In this chapter just to kind of clarify for anyone who has not experienced this, extremely hot where I am from (South Dakota) and other mid-western states, we are talking 100-120 degrees and that is without humidity. It really sucks. Also I guess this chapter was inspired by the heat we are now having and the fact that we are harvesting our wheat. I don't know when they harvest in Kansas, usually before us so this is a little late. If I make a mistake it is that, a mistake and due to ignorance. Thanks!

A Time of Sadness for the Stabler's

They all knew that it would happen one day. It had been extremely hot, with temperatures in the one hundreds for almost a week. The work on the Stabler ranch had been hot and miserable, with wheat harvest going on, Ethan and Elliot both had been working long, hot hours, bring in the wheat with the neighbor's harvester. It was the first of it's kind, this combine comtraption that cut the wheat and shucked the kernels from the head. All Ethan knew was that it was still a hot, dirty, job to do.

They had just come to the house for their noon meal when the event that would change their lives happened. They had just said grace, and were filling their plates when a boy from town rode up. Elliot walked out and they talked for a few minutes then he returned with the saddest eyes any of them had ever seen. He grabbed Olivia's arm and took her into the bedroom. The owner of the harvester and the four Stabler children all watched, as their mother came back with tear filled eyes. She gathered her children around her from 17 year old Ethan to the 7 year old twins, Caleb and Will to 4 year old Katie. "Kids, Granddad." She stopped, as emotion overtook her.

Elliot stepped up then and wrapped an arm around his wife's shoulders, "What your Ma is trying to tell you, is that Granddad just passed away."

They all broke down then, the twins clung to each other, Katie, flew into Ethan's arms and Olivia clung to her husband. They all broke down together as a family. Each of them had their own reason for breaking down over the death of the beloved Percy Benson. He was not only special to them but he was special to the whole town. After a period of crying, they all calmed themselves and set back down to finish their lunch, then Elliot sent the harvester back out to work in the fields. He kept his family in the house with him though. He had a note that had been left for them all from Percy. Even on his deathbed he had thought of his family and they had all been so busy that they hadn't even been there to be at his side in his last hours. It left a bitter taste in Elliot's mouth thinking of it too.

After they finished eating he looked at Olivia and said, "Do you think you can read this to everyone or would you like me to do it?"

Olivia looked at her husband and her children and smiled sadly, "Would you do it, please, El."

Elliot took the folded paper out of his pocket and opened it and began to read:

To Elliot, Olivia, Ethan, Caleb, Will and Katie:

I know that I am at the end of my time and I am happy to say that it was a good time. For ninety-three years I have walked this earth and I have seen and done many things. I watched my son, Adam grow from a boy into a man and then I watched him become a father. When he passed on after the death of his dear wife, Katherine, I took in my sweet granddaughter, Olivia. To you my dear sweet Olivia and her good husband Elliot I wish to leave you a good sum of money, $5,000 dollars and whatever you get from the sale of my house. To Ethan, my great grandson of the heart, I wish to leave you enough to get your cattle herd bought with, I have left an account with your name on it at the bank, $3,000 dollars plus my word that you are good for a loan if you find you need it. I have also told Mr. and Mrs. Miller at the store to allow you to take a cook stove and whatever else you need to finish your house. They have been left with some money to cover the cost. To Caleb, I have left you an account at the bank as well, keep saving your money, I would like to see you make your dream of becoming a doctor become a reality son. Will I have left the store to you. Mr. and Mrs. Miller understand it is yours when you want it, and if you decide that you don't they would like first chance to buy it. My dear sweet Katie, I leave to you, all of your grandmother's jewelry. Take care of it honey, it was precious to your grandmother and I know that it will be precious to you as well.

I want to let you all know that I love you and I'll be watching from above and Ethan, hurry up and marry that girl.

Granddad

The whole family was crying by the end and then Ethan burst out laughing when his father read the part about him hurrying up and marrying Emily. Even from the grave his granddad was going to be pressing him towards the aisle. That afternoon they went to town as a family and began to clear out Granddad's house and they also took his best suit to the undertaker so that Percy could be prepared for burial. When Elliot tried to pay the undertaker, Robert Jorgens, he told Elliot, "It was already paid for by Mr. Benson, Mr. Stabler."

They loaded up the wagon and Ethan decided that he would take his grandfather's furniture to his own house. He had been very surprised at the generosity of his great grandfather, a man who was related to him only through the ties of the heart, not blood. Poor little Katie, bless her heart, cried all day as she laid against her mother's, father's, and brother's shoulders.

Emily came down that afternoon too, and just wrapped her arms around Ethan. "I'm so sorry to hear what happened." She said, burying her face in his chest. Ethan didn't say a word, he just wrapped his arms tight around her and held her.

Three days later Percy Benson's funeral was held in the church in Rock Springs. The church was filled to overflowing as the kindly old gentleman had touched the life and heart of all the citizens of Rock Springs at one time or another. The hymns were sung and the preacher said several kind words over the body of the late Percy Benson.

Ethan along with Oliver Munch, and four other younger gentlemen from the community carried the casket to the graveyard for burial next to his wife of many years, Katherine. When they laid the casket in the grave, Emily came to stand beside Ethan and held on to him. There wasn't a dry eye left in the town of Rock Springs on that day.

I know what a horrid chapter to write after all that fluff! But it was terribly important! Please let me know what you think!