"Ruin and Redemption"

Leaving Time is a Comin'

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“I know, “ he said wearily, as she led her horse side by side with his, and he reached out to hug her for several minutes while they both cried.

“Let’s get back home, Josiah.” Izzie said. They might as well get the worst over with. The sooner they could get back and tell Mindy, and put Celia in the ground the sooner it would all be over with.

“Alright, Izzie. But we should go slow ‘cause of the horses. I drove Shadow pretty hard.”

Slowly, and steadily they made their way back to the house, taking care to avoid the fallen logs, branches, thorns and other obstacles on their way. Joe was so grateful then for his sister. She was the best thing that had ever happened to him. He couldn’t believe she had seemed so helpless when she was younger, always sick, and now she was so strong and could take care of herself in any situation! What a sister he had!

Josiah and Izzie finally made their way to the open field in front of their home, and Josiah smiled a wan smile. Izzie couldn’t help smiling broadly for a brief minute upon seeing it; They could finally get down from their horses, give them water, and rub them down. They had worked so hard, and now they could get some rest! And so could she and Josiah.

Mindy rose from her place at the bed where she had been sitting holding her water, a sleeping Lizzie pinning her down. She and Derrick had been watching each other for hours, neither of them daring to move. She dared not get up to pee. Otherwise, she might find herself rushing to place her lips on Derrick’s handsome face!

As concerned as she had been about her husband and her friend (She couldn’t possibly worry about the always resourceful Izzie) She felt Derrick’s charm and sex appeal keenly. She remembered the last time when she had pushed him away. It had taken all her strength and will, and her knowing that there was something better for her, in order to push him from her that night, and tell him not to come back. She had worried then that a punishment would come, but no, just Derrick coming back several more times, and attempting again and again before he finally gave up, and took her word that she was through sleeping with him. Now, confined to the same small room, where Derrick had been instructed to keep a vigil on both her and Lizzie, the temptation had been strong.

What a relief that the horse were back, and she could go and greet her dear husband, whom she loved immensely! And with a clean conscience, too! She was proud of herself. She woke Lizzie, and Lizzie stirred in her lap.

“I’ve got to pee, and I think they’re back.” She said.

Lizzie stretched and went back to sleep, not really hearing her.

“Get up, Lizzie! You weren’t supposed to go to sleep! I let you and you slept on me the whole time! Don’t tell, Josiah! Nothing happened.”

“Oh, of course not. You’ve been here under my head haven’t you?” Lizzie sat up, “Maybe Celia is back with them.” She said, trying to be hopeful. She felt a bit woozy from the rough sleep and the shock of hearing that Celia had fled. Yes, Mindy had been there, right by her while she had slept. Derrick did not look satisfied, either. No, nothing could have happened. Otherwise, she would not have felt Mindy throughout the night, and Derrick would not have that slight, worried frown on his face that he got when he couldn’t have what he wanted.

The women smoothed their dresses, and walked out to the porch, followed by Derrick, who breathed a relieved sigh. Thank God he had not made a mistake last night. Of course, Mindy had never moved Lizzie from her lap. But still, nothing had happened and he had to give himself some credit. He hoped Celia had made it back; He already felt guilty about what he had done to her that had brought her here.