Lantern of Charity by Parker J Cole

Author:Parker J Cole [Cole, Parker J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-09-04T04:00:00+00:00

Dinner time had come to the Chance ranch. Swords aimed, and guns cocked, ready to duel.

Food covered the entire length of the table. A large ham sat in the center, surrounded by cornbread, assorted vegetables, potatoes, and more. Mr. and Mrs. Chance sat at one end of the table while she sat at the head. Sheldon and Theodora sat next to each other on the left. Shanna on the right. She ate her food quietly, never once raising her head.

Charity couldn’t help but remember the first time she'd come here. They’d all sat around the table, eating pleasantly if a bit formally. When she began her association with Sebastian, she thought his family had a wonderful dynamic. Back then, she daydreamed about being counted as one of their number.

How quickly does familiarity breed contempt!

“Tell Charity, are you just ignoring me or is this another one of your deliberate means of garnering attention?”

Charity hadn’t been aware she’d been spoken to. Her mind was still dazed by Hezekiah Brunston’s words although the incident had happened this morning.

“Of course not, Mrs. Chance. I was really lost in my thoughts. What did you say?”

“I can’t believe you can do passably well running our ranch but can be so abysmal in other areas.”

“What do you expect, Mother?” Theodora chimed in. “Need I remind everyone yet again how Charity made her way into this family?’

Charity let the words slide over her today. Thank goodness she had the temerity of mind to ensure her daughter was never subjected to these Sunday dinners. She loved that little girl too much to ever have her break bread with this. If, when she was older, she could stomach their sort of company, then Charity would allow her to make her own decisions.

“Don’t remind me,” Mrs. Chance added with a roll of her eyes. “Looking at the girl every day is reminder enough.”

Charity, though still partially numbed from the impact of Hezekiah’s words, still managed to say in a calm voice. “You know, it’s entirely up to you but should I decide to, you can all find respective abodes of your own and then you won’t have to be reminded every time you look at me.”

The silence that pervaded the table was telling. Mr. Chance looked ready to explode while Sheldon’s fingers tightened on the fork. Shanna sent a quick glance her way, a silent acknowledgement of Charity’s point being well taken.

No one, not one member of the Chances, wanted to leave the ranch. They had nothing else to fall back on. That and the reminder that no matter how much they hated it, Charity had controlling interest of the ranch and could do what she liked.

Even kicking off unwanted persons from her property.

Mrs. Chance sniffed and then went on. “As I was saying, I am beginning to see the merits of this wild idea of Mayor Burke’s.”

Charity cut into the tender, moist ham and speared a piece onto her fork. “Have you, Mrs. Chance.”

“I have.” She scowled at Shanna, “Sit up proper-like, Shanna.

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