When Morning Comes

By Werner Manke

When Morning Comes

It was a time of rapid change in the Americas. After getting a degree, Benjamin had begun to make a promising life for himself in Boston. He had a good paying job, a beautiful girlfriend, and good friends. Unintentionally, he had also made a powerful enemy. His friends predicted the years ahead would be filled with success and happiness for him. But Benjamin's first love was his family's ranch in far off Wyoming, a ranch he as a youngster had once dreamed to lead in his future. But as the second son of the Rosefield family that privilege belonged to his brother. As is the case sometimes, the winds of life brought with them unforeseen dangers for Benjamin threatening his wellbeing and life, and unknown to him the girl he used to tease as a youth had blossomed into a beautiful, young lady. To overcome the problems he needed to face would demand all his strength, intelligence, and faith.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Werner Manke
• Release date: Oct 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223696636

Werner Manke

If one had to describe W. H. Manke in five words the most appropriate words might be: He’s passionate about many things. Manke's family, faith and health rank at the top of his list.  He enjoyed a career in education as teacher, principal and Director of Instruction, and retired after thirty years to have time to pursue other interests.  The years in education taught him much about how humans learn.  Day-to-day observations, common sense and a good deal of research gave him an understanding about what it takes for people to be successful.  He holds a degree with concentrations in English and Education and a Master's degree in Educational Administration and Strategic Planning.  Ask him what he enjoys doing since retirement he’ll tell you, "Ranking at the top with other activities I love to watch my grandchildren at play, to read and to write.  In the last few years I completed five full length novels, published two, and I've recently completed writing Storms over Hawking Manor, a sequel to the first novel I published, Secrets of Hawking Manor."  The later book he edited and formatted at the end of 2014 for Smashwords' distribution to publishers and retailers that sell E-Books.  He had also written a number of articles, short stories and many poems during those years. When he is not near his grandchildren he might be found writing, researching or reading.  He loves to play, coach and watch a number of sports that include soccer, hockey, skiing, fishing as well as collecting.  He delights in the beauty of nature and the arts.  Certain types of paintings and poems and the lyrics and melodies of some songs and hymns cause him to marvel at people's talents.  He continues to study history.  Ask him why he does, he will say, "We can make this a better world, if we consider the actions of individuals and countries of the past, good and bad, that history shows us and include that knowledge in our guidebook to roads not yet taken." He believes humans are the crowning work of creation, sees each person as unique, one of a kind, priceless and able to achieve the greatest deeds as well as sink to the most hideous crimes.  He believes our most urgent task is to guide all children to become compassionate, confident and informed citizen willing to take on the challenge to create a peaceful world where no child goes hungry.

Book preview

Table of Content:

Chapter 1: The Face of Revenge

Chapter 2: A Strange Rescue

Chapter 3: Days of Wins and Losses

Chapter 4: Aching Hearts

Chapter 5: Songs of the Heart

Chapter 6: A Journey Through Hell

Chapter 7: The End of a Life’s Chapter

Chapter 8: In the Devil’s Den

Chapter 9: The Winds of Winter

Chapter 10: Special Christmas Days

Chapter 11: A Proposal and a Kidnapping

Chapter 12: Letting Go of the Past

Chapter 13: The Power of Forgiveness

Chapter 14: A Wedding Made in Heaven

Epilog: A Time for a Reunion

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Chapter 1: The Face of Revenge

Benjamin Rosefield watched the boy who had run up to him a moment earlier dash away. The lad of ten or twelve had handed him the note which now the light wind flapped in his hand. He watched him sprint down the street and into the dark alley a block down the street where he slipped quickly from his sight. Surprised and undecided whether to follow him or not, he looked at the hand for a moment in which he held the trembling note. He shook his head and surveyed the area around him to see if he could detect anyone who might have sent the boy, but as far as he could see the street stood empty before him now.

The light wind ruffled his pitch-black hair that reached to the middle of his earlobe as he slowly opened the note. He had no idea who had sent the lad who had given the note to him. An uneasy feeling that it contained a message he would not welcome swept over him. He was certain the note’s message was meant for him, and he decided to read it. Happy to see an oil streetlight near him at the corner of the street he walked under it to be able to see better what was written on the paper. The light showed his handsome face was cleanly shaven. A small scar at the right side on the bottom of his chin was visible to a keen observer. By habit he stroked his left cheek as he read. Once he had read it he could not believe he had read it correctly. Shaking his head he looked at it carefully once more to be certain. There is no doubt Charles Goodacre wrote that note, he thought.

Meet me behind the building of Palladio Hall at thirty minutes to midnight tonight or be prepared to feel me strike when you least expect it. Benjamin stared at the initials the note’s writer had left prominently displayed at the end of the sentence. They screamed out to him and told him it had to be Charles Goodacre. This gentleman who had sent it he had beaten in a horserace a week earlier. The man had bragged about being unbeatable on the track riding his black thoroughbred. Charles had put down a wager of one thousand dollars that Benjamin had needed to match and had declared he would pay Benjamin five hundred dollars if he did not beat him handily. Loudly he had dared Benjamin to take up his challenge. It will be the race that tops all horse races of 1882, he had proclaimed.

Charles had tried to impress Natalie and her parents who were present the day he had challenged Benjamin to race against him. When Benjamin had declined to do so, Charles had heckled and mocked him in front Natalie, the woman he had been seeing for more than a year. Benjamin had not failed to notice her parents surveying him. They had decided to wait to hear what he would say and do. Only after Charles had angrily called him a coward did Benjamin agree to race against him on the seven-furlong track on which Charles frequently raced against those opponents who were willing and able to put up one thousand dollars and be prepared to lose their money.

Preparing for the race Benjamin had selected a quarter horse from one of his friends’ stable. He had ridden the horse several times during the spring and summer on outings with his friends and knew the stallion possessed exceptional endurance and speed. Disregarding Benjamin’ wish to race early in the morning, Charles had scheduled it for the early afternoon. To spread the news of his win throughout Boston, he had brought with him a reporter, a dozen of his acquaintances and a few friends. He had also invited Natalie and her father, Clyde Buchanan, who owned a flourishing ironwork company. Charles was keen for him to watch the spectacle. So certain had he been of his win that he had bragged about how far behind he would leave Benjamin. To cheer for Benjamin, Alastair and Emily, the friends whose horse he had ridden that day had come along. They could not miss seeing the dark clouds churning in the sky threatening to rain on Charles’ race.

Folding the note and stuffing it in his pocket Charles’ angry face crowded into Benjamin mind’s eye. He hailed a Hansom Cab and asked the driver to take him to his friends’ house. Two days after Charles had challenged him, Benjamin had beaten him not by a neck but by two and nearly three lengths. That loss had brought out clearly the kind of man Charles had become. Carefully, so that the Buchanans would not hear him, he had threatened Benjamin quietly that afternoon. Benjamin had ignored him at the time and thanked all for coming to watch the race. Those who had come to watch it had been surprised at the quiet strength and serenity Benjamin had exhibited before the race had begun.

During the first part of the race Charles’ name had been on the lips of most spectators. But near its end the shouts in his support had ebbed away. Cordial clapping had accompanied Benjamin dismounting and stroking the stallion’s neck. He had bowed toward Charles and had led the horse to where his friends stood ready to congratulate him. A moment later Benjamin had refused to accept the fellow’s thousand dollars he had won from him in the race telling him it had been an honor to race against him. Instead of extinguishing the flames in Charles, Benjamin had seen him pocketing the money and balling his fists. When he had heard the onlookers applaud Benjamin’s act, Charles had stomped his foot and sneered at the crowd. That Natalie had run to Benjamin and had embraced him at that moment had added more fuel to the fire that day.

Charles had stormed off mumbling words Benjamin could not clearly hear. Running a hand through his dark blonde hair, a prolonged snarl had stood stamped in his handsome face. He had massaged his chin with his right hand, a habit he had formed and used whenever he felt angry and was unsure what to do to get even with the other party.

Despite the unpleasant way the race had ended, his friends had seen a pleasant gleam in Benjamin’s striking  green eyes. No hint of gloating they had seen in his face or in his walk. Emily, Benjamin’s friend had smiled when she had overheard a lady standing not far from her saying to her companion, That, my dear Sue, is an incredibly handsome man. Even the small scar at the right side of his chin adds to his good looks. I also love the dimple that appears for a second in his cheek whenever he begins to speak, and his smile is heavenly.

Benjamin paid the driver and hurried up the steps to the door of Alistair and Emily’s house. He had an hour and a half before meeting Charles behind the Palladio Hall. Expecting this meeting to be largely confrontational, he wanted his friends to know where he would go and with whom he would meet there. Thinking about how much to tell Alistair, he lifted the knocker on the door.

A bright smile lit up Emily’s face when she opened the door and saw Benjamin. Welcome, Benjamin, she cried, we were just talking about you and that enemy you made with your brilliant win a week ago. Come in, come in. Alistair and William will be thrilled to see you.

The friends exchanged greetings and before long Alistair asked what had brought Benjamin to them this night. Has Charles demanded to race you again, and does he insist you must ride a mule? I have none in my stable. Once they had all laughed at his words, he added. You must steer clear of that man, my friend. He is ruthless and can be dangerous. Watch your back, Benjamin.

It is the reason why I came, Benjamin replied, and he showed him the note. I believe he will have some ill intend in mind. I wanted someone to know where I have gone and why.

Shocked, Alistair exclaimed, You must not go alone. He gripped Benjamin by the shoulders. I shall come with you, my friend. This is no idle threat. He shook his head and ran a hand through his curly shoulder length brown hair.

And so will I, William added. He stood at the fireplace and had listened to his friends’ conversation. I know this rascal. He will have two or more of his cronies with him, men who enjoy making blood flow freely from their victims’ face. William stood taller than most men. He gave the impression of one who exercised a good deal. He spoke little and seemed to stop to think before he spoke.

Although Benjamin demonstrated and told his friends he did not want to involve them further, they would not change their mind. When William asked Alistair to help him restrain Benjamin from leaving the house alone should he attempt it, Benjamin relented. All right, he said. Come with me but you two must remain at some distance when I meet with him.

For several minutes the friends discussed what strategy they should employ at the back of that house. They sipped the tea Emily had brewed for them and laughed at the some of the strange proposals Alistair made to keep them all relaxed. At quarter past eleven the three friends left in Alistair’s carriage, a double Brougham, drawn by two spirited horses. With three or four minutes to spare they arrived at the Palladio Hall.

They left the carriage at the side of the building and walked toward the back of it quietly listening for sounds coming from behind the building. They heard no words spoken but hearing the neighing of several horses they understood that several individuals awaited Benjamin. Motioning for Alistair and William to remain a few paces behind him, Benjamin stepped to the corner of the building where he could look down the length of the back of Palladio Hall. Halfway down and about thirty paces back of the building a single small lantern hung, placed there on a tree by Charles for the occasion. It cast an eerie light about it. Behind the tree a row of bushes stood like foot soldiers standing at attention. There Benjamin saw the shadowy form of the rump of a horse. Briefly he wondered how many other horses might be tethered there whose riders were hiding nearby.

He recognized Charles standing at the far side of the lantern. It illuminated his grinning face. Ah, the man of the hour has arrived, Benjamin heard him mock. I had hoped but did not expect you to honor me with your person. Before this night is done and morning comes, you may well wish you had sought out the safety of one of your friend’s houses or your church.

To find the others who, he was sure, had come with Charles, Benjamin surveyed the entire area as far as the scant light of the lantern reached. He saw no one and detected no small movement. But before he had walked many steps towards Charles, three dark figures stepped from the shadow of the bushes. Their appearance stopped Benjamin in his tracks. Two huge men wearing black breeches, a black half waistcoat and a black Tricorn hat looked threatening at him. Between them stood a short fellow. He carried a cudgel of some sort and swung it lightly against the side of his leg.

Benjamin stepped back against the building’s wall. He anticipated the four would rush at him at any moment. Desperately he tried to think of a way to avoid being swarmed. He heard William whispering to Alistair behind him and guessed they had taken up a position at the corner of the building.

Come closer, man, Benjamin heard Charles shout. I want to see your face.

You have asked me to meet you here. I have come. You can tell me all you want to say to me from where you stand. Should that not suit you, then come to me without the bullies you brought along. You and I can settle your grievance peacefully.

For a moment the only sound Benjamin heard was the clap of the cudgel hitting the short fellow’s boot. He noticed the grin on Charles face had given way to an angry look and saw him briefly massaging his chin. His upper lip and the thin mustache he wore above it seem to quiver with eagerness to get at Benjamin. Wondering if he should have come, Benjamin waited for him to reply.

Do you think you are in a position to dictate to me, man? Charles finally shouted. I did not call you to settle this peacefully. I want my pound of flesh, Rosefield. To show you I am a generous individual I will meet you halfway. We will walk pace for pace towards each other until we meet. If you are a man and not a coward, you will do it. When I start counting and you don’t step forward, I will tell my men to rush at you. They will want much more than one pound of flesh, believe me. He turned around to face the three who had stepped out from behind the bushes. Pointing at them he began to laugh loudly and continued to laugh for some time.

Finally he stopped and said, When morning comes, you will wish you will have ridden a mule, Rosefield. The lesson I will teach you will be painful.

Charles, think of your good name. When morning comes will any other men take up your challenge of a race, when they learn how you reward the winner?

A sudden movement to his right and the sound of a twig breaking heightened Benjamin’s alarm. Feverishly he had tried to think about what he should do when he cast a glance in the direction from where the movement and sound had drawn his attention. From the bushes to his right he noticed two men also dressed in black stepping into the open. Seeing Benjamin’s friends at the corner of Palladio Hall they stopped but remained standing no more than hundred paces away from them.

Benjamin had not long to decide what to do. Charles called to him and began to count. Reluctantly Benjamin put one foot in front of the other like a man awaiting the gallows and stepped towards Charles. Keeping his peripheral vision on the three ruffians he walked on. His mind and his heart raced. He wished he had not brought his two friends with him hoping they would leave before they came to any harm.

With no more than ten paces between him and Charles, Benjamin saw him pull a knife from his half coat and with a snarl suddenly fly toward him. It left Benjamin little time to think. He jumped to his left side. Charles stumbled past him and turned a second later. Before he could raise his hand again in which he held the knife, Benjamin thundered his left fist into Charles’ midsection and his right hand onto the side of Charles’ chin. The knife dropped from his hand, and with a groan he plunged to the ground. His right leg twitched two or three times and then he remained motionless on the wet grass.

At the same moment he heard Alistair shout, "Come quickly, Benjamin. With his shout a shot rang out and with it the lantern exploded leaving the entire area in complete darkness.

By the time Benjamin reached the carriage, Alistair had the horses moving. He slapped the reins on the animals’ back and commanded them to race away. Benjamin jumped onboard and dove for the empty seat. Racing away they hoped it would take the ruffians several minutes to mount their horses before they could follow them. Alistair kept shouting at the horses and determined not to let up the pace until they had reached a safe distance.

Unknown to them the five men dressed in black had gathered around Charles who had begun to stir. They stared down at him but did not dare to touch him. When he opened his eyes, looked around him, and tried to comprehend where he was and what had happened to him, he groaned. Suddenly he sat up. Why are you gawking at me? He shouted at them. Go follow that Rosefield fellow and punish him like you have never punished anyone before! His head and midsection hurting him he rose awkwardly. Glaring at his five henchmen he waved the fellows, still standing around him, away and shouted, Go, go after Rosefield. Hurry men! He must not escape.

He watched them rushing after the long-departed carriage and swore. Rosefield must pay for ruining my plans, he muttered. If he thinks this is the end of it, he is a fool.  

Chapter 2: A Strange Rescue

Two weeks had slipped by. In public Benjamin had walked each day wondering who might be waiting for him around the next turn. Charles’ threats and his friends’ cautions had made him careful. Whenever he walked in the streets, he looked behind him often. Before he stepped far from a building, he looked up and down the street and made sure he could see no one who looked threatening to him. The more days passed, the more irritable he became.

For several days no one had heard anything of Charles or seen him in the community. Some believed he had suffered a grievous injury that needed a long recuperation time. Others guessed he had gone into hiding to escape some enemy’s revenge. Still others laid bets that he hid to plan another race to wipe away the stain left by his recent loss, or secretly prepared for someone’s ruin. This chatter going around the taverns and neighborhood caused Benjamin to continue to be extra vigilant.

Since graduating from the College of New Jersey in Princeton two years earlier, he had worked in the research and planning department of a prestigious engineering company. Before long, his superiors had noted how well he worked with even the most difficult members of the department. They had also been impressed by his work ethic, his ability to analyze, synthesize and solve difficult problems in creative ways. During the beginning of the building of the current two bridges the company had noticed that his work stood out as exemplary and precise. For those reasons the managers of the company had asked him to develop new bridge designs and construction strategies for building them. They also asked him to lead the planning department in the implementation of a new forward-looking planning culture at the head office of the organization.

His latest assignment was to investigate and write a report of the most productive strategic planning practices now in use by major organizations in the Atlantic states and design a plan for their organization to consider. He had visited fourteen successful companies and five that were presently experiencing severe problems. Now he felt ready to write the report. When his friends had visited him on the last weekend and learned of it, they had implored him to ride south to a retreat the company owned at the shore of Cape Cod and write the report there. Arguing it would help him deal with two issues he needed to address. They begged him to hear them out. They had insisted it would provide him a place away from the distractions of the city to write the report without frequent interruptions. At the same time they pointed out, it would keep him safe from a surprise meeting with Charles and his hoodlums. They were certain Charles and his men would attack him one day.

Thinking it over as he left the premises of the company at end of the week. He told himself his friend’s advice and suggestions had a good deal of merit. He decided to tell Natalie about his plan when they would go out for dinner that evening. Walking to where he knew Hansom Cabs waited for passengers, he quickly surveyed the area ahead and around him for a possible planned attack on him by Charles’ men. Before he reached the first cab a loud bang caused him to jump into an opening of a business’ doorway. He began to chuckle a moment later when he saw a worker on the opposite side of the street picking up an iron beam that he had accidently dropped to the cobblestone sidewalk.

Nearing the two cabs parked ahead of him he noticed the horse in front of the second cab was young and frisky. He had less than an hour and a half before Natalie would expect him. He realized he needed to hurry if he wanted to have a bath and put on a change of clothes. Walking to the cab with the young horse, he gave the cab driver the address of his house, asked him to hurry, and sat as far back in the cab as was possible.

Refreshed, he arrived at Natalie’s home a few minutes early feeling lighthearted. When he saw Natalie hurrying from her parent’s home as if she had eagerly awaited his arrival, he felt like rushing to her and wrapping her in his arms. She is beautiful, he thought. I’m a lucky fellow. He loved the spirited way she appeared to approach each day. Her smile had quickly captivated him on their first meeting and a year later still made his heart turn somersaults. He only wished she would be a little less trusting of strangers and in particular men with a shady reputation.

She smiled at him radiantly when they reached each other. I have looked forward to our evening together all day, Benjamin, she said as they greeted each other. I have much to tell you, and I want even more to hear all about your recent skirmish with that terrible man, Charles. But tell me, where will we dine tonight?

I thought you might like to have your meal at the Golden Spoon. It is the dining room in the new hotel, the Bright Horizon, he replied. I hear the chef had a large following in Berlin. His Sauerbraten is rated as heavenly by connoisseurs of meat dishes worldwide.

He was about to tell her of the musicians who would play while they ate when her father stepped from the door and motioned for him to come to him. Benjamin was unsure why her father had come from the house and wanted to speak to him. He knew Clyde Buchanan, her father, did not look favorably on him dating his daughter, but he had never voiced his opposition to him personally. He had warned Natalie, however, and had told her she would never be happy being married to the son of a dirt farmer, as he had referred to Benjamin’s father on several occasions in Benjamin’s hearing.

He did not return Benjamin’s greeting as Benjamin approached him and only said, When you bring Natalie home, stop in. I will expect you no later than ten. There is something I have meant to say to you for some time, but it can wait until you return.

Benjamin assured him he would have Natalie home by ten and wished him a good evening. Clyde only nodded, turned abruptly, and walked away. Benjamin watched him enter the house before he joined Natalie at his carriage where she stood waiting for him.

She giggled and smiled at him while he helped her into the carriage. You must not take what my father will say to you too seriously. He is terribly old-fashioned and means to protect me. He believes I choose my men with too little thought. Can you believe it?

During the time they ate Benjamin forced Natalie’s father’s demand out of his mind. He enjoyed her

lively chatter. Answering her questions about his meeting with Charles he attempted not to alarm her. The musicians who entertained them, and the meal they ate made for an enjoyable evening for them. Natalie had been in high spirit throughout the meal. Benjamin smiled when she flirted with the young man who served them, but he wondered if there might come a time, when she will have cause to regret trusting total strangers without a thought of the possible inherent dangers. He watched her as she chatted with him and others and laughed freely. Her rosy-white kin tempted him to touch her and kiss her throat and the part of her breasts that showed above the top of her dress. He marveled at the glow on her wavy, black hair that fell to her shoulders. You are beautiful, my dear Natalie, he thought and saw her wave to someone he could not identify.

When they left the restaurant at quarter to nine Natalie asked him to take her on a carriage ride through the nearby park before driving her home. Benjamin was in no rush to listen to her father’s stipulations. Happy to have another hour alone with her, he set out toward the quiet of the park, but it seemed to him as if Clyde Buchanan sat in the carriage with them. Thoughts of him remained but a few steps away from him. Only when Natalie placed a hand on his cheek, turned his head toward her, and kissed him, did he focus his thoughts entirely on her. He directed the horses off the path and stopped the carriage at the side of a group of birch trees from where they could look down toward the town. There he pulled her into his arms, kissed her tenderly, and looked lovingly at her.

You’re and incredible woman, Natalie, he said. I would hate to give you up to your father or to anyone else. I only wish you would not trust strangers so easily. He pulled her into his arms again and kissed her long and passionately. Does that tell you what I think of you? he asked and ordered the horses to start out.

Natalie placed an arm around him. I feel the same way about you, Benjamin. You need not fear. I will not let my father come between us.

I’m sorry, Natalie. It seems I cannot get your father’s words out of my mind. What do you suppose he will have to say to me? I know he does not think me worthy of you. I would feel guilty if I were to come between you and your family.

My father thinks I’m headed for a life of misery with you. It is his believe you will inherit your families homestead where I would spend my days trudging behind a plough and bearing you a horde of running noses children. She began to laugh, pulled him to her again and kissed him once more. I might not mind bearing your flock of children, but please spare me the plough, she said and giggled happily. She reached for him again and kissed him as if she lost and found him again.

Benjamin chuckled listening to her. I will have time to think about our children in the weeks ahead, he said. For several days I will be busy completing a report for my company’s managers. To escape the distractions of the city I will travel to a retreat the company owns. There I will write my report. He chuckled again and added, Our children will occupy my mind after the sun goes down over Cape Cod and my thoughts will dwell on you all day long.

Of about how many of our children will you be thinking? she laughed. I want to come to visit you at that retreat and help you looking after our young ones, Benjamin. Please help me to figure out a way to convince my father to let me go. Laughing they wrapped their arms around each other, and for a few moments Benjamin forgot about Natalie’s father.

Several minutes before ten Benjamin stopped the carriage in front of Natalie’s home. He walked Natalie to the door feeling like a man going to the gallows. The butler ushered them into the sitting room where Her parents sat with a guest. Benjamin was about to ask her father if he would prefer that he come to see him the next day, when he would have more time to speak to him. He did not tell him he also would prefer to do so and hoped to be able to leave. But Clyde introduced their guest, Fredrick Kaufmann, a shipping magnate, to Natalie and him before he meant to address Benjamin.

Fredrick Kaufmann bowed to Natalie. When he took Benjamin’s hand and heard Clyde mention his name, he held onto his hand for a moment. Are you related to the Rosefield family who own that beautiful ranch and resort along the North Platte River northeast of that little, charming settlement that is called Buffalo?

Yes, that is my family. The ranch and resort have been in our family for two generations now. Beside cattle we raise horses and elk. We also grow wheat, barley, and oats. As a resort we serve hunters, fishermen, and other outdoor enthusiasts.

I know. I met your parents, one of your brothers, and your sister on my fishing trip to the river. I stayed three days at your lovely resort’s lodge. Your parents invited me for dinner one evening. Your father and younger brother also gave me a three-hour horseback tour of a small part of your enormous ranch. Your brother told me your family owns sixty-four thousand acres of ranchland. Much of it, he told me, borders on the river. I understand your family also leases many acres.

We have leased thirty-two thousand acres for twenty-three years and have an option to buy the land when the lease ends in seven years. Some of this land is good farmland. Many of the rest of the quarters provide excellent grazing. We have every intention to purchase those two hundred quarters when the lease is up. My family has paid half of the cost toward the purchase already.

Your father is a wise man. I have no doubt the land will remain in your family. I must also tell you I was greatly impressed with the horses your family raises. I went only to go fishing but came home with a trophy trout and horses for my daughter, my wife, and myself. Believe me, I have every intention to visit your ranch and resort again next year. My wife and my daughter have already told me they will never forgive me if I will not take them with me. He patted Benjamin on the shoulder and asked, Will you be returning to your family’s ranch soon?

Not until the Christmas season. At this time I’m employed at an engineering firm. The company has contracts for the building of two bridges and various other structures. Unless my family needs me to assist in the working of the ranch and resort, I intent to continue to work for this firm for some years and hope to have my own company in due time.

Fredrick Kaufmann looked at Benjamin for a long moment, smiled at him and said, "I’m pleased to have met you, Benjamin. If you ever feel like working in the shipbuilding industry, come and see me. I hope to see you again.

Benjamin had noticed Natalie’s mother smiling while she listened to their guest speaking to him. As much as he tried, he could not read her father’s expression who stared at him in a sober manner. Quietly Benjamin waited for him to rise from his seat next to his wife to come to speak to him, after Mister Kaufmann had seated himself. But Natalie’s father remained seated and not until several minutes later did he finally address Benjamin.

Thank you for bringing Natalie home, he said. What I meant to tell you can wait until morning comes. Perhaps next time you come to see Natalie we can talk. For now feel free to return to your own house unless Natalie and you have planned to visit for a few more minutes.

Benjamin excused himself. He bid all a good night. Smiling at and waving to Natalie he hastily left the house. Driving away he wondered about all that had taken place the past fifteen minutes. It had appeared to him that Natalie’s father had changed his view of him while Mister Kaufmann had spoken to him. Girls what do you think has come over Natalie’s father? he asked his two horses before he commanded them to start out. He was pleased to get home earlier than he thought he would and planned to pack some of the things he would need for his trip.

The time at Cape Cod passed pleasantly. The weather remained moderate. Each morning he had spent an hour running along the beach and swimming in a small bay. He worked for four hours before he ate lunch at a small bayside restaurant. Until six in the evening he worked with ten-minute breaks each hour. During those few minutes he enjoyed the panorama of his surroundings. Each evening he prepared his own meal after which he read books on bridge designs and thought of Natalie. In this way eleven days had slipped by.

Unknown to Benjamin and his friends, Charles had not forgotten losing the race to him. Nor had he forgiven