Amazing...absolutely amazing!

Kim

fantastic post

cath

This is great Rosa! Loved how you drew out each post in the beginning without revealing who the characters were, causing us to crave the next post. Of course we still can't wait for the next one even knowing who most of the characters are now. I do believe it's Bobby in the chair, but will wait to see for sure. Can't wait to see what you will be doing with this whole story!

fantastic post Lin

OKay, so, Bobby is in the chair, right? So, why does he seem like such a scary individual?

Can't wait for more~!

Em

Ornella

This is such a wonderful story!!!!

I can't wait for more!!!!

I'm happy it's Bobby; but you're right, why does he seem scary??

I didn't mean the man to be scary really, just unknown to start with. Sorry there was no update yesterday. I was in the process of updating when the screen froze and it was getting late then so I left it until now.


The man in the rocking chair drifted in to consciousness to see the two small children regard him with curious stares. When he moved, sat up straight the tiny dark haired girl hid behind the blond boy, peering out like a baby bird peeping out of it’s nest.

“What’s your name?………Sir” asked the boy

The man looked around there was no sign of the Sheriff who had brought him here or the woman he thought he saw cover him with a blanket.

The man cleared his throat and said “Mr Manning”

“You sound different” the boy replied

“I’m from Australia, it’s a long way from here”

“Further than Summerside, Ohio?” asked the boy, that was the furthest place he knew, where his Mom’s parents lived. He’d been there once too.

“A lot further than that. What’s your name?”

The boy worried his bottom lip for a while weighing this man up before he replied “James Thomas Hudson”

“How old are you James Thomas Hudson, four? Five”

“I’m six”

“What about your sister?”

“How do you know she’s my sister?” he asked cagily and Bobby grinned a little to himself

“I don’t it was a guess”

“She’s two, nearly three……her name is Faye”

“Pleased to meet you, James Thomas Hudson, Faye” he said holding out his hand and James shook it hesitantly.

“It’s just James”

“Okay Just James” said Bobby winking and the boy couldn’t help but smile in return.

“You want breakfast? Mommy wanted to know”

“That would be good”

Some ten minutes later he found himself stripped of his clothes, draped only in the blanket which had warmed him through the night, sitting at the table of Jack and Sue Hudson and their two children, eating egg over easy and drinking scalding coffee. There had been talk from Jack and Sue about heating water so that he could bath in front of the kitchen fire, and it also appeared he wasn’t going to have a say in it. On the other hand he did stink even by his standards which were normally quite high, but in the months in which he had been travelling, not so much so. He had taken shelter where he could find it, worked sometimes to get food and lodging for the night. Lodging had often been in the form of a hayloft or barn, but out of the weather at least. It hadn’t been so bad in the summer months he was quite happy to sleep with a canopy of stars as his blanket. He never expected these people to provide hospitality and he didn’t dare ask about another night beside their warm fireplace and even if the embers had fizzled out by morning it was a whole lot better than sleeping rough in weather that was freezing cold.

As if reading his mind Jack asked “Staying in town long or just passing through?”

“I have business here. I don’t think I will be welcomed but it has to be done”

“You have anywhere to stay?” asked Sue

Bobby was more than mildly interested as to why Sue kept looking at his mouth but thought it rude to ask. He replied to her question though “No I have to find some place to stay”

“You can stay here” stated Jack

“You trust me? You don’t know me?”

“I’m a fair judge of character” he replied “and my wife always sees the best in people even Mr Leland” he rolled his eyes as he mentioned Mr Leland.

That swung the decision for Bobby, he thanked them profusely grateful for their hospitality, to him, a stranger, deciding there was charity in Charity after all.

a wonderful post, how sue can see the good in mr leland is a little mindboggling from the posts i've read

looking forward to more

cath

I wonder what Bobby's business is....

~laura michelle~

its great that jack and sue can see good in everyone,
more soon please rosa Lin

Why do I have the feeling that Bobby's business is with Mr. Leland?

Great job Rosa!!!

BLT

yep i thought that to....i bet he has some unfinished business with myles

That seems to be the prevailing opinion. I wonder what kind of business Bobby has with the venerable Mr. Leland.

Kim

Looking forward to where this is going.
thanks,
Terie

I'm just catching up Rosa!! Amazing!

Jen

Thanks for your replies and thoughts

Part 7

Lucy shivered as she stepped into the office, as usual Mr Leland had refused the heating in her work area although when she stepped inside his office it was like a blazing hot summer’s day, which accounted for him working in rolled up shirtsleeves whatever day of the year. He was in there already she noted with dread, if she could afford it she would leave find something else, but she couldn’t her family relied on her income to get by. Her mother worked at Ike’s cleaning the bar every morning early without fail. He caught he eye, he was not looking pleased as he beckoned her with his index finger into his room. It was a beautiful room she had to admit that with oak wood panelling and fine furniture to match and a comfortable green leather chair in which to conduct his business from.

“Dotson” he said harshly and she thought he would never change. There was nothing that could make him change for the better.

“Yes Sir”

“The last report you did for me yesterday”

“I finished it it was in the tray” she cut in, shirking back a little as his expression hardened even more.

“That maybe so but it was incorrect. What did I tell you last time you did something incorrect?”

“That I would be....” she paused and sighed she knew what was coming how could he get away with this? “You said I would be out of a job”

“Exactly, pick up your card and pay check from finance. I have already called them and they said it would be ready immediately”

“You have someone to fill my position?” she asked, she didn’t care now he had fired her and there was no point perusing it now.

“No”

“You’re going to cope without me? Let me tell you Mr, Leland, no one will put up with you the way you treat me, the amount you pay me, the hours you expect me to keep, your abominable attitude. Just don’t come crying back to me when no one else will take the job”

He blinked and by the time he opened his eyes she had gone.

way to go luce you tell him

cath

I caught up and oh my goodness, what will Lucy do without the job??? And who will he hire? And what is Bobby up to? And this is really, really good but there are too many unanswered questions. You have to type faster Rosa or I will expire from curiosity.

kav

That's right Lucy.. You go, girl!

Great post Rosa!

Way to go, Luce! But what are you gonna do now? Jack and Sue will help you, I'm sure... This is wonderful! I'm quite interested to know what Bobby came to Charity for...
Cristy

way to go lucy, that was brilliant...i so know that was the first time anybody talked like that towards myles....maybe now he is intrigued

Lucy!!!

Em

Kav sorry I can't type quick enough, I do have a few days off now but one or two of them will be busy with nonwork related things. I will try to type quickly I promise. Thanks everyone for your replies.

Part 8

Lucy didn’t knock and flew straight through Sue and Jack’s back door. She came to an abrupt halt when instead of seeing Sue she saw a man in the bath tub, standing in the bath tub to be precise and she watched unable to move as he hastily grabbed a towel which he slung and tied about his hips.

“I…er….you…Sue….” she stammered out her eyes fixed on his broad chest before forcing her gaze to his slightly amused face

“Morning” he said in an accent she wasn’t familiar with and she regarded him cautiously

He smiled a winning smile she noted but she wasn’t in the mood or the right frame of mind to appreciate him properly right now.

“I’m looking for Sue Hudson, last time I looked she lived here with her husband Jack and their two children”

“They still do. I’m Bobby” he replied and held out his hand to her, the towel began to slip and he quickly rescued it with his other hand.

“Bobby? You have a last name?”

“Manning, Bobby is fine though. And you?”

“Me what?” she asked unable to tear her gaze from his body, but with a frown that was to herself more than any one else she looked up into his face and studied it. There wasn’t much too see, well not until he had shaved off the beard at least but his eyes twinkled and she felt a odd glow, warming in the pit of her stomach. “Did you say something?”

He chuckled saying “What’s your name?”

“Oh” she said straightening up “Lucy, Lucy Dotson”

“Miss Lucy Dotson?”

“Yes”

She shook his wet hand and he grinned.

“I’m almost done if you want to wait”

“Where did Sue say she was going?”

He shrugged and replied “I think she was taking James to school, she took the little girl and the dog too. I think she’ll be back soon. If you want to wait”

Lucy almost turned and ran from the warm homely kitchen, but she stopped herself unsure as to whether it due to this stranger, who called himself Bobby Manning. The man who intrigued her with his unfamiliar accent, (she was convinced he wasn’t American). Or due the fact that she had just lost her job and didn’t want to have to face her mother and grandmother so soon. She smiled at Bobby and seated herself on the far side of the table, when he was once again sitting, modestly covered by the suds, they began to talk.

i smell romance in the air yeah bobby and lucy please a bobby and lucy pairing yeahhhhhh

although....

Oh my stars she's going to carry on a conversation with him while he's in the tub????! I'm sure they didn't have the long lasting bath bubbles we have now adays back then. And I have just realized that if Bobby is still sporting a beard, then Lucy hasn't yet seen his dimples! When she does

kav

I'm going to ditto you Kav because you said everything I wanted to say so perfectly! Thanks!

Em

AND....it starts....

~laura michelle~

You took the words right out of my mouth, Kav. I think anyone would at the sight of Bobby's dimples.

starts humming Love is the air, everywhere.....

Sam

I guess the bubbles wouldn't have lasted long, but remember he was so dirty as he washed the grimy grey water would have helped him keep his assets hidden.

Part 9

By the time Sue, Faye and Levi walked in, Lucy had discovered that Bobby was Australian, had served in ANZACS in the Great War and had been in the US for several months, mainly walking and hitch hiking from New York, to which he had sailed from his native country. He was smart, funny, he made her laugh and she felt as though she hadn’t had anything to laugh about in a very long time. Sue found them chatting in her kitchen while he shaved as though they had known each other forever.

She smiled it was good to see Lucy happy although she guessed it was temporary measure. Faye after Sue had taken off the little girl’s outdoor clothing climbed onto Lucy’s lap and snuggled close. Lucy rubbed her back unconscious that she was doing it. Bobby looked at her and watched thinking perhaps this new acquaintance of his desire children of her own.

^^^^^

Sitting with some coffee to warm her, after offering some to her two guests Sue sat at the table with them both in her vision and said “Mr Leland let you out of work Lucy?”

“Let me out?” she said with bitterness and contempt in her tone and expression. Seeing Sue waiting for more of an explanation she added “He fired me, he’s been waiting for an excuse for months”

“Why?” Sue asked

“I don’t know he said I had an error in a report. I know him though and I know he was just looking for another excuse to cut corners, to save some of his precious fortune. Did you know he put all the women on half time from yesterday?”

“No” Sue said anguish filling her eyes as she muttered “Tara!”

“Who’s Tara and why has Mr Leland done this?” asked Bobby

He noticed as Lucy touched Sue’s arm and repeated the question to her and then the blonde woman looked at him “Tara is a friend of Lucy’s and mine and Mr Leland is not suffering the effects of the depression as he is misleading his employee’s, not that we have any proof”

“Except I happen to know his sales figures are high” Lucy put in “Plus he inherited all his father’s assets earlier in the year or the remains of them, which even with the wall street crash of 1929 were still extensive and that has made him harder and more canny than ever”

“That so” said Bobby without further comment but with a look on his face that had Lucy and Sue exchanging glances.

“Something wrong?” asked Sue gently

“I think I need to pay Mr Leland a visit, now is better than any other”

“Except you haven’t got any clothes” said Sue who regarded him seriously as he sat there bare chested still only draped with a towel about his middle.

“I forgot the matter of clothes” he replied with a broad grin.

When he grinned and showed his dimples to the best of their advantage, Lucy’s heart nearly fell out of her chest and she had to focus on the stove behind him instead. She fumbled in her muddled brain to say something anything “And you know…..Mr Leland doesn’t see anyone without an appointment”

Not put off by this revelation he replied “Oh he’ll see me, If anything I have heard about him is anything to go by, he’ll want me back in Australia before a kangaroo jumps and nips him from behind”

Hmmmmmmmm.......... so bobby knows leland personally or knows of him

loved the phrase about the kangaroo jumping and nipping

cath

i love how you write them all....and are you going to make bobby and lucy fall in love with each other...i think they are so right for each other...she needs a sweet man to take care of her...and he needs a woman that can give as good as she gets. perfect i tell ya...perfect

That post tickled me Rosa! Can't wait for more!

This is going to be an interesting meeting

Em

go bobby go bobby

That's just what I was thinking, Cath. I think he knows him personally... like they were once friends who had a falling out of such.

Thank you, interesting thoughts

10

Jack was sitting at his desk when D entered with a worried look on his face.

“What’s up?” asked Jack standing and reaching for his hat and jacket, he knew D well to know something was wrong.

“Met Tara Abbot outiside, she says that Leland put all the women on half time yesterday and their men folk are up in arms and creating a ruckus at the factory”

“We better get down there. Where’s Tara now?”

“She headed off back down there, even Stanley was involved so she said “

“Stanley? He‘s the most placid man I know“

“That‘s why I thought it was serious”

There was indeed a melee of disgruntled employee’s in the yard at Leland’s canning factory. It took all of Jack and D’s power and authority to calm them down, before Jack went to speak to the infamous man himself.

^^^^

“Sheriff” said Myles as Jack stormed in his office

“Where’s Lucy?” he asked, that having been the first thing he noticed on arrival in the office block

“She no longer works here”

“By choice?”

“I don’t think that is any of your business unless she wishes to tell you herself. Why are you really here?”

“You have almost a riot in the yard. I understand you cut the women’s time in half and the men naturally are upset, it was only a month ago you cut their time too”

“This in case you haven’t noticed is the depression Ja….Sheriff. I only have my employee’s best interests at heart “

“Like hell you do” he replied his hands braced on the desk of the business guru as his dark eyes bore into Leland’s.

“You’re out of line, you know I am influential I could get you fired too”

Jack reluctantly pulled back and took a deep calming breath as he and Myles looked out of the window into the yard. The crowd were dispersing, it looked like one or two of the foremen were suffering from minor injuries.

Myles and Jack met each other’s gaze once more, Jack’s expression was unreadable while Myles just looked at him as a man who knew what his power over the township really was; everything.

“Good afternoon Sheriff” he said.

Jack’s stare didn’t waver as he was dismissed from Leland’s office, he left with nothing accomplished. Leland was something else, he was a law unto himself, somthing that would probably never change.

myles, something tells me you will be getting your just desserts soon,

maybe bobby is his long lost half brother or something

cath

Just caught up Rosa! Great posts there...Bobby had me in stiches.

I love this alternate universe you're creating!

Can't wait for more!

BLT

ugh...let me have him...let me go in there and have me word to that ....man

I never thought of that, Cath. It would be interesting. I'm still leaning toward old school chums, though. At least, from when they were young... maybe, maybe not.

Myles He's going to have a change of heart eventually... right Rosa???

Em

Myles, Myles, Myles. Will you never learn? If Jack, Bobby and D join forces, backed by Sue, Lucy and Tara, all the influence and power won't stop them.

Kim