Chapter 2
Introductions
The Turner's homestead was nestled in the middle of a sprawling valley. Giant oak trees stood in stark contrast to the grassy plains and a veil of wild flowers escorted them up to the cabin. Elizabeth had never seen such an amazing acreage of land. Blowing hay fields whispered in the wind, while the tall corn fields rustled with excitement for the oncoming rain. As they approached the cabin they were quickly greeted by a grey and white scruffy dog. It seemed to sense the anticipation of new guests and barked wildly at the horses. Elizabeth took in the home as the wagon came to a stop. The house was elegantly simple. It was a two story home that stood proudly next a pair of large oak trees. Instead of logs, thin wood boards were used to construct the walls and were accented with crisp glass windows both upstairs and down. A large porch encircled the front of the home with candles already donning the large kitchen window. Fresh laundry flopped in the wind, with the sprawling barn standing proudly to the south. The Turners were obviously successful with their lot in life. Before James could even help Elizabeth from the wagon a loud voice came from inside the house.
"Reverend James Norrington, well I'll be darn!" James helped Elizabeth to the ground just in time to greet a plump woman walking briskly towards them. He turned to her with open arms,
"Lottie Virginia Turner it is a pleasure as always." The woman gave him a quick embrace then turned to Mr. Gibbs.
"Robert didn't your mother ever teach you to wash up before escortin a lady." Mr. Gibbs outwardly blushed and tipped his hat to the woman.
"Wishin I would of now in the presence of two pretty ladies." Lottie blushed scarlet red and gently hit him on the arm for such a comment. She then turned her full focus to Elizabeth.
"And who might this be?" She questioned aloud with authority, placing her hands at her hips.
"Mrs. Turner my name is…" before Elizabeth could get another word out she was overtaken by the woman's strong embrace.
"Miss Elizabeth, our town has been lookin forward to meeting you since your letter three months back. It is an honor to have you stayin in my home!" James laughed at the startled look on Elizabeth's face, and soon she couldn't help but join him as she hugged the woman in return.
"The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Turner." She replied as the woman tenderly pulled away.
"The name is Lottie dear," she corrected, "now let me have a look at ya." She backed slightly away, still holding Elizabeth's arm out, and inspected her from head to toe. Elizabeth almost felt scrutinized under her gaze if it wasn't for the large beautiful smile that graced her countenance while doing so.
"A little thin, but I think we can fix that in no time." She chuckled and wrapped Elizabeth's arm around hers. "Now you gentlemen get her things and head in side. Poor thing is probably half starved after her long journey." Lottie guided Elizabeth through the main entrance of the home which opened into the kitchen. Open shelves displayed an array of dishes and colorful jars full of fruits and vegetables. Wild daisies adorned the wood countertops that surrounded a giant metal basin used for washing. The hearth was lit and already busy cooking a great caldron along with several ears of sweet corn on a spit. The room smelled absolutely divine. A large table was set with seating for four in the middle of the room.
"Please make yourself at home dear while I a get another place setting." Elizabeth removed her hat and gloves and took in the loveliness of the room. She had read of the Wild West in various books and newspaper articles. Regarding people living burrowed up like animals and eating from the floor. In all the grandeur of St. Louis, she had never seen a more welcoming room. It was clearly the heart of the home, and she felt as if she had lived here for years instead of mere minutes.
"Here dear, can you please set these on the table while I check the stew." Lottie pushed a dish, fork, and glass into Elizabeth's hands then quickly returned to the hearth. Elizabeth cleared the fog of revere from her head and approached the table. Two benches hugged the table with a single chair at the head. There were place settings of two facing two, so the next obvious place was at the top. She laid the plate on the table, but struggled with where to place the fork. A dinner fork was properly placed to the left, yet the rest of the settings had the fork to the right. Deciding she had left propriety almost a week ago, she placed the fork to the right and set the glass above it. Her etiquette tutor would have a fit if she were to witness such a table. A small smile graced her features as she looked up to see James and Robert carrying the last of her trunks up the stairs. She turned to Lottie who was gazing out the window.
"The storm is sitting for awhile, now where is he?" Lottie mumbled still looking out across the valley.
"Oh, they are upstairs delivering my trunk." Elizabeth replied to her musing, "Both should be down shortly." Lottie turned to Elizabeth and smiled,
"Please sit honey, you poor thing have probably been running all day." Elizabeth looked down at her travel attire,
"May I please change for dinner?"
"Oh nonsense," Lottie grabbed a wick from a drawer and light another candle in the window. "You look perfectly presentable for my table dear." James and Robert came strolling down the stairs and removed their hats before sitting at the table. Elizabeth strolled over to James who gently stood as she seated herself next to him. Robert was already helping himself to a biscuit and missed the gesture. Lottie continued to stand and stare out the window. Elizabeth could see that she was worried, but didn't understand why the storm would be so upsetting. It was then she noticed that the table had an extra place setting. There were four of them in the room, yet the table was set for five.
"Mrs. Turner," she politely asked. The woman turned and looked at her knowingly, "Lottie," Elizabeth corrected, "Are you…" suddenly the kitchen door flew open and a young man hastily entered the room.
"I'm sorry for being late Ma." He quickly crossed the room and gave his expectant mother a kiss to the cheek. He then turned to face the table,
"Please accept my apo..lo..gy…" his voice faded as his eyes met her own. It was at this moment the world ceased to exist around her. The noise from the hearth and the aromas surrounding her all faded into black, or maybe they were brown…yes dark brown eyes which seemed to peer into her soul.
"William this is Miss Elizabeth Swann, the town's new school teacher." The sound of his mother's voice seemed to break him from his daze and an easy smile appeared on his face. The same charming smile his mother had given her upon arrival. He slightly bowed,
"Miss Swann it is a pleasure." Propriety quickly kicked her out of her seat as she stood and gave a slight curtsey, knocking the table as she did and spilling her glass of water. Her enamored blush quickly turned to embarrassment as she reached for the absent napkin and attempted to salvage the corn tray.
"Oh no worries dear, darn wobbly table. Been asking Will to fix it for a month!" Lottie reassured as she produced a dish cloth from a drawer. The young man helped her rearrange the table then softly smiled at Elizabeth while picking up her glass before leaving the room.
"He'll be right back and we can start supper." Lottie explained as she took her seat next to Robert. William came in from outside carrying a full glass of water and placed it next to Elizabeth before sitting himself at the head of the table.
"Shall we say grace?" He announced and everyone bowed their heads.
"Kind Father in heaven, we thank Thee for the food we are about to eat. Bless this food to our use and our souls to Thy service. Help us, guide us, and in death save us. Amen." His strong voice seemed to echo through the room. The prayer, simple yet penitent.
"Elizabeth please start the corn," Lottie's commanding voice broke her reflection as James passed her the large bowel of steaming stew. She slightly fumbled with it before passing it onto Will. His strong arms took it with ease as he imparted another small smile to her in thanks.
The dinner conversation mainly focused around Elizabeth's journey to the small town and the weather approaching. Elizabeth could not keep focus on the dialogue; instead her eyes seemed to involuntarily gaze over to the young man to her right. She first noticed the slight hint of his broad chest that peaked through the two open buttons of his shirt. His hair had a few unruly curls that did not like to stay confined behind his ears. The hair that framed his face was damp, so he must have washed before coming into the house. His strong cheek bones highlighted her favorite feature, those soulful eyes which seem to dance when he smiled. She couldn't help but stare at this beautiful creature seated next to her.
"Elizabeth?" Lottie repeated. She slightly jumped at her name, hoping no one saw her practically gawking. "What do your parents have to say about you movin out here?" Just then a loud crack of thunder vibrated though the house. Lottie looked to Will who turned to gaze out the window. The Reverend and Robert quickly stood from their seats,
"That's our cue Lottie," Robert smiled, "preciate your hospitality, haven't ate so good in a month." James started to put on his coat,
"Yes thank you. It is always a pleasure to have good company." James looked to Elizabeth and slightly smiled. "Miss Elizabeth it was a delight to have met your acquaintance. I do hope we will have more time to spend together in the future." He then looked up to Will and nodded his head. Elizabeth did not miss the gesture, or the connotation of the statement. She politely thanked James and Robert for their service and once again voiced her eagerness to start the position. Both men hurried out to the wagon and began their journey back to town. Lottie, Will, and Elizabeth stood waving on the porch until the wagon crested the hill and was soon out of site. Another crack of thunder waved through the valley and the wind started to pick up. Elizabeth looked west to see a massive thunderhead, embellished with webs of lighting, slowly rolling towards them.
"Do you think they will make it in time?" She queried aloud, the worry evident in her voice. Will was still looking silently towards the sky.
"It's still a few miles off dear, and Robert lives right between here and town. The Reverend can always bunk at his home if the storm catches up. Now let's go get you settled." Lottie reassured, and took her arm gently leading her into the house. Will remained on the porch, carefully watching the storm as it developed.
"Now your room is just up these stairs and to your right. It's the ole nursery, so nothin special, but we placed a bed and spare wardrobe in it for guests like yourself." Elizabeth smiled as she entered the cozy room. The woman was not lying when she said it was small, but it suited her needs. The frame of the house cut down through the middle of the room giving little head space, but she did not intend to use the room for long. That is if the town kept up their word with building the school house. The bed was covered with an inviting patchwork quilt and there was a vase of wild flowers on wardrobe. Yes this room would do perfectly. "If you need anything please don't hesitate to ask or just help yourself. What's ours is yours dear." Lottie continued, "My room is right across the hall and Will's is the next door down to the right." Elizabeth's breath hitched,
"Pardon me?" She asked. "So William lives here…in this house." She had just clarified the obvious. Lottie chuckled and wrapped her arm around Elizabeth's shoulder.
"Well of course he lives here!" She saw the look of apprehension on the young woman's face, "Oh he is harmless deary I promise. He may look all rough and tough but he is just a big teddy bear like his father. I don't know what I would do without him honestly. He does everything round here since his father passed." At this statement Lottie's cheery demeanor fell slightly and she moved across the room busying herself with the bed linens. Elizabeth forced a smile and moved to one of her trunks, her mind whirling with the statutes of decorum. An unmarried adult man was going to be living not only in the same house but in the adjacent room to her. Her father would not allow it, but he was miles away in a different town… a different life.
She shuffled around in her trunk, not feeling much like unpacking when the roar of the wind shook the house and rain began to pelt the roof. Frightened by the wind, Elizabeth looked to Lottie who gave her a reassuring smile.
"This is just a baby storm round these parts. You've had a long day, why don't you turn in for the night. Can I get ya anything?" A crash of thunder again vibrated through the house. Elizabeth swallowed hard and shook her head no. The older woman crossed the room and took Elizabeth into a comforting embrace. "I'm so glad that you are here dear. Get your rest tonight for I have plans for you in the mornin." Elizabeth warmly returned the embrace and watched the woman exit the room closing the door behind her. It felt wonderful to free herself from the confining travel garments and into her soft cotton nightgown. She crawled under the sheets, throwing back the quilt, and doused the candle next to the bed. The humidity of the day was still in the room, but the cool sheets felt wonderful against her tired legs and feet. With the storm still raging outside, she closed her eyes and listened to the rain pound heavily against the roof.
A loud thud pierced the muted pattering of rain on the roof. Two distressed hazel eyes scanned the dark room for any signs of movement. There was a softer thud that came from the east wall soon followed by the creek of a door. She lay perfectly still in bed, waiting and watching the entrance to the room. Candle light traveled the length of the door stoop and disappeared. She let out a breath unbeknownst held. The sound of foot steps softly descended down the stairs. Reaching for her pocket watch on the night stand it affirmed her suspicion, 4:30am. The rain continued to softly cascade down, the room pleasantly cool and smelled of dew. Why would anyone be afoot at this hour of the morning? It was her demise, the curiosity that which her father scolded was one her worst flaws as a lady. When he truly meant: one of her many flaws as a lady. The rain was now a nuisance, as it muffled the noises from down stairs. After another few moments of silence she heard the front door creak open then shut. The clamor now gone, she was left once again in stillness of the morning shower. Closing her eyes, she tried to reclaim sleep but her inquisitive mind begged for answers. Her feet toed quietly across the cool floor boards as she navigated the room. Digging through her trunk she finally came across her night robe. Fastening the two buttons at her neckline she made her way to the door. Squeaky doors were her forte, and without one noise she was soon quietly making her way down the staircase. After assuring the kitchen was vacant, she came out from around the stairwell and noted the single lamp light on the kitchen table. It's position curiously close to the edge of the table, a clumsy mistake indeed. Walking over to the table she looked out window. The darkness of the night was eerie and she shook her head of childhood spooks. Drowsiness finally overtaking her apparent lackluster inquiry, she diminished the obvious fire threat and turned to make her way back to the comforts of her bedroom. Turning towards the stair case, she took about two steps when the front door suddenly opened in front of her and knocked her right off her feet. Falling backward, her head caught the edge of the coat rack and everything went black.
Thank you for the kind reviews! Pertaining to history, there actually was a town founded in the late 1850's called Big Springs. It was located in Kansas and was actually a popular watering hole along the Oregon Trail. The town truly had a post office along with a few other misc. buildings and several churches. Just a note of interest : )