Posted by hummingbird on 2/4/2014, 10:47 pm VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
In my first story, I introduced a character that I called "Miss Maggie" who was housekeeper, cook, and a mother-figure to Bo during his growing up years. Miss Maggie reappears in this story as well as a few other characters I created to work at the Buchanan Ranch.
Chapter Two
Bo stepped down from the Buchanan jet into the stifling heat of the Texas sun. Skies were blue, the air was hot and dry. He knew immediately that he had made the right choice in coming here.
He saw the waiting car in the distance and a wave from Schmidt, Asa’s faithful old driver. Schmidt had been working on the ranch for years, part time driver, part time butler.
“Mr. Bo, welcome home,” Schmidt greeted him. Bo shook his hand warmly. “Great seeing you, Schmidt. How have you been?”
“Very Good, Sir, and I hope you’ve been the same. Maggie has been preparing some of your favorite foods. The house smells wonderful,” Schmidt said, beaming.
“Well, what are we waiting for?” Bo asked, more jovial than he felt. “Let’s go.”
* * * * * * *
The sprawling ranch house did smell delightful when Bo stepped inside the door.
“Welcome back, Mr. Bo,” said Helen, Maggie’s daughter-in-law. She was married to Maggie’s son, Thomas. She also had taken on much of the responsibility Miss Maggie had vacated as she grew older.
“Thank you, Helen. Wow, it smells great in here!” Bo said, smiling. “Has Maggie been cracking her whip around here?”
“Ever since she heard you were coming, Mr. Bo, and she still insists on being in the kitchen when it comes to preparing your favorite meals.”
Bo laughed. “And what am I having today?”
“Barbequed Brisket, Mr. Bo.”
“Oh...can’t wait...that sounds delicious. So where is Maggie?”
He heard a voice calling from the next room. “I’m right here. You get yourself in here, boy, and hug Miss Maggie’s neck!”
Bo didn’t waste any time.
“Maggie!” he said approaching her waiting arms. He bent down to hug her. She felt much more frail than the last time he’d held her. He hugged her tight.
She hugged him close, then pulled back to look at him. “Just as handsome as ever...my little Beaufort…”
“Oh...please Maggie...let’s stick with ‘Bo’.”
“You never did like your name, did you?” she asked grinning.
“No...remember?...it was ‘Beaufort’ you used when I was in trouble!” Bo laughed.
Maggie’s smile faded slowly. “So, are you?” she asked.
“Am I what…?” Bo responded.
“In trouble?” asked the wise old lady. “I’ve been worried about you. I haven’t heard from you in months...and where’s Nora?”
He’d only been in her presence for a few minutes and she was already trying to read him. She was good at that...always had been. There had never been a time in his life that he had been able to hide his emotions from Maggie.
“Well, Maggie…”
Bo was saved from the impending conversation when Maggie’s son, Thomas, entered. “Mr. Bo Buchanan!” He shook Bo’s hand heartily. “So good to see you! Have a nice flight?”
With Tom’s entrance, the conversation went to safer topics. Bo was glad. He was not ready to get into serious conversation yet. He knew he would share with Maggie...and he wanted to...but not just yet. He came to Texas to get away from everything...do some shooting and riding, maybe a little fishing...and thinking, of course. Seemed like he couldn’t get away from that...the thinking. But, he needed the change of scenery to collect his thoughts and emotions. Perhaps the ranch was the place to make that happen.
* * * * * * *
Unlike his father, Bo insisted on having his meal with the rest of the family, not in a cold dining room alone. He enjoyed seeing Helen and Tom’s kids. They had all grown so much. Bo remembered how Nora had played with little James the first time she visited the ranch with him. James, the youngest of their family, was nearly seven now. He shook the thought away.
They had asked about Nora, but he had answered casually about her being too busy to get away. He thought he would share with Maggie and let her relay the news after he left the ranch. He hated the idea of repeating the story over and over again...seeing the looks in their eyes.
After dinner, Helen and the kids cleaned up while Bo followed Thomas to the stables. He viewed the horses, then he and Thomas saddled up and rode part of the ranch. Thomas showed Bo repairs they had made and other changes that had taken place on the ranch.
“Everything looks great, Thomas. It’s nice to know the place is in good hands when we’re gone.”
“It’s home to me, Mr. Bo. I love working here. And, speaking of work...guess I’d best get back to it. I have a few more chores before I turn in. But, it sure is good to see you again, Mr. Bo.”
“Thanks, Thomas. It’s good to be back. I think I’ll ride awhile longer. I’ll feed and rub down Hickory when I get back. You don’t need to wait on me.”
“No problem...I’ll see you in the morning then. Goodnight, sir.”
“Good night, Thomas.”
Bo swung Hickory around quickly and took off at full gallop. He knew he should go back to the house. He knew Maggie would be waiting to talk with him, but he just couldn’t do it tonight. Instead he rode Hickory at full pace, like a bat out of hell, over the land, past the lake, through the creek and the ridge of pines…riding the horse harder and faster as he went...Is there not one place on this ranch where I can escape my thoughts?
He finally reigned the horse in and walked him through the creekbed. The sun was setting...beautiful hues of pink, orange, and red. Again his thoughts turned to Nora and the first time he brought her here. They had left the stables on two horses, but eventually tied hers to a tree and rode his together. She rode behind with her arms wrapped around him and her chin on his shoulder…talking and laughing as they went...urging him to go faster...holding him tighter as he did so...
He rubbed his hand over his face trying to clear his mind. Nora...Red...What am I going to do? How am I going to get past this?
It had been seven months. Seven months since he had walked out on her. She had tried several times to explain, to seek his forgiveness, to salvage their marriage. He had been cold and unapproachable. Any man would have felt the way he did. It was understandable, he told himself.
Still...he was miserable without her. He had tried to fill the void. Lindsay Rappaport wanted to fill that void, but...he didn’t really care for Lindsay. She was just...there…
No one could fill the void Nora had left. He had lost his wife, his companion, his confidante, lover, soulmate and best friend. He felt like he would never recover.
Dear God...help me get past this. Help me to move on. Show me what to do...
Re: FF-Begin Again-Chapter 2
Posted by Rebecca on 2/5/2014, 7:04 am, in reply to "FF-Begin Again-Chapter 2" VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Now you're just making me look bad by posting again so soon! Great chapter, loved that Bo is already missing her.
Re: FF-Begin Again-Chapter 2
Posted by hummingbird on 2/6/2014, 9:42 am, in reply to "Re: FF-Begin Again-Chapter 2" VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
LOL I'm not trying to make you look bad. I just have extra time on my hands right now. You can look at this as a challenge and start a new story for us! We can have "dueling stories". I love reading someone else's work besides my own.
Re: FF-Begin Again-Chapter 2
Posted by Mary Ann on 2/5/2014, 12:48 pm, in reply to "FF-Begin Again-Chapter 2" VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Another good chapter. Keep it coming please.
Re: FF-Begin Again-Chapter 2
Posted by KJacks on 2/5/2014, 1:41 pm, in reply to "FF-Begin Again-Chapter 2" vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Excellent follow up! I wondered if Bo knows Nora and Matthew left town.....or if he thinks they are still in Llanview.
Looking forward to what happens next and what Bo has to say about all of this!
We can have "dueling stories". I love reading someone else's work besides my own. 