Chapter 2

Ruth and Caleb

Two weeks had passed since the Pontipee brothers kidnapped the six women from town. The girls were all shocked and crazed with what had happened, but none of the abducted girls were so disappointed as Ruth Jebson was. Ruth genuinely thought that Caleb Pontipee was the one for her. She honesty believed that the fate had brought them together during the barn raising. Even after the terrible fight she witnessed, she still couldn't help but fall in love with the charming brother. Even though, Ruth hated violence and didn't approve it at all.

She kept day-dreaming about the third oldest Pontipee brother all summer, hoping that he would return to town and court her properly, wishing that her knight in shining armour would take her to his castle. But unfortunately she didn't dream about this... the night of the kidnapping was like a horrific nightmare for her. Ruth felt very betrayed by Caleb, she genuinely saw him as a husband material, until the terrible stunt he pulled. Two weeks had passed since everything happened, and yet Ruth still felt angry and backstabbed. Caleb had promised that he would follow her to the ends of the earth. Were those words fake? Did he really mean it?

Ruth felt homesick and her mind went back to her dear uncle, who had raised her like his own daughter. Billy Jebson was a widower who did not have any children. After Ruth's parents tragically died when she was only nine, Billy didn't think twice and took his brother's daughter in and raised her as his own child. Her caring and loving uncle had a weak heart, he couldn't stand when something unfortunate would happen to his niece. These thoughts pained Ruth more than ever, she worried about her dear uncle's health. Caleb had pulled her out of the window when she was cooling her baked pie, and her uncle had been waiting for her in the livingroom. She couldn't imagine what would her poor uncle do, after he would discover his sweet niece abducted and gone.

Caleb Pontipee needed to learn his mistake. Pushing snow from the window sill right in his face was not quite enough!

That evening, Milly was in the kitchen preparing dinner for the six younger Pontipee brothers. Ruth had finished washing the dishes and turned around to see what the other girls were up to. Sarah and Liza were knitting new qulits, Alice was reading to Martha, while Dorcas helped Milly with the food.

"Milly dear, I don't think you'll be able to deliver these trays to the boys, all by yourself." Liza said thoughtfully.

"Don't be silly, I'll be fine." Milly assured the worried girls.

"No way!" Martha exclaimed. "You won't tire yourself. I am sure one of the girls here, will be quite happy to help you. Right ladies?" Martha looked around and fixed her gaze on Alice, Dorcas, and Ruth.

"Of course!" Dorcas answered cheerfully.

Ruth thought about it for a minute and realized that now was her chance to see Caleb.

"I will help you Milly!" Ruth exclaimed little too loudly and anxiously.

All of the girls silenced including Milly, and stared at her little surprised. Since the kidnapping occured, Ruth didn't set foot outside. She was afraid and didn't want to risk running into one of the brothers. All of the six women knew that, and this sudden change in Ruth shocked them.

"Are you sure?" Milly asked dumbfounded

Ruth quickly nodded and cleared her throat. "Yes, I am positive."

What was she thinking? Was this even a good idea? She should have let Dorcas help Milly! Her thoughts traced back and forth about this, but it didn't matter anymore. Ruth was already wrapped up in a tight shawl, and was delivering the trays of food to Caleb and his brothers. Both Milly and Ruth walked heavily in the snow. It was already dark, and the moon shone over them. They chatted about weather conditions in the mountains. Ruth had lived in the east until she turned fourteen. She was used to cold weathers, but had never seen anything like this before! It was snowing almost everyday. It was cold and windy in town, but nothing like here in the mountains!

At last they approached the barn, and Milly walked in confidently. Ruth didn't hesitate either! She was done playing nice, naive, forgiving, and sweet! It was over...!

When the brothers saw the two women, they quickly stood up and walked over to Milly. Third Pontipee brother's heart started to race when he saw his golden haired sweetheart, standing next to his sister-in-law. Benjamin took the tray from Milly, while Caleb walked towards Ruth bit shyly. He was gazing at her with his deep ocean coloured eyes. Ruth cleared her throat uncomfortably, and handed him the tray of food.

"Thank you, Milly!" Gideon said anxiously. Milly nodded but her face remained strict and cool towards her brothers-in-law.

Caleb kept gazing at his sweetheart with regret and sorrow. For the moment, Ruth thought she was ready to let go of her anger and start over. But soon enough, the image of her poor uncle came to her mind and she remembered why she was here. Caleb needed to learn his mistake!

The next day, Ruth was acting very flirty towards Caleb. She was smiling and talking with him from the window, as he was shoveling snow by the house. Caleb himself was suprised, but nevertheless, kept talking with her and even mildly apologized to her. Ruth acted as nothing happened! As if she forgot about the kidnapping, forgot about missing her family, her town, and her caring uncle.

"Will I see you again?" Caleb asked with his soothing voice.

"I will bring pie to you and your brothers this evening." Ruth answered and bit her bottom lip.

Caleb's eyes sparkled with happiness and he slowly started to turn towards the barn, but Ruth called out to him. "Wait! Take this!" She handed him warm blankets and he departed.

When Caleb was out of sight, Ruth shook her head. Maybe tricking him was a wrong idea! But he needed to learn his mistake the hard way! There was not another option!

In the evening, Ruth prepared the most disgusting pie ever. She put in that cake every ridiculous and gross thing, she could think of.

"You can do it Ruthie!" Martha squealed excitingly.

Sarah and Liza placed hands over their mouths to hide their loud giggles.

"Oh girls! I don't know, maybe I'm being too harsh." Ruth said worryingly.

"Nonsense! If anything, you're being too nice." Martha answered confidently. Liza and Sarah nodded and kept laughing loud.

Ruth narrowed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Alright, I can do it!"

Dorcas walked into the kitchen with a mysterious glare. "What are you ladies up to? Milly is about to deliver dinner to the boys." She said as she looked strangely at Ruth's pie.

"Ruth will go along. She made a delicious pie for the the boys!" Liza giggled bit too loudly, and her words caused Martha and Sarah to burst out laughing even more loudly

Dorcas stared at Ruth with a dumbfounded look and finally she fixed her gaze at the cake. "Oh dear, Ruth. Forgive me, but your pie looks awful. What happened?"

Before Ruth could answer, Sarah cut in. "That's the point!" Ruth gave the other three girls a stern look, as if to tell them to mind their business. Thankfully, Martha, Liza, and Sarah, got the hint and quietly walked out of the kitchen parlour.

"Wanna tell me what's this about?" Dorcas said with complete awareness.

"Please, don't be mad at me. But this is my way of showing Caleb that I am still very mad." Ruth answered feeling bit ashamed.

Dorcas smiled and shook her head. She knew that feeling very well. Just a week ago, she had ruined Benjamin's finest clothes. Who was she to judge her best friend?

"You like him, don't you?" Dorcas asked her after a minute of silence.

Ruth didn't say anything, instead, she took her pie and went to accompany Milly.

"Thank you, Milly." Benjamin said as he took the platters from his big sister-in-law. When the two women had handed the trays to the brothers, Milly motioned Ruth to leave. She nodded and turned towards the door.

"Thank you for the pie." Caleb told her before she could exit the barn.

Milly was the first one to leave, but Ruth still lingered. "Why don't you try it now?" She said with a teasing glare.

Caleb started to blush because of her overly confident personality. She was acting different...very unlike herself.

"I would love to." Caleb answered and turned towards his brothers. Gideon was cutting the pie with his little dagger. "Here, you take a first bite." Frank said teasingly.

Caleb took the piece of cake and tasted it happily. Soon enough, he found himself choking on the food, because it was so disgusting. The taste was simply horrible and he couldn't swallow the pie, it was too raw. He wanted to vomit out everything! His brothers watched this sight and couldn't help but chuckle at their silly brother. Ruth in turn let out a big laugh.

When Caleb spitted out the food from his mouth, he found himself completely fooled and embarrassed. He was very confused...

"What is all this?" He asked puzzeled

"This is my way of showing you, how much I hate and despise you!" Ruth exclaimed angrily. "You really thought that I would forgive you that easily? Do you think I am a fool?"

"Ruth, listen" Caleb started feeling embarrassed because his brothers were witnessing their argument.

"You should be ashamed of what you did! I don't want to hear another word from you!" And with that, Ruth exited the barn and slammed the door.

There was a long awkward silence between the brothers. Caleb had never felt this way before. He was humiliated, embarrassed, confused, heartbroken, and shattered. Ruth must have felt the same way when he carried her off that night. For the first time, he realized that he had lost the woman he loved, and he had made a very gross mistake. Caleb wished he could take that night back...it was too late unfortunately.

Haha! Poor Caleb...lol

I don't know, but in the movie Ruth seemed like a good actress, especially, in the prank scene.

Review please.

Next chapter is about Daniel and Martha. Brace yourselves! Martha is the tough one!