A Sentinel Western
By: Denise James
Disclaimer: The characters mentioned in this story are
fictional and belong to Pet Fly Productions. The Universe
is my creation. No money is being made, if I could I would,
but I can't so I ain't.
There are more parts written for this. I just have a little
Many Thank You's go to my Nanny. I just wish some one would
Part I: Small Surprises
"Mrs. Burgess, I have some wonderful news."
6 months later
The cry could be heard throughout the house. "It's a boy!"
12 months later.
4 Months Later
2 Months Later
By the time Lin Ho carried the boy into Naomi's room,
Matthew stood outside her door, listening before he knocked.
tweaking to do before posting. And I hope to have some stand
alones too. The major part of this story will take place in
a fictional town called Happenstance, Montana in the late
1800's. Happenstance sits at the foot of the Rocky Mountains
and isn't too far from Cascade, Montana which actually exists.
The first few chapters that I post will be mostly backstory
on the characters. Just little tidbits to show where they
come from...the things they have had to deal with...their
meeting, etc.
take the cattle prod away from that woman. Without her
"gentle" urges (ha ha) this would have never been posted.
Thanks to Molly for wanting to share the wild west with me,
and thanks to Klair and BCW who got me in this frame of mind.
I love you all!
Cascade, Montana 1874
The young woman looked up at the aging doctor in confusion.
"Yes?"
"You're expecting." He smiled broadly, causing the wrinkles
around his eyes to deepen.
The woman swallowed hard, suddenly feeling ill.
"I'm.....pregnant?"
"Yes, about three months along I would guess." The doctor
pulled out a pad. "Since this is your first pregnancy, I'm
going to make a list of suggestions that you may find
helpful." He fumbled around his pockets for a pencil,
finding none. "I'll be just outside. Why don't you get
dressed and I'll be back in a moment." The doctor left the
room.
The woman paced back and forth in the room after dressing.
"Oh God, what am I going to do. How will I tell Matthew?
We were so careful, this never should have happened." Her
stomach became knotted as she thought of the mess her life
had suddenly become. Not that it had been easy before, but
a baby would not make it any easier.
The doctor came back into the room as the woman wiped at her
eyes. "You'll experience nausea, but of course you're familiar
with that by now. These are some things that you should stay
away from. In my 50 years as a doctor, I've found that they
usually only worsen the morning sickness. These however..,"
he pointed to a second list, "..have been proven to help.
Get plenty of rest and eat properly. You're eating for two
now." The old man smiled, but then his smile faded as he
noticed that the woman in front of him did not seem to be
overjoyed about her condition. "Are you all right my dear?"
The young woman cleared her throat. "Ummm....yes, I'm fine."
She forced a smile and prayed that it appeared genuine. "I'm
just a little shocked that's all."
The older man patted her on the back. "Bringing a new life
into the world is a miracle. And it's scary for everyone.
You strike me as a strong and determined person. I know that
you will make an excellent mother."
She found his words reassuring, but she still didn't know how
she would break the news to the baby's father, or how he
would take it. She feared his reaction more than giving birth.
Matthew walked into the room, sneaking up and hugging the
woman doing the dishes. "Matthew, we're going to get caught."
Matthew shrugged. "I don't care. I'm so happy right now, I
could just..... bust! I have some wonderful news."
"Really?" Her response lacked excitement, but he didn't seem
to notice. "I have some news, too. But you tell me yours
first."
He led the young woman to the table in the middle of the
kitchen, and sat her down. He pulled a chair up in front of
her. Taking her hand into his he began, "I've been accepted."
"What?" She looked at him, slightly shaking her head.
"I've been accepted! I'll be leaving for London tomorrow.
I'll be studying with some of the finest chefs and then it's
off to France to apprentice."
The young woman practically stared through him.
"Naomi, isn't this wonderful? It's a dream come true. When
I get back, I can open up my own restaurant. We can be
married."
Naomi looked down at her hands. 'What a cruel trick for
life to play. He wants to marry me, but we have to wait.
I'm pregnant with his child, I have to wait.'
"Naomi, what's wrong? I know it will be about four years,
but I'll write. It will pass quickly. Then, when I get
home, we’ll get married. The sky will be the limit." He
noticed tears streaking down her fair face. "Don't cry love.
Please don't cry. I'll stay, if that's what you want. Just
say the word." He stroked red hair from her face, then
caressed her ivory skin.
'Stay! No, I can't do that. This has been his life’s
dream, to be a world class chef. I couldn't be that selfish
to make him give it all up.' "I'm going to miss you so
terribly. I love you so much."
He wiped a tear from her eyes and pulled her into a tight
embrace. "I love you, too. More than you'll ever know."
He released her and stared into her tear-streaked face.
"Did you have something to tell me?"
"No." She shook her head. "It's nothing." Saying the words
broke her heart. Suddenly she felt as if she were denying
her own child.
Naomi stood in one of the upstairs windows watching as
Matthew climbed into the carriage to leave for the train
station. She wanted so desperately to give him a kiss
goodbye, but the hired help wasn't allowed that privilege.
She watched as his parents said goodbye. Then he glanced
at the window and winked. She waved and blew him a kiss,
which he caught, pretending to stuff it into his pocket.
"Oh Matthew, will you still love me in four years? Will
you hate me when you learn that I didn't tell you about
your child?" Tears filled her eyes as she watched the
carriage pull away. She turned away from the window and
began making the bed and straightening the room. It was
just another day for the hired help.
exclaimed the doctor. "A beautiful healthy boy." He quickly
cleaned the baby, wrapping it in a blanket, he handed the
infant to Naomi.
"Oh, my baby. You *are* so beautiful." She took the time to
check the fingers and the toes, admiring how perfect they
were, so small and perfect. 'The doctor had been right.
It truly is a miracle.'
One of the other maids, Maggie, admired the child. "Naomi,
he’s so handsome. What will you call him?"
Naomi had been giving a lot of thought to the name. She
wanted to name him after Matthew so much, but decided that
it might not be proper, since the child didn't have his
father's last name. "Christopher Blair. We'll call him
Christopher."
Everyone stood around admiring the new life in their midst.
Then Maggie spoke. "Happy Birthday, Christopher. It's a
pleasure to finally meet you."
Naomi tried to be so careful where Christopher was concerned.
She knew what the Sanders thought about him. She had heard
Mr. Sanders use the word, and she was determined that
Christopher would never hear *that*word.
She walked into the kitchen to be greeted by a squeal. Naomi
looked down at the angelic face in front of her. Christopher
was just really beginning to walk. He stood, slightly
wobbly, holding his arms up for her. Naomi reached down and
scooped the little armful up. "Hello, my love. Have you
been good for Lin Ho?" Naomi looked from Christopher to
the elderly Chinese man standing at the stove, preparing
dinner.
"Oh yes, Miss Naomi. Little Christopher was very good. He's
always a good boy." The old man smiled at the baby that he
loved as his own.
Christopher giggled as he tugged at a button on Naomi's dress.
She knew the signal. Christopher was hungry.
She quickly dismissed herself to her room to allow her son to
nurse.
"Christopher come back here!" Naomi yelled, as she chased
Christopher into the main room. Her energetic son had lifted
a cookie, and was determined that he was going to eat it.
"Christopher, where are you!" Luckily the Sanders were gone
for the afternoon. This little spectacle would only get her
into trouble. "Where are you, you little thief? It's not
nice to take things that don't belong to you."
Christopher peeped around a chair at his mother. Cookie
around his mouth, pieces in each hand. Naomi took in the
sight. He looked so precious. 'How can I stay mad at
a face like that.' She went over to him and began wiping
his mouth with a handkerchief. He squirmed as shewiped.
"Be still you little criminal." She said affectionately.
His blue eyes blinked at her and he giggled. He thought that
his mommy was so funny.
"What's so funny young man?" She looked down at the crumbs
on the expensive rug and sighed. "Oh, look at this mess.
Back to the kitchen with you young man. It's almost time for
bed anyway. I've got a mess to clean up, before we are both
in trouble."
Naomi was exhausted. Mrs. Sanders demanded that everything
be moved and cleaned in the living room. She was having a
party and everything had to be perfect. She walked into the
kitchen and plopped heavily in one of the chairs. She
watched Christopher, his little brown curls bobbed as he did
something that she couldn't see. 'Whatever it is, he's
having a good time.' Christopher would squeal with
delight and Lin Ho had a mischievous sparkle in his dark eyes.
Naomi narrowed her eyes and got up to see what the two were
up to. Christopher was standing in a chair next to the sink.
Naomi turned him to face her. Her eyes widened as she took
in his appearance. She was barely able to control her
laughter. "Oh no, Lin Ho you're spoiling him!" Christopher
had chocolate all over his face. He held up the spoon he
had been licking, which was covered in cake batter.
"Hewe Mommy. Is good." Christopher grinned, his eyes nearly
shut from the size of his chubby cheeks.
Naomi kissed Christopher on the cheek and licked her lips.
"Mmmm, you're good too. You taste just like chocolate."
She grinned and tickled Christopher, causing him to giggle.
"Finish you're treat, I'll have to give you a bath tonight."
Christopher frowned, he hated baths. "No," he whimpered.
"Yes. I know my baby bear is in there somewhere beneath all
of that chocolate."
Christopher grabbed Lin Ho. He looked up with pleading eyes.
"No baff. Pweese."
Lin Ho looked at Naomi. "I'll give him a bath. I made the
mess."
Naomi was about to refuse, but she was so tired. It would be
a real treat to have someone else do it for the night.
"Okay. But if he gives you any trouble, let me know."
"No trouble. He's a good boy."
Christopher was asleep. Naomi was shocked. "How did you do
that? Usually I have to fight with him to make him go to
sleep."
"Old Sanders tradition. It worked on Mister Matthew. A
warm glass of milk and a warm soapy bath, makes little boys
relax and sleep all night long." Lin Ho smiled.
"Well, I think I've found a new bedtime tradition for
Christopher."
2 years later.
Naomi rushed around her room, full of nervous energy.
'It has been four years, will he still feel the same? What
will he think of Christopher? Will he accept his son? Will
he still want to marry me?'
The questions kept plaguing her. She was so scared. Naomi
had dressed Christopher in the cutest outfit. She had to
save for weeks to afford it, but he had to look perfect when
he met his father for the first time. After all, first
impressions are everything.
Christopher tugged at the collar on his shirt. It was stiff
and scratchy from the heavy starch. He didn't like it. He
wanted his play clothes. "I don't like it mommy," he said
softly. "It's scratchy."
Naomi played with the collar, noticing the redness around
Christopher's neck where he had been fussing with it. "I
know, baby. But you look so nice. It's only for a little
while, okay? I promise. Then you can put on your play
clothes." Naomi adjusted the little tie and buttoned the
navy-blue jacket. She checked the short pants, they came
just above the knee, revealing a nasty scratch on
Christopher's right knee. Naomi shook her head. 'He's
a little boy, and little boys play hard. They get scratches,
cuts and bruises, there's nothing you can do to stop it.'
"Do you remember what I told you?"
Christopher nodded, brown curls bounced and blue eyes flashed.
"Yes ma'am."
"All right. Tell me," she coaxed.
"Say 'yes sir' and 'no sir.' Say 'please.' Be good."
Christopher repeated the things that Naomi wanted to hear.
"Very good. You’re a smart little boy and I love you so
very much!" She scooped the small child into her arms and
hugged him tightly. 'Matthew will love you too.'
"I love you too, mommy." Christopher said, returning the hug
and giving his mother a peck on the cheek.
Matthew came home to a houseful of people, friends and family
who wanted to welcome him home. He was happy to see everyone.
However, there was one person in particular that he wanted to
see and he hadn't caught a glimpse of her, yet. Matthew
walked around the main room, shaking hands, greeting friends
and smiling. 'If I could just slip out of the parlor and
into the kitchen.' Finally he made it to the door of the
kitchen. Lin Ho was arranging hors d'oeuvres on a platter,
when he looked up. "Mr. Matthew!" The cook came around and
held out his hand to shake Matthew's. Matthew rolled his
eyes. "I know you better than that Lin Ho." He grabbed the
old man into a bear hug. The old man laughed, and hugged back.
"You going to show this old man how to cook?" Lin Ho teased.
"No, you will teach me." He bowed to Lin Ho.
Lin Ho returned the sign of respect. "Miss Naomi has been
waiting for you. She has something special for you." Lin Ho
whispered, before pushing Matthew towards her room.
Although he could hear her talking to someone, he decided to
knock anyway.
"Yes?" Naomi opened the door, stopping as she saw who was
standing on the other side.
"Hello, Naomi." Matthew's smile was dazzling as he took in
the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. Naomi was
radiant, even more beautiful than when he had left.
"Matthew!" She swung the door fully open and had her arms
around him before he had time to react. "I missed you so
much!"
"I missed you, too, love." He kissed her. She tasted so
good, he had missed her lips, her body, and her presence.
She had become a part of him, and he only realized how much
a part of him while he was away from her. He pulled her
close again, catching a glimpse of something moving behind
the chair in her room. Slowly he pulled away from her.
"What's that?" He asked, pointing to the chair beside her
bed.
She turned to see what he was talking about when she saw a
mass of brown curls bob from behind the chair.
"Christopher? Come here darling."
Christopher peeped around the chair. 'I don't know who
that man is that's holding mommy, but she looks happy, so he
must be okay.' He came out from behind the chair. In
his hand he held a ragged bear. Christopher walked up behind
Naomi and peeped, shyly, around her skirt to get a good look
at the tall stanger.
Naomi scooped Christopher up. Even at three and a half years
of age, he was still small. "Christopher, this is Matthew.
Matthew..." She paused for a moment, taking a deep breath.
"This is your son, Christopher."
Matthew stared disbelievingly at Naomi. "My son?"
Naomi nodded.
Matthew looked at Christopher. There was no denying that
this child was his son. With his curly hair and those big
blue eyes. Matthew reached out to Christopher, and the
little boy hid his face in Naomi's shoulder.
"Christopher, don't be rude, baby."
"He doesn't know me. It's okay. We have plenty of time,
don't we, son?" Matthew stroked the soft curls that
adorned Christopher's head. The imp looked up and grinned.
"He likes that, just like someone else I know." Naomi
grinned.
"Like father, like son," Matthew teased, and then leaned
down to give Naomi a kiss. "This is the best homecoming
gift a guy could ask for."