A/N: Heh heh, SSC you crack me up with your author's notes and "fixing to hit the fan" is most definitely right. Hold on, let me just get my hat on. *Clears throat* - Ready? Mwahahahaa. LMAO. Sorry couldn't resist. But yes, here we go. Time for Sara to tell her mother, well, some things anyway.
Thank you so much to SSC for the super beta and additions. You know you make the pie that much sweeter, or are you helping me making it more evil right now? Yeah, I think you are, bad girl!
Thank you so much for the reviews, they are all very much appreciated and please keep them coming :)
Chapter 67
The small bell above the store door pealed as Sara, her mother and Rana entered the shop. Kurt waited outside by the coach.
Sara looked around. The store was reasonably busy with half a dozen assistants rushing around and fussing over their customers. She noted the activity with a newborn sadness. As a child, she would occasionally dream of preparing for her wedding, though it was not her usual fantasy, she did sometimes indulge in fantasizing about it.
However, she always dreamed of her wedding being a happy event. Now, as she stood amidst the bustle of activity, she felt as if she were going to her execution…..wearing a very pretty dress.
If she were only marrying Gil, it would be different. No, she wouldn't be in Washington, in the finest bridal store the city offered. Her wedding would be simple but at that moment Sara wouldn't have cared if she got married wearing a potato sack, if Grissom was the bridegroom.
Within a matter of seconds, an old, grey haired woman with a tape measure wrapped around her neck rushed towards them.
"Good morning," she said cheerfully. "How may I help you today?"
Laura looked to her daughter.
"We're…just looking," Sara replied and stepped away towards a row of dresses, leaving her mother with the assistant.
"May I ask what we are looking for exactly?" the old woman asked Laura.
Watching as her daughter only looked at each dress for a few seconds before moving onto the next, Laura frowned. Sara's disinterest was more than obvious.
"My daughter has just become engaged." Laura looked to their helper.
"Ooooohh…" The old lady smiled. "I like weddings, they are such wonderful things and…" She bounced up and down on her feet seemingly excited, "…we have lots here that your daughter may like, dresses, shoes, hats and gloves. Also, we can have cakes made for her and order in any ornaments or decorations that you desire. We can have almost anything made for you if we do not stock it. Do you live locally?"
Laura shook her head, her attention flicking from the woman and back to Sara who was now staring out of the window. "We have traveled from Maryland."
"Not to worry," the woman chirped. "We can also deliver for you if we have to order your items in."
With half a smile Laura stepped away and approached her daughter. "See anything you like?" she asked softly.
Biting down on her tongue and turning to her mother, Sara shrugged her shoulders. "Not really."
The old woman chuckled and rushed towards Sara, taking her arm. "Now come, Miss. We have lots of lovely things that will look just perfect on you. I'm sure you are just a little nervous about the occasion?"
Sara tried not to laugh, nervous wasn't exactly the right word.
"What about this?" The woman pulled on Sara's arm and towards a row of dresses. The assistant ran her hands over the gold and white silk damask wedding dress with velvet trim, pelerine-style bodice, and pagoda sleeves. "Isn't this beautiful...not as beautiful as you mind." She smiled. "But beautiful none the less."
Exhaling a frustrated breath of hot air, Sara looked the dress over. "It's very nice," she replied flatly. "Not quite sure if it's what I'm looking for though."
Chuckling once again, the woman once more took Sara's arm. "That's fine, dear. We have lots more…come…" She tugged, "…I will show you…"
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Kurt leaned up against the coach with his arms folded across his chest. The Sidles had entered the store almost two hours ago and he was still waiting for them. He really didn't mind, however as he kicked a stone across the ground, the store door opened and he immediately straightened himself out as he saw Sara and Laura appear with Rana behind them.
"Should I get one of the empty trunks Ma'am?" he asked Laura.
Laura and Sara exchanged a confused look.
"Empty trunk?" Laura responded.
"Yes." He pointed to the top of the coach. "Mr Pedigrew sent two empty trunks. So we can store the items that Miss Sara buys."
Sara's brain clicked. So that's why they had so many trunks. Some were empty. She tried not to snigger. Exactly how much did Hank think she was going to buy? Boy he was being optimistic.
"That won't be necessary, Kurt," Laura stated. "We didn't purchase anything."
The workers eyes widened. "Nothing?" he just about gasped.
Sara studied the young man's face. Why did he sound so concerned? "No," she said. "There was nothing I liked."
"Oh…well…um…there are lots more places to look yet. So I'm sure you will find something."
With a sigh, Sara stepped towards the coach and Kurt opened the door. "I'm sure," she mumbled and unconvincingly at that.
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Colonel McKeen kept himself busy through the day. He had to, for fear of going insane with what was on his mind. If his nephew had been there, more could have been done but he wasn't. He was…lord knew where spying on his so called fiancé.
The ranch owner sniggered sarcastically to himself.
Sara…
That girl was now the only chance he had of ever getting the Grove and she wasn't, by the sounds of it, being particularly cooperative. Maybe he had to do something about that?
Now it was late afternoon and the colonel checked over his horses as they were being groomed outside of his massive stable.
He heard horses approaching and spun around to see who was coming his way. It was Jared and the colonel found his right brow hitching when he saw that his two men, who had been taken away by the sheriff, rode alongside. He watched on as Jared urged Frank and Carl to dismount then the men approached him.
Pulling a cigar from his pocket, the colonel bit the end from his treat and spat it onto the ground. Popping the cigar in his mouth he folded his arms and waited.
The group approached him and Frank and Carl shuffled nervously on their feet, both immediately removing their hats.
Everything went silent as the colonel glared at them.
"I presume one of you has a light?" McKeen said in a cool and collected voice.
The three men scrambled through their attire in search of what the colonel required, padding themselves down in a desperate fumble of hands.
Jared was the first to find a matchbook in his pocket and he was quick to step forward, striking a match and lightening his boss's cigar.
McKeen sucked in a long drag from his tobacco stick before blowing the smoke in his workers direction. "You impress me for once, Jared. I send you for news and you bring me back my boys."
With a smile, Jared stepped out of the line of smoke. "The sheriff released them but he said he may be back once he has made more inquiries."
Frowning, the colonel raised his free hand and crooked his finger at Frank and Carl. "Get over here you two," he demanded.
The two men nervously shuffled towards the land owner.
"So…" the colonel began, taking another drag on his cigar, "…what to do with you two?"
Frank spoke first, holding up a defensive hand. "We didn't say anything, Colonel. I promise you…we didn't…"
"I hope not," McKeen growled in response, taking a step closer to his employees. "For if you have…not only you will suffer but your families also. You know how it works."
The younger man swallowed hard. "We are loyal to you, sir, we would never tell. Ever."
"Tell me exactly what you said and what happened."
Frank looked to his co-worker and Carl stepped forward. "The sheriff questioned us both, separately, many times. He kept asking us the same things, over and over again. All about what we did with Pritchard the night he was murdered."
The colonel's brow rose. "And…what did you say?"
"Just…" Carl stuttered, "…that we drank with him. That was it but he says he has witnesses saying they saw us leave with him."
"Hmmm…" McKeen dropped his cigar and crushed it under his boot. "Well there is no law against that."
Carl shook his head. "No, there isn't but he said he knows what we did and he is going to make more enquiries. Find someone who saw us with Pritchard outside of town."
Suddenly the colonel's eyes darkened. "Did anyone see you go to Pritchard's?" he barked.
"I don't…know."
Lunging forward, McKeen grabbed his worker by his jacket and shook him. "You don't know?"
"No, sir, I'm sorry. But…" Carl hesitated as his boss's furious eyes bore into his. "…I don't think anyone saw us."
"Bah!" The colonel threw Carl away and the worker was lucky he didn't go crashing to the ground but he managed to steady himself just before he lost his footing.
The colonel pointed to Carl and Frank in turn. "You two better get out of my sight before I really do something I may regret."
Both men nodded quickly hurried away.
"And keep your damned heads down!" the land owner shouted after them.
"Yes, sir!" they called back and quickly disappeared into the stable.
Rubbing his right temple, the colonel shook his head. "You know if the sheriff finds someone who saw them at Pritchard's place then we are screwed. Well…they are." He looked to Jared. "We will have to…you know…"
Jared nodded his understanding. "They are good men so hopefully it won't come to that."
"Let's hope not because I have enough on my mind right now," the colonel responded. "Jared, take a few of the boys into town. Do a few of your own little…inquiries. Just make it perfectly clear how…upset I will be if anyone gets on my bad side. Anyone opens their mouth then they will answer to me."
"Yes, sir."
"Then hopefully, soon, my nephew will get his ass back here and we can sort out this damned wedding…"
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Sara was tired when they exited their eighth store of the day. It was past 5pm now and most places were closing up for the day. They had eaten lunch a few hours earlier, well…tried to eat lunch. Sara still hadn't much of an appetite, picking at the vegetables. Even Laura struggled, suddenly feeling a little unwell, her stomach once again giving her issues. Sara had tried to persuade her mother to go to their hotel and rest but Laura had batted off her insistence and they had carried on in their pursuit of any items Sara may wish to buy for the wedding.
They were still empty handed. No matter how hard she tried, Sara couldn't make herself be interested. It wasn't right; none of this was. And being a decent woman, she would never spend Hank's money on a wedding that would never happen.
She couldn't possibly marry him now. Even if she wanted to, she couldn't. She was carrying another man's child.
The thought almost made her cry but she remembered where she was and quickly steeled herself.
"I guess we should go to our hotel then?" Laura said as they began towards the coach. "Are we all done, Sara?"
"Yes, Mother," Sara replied, tilting her head to catch her mother's eyes. "I'm sorry."
Taking her daughters arm, Laura stopped Sara before she reached. "Why are you sorry, Sara?"
Facing her mother, Sara opened her mouth to speak but she couldn't quite find the words she was looking for. What was she going to say? Sorry I have dragged you all the way out here, pretending I want a wedding that I don't? Sorry I lied and got myself pregnant? Sorry I may disgrace my entire family? Sorry I am a total failure?
Laura smiled and squeezed Sara's arm. "Don't worry, you can tell me back at the hotel. We can have a chat."
Sara's gut tightened but then as hers mother's smile faded and she doubled over, her concern suddenly shifted.
"Mother!" She wrapped her arm around her. "Mother, are you alright?"
Straightening herself out, Laura gasped as both Rana and Kurt stepped forward with concern.
"Ma'am?" Rana was quick to ask.
"I'm fine…I'm fine…" Laura held her hand up. "Just my stomach. A little too much rich food in the last twenty four hours I'm sure. Maybe I've caught what you had, my dear."
Sara's brow rose.
"I think we should…just get to our hotel," Laura finished.
Sara helped Laura into the coach. She knew her mother had a reasonably weak constitution and had always had issues with her stomach. They had eaten some rather affluent food since they had begun traveling, so this was more than likely the issue. However, if this was the case, they wouldn't be venturing out much more that day but, all in all, Sara was thankful for that. She'd already had enough. She held her mother's hand as Rana and Kurt quickly boarded and the horses were set in motion, noticing as a thin band of sweat formed on her forehead.
"Mother, are you sure you're alright?" she asked, very concerned.
Laura sucked in a deep breath, closed her eyes and nodded. "For now," she began, a weak smile forming on her lips. "But I think I'm regretting that big breakfast," she attempted to joke.
"Can you make it back to the hotel?"
Again, Laura nodded. "Oh, I will, after all…" Her eyes popped open, "…we still need to have our chat…"
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Sara sat on her hotel bed and ran a hand over her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose. She felt very tired. It had been a long day…a long week.
When they arrived at their lodgings, the servants were sent to their rooms, all apart from Rana who stayed downstairs while Laura used the facilities. Sara went to their room and changed into her sleeping attire. She knew she wouldn't be going anywhere else so it seemed the easiest and most comfortable option.
Now she awaited her mother's return. She was worried and in more than one way…One, for her mother's current health and two, for her mother's obvious desire to…chat.
Pulling her robe tighter around her body, she stood and approached the window. As she watched the commotion outside the busy hotel, Sara came to the conclusion that she definitely hated the city. She would not be in a hurry to return.
Her attention was taken from the outside world when she heard the door open. She listened as her mother talked to Rana then she stepped into the room, closing the door behind her.
"How are you feeling?" Sara was quick to ask as she rushed across the room.
Laura smiled. "A little tender and it may be an uncomfortable night but I'm sure I will be fine tomorrow."
"Come…" Sara held her arms out, "…let me help you undress then we should get you into bed.
As Sara reached for her mother, Laura was quick to take her hand and she shook her head. "First we talk then…you can help me to bed."
Sara felt her heart rate quicken and she swallowed hard. A gentle sigh seeped through her lips and she sat on the bed. Laura was quick to sit by her side.
The room was silent for a long moment and Sara shuffled uncomfortably as her mother took her hand again and tilted her head to look her directly in the eye.
"Talk to me, Sara," Laura pleaded.
Trying to act innocent, Sara tried her utmost to keep her voice calm. "What would you like to talk about?" she asked, looking down at her mother's hand as it tightly squeezed her own.
"How about…we start with your wedding and the fact that you don't actually want one?"
Snapping her head up, Sara's eyes widened at her mother's statement. She tried to steady her breathing. "What…what are you talking about?"
Smiling, Laura reached a gentle hand to her daughter's cheek. "I'm your mother, Sara, and I know you. And ever since the engagement was announced, you have not been you and you have done nothing but push away any attempt to get the wedding…."
Sara stopped her mother in mid sentence, "I'm fine," she insisted, but she knew, by the shake she was unable to hide in her voice, that her plea wasn't all that convincing.
Laura placed both her hands on her daughters now. "No, you're not and it's about time you told me why. I can give you my own opinion, if that's what you want but I would rather hear it from you."
Feeling her chin tremble, Sara sucked in a deep inhalation of air but still found herself unable to confess.
"Sara, do you love Hank?"
The unexpected, up front approach from her mother startled Sara and she blinked hard in surprise. Did she just ask her that? Her mouth opened but the words she desperately wanted to say, wouldn't seem to come out.
Pulling her hands free, Laura slipped them to her daughters face and softly placed them over her cheeks. "Sara…tell me…You can tell me…Do…you…love…Hank?"
Sniffing hard, Sara shook her head. "No," she whispered.
"Then why are you marrying him?"
Lowering her head and pulling away, Sara stood and wrapped her arms around her mid section. She kept her back to her mother as she sucked in a ragged breath. She tried to speak…to confess her reasons, she really, really did but again, nothing would come out of her mouth as she opened it.
After just a few moments, Sara heard the bed creak and then felt her mother's presence behind her, her soft hands suddenly upon her upper arms, giving a comforting squeeze. "Sara…is Hank forcing you into becoming his wife?"
Sara's eyes closed as she fought away the tears which were threatening to fall. "In a way…" she finally whispered. Feeling as she was turned, her eyes opened as she faced her mother.
"What do you mean, in a way?"
Digging deep within, Sara found the strength to talk. "He…"she began as her chin quivered, "…he said he would help father, well he and the colonel would. But…" She hesitated, swallowing the heavy lump in her throat.
"It's okay…" Laura urged softly, rubbing her hands gently over Sara's shoulders, "…just take your time. There is no rush."
Sara continued. "The only way they would help father financially was if I agreed to…to…to give myself to Hank, to marry him."
Laura's face clouded with shock. "Oh my God…" she whispered.
Now Sara sobbed, she couldn't help it and Laura was quick to pull her into her arms. "Oh, Sara…my child…I'm so sorry…"
Crying into her mother's shoulder, Sara held on tightly as Laura's soft and comforting hands ran up and down her back.
"It's alright," Laura soothed. "You just let it all out; I'm here for you…"
A/N: Ahhh, she finally told Mother. What will Laura's reaction be knowing her only child has been forced into marriage? And how much is Sara going to elaborate? I'm with SSC on the next chapter situation, mine is also ready, so I guess it's all down to bribery as to how quickly we post. LMAO. Review please!