Bethany and Jebidiah sat side by side in silence for a few moments knowing Daniel said that last part as if he knew they'd eventually read it in a future history book.
"I don't know what to say. I didn't do anything, you were the one who warned him. I don't feel like a hero but I appreciate Daniel's sentiment just the same.
They went on to read that a special monument was placed at Clayton Cemetery and was dedicated to Jebidiah and Beth Cole upon Daniel's death at the ripe old age of eighty two. There was a picture of the monument and it included stone statues of Jebidiah and Bethany dancing on a block of stone. The resemblance was uncanny and the inscription below it on the plaque there read, We the people of Tracy do hereby thank Jebidiah and Beth Cole for preserving the hopes and dreams of all its patrons by their forewarning, which allowed the menfolk to stop the Outlaw Gang from their evil deeds. Cheers to our heroes, wherever they may be. Their love and bravery shall forever watch over us all.
Bethany let the tears fall at the generosity of the town and especially of her grandfather. She was a tiny bit mad that he didn't listen and leave. "He lied to me! He could have been killed!" She spoke angrily, then sighed.
"Beth, my love, he did what he felt was right and God watched over them and kept them safe from harm. A man ain't no good if he can't do what he feels is right." Jebidiah comforted Bethany with words as he cuddled her body close to him and rubbed his hands up and down her arms.
"Oh, by the way, Beth is my nickname. My full name is Bethany Ann Clayton." She explained sheepishly and shyly.
Jebidiah just smirked and told her that Daniel had already told him that as well, but it meant more than anything to him that she felt comfortable enough telling him and then he gently kissed her.
It was nearing evening when Bethany felt sleepy and laid down while Jebidiah declared that he wanted to read more of the history book. He'd be to bed soon. Bethany felt her heart swell and overflow with love for this magnificent man who'd given up so much for her. He preferred to read by candlelight, not used to the electricity.
The way the light gently caressed his handsome model like freshly shaven face as it highlighted some features and softened others, it was love at first sight all over again. She was unaware of the gentle sigh that escaped her lips until Jebidiah glanced over at her, studied her face and body in the candle light, then smirked at her from all the way across the room and she was drawn to that sexy smirk like a moth to a flame. She then fell into a deep contented sleep surrounded by Jebidiah's love.
Chapter Four ~ Clarice's Journal
BETHANY STRETCHED IN contentment when she realized Jebidiah was still asleep beside her. She didn't go back to the past but her dreams were far from empty. Clarice's journal continually haunted her. She was afraid to read it, fearful that it would transport her back to Clarice's time period and she'd be trapped there.
Today, Jebidiah had been with her for three weeks now and he'd adjusted quite well to her world and she loved to see it through his eyes. He was going stir crazy today. He was about to meet Bethany's family so he could start helping clean out the attics along with her and Daphne. Bethany explained that her parents were very laid back and would love him. She also knew her parents were about find out why she'd been so preoccupied lately.
Today, Jebidiah would also take his GED exam so he could apply at her college. He liked the idea of college and learning all these new things. Somehow he'd even talked his way though getting a social security car and a non-driver ID. he continually amazes me with his tremendous ability to adapt to a whole new world and it is a true testament to our love. My parents know about him and that we are serious but have not met him, not until today. Bethany prayed her parents did not embarrass her with childhood photos.
"Are you ready to go, my sweet Beth?" Jebidiah asked, he couldn't wait to meet her parents.
Bethany's parents and Daphne were waiting on the porch when they arrived. So much for not being embarrassed by my family! Good grief! Bethany thought to herself as Jebidiah came around to open her car door for her and offered his slightly shaking hand. It was the only tell tale sign that he was nervous.
Together, they walked hand in hand up to her family where she introduced Jebidiah as her fianc?, knowing she might as well get them used to the idea now. Her parents were surprisingly not shocked by the news but welcoming to it. They saw how deeply Jebidiah loved Bethany by word and deed. It was explained that he'd lived a sheltered life and homeschooled in the area. Bethany chuckled at his look of surprise when each member of her family hugged and welcomed him into the family. It wasn't until after a wonderful, fun, and loving family dinner. It wasn't until after that her embarrassment started courtesy of her well meaning parents. they got out her baby book and just had to show it to Jebidiah and he was only too happy to oblige them. She did enjoy the looks of the most beautiful baby he'd ever seen.
While her parents kept Jebidiah busy with old stories and photos, Daphne kept her busy with teasing and compliment over how gentlemanly and gorgeous Jebidiah is.
Then, before they could retire for the night, her parents insisted on paying for engagement pictures and new family pictures and were glad Jebidiah would be going to college with Bethany as well as part of their family. They also surprised the couple with the news that they had secured them an apartment on campus and would be paying for the rent so the couple could concentrate on their school work.
Bethany was going to college for Computer Programming and Jebidiah was going into Criminal Justice as it is what he was comfortable with and the field he wanted to remain in. Both thanked her parents sincerely for the amazing gift. It was incredibly generous. Jebidiah, in return assured Bethany's parents that he would love her for the rest of his life and that he would always protect her and always put her and her needs before her own. Daphne promised to let her know the next day what was said after they left.
Back at their room in the old hotel building, they laid in bed and cuddled. Jebidiah was silently crying in her arms. She gave him time to mourn his life or that is what she thought was bothering him. When he was ready to speak, she realized she couldn't have been more wrong.
"My sweet Bethany, what a cherished life you have had the privilege to live. I wish my upbringing had been so full of love. As you know, I lost both of my parents young and I was raised in a home for unloved children. I was forced to labor and labor hard with other children for two meals a day and a bed on the cold floor. I ran away from there I was fifteen and joined a gang of outlaws. I quickly grew up in a hurry. I had to. It was a very hard life. I killed my first man at sixteen years old. That was my birthday gift from the gang. By the time I was nineteen, I had seen too much evil in the world and had experienced too much pain the world had to offer and knew I had to get out. I wanted more in life than to die young and having alone no good. I was beaten to an inch of my life and left for dead.
"Daniel, your grandfather, found me and brought me home. He and his wife nurtured and cared for me then he saw to it that I got the sheriff's job. He said no one was more qualified than I. He got me going to church and turned my life around. His family became my only family. I never thought to be accepted like that ever again and yet, here I am with you being accepted wholeheartedly by your family, now mine too. I don't know what I've ever done in my life to deserve such blessings, as I have been given since I laid eyes on you."
"My love, that's where you have it wrong. You are our blessing, my blessing. I went through life wondering if I'd ever find someone to love and who'd love me just as deeply as I loved him. Then I was given the gift of the past and was blessed to meet and know Daniel, his family and my namesake. Then God blessed me beyond my wildest dreams when he crossed our paths that day. I instinctively knew the moment I saw you, that I was put on this earth for you and you, for me. It overwhelmed me to the point of fainting. Then when I woke up, grandfather saw what I hadn't even realized yet myself, that were meant for each other. We are soul mates." Bethany explained.
" I love you beyond words, Bethany. Please forgive me, I am struggling to find the right words to express how I feel." Jebidiah struggled to really express how much her words had impacted him.
"Then show me, my love. Show me what is in your heart Jebidiah." Bethany's eyes heated to molten lava so strong was her desire as she whispered in breathless anticipation. Jebidiah's own eyes glowed with barely contained need and his own anticipation as he laid her on the bed and worshipped her, body and soul, all night long. He told her by deed what words would never be able to fully express. Jebidiah took his time to the point where Bethany was yelling at one point in frustration but then realized just how sensual and beautiful going extremely slow with love making was, how spiritual....
The next few days were busy as he helped Bethany and Daphne clean out four more attics and met four descendents of friends of his back in his time. He considered the experiences even more blessings from God.
On the evening of the forth night, Bethany could handle the call of Clarice's journal no longer and finally broke down and told Jebidiah about the dreams that would not let her rest and why she was afraid to read it. Jebidiah shared her concerns but seeing as how the dreams had grown in intensity he felt that they had no choice. He vowed to hold her tightly and even agreed to read it himself to protect her.
Bethany sat cuddled between Jebidiah's legs holding Clarice's wrapped journal in shaky hands as she leaned back against his warm chest, his loving arms wrapped around her waist and made her feel safe. If she travelled again, he'd go with her. Taking a deep breath, she unwrapped the journal and flipped past the first page after Jebidiah had read it silently for himself. then, she turned to the first entry.
December 25,1899
My name is Clarice Dunn. I'm sixteen years old. this is my first journal to record my personal thoughts, hopes and dreams in. It is my Christmas gift from my mother, Bethany Ann Wright-Dunn. I am a traveler like my mother. I can't read any true historical accounts because then, in my dreams I travel back to the place I read about. Sometimes I don't even know which time period I am living in. It's all so confusing. As a child, it was fun and exciting and I believed they were only dreams. But now, my mother sat me down and explained that the more I travel to one place, the greater the risk to me. this means the more I travel back to the same place in the past, the more I cease to exist in my own time. I have had some close calls but luckily, my mom was able to bring me back before I got lost in the past. So, for now, I only read fiction books, a promise I made my soul mate and fianc?, Joseph Smite.
January 25, 1899
Today is the best day of my life! Today I marry my soul mate, Joseph Smite. We have absolutely no secrets between us and he loves me just as I am. I am not nervous at all, only fully anticipatory of starting my life with Joseph and starting a family with him. He has already built us a beautiful home and I am in love with it!
June 2, 1900
I am saddened today by Joseph's rash decision and while I respect it, I can say only in here that I hate it! We just found out last week that I am pregnant with our first child. I fear our baby will never know his or her Daddy. I guess I am being selfish to want my husband to remain home to rejoice and participate in our miracle of life. Mother has scolded me for being selfish, telling me that I have no idea what true hardship really is and that if I love Joseph, I will love and support him and furthermore, send him off to war with love not argument. Fine! If something happens to my Joseph, I will fully blame her!
June 15, 1900
I forced myself to be strong as I watched my husband walk away from me to seek the experience of war. I hugged him tightly, kissed him thoroughly not caring who saw, and made him promise to come home to us, our baby and me. He promised wholeheartedly then walked away to go and fight in the Philippine-American War. I will pray to God every night for his safe return.
January 12, 1901
Our son Daniel Joseph Smite was born safely into the world today. My mother remained at my side as Joseph is still not home yet although he writes that he now regrets having left us. He has seen too much death and prays the war ends soon so that he can come home and the new life we created in my womb. Life has not been easy without him. I get his pay but the timing is unreliable and never constant. So, I wash others laundry so I can stay home with my son. I am sick and tired of prissy women looking down on me and my clothes business. Alas, I have something they don't and I know they are jealous. I have a beautiful baby son who looks identical to his father to occupy my days and who brings me all the happiness in the world. My deep love for him only grows with every moment that passes.
June 4, 1901
Two Army officers came to the house today. I wanted to refuse them entrance, fearing the worst. I should have refused them, then I would still be blissfully ignorant now. My sweet Daniel will now, never know his Daddy or how deeply Joseph loved him and wanted to be with him. I can say no more right now, my whole world has crashed down around me! My beautiful Joseph is forever gone, killed by enemy fire and his body is on its way back home. Joseph, you lied to me and broke your promise!
April 4, 1903
It's been a long time since I wrote in here last. Life has been incredibly hard for Daniel and I, even with my parents' help. I'm incredibly lost without Joseph and don't know where I'll go from here or what to do. My dad says I will have to marry again, for my son's sake and to make life easier for him but I feel as if I'm betraying Joseph if I do.
We laid my mother to rest today in Clayton Cemetery by her father and mother just as she requested. I often wonder at the monument of the dancing couple. They look so deeply in love, this Jebidiah and Beth Cole. I wish that for myself and for my young son. Lister to me, jealous of the couple the statues portray. I like to imagine Beth and Jebidiah Cole have had a tremendously wonderful life full of love, laughter, and the blessing of children. It comforts me in this darkest time of my life that seems to only get worse each passing day.
June 4, 1903
My father has done the unthinkable! The old cantankerous bugger! He has offered my hand in marriage to John Clayton, a man who is ten years my senior and only because for now, John's rich but that can also change quickly in these parts. He is a railroad man through and through and not an exceptionally kind one at that. I can't stand him! He's a pompous arse! I wish to make my own match but the right one has not yet come along. But father will hear no words of reason with Mama now dead and gone. He claims to be doing the best for me and my son. More likely, he's doing it for himself and that young prissy bitch whose been hanging around and hanging onto his every word, seeing to take my mother's place. I have secretly removed my mother's most cherished and prized possessions to a secret place. I did it right under my father's nose as they are my inheritance and were left only to me. That little eighteen old bitch fianc? of my father's will never get her hands on my Mama's possessions! Over my dead body, will she!
The only one with the knowledge locked up in his head, as to where it find it all, along with this journal is my son Daniel. But until he's ready, the block on his mind will remain. Thanks to my best friend and to my own sacrifice to the dark one, my son can never be harmed by anyone over the course of his life. He is my only true concern these days, my sweet loving Daniel.
John Clayton will not live long, I will see to that and if I am unable, Sarafina will see to it and offer John as my sacrifice to the beast. He deserves no less than that in this life!
July 1, 1903
I married the cruel womanizing arse, John Clayton today and he adopted my son Daniel just as Sarafina and I had planned. After doing my horrid duty with John Clayton in the consecration of this sham of a marriage, I will go to the coal mine and offer up my husband as my next sacrifice just as soon as I witness his changed last will and testament in which he leaves everything to my son Daniel. I will take my legally binding copy to Sarafina and her lawyer husband to make sure of its legality then I will be fully a part of the dark one's family. He is the only one wh
o truly loves me now besides my beautiful and loyal son. My mother killed my only love with her advice and my father has killed my heart with his handing me over to a cruel man much older than myself. I need tremendous strength such as that of the dark one to protect my son and to ensure he grows up as loved as his father was by me.
I have no regrets turning away from God and giving my soul to the dark beast who lives in the wolf beyond the deepest part of the abandoned coal mine which resides behind Platt Fire Brick and Tile Company's land. He will protect my son and carefully seek out and devour our enemies as long as Daniel lives.
September 28, 1903
I have given up several townspeople to the dark one and his mate. I hate this town and the ridiculous rules that do not apply to everyone these hypocrites have made. They make rules publicly for others and yet, behind closed doors, they break them just as quickly. They are horrific deviants! It's time for the people of Van Meter, Iowa to be reminded there is darkness and they are not free from it, no one is. The dark one's first stop will be to my father's devious young bride. He will give her the scare of her life and will eat away at her soul.
I know she's been trying to get at my large inheritance that I received from my mother upon her death. I have seen to it, thanks to Sarafina's husband that no one but Daniel can touch that money. I can't explain it, but I know that my unconventional life is coming to an end and I don't have too many years left. I wish I could see the day John dies. Sarafina through my own last will and testament, will raise my son. I will watch over him and his descendents from the netherworld.