The Glenmore's: Caught (6 page)

Virginia and Justine sat at the table and Millie set the tea and cookies on the table before joining them.

“I came over to ask if you, Millie and Josh would join us for lunch on Christmas day Justine. I’d like ya to meet my daughter, my two daughters-in-law and their best friend”

Justine thought about before she spoke; without thinking she ran her hand over her scars
.

Virginia noticed and spoke very gently. “What happened to ya Justine?”

Justine explained about the fire that had killed her parents and told her about the piece of burning ceiling that had landed on her. She explained how her grandfather had sent her to school when she got well and, with tears in her eyes, she told Virginia how she’d come to the ranch to escape the constant taunts and cruelty.

Virginia took her hand and wiped the tears from her face. “I’m sorry about your grandfather’s death darlin’ but I’m glad you’re here. Millie and Josh will take good care of ya and so will we” Millie nodded in agreement with what Virginia had said.

“I just couldn’t take any more Ginny; I just want to be happy again” Justine sobbed. “I know I’ll never marry or have children so I think this ranch, Josh and Millie can give me what I need”

“Why don’t ya think you’ll marry?” Virginia asked.

“No man would want a woman with such an ugly face Ginny and I understand that. I just cain’t take anymore cruelty”

“I understand darlin’. You’ll find the people of Gold Springs won’t judge ya on your scars and darlin’…..” Virginia paused and Justine looked into her face.

“Yes” Justine said quietly.

“Don’t give up on marriage and children. There’ll be a man out there who will lose his heart to ya and love ya deeply; your scars won’t matter”

“Thanks Ginny, you’re very kind. I’m sorry I was angry at Ben in your home. It was very rude and I apologise”

Virginia laughed. “I thought ya handled my son very well; no need to apologise.
Now; how about the dance tomorrow and Christmas lunch?”

“Josh and I will be attending the dance Justine. It’ll be a good opportunity for ya to see just how kind the people of Gold Springs are. We’d be happy to take ya so please say you’ll come” Millie pleaded.

“I would love to come on Christmas day Ginny and I’ll think about the dance. I guess I could help with the food and drinks tables”

“You won’t have time; you’ll be too busy dancin’.” Virginia assured her.

Justine surprised the ladies by laughing. “No-one dances with someone like me but thank you”

Virginia stood and Millie and Justine also stood to escort her back to her buggy.

“Thank you for the tea and cookies Millie and thanks for the chat Justine. I really hope I see ya tomorrow night”

Virginia turned her horse and Millie and Justine watched as the buggy moved away down the driveway. Millie put her arm around Justine’s waist. “She’s a good
woman Justine. She’ll do her utmost, as will Josh and me, to make ya happy here”

Justine leaned over and kissed Millie. “Thank you Millie; now I have to get back to work or Josh will think I’ve deserted him”

“Don’t let him work ya too hard” Millie told Justine as she headed for the barn.

“I won’t” Justine laughed. 

CHAPTER SIX

“What time are ya leavin’ for the dance ma?” Ben asked his mother over breakfast.

“We’ll leave about four o’clock if it’s alright with ya pa. I wanna get the pies and cakes in early before everyone else starts arrivin’.”

“Is everyone else comin’?” Ben wanted to know if his two married brothers and their families, his sister and her husband and their good friends Kate and Max would be there.

“Yes, everyone will meet us there about five o’clock”

“That’s good ma. I’m lookin’ forward to seein’ Caleb; I sure wish he lived closer”

Caleb is the adopted son of Ben’s brother James and his wife Rebecca. James is the middle Glenmore son and is two years older than Ben. James is the Deputy Sheriff in Gold Springs while Rebecca’s father, Dan, is the Sheriff. James and his family have a house in town close to his work and Ben misses being able to see them every day. They usually visit the ranch on James’ days off once a week. Rebecca is due to have their baby next May making her now four months pregnant.

“You only miss Caleb ‘cause ya both act the same age when ya get together – 8 years old!” Joseph laughed and Ben laughed along with him.

“Well, I got work to do so I’ll see ya later” Ben said and disappeared out the door.

********

“Have ya decided what ya gonna do about the dance tonight darlin’?” Millie asked Justine while they had breakfast.

“I just don’t know Millie; I’m real scared” Justine admitted.

“I can imagine ya are but we’ll be there to look after ya and it’s time ya had some faith in people” Josh told her.

“Thanks Josh; can I let ya know later?”

“Of course ya can darlin’ but please don’t let fear keep ya away. Okay, eat up, we got work to do before we go anywhere”

“I got bakin’ to do too and I cain’t get it done if I’m waitin’ on the pair of you” Millie feigned sternness and Josh laughed as he kissed her cheek.

“Come on Justine; we better get outta the way or she’ll take that wooden spoon to us”

“Right behind ya Josh” Justine laughed as she stood up from the table.

They headed out to the barn to saddle the horses. They’d repaired some of the fences in the south west paddock that had been damaged by the storm and today they were going to fix the broken fences in the south east paddock. The rest of the hands were checking the cattle and then fixing the fences in the north.

“By the end of today we should have all the fences fixed. We’ll get all that hay up off the floor in the barn and into the loft tomorrow. We’ve still got plenty stocked up in the shed we can use first. We’ve got feed arrivin’ on Tuesday too”

“You’re so organised Josh; no wonder grandpapa trusted you. He loved ya like a son ya know”

“I know he did and I loved him too; we all did. I cain’t believe he left me a hundred and fifty thousand dollars when he passed”

“You deserve it Josh. I’m just grateful ya stayed on. Ya coulda gone and got ya own place with that money ya know”

“I believe in what Mason was doin’ with bloodlines and besides that Millie and I promised we’d take care of ya. He knew ya’d come here when he went”

Justine smiled. “Ya know ya don’t have to but I’m sure glad you’re here and I do appreciate it”

“We’re real happy Justine and we don’t plan on goin’ nowhere unless ya want us to”

“That ain’t never gonna happen”

Josh stopped just as they reached the barn. “Justine, can I ask ya a favour?”

“Of course ya can Josh; what can I do for ya?”

“I wanna ask Millie to marry me at Christmas but I want it to be a surprise. I’d like to ask her at Joe and Ginny’s ‘
cause they’re such good friends. Can ya help me to organise it?”

Justine hugged Josh and gave him a kiss. “Josh that is so excitin’; of course I’ll help ya but where are ya gonna live?” Justine was scared that they would leave her when they married.

‘I’m not sure; I ain’t thought that far ahead”

Justine laughed. “Might be a good idea to have somethin’ to tell Millie ‘cause I’m sure she’ll ask. Is there anywhere on my land where ya could build a small cottage? That way I’d be able to keep ya here to work the ranch with me”

“I never really gave it much thought Justine; that’s real kind of ya though. Millie and I would love that. We’ll have a look over the ranch tomorrow if ya like”

“I’d love that Josh and I’ll get thinkin’ on that proposal”

They saddled their horses, mounted up and rode down to start fixin’ the fences.

********

The day passed quickly and Justine was soaking in a hot bath before getting dressed for the dance. She’d told Millie and Josh that she’d take and chance and go along. They’d assured her again that they’d look out for her.

Justine had picked out a pretty pale green dress trimmed with white lace and it had a broad white ribbon at her waist. It accentuated just how tiny her waist was and tied in a large bow at the back. The dress was a little low cut in the front and showed a hint of her creamy white breasts. Justine still thought it was proper and it made her feel pretty.

She pulled her hair up at the sides and draped it over her shoulders. Her scars could be easily seen but Justine didn’t care. She was sick of having to hide them and she wanted to begin to trust in people again. She pulled on her coat and bonnet and joined Josh and Millie at the door.

“Ready?” Millie asked as she took Justine by the arm.

“I think so Millie; let’s go”

Josh had the buggy waiting and he lifted the tow ladies in before climbing onto the seat and lifting the reins. The Cedar Ridge passed quickly and the night was cool but pleasant. Josh and Millie talked about some of the people she would meet but Justine was nervous and couldn’t relax.

Josh pulled up the horses at the side of the hall and lifted Justine and Millie down to the ground. Justine began to shake but Josh patted her arm as he tucked it in at his elbow. With a lady on each arm; Josh proudly walked to the door.

The closer they got the more Justine trembled. It seemed like the whole of Gold Springs and Cedar Ridge were there.
“God please let it be okay”
she prayed under her breath.

Josh took her coat and bonnet and before she turned around she straightened her dress and took a deep breath. Ginny saw Justine arrive and left her family to go straight to her.

“Justine darling, I’m so glad you decided to come. Please come and meet my family” Virginia winked at Millie and Josh, took Justine’s arm and led her to the other side of the hall. Justine could feel the eyes on her and hear the whispers but she kept her head high and, despite being terrified, she smiled at several people as they passed. “You look absolutely gorgeous darlin” Virginia whispered.

“Jenny, this is Mason’s granddaughter, Justine” Jenny was standing beside George and each held one of the babies.

“I’m so pleased to meet ya Justine. I’m so sorry about Mason and I’m hopin’ we can be friends. This is Lucy” she held the baby up where Justine could see her cute little face. She then pointed to George. “This handsome man is my husband George and the other cutie is Linda, Lucy’s twin sister”

Justine shook their hands. “Your babies are gorgeous Jenny”

“I’m Laura and this mountain of a man is my husband Nick” Laura threw herself at Justine and hugged her tight.

Nick laughed when Laura stepped back, “Don’t be afraid, my wife greets everyone she meets like that. She is very affectionate if ya haven’t already noticed” Justine laughed and shook Nick’s hand.

“I’m Rebecca and this gorgeous man is my husband James. That little boy running around over there is our adorable son, Caleb”

“I’m Jenny, Rebecca’s and Laura’s best friend, Kate. This handsome dude here is my husband Max. We own some land
that Nick bought off yer granddaddy and we live there with Nick and Laura”

“Wow, there are so many of ya; thank ya for bein’ so welcomin’, I sure hope we get to be friends too”

Virginia stepped forward again. “Justine ya know Ben and this is my husband Joe” Ben scowled and walked away.

“Hi Justine” Joseph took her hands into his. “It’s good to meet the young gal I heard put Ben in his place”

Justine blushed bright red and looked down at her feet.

“How about gettin’ this gal a cold drink?” Virginia asked.

“I’m going over there now Ginny; Laura would like one too” Nick volunteered.”

“Thanks Nick; Cider please” Justine asked as Laura hooked her arm into hers.

“I’m so glad ya came Justine”

“I am too now. I was so scared Laura. I haven’t had an easy time of it for the past two years”

“I know, mama told me but Justine we all have our scars”

“Maybe but yours aren’t on display”

“No, but they hurt just the same if ya let ‘em”

“Thanks Laura” Justine squeezed her arm.

********

Nick returned with their drinks and they talked while they waited for the music to begin and the dancing to start.

“When are your babes due?” Justine asked.

“Rebecca and Kate are first in May then mine’s due in July”

“Ginny’s house will be very full then when ya all get together” Justine laughed.

“Sure will be but mama will love it”

Justine noticed Ben on the other side of the hall where he stood talking with three beautiful girls. Her heart sank when she saw him with them but she didn’t know why.

“Don’t ya agree Justine?” Nick asked.

“Sorry Nick, I was lost in my thoughts” Justine admitted.

“Lost in my brother more like it” Laura said as she followed the line of Justine’s eyes. Justine blushed.

The music began and couples began moving onto the dance floor. “Never mind we’ll talk more later; if ya don’t mind I’d like to dance with my beautiful wife”