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Special Note: I hope that those of you who live on the Gulf Coast or have family and friends that reside there are doing okay. I know that it's been an extremely trying time and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Chapter Forty-nine
Asa listened intently as the financial officer wrapped up his reporting, recapping to his investors the projected profits for the development project once completed and the buildings they planned to build were in full use. It was all coming together Asa thought with relief, his attention gradually drifting from the moment at hand as he begin to think how the deal could've gone a rye had the investors learned the truth about their investment. But thankfully his bribery had worked Asa mused, stopping word from getting out about the lien on the land being developed in this deal. For though the investors stood to make an enormous amount of money after the project's completion, they would be furious and would no doubt pull out of the deal, if they discovered Asa's deceit, discovered that their money was going to be used to settle the lien on the land instead of for the erection of the buildings. It was quite a coup, a coup that Asa wasn't too comfortable with, but it was all working out he quietly sighed. Now all that was left was for Jonathan Hawkins, the County Land Auditor, to give his final report, which Asa had made sure would read favorably with regards to his deal. And thus ensure that his investors would finalize the deal today. If only other things, particularly children – Vivian, where that easy to handle Asa now mused, thinking of the situation that he still needed to resolve with his daughter. But that thought quickly dropped from his mind when he suddenly heard the unthinkable being spoken, coming from across the table, impeding his thoughts. Asa's mind instantly returned to the meeting, and he directed his attention to the person that was speaking. It was Jonathan Hawkins, the man whom he'd paid off; the man whose report was to secure the deal between Asa and his investors. But to Asa's horror and shock, the report that the auditor was giving was not what he'd given before, was not what they'd agreed upon. For the man was now telling the truth, Asa thought in humiliated anger, informing everyone, stunning them, by confessing that the initial report was wrong. Which instantly annihilated the deal of a lifetime, a deal that Asa had been trying to secure for months. And forever injured Asa's reputation, by discrediting him, humiliating him, amongst some of the most powerful men in the state of Kentucky.
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Wilhelmina moved about the room, putting away the new clothes Vivian had purchased, thinking how she'd never seen anyone behave as dishonorably as the young woman had behaved over the past few weeks. For Vivian had continued her lies to Mr. Logan and had done the unthinkable in challenging her father. Wilhelmina had been appalled, a few nights before when she'd been dusting in the room that connected to the parlor, unbeknownst to Vivian and Mr. Winters, and had overheard Vivian threatening her father, telling him that if he didn't help her hold on to Mr. Logan she would inform the authorities of his involvement in the attack on Mr. Logan and his pa. Wilhelmina had been stunned, and not just by Vivian speaking to her father in such an abhorrent way, but the fact that Mr. Winters pretty much admitted that he was behind the attack, and the fact that Vivian was willing to use this horrible deed as a weapon against her father to get what she wanted. Wilhelmina had been deeply hurt by this and still was. For never in her life would she have imagined Vivian, the young woman whom she'd always thought was spoiled yet a genuinely good girl, would act so terribly, would act so much like, or worse than, her father...
"Wilhelmina isn't it beautiful!" Vivian excitedly proclaimed, bringing the woman's mind back to the room, causing her to turn her attention from what she was doing and onto Vivian who was primping in front of the mirror, observing herself in the new dress she'd tried on.
"Yes, it's a pretty dress." Wilhelmina answered honestly, but solemnly, still thinking of the young woman's shameful behavior.
"Are you certain?" Vivian questioned as she continued to preen before the mirror. "Because from the tone of your voice it doesn't sound like you really like this dress."
"I said it's pretty and I meant it." Wilhelmina somberly repeated.
"Okay what's wrong?" Vivian abruptly queried, now halting her sprucing to turn and face the woman who had resumed removing the new clothing from its packages and boxes and who was now not answering the question Vivian had posed. Because she was too disgusted by what the young woman was doing.
"Wilhelmina?" Vivian pressed as she then walked over to the bed where the woman was working. But Wilhelmina still didn't answer, choosing to ignore the young woman and continue putting away the garments. "You still don't approve of my relationship with Sean do you?" Vivian questioned with a sigh.
What relationship? Wilhelmina wanted to ask, but instead held that thought and gave a less offensive response. "You know how I feel about that whole situation." She answered coolly as she moved to hang a new gown in the closet.
"Well I guess I do." Vivian admitted with a hint of tartness in her voice as she then moved to unbutton the dress that she'd just tried on. "But you have to know that I'm doing what I'm doing for love." The young woman continued, sickening Wilhelmina, who felt that Vivian knew nothing about true love, about how selfless it was. "I love Sean." She said. "And I will do anything to have him. And if that means lying, then that's what I'm going to do."
"Well that's good for you." Wilhelmina stiffly responded, failing to give the young woman her full attention as she returned to the bed and retrieved more clothes.
"Yes it is good for me!" Vivian asserted confidently, while completely removing the dress she'd had on. "Cause all of my hard work will soon be paying off." She bragged as Wilhelmina continued to ignore her while hanging up the clothes. "My dream..." She stated. "Which you said would never come true is finally happening…Sean and I are getting married!" She announced victoriously, which caused Wilhelmina to stop what she was doing and finally turn her attention to Vivian, shock on her face.
"That's right!" Vivian continued boastfully as she threw the dress that she'd just taken off onto the bed and retrieved another one to put on. "Even though he hasn't asked me yet, I know that it's coming. I can feel it!" She exclaimed. "You know after the near debacle with his family at dinner the other night, I thought for sure that Sean was going to break things off." Vivian resumed as she dressed in a new gown, thinking how she'd played her cards carefully that night by asking, but not inquiring too much about Lexy's outburst. "But he hadn't." She continued. "Instead, he sent a message to me the next day, expressing his feelings." She embellished. "And invited me to breakfast at the ranch tomorrow morning so that we can discuss our future, which is of course the wedding."
For a short time Wilhelmina stood quiet, staring at Vivian, stunned by the young woman's announcement, not wanting to believe that her lies and her outrageous behavior had managed to deceive Sean Logan, to sway him in the direction of marriage..."How do you know...that Mr. Logan will be wanting to discuss marriage?" Wilhelmina finally asked when she found her tongue. "How do you know that he's not wanting to discuss the truth? That he's not going to tell you the truth?" She posed in a tense tone, trying hard to hold in her anger and appall.
"Because if he were planning to do that he would've done it two days ago when he took me home after the near fiasco at dinner. But he didn't." Vivian declared. "Because he knows that a future with me is in his best interest." She said, now buttoning up her dress, thinking of her father's "enlightened discussion" with Sean. "Plus no one else will have him after his involvement with that Negro, except me." She proclaimed.
"And why is that?" Wilhelmina asked before she could stop herself, frustration in her voice. "Why do you still want Sean Logan after what he's done to you?"
"Because I love him." Vivian answered stiffly, but with a hint of emotion in her voice. "And I know that we can have a life together."
For a moment Wilhelmina held the young woman's gaze, believing that she was lying, concluding that Vivian didn't love Sean any more than Sean loved her. That she was holding on to memories, feeling from the past to justify what she was doing right now. Wilhelmina didn't know when, but she now knew that Vivian's "love" for Sean had died a while ago. That the young woman was still pursuing him, because she was pursuing her pride, trying to erase her humiliation in the public's mind. For Vivian wouldn't look so pathetic, so humiliated, if her "fiancé" had just "made a mistake" with the Negro, which had been know to happen. Wilhelmina now mused. But was really in love with her, and thus they were moving forward with their marriage plans. Wilhelmina quietly sighed now thinking how different things would've been had Mr. Logan hadn't left Vivian for a Negro. For though Vivian was hurt, she could've dealt with Mr. Logan leaving her because he didn't love her, The woman now deduced, but the minute Vivian learned that the relationship was over due to a Negro, that all changed, driving the young woman into this disgraceful mode to marry Sean Logan at any cost, and in turn save her image in the public's eye...
"Well you could be wrong about having a life together." Wilhelmina finally countered as she slowly resumed her task of taking the clothes out of the boxes. "What are you going to do if Mr. Logan tells you the truth instead of telling you he wants to plan a wedding?" The woman presented, hoping that this would be the case, as she turned her eyes back to Vivian.
"He won't do that." Vivian denied confidently. "His guilt over my memory loss won't allow him to." She declared as she walked over to the mirror and observed herself in another new dress, briefly thinking of the security her father's talk with Sean had provided. "Thus by this time tomorrow Sean and I will again be engaged." She said with a smile. "And I'll be planning a wedding for oh ... say New Years!" She uttered excitedly; then again began to primp in front of the mirror, which left Wilhelmina incensed and aghast, wishing that there was something she could do to stop Vivian's plan.
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Sean rushed down Main Street in downtown Lexington, barely noticing the people he walked by who were weighed down with Christmas boxes and bags, the shops he passed that were decorated with pine garland and mistletoe, and the cold air that whipped around him indicative of the season that was in. Sean barely noticed that all of these things were working together to form a wonderful yuletide aura over the town of Lexington, causing all to be eager with holiday cheer, except for him, who was too immersed in the troubles in his life to enjoy the marvels of the holiday season. Sean continued down the street, thinking about the meeting he'd just left, how he'd gotten nowhere with the men he was trying to work with on the water initiative, wondering why he was still on the job. Even though Clancy still thought that he was the best man for the job, that he could still one day be his successor, Sean no longer saw that as a reality. The truth was he hadn't believed that that could be a reality since he'd returned to work after the attack. For though there were many people who still supported him, most, especially the other town officials and the businessmen he had to work with, didn't want him on the job, which made it nearly impossible for him to make any progress on the city projects. And thus made him seem more like a hindrance to the growth of Lexington, than a help. Sean deeply inhaled, his heart paining at knowing that he was hurting the town that he loved, now thinking how he'd been doing a lot of that lately, hurting that that he loved. First it was Marita; then his family, particularly Lexy with his recent "decision to marry Vivian." Vivian Sean now mused with a sigh, not even wanting to go there, not even wanting to think about what he'd soon be doing with regards to her; so he pushed the thought of her from his mind and turned his musings to his next appointment, wondering if he had time to go by the office before that next meeting. Sean then promptly looked across the way at the clock that was set in the tower above city hall and saw that he indeed had time to make a quick stop by the office. He then again turned his eyes forward, and was instantly shocked, shaken by the vision before him. A vision that seemed to block out the world, block out everything that was happening around him. Sean's eyes remained fixed on the beauty before him, finding it so hard to believe that it was her - Marita, standing less than a block away - alone, having just exited the corner store. His heart ached with love, as he continued to watch her, mesmerized, unable to halt his hastened trek, unable to stop himself from going towards her, when suddenly Marita turned her gaze in his direction, as if she'd sensed him coming. And in that instant their eyes locked, and Sean could feel her love and her longing, swelling within his soul. Within seconds Sean was upon her and had eased his stride, walking up to her slowly as he intensely held her stare...
"Hi." He said softly as he came to stop before her, immediately noticing her peaked stance, but still finding that she was more beautiful than ever.
"Hi." Marita uttered faintly, nearly breathlessly, moved by the intensity of his gaze.
Silence –
"You and your pa just get back?" Sean quietly asked, the affect of her closeness apparent in his voice.
"Yes." Marita whispered, briefly lowering her eyes, in an attempt to restrain the powerful emotions Sean was stirring within her. "Pa needed to pick up some supplies." Shesaid as she returned her eyes to his gaze, which caused her heart to ache at the tenderness she saw in them. "So we stopped here before heading home." She continued. "He's still inside." She then added unevenly, before silence again reign the moment, and the world remained vague around them, as their eyes continuously held, expressing the amour in their souls; expressing how they wanted so much to be closer...
"So how have you been?" Marita managed to asked, forcing strength in her tone, forcing herself to not get lost, to lose control right there in the middle of town. "You look well." She said.
Silence –
"I'm okay." Sean quietly answered – lying. And therefore briefly turned his eyes away, wanting to tell her that he was not well, not without her, but knowing that she already knew this without him uttering the words. "How about yourself?" He then queried as he bound her again with his stare.
Marita hesitated before answering, yearning to convey the truth, to say how much she missed him; how much she still wanted him; and that she might be carrying his child, but instead she did as he done and softly spoke a lie... "I'm okay." She said with dropped eyes. Then returned her gaze to Sean, who was trying so hard not to touch her; thinking how insane it was for her to be so close and he not be able to feel her in his arms; thinking how insane it was for him to allow her to walk out of his life again. He couldn't do this he suddenly thought. He shouldn't be here, standing here, openly on the streets of Lexington, speaking to her, looking at her this way. For though he didn't care what people thought of him. He didn't care if people suspected or knew that he loved Marita. He did care for Marita's safety. He needed for her to be okay. He needed to protect her. And him standing here with her was not doing that...
"I have to go." Sean abruptly said, forcing the words from his lips as he promptly turned to go.
"Sean wait!" Marita quickly asserted, compelling him to stop and to return his intense gaze to her face, which stifled her response, overwhelmed her with an incredible rush of emotion, that choked the words in her throat and left her too stirred to speak. While Sean helplessly abandoned his plan to go, moved by her asking him to stay and by the powerful poignance he saw emanating from her eyes. She missed him – desperately, Sean knew. He felt it as he moved closer to her, closer than he'd been before, powerless to the feelings that were consuming him. She missed him just as much as he missed her. And she wanted him back, just as he wanted her back. She wanted this time of separation, this decision that they'd made to be apart, to be forgotten, just as he did; and she wanted them to move forward with their plans to be together. She loved him, God she loved him so much. He could feel it so strongly that he was nearly overcome with tears. And his soul ached at what he saw in her eyes, felt from her soul, which was a passionate reflection of every ounce of emotion now coursing fiercely through him. He wanted her so much. He now grieved. In spite of everything he wanted to reunite. He still wanted Marita for his wife and deep down he still believed that they could build a life together, but after all that had happened he didn't know how to reconcile; For there was this huge wall between them, created by fear and a need to "do the right thing," which was now blocking his words, keeping him from saying what was in his heart…
"What's going on?" Isaac questioned tightly as he came upon his daughter and Sean, who didn't even hear him, didn't even notice that he was there, because they were lost in their own world, unknowingly causing a scene around them as people stared and whispered as they walked by. "I said what's going on here?" Isaac queried with controlled anger, which finally shattered the mood between Marita and Sean, causing her to close her eyes in pain. While Sean's gaze briefly lingered on her, and he struggled to maintain a strong stance, before he then forced his eyes from her face and onto her angry father.
"Sir, nothings going on." Sean finally answered, his voice shaky, weak with emotion. "I was just leaving." He made himself say, hurt instantly ripping his heart. Sean then moved to go, but not before taking a fleeting glance at Marita, whose eyes were now open, staring at him with love, and pain, again nearly stopping him from walking away. But he pushed himself to leave, using everything in his power to turn away. And within seconds, Sean had made himself scarce, leaving Marita behind, forcing his feet to move forward, while his heart ached at the moment that had just been lost…
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"Jonathan." Asa uttered with frightening calm, stopping the man before he could leave the room with the all of the other men who'd just attended Asa's disastrous meeting. "May I speak with you a moment?" He asked, barely veiling the rage that was peaking within him. The young man nervously agreed to Asa's request; then waited in silence with a livid Asa for the room to clear out. After everyone had exited the room, Asa promptly moved to the door, closing it quietly, before turning his fuming eyes to Mr. Hawkins, upsetting the young man with his stare...
"So what happened?" Asa questioned in a quiet tone that was etched with intense ire. "We had a deal." He continued as he slowly walked towards Jonathan, scaring the man more. "Now why didn't you keep it?"
"I couldn't." Jonathan instantly replied; his voice trembling in terror. "I..."
"Why not!" Asa angrily interjected. "I paid you to do a job and..."
"And that's what I planned to do!" The man nearly cried, eager to explain why he'd not fulfilled his part of the deal. "But after my boss learned what I was doing..."
"Wait a minute, your boss learned what you were doing?" Asa interjected with fury and confusion. "What are you talking about?"
"Somehow my boss found out about the false report I'd released regarding your land." Jonathan revealed. "And he told me that if I didn't give an accurate report on the status of your land that I'd lose my job." The man said. "I have a wife and family to support." He continued nervously. "And even though the money you paid me was a lot...it can't support my family forever. I can't lose my job."
Asa nearly exploded with rage, realizing what had caused his deal to go to hell, instantly making the connection between Jonathan Hawkins' boss and the man he hated most in this world. Jim Campbell was the State Land Auditor, and Jonathan's boss, and thus well connected to many officials in government throughout the state, including the Deputy Directors of Regional Affairs. Jim Campbell had to have found out about the deceit surrounding his deal by someone else, someone who had easy access to the information he'd tried to conceal Asa seethed. Because as long as Asa was working on this deal, Mr. Campbell had had no involvement, no interest in what was going on. Had always allowed the County Auditor, Jonathan, to handle things, and now all of sudden, right here at the end, right when the deal was about to be finalized, Mr. Campbell felt the need to butt in, to scrutinize the reports and Mr. Hawkins work? "Dam Sean Logan!" Asa suddenly roared aloud, frightening Mr. Hawkins, thinking that Sean must've somehow learned about his deal, discovered the false report and informed Mr. Campbell as to what was going on. "Dam him! Dam him! Dam him!" The man boomed as he violently flailed some papers from the table to the floor.
"You've already tried that and failed." A voice said, startling Asa and Jonathan, causing them both to turn their attention towards the voice, which shocked Asa when he saw that it was Ned Logan standing in the door.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Asa asked indignantly as Ned now entered the room, fury in his stride.
"What else?" Ned answered with seething calm. "To make sure your investors had an accurate view of their investment."
"You bastard!" Asa retorted with fierceness and shock, stunned that Ned Logan was behind the fiasco he'd just endured. "You just made the biggest mistak.."
"No that was you!" Ned viciously interjected as he came upon Asa, staring the man squarely in the eyes, petrifying Jonathan Hawkins who remained in the room, witnessing all. "You made a colossal mistake when you decided to cross me." He resumed. "By having my son attacked, nearly killed, because you wanted to salvage your pride!"
"You're out your mind!" Asa sneered.
"You're dam right I'm out of mind!" Ned harshly concurred, the rage in his eyes chilling Asa to the core. "And if you don't stay the hell away from my family, and Marita Peters, you will see that what happened today is only the beginning." He warned in a tone that thundered with wrath.
"You don't scare me Logan!" Asa fired back, his trembling voice betraying his words. "I co..."
"Oh don't I?" Ned challenged brutally, terminating Asa's response, leaving the man stripped of words and nerve. "Then try me again." Ned dared him. "You hurt my son, my family or the Peters in any way, and mark my words, next time, it will cost you more than a mere business deal!"
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Clay nervously walked through the saloon, hating to be there, hating all of the smoke, the tipsy patrons and what appeared to be whores standing at every turn. But he had to be there, because this is where Pete said that Ferguson would be and after asking around Clay had found that to be true. He'd been told that the man was indeed in the saloon, in a back a room, which was where Clay was headed right now. He didn't know what he was going to do when he found the man; he just knew that he wanted to see him, to look the man in eyes who'd attacked his pa and Sean. From there Clay suspected that his fury would take over and God only knew what he'd do to the man that had hurt his family. Clay now came upon the room where in which he knew that Ferguson would be, but before the young man could open it's door, go inside and confront the man about his deeds, he felt a sudden blow from behind that knocked him to the floor. Clay's mind immediately began to fade, drifting further and further from the sounds of the saloon. He had to yell for help he tried to think, or get up and get out of this place, but before Clay could collect his strength to move, another woozy spell rushed through his head, and then everything vanished; the conscious world falling completely away, before Clay was then gone, submerged in the darkness of an unconsciousness void.