Beatrice and the Beast, page 28
She was completely and fully intrigued. So, when he paused for a few moments, she became impatient for him to continue.
‘What happened Charlie?’ she whispered.
He scratched his ear while he pondered on how he intended to relate his story to her.
…
‘Frank’s folks ran a small farm in Missouri. It was hard work to scratch out a living but they worked hard and managed to make ends meet from day to day. But because of their friendliness and generosity, many travellers returned often and helped them out from time to time.
The only problem they had was with border ruffians who thought all Missourians were pro-slavery. The Zelletta family were too poor to own slaves as were most farmers in the area and truth be known, they were anti-slavery, but kept their views to themselves fearing pro slavery groups would take offence. So, they walked a tight line between Jayhawkers from Kansas and Bushwhackers from Missouri and all they wanted was to be left alone to work their farm in peace.
It was around fifteen years ago and the second time I had visited their farm when I saw the smoke rising from what looked like a big fire. I was travelling from Illinois and heading for Kansas and lucky for Frank, I decided to make a detour by their farm so I could partake of some of their well-known hospitality.
I approached the farm carefully when I saw the smoke, ‘cos it was plain as day the fire spelled trouble and although I feared for the good folks who were living there, I wouldn’t be much use to them if I stumbled blindly, into an ambush.
When I was within around three hundred yards of the farm, I dismounted and tied my hoss and pack hoss to a tree, then approached on foot. I could already see the farm had been burned to the ground and there wasn’t much left standing, which made me even more cautious. Luckily, there was quite a bit of cover to help me approach unseen, so I was able to use the odd tree or bush to get me there without getting shot.’
‘You must be very brave Charlie,’ said Beatrice incredulously. ‘One man going into heaven knows what kind of danger, when you could so easily have ridden away.’
‘Not brave ma’am, I was scared to death that a bullet might hit me at any time. But I feared for them good folks who might be lying injured and needing help.’
‘A person who is terrified and yet still willing to risk his life for the sake of others, is far braver than someone who has no fear.’
‘That maybe so, but lucky for me, no shot came and I was able to get close enough to see nobody was around. Nobody alive that is, cos I could already see a body near the ashes of the farm and I was pretty damned sure it was Lars Zelletta, Frank’s pa.’
‘Oh no!’ she gasped.
He smiled sadly at the horrified girl.
‘He was the lucky one Beatrice. I ain’t gonna tell you what they did to Frank’s ma and sister. But it wasn’t pretty and they didn’t die from a gunshot wound like ole Lars.’
She stared at him horrified as tears moistened her eyes and thanked him for sparing her the details of how the two females died.
‘I needed to bury them once I found the boy but there was no sign of Frank. I did find signs of a struggle though when I circled farther away from the farm, and tracks where somebody had been dragged through the grass and weeds. I followed the tracks using as much caution as I dare without slowing me down, for I figured Frank had been dragged away by at least two men. So, if he was still alive, I wanted to get to him before they killed him.’
He paused to sip his coffee and ponder on how he would proceed with his tale while Beatrice followed his example and waited with her heart beating rapidly, for him to continue. However, before he could do so, Zelletta called out that he was coming in. Charlie reciprocated and Frank came in and dismounted before removing a jack-rabbit from his saddle which he tossed on the fire to burn the fur and kill the fleas.
Once he’d unsaddled and tended his horse, he came and sat on the opposite side of the fire to them and helped himself to coffee.
‘That the best you could do Frank?’ Charlie asked with a grin.
‘If you don’t want any,’ replied the big man. ‘I’ll eat it myself. Unless Miss Mellowday ain’t as picky as you.’
Beatrice remained silent, preferring to stay aloof from the banter they seemed to enjoy between them.
‘I figure there’s only enough on that scrawny animal for Beatrice anyhow and I doubt it would fill even her little belly.’
She blushed furiously, still unable to come to terms with the way men spoke about intimate parts of the female anatomy so casually.
‘Please leave me and my appetite out of your argument.’
Charlie guffawed and even Zelletta couldn’t help a smile from changing his countenance. When that happened, she noticed how appealing his face became when the constant scowl was wiped away and she longed to hear the rest of Charlie’s story, so that she may know what he was so desperately hiding from her beneath his hat. Perhaps another opportunity to hear the rest of the story, would never arise again and she would find herself always wondering what happened to Mister Zelletta on that awful day when Charlie visited their farm.
THIRTY-THREE
Three days later, they crossed the Red River into Texas. It had been a relatively easy journey for Beatrice and one that passed without incident. In most part because Frank Zelletta, after his misdeed in pushing her to the limit, had become decidedly attentive to her needs and made several, unnecessary, in her opinion, stops, so she could rest and attend to personal affairs.
Despite his needless attention to her welfare and consequent slowing down of their progress, she never urged him to be less considerate. Indeed, because of his graciousness toward her, she was beginning to enjoy the journey far more than when he was pressing them to complete it as soon as possible. Furthermore, she was seeing another side to him, one that she found to be most appealing. For though he still regarded her with the upmost formality, she enjoyed the way he handled her like a piece of delicate porcelain as though she might break if he didn’t treat her with the utmost care. Consequently, she found she was in no hurry to reach her destination and began to welcome any hold up that would delay the inevitable parting of their ways. This was a worrying situation for her and one she found very difficult to comprehend.
When they began the arduous journey, she was impatient to get it over with so that she may put it, and Zelletta behind her and begin a new life in relative luxury with her new husband. Now, uncomprehendingly, she was filled with apprehension about the journey’s end and though she hated to admit it, even to herself, she would miss Frank Zelletta bad temper and all.
After crossing the river, they journeyed south for another three days until they came within sight of Fort Worth. It was a welcome sight, because their supplies were dwindling alarmingly due to natural deterioration or purposeful use. The jack-rabbit had only sufficed for one meal and the only other fresh meat they’d eaten was a wild turkey Zelletta had fortunately, shot when they’d scared it from cover as they passed a clump of bushes and bracken.
The sight of Fort Worth brought mixed emotions to Beatrice. On the one hand she welcomed the hotel bed Zelletta had promised her. But on the other, it would be the last time she would see Charlie and that made her very sad.
She had come to look upon the elderly man as a kind of father figure of whom she’d grown extremely fond and was sure he felt the same about her. So, as they neared the outskirts of town, all three rode in silence and became increasingly morose about the impending parting of the ways.
They stabled the horses and mules in one of two liveries in town and when the liveryman asked how long they would need the stalls for, she became surprised and delighted when Zelletta paid for two nights instead of one.
‘A couple-o-nights sleeping in a bed, will give you a chance to recuperate,’ he’d said gruffly. ‘And it’ll give me and Charlie a chance to get some good whiskey down our gizzards before we say adios.’
Knowing that Zelletta and probably, even Charlie, planned to abandon her in favour of a saloon, didn’t exactly fill her with benevolence toward the two men. But she held her peace, safe in the knowledge she would be sleeping in a real bed for two whole nights and that, if for no other reason, more than compensated for her being left alone. She would very likely, welcome the chance to retire early in any case, at least on the first night.
Purely out of consideration to Beatrice, they ate together in a restaurant located in a more respectable area of the town. The food was excellent, even though the conversation was almost, none existent, especially from Zelletta, who appeared impatient for them to finish eating and get out of the place with as little delay as possible.
‘Is my company so objectionable Mister Zelletta, that you find yourself so desirous to be away from it?’ She asked on one occasion.
‘Not at all Miss Mellowday,’ he answered. ‘If I appear to be impatient to leave, it’s because I feel out of place in this kind of establishment. In fact, me and Charlie look like a couple of drifters compared to the other diners here. You are the only one who fits in.’
She appraised the other diners and saw that most of the men were dressed in town clothes and the women, for the most part, just like her, wore elegant dresses. Therefore, she was unable to dispute his logic, especially as he still wore his hat and had done throughout the meal. However, there was a distinct feeling his professed discomfort wasn’t the only reason for his impatience. She decided, a saloon and a bottle of whiskey could be a major factor in his eagerness to get away.
She couldn’t in actual fact, be further from the truth, for she was the reason he was so agitated. Never a man to give praise or pay compliments, he nevertheless, had become mesmerised by the beautiful woman and the pretty figure-hugging dress she wore. The fact it was low cut and showed off her ample bosom in a most complimentary way, did nothing to ease his discomfort. Furthermore, and though he refused to admit it, he’d become so enamoured by her, he felt extremely agitated by her closeness and the alien feelings he was constantly, experiencing. Therefore, the longer he remained there in her company trying desperately, not to look at her, the more uncomfortable he became.
After desert, which was a huge piece of apple pie over which, Beatrice purposely, took her time and still had half of it left long after her companions had finished theirs, she asked if she might partake of a glass of wine. Charlie and Zelletta exchanged looks, before the big man ordered a bottle. She knew the two men wouldn’t leave her until she was safely locked in her room, not after what happened last time, so she took her time drinking the wine while they finished theirs in two or three gulps.
‘Well this is very pleasant,’ she said sweetly. ‘What could be nicer than the three of us sitting here and enjoying a glass of wine after a lovely meal?’
Charlie chuckled as he regarded Zelletta’s scowling demeanour.
‘I think you have a mischievous side to your nature young lady,’ he said with a grin. ‘I do believe you’re testing Frank to see just how far you can push him.’
‘Why Charlie,’ she said with false indignation. ‘Perish the thought. I am simply enjoying the company of two fine gentleman while I savour a nice glass of wine.’
Zelletta gave her a sharp look.
‘Are you having a joke at my expense Miss Mellowday? ‘Cos if you are, I’m gonna take that glass of wine and finish it myself, then drag you to your room and lock you in.’
‘You clearly do not enjoy my company Mister Zelletta. Please don’t let me keep you from your rendezvous with a bottle of whiskey. You may leave if that is your sole intention. I will be fine here on my own. I have learned my lesson and will not be as foolish as the last time you left me alone.’
‘I ain’t going nowhere until I know you’re safely locked in your room.’
‘Then you will have to wait until I have finished my wine.’
‘You go Frank,’ said Charlie. ‘I’ll stay with her and make sure she gets to her room safely. Don’t worry, I’ll come and find you once she’s safe inside.’
Zelletta frowned. His mind was in turmoil about the girl and furthermore, she couldn’t be more wrong about the whiskey, for she was far more important than a damned drink. But the pain of being so close to her when she looked so beautiful and knowing she could never be his, was breaking him into pieces. He needed to get away in the hope a drink would at least, dull the pain a little.
‘Don’t leave her ‘til she’s turned the key in the lock Charlie.’
He climbed to his feet and glanced at the woman who looked up at him through her big brown eyes which gave him cause to quickly, turn away before she enchanted him completely.
‘And make sure she don’t get drunk,’ he growled before turning on his heel and leaving the restaurant.
The young woman gasped as she stared open mouthed at his retreating back, shocked into silence by his ungentlemanly behaviour.
‘Well!’ she exclaimed. ‘How rude. Did you hear what he said Charlie? Of-course you did, it was you he was giving the order to.’
She glared at the grinning man while the insult slowly, simmered in her mind and brought forth another indignant outburst.
‘How dare he,’ she continued. ‘He practically accused me of being drunkard. The man who is so desperate to pack me off to my room so he may imbibe from a bottle of whiskey, accuses me of being a drunkard.’
Charlie chuckled, which did nothing to moderate her temper and so, she directed her ire toward him.
‘Are you laughing at me Charlie?’ she snapped. ‘I do believe you are as bad as your friend with your childish humour.’
‘I wouldn’t dare laugh at you Beatrice. I’m laughing a little, because I find the whole situation amusing and you couldn’t be more wrong about Frank.’
She took a small sip from her glass before haughtily, turning away and gazing across the room as she spoke.
‘I don’t believe I am wrong sir. Mister Zelletta is a very uncouth man who thinks nothing of insulting a lady before hypocritically, leaving to do the very thing he accuses me of.’
‘Have you finished?’ he asked mildly.
‘There’s nothing left to say on the matter.’
‘There’s plenty to say young lady and I’m gonna say it.’
She turned back to face him before impatiently, pressing her lips tightly, together while she waited for him to explain.
‘First off,’ he said. ‘Frank ain’t no boozer. Sure, he likes a shot of whiskey same as the next man but I ain’t never seen him drink more than two and maybe a beer or two. But he’s just as happy to drink coffee and if he never saw another bottle of whiskey, it wouldn’t bother him none.’
‘I don’t believe that for one moment,’ she responded. ‘He couldn’t wait to get out of this restaurant and into a saloon for his rendezvous with a bottle.’
‘I’m willing to bet,’ he replied. ‘Frank is sitting on one of them split log benches along the street, waiting for me to join him.’
She stared at him incredulously.
‘If that is so, what was all that about? Why was he in such a hurry to leave?’
He smiled humourlessly.
‘You just will not allow yourself to believe what I keep telling you about Frank will you girl?
‘No, I won’t Charlie. It is purely hostility Mister Zelletta is directing towards me and nothing to do with any fondness he feels.’
‘It ain’t hostility and the only thing you’ve done, is look beautiful and that’s the problem. You need to realise, the poor guy’s nuts about you and who can blame him? You’ve captivated his damned heart and its hurting like hell to be so close the way you look now and know there ain’t a damned thing he can do about it.’
‘Oh Charlie,’ she replied. ‘You are very much mistaken if you believe that. He barely tolerates me and even speaks to me as though I am a thorn in his side; one that he’s impatient to remove as soon as possible.’
‘You believe that if you want Beatrice, but I know Frank and I ain’t never known him to be so considerate, especially when you’re around.’
‘That doesn’t prove anything Charlie, perhaps he’s simply changed for the better. I very much doubt I have anything to do with it.’
Despite constantly, repeating himself, Charlie would not give up trying to convince the young woman of Franks true feelings.
‘I’ve seen the way he gazes at you all cow eyed, when you ain’t looking and believe me, he’s crazy in love with you.’
She gaped at him for many moments, unable to fully comprehend the significance of his statement, until finally, she decided Charlie was deluded and what he’d said was inconclusive, very questionable and held no real substance.
‘What you are suggesting is totally implausible Charlie and I don’t wish to hear any more of your ludicrous theories.’
‘Alright Beatrice, I’ll say no more about it. I was only defending Frank from your mistaken beliefs about him anyhow.’
She didn’t want to believe Charlie’s theories could have a semblance of truth to them, but while they sat in silence, his words about Zelletta wouldn’t stop invading her mind. No matter how much she tried to concentrate her thoughts on other things, Charlie’s statement simply pushed them away and filled her mind with ridiculous ideas about the man.
Eventually, Charlie’s voice broke into her thoughts.
‘If you’re ready, I’ll walk you to your room.’
She regarded him and then looked at the bottle that still held a lot of wine and a devilish thought hit her.
‘I’m not ready yet, there’s still some wine left and it would be a shame to waste it.’
‘You heard what Frank said about you getting drunk and you know what happened last time.’
‘To blazes with Frank and his blessed orders. I’m a grown woman and I can do as I please.’
She realised, it was the first time she’d ever used Zelletta’s Christian name, even though, in her anger, she was merely repeating Charlie’s use of it. But to drive home her point, she filled her glass from the bottle of wine and took rather a larger drink from it than she’d intended causing the sharp liquid to catch in her throat and bring on a coughing fit. The few diners left in the restaurant turned inquisitively, their way just in time to see the young woman splash Charlies face with wine as some of the red liquid, sprayed from her mouth. He wiped his face with a napkin as Beatrice struggled vainly, to get her coughing under control.
