BECCA Season of Willows Read online

  ‘To everything there is a season…

  This is a work of adult fiction. It has some sexual scenes and language. No one under eighteen should read this book. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No Part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the author.

  Copyright © 2015 by Sara Lindley

  CHAPTER ONE

  Postwar Richmond, Virginia

  Becca Hutchins hid in her room at her Uncle’s house getting ready for bed. Her Uncle Frank was a very nice man and she loved him, but he was trying once again to force her to marry that horrible Ernest Biggs. That was most certainly not happening!

  So she took the coward’s way out and she ran for her room to escape to the solace of her twin.

  Her twin Nola had already given Ernest the boot months ago and now the odious man was after HER! What was she going to do?

  Rebecca or ‘Becca’ as her family called her, had always been the good dutiful daughter. Her twin was the one who was full of adventure and mischief. She had always wanted to marry but now in this post Civil War atmosphere she was very doubtful of being married or even finding a suitable man. There were no men of suitable age left alive. It seemed the only men left were below the age of fourteen and over sixty!

  She paced back and forth in the hallway outside their bedroom door. Becca couldn’t stomach her Uncle Frank’s cajoling pleas to marry Ernest Biggs one more minute! The man was absolutely awful!

  Opening their bedroom door, she rushed in closing it quickly and panted leaning against the door catching her breath. Her twin was already dressed for bed and scowled as Becca rushed to the bed and sat grabbing Nola’s hands.

  “I can’t do it! I just can’t do it, Nola! He makes my skin crawl!” Nola nodded.

  “I could have told you that my dearest sister! He is a stinker! There is just something about him that makes me want to…let’s see, what’s the proper term? Ah yes…throw up. He gives me the willies too! We got to do something Becca! This is getting ridiculous! We are the youngest unmarried women in town and we are spinsters. It’s embarrassing to have all these old men after us. We are just twenty-two for heaven’s sake!”

  Becca groaned. She knew Nola was right but she didn’t like Ernest at all no matter what his age. In fact she loathed him! He looked at her like he was the cat and she the mouse.

  There is no love in his eyes at all! He doesn’t know the meaning if the word! There’s no admiration or even care in his eyes either. It’s something else. It’s like…a hunger. Yes! That was it! It was hunger in those pale green eyes. It’s down right scary! It makes my skin crawl to think about being married to him. Having him touch me is out of the question! God help me! Just thinking about it made bile rise in her throat. Throw up indeed!

  Yes, he was handsome, and he knows it! He had a mental list of his virtues that he would recite verbatim when the occasion rose. Ernest hadn’t taken time from admiring himself to get a list of HER virtues. The only thing he never failed to mention was her rather sizable dowry and how he would ‘invest’ it for ‘their’ future.

  He was rich as Midas already and had a big brick house with servants but Becca felt there was something about him that she just didn’t trust.

  She’d rather be kidnapped by wild Indians than be married to Ernest Biggs. And yes, she was very rude to him. But at this time of night Becca didn’t really care. He had grabbed her behind again on the front porch and handled her very roughly, and that will not do!

  Aunt Marcie had explained that not all men were attracted to generous curves even though most of the older men would just stare at her chest or backside and never even look at her face.

  Becca knew she was plump. She had long ago accepted the fact she loved food. Cooking it and eating it. She wasn’t necessarily fat but she had padding and her hour glass figure was very visible all the way from her generous rounded breasts to her lovely rounded behind.

  Becca sighed whopping herself on her butt as she walked across the bedroom.

  Yeah, she had her own flesh and blood bustle. Auntie Marcie would sigh and fret about her not wearing a corset but Becca was so uncomfortable wearing one she just decided it was completely unnecessary.

  So now that Ernest Biggs was sniffing around Becca so soon after Nola told him to ‘get lost’, Auntie Marcie sat Becca down one evening dragging Nola into the parlor to listen bout men and marriage.

  Their Aunt explained in the most colorful terms what marriage meant after she had imbibed three glasses of sherry after dinner. Her eyes were glassy with happiness after celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary with Uncle Frank. The sherry just made her giggly and open to talk.

  Yes, her Auntie had explained everything between a man and his wife and had to go over certain aspects of marriage more than once for her own enjoyment.

  She wanted Becca and Nola to completely understand what being married to ‘someone like that Ernest creature’ would mean disaster and what a ‘good’ marriage meant with a loving man.

  “Honey? Dearest Becca…and you too Nola, yuh got ta understand darlin’ girls, that love, it’s a special thing. That special ‘love’ between a man and a woman is so very special. Why it’s so special that God made it Holy.

  I want you two ta have men that will love you in that special way. That kind of man will cherish you and adore you. A man that you can respect and one day you just might love.

  Your Uncle Frank and I have that kind of love girls and I want it for you.

  So please…Becca. My dearest girl…don’t marry Ernest Biggs! Frank seems to think that he would be a good catch but I differ with him. I am comforted Nola that you chose to refuse him. He wouldn’t have lasted six months with you! Land Sakes! He’d already be in the ground by now!”

  Auntie Marcie giggled and held her hand over her mouth to stop.

  Her Auntie moved closer, looking around to see if any one was listening and whispered.

  “It’s said he had very questionable business practices during the war and now he is the richest man in the county. It leaves me, and others wondering just what kind of man he really is when so many other rich men lost everything, including their lives.”

  Her Aunt sighed and patted Becca’s hand.

  “I know that since the war there are very few men your age around…so here.”

  Marcie reached into her deep dress pocket and pulled out a magazine looking around to see if any of the servants were peeking or listening at the door. She whispered in conspiratorial tones.

  “Don’t’ let anyone see and don’t tell a soul about this.”

  She slipped a newspaper into Becca’s sewing basket.

  “Hide this and read it when you two girls go to bed. You two might just be surprised. There might be someone of interest. I have heard from other women I know that this has been a Godsend for many women who cannot find a husband in their area after the war. There are plenty of fish in the sea, Becca and you too Nola darlin’. You just need to make sure that the fish you reel in isn’t a shark.”

  That’s the moment that Becca knew Aunt Marcie didn’t trust Ernest and there was some reason but she wasn’t saying what that reason was.

  Becca sat on the edge of the bed and spotted the Matrimonial News in the sewing basket and pulled it out to look through it before she and Nola went to sleep. She scanned through all the listings until she was drawn to a very unusu
al advertisement.

  Ma Wanted! Handsome and very good boy of eight years needs a Ma. Pa is handsome too but is too mad right now to ask for a new Ma. I have a little sister too. She is five years old. She is a pest.

  Ma was not happy and ran off. My Pa is sad and needs a new wife, he just don’t know it yet. Please help.

  Signed,

  Boy needs Ma.

  Becca grinned and bit her lip. What in the world? Who would let a child do this? Well of course, a grieving man would, Becca! You silly! But somehow, I can tell the boy is telling the truth and I would be willing to bet that the Pa doesn’t even know his son has written this ad.

  Becca giggled and decided then to write him.

  “Nola dearest? Look at this advertisement.”

  Nola checked out the ad and giggled.

  “If that isn’t sweeter than sugah. Such a naughty boy! Are you going to write him?”

  Becca danced across their room and sat at her desk.

  “Well listen to the pot call the kettle black! Yes ma’am I’m writing him! You look over the ads too. We might find husbands close to each other.”

  Nola’s eyes brightened.

  “Okay, I’ll look. But I’m not making any promises! I want a ‘real’ man, Becca. Big, strong and brave…a man if the west like in the ladies journals.”

  Nola hugged her pillow and closed her eyes to envision her dream man.

  “A great big, tall man that is brave enough to take the world by the tail and yank it hard. But of course he would still be tender and loving to me.”

  Nola kissed her pillow and giggled at her twin sister Becca who laughed in agreement.

  “You’re just silly Nola! But that would be lovely.”

  Nola snorted.

  “Am not silly! It very well could happen! I’m not askin’ for true love Becca. I’m just askin’ for a moment of adventure in my life…to actually feel cared for and wanted.”

  Nola propped the pillow behind her head and started reading the ads as Becca scribbled down her thoughts. Soon Nola fell asleep with the paper in her hands. Becca pulled out her writing paper and went to work telling a lonely eight year old boy about herself. She wrote clear into the night finally getting it just right as Nola softly snored.

  April 20, 1876

  Dear Boy needs Ma,

  I am a twenty-two year old lady and live in Virginia. We have no men here to marry after the war so my Aunt got me a paper to see if my sister and I could find a husband. Then I saw your advertisement. I don’t know what draws me to it but I keep returning to read it again and again.

  Besides being handsome and very good boy, you also must love your Pa and sister very much.

  It is very brave of you to write and ask for a new Ma.

  My Pa died in the war and my Ma just died this last winter. I have no the brothers so my Uncle and Aunt took my twin sister and I in to care for.

  I need to find a husband to ease their burden. One that I could love and would care for me and maybe love me a little in return. That is why I was searching the ads.

  I understand why your Pa feels so sad. He was betrayed honey. Betrayed by someone he loved or at least trusted. That is a very heartbreaking thing to happen. Especially for a proud man like your Pa. He needs lots of hugs and kisses to help his heart heal. Don’t hesitate to show your Pa you love him. He needs your love and support. Now, enough of my lecture on that subject.

  I am not what I would consider beautiful. I have dishwater blonde hair and blue eyes. My Pa used to say I had bluebonnet eyes.

  I love horses, the outdoors and I love to read. I have also been instructed from my early years on how to cook, sew and keep a house. I love to cook and enjoy baking very much. I love children and would love to have children just like you and your sister.

  You might be interested in me for a Ma but your Pa may have different ideas though.

  You know for a fact honey, your Pa is going to be madder than a wet hen with you when he finds out what you have done. I just want you to know I understand you wanting to do something for your family but be prepared for his anger.

  So when your Pa finds out what you have done, and you know he will; go ahead and take your punishment like the brave boy I know you are. For sometimes, we must forfeit our own happiness for the sake of others.

  I hope you will respond to my letter. And even if you don’t, please tell your father what you have done. He loves you even though he will be a bit miffed.

  Truly yours,

  Becca Hutchins

  CHAPTER TWO

  Mr. Jeb Greer of Greer’s Mercantile stuffed the letter into his pocket as he yanked Mac into the back room.

  “Did your Pa send you by yourself today?”

  Mac shook his head.

  “He’s at the lumber place yellin’ at Sam Miller. Still River is with him. There’s sure to be a fight.”

  Jeb sighed sadly and shook his head. The more Harrison McGann came to town the more fights he would start. Harrison McGann was a angry man now a days and it wasn’t getting any better since his wife up and ran off with the bank manager five years ago. Even after he got the divorce, Harrison had been a angry man ever since.

  When little Mac McGann had told Still River, their neighbor about writing for a new Ma, River laughed and patted the boy’s back.

  “Good! Very good! I should write myself. I would like a good woman to care for me too. It will make your father happy to have new woman. I will take you to Jeb at mercantile and keep Harrison busy while you mail letter.”

  Still River had been Harrison McGann’s friend for years now and he was the only man Harrison really trusted. It didn’t matter to Harrison that he was a Sioux Indian. The two men were very close and treated each other as trusted brothers. Little Mac sighed with relief that his pa’s friend, Uncle Still River approved of the idea.

  Jeb stood outside Greer’s’ Mercantile and swept the porch. He spotted Still River and Harrison and then waved at them as they pulled to his storefront. Still River whistled and waved at Mac to pick him up heading for the ranch. River winked as saw Mac jump at them being there so soon.

  Mac ran to the store counter pulling on Jeb’s hand. He started explaining what he was doing writing for a Ma, and Jeb reluctantly agreed to help the eight year old boy. After all, what could it hurt?

  Little Mac just might get lucky and find a new Ma for himself and a new wife for his friend Harrison McGann. Stranger things have happened. Little Mac just might find one that would be perfect for his Pa. Maybe a woman would urge Harrison to scratch his ‘mad’ place and get ‘glad’. He prayed that he would.

  Harrison McGann needed some loving kindness in his life and a new wife just might do the trick. They dropped the ad in the letter bag and the wait was on.

  “How long will it take, Mr. Jeb?”

  Jeb scratched his salt and pepper head and sucked a tooth.

  “Maybe a few weeks, Mac. That is if she writes back right away. She may not so yuh need to remember that and not get your hopes up.”

  Mac grinned.

  “I have all the hope in the world Mr. Jeb. I have too.”

  Jeb winked and Mac ran for the wagon.

  It only took till the end of the month for the letters to start coming in but they weren’t what Mac was expecting. Most of the women were madder than a hornet in a Sunday bonnet and they had plenty to say how they didn’t want his Pa, bein’ he was such a horrible father and he was a horrible child. Mac didn’t let anyone know except River that he cried about that. River hugged Mac and pointed his finger at the boy.

  “You and Mazie will be happy Mac. I know this! The hoop you have started has strong medicine and has already begun to show the right woman she is the one. You must have faith in the Great Spirit to show her. It will happen. You will see…it will be the best thing.”

  Mac nodded and hugged River.

  “Thanks Uncle River.”

  The handsome Indian man grinned and watched the boy jump on his horse taking off to
the ranch. He always got a chuckle out of the boy calling him ‘uncle’.

  He grunted and spoke to himself.

  “One day I shall have a good woman…I shall have sons just like him.”

  It was just coming on early Winter as Jeb sorted the mail just in from the train station and got a serious look on his face. Someone new had written back. There it was…in black ink and a feminine hand. Jeb pulled out the letter out of the stack with a whoosh of a breath, stuffing it in his apron pocket.

  Two days later that little Mac came pushing into the Mercantile with an expectant face and a list for goods. Jeb grinned and pulled out the letter.

  “It’s for you, Mac. Yuh got a letter.”

  Mac’s gray eyes almost popped out of his head reaching for it.

  “I sure hope this is the one, Mr. Jeb. The other ones just wanted to tan my hide. Let’s hope this one is serious.” Jeb snorted and chuckled.

  “Those other women WERE serious Mac! They were mad and thought you were pulling a prank. They wanted to whup yuh good!”

  Mac scowled, scrunching up his nose.

  “Why would I waste good money doing a thing like that?”

  Jeb chuckled as the boy excitedly tore into the envelope.

  Jeb sat down next to Mac and they read the letter together. Mr. Jeb whistled and scratched his head grinning. Mac’s eyes twinkled like stars in the sky as he squirmed on the bench.

  “She didn’t want to whup me, Mr. Jeb! She was real nice about my writin’. But she was right. Pa is goin’ ta be madder than a wet hen. But Mr. Jeb, we sure do need a Ma. We need one bad. Not just for Mazie and me but for Pa too. I can tell he is awful lonely. Most times he don’t even sleep in his bed.”

  Jeb sighed and patted Mac’s knee.

  “You had best pray about it then Mac. If she’s the one, you’ll feel it in your heart.”