spoke with no sign of remorse or guilt. “Then I stole that fine animal and rode up river. I asked about you at the riverboat stops and they said you were on this barge heading for St. Louis, so here I am.” The lad sheepishly grinned at him.

  “Enough information for now. I am sure some lawman is searching for a young lad with a black stallion.” He grabbed Billy's arm and propelled him towards the barge. Billy started to protest, but the doctor would have none of it. The older man was so happy to see the youngster that his heart pounded in his chest, but what on earth he was going to do with him, he did not know.

  After several minutes of standing in silence, Billy explained that he needed to take care of something before the barge sailed. Abraham was lost in thought and simply nodded. What am I going to do with this boy? Can I take him all the way to St. Louis? Do I really want to? How will my family react to the youngster? The law was probably searching for Billy and although he understood the reasons for his actions, Abraham was not sure that he could condone them. Abraham Whittaker was a quiet, God fearing and peace loving man and the idea of hiding a fugitive was not resting well with him. He could be placing himself in utter danger by helping this young man. But in good conscience, could he simply turn his back on someone in need of help?

  Billy returned some time later, standing beside him at the railing quietly. Not a word was spoken between the two. They were both lost in thought when the whistle blew to announce that the converted barge was about to leave the dock.

  Man and boy stood pensively on the upper deck, as the boat was unleashed from the wooden dock. Abraham noticed a groom leading the huge black stallion onto the rear of the boat. It was tied in place with several other horses. He looked down at his companion who stared blankly at the river. Abraham was familiar with good horseflesh and this animal was superb. Just about to ask the boy what exactly was going on; the man beside him drew his attention to a Sheriff's posse talking with a group of people on shore. The group consisted of seven husky, trail men. People were pointing towards the field where the horse was after the incident. The topic of conversation was obvious.

  The barge slowly moved away as Billy turned his back to the shore and pulled his hat low to hide his face. Abraham looked down at him, confusion and indecision were obvious. He removed his own hat and ran his fingers through his blond wavy hair. Billy, sensing the doctor's dilemma, looked up with large pleading blue eyes. Abraham's heart wrestled with his mind. Against his better judgment, he smiled, nodding in the affirmative.

  Almost as an afterthought, he quietly whispered, “You can travel with me, but why on earth did you bring that horse?” Billy just smiled a knowing smile and stared at the river.

  Chapter Seven

  St. Louis

  “Thank you Mrs. Carlisle. I am sure you will be the belle of the ball in that dress. Watch your step now.” Blonde and pert, Loretta Wells held the door for the dowager who was beaming from ear to ear. “Thank you, I am sure we will see you again soon.” She closed the door of the salon and headed for Martha's office. Finding her best friend and business partner with her head in the ledgers, she couldn't help but smile. It was obvious that Martha was searching for a distraction. That daughter of hers was a handful. Loretta's children, David and Abby, were teenagers, but so far she was blessed with quiet and cooperative youngsters. “Martha, you can't hide in here all day. Anna will be here any minute and you will have to deal with her. Simply put your foot down and tell her she is not going to New York.”

  Martha lifted her head and smiled at her confidant. Loretta understood her better than anyone. Martha knew Loretta was right. “Oh, Loretta, Anna is so frustrating. I really hate all of this bickering. I have told her ‘no’ a dozen times and she just keeps insisting that she be allowed to go. I honestly do not know what to do with her anymore.” She sighed in exasperation. Loretta sat in the chair in front of the huge desk as she had on many occasions over the years and took Martha's hand. The two women had met almost twenty years before when Martha arrived in St. Louis from Wyoming. They became instant friends and the years just brought them closer and closer. Loretta felt sorry for Martha but if Anna were her child she would have tanned her backside years ago. Loretta did not agree with Martha's mild-mannered discipline. Perhaps that is why her youngsters were much better behaved and respectful. Loretta and Austin, ruled with a firm, yet loving hand.

  “Mother, are you here?” The bell on the door tinkled, announcing the arrival.

  “Well, it looks like trouble has arrived. Good luck, my friend.” Loretta pecked Martha on the cheek and left the office just as Anna arrived at the door. The older woman nodded a hello to the youngster and left mother and daughter to battle it out.

  Arriving home, Loretta hung her cape on the hook by the front door; the smell of fresh bread tickled her nose. “Mother Wells, something smells delicious.” A heavy set, white-haired woman waved from the kitchen. She brushed the flour from her apron, then turned to place the fresh loaves of bread on the rack. Her movements were slow and hindered. “How is the pain in your legs today, Mother?” Loretta hugged her mother-in -law Minnie Wells and poured herself a cup of steaming tea.

  “Not so bad today, Loretta. I think I will go and lie down for a while though. These old bones are getting slower and slower everyday. Esmerelda was here today to clean; I gave her some bread to take home. The children have gone to the library to study; they will be back by six.” Slowly, the older woman lumbered from the room. Loretta watched her go, wondering just how long she would have this loving woman in her life.

  Minnie had arrived from England shortly after Austin and Loretta were married. She had been both nanny and grandmother to their children since they were born, as well as caring for Anna and Martha's grandson, Thomas. Minnie was a godsend to Martha and Loretta while they strived to build their business over the years. She had lived in her own cottage until last year, when a bad fall convinced Austin that she should not be living alone. Austin and Minnie had always been very close and Loretta was happy to have her. She picked up her tea and let the scent of lemons fill her nose before taking a long sip. Loretta would miss Minnie terribly if anything happened to her, having lost her own mother the year before.

  Austin Wells locked the door to his office and started down the street. This street had changed a great deal in the past twenty years. He and Jeremy had worked together very successfully and made a good living. He remembered the day that Jeremy and he had found this building on the riverfront. Jeremy offered Austin the flat above the offices and he had asked Loretta to marry him that very week. Just the thought of Loretta made Austin smile. She was lively, beautiful, and very loyal. It was amazing that Austin's childhood friend, Martha McGuire, had become his wife's best friend so many years ago. There was a time long ago when Austin thought that Martha and he would marry, but her time in Wyoming with Jebediah Whittaker had changed all of that. A deep frown crossed his face. It was a long time since he had thought about that evil monster. Perhaps all of the talk of the Whittaker family reunion had brought it to the surface. There were very few people, Austin Wells had hated in his life, but Jebediah Whittaker was unquestionably one of them. He picked up his pace, anxious to get home to his family.

  “Father, wait up.” Austin turned, just as fifteen-year-old David and sixteen-year old Abby rounded the corner. He
waited for his two offspring, smiling as they approached. How proud he was of them; his son David, so tall and handsome and beautiful blonde Abby, the head of the class in every subject.

  “Father, just in time to walk home with us. How was your day?” Abby pecked her father on the cheek and took his hand. David clamped his hand on his father's shoulder. Father and son smiled at each other They were almost the same height and very similar in appearance, with sandy, brown hair and a strong square jawline. The three walked home happy to be together.

  In the Haute Couture studio, the battle raged. Tears on her face, Anna insisted that she be allowed to travel with some older friends to New York. Martha stood her ground. “Papa said that I could go and I am going.” Anna shouted, then stamped her foot on the floor.

  “Your father said no such thing, young lady. Now let's go home. I have had quite enough of this for one day.” Martha ushered Anna from the store in absolute frustration. The stress showed on her face; her shoulders were tense and tight. The footman waited outside with the carriage. Anna argued insistently all of the way to the stately mansion in upscale St. Louis. By the time they arrived, Martha had a splitting headache.

  Anna ran up the stone steps and threw open the large double oak doors almost knocking the butler over as she entered. She threw her cape towards the bench, leaving it lying in a velvet heap and ran up the stairs to her room. The butler, Charles lifted the cape, brushing it gently and placed it on the hook. He turned just as Martha walked through the doorway. “Tea Madam? Has the youngster had a bad day?” Charles knew better than to wait for an answer so after closing the door and removing Martha's cape, he rushed off to the kitchen. Martha wandered to the mirror in the entranceway and brushed her hair back from her face. She stopped to look at the image staring back. You have come a long way from those days in England, when you were the one stomping up the stairs stubbornly. But marriage to Jebediah changed all of that. An involuntary shudder ran through her at the thought of her first husband. Anna should be happy that not going on a trip to New York is her only problem right now. She stroked her face as she took in her own reflection. Almost forty years old, where have the years gone?

  “Admiring my lovely wife?” Jeremy appeared from the study. Seeing that his wife was in absolute need of a hug, he pulled her into his arms. “Don't tell me, our little angel again?” Martha pulled him tighter, trying to forget the earlier argument, attempting to replace the feelings of frustration with ones of love and contentment.

  “You are home early, Love. Let's not discuss Anna. I really have had it with that child.” Martha held his hand and led her husband into the great room just as Charles appeared with a tea tray. “Always on time, Charles, thank you. What would we do without you?” Charles set the silver tea service on the small round table between the two high wing-backed chairs. The room was painted a deep blue with yellow and blue chintz upholstery on the two chairs. A pale blue loveseat sat in front of the large fireplace. Over the mantle was a portrait of Lillian McGuire, Martha's mother. She gazed at the portrait. “I know I was a spoiled teenager but I was not like Anna. That child will not take ‘no’ for an answer. She should be glad to have her mother here at this time in her life. I will always regret not having my own mother in my teen years.” Martha rubbed her temples in an attempt to relieve the headache. Jeremy rubbed her shoulders, deciding it was time to intervene. It upset him to see mother and daughter at loggerheads and any stress that Martha was feeling affected him deeply. He felt her begin to relax under his therapeutic massaging and kissed her cheek. Reaching for the teapot, he poured the steamy liquid into the bone china cups.

  A few streets over the Wells family sat down to a delicious dinner of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. The fresh loaf of bread quickly disappeared. “Delicious bread, Grandma, pass the butter please.”

  Minnie, Loretta, Austin, David and Abby shared tales of their days at school and work. No one argued or fought. They just laughed and shared life with each other. “Has Aunt Martha said anything about the boys coming home?” Abby inquired of her mother. Loretta noticed the keen interest on her daughter's face and she knew exactly which one of Martha's boys Abby was anxiously awaiting.

  “I think she said that Abraham would be here next month and Ezekiel is leaving England next week. I would say they would both be here by the middle of next month, for sure.” Loretta winked at Austin and they both watched Abby grin from ear to ear. The young woman had a huge crush on Ezekiel and had loved him since she was a youngster. His constant shadow, she worshipped him and was most distraught when he left for college and later moved to England. She had given him a tiny teddy bear at the train station the day he left for college. She had been seven and he was seventeen. She still remembered the peck on the cheek. Her parents watched as a dreamy look filled her lovely face; they smiled knowingly.

  Loretta and Austin would not be upset if a romance bloomed between the two youngsters. It would unite two families that had been through a great deal together. Abby was sixteen now and old enough to know her own mind, Loretta's only concern was that Ezekiel may have other marriage plans. She would not like to see her daughter heart broken and disappointed. The two youngsters had not seen each other in over two years and Abby was only a child when Ezekiel left for England.

  “I am sure Isaac is anxious to see his brothers again. I saw him over at the feed mill this morning and he is looking forward to the reunion. He and I are off on a hunting trip next week. Do you want to join us, David?” Austin and Isaac were longtime hunting partners. “Your grandfather, Arthur, is joining us.” David was always invited, but had joined them only once. Again he declined the invitation knowing that his father and grandfather would understand and not be hurt. It meant the world to David that he was always included in spite of the fact that Austin knew hunting was not something that interested him. David Wells loved his parents with all of his heart; he was a gentle loving boy whose best friend was the stubborn Anna Whittaker.

  “Abraham and Ezekiel have not seen Amy, and Sissy was just a baby when they left. It will be a happy time. I am looking forward to seeing them myself.” Austin finished his apple pie and helped his mother to her chair on the porch. “You rest, Mother. The children and I will do the washing up.” Groans were heard from the two youngest members but they took their place at the sink. “I am sure Anna is looking forward to seeing her brothers again.”

  “I think Anna is too busy having a tantrum about New York right now.” Abby was not fond of Anna, although her brother seemed to like the young woman very much, perhaps too much. “She really is such a spoiled brat. You would think she would start to act like an adult, being almost sixteen.” Abby exaggerated the word ‘sixteen’ as if it was the epitome of adulthood.

  “She is just impetuous, Abby. I wish you would stop picking on Anna.” David was quick to jump to his friend's defense. “She is very anxious to see her brothers again. She was saying just this morning how much she is looking forward to it.” Abby rolled her eyes at her brother as she dried the china plate.

  Loretta brought a blanket out on the front porch, and placed it over Minnie's legs. The two women sat enjoying the sounds of a small band playing in the band shell at the park just down the street. The sounds carried well on such a cool clear night. “I hope that boy doesn't break Abby's heart, Loretta. She sees the moon and the stars over that young man, always has.”

  “I know exactly what you mean, Mother. I just hope Ezekiel is not already involved with someone. Of course, there is no guarantee he will find Abby anything but that ‘little girl down the street.’ We shall have to wait and see. Martha has her hands full with Anna right now. I pity that poor woman, that girl is impossible.”

  “Anna always was stubborn and precocious. I remember having a devil of a time with her sometimes, but she always could get her own way with her parents. Pity the poor man that gets stuck with her.” Minnie chuckled under her breath. Loretta nodded in agreement.

  The Whittaker mansion was a
large imposing structure. Three stories high, with dozens of windows facing the circular drive and a huge porch that encircled the entire house, it was most inviting. The rooms were large with high ceilings. Up in her bedroom, Anna begged and pleaded with her father but this time he would not give in. “Your mother has said ‘no’ and it is ‘no’. You are not going to New York with those young women, Princess. They are two or three years older than you are. I have heard some rumors of impropriety surrounding them. You will stay here and you will not argue anymore.” Jeremy watched the stubborn face of his only child. “Your mother cannot take this stress. I forbid you to discuss this further. It is time you started to act like an adult. Life is not always easy, young lady. Now good night.” Jeremy closed the door and walked towards the stairs. He knew that Anna would insist on the last word. Patiently he waited at the top of the stairs. As anticipated, the door flew open.

  “I hate you Father. Tell Mother I will never forgive her for ruining my life.” Slam! The door shook on its hinges. Jeremy laughed to himself. Always on cue, my little Sarah Bernhardt. The famous actress herself could not have better timing. He walked down the stairs to relay the message to Martha.

  Martha sat in the great room thinking of how good it will be to have her sons home once again. She remembered the day she and the boys moved into their small, but lovely, home in St. Louis. Isaac was happy to have the woods and the river so close by, Abraham was delighted with the back yard and the horse stables down the road. Ezekiel just wanted a room of his own to study without interruption. She and Loretta stood in the bright sunny kitchen embracing in happiness at the start of a new life for the Whittaker family. The family had seen a great deal of unhappiness living in Wyoming and this was a fresh start for Martha and her three stepsons. Their father was dead. Jeremy and Austin had rescued them and brought them to St. Louis as a stop over on the return to England. Martha made a life-changing decision to stay in St. Louis. It was the best decision of her young life.