AN: I'm LOVING the responses I'm getting for this story! Thank you all so much for your patients with updates. I am working on another story as well as this one so I hope you might check it out! Without further delay…
Busted Fences
Day 12
The next morning, I woke to the sound of birds singing a sweet summer song, I sat up and looked out the window. The sun was just peaking over the horizon and I remembered my Jasper was home. I jumped up and ran to the window hoping to see him out feeding by the barn.
There he was, spreading chicken feed and coaxing out the hens. I hurriedly dressed myself and I pinned my hair up. I had just made it downstairs when Jasper came in with the eggs.
"Good Morning, Miss Isabella." He said. I crossed the kitchen and hugged him.
"Good morning, my love." I said.
Morning, Son. Sleep well?" James came into the kitchen.
"Fairly. There's a fence that's busted out by the fields I can fix it before I go back to work at my house." he said.
"Naw. You go on and finish up at home. I'll have the girls mend it. Your mama can work around here and Jesse and I will be out in the fields." James said.
"I don't know anything about building fences." I said. I was kind of hoping Jasper might stay and teach me.
"Don't worry about it. I'll teach you." Elizabeth came downstairs. We sat down to breakfast, Jesse and Mary Elizabeth came in shortly after we sat down.
"You'll be leaving soon, Isabella. Have you thought about what you'll take with you?" Mary Elizabeth asked.
I panicked. How did she know?
"I know! I'll miss having you around all the time but I'm also so excited for the wedding! You and Jasper will have a beautiful family." Beth said.
"Oh no, I haven't thought about it at all." I said finally realizing they meant moving in with Jasper.
"We'll talk more about it tonight. For now we need to eat up and get to work. We have a lot to do today."
Jasper told us what we would need and we hooked Princess up to the older wagon and rode out to the busted fence.
"So when did you learn to build and fix fences?" I asked her.
"I always used to help Papa. He taught me a lot, but when I got a bit older he told me I needed to start learning a woman's job. I had to stay in and work with Mama and Jesse. Jesse started working with Papa a couple years ago. I still remember how to do it though." She explained.
"Oh." I stayed quiet thinking of Jasper. I couldn't wait to be back in his arms. It was my favorite place in the world.
I'll be marrying my mate in two days, well, three if you counted today. I didn't. Then, I would be sent back to sort out the mess that would be my life. Hopefully Edward will understand. I mean why wouldn't he? He knows how the whole mate thing works. Didn't he? If Jasper was my mate, why did no one ever say anything?
Edward wasn't my mate so why would Jasper just let him be with me? Alice and Jasper weren't supposed to be together so why did it happen? Jasper only really ever talked about his time in the Confederate Army. Maybe he doesn't remember much of his human life. What if he doesn't remember me? Lieselotte, why couldn't you just give me these answers? What will happen if I get home and he doesn't remember he married me?
I won't be Edward's again. Not after this. Lotte gave me a second chance.
"You've been awful quiet today. What's eating you?" Beth asked. She slowed Princess and got off. I got off October.
"I'm just thinking about the future. About what will happen. I'll be okay." I assured her.
"It's alright to be nervous about the wedding. I think most girls are excited and then get really nervous right before." She pulled out the tools we'd need and I picked up the roll of barbed wire. "Come on, we got a lot to do. We'll have to replace the post, then rewire it." I watched and did everything just as she told me.
We finally got the broken post out of the ground and we had both worked up a sweat. Beth and I team-lifted the new post and got it in the post hole.
"Now start packing it in." she told me. We push as much dirt as we could in and packed it hard. We were taking a quick water break leaning up against our freshly planted fence post. We talked about the wedding a little and Beth got up to get the barbed wire for the fence.
"We gotta get this as tight as we can; otherwise, it won't do much good." I stood up she handed me a pair of working gloves.
We worked ourselves near to death gaining a few cuts and scrapes along the way but, nothing too major. We were loading up the wagon again and I was poking fun at Elizabeth.
"Your future husband with be handsome and he'll spoil you. And if he doesn't he'll have to answer to me." We were both giggling like idiots.
"Oh hush now, I'll probably be given to the first man that asks for my hand. He'll probably be a goofy looking boy." She joked.
"Oh now I don't think that's true little lady." I froze. "You're mighty pretty." I turned to find Gideon McCaven sitting on a horse and two men behind him on horses.
"You shouldn't be here." I said putting myself between him and Elizabeth.
"I don't know about you but, I don't see any of your men folk around. So just what, little missy, are you gonna do about it?" he said.
"I don't reckon she'll do anything, Gideon." One of the men behind him said. He was rather small and had a big mustache. He looked disproportionate. The other man was scarred and big. He had an eye patch and was missing a few fingers on his left hand.
"We don't wanna argue. We just wanna be friendly." Gideon said.
"Beth, get on my horse." I said.
"Bella-" she started to protest. I couldn't let Gideon get near her.
"Don't question me. Do it!" I said firmly. I never took my eyes off the three men.
"Now there's no reason to be sendin' her off." The big one said.
"I think I'll decide that for myself." I said. "Beth, Go home. Go find Mary Elizabeth. Now."
"Bella." She was crying. These men scared her that much. I turned to look at her.
"I'll be okay. I Promise. Now go!" I said. She spurred October and they took off.
The little man started to go after.
"Let her go." Gideon said, getting of his horse. He walked toward me. I held my ground and tried to keep my hands from shaking.
"That was very rude, Bella." He said.
"Isabella." I spat.
He was inches away from me. "We only wanted to help you fix your fence." He had an evil glint in his eye. He smiled mischievously.
"You busted up the fence." I said.
"You are a bright one, aren't you?" He said, moving that much closer to me.
"You bastard. What kind of man forces himself on a little girl?" I yelled at him and spat in his face.
He slapped me hard in the face and I fell to the ground. My face stung wildly and my eyes watered.
"You little bitch. She wanted it! Just like you will." He said. I crawled to the wagon and had just gotten a hold of a shovel when he grabbed my boot and pulled me back. I pulled the shovel with me and swung it around at him. It connected with something and I heard a grunt.
"Help me with this whore." He yelled. The shovel was wrenched away from me and I was kicked. Hard in the side. I turned over to face my attackers and try to help myself. My hands were quickly restrained and bound together by the little man and Gideon stood at my feet.
"Butch get her on your horse and let's get out of here." Gideon ordered.
The big one, Butch, moved to pick me up. I began to scream and thrash around. I wasn't going without a fight.
"Shut her up!" Gideon yelled. I felt something connect with my head and I blacked out.
…
I woke on the ground in front of a small shack. Butch and the one whose name I still didn't know stood next to me. Gideon came with a knapsack and noticed me.
"Look who came to, boys." I remembered what he said earlier and started to panic. I looked at myself and calmed a bit. They hadn't touched me.
"Go to hell." I said. The short one kicked me in the side. I fell to the side couching.
"Now Shorty, let the girl speak. We don't want to be bad hosts." Gideon said.
I shook my head. I heard dogs barking in the distance and my name being called. They were looking me.
I screamed again.
"Help me! Jasper!" I screamed. I got kicked again. I coughed and continued to scream.
"Gag her. Get her on a horse, we're leaving."
Shorty tied a handkerchief around my head tight. It hurt to try to talk. I got put in front of Gideon on his horse.
"I can't wait to give you what you deserve, little girl. I let the tears fall quietly down my cheeks. I was going to be raped and killed. They took me to a shaded cliff overlooking the river. I was tied to a tree and told to stay quiet.
This wasn't how these two weeks were supposed to end. I was supposed to marry the man of my dreams. Not be raped and killed by three men. I slowly let myself fall to sleep, but it wasn't sleep. I knew what was going on around me but I was sleeping.
"Can I have her yet?" Butch asked.
"No, I want Jasper to watch it happen. I want him to see the light leave her eyes."
…
"Gideon." Shorty said. I heard them shuffle around and stand.
"Get up!" I felt a hand hit my cheek. I opened my eyes and saw Gideon standing over me. "It's show time." I felt the ropes go loose and he yanked me up by the arm.
"What? No!" It came out muffled and I struggled.
"Be a good little lamb and behave. I don't wanna have to kill you before your intended gets here." He said. I stilled and started looking around. I saw several horses approaching us. I knew it was my family. My family. I wish they didn't have to witness this. I hung my head.
I could try one last time to get away. I decided to. I could do this.
I waited till Gideon and His buffoons were all not paying attention to me. I stomped on his foot as hard as I could. I threw my fisted hands up into his nose and then my elbow smashed into his stomach. I turned quickly and rammed my knee into his groin.
I took off running and was grabbed by the skirt, tearing it. I swung around and connected with Shorty's nose and kicking him hard between the legs.
I ran again but was grabbed around the middle by Butch. I thrashed and tried everything I could to get away from him. The next thing I know Gideon is in front of my struggling form with a huge dagger at my throat.
"Try that again, bitch, and I'll kill you without a second thought." He turned around and waited for the figures to arrive. When they were closer, Gideon yanked me away from Butch and put me in front of him. Elizabeth was on a horse with her mother, who held a small gun in her hand. Jesse, James and Jasper had larger shot guns and slid off their horses. They trained their guns on Gideon and I.
Beth looked heart broken. I tried to show her I was okay. I let my hands reach out to her. She reached for me. I looked at the faces of my family. James and Mary Elizabeth looked downright pissed off and scared. Jesse was watching me closely. Jasper was angry I could almost feel the heat from his glare at Gideon.
"Let her go, McCaven." Jasper said. I tried to get him to let go of me. He held me so tight it hurt and made me squeak. Jasper took as step forward and Gideon put his dagger to my throat again.
He moved his other hand to my head pulling it back and stretching my neck. He clicked his tongue.
"I don't believe I can do that. You see, you already kept what I wanted away from me. Now," he chuckled darkly and kissed my neck. I shied away from him. "Now, I'll be taking what you want away from you."
I saw in the corner of my eye that Butch and Shorty had guns out and ready to shoot. I looked at Jasper and the fire in his eyes grew stronger. I started crying. He's gonna get himself killed trying to save me. His eyes found mine and the fire was instantly gone. He was scared and wanted to save me. I cried harder when I saw the expressions in his face.
The dirtbag let the flat side of his blade drag up my neck and to the rag that had been forced into my mouth and tied tight. In a swift motion he dug the knife under it and it came off.
"Tell yer man to beg." He said. I stayed silent.
"I love you." I mouthed to him. I glared at Gideon and made it a point to stay silent. Gideon took the pins out of my hair and chuckled.
"Such pretty hair." He gripped it hard and pulled I cried out in pain.
"Just calm down. There's no reason to hurt Isabella. She's done nothing to you." James said.
"Oh I beg to differ, this one's feisty. I like it." Gideon said.
"I'm not going to say this again. Let. Her. Go. Now." Jasper said taking a step toward us.
Gideon took me by the arm and pulled me to the edge of the cliff. I looked over it wasn't a far drop. Fifteen to twenty feet maybe. But the water was rough. Almost like rapids but not quite.
"I wouldn't do that if I was you, boy." He said letting go of me and grabbing my hair. He pushed me and held me by my hair over the edge of the cliff. If he let go, I wouldn't be able to regain my balance. I would fall and drown. "Do you really want me to let go of her now?"
"I'll kill you Gideon. Give her back to me." Jasper said.
"How about we play a game? If you win you'll get her back." Gideon said.
"And if you win?" Mary Elizabeth spoke up.
"If I win," he chuckled again. "Well, I'll get what I want anyway."
I watched Jasper closely. I shook my head at him it wasn't worth it.
"I don't like it, Jasper." Beth said.
"Name your game." Jasper said before Beth could finish. I looked back at Gideon, he smiled.
"Catch." He took his knife and brought it to my hair. Severing the only tie I had to my balance.
I screamed and fell into the rushing river.
"No!" I heard Jasper yell. Right before I hit the water, I heard gunshots. I hit the water and did everything I could to get air. With my hands tied it wasn't much. I held my breath as long as I could, as I was about to give up and except my fate my head broke the surface. I inhaled deeply and heard Jasper calling my name.
"Help!" I was forced under again and was being pushed further and further down the river. I pushed myself up again hard trying to get above water. I took a deep breath and was soon forced under again. I was slammed against a rock and was knocked out completely.
JasperPOV
I dove over the cliff after Isabella. I wouldn't lose her. My father shot at McCaven; I don't know if he hit him. I didn't care. I had to save Isabella.
"Bella!" I yelled. "Bella answer me! Please!" I pushed myself forward. "Isabella!"
"Help!" she was close. I finally spotted her as she went back under. I swam as hard as I could to find her. It seemed like hours before she resurfaced again, when it was really only seconds. As soon as I saw her again she was gone. I finally caught up to her. I took her limp body and forced myself not to panic. I kept her above the water even when I went under. I did so until we came by a bank I could get both of us on to.
I pulled Bella out of the water and put my ear near her mouth, she was breathing. I collapsed next to her and rolled onto my side, she was alive.
BellaPOV
I came to a little bit and saw Jasper passed out next to me on the damp grass. I rolled closer to him. I made sure he was alive and passed out again.
I woke again to being put in the back of the wagon by James and Jesse. Jasper was awake and waiting for me in the wagon I was handed off to him and I cuddled up to him.
"I love you." I whispered almost voicelessly.
He held me tighter. "I love you, too, Isabella. More than my own life."
I stayed somewhere between sleep and wake the whole way home. I listened to Jasper's strong heartbeat and tried to memorize it. I wouldn't hear it very many more times.
When we arrived home Mary Elizabeth looked me over to make sure I was alright. Beth cried and hugged me tight. I winced a little when she did. I hugged her back just as hard though.
"I'm sorry, Bella. This shouldn't have happened." She said.
"Shh. It's okay. I did what I did to protect you. I love you, Beth." I kissed her head.
"I love you too." She said. I looked at Jasper. He had been more than a few feet from me since we got in the wagon. He was watching me closely. I had so much love in his eyes. Beth helped me upstairs and Jasper followed behind us closely. He almost followed us in to my room when she turned around on him.
"I have to help Bella get cleaned up and changed. You can go now." she said. He knew better than to argue with a woman in his family.
"I'll be outside the door if you need me." he said. Beth shut the door.
"I had Minnie get a hot bath ready for you." she said. She started to unbutton my dress. I finished undressing. I was pulling my under shirt off and Elizabeth gasped.
"Oh, Bella. What did they do to you?" she said. I looked down at myself. I had bruises darkening my torso from being kicked so many times.
"I'm okay. They're just bruises." I disappeared into the bathroom and settled into the hot water. I heard the door open.
"What do you mean 'what did they do to her.'" Jasper said. "What happened?"
"She had bruises all over her stomach and sides. I'm going to go get ice for swelling." She said and she closed the door.
I cleaned myself taking special care of the tender parts. I got out of the bath and dried myself. I went to dry my hair and realized it wasn't there. I wrapped the towel around me. I looked in the mirror and gasped. My hair was jagged and un-even. I got dressed in my night clothes and put on my dressing gown. I slipped my slippers on and opened the door to my room to find Jasper leaning up against it and Beth coming back up the stairs.
"My hair is gone." I said. Jasper stood quickly. He cupped my face.
"Mama will even it out tomorrow. You could have no hair and still be beautiful." He said. I started to cry, he embraced me in a loving and tender hug. Beth slipped around us and put the ice she was carrying with her down. She hugged me from behind. I pulled away from them both.
"Mable wants to know if you're hungry." She said. I shook my head. "We need to put some ice on your bruises before you go to bed." I turned to him.
"Be safe going home tonight." I said.
"I'm staying here. You can't get rid of me that easy." He said with a smile. I smiled back.
"I wouldn't dream of getting rid of you. Goodnight." I said and disappeared into my room with Elizabeth.
AN: … so?