Dream a Little Dream
Chapter 1
"What am I to do, Daisy? Oh...I know, I know. Why not just tell the boy I love him? Right? That's what you're thinking. I can see it in those large dark eyes. But I just can't. Can you imagine how hard he would laugh if he found out?" The seventeen year old young woman gave a disheartened laugh before continuing, "Plain, little Lizzie Webber in love with the kindest, most handsome young man in town. He doesn't even notice I exist for goodness sake! Not with Sarah around. I know Daisy, I know. That is enough self-pitying for one day right? Yes, time to get the rest chores done before Grams comes out here!"
Lifting a milk pail in her hand, Elizabeth Webber quickly stood up from the stool, but the heel of her shoe got caught on the dirt, and she lost her footing. As she fell, she let out a small exclamation, "Ow!"
Elizabeth quickly glanced down at the pail in her hand and let out a relieved breath. At least she had not spilled any of the milk. Carefully, making her way to her feet, she brushed her white and blue striped dress off, and gave the cow another pat on her head. "You won't tell anyone, will you Daisy? Oh I know, no one would be the least surprised I fell but still...I wish I could be more...more graceful like Sarah." She let out another sigh. "I'll see you later, Daisy."
As she headed around the barn, she noticed her grandmother coming out the front door of the small farmhouse. By the cross look on the elderly lady's face, Elizabeth knew she was in for it. She had taken much too long with the milking!
"Lizzie Webber, do you know it has been almost half an hour?! The milk is probably sour by now. Stop your daydreaming and get in here girl!"
With a tightened grip on the milk pail, Elizabeth lifted up her skirt with one hand, and started running toward the white porch. "I am terribly sorry Grams." As she reached her grandmother, she handed over the pal. "I will go feed the pigs now." And before the older woman could say another word, Elizabeth ran back down the stairs and toward the pigpen.
Audrey Hardy shook her head as she watched her youngest granddaughter running away. It was early morning, and already the girl's smock was covered in grass stains and mud. She had likely had another mishap. She knew Lizzie was a good girl, but she was quite trying at times! She did not know how Lizzie and her sister could have had the same parents, may they both rest in peace. The tall and fair Sarah was always so composed and never was forgetful or even fanciful. The tiny Lizzie with her dark brown unruly hair, on the other hand, was painfully shy and always daydreaming. Well, the Lord certainly works in mysterious ways, thought the woman as she walked back into the house.
As she made her way around the fencing, Elizabeth grinned apologetically at one particularly plump pink pig. "I know Burt, I'm late this morning, but I'll get you and your friends your breakfast. You would not believe what a fuss Daisy gave me with the milking!"
"Lord Lizzie! Why do you insist on naming those animals? You know it will only end in heartache."
With a small sigh, Elizabeth turned around to see her sister's stunning clear blue eyes staring at her with unconcealed annoyance. As usual her sister was beautiful in a green dress, and her blond hair was up in a loose bun, allowing soft ringlets to frame her elegant face. Elizabeth was about to reply when her eyes immediately fell upon the handsome young man standing off to the side. As usual his light brown hair was covered by a large brown cowboy hat.
With laughing eyes, Lucky Spencer made his way towards her. Tugging on one of her long braids, he said with a friendly smile, "Morning Beth. How are Burt and the rest today?"
Elizabeth blushed. As usual she found it difficult to say anything when Lucky was nearby. She could not even remember a time when she had not been in love with their neighbours' youngest son. He had always been so kind to her, and was one of the few people in the small town of Heaven, Kansas who had looked past her shyness to become her friend. "Good morning Lucky. What are you doing by so early?" she asked as a tentative smile formed on her face.
With face slightly flushed, Lucky reached down and took Sarah's hand in his. He said in a proud voice, "I want you to be the first to know Beth, Sarah has made me the happiest of men. She has agreed to become my wife."
Elizabeth felt the smile on her lips freeze into place as all colour drained from her face. No. He could not have just said...but the radiant smile on Sarah's face and the happiness in his told her he had. She placed a hand on the fence behind her and gripped the wood tightly against the pain.
"Lizzie? Are you not going to congratulate us?" Sarah asked in a concerned voice as she moved a golden ringlet out of her eye.
Trying valiantly to ignore the intense pain in her heart, Elizabeth pasted a smile on her face and tried to speak. "Congratulations to the both of you. I-I hope you are very happy." As they both smiled at her, Elizabeth blinked trying to clear her eyes of the tears that were pooling there.
"Thank you, Beth. I knew you would be happy for us." Lucky turned to Sarah and said gently, "I asked Audrey yesterday for her blessing, but I want to tell her you said yes."
Laughing softly, Sarah exclaimed, "Of course I said yes Lucky! But let's go and see her. She will be so happy! We will see you later Lizzie."
She would never know how, but she managed to keep the tears from falling until the happy pair had made their way towards the house. Then leaning her head on her hands on the fence, she wept for the loss of her dream. She had known Lucky fancied Sarah but she had not known her sister returned his feelings. Why had Sarah not said anything? And now they were to be married.
After a few minutes, Elizabeth wiped her eyes, and started to feed the pigs. She would just have to accept that the love of her life was marrying someone else. But why did it have to be her sister? It was not that she did not think Sarah deserved happiness, but Lord it hurt so much. And what would it be like when they were actually hitched? It was not as if she had any true hope of gaining Lucky's affections. She knew he only saw her as a little sister, but still...it had been a pleasant dream. Until one had to awaken from it.
Not desiring to see the happy couple once again that morning, she quickly finished the rest of her chores, and then ran toward her bicycle. When her brother, the famous New York physician, Steven Webber, had come to visit them last year, he had brought the wonderful contraption with him. He had said that all the city folks up east were trying them. Sarah and Grams had been shocked that anyone would ride such an unstable looking thing, but Elizabeth had immediately fell in love with it.
On their small farm they had only the two horses for the buggy, so she never had the chance to ride on her own. But with her bicycle, she could travel anywhere she wished when she wanted to be alone. Well...perhaps not anywhere as Grams was rather strict about her riding too far away from the farm.
But this day, Elizabeth felt the overwhelming urge to get as far away from the farm as possible. With hands firmly on the handlebars, she peddled as fast as she could along the dirt road going past the Spencer land, toward the place she went when she needed solitude.
When she came upon the apple orchard, she jumped off the bicycle, and after carefully looking around, she walked with it through the trees and up the hill. Just beyond the hill was a group of large trees. Getting back on the bike she headed down the hill toward the trees. Despite the pain of the day, a smile curved her lips as the warm wind rushed into her face. Finally she made her way through the trees and came upon the small pond.
Elizabeth got off the bicycle and leaned it against one particularly old tree near the pond. Then she leaned around the tree, eyes searching for something. There near the large base, a small opening could be seen. Bending down, she placed her hand inside and pulled out a satchel. Sitting down next to the bicycle on the damp ground, she opened the leather satchel and pulled out her book and ink pen.
Flipping through the pages of sketches of a variety of different subjects, she finally came upon a blank sheet. And then proceeded to sketch the one subject that could be found on more than one page-Lucky. As her hand moved over the page, she put all her heart into every line of his features she drew. While Elizabeth oftentimes had difficulty with words, she found it much easier to express herself in her drawings. It was really unfortunate that she was much too shy to show them to anyone. But she was afraid...afraid that if others saw them...they would see who she really was.
As was often the case when she was drawing, time flew by, and the afternoon sun had already risen in the sky and was now descending. As the light began to fade, Elizabeth looked up from her fourth attempt to sketch Lucky in shock. "Oh no!" It was already evening, and Grams was probably worried sick! Quickly jumping up to her feet, Elizabeth placed her drawings back into the satchel and the hole in the tree. She walked with the bike away from the pond, through the trees and up the hill.
But as she was about to make her way out of the apple orchard, she heard the sound of horses pounding on the dirt road. Riders! She quickly made her way behind a group of trees, holding her breath. What if it was one of the Quartermaine farmhands? If she was caught on their property, she knew she would have a lot of explaining to do.
As her pulse began to race, she heard the distinct sound of male voices. Angry male voices.
"Get out of my way AJ."
"Or what Jason? You'll shoot me? Even you could not get away with killing your own brother."
Elizabeth's breath caught in her throat in shock. AJ...was that AJ Quartermaine? Lord, there was a Quartermaine out there, and everyone knew to be afraid of the Quartermaines. Not only were they the richest folks in these parts, owning practically everything in town and most of the surrounding land, but they also had widespread influence. She herself, had only seen them in church or on the streets of town from a distance. None of their children went to the one room town school. They had all gone to boarding schools up east...Emily, AJ, and Jason Quartermaine...wait...Jason...that was the other man's name. Hadn't there been rumours about him...
"I am going to get my daughter even if I have to go through you, AJ."
"Rebecca is not your daughter, Jason. She's mine and Eve's. We raised her. We gave her a home. What can you give her?"
"You raised her because you didn't inform me I had a child. I had to find out from Emily about her."
"We couldn't find you Jason. How could we for heaven's sake? You wanted to cut all ties, so we did."
"Damn it! You know Lila knew exactly where I was. You knew I would never have let you raise my child as a Quartermaine. I said get out of my way AJ!"
At the sound of the gunshots, Elizabeth jumped, and placed her hand over her mouth to stifle her screams. Oh Lord! They were going to kill each other.
"Damn it Jason, you could have really hit me!"
"If I had wanted to, you would be dead now, AJ. I said get out of my way."
"At least give me time to prepare Eve. She doesn't even know you're in town. You have to think of what's best for Rebecca, Jason. We'll let you see her peacefully with Lila around. You don't want her to see us fighting do you? She's still only an infant but..."
The man let his sentence hang in the air unfinished. There was a long tense silence and Elizabeth held her breath, waiting.
"Alright AJ. I'll give you until morning. But if I don't see her, I will do whatever is necessary to get her away from you and Edward."
"That's not necessary Jason. We just want what's best for Rebecca."
After a moment, Elizabeth could hear the sound of horses riding away into the distance. When the sound grew so faint she had to strain to hear it, she gingerly peeked around the tree. She could just make out the road between the trees, and it appeared to be empty. Oh thank heavens! The sky was lit in orange and red hues, and Elizabeth knew it would be dark very soon. She had to get home!
Gripping the handlebar and the seat, she started to guide her bicycle towards the road. But all the while her mind was preoccupied with the strange conversation she overheard. As shy as Elizabeth was, she never participated in local town gossip, but even she knew something of the Quartermaines. Three years ago she recalled hearing AJ Quartermaine had married Eve Lambert, a young lady from Boston and had brought her home with him to the Quartermaine ranch. And shortly after that it was announced they had a little girl named Rebecca. But from the conversation she just heard, AJ's brother was the girl's father? And he had come for his daughter! What a strange world this was...and she thought her life was complicated.
Elizabeth had just turned her bicycle in the direction of home when a male voice spoke from behind her.
"And what were you doing in there?"
"Ah!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she gave a small jump of surprise and dropped her bicycle. Turning around she found herself staring up at a large dark horse. Taking a step back, she tripped over the rear wheel and landed on her rear end.
As she tried to catch her breath, to her horror, a man was dismounting from the huge animal and was sauntering over towards her. All she could make out was that he was tall and well built but other than that she could not distinguish any features as the sun was glowing behind him.
"Are you alright?" the man asked sharply. Unlike most people from the area, his accent was crisp, almost northern like all of the Quartermaines. Oh heavens...the man in front of her must be either Jason or AJ Quartermaine. No, not AJ. That voice did not belong to him...
"Are you alright?" Jason Morgan asked for the second time. What was wrong with the girl? He had been about to head back to town, when he heard sounds coming from the apple orchard. While he waited for whoever it was to appear, he had not imagined that it would be a girl. He couldn't quite determine her age but she looked rather young. Though the light was going, he could make out a round face, and big catlike sapphire eyes. Eyes that looked frightened to death. Not an unusual thing with eyes looking up at him, but he never liked frightening women or children.
Holding out his hand, he ordered, "Here take my hand."
What did he want?! Not taking her eyes away from him, Elizabeth scrambled rapidly to her feet without accepting his offered hand. As she watch him lower the hand slowly, she ordered herself fiercely to speak. Surely the man would not want to harm her...surely. He was a Quartermaine. And as far as she knew, rich men did not go around killing innocent women...did they? But had he not shot at his own brother? At the thought, Elizabeth's eyes went directly to the man's other hand, and sure enough, there was a gun in it!
"I-I'm sorry sir. I-I didn't mean to trespass. P-please let me go." Elizabeth was almost shaking with fear.
So the girl could at least speak. Shaking his head, Jason said in a less threatening tone, "I don't care if you trespassed. I just want to know what you were doing hiding in that orchard."
Perhaps he would just let her go if she told him the truth? Gathering her courage she spoke quickly, "I-I was at the pond over there sir and I know I shouldn't have been there, so I hid when I heard riders approaching. I'm sorry, Mr. Quartermaine."
Jason's eyes narrowed. "What makes you think I'm a Quartermaine?"
Lord she had done it now! Now he knew she had eavesdropped on his conversation with his brother! As he waited for her reply, Elizabeth felt the cool evening air hit her damp skin. Why could he just not let her leave in peace?! Finally, she said, "Please sir, I need to get home. It's almost dark and my family will be worried."
"I think you need to answer me first."
Elizabeth licked her dry lips and her eyes flickered from his shadowed face to the gleaming gun in his hand. "P-please put the gun away sir."
Did the girl really think he was going to shoot her? After a moment, Jason slowly placed his gun in the holster hanging from his hip, and then moved closer to her. As she took a quick step away from him, he reached around her and pulled up the bicycle by the handlebars. "You can go home. Just tell me what you heard."
The fact he had put his gun away had made Elizabeth a little easier. A very little easier. She decided she had best tell him the whole of what she heard. After all, once she told him what could he possibly want from her. She was a nobody. "I heard you speaking to a man...AJ Quartermaine. He called you Jason and well...you...you must be Jason Quartermaine."
The man shook his head. "No. I'm not." He leaned down closer to her, and for the first time, Elizabeth could clearly make out the features of his face under the shadows of his black cowboy hat. His face was all sharp angles, but would have perhaps even been called handsome by some if one could look past the harshness of his features. And the scar across his cheek, while not disfiguring, only added to the overall air of danger he exuded. But what really caught her attention, were the most intense blue eyes she had ever seen. They seemed to be able to penetrate straight into her soul. Lord...this was the type of man she would have avoided at all cost if she had the choice, but she had no choice now.
He continued in his steady tone, "But my name is Jason. If you heard that much, you heard the rest. I suggest you keep it to yourself, miss."
As her gaze was held unwillingly by his, she felt he wasn't suggesting a thing. He was ordering it. But he didn't know Elizabeth Webber. The only individuals she would have discussed this matter with were not even human! "Y-yes sir."
Jason stepped back from the girl and her bicycle. Without another word, the girl quickly made her way onto the contraption, and with braids flying through the air, she was off.
As he stared after her small form riding down the dirt road, he wondered who the girl was. She must belong to one of the neighbouring farms. Perhaps one of Luke Spencer's kids? And what was she doing out here so close to dark? He wondered if he should follow her...no. He had enough troubles of his own to be playing hero right now.
Shaking his head, he got back into his saddle, and turned his thoughts back to the reason he was here on this road...the reason he was even here in Heaven, Kansas. His daughter. As soon as Emily's letter had arrived in Texas, he had headed back to Kansas. For the first time in a long time he had acted on pure emotion. He had a daughter, and he knew without a doubt he wanted her away from the Quartermaines. Those lying, cheating Quartermaines. Out of all of them only Lila and Emily could be trusted. The rest of them, as he had learned the hard way, would do anything for power. And he would be damned if he let his daughter be used as a pawn in that game.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Chapter 1
"What am I to do, Daisy? Oh...I know, I know. Why not just tell the boy I love him? Right? That's what you're thinking. I can see it in those large dark eyes. But I just can't. Can you imagine how hard he would laugh if he found out?" The seventeen year old young woman gave a disheartened laugh before continuing, "Plain, little Lizzie Webber in love with the kindest, most handsome young man in town. He doesn't even notice I exist for goodness sake! Not with Sarah around. I know Daisy, I know. That is enough self-pitying for one day right? Yes, time to get the rest chores done before Grams comes out here!"
Lifting a milk pail in her hand, Elizabeth Webber quickly stood up from the stool, but the heel of her shoe got caught on the dirt, and she lost her footing. As she fell, she let out a small exclamation, "Ow!"
Elizabeth quickly glanced down at the pail in her hand and let out a relieved breath. At least she had not spilled any of the milk. Carefully, making her way to her feet, she brushed her white and blue striped dress off, and gave the cow another pat on her head. "You won't tell anyone, will you Daisy? Oh I know, no one would be the least surprised I fell but still...I wish I could be more...more graceful like Sarah." She let out another sigh. "I'll see you later, Daisy."
As she headed around the barn, she noticed her grandmother coming out the front door of the small farmhouse. By the cross look on the elderly lady's face, Elizabeth knew she was in for it. She had taken much too long with the milking!
"Lizzie Webber, do you know it has been almost half an hour?! The milk is probably sour by now. Stop your daydreaming and get in here girl!"
With a tightened grip on the milk pail, Elizabeth lifted up her skirt with one hand, and started running toward the white porch. "I am terribly sorry Grams." As she reached her grandmother, she handed over the pal. "I will go feed the pigs now." And before the older woman could say another word, Elizabeth ran back down the stairs and toward the pigpen.
Audrey Hardy shook her head as she watched her youngest granddaughter running away. It was early morning, and already the girl's smock was covered in grass stains and mud. She had likely had another mishap. She knew Lizzie was a good girl, but she was quite trying at times! She did not know how Lizzie and her sister could have had the same parents, may they both rest in peace. The tall and fair Sarah was always so composed and never was forgetful or even fanciful. The tiny Lizzie with her dark brown unruly hair, on the other hand, was painfully shy and always daydreaming. Well, the Lord certainly works in mysterious ways, thought the woman as she walked back into the house.
As she made her way around the fencing, Elizabeth grinned apologetically at one particularly plump pink pig. "I know Burt, I'm late this morning, but I'll get you and your friends your breakfast. You would not believe what a fuss Daisy gave me with the milking!"
"Lord Lizzie! Why do you insist on naming those animals? You know it will only end in heartache."
With a small sigh, Elizabeth turned around to see her sister's stunning clear blue eyes staring at her with unconcealed annoyance. As usual her sister was beautiful in a green dress, and her blond hair was up in a loose bun, allowing soft ringlets to frame her elegant face. Elizabeth was about to reply when her eyes immediately fell upon the handsome young man standing off to the side. As usual his light brown hair was covered by a large brown cowboy hat.
With laughing eyes, Lucky Spencer made his way towards her. Tugging on one of her long braids, he said with a friendly smile, "Morning Beth. How are Burt and the rest today?"
Elizabeth blushed. As usual she found it difficult to say anything when Lucky was nearby. She could not even remember a time when she had not been in love with their neighbours' youngest son. He had always been so kind to her, and was one of the few people in the small town of Heaven, Kansas who had looked past her shyness to become her friend. "Good morning Lucky. What are you doing by so early?" she asked as a tentative smile formed on her face.
With face slightly flushed, Lucky reached down and took Sarah's hand in his. He said in a proud voice, "I want you to be the first to know Beth, Sarah has made me the happiest of men. She has agreed to become my wife."
Elizabeth felt the smile on her lips freeze into place as all colour drained from her face. No. He could not have just said...but the radiant smile on Sarah's face and the happiness in his told her he had. She placed a hand on the fence behind her and gripped the wood tightly against the pain.
"Lizzie? Are you not going to congratulate us?" Sarah asked in a concerned voice as she moved a golden ringlet out of her eye.
Trying valiantly to ignore the intense pain in her heart, Elizabeth pasted a smile on her face and tried to speak. "Congratulations to the both of you. I-I hope you are very happy." As they both smiled at her, Elizabeth blinked trying to clear her eyes of the tears that were pooling there.
"Thank you, Beth. I knew you would be happy for us." Lucky turned to Sarah and said gently, "I asked Audrey yesterday for her blessing, but I want to tell her you said yes."
Laughing softly, Sarah exclaimed, "Of course I said yes Lucky! But let's go and see her. She will be so happy! We will see you later Lizzie."
She would never know how, but she managed to keep the tears from falling until the happy pair had made their way towards the house. Then leaning her head on her hands on the fence, she wept for the loss of her dream. She had known Lucky fancied Sarah but she had not known her sister returned his feelings. Why had Sarah not said anything? And now they were to be married.
After a few minutes, Elizabeth wiped her eyes, and started to feed the pigs. She would just have to accept that the love of her life was marrying someone else. But why did it have to be her sister? It was not that she did not think Sarah deserved happiness, but Lord it hurt so much. And what would it be like when they were actually hitched? It was not as if she had any true hope of gaining Lucky's affections. She knew he only saw her as a little sister, but still...it had been a pleasant dream. Until one had to awaken from it.
Not desiring to see the happy couple once again that morning, she quickly finished the rest of her chores, and then ran toward her bicycle. When her brother, the famous New York physician, Steven Webber, had come to visit them last year, he had brought the wonderful contraption with him. He had said that all the city folks up east were trying them. Sarah and Grams had been shocked that anyone would ride such an unstable looking thing, but Elizabeth had immediately fell in love with it.
On their small farm they had only the two horses for the buggy, so she never had the chance to ride on her own. But with her bicycle, she could travel anywhere she wished when she wanted to be alone. Well...perhaps not anywhere as Grams was rather strict about her riding too far away from the farm.
But this day, Elizabeth felt the overwhelming urge to get as far away from the farm as possible. With hands firmly on the handlebars, she peddled as fast as she could along the dirt road going past the Spencer land, toward the place she went when she needed solitude.
When she came upon the apple orchard, she jumped off the bicycle, and after carefully looking around, she walked with it through the trees and up the hill. Just beyond the hill was a group of large trees. Getting back on the bike she headed down the hill toward the trees. Despite the pain of the day, a smile curved her lips as the warm wind rushed into her face. Finally she made her way through the trees and came upon the small pond.
Elizabeth got off the bicycle and leaned it against one particularly old tree near the pond. Then she leaned around the tree, eyes searching for something. There near the large base, a small opening could be seen. Bending down, she placed her hand inside and pulled out a satchel. Sitting down next to the bicycle on the damp ground, she opened the leather satchel and pulled out her book and ink pen.
Flipping through the pages of sketches of a variety of different subjects, she finally came upon a blank sheet. And then proceeded to sketch the one subject that could be found on more than one page-Lucky. As her hand moved over the page, she put all her heart into every line of his features she drew. While Elizabeth oftentimes had difficulty with words, she found it much easier to express herself in her drawings. It was really unfortunate that she was much too shy to show them to anyone. But she was afraid...afraid that if others saw them...they would see who she really was.
As was often the case when she was drawing, time flew by, and the afternoon sun had already risen in the sky and was now descending. As the light began to fade, Elizabeth looked up from her fourth attempt to sketch Lucky in shock. "Oh no!" It was already evening, and Grams was probably worried sick! Quickly jumping up to her feet, Elizabeth placed her drawings back into the satchel and the hole in the tree. She walked with the bike away from the pond, through the trees and up the hill.
But as she was about to make her way out of the apple orchard, she heard the sound of horses pounding on the dirt road. Riders! She quickly made her way behind a group of trees, holding her breath. What if it was one of the Quartermaine farmhands? If she was caught on their property, she knew she would have a lot of explaining to do.
As her pulse began to race, she heard the distinct sound of male voices. Angry male voices.
"Get out of my way AJ."
"Or what Jason? You'll shoot me? Even you could not get away with killing your own brother."
Elizabeth's breath caught in her throat in shock. AJ...was that AJ Quartermaine? Lord, there was a Quartermaine out there, and everyone knew to be afraid of the Quartermaines. Not only were they the richest folks in these parts, owning practically everything in town and most of the surrounding land, but they also had widespread influence. She herself, had only seen them in church or on the streets of town from a distance. None of their children went to the one room town school. They had all gone to boarding schools up east...Emily, AJ, and Jason Quartermaine...wait...Jason...that was the other man's name. Hadn't there been rumours about him...
"I am going to get my daughter even if I have to go through you, AJ."
"Rebecca is not your daughter, Jason. She's mine and Eve's. We raised her. We gave her a home. What can you give her?"
"You raised her because you didn't inform me I had a child. I had to find out from Emily about her."
"We couldn't find you Jason. How could we for heaven's sake? You wanted to cut all ties, so we did."
"Damn it! You know Lila knew exactly where I was. You knew I would never have let you raise my child as a Quartermaine. I said get out of my way AJ!"
At the sound of the gunshots, Elizabeth jumped, and placed her hand over her mouth to stifle her screams. Oh Lord! They were going to kill each other.
"Damn it Jason, you could have really hit me!"
"If I had wanted to, you would be dead now, AJ. I said get out of my way."
"At least give me time to prepare Eve. She doesn't even know you're in town. You have to think of what's best for Rebecca, Jason. We'll let you see her peacefully with Lila around. You don't want her to see us fighting do you? She's still only an infant but..."
The man let his sentence hang in the air unfinished. There was a long tense silence and Elizabeth held her breath, waiting.
"Alright AJ. I'll give you until morning. But if I don't see her, I will do whatever is necessary to get her away from you and Edward."
"That's not necessary Jason. We just want what's best for Rebecca."
After a moment, Elizabeth could hear the sound of horses riding away into the distance. When the sound grew so faint she had to strain to hear it, she gingerly peeked around the tree. She could just make out the road between the trees, and it appeared to be empty. Oh thank heavens! The sky was lit in orange and red hues, and Elizabeth knew it would be dark very soon. She had to get home!
Gripping the handlebar and the seat, she started to guide her bicycle towards the road. But all the while her mind was preoccupied with the strange conversation she overheard. As shy as Elizabeth was, she never participated in local town gossip, but even she knew something of the Quartermaines. Three years ago she recalled hearing AJ Quartermaine had married Eve Lambert, a young lady from Boston and had brought her home with him to the Quartermaine ranch. And shortly after that it was announced they had a little girl named Rebecca. But from the conversation she just heard, AJ's brother was the girl's father? And he had come for his daughter! What a strange world this was...and she thought her life was complicated.
Elizabeth had just turned her bicycle in the direction of home when a male voice spoke from behind her.
"And what were you doing in there?"
"Ah!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she gave a small jump of surprise and dropped her bicycle. Turning around she found herself staring up at a large dark horse. Taking a step back, she tripped over the rear wheel and landed on her rear end.
As she tried to catch her breath, to her horror, a man was dismounting from the huge animal and was sauntering over towards her. All she could make out was that he was tall and well built but other than that she could not distinguish any features as the sun was glowing behind him.
"Are you alright?" the man asked sharply. Unlike most people from the area, his accent was crisp, almost northern like all of the Quartermaines. Oh heavens...the man in front of her must be either Jason or AJ Quartermaine. No, not AJ. That voice did not belong to him...
"Are you alright?" Jason Morgan asked for the second time. What was wrong with the girl? He had been about to head back to town, when he heard sounds coming from the apple orchard. While he waited for whoever it was to appear, he had not imagined that it would be a girl. He couldn't quite determine her age but she looked rather young. Though the light was going, he could make out a round face, and big catlike sapphire eyes. Eyes that looked frightened to death. Not an unusual thing with eyes looking up at him, but he never liked frightening women or children.
Holding out his hand, he ordered, "Here take my hand."
What did he want?! Not taking her eyes away from him, Elizabeth scrambled rapidly to her feet without accepting his offered hand. As she watch him lower the hand slowly, she ordered herself fiercely to speak. Surely the man would not want to harm her...surely. He was a Quartermaine. And as far as she knew, rich men did not go around killing innocent women...did they? But had he not shot at his own brother? At the thought, Elizabeth's eyes went directly to the man's other hand, and sure enough, there was a gun in it!
"I-I'm sorry sir. I-I didn't mean to trespass. P-please let me go." Elizabeth was almost shaking with fear.
So the girl could at least speak. Shaking his head, Jason said in a less threatening tone, "I don't care if you trespassed. I just want to know what you were doing hiding in that orchard."
Perhaps he would just let her go if she told him the truth? Gathering her courage she spoke quickly, "I-I was at the pond over there sir and I know I shouldn't have been there, so I hid when I heard riders approaching. I'm sorry, Mr. Quartermaine."
Jason's eyes narrowed. "What makes you think I'm a Quartermaine?"
Lord she had done it now! Now he knew she had eavesdropped on his conversation with his brother! As he waited for her reply, Elizabeth felt the cool evening air hit her damp skin. Why could he just not let her leave in peace?! Finally, she said, "Please sir, I need to get home. It's almost dark and my family will be worried."
"I think you need to answer me first."
Elizabeth licked her dry lips and her eyes flickered from his shadowed face to the gleaming gun in his hand. "P-please put the gun away sir."
Did the girl really think he was going to shoot her? After a moment, Jason slowly placed his gun in the holster hanging from his hip, and then moved closer to her. As she took a quick step away from him, he reached around her and pulled up the bicycle by the handlebars. "You can go home. Just tell me what you heard."
The fact he had put his gun away had made Elizabeth a little easier. A very little easier. She decided she had best tell him the whole of what she heard. After all, once she told him what could he possibly want from her. She was a nobody. "I heard you speaking to a man...AJ Quartermaine. He called you Jason and well...you...you must be Jason Quartermaine."
The man shook his head. "No. I'm not." He leaned down closer to her, and for the first time, Elizabeth could clearly make out the features of his face under the shadows of his black cowboy hat. His face was all sharp angles, but would have perhaps even been called handsome by some if one could look past the harshness of his features. And the scar across his cheek, while not disfiguring, only added to the overall air of danger he exuded. But what really caught her attention, were the most intense blue eyes she had ever seen. They seemed to be able to penetrate straight into her soul. Lord...this was the type of man she would have avoided at all cost if she had the choice, but she had no choice now.
He continued in his steady tone, "But my name is Jason. If you heard that much, you heard the rest. I suggest you keep it to yourself, miss."
As her gaze was held unwillingly by his, she felt he wasn't suggesting a thing. He was ordering it. But he didn't know Elizabeth Webber. The only individuals she would have discussed this matter with were not even human! "Y-yes sir."
Jason stepped back from the girl and her bicycle. Without another word, the girl quickly made her way onto the contraption, and with braids flying through the air, she was off.
As he stared after her small form riding down the dirt road, he wondered who the girl was. She must belong to one of the neighbouring farms. Perhaps one of Luke Spencer's kids? And what was she doing out here so close to dark? He wondered if he should follow her...no. He had enough troubles of his own to be playing hero right now.
Shaking his head, he got back into his saddle, and turned his thoughts back to the reason he was here on this road...the reason he was even here in Heaven, Kansas. His daughter. As soon as Emily's letter had arrived in Texas, he had headed back to Kansas. For the first time in a long time he had acted on pure emotion. He had a daughter, and he knew without a doubt he wanted her away from the Quartermaines. Those lying, cheating Quartermaines. Out of all of them only Lila and Emily could be trusted. The rest of them, as he had learned the hard way, would do anything for power. And he would be damned if he let his daughter be used as a pawn in that game.
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