Pumpkin Spice, стр. 25
“I shall be alright on my own, thank you.”
“No worries, but if you ever feel unsafe you know where I be.” And with that Barnabas walked Penelope to his front do and showed her out.
As time went on Barnabas showed more and more care and heart towards Penelope, he did his best to not make any haste advances towards her. He needed her to feel safe with him. He donated money to her and her family, he assisted on searches for Reuben. Barnabas even had “missing” posters made up, and had Bo and Billy post them all around town. Even though they had known the truth about Reuben, they agreed to play along. Soon the township of Hastings would belong to the Barabbas boys. Bo liked the idea of changing the name from Hastings to Barabbas. Barnabas did not share this sentiment.
As time went on Barnabas dedicated a lot of his earnings and time to Penelope, he was a part of her life so much that she eventually began to develop feelings for the eldest Barabbas, something she was not expecting. She agreed to dine with him from time to time, and considered introducing him to her parents. He, of course, told her not to rush things and take them slow, let them progress naturally. He treated her like a queen and was always more than kind to her and her parents when they finally did meet.
Turned out he was too kind. Taking his time with the relationship meant she had more time to herself in her house. As things began to get serious with Barnabas that’s when it happened. That’s when the truth was discovered. One evening Penelope was cleaning her house, removing all that was left of Reuben’s belongings. The name itself would make her sick. She was disgusted that she could ever fall for someone so vile, someone that would leave her over something as petty as money! She looked over at the dresser they both shared. It reminded her of Reuben. She emptied the remaining drawers of his belongings, and beginning with the third drawer down, she ripped it from the dresser! Then the second! Then the first… no, wait. The first drawer was stuck. She tried and tried to no avail. She grabbed a screwdriver, and lodged it in. Finally, the drawer came loose. As she removed the drawer something came with it. A piece of paper. Sealed and stamped by Reuben. She was curious to say the least, but she had no intention of reading what was in there. Who was it even meant for? For all she knew Reuben had a mistress and that’s where he left with all of his newfound earnings. She ripped the envelope in half and tossed in in her trash bin.
The rest of the day and night the pieces of the letter stared at Penelope; she could feel it watching her. Reluctantly she picked it up. If Reuben did have a mistress and this letter confirmed it, she had a right to know. And so, she picked both halves of the letter up, held them together and read.
Billy tossed his brother Bo a log. Bo lifted his ax and swung down and sliced it into two. He tossed it on a pile of logs. Billy and Bo did this several more times before Penelope arrived. “What’s she doing here?” Bo asked, Billy told him to forget her and concentrate on the logs, “It’ll be winter soon, Bo. We need this to keep warm.” Bo reluctantly continued chopping wood.
Penelope stormed into Barnabas’ office. There was Cassidy hovering over his brother-in-law’s shoulder as always. “Penelope, come in, come in.” Barnabas greeted his new “girl” with a smile and open arms. She was not in the mood. “Please, have a seat” He remained his typical calm self. “No thank you!” She was furious. “I know what you’ve done.” She stared Barnabas directly into the eyes. “What I done?” He was confused. “I know you had Reuben, my husband, travel through them Kobold woods for you.” Barnabas didn’t speak, Cassidy remained silent as well and looked down at his brother-in-law. “He was delivering a parcel for you and the goblin of them woods took him. I know the truth. Reuben weren’t no runway! He was hunted and killed by the goblin of the woods.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out Reuben’s letter. “I have proof!” She flung the paper at Barnabas. Cassidy picked it up, placed both copies together and read it aloud. The note was the same two halves Penelope had read, minus a bottom piece on the left side. Barnabas stood and sat at the edge of his table. “Alright then, Penelope. You’re right. He did travel them woods. As do I, and as do my brothers. We’re all safe. Only one who ain’t been accounted for is your former husband.”
“I want you to find him.” Barnabas placed a finger in his ear and cleaned out the wax, “Come again, now?” Penelope’s tone grew more firm, “Go in them woods and bring my husband out.” Penelope reached into her pocket again and pulled out a satchel, “I’ll pay you.” Barnabas took the satchel and handed it over to Cassidy who counted it. “I don’t