I just caught up and this story is sooo good. I can't wait to see where you take it!

Em

Great post, Rosa!

I can't wait to know what job Luce would like to do!

Restie

Ditto!!!! great witing Rosa!!!!

Jen

Lucy was more than surprised on entering the small office she found a middle aged woman behind the counter busily receiving a message and Lucy waited and watched with interest her attention unwavering.

“Can I help you miss?” she asked when the message had been delivered

“Not really I was just curious, I’ve read about sometimes women running the telegraph office, there were some articles in the study of where I live, it was all very interesting. The place where I live, I mean I live near a small town it hasn’t got a telegraph office although I know there was talk of one, it never got off the ground”

“Which town is that then?” she asked

“Anson’s Creek”

“Oh” she replied rolling her eyes to the ceiling “They’re all farmers that’s why, no one wants to responsibility of the job, yet they want to benefit of the frequency of messages. It‘s more expensive for me to take a message and then get a runner, bit like the pony express. You ever heard of that?”

“No not really but I take it men on horseback rode and took messages to other parts of the country or state”

“Well that’s about the gist of it, the man we have here rides out once a week, so messages are very old and sometimes too late by the time they are received, a telegraph office in Anson’s Creek is a good idea. Why you want to do it?”

“Do you think I could? I mean look at me” asked Lucy wondering if the woman was truly looking at her.

“I am looking at you and to me you look bright, intelligent, capable of anything you set your mind to. Maybe life hasn’t been good to you, for many years but you’re a free woman now, you need to find your niche in life, if you don’t take the chance no one will take the chance for you and an opportunity will pass you by. You know anyone with influence in Anson’s Creek or about those parts?”

“Well I work for Mr Pitts” she said as if she had a bad taste in her mouth “But if you were asking me who I thought the most influential man around was I’d say Jackson Hudson”

“Ah, know him do you? He’d be the one to approach about this. He’s a good looking man and if I was ten years younger when he had still been single I would have ….well never mind about that, you and me need to have a little chat, come round the counter and we can discuss this properly

As Lucy walked round the counter the woman said“ I‘m Elsie Cross by the way what‘s your name……”

I am so excited for Lucy!!!

Joy

this would be such a good move for luce

loved how elsie took a shine to jack too............. much like the rest of us really!!

cath

Great writing, Rosa! I'm excited for Lucy, too!

Woohoo! Finally! Lucy's not working for...Randy! It be a great job for Lucy too!

It's good idea, Luce!!!! I am so excited too !!!! I can't wait to know more!!!


Restie

Thanks a little bit more. I have a family commitment tomorrow which I will be at all day and evening so sorry no post. Pretty busy Sunday too but I will try and pop by. Very sorry will update soon. Maybe tonight if I have time but no promises


The meal they shared that evening was pleasant but this time it was Jack who felt in the way even though he knew that there was no romantic attachment between Myles and Lucy. After Lucy's announcement to Jessica that she and Myles were engaged Jessicahad produced a fine bottle of champagne for them to enjoy at Myles's expense. Jack felt kind of awkward at the pretence but at the same time knew that one had to go to drastic measures to get rid of the unwanted attention from Miss Saunders.

It did not go unnoticed by Jack the small looks which Myles and Lucy shared when he didn’t think he, or each other were looking, and just maybe there was something there. However he wasn’t quite sure that either of them were ready for that kind of relationship in their lives at the current moment.

Lucy used the opportunity of dinner to discuss with Jack and Myles all that had occurred when she visited Miss Elsie Cross and if nothing else both men were more than impressed with her assertiveness and the initiative she had used to put together the plan she brought forward and suggest too them that evening.

Great post Rosa, and I am really looking forward to Lucy's new job. I'd say that Jack's the most influential man around here too!!!!!

Jen

Myles and Lucy giving each other looks - I like that!! I think Lucy is going to get the backing she needs to start her telegraph office!!!

Joy

Another great post, Rosa! I look forward to more, when you get a chance!

jack as the gooseberry

cath

Woot! So gladd that Lucy's thinking of taking that telegram post job!

Hi well the evening thing that I was supposed to do today was cancelled and as for the day thing I was doing, I was rendered unfit for service as I have a throat intection and feel kind of grotty, so instead here I am with an update for you.

The two men were the only ones who rode into Anson’s Creek the following week and Jack dropped the mail bag of at Allie’s where upon he called a town meeting, immediately and everyone in the store who were on the council groaned. Especially Randy who had to close the bank forty five minutes early. Jack went over the proposal that Lucy had suggested with one or two other suggestion added in from himself and Myles, who sat in on the meeting too.

There was a lot of humming and hurring and finally the vote was taken and the motion was passed. Jack high fived with Myles, at the successful result knowing Lucy would be delighted. She wasn’t the only one Allie was more than happy with the new arrangement too, her work amount was ever increasing and this would reduce the load immensely.

^^^^^

Sue, Isaac and Lydia were crossing the yard, the light from the day beginning to fade when Myles and Jack rode in.

“Where’s Lucy?” was the first words she uttered worried for her, the woman who had become her friend.

Jack jumped down scooped the two youngest children into his arms and standing close so that she could read him replied “Mason’s Ridge”

“You left her there? Why?” asked Sue thinking of no reason whatsoever which would explain it.

“It was what she wanted” he answered adding “She’s coming back, she learning a new job, we’ll tell everyone about it over dinner” and he put the two small children back on the ground as his eyes took in the woman before him, from the top of her head to her black boots, then up to her face. “You…you”

“I know” she said resting a hand on her belly “It was although it happened over night, but of course it didn’t, I just kind of ballooned out”

“I’m not complaining” he said with a smile stepping closer

“Well you wouldn’t you won’t get back ache, swollen ankles, tired….” she stopped as his arm pulled her close and his lips settled upon hers caressing them gently, the rest of the world forgotten.

Myles rolled his eyes heavenwards as Howie came out to see to the horses and said to the children “Shall we go in and get some dinner?”

They both looked up at him, finally Isaac nodded and Myles picked up the toddler and took the boy by the hand leaving Jack and Sue kissing ardently in the yard.

That was just perfect Rosa!! You capture them so well, and I'm glad Lucy get her ideal job now!!!

Jen

Wonderful post, Rosa! Sorry to hear you aren't feeling well! Hope you feel better soon!

yet another beautiful post

cath

Summer holidays and I'm enjoying vegging and catching up on blockbuster stories. I love the way this is going, Rosa. How you have taken Lucy so far -- giving her confidence and dignity. And all the thinking poor Myles is doing -- having to reevaluate his whole upbringing.

kav

Rosa I just got caught up with this story and I don't even know where to start with how much I love it. Magnificent job in placing the characters in post Civil War time. Love how you included each one in their place. If this were for real, Jack would be the perfect man and i might just change my views on cloning.

What you've done with Lucy's character is so moving, ashes to beauty. How being loved can bring one from the horror of abuse, to victory and boldness and a promise of a future. I'm not saying this right, but I love how you wrote her and her life.

I'm so loving the humor and the love in the baby making and Jack and Sue's views on it. Each baby is a blessing. As a mother of 6 in this day I got the same looks. Especially since I had 6 in 6 years. I loved how you wrote in how important the ones they lost were too, no matter how many they had. I lost my second and he is just as important to me as the other 5. The way you wrote that put a big smile on my face.

Looking forward to more! Hope you feel better soon!

Rosa, I hope you feel better soon!

Jen

Thank you for your uplifting comments of the story . I feel a bit better today and have my voice back, well sort of anyway. A liitle bit more.

Over dinner Jack and Myles explained to the Hudson household how there was going to be a telegraph office in town and how Lucy was going to run it, but it had to be built first and so did the line and Lucy would be back next week, Myles had already offered to go and collect her as neither man thought it fit for her to travel alone.

^^^^

Everyone had retired to bed, Eleanor had taken, after a few months, to sleeping in the sitting room, it was hardly used on a daily basis anyway and gave the rest of the household privacy when it was bath night. It wasn’t bath night tonight but Jack who was grimy decided that he might just fill the bath and take one, with perhaps Sue there to scrub his back.

^^^^
The oil lamp and the fire lit the room as Jack sat in the tin bath, his hair full of soap suds, he shut his eyes as he felt his wife work magic with her fingers through his hair, when he opened then she was looking at him with an intensity that his own eyes reflected.

He took his wet hands and curled them around hers pulling her gently towards him, she was kneeling beside the bath and when he was happy that she was close enough his wet hand trailed up the side of her face drawing her further to him, his lips brushed hers in anticipation as his hand fixed on her receding waist line and he deepened the kiss bringing soft moans from both of them as the pressure of his mouth on hers increased.

Jack would have pulled her fully clothed into the bath with him but right now he didn’t think that was an option. He dragged himself away and leaning on the rim, pushed himself up to stand as Sue ungainly stood and offered him a towel. He rubbed himself dry, his tanned torso gleaming in the flickering fire light and then he reached for the buttons on her dress, undoing them slowly one by one, almost in slow motion.

He drew her down with him to the hearth rug and made love with her in a way he had only dreamt of since he went away, later in the comfort of their bed he fell asleep and had the first full night sleep in over a week.

nice work lucy

Rosa, sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well!! Hope you're better soon!!!

I am so glad the town voted the telegraph office in and that Lucy is learning how to do the job!! What a way she's come!!!

Jack and Sue - what can I say - I'm melting!!!

Joy

Yet another wonderful post!

another great post

jack & sue

hope you feel better soon

cath

Sigh So sweet!

Em

Hope you get better fast. Thanks for giving us greedyguts' more even when you're feeling icky.

kav

Ditto!!!!

Jack and Sue were just

Jen

I am so glad Luce will carry on the telegraph office, I am sure she will be great!!!

Jack and Sue are so sweet, lovely as always


Restie

Thanks for your replies, throat feeling a lot better, thank you which is just as well as I am off on holiday Wednesday. I will attempt to post tomorrow night but then you will have to be patient for just over a week. I apoloigise but that's the way it is.


Randy was not pleased that Lucy was still away and against his own better judgement Myles suggested he might be able to help the little bank manager out, if he really needed the help. Randy who disliked Myles with abundance would have refused but knew he wouldn’t get any other offers of help and so agreed.
^^^^
Lucy returned the following week full of all the exciting things she had learnt, it was a pleasure just to see her face alive and her whole being full of purpose and good intent. She spent time talking over the plans for building the office and the construction of the lines and everything, which were being undertaken before the winter weather truly set in. The legal and formal side of things was soon determined and then people from the district all pulled together to help and with handful of men who constructed the line the whole thing was done before the first winter snowflakes fell.

^^^^^

It was decided that Alice should go and live with Lucy in town, much to Eleanor’s relief as that would mean she got the privacy of her room back. Not that she had minded giving it up but she had missed it, she was less likely to accidentally come across Jack and Sue in the middle of a romantic interlude if in her own room.
^^^
During that time Lucy had had one sad moment when she realised that she didn’t have any money with which to furnish the place. She found folk she had met, more than generous as they offered to make her a bed or a chair and then Sue produced some money and told her that it was a gift, for her to use in anyway she wanted. She had had tears in her eyes as she thanked Sue, Sue just smiled and told her she was welcome, then produced to add to her already generous monetary gift a beautiful single quilt. Lucy couldn’t believe that people could be so supportive and understanding, she would truly remember them all of them if they needed anything in the future, except Randy, the only thing he had offered freely was a snarl and a dirty disapproving stare.

^^^^^

Lucy wouldn’t let anything deter he though and before she knew it she and Alice were in their own home and place of work. She was a little sad about one thing, living in Anson’s Creek would mean she wouldn’t get to see Sue and the kids so much, especially as it was now winter. She cheered up some when they invited her to spend Christmas and New Years celebrations with them which were only a few short weeks away.

bet myles has randy licked in to shape pretty quickly

have a fab holiday

cath

well, catching up with you was a challenge, but I finally managed! wonderful development of characters, I hope Myles and Luce will start to acknowledge their feelings...have a wonderful holiday.

Glad you are feeling better!
Hope you have a wonderful holiday!
Wonderful post!
It's great to see how much Lucy has changed since the beginning!

Great posts Rosa! I hope you feel better soon!!

I love Lucy's new found independence. Have a great holiday, Rosa.

kav

I am so glad Luce managed to arrange the home for Alice and herself and I can't wait to read about this Christmas, but what about Myles...? I hope I will read something about Luce and Myles soon!


Restie

I'm so happy for Lucy and Alice!! Lucy certainly has come a long way!!!

I would imagine that Myles will be running the bank soon!!!

Have a wonderful holiday, Rosa - we'll miss you!!!

Joy

You should definitely put yourself before us. I hope you recooperate on your holiday and come back all refreshed!!! Great post!!!

Jen

Thanks for the lovely wishes as promised here is today's post, hope you all keep well. I hope to be back to post soon

Myles had had enough of Randy by the time Lucy’s telegraph office opened and one day just walked out, much to the astonishment of Randy and his customer who both stood watching him open mouthed.

“Morning” said Lucy as he stepped into the telegraph office

“Morning to you Lucy. I need to send a telegram to Boston, or I would like you to send one for me”

“Really?” she asked pleased “Certainly, what do you want to say?”

And so he told her spelling out some of the harder words, which he tended to use like everyday English.

“I’ll expect a reply in a day or so” he told her with a smile

“And I’ll be sure you’ll receive it” she replied mirroring his smile and hoping that he would find some contentment as she had done.


^^^^^^

Myles did get his reply and shortly after set off for a short trip to Boston. Lucy had to admit it felt quiet and sort of lonely without him there. Myles had forgotten how big Boston actually was, it took him a few moments as he stood outside the station to get his bearings and the courage to step out down the street to his destination.

The house was as he remembered it, tall and solid and perhaps the only solid thing he had had in his life when he was a child. He walked up the steps and then drew the doorbell down.

A prim looking maid he didn’t recognise answered and he cleared his throat and said “Is Mistress Clifford at home, I believe she is expecting me, Myles Leland the third”

“Certainly Sir” she replied and ushered him into the hall, while seeking out her mistress.

“Myles?” the voice was familiar to him as it was not and he turned, Anne his sister, she looked the same but different and she offered him half a smile and her hand. He took her hand kissing the back of it graciously.

“It’s been a long time” he said “And you look wonderful”

“Thank you, come into the drawing room and I’ll call Hester for tea”

He followed her retreating form and wondered, not for the first time if coming home, even for a short visit had been a wise decision as he didn‘t really know what he was to do now he was finally here.

Great post, Rosa!
I'm surprised Myles lasted as long as he did with Randy!
Thanks for posting!
Look forward to more upon your return!
We'll miss you!

I didn't think Myles was going to last too long with Randy!!

I wonder why Myles decided he needed to visit Boston and his sister???

Joy

of course he wouldn't. the two of them just totally clash!

Why did Myles decide to visit Anne???? I can't wait to know!


Restie

Great post Rosa, but why is Myles visiting Anne??? You've written this out so well!!!!

Jen

I think Myles is still searching himself and maybe the visit back home will help.

If he's searching, I hope he realizes that he belongs back with the team -- Jack and Sue...Lucy!!!!
kav

Hi I'm back, had withdrawal symptoms having no PC for a week but had a great holiday with only a few mishaps, I'm prone to mishaps when on holiday and this year was no exception!!!

However enough of me here is the next instalment and a note to say that I might not post tomorrow as going away again, for one night this time, to a big birthday bash for someone I used to look after. But I might be around during the day to update, we'll have to see as I have piles of laundry and some of it I need to get dry and ironed for tomorrow.

Sorry about that I went on a bit didn't I? I'll get on with the post now, I know you are all waiting to see what happens with Myles but.....





Alice and Lucy had accepted a kind invitation from Jack and Sue to drive over for Sunday dinner, except it didn’t quite go as planned.

When they arrived the table was missing the two hosts, round the table sat in silence all the children, Ruth, Eleanor, Howie and Wayne with Lydia in the high chair at the end

“What’s happening?” asked Lucy worried “Is there a problem with dinner?”

“Oh no” said Ruth “It’s ready, in the stove and on it, except not any of us much wants to eat right now”

“Why?” she asked the silence was deafening somehow as if they all were expecting a noise from somewhere to come forth loud and clear and penetrate the air.

“The baby” supplied Sam “Mom’s having the baby”

Lucy sat in the rocking chair with a thud and said “But it’s not due for another month at least is it?”

“No” said Ruth looking pained

“Where is she?” she asked thinking that if she was having a baby the whole world would hear her scream the place down, she had seen many a woman give birth on the plantation in her time.

“Upstairs” said Ruth

“But it’s so quiet”

“That’s because Jack’s with her. When she has the babe’s and he’s not here it’s different but when he’s here..” she shrugged “I don’t know what it is..... it’s just different. I know it’s not conventional for him to be up there with her but ever since…well ever since Jack jr was born he’s been there if he could. He missed the last three, with the war and all”

“What about a doctor?” Lucy asked

“We only get the doctor if we think there’s a problem, Donna, you know she’s married to D. She acts as a midwife, she’s upstairs with them now”

“Has it been long?” asked Lucy feeling uneasy about it.

“Not as long as some and shorter than others”

“At least she’s in bed for this one” said Howie getting a clip round the ear from Ruth

“Ow” he muttered rubbing the sore spot

“What Howie means is Kate was born at apple harvest in the orchard and Abigail was born in the barn one summer, there’s nothing more to his statement than that”

“Oh” said Lucy still feeling unsettled and so Alice and Lucy joined the vigil to wait for the wail of a newborn baby’s scream.