Farewell My Enemies

By Jennifer Fricke

If I stayed, you and Abby would be torn apart. You love her too much to lose her to lose her.
I love you more. You are my sister! Its my responsibility to look after you!
I know you love me, and I love you! Thats why I must go. If you lost her, you would come to hate me. And I could not bear that. He crushed her tightly in his arms. The tears flowed unheeded down his cheeks.
Oh Chel , dont go!
I must or I will never be able to look the world in the face again. I will return, someday. I promise. I love you, take care. She pried his arms from around her. She kissed him and wiped the tears from his from his face. As long as she lived she would never forget the look in his eyes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 14, 2012
• ISBN: 9781467043564

Jennifer Fricke

IN MEMORY OF JENNIFER FRICKE Jennifer passed away on July 16 2009 Jennifer had cancer an she lost her battle At the young age of 34 I am her sister and I am having this published to honor her talent, my name is Janell Fricke Michalski We all love her and miss her terribly

Book preview

Prologue

IF I stayed, you and Abby would be torn apart. You love her too much to lose her to lose her.

I love you more. You are my sister! It’s my responsibility to look after you!

I know you love me, and I love you! That’s why I must go. If you lost her, you would come to hate me. And I could not bear that. He crushed her tightly in his arms. The tears flowed unheeded down his cheeks.

Oh Chel, don’t go!

I must or I will never be able to look the world in the face again. I will return, someday. I promise. I love you, take care. She pried his arms from around her. She kissed him and wiped tears from his face. As long as she lived she would never forget the look in his eyes.

She led him to Abby. Placing his hands in hers, she said. Take care of him Abby. Please. And love him as hard as you can. Chelby left then. Mounting her horse as the gasping sobs nearly overtook her. Jason’s own sobs ragged from in him. Abby tried to hold him but he fought her. Chel! Chel please stay. He pleaded. She looked back one last time. What she saw hurt her more than any rape ever could. Jason sat brokenly on the step crying. But he wasn’t in Abby’s arms. You don’t have to leave, we would be very happy to have you stay with us. Chelby smiled sadly at him. Dear sweet Jason, always thinking of her. She knew him so well, he would care for her. Forsaking his own happiness. She could not let him do that. Does Abby share your opinion or is it yours alone? she ask casting a glance at Jason’s intended. Abby returned the glance grudgingly with a hint of sadness in the depths of her eyes. Abby and Chelby had not had much to say to each other, since the horrible nightmare that her wedding had become.

Jack Linquist had been the most handsome man Chelby had ever seen. When he had asked her to marry him, she was over-joyed. But he hadn’t wanted to marry her, only use her. So he had arranged a rape. Jack and some men from town had brutally raped her.

Abby could not believe that Jack could be so cruel. I don’t care what she thinks, you are my family. I would take care of you! Chelby smiled wistfully. Yes I know you would, and damn anyone who told you not to. But I couldn’t do that to you. She whispered caressing his cheek, clearing away the streaks of moisture that betrayed him.

Chapter One

THE RIDER was very skilled, both in riding and the use of weapons. She managed to stay one step ahead of her pursuers. Just a little farther, she told herself. Soon she would reach the ranch of her brother and then Simon’s men could not hurt her.

She heard the report of their pistols, and felt the white hot pain of intrusion. It was breath taking, she struggled to keep her seat, as yet another bullet made it’s presence known. A few more yards, she coaxed her fading mind, willing it to listen, to obey.

She knew when she reached the property, for she had the profound feeling of coming home. She knew this land like she knew her own body. Finally the painful struggles were over, or had it just begun. Again, she was ten, an orphan headed west, with glorious stories of riches to guide her way. It had been her father’s greatest dream to start fresh in a new untamed land. If only they knew how untamed it truly was. Then he would be alive and she would not have had to bury him with her own little hands. She grew up fast and hard, what took years for some was just a matter of days for her. She had almost died keeping the animals away from the pitiful grave she had dug.

That’s how she had meet Jason Coltran. He had found her fighting off a pair of coyotes. All she had been wearing was a tattered pair of pantaloons and a ragged shift. I’m not going to hurt you. His voice was kind and he didn’t look the sort who would hurt her. But still you can’t be too careful. You just stay away from me and I won’t have to hurt you.

He laughed I don’t think I have much to worry about. You couldn’t hurt a flea. She was so mad she started throwing stones at him, till she ran out. Then she charged him trying to knock him down, but he was much stronger.

He had become her protector they were the only family each other had. Each looking out for the other, with Jason doing most of it. He had found work on a ranch near Mason City. They had made many friends and lived happily. Jason fell in love with Abigail Linquist, the daughter of the man he worked for. And she had fallen in love with Jack, the owner’s son. Jack had asked her to marry him, she had been so in love, or at least she had thought she was. Till tragedy struck and all her plans were destroyed. She had been fifteen, Jason had told her he would take care of her no matter what. So she had stayed a month longer, till he and Abby decided to marry. It was then that she left she knew Jason would want her to live with them. But she had her pride.

The pain seemed to grow till it engulfed her whole body. She could hear voices, but couldn’t decide if they were real or ghosts from the past.

It was a beautiful March day, a day just right for gathering heifers and calves. Alec didn’t mind doing this as long as there was someone as fun as Frank to do it with. You know Frank, you ought to settle down you’re getting to old for this sort of work. The young man teased his companion. To old, who say’s? Why I can out work you and those snot nosed kids any day of the week, and twice on Sundays. He said giving Alec a shove.

Why don’t you make yerself useful an earn yer keep. Go over there and get that pair of heifers.

Alec left laughing, they had always teased Frank about being old and he always gave the same reply. He was the best to work with and if you kept your ears open you could learn a thing or two. He had just been ready to give Frank a new tease when something caught his eye. It looked like a person but most of it was hidden by the trees. A strange feeling stole down his spine like the first chill of frost. But it was a spooky kind of chill, when he got closer he could indeed see that it was a body. A body that belonged to the most beautiful women he had ever seen.

She had startlingly green eyes, but they weren’t just green. They were a silver green like prairie grass bathed in moonlight. He could see the blood that stained her clothes. Help me please? Those words slipped past her lips before darkness overtook her. Hey Frank, come look at this!

What the hell is it can’t you see that I have work to do? Frank grumbled. You younguns have no respect for an honest day’s wo… oh my God no!

You know her? Who is she? The look of total despair that overtook his friends face had him startled. Who was this woman? He had never seen Frank go white in his life. He had always been so tough; he hadn’t even flinched at a rattle snake that had crawled into his bed. But yet the sight of this near dead woman had him white like a ghost. She’s Jason’s sister. We need to get her to the doctor.

They worked quickly but gently to get her up in front of Alec without causing further damage. The trip would not be an easy one, for they would need to go fast. Alec gazed down at that lovely smudged face and found himself not only hoping that she survive, but that she would also forgive him the pain he would have to cause her going to town.

So, Doc how is the baby? Jason Coltran asked, giving his beautiful wife a hug. Everything is just fine Jason. In four months you will have a fine child. They had tried for six years to have a baby and had all but given up when Abby had finally got pregnant. He had been so happy that every time they came to town he bought something for the baby. Abby told him that he would have it so spoiled that it wouldn’t even need to come out for it would already have everything it needed. That’s great Doc. I think I am more excited than Abby is. I think you are too. She said squeezing his hand. Hey look, it’s Alec and Frank they look like they’ve got something with them. As usual when there was a stir in town everybody and their dog turned out to see it. Jason couldn’t get close enough to see, much less find anything out.

Doc this woman has been shot, it looks bad. Frank said as he jumped from his horse and took the injured woman from Alec. He shot Jason a pained look that only sparked his interest. Hey Alec who is it? And where did you find her? I think Frank better explain who it is, but I can tell you that we found her by the north boundary of the place. It looks bad Jas." With that he followed Frank and the Doctor.

After a quick examination the doctor ushered both men out. You two wait outside and if what you tell me is true you will have to restrain Jason. I must not be disturbed. What is it, what’s wrong? Jason asked as they came back out. Both men gave him a sympathetic look. For Christ’s sake will you tell me what the hell is going on? He was about out of patience with them. Well it’s like Alec said we was gathering heifers and calves along the north boundary when we found her. I couldn’t believe my eyes at first. Frank, quit stallin and tell me, who did you find? Jason was desperate he knew it wasn’t one of his men’s wives. Because if it had Alec would have known her and Frank would have just told him instead of stallin like this. Fear gripped him, a fear that he didn’t want to feel. Jas, it’s Chelby."

The blood stopped cold in his veins. This couldn’t be happening, it was a dream. All a bad, bad dream and he would wake up any minute. No! Your lying to me, you have to be lying to me. He said, shaking Frank, his eyes were deep pools of pain. Tell me it’s a lie Frank. Suddenly his grasp went from harsh to desperate, his tone from angry to painful. "Please tell me it’s a lie!

It’s not a lie Jason I didn’t want to believe it myself. But I saw her with two holes gapping on her back, the cowards couldn’t even face her they shot her in the back. Doc says it’s bad Jas. Jason was about to rush to the doctor’s office when Frank and Alec grabbed him and tried to stop him. Let me go you bastards, let me go! That’s my sister in there, I need to be with her, I need to see her, please! But they held on to him fast not letting him go. No Jason." Alec said

The doctor needs to have complete concentration. If you were in there he would have to worry about you and wouldn’t be able to do his best. Alec’s logic seemed to penetrate his pain filled mind and finally he relented. Who Frank, who would do this? She never hurt anyone. Why would someone do this?

I don’t know. It brought back memories of her after the rape. I had always wondered why Jack Linquist would have done that to her. Then I remember how beautiful she is and how sweet, even after it happened she was always optimistic and full of laughter.

Chelby traveled through the dark fog of pain. Back to the day her life had changed, the day when strangers had invaded her body. She remembered as if it were happening right now. She could still feel their rough hands molesting her most private parts. She could hear the cruel voices they coldly reminded her of her beauty and that Jack had promised that she would be worth it. But nothing could have hurt worse than the first ripping pain when they had invaded her body. It had felt like a knife had been thrust into her she had tried to throw him off but the more she struggled the deeper he drove. She could hear their disgusting grunts of pleasure, and feel their hands, which were everywhere. As soon as one would finish another would take his place, till soon she couldn’t tell any more where one would start and another began. Her whole body throbbed and her nipples bore teeth marks every where they had bitten her tender flesh.

She had been relieved to see Jack, but it had only lasted a moment. You slut, you let them take you, didn’t you? I bet you begged them to take you so that you wouldn’t have to marry me. Then he was on her like a rutting bull and she could do nothing but lay there while he took his pleasure. Oh God, no, please no! Oh God please don’t let them do this to me!