He was almost home, another twenty minutes and he’d be at the house. It was late and the moon was already making it’s decent. A smarter man would have made camp for the night, but he needed to get home. He had to face the difficult task of confessing his unfaithfulness to the woman he loved, the only woman he had ever loved... until three weeks ago. Somehow, traveling in the darkness made it easier to think back on his actions...and his future. The obscurity of the night matched his mood. He felt loathsome! Of the many terms that could be used to describe him, adulterer had not been on the list, until now.
Over and over, as he rode he prepared his speech to his beloved wife. He’d tell her how he loved her and that even during his moments of indiscretion, his love for her had grown stronger. How could that be? The statement sounded ridiculous even to him and he was the one feeling the emotion. He would say how he needed her and his family, he would vow that it would never happen again!
For the first time since that passionate night, he tried to figure out what had caused him to stray. The young woman was beautiful inside and out with the most tender of hearts. A young single woman in a rough mining camp, her kindness to him was inconceivable. He needed help and she had helped him! He found himself caught up in her spirit, her sweet laughter, her sparkling eyes. Her physical statue had reminded him of his own Victoria, even her personality to a point. Victoria was stronger emotionally, much more confident and certainly several years older than this young woman. What was it about her that made him break his vows? There had been many beautiful women in his past who were more than willing, not to mention the saloon girls who were always leading a man into temptations path. And if drunk enough, most men fell to their prey...but he had never fallen, not since his marriage. He’d have to tell her, wouldn’t he? Victoria would forgive him...wouldn’t she?
Tom entered the house quietly, his eyes adjusting to the darkness. He knew the house like the back of his hand and moved confidently through the foyer. A soft glow suddenly appeared from the kitchen, heading his way. Silas, dear Silas...he came around the corner bearing a lantern and his large cast iron fry pan! Tom smiled and whispered,
“Ready for the attack?”
Silas chuckled softly.
“You never knows who might be comin’ in at this time of night. Wasn’t expectin’ you til tomorrow.”
“Sorry, if I woke you, probably scared you to death. But it does my heart good to know that you’ll always protect my family.” Tom said warmly.
Tom sat down on the lowest step and tugged his boots from his feet.
“You go on back to bed, Silas. I’m gonna take that lamp if you don’t mind. I need to take a look at my boys before I go to bed.”
Silas handed Tom the lamp and shuffled off to bed. Quietly, Tom climbed the stairs making his way first to Jarrod’s bedroom. Hard to believe his oldest was now eight!
Jarrod was sharp as a tack and Tom already knew he wasn’t destined for ranch work. Jarrod slept soundly, his blankets pulled tightly to his chest. The boy even slept orderly!
Next he looked in on his rambunctious toddler, three year old Nicky. What a little hellion! In comparison, Nicky was lying across the bed, his night shirt balled around his little waist and his blanket on the floor. Tom covered his youngest, smiling at the not very subtle differences between his sons.
Now to his Victoria! He stood outside the door, almost afraid to go inside. He hoped that her favorite scripture would hold true now. What was it... Corinthians 13, “Love bears all, love is patient, love is not easily angered, love endures!” How he prayed that her love would endure.
Tomorrow, he needed to write a letter to Leah, explaining that he had a family he loved dearly and that she needed to find the right man, marry and have children of her own. She would be a wonderful wife and mother. His anxiety grew, guilt gnawing on his soul just a bit knowing he’d left the young woman in Strawberry with thoughts of a future for the two of them. But there would be no future. He’d left her soiled, because unlike a saloon girl who deals in the trade of pleasuring a man, this woman had loved him, wanted him and gave herself believing he loved her. There was a part of him that did love her. But to sacrifice all he held dear in exchange...no...that would never happen! Unless...Victoria would want out of their marriage. Oh God! What if she couldn’t forgive him!
He blew out the lamp, as he open the door. The soft moonlight filtered through the lace drapes and fell across her beautiful face. There she was, his beloved, his soul mate, his Victoria. His trip to Strawberry that was to last only four or five days had turned into a month. Seeing her now, lying in their bed, made his longing for her magnify.
Quietly he undressed and slid into bed next to her.
She felt the familiar dip in the mattress, and her heart raced. She rolled over to face him and with a catch in her voice, she whispered,
“Oh Tom, thank God you’re home!”
She embraced him, her small body finding it’s way to his side, and she kissed his neck. Her soft tears could not be held back. His hand cupped the back of her head, as he kissed her forehead. Their mouths met as hungrily they continued kissing. Tom’s stubble scratched at her face, his rough hands roamed her body. She welcomed his touch and encouraged his passion.
She felt so good in his arms, ahh... the smell of her hair, her soft skin against his. Victoria expressed her concern for his injuries from the beating in Strawberry. The very attack that caused the meeting with the other woman. Tom assured her that he was fine and that he had been fortunate enough to happen upon a most kind lady in Strawberry who had tended to his every need. Every need indeed!
“Victoria, there is so much I need to tell you.” Tom hesitated.
“Tom, all I need to know is that you’re fine, and that you are home. I was so frightened when two weeks had gone by without word from you.” Victoria soothed.
In her heart, she a sensed that something had happened in Strawberry, something more than the beating her husband had endured. Did she really want to know what else had occurred? His touch seemed cautious, even skittish, like their fist time together so many years ago. Their relationship had always been honest, but something told her that whatever was bothering him might be best left unsaid.
“Tom, whatever happen in Strawberry is in the past. I have all I need, all I want!
I am in my husband’s arms, we have two handsome sons down the hall and a wonderful home. Let’s put Strawberry behind us.”
Tom nodded, kissing his wife once more. Yes...Strawberry was in the past. Maybe it was best to move forward. He would send that letter tomorrow and it would be done...handled, never to be thought of again.
He smiled a playful smile at his wife, as he drew her even closer, kissing her deeply as his fingers fumbled with the buttons on her nightgown.
THE END